Caving in to the "special interests"

Published on July 16, 2008
by Michael Schrimpf

John McCain the "reformer" is back.  

On Monday, CCP chairman Brad Smith highlighted the delicate lexicon used by McCain in a recent advertisement describing his work on "campaign reform" - carefully avoiding any direct mention of McCain-Feingold or "campaign finance reform."

Before that, McCain told the New York Times that he thinks of himself as a "Teddy Roosevelt conservative," due in part, to both's support for campaign finance "reform." Ken Vogel neatly summarizes McCain's latest rebranding effort in today's Politico.

But as McCain tries to reseize the "reform" mantle, it may be time to revisit the impact of his reforms - especially in light of his caving in to his favorite special interest group, proponents of campaign finance and speech regulation.

Last week, McCain, in response to a coalition of advocacy groups that were vocal in their support of McCain-Feingold, offered more details about his campaign's bundlers.

These are the same groups that supported muzzling the ability of citizens groups to advocate close to an election and were dismayed when the Supreme Court lifted some of the more onerous restrictions imposed on grassroots groups by McCain-Feingold's electioneering communications ban.

These groups also vociferously lobbied for restrictions on grassroots lobbying, which was opposed by progressive organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union. These groups denounced grassroots lobbying efforts as "astroturf lobbying", an effort that Smith noted was a little like the pot calling the kettle black.

Now laying claim to the "reform" mantle may be a wise strategic move in a change election, but it is important to remember the consequences of so-called "reform" - greater restrictions on fundamental First Amendment rights.