Even though John McCain has given us flip-flop whiplash recently as he tries (wisely, I believe) to distance himself from some of George Bush’s policies and even though I support Barack Obama, a major flip-flop is exactly that. And this one’s a doozy.
Obama, with an unbelievably efficient and effective fund-raising campaign, especially online and from small donors, has changed his mind about accepting public funds and its $85 million spending limit. He is the first major presidential candidate to do so since the system was created in 1976. It’s been on its last legs before, but his decision — because of anticipated attacks by the right — could threaten its very existence.
Quoted in The New York Times, campaign finance expert Anthony J. Corrado, Jr. said, “Obama’s decision may not be the death knell of public financing, but it certainly is close to it.”
A critical editorial in today’s Washington Post concludes, “Politicians do what politicians need to do. But they ought to spare us the self-congratulatory back-patting while they’re doing it.”
I couldn’t have said it better.
Barry, this one’s for you.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
“Back-Patting!” Yeah, we have one that soes that. His name is Rann, and every time he thinks he does something useful he does a tax payer funded commercial telling us what a great guy he is because of his huge accomplishment. He’s a real wanker!
Sire’s last blog post..Seeing The World As A Photographer
My, you’re up early! Rann seems like the epitome of chutzpah. It sounds worse than the habit of our US Senators and Representatives — who get free postage when sending mail to constituents — sending out newsletters that are all about them, no mention of us. And we pay their salaries.
I thought David Brook’s column yesterday was as accurate as they come.
Although I disagree with many of Mr. Brooks’ positions, I find him one of the most civil and even handed commentators out there, and I think his columns have been among the best this election season.
He nailed Mr. Obama in his portrait, as a political animal more astute than even Bill Clinton.
I share Mr. Brooks’ ambivalence in watching “the games” unfold, with Mr. Obama the one calling the shots with great ease. He is setting the agenda, not Mr. McCain.
Obama is the most adroit political animal, as Mr. Brooks wrote, in several decades.
Perhaps since FDR. Or Nixon, who learned through experience. Not as second nature.
Blue Smoke of Paradise’s last blog post..For My Father
Hi, blue. I don’t think being a political animal is necessarily a pejorative, in fact most who say it about Bill Clinton do so with admiration.
And I might possibly have made the same choice as Obama but with one fundamental difference — I would hope to have left myself some wiggle room when the issue first arose. Wiggle room is a time-honored tradition in politics. Doesn’t make it right, but it leaves open the possibility of changing one’s mind. No pubic dishonor in that, even if it is self-serving, as it usually is.
I think Nixon was politically tone-deaf, from the pumpkin hearings to the Checkers speech to “I am not a crook” to “my mother wasn’t a saint” the day he left the WH. Doesn’t deny his inroads with detente and with China but certainly overshadows them and might for generations to come.
Thanks for the great comment!