DNC: No lobbyists, No PACs
June 05, 2008 07:34 p.m. by Japhet Els
Big news coming from the DNC this evening as Barack Obama, the Democrat's presumed nominee for 2008, made it crystal clear how seriously his party will take addressing corruption inside the beltway.
This is good news and a big step forward for Change Congress' goals. Having one of this country's two leading parties refuse donations from PACs and registered lobbyists is a defining moment. This is where we should be heading to keep this government free from special interest control and corruption. Whether or not Democratic candidates will follow the lead of the DNC is yet to be seen and is the real test behind this proclamation, where the rubber meets the road.
However, there is still work to be done. We hope that John McCain and the Republican National Committee will respond in similar fashion, but as of yet there is no official word.
"We will not take a dime from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs," he said. "They will not fund our campaign, they will not run our party, they will not drown out the voices of the American people."Not only has Obama's campaign taken this pledge but now so has the Democratic Party.
This is good news and a big step forward for Change Congress' goals. Having one of this country's two leading parties refuse donations from PACs and registered lobbyists is a defining moment. This is where we should be heading to keep this government free from special interest control and corruption. Whether or not Democratic candidates will follow the lead of the DNC is yet to be seen and is the real test behind this proclamation, where the rubber meets the road.
However, there is still work to be done. We hope that John McCain and the Republican National Committee will respond in similar fashion, but as of yet there is no official word.
Comments (3)
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/10899.html
Obama-DNC deal may have little impact
"Barack Obama scored a public relations victory when he announced Thursday that, under his leadership, the Democratic National Committee would cease accepting contributions from lobbyists or political action committees.
But a look at the numbers shows the move may have more impact in the spin wars than the money chase.
That’s because Obama’s almost limitless fundraising capacity could render the DNC cash nearly irrelevant. And the DNC — along with the Republican National Committee, for that matter — hasn’t traditionally reaped much of its cash from PACs and lobbyists."
The new strategy applies to just the DNC as a body. While it has influence over the direction of the party and candidates running for office in regard to overall message and strategy it will not be able to regulate whether all Senate and House Democratic candidates for office accept PAC/lobbyist money or not.
However, their voice in this is a powerful statement and while it will not impact the fundraising coffers of the DNC it elevates the priority of reforming government through the party and I wouldn't be surprised if other Democrats commit to similar pledges before too long.