It's early in the election year, but already one gubernatorial candidate in California is calling for an investigation into an opponent's campaign tactics. Steve Poizner, a candidate for governor, has accused a top adviser to one of his GOP rivals with using threats to try to force him out of the race.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Poizner wants state and federal officials to investigate these threats, which he contends may be potentially criminal in nature. Referring to his rival's tactics, Poizner said:

"This is not an attempt to be hardball and to be aggressive, but this is an attempt to effectively manipulate the election process, the integrity of the election process, by issuing these threats behind the scenes to get me not to run."

If you want a good example of how corporate lobbying clout can block a good idea from gaining traction, check out this post at CREW's Corporate Crackdown site.

It explains how California's taxpayer-friendly ReadyReturn program has been stifled by companies that profit from selling tax-preparation software.

The mission of CREW's Corporate Crackdown project is to hold accountable corporations that unduly influence government officials, overcharge taxpayers, engage in unethical practices, or sacrifice the public good for private earnings.