Obama recently decided to decline $85 million in public funds in an effort to promote awareness of public finance reform. While I agree that the system needs to change, this symbolic gesture neither impresses me nor highlights the need for reform. In fact, in some ways, his gesture actually shows that the reform he seeks is unnecessary.

Obama’s move is unlikely to hurt his campaign. He’s a smart guy, and he wouldn’t have played this card without a joint announcement from McCain if his campaign hadn’t thoroughly evaluated its impact. He likely suspects that this public decision will bring him votes, and the money he forgoes will be unnecessary for him to win. In fact, many have shown that this decision will allow him to spend more of his donated funds. As Joe Biden said, Obama has raised enough money that “the effect of campaign financing is in place” (courtesy of CNN).

I think this act may actually hurt his argument for campaign reform by showing that declining public funds when his opponent accepts them does not make a substantial impact on the race. At least from what I’ve read so far, his announcement has not been shown to impact polls. If McCain does in fact accept these public funds (as he said he would, though he may now reconsider) and loses the election to Obama, doesn’t that show that public financing is not necessary to win an election? Doesn’t it show that financing isn’t a major deciding force in an election?

Now, I’m one of those coveted undecided voters still deciding between the major candidates. Despite my brief rant, this issue is not a deal-breaker for me. I simply see it as an empty gesture that will not impact my vote in either way. I just hope that publicity stunts like this one are not what Obama means by “change.”