The nation’s system of public financing for presidential campaigns needs adjustment, but the system’s flaws are no excuse for the House leadership’s announced plan to abandon the system altogether.

“Campaigns have changed tremendously in the 30 years since the public financing law was drafted,” said Bob Edgar, president of Common Cause, “and the law should change as well. But the idea behind public financing, to reduce the influence of big-money contributors in the Oval Office and to allow presidential candidates to devote themselves to a discussion of issues rather than the pursuit of campaign contributions, remains sound. Common Cause urges the House leadership to convene committee hearings to closely examine the law and draft amendments to strengthen it, not dismantle it.”