Why take the money, Senator?

For Ezra to say Max "doesn't need the money" indicates... (0.00 / 0)

that Ezra doesn't work in electoral politics. You never run like you got your next race in the bag. You just don't.

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by: Matt Singer @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 17:11:14 PM UTC

No, you just take every opportunity (0.00 / 0)

to rake in the cash, no matter how inappropriate or corrupt it looks. Baucus had better keep on raising that cash, because his actions as Finance chair in an Obama administration is going to get him either a primary or a third party challenge. Not to mention Rehberg possibly wanting to move a 6 year election cycles, instead of the permanent one he's on now.

And Matt, cutting Ezra 's comments down because he doesn't work in electoral politics just seems like you're doing some damage control. Since when has it become unfashionable for the left to criticize campaign contributions?

Baucus also got hit by the Washington Post and the Progressive Change Committee and Democracy for America. I did a little writeup over at 4&20 about it today.

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by: JC @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 18:47:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It seems like damage control? (0.00 / 0)

Max's political and fundraising staff are in the business of winning elections. They're damn good at it based on their track record. One of the core rules of electoral politics is that you never consider yourself to be in a safe race because that's when you get surprised.

As for the PCCC, I'm well aware of what they're doing. Adam Green and Stephanie Taylor are friends, as are some others involved in the P-trip project. I'm not on board with their tactic, but they're smart, well-intentioned people, just like 95% of the folks here in comments with whom I disagree.

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by: Matt Singer @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 19:22:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If you want to defend (0.00 / 0)

Baucus' campaign contributions, no matter where they come from, the timeliness of them, or the quid pro quo attached, that's your prerogative. But the rest of us can see Max's corruption, when looked at through a lens not tainted by the "must get reelected at any cost" electoral politics primal urge. Integrity and dignity used to be the calling card of Montana's gentleman politicians. Doesn't seem that way anymore.

And I used "damage control" because you dissed the comments of someone (a friend of yours no less) based on their lack of knowledge of your chosen field (in your opinion), instead of replying directly to his concerns. "Out of context"??? I'd say that Baucus taking massive campaign contributions from the industrial sector he is attempting to reform is anything but "out of context." And to suggest that because most of us don't (or no longer) work in electoral politics, that we don't know what we are talking about is rather shallow.

You're trying to marginalize Klein's arguments by saying he isn't qualified to make them. In electoral politic-speak, that's called "damage control."

Actually, what I think is going on here is that the "95% of the folks here in comments with whom I [Matt Singer] disagree" refers to the well worn democrat tactic of baiting the left to beat up on you so that you can appear more moderate to the center of the party. Others might just call it being "malleable."

I'm starting to think we're being used here at LitW to help you to build your moderate/centrist, malleable bona fides. Welcome to the Party.

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by: JC @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 19:52:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not convinced (0.00 / 0)

I've defended Baucus here before, but I'm not convinced by this rather soulless argument at ALL. It's a damn shame that taking these contributions doesn't make him MORE vulnerable in his re-election campaigns.

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by: Chris O. @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 20:38:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Except that when taking the money makes you look like a whore for the healthcare industrial complex that (0.00 / 0)

doesn't help your re-election. It hurts it.

Burns took the money, too. As you may recall. My bet is he regrets that decision.

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by: Steve W. @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 19:52:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

you think? (0.00 / 0)

The way he and his pals at GOP spin it, the liberal media aided by hippie bloggers, spread a bunch of lies about him. Remember, the righties think he was "exonerated."

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by: Jay Stevens @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 20:48:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Perception is everything. . (0.00 / 0)

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by: Steve W. @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 20:53:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]