Maine Clean Elections Act (MCEA) - What's the intent?

Here's some information regarding Maine Clean Elections Act (MCEA) activity between 2000-2008.

Lobbyists and special interest groups often try to influence candidates by making donations to their campaigns. You'd think that candidates of the two major parties wouldn't need the money as badly as an Independent. That may be true, but take a look at the information in the link above: of the three parties, more Democrats and Republicans took advantage of MCEA funds in past elections than Independents did. 

Incumbents who are loaded with money can even qualify to receive MCEA funds. The Act does little to guarantee we’ll get ethical candidates. Furthermore, candidates still have to solicit contributions by collecting a minimum number of $5 contributions in order to qualify to receive the funds for their campaign.