Extortion club

One of the more interesting aspects of Congress’ long and fitful debate over campaign finance reform is how often the best arguments for it are made by those most against it. The latest example of this paradox wrapped in befuddlement is a GOP concoction called the 75 Percent Club.

It was devised by the National Republican Congressional Committee, the fund-raising outfit for the House, and it works like this: Henceforth, political action committees that contribute to candidates of both parties must prove that at least three-fourths of their money went to Republicans or they’ll lose access to lawmakers. Phone calls won’t get returned, meetings won’t get scheduled.

Rep. Thomas Reynolds of New York says donors have to “make a decision on how they are going to help their friends and who their friends are … you have to suffer the consequences of loyalty in being able to discuss some of the issues.” In other words, nice little business, cause or issue you have here. Hate to see something happen to it.

This new twist in arm-twisting comes as a growing number of long-time donors, especially in industry, are complaining that fund-raising tactics increasingly resemble extortion. It follows recent statements by Sen. Mitch McConnell, bagman for Senate Republicans, that there is a link between the size of donations and the consideration of desired legislation. It blows one more hole in the anti-reform defense that throwing money at Congress is a constitutionally protected form of free speech. Speech can hardly be free if those running the government use what they hear to reward or to punish.

Opponents of reform, Sen. McConnell the exception, have long said campaign contributions don’t buy votes or access; they merely allow citizens to use their financial resources to help elect the best candidates. Now they’re saying, OK, so contributions buy access. Let’s see you prove the votes part.

The timing of this boneheaded move could hardly be worse. The Republican convention has been big on unity and diversity – standard fare for these events – but the message coming out of Philadelphia that truly resonates is about character and integrity. If handled well, Republicans could make Vice President Gore pay dearly for the shortcomings of his boss in addition to Mr. Gore’s personal vulnerabilities on fund-raising.

Though the presidential campaign is still young, it s already clear that Gov. George W. Bush is subtly yet distinctly distancing himself from the Congress his party controls. No wonder. There’s some tough mugs down there; they’ve got a club and they’re not afraid to use it.