We will have to be hypocrites

[dsc]

on public financing. There are three immutable facts in the Presidential race

One, we will be vastly better off if we are not silent from June to August two, we will be silent from June to August if we take matching funds, and three the sole advantage to taking matching funds is the ability to be portrayed as clean.

Those facts are coupled with the fact that we can't know if we are going to be able to raise enough to opt out for several months. Thus, we have to be hypocrites. If we can raise the funds we must do so and stay competative and if we can't we must exploit the clean factor as best we can. To do that we must attack candidates who don't take the matching funds. Thus, while it is distasteful, Dean is doing the right thing by keeping his options open. Though he was wrong to telegraph it like he did. It is rare for hypocrisy to be a decent thing. This is one of those rare times.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

1. What is the hypocritical stance that you say 'we' are being forced into?

"It is rare for hypocrisy to be a decent thing."

I can definately agree with that statement.

Just what is the hypocrisy involved here exactly that you are saying is so noble?

[dsc]

2. to plan on attacking

Bush for opting out but being willing to do so if we can.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. I don't think it is hypocritical

to "connect the dots and show that this president is collecting his rebate that he gave to the wealthiest people in the country" and still raise as much money as you are able to. As long as we don't make promises and then back out of them.

[DrFunkenstein]

4. It's About Kerry, Not Bush (Decency Out The Window)

Dean wasn't planning on attacking Bush for giving up $200 million for the honor of matching funds. He'd be laughed out of the race. He was planning on attacking Kerry, because Dean didn't think he could raise Kerry's kind of cash.

Now that it looks like he might have a chance, principle went flying out the window.

Again, let me point out that I have no problems with Dean adapting to new conditions - I have problems with the cheap tactics Dean uses to smear other candidates. This one just happen to backfire.

There is nothing "decent" about hypocritically breaking your oath. It is pragmatic, and - as Dean well understands - the ends justify the means.

I dare any Dean supporter to say that is an inaccurate statement.

[dsc]

6. He gave no oath

and you know it. The FEC, who I would be willing to bet know more about election law than you do, said that as long as no funds have been disperced Dean could change his mind and that several candidates have done so in the past. That makes sense since consideration usually is a condition of a contract being binding.

[sfecap]

7. Gov. Dean is going to have a VERY good third quarter...

I hope he raises a hundred million in the end!

[DrFunkenstein]

8. Give Me A Break!

"Dean signed a letter to the commission in June promising to abide by the program’s rules, including its spending limits."

Dean made a promise, then got out through the backdoor.

How hard is it to just admit that? Dean doesn't have to be a siant to be a good candidate.

[dsc]

9. The FEC claims it isn't one

take it up with them. It is called keeping ones options open. I signed a contract to be a sub teacher this coming year but had I gotten a job in another district I would not have honored it. I knew that, they knew that, and even though I promised it was a known thing. It sounds like this is how this works as well.

[DrFunkenstein]

11. I Pledge To Call Out Anyone That Doesn't Become A Sub

Dean didn't sign it in the spirit of a contract. He signed it as a declaration of principle. He could have quietly signed it, but he didn't. He made an issue out of it, nows wants it to be considered a non-issue.

[w13rd0]

5. The GOP is planning on telegraphing their intention to BURY...

the Democratic candidate under a wash of money spent on attack ads, negative marketing, slander and the buying of votes...sorry, I'm not willing to gamble on the ability of the American people to realize these sons a bitches are trying to BUY the highest office in the land. If we have to reject matching funds and keep up the attacks until the day of the Inaugaration, and for months after, so be it...

[dsc]

10. I agree

if we can raise the money. That is the tough part.