Politicians won't overcome their addiction unless there is an alternative way to run successful bids for office. In practice, parties increasingly use this booty to fund political advertisements that stop just short of directly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate. But congressional support for a ban is growing, and McCain has vowed to fight for his bill this year. He claims to have the 60 votes necessary to stop a Senate filibuster, ensuring that a debate and a vote will go on. The next hurdle will be fending off crippling amendments.
Hard money is no less a tool of political influence.
This money comes largely from a select group of wealthy Americans. Raising hard-money limits would effectively increase the clout of industry executives. If Congress passes the McCain-Feingold legislation, the bill still needs the president's signature. If Bush vetoes the bill, then McCain will need to use all the public support he gained during his presidential run to muster two-thirds of the Senate and House to override the veto. If McCain overcomes these hurdles, he will have achieved an enormous victory.