Comments on: If Obama doesn’t take public financing, does that actually save taxpayers money?

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:05:01 +0000

It depends. Public financing, in general, would save the taxpayers money, overall. Privately raised donations, oddly enough, mostly wouldn’t, but might in certain situations.

It all depends on where the privately raised money comes from. From the persons own pocket? Saves. From small donations from citizens? Saves money.

In huge donations amounts from special interests and lobbyist or industry-tied groups? Costs many times more than public financing because the elected politicians then give access on legislation, pork barrel spending and earmarks to their influential and important donors. The donors reap greater amounts, many times over, than they contributed by having the public money, the taxpayers’ money, funneled to their coffers.

If the bulk of campaign money comes from the average citizen, like with Obama’s campaign, then the candidate is “beholden” to the average citizen, which is okay. That’s the main reason why I support him. Not that the same interest groups don’t donate to him as others, it’s just that they are diluted and overshadowed when looking at his total pool of money, which means his best interests and selfish perspective would be served by governing for the people.

By: TresAmigo

TresAmigo — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:31:20 +0000

Yes it will save the public money

By: robert f

robert f — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:02:59 +0000

He doesn’t take public money because he doesn’t need it. He will bet more with small contributions but the big thing he has the 503′s which are indirectly funded by people like George Sors, Move on Media matters who are despicable **** groups and can lie all day bout John McCain with no repercussions.

By: em

em — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:34:59 +0000

I don’t really know the details, but it seems that he will save taxpayers money that way, yes.
BUT – Obama will ***** you on your taxes so bad if he wins, that where he gets his funds right now doesn’t matter.
Vote Bob Barr!!!

By: Jacob W

Jacob W — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:32:34 +0000

Only if his donors are not taxpayers. However, I see your point. That is why I have always been opposed to the use of public funds for election financing.

The issue now, however, is that both Obama and McCain are on record pledging to use only public funds (back in the beginning of the campaign). What does this say about Obama if he reneges on his pledge?