Liberty Maven

National Review Online has published a reasonable article discussing the campaign contributions from certain unsavory characters, and the possible political ramifications of choosing to keep, versus returning, the money.

But the controversy raises a broader question. Campaigns must return illegal contributions — stolen money, straw donor money, or corporate money, for example. But what are they ethically or morally obligated to do when they receive legal contributions from one or two individuals known to be controversial?

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Paul’s line — probably the correct one, if not the wisest politically — is that no matter how evil the donor, the return of a political contribution is a purely symbolic act undertaken for public-relations purposes.

Read the article here.