Christian Schneider, Wisconsin Policy Research Institute fellow, says the idea of buying elections is an insult to the voters.
"I think voters are smart enough to figure out what a negative ad is, what the issues are and why they're voting."
He concedes that the millions of dollars spent by third party groups do influence elections but he says candidates must bring more to the table to get into office. He says one candidate's side out-spending another does not guarantee victory.
Schneider reminds the public that the nasty ads seen in recent campaigns aren't coming out of their pockets as of yet. He believes voters will have a bigger disdain for negative campaign ads once they are supported by tax dollars, as some advocates of campaign finance reform have been supporting.
Schneider also says political speech, no matter how unpopular, is protected by the 1st amendment.
AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :58)
