I am often critical of John McCain’s positions on campaign-finance reform, as

readers may know. But he should get credit for campaigning for Simon in

California this last weekend. (I suspect it was due to implorings from

allies in the state, rather than any newfound empathy for the Republican

party or its interests). Davis’s fundraising conduct is shocking by anyone’s

standard. McCain’s presence in the state forces the press to talk about the

issue. (I don’t think it will tip the balance in the race, unfortunately.)

Here’s the LATimes story on the visit with the (probably unintentionally) hilarious statement from a Davis aide: “”No governor of California has done more to create transparency in California’s campaign finance system than Gray Davis””

Oh, yeah, extortion is fine so long as you’re “transparent” about it.