President Obama is Right to Use His Bully Pulpit to Highlight Money in Politics Issues; Should Take Concrete Action By Issuing an Executive Order

President Obama returned to Springfield, IL today, nine years after he announced his presidency, for a speech about “fixing our broken politics.” In the speech, the president emphasized his support for reforms to reduce the influence of big money in politics – including a constitutional amendment – as well as reforms to make it easier, rather than harder, to vote.

People For the American Way executive vice president Marge Baker released the following statement:

“We celebrate that President Obama is using his bully pulpit to call for expanded access to the voting booth and a constitutional amendment to get big money out of politics. Our democracy today isn’t working, and he’s right to call for change on a national stage.

“At the same time, the president’s legacy on this issue hinges on his willingness to move from calling for change to making change happen. Time is running out for President Obama to heed the call of more than a million Americans to issue an executive order on secret money. He should listen to the voices of people across the country and turn inspiring words into real reform.”

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

###