Now Playing at Reason.tv: Former FEC Head Brad Smith on how campaign finance laws pervert politics. And why John McCain won't shake his hand.

Former head of the Federal Election Commission, now a law professor at Capital University, talks with reason.tv about how campaign finance laws punish political speech. And why John McCain won't shake Smith's hand. Approximately nine minutes.

Comments

[Paul]

about how campaign finance laws punish political speech.

But progressives say that's not true... so...

[John C Jackson]

Stop blaming John McCain for being tortured by the Viet Cong. Everyone knows he can't brush his teeth, comb his hair, use a computer, or shake hands because those bastards twisted his arms.

[BakedPenguin]

Is it just me, or does he look like Mark McKinney?

[Seward]

From my POV the comment about supporters of "CFR" not giving up was the biggest take away point.

[SugarFree]

BakedPenguin,

Maybe more like Mark and Dwight from The Office had some sort of horrible butt-baby.

[Guy Montag]

Another reason to leave the country, no matter who is elected!

This list is getting pretty darn long.

[Guy Montag]

Did anybody else hear about the latest Sen. Biden quote about "jobs" being a three letter word?

[Libertarian Jim]

Is it safe to say McCain didn't call Brad Smith "My friend"?

[John C Jackson]

McCain calls people he hates "my friend" as well, especially people he hates.

[Michael Corleone]

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

[Mike Laursen]

Last night, McCain came up with the line that right-wing talk radio will repeat endlessly about his loss: "... Obama has spent more money on negative ads than any candidate in history." Followed by a narrative about Obama not believing in campaign reform.

[Mad Max]

"Another reason to leave the country, no matter who is elected!"

They may well ask you: "Where are you going to go, where are you going to run, where are you going to hide? Nowhere, because there's no one like you left."

[John McCain]

McCain calls people he hates "my friend" as well, especially people he hates.

My friend, you suck.

[Johnstank]

Baked Penguin,

I was thinking a young Czar Walters...

[Paul]

Can't believe McCain would call this guy a "bully, a coward" "and that he had no regard for the constitution".

McCain must be defeated. Even though I know it won't have any effect on concepts of Campaing Finance Reform and public financing of elections, I can at least take solace that it's the repudiation of a major and powerful supporter of such schemes.

[afisher]

I realize that there are always two sides to the story and it is refreshing to hear the other side.
I am amused that McCain was the one who rallied behind the "campaign finance reform" right up until it no longer worked for him. Reminds me of Willy Wonka - be sure what you wish for".
At least now I can add the Clean Election Act to my brower alert list.