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Article published Nov 28, 2003
State Democrats should release information about primary funds

South Carolina Democrats say they are close to raising the $500,000 they need to finance next year's presidential primary.That's good. The primary is helpful for the state. It raises South Carolina's profile. It forces national politicians to focus on the state and its political needs. It gives the Palmetto State a chance to influence the presidential selection process.So why wouldn't Democrats want to give credit to those generous souls who have signed on to help the party pay for this primary?S.C. Democratic Party officials refuse to release details of their fund raising, including exactly how much they have raised and from whom.In fact, party chairman Joe Erwin seems to treasure this secrecy. He has said that when he approaches big corporations to make a donation, he tells them that their contributions are unlimited and secret.Erwin is able to make this promise because a campaign finance disclosure law passed by the General Assembly this year won't take effect until after next year's elections.That law will force parties to disclose the source of their funds and how they are spent, allowing voters to know who is paying for the political messages they hear.State lawmakers understand that well-informed voters make better choices. They know that voters have a right to know who is financing political ads, demonstrations and get-out-the-vote drives. Knowing who is paying for a political message will often let you know how much credibility you should give it.Lawmakers know that. It's why they passed the bill.So why is the Democratic Party holding on to its secrecy? Just because it can?Why not embrace the spirit of the new law and disclose the list of donors for the primary? What could there be to hide?It makes you wonder, doesn't it?That's always the effect of secrecy. When someone hides information from you, you think they must have a reason, something they don't want you to know. And whatever they want to hide must not be good for you.Like governmental bodies, parties should learn that secrecy often hurts them more than it helps. It breeds suspicion and distrust.Democrats should rebuild trust in the political system by voluntarily abiding by the requirements of the new law.