COMMENTARY | Apparently political hypocrisy knows no bounds, at least when it comes to the so-called super PACs that are fueling attack ads in the Republican primary race.
Now President Obama, who once criticized the Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling that corporations and unions can supply and endless about of cash toward support of a political candidate, has jumped on the bandwagon and gave his campaign chairman, Jim Messina, permission to support Priorities USA, the political action committee that will support Obama’s 2012 re-bid for the White House.
Flip-flopping is almost second nature in politics. We’ve already seen it with Mitt Romney during his campaign to sit in the Oval Office. But it’s almost surprising that Obama would endorse the use of a super PAC given his ardent disapproval of the justices’ decision that people and organizations can give as much money as they want to in order to “buy” an office. The president even went on to say that super PACs are a “threat to our democracy.”
When Obama declined public monies during his 2009 campaign, he set a level of fundraising from individuals that had never been seen before. Perhaps the millions and millions of dollars raised and spent by super PACs in the GOP primary has scared the sitting president and his crew to where they have no choice but to agree to what they despise.
It’s almost like a schoolyard decision. The type where one kid does something, so the other says, “Well, if they’re going to do it…”
That’s pretty much the message Messina provided when he attempted to explain the president’s support of something he loathes so much.
“…our campaign has to face the reality of the law as it currently stands,” Messina said in his release.
People who look at this need to realize that Obama’s political machine is very clever at crafting messages in order to put the president in the best light possible. That’s PR 101. No matter how much the cesspool stinks, make it smell like roses.
The simple fact of the matter is Obama stated unlimited contributions by the extremely wealthy, organizations or labor unions will have a negative effect on campaigns because special interest groups could virtually buy an election. I tend to agree with the president on this issue and wish lobbyists would be banned from the steps of Congress and that political contributions could only come from an individual with a cap on how much they can donate.
However, the president reneged on his adamant stance on political contributions. Although neither he nor the First Lady can outwardly participate in any materials produced by Priorities USA, his endorsement of the super PAC will result in a loss of credibility with some voters.
It’s political maneuvering, Mr. President. It’s changing your mind, Mr. President, on an issue so it can benefit you. You stepped away from the right stance and joined those who see nothing wrong with being bought.