Poll: Donors’ Clout Bothers Americans

A majority of Americans think political donors wield too much influence and say campaign-finance reform should be a high priority, but they’re pessimistic about the prospects, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Center for Responsive Politics. Fifty-seven percent said they have little or no confidence in President Clinton and Congress writing new laws that will reduce the role of money in politics and be fair to all candidates. And yet, while 60% of the 1,400 surveyed say campaign-finance reform should be a high priority this year, only 15% ranked it as the top priority.