Republicans Raise $11.3 Million At Annual Gala (5/14/97)
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Two Voices Against Campaign Contribution Caps
Eugene McCarthy, Lamar Alexander testify against contribution limits
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, May 14) -- Two former presidential candidates -- Eugene McCarthy and Lamar Alexander -- spoke out today against limits on campaign contributions and spending.
"I don't accept that the ultimate corruption is money," said McCarthy, who ran for president in 1968, pushing for an end to the Vietnam War.
McCarthy, now 81, said federal limits on contributions violate constitutional guarantees of free speech and free assembly.
He was joined by former Tennessee governor Lamar Alexander, 56, who said money has more influence today than when Watergate-era reforms were passed because candidates spend so much time raising money.
Alexander, who called it the "law of unintended consequences," said he was forced to attend about 250 fund-raising events, or about one a day, to raise $10 million for his aborted, 1996 presidential campaign.
Alexander urged an end to political action committee contributions, but said individuals should be permitted to give as much as they want. He also said there should be "aggressive full disclosure" of who contributes to whom.