Letters to the Editor
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Thoughts
Forbes and them spent their own money- not so impressive. Obama is reporting his figures with emphasis on the average contribution ammount, number of contributors, and the number of contributors who have given more than once. The campaign is essentially breaking down the numbers for the slothful media, lending their own spin to the reporting- namely, that Popular and sustained support can compete with big name/big money players (read: Hillary) -- knowing that this is much more impressive than just a big number.
Mr. Shapiro mentioned free media, an important and finicky part of campaigning that makes treasurers drool and strategists sweat. As Salon recently reported on, the 'viral video' movement has moved into the political spectrum, most notably with the '1984'/Hillary mashup created (independently) by an activist nerd formerly employed by an Obama contractor. That non-controversy aside, this signals a whole new chapter in 'free-media'-- which will have its own maturation and go through the growing pains of manipulation, corruption, collusion, and down right dirrrty tricks. The most interesting aspect of this new phenomenon will be the base democratic nature of viral videos. There is no corporate motivation or censorship, no regulation or rules. There will be many videos that will live, die, or make history according to the social framework, groups, and whims of the interwebs. The new capital metric of 'free media' will be clicks and MSM appearances.
I can see some serious drawbacks, including the rather vicious and sometimes mob-like nature of viral surges, but overall I think it will be a step forward for democracy and political freedom in this country.
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Hear hear
Ktwdawg wrote:
I can see some serious drawbacks, including the rather vicious and sometimes mob-like nature of viral surges, but overall I think it will be a step forward for democracy and political freedom in this country.
That is where my hopes lie.
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Get Madison Avenue Out of Politics
Nothing will ever change until the advertisers are booted out of the political system. I never did understand the rationale that free speech in politics extended to a person's right to raise and spend millions of dollars to broadcast 30-second soundbites which are supposed to substitute for an informed decision.
Why can't voters demand that all election information and debate be disseminated through state-run websites and debates, which would be broadcast on dedicated network and cable channels? Candidates could express their views on an equal footing, and voters could post queries on issues that each candidate could then either respond to or ignore at their peril.
Some people will protest that certain free speech rights are being infringed upon, but who are we really talking about? It's those unaffiliated party organizations, who are the ones doing the "dirty work" for the party or a candidate by spreading misleading negative campaign ads that noone wants to be associated with.
I know this sounds simplistic, but sometimes its the obvious solutions that get overlooked. Until Madison Avenue is banned from the political process, money will always rule the lives of our politicians.
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mitchell-ray responded re hillary:
Let's talk honestly about Hillary, please. I don't doubt her intelligence or her understanding of the political process. She's been married to one of this country's primo politicians, after all; she benefits from this relationship. Bill Clinton lost progressives when he moved the Democratic Party to the right in order to win office, cut social programs for minimum wage workers and the underclass. It is ironic that the Bill and Hillary, both who openly campaigned as an advocate for children, put into place the most anti-child piece of legislation in American history, condemning more than a million children to a life of poverty. The official poverty rate of the US is 20%, the highest of any industrialized nation. Clinton's Welfare to work--his great idea--might have had a chance if there had been some attempt at job creation. But you and I are educated with great resumes--why should we care about the poor?
You tout Hillary's military credentials as her badge of honor. Bunk. Review her leadership in support of the Iraq war. Hillary thought the war in Iraq was a good idea--just badly managed. I don't think it was a good idea at all. War in the 21st century should be a last resort. The next administration should be gifted in the art of diplomacy--review Barack Obama's speeches about the Iraq War.
I applaud Hillary's work with autistic children, her zeal for and understanding of health care welform. And I'm well aware that she and Bill have a lot of connections. But that doesn't mean she's the best person for the presidency--just the best person for people like you.
I'm 56 years old, a publisher and college instructor for 25 years, a community activist who's worked with low and moderate income families all my life. An African-American female. I'm no dummy.
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the money train
it feels like the train will just roll all over us soon. i am almost paralyzed with the feeling that nothing can be stopped or reevaluated. who and what is out there to give such sums. where are the little people in this? is it all hollywood parties and billionaires. and this is a democracy? i am rapidly getting turned off by the whole thing and have to remind myself daily that it is a priviledge to vote, but how real is the vote when all will be decided by late december as dick morris is always pointing out. the money is a big deal. the ads will be a big deal. what is coming at us will be a tsunami with no escape. along with the genocide olympics it will be a sad year indeed.
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Dear Ms. Mitchell-Ray:
I respect your opinion. I am an Edwards supporter. While I know HRC has the museum-curator vote locked up, surely you must realize that half the country wouldn't vote for this woman if her opponent was Hitler. And out here in suburban Philadelphia, where even though the museums are sparse, the politics are trending blue, liberal women I work with simply do not like Hillary and are dreading the prospect that she is on the ticket. She will get absolutely crushed by anyone on the other side up to and including Gingrich. I am simply amazed that so many people can't see this. This is America, 2008 ... there will be no woman President just yet. And a black man? Yes, of course. That could happen. We as Democrats are on the verge of handing the White House to the party of Bush.