Political spending rules won't be changed before this fall's elections

WASHINGTON — Sponsors of a sweeping campaign finance bill agreed yesterday to leave current free-spending rules in effect until after this fall's election as they labored to solidify support before a House showdown.

"The time for reform has arrived," said Rep. Martin Meehan of Massachusetts, as he lobbied fellow Democrats by phone. "It's time for the members (of the House) to stand up and be counted."

"I think it will be very close tomorrow," said Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., a member of the GOP leadership united in its opposition to the bill.

House Republican critics readied a series of amendments aimed at fracturing the coalition behind the bill, fearful its passage would threaten their hold on power. They claimed support from inside the White House but worked without overt help from President George Bush.

"The president is not lobbying, no," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters.

At the same time, though, Republican Party chairman Marc Racicot circulated a memo to lawmakers declaring that certain aspects of the bill were of "vital concern" to the GOP and urged them to take Bush's views into account.