Our view

Often the right’s fixation of President Barack Obama’s faults appears more juvenile than effective. The “birthers” shouted with petulant rage over his supposed foreign origins. Gun owners fought back against a fictitious attempt to wipe out Second Amendment rights, something only a vote of the states can accomplish. Talk show hosts look back with comparative nostalgia to the George W. Bush administration--and those are just three examples.

In focusing of presumed issues, Republicans have overlooked some of the President’s true political faults.

The five members of the Federal Elections Commission meet today in Washington. All five are serving beyond their formal term limits and one seat remains vacant, as the White House has not forwarded a nominee.

As a group, the FEC is charged with ensuring campaign laws--including finance laws--are upheld. Those who keep track of campaign promises will recall that Obama promised to clamp down on the growing influence of lobbyists and special interest groups. In an early State of the Union address he vocally called for the Supreme Court to overturn their own decision in the contentious Citizens United case, the one responsible for allowing unlimited corporate spending and the notorious SuperPacs. He even created a position to oversee lobbying ethics.

That seat has been vacant for two years. In the 2012 election, the President took advantage of Citizens United by relying on funds from Organization for Action--yes, one of the very forms of spending he warned against. And there are further examples of inaction.

At least someone is paying attention. Recently seven reform groups filed a joint letter with the White House expressing their “deep concern” over Obama’s unwillingness to fix what they see as a corrupt system.

The other voices of opposition to the President would be wise to scrutinize the very real issues where a lack of initiative from the White House will have a subtle but extensive effect on the nation.