Taking The “McCain Out Of “McCain-Feingold

[livvy]

It's hard to believe that people can't see through this guy. I used to respect him, but after the infamous pretzelnut embrace, I lost it. I still respect his service to this country during 'Nam, but that's about it.
What a hypocrite.


Taking The “McCain” Out Of “McCain-Feingold”

Submitted by Christy Setzer on July 28, 2006 - 1:36pm.

So much for standing on principle: “Maverick” Senator drops sponsorship on signature issue; Feingold, Shays, Meehan trudge on without presidential contender

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), perhaps the politician most frequently associated with campaign finance reform, has dropped his name out of the latest reform legislation. McCain’s former partners on campaign finance—Sen. Russ Feingold, and Reps. Marty Meehan and Christopher Shays—introduced a bill Wednesday addressing the public financing of presidential campaigns. But 2008 presidential contender McCain was conspicuously absent from the lead sponsorship.

According to today’s New York Sun,

The bill is largely identical to a measure all four men introduced in 2003, but this time around Mr. McCain is not on board.

>snip

McCain himself once said, “Reform is a process. It is not a one-time fight.”

“Unfortunately, McCain doesn’t seem to believe his own words.” Said Senate Majority Project spokesperson Christy Setzer. “Voters today can smell cynicism like piranhas smell blood and react the same way. It’s a matter of time that people realize that if John McCain doesn’t believe in his principles, then why should voters believe in John McCain?”

>more

http://www.senatemajority.com/taking_the_mccain_out_of_mccain_feingold

Here's a link to the Sun article:
http://www.nysun.com/article/36949?access=362441

A longtime advocate for campaign finance restrictions, Meredith McGehee, said she believed Mr. McCain's decision stemmed from a desire to avoid criticism if he decides to forgo public financing during the Republican nominating contest.
"He does not want to be caught in a position where he can be accused, rightly or wrongly, of hypocrisy," Ms. McGehee, policy director at the Campaign Legal Center, said.

[blm]

1. Russ should've sided with Kerry on public financing instead of McCain's

idea of limited "reform" that still coddles the corporatocracy. He let McCain cover himself with glory while delivering SQUAT to the greater good.

Clean Money, Clean Elections.

[livvy]

2. What was Kerry's idea? How was it different? n/t

[blm]

3. Clean Money, Clean Elections public financing of campaigns bill.

Kerry crafted the bill and presented it with Paul Wellstone in 1997. Russ chose at that time to side with McCain and his idea of reform. Only 5 senators were with JK and PW on the bill, then, and McCain-Feingold took up all the media attention for the next few years.

I think it's past time for Clean Money, Clean Elections bill to be submitted again in the post Abramoff world.

[livvy]

4. Thanks. I couldn't agree more with your idea.

I think it would make a big difference if elected officials didn't have to be so dependent on raising funds all the time. They might actually have the time to find out what their constituents wanted, and represent them the way they should.
I'll have to do some research and find out more details of the Kerry/Wellstone bill.

[blm]

5. I think it should be resubmitted as a memorial to Wellstone.

It would be fitting.