The Smart Move

Obama decided to not accept public financing, and it was the right thing to do.

Why?

Since the advent of public financing most of the real attack dog stuff has come from PACs and 527 groups. They lie beyond the control of the candidate, thus insulating them. However, most 527s and PACs are the political equivalent of the necessary evil. They do the dirty work so the candidate doesn’t have to. It’s the elephant in the middle of the room though. It’s common knowledge that coordination on some level, has to take place, even though such coordination is illegal. Plus, they make for decent sacrifices if needed. It sometimes helps a candidates public image to toss a few of these groups under the bus to convey the illusion of integrity.

That is after the hit by the PAC or 527 has landed on the intended target of course; after the damage is done.

Seems somewhat disingenuous, doesn’t it? That’s because it is.

So why is this an advantage for Obama? Rejecting public financing means more control over his campaign, and provides flexibility. Believe it or not, on a national campaign, $86 million is not a lot of money. That’s where the PACs and 527 groups come in. Because there can’t be total coordination they lose control over vital parts of their message, and they get stuck with the baggage these groups bring, and more often than not, are held responsible for words that aren’t entirely their own. Candidates need their support because, with public financing, they have limited resources.

Well, not this year it seems. Now Obama can raise as much as he wants. Given the surge in small dollar contributions over the internet this will create cash that will move mountains. Hell, even Ron Paul (who I personally like but many of his more ardent…even rabid…supporters can be accurately termed as “batshit crazy”) set one day fundraisnig records through online contributions. It boxes McCain in nicely as well. McCain is a champion of public financing and campaign finance reform. The problem with the system is that it depends on the presumption of large single donors instead of diffused small donors.

Simply put, the movement for campaign finance reform won, they just don’t know it yet. It wasn’t the law. It was the internet that gave people the chance to replace an outdated system with something more personal and egalitarian.

Also, I agree that most voters won’t give a damn about this, no matter how hard some groups try and play it up. To say a politician broke a promise is like saying water is wet. Voters just expect it at this point. Obama was smart. He took a short term hit when it doesn’t matter in favor of a long term gain when it will.

Now what will McCain do? He is looking at getting outspent by someone that rejected the program he champions. Will he stick to his guns or will he re-evaluate given the situations. Political promises are not suicide pacts. Should McCain reject he leaves himself very vulnerable and will have to depend on 527s and PACs. In essence he’ll do the opposite of Obama. He’ll take a short term gain in exchange for a long term hit.

If he’s smart he’ll opt out as well. There’s a reality he needs to face. The game is changing in some pretty wild ways. He needs to see this and adjust accordingly.

~ by Sean on June 20, 2008.