Conn. candidates line up for public financing

Republican candidate John McCain said his campaign will take public financing. Accusing Obama of going back on a promise, the Arizona senator said he wasn't worried about being outspent in the fall presidential contest.

Nyhart wasn't surprised by Obama's decision.

"We're essentially asking candidates to run a 2008 campaign with a '70s-era public financing system," he said.

"A modern design of a public financing system is going to draw candidates in and an antiquated program is going to watch candidates opt out," he added.

There's hope that if Connecticut's system is successful members of Congress might eventually adopt a similar program to fund their campaigns.

"I think that what I've seen so far in Connecticut is impressive. Some other states are doing some funding as well. We'll look at all of them," said Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., an advocate of campaign finance reform. "In four to six years, I think we'll have a real story to tell."

Rocked by public corruption scandals in recent years, Connecticut passed a law in 2005 that created a voluntary system in which legislative and statewide candidates receive public funds to run their campaigns so long as they agree to strict rules about spending and fundraising.

They must collect a specific number of small contributions--$5 to $100--from individuals, including many living in their districts, to qualify for the program. Contributors cannot be lobbyists, or current or prospective state contractors, or their family members.

A major party state representative candidate, for example, must raise $5,000 to receive a $25,000 grant for the general election. That candidate then agrees to spend no more than $30,000 on his or her race.

Additional money is available if a nonparticipating opponent outspends the candidate or if an independent group wages an attack campaign.