There is a real incumbent advantage, because the line between campaigning and Senate duties is very thin.

The Senate and the House are at loggerheads, and it would be virtually impossible for the leaders of those two houses to be close friends under those circumstances. It would lead to suspicions from their respective caucuses.

It's the governor's lead issue this year, and he's going to broker a deal with the House and Senate.

You have to worry that allowing such income, especially when it is so closely associated with Pombo politically, is a reward.

Criminally, I don't know if you can hold the campaign liable. But civilly, if you can show the campaign had reckless disregard for the law, you could go after them for that.

... They're connected because often the political contributions open the door that allow the lobbyist in. The check by itself doesn't have written on it the agenda. It's the lobbyist that follows those contributions that brings the agenda.