Let’s start with Barack Obama’s claim that he doesn’t take money from corporations, political action committees or lobbyists, saying “special interests” won’t wield overpowering influence on an Obama White House. Obama’s claim is true, but there’s more to it.
First of all, he’s not the only one who won’t accept campaign cash from corporations because nobody is allowed to. It’s illegal.
Secondly, while he hasn’t accepted donations from PACs or lobbyist, he has accepted two money from two “bundlers” (people who raise money and then give it to the candidate) who are oil company executives.
From Factcheck.org:
George Kaiser, the chairman of Oklahoma-based Kaiser-Francis Oil Co., ranks 68th on the Forbes list of world billionaires. He’s listed on Obama’s Web site as raising between $50,000 and $100,000 for the candidate. Robert Cavnar is president and CEO of Milagro Exploration LLC, an oil exploration and production company. He’s named as a bundler in the same category as Kaiser.
And now to Hillary Clinton, Obama’s chief rival to the Democratic nomination. Clinton is fond of telling people on the stump that in 1992 her husband, Bill, didn’t secure the party’s presidential nomination until June, and when he did, he was polling behind George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot. We all know how the election turned out. The message here is for those who think the protracted Democratic primary in 2008 is detrimental for either Clinton or Obama against John McCain in the general election to relax. Once the nomination is sewn up, it’s a new election cycle.
Except … when it comes to Obama, apparently.
Clinton and her campaign has claimed that nominating Obama is a risk for Democrats because he’s polling behind McCain in critical swing states Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Realclearpolitics.com supports this, showing Obama behind McCain by an average of 8 points in Florida, 5 points in Ohio and a squeaker in Pennsylvania. The argument here, according to the Clintons is, she can beat McCain in crucial swing states, but Obama can’t.
It’s a confusing message at best. Don’t worry if Clinton as the nominee starts behind McCain in voter polls, but if it’s Obama and he’s starting behind, Democrats are taking a major risk?
