Former Iowa Rep. Berkley Bedell writes in the Des Moines Register that he believes most elected officials want to do the right thing for their constituents, but that their efforts are no match for the pervasive, and persuasive, power of big money in Washington.

Bedell supports the Fair Elections Now Act and efforts to win full public financing at the state and federal levels and he, on behalf of Common Cause, wants to know which presidential candidates are on board with the proposal.

As the Iowa caucus draws near, Bedell advises voters to consider each presidential candidates' position on public financing of elections as a precursor to addressing other pressing policy matters.