Another Obstacle to Reform
The New York Times
February 4, 2002
Campaign finance reform,
which sprang back to life last
month, is under a new assault by
its enemies and a few misguided
"friends." The House Speaker, Dennis Hastert, and the
chief Republican fund-raiser, Tom DeLay, are trying hard
to kill the Shays-Meehan soft-money ban now that
reformers in the House have signed a petition to force it to
the floor. Meanwhile, some old supporters are suddenly
backing a version of the bill that, if approved, would
actually derail true reform. In effect, these gullible
lawmakers are doing Mr. DeLay's work for him.
The bill sponsored by Representatives Christopher Shays
and Martin Meehan would ban unlimited donations to
political parties by corporations, unions and rich
individuals. In its original form, it also banned
corporations and unions from financing independent
advertising that clearly helps a candidate and curbed
donations by individuals for the same purpose. This was
seen as too broad and open to constitutional challenge. So
in its present form, the bill narrows the ban to "issue ads"
broadcast within 60 days of a general election or 30 days
of a primary. In a separate change, individuals could pay
for such ads only if their identities were disclosed.
These newer provisions will strengthen the bill's ability to
withstand constitutional challenge. Nevertheless, some
reformers are now saying that they want to return to the
original, broader provisions. To do so would overturn
delicate negotiations in which Shays-Meehan was altered
to widen the base of support without watering down the
basic protections in the bill. It would also doom the bill.
Those who persist in fiddling with Shays-Meehan must be
told by their constituents that voters will not tolerate
changes that threaten the bill. Two area Republicans in
particular need to hear that message: Rodney
Frelinghuysen of New Jersey and Sue Kelly of New York.
Doug Ose of California should also pay heed. The main
objective of every true reformer should be to pass a bill
that is close enough to what the Senate has already
approved so that a House-Senate conference can be
avoided. Campaign reform has come too far to be
sabotaged by supposedly well-intentioned friends.
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