Washblog || Clean Elections Coast to Coast?

Clean Elections Coast to Coast?

By The Left Shue
Tue Jan 09, 2007 at 10:51:21 PM PST
Section: Diary Topic: Campaign Finance

Cross-posted at The Left Shue

As has been reported Here and Here Clean elections are being talked about in Washington State. Apparently they will also be discussed in the other Washington this year.

According to a post over at TPM Muckraker.com, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, the number two Democrat in the US Senate, has indicated that he will be bringing a bill to floor of that body that will address Public Financing of Federal Campaigns. The author of the TPM piece, Paul Kiel, writes:

"On the Senate floor today, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), while speaking about the Dems' ethics package, said that the next logical step is public financing, and that he would be introducing such a bill in a matter of weeks. (We're still trying to get a record of Durbin's exact remarks.)"

While it is far too early to expect anything this "radical" out of this congress (check out This and This), the fact that someone in Durbin's position is willing to even bring it up gives us hope that we can make real progress at the state level.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

< Please vote for me! | What are Cantwell and Murray waiting for? >

Clean Elections Coast to Coast? | 3 comments (3 topical)

That's good news!

But I think we should also keep striving to get this passed at the state level. As increasing numbers of states implement it successfully, we're more likely to get it at the federal level.

by funkycamper on Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 02:26:11 PM PST

Clean Elections in Washington State

We had an experience last fall in Washington State that never bears repeating--seeing millions being spent by each candidate to buy the state Supreme Court. Last week, 700 concerned citizens attended Town Hall forums because public funding of campaigns is clearly the way out of this escalating "arms race." Momentum is growing and success depends on us, the grassroots, demanding change.

How much change? Governor Gregoire has requested a pilot program to fund races for appeals court judges (SB 5226). (What's missing here? It seems to fall just short of the mark.) The Democratic majority has given this one a "thumbs up." Sen. Rosa Franklin is sponsoring a bill (SB 5278)to remove the ban (yes!)on local options.

Are we satisfied? Heck no!

Rep. Mark Miloscia and Sen. Jim Kastema are sponsoring a comprehensive bill (HB 1360/SB 5510) similar to successful programs in Maine and Arizona that would allow candidates for the legislature and statewide races to qualify for public funding by collecting a relatively small number of $5 donations. In Maine, 81% of the legislators have chosen to "run clean." Arizona's Governor was a "clean candidate," and she tells everyone how it frees her up to govern in the public's interest. What legislator wouldn't want to stop "dialing for dollars" as part of their daily routine?

Answer: those who have been most successful raising money are the ones most likely to be putting out the "go slow" signals.

Who is most likely to benefit by having most candidates "run clean?" Us--anyone in the grassroots who cares most about good public policy, anyone who has been involved in a public interest campaign that has bumped up against or been crushed by big-money "special interests."

Please contact your legislators and tell them the time for passing the comrehensive clean elections bill is now.

What do we want? Clean elections! When do we want them? NOW!

by Sarajane46th on Sat Jan 20, 2007 at 12:10:15 PM PST

Leafletted the '1295 Sunday...

...with Volume 4, Number 1 of my 'zine. Devoted a few inches to clean elections, probably the only issue about which there is wide agreement and consensus here.

by m3047 on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 08:32:34 AM PST

Clean Elections Coast to Coast? | 3 comments (3 topical)

WASHINGTON PEACE GROUPS

Sergeant Ricky Clousing
We Americans have found ourselves in a pivotal era where we have traded humanity for patriotism. Where we have traded civil liberties for a sense of security. I stand here before you sharing the same idea as Henry David Thoreau: as an American, and as a Human Being, we mustn't lend ourselves to that same evil which we condemn." Quoted from:
Seattle Indymedia article.

WATCH
Pirate Television

Challenging the Corporate Media Blockade
TV & INTERNET SCHEDULES

PNW TOPIC HOTLIST

Search

WELCOME AND FAQ

Login

Make a new account

Recommended Diaries

Please Call Senators to Stop Iraq Escalation (MoveOn Action)
[ED. Note: DWE comments below: "The text for the bill isn't available yet on Thomas, but the number is S.287. It
By BevM (12 comments)
Clean Elections Coast to Coast?
Cross-posted at The Left Shue As has been reported Here and Here Clean elections are being talked about in Washington State.
By The Left Shue (3 comments)
My Reply to Pen
There's no way I'm writing a comment this long and not posting it as a new diary. The following is my
By thehim (22 comments)
Between Competiton and Avoidance
Now that the "political summer" is over, perhaps nobody cares. But there should still be some lingering questions about "what happened
By m3047 (22 comments)
December 25, 1776
Dear friends, In our seasonal celebration of fellowship we sometimes overlook something fundamental. Our country was founded on ideas of the
By bltfsk (7 comments)
Constructive design critique of ugly 06 Dem campaign lit
We often discuss political messaging, but I'd like us to think about visual design as it relates to that. I spent
By dinazina (24 comments)