In the next week or so, big money really big money could be eliminated from the political process in this country. We hope it is. Right now there are no limits on the amount of corporate, union and individual contributions to political parties, the so-called soft money that has become so integral to election time campaigning. But far more often it s spent on the short sound bites of attack advertising, with no indication who is pulling the trigger.
Soft money ought to be eliminated, or at least capped.
And even some Republicans, the party that s most likely to defend election fund-raising and spending as akin to apple pie and wrapped in the First Amendment, are beginning to get on board. The outcry from Americans, appalled at clear evidence that big contributions return access and attention, is being heard in Congress. For example, recent reports show that the common denominator for individuals wanting ambassadorships is money. Almost without exception, those in the running for appointment raised a lot for the president s election campaign. To some extent, Republicans see reducing soft money contributions as being in their party s best interest.