How much does a Senate seat cost? Remember Target? DNC breaks new ground. More.

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U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) told a journalist that she expects her 2012 re-election campaign to cost $18 million: http://www.seattlepi.com/connelly/435275_JOEL11.html Remember the brouhaha over Target’s political donations to a pro-business group that backed an anti-gay gubernatorial candidate? (Emphasis added). Here's more companies: http://www.businessinsider.com/corporations-make-political-donations-at-the-risk-of-shareholders-wrath-2011-2 For the first time ever, the Democratic National Convention will not take money from corporations to stage its big event: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/02/dnc_plan_to_nix_corporate_cont.html FEC boosts campaign donation limits Those eager to funnel more money to candidates they like can now do so. The Federal Election Commission has boosted by $100 the maximum donors can give to any one candidate. The limit is now $2,500. In addition, individuals can give $30,800 to political parties, an increase of $400 from last year: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/48856.html Editorial: PAC loophole highlights need for overhaul of presidential funding system The Washington Post is calling for an overhaul of the way presidential campaigns are funded. One reason: Rather than establishing a federal political action committee to help pay for the cost of exploring the feasibility of running, some presidential hopefuls are using state organizations instead, claiming they are just engaging in general political activities, rather than exploring a candidacy. That may pass muster with the Federal Election Commission, but it doesn’t pass the laugh test, the Post says. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/09/AR2011020906054.html