The Soft Money Scam The more than $3 million broadcasters gave to political parties over the past decade reflects the growing "soft money" scandal that has permitted wealthy special interests to spend millions of dollars to buy access and influence in Washington. Soft money contributions are huge, unregulated donations benefiting federal candidates that evade federal campaign finance laws. Current federal law prohibits corporations and labor unions from direct gifts to federal candidates. Individuals may give up …showed first 75 words of 332 total…

…showed last 75 words of 332 total…The Democrats aggressively offered access to President Bill Clinton. Soft money is behind the current allegations that the Lincoln Bedroom was for sale and that felons were feted at the White House. The soft money scandals have appalled even Washington insiders. "The whole system is horrible," former Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos said recently. "The problem is that you can't help having your perspective shaped by the people you talk to. And access comes from money."