I posted Tom Vilsack's announcement as the first contender for the 2008 nomination. I am now posting the first withdrawl from the race. Please read the letter below and think about the reasons that he states for giving up at this early date. They are valid and show the major flaw in our electoral process...............We must make campaign reform a major issue this election. The undue influence of the rich and corporations has turned our elections into a sham!!!!!!!!!!! Here are a few suggestions that I think would equalize the playing field and force politicians to actually campaign to voters rather than just major contributors.
1. Limit the number of mailings that candidates can make and have them available for free through the U.S. Postal Service. This is a branch of the government and we are already paying for their operation. This would reduce the number of pages that get thrown away or hopefully recycled.
2. Limit the number of TV ads that a candidate can run and allow them only in the 3 months immediately prior to an election. Also, the media outlets must provide this airtime for free as part of their licensing responsibilities. The airwaves belong to the American people and the licensee has agreed to operate the facility in the public interest.
3. Ban corporate contributions to political campaigns. There is too much opportunity for undue influence to be exerted on a candidate. Let the corporations give that money back to their shareholders or perhaps even reduce the prices of their goods by the amount that would be spent on political contributions.
4. All candidates who qualify, qualifications to be determined by a non-partisan or bipartisan panel prior to the primary filing date, would be eligible for all campaign services listed above.
These are just a few suggestions that I have been thinking about for several years. Our representatives probably spend more than half of their terms fundraising in order to get re-elected. We need our public officials to concentrate on their jobs rather than trying to raise money to hold on to them.................PEACE..................Scott
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| Dear Friends, I am very fortunate -- blessed in love, family, friends, job, and by this campaign. I have the boldest plan to get us out of Iraq and a long-term policy for energy security to keep us out of future oil wars. Our campaign has built the strongest organization here in Iowa, with almost 3,000 supporters among Democratic caucus goers. We are organizationally positioned to win the caucuses in January 2008. We have everything to win the nomination and general election. Everything except money. That is why this morning after discussing with my wife Christie and our sons Jess and Doug we have decided to end our campaign for the presidency. Thousands of you have given so generously of your time, energy and money. And together, we've built a campaign that has stood up and taken courageous stands on the issues that our country must face. In just the past few weeks, we've shaped the debate on the Iraq War and laid out an aggressive plan to achieve energy independence and security. I firmly believe that our leadership on these issues -- the defining issues of our time -- will be recognized for years to come. In recent weeks, just as our message has begun to resonate with voters and pundits alike, our fundraising has suffered. The fact is, each hour I spend with voters, press and policy experts is an hour taken away from our campaign paying bills. More than any other race in history, this presidential campaign will require candidates to commit more time, energy and influence raising money than developing ideas. I worry that this process, involving hundreds of millions of dollars, holds our democracy hostage to insiders, influence and establishment when we are so in need of just the opposite. But this is a fact I cannot change with this campaign. I am leaving one campaign, but I am not saying goodbye. I will continue to fight for outsiders and underdogs who are the backbone of the Democratic Party and our country. Our work is far from over. Because here in Iowa where the first caucus will be held in less than 11 months and all across this great country, voters are longing for bold leadership, big ideas and courage from our elected officials. We want the war to end -- today. We want a real plan to provide universal access to healthcare -- today. And we want policies to keep us secure and environmentally sound by ending our addiction to oil, both foreign and domestic. Again, thank you for everything you've done. It has been an inspiring few months and I know that, with your continued support, our work is not over. With great appreciation, Tom Vilsack | ||
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Paid for by Tom Vilsack for President. P.O. Box 1377 • Des Moines, IA 50305 |
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