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In the Wake of BCRA: An Early Report on Campaign Finance in the 2004 Elections

Anthony Corrado and
AC
Anthony Corrado Former Brookings Expert, Professor of Government - Colby College
Thomas E. Mann

June 15, 2004

ABSTRACT:

Early experience with federal campaign finance reform suggests that the new law is fulfilling its primary objective of severing links between policymakers and large donors, and thus reducing the potential for corruption in the political process. Instead of languishing or seeking to circumvent the law, the national political parties have responded to the ban on soft money by increasing their hard money resources. While outside groups appear active, particularly on the Democratic side, their soft money financing should remain a small fraction of what candidates and parties will raise and spend in the 2004 Elections.

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