McCain-Feingold Bill Is a 'Wake-Up Call'

The proposed finance reforms threaten to be incumbent protection laws. To provide a fighting chance to new and third party candidates, any reform legislation should provide exemptions from contribution limitations to any candidates or parties that did not receive at least 25% of the vote in a prior election or that do not receive at least 25% in two major opinion preference polls. There should be no limitation on how much an individual can contribute to such candidates or parties.

ERNST F. GHERMANN
Winnetka