The trouble about running for President on your image as an anti-corruption, reformer kind of guy is that when stories surface that puncture a hole in that image, it's going to be front page news. And that's what happened to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today in this story by the Washington Post that suggests McCain did a very lucrative favor for one of his campaigns big donors.

Is Barack Obama considering self-imposed contributions limits during the general election if he is the Democratic presidential nominee? Sam Stein at the Huffington Post writes that Obama mentioned the idea at a fundraiser, perhaps in response to the flack he's gotten over possibly not using the presidential public financing system.

There's a thornbush, I'm pretty sure it's the acacia, from which it is impossible to extricate yourself quickly or smoothly. Once you get swallowed by it it's slow, torturous work to get yourself out -- kind of analogous to escaping the snare of lobbyist contributions if you're politician. This article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle chastises for giving in to the siren song of lobbyist money (can the acacia bush produce a siren song? discuss) and compromising their integrity with every dollar deposited and round of golf played.

Derrick Jackson of the Boston Globe marvels at the irony of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama attacking oil and gas companies for skyrocketing prices while taking thousands in campaign contributions from these same companies. Campaign cash from the oil industry keep presidential and congressional campaigns alike churning -- it's no wonder debate about their policies seems so conflicted.

The ad Public Campaign Action Fund's Campaign Money Watch project released yesterday on Colorado Senate candidate Bob Schaffer's connections to Jack Abramoff and campaign contributions from factory owners in the Northern Mariana Islands got some attention from Colorado press, including the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post. Apparently, Schaffer's campaign manager is a little steamed.

Keith Olbermann, host at MSNBC, and Dave Letterman talk about the presidential race, campaign contributions, and public financing of elections in this clip courtesy of Crooks and Liars. Awesome!