"In my view, the suggestion [by Judge Sotomayor] that [campaign]
contributions are tantamount to
bribery should offend anyone who’s ever contributed to a political
campaign — including the millions of Americans who donated money in
small and large amounts to the Presidential campaign of the man who
nominated Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court."
Sen. Mitch McConnell (Rep, KY) in a
press
release yesterday. Sotomayor, like others who support campaign
finance reform, do not equate small campaign contributions with
bribery. In fact, a principal goal of campaign finance reform,
especially public financing, is to make small campaign contributions
more valuable to candidates. Small contributors give because they
believe in a candidate. Many large contributors give because they want
something from a candidate. To confuse the two, as Sen. McConnell did
yesterday, is a devious, desperate attack on campaign finance reform
and Judge Sotomayor, and an irresponsible use of the free speech that
Sen. McConnell says he cherishes. [Disclosure: Besides my work with
City Ethics, I administer a public campaign financing program in New
Haven, CT.]