Obama To Opt Out Of Public Financing For Primary And General

[Freddie Stubbs]

Sources close to Sen. Barack Obama's campaign tell the Hotline that the Illinois senator has decided to opt out of the public financing system for both the nomination fight and the general election.

Obama joins Sen. Hillary Clinton, Ex-Sen. John Edwards, Sen. John McCain and Ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney in deciding to forgo the federal matching funds.

Also today: In the wake of a Wall Street Journal article suggesting Clinton will raise in excess of $30 million this quarter, Clinton's campaign plans to float a much lower figure -- $15 million. That's hard to square with the public ebullience of some of her chief fundraisers.

The first quarter of fundraising matters more for Clinton than for Obama in this way: a lower-than-expected first quarter will partially derail the inevitability train that's carrying her to Denver. We’d ask: “Where did the vaunted fundraising machine go?” “Do Democratic donors not expect her to win?”

more: http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/02/obama_to_opt_ou_1.html

[Strawman]

1. Of course he is, like anyone who can raise more money

Even Dean had to accept that he wouldn't have been able to compete that way. I think we need full public financing, where you can't opt out.

[rubberducky]

2. Is our presidency for sale??

Whoever can afford to buy it wins. What is going to become of our beloved country if these kinds of elections are to be the norm??

[Strawman]

3. Not exactly for sale. More like a high stakes table

You need to have a ridiculous amount of money to get in the game.

[ripple]

4. These kinds of elections already ARE the norm

the price just keeps going up. I agree that we need to publicly finance elections, in order to reduce the amount of corporate influence as much as possible. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a lot of motivation to do so, given that our elected officials rely on such donations when it comes time for re-election.

Since this is the system he's forced to work with, I'm glad Obama is declining public financing, as that will be the only way he can afford to seriously compete.

[Freddie Stubbs]

16. We already do have public financing

But it seems that candidates have found a better way to raise money.

[ripple]

17. Candidates shouldn't be able to opt-out of public financing

As it stands now, those who might like to accept public funds know they won't stand a chance against candidates who have acquired five or six times the public financing limit.

Obama's proposal is an excellent move, even if it doesn't produce the desired results this election cycle. He will at least get a lot of people talking about the need for reform.

[The2ndWheel]

7. No, it's there for the good of the people

:freak:

This guy/girl asking is it for sale. The nerve.

[oasis]

5. The cart before the horse? He's not yet a candidate.

:crazy:

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. He is a canidate in everything but name

[Debi]

12. He'll be a candidate on Saturday.

Officially

[w4rma]

8. Big media talks about our two weakest candidates, a lot. (nt)

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. National Journal isn't exactly 'Big media'

[w4rma]

11. Agreed. I made a mistake by posting that criticism on a thread that sources The Hotline.

I see so much about them from true big media I neglected to check the source of this article.

[theaudacity]

10. I would blindly follow this man into a burning building.

Thats all I have to say. I don't really find the private financing thing too surprising.

[knight_of_the_star]

13. That scares me

Especially considering how little he's actually accomplished in terms of substance.

[theaudacity]

15. He is a born leader. Leaders don't need milti-page resumes, they just need to lead.

[MadHound]

14. And Obama is now ready to sell himself out to the highest bidder.

Will it be the financial industry? Nah, Hillary's got that locked up thanks to Bill. Oil? Maybe, but we've got to see who the 'Pug nominee is first. Phillip Morris? Quite possibly, they love to give out money with both hands to both parties. Corporate agriculuture is shopping for a suitable candidate, and being from Illinois Obama can kinda call himself a farm state Senator.

Oh the choices, who will he sell his soul to?