When a group of Brown students helped introduce Clean Elections legislation in 2005, Phil West, then the local head of Common Cause, said it was a good thing they were freshman, since the effort to advance the reform would likely take at least the remainder of their college careers.

Those early proponents have moved on, including Te-Ping Chen, who went on to become a Phoenix intern and contributor, before leaving RI.

Kathy Gregg has the 4Q numbers:

In the three-month stretch between September 30 and December 31, Caprio's warchest increased from $866,519 to $1,017,333. After expenses, he had $1,001,061 left, which placed him far ahead of any of the other potential 2010 gubernatorial candidates.

By way of comparison, Providence Mayor David Cicilline had $684,570 left after raising $119,885 and spending $43,809.

From Rhode Islanders for Fair Elections:

State House Rally to Support the Re-Introduction of the “Rhode Island Public Financing of Elections Act”

Sponsors and supporters hopeful for positive votes in committee this year on legislation as public financing of elections gains momentum nationwide.

Mark Weiner, the prodigious Democratic fundraiser and Clinton confidante, and his wife have combined to donate $100,000, the maximum allowable, for Obama's inauguration. Steven Stycos reports in this week's Phoenix.

Obama set the strictest limits ever for a presidential inauguration, limiting individual donations to $50,000 and declining contributions from corporations, unions, lobbyists, or political action committees.

Regardless of who wins tonight, the primary importance of money in our political system remains well-entrenched.

Obama has succeeded in taking a page from the Republican playbook (remember W's Pioneers and Rangers?), outraising McCain by hundreds of millions. There are some differences in the overall tactics, but the results seem pretty much the same.

This question continues to hang in the air, with Frank Caprio and Patrick Lynch representing the most likely Democratic contenders for governor, IMHO, at this stage in the game.

Then again, it never hurts to replenish your war chest and to cultivate supporters, so that's why the mayor is having a fundraiser with young professionals at 5:30 next Wednesday, October 29, at Waterplace.

Here's the Cliff Notes' version of today's John Mulligan story about Senator Jack Reed and the big chunk of money he has taken from the fiscal sector, America's favorite new public enemy:

1. Jack Reed, RI's popular senator, accepts special interest money.

The financial sector accounts for more than $1 million of the $4.

One of the leading progressive members of the RI House, and a progressive vying to join the same chamber, are having fundraisers this week.

First up, David Segal, whose "times" are a bit different from your father's Oldsmobile:

As you may know, I am running for re-election as District Two's State Representative, having just completed my first term.

Via Halperin:

Getty/RNC/istockphoto.com

McCain topper Davis says the campaign raised more than $22 million in June.

And his campaign has nearly $27 million cash on hand, making it his best fundraising month yet.

Campaign manager Rick Davis discusses the financial outlook of the campaign on media conference call, says Republicans’ cash on hand is more than twice what Obama and the DNC have.

An interesting split in presidential support, via Halperin:

Wall St.:

Wall Street is investing heavily in Barack Obama.

Although the Democratic presidential hopeful has vowed to raise capital gains and corporate taxes, financial industry bigs have contributed almost twice as much to Obama as to GOP rival John McCain, a Daily News analysis of campaign records shows.

Matt has the details:

Rhode Islanders are invited to attend a health care oriented fundraiser for Obama for America THIS TUESDAY, June 17th at 530pm at the Hi-Hat (3 Davol Square in Providence). Attorney General Patrick Lynch will be joined by David M. Cutler, an Obama for America Health Care Policy Advisor.

The suggested contributions are $150 per person or $250 per couple.

Matt has a rundown of upcoming times, including a few tonight:

Wednesday, June 4th - Fundraising reception for my state Senator Harold Metts from 530pm to 800pm at the Hi-Hat in Providence's Davol Square. The suggested contribution is $50 or $75 for a couple.

Wednesday, June 4th - Fundraising reception for Providence Ward 1 Councilman Seth Yurdin at Rue De L’Espoir (99 Hope St.

There are legislative fundraisers, and then there are legislative fundraisers. Those of Representative David Segal, which have a bit of Mardi Gras, fall into the latter category, and he's got one this week.

Please Join Rep Segal for a night of music, fun and progressive politics this Thursday, May 8th, at Nick-a-Nee's in Providence's Jewelry District.

As I wrote last week, the Clinton campaign botched it by alienating David Cicilline.

The mayor's in a difficult position, as Buddy Cianci pointed out today, since his headache with the firefighters will come with him if he were to throw his support to Obama.

Meanwhile, Scott MacKay reports today that Jack McConnell, treasurer of the RI Democratic Party, and someone close to Cicilline, stayed away from Clinton's Providence fundraiser yesterday ($100,000 raised) because of his pique over Cicilline having been disinvited.