When Bush warns that McCains campaign finance plan will hurt Republicans and hurt the conservative cause, he is hardly pitching himself to an independent electorate. But losing with Bush may be preferable to many Republicans than possibly winning with McCain. Bush is absolutely correct about McCains campaign finance plan: If the Arizona senator were to go all the way, the single-issue groups and large corporations who fund the party would continue to raise and contribute soft money to Republican candidates. But with McCain refusing to raise or spend soft money himself, that money would become considerably less plentiful. Organizations would shrink and disappear and many a well-funded operative would find himself out of work.

This explains some of the hysterics not only by the likes of Pat Robertson, but some of the partys savviest organizers and consultants. Wed have no star, no draw at the big fund-raisers, one GOP operative told a reporter recently. Republican leaders are in a total panic right now. They know that if McCains the nominee, theres no way they can [publicly] contradict him, explained another. McCain is making more trouble for himself than he needs to, but he cant help it. He positively revels in hacking off hard-rock Republican funders and activists. He called leaders of Bob Jones University, where interracial dating is verboten, a bunch of idiots. He called the National Smokers Alliance, a group affiliated with the tobacco companies running advertisements who tend to fund Republican candidates jerks  who addicted our children. Just before the Michigan vote, the candidate who caused all this commotion was sounding a bit pensive, as if he were preparing himself to leave the race with his head held high. No matter what happens to me, he mused on the Straight Talk Express. The party is on the path to reform ... Im the guy who won the New Hampshire primary. Im going to play a role. They cant ignore me.

-- Vern (bacon17@ibm.net), February 23, 2000

Answers

If the individual loses the liberty to advocate his cause, then the victors will be the party of the press, that is liberal democrats. We will be just another bananna republic like Mexico with one (PRI) party.

-- goldbrick (goldbrick@mint.com), February 23, 2000.

When money talks, only the wealthy will have a voice.

-- Bugeye (new@lurker.com), February 23, 2000.

refusing to raise or spend soft money himself

My understanding is that McCain is one of the biggest soft-money raisers and spenders of them all. What specifically are you referring to when you make this statement? Has McCain actually made such a promise?

-- Rick (rick7@postmark.net), February 23, 2000.

Do you have $50,000 so you can talk to a Senator? Or do you have $5- 15,000 to talk to your House Rep. These are the current prices for a sit down with these guys. It's not about the money its about access. Only people with money have access to Congress and the President. Only money can buy the access that creates the legislation. Why do you think the Republicans align themselves with Drug Pushers(tobacco) and Democrates align themselves with Labor. Big MONEY!!!!!

-- Chuck (benefits@insurer.com), February 23, 2000.

Right on, Chuck! I couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks!

-- RPGman (tripix@olypen.com), February 23, 2000.

He called leaders of Bob Jones University, where interracial dating is verboten, a bunch of idiots. He called the National Smokers Alliance, a group affiliated with the tobacco companies running advertisements who tend to fund Republican candidates jerks  who addicted our children.

and this is a problem? BJU and the NSA (the tobacco one) can phone me and I'll tell 'em the same and more.

-- worker bee (i'm@work.now), February 23, 2000.

even tho he's a phony, "go mccain go!"...it's nice to see the chosen reptile (i mean 'number one son')....SQUIRM..........

-- INever (inevercheckmy@onebox.com), February 23, 2000.