Last Friday, the Center for American Progress hosted a great morning event with Senator Dick Durbin and Representative John Larson, the two lead sponsors of the Fair Elections Now Act. Thanks to our friends at Public Campaign, we have video highlights for your enjoyment:

Americans for Campaign Reform has an op-ed in today's Boston Globe on the Massachusetts-based defense contractors that have received millions in federal earmarks soon after spending on well-connected lobbyists:

Political journalists routinely uncover the problems created by the trading of money and influence in our highest levels of government. Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that many major publications have endorsed public funding as a solution to the serious problems facing our most important democratic institutions. In just the past couple of weeks, editorials by the National Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, and the Philadelphia Inquirer have made strong arguments for public funding.

Sign the petition to ask Speaker Pelosi and Congress to strike at the root of the ethics problem by making public funding of congressional elections a top priority.

Governor-Elect Christie, Mayoral Candidate Thompson Post Unexpectedly Strong Results with Public Funding In-spite of Major Funding Disadvantage

In two closely-watched elections in New Jersey and New York City November 3rd, the high-spending incumbent governor and mayor, respectively, fell far short of expectations despite committing tens of millions of dollars from their personal fortunes to the race. Publicly-funded opponents in both races, meanwhile, posted strong results, even as they were outspent by as much as 14-to-1.

The Fair Elections Now Act has picked up 108 cosponsors in the House of Representatives!

Why does this matter?

Saturday Night Live opened last week's show with "President Obama" running through a checklist of everything he hasn't done yet:

Brent Budowsky wrote a stinging parody of members of Congress who cave to industry lobbyists in The Hill this week. His piece captures the very real struggle our leaders face between doing what's good for the country and extending their career another term.

Last Friday afternoon an important decision was released by the federal appeals court of the District of Columbia. The ruling struck down limits on independent political spending by nonprofit groups and political committees.

According to election law expert Richard Hasen in the New York Times coverage of the ruling, "It's going to make it easier for people -- and I would say eventually corporations and unions -- to give money to political committees to spend on elections."