That Campaign Promise About Campaigning As a candidate for the White House, President Obama left no doubt about his determination to reform the Federal Election Commission, widely seen as dysfunctional in its role as the referee of campaign politics. "What the F.E.C. needs most is strong, impartial leadership that will promote integrity in our election system," Mr. Obama said in reply to a voter questionnaire in 2007. He vowed to end the divisiveness and partisanship on the six-member commission, but three years into his term, Mr. Obama has done nothing to keep the promise. He has the authority to name replacements for five sitting commissioners whose terms have expired. Federal law allows no more than three commission members from one party. Nonetheless, Senate Republicans would undoubtedly block Mr. Obama's nominations. The three Republicans now on the F.E.C. routinely produce 3-to-3 standoff votes to block effective enforcement of campaign finance law. Reform of the commission is a political fight worth having in an election season flooded with cash from special-interest donors. A recent Federal District Court ruling in Washington made clear that the F.E.C. naïvely and improperly ruled in 2007 that groups broadcasting campaign ads close to Election Day had to disclose only corporate donors that explicitly admitted their donations were intended for political purposes. Instead of vigorously enforcing the law, the commission has a track record of tailoring such loopholes for the party machines. To stop the tradition of rubber-stamping nominees whose main interest is maintaining a partisan advantage, Mr. Obama should nominate respected nonpartisan individuals dedicated to fair campaigning, and do it soon.