WHY can't the Democrats be the party that rejects lobbying?

[brentspeak]

I ask this question from time to time, because I think it could hold the key for the Democratic party's fortunes. IF the Democratic party became the party that absolutely refused to accept any and all corporate money, I'm convinced that stance would resonate with an American public totally jaded by the bought-and-sold politicians of today.

Responses I've been given in the past to this question sometimes have been along the lines of "Then the Democrats won't have the money to campaign against the Republicans."

Does it have to be that way? I understand there's quite a few (more than just a few, I know) Democrats who are just as much part of the K-Street culture as the Republicans, so to get them to go along with the "no corporate contributions" part would be impossible. Nevertheless, there can easily be a movement started of "New NEW" Democrats who part ways with the wine-and-dine-for-favors way of governing.

(BTW, were the Founders ever on record about politicians who accept money from outside "interest groups" - whatever an "interest group" in the late 18th century would have been?)

[KittyWampus]

1. What about the Sierra Club lobbyists?

[brentspeak]

5. I don't know

But how much money does the Sierra Club give to Democrats?

The thing is, whatever money that the Democrats lose in rejecting special interest money will be profoundly offset by the number of votes they would garner from the American public just for being politicians who refuse to be bribed.

[wain]

16. and the unions

Both sides get caught up in DC and forget what they are there for - the people. I'm getting disgusted with the whole bunch.

[leftofthedial]

2. because our "leaders" like the lunches

and cocktail parties

and golfing trips

[rurallib]

3. No shit!

[blm]

4. Kerry and Wellstone wrote the Clean Money, Clean Elections bill in 1997 -

I thnk the bill should be resubmitted in Wellstone's honor.

Few would support it then - I think there were only 5 who did. Then McCain-Feingold became the only bill the media would give the time of day.

Except, guess what's happened since then? A few states adopted the Clean Elections bill and rewrote it to cover their state elections. More will be follwing.

Past time for the Federal Clean Elections bill to be RESUBMITTED.

[brentspeak]

6. It would be worth trying

If the Democratic leadership gets its butt in gear, maybe they can make it an issue for the upcoming mid-terms.

[BlooInBloo]

7. It's like "why do trees grow so high"?

If one doesn't, it won't get as much sun as the others, which DO grow high, and hence it'll be at a competitive disadvantge.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not *justifying* the big money lobbying, just tryin render it intelligible.

What needs to be done in order to get rid of big money lobbying is to eliminate the disadvantage the non-lobbying party experiences.

imo.

[brentspeak]

8. There's got to be a way to escape that Catch-22

[BlooInBloo]

14. One would think... But it is a stickey-wicket - not a trivial problem...

[Roy]

9. Sounds rather dumb............

Wouldn't this be unilaterally disarming? And, wouldn't this just allow the repubs to just buy a congressional majority and the white house?

Seems it would be easier to just disband the party and go home. Unless all rules apply equally to both parties there will be only one party.

Or, is this the intentions of this post?

[brentspeak]

12. No, the intention of the post

was not to sabotage the Democratic party, which you're snidely implying.
(In two years, this is the first time I've ever found myself calling another poster "snide". Sheesh.)

[Roy]

23. Well... that would still be the result it seem....

Dems refuse legal money + Repubs Rob, steal, accept illegal money, use taxpayer money. = The winners of elections who is the guys who spends the most money.

Hmmmm..... yep.... the Dems will win it all with this equation!

Someone needs to get this info to Howard Dean!!!!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. $$$$$ Gotta keep the bribes..er, campaign contributions coming in.

[Solo_in_MD]

11. Lobbyist money is the mothers milk of national politics in this country

it does not matter what side you are on,

[cmd]

13. Zack Space has pledged not to take lobbying money

Zack Space Signs Ethics Pledge Saying, "I Won't Be Bought"
Zack Space, the Dover Law Director and candidate for U.S. Congress, signed a pledge today that he will not accept dinners, gifts or junkets from lobbyists if elected to Congress this November. Space is running for the seat currently held by Republican Representative Bob Ney, who is closely linked to a criminal investigation into the lobbying practices of Jack Abramoff. Abramoff has already pleaded guilty to numerous charges including conspiracy to bribe public officials, tax evasion and mail fraud.

http://www.zackspace.org/content/view/64/55/

[brentspeak]

15. Space will win that seat if

he can get his message out to the voters of that district. (The only problem is: how? Some alternative way of campaign funding is needed. Most people don't want to donate $1 for public financing of campaigns. Again, the Catch-22.)

[cmd]

27. Space already won a hotly contested primary with that message

He has grassroots supporters that are willing to go the distance for him. It was there support - not money - that helped him win the primary. Of course, having money would help us get out the message. We just have to get it legally and ethically.

[sweetheart]

17. because the party is * OWNED *

No tresspassing.

[LSK]

18. Dean has been moving that way with his Democracy Bonds program

And I've read numerous stories about Dean not responding quickly enough to big Corporate donars for inside the beltway Dems taste.

But I forgot, Dean is in bed with Pat Robertson now so nevermind! :sarcasm:

[brentspeak]

19. Agreed. I can't believe the people who are calling Dean a "traitor"

because he went on the 700 Club to detail what has always been his stances on gay marriage and abortion. Still moderately liberal stances, at that.

[bemildred]

20. Lobbying is fine, it's the money and other bribes that are a problem. nt

[radio4progressives]

22. K street isn't about the Sierra Club..

and now that these big $$$$ K Street firms are "hedging their bets with Dems", successfully, does not bode too well for a clean government future Dems are trying to run on.

[radio4progressives]

21. Yesterday's Capital Hill article on K Street Hedging their bets with Dems

now that Repukes seem to be on the ropes.. and apparently some cozy relationships have been formed and others renewed.

it's more of the same. :cry:

[iconoclastNYC]

24. It's the same reason they fought against McCain Feingold

They are afraid of change. Or it's the DLC.

[Quantess]

25. Hold on-

-let me get this straight. I am honestly confused.
So you have asked Democrats your earnest question about lobbying, and they just gave you a B.S. answer?

[KAT119]

26. KICK!

[RedStateShame]

28. Some are

Check this guy out running to beat Rep. Ann Northup. He's still in the primaries, and there's a good chance he won't win, but he's the kind of Democrat I think we need more of.

www.voteforjimmy.org.