Description
Campaign finance laws essentially prohibit political parties from fundraising on behalf of individual candidates, forcing candidates to finance campaigns independently. This system favors wealthy candidates and protects incumbents while discouraging challengers. In Better Candidates, Better Parties, Better Government, Peter J. Wallison and Joel Gora argue that allowing parties a greater role in campaign fundraising would strengthen the parties, attract more qualified candidates, and free officeholders to govern without undue financial influence.
Read More
American Enterprise Institute fellow Wallison, and Gora (Brooklyn Law School), who argued in court against campaign finance reform for the American Civil Liberties Union, suggest that if there is corruption in US election financing, it can be corrected by removing the shackles from the political parties. If the two dominating political parties could raise and spend money at will, they say, the electoral system would be more competitive, the unique role and capabilities of political parties would be strengthened, and any candidate who raised money from any other source would be viewed with suspicion. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Read Less