I looked and didn't find this posted anywhere -but This American Life does a great job of breaking down where the money goes and how it works in Washington. Taking on congressional call centers, lobbyists, Citizens United and so much more.
I know for most people on this site -this is old hat -but it lays it out and I think is required listening for everyone that wants to understand the system. I've shared it with my less politically inclined friends and told them they must listen.
Again I apologize if this is a bit late - I listen to TAL on my Monday commute -
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/
The title of this week's edition is "take the money and run for office"
For anyone who has ever heard the term "Washington insider" and felt outside — we are with you. So this week, we go inside the rooms where the deals get made, to the actual moment that the checks change hands — and we ask the people writing and receiving the checks what, exactly, is the money buying?
The piece starts off talking about the number of hours congressional leaders spend fund raising - with daily goals of $10-$15,000 it is pretty much all day, every day.
From the NPR Blog
We imagine lobbyists stalking the halls of Congress, trying to influence lawmakers with cash. But often, it's the other way around: Members of Congress stalk lobbyists, looking for contributions.
"Most Americans would be shocked — not surprised, shocked — if they knew how much time a U.S. Senator spends raising money," Sen. Dick Durbin told us.
There are special call centers across the street from the Capitol where Senators and Congressmen sit, often for hours a day, calling potential donors to ask for money.
It is worth a listen