Comments on: Walking the Line, Sign of Hope http://themoderatevoice.com/19676/walking-the-line-sign-of-hope/ An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:43:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: StockBoySF http://themoderatevoice.com/19676/walking-the-line-sign-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-130172 StockBoySF Sat, 17 May 2008 06:24:45 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/19676/walking-the-line-sign-of-hope/#comment-130172 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.<br><br>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. <br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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. <br><br>I would say that being tough on 527s because of financial stability or considerations is like the tail wagging the dog.<br><br>Stay on message! (And eliminate distractions.) 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.)

]]> By: pabel http://themoderatevoice.com/19676/walking-the-line-sign-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-130171 pabel Fri, 16 May 2008 23:05:36 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/19676/walking-the-line-sign-of-hope/#comment-130171 "Financially stable enough" -- that may be the critical factor. Good point. “Financially stable enough” — that may be the critical factor. Good point.

]]> By: pacatrue http://themoderatevoice.com/19676/walking-the-line-sign-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-130169 pacatrue Fri, 16 May 2008 22:00:42 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/19676/walking-the-line-sign-of-hope/#comment-130169 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. 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.

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