Reply #29: Dean opted out of spending limits with his supporters permission [View All]

[Larkspur]

and Kerry opted out in the cowardly fashion of waiting to see what Dean did first.

In a 10 person race, if the serious candidates had all stuck within spending limits, they'd all have be sitting home after NH and for the rest of the Primary season twiddling their thumbs because they wouldn't be able to campaign due to limits.

Be realistic! There was no logical way for any of the serious candidates to stay withing spending limits in a 10 person race.

I don't have a problem with how much candidates spend. I have a problem with how candidates raise their funds. That is what campaign finance reform needs to concentrate on because plutocratic methods, like Kerry's mortgaging his mansion, or selling legislation for money, like Bush does, are what keeps qualified middle and lower class people from running for office. Spending limits don't address the financing of campaigns, which is where the corruption is. The spending should not be limited. How funds are raised should be.