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Obama will change DNC Fundraising Policy
If there is any doubt that Obama means what he says about changing Washington, this article at Politico should put an end to those doubts:
Link to full article
Link to full article
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is moving on two fronts to make transparency a linchpin of his campaign, opening his fundraisers to reporters and clamping down on Democratic National Committee’s fundraising from Washington insiders.
The moves, announced on his second full day as the party’s presidential nominee, are designed to drive a campaign message of change versus more of the same, aides said.
His opponent, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) closes his fundraisers to the press. Beginning last night, Obama will open all of his fundraisers to at least a pool reporter who will share the information with the rest of the press corps.
Beginning today, the DNC will no longer accept checks from federal lobbyists or political action committees, mirroring the strict standard Obama adopted for his presidential campaign.
“This is an important step that shows Senator Obama is willing to take tough steps to change the way Washington works,” said Dan Pfeiffer, the campaign’s deputy communications director.
The policy, which will not hurt fundraising appreciably, is not retroactive.
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One of these days I will get these tags correct - I swear I will!! :D
I think this is a very, very positive sign of things to come. The DNC will no longer be able to accept donations from federal lobbyists or PACs, which can ONLY be a good thing. I think it behooves all of us Democrats to throw some money at the DNC to show our full support for Obama's policies:
https://www.democrats.org/page/contribute/joincampaign
YES! WE! CAN!!
June 5, 2008 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's Obama's party now.
Transparency. Transparency. Transparency.
It's the difference between:
'WTF just happened?'
-and-
'Here's what's happening.'
Process vs personality.
Focus vs distraction.
Accountability vs demagoguery.
June 5, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
I work for a non-profit organization that advocates health care reform, particularly for the low-income and other vulnerable populations. As such, I talk to members of Congress and their staff about this. I write them letters, and ask others to do so. Therefore, in the eyes of the Obama campaign - and now the DNC - I am one of those "federal lobbyists" whose dirty money they don't want. So fine - I can't really afford to give any on my salary anyway.
Be very careful of becoming so enamored of your own, and Obama's, purity. That's usually the beginning of hubris.
June 5, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
So all lobbyists and PAC's are bad, except the ones that we support? Where have I heard this before?
Don't get me wrong, the DNC, Democratic members of Congress, and Obama will work tirelessly to support your cause, and I'm sure they won't bar you from meeting with them, but we are against the principle of group contributions, which overpower and disenfranchise the contributions of individuals.
June 5, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Talking and writing letters is now outlawed?
How does 'talking' and 'writing' become 'dirty money' ?
Granted, I'm not an insider like you, but something's missing here.
Please explain.
June 5, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, crap. This query was meant for DKDC.
June 5, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
First of all, to the one who mentioned being against "group" constributions. This prohibition means that INDIVIDUALS who also are registered as "federal lobbyists" cannot contribute, even on a personal, outside of work basis.
Secondly, you must understand that anyone who performs any of the tasks prescribed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act as "federal lobbying," for a certain percentage of their work time, is registered as a "lobbyist." That means, if you work for an advocacy group and help write letters to Congress or meet with Hill staff, you're a "lobbyist." It doesn't matter if you're a schlep working at a nonprofit without a PAC or a big shot at an expensive K Street firm working for big oil, you're a "lobbyist."
So my point was, there are many people working for progressive causes in DC who are listed as lobbyists, and whenever something like this happens we get lumped in with the Jack Abramoff types. And by the way, the "right to petition the government for redress," otherwise known as lobbying, is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Excluding all those who do it for a living, no matter what their circumstances or causes, is what blanket prohibitions like this one do.
June 5, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
One other point - anyone who seriously thinks that no registered federal lobbyist will be giving any money to Obama or the DNC (or McCain for that matter - I believe he has a similar prohibition) is, to be blunt, a fool. Water finds a way - so do campaign contributions.
June 5, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds serious. You're wasting your time in comments. Post.
June 5, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink