Spending $1.1 Billion in Six Months

Special interests spent $1.1 billion during the first half of 2004 on lobbyists and ads to influence your elected leaders in Washington. Topping the list: the US Chamber of Commerce. They shelled out $39 million seeking medical liability limits. PoliticalMoneyLine.com tracks lobbying spending and says this year's is on track to top 2003's record of $2 billion. (LAT)