Mind on my money

Barack won't be taking taxpayer funding for his presidential campaign. Having disdained PAC's and lobbyists -- earning tons of respect in the process -- this turn away from public financing is disappointing to anyone who believes campaign finance reform is an important part of making ours a better and more democratic society.

Of course, John McCain - who has had great trouble raising funds for his campaign - is taking the public funding. Meanwhile, the GOP is raking in millions in unrestricted funds from lobbyists, PAC's and big corporate interests to help him out.

To his great credit, Obama is raising his money in small increments from millions of donors - people like me are sending him $25 here and there. Relying on a multitude of small donors, Obama can raise enough money to offset the GOP's moneyed interests.

Obama's strategy is very close in effect to the public financing program -- since the purpose of that program is to diminish the influence of big donors. When he wins in November, it will be a couple of million small donors like me who will have funded his victory.

And that's a good thing for America.


Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Campaign Financing

| +Save/Share | |