Editorial: Campaign finance reform faces battle

Campaign finance reform has faced a tortuous journey in the past two years. In 1998 the House GOP leadership tried to delay the legislation, but a revolt within the Republican ranks forced a vote, creating a decisive victory. Unfortunately parliamentary roadblocks by Republicans in the Senate killed the bill, which would have banned soft money, the unlimited contributions that political parties covet.

Once again GOP leaders in the Senate and House are trying to deny the legislation a fair hearing, preventing votes until the fall. Unless a miracle happens, essentially what this does is doom the legislation, because the legislative calendar later in the year is short and likely will be dominated by government spending bills. While the Republican leadership has consented to having an open debate, which it didn't do last year, the reality is it has stacked the deck and made it next to impossible to pass reform this year.

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