Marc C. Johnson

In this insightful discussion, historian Marc C. Johnson, a fellow at the Mansfield Center specializing in political history, delves into the impact of campaign finance reform after Watergate. He explains how the 1974 law aimed to curb political spending but inadvertently led to increased financial influence in campaigns. Johnson highlights the landmark Buckley v. Valeo ruling, which equated money with free speech, fundamentally changing how elections are fought. The conversation reveals the shift from local issues to national battles, driven by outside money and interest.