Even so, Americans for Tax Reform and allied independent groups have been busy this week in New Hampshire and South Carolina attacking Mr. McCain. They accuse him of being an enemy of free speech and conservative politics. The reason for these absurd charges is clear. These groups are not really independent. They are more like adjuncts of the Republican Party and share the party leadership's desire to preserve money-driven politics.
Many Republicans say they decry the influence of special-interest money in American elections.
Among them is Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, who last year ran against Mitch McConnell for the job as the Senate G.O.P.'s chief fund-raiser. He cited what he said accurately was Mr. McConnell's abuse of power in raising soft money. George Voinovich, newly elected Senator from Ohio, has said he would vote for a soft-money ban. Now is the time for these Senators to follow Mr. McCain's brave example in rejecting money-driven politics. The attack on Mr. McCain has nothing to do with conservative principles.