Bill Clinton

In the following viewpoint, President Bill Clinton advocates free airtime for political candidates as part of his effort to reform campaign financing. He maintains that the United States is the only major democracy in which candidates need to raise increasingly large amounts of money to conduct successful campaigns. Free airtime will enhance the democratic process by allowing candidates to focus on issues instead of fund-raising and by lessening the influence of special interests, Clinton argues. He suggests that in exchange for providing free airtime, broadcasters should be given free rights to use digital technologies. These remarks were originally given at the Conference on Free TV and Political Reform in March 1997.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the author, what has been the major trend in campaign spending since 1972?
2. What does Clinton...