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DEL.ICIO.USSo Obama and the DNC say no more money from lobbyists or PACs — what does this do to downticket Democrats?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Barack Obama campaign announced today that the Democratic National Committee will no longer accept donations from lobbyists and political action committees, to comply with Obama’s campaign policy.
Think about this one — it could have an impact on downticket Democrats who may or may not fall in line with their party’s nominee on the topic. Not just in Georgia, but across the U.S.
Josh Lanier of Statesboro, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, was quick to spot the potential. He doesn’t accept anything but small donations, and refuses PAC money. Dale Cardwell, another Democrat in the race, has also eschewed PAC money.
Lanier fired off a quick e-mail that made reference to the polling memo released this morning by primary rival Jim Martin, the topic of this post below:
“On the very day that our party’s presidential nominee forbids contributions from PACs and lobbyists to the Democratic National Committee and pledges that the American people’s priorities, not those of special interests, will set the agenda, Jim Martin takes a moment from his frantic fundraising schedule to release a haughty posturing memo by high-priced consultants paid for by contributions from PACs, wealthy donors and special interests.
“It is a caricature of how out of sync the monied insiders are with the feelings of average Georgians and the movement toward change that Senator Obama leads. I’m sure we’ll have a chance to discuss this at Sunday’s debate.”
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Comments
By RJ
June 5, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
This change presents quite a challenge to those candidates most accustomed to PACS and Lobbyists handouts.
This position is further evidence of the sincerity of Obama change message. He wants to be beholding to the average citizen, not just the fat cats.
Organized and Special Interests not only run Georgia, they have allowed Sonny, Richardson, Cagle, and others a seat at the table. What a shame that they still have some many blind and misguided followers.
By bill
June 5, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Oh come on, obama has to be getting money somewhere and I suspect its from his muslim/terriost friends. This guy is the worse thing that could happen to this country and your going to find that out if he is elected, mostly likely he will put his hand on a koran and not a bible.
By Shaun
June 5, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Wow, Bill: I guess that talk radio point must really be ingrained in you by now. Can it really be that a smart campaign has raised $200 mln in the last year through many different grassroot methods? I guess not, according to your logic. I will leave you with one simple example, during the Tsunami of 2005, in 8 weeks, Americans, giving an average amount of money (under $100) raised more than $200 mln. The total in those 8 weeks (with a few big corporate donors) was $350 mln. So while you hang on to the 14th century concepts of distrust in someone who doesn’t look like you, I will choose to believe in hope.
By RJ
June 5, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
Shaun, Well said and documented!!
There are some blog contributers who are open to being reached with reason, others incapable of understanding it when knocks them over. Then there are those who simply do not want to entertain reason… thank goodness they are getting fewer in number.
We must, however, persist in puncturing such outlandish and baseless statements when they reach forums like this. Too many of them have been left unchallenged and as a result, the writers come to believe they really have something of substance to add to the discussion …when they should be just reading and learning.
By nandi
June 5, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
here,here Shaun and RJ…However it is actually statements like Bill that has given alot of American to hope for a Change for which Obamas represents…
If people are so scared of terrorists…go join the military…
Obama campaign donors like all canidates have already been reviewed and donators documents…
Bill represents days of old, when truth doesn’t work, try lies and slander and fear….
By Larry C
June 5, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
That’s impressive but federal lobbyist and PAC money only accounts for 1% of DNC funding. And notice how Obama specified they’re only turning down FEDERAL lobbyists. They’re still perfectly fine with taking money from labor unions, etc.
And they accused McCain of election-year gimmickry with his summer gas tax holiday idea!
By TW
June 6, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Saying the White House misled us into a war with Iraq is about like saying O.J. misled us about what happened to his wife.
By Copyleft
June 6, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
It’s a clever move, and it’s singificant that it’s Obama very first act as official president—whoops, I mean official presidential candidate (a technicality, though).
It sends a strong message that Obama’s ideals aren’t just a lot of hot air; that he’s serious about making positive changes in the way our broken system “works.”
And best of all, it puts McLame neatly into a no-win trap! McCain can either refuse to follow suit, revealing his lower ethical standards AND his hypocrisy…
Or he can follow Obama’s lead on his very own central issue—campaign finance reform—and thereby rob his campaign of the big corporate bucks the GOP has always relied on! All while reminding the Republican Party leadership of what they hate most about McCain—his one principled stand in a long history of flip-flopping and convenient reversals.
Well played, President Obama. Well played.
By Kofi
June 6, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Hi Larry C. Receiving money from sources like labor unions and things would not be a conflict of interest because our government is supposed to be in support of them and their needs because they help Americans and things in the interest of Americans get advanced. But to do it for personal gain stops our politicians from making decision that benefit the country. There is a difference.
By Mystic55
June 6, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
I want blind unreasoning followers too. “Obamaza is a Zercit Muzzim.”
I can do better than a five year old. “Make me a sandwich!” “Give me the keys to your 40,000 car!”
Hmm…this might be enjoyable.
By Debra Poss
June 6, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Unlike Martin, Josh Lanier’s campaign is a model for clean elections. Josh Lanier accepts donations from individuals, only; and acepts no more than $100.00 from any one individual, while encouraging donations of only $5.00.
Also, Lanier’s “Un-campaign” has no paid staff, and relies on organic organizing.
To learn more, or to set up your own “Personal Control” page for organizing, please visit www.joshlanier.com.