CBS News: It was just a month ago (after the elections) that Democrats and Republicans were scorning those nasty earmarks: giveaways of your tax dollars to pet projects without the normal public review. Too often, say critics, earmarks seem to coincidentally be awarded to those who contribute to the member of Congress' re-election campaign. President Obama agreed a ban would be good. "I'm somebody who's big on eliminating earmarks in Congress," he told reporters on November 11.