from pacs, the money flows into campaigns, often through washington, where politicians always seem to have a fundraiser under way. just down the street, this d.c.c. food restaurant will hold four fundraisers in the next 90 minutes. the man hurrying past our camera is utah democrat jim mathsen. his ski pac is holding one of them. it's a $5,000 a plate breakfast. a fundraiser for a guy who would soon announce he's leaving congress. around the corner, a steak house is holding a breakfast fundraiser for the republican chairman of the house ways and means committee, dave kemp of michigan. for $5,000, the invitation says you'll be a star of his re-election campaign. on this thursday morning, a dozen or so fundraisers will be held before a single congressional vote is cast. it's all status quo says author peter schweitzer. the business of politicians