Private fundraisers raising questions

Orange County is a popular place for presidential hopefuls.

Barack Obama, John McCain and John Edwards have come to the area in recent weeks to raise funds for their 2008 campaigns.

Hillary Clinton sent husband Bill to do her bidding.

All held private fundraisers, several in Newport Beach.

All raised thousands of dollars, with guests paying upwards of $5,000 to meet and greet a candidate.

None of them were accessible to the media.

We still reported on the events, which are typically held in the homes of well-connected party members. When a presidential hopeful visits Newport Beach, it’s news. But we reported from the outside.

Which begs the questions: What’s going on in there? Why isn’t the public allowed to know? Why don’t candidates immediately disclose their earnings from these fundraisers?

Our political system was founded on the core belief that an informed public makes for a stronger democracy. The more we know, in other words, the better we are at making decisions.

We at the Daily Pilot share that belief and have no choice but to conclude that presidential hopefuls don’t want the public to see this aspect of political campaigning because it’s too unseemly.

However, we can’t fathom it being more unseemly or absurd than the current status quo of secrecy.