Supreme Court Might Simplify Campaign Finance: Stephen L. Carter

If Tuesday’s oral argument is any indication, the US Supreme Court is likely to strike down another piece of federal campaign finance law. But ignore the scary headlines. Despite all the talk of gutting and eviscerating, a ruling for the petitioners in Republican National Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission won’t bring down any more of the sky than has tumbled already.

And if it doesn’t make things brighter, at least it will make them a bit simpler.

The issue before the court is narrow and technical: say the hypothetical Bibliophile Party nominates S. Carter for federal office. Can Congress limit how much ...