I
was trying to post this to the listserv, but I think I am sign
up with a different email address, so I'm not sure it went
through.
One aspect of this bill that I find interesting -- whether it gets
a vote in the Senate or not -- is the effect its passage would
have on ballot access laws in various states. Many states tie
their ballot access laws for major party candidates to that
candidate's qualification into the presidential financing system.
So, for example, in the '08 primary, McCain had a much easier
time getting on the ballot in Ohio than Romney did because McCain
qualified for public funding and Romney did not. (Note that
candidates only have to "qualify" for public funding in most
states, they don't actually have to take it.) Obviously, these
state laws were passed back when most major primary candidates did
qualify and accept public funding.
Audrey Perry