And that's what he's climbing into the ring with now. The venue for this fight, the United States Senate. Every senator has a vested interest in the fight's outcome. McCain has come out of his corner swinging. He wants to ban all soft money.
Soft money is where the real campaign is fought.
He who has the most money, wins, and restrictions on the use of soft money is like having no restrictions at all. Dubya has jabbed back, wanting to stop contributions from corporations and unions but allowing individuals to give, give, give. McCain, counterpunched, saying Dubya's idea would allow the Denise Riches of the world, the ex-wife of fugitive financier, Marc Rich, pardoned by President Bill Clinton, free to influence politicians by way of their dollars. They know their contributors want something in return for their generosity. If you want evidence look at how money shaped the new bankruptcy laws and the repeal of work-safety regulations.