“Political corruption” on The Daily Caller

For Rod R. Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois, it may be the final campaign. (more)

Betty Sutton is a Democratic member of Congress from Ohio and member of the House Armed Services Committee who is proud of her legislative work to rein in the influence of lobbyists in Washington. (more)

ADEN, Yemen (AP) — Drawing inspiration from the revolt in Tunisia, thousands of Yemenis fed up with their president’s 32-year rule demanded his ouster Saturday in a noisy demonstration that appeared to be the first large-scale public challenge to the strongman. (more)

1.) Will newly elected governors put on a better show than House Republicans? — We are all fiscal conservatives now; at least at the state level. According to the New York Times, the majority of newly elected governors have said they will redeem their states’ economies in a similar manner: “Slash spending. Avoid tax increases. Tear up regulations that might drive away business and jobs. Shrink government, even if that means tackling the thorny issues of public employees and their pensions.” Scott D. Pattison at the National Association of State Budget Officers told the Times that the rhetoric is so consistent, “[Y]ou can’t tell if it’s a Republican or Democrat, a conservative or a liberal.” There are exceptions to this new rule: In order to get at the vast wealth of his few remaining rich residents, incoming Illinois Gov. Patrick J. Quinn signed into law a 66% income tax increase. (more)

A myriad of liberal organizations has plotted for months behind the scenes to rewrite Senate rules to limit the power of Republicans. As their anti-filibuster campaign reaches a critical moment, they’re pulling out all the stops. In recent days, the New York Times editorialized in support of their effort and the Washington Post carried op-eds from their allies. (more)

JERUSALEM (AP) — Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav was convicted of rape Thursday, a dramatic fall from grace for a man who rose from humble beginnings to become a symbol of achievement for Jews of Middle Eastern origin. (more)

Still more good news for filibuster reform: Harry Reid is in active discussions with his caucus about moving forward with reform in the new year, and is currently devising a plan to do just that, a senior Senate Democratic leadership aide tells me. (more)

The launch of No Labels (Not Left, Not Right, Forward) is a welcome existential insistence: moderates, centrists, and civil civilians exist (in large numbers) and wish to be recognized. Sincere partisans on the left and right have long held that moderates don’t really exist; they just take longer to make up their minds. Or, as a right-wing friend of mine characterizes them, “some say this and some say that, and I tend to agree.” (more)

WASHINGTON — The companies with multimillion-dollar contracts to supply American airports with body-scanning machines more than doubled their spending on lobbying in the last five years and hired several high-profile former government officials to advance their causes in Washington, records show. (more)

Republican congressional candidate Ed Martin, who ran in Missouri’s 3rd District against incumbent Democrat Russ Carnahan, is calling for an investigation into possible voter fraud in St. Louis during Tuesday’s midterm election. (more)

Inside Washington, fear permeates a political class uncomfortable with growing citizen awareness and broad rejection of Washington insiders’ self-serving public policies. Outside Washington, fear can be found, too — fear that the American Dream is being strangled to death by our leaders. The elections were the barometer telling us that new public pressure is just beginning. (more)

This election season, the conservative women’s group, The Kitchen Cabinet, has announced that it will have representatives in all fifty states monitoring the elections Tuesday to ensure a fair process. (more)

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that lobbyists are now courting potential Republican chairmen with fundraisers in an effort to create and cement relationships prior to a potential Republican takeover of the House. The White House communications director called this story another sign of Republicans’ “loyalty to these special interests.” (more)

Days before the election, the Nevada Senate race is increasingly turning ugly with Majority Leader Harry Reid’s campaign accusing GOP opponent Sharron Angle of voter suppression and calling her a liar. (more)

With high stakes and narrowing races, will voter fraud be an issue on November 2nd? Some Texans are betting that it will be — and recent history backs up their fears. (more)

There is room for discussion on government policy; however, no one believes that our corrupt and rigged political process is legitimate or right. Backroom deals hidden from the public, legislative bills voted on before reading, a nearly 70,000-page tax code designed to hide political favors, and crony capitalism are just the tip of the iceberg. (more)

A local government in Illinois is warning about potential voting fraud in the Chicago area, noting two election voters were convicted of such fraud just last spring. (more)

What is the cost of corruption in government? For Rhode Island’s Central Falls, the smallest and most densely populated city in the nation, the cost of corruption was so great that it put the city into bankruptcy. And one reporter got it all on video. (more)

“There’s just something a tad depressing that it takes hiring a lobbyist to help navigate the Haiti rebuilding process” – Chuck Todd (more)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — After the governor began raiding the state’s electronic bingo halls, casino owners sent lobbyists to the Capitol with orders to make their Vegas-style parlors legal. Part of the plan, federal authorities said Monday, was to offer lawmakers millions of dollars in bribes. (more)