Russ Feingold: “I would like to mention just a sentence from President Bush's letter, who I don't think is usually considered a pawn of…”

“I would like to mention just a sentence from President Bush's letter, who I don't think is usually considered a pawn of the liberal media. He says: I would favor getting rid of so called ``soft money'' contributions but this principle should be applied to all groups including Labor. Of course, our soft money ban in our bill is comprehensive and includes labor. A letter from President Carter also indicates as follows: The most basic and immediate step should include an end to ``soft money,'' whether in the form of corporate or union treasury contributions to federal campaigns, or large and unregulated contributions from individuals. From President Carter. President Ford indicated in a letter: . . . the need to end huge uncontrolled ``soft money'' contributions to the national parties and their campaign committees, and to bar solicitation from ``soft money'' from all persons, parties and organized labor by federal officeholders and candidates for any political organizations . . . Mr. President, how can these three Presidents, two from the Republican Party and one from the Democratic Party, be considered pawns of a solely Democratic effort to pass campaign finance reform? On its face it is absurd to suggest a bill led by the Senator from Arizona, a strong Republican, is such a bill. But here are two Republican Presidents saying we should ban soft money. Yet, the effort to kill this bill would prevent the core element of our bill to ban soft money.”