He has done everything he can to look after median voters.

But why would politicians subject themselves to the rigors of a campaign after voters had rejected them before?

Mich., closed three months early because it had run out of money after voters three times rejected property tax increases for schools.

"Barnes, Maddox and McDonald are going after phantom voters," he said.

"We had a ground operation; we went after nontraditional voters," he said.

Many conservatives have been critical of the governor's move to the left after voters roundly rejected his so-called reform agenda in November.

And how are they feeling now, eight months after disgruntled voters delivered one of the most dramatic Election Day verdicts in decades?

The provision was first raised by campaign reform advocates years ago after voters condemned nasty ads whose sponsorship was often difficult to discern.

Only after voters and their representatives seriously address these issues will the country begin to reap any truly constructive and enduring changes in our election process.

Usually a panel of judges made up of established industry figures winnow down the candidates either before or after voters have their say.