What are the chances that either Barack Obama or John McCain, as president, will be able to greatly reduce the massive sums of money collected and spent in future political campaigns? Realistically, not very good.
A U.S. presidential campaign is the most expensive political campaign on Earth, and as such, will always be influenced to some extent by money. It is just not realistic, nor is it even a good idea, to completely remove money from political campaigns. Second only to voting, the freedom of Americans to support political candidates and parties by contributing their time and, yes, their money, has always been of the cornerstones of our participatory form of democracy.
Also remember that presidents cannot directly make campaign finance reform happen. Only members of Congress can enact meaningful campaign finance reform, and many members of Congress, when they run for president, will need the money.
Is It Time To Clamp Down on Campaign Money?
U.S. Politics Guide Kathy Gill discusses campaign finance in general and leadership PACs in particular with Seattle's KING-5 TV's Dennis Bounds.
