The author presents an argument that much of the debate surrounding campaign finance reform which has revolved around the constitutional issue of the First Amendment protection of political campaigning is misdirected.

Much of the corruption seen are not driven by the traditional politicking decisions made on basis of how to get more votes. Today, campaigning has evolved into a business and like in any business the players play by the rules given to them. The rules determine the shape of the game played. The campaign laws, in turn, shape the campaigning business. The corruption we see is merely the result of few corrupt politicians trying to maneuver under the existing campaign finance regime and maximize their advantage under the peculiar set of rules. You change the rules and the players (the corrupt and the honest alike) will simply learn to play by the new rules.

Nothing that has happened, thus far, has proven that we need the sort of reform proposed by President Clinton. Campaign reform is not about First Amendment. It is about panicked politicians trying to save their own skins by creating an environment that will make it more difficult for future politicians to function effectively. We wouldn't have problems if politicians simply obeyed the existing laws, good or bad.