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Bradley A. Smith Quotes

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About Bradley A. Smith

Bradley A. Smith is an esteemed American political scientist, lawyer, and professor, recognized for his significant contributions to the fields of election law, campaign finance, and political parties. Born on August 13, 1960, in Cleveland, Ohio, Smith grew up with a keen interest in politics that was nurtured by his family's involvement in local Democratic politics. Smith pursued his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University before attending the J. Reuben Clark Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude. He furthered his academic career with a Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke University. In 1987, he joined the faculty of Capital University Law School and later became its dean in 2003. Smith's scholarly work is deeply influential in understanding the intricacies of election law and campaign finance regulations. His seminal book, "Voting Illusions: Disabling the American Voter," published in 1998, challenges the conventional wisdom about voter competence and argues that voters are less informed than commonly believed. In his other notable work, "Who Broke the Party? How Congressional Reform Changed the Democrats" (2002), Smith explores the impact of political reforms on the Democratic Party in the 1970s and '80s. His latest book, "Unfree Speech: The Folly of America's First Amendment," published in 2021, critiques the current interpretation of the First Amendment and advocates for a more nuanced approach to free speech. Smith has testified before Congress on several occasions and served as an expert witness in multiple election-related cases. His work has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, making him a respected voice in the realm of election law and political science.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The First Amendment's protections for political speech exist for a simple reason: Speech is essential to democracy."

This quote underscores the importance of free speech in maintaining a functional democracy. The First Amendment safeguards the right to express political views because open, uninhibited debate is fundamental to the democratic process. Citizens must be able to share their opinions and ideas freely to make informed decisions, hold public officials accountable, and collectively shape the direction of society. Without this freedom, democracy risks becoming an echo chamber where only certain voices are heard, undermining its very principles of representation and fairness.

"When it comes to free speech, there are no 'safe spaces.' Democracy demands that we engage with ideas we may find uncomfortable or even repugnant."

The quote emphasizes the essence of democratic values in upholding freedom of speech, which means there should be no 'safe spaces' from engaging with unpalatable or discomforting ideas. This is a reminder that democracy thrives on open discourse, and it requires citizens to engage constructively with diverse perspectives and opinions, even if they challenge personal beliefs or values. The quote underscores the importance of mutual respect, tolerance, and critical thinking in shaping a robust and resilient democratic society.

"The role of the First Amendment is not just to protect the good, the true, and the beautiful. It is also, importantly, to allow us to distinguish between these things."

The quote emphasizes that the primary function of the First Amendment (freedom of speech) isn't solely to safeguard what society deems as good, truthful, or beautiful. It also serves to enable individuals to discern for themselves what is genuine and valuable, thereby fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and diversity of ideas.

"Political speech is not a luxury. It is a necessity for a functioning democracy."

This quote emphasizes that free political speech is essential for a healthy, functional democracy. The open exchange of ideas, opinions, and debates among citizens and elected officials enables informed decision-making, fosters accountability, and ensures the will of the people is truly represented in governance. Without this freedom, democracy risks becoming mere illusion or oligarchy, as voices are silenced, and power consolidated among a select few. Essentially, political speech is not an optional extra, but a foundational pillar upon which democracy stands.

"Free expression is often uncomfortable, sometimes offensive, but it's essential for the vibrant marketplace of ideas that undergirds our democratic system."

This quote emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech in a democratic society. It suggests that open expression, even when it causes discomfort or offense, is crucial for maintaining a thriving marketplace of ideas. This free exchange of thoughts fosters democracy by allowing diverse perspectives to be heard and debated, ultimately leading to informed decision-making and societal progress.

Elections are a competition with only one winner. Giving more money to the opponent every time one speaks on behalf of a favored candidate discourages the speech that triggers the matching funds.

- Bradley A. Smith

Competition, More, Favored, Funds

The next time you download a book on Kindle, buy a Michael Moore screed at Barnes & Noble, or order up a political movie from video on demand, remember that it is the Supreme Court's decision in 'Citizens United' that guarantees you the right to do so.

- Bradley A. Smith

Next, Movie, United, Next Time

Even leaving aside government policy, whole industries are already making expensive changes around the perceived need to 'go green.' Al Gore and countless other prophets of global catastrophe are making megamillions pushing these expensive solutions. Schoolchildren around the globe are being frightened by tales of impending calamity.

- Bradley A. Smith

Changes, Other, Whole, Schoolchildren

Few developments in campaigning have been as vilified and misunderstood as independent expenditure PACs, or, as they are colloquially known, super PACs.

- Bradley A. Smith

Expenditure, Developments, Misunderstood

Unlike many in the conservative camp, I accept theories of global warming, and accept that man-made activity has played a part in global warming. My differences have only been on what the solutions should be.

- Bradley A. Smith

Conservative, Activity, Been, Camp

The reality is that asking the public to fund political campaigns accomplishes nothing. Candidates continue to seek interest-group support through other channels, both financial and in-kind, and corruption problems abound.

- Bradley A. Smith

Through, Other, Abound, Channels

Every major federal campaign-finance-reform effort since 1943 has attempted to treat corporations and unions equally. If a limit applied to corporations, it applied to unions; if unions could form PACs, corporations could too; and so on. DISCLOSE is the first major campaign-finance bill that has not taken this approach.

- Bradley A. Smith

Treat, Applied, Equally, Attempted

If candidates spend money on ads and other political speech and their opponents are rewarded with government handouts to attack them, that chills speech and is unconstitutional. Non-participating candidates certainly don't volunteer to allow their opponents to receive taxpayer subsidies to bash them.

- Bradley A. Smith

Political, Other, Allow, Chills

Ultimately, the court is heading to a doctrine of 'separation of campaign and state.' This doctrine, like separation of church and state or separation of military and civilian authority, is not explicit in the Constitution but flows naturally from its structure and commitment to freedom and democracy.

- Bradley A. Smith

Constitution, Like, Heading, Doctrine

The truth is, the 'Fortune' 500 prefer lobbying to campaigning.

- Bradley A. Smith

Truth, Fortune, Prefer, Campaigning

With super PACs, we've seen voter turnout go up; interest in elections rise; and the number of competitive races increase. The campaigns of 2010 and 2012 have been more issue-oriented than their predecessors, not less.

- Bradley A. Smith

Been, Predecessors, Turnout, Increase

There is no evidence that super PACs have led to a greater percentage of negative ads.

- Bradley A. Smith

Negative, Evidence, Super, Ads

By law, super PACs are required to disclose their donors. There are groups that have never had to disclose their donors, non-profits such as the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, the NAACP, and the NRA. If you want more disclosure, super PACs are a step forward.

- Bradley A. Smith

Sierra, Had, NAACP, Donors

The usual test under the Federal Election Campaign Act for whether something counts as a campaign expenditure is whether the obligation would have existed but for the campaign. If so, it is not a campaign expenditure.

- Bradley A. Smith

Election, Expenditure, Usual, Campaign

The DISCLOSE Act is a testament to the wisdom of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United. The First Amendment sought to place political speech beyond the government's control, and we can be glad that it did.

- Bradley A. Smith

Decision, United, Amendment, Disclose

Americans may not always live up to the Bill of Rights, but Americans do not ban books.

- Bradley A. Smith

Always, May, Bill Of Rights, Ban

Incumbents don't like it, but political competition is a good thing. Incumbents usually outspend challengers by better than 3 to 1. Super PACs, which tend to support challengers, have nullified some of this advantage.

- Bradley A. Smith

Competition, Political, Some, Good Thing

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