An ongoing investigation of offshore investments handled by the Swiss bank UBS may have major repercussions in the U.S.

The McCain campaign’s new policy on lobbyists caused another resignation Sunday with the departure of a powerhouse fundraiser.

Microsoft has brought in a Washington lobbying firm, Bryan Cave Strategies, to help in its drive to buy Yahoo.

Ball Janik registered last week as a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. The firm’s Erica Rhoad, once a staffer to former congressmen Bob Schaffer and Richard Pombo, is working for the group.

Faced with questions this past week about his dealings with lobbyist Vicki Iseman, Sen. John McCain had another lobbyist speak in his defense.

“Neither Sen. McCain nor the campaign will dignify false rumors and gossip by responding to them,” Charles R. Black Jr., McCain’s chief political adviser, told The Washington Post Thursday. “John McCain has never done favors for anyone, not lobbyists or any special interest.”

More than one media outlet pointed out the irony of Black’s serving as a point man on the lobbyist issue, as Black himself is a high-powered, well-connected Washington lobbyist.

Veteran politicians and former government staffers have been lobbying Washington for clients seeking tax cuts as part of the economic stimulus package.

During recent weeks, a coalition of hotel, financial services, energy companies and manufacturers pressed lawmakers to include in the package a reduction in the capital gains tax rate.

It was a rare moment, a journalist and a politician actually letting their frustration with each other show.

In one corner at a Staples in Columbia, S.C., last week was Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts and candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.