The elusive legal definition of "coordination"

A New York Times article on a third-party group supporting John Edwards includes a great quote on the legal definition of "coordination" (which is prohibited):

Legal experts say the restrictions on coordination between campaigns and third-party groups are narrowly defined and difficult to apply.

“The definition of ‘coordination’ has been one of the most difficult legal concepts for the F.E.C. to grapple with for years and years,” said Kenneth Gross, a veteran campaign finance lawyer. “I don’t know if my wife and I met the standard for coordination before we decided to have a child.”

Comments

[Rob]

It's humorous, but it's also a worthwhile insight into the unintended consequences of campaign finance "reform." Reform begot PAC's; more reform begot independent expenditures; still more reform begot 527's.

Are we really better off than we were before the do-gooders tried to legislate the influence of money out of politics?

Wouldn't we be better off lifting most of the restrictions on contributions but requiring full and prompt disclosure of them, thereby trusting an informed public to decide which politicians are beholden to unsavory characters or interests and holding the candidates accountable in the voting booth, rather than having a hapless F.E.C. policing the system and imposing fines long after the election is over?

[To Rob]

No.