Comments on: Death, taxes and now… campaign contributions http://veryness.com/2008/06/23/death-taxes-and-now-campaign-contributions/ Sat, 19 May 2012 16:32:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Ian http://veryness.com/2008/06/23/death-taxes-and-now-campaign-contributions/#comment-188 Ian Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:59:11 +0000 http://veryness.com/2008/06/23/death-taxes-and-now-campaign-contributions/#comment-188 It's disappointing that he's gone back on his word, but I've been steeling myself for disappointment for a while. I think we're watching the slow but sure effect of politics changing a person more than the other way around. That said, the nature of American politics is that any real change is incremental, except in extraordinary circumstances (i.e. war, depression, massive social unrest). I do expect to see him make changes in the system, but I expect them to be gradual, surrounded by the business as usual that gets things done in Washington. I really believe he's a good man with good ideas, and it does make me sad to see him bow to political necessities, but part of me asks, "How much can we expect from a guy?" Washington has crushed the good intentions of so many people that if he gets to the White House with half his scruples intact, I'll be thrilled. But it's a shame that it is that way. It’s disappointing that he’s gone back on his word, but I’ve been steeling myself for disappointment for a while. I think we’re watching the slow but sure effect of politics changing a person more than the other way around. That said, the nature of American politics is that any real change is incremental, except in extraordinary circumstances (i.e. war, depression, massive social unrest). I do expect to see him make changes in the system, but I expect them to be gradual, surrounded by the business as usual that gets things done in Washington. I really believe he’s a good man with good ideas, and it does make me sad to see him bow to political necessities, but part of me asks, “How much can we expect from a guy?” Washington has crushed the good intentions of so many people that if he gets to the White House with half his scruples intact, I’ll be thrilled. But it’s a shame that it is that way.

]]> By: Nathan Clark http://veryness.com/2008/06/23/death-taxes-and-now-campaign-contributions/#comment-184 Nathan Clark Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:42:13 +0000 http://veryness.com/2008/06/23/death-taxes-and-now-campaign-contributions/#comment-184 I'm reserving judgement on the FISA bill until it comes to vote. He pledged to filibuster it last year, and the White House has committed to veto anything without amnesty, so stripping amnesty would almost certainly lead to a veto and still give Obama a boost with the pro-security independents. Perhaps that's not what he's actually doing, and there's a bigger policy shift here, but I think this is a play for pro-security undecided voters. We'll see if it works. I’m reserving judgement on the FISA bill until it comes to vote. He pledged to filibuster it last year, and the White House has committed to veto anything without amnesty, so stripping amnesty would almost certainly lead to a veto and still give Obama a boost with the pro-security independents.
Perhaps that’s not what he’s actually doing, and there’s a bigger policy shift here, but I think this is a play for pro-security undecided voters. We’ll see if it works.

]]> By: peter http://veryness.com/2008/06/23/death-taxes-and-now-campaign-contributions/#comment-183 peter Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:19:21 +0000 http://veryness.com/2008/06/23/death-taxes-and-now-campaign-contributions/#comment-183 I agree that it's dangerous for Obama to back out on his word on this and make a decision that is clearly in his best interest. I guess in one way, raising money directly from people is much better than taking public funds. In another, his position-changing seems disingenuous. This combined with his announcement on the FISA bill has really shaken my trust in the guy. You really want to believe he is all he says he is, but these two things in one week make me doubt. On one hand there's adjusting tactics to a situation. Which many are afraid to do because of political backlash. On the other there's making the opportunist decision. Not sure which is happening here. If he's trying to become a catalyst for a "new type of politics", i'm not confident this is the way to do it. I agree that it’s dangerous for Obama to back out on his word on this and make a decision that is clearly in his best interest. I guess in one way, raising money directly from people is much better than taking public funds. In another, his position-changing seems disingenuous.

This combined with his announcement on the FISA bill has really shaken my trust in the guy. You really want to believe he is all he says he is, but these two things in one week make me doubt.

On one hand there’s adjusting tactics to a situation. Which many are afraid to do because of political backlash. On the other there’s making the opportunist decision. Not sure which is happening here.

If he’s trying to become a catalyst for a “new type of politics”, i’m not confident this is the way to do it.

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