McCain threatens Senate shutdown over campaign finance reform

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Despite the near absence of the issue as a topic at last week's Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, campaign finance reemerged Sunday as an issue of import to the nation's political leaders.

"The U.S. Senate won't proceed next year until we address the issue," Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona., told NBC's "Meet the Press." "I believe we have enough friends and comrades that we can force that," he said.

McCain

Asked if that means he would close down the Senate, if need be, he said, "Absolutely."

The former GOP presidential candidate, whose primary bid was defeated and who now supports Texas Gov. George W. Bush, acknowledged that "there is disagreement between me and Governor Bush" on the issue.

Though he did not address the topic directly in his speech last week in Philadelphia, McCain said the speech had addressed the need for reform in general terms. "I said we had to rid this country and its government of the special interests and reconnect the young again to government," he said.

The themes of the speech were "One, support George W. Bush; two, the greatness of America ... and three, the need to reform the institutions of government."

Last February, McCain referred to the man who went on to win the GOP nomination this way: "If Governor Bush is a reformer, I'm an astronaut." Reminded of that comment, McCain said Sunday, "When you're in a tough primary, a lot of things are said."

Still, he said, Bush supports "a majority of the reforms. He's for outlawing corporate and union contributions. He is for full disclosure."

The lavish corporate donations to the GOP evident during the convention are "clearly another indication of the need for reform," McCain said. "You'll see that out in Hollywood this week," he added, referring to the Democratic National Convention, which is slated to open August 14 in Los Angeles.

Also on NBC, Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura called campaign finance reform "and cleaning up what our political process has turned into today" the most important problems facing the country. "It's all about raising money, who donates to what," said the member of Minnesota's Independent Party, who recently left the Reform Party.

Ventura said campaigns should be publicly financed. "That's the one way I'll go socialist," he said. "Each candidate gets a certain amount of money, and how they spend it is up to them."

Sunday, August 6, 2000

• Buchanan says he'll win fight for Reform Party nomination
  
• McCain threatens Senate shutdown over campaign finance reform
  
• Ford's condition upgraded to good
  
• Gore's top V.P. picks weighed; Bush eager to debate
  

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