TJ --

With 527s in play, there has been no check on election funding. There has also been no client control of it. The result has been horrible and deceptive ads on both sides -- by the 527s -- out of client control or approval. The Bush campaign, while winking and nodding at the swiftboat ads because they were so base and deceptive. The same would be true of the Kerry campaign and some Move-On ads.

The rules governing public money -- and the limitations on donations that force supporters of a candidate to channel money to the 527s rather than directly supporting a candidate -- have caused the whole 527 free-for-all mess. Far from having negative ramifications, I think that having candidates and their supporters fund their own elections will have significant and positive effects, raising the tone of debate, refocusing us on real issues rather than wedge issues, and generally putting a candidate's fate back in his or her hands.

Beathan