MartiniPundit

Campaign Finance Reform = Vietnam

I looked on the efforts of the campaign finance reform fanatics with a cynical eye as it always seemed to me that they were chasing the shibboleth that money was the root of all (political) evil at the same time they were pork-barreling up a storm to be reelected. At the same time, every proposal seemed to curtail free speech a little more. The 527 debacle has therefore come as no surprise.

John Fund excellently connects the dots:

Although no one is ever likely to prove coordination between 527s and any political campaign, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that campaign finance reform makes it easier and more convenient for both sides to run nasty advertising while avoiding any accountability for toxic messages. Political parties might not be able to endure the criticism that would accompany the Swift Boat ad questioning Mr. Kerry’s military record or a liberal ad that ties President Bush’s policies to the poisoning of pregnant women. Far from banishing money from politics, McCain-Feingold has merely moved it out of the major parties and into the political shadows, where it is less accountable.

Even if that wasn’t the intent, it could be seen a mile away.  Both sides are responsible given the perceived desirability of being seen as a crusading reformer on the one hand and not wanting be seen as standing in the way of reform on the other. Reform, however, is not a universal good as this well-known example shows.

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