"Some Sunshine for the Campaign Jungle" - NYT calls on President Obama to sign that executive order

[highplainsdem]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/opinion/01sun3.html

or find the link via Google News to avoid the Times paywall:

http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=%22some+sunshine+for+the+campaign+jungle%22

Editorial
Some Sunshine for the Campaign Jungle
Published: April 30, 2011


When the Supreme Court legalized a new era of unrestrained corporate campaign spending, the court made a point of upholding disclosure of donors as an alternative safeguard for voters and the democratic process.

President Obama should take the court up on its transparency blessing forthwith and sign a proposed executive order that would require government contractors to disclose their donations to groups that support or oppose federal candidates. If they win, those would-be legislators or policy deciders will be able to reward these contractors with millions or even billions in government largess. The taxpayers have a right and need to know what favors are being curried.

-snip-

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an accomplished conduit for secret donors, is crying foul about the proposed executive order. But clearly the measure is needed to combat pay-to-play campaign abuses.

-snip-

Mr. Obama vowed to rein in campaign abuses. Now is not the time for him to flinch before noisy threats from the chamber and other deep-pocketed players.

[OHdem10]

1. If the Times think CC will fall in line. These Corporations will find

a way around it.

The Right totally ignores Media criticism. GWR showed
them the way. He always plowed ahead. Let the Media
Criticize, we do not care.

If Obama signs the Executive Order, the Democrats will
once again be handicapped because they will comply.
Sometimes large donors either remain anonymous or they
do not give.

[Zorra]

2. I suspect WH staff is still working on it to make it as bulletproof

as possible.

They don't want to make it easy for SCOTUS to toss it out.

[OHdem10]

3. Let us hope he does not do it.