[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 1998

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I read with interest an article in today's Los 
Angeles Times about media coverage of the U.S. Senate primary in 
California. In the race to win the Republican nomination for the U.S. 
Senate the news media has provided almost no coverage to the two major 
candidates. One news station executive said ``I can't afford to have a 
reporter spend two hours for a story that is low-impact, low-merit.'' 
It appears that our democratic process has lost out in the ratings game 
to sex, violence and scandal. This lack of ``earned media'' coverage 
has forced candidates to rely solely on paid media advertisements to 
get out their message. Of course this development is one more benefit 
for the candidate who has the most money from personal wealth or from 
special interest contributions.
  This is yet one more example of the need to reform our campaign 
finance system. Money and paid media have come to dominate political 
campaigns more than ever before. Yet, the Republican leadership has 
continued to delay a debate on campaign finance reform. It is time to 
allow a vote on campaign finance reform in the House of 
Representatives. The people of this country are tired of waiting.

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