Media Pundits on Obama and Public Financing -- Shut the F**k Up

I can understand the media running with the story of Obama choosing not to opt into public funding for a day or so of programming. And it's true, early in his run he said he was in favor of using public funding, before his candidacy took off and he discovered how much money he could make on the internet from millions of small donors. And is that a flip-flop or a mind change, and is that just the most unacceptable thing in the world? Apparently it was when John Kerry was branded with the flip-flop word endlessly.

Flip-flop. Give up on this word, okay? The opposite of a flip-flopper is someone who sticks to their same opinion no matter what -- such as George Bush and the stupid Iraq war. And John McCain and the stupid Iraq war.

Never ever changing your mind is NOT a good thing. As Stephen Colbert said about George Bush in his famous appearance at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner: "The greatest thing about this man is he's steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday, that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday."

Stop using the word "flip-flopper" as if no one is ever allowed to change their minds. Discuss the meaning of the changed mind, fair enough -- but stop with this infantile phrase.

Plus Arianna Huffington has a very good post Monday on the media's ignoring McCain's own changing his mind about using public funding -- not to mention his taking out loans using the public funding as COLLATERAL, and the illegality of this not being investigated because of obstructionism at the FEC.

But wouldn't Obama be a perfect chump if he looked at the present set-up, and his enormous fundraising abilities -- and he went, you know, I'm going to be a Good Little Boy, I'm going to meekly stick with what I said at first, and just take the small money (in comparison) that the government gives me? And then said, I'm sure the Swiftboaters and their ilk won't come out and try to slime me. And even if I lose from doing this, still -- I'll get a gold star for good behavior and for never ever flip-flopping. And you can all suffer through McCain for four years, and also the Supreme Court will be ruined for the next 75 years. Enjoy! But I didn't flip-flop.

Give me a break. Give all of us a break, and stop boring us with the endless coverage of this story.

Do you recall the enormous fundraising advantage the Republicans had in 2000 and 2004?

I don't recall too many in the media decrying the lack of fundraising equality between the two parties, or the way the Republican Party was in bed with the Corporate World (who helped us all ignore global warming for 8 years, not to mention ignore seeking energy independence). No one said boo about that. Indeed the media seemed to ADMIRE the Republicans ability to raise and raise and raise money. They like power when it comes from the people in power. When it comes from people knocking on the door, seemingly they don't like it.

I agree with the few commentators who point out that the reaction of most Obama supporters and would-be supporters is that we're all relieved to see he's in the real world enough to take advantage of his fund raising superiority. If he chose to stick to his original thought, he would greatly lessen his chances of winning. And I agree with him, the public funding system IS flawed. Until it's fixed, if you have access to lots of money, it's foolhardy not to take that advantage.

And why is he able to raise this money? Because lots of people want him elected. And the point that most of his donors give less than $100 is truly significant. His financial advantage is from the general public, and not from the Corporate Juggernaut that the Republicans used to be raking in the dough from.

And if commentators like Monica Crowley and that black Republican guy with the slightly crossed eyes who keeps getting trotted out on TV are just besides themselves about it -- well, let them choke on their own vomit. I'm sorry, is that hostile? Let me put it another way. Let them choke on their own vomit. Sorry that's the same way.

But I'm really bored with this story, and I am watching the "Pundits Ahoy" shows a lot less. Maybe other people are too. Move on from this one, it's a stupid discussion.

Comments

[PuppaX]

http://www.newsweek.com/id/143168

Says it all.

[bigfated]

I really don't care if Obama "flip-flopped," since we now realize that McSame has flip-flopped in so many areas one could wonder if he is becoming senile. Who cares how he does it? All I know is that at this point in our history we need "change" like never before. Someone has to begin the process of undoing the criminality of the current Thug-In-Chief....and that has come down to either Obama----or Bush again. How will we survive four more years of this madness? Quit belly-aching about how Obama finds the funds to beat McSame......just send him a few bucks and pray for his success. Anything less is unthinkable!

[sjeanf]

Remember George Bush was hailed as "steadfast" as Kerry was branded a flipflopper. Clinging steadfastly (pathologically stubborn) to a poor decision is not a virtue! Why are we still talking about brands and all the rest. Haven't we learned as a country not to be duped by the Yaks on the TV, Blogs and elsewhere.

[BigBen]

What a nasty intolerant headline.Sounds like Hitler youth.

[tchristin]

Ditto

[legalclubs]

So it turns out Obama is just another politician who lies and betrays her word when expedient. Shocker. I guess his crazy reverend was right when he said that Obama would say what he would have to say because he was simply a politician.

[lvdragonlady]

You know something legal..........angry old men say the same thing all the time........get over it
The man decided he would honor his commitment to the American people and NOT take 'controlled' fund instead of the small donations they give. If it makes them feel part of something 'bigger' then themselves, so be it............

IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY 08

[scrutiny1]

An intelligent response to the infantile banality of the MSM is so refreshing and so rare these days. Thank you for this article!

[NTO08]

I see, if McCain flip flops: BAD
Obama flip flops: Well, not so bad...and let's give him a pass...

The very definition of partisan politics...has no value in 2008.

[beaupritchard]

I laughed so hard tears came to my eyes ... funny but true stuff.

[AbbieXHoffman]

No one is going to make their decision based on this issue. Who cares. I would have liked to see him work with public financing so that the people supporting him could keep their extra money for gas, but who really cares about this. I agree--let this go media.

[NTO08]

Who cares? It means he is, like McCain, another politician...

[CanadianforObama]

Give it a rest. Consider the alternative. The rest of the world certainly is.

[abt]

And let's not forget the following re McCain (from Josh Marshall of TalkingPointsMemo.com):
"It is quite a thing to see John McCain denouncing Barack Obama for breaking his word on public financing when McCain himself is at this moment breaking the law in continuing to spend over the spending limits he promised to abide by through the primary season in exchange for public financing. (By the FEC's rules, we're still in the primary phase of the election and will be until the conventions.)...
"This is not hyperbole or some throwaway line. He's really doing it. McCain opted into public financing, accepted the spending limits and then profited from that opt-in by securing a campaign saving loan. And then he used some clever, but not clever enough lawyering, to opt back out. And the person charged with saying what flies and what doesn't -- the Republican head of the FEC -- said he's not allowed to do that. He can't opt out unilaterally unless the FEC says he can.
"The most generous interpretation of what happened is that McCain's lawyer came up with an ingenious legal two-step that allowed him to double-dip in the campaign finance system, eat his cake and spend it too. But even if you buy that line, successful gaming of the system doesn't really count as strict adherence. And the point is irrelevant since the head of the FEC -- a Republican -- says McCain cannot do this on his own."

[BEHM777]

Not trying to steal your thunder, but I could have written this article. I agree with it 99.44%.

[sistermoon]

Your headline says it all. My sentiments exactly.

[Chemwiz]

Obama is a Flip-Flopper...

[Jazzylady26]

Flip. Flop. Flip. Flop. Can't you hear them slapping on the floor? Flip. Flop. Flop.

[BubbaC33]

I will not condemn Obama for changing his mind, but there is one problem I had not considered. During the primary the MSM made a big deal that Obama and McCain had vowed to use public financing and Ms. Clinton refused to take the pledge. It was said to be a character issue.

[takeamericanback08]

The Crying Game part two...the republican brand is so damaged they should change their party's name to Politicians of Mass Destruction (PMD)