Two firms run by Mark Penn, the controversial pollster for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2008 presidential election campaign, received $5.97 million from the $787 billion economic stimulus program.

Health insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield has been quietly working with the conservative, pro-business front group, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) to pass legislation that uses the issue of states' rights as a pretext for declaring healthcare reform unconstitutional.

James Murdoch, the chairman and chief executive, Europe and Asia of News Corporation and son of media baron Rupert Murdoch, wants American conservatives to embrace the need for an energy policy that promotes energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies.