2G2K Circus : I Got Five On It
Jeff is having some technical difficulties and I've been asked to person the fort while he deals with glitches to the matrix.
Hillary Clinton's recent decision to reallocate 5million dollars of her own money to her campaign has been one of the more surprising developments of this campaign season. It seems that the Clintons are operating in a humanitarian and public service world like none I've ever seen because I don't know any other public officials with that kind of loot, who were not already rich. The Clinton's as some might remember we relatively bankrupt when Bill left office, a result of their overwhelming legal bills.
Obama supporters are emboldened by Clinton's decision to put five mil of her own cash on her presidential run. Unfortunately, this move does not really benefit either candidate. It appears that both democrat campaigners have lost sight of what's at stake and who they are up against. They are not simply battling each other, but also the republicans. Yet in spite of their pronouncements about their respective abilities toward beating McCain, they've failed to realized that the game has changed.
McCain and Mike Huckabee both ran their campaigns on shoestring budgets, and neither one is revered by "die hard conservatives." Their campaign narratives exist in stark contrast to Obama and Clinton's, which is littered with ostentatious fundraising boasts, ivy-league advisers, and high profile celebrity endorsements. What sense does it make for Obama supporters to pat ourselves on the back for raising 32million, or for Clinton supporters to fire back that they raised 7million in 24hours? How do they think these outrageous fundraising figures sound in light of the fact that 17,000 jobs were eliminated in January?
Obama has convinced me to be a ride or die democrat in this election, but on the real, boorish fundraising announcements have to stop. Democratic candidates are beginning to sound like the delusional athletes who say they're going to war each time they take the field or court.
There's no other way to say this, but seriously, what are they smoking?
F
Ferentz
in Politics, Presidential Campaign, Barack Obama, Jeff Chang, 2G2K Circus
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4 Comments
Reader Comments (4)
great observation. the elimination of campaign finance reform as even a token -- let alone substantive -- issue this election cycle is an outrage. and now obama has become such a ca$h cow, there's no way for him to take any kind of real position on the issue (beyond his continual emphasis on his campaign's success with small and first-time donors, etc.).
by the way, i have a proposed subject for the distinguished commentators of the 2g2k circus: congressional races. lots of retirements and decisions not to run for re-election. what do you and jeff think about progressives' chances for making inroads in congress?
(tom perriello '08!)
-wf-
WF,
I've forwarded your question to Jeff and we will get to it as soon as he's back online. This gives me a chance to do some background reading as well.
The decline of campaign financing as a sensible topic in this year's race will surely reverberate for years to come. As uplifting as Obama's success may be, it sets an unfortunate precedent for the future of American politics.
I'm a man of faith, but I can admit to being afraid of a possible fallout from the financial riches being extolled upon democratic politicians.
F
yeah, they are like 2 family members squabling publicly now, although with Hillary, i never know if its a stunt or not, seems after she came out with this news about lending her campaign her own money, and the right wing talk show hosts yet again prematurely pronounced her dead ( this is the 3rd time they have done this), she has now raised a significant amount as you alluded to.
still, i am seeing some troubling signs that since this thing is unlikely to be decided before the convention, one of them is going to have to cede ground, and it seems Hillary's seniority is gonna be grounds 4 her to be awarded the nomination. She'll probably offer Obama the vice presidential spot, which is really gonna be under Bill Clinton in her administration most likely. Obama will just be like Colin Powell in the Bush Administration, have no real sway.
you are right, this will go to the convention. but all signs point to obama rejecting a vice presidential offer, so we should brace ourselves for some serious battles between super-delegates and the popular vote. It remains to be seen how democratic leaders will rationalize support for Clinton if their constituents have voted for Obama.
Oh, btw, George Bush has predicted Clinton to win.