Comments on: Sessoms – benefits of campaign finance deadlines

By: Joel McDonald

Joel McDonald — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:32:58 +0000

Hurray for transparency! How about that campaign disclosure bill that was blocked by Republicans? Crazy times, huh?

By: Local races update « VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local

Local races update « VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:53:59 +0000

[...] on hand – and intends to use some of it to help other council candidates. Brian Kirwin raises some good questions about the supposed transparency of Virginia’s campaign financing [...]

By: Tweets that mention Sessoms – benefits of campaign finance deadlines | Bearing Drift: Virginia Politics On Demand -- Topsy.com

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:02:21 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bearing Drift, Old Virginia. Old Virginia said: New Blog Post: Sessoms – benefits of campaign finance deadlines http://bit.ly/9dGXqp [...]

By: Henry Ryto

Henry Ryto — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:04:22 +0000

Brian,

“anti-business groups that were Meyera’s base”?

Personally, I’d have everyone required to report at least quarterly.

By: Tim J

Tim J — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:59:17 +0000

Transparency is fine, but from a campaign standpoint, why would a candidate want to telegraph their strategies to opponents on a near real-time basis? Media and Blog speculation about large expenditures or donations reported weekly by a campaign prior to an election could be used as a political football to distract or otherwise confuse us common folk who aren’t privy to the give and take between political insiders. And as if there isn’t enough hyperbole about the issues, how a campaign is spending it’s money doesn’t really need to be thrown into the mix as another dodge for not answering fundamental issue-based questions, unless an issue is connected directly in some way with a campaign.

Again, I’m all for transparency, but when real-time reporting has the possibility of being turned into smoke screen that clouds our ability to judge candidates, then it could get in the way of the truth.

By: Brian Kirwin

Brian Kirwin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:49:58 +0000

I was thinking about that, Vivian. I think any campaign with over say $10,000 in funds should follow the same campaign deadlines whether they are up this year or not, and at least weekly reporting within 30 days of elections.

By: Vivian J Paige

Vivian J Paige — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:07:28 +0000

Good post, Brian. I agree the reporting deadlines limit transparency. What do you think is the alternative? What reporting schedule would you adopt?

As for attack ads: there is a requirement for reporting independent expenditures, at least for PACs. Is there a similar requirement for candidates/campaigns? If Sessoms paid for attack ads, would he have to report it? If not, the law should be changed there to require the same reporting as now required for PACs.

By: Mike Barrett

Mike Barrett — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:58:43 +0000

Actually Brian, Barbara Henley does have business community support, and with Will’s help, can prevail against a candidate too close to DeSteph and the “DON’T DEW IT TEAM” redux. Afterall, with DeSteph gone (he who can’t get a second on his motions), the Council will be able to deliberate and decide in the absence of rancor and set a positive direction to spur quality economic growth. The benefits of leadership and consensus have certainly proven by Sesson’s election and his performance as Mayor, and I think most Beach residents feel the pride of knowing we have a leader in charge.