Letters to the Editor
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A Good Thing
I don't understand how having a million small donors giving to a campaign could be construed as anything but a healthy development in a democracy, and it sends a very clear message about the level of a candidate's support. Does anyone honestly think these donors are expecting the favor to be returned when Obama becomes president? The vast majority of these people aren't special interests or lobbyists or high-rollers, they are ordinary citizens investing in some very big ideas : that things don't have to continue as they are just because some people say "that's the way they've always been", that substantive and positive change is still possible, that it's OK to be enthusiastic about your leaders and your government.
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@heathen
You wrote:
"Obama is a hypocrite
too bad it took this long for anyone to even question him about it. Can anyone seriously think he's going to go with public financing now? The fact that he outspends Hillary 3-1 is the only reason he's made it this far.
-- heathen"
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You're wrong. The reason Obama has made it this far is because he's been able to pull lots of ordinary people into his campaign and they've in turn contributed multiple times in small amounts.
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Don't try to buy my vote.
The best thing he could do to get my vote is "be the change." I'm quite serious. Don't be tempted to go back on a clear promise. The smears will happen anyway, and he already knows how to deflect them. All those great deflections will have a flatter ring if you open yourself up to the charge of hypocrisy, or even understandable fear about the high stakes. Integrity IS his product. Public financing is a risk he must take. But I don't think it will turn out to have been much of a risk.
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Let the people speak with their votes and their wallets
The argument boils down to two systems of campaign finance :
1) An equal amount of taxpayer money provided to two unequal candidates
2) A privately-funded system with capped donation amounts to limit the undue influence of corporations and the super-rich
While neither is perfect, the latter system at least allows individuals the abilitiy to further express their support for a candidate beyond their vote, to put their money where there mouth is, as it were. It has the additional advantage of not being a burden on the taxpayer. In a democratic and capitalistic society, this is a more efficient means of expressing the public will, which is after all what a democracy strives to achieve. Not only would it be tactically detrimental for Obama to accept public financing, it would be a step backwards for democracy.
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Why No Mention of McCain Using His FEC Certification To Game The Primary System?
Obama pledged IF he's the candidate; he's not the candidate and isn't likely to be for several more months. So thus far, he's broken no pledge.
Meanwhile, ever the Bush-appointed head of the FEC say McCain IS locked into public financing, and his simply saying so doesn't change it (with GOP obstinance in blocking enough appointments to the FEC to actually allow it to do its business, making the GOP too clever by half).
And why no mention in the article about McCain using his public financing Certificate to get his name on the primary ballot in four states (including OH), thereby saving himself roughly $8-10 million scare primary dollars? He skipped having to send hundreds of signature collectors into those states by showing his FEC Certificate, which got him on the ballot automatically, so he has already used the FEC public financing law for millions in gain over other candidates. He cannot now simply say he changes his mind, after those states have had their primaries. If he's allowed to opt out, all primary delegates in those states should go to the only remaining candidates, Huckabee and Paul.
While I hear lots of attacks and whining about Obama, thus far, we haven't even met the original criteria he agreed to, so its all academic anyway. McCain, however, has already gained real financial gain from his actual signed agreement, and to opt out now is (as the FEC head said) a violation of Federal law (FYI, one that actually carries jail time, not just a slap-on-the-wrist fine).
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Double Standard
Hillary wants to seat MI and FL. She knew the rules and she can't change them. She is a hypocrite. Obama makes a pledge, but left in loopholes or he needs to win the presidency and it is okay to go back on the pledge. Is there a double standard here? Does he want to win at all costs, pledges be damned?! Oh, please continue to tell me that he is in it for the best of the country and not for himself. I need a good laugh this morning!
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Uh...
Public financing only takes effect after the National Conventions in late August and early September. Obama has until then to decide what he will do. In the meantime, he has broken no promises. So, stop your bitchin' people!
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No
Obama is Jesus, Harriet Tubman, FDR all rolled into one.
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Are They Hypocrites?
No...they're "politicians"...waaaay worse than hypocrites.
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Obama Is No Different
Despite the nearly hysterical protests of his supporters..........Last night they were playing the video of him guaranteeing Illinois to finish his senate term. Same bullshit as everyone else.
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To the editors
Having read the entire article (unlike most of the Letter Writers, who as always seem very good at repeating their chosen candidates' talking points du jour) I was dismayed to see this sentence (penult. par., second pg.):
"Whether or not that shoestring is now turning into a noose depends on the FEC."
While I get the clever visuals, I was under the impression that we, liberals, were at the forefront of removing language around lynching -- including the noose. I understand that, in this context, the implication is that McCain might "hang himself" by his own actions... but in this era, I think the language should be avoided altogether (after all, the latter interpretation is no less offensive to many people, myself included).
So, Salon editors, please hold your writers to a higher standard. Challenge them to write evocatively while avoiding metaphors are imagery that this country has resolved to move beyond.