June 20, 2008
Obama Opts Out of Public Funding for Election
Top photograph of Barack Obama removing his tie after an earlier photo session at his home in Chicago by Russel A. Daniels/AP; lower photograph of John McCain at a St. Paul town hall by LM Otero/AP
Yesterday, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama decided to forgo public financing for his general election campaign, seemingly reneging on his earlier statement that he would receive public financing if the Republican nominee did, too.
Obama made his announcement via video, arguing that he does support public financing of elections but the system is deeply flawed and allows his rival's campaign to game "this broken system," "fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs" that can make unlimited donations. His campaign, which many believe is poised to raise an unprecedented $500 million in donations, is also using the "broken public financing system" argument to convince supporters to join in and donate to him: "To compete, Barack has decided to keep putting his faith in ordinary people like you giving only what you can afford."
John McCain was quick to criticize Obama, saying, "This is a big deal - a big deal. He has completely reversed himself and gone back, not on his word to me, but the commitment he made to the American people." And a McCain campaign spokeswoman said, "Today, Barack Obama has revealed himself to be just another typical politician who will do and say whatever is most expedient for Barack Obama."
The Washington Post and NY Times both have editorials proclaiming disappointment in Obama's decision, while the NY Sun explains why it's a good thing ("By opting out of the system, Mr. Obama will be funding his campaign with money given voluntarily by supporters rather than money collected by the Internal Revenue Service, even if the IRS money is allocated from the tax revenues via an optional check-off.")
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I don't see why this is such a big deal. Why would a competitor tie one hand behind their back in the interest of fairness? This is a competition, and McCain's inability to raise funds as well as Obama is not Obama's fault.
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People love to make a big deal out of stuff like this. The system is flawed most certainly, and Obama would be stupid to pass up all the fundraising potential he has. McCain is quick to jump on this because the Republicans have been so bad at fundraising this year that the only chance he has if they've both got the same amount of funds.
True he did go back on an earlier campaign promise, but honestly the system needs to be fixed before people can make a big deal out of this.
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"Why would a competitor tie one hand behind their back in the interest of fairness?"
Because he repeatedly said he would.
Change indeed.
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GObama
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There's a difference between "flip-flopping" and recognizing the reality of a situation and CHANGING YOUR MIND, something our current president seems incapable of doing. I think this is a great sign that Obama isn't too proud to adjust a plan for the best.
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How exactly is Obama "recognizing the reality of a situation"?
What, over the past 18 months, happened in the world of campaign finance reform that spurred this decision? Other than Obama raising tens of millions of dollars, I can't think of one thing. The laws have been on the books since the 70s.
The broader point is the man made a commitment, a pledge, and then reversed himself.
If he can't hold his ground on campaign finance reform - an issue about which nobody cares - how will he stand his ground on important issues, like education, healthcare, and Iraq?
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non issue to most voters,
old man is angry.
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Shorter Ared: "He has more money and decided to spend it! No fair!"
Our candidate is at least obeying the law, dipshit.
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"I think this is a great sign that Obama isn't too proud to adjust a plan for the best."
I'm with you, plk779.
It's amazing to me that right-wingers are angry that Obama will be taking money from average citizens who WILLINGLY donate to his campaign, rather than from tax payers. This is a BAD thing?
Remember too that Obama isn't accepting money from lobbyists and corporations, instead he is taking small donations from regular, every-day Americans. He running his campaign in the most Democratic way possible.
I think part of the anger is that Obama is playing fair AND winning. The Republicans never thought this was possible (and neither did most Democrats, for that matter).
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I was unaware that expecting someone to keep their word was a "right winger" position.
It's also pretty clear that nobody here - especially Mike B - has the foggiest notion of how our campaign finance laws work. My mistake.
Keep the exclamation points going, guys.
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"Other than Obama raising tens of millions of dollars, I can't think of one thing."
You are correct. Aside from this one gigantic change, nothing changed.
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he's taking his tie off in the picture because it doesn't go with his new flip-flops.
(get it?)
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I think it is for the best. The system is flawed. And McCain will get trampled.
Republicans only donate money to support Ron Paul.
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if you fault obama for this, chances are you aren't very well-versed and might not be up for political discourse. please excuse yourself from the conversation and resume your web surfing at Perez Hilton's site.
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Here's the deal. Obama said:
"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."
This agreement was dependent on McCain accepting to curtail spending from 527 groups (example of 527: "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth") and the 28k-per-person private donations to the Republican party. For the record, Obama has rejected funds from 527 groups.
McCain would not agree to this and he has instead chosen to take advantage of the loopholes in the system. McCain will use BOTH public financing AND private donations to 527s in his campaign against Obama.
Obama is taking millions of small donations (most under $50) from hardworking white, black, Latino and Asian Americans. He is not taking your tax dollars to run his campaign. Wow. What a dick.
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I know that campaign finance laws don't operate on a handshake--candidates commit themselves or they don't.
Obama indicated that he'd commit himself and changed his mind before doing so.
McCain did commit himself, by using matching funds as collateral for a loan in the primaries. This is illegal--the FEC chairman, a Republican, has said as much--and he is getting away with it because the FEC does not have a quorum thanks to a standoff between GWB and the Senate over appointments. (The Senate has rejected his choices and he will not submit others, whatever chaos that may cause in an election year.)
I know campaign finance law. Dipshit.
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P.S. I think Native Americans are also donating to Obama's campaign. Lesbians and Gays too. Just for the record.
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I think one of the major problems with politics today is people who think that it's better to stay on a sinking ship just so they won't be accused of backing out of a commitment - which is part of the larger problem of appearances meaning more to them than actually doing their job properly. Each of these decisions should be judged on a case-by-case basis and they should do what is BEST. Of course you want to be able to take someone for their word, but we should also be able to trust them to do their jobs without always worrying what it looks like.
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That, and Obama has indicated that he wont take Political Action Committee money [http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=PAC&gwp=13]--so I can't really see the fault in O refusing our $$
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Obama doesn't need the pittance of the public. He's got Oprah money.
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babyhitler,
You don't really believe that, right? You know private donations are capped at $2,300, right? This is just another excuse to say Oprah's name because you're obsessed with her, right?
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What bothers me about the Obama campaign is not the candidate himself, but the legion of cultists who think he is somehow different and above the moneyed politics we have become resigned to. Sadly, this nakedly dishonest move will not shake them, you can see them parrot the Obama's campaign's excuses above. Neither major party candidate is capable of representing the majority of the American people. If you don't believe me, follow the money.
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Polite New,
Open your eyes. Obama actually IS different. He has broken records by raising money from millions of regular US citizens. If you think this is "moneyed politics" as usual, I think you're missing the point. Obama is taking money from citizens (not lobby groups funded by private corporations) so he is accountable to regular citizens (not lobby groups!). This is NOT politics as usual.
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Agreed. What Obama is doing is following through with a plan that he believes in. That's not politics as usual. When it comes down to it, say what you want, continue to cry and be reactionary to every little detail, but in November we will have 2 serious choices. Pick the one who plays the game closest to the way you would and you can't go wrong.
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In a perfect world everyone would submit to a system of contribution and spending limits, soft money would be controlled, and the FEC would be non-partisan instead of the dysfunctional polarized political battlefield it is now. But the problem is that the system doesn't control soft money and the Republicans have a large advantage in that area which McCain has not agreed to limit.
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The least of America's worries.
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I'm immediately writing John McCain a check for 50 cents. With federal matching funds, that means he'll have a whole dollar!