The Influentialist Will Be Back Oct. 31.

Off to London.  Back on Wednesday.

The New Republic: Washington Weiner

Ken Gross, a lawyer with Skadden who advises lobbyists and their clients on how to throw ethically acceptable parties, was recently puzzling over a difficult problem. One of the fabulous election-year pleasures for big corporations is sponsoring sumptuous breakfasts for members of Congress and other politicos at the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions.

AP: Craig Uses Campaign Cash for Legal Bills

Idaho Sen. Larry Craig has spent nearly $23,000 in campaign funds to pay a Washington lawyer who represents him before the Senate ethics committee, a new campaign finance report shows.

Washington Post: As Campaigns Chafe at Limits, Donors Might Be in Diapers

Elrick Williams’s toddler niece Carlyn may be one of the youngest contributors to this year’s presidential campaign. The 2-year-old gave $2,300 to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).
So did her sister and brother, Imara, 13, and Ishmael, 9, and her cousins Chan and Alexis, both 13. Altogether, according to newly released campaign finance reports, the extended [...]

Houston Chronicle: Site Highlights Contracts, Contributions

Comptroller Dan Hynes wants a law to cut the connections between political donations and government contracts, but for now he’ll make do with a Web site meant to draw attention to “pay to play” politics.

Times: MPs angered by lobbyist code that will keep identities secret

New rules that allow lobbyists to keep the names of their clients secret were condemned yesterday by MPs.
A new code of principles released by industry leaders does not require lobbyists to keep a permanent public register of their clients – a requirement under the existing self-regulation code. Instead organisations must “always be clear and [...]

Jackson Clarion Ledger: Tort-reform group settles claim it broke law

A pro-tort reform group that has been critical of Democrat Attorney General Jim Hood’s bid for re-election has settled a claim accusing it of violating state lobbying laws.

Orlando Sentinel: Rep. Keller outpaced in fundraising quarter

Business consultant Charlie Stuart burst out of the gate fast in his second bid for Congress, outpacing all his rivals for the Orlando-area seat by raising almost $164,000 in his first fundraising quarter.
The Democrat even bested U.S. Rep. Ric Keller, the four-term Republican incumbent, who raised about $122,000, according to reports filed with the Federal [...]

Dick Morris: Conflict of Interest: Burson-Marsteller and Hillary Clinton’s Alliance

“Running a presidential campaign is good for business.”
Mark Penn, Hillary Clinton’s chief strategist and the Worldwide CEO of international public relations/ lobbying firm Burson-Marsteller, wrote those telling words in his confidential internal corporate blog.
Given the breadth of his company’s representation of special interests, Penn’s assertion may be the understatement of the year. The number of [...]

Dallas Business Journal: Ron Kirk named co-chairman of lobbying group

Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk has signed on as co-chairman of a lobbying group that supports deregulation of the electricity markets.
Kirk, a partner with Vinson & Elkins LLP, will head Compete Coalition along with Don Nickles, a former Republican senator from Oklahoma and former senate assistant majority leader. Kirk was one of TXU’s highest [...]