Sen. John McCain, R.-Ariz., has been making a big push for his campaign finance reform bill. Just this week he began a series of town meetings, with the first stop in Little Rock, Ark., where he hopes will help lead to an overhaul of the nation's campaign finance laws.

One of the biggest provisions of his bill, which was co-authored by Sen. Russell D. Feingold, D-Wis., would ban unregulated and unlimited donations to political parties — known as soft money — which McCain says has corrupted American politicians.

Unfortunately, President George W. Bush doesn't want to do that.

Although Bush agreed to meet with McCain last week to discuss campaign finance reform, little progress resulted from the talk. Publicly, Bush agreed with the need for campaign finance reform. But what about privately?

Actions speak louder than words, and Bush has taken little action on the issue.

While the meeting was genial and both men presented a "we'll-work-together" image, Bush wanted to include a provision in the reform bill that would still allow individuals to donate soft money.

In actuality, with this loophole, anyone or any group could still donate money, just as long as it was done in the name of an "individual."

For years, GOP Congressional leaders have blocked legislation to regulate campaign financing, claiming it infringes on free speech and tilts the fundraising advantage to Democrats.

But Democrats and Republicans are both guilty of accepting soft money donations, as was the case in the last presidential election.

McCain's proposed bill would not help either party significantly more than the other. His reform plan is nonpartisan — something politicians have pledged to work toward after the election.

Bush's suggestion to allow individuals to make soft money donations would be a billion-dollar loophole that would basically do nothing to change the way politicians campaign for office.

While Bush has said he will support McCain in reforming campaign finance laws, he isn't doing much to help.

Bush's lack of cooperation coupled with his spoken pledges to work with McCain leave us wondering what exactly his position is on the subject.