The Federal Election Commission, which is responsible for enforcing campaign laws, is famously one of the most toothless agencies in Washington. A board of six commissioners oversees the FEC and must approve all investigations or prosecutions by majority vote. Since each party appoints three members, only the most blatant violations of law are enough to break the usual three-three deadlock. Currently, the FEC requires disclosure of campaign contributions on a monthly basis for presidential elections, quarterly for congressional races, and on whatever schedule the parties agree on for unregulated soft money. If the campaigns relayed the information electronically, the FEC could easily implement instantaneous disclosure.
Many lawmakers rightfully complain that fundraising is a distraction from their duties.
Second, if candidates were assured public money, they wouldn't need to court donors with tax breaks, federal contracts, and other forms of pork that cost taxpayers billions every year. Of course, even if public financing completely severed the link between donors and candidates, interest groups and wealthy individuals could still influence politics through their own independent expenditures on organizing and advertising. But constitutionally, there's not much we can do to keep well-financed interests from weighing in on the political process. Browse The full Mother Jones 400 list. Profiles Meet the people with political pull.