Mary Ann Lindley of the Tallahassee Democract gives a "tip of the hat" to Florida state Sen. Alex Villalobos for declaring his support for public financing of campaigns and I in turn tip my hat to Lindley for a well-written editorial on why it's high time we address how campaigns are financed, and policy written.

We've touched on former presidential candidate and former Gov. Mitt Romney's (R-MA) now he does/now he doesn't support for public financing of elections, principally in the context of his work as Governor to abolish the voter-approved Clean Elections system in Massachusetts.  Here, Romney talks to PolitickerME before a speech at Maine Republican Convention, and comes out against public financing of elections, while saying he's not familiar with Maine's Clean Elections program.

This letter by Michael Armstrong, reprinted from the Santa Fe New Mexican in Black Enterprise handily takes on many arguments put forth in opposition to full public financing of elections in a brief but effective summary of the many reasons we spend our days working for Clean Elections.

Man, disillusionment with Sen. John McCain is running rampant these days. David Sirota, in his most recent column, courtest of the San Francisco Chronicle, writes about his past admiration for the Senator that has suffered in light of McCain's recent compromises on issues like Clean Elections, and combating the influence of money in politics. Don't betray a reformers trust, John.

The Calvin College chapter of Democracy Matters makes the news for their efforts to rally support behind the Fair Elections Now Act in the Senate, and public funding of elections as the state and federal level. Great work by the students, and a very positive story!

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle devotes today's "Friday faceoff" column to opposing views on Clean Elections. The Clean Elections supporter touts the value in cutting the cord between special interest money and legislators, the detractor doesn't like the requirements placed on third party candidates.