Hoping to avoid controversy (oops), Barack Obama decided to go along with the majority in supporting what is indisputably a terrible bill. In the process, Obama has provided a good example of the error of personality-driven politics. For those who thought Obama would never maneuver or retreat from a tough stand, yesterday's vote demonstrated that every politician will inevitably let us down. In all likelihood, the netroots will never have a nominee who stands with them on every important fight, and that being the case, the netroots shouldn't be expected to act as just another arm of someone's political machine. From here on out, the netroots should refuse to donate to any Democratic nominee, including Barack Obama.
Instead, there are dozens of other important Democratic campaigns that deserve our money. Below the fold, I've provided links to a few of these. So if you've been withholding that check for Obama, rip it up and write a new one. Barack Obama doesn't deserve your money. These campaigns do.
This list isn't exhaustive, so if anyone can think of any others, please leave a comment.
The Campaign to End Racial Profiling The Campaign for Children's Healthcare The Campaign for Energy Independence The Campaign for Liberal Justices (important for challenging telecom immunity in court) The Campaign for Veterans' Benefits The Campaign for Sensible Immigration Reform The Campaign to Fund Public Education The Campaign for Equal Pay The Campaign for Withdrawal from Iraq The Campaign Against Predatory Lending The Campaign for Progressive Taxation The Campaign for Lobbying Reform The Campaign for Direct Diplomacy The Campaign for Nuclear Anti-Proliferation The Campaign for a Public Healthcare Program The Campaign to Defend Social Security The Campaign for Net Neutrality The Campaign for a Democratic Secretary of State The Campaign for a Democratic Secretary of Treasury The Campaign for a Democratic Attorney General (Edwards supporters take note) The Campaign for Competent FEMA Management The Campaign for a Democratic Secretary of the Interior The Campaign for a Democratic EPA The Campaign for a Democratic Secretary of Labor The Campaign for a Democratic Secretary of Energy The Campaign for a Democratic Secretary of Homeland Security The Campaign for an Impartial Department of Justice The Campaign for a Higher Minimum Wage The Campaign to Provide Sick Days for Low Income Workers The Campaign for an Effective FTC The Campaign for a Labor Friendly NLRB The Campaign to Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act The Campaign to Defend State Gay Marriage Rights The Campaign to Expand AmeriCorps The Campaign to Expand the PeaceCorps The Campaign to Preserve Roe v. Wade The Campaign to Combat Global Warming The Campaign for Green Collar Investment The Campaign for National Infrastructure Renovation The Campaign to Prevent Unnecessary Oil Drilling The Campaign Against Genocide in Darfur The Campaign to End Torture
Obviously, there's no reason anyone should be giving money to Barack Obama when there are so many causes that are infinitely more important.