Today Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama issued a statement that he will forego the public financing system for the general election. His announcement goes back on a pledge to use public financing if the Republican candidate would do the same.
All three broadcast networks' Web sites have the story, but only ABCNews.com noted in its front page tease that Obama is going back on a previous campaign promise.
Screen captures are posted below the page break.
ABCNews.com's front page tease:
Obama Breaks Pledge, Rejects Public Funds.
The Democratic candidate could now raise millions for White House bid.
CBSNews.com's front page tease:
Obama Opts Out of Public Financing System
Democrat Is First Candidate To Reject Funds For General Election; Will Rely Instead on Private Fundraising
MSNBC.com's front page tease:
First Read: Obama forgoes public funding.
McCain pounces on Obama's decision
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Comments Policy
Why do the words "on his own petard"
June 19, 2008 - 10:58 ET by sarcasmoCome to mind? (God, do I hate welfare for politicians!)
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Sarc - Obama is the biggest phony and that should be the story
June 19, 2008 - 11:09 ET by Dee BunkI agree with you on welfare for politicians. Obama will say what ever is expedient but all his actions will always support far leftist goals no matter what. He's nothing near any kind of new politician. He's bought and paid for by the far left.
I just find it funny
June 19, 2008 - 11:14 ET by sarcasmoThat "reform" is now limiting the financial options of the "reformer." And IMO they're both bought & paid for by Soros (in McCain's case, specifically on the campaign finance "reform" issue, ironically!) but understandably, nobody who plans to vote for either one wants to think about it too-deeply. The fact that Barak has now flip flopped only adds to the amusement factor.
JMR
PS I wish more people would call welfare for politicians what it is!
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
McCain has been getting a fast lesson
June 19, 2008 - 11:33 ET by Dee Bunkon how sleeping with the enemy can only get you so far. I don't think anyone who votes for McCain is under the kind of disillusions about him that those who vote for Obama are about him. Most Republicans don't see any of their elected officials as uncorrupted by the system the way Dems do.
The only good thing to come out of an Obama Presidency is that McCain might actually start acting like a Republican instead of a media whore. Who knows though.
I agree with you that politicians get mostly welfare. Their salaries should be cut in half and they should have no benefits for their part time work.
McCain Being Sued
June 19, 2008 - 11:18 ET by allanfIsn't the DNC raising a big stink over McCain's eschewing public funding. They want (and this is unusual for Democrats) an investigation.
Well the media can't raise a stink with Obama. It is not like he's McCain.
History
June 19, 2008 - 11:12 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsThis is more of Obama's (spin) 'Historic' run for office. He's making history right and left. Mostly left.
(This comment thingie aint working right for me.)
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Hope McCain nails him to the wall on this during debates
June 19, 2008 - 11:22 ET by krendlerI hope McCain nails him to the wall on this during debates (since we know the media will turn a blind eye) and doesn't let Barry squirm out of it with one of his patented-cop-out reponses like "You know, this is the type of politics of division that the American people are tired of...."
Apparently, Obama isn't a man of his word.
If Obama does agree to
June 19, 2008 - 11:50 ET by lnthompIf Obama does agree to debate, he'll be arriving on stage with new "hearing aids" so the people inside his otherwise empty suit can feed him lines and prevent him from some of the major mis-statements he's been giving the world.
Lee T.
"Democrats, there is one reason Obama is your party's nominee, and it's not because he's black -- it's because he's not Hilary Clinton." -- Rush Limbaugh, 6/2/08
"Apparently, Obama isn't
June 19, 2008 - 11:56 ET by Clear thinker"Apparently, Obama isn't a man of his word."
Does any commie?
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
"Apparently, Obama isn't a man of his word."
June 19, 2008 - 21:54 ET by allamericangirlBut he is a man full of words
LOL aag... Nothing like
June 19, 2008 - 21:58 ET by bigtimerLOL aag...
Nothing like an empty suit full of sweet nothings...eh?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Krendler that's unfair
June 19, 2008 - 22:06 ET by Cool ArrowYou must first show Obama has ever been accused of being "a man of his word."
I don't recall him ever claiming to be honest.
I don't recall his disciples ever requiring honesty of him.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
What are they leaving out?
June 19, 2008 - 11:25 ET by Calypso JonesThat if he rejects those funds he is not bound by any campaign finance laws? How convenient.
ABC's already got Obama on the $100 Bill?
June 19, 2008 - 11:41 ET by Dee BunkUnbelievable! Halo's and overly flattering pictures are not enough, now they have to put him on currency. At least he's not snubbing out a President and only Benjamin Franklin. Man these people have nerve.
Missed this earlier and put
June 19, 2008 - 11:51 ET by motherbeltMissed this earlier and put this in the OT...
Any guesses why he's foregoing it?
Those Wascally Wepublicans of course!!
From Jake Tapper's Politico he said:
....John McCain’s campaign and the Republican National Committee are fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. And we’ve already seen that he’s not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups, who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations."
"so-called" 527 groups???????
Back in November, he told Common Cause:
If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."
According to the McCain, campaign, they are still waiting to hear from him.....
From today's NYT: Mr. Obama
June 19, 2008 - 13:42 ET by goldbarFrom today's NYT: Mr. Obama had pledged to meet with Mr. McCain following the primaries to attempt to work out an agreement on financing. That meeting never took place, aides to Mr. Obama said, because a meeting between lawyers for the two sides was not fruitful. “It became clear to me that there wasn’t any basis for future discussion,” said Robert Bauer, the general counsel for Mr. Obama’s campaign.
Obama knew from the
June 19, 2008 - 16:57 ET by motherbeltObama knew from the beginning that McCain wouldn't forego fundraising. Using that as the quid pro quo was just an excuse to not do it himself. Democrats always hint at using federal funds and always using as their excuse for bailing, the fact that Republicans won't.
So much for integrity. If you really think that's the way to go, you do it. You don't say I think it's the right thing to do, but if my opponent won't do, it, then I'm not going to.
McCain's campaign said Obama's people never tried very hard. Gee, I wonder why?
Now Obama gets to have his cake and eat it too.
Nice how that works out, huh?
Forgive me, because I'm a
June 19, 2008 - 12:05 ET by Cureboy675Forgive me, because I'm a little ignorant on campaign finance. But when they say Obama will only rely on private fundraising, what does that refer to? Isn't there a limit on how much an individual can contribute to a person's campaign (I think its $2300)?
Does this mean Obama would only be able to use those type of donations? Or does this mean he could also use the so-called "special interests" money and those infamous $2000 a plate dinners? I mean, if he's using only the money that ordinary people donate out of their own pockets ($25 here, $50 there), then I personally don't have an issue with that.
But if this means he can get big huge jackpot donations from the folks who might have their own personal agendas, then I can see where that is an issue. If somebody could better explain this to me, I would appreciate it. Because I like I said, I'm ignorant about campaign finance and I don't want to defend somebody if I don't know what the hell I'm talking about :-)
Who are you?
June 19, 2008 - 12:17 ET by acumenBreaking - Obama Throws Self Under Bus...
Obama - I do not speak for me.....I am not the Obama I used to know.
Obama breaks promise!
June 19, 2008 - 12:52 ET by c5thenObama has broken so many promises and changed his position on so many issues how can anybody believe anything he says?
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
What kind of Change?
June 19, 2008 - 13:06 ET by MeanderingWait, are you saying Obama went back on his promise and "changed" his policy? (Granted its not "policy", but go with me on this.) Would he then be characterized as a flip-flopper? Will he do the same once he's president? I guess the holy Obama can do that without fear of scorn as he is omnipotent.
I dont get it
June 19, 2008 - 13:24 ET by mvfreemanIf McCain has already passed on using public funding how is Obama breaking a pledge?
McCain didn't pass on it
June 19, 2008 - 13:27 ET by Dee Bunkhe's still willing if Obama is and may still do it anyway.
Ah.
June 19, 2008 - 13:30 ET by mvfreemanBut really, when was the last time any presidential candidate stuck with public financing?
I agree though, that if it was McCain that had made the pledge it would probably be the leading story of the day.
Hmmm...
June 19, 2008 - 13:35 ET by mvfreemanThis article dated from March of this year said McCain has submitted paperwork to withdraw from public funding:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/24/mccain_breaks_spending_limits/
And IIRC
June 19, 2008 - 13:40 ET by sarcasmoHe'd used the prospect of public financing to obtain loans back when McCain's campaign was financially strapped, so some FECal lawyers said he was stuck with it. If it was anyone else, I'd be outraged, but this is the coauthor of McCain Feingold, so all I can be is highly amused.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
mcfree and sarc
June 19, 2008 - 14:05 ET by Dee BunkI agree with sarc that I don't feel sorry for McCain because he's the idiot that co-sponsored this idiotic bill, but it doesn't change the fact that Obama is the one being dishonest and disingenuous.
McCain opted out in the primary which is different. He and Obama agreed to accept public funding for the General. Obama is trying to catch him on a technicality of paper shuffling errors that probably won't hold up any way. His request for withdrawal was in before he applied for the loans. If they do hold up it would be ridiculous because he didn't violate the spirit of the law at all. A request to withdraw would never be turned down. That is ludicrous for anyone to assume it would be.
Selling Out and About
June 19, 2008 - 14:25 ET by third eyePeople, it is I, your fearless leader Barack Chirac... Some of you may be slightly confused as to why Im going back on my word to take public financing. To the five or six of you that are -- I just want to say look, when I said that, I was pretty sure I was going to lose to Hillary. Now that Im the frontrunner, I figure what the hell, who really pays attention to what I say anyway. Besides spaceships arent cheap. They need constant maintenance and upkeep. And you would not believe the price of rocket fuel these days.
rocket fuel in a tin cup
June 19, 2008 - 14:36 ET by mom_roxbut,...several in the media keep telling us we're in a recession. How can we possibly have discretionary income to donate?
We'll probably start seeing stories of people skipping their $4 breakfast AND using public transportation in order to donate to Barack.
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944