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Originally posted by onetime2
My point is not and has never been that the "Republicans have no on out there helping Bush get reelected". The point, per the title of the thread and the messages contained within it, is that the Dems pointed to the 527 organizations they created as being necessary to level the playing field and that if they weren't so behind in donations they wouldn't be using them. Recent statements by Democratic leaders and independent analyses by non partisan groups agree that the playing field is at the very least equal. Argue all you want for campaign finance reform but without arguing against this practice the words are hollow.
If the Kerry campaign, its supporters, and the DNC were truly interested in campaign finance reform they would not "like the support" the 527s provide. They'd be opposed to their creation and opposed to the unlimited individual contributions currently accepted by them. They had the opportunity to proclaim these groups in violation of the tenets of campaign finance reform but they chose not to. It's another example of politicians putting their own immediate needs above the beliefs they allegedly hold. (And I'm sure the Republicans will follow suit by creating more 527 groups in response when their complaint(s) don't yield results). The fact that Democratic supporters created and funded these groups put the onus on the DNC and its leadership. If the shoe was on the other foot and it was the Republicans being the first to use these tactics to such an extent I'd be blasting them the same way.
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I commend your allegiance to campaign finance reform, and to a certain degree I agree with you. I, however, am a pragmatist and not as much of an idealist as you. If the law allows 527's and my candidate needs their assistance, I am all for it. I have an extreme level of discomfort (nicest words I can use) with President Bush and his Administration, so I will look to any support I can get to remove them from power.
As far as your original question about whether they should cut out 527 fundraising or at least curtail them, obviously I believe the answer is no. But it is a valid question. I don't think that the Bush Administration is going to quit doing fundraising, and while Kerry is doing a respectable job raking in the cash(mine included), I would personally advise him (if he were ever to ask me) to continue to distance himself from some of the more radical ones, stay on his own message and reap the benefits.
All this being said, I guess I am part of the problem with campaign finance reform, but I will suffer with that scarlet letter until President Bush is out of office.
nuff said, thanks for reading