Sen. Richard Burr is the target of a new Internet ad campaign that seeks to tie his political contributions from the defense industry and the Chamber of Commerce to his vote on a bill involving how overseas American contractors handle allegations of rape.

"Did Sen. Burr Put Campaign Cash Above Victims of Gang Rape?" says the online ad that is scheduled to begin running today by Change Congress, a Washington-based group that pushes campaign finance reform.

The group is currently running ads on other issues targeting Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, and Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas, all Democrats.

"We've had a series of campaigns that have tried to point out cases where members have voted consistent with contributors but inconsistent with their constitutuents," Larry Sessig, the co-founder of Change Congress said in an interview.

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North Carolina businesses are defecting from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's opposition to clean energy legislation.

The list of companies that are criticizing the U.S. Chamber or have publicly broken with the organization over its head-in-the-sand stance is growing and now includes Apple, Pacific Gas and Electric, Microsoft, Nike, and GE, among others.

On Thursday, officials from three North Carolina companies will hold a news conference affirming their opposition to the chamber and their support of energy legislation.

The companies are Argand Energy Solutions of Charlotte, Burt's Bees of Durham and T.S. Designs of Burlington.

* Republican gubernatorial candidates Fred Smith and Bob Orr cross paths at Carolina Panthers tailgate party in Lincoln County. (Lincoln Tribune)

* John Edwards to appear on Bill Maher's show on HBO Friday night; with wife Elizabeth on Ellen DeGeneres' show Monday. (Marc Ambinder)

* Secretary of State Elaine Marshall receives honor from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for targeting counterfeit and bootleg products. (Triangle Business Journal)

* Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler picks winner in sub contest at State Fair; hangs with Jared Fogle from those ads. (News 14 Carolina)