If a phoenix ever rises from the ashes of Enron, it may bear the name "campaign finance reform." After months of delay, the House begins debate on the issue today. The goal: putting an end to "soft money," that smooth-spreading, far-reaching form of influence that Enron smeared like butter around Washington. Cash without limits, cash without strings, except when a favor's needed. A line in new energy legislation, or a loophole in regulation policy, but we'll get to that later.
The bill in question wouldn't end the cozy relationship between politicians and lobbyists and corporations and unions. It might, however, be a start. But here's the trick: Weaning politicians off a soft money habit that in the last election alone totaled a half a billion dollars.
