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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: public financing

public financing stories: 15 news summaries

(Newser) - The 2008 election marked the death knell of post-Watergate public financing, Mark Schmitt writes for the American Prospect, but the raft of small donations that killed the system heralds a hopeful future. The public financing system was designed—and failed—to limit the influence of special interests: “Since... More »

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Internet • campaign finance • Obama 2008 • netroots • public financing • political donors • Election 2008 • Mark Schmitt

OPINION

 Best, Worst Financial 
 Decisions of Candidates 

Candidates have spent a bundle on campaign, but didn't always do it wisely

Oct 29, 08 4:29 PM CDT
(Newser) - The next president faces the daunting task of fixing a crippled economy—all the more reason to look at the candidates' best and worst financial decisions during the campaigns. Politico's Jeanne Cummings does the tally:
  • Obama's Best: His decision to hire Facebook's founder, whose interactive Internet fundraising included
... More »

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Internet • RNC • Obama 2008 • campaign fundraising • public financing • McCain 2008 • Election 2008

Obama's Haul Spurs Concern About Faceless Donors

But it paves way for new standard in political fundraising system

Oct 26, 08 1:48 PM CDT
(Newser) - The huge success of Barack Obama’s Internet fundraising campaign has sparked concerns about the regulation of campaign finance. Some worry that the faceless system allows for easy abuse, particularly in light of donations from anonymous or clearly fake names such as "Osama bin Laden," the Washington Post... More »

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Barack Obama • John McCain • campaign finance • campaign fundraising • public financing • audit • Election 2008

 McCain Raised $47M in Aug.

With $10M since bringing Palin on board, GOP looking amply financed

Sep 1, 08 8:37 PM CDT
(Newser) - John McCain’s presidential campaign raised $47 million in August, its biggest monthly take yet, the AP reports. The campaign has apparently received $10 million in donations since McCain announced Friday that Sarah Palin would be his running mate. Officials say the total Republican general-election chest will be at least... More »

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John McCain • Republican • campaign finance • GOP • fundraiser • campaign fundraising • public financing • Election 2008 • presidential election • Sarah Palin

Analysis

Obama's a Pragmatist,
Not a Reformer

His decision to opt out of public financing
is right in character

Jun 20, 08 11:06 AM CDT
(Newser) - Barack Obama’s decision to opt out of the public financing system shouldn’t come as a surprise, writes Politico’s Ben Smith. Obama has been inching away from the money for a long time now, proving once again that he’s not a traditional reformer—he’s a pragmatist.... More »

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Barack Obama • campaign finance • Campaign Finance Reform • Obama 2008 • public financing • public funding

opinion

 Dr. Obama and Mr. Hyde 

'High-minded' candidate is also cutthroat political animal

Jun 20, 08 5:20 AM CDT
(Newser) - Barack Obama has two faces: there’s the "high-minded" liberal “Dr. Barack” and the politically calculating, win at-all-costs “Fast Eddie Obama,” writes David Brooks in the New York Times. The split personality clearly emerged in Obama’s announcement that he won’t accept public financing—a... More »

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Barack Obama • campaign finance • political reform • political persona • campaign fundraising • public financing

McCain Blasts Obama for Declining Funds

But Dem blames Mac for having to opt out
of public financing

Jun 19, 08 1:00 PM CDT
(Newser) - Following fast on Barack Obama’s decision to abandon public financing, a McCain rep said the Dem has failed “the true test of a candidate”—whether he'll stick to his word, Time reports. But Politico notes that an Obama rep blamed McCain: “Our campaign counsels met,... More »

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Barack Obama • John McCain • presidential campaign • campaign finance • campaign • public financing • 527 groups • presidential election • presidential bid

Obama Already Beating McCain ... in the Wallet

Dem, as usual, wins monthly funds race, $32M to Mac's $18.5M

May 21, 08 3:30 PM CDT
(Newser) - Barack Obama raised $32 million in April, Politico reports; Hillary Clinton bagged $22 million, and John McCain, now squarely in Obama's general-election sights, brought in $18.5 million. It was a record for Republican, yet dwarfed by what was a rough month for Obama—who also banked $9 million in... More »

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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John McCain • campaign fundraising • public financing

 Mac Will Run With Public Funds

GOP candidate appears to concede he won't be able to catch Dem foe financially

Apr 21, 08 10:36 AM CDT
(Newser) - John McCain will use public funds to finance his 2-month general-election campaign, Politico reports today. McCain's decision to take the $84.1 million available once he's officially nominated in September comes after the GOP candidate gave back $3.2 in donations pegged to the home stretch. McCain has raised $72... More »

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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John McCain • RNC • campaign fundraising • public financing • George W. Bush

Obama Says McCain
All Talk on CEO Pay

He also calls for overhaul of public financing system for campaigns

Apr 11, 08 4:28 PM CDT
(Newser) - Barack Obama grilled John McCain on CEO compensation today and continued laying into the public financing system for campaigns. He railed against execs who “make more in one day than their workers make in one year” and called for legislation requiring corporations to let shareholders set pay. He said... More »

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Barack Obama • John McCain • executive compensation • campaign finance • CEO • public financing

 Obama 
 Test-Drives 
 Public Funds 
 Opt-Out  

Says Internet giving is the new populist space

Apr 9, 08 6:42 PM CDT
(Newser) - Barack Obama has been taken to task for refusing to renew a 2007 pledge to use public financing in the general election, and a speech last night may have been a preview of the logic he’ll use to opt for private money instead. The candidate argued that Internet giving... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • public financing • online donations

January Take: Obama $36M, Clinton $13.5M, Mac $11.6M

Small Internet donations key Obama success; debate over public funds grows

Feb 20, 08 2:51 PM CST
(Newser) - Barack Obama vastly outpaced his rivals in January fundraising, scoring $36 million to Hillary Clinton’s $13.5 million and John McCain’s $11.6 million. The Democratic front-runner drew $28 million online, with 90% of donations at or below $100. Obama is now on the spot over a 2007... More »

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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John McCain • Internet • David Plouffe • campaign fundraising • public financing • Julianna Smoot • political donations

McCain, Obama Clash Over Campaign Funds

McCain puts Obama's public funding pledge in the spotlight

Feb 16, 08 6:29 AM CST
(Newser) - John McCain is baiting Barack Obama over campaign finance, the New York Times reports. Obama pledged last February that he would accept public financing—which comes with spending limits—if he became the Democratic nominee and his Republican opponent did likewise. He hasn't recommitted and GOP front-runner McCain is wondering... More »

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Barack Obama • John McCain • campaign finance • campaign contributions • public financing • presidential election

Edwards Could Lose Millions in Matching Funds

$4.3M in ActBlue
web donations may violate election law

Nov 19, 07 4:08 PM CST
(Newser) - A tricky online fundraising format could dent John Edwards’ clean donations reputation—and cost him millions in federal funds. Edwards is the only top-tier Democrat accepting public financing, which matches individual donations up to $250. The system's exclusion of  funds “drawn on the account of a committee” may imperil... More »

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John Edwards • campaign finance • FEC • ActBlue • public financing • political action committees

Edwards Will Accept Public Financing

Candidate points to principle, analysts
to necessity

Sep 28, 07 10:19 AM CDT
(Newser) - With the deadline to report third-quarter fundraising looming, John Edwards said yesterday his campaign will accept public financing. He calls the unexpected shift “a principled stand,” but the Politico deems it “probably also the only lifeline he has to stay in the race." The ex-senator urged... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John McCain • John Edwards • campaign finance • campaign fundraising • public financing • matching funds • Federal Election Commission • Democratic presidential primaries • presidential election

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