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NEWS ABOUT: public financing

It's the Small Change We Should Believe In

(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 the... More »

Best, Worst Financial Decisions of Candidates

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

(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 billboards in
... More »

Obama's Haul Spurs Concern About Faceless Donors

But it paves way for new standard in political fundraising system

(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 »

McCain Raised $47M in Aug.

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

(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 »

Obama's a Pragmatist, Not a Reformer

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

(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 »

Dr. Obama and Mr. Hyde

'High-minded' candidate is also cutthroat political animal

(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 »

McCain Blasts Obama for Declining Funds

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

(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, and... More »

Obama Already Beating McCain ... in the Wallet

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

(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 »

Mac Will Run With Public Funds

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

(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 »

Obama Says McCain All Talk on CEO Pay

He also calls for overhaul of public financing system for campaigns

(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 »

Obama Test-Drives Public Funds Opt-Out

Says Internet giving is the new populist space

(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 »

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

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

(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 »

McCain, Obama Clash Over Campaign Funds

McCain puts Obama's public funding pledge in the spotlight

(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 »

Edwards Could Lose Millions in Matching Funds

$4.3M in ActBlue web donations may violate election law

(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 »

Edwards Will Accept Public Financing

Candidate points to principle, analysts to necessity

(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 »

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