Why the about-face, Mitch McConnell?

In 1987, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) wrote a column condemning public financing of political campaigns: “Any politician who is tempted to sacrifice duties or principles to get more money doesn’t belong in office.” He also wrote that the “post-Watergate disclosure laws are designed to flush out such politicians.” McConnell repeatedly proclaimed support for campaign finance disclosure laws in the following years. In 1997, he wrote that “public disclosure of campaign contributions and spending should be expedited so voters can judge for themselves what is appropriate.” Yet this election cycle, he has adamantly condemned disclosing sources of campaign funds—in order to protect donors from “harassment.”