newsobserver.com projects - Glazier: Expand public campaign financing - Comments

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

scharrison — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:27:20 -0500

"these funds only elect Democrats"

You know, considering how poorly North Carolina Republicans did this last election cycle re campaign fundraising, not to mention all the whining we heard about "union money" helping Democrats, you'd think Republicans would jump at the chance to even the playing field some. Just one more example of a "knee jerk" reaction to an idea that would benefit everybody.

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

kttechwriter — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:38:12 -0500

What is the world coming to? We don't spend enough tax money? Now this? We all know, like the other writers state, that these funds only elect Democrats. For them, they DO work well.

I think Glazier needs to be recalled from his office for such a crazy idea. But, then again, we all know how he got there...

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

tangoz — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:06:22 -0500

John_Burns, you can pay my share.

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

John_Burns — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:06:35 -0500

I managed a campaign under the judicial program. It works (though that year they didn't budget enough for judicial candidates to compete for air time).

It's a good thing. These folks can run on the merits rather than on the sheer volume of ads they can buy.

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

tangoz — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:58:40 -0500

I agree with scharrison. In this state big business actually supports Democrats more than Republicans. But either way they use the money to buy influence. I am against taxpayer funded elections. The only way to fix this is to limit pac contributions and eliminate a party giving $400,000 like the Democrats did for Senator Boseman.

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

scharrison — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:12:12 -0500

"I do not want my money to be spent on someone running for office!"

Okay, where do you think corporations get the hundreds of millions they donate to political campaigns? It's really a one-two punch: they're using your money to make your voice less important.

"It really should be called "The Incumbent Reelection Fund"

Eric, I think I can understand your frustration, although I haven't (yet) run for public office. But you know what? To earn the percentage you did against someone with name recognition like Richard Morgan is pretty impressive. Have you done an analysis of what each of your votes cost vs Morgan's?

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

cornbread — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:06:00 -0500

It really should be called "The Incumbent Reelection Fund"

There are a few former judges and a former state auditor that would disagree.

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

jesmyopinion — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:35:22 -0500

I do not want my money to be spent on someone running for office!

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

erichsmith — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:31:42 -0500

As a participant in the last election in this program it became real clear real early that if you are not an incumbent or a "seasoned" politician it is not a good program. It really should be called "The Incumbent Reelection Fund"

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

bnartist — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:23:49 -0500

We tried using Optometrists and Chiropractors but it didn't work out.

Re: Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

CitizenOpinionated — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:51:59 -0500

Why does everything have to be paid for by the Taxpayers in the eyes of Democrats?

Glazier: Expand public campaign financing

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:40:54 -0500

Rep. Rick Glazier wants to expand public campaign financing to five more statewide posts.

The Fayetteville Democrat said he will introduce a bill that would add the state treasurer, secretary of state, attorney general and commissioners of agriculture and labor.

It would then include all members of the Council of State except the governor and lieutenant governor.

Currently, the program includes only the schools superintendent, state auditor and insurance commissioner.

A separate bill would add only the treasurer, but Glazier said he's seen enough success that he'll support taking the program a step further. He noted that it started with state judicial campaigns, then expanded to the other offices for last year's elections.

"We always said we'd do this in stages," he said.

So far, Treasurer Janet Cowell has said she would like to participate. Glazier said he has contacted the other incumbents to get their support, but he would not say yet who else has agreed.