Kendra S. Horn: “a few weeks ago America listened during the State of the Union Address as President Clinton stated his support for…”

“a few weeks ago America listened during the State of the Union Address as President Clinton stated his support for campaign finance reform. He said to Congress that ``We have a lot more to do before people really trust the way things work around here. * * * I ask you to just stop taking the lobbyist perks. Just stop.'' He also added that ``we should also curb the role of big money in elections by capping the costs of campaigns and limiting the influence of the PAC's.'' The President's speech reminded me of a speech I heard 2 years ago. In his 1993 State of the Union Address, President Clinton said, ``I'm asking Congress to enact real campaign finance reform. Let's reduce the power of special interests and increase the participation of the people.'' I remember who the first two Republicans were to give him a standing ovation on those remarks, the then-whip, current Speaker, and myself. Regrettably, the President let America down over the last 2 years. While Americans demanded reform, and while a bipartisan group in Congress worked to enact real reform, the President did nothing.”