With Barack Obama’s announcement today that he will not take public financing for his presidential bid — because “the system is broken,” as he said risibly, since what he meant was that he can raise lots more money than the $84 million he would receive from the government — Obama has done this nation a service. He has exposed the madness behind the notion of restricting the amount of money spent on political campaigns. If there is anything in our democracy that should not be subject to monetary restriction, it is political campaigning. Limits on fundraising are almost exactly equivalent to limits on free speech, since the money used in campaigns is used for the purpose of getting a candidate elected, one of the most basic acts of free speech there is.
And if you think the amount of money being spent on political campaigns this year (it will come in around $1.5 billion nationwide) is obscene, consider this: Last year, inside the 50 states, companies spent something like $5 billion marketing the sale of bottled water.
He’s also pretty consistently announced big changes while actually continuing the Bush policies on almost everything.
Here’s my theory: O wants to be liked, and so won’t do anything that might make someone else dislike him. I see some possibilities for manipulating him thereby.
It’s going to be a loooooong 4 years, made all the longer by the stooopid mistakes he will make as he drags the whole country on his narcissistic voyage of self discovery.
has anyone ever seen joe klein and andrew sullivan in the same room @ the same time…?
Gee, now I wish I had voted for him.
And you’ve had a lot of experience observing stupid narcissistic voyages, haven’t you, Joan?
The name Andrew Sullivan makes me think the top post should have ended “as far as we know.” Don’t we have a right to see the NORAD telemetry showing no Week 1 major transatmospheric excursions in and around the White House?
Just raising questions!
No 1 (Charlie Colorodo) — President Obama had a pretty good week He got a major stimulus bill thru the House (OK maybe it is not as stimulting as it could be). He signed a major piece of civil rights legislation on equal pay for women; he reversed the previous administration on gasoline efficiency; I expect we will get SCHIP passed by the end of the week. All in all, not bad.
Let see if he able to face down the military on his time schedule for Iraq. Though, I don’t see the big deal in adhering te the Bush negotiated witdrawal period.
Though I should be numb to it by now, I am still in awe at the media’s ability to twist, contort, and distort reality in the service of their agenda–it’s truly breathtaking (still!) to behold.
“has anyone ever seen joe klein and andrew sullivan in the same room @ the same time?”
What a nauseating thought!
Obama ate wagyu steaks and drank vodka martinis–now that is change I can believe in!
Sam Alexander…I hate to ask, but doing what?
@2 Not the real Joan Hartland. The real Joan voted for Barry because she really believes that he will save the world and cause the rising waters to recede. The real Joan is only seeking to stop her husbands strange obsession with posting bolus after bolus on this forum. She merely wants him to spend some time with her. The real Joan is actually part exhibitionist who enjoys airing her husbands dirty laundry. But a lot of that is the past, and good liberals like me like to live in the present. lester can you please stop over on your way back from therapy?
Anyone who would crow about Obama’s signing that ridiculous wage-equity bill is on crack. We’re in the middle of the most dire economic crisis in 75 years and he can’t wait to heap more federal regulation and more BS lawsuits on small businesses? Every move he’s made so far is tailor-made to sink the economy even further into the abyss.
It’s frustrating when ignorant people air their misguided opinions with such aggressive confidence.
#9: So now real Merkin beef ain’t good enough for South Side guy. Boy, talk abt “Buy American”! Or does he just want the Japanese to like us again, like they did 20 or 30 (or 70?) years ago? Smart power shore is something else in practice.
#10: Curiosity can, alas, be frightening.
Abe, you do not understand. Joe Klein is disappointed that Obama didn’t do any of those things. He simlpy cannot express his disappointment without a profession of undying love.
We are going to see a lot of that in the coming years. I call this “The Battered Journalist Syndrome.”
Robert Abrams, a tree sloth could get Democrat bills through this Congress. The question is whether Barry is prepared to stake his political future on such tripe.
Seth, CFB –He can only sign what is presented to him. Of course it is an easy win. But taking care core constituencies is what gets you re-elected. When the Senate passes the so called stimulus package – one of its functions is to bail out local governments — he will sign that too. Do you think there are any Republican governors that will turn down the money?
(CFB, relax. it is going to be a long four years.)
“He has reversed the tactical, win-the-news-cycle sensibility of recent presidencies. During his first week in office, at least, he opted for strategy and substance over showbiz.”
Yeah, right. That’s why he has a website to preach his gospel on a daily basis (Sunday only comes once a week,) and he has a film crew on hand at all times.
“Look! I’m signing what my handlers tell me is an Executive order. Look! I’m asking them to explain my policies to me. Look! I’m not sitting behind my desk–that means I’m approachable and willing to have my ideas dictated to me. Look! I chose a muslim Arab TV station for my first interview because it will make all muslims love America and join the 21st century. Look! I backed a stimulus bill that won’t stimulate anything but graft. Look! I signed legislation that will ensure women are paid more money regardless of their qualifications–even though women already enjoy higher starting salaries than men. Look! I made America’s–and the world’s–problems even worse, and it only took me one week.
And I looked damn Presidential while doing it.”
#2: Nothing wrong with your ideas – but please, leave Joan’s signature
alone. She is an artist and a work of art. I hope she publishes
a collection of her “where’s John” pieces.
Joe Klein and Andrew Sullivan in the same room! Just add Chris Mathews and it’s just too creepy! It was bad enough when that female Newsweek reporter wanted to imitate Monica Lewinsky. But now it the guys!
has anyone ever seen joe klein and andrew sullivan in the same room @ the same time? What a nauseating thought”
Sam Alexander…I hate to ask, but doing what?
That’s a disturbing question, but judging from my observations, Klein would be French-kissing photos of Bill Clinton and Obama, while Sullivan would be congratulating himself on his intellectual acumen and moral purity, while trying to get Klein to buy copies of his (Sullivan’s)unreadable books.
Well written points! will come back again soon=)
Well written points! will come back again soon=)