Obama’s whole platform is that it’s time for change. He says he’s going to do business differently, and consequently, he’s made the historically unprecedented decision to opt out of using public financing. Earlier in the campaign, he said that he would use the public funds if his opponent did. But now he’s changed his mind. To some, changing gears signals a red flag of a candidate that went back on his word. To others, it signals that Barack Obama, above all, is committed to doing what he thinks is right. So what do you think–political ploy or serious commitment to right wrongs?
This is not the first time that Obama has made history with the political fundraising machine. He has refused money from special interest groups, choosing instead to raise money via private donors for the primary elections. Not only did he refuse the special interest group monies, he was rather successful at eliciting donations–some 45% of his financing comes from small donors who donated less than $200 a piece. Regardless of whose side you’re on–that impressive.
The Problem with Public Financing–According to Barack Obama
When you did your taxes. . .did you check off that $3 box to donate to a political campaign? That’s the public financing system. What it does is essentially is provide an equal amount to each candidate to run their election campaigns. Likewise, it comes with spending limits and rules. Unfortunately, those rules are full of loopholes that allow major contributions from special interests groups.
By refusing monies from the public financing system, he’s also refusing monies from special interest groups and is communicating, at least he hopes, that it’s not business as usual. However, if you’re an astute observer of politics you’ll note that I said that 45% of his campaign financing comes from small donors. That begs the question, what about the other 55%. The answer is that the other 55% comes from large donors. In the words of some then unknown Senator from Illinois, “if we’re still getting financed primarily from individual contributions, than those with the most money are still going to have the most influence.”
Read Blogs that Others Are Talking About:
Obama and McCain On the Economy
My Last Article on Hillary Clinton for Now
History Was Made But Not Set in Stone
Is America Ready for a Black President?
Politics 101: Introduction and My Goal
Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, and also writes about politics and the occassional movie review. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.
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