Republican panic sets in over Dems’ financial dominance

Crooks and Liars has a piece today on the advantage Democrats have in raising money, ideological consensus and voter enthusiasm.

One commenter suggested that this is why the Democrats should say no to Public Financing. But I have another point of view.

Even if Obama accepts the limitations of Campaign finance it is easy enough to redirect the donor enthusiasm to The Democratic National Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Moveon, SEIU…
Meanwhile a humbled GOP in the next congress may be receptive to agreeing to Campaign and Elections reforms to level the playing field. What’s the point of having leverage if you don’t use it to improve your long term prospects.

One reason the Democrats may want to promote these reforms is that it is inevitable that the political pendulum will swing back and put them at the disadvantage. It may be that discretion is the better part of valor and that a future that favors centrist candidates is better than one that favors the least pragmatic forces in each party.

This of course makes the shaky assumption that our political class wants a more pragmatic government; since there may be more money to be made from conflict than harmony.