I recall a few years ago that the FEC allowed federal candidates to be funded -- that is, paid a salary -- by their political parties.  This, it seems to me, was a huge breakthrough for the concept of running "real working people" for Congressional seats.  No longer would we depend on business owners who could let others run their enterprises, or wealthy folks self-funding their campaigns, or lawyers cutting back to part time...

...what I'm wondering is, did the Democrats ever do much with this gift?  Are they paying candidates to run, in districts where they might win, or even, as the leave-no-seat-unbattled strategy should dictate, in those seats where it's a long shot?

It seems to me a good idea, and I've never heard much about whether it was implemented.  Anyone know?