Legislative session after legislative session in New Mexico we’ve had to endure the demands from the left to “reform” our election system by instituting public funding of elections. Yet, when the presumptive “champion for change” of the Democratic Party, Barack Obama opts out of public funding for his presidential race, the left is eerily silent:
Obama broke a previous pledge last week and announced that he would opt out of the public-financing system for presidential candidates. On a practical level, it wasn’t surprising: The Democrat has displayed a rare ability to raise huge amounts of money from average Americans, and that would have been hindered by accepting public financing.
But reducing the influence of money in politics is central to Obama’s “Change We Can Believe In” slogan and the message of his presidential campaign. It’s true that his campaign has found a different way to raise money, but the reality is that he pledged to use the public financing system in the general election if his opponent also agreed — which McCain has done.
Now Obama, the candidate who asks Americans to be idealists and believe change is possible, is instead acting like a realist by deciding to break a promise because doing so will increase his chances of being elected.
So, how about it my friends on the left? Are you going to call on Senator Obama to opt in for public funding? If you don’t, that’s okay. I understand that winning is more important than pushing for public funding. Just do me a favor, okay? Don’t get back on your high horse when the November election is over.