Saturday, November 28, 2009

Opinion

Slick Barry's Campaign Finance Flip-Flop

June 20, 2008 12:12 PM ET | Bonnie Erbe | Permanent Link | Print

Reader Comments

Obama & Lobbyists

You neglected to mention the contributions from Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac.

Borak OBama

The Obomination campaign, is just that, BO, is a person who would do anything to win this presidential campaign. He is just about to roll his wife under, making her have a complete makeup to suit his needs. One can tell he is probably angry with her for attempts to help him win, as he was towards his pastor, and grandmother. He is a Sheep in Wolves clothing. He has no moral content, and will say and do anything it takes to win. Social conservative Republicans have to see through his masquerade, his stance against pro-life and pro-gay. Where is our country going too, down the drain I am afraid, to many people and I am afraid, some Christians, are more sensitive towards animal rights than they are for Childrens Rights. Especially, BO, who is for partial birth abortion. More African American Babies are being aborted daily than any other race. I am beginning to think he is for the genocide of African American babies!!, "Please World stop and let me off"

Does McCain/Feingold ring a bell?

McCain led the charge of finance reform. Anyone who paid attention to the republican primaries know McCain has zero control or influence over the fringe groups controlling 527s. As for MoveOn closing shop, just because they rename themselves and prepare to smear McCain doesn't mean Obama is committed to finance reform. He was lying from the beginning. I am voting for McCain, but I almost hope Obama will be elected, so republicans everywhere can be part of the greatest "I told you so" moment in world history, when Obama destroys the country.

Obama's Flip, OK, but to Blame McCain ?

His reason for reversing himself was that McCain will "game the system". Weak reason, very weak. Did he just now discover that ? If that was so critical, why dudn't he know that when he promised to accept public financing ? This guy keeps changing his mind after he makes bonehead statements. He is dangerous.

obama's flip-flop

I agree with Obama's decision on campaign financing. The process is fatally flawed since 527's , the republican state committees and former 'swift-boaters' will continue their sleezy tactics of the past. McCain sat by and said he could do nothing this summer with the state committees who were invovlved in sleezy local ads, and a couple of swift-boaters are coming out this summer with anti-Obama publications - so, unless and until there is real, meaningful reform, I say he's wise and strong to continue to fight the sleeze and use all available to him to get his information out to the public. First you guys attack him for being too weak, now you attack him for fighting tooth and nail. Go figure!

Bonnie wears her feelings on her headline

Bonnie,

Your opinion might mean something if you weren't so transparent in your dislike of one candidate. Using "Slick Barry" in your headline, whether you personally chose that tag or not, shows you as biased and unprofessional. Shame really. I watch your show after WAWeek and McGGroup, but will have a harder time doing so now I know of your bent. I don't mind you disagreeing with me or my candidate, but BS like that headline(and your refusal to hold Senators Obama and McCain to the same standards) reveals you as just another hack.

Real discussion

We can have a real discussion about campaign financing, or you can choose to ignore simple facts. Senator Obama said he would negotiate with the Republican candidate to preserve public financing. He then asked all of his donors to disavow and not donate to 527 groups. (Subsequently, MoveOn closed the doors on their 527 group.) He asked John McCain and the Republicans to make the same commitment, as part of accepting public funding. Senator McCain refused, saying he can't control those groups. (Meaning, he is counting on them to smear his opponent.)

No control of 527 = no agreement on public financing = Obama chooses to stick with his grassroots internet donors, while ensuring he will have enough money to stand up to the Republican 527 juggernaut.

Say what you will, I'm comfortable with his decision.

BO

He is not to be trusted, especially with our military.

Flip-flop

Barack Obama pledged during the primary that if he were elected he would accept a deal with his Republican opponent to have public financing in the general election. Now it's the general election and John McCain has accepted public financing but Barack Obama has done a complete turnaround and is not going to accept public financing. Barack Obama has raised the majority of his money from private individuals. This is enlightening and even members of my own family have contributed to not only Barack Obama but also to Hillary Clinton. This was a first. Along with many private individuals financing the campaign, their have been some large corporate contributions as well. Barack Obama convinced me that he wasn't just reading a script about a great view of America, spoken in a great speech, but when unscripted was the same in the debates. He was genuine. To flip-flop on having a fair candidate-to-candidate, equal amount of public financing money campaign, and then to make it what, an unfair fight against John McCain because he has the ability to make more money but that same ability does not equal having an equally high number in the polls, so their should be an evening of the playing field, with no excuses. This would be a deal on public financing as Barack Obama and John McCain both pledged to do.

Chicago Joe

John Mc Cain may not be a viable alternative, but we can hope that Hillary can win at the convention and she can run as the Democratic candidate. Keep showing your true colors, Barry, and maybe enough of the super-delegates will wise up.

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About Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report and hosts PBS's weekly news analysis program, To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe. She also writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column for Scripps Howard News Service.

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