Reply #1: Reform Hypocrisy [View All]

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Reform hypocrisy

First published: Saturday, January 21, 2006

The intense media attention given to the Jack Abramoff scandal in Washington will almost certainly pressure Congress into enacting some kind of lobbying reform, but it may be little more than window-dressing. As critics have pointed out, tightening the lobbying rules without also reforming campaign finance laws will result in no reform at all. Lobbyists will be able to continue to ply lawmakers with free meals, travel and other perks -- and throw in a campaign contribution to make it all legal. That's because the gifts that may soon be outlawed under a lobbying reform measure will continue to be legal under campaign finance regulations.

It's yet another example of congressional hypocrisy. Then again, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of the co-authors of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform measure, may be able to keep the heat on. This week, he acknowledged the lobbying reform loophole and vowed to close it. And on Sunday, appearing on CBS' "Face the Nation," he lashed out at the Federal Election Commission as corrupt for carving out so many exceptions to McCain-Feingold.
Sen. McCain's anger is justified, but he is far too selective in placing blame. It's not just the lobbyists or big-money contributors who are part of the problem. So are President Bush and the Democratic leaders in Congress.
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http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=442014&category=OPINION&newsdate=1/21/2006