WASHINGTON – The Maine chapters of national special interest groups are taking a keen interest in the congressional debate on campaign finance reform and they are strongly divided about what its impact will be.

Organizations such as Maine Right to Life and the National Rifle Association oppose the Shays-Meehan campaign finance reform bill and argue that enacting it would infringe upon First Amendment rights. But supporters of reform, including the League of Women Voters and Common Cause, say it is crucial, especially in light of the recent collapse of Enron and questions about Enron’s buying political influence through campaign contributions.

“The Enron case is a perfect example of what huge soft money contributions can do,” said Waldo Pray, Common Cause of Maine’s assistant for research and administrative support. Enron contributed money to the Democratic and Republican parties, but “much more soft money went to Republicans.”

Soft money contributions are unlimited donations that corporations, labor unions and individuals can give to national political parties. The Shays-Meehan bill calls for banning soft money contributions and limiting the ability of special interest groups to run television advertising that mentions candidates by name in the months just before an election.

Many special interest groups argue that this would impair their political clout because restricting an organization from contributing money to a political party essentially would end the organization’s right to influence the political process.

“By resisting people’s ability to maintain a platform, in terms of advertising,” it becomes “a free speech issue with individuals and organizations,” said Jeff Weinstein, president of Pine Tree State Rifle & Pistol Association, a Maine NRA affiliate.

Restricting soft money donations “takes away from” labor unions’ giving “their two cents’ worth in the discussion” while allowing “the liberal media” to be “biased about certain issues,” Weinstein said.

“It’s hypocrisy,” said George Fogg, secretary for Pine Tree State Rifle & Pistol Association. “The press can say what the liberals say freely.”

Simone Utley, president of the League of Women Voters of the Brunswick area, said restricting soft money contributions would prevent “undue influence,” and would not hurt union or interest groups because people do not usually know who is doing the advertising. And if union groups want to contribute money to candidates, they can do so through political action committees.

Common Cause’s Pray called the NRA’s argument that the Shays-Meehan bill would infringe upon First Amendment rights “absolutely ridiculous.”

“The NRA has been for years supporting legislation that will improve the political climate as far as they’re concerned,” Pray said.