Groups say time is now for public financing push
By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 8, 2010; A13
Two interest groups plan to spend as much as $15 million this year on a nationwide campaign in favor of new public-financing legislation aimed at limiting the influence of wealthy donors and large corporations in congressional races.
Common Cause and Public Campaign are making the push on behalf of the Fair Elections Now Act, which would allow lawmakers to qualify for public matching funds by raising money exclusively from small donors. On Thursday, the two groups plan to unveil details about the campaign, which will include TV ads targeting wavering lawmakers and grass-roots efforts in 24 states.
Former congressman Bob Edgar (D-Pa.), now the chief executive of Common Cause, said public disgust over lobbying and campaign donations from Wall Street financiers, oil barons and other wealthy players provides a clear opportunity for reform.
"This is really a critical moment," Edgar said in an interview. "The general public is well aware of the fact that money influences every aspect of politics, and they want something done about it. . . . If we miss this moment, it may be a while before we get back to it."
The Fair Elections Now Act, sponsored in the House by Rep. John B. Larson (D-Conn.) and Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-N.C.) and in the Senate by Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), would establish a voluntary system in which candidates would agree to accept only donations of $100 or less from contributors in their districts or states. After meeting a minimum amount of qualified contributions, they would get $400 in matching funds for every $100 raised.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/07/AR2010070705101.html