SLF to Congress: Don't blame each other -- blame Clinton

ATLANTA/WASHINGTON, DC: The Southeastern Legal Foundation, the constitutional public interest law firm poised to challenge provisions of McCain/Shays, today calls on federal lawmakers to "stop playing the blame game and start making sense" with campaign finance bills. SLF also warns about a possible stealth discharge petition by McCain/Shays allies to force a House vote on the bills, which could happen at any time before the August recess.

"The only reason we are having this national discussion on campaign reform is Bill Clinton's inability to follow existing campaign laws," said Phil Kent, SLF President. "If we can't enforce current laws, how do we expect to enforce new ones? We need to strengthen public disclosure provisions, bringing the light of public scrutiny into the process. What we don't need to do is gag constitutionally protected political speech."

"The sad truth is that most Americans know about the Lincoln Bedroom because Clinton/Gore abused the regulations governing political fundraising, not because the 16th President slept there," said Kent.

"Rather than strengthening public disclosure laws, McCain/Shays are playing a cynical game with the American people - 'you are too stupid to hold elected officials accountable, so we'll add more laws, squelch free speech, and then you'll be protected,'" said Kent. "Most tyrants ride into power under the banner of 'reform' - that's why we have a Constitution."

The Southeastern Legal Foundation litigation team, working with former Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr and former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese, III, is "ready, willing and able to file suit at any point when McCain/Shays are once again thrust onto the legislative stage," Kent said.

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