Wonder what campaign contributions bought on Thursday?

Read this McClatchy report about the senators who stood against the big legislation on big tobacco. The legislation, which can be read about here, will grant the Food and Drug Administration regulatory power over tobacco. Today, the FDA can be sure what your pet eats is safe but not what you smoke. This bill, when law, will change that. It passed in the Senate Thursday by a 79-17 vote.

Not surprisingly, most of the 17 senators who opposed the tobacco legislation are the big recipients of money from big tobacco.

It's a reminder that money buys not only power and influence in politics but sometimes, political martyrdom.