On accountability and transparency

[Beerhall Agitator]

The corrupt political system that developed in the past century resulted in special interests and lobbyists funding candidates, and giving them victory. As a result, those candidates became accountable to those special interests. The internet has now changed things, the speed with which information and money can travel has revolutionized political fundraising. Large groups of people can be mobilized to raise just as much as multi-national corporations can give. This leads politicians to be accountable to the people themselves instead of special interests.

The campaign must remember this in all its endeavors. So far they've been doing an amazing job, with few minor screw-ups like the Philly rally promotion. The level of transparency is also unprecedented in campaign history. However, there's still a long way to go. They should be open and honest about how the money is being spent, and what their future plans are. The strategies and budgets should be made transparent to the grassroots.

Politicians should be accountable to the people, and the internet makes this possible. When I see messages from the campaign conflicting with very promising fundraisers, or ignoring pleas for national advertising in the bigger states, I become worried. Communication is the key to putting all all worries and misunderstandings to rest, and we need more of it from HQ.

[aroberso]

The corrupt political system that developed in the past century resulted in special interests and lobbyists funding candidates, and giving them victory. As a result, those candidates became accountable to those special interests. The internet has now changed things, the speed with which information and money can travel has revolutionized political fundraising. Large groups of people can be mobilized to raise just as much as multi-national corporations can give. This leads politicians to be accountable to the people themselves instead of special interests.

The campaign must remember this in all its endeavors. So far they've been doing an amazing job, with few minor screw-ups like the Philly rally promotion. The level of transparency is also unprecedented in campaign history. However, there's still a long way to go. They should be open and honest about how the money is being spent, and what their future plans are. The strategies and budgets should be made transparent to the grassroots.

Politicians should be accountable to the people, and the internet makes this possible. When I see messages from the campaign conflicting with very promising fundraisers, or ignoring pleas for national advertising in the bigger states, I become worried. Communication is the key to putting all all worries and misunderstandings to rest, and we need more of it from HQ.

Well said, but there's a fine line between transparency and exposing your strategy to the competition.

[Beerhall Agitator]

Well said, but there's a fine line between transparency and exposing your strategy to the competition.

Well, not really. Strategy just means where an when they're going to advertise or rally. Information that's typically made available to the press anyways -- no need to keep secret.

[dircha]

The official campaign can not be involved in coordinating events such as November 5th and December 16th without running afoul of FEC regulations on in-kind contributions.

They are sending the message that their advertising campaigns are not producing as strong of gains in the polls as they had hoped, and urgently anticipate needing more money prior to the 16th to fund these advertising campaigns than current projections estimate they will receive.

Given their limitations under FEC regulations, I felt that the email from the official campaign was very well worded and strategically spot on.

The message is: Don't wait to donate on the 16th; that won't be enough soon enough. Donate now as well as on the 16th.