Comments on: The Spirit vs the Agreement on Public Financing of Campaigns http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/ An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:54:43 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: superdestroyer http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/comment-page-1/#comment-151518 superdestroyer Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:09:45 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/#comment-151518 Out of the over 400 members of Congress, only about 50 incumbents are in competitive races. that means that there are probably 200-300 races that are so uncompetitive that the incumbent does not really have to mount an election or raise money. <br><br>The argument that most politicians spend all of their time raising funds is spurious. Most of them are not required to raise any funds. <br><br>It could be nice if you would just admit that the idea of public financing is to lock in the huge demographic advantages that the Democratic Party enjoys and to give more political power to left of center special interest (unions, public service employees, universities) while taking away influence from the Chamber of Commerce types. Out of the over 400 members of Congress, only about 50 incumbents are in competitive races. that means that there are probably 200-300 races that are so uncompetitive that the incumbent does not really have to mount an election or raise money.

The argument that most politicians spend all of their time raising funds is spurious. Most of them are not required to raise any funds.

It could be nice if you would just admit that the idea of public financing is to lock in the huge demographic advantages that the Democratic Party enjoys and to give more political power to left of center special interest (unions, public service employees, universities) while taking away influence from the Chamber of Commerce types.

]]> By: StockBoySF http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/comment-page-1/#comment-151517 StockBoySF Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:42:23 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/#comment-151517 runasim- I would agree with you if McCain hadn't already shown his willingness to accept pf in the primary, only to dump it when it no longer suited him. And he is currently breaking the laws on this since he has not been released from his pf agreement by the FEC. Given McCain's snubbing of pf, which he benefited from, Obama (or HIllary) is under no "promise" to consider accepting pf in the general. McCain has no credibility here. This isn't what I want in a president, a thumbing of the nose at laws when they don't work to McCain's advantage.<br><br>It will be interesting to see how this plays out. runasim- I would agree with you if McCain hadn't already shown his willingness to accept pf in the primary, only to dump it when it no longer suited him. And he is currently breaking the laws on this since he has not been released from his pf agreement by the FEC. Given McCain's snubbing of pf, which he benefited from, Obama (or HIllary) is under no “promise” to consider accepting pf in the general. McCain has no credibility here. This isn't what I want in a president, a thumbing of the nose at laws when they don't work to McCain's advantage.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

]]> By: runasim http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/comment-page-1/#comment-151516 runasim Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:52:03 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/#comment-151516 It's premature to jump all over this. It would become an issue only if McCain goes ahead with public financing, and Obame doesn't. <br>That was the extent of the 'promise', that it would be a both candidates deal. It's premature to jump all over this. It would become an issue only if McCain goes ahead with public financing, and Obame doesn't.
That was the extent of the 'promise', that it would be a both candidates deal.

]]> By: StockBoySF http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/comment-page-1/#comment-151515 StockBoySF Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:47:28 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/#comment-151515 As I recall Obama said he would entertain public financing in the general election if his opponent would commit.<br><br>Well his opponent is McCain, who not only committed to public financing for the primary but was forced to so he could get his name on the ballot in OH (McCain didn't have the resources to get his name on the OH ballot w/out accepting public financing). We all know that as soon as it was in McCain's favor to back-off from the public financing he did so like a rocket. And McCain is breaking quite a few public financing laws. This attitude of "being above the laws" should be troubling to all Americans. Don't our presidents swear an oath to uphold our laws?<br><br>In my eyes Obama is completely released from even considering public financing in the general election if McCain is the Repub. nominee. <br><br>If Obama were to come to an agreement with McCain to accept public financing in the general election, and if McCain decided it was in his best interests to suddenly break from it, regardless of what the law said, then everyone on here would say that Obama was naive to believe that McCain would actually uphold his end of the bargain. McCain hasn't to date with regards to public financing and continues to defy authority on this aspect. There is absolutely no reasonable expectation that McCain would keep his end of the bargain up.<br><br>Now if Obama were facing someone else (let's say McCain pulled out of the race for some reason), then I would expect Obama to uphold his original commitment- which is to come to an agreement to accept public financing and limit the influence of those 527s. Though as ChrisWWW pointed out that may not be possible.<br><br>Speaking of which, ChrisWW "...(Obama's) earlier "promise" was just a bluff". Well, I think Obama's "promise" wasn't to accept public financing in the general election, but to accept it if his opponent would. McCain's actions (which continue as I write this) has taken away all credibility McCain had on this. Obama made the "promise" in good faith. As I recall Obama said he would entertain public financing in the general election if his opponent would commit.

Well his opponent is McCain, who not only committed to public financing for the primary but was forced to so he could get his name on the ballot in OH (McCain didn't have the resources to get his name on the OH ballot w/out accepting public financing). We all know that as soon as it was in McCain's favor to back-off from the public financing he did so like a rocket. And McCain is breaking quite a few public financing laws. This attitude of “being above the laws” should be troubling to all Americans. Don't our presidents swear an oath to uphold our laws?

In my eyes Obama is completely released from even considering public financing in the general election if McCain is the Repub. nominee.

If Obama were to come to an agreement with McCain to accept public financing in the general election, and if McCain decided it was in his best interests to suddenly break from it, regardless of what the law said, then everyone on here would say that Obama was naive to believe that McCain would actually uphold his end of the bargain. McCain hasn't to date with regards to public financing and continues to defy authority on this aspect. There is absolutely no reasonable expectation that McCain would keep his end of the bargain up.

Now if Obama were facing someone else (let's say McCain pulled out of the race for some reason), then I would expect Obama to uphold his original commitment- which is to come to an agreement to accept public financing and limit the influence of those 527s. Though as ChrisWWW pointed out that may not be possible.

Speaking of which, ChrisWW “…(Obama's) earlier “promise” was just a bluff”. Well, I think Obama's “promise” wasn't to accept public financing in the general election, but to accept it if his opponent would. McCain's actions (which continue as I write this) has taken away all credibility McCain had on this. Obama made the “promise” in good faith.

]]> By: archangel http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/comment-page-1/#comment-151514 archangel Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:54:08 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/#comment-151514 great pitch Paul.<br><br>dr.e great pitch Paul.

dr.e

]]> By: Slamfu http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/comment-page-1/#comment-151513 Slamfu Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:33:47 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/#comment-151513 Well he's still got a fight with Clinton to resolve. After that who knows. I'm sure if he decided to go with the public finance agreement you guys would be calling him a naive newbie for hamstringing himself in such an important race. Well he's still got a fight with Clinton to resolve. After that who knows. I'm sure if he decided to go with the public finance agreement you guys would be calling him a naive newbie for hamstringing himself in such an important race.

]]> By: ChrisWWW http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/comment-page-1/#comment-151512 ChrisWWW Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:26:13 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/#comment-151512 Obama said he'd seek an agreement to have a publicly financed election. This agreement would include a way to limit those 527s and whatnots from creating an imbalance. Since such an agreement would probably never be possible, his earlier "promise" was just a bluff. Obama said he'd seek an agreement to have a publicly financed election. This agreement would include a way to limit those 527s and whatnots from creating an imbalance. Since such an agreement would probably never be possible, his earlier “promise” was just a bluff.

]]> By: T_Steel http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/comment-page-1/#comment-151511 T_Steel Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:55:19 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/#comment-151511 Senator Obama is playing "New Politics" since he's new to the game on the big stage but plays the game well. So I take "New Politics" as saying I'M NEW! heh heh heh...<br><br>But let's get real, a big strength that Senator Obama has is his ability to motivate. He does a unbelievable job of it. And the way he does it hasn't been seen in awhile. So in that regard he may seem "new" when he's really more of a throwback. Senator Obama is playing “New Politics” since he's new to the game on the big stage but plays the game well. So I take “New Politics” as saying I'M NEW! heh heh heh…

But let's get real, a big strength that Senator Obama has is his ability to motivate. He does a unbelievable job of it. And the way he does it hasn't been seen in awhile. So in that regard he may seem “new” when he's really more of a throwback.

]]> By: Marlowecan http://themoderatevoice.com/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/comment-page-1/#comment-151510 Marlowecan Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:47:59 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/18872/the-spirit-vs-the-agreement-on-public-financing-of-campaigns/#comment-151510 Hahahahahahaha....<br><br>Sen. Obama re-states his commitment to the principle of public financing...and then tosses it out the window!!! <br><br>Hmmm...since the tea leaves suggest that the Democrats will be in charge of the House, the Senate, and perhaps the WH...is it not sort of odd to place the burden on the GOP leadership to reform the guidelines? It is very likely that after 2009 the Democrats will be able to mandate these guidelines whenever they wish.<br><br>Will they? Hahahahahahahaha...<br><br>The real story here is the wonder that is Obama: <br><br>Once again, Obama is able to trumpet his call for "New Politics"...then play the same old political games...and yet have so many admire his ethical principles...in SAYING ONE THING, and DOING exactly the OPPOSITE.<br><br>I grow more admiring of his Machiavellianism every day. Hahahahahahaha….

Sen. Obama re-states his commitment to the principle of public financing…and then tosses it out the window!!!

Hmmm…since the tea leaves suggest that the Democrats will be in charge of the House, the Senate, and perhaps the WH…is it not sort of odd to place the burden on the GOP leadership to reform the guidelines? It is very likely that after 2009 the Democrats will be able to mandate these guidelines whenever they wish.

Will they? Hahahahahahahaha…

The real story here is the wonder that is Obama:

Once again, Obama is able to trumpet his call for “New Politics”…then play the same old political games…and yet have so many admire his ethical principles…in SAYING ONE THING, and DOING exactly the OPPOSITE.

I grow more admiring of his Machiavellianism every day.

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