Will corruption matter in this year's elections?  PBS' NOW program asks that question [1] (summary and segment via Raw Story) about California Rep. Jerry Lewis in particular, under investigation for his relationship with lobbyist Bill Lowery and yet not in great danger of losing his seat.

The central contention of those who feel the Rep. Lewis' corruption investigation won't impact the election is that voters don't care - that it doesn't matter in their daily lives.  The opposite argument is offered by Zack Space, running for the seat scandal-scarred Rep. Bob Ney will be vacating.  He argues that the products of systemic influence-peddling in Washington - industry-bought policies that result in higher gas prices and health care costs, for instance - will draw voter's attention and spell trouble for tainted politicians.   Indeed, as Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) offers, just look at Ralph Reed. [1]   

To assume that voters simply don't care about corruption is to ignore the real consequences to public policy that result from an environment in which access and influence are bought and sold.