The Political Process
April 14, 2006


The political process, whether at local, state, or national levels, can be an extremely
frustrating exercise to watch, especially in an election year. In 2006, the race for
Governor will likely top $100 million in contributions. To raise that kind of money,
candidates do not spend much time with bake sales or door-to-door campaigning. 
Instead, they rely on professional fundraisers and tap a national donor list of those who
can use either their personal or corporate funds to write the $22,300 checks per election
(primary and general) for maximum contributors.

Of course, even at that level, it takes a long time to raise the tens of millions of dollars
necessary to reach California’s diverse electorate. That is why there are also contributions
to political parties outside of the restrictions of California’s Political Reform Act. When
the most recent restrictions on contributions were drafted and approved by the voters,
Proposition 34, the legislator-friendly reform limited direct contributions to candidates,
but not indirect contributions through political parties. It is those six-figure checks that
form the life blood of the campaigns.

Beyond that is the IE, or independent expenditure campaign. The IE is an important tool
for interest groups to deliver their message while not under the direction or control of the
candidate. As Election Day nears, many of the television ads and direct mail solicitations
come from independent expenditure campaigns.

Keeping track of all of this money and who spends it is the full-time job of the Fair
Political Practices Commission (FPPC), a public body whose task is to make certain that
those who fund political campaigns do so within the rules set forth in California law. This
requires both disclosure in campaign ads and periodic public reporting of how campaign
money is spent.

Does it make a difference? Well, at the end of the day it is still up to us, as voters, to
decide who holds office. When there is a great disparity in voter registration or resources
that one candidate has over another, it is very difficult to make an educated decision.
Soon, there may be a proposal on the ballot to have all campaigns funded by the public.
Given the role that interest groups play in Sacramento, do not be surprised that, if such a
proposal appears on the ballot, a whole lot of money will be spent to defeat it. Money,
after all, is power, and no one who has power likes it taken away.