Split Over Policy, but United on Process When It Comes to 527s
- By Bradley Smith and Ellen Weintraub
- Special to Roll Call
- March 1, 2004, Midnight
Campaign finance issues seem to provoke one of two responses — fits of outrage or paralytic boredom. Recently at the Federal Election Commission we witnessed both — at the same time in some cases, which is no mean feat. Pundits and operatives trembled with excitement over our potential regulation of so-called 527s (certain tax-exempt political organizations), yet were nonchalant about the details — and limits — of the law we enforce. Here, we will place in context the debate over the use of nonfederal funds by political committees, and defend what we believe would be a better means of regulating them.
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