McCain, Feingold Taint Themselves

Here's a thought; Had McCain-Feingold tackled the real issues of incumbent protection --

Every Member's campaign account would zero-out on January 1st after the November election;

(WI-7 Rep. Dave Obey would have been sent back to Oklahoma a long time ago had it not been for his stockpile of DC PAC money; PACs who gave to Obey even in years when he had no/token opponents)

Campaign contributions could only be spent on the office that is being sought. Seek a different or higher office, then the bank account resets to zero;

(OK, this provision dings some friends of mine across the country, seeking other office, but the test of reform is, does it treat both Parties equally?)

Outlaw Leadership PACs. If a Member wants leadership, such as Whip or a committee chairmanship, or has dreams of winning the New Hampshire primary, then cover those expenses from a single committee account;

(Leadership PACs are all about DC special interest money. Big checks come in, and smaller checks then are sent out to sprinkle the infield. Rising stars are created, which begets more special interest money. Then, almost without notice, lines are crossed, and investigations into the money trail begin)

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Money and fundraising serves as a test of political viability. If a citizen wishes to run for Congress, and is unable to raise contributions, then ipso facto, that citizen must lack personal appeal or their issue positions are lacking.

But our current system bastardizes this gauge of support. When more than a $1 million dollars can be accrued over the course of 3 or 4 election cycles, is that an accurate indication of enduring popularity, or is it an indication of being ingrained in the culture of incumbency?

And when that same $1 million dollars can be legally transferred from a congressional account to a statewide campaign -- whether a governor or even a U.S. Senate campaign -- is it fair to permit such a jump-start with funds that were not contributed from a statewide organization?

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John McCain and Russ Feingold have duped the country into believing they are on the side of fairness and reform. After all, they are both long-term incumbents. Early on, they both harbored dreams of a White House address. Why mess with the system that they would one day, exploit themselves?

McCain's Reform Institute leadership PAC.

Feingold's Progressive Patriots Fund leadership PAC.