McCain-Feingold

PoliPundit quite fairly criticizes the McCain-Feingold act which is supposed to restrict political contributions, etc., to reduce the appearance of corruption in politics. The unintended consequences of this act are the proliferation of groups such as 527s (think MoveOn.org and Swift Vets) and the increasing negativity of messages put out by these side campaigns as they cannot endorse particular candidates.

Jay Bryant, on the other hand, thinks that W.’s signing of this act was actually a calculated move to secure the support of John McCain, who is generally respected from both sides of the political spectrum (“I go both ways in DC.”—see JibJab’s parody It’s Good to Be in DC) and therefore appeals to many so-called moderate voters.

I think Bryant has a point. Given the diversity of the people to govern, it is impossible to satisfy a majority all the time on all issues, and I think often some trade-offs need to be made (unfortunately) to achieve more consequential goals. That’s a fact of life in politics.