In my last post, I examined the odd twist to this year's Jon Corzine self-funding drama -- that unlike previous years, Corzine is loaning millions of dollars to his campaign committee, rather than simply donating the funds outright.
This, I explained, could, if Corzine wins reelection next Tuesday, create a massive conflict of interest problem, where virtually every entity in the state capable of writing a $25,000 check to the New Jersey Democratic State Committee could feel pressured to kick in a huge contribution, for the purpose of retiring Corzine's personal debt.
Here's the kicker:
On March 20, 2002, Corzine voted for the "Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act" -- otherwise known as "McCain-Feingold" -- which included the Millionaire's Amendment to the federal campaign law. That amendment (which has since been struck down by the Supreme Court) limited to just $250,000 the amount a federal candidate who loans himself piles of money during a campaign can be repaid after he is sworn in -- that is, if you're rich, and you want to loan your campaign money that you can then pay off after the fact by holding fundraisers to take checks from all those lobbyists and special interests who wouldn't give you the time of day before you got elected, but now feel they have to pay tribute, you're only going to be able to recoup $250,000.
Clearly, the federal law contemplated the danger that could come from a sitting office-holder having a personal financial stake in fundraising.
Corzine voted for that.
Apparently, he believed it was good enough for federal office-holders, but not for those who seek to run the government of New Jersey -- else he would've loaned himself $250,000 and no more.
Said another way, Jon Corzine apparently cares more about insulating the voters of Idaho and Utah from cash-grabbing politicians than he cares about protecting New Jersey voters from the same.
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