Whether or not the much-in-the-news private equity industry has been the bane of the economy or a job creator, one fact remains uncontested:  it has been very, very good for political fundraising, for Republicans and Democrats alike.

With $22 million contributed this election cycle alone, according to Influence Explorer, top recipients look like a who's who of powerful politicians. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Republican Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., have collected large amounts, along with Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who recently served as chairman for his party's senatorial campaign committee and is himself facing ...