On Oct. 5, the Supreme Court will hear a campaign finance case with a catchy name: Nixon v. Shrink Missouri Government PAC, No. 98-963. As one of the 16 amicus curiae briefs opens, “This is a case of great moment.” It is also a case of missing the moment.

No amicus and no party even raises an issue that, in itself, requires a remand: The Missouri statute unprecedentedly limits political action committees, infringing on the First Amendment right to freedom of association.