In an e-mail to supporters today with the subject “Changing the rules,” Democratic nominee for governor Jay Nixon bemoans the repeal on campaign contribution limits in Missouri.

“They’ve changed the rules in the middle of the game, eliminating all campaign finance limits to try to tilt the playing field in their favor with million-dollar checks from their big-business, big-oil, special-interest buddies,” Nixon writes.

Republican nominee Kenny Hulshof “and his special-interest pals want to try to buy this election,” Nixon writes.

It’s true that Nixon did not support legislation to erase the caps on campaign donations.

But what Nixon’s letter does not say is just how much he has benefited from big checks that would have not been permitted under the old rules: $1 million from the Democratic Governors Association, $100,000 from the Laborers’ International Union and five-figure checks from personal injury law firms like Brown and Crouppen in St. Louis.

UPDATE: From Nixon campaign spokesman Oren Shur:

On campaign finance reform, the differences between the two candidates is crystal clear. Congressman Hulshof said he would sign the bill to eliminate contribution limits, which cleared the way for special interests to give millions to candidates running for office. Missouri has one of the worst campaign finance laws in the nation and Congressman Hulshof supported it. Jay Nixon strongly believes that was the wrong move, and has always supported strict contribution limits.

UPDATE, 2X: From Hulshof spokesman Scott Baker:

Jay Nixon’s hypocrisy knows no bounds.  Just since August 30, he has taken $1.5 million in large checks from labor unions, trial attorneys and even special interest groups in Washington, DC.  This is typical Nixon-speak.  “Listen to what I say.  Just don’t look at what I’ve done.”