Advocacy groups add accountability

May 8, 2008

The results of two Maryland primaries in which citizen advocacy groups helped defeat two incumbent members of Congress show that democracy is alive and well in Maryland ("Outside groups swayed Md. vote," May 5).

Thanks largely to low contribution limits, which limit the ability of challengers to mount effective campaigns, most incumbent congressmen easily win re-election year after year.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 94 percent of incumbents secured re-election in 2006. The number was even higher in 2004, when 98 percent of incumbents won.

So rather than deride citizens' organizations as a nuisance of democracy, we should be celebrating the fact that citizen voices are being heard and incumbents are being held accountable thanks to the advocacy groups.

Mike Schrimpf

Alexandria, Va.

The writer is communications director for the Center for Competitive Politics.

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