Alexander Wants Higher
Contribution Limits

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AllPolitics, March 18) -- Former Republican presidential candidate Lamar Alexander, saying candidates spend too much time raising money, wants to boost the $1,000 federal limit on campaign contributions to $5,000.

"That doesn't sound like a reform, but the $1,000 limit required me during 1995 to go to 250 fund-raising meetings," Alexander told the Associated Press. "The $5,000 limit would mean a candidate would spend time at fewer fund-raisers and more time in the diners and the factories of America."

Alexander didn't mention former candidate Malcolm S. "Steve" Forbes Jr. by name, but said a higher limit on donations from individuals would "help deal with the phenomenon of zillionaires in politics."

If a candidate accepts matching federal money, election law limits how much they can spend. But a wealthy candidate like multimillionaire publisher Forbes who spends his own money faces no limits.

"It's like if a teacher organized a contest for president of the fifth grade and water pistols are the weapons -- and some kid shows up with a machine gun," Alexander told AP. "So you've either got to give all the other kids a machine gun or take the machine gun away from the one kid."

Alexander also suggesting spreading out the primaries, so that voters have more time to learn about candidates before the vote.

Alexander, 55, dropped out of the Republican race March 6, after a series of disappointing finishes. He had hoped a strong finish in Florida's March 12 primary might revive his bid, but he didn't make it that far.

Related Stories:

• Now It's A Three-Way Race (3/6)
• A Math Lesson For Lamar? (2/28)

Related Sites:

• Federal Election Commission

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