I might be a special brand of crazy, but when I woke up to this news this morning, I started hyperventilating: Obama is not accepting public financing.
In shunning each tax-payer's $3 contribution we kick in when we pay our taxes, Obama is the first candidate to do so since Congress passed 1970s campaign finance laws after Watergate in the 1970s. McCain, the Republican nominee in waiting, has already taken steps to accept the public funds in the general election — matching funds that put a cap on how much each candidate can spend.
Obama said of his decision in a video released to supporters:
It's not an easy decision, and especially because I support a robust system of public financing of elections. But the public financing of presidential elections as it exists today is broken, and we face opponents who've become masters at gaming this broken system. And we've already seen that he's not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups, who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations.
There are a million factors to consider:
- Does the above statement mean he's going to police all 527s on his behalf, making sure they're silent and not "broken"?
- Obama is the best fundraiser this side of an ATM — he's coaxed $265 million in donations so far. But do his supporters want him raising money? Or focusing on being the best, most prepared person for the job?
- Last November he said this: “If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election." Is he going back on his word, or should "publicly financed" be in quotes with a winky-face after it?
- The campaigns and respective fight/momentum each has had to work with has been vastly different. Obama's been in a grudge match to the death until two weeks ago. That will inspire the wallets of supporters much more than a candidate who's been assured for months, creating an inequity that starting the general election fresh, with public-financing, would solve.
Those are just some of the thoughts that are racing through my tending toward indignant head. What do you think? Is Obama making the best, fairest decision for his own campaign? Is public financing broken like he says? Or did he just cash a blank check made payable to "The Next President of the United States"?
Infinite
And! There's this! From February 2007:
He [Obama] proposed a voluntary agreement between the two major party nominees that would limit their fund-raising and spending for the general election.
“Should both major party nominees elect to receive public funding, this would preserve the public financing system, now in danger of collapse, and facilitate the conduct of campaigns freed from any dependence on private fund-raising,” Mr. Obama’s filing said.
Am I misreading something?
1With the advent of 527's, who can act as a candidates attack dogs, why wouldn't either candidate take the public money? If nothing else, it gives both candidates the perception of playing by the long-standing rules.
I also understand why Obama isn't doing it. He is getting more money than any other candidate, ever, and if he takes public money, he will be limited on what he can spend. Since he doesn't really need the money, why put a cap on what he can spend?
2I don't think you're misreading anything. I think it was a matter of timing. In February, he wasn't making much money off donations (compared to now). So, of course he would talk about capping money etc... Now that he is flush in cash, why would he want to regulate how much he can spend, especially when he has an enourmous (sp) money lead on his contender?
3I don't think the presidency can be bought, I think Ross Perot taught us that.
Will all this money help him? Sure.
But I think McCain will be picking Romney for sure now because Romney knows how to raise some money.
Besides, maybe Obama did it because the DNC can't afford to have a convention, so maybe he's kicking some bucks their way.
4I don't have a problem with Obama not taking public funding, except for the fact that he constantly said he would. He has run his entire campaign on being honest and "above politics." (I'm not saying that's the only point of his campaign, just that that is something he's talked about the whole campaign.) The way he acted like he is not taking it because of "the broken system" frustrates me, as well. He is going back on his word and still trying to act like he is above others!
5It's still going back on what he said and being hypocritical though.
Maybe he went to the Al Gore School of Hypocrisy.
6Are you kidding me, undave? Obama was making a TON of money of donations. And most of it was small donations through his website. I was one of those. He was making a couple of millions a day if I remember correctly.
McCain was the one who were struggling with getting funds.
7Yes, tresjolie, but he wasn't making that money in November. And, as UnDave stated, when you compare Obama's February receipts to his April ones, it is still a smaller number.
8I think another thing that bothers me is that if Obama accepted public funding, the limits that come with it wouldn't even apply until after the convention. It wouldn't be that huge of a sacrifice, spending wise. And I think had he accepted it, it would have said a lot about his character.
9good point lilkim.
10If he wins I just can't wait to see the faces of those who support him as one by one he breaks his promises to reveal he's just like any other candidate.
11It was pretty clear in January/February that he raised money like the devil. Just ask Hillary. And why is everyone acting like Obama isn't a politician? It's fine when any other politician to go back on their word, or change course, but no him? McCain and his wife has made mistakes in the past, but that doesn't mean they hypocrites for changing? How come whenever Bush lies it's all fair, and then when Obama changes course he is a hypocrite? You guys can butcher it all you want, but it doesn't seem very balanced to me.
12Stilletta - he is a politician, surprise surprise.
13tres I think what it is is that Obama has made it a big part of his campaign to say he's not a politician like everyone else. You know, all that "change"?
Neither McCain or Bush tried to behave like they were better than any other politician thats ever existed.
I have no problem with politicians being politicians, I just would like them to be honest about it.
14Just because one politician goes back on his or her word, it doesn't mean others don't, too. This thread is about Obama. No where did anyone say that no other politician has ever gone back on his or her word. I think it's a weak tactic to point the finger at others rather than explain why you think it's ok for Obama to reverse what he's been saying all along. Just because others have done something, that doesn't mean it's right/ok for Obama to do it as well, especially when a lot of his appeal is supposed to be that he is so different from other politicians.
15stiletta me too! he won't be what people "think" he is
16I don't blame him. Obama's money is coming from the people. Mostly small donors, like me. I know people who send his campaign $25.00 a month or buy a T-Shirt and buttons. The 527s are going to get nasty and dirty. The campaign will need to be able to counter those attacks.
17sheesh. i have to say, i'm kind of disappointed. why is he doing this?
18Cab, an honest politician? What are you smoking? Can I have some too?
GTR
19By honest politician, I mean honest about being a politician.
I'd rather have someone who is honest about being a jerk, than someone who plays it off as not being one and then you find out he was one all along.
Not saying that Obama is a jerk, just making an analogy.
20All I want to know is can I get my $3.00 back.
"If I'm fighting for freedom here, and I go home and I'm opressed what does that mean?" Pv2 Frederick Phoenix, MP, US Army
21YY, thanks for looking at this impartially rather than just immediately siding with your candidate. I think that's something that's difficult for all of us to do sometimes. I really respect that.
22Lilkimbo, I think you have it wrong. We all know yesteryear is a conservative in the making.
23lilkimbo: you're right. it is hard! i love obama -- but mike gravel was actually 'my candidate' from the beginning. of course, he's a nobody. but i agree with him on EVERY single issue.
you know, i never give that $3.00 to campaigns. in fact, the only time i've ever donated money was last year when i donated to mike gravel's campaign. i hope he bought himself a nice dinner with the money.
24Ick! This signals the 1st time that he has actually disappointed me.
And is this a signal that he is just a teensy bit "scared" about what lies ahead or is he being prepared?
I'm so confused...
25is public financing by party? is it possible that more people donate to the republican party that way? just curious.
26We can pretend that the system of public financing works, but Obama is probably the first candidate to run for office to actually acknowledge that it doesn't. Every other candidate cynically takes the public's money full well knowing that they're going to get a vast amount from other sources while claiming "the system works"! Obama's stance is refreshing as far as I'm concerned. He's saying, it's stupid to pretend that national candidates only receive public financing and why lie about it?
27This is wayyyy too much for my sleep-deprived, zombie-like brain state to absorb, so the only thing I can add...politicians = not whom *anyone* really thinks they are. Has any politician come out and delivered on every single promise he/she set forth to accomplish?
Cab--I get what you're saying about the honesty factor, but for me that would just take away from being a politician in the first place
28What would happen to his bajillion dollars if he did accept public funding? WOuld donors get a refund? WOuld it go to the party? I'm confused. My instinct is to say spend the money of people who donated to you before spending my tax dollars, but I think maybe I don't know enough how this works.
29I am willing to give Obama the right to change his mind and yet there does seem to be a contradiction. Where do we draw the line in deciding if someone is 'playing politics' and breaking promises or has sincerely changed his mind because he's gotten new information? I'm not sure that Obama believed he would be sitting quite so pretty on funds when he declared he would take public funding for the general election campaign. So was the system broken then and he didn't realize?
30If we don't think Obama is in this to win and that's one of his guiding ideals I think we are naive-- but how much does that discredit the other things he purports to believe? Maybe a lot maybe none at all...only time will tell and reveal if he is just in this for power and will do what is most expedient to win or if he holds to the lofty ideals he has preached. I for one, am interested to see how it all plays out.
No, YY, they get the same amount to spend.
31I think its good he rejected it. We could use the money for something good, such as public education, and cleaning up our urban areas.
32"I think its good he rejected it. We could use the money for something good, such as public education, and cleaning up our urban areas." - Or, I don't know, maybe give it back to the tax payers.......
33...besides, I think its complete crap that our tax dollars pay for campaigns. Honestly, there are so many Americans out there that are NOT registered voters (some may not be old enough to vote, some may not be able to vote because they don't have full citizenship) that pay taxes.
You also can think about it also this way: If I am rooting for team blue, why would I want part of my taxes coming out to pay for John McCain's campaign? Not fair at all.
(please inform me if I misread this article...I'm in class right now, so I read the article swiftly for the basic understanding).
34The money in public funding from elections comes from a different fund. You know how when you do your taxes, you have to check the little box if you want to donate $2.00 of what you are already paying to elections? (Or some amount, I forget what it is.)
Most of the money he's already earned is probably designated for the primary, since he can accept and receive primary money up until the convention. The only general election money he's raised would be money from donors who gave over $2,300. He would have to refund that money or use it in a general election compliance fund to pay for legal expenses associated with FEC compliance.
Anyway, this is what I do every day, so I figured I could clear up some questions.
35So yes, ladychaos, our tax dollars do pay for this, but only if you choose to have some of your tax dollars fund it.
Honestly, though, in my opinion, our tax dollars pay for a lot of things we don't like.
36Rac stated,"We can pretend that the system of public financing works, but Obama is probably the first candidate to run for office to actually acknowledge that it doesn't. Every other candidate cynically takes the public's money full well knowing that they're going to get a vast amount from other sources while claiming "the system works"! Obama's stance is refreshing as far as I'm concerned. He's saying, it's stupid to pretend that national candidates only receive public financing and why lie about it?"
Rac I agree with 100%.
37YY - Who is mike gavel? I never heard of him!
What did you like about him?
38I've heard of him, but not much about him. I do wish "smaller" candidates had a better way of being heard in the U.S.
39That's not the only think obama fails to take from the public. He doesn't care that the majority (67%) want domestic drilling. Saying if he were elected he wouldn't do it. He damn well should. His bosses said so. Did everyone forget that WE are the boss?!? If the majority of the board in your company decide on a policy change, you better do it, or you are fired. Politicians no longer fear us. We just sit on our thumbs and let them break with the policies from which they were elected. All the way from federal to local level, politicians are going unchecked. We need to take back the power of being the BOSS!! I also think all the people that have been in for 20 years or more should all be fired because they have created this mess we are in now. Sorry, end rant
I am just livid at this election. I can't stand either candidate.
40And also, with all that news yesterday on oil, why hasn't it been covered here?
4167% do not want domestic drilling. That poll said "would you want domestic drilling if it affected the price of gas positively for the consumer." It won't so that whole survey was based on a complete lie.
42I'm conflicted. Yes, I am disappointed that Obama didn't take the public funds but at the same time, he's raised a LOT of money and i can totally get why he would want to use that money.
But still...its a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. I guess the other part of it is that i don't understand the public campaign finance system except that there are a ton of loopholes in it.
It's all gravy to me...it takes him down half a notch in my book but that doesn't mean i won't still support him.
43Oh, and CS did cover the oil story yesterday. Nice piece. Good angle. Check it out.
44I wonder why it is that Republicans tend to donate more to the RNC than the candidate itself and Dems tend to donate more to the candidate then the DNC.
I wonder what the difference in thought process is.
45Cabaker, I'm glad you asked. Republicans tend to believe more in party ideology instead of the cult of one politician and democrats are more attracted to personality and single figures. Whereas republicans tend to base their leaders from their party's platform, democrats, I think will mold their platform based on their leader's principles.
46Rac do you have a study to back that up? Or is that your opinion?
Not being argumentative, just wondering!
47I can totally see that Rac. It's definitely how I feel for the most part (more into the ideology).
48"It won't so that whole survey was based on a complete lie."
And that is a complete lie. And are you this rude in all facets of your life or do you just save it for anyone who has different thoughts and feelings than you?
49I am a little disappointed, I like the delusion that they are playing on a level field when given the same money. Sure it is a broken system, but fixing the system and walking away from it are two diff ways of coping. I guess this is a 'wait and see' issue for me, just like I'm waiting to see if he can remain (mostly) above the belt or if he'll bust out the typical attack ads. What he does now will really matter.
Also, cleaning up campaign finance is McCain's baby - how is this going to play when Obama's opponent has spent a career trying to clean up politics so politicians don't have to be in anyone's pocket?
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