Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 12:49:14 -0400 From: freematt@coil.com (Matthew Gaylor) Subject: FEC Member Argues McCain-Feingold Would Only Protect Incumbents. To: freematt@coil.com (Matthew Gaylor)
[Note from Matthew Gaylor: Bradley Smith is Professor of Law at Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio and is the author of "Unfree Speech The Folly of Campaign Finance Reform" see http://www.pup.princeton.edu/titles/7030.html . I know Bradley Smith and he's as libertarian as I am. Capital University is a relatively small school, especially when compared with the enormous Ohio State University, yet they have several libertarian Professors. OSU has several too, but I'm afraid the leftarians outnumbered them at both schools.]
'Reform' bill threatens freedom, official tells Libertarians in city FEC member argues McCain-Feingold would only protect incumbents.
04/02/01 By JOE McDERMOTT Of The Morning Call
A Republican member of the Federal Election Commission told Pennsylvania Libertarians on Saturday the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill will hurt citizen involvement in future campaigns. "For the most part this is an incumbent's protection bill," said Bradley A. Smith, a one-time Libertarian Party member nominated to the FEC by President Clinton. "We are stomping out grassroots politics in the U.S." Smith was the lunchtime speaker for the Pennsylvania Libertarian Party's annual convention this weekend at the Radisson Hotel Bethlehem.
Scheduled as a convention speaker weeks ago, he planned to talk about third-party involvement in the political process. But two weeks of debate and today's scheduled vote for the reform bill changed his mind, he said. Comments made by senators over the past two weeks, Smith said, make it clear they are more concerned with protecting themselves than eliminating potential corruption in campaign financing.
The bill would allow incumbents to raise more money if they face a self-financed opponent, restrict a challenger's ability to criticize incumbents through television ads and rein in political party support for challengers -- who need it most, he said. "So what they've produced is a law that has a lot to do with protecting incumbents. It doesn't have a whole lot to do with reducing corruption," said Smith, the author of "Unfree Speech -- The Folly of Campaign Finance Reform."
However, a higher individual contribution level, better acceptance of Libertarian ideals and a move by younger voters toward different politics are signs for optimism, he said.
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For more Lehigh Valley news & information, click here http://www.mcall.com For this story, click http://www.mcall.com/html/pastdays/b_pg003_e4b3_4libertarian.htm
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