The states and cities are true laboratories of democracy here. Tighter state and local regulation aimed at enhancing clean and fair elections will surely fare better in court if Congress acts. But it may take a lot more grassroots reformism to force Congress's hand. T he largely bogus scandal afflicting the Clinton administration is testament to the bankruptcy of the present campaign finance system. For at least our elections, both parties have raised soft money clearly intended to help their presidential candidates.
Parties exist to win elections.
That soft money helps the party's candidates is an open secret. Congress's intent in 1974 was to equalize the financing of major candidates, and to prevent the conflicts of interest that occur when candidates are in hock to special-interest money. This wise intent should have been honored by the courts. The three presidential elections conducted before the soft-money loophole was exploited were no less vigorous in their free debates. We need to view the current electoral regime in its entirety, as one that privileges money over robust public debate and clean, fair elections.