Click here to sign up. To subscribe, call 904.819.3430 Order Home Delivery Online Order or renew daily and Sunday home delivery of the Record for one year. Previewing the second week of campaign finance debate, Republican Sen. John McCain on Sunday predicted more ''hysteria as we come closer to passage,'' and he also fought to head off momentum for a rival plan. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., said he liked an alternative that would limit, not ban, soft money. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who opposes McCain's leading proposal, also endorsed the cap.
Senators hope to reach a compromise on campaign donation regulations by the end of the week.
Lott said on CNN's ''Late Edition'' that a proposal ''might have a chance'' only if it increases individual contribution limits. McCain, R-Ariz., continued to press for a full ban on soft money, the loosely regulated, unlimited donations that unions, corporations and individuals make to political parties. The plan that he and Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., are sponsoring does not increase the amount that an individual can contribute to a candidate. McCain said on CBS' ''Face The Nation.'' ''We are threatening the system that keeps these people in power. We are threatening incumbency.