Second, political parties are a buffer against corruption. Parties solicit soft money and spend it supporting their candidates. The winners are beholden to their party and not to individual donors. Soft money actually is less of a danger than money given directly to a candidate's campaign. Third, soft money can increase electoral competition.
Soft money can help challengers compete with incumbents.
Parties make sure soft money ends up where it's needed most. Right now control over the House of Representatives is up for grabs, and both parties are focusing their soft money on the tightest races. We shouldn't ban soft money. America needs stronger political parties. This article was originally published in USA today on September 29, 2000.