RNC and RPOF

[Bob Wells]

Look, I am not trying to stir this pot, but I am wondering what folks think of the scandals here in Florida and at the National level with the use of donated money. I also read where the previous Party Chair in Florida {Greer}is preparing to sue the RPOF and if he wins is this money pulled from the donations? Doesn't this damage the flow of cash that is used to get politicians elected? How does this not come back and bite Gov. Crist, a big supporter of Greer, and Marco Rubio? I am not saying the Democrats don't have there own issues, although I haven't heard much since the ACORN fiasco. The Republicans have in the past always claimed the moral high ground IMO, and now that doesn't seem to be the case. I have met and supported folks like Ray Sansom who I had confidence in, only to be let down. I find a true lack of working for the people in both parties and because of that I vote both side, unlike I used to be, where there was a select few issues that were deal breakers for me, now that doesn't work for me. No I am not a Tea Party guy.

 

[Andy A]

There is no moral high ground when it comes to candidate financing.

 

[idlewind]

The only way you get a candidate who has clean hands when it comes to campaign financing is to find one who does not accept money. And they cannot get elected.

 

[beachmouse]

There are always a handful of people who are wealthy enough that they don't have to take money from others to run their campaigns. And yes, those kinds of politicians frequently do end up seeming more honest than the ones who need the money of others to run.

 

[idlewind]

There are always a handful of people who are wealthy enough that they don't have to take money from others to run their campaigns. And yes, those kinds of politicians frequently do end up seeming more honest than the ones who need the money of others to run.

There is no free lunch. If the politician is lucky all the donor wants is a legal vote on specific issues. If they are unlucky the donor wants a quid pro quo on something shady.

 

[wrobert]

The only way you get a candidate who has clean hands when it comes to campaign financing is to find one who does not accept money. And they cannot get elected.

I don't know. I guess it is all in how you define 'clean hands'. I have worked on Don Brown's campaigns in the past and feel he is above the fray. Currently working on Sara Comander's campaign and so far, not seeing anything that would even raise an eyebrow. And both of them have different thoughts on campaign financing. Don takes money knowing he is not going to allow himself to be bought. And I have seen Sara turn down money, I know she sent Jay Odom's back last time she ran. I guess each candidate has to work within their own personal level of comfort and how they feel the contribution will be perceived.

The scandals are sad. Being heavily involved in the RPOF when Greer was first elected, it was interesting to see how quickly the power and big spending started hurting true grassroots workers even in the beginning. It was refreshing also to see how, with very few exceptions, people in this area rejected the power and money opting to find their own solution as everyone knew this would catch up to them one day.