Obama Pledges New Ethics Rules
Barack Obama said members of his presidential administration would face tough new ethics rules, including a restriction on lobbying from former political appointees, a gift ban, a two-year restriction on working in a domain involving a former employer and others. "When there are meetings between lobbyists and a government agency," Obama said, "we won’t be going to the Supreme Court to keep it secret like Dick Cheney and his energy task force; we’ll be putting them up on the Internet for every American to watch.” The news comes out at a time when the Senator's image as an outsider was threatened by the release of controversial opposition research and his ties to an indicted Chicago real estate mogul.

RNC Out-Raises DNC, House Committees Tied For May
Congressional Quarterly reports that the Republican National Committee raised $6.8 million last month, compared to $4.9 million for the Democratic National Committee. Meanwhile, the National Republican Congressional Committee matched the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, at about $4.5 million apiece — though the Democrats benefitted from spending less. While we have previously reported on the DCCC's fundraising lead, the GOP appears to be catching up. One possible explanation might be from Democratic money being taken up for now by competition between the candidates for president, with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama raising record amounts.

McCain Camp Apologizes For Supporter's Anti-Mormon Remarks
John McCain's campaign has apologized for a reported incident in April, at a meeting of the Republican Party in Warren County, Iowa. McCain's county chairman, Chad Workman, reportedly said that he would not support Mitt Romney because of Romney's Latter-Day Saints religion, and accused the Mormon church of supporting terrorist groups such as Hamas. "Such comments are inappropriate and unacceptable," said McCain spokesman Danny Diaz.

Romney Decries Efforts To Close Guantanamo
Mitt Romney today denounced government officials who might be looking at ways to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "I think Guantanamo is a symbol of our resolve," Romney said. Romney also reiterated his denunciation of habeas corpus rights for terror suspects, which he has voiced at Republican debates. "I do not want to see those prisoners transferred to United States soil," the candidate said. "I do not want to see the legal system in this country potentially opened up to terrorists and feel we’re better keeping Guantanamo in place. And if we need additional space, why, we should be expanding Guantanamo."

Thompson Headed To Early Primary States
The Hill reports that Fred Thompson is headed next week to South Carolina for a lunch with the state Republican party and also to New Hampshire, where he will meet with the Manchester Union Leader editorial board. MSNBC reports that he will practice his stump speech, which is still being finalized.

Lindsey Graham Takes A Beating Back Home Over Immigration
Senator Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) approval rating has sunk to deep low, according to a new poll from Atlanta-based firm InsiderAdvantage. Graham's approval rating is a ghastly 31%, compared to a disapproval of 40%. And thanks to Graham's loud support for the immigration bill — which only 21% of respondents approved of, compared to 63% disapproval — Republicans have a higher disapproval of Graham than Democrats. GOPers' disapproval of Graham is at 46%, compared to Dems at 36%. Graham had for some time been in danger of a primary challenge by state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel — but Ravenel has now been indicted on charges of conspiring to distribute crack cocaine.

Top Arkansas Dems Support Hillary
Hillary Clinton has been endorsed by most of the top Democratic officials, including new endorsements today from Senator Mark Pryor, Congressmen Mike Ross, Marion Berry and Vic Snyder, former Senators Dale Bumpers and David Pryor, and others. Notably absent from the list, at least thus far: Governor Mike Beebe and Senator Blanche Lincoln, who have yet to make any endorsements.

Reid Suggests Bush Do "You Know What" With Rubber Stamp
Straight-talking Nevadan Harry Reid responded today to a threat by the Bush administration to veto energy legislation that includes new automobile gas mileage standards. "They can take their rubber stamp and you know what they can do with it," the Senate Majority Leader said. Let us be the first to suggest a Unity '08 ticket of Harry Reid for President and Mike Lange for Vice President.