Opting out of Public Financing

I heard a statement repeated several times on FNC and CNN that I have a question about. The statement was that Obama's decision to opt out of public financing of his general election campaign was "precedent setting". Didn't George W. Bush opt out of public financing in 2000 and 2004, and didn't Kerry opt out in 2004 as well?

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Bruzilla

I heard a statement repeated several times on FNC and CNN that I have a question about. The statement was that Obama's decision to opt out of public financing of his general election campaign was "precedent setting". Didn't George W. Bush opt out of public financing in 2000 and 2004, and didn't Kerry opt out in 2004 as well?

...I don't get this.

[MMDad (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

...I don't get this.

While many have opted out in the primary, Obama is the first to opt out of the general election funds since 1976.

[Kerad (Premo)]

I'm no expert on this at all, but my initial reaction is "Why is this a bad thing?"

Doesn't this mean that no part of Obama's campaign will be funded by the general public as a whole...including people who do not actually support Obama? This means that every single dollar that Obama spends on his campaign will only come from people who voluntarily gave him money for that purpose. Right?

Am I missing something?

[huntr1]

Originally Posted by Kerad

Am I missing something?

No.

Originally Posted by MMDad

While many have opted out in the primary, Obama is the first to opt out of the general election funds since 1976.

MMDad is rght. GWB opted out of the primary funds only in 2000 and 2004.

[wintersprings]

Didn't Obama say that Campain Finance Reform would keep the election out of the hands of ...... and it would save the American way?

[SamSpade]

Because of remarks like this one -

"In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (r-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election".

If he didn't pledge not to, it sure sounded like he intended to .

[Lenny]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

Because of remarks like this one -

"In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (r-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election".

If he didn't pledge not to, it sure sounded like he intended to .

He has turned into a newer copy of Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. Once they sees those greenbacks theys minds goes blank.

Originally Posted by Lenny

He has turned into a newer copy of Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. Once they sees those greenbacks theys minds goes blank.

That is so true. And what really upsets me about Obama going back on his pledge is that I know in my heart of hearts that John McCain, being the upstanding, honest, non flip-flopping, man of his word that he is, would NEVER, EVER change his mind IF he had the same money rolling in that Obama generated. I mean who would?