The FEC's figures also reveal that individuals are by far the largest source of federal funds for each party: 86 percent for Republicans, 77 percent for Democrats. Both sides can thank the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act for that spike, which increased the limit individuals can give to $25,000 - adjusted for inflation, mind you.

In other words, the inflation-adjusted limit for the current election cycle is $28,500, according the FEC.

Burr heads north

That's the health-care-minded Sen. Richard M. Burr of North Carolina tapped to serve as co-chairman of the 2008 Republican Platform Committee, joining California Rep. Kevin McCarthy in helping outline the GOP's key positions and core values at this summer's Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.

The platform committee is composed of one man and one woman from each state and territory.

Past politics

The country's economic crisis has surpassed political bickering and reached a point where Rep. Tom Feeney, Florida Republican, says everybody is to blame: "Both parties need to pull their heads out of the sand ... ."

Unique flavor

That was the trade and investment section of the Embassy of Poland gathering at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Tuesday evening to launch a 14th-century Polish premium vodka - ZU - for distribution in the United States.

It's full name Zubrowka, the vodka has a unique flavor of bison grass, which grows abundantly in northeastern Poland, a region famous for its bison herds.