Author Of McCain-Feingold: Obama Smart To Opt Out Of Public Funds

One of the principal authors of the most significant campaign finance legislation since Watergate said he was neither "outraged" nor "surprised" with Barack Obama's decision to forgo public funding in the general election.

Norm Ornstein, a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute and substantial contributor to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act -- also known as the "McCain-Feingold" campaign finance legislation -- said on Thursday that Obama's move was "pragmatically the right decision to make," and that, if the Senator had not chosen that path, "I would have sued him for political malpractice."

"What I told a bunch of people a few weeks ago," said Ornstein, "is that while it would be nice if he decided he felt honor bound to stay within the system and take the money, if he did so I might join a group of people who sued him for political malpractice. When you have the ability to raise the kind of money that he could raise and do it without selling your soul to spend all the time between now and the election on fundraisers, your goal is to win an election and not turn your back on the people voting. There will be outraged editorials and McCain will be justifiably pissed. But it was pragmatically the right decision for him to make."

Orstein told The Huffington Post that he had advised the Obama campaign about the issue of public finance a "long time ago" but not as the decision approached. "I don't think it was a slam dunk decision six months ago, in part because people didn't have any idea what kind of reach he could have, how many people he could bring into his camp."

In defending Obama, Orstein became the sole author of McCain-Feingold to offer sympathy for a position that, at least in the spirit, goes against the purpose of the campaign finance legislation. McCain, unsurprisingly, called Obama's pronouncement "a big deal."

"He has completely reversed himself and gone back, not on his word to me, but the commitment he made to the American people," said the Senator.

While Feingold, a stalwart champion of public funds, expressed a slightly less outraged sense of disappointment.

"This is not a good decision," said the Wisconsin Democrat. "While the current public financing system for the presidential primaries is broken, the system for the general election is not. The entire system must be updated."

Comments

[egal]

Oh noes! How could somebody running for president choose to take the money of people from all walk of life who support him rather than taking publicly given, desperately needed money from the whole country when his widespread, primarily non-corporate and non-interest-group funders fulfill the spirit of public financing by keeping Big Business from holding his reins?

We really need roll-eyes smileys here.

[lizr]

LOL- agree.

[rosal]

A very smart decision. And WE, the people, are financing his campaign. When he gets to the White House he won't feel he is in debt to oil companies, health insurance companies, etc. Then, we will have real change in our country.
If McCain could raise the same amount of money from citizens, he would do the same thing. But...he can't.

[buckygreen]

I have already donated $900 since last December. Today I made two $25 donations matched by two new donors. I will donate $25 per week until November. I consider it an investment in survival.

Obama/Webb 08

[Sixtwo]

I am with Norm O! I'd rather Obama change his mind in favor of the people rather than the broken campaign legislation... A change of mind for the right reasons is just fine.

[duze]

Obama 08' I can't believe that Fred Thompson is willing to raise his bad actor head and say something that hasn't been written by a script writer. John McCain is so afraid that anyone will take a real look at his carbon copy campaign, he'll do anything. After all if he's making false statements about Obama he won't have time to answer real questions. Because he doesn't have any real answers.

[Sylmason]

Good job Barack, You are pretty smart not to go to a gun fight with a knife.

[kay]

I'd just like it noted that I'm not supporting Obama because I think he's the magical Unity Pony and the Second Coming.

I'm supporting him because he's smart and well-organized, and he hires really clever and innovative people, and, maybe most importantly, because he's...BOLD.

I'm sick to death of Democrats who apologize to conservatives for not being Republicans, and I'm sick to death of campaigns filled with disunity and warring (huge) egos.

I'd like a little discipline and hard-headed smarts, please. And for goodness sakes, less apologizing and more confidence.

Thanks, in advance :)

[daniellenow]

"I'd just like it noted that I'm not supporting Obama because I think he's the magical Unity Pony and the Second Coming.
I'm supporting him because he's smart and well-organized, and he hires really clever and innovative people, and, maybe most importantly, because he's...BOLD"

I agree 100%!

[janvoght]

very well said kay!!!
obama '08 & 2012

[kittyma]

Liberal means free. I believe in tolerance and I am proud to be a liberal.

[NOLAMoCity]

Good post.

Further, I'd like to point out that Democrats for far too long have allowed republicans to define who they are. They tout their conservative credentials as though it were a badge of honor. Liberal, likewise, has become a dirty word. Well, finally the democrats can see daylight in terms of defining their own agenda, having pride in their policies and defending their positions.

I have always been a proud democrat and I look forward to the public trouncing that is about to take place. Senator Obama has displayed courage, intelligence, wisdom, judgment and tenacity. Make way for The DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT.

[gladys46]

That's very nice Kay!

I support Obama because this is America and I don't have to explain to no damn body why actually! And, it pisses me when people ask why! That makes me want to bellow all kinds of expletives in an attempt to ask why any sane person voted for G.W.B$sh ... ah, twice!

They haven't explained that action to me intelligently yet!!

[jkpcguru]

I totally agree!

I'm so tired of republicans and anti-obama clintonites saying "I'm brain washed", "I'm drinking the DNC's Coke" and "I'm drinking Obama's Kool-Aide". I'm tired them calling him the "Obamessiah".

Why can't we just truly believe that Barack Obama is the better candidate then HIllary Clinton and John McCain?

I mean yea I took a second look during the time Obama was at a rally, he sneezed and the crowd roared. What can I say, Obama's candidacy excites alot of people. But I don't see him as a GOD! i see him as a very smart, creative and very capable leader of the free world!

He may not have a ton of washington experience. but he has experience in the right places!

I'm still scratching my head about the complaints that Obama supporters are mean and nasty to Clinton Supporters. Yes, we may have made comments about the Canidacy of Hillary Clinton but thats all part of the political game.

In my opinion, after reading some Pro-Hillary blogs, i conclude that Clintonites are 200% more nasty on Obama then Obamans were on Clinton.

[TroubleNYC]

"He has completely reversed himself and gone back, not on his word to me, but the commitment he made to the American people," said the Senator.

Straight talk express my a$$.

[kay]

Mccain has to attend endless fundraisers and Obama has to attend less of them.

McCain seems a little cranky. I don't imagine he enjoys fundraisers.

[macbabe]

lobbyist vs common folk

[Daly]

Not so, he said he would agressively look into it and he did; but having the $ come from the people turns out to be a wiser decision. gotta admire the strength of%2

[macbabe]

pledging to negotiate doesn't mean commitment.

how was he suppose to know where his campaign was going from there to here, strategy constantly changes, other wise you can fall behind!

[AxelDC]

McCain wrote a bad law, that even he can't abide by, and now he is upset that Obama is going to crush him financially. McCain only became a reformer to save his career from being a Keating 5 gang member.

If McCain were capable of raising the enthusiasm and grassroots fundraising that Obama does, he would be dumping his own law like his wife after a car accident.

[MizLiz]

I just sent Barack another $50, and I guess I'll keep doing that whenever I can. It's an investment in sanity.

[macbabe]

I just sent another $25 ... wish it was more, I will keep donating when I can.

Obama 08!!!

[chaz69]

Don't you just love all the belly-aching the Republicans are doing now! They are beginning to realize they are up against a force to be reckoned with. HRC found that out.

[kay]

McCain: 44%
Obama: 43%

Barr: 6%

Undecided: 7%

That's Georgia.

McCain is going to have to spend resources in Georgia.

[NOLAMoCity]

chaz69,
That force to be reckoned with is people like you, me and all the other Americans who believe that things can change for the better as long as we aren't afraid to make it so.

[kittyma]

Each person who gives $5. is standing up and saying "I am a citizen and I want to own my own country. I am not handing it over to the big corporations"

[MemphisBuffalo]

He is not even in office yet and already he is saving us money.

[macbabe]

should tell us A LOT of what's more to come!!!

[kay]

So if I work for an investment bank and I donate to Obama and I disclose that employment on my on-line form, to conservatives it's JUST THE SAME as a donation from the investment bank?

If I'm a nurse, is it JUST LIKE the health care industry donating to Obama?

I don't get it.

To donate to Obama and be sufficiently "pure" I have to be...unemployed?

[KBAR]

Now, Obama admits campaign/PAC donation links

Bad news for the Barack Obama camp and his politics of hope clean-guy image.

The Washington Post reveals today that there was, indeed, close coordination between the Illinois senator's presidential campaign and his leadership PAC, Hopefund, in deciding which local, state and federal politicians around the country were to receive thousands of dollars in contributions from Obama's PAC.

Such coordination appears to be forbidden under Federal Election Commission rules because it, in effect, would give a candidate another, less regulated financial fund to influence the outcome of his own campaign.

http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:1sWbL7D1rQ0J:latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/11/oopsobamabooboo.html+obama+donations+from+PAC%27s&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

DOESN'T APPLY TO OBAMA. YOU LIE AS USUAL.

[KarateKid]

Hey, KBRA, busy day today, eh? LMAO. I don't know what you are trying to accomplish, but you're not going to convince anyone that comes here with your palaver.

You're like a diehard atheist trying to preach to evangelicals.

Btw, don't you have better things to do? You've been at this the entire day; don't you have a job?

[gonavy]

Are any of these politicians who received money from his PAC delegates or super delegates. This just sounds like another way he is trying to buy this election. This guy is slick.

[gladys46]

Are any of those KBAR listed WASHINGTON LOBBYIST?

[kay]

I sell a product that is used in industrial construction applications.

When I donate to Obama, am I lobbying for "my" industry?

It's absurd.

[KBAR]

Obama refuses to accept money from federal lobbyists and has instructed the Democratic National Committee to do the same for its joint victory fund, an account that would benefit the nominee. Obama does accept money from state lobbyists and from family members of federal lobbyists.

[YankeeCanuck]

Let's put it this way: did your employer invite you and co-workers to a fancy dinner with lots of free drinks to meet Obama? Did your employer suggest that it was a good idea to donate to Obama?

THerein lies the difference and the conservatives can dress it up as they wish.
For a look at how PACs or 527s work watch "The Big Buy" on DVD.
It shows how Tom Delay and his TRIMPAC changed the voting districts in Texas, then tried for a permanent Republican majority in Congress. The 2006 elections and a few indictments got in the way.
Interesting stuff!

[MizLiz]

Oh hell, I'm a sole proprietor who incorporated, so when I put down the name of my employer, it's really me.

[livesimply]

Good questions. I am a retired school teacher with my own business now...self employed. Every time I donate I have to designate "who" my employer is.

[RENREVARD]

No ! Voting for the war in Iraq is a BIG DEAL John Mccain.

[kay]

I wouldn't have given him another donation if he had handed conservatives an advantage they haven't earned.

Thank God he's not stupid.

[KBAR]

Obama’s financial advantage over McCain is offset in part by the resources of the Republican National Committee, which has far more money in the bank than the Democratic National Committee. Both national parties can spend money on behalf of the presidential candidates.

[kay]

I understand that.

Now, tell me why Obama should hand McCain an advantage John McCain hasn't earned.

Now that we're past the partial offset supplied by the RNC.

Obama raises X. McCain raises Y. McCain has other resources to offset some of what Obama raised.

I'm still handing John McCain an advantage he hasn't earned, versus Obama.

[rmetz74]

Of course, the DNC didn't have a candidate until this month. Their fundraising is likely to pick up significantly. They've already outpaced the RNC in fundraising for House and Senate races. And the parties can only spend $19 million on candidate-specific ads.

[Susanfrom29]

Don't count on the RNC being able to maintain that financial advantage.

[kay]

KBAR, you still haven't told me why I should offer John McCain an advantage he hasn't earned.

John McCain v Barack Obama. RNC and DNC offsets aside. Advantage, Obama. Earned.

Why would I do that? I'm not a conservative. I don't want John McCain to win.

[gladys46]

So what do you ask Obama to do .. drop the ball just before the goal post!?

[Susanfrom29]

Power To The People