In a blistering critique of the gubernatorial contest in Massachusetts in which venture capitalist Chris Gabrielli in forgoing public funds to avoid spending limits in his bid for the governorship, Eileen McNamara laments the "cowardly" repeal of the state's Clean Elections Law.

She expresses disgust with skyrocketing campaign spending, as well as with a system that pits millionaire against millionaire in a war of money. She quotes Tom Harshbarger, former president of Common Cause and past gubernatorial nominee, on the twisted state of affairs: "' We have a situation where the Democratic Party is mobilizing its millionaires instead of mobilizing its members.'"

Indeed, it's a statement that applies to both parties where money determines a campaign's viability. Massachusetts voters passed the Clean Elections Law by a wide margin in 1996, but the legislature blocked it and repealed. Now they have a partial public funding system where candidates agree to $1.5 million limits in the primary and general elections, but are released from the limits if not all candidates are participating. Generally the public fund provides around $300K-$400K. Gabrielli looks to spend between $10 million and $15 million - do the math.