Political Hippo Circle Jerk - America, farg YEAH!

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I actually believed it for about 1.3 seconds before I didn't anymore.

[Cerevant]

Um, Obama's position was conditional - he would run his campaign strictly using public dollars if his opponent pleged to do the same.  None of his opponents even considered this option, so the whole discussion is moot.

I'm much more upset that he (and the rest of the so-called democrats) backed the FISA bill.  So much for that constitution thing he makes such a big deal about.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Um, Obama's position was conditional - he would run his campaign strictly using public dollars if his opponent pleged to do the same.  None of his opponents even considered this option, so the whole discussion is moot.

Um, McCain is using the public funding.  Even Obama's camp admits they changed their stance on this.  Could you possibly be more of a homer than his actual campaign staff?

[Diomedes]

I don't like Obama's support of the bill either--I think it's a zesty bill--but I ask you... what else could he have done?  It's the second time Congress has attempted to address this issue and this time a ton of democrats are on board.  It does give Bush just about everything he wanted but it also gives him some things he didn't want, requiring more oversight and warrants than he wants--he'd like none, of course, Seig Heil!!--such that, at the very least, the bill will be called bi-partisan and a "compromise" by every news outlet except maybe Drudge/Fox and the ACLU newsletter.

If Obama doesn't sign on, then he exposes himself quite baldly to damaging attacks on two fronts: "you're weak on terror" and "you're too liberal/can't even agree with a bipartisan effort," etc.

[ice grillin you]

Um, Obama's position was conditional - he would run his campaign strictly using public dollars if his opponent pleged to do the same.  None of his opponents even considered this option, so the whole discussion is moot.

Um, McCain is using the public funding.  Even Obama's camp admits they changed their stance on this.  Could you possibly be more of a homer than his actual campaign staff?

exactly

was it a good move in terms of helping him win absolutely
will it hurt him politically probably not a whole lot

but there isnt one person on either side that says obama didnt flip flop like a motherfarger...cervent get your head out barrys sphincter

[Rome]

Wait - a politician made a complete reversal on a policy issue?

OMGZ!

[ice grillin you]

Wait - a politician made a complete reversal on a policy issue?

OMGZ!

its a personal choice not a policy issue

if he gets in office and doesnt seriously address campaign finance then you can blast him in that sense

[Rome]

I couldn't care less about campaign finance reform nor do I give a shtein if he flipped on the matter.  If there's 100,000 issues that have to be addressed by the next President, that would rank around 99,999th in importance.

[ice grillin you]

fair enough if thats what you believe but imo campaign financing laws speak to heart of democracy

[rjs246]

Campaign finance on the surface is a boring politico topic. The roots of the problem, however, and the issues that are caused by the current system are incredibly serious. It's a very important issue.

[Cerevant]

I'm still looking for some real coverage of this so-called controversy, but regardless...

The #1 political issue facing the US today is campaign finance.  This is why the corporations and special interests own this country.  This is why we are paying more than $4/gallon for gas.  This is why we are at war.  This is why the health care system sucks.

None of these issues can be resolved until the flow of money from the lobbyists and PACs stops.

[rjs246]

The #1 political issue facing the US today is campaign finance.  This is why the corporations and special interests own this country.  This is why we are paying more than $4/gallon for gas.  This is why we are at war.  This is why the health care system sucks.

None of these issues can be resolved until the flow of money from the lobbyists and PACs stops.

Exactly.

[Diomedes]

I'm not convinced the money has as much influence as that..i.e., I'm not sure the campaign finance problems are at the root of all those problems.  I agree that it is extremely important to stop the money game but basically it seems to me that if the American people gave a shtein about what's going on, all that would have changed already. 

None of those issues can be resolved--even with campaign finance reform--until the American people wake up, educate themselves, make some sacrifices, and get involved.

Exactly.

[Rome]

Since when has money not been an issue in terms of electing/buying politicians?

It always has been and always will be an issue and that's not going to change whatsoever.   The fact is people with money will always find a way to buy influence and spending more than five seconds worrying about it or trying to change it is pointless.

[Diomedes]

Since when has money not been an issue in terms of electing/buying politicians?

It always has been and always will be an issue and that's not going to change whatsoever.   The fact is people with money will always find a way to buy influence and spending more than five seconds worrying about it or trying to change it is pointless.

Oh, shut up.  It's very important.  Sure, rich people are always gonna farg things up, but that doesn't mean you just hand the controls over to them without a fight.  There are big problems with elections and money, and this is (supposedly) a land of laws.  We can (theoretically) change the laws to restrict the influence corporations, their lobbyists, and the lucky rich of the land have over elections.  It's worth trying.