Editorial: Senate misses out on big opportunity

Just last month the House voted overwhelmingly to pass sweeping campaign finance reforms. But supporters couldn't get the 60 votes needed to stop a Republican filibuster in the Senate Thursday. The GOP leadership was responsible for killing the legislation, but not every Republican agreed. Joining all 45 Democrats who supported cutting off debate and getting a vote on the legislation were seven Republicans, led by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the co-author of the Senate's campaign finance reform bill.

There aren't too many times when legislation that can clean up political fund-raising and also restore public confidence in government has a chance of passage. Such a golden opportunity existed Thursday, but it's clear the Senate Republican leadership had no appetite for reform.

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