Yesterday blogger Lane Hudson filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against the Fred Thompson for President Exploratory Committee.  Mr. Hudson alleges that the Fred Thompson for President Exploratory Committee no longer complies with the restrictions placed on exploratory committees. 

In the New York Sun’s article about the complaint, CCP chairman Brad Smith says the Thompson case "shows the ridiculousness of the whole regime."

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Back in May, CCP wrote a blog post about the undue influence of an endorsement by the world’s most influential woman, Oprah Winfrey.

The post highlighted the fact that "There may be a relatively small percentage of the population that can give $2,300 to a political candidate, but there’s only one ‘most influential woman in the world.’"

Click the headline to read the latest on the political influence of the world’s most influential woman.

Last Wednesday, CCP vice-president Stephen Hoersting participated in a roundtable discussion with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission regarding regulation of internet political activity.

Video of the panel is now available by clicking HERE.

CCP thinks the should have voted for the citizens of Parker North, CO.

Click the headline to find out why.

Yesterday, the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission held a hearing on the rise of political activity over the internet.

But increased internet activity isn’t fueling a need for regulation: the internet is democratizing politics now more than ever.

Click on the title to read more.

On Monday, a judge in South Dakota ruled that the identity of an anonymous contributor to a failed 2006 election effort does not have to be disclosed.

However, the state law has since been changed and going forward anonymous donations will be prohibited.  CCP, though, remembers numerous examples that call into question the efficacy of mandatory disclosure.

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Last week CCP weighed in (HERE and HERE) on the Democratic candidates debate over lobbyists.  On Monday, the Wall Street Journal joined in and today the Washington Post reports that Senator Barack Obama has now "softened his attack on Washington lobbyists."

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Tomorrow at Noon EDT, CCP vice president Stephen Hoersting will participate in a panel discussion with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission regarding regulation of internet political activity.

The Federal Election Commission has said, that because the internet has low entry barriers, it is analogous to communication made from a soapbox in a public square.

On the panel, Mr. Hoersting will advocate that because of the internet’s unique characteristics any regulation of it should be restrained.

More information about the panel is by clicking HERE.

Over at the Atlantic Online, Andrew Sullivan offers some personal commentary on the world of campaign finance.  He says, for what is at stake, the amount of money we spend on politics is still "pretty trivial" and that we should be spending more on politics.  He even argues that contribution limits should be abolished.

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Here at CCP, we’ve been pointing out that Hillary Clinton is correct in asserting that lobbyists represent real people and real Americans.  Today, the Wall Street Journal editorial page weighs in. Click the headline to see what they have to say.