Organizing for Action chairman Jim Messina isn’t a fan of all the money influencing politics lately, even though that’s what pays his salary.
As the subject of this week’s #TweetThePress, a weekly Twitter conversation with Meet the Press’s David Gregory, Messina shared his thoughts on the current state of campaign finances in the wake of the McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission ruling.
.@davidgregory $ is better when it is disclosed plus has limits. #tweetthepress
— Jim Messina (@Messina2012) April 4, 2014
Later, Messina applauded Senator majority leader Harry Reid’s incessant floor speeches targeting the Koch brothers. In recent weeks, Reid has repeatedly gone after the philanthropic businessmen.
.@davidgregory @SenatorReid is right. Two bros trying to buy elections & advance bad agenda for middle class is wrong. #tweetthepress
— Jim Messina (@Messina2012) April 4, 2014
. @davidgregory This isnt the way democracy should work. This is why we need campaign finance reform. #tweetthepress
— Jim Messina (@Messina2012) April 4, 2014
But when asked why the brothers were any different than wealthy Democratic donors, such as billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer, who has pledged to spend $100 million influencing this year’s election, Messina skirted the issue by returning to attacking the Kochs again.
.@davidgregory Dems shouldn't unilaterally disarm. Koch agenda is good for them, bad for middle class. #tweetthepress
— Jim Messina (@Messina2012) April 4, 2014
Messina’s hands aren’t exactly clean: Even though the OFA website says its aim is “to restore the balance of power away from the special interests,” the Obama campaign apparatus-turned-advocacy organization raised $26 million to advocate for the president’s agenda, including from extremely wealthy donors.
In its first few months, OFA came under fire for appearing to “sell access” to the president to people who donated or raised more than $500,000 for the group.