Political Forum - View Single Post - Public Financing in the General Election.

DuH2 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 07:27 PM

Basics of wthat it means.

Quote:

Each major party candidate could get about $85 million in public funds for the general election, but they would not be allowed to raise any other money

...

Quote:

Both candidates would have to rely on outside groups and on the national parties to supplement their spending if they accepted public financing.

Basics of why its an issue-

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A year ago, both McCain and Obama indicated that they would accept public financing for the general election if the other party's nominee did as well.

But Obama, whose fundraising has brought in record amounts of primary money, has hedged that position over the past week, giving McCain openings to pounce.

Last week, Obama said it would be "presumptuous of me to say now that I'm locking myself into something when I don't even know if the other side is going to agree to it."

McCain gave Clinton a pass on the issue, given that she never indicated she would forgo public financing.

..

Quote:

As for accepting public money for the general election, McCain said: "I obviously would have to reevaluate if Sen. Obama or Sen. Clinton does not make that commitment."

Today-

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"We either keep our word or we don't keep our word. I intend to keep my word to the American people," McCain said Wednesday, pressing the line of criticism anew a day after delivering a blistering critique of the Illinois senator as both won their party primaries in Wisconsin.

"I think the American people would expect him to hold to that commitment, especially if we want to bring about change," McCain added.

In an opinion piece published in USA Today on Wednesday morning, Obama wrote that he wants to work toward a spending agreement with the Republican Party's nominee.

"I propose a meaningful agreement in good faith that results in real spending limits," Obama wrote. He laid out a series of conditions, including, perhaps, limiting how much money McCain can spend for the general election while the race for the Democratic nomination continues.

"That's Washington doublespeak," McCain responded. "I committed to public financing. He committed to public financing. It's not any more complicated than that. I'll keep my word, and I want him to keep his."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080220/ap_on_el_pr/mccain

So basically Obama and McCain made rather open commitments to go with Public Financing for the General Election Campaign. McCain is reminding Obama of that and Obama is giving back... spin.
If Obama goes back on this it will have an effect in November..not a good one for him either but bad as most people do not like the influence money is playing in US elections.
SO beyond the question of whether or not Obama is a double talkng BS artist

.

..should they both accept only Public Financing??
(I think so..but I have my doubts that Obama will)

In a broader sense should it be required of Presidential Candiates that they accept such financing from now on??
(I think so)