Any attempt to reform campaign finance laws has to take this reality into account.
Reform can level the playing field.
Reform can make the election process more responsive to voters and more accessible to potential candidates. But effective campaign finance reform has to acknowledge the central role played by legitimate, voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations. Voters need information, the more the better, and getting that information to them costs money. Inherent in our democracy is the right and ability of candidates for public office to publicize their views before an election so the electorate is able to make an informed choice. I have introduced campaign reform legislation that addresses shortcomings in the current system.