DNC bars Washington lobbyist money
The national Democratic Party fell in behind Barack Obama today on not taking money from Washington lobbyists -- a pledge crucial to the presumptive presidential nominee's promise of changing the way Washington works and bringing a new politics.
"Our presumptive nominee has pledged not to take donations from Washington lobbyists and from today going forward the DNC makes that pledge as well," Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said in a statement. "The American people's priorities will set the agenda in an Obama Administration, not the special interests."
Obama is also using his pledge to draw distinctions with Republican rival John McCain, who has had problems with lobbyists in the upper reaches of his campaign and instituted a conflict of interest policy.
But many outside observers say it will be difficult, if not impossible, to curtail the influence of lobbyists in Washington.
“I’ve sent a strong signal in this campaign by refusing the contributions of registered federal lobbyists and PACs,” Obama said in a statement. “And today, I’m announcing that going forward, the Democratic National Committee will uphold the same standard and won’t take another dime from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs. They do not fund my campaign. They will not fund our party. And they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I’m President of the United States.”
UPDATE: McCain's campaign, however, argues that Obama is violating his own pledge because of the fund-raising activities of MoveOn.org, an antiwar group that is supporting him through TV ads and other efforts.
McCain's camp cites a fund-raising solicitation that seeks donations both to Obama's campaign and MoveOn.org's political action committee "so Obama knows that progressives have his back as he pushes to unify the country around a progressive agenda -- an agenda we'll push hard to enact when he's in the White House.”
"Obama is breaking his pledge against PAC money for a special interest group seeking leverage on him as president. Some would call that 'HyPACrisy,' " McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said in a statement today.
Obama should pick Nancy Peloci as veep. He needs a lieutenant not a marriage of convenience.
The beginning of the end of the culture of corruption that has plagued Republicans in Washington.
This is the best example of the honour and dignity that BO shows, Hillary needs to concede, congratulate and support Obama and all true Hillary supporters need to realise that we have a new nominee that we all must rally behind. Barack Obama will represent the people, our interests are what matters to him!
Alanna
One of the main reasons I support Obama is that he is not afraid to stand up to the special interest groups in Washington and say "Enough is Enough!" Enough is Enough to the Oil lobbyists, the Good Ole Boy Network, the Pharmaceutical Companies, the NRA, etc... Barack is on the side of the good guys, the American people who pay the taxes, who take the back breaking jobs, who raise their children. Obama is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get back to what made this country great and respectworthy in the first place. Go Obama!
I'm so proud of Barack Obama. He's fighting for us, “the American people”. We the People of the United States of America should stand united, volunteer, be a part of the political process and make sure Obama wins in November ’08. Say NO to McBush.
This is a huge example of why Obama is better prepared to take on McSame than Senator Clinton. McSame has been preaching for many years about "changing the culture in Washington," but stacks his campaign with lobbyists. Obama gives the American people credit for being smart enough to see through that.
If Mrs. Clinton were the presumtive nominee this would not have happened, and we'd be back to trying to imitate the republical playbook.
Yeah right, for how long until you are broke and then create a loophole to sneak in the cash and stack them inside the fridge?
Please consider Rahm Emanuel for vice president. He'd bring a lot to the table (including Florida).
Hillary does not care about the rules as long as she gets what Hillary wants..
If Obama can keep lobbyist money and influence out of American politics, I'll pledge to contribute to the DNC as a monthly subscriber. There are a lot of Obama supporters who would do the same.
Don't under estimate the determination of Obama supporters to take back our country. We've had enough of political corruption and theft of the US treasury.
Yeah right, for how long until you are broke and then create a loophole to sneak in the cash and stack them inside the fridge?
That's a very broad promise, and a good one too. Let's hope the party can stick to it.
I have never in my life been so inspired by politics. This man stands up to do what is right. This year was my first time ever voting in the primary season. For the first time this year, I donated money to a politician's campaign (Barack Obama). I wear my Obama Gear to let others know who our next president will be. I just donated to the DNC also. We will kick butt in November!!
Fired Up!! Ready to Go!!
Obama '08
That news GREATLY GLADDENS my heart about Barack Obama and the DNC deciding NOT to accept Lobbyists and PAC money!
Hope Barack Obama sticks to it....I doubt the DNC can live up to this promise, but at least it can try. Whatever will the lobbyists do to earn their big fees after today?
I agree with GJohnson. I have never given to the DNC in my life, and I have given all I can spare to Barack Obama's campaign, but if it is truly going to be OUR party, I am willing to sign up as a monthly subscriber for 10 or 20$. Imagine if a million of us did that, and the Democratic Party answered to US!
If anyone doubted that Barack Obama is a LEADER capable of taking
control and establishing a healthy direction for his campaign-his party
-his country, this change in "politics-as-usual" should give them pause.
Well, I'm glad that the DNC is finally adopting one of the key election platforms of both the Green Party and Ralph Nader. Both have a strict policy of taking no money from corporate interests and only from individuals.
As for whether it's possible or not to win an election by not taking corporate money, Matt Gonzalez contested the San Francisco Mayoral race using no corporate money, whereas his Democratic opponent overspent him by 8-1 (or some similarly skewed ration) and won very narrowly. So yeah, it's possible.
i no longer believe in him....
i thought change meant to put US interest ahead of ISRAEL - i was wrong
i thought change meant NOT to be afraid of AIPAC i was wrong.
on the first day of his nomination he went and paid his respect to the GOD FATHER of the PACs...the most feared political organiozation in US - the AIPAC ...
he proved to be another politician like the rest of the prostitutes on the hill & in the BLOOD HOUSE....
instead of sharing his joy with the people who have nothing, NO money / power / hope...and to make them believe in themselves ...he went to kiss the hand of the GOD FATHER
what is the difference between him and bush?
bush could NOT say no to Israel's dirty war of iraq & killed 4000+ innocent soldiers.
he is pledging to go to war with IRAN to safeguard ISRAEL's interest (if needed!!!) -how many more americans he will kill to safeguard the interets of an ally that has been on the receiving end ONLY to the tune of TRILLION $$ SINCE 1960...
this is beginning of another area of submitting to the will of ISRAEL there is NO change .... do not fool yourselves.
change is just a slogan ...as long as fear of AIPAC exists - do not forget it is a PAC a very powerful & rich one!
MICHELE FROM TEXAS OPEN UR EYES... I ALSO THOUGHT HE WAS A NOBLE MAN, BUT HIS ACTIONS R MUCH LOWDER THAN HIS SPEACH!!!
With the Democratic Party refusing PAC money, it should be significantly easier to ban--like the original McCain-Feingold bill did. In fact, both Obama and McCain should support a ban on PACs, and with bigger Democratic majorities, we should be able to get that through Congress. We may need to call McCain on it if he wins though.
Obama's VP needs to be someone with executive experience, someone who can win white rural and working class votes he can't, someone who can help win big swing states. Hillary would ruin the ticket, but I see no problem choosing a former Clinton *supporter* to help unify the party. The clear choice is Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.
To really get the support of the general public, Obama needs to now announce that he will also limit contributions to less than $100.00 per person. That way, we the general public would know that he is not being bought by a PAC, a lobbyist, or some rich tycoon that wants to control him.
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