POLL: Should Obama accept public financing in the GE?

[woolldog]

On his Fox News interview today Obama hinted that he might accept public financing. That would be a big mistake, imo. It would neutralize his grassroots and energy advantage over McCain. And I hope he's not serious.

Some say the public financing system caused Kerry to lose the GE.

Do you think he should accept public financing?

[Aloha Spirit]

1. I think 2008 is the moment to advance the discussion on public/campaign financing, but don't think

they'll come to a workable agreement in time for the General Election.

[NJSecularist]

2. Yes he should.

Both conventions are at the same time, unlike 2004.

[Faygo Kid]

7. No. No way. Absolutely not. We need to beat the Rethugs.

This is no time to play nice. We have to beat the GOP. They will do whatever it takes to beat us, and we should give them no quarter.

[woolldog]

3. Don't forget to post your reasons why/why not

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.

[Political Heretic]

4. No, not as long as 527 organizations are allowed to exist. Don't play in a RIGGED GAME.

If we had actual laws that created true campaign reform and would sustain truly "public-only" funded elections, then yes, he should do that. But until we get those laws, he should not hamstring himself against opponent 527s

[woolldog]

6. He basically said that if an agreement could be worked out to limit

3rd party spending then he would pursue a public financing agreement. Wouldn't that still be a mistake.

He's raised 250 million. Why limit yourself to 84 million especially when you're a non-traditional and not as well known candidate?

[Orangepeel]

5. No. McCain can't be trusted to do the same.

McCain took public financing in the primary and then violated it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/14/dnc-files-lawsuit-against_n_96513.html

[graycem]

8. No because

while McCain says that he will do this, he knows good and well the 527's will do the dirty work for him anyway. Just like with Kerry, it will put him at a disadvantage because those attacks won't be able to be answered efficiently.

[featherman]

9. People's financing... don't throw away the most populist based money

machine ever built. I'm part of it.

[george_maniakes]

10. Yes, IF they both agree to control 527 and all that third party spending.

Otherwise, no way.

[IsItJustMe]

11. No. Obama has a proven track record on raising large sums of cash. With the corporate msm doing

all of their perception management on behalf of the Republican Party, Obama will need those large sums of cash to go over the corpratists' heads in order to win this election.

He will need this money to get his message out, in spite of our msm.

[woolldog]

12. Well said.

I agree with that completely. He starts off with so many handicaps that it would be foolish of him to cede this advantage.

I know he's trying to be a "good guy" and do the "honorable thing", but this is madness. Sheer madness.

[RiverStone]

13. Hasn't he already proven he can raise tons of money w/o public $$$? n/t