New York Times Editorial: The ‘Non-Candidate’ Money Spigot

Two political watchdog groups, the Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21, cited the uselessness of the F.E.C. when they urged that the Justice Department appoint an independent special counsel to enforce federal laws that prohibit coordination between candidates’ campaigns and super PACs. Some of Mr. Bush’s trusted aides are already reported to be deeply involved in the Right to Rise super PAC, preparing to make it a strategy center and money engine in the overall campaign. There are similar ties between other candidates and loyalists to the candidates who have been implanted to manage “independent” super PACs as part of the candidates’ election machines. By having an independent counsel investigate a candidate’s practices, the Justice Department can avoid a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict.