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Eboni Khan · 06-19-2008, 12:21 PM

The Swamp: Obama rejects public financing

Quote:

In a widely expected decision, Sen. Barack Obama announced this morning that his Democratic presidential bid will reject public financing, abandoning an earlier pledge to participate in the system if his Republican challenger agreed to do the same.
It will be the first time a presidential nominee has not agreed to limit his spending and accept public financing since the system was put in place in 1976. The Illinois Democrat would have been entitled to about $84 million in public money for his general election effort.
Presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona has taken steps to accept the public funds for the general election.
"It's not an easy decision, and especially because I support a robust system of public financing of elections," Obama said in a Internet video to supporters announcing the decision.
Obama had pledged late last year to stick to the public financing system, if the Republican nominee agreed to do so as well. In his video to supporters, he argues his Internet fundraising approach is a better one.
"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," he said.
McCain's campaign charged that the decision shows Obama is just another politician.
"Today, Barack Obama has revealed himself to be just another typical politician who will do and say whatever is most expedient for Barack Obama," McCain campaign communications director Jill Hazelbaker said in a statement. "The true test of a candidate for president is whether he will stand on principle and keep his word to the American people. Barack Obama has failed that test today, and his reversal of his promise to participate in the public finance system undermines his call for a new type of politics."
Hazelbaker said Obama's decision would have "far-reaching and extraordinary consequences that will weaken and undermine the public financing system."
The main reason Obama is eager to bypass public financing is because he has shattered fundraising records. He has already raised more than $250 million for his presidential bid.
David Donnelly, president of Campaign Money Watch, a pro-public financing group, said he still expects to see Obama strengthen the public financing system for elections once he becomes president.

"We have long maintained that presidential candidates would make a decision to opt in or out of the presidential system not on what they thought about public financing, but what put them in a position to win in November. That's why we find Sen. Obama's decision to forego public financing for the general election regrettable but understandable in light of the tens of millions of dollars that will be raised and spent outside the system attacking him," Donnelly said. "The real test is whether a candidate has pledged to make passage of public financing a priority if elected and we intend to hold Sen. Obama accountable to his pledge to do so."

YouTube - An Important Campaign Announcement from Barack Obama

Allana Dion · 06-19-2008, 12:39 PM

So he changed his mind and decided not to use taxpayer money to fund his campaign, but to instead use private donations that have already been given to him. Makes sense to me.

Beau Perkins · 06-19-2008, 12:45 PM

Sounds like a lose, lose situation. He would have been accused of accepting the funds even though he is taking in record breaking private donations.

Eboni Khan · 06-19-2008, 12:45 PM

Actually it doesn't. This just allows him to raise unlimited money. This isn't about changing his mind, this is about the effect of what he is doing. This is a direct attack on the spirit of campaign finance reform and public funding.

This is not change we can believe in, it is politics as usual. Actually it is worse than that, because he is more creative at it.

I do admire the sheer ambition and intelligence behind this, but it makes it harder and harder to respect him as being different than any other politician.

Beau Perkins · 06-19-2008, 12:48 PM

You do realize John McCain also accepts private financing right? Look on his website, he has a link just as Obama does. Its not Obamas fault he is just much better at getting those donations.

I think both of them should reject it and give us all our $3.00 (or whatever it is) back from that check box on the tax returns.

Merovigan · 06-19-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eboni Khan

Actually it doesn't. This just allows him to raise unlimited money. This isn't about changing his mind, this is about the effect of what he is doing. This is a direct attack on the spirit of campaign finance reform and public funding.

Why is raising money (people voting with their dollars) a bad thing?

Quote:

This is not change we can believe in, it is politics as usual. Actually it is worse than that, because he is more creative at it.

I do admire the sheer ambition and intelligence behind this, but it makes it harder and harder to respect him as being different than any other politician.

Uh, how is doing something that has never been done before politics as usual?

Beau Perkins · 06-19-2008, 12:54 PM

Democrats press finance complaint - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com

Kristian · 06-19-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

For the general election, both McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have not formally committed to public financing -- unlike every other major party presidential candidate since the 1970s Watergate reforms -- and it appears unlikely they will do so.

McCain should go for it. He's going to lose anyway. He's been setup to lose. I can't find a single republican friend here who thinks he has a shot in hell. Getting to run was a retirement president, and an apology for all the dirty smears he got from Karl Rove's goons in 2000.

Eboni Khan · 06-19-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beau Perkins

You do realize John McCain also accepts private financing right? Look on his website, he has a link just as Obama does. Its not Obamas fault he is just much better at getting those donations.

I think both of them should reject it and give us all our $3.00 (or whatever it is) back from that check box on the tax returns.

I think they should all be forced to use public funding. We need to stop these 527 groups.

I would like to see an election based on the issues and the facts not who has the most money to run bullshit attack ads.

Private donations just breed corruption. People don't give you money for nothing, they give you money to get something. When someone writes you a check they have some expectations. When you get elected they are going to want to cash in. Obama is from Illinois, he knows how it works.

FlipperPA Peregrine · 06-19-2008, 01:15 PM

I don't blame Obama playing by the rules to win the game, but the rules do suck.

Eboni Khan · 06-19-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merovigan

Why is raising money (people voting with their dollars) a bad thing?

Uh, how is doing something that has never been done before politics as usual?

Because he will be expected to give something back to all the people who have given him money. You don't get something for nothing. Raising a record amount of money just means you have a record amount of people to pay back.

He is going to be just like G-Rod.

Briana Dawson · 06-19-2008, 01:19 PM

During a speech in Chicago not too long ago, Obama thanked a bunch of lobbyist by name, including my ex-boss, who is now my husbands boss and a prominent Illinois lobbyist who happens to be Republican.

Need we mention Obama's connection to Tony Rezko and the legal trial about Rezko's fund raising corruption?

Eboni Khan · 06-19-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briana Dawson

During a speech in Chicago not too long ago, Obama thanked a bunch of lobbyist by name, including my ex-boss, who is now my husbands boss and a prominent Illinois lobbyist who happens to be Republican.

Need we mention Obama's connection to Tony Rezko and the legal trial about Rezko's fund raising corruption?

No one cares. Obama is going to heal the sick and put a chicken in every pot. The fact he is corrupt as fuck doesn't matter. The fact he was elected one running completely unopposed and the second time running effectively unopposed doesn't matter either.

Markubis · 06-19-2008, 01:32 PM

By the time the commercial is halfway over (which includes whatever campaign ads are running) , I have already succesfully surfed through 37.48 different channels, gotten some ice cream, flossed my cat, and emptied the dishwasher.

Those campaign commercials are always biased towards either side anyways.

Io Zeno · 06-19-2008, 01:36 PM

It's what they all do, they are all liars and whores, but noooo Io's a cynic.

Beau Perkins · 06-19-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eboni Khan

No one cares. Obama is going to heal the sick and put a chicken in every pot. The fact he is corrupt as fuck doesn't matter. The fact he was elected one running completely unopposed and the second time running effectively unopposed doesn't matter either.

Instead of Bashing Obama, please feel free to sell me on McCains accomplishments. Because from what I've gathered he has survived on the sympathy of being a POW for many years. He passed some Campaign Reform bill in the 80's also.

I see alot of years of nothing so far from him. I hate to use the corny catch-phrase names people make up, but McSame really does seem fitting.

Io Zeno · 06-19-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beau Perkins

Instead of Bashing Obama, please feel free to sell me on McCains accomplishments. Because from what I've gathered he has survived on the sympathy of being a POW for many years. He passed some Campaign Reform bill in the 80's also.

I see alot of years of nothing so far from him. I hate to use the corny catch-phrase names people make up, but McSame really does seem fitting.

He used to have a spine and some integrity. He would vote against Bush even when Democrats were kissing his ass out of fear.

Now he is just another whore.

jacqueline trudeau · 06-19-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eboni Khan

Actually it doesn't. This just allows him to raise unlimited money. This isn't about changing his mind, this is about the effect of what he is doing. This is a direct attack on the spirit of campaign finance reform and public funding.

This is not change we can believe in, it is politics as usual. Actually it is worse than that, because he is more creative at it.

I do admire the sheer ambition and intelligence behind this, but it makes it harder and harder to respect him as being different than any other politician.

Post after post here you've made it clear he never had your respect, so spare us the crocodile tears, Eboni.

As to the topic, to bring about change as President one has to get elected President first. He is not changing his mind as he never promised he would unilaterally accept public financing in the first place.

Markubis · 06-19-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beau Perkins

Instead of Bashing Obama, please feel free to sell me on McCains accomplishments. Because from what I've gathered he has survived on the sympathy of being a POW for many years. He passed some Campaign Reform bill in the 80's also.

I see alot of years of nothing so far from him. I hate to use the corny catch-phrase names people make up, but McSame really does seem fitting.

Here's a couple of his major ones.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_reform

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_Item_Veto_Act_of_1996

edit: one more here

Quote:

Then in May 2001, McCain voted against the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001,[8] Bush's $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years, which became known as "the Bush tax cuts". He was one of only two Republicans to do so,[6] saying that "I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle class Americans who most need tax relief."[9][8]

Note the date on this last quoted section...apparently he does still have a spine.

Markubis · 06-19-2008, 02:02 PM

Climate Stewardship Acts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I notice he works a lot with ~gasp~ Democrats!!

heaven forbid we get someone that is well respected and works well with others as a President.

btw, if you notice.....the Climate Act of 2007 was co-sponsered by Barack Obama

Apparently they both agree on at least one thing.

Daman · 06-19-2008, 02:02 PM

He doesn't just take money that was pretty much stolen from the taxpayer, but instead lets people choose if they want to finance him or not?

Awesome. ^^

06-19-2008, 12:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Allana Dion engage @ ur own risk Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,385 Penguin Push Champion! Pinboliada (Zuma) Champion! Blog Entries: 1 SLShopper Ads: 7 My Mood:	So he changed his mind and decided not to use taxpayer money to fund his campaign, but to instead use private donations that have already been given to him. Makes sense to me. __________________ --------

06-19-2008, 12:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Beau Perkins Is a sickly peach color I'm a heretical Jew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CT Posts: 5,963 SL Join Date: 12/24/2003 My Mood:	Sounds like a lose, lose situation. He would have been accused of accepting the funds even though he is taking in record breaking private donations. __________________ Living is easy with eyes closed Misunderstanding all you see It's getting hard to be someone, but it all works out It doesn't matter much to me -John Lennon.

06-19-2008, 01:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
FlipperPA Peregrine Evil Incarnate! Recursion is beautiful! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 5,225 SL Join Date: 2003-11-14 Business: Peregrine Salon SLShopper Ads: 1 My Mood:	I don't blame Obama playing by the rules to win the game, but the rules do suck. __________________ Peregrine Salon: Flip & Jenn's thang.

06-19-2008, 01:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
Markubis Hi...Yah!! GAH!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 789 SL Join Date: 4/15/2006 My Mood:	bah...who watches the campaign ads anyways By the time the commercial is halfway over (which includes whatever campaign ads are running) , I have already succesfully surfed through 37.48 different channels, gotten some ice cream, flossed my cat, and emptied the dishwasher. Those campaign commercials are always biased towards either side anyways.

06-19-2008, 02:02 PM	#20 (permalink)
Markubis Hi...Yah!! GAH!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 789 SL Join Date: 4/15/2006 My Mood:	Another interesting McCain act Climate Stewardship Acts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I notice he works a lot with ~gasp~ Democrats!! heaven forbid we get someone that is well respected and works well with others as a President. btw, if you notice.....the Climate Act of 2007 was co-sponsered by Barack Obama Apparently they both agree on at least one thing.

06-19-2008, 12:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Eboni Khan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,504	Actually it doesn't. This just allows him to raise unlimited money. This isn't about changing his mind, this is about the effect of what he is doing. This is a direct attack on the spirit of campaign finance reform and public funding. This is not change we can believe in, it is politics as usual. Actually it is worse than that, because he is more creative at it. I do admire the sheer ambition and intelligence behind this, but it makes it harder and harder to respect him as being different than any other politician.

06-19-2008, 12:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Beau Perkins Is a sickly peach color I'm a heretical Jew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CT Posts: 5,963 SL Join Date: 12/24/2003 My Mood:	You do realize John McCain also accepts private financing right? Look on his website, he has a link just as Obama does. Its not Obamas fault he is just much better at getting those donations. I think both of them should reject it and give us all our $3.00 (or whatever it is) back from that check box on the tax returns.

06-19-2008, 12:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Beau Perkins Is a sickly peach color I'm a heretical Jew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CT Posts: 5,963 SL Join Date: 12/24/2003 My Mood:	Democrats press finance complaint - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com

06-19-2008, 01:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
Briana Dawson Senior Member Loved by printesa Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Springfield, Illinois Posts: 3,432 SL Join Date: September 23, 2003 Business: N&B Exports My Mood: Awards: 1	During a speech in Chicago not too long ago, Obama thanked a bunch of lobbyist by name, including my ex-boss, who is now my husbands boss and a prominent Illinois lobbyist who happens to be Republican. Need we mention Obama's connection to Tony Rezko and the legal trial about Rezko's fund raising corruption?

06-19-2008, 01:36 PM	#15 (permalink)
Io Zeno Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 12,349 Awards: 1	It's what they all do, they are all liars and whores, but noooo Io's a cynic.

06-19-2008, 02:02 PM	#21 (permalink)
Daman Wodenborn Sovereign Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Europe Posts: 1,437 SL Join Date: May 2007 My Mood:	He doesn't just take money that was pretty much stolen from the taxpayer, but instead lets people choose if they want to finance him or not? Awesome. ^^ __________________ Daman in SL