Lobbyists and lawmakers cruising around the Potomac on a yacht courtesy of an organization that's raised money for the lawmakers in the past...just another sunny afternoon in Washington.  The National Marine Manufacturers Association has learned to play the access-buying game to great advantage.

Citizen Action of New York takes Rep. John Sweeney to task for his accepting $31,100 in campaign contributions from lobbyists and lawmakers he invited on a luxury winter getaway and asks him to sign the Voters First Pledge.  

We all have heard about Tom DeLay's wife working for his foundation and former staffer's consulting firm, and his daughter working as a fundraiser for his PACs and congressional campaigns. But this one seems to take the cake:

Both John Doolittle (R-CA) and John Sweeney (R-NY) hired their wives to raise money for their campaigns.