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Walking the Line, Sign of Hope

Posted by PETE ABEL, Managing Editor in Uncategorized.
May 16th, 2008 | Comments

In the first category, Jonathan Martin catches McCain and Obama walking the line, threading the needle, choosing their words carefully with respect to yesterday’s California Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. I look forward to the day when this matter is resolved and is no longer an issue that’s of relevance to any campaign. (And yes, I’m pro civil marriage.)

In the second category, Ben Smith catches Obama discouraging a powerful 527. I find that a very good sign and a strong proof point to add to the scorecard on the Senator’s commitment to a “new kind of politics.”

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pacatrue

The 527 move is very interesting. It sounds like Obama is financially stable enough that he wants to keep on message as much as possible, and not be sidetracked by ill-advised 527 ads. This could be one of the most important party infrastructure moves of the season in fact.

Pete Abel

"Financially stable enough" -- that may be the critical factor. Good point.

StockBoySF

I don't think "financially stable" is the reason, rather I think pacatrue hits it on the head when he says Obama wants to stay on message. Doesn't matter that Obama is financially stable, because he could send the surrogate 527s (which are not subject to public financing laws) to do his dirty work and lower the political discourse. Staying on message is much more important and elevates the discussion.

Also IMO this will benefit Obama and any charges that McCain (or "McCain's" 527s) might level at Obama about public financing. Remember one of the controversies surrounding public financing is determining whether or not the candidates can control the 527s. In other words the candidates won't get around public financing limits by using the 527s as proxies to do the dirty work.

If Obama is able to keep the "Dems'" 527s under control, but McCain can not keep the "Republican" 527s attack ads under control and they attack Obama with Swift Boat type ads, then Obama can claim that the Dems are running a cleaner race and he has shown that he can control the "Dems'" 527s attacks on McCain, whereas McCain can not control the "Republican" 527s attacks on Obama.

In as much as the 527s play an important role in the public financing debate it will be important for Obama to show he can control them. If McCain can not control the 527s that will benefit him, then Obama can claim that McCain is not serious about public financing and that McCain can get around any public financing arrangements/laws by having the 527s, which are not subject to public financing, run these vicious ads.

Also the "financially stable" aspect is suspect because even when candidates have lots of money (self financed, as an example) it doesn't necessarily help them. Money does talk, but it's not everything. The message is much more important and being able to raise money is an indication of how well a candidate is doing with his message.

I would say that being tough on 527s because of financial stability or considerations is like the tail wagging the dog.

Stay on message! (And eliminate distractions.)

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