Congressional hopeful offering money-back guarantee to voters

ST. LOUIS -- It's a common sales pitch for those pushing vacuum cleaners or used cars, but not so common for politicians: If you're not completely satisfied, you get your money back, guaranteed.

Yet that's the pledge from Mariano Favazza, one of six Democrats seeking Missouri's 3rd District congressional seat being vacated after more than a quarter of a century by Dick Gephardt. Two Republicans have also announced intentions to run.

"I know it sounds nuts, but that's only because nobody has ever done it," Favazza, who is the St. Louis circuit court clerk, said Wednesday. "The concept is to try to bring some accountability into what people say when they run for office."

If elected, Favazza said his campaign will refund donations -- no questions asked -- to any donor not satisfied with his actions in Congress.

"They have to wait the full two years," Favazza said. "If at that time you're not happy, trust me, we'll pay it back."

The concept of a money-back-guarantee apparently violates no campaign contribution laws, said Ian Stirton, a spokesman for the Federal Election Commission. He noted that candidates often return contributions for various reasons.

Still, Dale Neuman, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, wondered if Favazza's pledge would pass muster with House ethics rules.

"There will be some who suggest there's an implicit trade of your vote for my money, and there will be some who find that ethically unacceptable," Neuman said.

Washington University political science professor emeritus Robert Salisbury found the idea gimmicky, but one that might help Favazza's campaign.

"It's bizarre," Salisbury said. "I can't imagine very many people being influenced in their vote by that kind of an offer, but who knows? As an effort to get some additional publicity, it seems to work."

No independent polling has been done, but Favazza appears to be something of a longshot for the seat that Gephardt is leaving behind after 28 years in his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination. The Democratic field includes two state senators, a state representative and a former state representative.

Favazza said he has raised about $25,000. By contrast, Democratic State Rep. Russ Carnahan, son of the late former Gov. Mel Carnahan, had raised 10 times that much by Sept. 30. Carnahan said his campaign will disclose its up-to-date amount on Jan. 15, when financial disclosure statements for the fourth quarter are due.

Despite the fund-raising gap, "That's a very hotly contested primary," Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Jim Gardner said. "It sounds like he (Favazza) has come upon kind of an innovative idea there."

Favazza said voters are weary of politicians who make promises during campaigns, only to vote and act otherwise once elected.

"Campaigning, many people think, is a high form of bait and switch advertising," Favazza said. "People are tired of that, and so am I."

He understands that many will see the promise as a gimmick.

"But how do you get to people who don't know you, who've never met you, to trust you?" he asked. "There will be people I'm sure who will contribute money and then ask for it at the end just to see if I'll do it. That's OK."

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On the Net:

Favazza campaign: http://unitedtogetherwecan.com