July 7 - The passage of campaign finance reform legislation led to an explosion in the number of political groups outside the traditional campaign and party structures. The most famous are 527 groups, such as Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. However, this year, both major party Presidential candidates have taken stances against 527's. Judith Siers-Poisson and Diane Farsetta of PR Watch.org report.

"Will 527's and Other Outside Campaign Groups Stay Away from the Presidential Election?"

The 2004 presidential elections were the first since the passage of campaign finance reform legislation. One unintended legacy of the reform measure was to encourage the formation of political groups outside the usual campaign and party structures. The most infamous type of outside group is the 527. 527's can accept unlimited donations from individuals, corporations and unions, and often use more extreme tactics than the candidate they support. For example, the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which railed against Democratic candidate John Kerry in 2004, was a 527.

So far, the 2008 race has not seen the formation of many 527 groups. That's due in large part to the stances of the major party candidates. Republican candidate John McCain has called for 527's to be outlawed, but also said that he can't referee every campaign ad. Democratic candidate Barack Obama is urging his supporters not to donate to 527's or other outside groups.

Party donors and strategists on both sides of the aisle say they're respecting the wishes of their candidate. On the Republican side, the group Progress for America will remain defunct, and Freedom's Watch says it will only weigh in on Congressional races. On the Democratic side, MoveOn shut down its 527 group and the Fund for America recently announced it would disband. Some campaign watchdogs are hopeful the shift will result in a more clean, issue-driven campaign, but only time will tell.

Interview: Greg Speed, 527 America Votes

As both John McCain and Barack Obama try to distance themselves from 527s some still defend the work of 527s: to inform voters on candidates and issues. Election Unspun producer Karen Miller spoke with Greg Speed executive director of the 527 America Votes. America Votes is a coalition of groups including the NAACP, the Sierra Club, and Vote Vets. Speech says all 527s are not the same and the recent elections have given them a bad rap.