Leaders lament failure of campaign reform

Christian Century, March 18, 1998

Leaders from 11 denominations and religious agencies, including the National Council of Churches, have expressed their dismay at the failure of legislation to reform the way political campaigns are financed. The issue, which rose to prominence during the 1996 presidential campaign, has been a top priority for religious groups that believe the vast amounts of money in the political process are a corrupting influence.

"Campaign finance reform is not simply a political or public relations dilemma but a moral matter," the religious leaders said. "The temptation to use money to buy unjust favors is an ancient one. The prophet Amos thundered against those merchants who sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes ... and push the afflicted out of the way." An estimated $650 million was spent in the 1996 general election.

On February 26, Senate supporters of efforts to overhaul campaign financing laws acknowledged they did not have the votes to break a Republican-led filibuster of their proposal. It takes 60 votes to end a filibuster. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senators John McCain (R., Ariz.) and Russell Feingold (D., Wis.), would have banned the use of so-called soft money--unlimited and unregulated donations to political parties--and put limits on issue--advocacy commercials by outside groups.

"The power and attraction of money has proven too great," the religious leaders declared. "The lesson to be learned is that only comprehensive reform, which breaks the power of money in elections, can restore the public trust that has been eroded by the present corrupt system of campaign finance." Those signing the statement included Joan Brown Campbell, general secretary of the National Council of Churches; Paul Sherry, president of the United Church of Christ; Elenora Giddings Ivory, director of the Washington office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); Anna Rhee, director of the Washington office of the women's division of the United Methodist Church; David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; and David Radcliff, director of Brethren Witness, Church of the Brethren.