Victor Fazio: “I personally believe public financing is the way of the future. I think we have neglected it in the presidential system…”

“I personally believe public financing is the way of the future. I think we have neglected it in the presidential system and need to reinvigorate public support for it. But I am more concerned tonight that we not impede progress on Shays-Meehan, that we not upset the balance that has been achieved in this version of this bill. It is the best we can accomplish under the circumstances. I would not want to endanger its enactment because we went too far in the direction that some of our colleagues that support this bill cannot go. I do not want to inflame some of our colleagues on the other end of the spectrum who are concerned about advantaging their challengers. I realize we have not made perfection, but I think we have come a lot further than any would have anticipated. We are on the verge of success, enacting something we can all be proud of. I hope the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn) can accept our reluctant opposition to his amendment, and I hope he can support Shays-Meehan as a major step in the right direction.”