Arnold tries to explain that the money he takes isn't from special interests. Only the money Cruz takes is special interest. Link via California Insider. It's worth reading his take.
It was clear to me once I got my first invitation that money may not buy me a promise from Arnold but it certainly would buy me access. I had thoughht Arnold was going to self-fund the election when he first announced. He said he wasn't going to take money from special interests because he didn't need it. He had enough money.
While fundraising may spare Arnold from cries that he bought the election, the approach that gives greater access to those who give the maximum amount just trades one problem for the other. If I were advising him (and nobody listens to me so I'm not holding my breath), I would have told him to say "I don't need the money but I understand the people want to participate in this election so I will accept their donations. However, so everyone has a voice the maximum I will accept is $00" (or $5 or $500).
Posted by Justene Adamec at August 27, 2003 07:28 AM | TrackBacki saw an article (maybe on Slate?) that it was even worse for Schwarzenegger to raise funds like this. All the other candidates need to raise massive amounts just to run -- they have no choice. They spend what they raise. Every dollar that Arnold raises is one dollar that doesn't come out of his own fortune -- that is a material benefit to him, his net worth doesn't take a hit.
Posted by: Adam at August 27, 2003 10:09 AM (Permalink)