Part I: John B. Judis; Part II: Committee for Economic Development

The authors of the following two-part viewpoint contend that private financing of elections threatens the integrity of America’s political system. In Part I, John B. Judis, an editor for the New Republic magazine, asserts that wealthy individuals and groups have a disproportionate influence on how candidates are elected. He examines reform proposals by Republican senator John McCain and former Democratic senator Bill Bradley. Part II of the viewpoint is by the Committee for Economic Development (CED), an independent public policy organization comprised of leading business and academic executives. McCain, Bradley, and the CED all propose banning or limiting both “soft money” contributions to political parties and independent “issue” advertisements.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What was...