USA Today has two letters today responding to their editorial last week in support of full public financing of campaigns, and the companion editorial against public financing written by the Center for Competitive Politics. One letter-writer supports public financing of campaigns, the other, our President and CEO Nick Nyhart, wants to set the record straight about arguments made against Clean Elections.

Here is Nick's letter:

Positives are missing

Nick Nyhart, president and CEO, Public Campaign - Washington


Bradley Smith, chairman of the Center for Competitive Politics and former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, distorts the facts about successful state clean elections programs in Arizona, Maine and other states ("No welfare for politicians," Opposing view, Election debate, Dec. 10).


The now four-year-old study of Arizona's and Maine's clean elections program by the U.S. General Accounting Office documented numerous positive changes in these states, including more candidates, more contested races and more competitive margins. Subsequent studies have confirmed these conclusions.


Clean elections systems also enhance speech. More candidates are running than before and are getting their messages out to voters. Far from entrenching political insiders, the elections are prompting waitresses, small business owners and others who don't have access to big money to put their leadership skills to use and to run.