Successful failure

Politics | McCain-Feingold ban on soft-money broadcasting has subliminal effect on Election ’06 | Mark Bergin

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, a 2002 brainchild of Sens. John McCain and Russ Feingold and widely known by their last names, has provoked considerable howling from both sides of the political aisle during this election cycle—most ire stretching beyond annoyance at the bill's required awkward refrain, "I'm John Doe, and I approve this message."

The legislation's primary lightning rod: a ban on soft-money-funded broadcast advocacy ads that mention specific candidates by name within 60 days of the election. Democrats decry that provision for protecting congressional incumbents from criticism. Republicans malign its unprecedented limits on political free speech.

But for all the hissing and calls for repeal, the McCain-Feingold restrictions may have a relatively minor impact on this year's elections. A number of major special-interest groups have shifted away from heavy television and radio advertising for reasons independent of any campaign-finance laws.