Amit Mehra
r lovedayObama Opts Out - Your Move McCain
:
The McCain camp has accused Senator Obama of breaking a promise to accept the public money that is set aside for the general election. Obama has said he would aggressively pursue the use of the 84 million dollar fund generated by $3 donations made when filing taxes in a blog in USA Today just this past February.
But does Obamas announcement to forgo public funding constitute a flip-flop? By saying he was aggressively pursuing the use of the election funds does not mean that he gave a definitive answer on the matter. Just because you pursue something does not mean that it will come to fruition. A person could say that they are going to aggressively pursue an acting career but it doesnt make them an actor. Obama never said (to my knowledge) Yes, I will use the general election fund if I am the Democratic nominee.
This could be labeled as misleading the public as to his intent, but why would you want your opponent to know your strategy before the game is played? Obama put on his poker face and has now called for McCain to act.
This is a smart move for Obama. He knows that when it comes to fundraising the McCain campaign is at a great disadvantage. The idea of the general election fund is great. Creating a level playing field for both candidates and allowing the best man to win sounds like a fantastic idea. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to skirt the guidelines that regulate the general fund.
Independent groups are able to spend millions of dollars on the candidates behalf. Generally the Republican National Committee has deeper pockets than those of the Democratic National Committee allowing them to spend more of these independent dollars. So by accepting the general election fund Obama would also be accepting that he would be out spent when all is said and done.
Instead of entering the general election at a monetary disadvantage Obama has decided to level things out himself. The McCain campaign has been put into a very interesting position. If they opt out of the fund also it makes McCain, a spear head for campaign reform, look like a hypocrite. If he decides to accept the public money, which is the most likely option, it would force him to rely much more on RNC money and independent agents working on his behalf. Either way the McCain campaign has to be frightened of Obamas fundraising prowess.
Well played Mr. Obama. The next move is yours McCain.
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