BCT Editorial – 11/9/08

This page was last updated on November 15, 2008.

Addicts; Editorial; Beaver County Times; November 9, 2008.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“After he became sober, comedian Robin Williams would joke that cocaine was God’s way of telling you that you had too much money.

“The money spent in the 47th Senatorial District race between the eventual winner, Republican Elder Vogel Jr., and Democrat Jason Petrella is politics way of telling us that Pennsylvania is in need of campaign finance reform.”

[RWC] Oh no, not a Pennsylvania version of the McCain-Feingold debacle.

“As The Times reported Tuesday, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania dumped nearly $482,000 into Elder’s campaign as of Oct. 20, while the state Democratic Party spent almost $279,000 in in-kind contributions for Petrella.

“That’s more than $750,000 spent on an election that would not make a bit of difference. Going into Tuesday, Republicans held a seven-seat advantage over Democrats — 28-21. Coming out of Tuesday’s election, the Republicans will hold a 30-20 edge.”

[RWC] Increasing your majority from seven seats to 10 doesn’t “make a bit of difference?” On what planet?

“Clearly, too much money is floating around in Harrisburg. And like Williams’s cocaine addiction, it’s not good for the state’s political health.”

[RWC] Did you catch what’s missing? Yep, any mention of the $639 million Barack Obama raised and the $573 million he spent as of October 27, 2008. Mr. McCain raised/spent $360/$293 million.

As a reminder, though he promised to participate in public campaign financing, Mr. Obama is the only presidential candidate who opted out of public financing for his general election campaign. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t support the public campaign-financing program. My point is Mr. Obama made a commitment then reneged when it appeared to be to his political advantage. Anyone who believes this was the first time it happened or is the last time it will happen is naïve.