Campaign Finance

I just read this new article on the BBC about Barack Obama's campaign fundraising. He has made the decision to turn down the $80 million that the government will give to each the democratic and republican nominees to run a presidential campaign. Accepting this money means that nominees can't take any private donations. It is meant to make the race fair between nominees of different parties. If I remember correctly, Obama had offered McCain back in February that if he were the democratic nominee, he would run on the $80 mil. only as long as McCain agreed to do the same. I think McCain had tentatively agreed.

However, McCain has been taking donations from "special interest groups" and "private donors" through loopholes in the public-financing bill co-authored by none other than McCain himself, even though he has chosen to take the government's money. Obama has decided that this isn't very fair, and in light of his strong condemnations of SIG money and the fact that he will probably be able to raise more than $80 mil. through private donors, he has decided to go the private-only route. He wouldn't be able to compete with McCain money wise with only public financing.

However, by choosing to take private donations, isn't Obama being influenced by "special interests" of the "worst" kind? One individual's donation means Obama is answering to that individual's interests, rather than a cross-section of the tax-payers (those who checked the box on their tax returns). What about the interests of the poor or those on welfare who can't shell out the $2300? I suppose one could argue that $2300 from any one person is not enough to hold much sway. But what about when individuals with an agenda hold fundraisers to pool their money for Obama's campaign?

Is it even possible to avoid money from "special interests?" How can one investigate every donor's ties to lobbying or lobbyist companies? And does it even make sense not to take money from SIGs? Some groups certainly are lobbying for people and causes that don't already hold monetary and political clout.

It will be interesting to see over the months leading up to November where the money is coming from.

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