Influence Alley

Chris Frates On Power, People And Influence From Capitol Hill To K Street

Romney's Pivot on Unregulated Money Explained

By Chris Frates // January 17, 2012 | 7:42 p.m.

A Pew Research Center survey out today finds the public down on unregulated money. My colleague Alex Roarty thinks it helps explains Mitt Romney's recent behavior:

Pew asked respondents if they were aware of the 2010 Supreme Court decision - Citizens United vs. the Federal Election Commission - to allow unlimited independent expenditures on political ads. Among those who had heard about it, the condemnation was overwhelming: 65 percent said it is having a negative effect on the presidential campaign, compared to just 16 percent who said its effect was positive.

Republicans, whose party has championed looser campaign finance restrictions, are equally disdainful. Sixty percent of them say the decision has had a negative effect on the presidential campaign. ...

So it makes sense for Romney, ever mindful of the general election, to criticize the system. Even if it's benefitting him the most.