EDITORIAL MEMO

To: Interested reporters and editorial writers
From: Campaign for Fair Elections
Date: August 5, 2010
Subject: Not rotten apples, but rotten barrel

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Republicans are using the ethics troubles of Reps. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) as proof positive that Democrats have failed to drain the swamp in Washington, D.C. But claims that only Democrats are swimming in the capitol’s fetid pool of campaign cash, special interest influence, and policy-making ignore the long record of both parties.

Examples Point to the Rule Not Exception

While Reps. Rangel and Waters are in the media spotlight now, other examples abound of the coziness between members of Congress and their big money donors.

• At the end of July, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) launched a “cash-for-speaker” program, promising VIP access to Boehner for lobbyists who bundle $100,000 in donations to his political operation.
• While many have been counting on Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to lose in November, K Street isn’t. Lobbyists donated $56,000 to his campaign in the second quarter of this year.
• Sen. Richard Shelby, (R-Al.), reportedly steered $250 million worth of earmarks to campaign contributors and clients of lobbyists who formerly worked in his Senate office.
• In June, we learned the non-partisan Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating eight House members—Democratic and Republican – concerning possible ties between their fundraising and votes on Wall Street reform legislation.
• The PMA scandal, another bipartisan affair involving potential ties between campaign contributions and Congressional earmarks to clients of a major lobbying firm, is still unfolding.

The problem isn’t just a few members; it’s the whole campaign finance system. Members of Congress spend days making rules for the industries they take campaign cash from at night. New members discover quickly that friendly votes are rewarded with more cash. As voters learn more about this rotten-to-the-core system, it’s no wonder that trust in government continues sinking – and it should.

Instead of asking their colleagues to return “tainted” contributions or using the scandals as a political football, members of Congress should change the system entirely by passing the Fair Elections Now Act.

Fair Elections Would Go Furthest to Drain the Swamp

The Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 1826, S. 752) would allow Congressional candidates to run competitive campaigns without having to rely on large contributions from corporate interests and lobbyists. Fair Elections would help us regain a government of, by, and for the people, not one bought and paid for by special interests.

Under Fair Elections, candidates would finance their campaigns on a blend small donations and grants from a special Fair Elections Fund. The Fair Elections Now Act would make politicians accountable solely to their constituents, instead of wealthy corporations and interest groups.

Sponsored by Reps. John Larson (D-Conn.) and Walter Jones (R-N.C.) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the legislation has the broad, bipartisan support of 159 U.S. House members and 24 U.S. Senators. The newest co-sponsors of the legislation include Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and Frank Kratovil (D-Md.), both members of the Blue Dog caucus.

The Fair Elections Now Act is the most comprehensive and effective solution yet offered to the corrosive, big money system that now finances Congressional campaigns. From minority party freshmen right up to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), every incumbent would benefit in November by voting before Congress adjourns to jettison our pay-to-play political system.

Learn more at www.fairelectionsnow.org.

Media Contact: Adam Smith, (202) 640-5593, asmith@publicampaign.org