In an attempt to escape the influence of wealthy donors and provide more opportunity for citizens to run for office, some think that restricting giving will do just that.  Hardly, says John Hood on News14.  The reason candidates are able to amass record amounts of money is because people believe in their ability to succeed as a leader. What opens up ethical loopholes is the lack of transparency in the money received, not its amount. Debating a representative from NC Voters for Clean Elections, or some such nonsensical, short-lived, issue-driven group, on the Bill LuMaye Show, Daren Bakst made similar points as Hood.