FEC to Hear Obama’s Query

ABC News’ Tahman Bradley Reports: The Federal Election Commission will hold a Thursday morning meeting in Washington, D.C., to consider a question posed by Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., about whether a campaign, once having opted out of federal financing for the primary election, may opt back in to the system for the general election.

Every top-tier candidate in the Democratic and Republican 2008 presidential fields has rejected public financing for the primary campaign to avoid spending limits. Obama seems to hope that a ruling in his favor might mean that his general election opponent, should he win the Democratic nomination, might consider taking the roughly $85 million in public funds that will be offered to the 2008 nominees.

The hearing begins at 10:00 am, with Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign represented by Bob Bauer and Rebecca Gordan of the law firm Perkins Coie. Acting general counsel Thomasenia Duncan will represent the FEC.