Fishing for Influence

CQ Politics reports on an upcoming fundraiser with Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), who will break from crafting health care legislation to help rake in campaign cash from lobbyists and political supporters.   “It’s unseemly to be doing this just before the markup,” said Craig Holman of Public Citizen, referring to pending committee action on Baucus’ draft health care bill. “This kind of schmoozing of lawmakers clearly buys influence. This kind of event clearly shows why we need public financing.”  Click here for the whole story.