Barack Obama Slams Broken Public Financing System, Opts Out
Barack Obama today announced that his campaign has made the decision not to participate in the public financing system for the general election, forgoing more than $80 million in public funds.
Obama criticized the broken system, accusing McCain's campaign of gaming it with special interest PACs and lobbyists.
He sent out a message on YouTube this morning. Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Look, I am voting for Obama, but as someone else mentioned, he's not above criticism. This decision is a complete reversal of what he said/wrote last year regarding public financing.
He's running for leader of the free world for chrissakes. He deserves to be fairly vetted and his response to the criticism of his reversal is pretty lame.
Posted by: Marco | Jun 19, 2008 11:40:13 AM
McCain and his supporters are going to have a hard time attacking Obama for going back on his pledge when McCain has broken just about every campaign finance rule that he supported and pushed for just a few years back. He's also going to have to explain why he has been ILLEGALLY raising and spending money AFTER accepting public funding months back when his campaign was going under. Finally, he's going to have to explain why he has allowed 527's to launch vicious, dirty and bogus swift-boat style attacks on Obama while claiming that he is helpless to shop them (unlike Obama who has effectively shut down 527's from raising money and placing ads on his behalf). This is one reason that Obama reason that Obama is refusing to accept the public funding. It would be suicide to accept them having shut down 527's that would counter the 527's that McCain will, and has ALREADY, used.
And for those of you who say that the only reason Obama is opting out is because of money, SO WHAT? Do you really think McCain is opting IN for ANY other reason than the fact that he knows that he has been, and will continue to be, unable to raise the big money? The Republicans are just sh*tting themselves because they know that for the FIRST TIME in recent American history the Democrats will have more money than they will. Stop acting as if they've found ethics or a soul.
As long as Obama is raising his money from the people, OVERWHELMINGLY through MILLIONS of small donations, NO ONE can claim that it is not a PEOPLE'S campaign or that it's not representative of the American electorate. Prior to this campaign ALL campaigns were funded by big donations from the very rich and from lobbyists and corporations. This was true of Republicans and Democrats though Republicans were always better at it and therefore better funded. This election cycle was no different with ALL the other campaigns, especially the McCain AND Clinton campaigns funded primarily by big donors and lobbyists.
If ANYONE feels that that is a better, more fair and more representative form of campaign finance than what Senator Obama has put together then they have clearly allowed their bias and outright hatred of Obama cloud their judgment.
I suspect that most of the comments here are from the last vestiges of the extreme bitter wing of the Hillary campaign. Most of the others are drive by trolling from GayPatriot or from the right-wing of Independent Bay Forum.
I think it's AWSOME that we're finally going to have more money to run our campaign than the corrupt Republicans and will love every minute of listening to them whining about it.
Posted by: Zeke | Jun 19, 2008 11:41:03 AM
Oh, and GT, the one with the list of O'Reilly right-wing talking points. You might not have noticed but your boy McCain hasn't worn a flag lapel pin in months.
Does that make HIM unpatriotic? Does that make HIM unfit to be President? Or does you lapel pin requirement only apply to Democrats, or black men, or people with names like Barack Obama, or people you don't like or agree with?
Posted by: Zeke | Jun 19, 2008 11:44:37 AM
Alex, Ernie, and ESPECIALLY M. Rettenmund:
Thank you so much for your calm voices of reason and truth.
Posted by: soulbrotha | Jun 19, 2008 11:45:39 AM
Right on, Zeke!
Posted by: soulbrotha | Jun 19, 2008 11:48:59 AM
Zeke just made me squeal like a girl!
Awesome responses!
Posted by: Alex | Jun 19, 2008 12:15:21 PM
Nobody in the real world gives a rip about whether Obama takes public financing or not. This decision will allow Obama to meet the Republican attack machine head on without one hand tied behind his back.
It was the right call.
Posted by: seattle mike | Jun 19, 2008 12:30:11 PM
Campaign finance restrictions are always for the "other guy" not oneself. He is also blocking appointments to the FEC so that there is no oversight this election on money raised. Essentially, there are no restrictions on campaign financing this election, the exact opposite of the goals of McCain-Feingold. Both sides prefer it this way, though McCain has only a quarter of the funds Obama has and has piled up lots of debts. Some of that debt financing would have been at issue before the FEC, but then there is no FEC this year. Oh, the irony!
Posted by: anon | Jun 19, 2008 12:32:24 PM
Blah, blah, blah, evil Obama, flip-flop, Muslim, inexperienced, Hillary, yadda, yadda, yadda.
I'm voting for the guy no matter what the trolls, bitter betties, or Republicans say. It's a seal. It's a lock. It's done.
Oh yeah, and RE his "fake cadence": SOMEBODY'S never been to the Midwest if they don't know that a lot people there speak with slight if not overt Southern accents, ESPECIALLY the black people. I should know since I was born there and most of my black family speak with a Southern twang. Yeah, you've got your "typical white Midwesterner accent" but even that has a Southern twinge to it.
Posted by: Chas | Jun 19, 2008 12:54:05 PM
To all the Hillary Dead-enders here, Screw off.
Your candidate was the two-faced one who claimed to support gay issues, but threw us under the bus every chance that she and her husband had for 16 years.
I wont ever let the Clintons fuck us over again. The Clinton's were the worst thing to ever happen to gay equality. The two worst federal laws ever passed dealing with gay Americans are DOMA and DADT and the Clintons eagerly and gladly signed both.
For all the defense you want to put up about the Clintons, he did sexually harass Monica. If he were the head of any private company, he would have been ousted. Defending them was the worst thing the Democrats ever did to themselves.
Posted by: Jack | Jun 19, 2008 1:06:40 PM
CHAS, I grew up in Michigan. Obama's Southern accent only pops up when he's in front of a crowd. It's annoying! I know there is a lof of showmanship in politics, but Obama is supposed to transcend politics, be the new hope, the change we can believe in, the future of our nation on earth.
His followers clap when he blows his nose, and cry tears of joy when they hear the same talking point filled speech over and over.
I wish that people would vote based on ideas and policies, and that wouldn't take hundreds of millions of dollars. As the first candidate to opt-out of public financing for the general election campaign since the system was created, Obama could very well destroy public financing all together by setting a new standard for the amount of money required to run for POTUS.
Unfortunately, McCain seems to be the real reformer and Obama represents politics as usual ON THIS ISSUE.
Posted by: Ian | Jun 19, 2008 1:17:07 PM
Ditto, Jack. Every time I hear a fag rave about how great the Clinton's have been for the advancement of gay rights I remind them that Bill is responsible for setting us back decades. DOMA set the precedent for the Federal Marriage Amendment and all the other shit the righties have tried to pull on us in the last 10+ years. And yet he and Hillary get a free ride because they show up to a few HRC parties. Bullshit.
Also, I love how most 'gay concern' over Obama is based on race. Ask any gay Obama detractor why they'd be worried about him vis-a-vis gay rights and their response usually amounts to "Well...he's black". As if black people are SO MUCH more homophobic than any other ethnic group. They're so quick to forget that nine out of ten of the homophobic assaults/murders we read about on this site and elsewhere are commited by young white guys.
Posted by: Chas | Jun 19, 2008 1:23:36 PM
Wow, Ian, you have one-on-one meetings with Obama? That's so awesome! What's he like?
Posted by: crispy | Jun 19, 2008 1:24:44 PM
What THE CRISPMEISTER said.
And he's destroying public financing all together now?! Really?! By raising too much money on his own and refusing $80 million in public funds? What WON'T you accuse him of?
Posted by: Chas | Jun 19, 2008 1:40:56 PM
If you don't support Obama, you're a racist, a troll, a bitter Hillary supporter.
If you criticize Obama, you're also a right-wing extremist.
Blah, blah, blah. You people are just as indoctrinated in left-wing rhetoric as the people on the right that you criticize. Keith Olberman and moveon.org are your Bill O'Reilys and foxnews.coms. There's no room for thinking on either end.
Posted by: Chris | Jun 19, 2008 1:44:41 PM
CHRIS: and anyone who supports and defends Obama is a Kool-Aide drinking true believer. There's been plenty of unfair characterization on all sides. As much as I hope that will come to an end, I won't hold my breath.
Posted by: Chas | Jun 19, 2008 1:51:18 PM
I think it's so funny how so many queens think Obama is going to do something good for them. Give me a break, u fell for the good looking straight dude you so DESPERATELY want to be friends with...oldest story in the gay book. You were tricked get use to it. There will be plenty more flip flopping and Muslim bashing in the future from the Obama camp.
Posted by: daveynyc | Jun 19, 2008 2:06:35 PM
DAVENYC: HA! Except for the fact that I don't find Barack sexually attractive in the least. And most of my best friends are straight guys. And I've never read "the gay book"--care to give me the Cliff's Notes version? Thanks babe.
Posted by: Chas | Jun 19, 2008 2:26:42 PM
Yes, those evil Clintons. God damn them. They did everything in their power to destroy gays and they peed in my cereal this morning. Then Bill sexually harassed my mom.
Seriously, the CDS that lingers here is scary. It smells like Republicans in the 90s.
Also, some of you might want to write Glenn Greenwald at Salon and tell him to stop criticizing Barack Obama, even if said criticism is 100% valid and Glenn is still voting for him.
How dare he question the chosen one.
Posted by: Marco | Jun 19, 2008 2:47:41 PM
So MARCO, criticizing the Clintons is akin to having a mental disorder but any criticism of Obama is completely warranted? Even though BILL (notice I didn't mention Hillary) signed DADT and DOMA while Obama has no record of anti-gay voting or attitudes? Doesn't add up, MARCEY-MARC.
Posted by: Chas | Jun 19, 2008 2:55:49 PM
BARACK OBAMA DOESN'T CARE ABOUT GAY PEOPLE
Posted by: daveynyc | Jun 19, 2008 3:08:45 PM
Won't you sign the "Ex-Hillary Fans for McCain Pledge"?
http://katiehalper.com/sign-quotexhillary-fans-mccainquot-pledge
The McCain Loyalty Oath for Gays
I, _____________, pledge to transfer my support from Hillary Clinton to John McCain. I agree to do all I can do to get McCain the vote. In order to achieve this noble goal I promise to support McCain's
* commitment to the Army's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy because to "even reopen the issue" would be a "terrific mistake."
* promise to protect "the sanctity of marriage as between a man and woman."
* commitment to banning federal recognition of gay marriage and domestic partnerships.
* opposition to gay adoption which he doesn't think is "appropriate."
* opposition to expanding the federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation.
As a gay person, I promise to apply McCain's principles to my own life and vow to...
* stop engaging in gay sex.
* never try to marry or adopt.
* enroll in a program to treat my homosexuality and "straighten" myself out, such as a "M.A.N.S. Journey" (Masculinity, Authenticity, Need Fulfillment, Surrender Journey).
* install nanny cams in my house to prevent any gay relapses.
* take responsibility for natural disasters**, including Katrina.
Once McCain is elected, I will continue to support him and his programs and I will not complain about my loss of civil rights. And I will continue to refrain from gay sex.
Sincerely,
Signature __________
The McCain Loyalty Oath for Women
I _____________ pledge to transfer my support from Hillary Clinton to John McCain. I agree to do all I can do to get McCain the vote. In order to achieve this noble goal I promise to support McCain's...
* fight to overturn Roe v. Wade and my right to choose.
* fight against equal pay for men and women.
* opposition to providing low-income and uninsured women and families with health care services ranging from breast and cervical cancer screening to birth control.
* opposition to sex education and support of abstinence-only education.
* making birth control covered by insurance.
* endorsement of women's rights more "in theory" than in practice.
* pet name for his wife.
As a woman I promise to apply McCain's principles to my own life and vow to...
* call myself and my female friends the C word.
* picket abortion clinics.
* not use contraceptives.
* drink bleach so I don't catch HIV and drink Mountain due so I don't get pregnant.
* give back part of my salary to male coworkers.
* not vote, but pursue education and encourage my father/husband/brother male friends to vote for McCain.
Once McCain is elected, I will continue to support him and I will not complain about my losing my right to choose, and other reproductive freedoms. And I will continue to refrain from pursuing equality for women.
Sincerely,
Signature __________
The McCain Loyalty Oath for Straight White Men
Straight white men, I bet you thought we left you out. This country may have turned its back on you, but we haven't. Here's a pledge of your own:
I _____________ pledge to transfer my support from Hillary Clinton to John McCain. I agree to do all I can do to get McCain the vote. In order to achieve this noble goal I promise to support McCain's...
* commitment to follow Osama Bin Laden to the gates of hell.
* oppositionto limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months.
* fight against benefits for veterans.
* support of Bush's preemptive war doctrine.
* Operation Infinite Presence in Iraq.
As a straight white man I promise to apply McCain's principles to my own life and vow to...
* use Iran/Iraq and Shiites/Sunnis interchangeably.
* clear my schedule for the next 100 years.
* enlist in the military.
* follow Osama Bin Laden to the gates of hell (while smiling).
* be willing to kill and/or be killed in Iraq.
* be willing to kill and/or be killed in Iran.
* be willing to kill and/or be killed in Syria.
* be willing to kill and/or be killed in Venezuela.
Once McCain is elected, I will continue to support him and I will not complain about my loss of limbs or life. And I will continue to refrain from questioning the war in Iraq or any other wars we will be fighting.
Sincerely,
Signature ________________________________
**Although McCain and Hagee have since un-endorsed each other, that was not until Hagee's controversial Holocaust speech was discovered. McCain didn't think Hagee's position on gay people (or women of Muslims, for that matter) warrant his disavowal.
Posted by: John in Manhattan | Jun 19, 2008 3:24:04 PM
I remember back when Towleroad was seemingly overrun by Log Cabinites a couple years ago. It seems to me that bitter Hillary supporters (who may also be Repubs in disguise) is the sites current infestation of negative nonsense and propaganda that runs counter to the benefit of the gay community. Thank god for sane voices like Zeke, M.Rettunmund and others (including Michael Bedwell/Leland, that former overly devoted Hillary supporter!)
Oh and I think Obama's decision about campaign financing is fantastic. Even though I would have totally supported her if she had won the nomination, this is the kind of decision that I don't think Clinton would ever make.
Posted by: AdamN | Jun 19, 2008 3:30:21 PM
Just to be clear, since some have assumed incorrectly, I am not going to vote for McCain or Obama. I will not vote for someone just because he is our last best hope.
Posted by: GT | Jun 19, 2008 3:42:55 PM
Oh, hello. Hi there.
I was looking for the place where Hillary dead-enders come to bitch and moan.
Is it near here? Can you tell me how to get there?
Posted by: 24play | Jun 19, 2008 3:49:20 PM