Joe Biden:

I believe the huge sums of unlimited and often secret money pouring into our politics is a fundamental threat to our democracy. And I really mean that. I think it's a fundamental threat.

Larry Lessig:

America gave birth to the idea of a representative democracy. We don't have one now. And all the promises about what the next Democratic administration will do don't mean squat diddly if we don't fix that fact. Now.

America needs a President who will do that. None of the other candidates in the Democratic primary have made this reform their priority. I am running for president. I am running with the purpose of restoring this democracy.

Elizabeth Drew:

The Implacables are less interested in legislating than in making a statement. To them, the rhetorical meat thrown out at election time to appease the angry masses -- which they've done their bit to stir up -- is invaluable as an organizing and fundraising mechanism. Thus there's now a circular system in which a large portion of the public, encouraged by opportunists and cynics as well as some true believers to get "mad as hell" votes for people who promise to go to Washington and not compromise. This, in turn, leads to paralysis and further anger on the part of the public that "nothing gets done in Washington."

Decius:

We're still our own greatest threat.