This idea just hit me, so it might be a little scattered. But I was thinking about what Obama's best retort is for people carping about him opting out. It's not a detailed conversation about how campaign finance is broken, or even continuing to point out how no one will stop the GOP 527s from sliming him. Those are all fine and good. But the real winner for Obama on this issue isn't either of these -- it's us.
What is so remarkable about what Obama has done is that he has shifted power away from lobbyists and special interests to the American people. And while it's nice to hear people pointing out how the average donation is less than $100, it's still an abstract concept. So I'm proposing that someone -- either the Obama campaign, or some other group -- film a commercial featuring us. I imagine it going something like this:
"I'm John Doe and I gave $200 to Barack Obama. What do I want in return? Health care for all Americans so no one has to decide whether to pay the rent or pay their medical bills."
"I'm Jane Q. Public and I gave $100 to Barack Obama. What do I want in return? I want a foreign policy that protects the interests of America, and not just Haliburtin or big oil. And, I really want our troops to get the care they need when they come back and money for college or to start a business."
"I'm Tom F. and I gave $50 to Barack Obama. And what do I want? I want our government to work for all of us and not just the wealthiest few. I want taxes that are fair for those of us in the middle and that reward work and not just wealth."
"I'm Tony S. and I gave $175 to Barack Obama. What do I want? I want what we all want. And that's why I donated to Barack Obama. Because together, we're much more powerful than they lobbyists and special interests who have long thought they run this country."