Generously declining to counter with a demand for Clinton's liberal-media allies such as the New York Times to stay on the sidelines, Lazio subsequently secured from the 14 conservative groups Clinton had cited as aiding Lazio, a written promise to refrain so long as Clinton's liberal allies did so. This plan was met with derision by Clinton's liberal supporters. And they made clear they would do so with gusto. God bless them. The government can no more ban issue ads by the parties and private groups than it could ban issue editorials in the New York Times or on the CBS Evening News .
Candidates prefer that scenario.
More still are offended by the often critical tone of independent ads. Unfortunately for Republicans, such reform would cause us grievous harm because it would leave untouched the liberal interest groups with vast resources far exceeding our conservative allies, not to mention the liberal media horde whose incessant editorializing on behalf of Democrats is worth billions. It is only with party soft money in the game that Bush can be competitive. The Lazio-Clinton pilot project is proof positive of the absurdity and unfairness of prohibiting only party soft money. Send it along.