Obama's Lobbying Plan - Talk Is Cheap

The text appearing in blue is the direct and complete section from Obama's "Roadmap To Change" platform. No words, sentences, or paragraphs have been left out. Comments are below each section and are in black.

BARACK OBAMA’s Lobbying Plan
Shine Light on Washington Lobbying

"Centralize Ethics and Lobbying Information for Voters: Obama will create a centralized Internet database of lobbying reports, ethics records, and campaign finance filings in a searchable, sortable and downloadable format."

"Require Independent Monitoring of Lobbying Laws and Ethics Rules: Obama will use the power of the presidency to fight for an independent watchdog agency to oversee the investigation of congressional ethics violations so that the public can be assured that ethics complaints will be investigated."

Obama proposed this in the Ethics Law he co-sponsored to the US Congress. This was section was stripped from the proposed law, by his fellow DEMOCRATS. Without a change to the law, only one item from above is under his control. He could have the campaign finance filings listed on the Internet, as they are public information. It would be a waste for the federal government to do so, as several Internet websites already provide it FREE.


"Support Campaign Finance Reform: Obama supports public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests. Obama introduced public financing legislation in the Illinois State Senate, and is the only 2008 candidate to have sponsored Senator Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) tough bill to reform the presidential public financing system."

What Obama is proposing with regards to free television and radio time is from the extreme left side of the DEMOCRAT party. In his proposal for every hour some radio or TV show provides a liberal or conservative show the opposite side would be ENTITLED to equal free time on the same station. NOT ONE television network, including cable channels, or radio station have endorsed this. Jointly a majority of Republicans and DEMOCRATS reject this.

Obama started his run for President of the United States saying he would abide by the existing presidential public financing laws. But just a couple of months ago he said he would not take any money through the public financing. This released him from meeting the lower standards of the existing laws., which he claims he wants to make stronger! It would have limited him in the amounts of money he could take from certain groups and how much TV and radio time he could purchase. John McCain agreed to abide by the public financing laws and currently is working within the current public financing law.

In summary, the odds of Obama getting any of this past congress is slightly above zero. If it does, it will not be remotely close to what he is proposing as it will be gutted out again by the DEMOCRATS. Obama opted out of the current public financing law and trying to find support to pass a tought versions will not happen.