Today, Barack Obama announced his intentions to forego public financing (and the accompanying spending limits) for the general election.
The move makes strategic sense. The man is a fund-raising machine– his campaign smashed fund-raising records during the Democratic primary. Not only that, but the GOP has a significant amount of money to spend during the general election while the DNC has relatively little.
So what’s the problem?
He broke his word.
Last year, while his campaign was still in underdog mode, Obama vowed to accept public financing if his opponent did the same. John McCain quickly stated that he’d take the deal.
Obama has precious little political experience. He has a limited record for voters to study. His electibility comes from his words, his promises, and his apparent desire to turn Washington inside out.
But how are we supposed to know he’s not just another politician, willing to do and say whatever gets him into the White House? There’s no way of knowing for sure– we have to trust him. And when the man reneges on a major campaign pledge, what are we supposed to think?
An excerpt from a New York Times article:
According to aides, Mr. Obama reached his decision knowing he might tarnish his desired reformist image — he pledged last year to accept public financing if his opponent did as well — but strategists for the campaign made the calculation that it was worth it, in part, because of the potential for the Republican National Committee to seriously out-raise its Democratic counterpart. The Republican committee finished May with nearly $54 million in the bank, compared with just $4 million for the Democratic National Committee.
In other words: The Obama campaign “calculated” that it was in his political best interest to break a promise.
Wonderful.
What are we supposed to expect when you take the White House, Barack? You’re going to push for universal health coverage– unless you “calculate” that it’s not in your best interest?
Don’t get me wrong– I still like Obama in this election. But seriously, how is this not supposed to be a big deal? It’s his first chance to put his actions into words, and he blows it.
As of now, I’m still voting for you, Barack. But you lost some luster today.
