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President Barack Obama promised during his campaign that he will fight the lobbying firms and special interest groups in the K Street. Obama's health care and energy proposals however, have benefited these organizations. It was also found that former practitioners from the firms were also appointed in key positions in his administration.

Barack Obama's volunteers are registering first time voters around the U.S. but whether these names will figure on the rolls due to the short time span is debated These voters are expected to bring in votes that could send him to the White House.

Many changes are taking place in the hypercompetitive, constantly changing world of campaign fund-raising. A round-up of ten different methods adopted for fundraising and the political money trends including collecting through Internet, rounding up small checks to contribute in a large stack, called bundling, contributions from non-profit organizations, small donations of less than $200 dollars or unitemized contributions, and other sources is provided.

The lobbyist Jack Abramoff, former Rep. Duke Cunningham, Rep. Alan Mollohan and former Rep. Tom Delay are suspected of manipulating so-called charities for political gains, as the tax exempt group require few disclosures and no restrictions on the size or source of contributions. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) started a 'Political Activities Compliance Initiative' for strict enforcement and increased efforts to educate the nonprofits about the law and are also investigating the matter and setting right standards before it grows and becomes incontrollable.

Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud, and tax-evasion charges, which came about a month after former Rep. Randy Cunningham, R-Calif., pleaded guilty to taking bribes from a defense contractor who had lobbied him for business, resulting in a sinister image for a lobbyist. Lobbying is big business in Washington, and with key factors of lobbying being competition, time, complexity, gridlock and money, the vast K Street community of lobbyists are looked at with suspicion.

Issues related to abortion and the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act that was signed into a law is presented. Issues include the right to terminate the pregnancy in the early stages. The law is opposed by many organizations and may lead to a decrease in the number of votes for President Bush.

Stephen Moore, a writer and political operative, began the political action committee Club for Growth to support fiscally conservative Republican candidates. The club spent approximately $3 mil during the 2000 election cycle and expects to double that amount in 2002.

This article examines the political influence and internal struggles within the US Congressional Black Caucus. Topics addressed include their support for campaign finance reform, their relationship to the Democratic party, their challenges in representing the needs of African Americans, and the article profiles several key members in the caucus.