10/11/02

Like water, secret campaign donations tend to run to the point of least resis tance or, in political parlance, to the loopholes.

State Sen. Leigh Herington, who is in a steep uphill battle against State Auditor Jim Petro in the race for Ohio attorney general, says Petro and other Republicans have devised a strategy to circumvent contribution limits on people doing business with the state: After a person has donated the maximum $1,000 and wishes to give even more to his preferred candidate, he simply directs the donation to one of Ohio's 88 county political parties, which in turn funnels the money to the candidate.

It's perfectly legal. But it's a dodge that blatantly violates the spirit of a law designed to place strict limits on the contributions of those awarded or seeking state business.

Democrats, of course, engage in the practice as well. The problem is, the Democratic Party is out of power in statewide offices, and has been unable to raise the volume of pass-through money that Republicans can.

Herington and Mary Boyle, the Democratic candidate for state treasurer, say Republican office seekers have raised nearly $4.4 million through county party organizations by directing their contributors to use those organizations as laundromats. Their complaints, however, cannot be completely divorced from envy.

One can argue that the problem boils down to intent: If a business interest gives to a local party with the understanding that the gift will be redirected to a specific candidate, that certainly seems an effort to buy favor. That's wrong. But if there is no such understanding, or if that understanding is well-enough camouflaged, what then? Another law? Will more laws not lead to more loopholes?

It may be that full and immediate disclosure of all contributions is the only solution. That way, if a candidate is selling access, at least the money trail is clearly marked.

It is distasteful that Petro's front-running campaign has collected so much from legal interests that will undoubtedly seek state contracts. As the man who would be Ohio's top legal guardian, Petro should be held to the highest ethical standard.

What he's doing is not illegal. But it is more than a little ironic. And it is wrong.