by Dwight Morris and Murielle E. Gamache

About the authors: Dwight Morris is an editor for special investigations at the Los Angeles Times bureau in Washington, D.C. Murielle E. Gamache is a senior editorial researcher at the bureau.

While most members of Congress say they want [campaign finance] “reform,” the definitions of that term differ so vastly that any meaningful reform is unlikely....

No reform that allows candidates to spend campaign money on luxury automobiles and other items that do little more than enhance their personal lifestyles can be called reform. Campaign spending should be limited to campaigns. If members of Congress are serious about campaign finance reform, then Rep. William L. Clay (D-Mo.) should not be able to tap his campaign to pay the $799 monthly lease and repair bills...