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April 2, 2008 Information: Wayne Goodwin Press contact: Call Wayne Directly (910-997-1301) |
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Remarks at Press Conference on the Subject of the Public Financing Program |
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Grounds of the NC State Capitol - Good morning. I'm Wayne Goodwin, the first Insurance Commissioner candidate to choose public financing. In my brief remarks, I'll comment from two perspectives. First, I appear before you as a long-time proponent of voluntary public financing of NC elections. Starting as a legislator in 1997 and on through my current non-profit service today, it's been my pleasure to work with the Coalition's many organizations to make this single-largest, positive campaign finance reform. The program is good government at its best. Regarding my other perspective, public financing is not merely academic for me: It's real. As a 2004 statewide candidate, I witnessed first hand what candidates endure. While candidates used to visit all county seats, and every courthouse sheriff, and stop in to enjoy an RC cola at a country store or BBQ at rallies 'round the State, in 2004 I learned how campaigning had succumbed to the "money chase." Then I locked myself in a cubicle and spent 6 to 8 hours daily, 6 days a week, raising campaign funds for a year. Two things should come as no surprise: One, political society required a focus on large donors; and, two, many persons who donate to Council of State races are often persons directly regulated by those very offices. Our pilot program is a gigantic step towards cleaning up the campaign process, freeing candidates from cubicles and putting them back among the voters. Our program has encouraged a number of qualified candidates to run, and opt in. The program - based on my personal experiences of the last 4 and 1/2 weeks alone - has engaged and involved a myriad of voters who've never contributed to or paid much attention to Insurance Commissioner campaigns before. Their involvement is great for democracy. It broadens and deepens the pool of persons invested in good government. And these qualifying contributors are truly excited that their $10 has the equivalent effect as a donation of $1,000 or more. To date, no one approached about this program has opposed it. And the 500+ qualifying contributors to my Insurance Commissioner campaign thus far have expressed how invigorating it is to see special interests minimized or removed completely. One last observation: The public financing program does more -- It also serves as an incredible tool for organizing one's campaign team and encouraging smart and lean campaign strategy. Let's hope this experiment in good government proves successful. Without it, campaigns will become more like a modern Frankenstein's monster - frightening voters and villagers alike, repulsing prospective candidates from offering themselves for public service, and emboldening special interests. With Voter-Owned Elections, we all win because the public will know our program's certified candidates are not beholden to powerful special interests, but are beholden With Voter-Owned Elections, we all win because the public will know our program's certified candidates are not beholden to powerful special interests, but are beholden only to the People. This makes me proud to be a participating candidate. to the People. This makes me proud to be a participating candidate. |
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The Goodwin Committee • P.O. Box 1654, Hamlet NC 28345 • (910) 997-1301 • gwaynegoodwin@gmail.com Logo Design: Mark Riggan |
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