I know it’s from the Politico, but I’ve seen most of the information trickling out elsewhere.
Senator Barack Obama’s campaign is steering the candidate’s wealthy supporters away from independent Democratic groups, calling into question what had been expected to be the groups’ central role in this year’s Democratic offensive against Senator John McCain.
The donors have been considering entreaties from Progressive Media USA, run by conservative-journalist turned liberal media critic David Brock; from former Clinton aide John Podesta’s Fund for America; and from America Votes, a group backed by billionaire George Soros that focuses on voter mobilization, among other efforts.
But in recent days, major donors have begun to conclude that Obama is serious in trying to cut off funds to the outside groups. “It’s given donors pause,” said one prominent Democratic donor of Pritzker’s words.
But Democrats who support the work of the media 527s say Obama’s making a mistake. Progressive Media USA has aired anti-McCain television ads and developed a website intended to be a hub for negative information about McCain.
“Obama needs a baseline to the melody of his positive message,” said a Democratic strategist who backs the group’s aims…read on
Matt Stoller wrote a lengthy piece called: Obama’s Consolidation of the Party.
And a follow up called: Reactions to Obama’s Consolidation of the Party.
Obviously this is just hitting the blogosphere so it’s still unclear what’s really happening. It could be an overreaction or reality or a little of both. Planned Parenthood, NARAL, WVWV, VoteVets and many others could all be included in the defunding plan that would put funds into Obama’s new infrastructure from what I’m hearing. I’ve also received information that Obama is only talking about the 527s and not about the outside groups. As soon as I hear anything on this I’ll pass it on to you.
No Trackbacks To “What do you guys think about this?“
Cain’t we all jest git along?
Why is he doing this, allegedly?
He’ll want to say he’s doing things “differently,” that this is all about another “change.” Or something like that.
While McCain’s proxies Swift-Wright him into the ground.
I’m not sure how smart this is, if true.
I suppose it would be too naive to think that Sen. Obama just doesn’t want his campaign to be tied to the same awful gutter tactics that the Republicans plan to roll around in?
Considering how the Wright link failed so miserably in Mississippi of all places, perhaps Obama sees that he can stay out of the gutter and still win. It’s risky and perhaps not wise but it is at least honorable in a way.
OT
What is the music playing at the Obama rally where Edwards endorsed him?
Springsteen? What? I want to download it.
Clavis @ 4:
You’re totally right. Gawker.com’s Alex Pareene said something to the effect of: “most people seem content to make up Barack Obama’s biography out of things they find around the house”, so I think Obama is wise to want his message to come from the source as much as is possible, especially since he gets misquoted constantly.
Excellent. Obama does not need the 527s and this move allows him to focus on his strengths.
This also is a good move for the party, change tactics, don’t do the same thing as the other party.
I think he meant it when he said he wants to avoid the same old political games.
I think this is good.
Sure, McCain and the Republican Cabal will sling mud like its going out of style. But that will backfire on them.
America is ready for a President that looks beyond the short term self serving politics of my generation. Bush has made us hungry for competence and true conviction.
I think this is good.
I have never been as worried about Obama’s (genetic) father as I have been about his (political) grandfather. Remember, he is a product of the Chicago machine, descended from Richard Daley. Get used to a new word, and that word is “clout.”
The essence of machine politics is control. Yes, I know, the essence of any politics is control, but machine politics brings control to a fine point. I have always been a dem and am quite used to our disorderly (dare I say anarchic) way of doing things. But I spent dome years living in Baltimore, under the reign of William Donald Schaeffermayor (and the people of Baltimore) and I have to say that I have both admiration for and fear of how that system works.
I think it may well work out for us, and I am a huge fan, but I think there may be costs as well.
Those brilliant commercials from the Courage Campaign - isn’t that a 527?
I’ll support Obama and donate directly to his campaign as well as direct contributions to Democratic candidates who vote responsibly on issues that are of concern to me.
I no longer donate to the Democratic party because big party machine politics suck and have given us the “blue dog democrats” and other assorted DINOs.
If Obama’s intention is to revitalize the machine… screw it! I’ll continue to support 527s who reflect my political point of view and put the spot light on campaigns for worthy contenders in the primaries. I’m sick of the Liebermans and Feinsteins in congress.
Money is power and the ability to finance responsible politicians directly is the only way that the beltway crowd is going to begin to listen to the American people again.
Put the cash into precincts, wards, get out the vote, registration…feet on the ground. This fall will be a street by street ground war and money finally needs to be put on the ground tactically to build the party of the future. Why build 527s…how successful have they been on the tactical side…not so much. Nice ads but nice ads are on TV..the radio…not at the polls.Obama and Howard Dean get it. 527s are not so much change but very much the politics of the 90s.
527’s have largely been responsible for putting pressure on some of these elected officials, think of those campaigns against Bush dog democrats Hoyer and Rockefeller and their positions on immunity for the telecoms. It is not surprising that a politician such as Obama would look to dent the impact of some of these groups that are under the control of no politician or party, and Obama is wrong on this issue.
Don’t do it! Please stay out of the mud Obama.
Assuming it is only the 527s, I think it is not only a good decision, but really the ONLY decision he could make. If he was steering people away from giving to independent organizations that do not involve themselves directly in Presidential Politics, I would think there would be a lot of heat brought down on him, and rightly so. I just can’t imagine that would be the case, and I think even hypothesizing it as a possibility based on what we have thus far is a little irresponsible. (An unfounded rumor is close enough to the truth for some opponents to run with it.)
So far as giving for election purposes, I think the candidates and their parties should be the primary (if not only) conduits.
One other point - directing his heavy donors away from these organizations is not the same as “de-funding” them. That kind of exaggeration seems a little bit over the top to me. Such requests are going only to his “inner circle” of high-$ donors, they are not mandatory, and EVERYONE is free to give money to whoever they choose. Obama has a plan he would prefer to follow, and it is reasonable to expect his closest supporters to support that plan, so long as it is rational and ethical.
Obama can’t control his own message if the money goes elsewhere. that’s how the dems fucked up before. there needs to be a single purpose and single path. this looks like a coming good thing and the greedy bastards are already slicing up the fucking victory pie.
So it is being used to demonize Obama. For trying to control his own campaign, Obama is being made out to be the bad guy. And the framing of the questions by the Politico, aka drudge-lite, and others will make it look like Obama is a megalomaniac.
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
If I wanted a dictatorship, I’d join the GOP
It seems smart to me. I don’t trust 527s.
QuakerDave @ 3:
Add this from the same Politico piece:
And it’s even more interesting.all those bloggers, all their campaign contributions spurred by their trust and enthusiasm… interesting.
Piper Girl
DHSmd @ 16:
exactly! these large donors always have their own message and not the candidates’. they will always be associated Obama, but not beholden to or controlled by his campaign. no matter what, msm will link the groups to Obama anyway.
He should have control or deniability.
I might be against the war, but I am no pacifist. Along the same vein..if we can beat the Rethugs at their own game..why is that unfair? I say hit them with their own brand of bullS**t. Perhaps not outright lies like the Rethugs do….but still, hit them hard on points that are true, but Obama wouldn’t touch them..
Obama is not the bad guy here..he seems, if it’s true, to be attempting to play clean. There is a certain negative backlash to negative ads…but that said..why not level the playing field?
QuakerDave @ 3:
I agree.
on both counts…
larry @ 13:
BINGO! that puts it as pointedly and succinctly as I wish I had.
Matt @ 8:
You mean don’t learn from the party that put the least competent individual ever in the white house twice? The only way this makes any sense is if the campaign laws actually apply to McBush and his spending limited because he used the federal funds. But even then, Fleischer’s group is rumored to have a ton of money to make trouble and Mr Oxycotin is lying on the radio every day.
Surely you don’t think election will hinge on the quality of the candidates and their positions on real issues.
Obama is consolidating power.Where is this taking place?
In the middle ground.A place the Clintons have done very well in for years.
The 527’s represent more left leaning antiwar concerns-away from said middle ground.
I can only assume he doesn’t want the left wing of the party to control the agenda.
Bchem @ 14:
take a look at what Obama has done and what Howard Dean has done.
kometes @ 26:
they started with something like $268M, if I remember correctly.
larry @ 13:
President Kerry agrees with this assessment of the whole Swiftboat Vet 527 group thing.
I think he’d be psychotic if were not just the 527s he’s talking about, and I think he means to show us exactly what “change” can do. I think he’s definitely trying to put his mouth where his money is, and Democrats and Republicans should respect that. There are a bunch of ways, as we’ve seen, 527s can backfire, and they are really just the same as other lobbyists. This can’t help but be a good thing… even if Obama was not your choice for nominee… and, yes, what larry said @ 13….
dday had an excellent post on this the other day at Hullabaloo, entitled “The Obama Party.”
My impression was this is not a power grab; and actually a good thing for the future of the Democratic Party.
start the campaign on the high road and adjust your course accordingly. i would have plans for travelling on the low road though.
Sound like he wants to appear non-threatening, middle-class, academic-friendly, and unlikely to confront institutional white republican supremacy in any way more meaningful than attaining higher office.
L.A. Confidential @ 34:
Can’t say I blame him.
um, my brain is on fire now? I mean this is just a brain burning bullshit fest.
miss_kitty @ 36:
are you sure you’re on the right thread?:)
please keep in mind that the msm and all the reighwing minions with publishing capability are working against the progressive efforts.
politico is one of them.
the identification of ‘billionaires and bloggers’ as enemies of the repugs was done last year.
that was just early target identification.
this means that all we have here is an opportunity to recognize this as a divisive tactic.
The other twist is Obama might be actually exceptional at anticipating and controlling the propaganda machine.
God what would we do if we didn’t have to listen to propaganda?
from the politico to yahoo to huffpost
next stop AP, cnn and moanin’ joe scumbag.
CoIntelPro against Repug DoucheBaggery @ 38:
The Identification of bloggers?
I have to admit. I was wonderin when I crossed the border.
I say support Obama’s campaign give him money, money, money. But also fund any 527s that will help Obama get elected. McCain will say he is not going to let 527s swift boat Obama but in the end they will and McCain will say ,”Ooops I’m Sorry!”.
mudshark @ 37:
Yeah. I am really weary of this back and forth. This bullshit has gone on long enough-way too long. I need to take a nap.
been reading in other blogs about how he’s launching a … well i think ‘attack’ is a little strong - but fighting 527s in general. i’m sure this is just more of that.
Just drink the new infrastructure kool aid.
It sounds like Obams and McCain are trying to make a deal and run both campaigns on high etical standards and issues. But the GOP will do some swift-boating then say they did not mean to do it after the damage has been done. All I can say is support your local 527s along with the organized democratic party structures. You do want to win in November?
DC @ 42:
527s are not allowed to be part of a campaign. that’s the law. Barack knows what he is doing. funding ostensibly directed at getting Barack elected should go to, then through Barack’s organization.
Don’t let the politico/yahoo/ap/ screw up your perspective.
I cannot testify to the accuracy of this, but I have heard that Obama wants to take over the Democratic party the same way that the Neocons took over the Republican party, forcing out anybody who is not in with his plan. This would seem to support such a claim.