Like most reporters, Dan Rather believes that politics is corrupted by the influence of "special interest groups." In this section, you'll see the many times he has lauded the abolition of soft-money and how he portrays those who disagree as dedicated to a corrupt system. (A fair reporter should refrain from using the loaded term "special interest groups"--"political groups" is value-neutral besides being more precise.)

Rather's passion for such laws and his admiration for their supporters is so great, he frequently uses hyperbolic rhetoric in his reporting.

"Good evening. Legislation to reform shady big money campaign fund-raising is dead in Congress. Republican opponents in the Senate killed it today. It was the latest in a long-running attempt to toughen loose laws that shield hidden donors with loose wallets and deep pockets. As CBS's Bob Schieffer reports, when it came to the crunch today on campaign finance reform, it was all talk and no action."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, February 25, 1998.

"The U.S. Supreme Court today agreed to decide a case involving money and politics. At issue: the constitutionality of some federal limits on money spent by political parties to help candidates. This comes at a time when the unlimited shoveling of cash into political campaigns by special interests is a growing concern."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, October 10, 2000.

"The Federal Election Commission voted today on how to interpret the modest campaign finance reform law that finally passed Congress. But there's nothing modest about the heavy dollars lobbyists are still doling out. As CBS's Bob Schieffer reports, that includes big bucks from pharmaceutical companies to influence legislation and White House policy on drug coverage for seniors."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, June 19, 2002.

"[I]t's always been the case, however unjust, that some people and causes with money end up being more equal than others -- even in a democracy."
"Lobbying by special interest groups, at all levels, has reached a fever pitch that is seen by many as a danger to democracy."
"McCain and Bradley deserve credit for focusing attention on a crucial and endangered part of the American Dream."
--Dan Rather in "Rather's Notebook" at the CBS News Web site, December 27, 1999.

DAN RATHER: The U.S. Senate says yes to serious campaign finance reform, but it is not the law of the land yet.
[Other stories]
On Capitol Hill tonight, victory for the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill. The Senate voted 59 to 41 to approve the landmark measure designed to put serious limits on special-interest money. CBS's Bob Schieffer is on Capitol Hill with more about the impact of tonight's vote: financial, political and, in one case, personal. Bob.
BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, Dan, it was a very sweet moment, long time coming for John McCain, who has fought this fight for five years now, and it showed in the moments before the final vote.
JOHN McCAIN (R-Ariz.): I asked at the start of this debate for my colleagues to take a risk for America. In a few moments, I believe we will do just that. I will go to my grave deeply grateful for the honor of being part of it.
SCHIEFFER: Opponents said the changes will leave the parties so broke they'll no longer be able to hold national conventions.
MITCH McCONNELL (R-Ky.): If--the national conventions, which--which the press has declared boring for some time now, are probably a thing of the past.
SCHIEFFER: The bill outlaws so-called soft money, the unrestricted backdoor contributions to political parties. It raises the limit on direct contributions to candidates from $1,000 to $2,000 and bans unions, corporations and private groups from running attack ads 60 days before elections. The bill now goes to the House, but it didn't get much of a send-off from the Senate Republican leader.
TRENT LOTT (Senate Majority Leader): I am concerned that, you know, what we have come up with is sort of a hodgepodge and will cause more problems than it will solve.
SCHIEFFER: Lott opposed it from the start, and opposition from some House leaders may be even fiercer, but the Republican who'll lead the drive to pass it there says he believes it is doable.
(Interviewing): Well, of course, as you well know, the number-three Republican in the House, Tom DeLay, says he's going to do everything he can to kill this bill.
CHRISTOPHER SHAYS (R-Conn.): And he will. And he did the last two times. I mean, we--we've gone through hell with Tom DeLay twice already. But I'll take him over some who profess to be supporters of the bill but are now trying to find ways to kill it.
SCHIEFFER: And that may be the key. Some House Democrats who favored this bill when it had no chance of passing are wavering now. If the reformers can keep them from bolting, they can probably pass this bill. Shays hopes for a vote before Memorial Day. Dan.
RATHER: Bob Schieffer.
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, April 2, 2001.

"On campaign finance reform, either four Democrats, at minimum, swing in and stay in behind it or it disappears. Arizona Sen. John McCain probably can hold 10 Republican votes for it. President Bush's Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and the Republicans' principal money raiser, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky are working in concert to peel off enough Democrats to, in effect, beat back any truly significant reform. The keys votes are upon us. If you must bet, bet against that meaningful reform biting the dust."
--Dan Rather in Rather Reporting, March 28, 2001.

"There has been a lot of election-year talk about curbing campaign money from special interests, but not much action."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, October 30, 1992.

RATHER: "The [Elizabeth] Dole dropout comes one day after Bush allies among the Republican congressional leaders killed the latest attempt at campaign finance reform, underscoring yet again how big money special interests can turn an election, or even who's able to run. To follow the dollar and the story, we take you to CBS News's chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer. Bob."
SCHIEFFER: "Well, Dan, as you know, money has always been a factor in politics, but lately it's become virtually the whole ball game..."
--Dan Rather and Bob Schieffer on the CBS Evening News October 20, 1999.

The Senate began another round of debates on proposals to tighten campaign donation laws:
"In the U.S. Senate, the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform legislation survived some attempts to gut it today, but a poison pill may already be planted that could kill it all. Here's how: opponents of the bill, including Senate Republican leader Trent Lott, helped pass a provision to ban issue-related advertising by profit and nonprofit groups in the last 60 days before an election. This is almost certain to be challenged as a violation of free speech, so opponents of McCain-Feingold will now try to add a provision to nullify the whole bill if any part of it is ruled unconstitutional by the courts. Senator McCain tells CBS News he has ten Republican votes but needs a lot of Democrats to prevent what he calls this sneaky, tricky poison pill."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, March 27, 2001.
Note: Both Rather and McCain called the amendment a "poison pill."

"For anyone who thought the controversy, or even indictments from the investigation of dirty campaign money would get Congress to act on the latest reform legislation, don't bet on it."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, February 25, 1998.

"In the presidential campaign, money, politics and campaign finance reform talk today. Al Gore weighed in with his proposals for change. They include creating a $ 7 billion-plus endowment to pay for House and Senate races, strict disclosure rules for lobbyists and outside groups that pay for political ads and free air time to rebut those ads. The Gore plan would not allow soft money, the unlimited, unregulated cash now being shoveled into many campaigns. Gore himself knows it will be hard to get the Republican-controlled Congress to approve this or any campaign finance reform."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, March 27, 2000.

"But, he [Al Gore] will be coming home to face accusations that fund-raising phone calls he made from the White House violate a law so old it was enacted less than a decade after Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, September 22, 1997.

"Let's go to Phil Jones, who's been covering many of these stories about campaign financing and the, quote, 'scandals' surrounding them. Phil, did you hear anything in the news conference you thought particularly newsworthy?"
--Dan Rather during a CBS Special Report, May 7, 1997, after a press conference by President Clinton.

"The Senate passed a resolution calling for Attorney General Janet Reno to appoint an independent counsel to investigate campaign finance abuses by Democrats during the 1996 election cycle:
"The resolution mentioned the White House and the Democratic Party, but not the Republicans. Still, the Republicans do have their own problems."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, March 19, 1997.

"Republicans kill the bill to clean up sleazy political fund-raising."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, February 25, 1998.

"CBS's Phil Jones confirms tonight that Attorney General Janet Reno has officially decided no on the appointment of yet another special prosecutor, this time involving fund-raising by the President's former Deputy Chief of Staff, Harold Ickes."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, January 29, 1999.

DAN RATHER: A big boost for campaign finance reform: A US Supreme Court decision puts pressure on Congress to act on John McCain's call for change, opposed by President Bush....[teasers for other stories]
Prospects for legislation in Congress to stop or at least stem the flood of unregulated, special interest money into political campaigns got a boost today from the US Supreme Court. Opponents of the campaign finance bill, including President Bush, have suggested such limits might be unconstitutional. But in a 5-to-4 ruling in another but related case, the justices upheld campaign finance restrictions. CBS's Bob Schieffer is on Capitol Hill, where the ruling sends a strong signal. Bob, what's the real deal on this?
BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, Dan, this is just terrific news for campaign reformers (see side bar, "Beware Loaded Words") who, as you say, are trying to ban soft money. That's those back-door, unlimited contributions that both parties now collect. Opponents of this legislation have always said it would be unconstitutional to ban them because it would be a violation of free speech. Today's case was not about soft money, but here is what is important. A majority of the court has now said it is constitutional to regulate coordinated campaign contribution collections as a way to fight corruption.
Massachusetts Congressman Martin Meehan, who is leading the fight in the House, says the ruling will really help the reformers' cause.
MARTIN MEEHAN (D-Mass.): I'm happy that the Supreme Court has taken away one of the phony, bogus arguments that they're using to try to defeat a soft money ban and try to defeat a real campaign finance reform bill.
SCHIEFFER: Senators McCain and Feingold, who pioneered the reform movement, were delighted. "A big boost," said Feingold; said McCain, "Our opponents will have to find some other excuse not to enact laws to restore Americans' confidence in our political system."
And for the reformers, this timing could not have been sweeter. The House is scheduled to take up this legislation early next month. And opponents had mounted a new drive to try to block it. "This is going to make the opponents' arguments much more difficult," said reformers tonight. Dan.
RATHER: Bob Schieffer in Washington.
--Dan Rather and Bob Schieffer on the CBS Evening News, June 25, 2001.
Note: Neither Rather nor Schieffer decided to provide the opinion of anyone opposed to the decision.

"[W]ith America enjoying an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity, the electorate has so far shown that its political appetite lies primarily with addressing long-festering domestic problems, such as campaign finance laws, Social Security, and Medicare."
--Dan Rather in "Rather's Notebook" at the CBS News Web site, June 21, 2000.

"Well, the presidential primary season officially ended wiith a slap in the face today for campaign finance reformers and with the start of yet another pitch for the support of older voters. How so? Listen to how loudly soft money can talk on tonight's Follow the Dollar report by CBS's Phil Jones."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, June 7, 2000.

"[John] McCain got a major boost today when Mississippi's Republican Senator Thad Cochran joined the effort by McCain and bill co-author, Democrat Russ Feingold, to push for meaningful reform."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, January 4, 2001.

"The U.S. Justice Department announced new indictments today in the investigation of dirty political campaign money. A Thai businesswoman and another woman, were...charged with funneling almost $700,000 in illegal donations...mostly to the Democratic Party."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, July 13, 1998.
Note: The use of the word "mostly" is dishonest. According to the Washington Post, the donations of the Thai businesswoman, Maria Hsia, "include $328,500 in contributions to the DNC, as well as $295,000 to 11 state Democratic Party organizations. The rest went to the 1996 Clinton-Gore re-election effort and Democratic candidates including Sens. John Glenn [D-Ohio] and Edward Kennedy [D-Mass.] and House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt." Thus, while all of the money didn't go to the DNC, all of it went to Democrats. By not mentioning this, viewers may have mistakenly assumed that Republicans received her contributions.

"Again today, US Senate investigators poured scorn over the White House coffee tapes and other fund-raising practices. And again today, US senators killed an attempt to pass legislation to reform campaign fund raising. Now maybe you're wondering how all this could be? Well, just look at the Senate committee members running the hearings and their own fund-raising. That's just what we did for tonight's CBS Evening News Reality Check by Eric Engberg."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, October 9, 1997.

"The self-described 'Religious Right' -- including conservative preachers Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson -- are part of the deep core of the Republican Party, one that runs deeper in South Carolina than perhaps anywhere else in the country. And they delivered big-time for Bush in the Palmetto State."
"[T]hey acted partly out of self-interest, to preserve a campaign finance system that helps to keep them in powerful positions and allows them to spend freely and make their influence felt."
--Dan Rather in "Rather's Notebook" at www.cbsnews.com, February 22, 2000.

"Good evening. Two presidential hopefuls crossed party lines today trying to fight the influence of big special interest money on American political campaigns. They crossed party lines to do it. Republican John McCain and Democrat Bill Bradley tried to focus attention on what's called, quote, 'soft money,' unlimited, unregulated money shoveled into campaigns by special interests."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, December 16, 1999.
Note: Rather has never explained what exactly "special interest" is. Of whom or what is he speaking?

"Candidate Bill Clinton said he would deliver change on the economy and on election campaign reform. Today, President Clinton came out with his plan for what is called campaign reform. From the early indications, big-money special interests will still be able to get the best Congress money can buy."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, May 7, 1993.

"Next on CBS, the Bush campaign: big money and the politics of campaign finance reform."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, March 28, 2000.

"Gore himself knows it will be hard to get the Republican-controlled Congress to approve this or any campaign finance reform."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, May 27, 2000.

"The Senate hearings on campaign fund-raising shifted gears today to focus on possible, if not probable, abuses by Republicans."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, July 23, 1997.

RATHER: Now, let's talk about the money, who gives it, and what they expect to get for it. Not even counting the massive amounts of unregulated cash, the so-called soft money the candidates get from special interests, here's what all the presidential candidates have raised to date. [A graph shows that the 2000 presidential candidates have raised more than those who ran in 1996 had up to that point.]
[Eric Engberg has been working] to find out who's been giving all that money, and what they want for it.
ENGBERG: What comes through for all these [presidential] frontrunners is that politics is a world where, despite past reforms, money talks as loudly as ever.
--Dan Rather and Eric Engberg on the CBS Evening News, January 5, 2000.

"Republicans tonight open a $60 million plus show, emphasizing television imagery and the politics of pleasantry. Much of the money comes from big corporations and other special interests. The same will be true of the Democratic convention to follow in Los Angeles."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, July 31, 2000.

"Also in the Senate tonight, opponents of the Bush tax cut plan have delayed a vote on it, but Senate approval is still a matter of when, not if. Another piece of legislation still on hold is campaign finance reform, and it's still no-holds-barred in the rush to cozy up to big-money special interests, including a huge Republican fund-raiser tonight featuring President Bush."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, May 22, 2001.

"Arizona Republican Senator John McCain's drive for campaign finance reform is dead."
"Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi and House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia combined to personally put the kill-shot on McCain's reform efforts."
"McCain's hopes for meaningful changes in the way money for politics is raised, go down in flames. Just as his Navy fighter-bomber did over North Vietnam in 1967."
"McCain is now the hot tout in Washington, whose war heroics and gutsy stand for campaign finance reform have the smart money murmuring, 'Big future.'"
--Dan Rather in his syndicated column, October 8, 1997.

"'Politics as usual' may be too vague a thing to rally against -- for now. In our history, third and new parties have only found a foothold when the issues are big, really big, and concrete. Slavery. The upheaval of the industrial revolution. The Great Depression. These are the sort of issues that turn third-party dark horses into contenders."
"The American electorate is not of a mood, right now, to be roused.
"But as all this prosperity flows into the coffers of the big two established parties, they might do well to remember that, out of the ashes of the Know-Nothings rose the Republicans. And they seemed to catch on. Big time."
--Dan Rather in "Rather's Notebook" at www.cbsnews.com, February 15, 2000.

"When all was said and done on campaign fund-raising reform in the [Republican-controlled] Senate today, all was said but nothing was done."
--Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News, October 7, 1997.

RATHER: "Tonight CBS is reporting to you in depth on a campaign finance law loophole that makes a mockery of reforms advocated by the McCain campaign, let alone laws passed in the wake of the Nixon Watergate crimes. CBS's Eric Engberg reports tonight from the Watergate for the Follow the Dollar investigation."
ENGBERG: "Tomorrow Senator Joseph Lieberman will begin a drive to get Congress to close the 527 loophole. It's chances are considered slim. The fact is that many politicians like doing campaign fundraising pre-Watergater style."
--Dan Rather and Eric Engberg on the CBS Evening News, May 16, 2000. print_file('footer'); ?>