An independent counsel's investigation of Babbitt will not include an inquiry into campaign finance issues. The more narrow problem arises from the appearance of inappropriate influences on the Department of the Interior's termination of the Chippewa casino project. These suspicions center on contributions to the Democrats totaling $230,000 from rival tribes, which stood to lose business if a permit was granted. Republican lawmakers believe campaign solicitors improperly influenced Babbitt, though he insists that the department's action was indeed based on the applicant's lack of merit. Since the 1998 election season is now underway, this scandal should remind the electorate about the current campaign finance system's problems.
Political campaigns today, especially national races, require huge expenditures. An excellent example is this year's California gubernatorial race. In what might end as the most expensive state election campaign in American history, Democratic and Republican nominees will spend millions of dollars on advertising and publicity. Al Checchi, the millionaire Democratic front-runner, admits that a serious contender must have a considerable treasury to adequately disseminate information. The importance of money in elections also discourages able, deserving candidates from entering high-profile and important campaigns because few can secure sufficient contributions. Additionally, wealthier politicians have immediate advantages over more experienced, and perhaps better qualified, competitors. Steve Merksamer, former chief of staff to a Californian governor, observes that past wealthy politicians ran for lower offices before pursuing national positions. But now that large campaign budgets almost directly correlate to electoral success, candidates without experience or even basic political skills believe their amassed or inherited fortunes automatically qualify them.
Some states, such as California, have passed laws to limit the amount of a single contribution, but this invariably benefits the wealthier candidates - one law will not solve this problem. Legislators ought to understand that the current trend corrodes the essence of American democracy. Although some legislators claim restricting campaign spending is unconstitutional, the central role of money in politics threatens free and fair elections - the foundation of true democracy. Congress should find ways to diminish the role of money in politics, such as organizing town hall meetings, coordinating election advertising and limiting spending in campaigns. In doing so, the government may also eliminate the abundant opportunity for corruption.