--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: From 1976, Judy to 1996, we had six…" description: "\"From 1976, Judy to 1996, we had six presidential elections. And it was run under the Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1974. In all six of them, every can..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d0/mark-shields-1572_campaign-finance_from-1976-judy-to-1996-we-had-six-presid_3233128.png" --- # From 1976, Judy to 1996, we had six presidential… ![“From 1976, Judy to 1996, we had six presidential elections. And it was run under the Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1974. In all six of them, every candidate agreed to limits of what he could collect in contributions and what he could spend in seeking a nomination. And they all abided by it.” quote by Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d0/mark-shields-1572_campaign-finance_from-1976-judy-to-1996-we-had-six-presid_3233128.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d0/mark-shields-1572_campaign-finance_from-1976-judy-to-1996-we-had-six-presid_3233128.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d0/mark-shields-1572_campaign-finance_from-1976-judy-to-1996-we-had-six-presid_3233128.png) > “From 1976, Judy to 1996, we had six presidential elections. And it was run under the Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1974. In all six of them, every candidate agreed to limits of what he could collect in contributions and what he could spend in seeking a nomination. And they all abided by it.” [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Campaign Finance Reform Act successfully limited contributions and spending in six elections. **In simple terms:** Reform limited money in politics. Key Takeaway Support transparent campaign finance. Themes politics law ethics Mood critical informative Type political legal policy When to use this quote - election monitoring - policy advocacy - voter education Key Concepts campaign finance regulation democracy Questions to Reflect On - Can reforms keep pace with new fundraising methods? - What safeguards ensure compliance? A Different Perspective Enforcement varies; loopholes exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Campaign finance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/campaign-finance/) [Campaign finance reform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/campaign-finance-reform/) [Campaigns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/campaigns/) [Contribution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contribution/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Election](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/election/) [Elections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elections/) [Finance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finance/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Nominations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nominations/) [Presidential election](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidential-election/) [Reform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reform/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) ## Related quotes > [For many years, we have had these campaign finance reforms, and they have been failures. Money is more coursing through our system than ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/for-many-years-we-have-had-these-campaign-finance-reforms-and-they/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [The pattern of American presidential elections is that the more optimistic candidate, whether it's John Kennedy and let's get America moving again, Ronald Reagan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/the-pattern-of-american-presidential-elections-is-that-the-more/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [I find that students are very strong on my issues, stronger than anyone: anti-death penalty, anti-racial profiling, campaign finance reform, questioning the anti-terrorism bill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-feingold/i-find-that-students-are-very-strong-on-my-issues-stronger-than/) [Russ Feingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-feingold/) > [Maybe when they no longer receive Sierra magazine in their mailboxes, journalists will understand how campaign finance reform abridges free speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-welch/maybe-when-they-no-longer-receive-sierra-magazine-in-their-mailboxes/) Matt Welch > [Democrats' desperate attempt to focus on campaign finance reform instead of laws that may have been broken by the Clinton-Gore campaign is like Mike…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-thomas/democrats-desperate-attempt-to-focus-on-campaign-finance-reform/) [Cal Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-thomas/) > [Scaling back the campaign finance reform bill may get more Republicans aboard, but it leaves many of us who have been involved in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-torricelli/scaling-back-the-campaign-finance-reform-bill-may-get-more/) [Robert Torricelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-torricelli/) > [Nobody wants campaign finance reform more than me. It would save me a fortune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-tobias/nobody-wants-campaign-finance-reform-more-than-me-it-would-save-me-a/) [Andrew Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-tobias/) > [The leftists are constantly whining and moaning about all the money in politics. They want campaign finance reform, right? They want to get all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-leftists-are-constantly-whining-and-moaning-about-all-the-money/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [It's just a lot safer to be an incumbent. So I think they have used the campaign finance reforms. They have passed laws that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/it-s-just-a-lot-safer-to-be-an-incumbent-so-i-think-they-have-used/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) > [Actually criminal sanctions that are given could be up to five years for violating the rules and regulations under the campaign finance reform. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actually-criminal-sanctions-that-are-given-could-be-up-to-five-years/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Well, paycheck protection is an important ingredient for a successful campaign finance reform measure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-card/well-paycheck-protection-is-an-important-ingredient-for-a-successful/) [Andrew Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-card/) > [But having said that, what's happening with campaign finance reform and our political culture is devastating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-having-said-that-what-s-happening-with-campaign-finance-reform/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The number one lobby that opposes campaign finance reform in the United States is the National Association of Broadcasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-number-one-lobby-that-opposes-campaign-finance-reform-in-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I admired the way McCain worked on campaign finance reform. I admired the way Nancy Pelosi stiffened the Democrats' spine during the health care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-collins/i-admired-the-way-mccain-worked-on-campaign-finance-reform-i-admired/) [Gail Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-collins/) > [We are very frustrated because we have a Supreme Court that seems determined to say that the wealthier have more right to free speech…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/we-are-very-frustrated-because-we-have-a-supreme-court-that-seems/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) ## More by Mark Shields > [I'm not sure Betsy DeVos has ever spent a day in a public school. And I don't - I'm pretty sure Donald Trump hasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-m-not-sure-betsy-devos-has-ever-spent-a-day-in-a-public-school-and/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Donald Trump is sounding the same theme he has sounded since May or June of 2015.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/donald-trump-is-sounding-the-same-theme-he-has-sounded-since-may-or/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [I do look upon the secretary of education's primary responsibility as the quality of education that - and improving the education that every child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-do-look-upon-the-secretary-of-education-s-primary-responsibility-as/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Dan Coats, retiring senator from Indiana, a mild-mannered man, a former United States ambassador to Germany, former congressman, said of Ted Cruz he's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/dan-coats-retiring-senator-from-indiana-a-mild-mannered-man-a-former/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [It's interesting how identity politics and Ann Coulter-style tactics have now blossomed. But they were always there in CPAC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/it-s-interesting-how-identity-politics-and-ann-coulter-style-tactics/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [When you run for president of the United States, everybody does the same thing in the campaign-they talk about veterans, how much they admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/when-you-run-for-president-of-the-united-states-everybody-does-the/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Americans don't like powerful figures who punch down, that is, who pick on someone less powerful and less able to speak for themselves than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/americans-don-t-like-powerful-figures-who-punch-down-that-is-who-pick/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Everyone has to take Donald Trump seriously, and I think that's what we're seeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/everyone-has-to-take-donald-trump-seriously-and-i-think-that-s-what/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Donald Trump defies gravity. And so I guess he has to be Donald Trump. It's gotten him so far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/donald-trump-defies-gravity-and-so-i-guess-he-has-to-be-donald-trump/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [ My church \[Catholisism\] is hurting from arrogance and from its indifference to the suffering of children that were abused and the inclination of the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/my-church-catholisism-is-hurting-from-arrogance-and-from-its/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [America is Republican until 5:00 or 6:00 at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/america-is-republican-until-5-00-or-6-00-at-night/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [John Kerry's biography was central to his campaign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/john-kerry-s-biography-was-central-to-his-campaign/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [I think Guantanamo, has been synonymous with the staining of American values and American legal tradition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-think-guantanamo-has-been-synonymous-with-the-staining-of-american/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Stronger together is, I think, a preposition and a comparative adjective, but it's not really an action verb or what it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/stronger-together-is-i-think-a-preposition-and-a-comparative/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [If you only make fights that you're going to win, there would be no women's vote in America, there would be no civil rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/if-you-only-make-fights-that-you-re-going-to-win-there-would-be-no/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) [Explore all 227 Mark Shields quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) ## More Campaign finance quotes > [The reason that minorities and women don't have a better shot at getting elected to the Senate or to statewide office is because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-moseley-braun/the-reason-that-minorities-and-women-don-t-have-a-better-shot-at/) [Carol Moseley Braun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-moseley-braun/) > [I certainly want campaign finance reform. I just wish this would do it in a way that would stand up to a constitutional challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-nelson/i-certainly-want-campaign-finance-reform-i-just-wish-this-would-do-it/) [Ben Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-nelson/) > [We are very frustrated because we have a Supreme Court that seems determined to say that the wealthier have more right to free speech…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/we-are-very-frustrated-because-we-have-a-supreme-court-that-seems/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [Climate change joined immigration, job creation, food safety, pilot training, veterans' care, campaign finance, transportation security, labor law, mine safety, wildfire management, and scores…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-packer/climate-change-joined-immigration-job-creation-food-safety-pilot/) [George Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-packer/) > [Tom DeLay may or may not have broken campaign finance laws, but he did his best to look like he was breaking them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/tom-delay-may-or-may-not-have-broken-campaign-finance-laws-but-he-did/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [If the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform was not already clear, the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United permitting unlimited corporate and union…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-k-simpson/if-the-need-for-comprehensive-campaign-finance-reform-was-not-already/) [Alan K. Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-k-simpson/) > [The plea agreement negotiated by Janet Reno's Justice Department with Nora, Gene and Trisha Lum is a hoax. It allows two key players in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-klayman/the-plea-agreement-negotiated-by-janet-reno-s-justice-department-with/) Larry Klayman > [I admired the way McCain worked on campaign finance reform. I admired the way Nancy Pelosi stiffened the Democrats' spine during the health care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-collins/i-admired-the-way-mccain-worked-on-campaign-finance-reform-i-admired/) [Gail Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-collins/) > [Some corporations don't want free markets, and they don't want democracy. They want profits. And they use our campaign finance system to loot our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-f-kennedy-jr/some-corporations-don-t-want-free-markets-and-they-don-t-want/) [Robert F. Kennedy, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-f-kennedy-jr/) > [The number one lobby that opposes campaign finance reform in the United States is the National Association of Broadcasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-number-one-lobby-that-opposes-campaign-finance-reform-in-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Most politicians are corrupt as they do not represent the masses that voted for them, but rather they choose to return numerous favors to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/most-politicians-are-corrupt-as-they-do-not-represent-the-masses-that/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [My issue with campaign finance is 100 percent disclosure. Wear a suit with patches from your big contributors. Depending on the size of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-johnson/my-issue-with-campaign-finance-is-100-percent-disclosure-wear-a-suit/) [Gary Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-johnson/) > [Campaign finance and ethics reform only works if it curtails all special interest groups equally and does not carve out any exceptions to benefit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-kean-jr/campaign-finance-and-ethics-reform-only-works-if-it-curtails-all/) [Thomas Kean, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-kean-jr/) > [I guess I was a little idealistic and thought if you are honest and you're well-qualified and capable of waging a good fight, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-long/i-guess-i-was-a-little-idealistic-and-thought-if-you-are-honest-and/) [Wendy Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-long/) > [But having said that, what's happening with campaign finance reform and our political culture is devastating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-having-said-that-what-s-happening-with-campaign-finance-reform/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 83 Campaign finance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/campaign-finance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "From 1976, Judy to 1996, we had six presidential elections. 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