Fair is fair

I might not like it on a philosophical basis, but I can see the practical arguements against Democratic candidates going into the post-primary, pre-convention season financially disarmed against the bulging budget of the Bush campaign.

So, OK, Doc, you're out of the public financing system. Sure, you said you'd stand by it on principle, that political considerations didn't matter, that public financing was an important idea for all Democrats support. But, hey, principles aren't your strong suit anyway.

Of course, John Kerry avoided that conundrum by saying all along that while public financing is important, he would reserve the right to access the tools and treasure needed to wage a winning campaign. Still, the important thing is to have enough resources to beat back Bush without using that as an excuse to bury fellow Democrats under an avalanche of televised flim-flam. While he hasn't taken the pledge to stick with public financing, he's taken one that's every bit as honorable by Democratic Party standards, and laid down the guantlet for Dr. Dean to do the same.

From Kerry Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:

“Senator Kerry has pledged, should he opt out of the public financing system, to abide by the spirit of the law by agreeing to limit his spending in the Democratic primary to no more than $45 million until a nominee is effectively chosen.”

“If Howard Dean is truly forgoing public financing to compete with George W. Bush’s wealthy special interest friends rather than for political expediency, then he too will pledge today to live up to his word and to the spirit of the law by limiting his primary spending to $45 million until a nominee is effectively chosen."

C'mon Doc, do the right thing!