According to Samples, that's good because parties embrace broad agendas rather than a single special interest. He also argues that since soft money goes to parties rather than individual candidates, the parties become buffers against special interest corruption. He adds that soft money can increase competition, when money is channeled into races to increase a challenger's chances against an incumbent. Michael Margolis, UC professor of political science, will moderate the debate. Sponsors for the debate include the Taft Memorial Fund, UC's political science department and the UC Skeptics.
Attendance is free and open to the public.