Quote of the Day

"In my view, the suggestion [by Judge Sotomayor] that [campaign] contributions are tantamount to bribery should offend anyone who’s ever contributed to a political campaign — including the millions of Americans who donated money in small and large amounts to the Presidential campaign of the man who nominated Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court."

Sen. Mitch McConnell (Rep, KY) in a press release yesterday. Sotomayor, like others who support campaign finance reform, do not equate small campaign contributions with bribery. In fact, a principal goal of campaign finance reform, especially public financing, is to make small campaign contributions more valuable to candidates. Small contributors give because they believe in a candidate. Many large contributors give because they want something from a candidate. To confuse the two, as Sen. McConnell did yesterday, is a devious, desperate attack on campaign finance reform and Judge Sotomayor, and an irresponsible use of the free speech that Sen. McConnell says he cherishes. [Disclosure: Besides my work with City Ethics, I administer a public campaign financing program in New Haven, CT.]