Obama Talks Public Financing, Penn, Carter and Powell in Press Avail
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller Reports: Questions over his recent remarks about public financing dominated Sen. Barack Obama’s press availability this morning spurred by comments he made at a Monday night fundraiser where he said he has created a parallel public financing system.
Obama disputed that he was signaling that he would forgo public financing in his Monday remarks. "What I was trying to suggest is that through the Internet and the enthusiasm of this campaign, we’ve created a model for being able to compete at the highest levels of politics without being dependent on big monied interests."
Obama said his position on public financing hasn’t changed, but that the system is "creaky" and "needs to be reformed if it’s going to work".
Of the opt-in $3 public financing check box on tax returns, Obama said "we know that the check off system has been declining in participation, and as a consequence, the amount of money raised through the public financing system may be substantially lower than the amount of money that can be raised through small donations over the Internet." He said it presents candidate with "tough decisions in terms of how they want to move forward if they want to compete in as many states as possible."
A reporter countered that Obama hadn’t checked off the public financing $3 on his tax returns. Obama said that he always has and that a lack there of was "oversight or a mistake".
Looking ahead to potential modifications of the public finance system Obama said, "I think a bipartisan group should examine, because I don’t think that’s something that’s something that’s gonna be fixed just by legislative fiat by one party."
Obama said he does not know the likelihood of an agreement on public financing with McCain – given the short time between now and the general election, "I think everybody including the public would benefit from a system in which you did not have third parties reigning down millions of dollars primarily in negative ads directed at the other candidates which I think will be a distraction from the substantive issue of the campaign."
A spokesman for Sen. McCain, R-Ariz., said in a written statement, Obama "has clearly committed to public financing in the general election should he win his Party’s nomination, and we expect him to keep his word."
Obama added, "Whether or not we can pull it off, I don’t know."
The press conference was remarkably absent of questions concerning his Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton. Obama was asked about Mark Penn and said he would have gotten rid of Penn if he was on his campaign saying he was surprised that "the highest ranking member of Sen. Clinton’s team would be engaged in business activities and lobbying that was directly contrary to a position Sen. Clinton had taken."
"I’m not surprised that Sen. Clinton found herself in an uncomfortable position as a consequence, and I know that if staff of mine were putting me in that kind of position I would get rid of them."
As for the recounting of Clinton’s trip to Tuzla as First Lady, Obama said "I’ll let the Clinton’s explain Bosnia."
Asked about President Carter’s meeting next week with Hamas, Obama said as a private citizen he can’t discuss or dictate who the former president should meet with and reiterated that he would not meet with Hamas, "given that it’s a terrorist organization—it is not a state".
Responding to former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s praise, Obama said he does not speak to Powell on a regular basis, and shifted to Powell’s concerns over Iraq.
Obama agreed with Powell’s assertion that the US can’t continue to keep a large number of troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, "I think he’s exactly right and what he’s said is consistent with what I’ve said which is that we have to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. this is not going to be a matter of just being able to say we are pulling them all out regardless of consequences."
Following the Washington Post story this morning on the role of big time bundlers in his campaign, Obama disputed that they have much of a day-to-day advisory role, "They are very active, though they don’t interact much with me, they interact mostly with each other. They are not as a general rule part of my day-to-day policy or advisory committee, although there are some people who have raised money for me who are also prominent business leaders…Their focus is on raising money."
Obama also touched on abortion, stating that it’s "never a good thing" and pointing to his support of pro-life Democrats Tim Roemer and PA Sen. Bob Casey as a means of continuing a conversation with each side of the issue. Obama said "that’s the kind of conversation that I think would allow us to move forward in actually reducing the number’s of abortions."
USS Gabrielle Giffords Honors Courage 
Mitt Romney's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
had enough of him. voting for mccain.
Posted by: ron | April 11, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
He’s very careful, isn’t he???? Makes you wonder how he really feels!
Posted by: Cindy | April 11, 2008, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
Ron, Isnt your logic backwards?? I had enough of a half century of Mccain in congress with nothing meaningful to show for it. I’m voting for Obama!
Posted by: James | April 11, 2008, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
Obama only makes mistakes when someone points out to him, and then, he becomes boneheaded. I guess this tells something about his judgment. On one hand, he wants to have public financing of elections. On the other hand, he does not want it to apply to him, and he does not want to contribute. Sounds like a hypocrite too me.
Posted by: lazy to think | April 11, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
Did the press ask him if he wanted a pillow?
— Obama said he does not know the likelihood of an agreement on public financing with McCain – given the short time between now and the general election —
We’ve got 8 months to the GE. Is this how quick he is?
Another flip flop…
Posted by: smartprimate | April 11, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
James-how old are you? I’m an Independent and if I have a choice betweeh Obama and McCain; I choose McCain and forget Oscama! He’s too shady, you have to learn to read between the lines and really listen to the meanings of Oscama’s words…the most important thing in comunication is listening, not speaking…I hope I taught you something!
Posted by: Cindy | April 11, 2008, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
lazy to think: you wrote, “…On the other hand, he does not want it to apply to him, and he does not want to contribute.”
But, with the exception of one tax return season, he HAS contributed. What kind of judgment would he have if he just gave up his money advantage without thinking about it first?
Posted by: Susan | April 11, 2008, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
Obama frequently takes credit for passage of ethics legislation that would require much greater disclosure about campaign bundlers. Under current rules, the name of the bundler, who is often a lobbyist, is not revealed.
The only problem is that Barack Obama has also BLOCKED the FEC from actually taking action to enforce that rule. For months, Barack Obama had a hold on a nomination to the FEC. Without a quorum of the board, the FEC is unable to take any enforcement actions. If Obama ever changes his mind, and calls on Senate Democrats to let the FEC enforce the law, then we might actually get some information about who his bundlers are, and whether they’re advancing their interests through the campaign.
Posted by: carl | April 11, 2008, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
Hiya carl, could you post a link to that information? Thanks.
Posted by: Susan | April 11, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
He always says he likes to have “conversations” or likes to have lots of people at a “table” to discuss matters. Hell, is anything ever going to get done in his administration? He is very careful with his words and quite honestly, not very bold.
I’d rather go through 4 years of another Bush term than have Obama in office. I just don’t have too much confidence in him.
Posted by: rachel | April 11, 2008, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
It’s funny when comparing reasons behind selecting Obama or McCain for President. Allow me to put the selection in terms of buying a car.
On one hand, you have this old, gas guzzling tank that’s inefficient and breaks down quite often. It has high costs for maintenance and is in the shop very, very often. The car has even had some scraped off serial numbers (Keating Five) so you know when it get it, it’s AS IS.
On the other hand you have this new, green very efficient model that serves all types of buyers. It can lift, load, be Moms car, Dads car regardless of demographic or economic category. When faced with potential mechanical failure, its a quick repair and back on the road.
Which one would you buy?
In reality, you know which one, but cynically postured causes errors in judgement. When faced with the better choice, a cynic always finds something to cry about, especially when they’ve been tolerating incompetence and inefficiency for the longest. I.E. John McCain.
His own party doesn’t support him. What makes you think he’s going to win against the New Sheriff in town with the backing of grassroot backing with America’s citizens all inclusive whether Asian, Black, Latino and white.
Denial is a true survival mechanism. Unfortunately, the day of reckoning is just over the horizon in November.
Save the long face and rhetoric for November. You’re going to need it.
Posted by: Common Sense | April 11, 2008, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
After reading and partisopating in these blogs for the last few weeks. one has to wonder why ANYONE would run for political offic, let alone the presidency. Anything you have ever done the least bit questional in your life, is totally blown out of proportion. I guess that is why the great leaders never run. They want to protect their privacy.
Posted by: cindyct | April 11, 2008, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
press “availability”. How pretentious.
Posted by: geevill | April 11, 2008, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
Obama may have been able to vote “present” on the abortion issue in Illinois but it’s going to be alot harder to try to walk the middle line
and attempt to appease both sides or avoid political flak outside Illinois.
He wants to see both sides to the point of being indecisive and spineless.
Posted by: alpaig | April 11, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
I thought that conservative Republicans were against government spending and are great believers in the private sector. (Or at least they were before Bush/Cheney). Now here comes a candidate that can raise all the money he needs, mostly through small donations, without government money and they freak. This is just a lot of sour grapes by a group of old, dated uncreative, withering pols (HRC included) who are stuck in the past. The Obama campaign deserves credit for rethinking campaign financing and executing their strategy brilliantly.
Posted by: DMR | April 11, 2008, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
Given McCain’s name recognition, Senate tenure and very impressive fund-raising skills, McCain isn’t supposed to have problems getting money from donors, is he? Can anyone explain how someone can be in the Senate for 25 plus years and not have the connections to match a Senator with just 3 years in the same Senate? The answer is quite clear. Very few truly believe in MCain and his cause or that he will win against Obama.
The bottom line is that Obama has run a superior campaign with Hillary Clinton as his opponent. If Obama is able to win against the legendary Clinton Machine, he will have demonstrated great political skill, all the while appearing above the fray. McCain is a far easier trophy than Clinton because its going to come down to the issues, not rhetoric. Rev Wright? McCain has Rev John Hagee who is far worse. Rezko with no news? McCain was directly involved with the Keating 5.
So, my friends, when it comes down to the issues and the American people, most in this country want change and McCain doesn’t represent that. All of the whining and rhetoric doesn’t mean a thing.
Simply put, MCCAIN WILL LOSE.
Posted by: Common Sense | April 11, 2008, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
I’d rather vote for McCain, than a totally immature, unprofessional, and an arrogant Obama.
1. Hilliary 08
or 2. McCain 08
both are qualified ! Not worried about McCain’s age.
Posted by: Diane | April 11, 2008, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
Common Sense – Denial is a true survival mechanism.
Isn’t de nile a river in Egypt that’s good for Egyptians?
Posted by: Dogsoldier | April 11, 2008, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
McCain looks ok to me. I am a Hillary supporter, but would vote McCain over Obama any day.
Posted by: al | April 11, 2008, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm
James
Obama should not even be a candidate.
He is a contradiction to himself.
He runs a smear campaign because He has no substance and nothing to run on. Just his words, Which he speaks with a forked tongue, double talks, talks around everything, gives half truths, twist what ever he can, misleads pretty much is a sham artist.
To have the sense to see that, the common sense to realize most of the time he says nothing concrete.
He did say he was selling hope. Sadly so many people bought into that, and paid dearly with their vote. Hope always was and always will be free.
Worse, much worse than this is he sold false hope.
Obama’s speeches were just words, you take away the words, you have nothing.
He used and abused people, he used their minds, hearts and souls to get what he wanted.
He lied on his best friends and family, he did it with out blinking or hesitation. Proving he has no Qualms about lying to you, and he has.
Obama is nothing to believe in.
Posted by: Sharon | April 11, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
Yes Diane,
Use your vote to reinforce war, $5 dollar gas, jobs outsourced to foreign countries and permanent tax cuts for the wealthy. That works good for you right?
Well, 85% of Americans on record have disagreed with you. That puts you in the “bottom” 15%, and that’s where it will stay. At the bottom.
Enjoy Bush and his policies and politics while you can. Come November, he and McCain will not be running this country. Keep your fingers crossed for McCain. He’s gonna need fingers and toes.
Posted by: Common Sense | April 11, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
Given McCain’s name recognition, Senate tenure and very impressive fund-raising skills, McCain isn’t supposed to have problems getting money from donors, is he? Can anyone explain how someone can be in the Senate for 25 plus years and not have the connections to match a Senator with just 3 years in the same Senate? The answer is quite clear. Very few truly believe in MCain and his cause or that he will win against Obama.
The bottom line is that Obama has run a superior campaign with Hillary Clinton as his opponent. If Obama is able to win against the legendary Clinton Machine, he will have demonstrated great political skill, all the while appearing above the fray. McCain is a far easier trophy than Clinton because its going to come down to the issues, not rhetoric. Rev Wright? McCain has Rev John Hagee who is far worse. Rezko with no news? McCain was directly involved with the Keating 5.
So, my friends, when it comes down to the issues and the American people, most in this country want change and McCain doesn’t represent that. All of the whining and rhetoric doesn’t mean a thing.
Simply put, MCCAIN WILL LOSE.
Posted by: Common Sense | April 11, 2008, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
Susan,
“What kind of judgment would he have if he just gave up his money advantage without thinking about it first?”
That’s a good question because he technically already did. He just took it back out of convenience.
I don’t have a lot against Obama, but he does seem to try to sell the idea that he takes the high road in situations where he really doesn’t. In short, he is more of a politician than he will admit to.
Posted by: sdust | April 11, 2008, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
Common Sense – Having some trouble with folks who express their Wright to vote as they see fit?
Posted by: Dogsoldier | April 11, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
yes common sense – i worked hard for 39 years, saved a bunch of pennies and can afford the $5 gal gas. We need a qualified person in the White House, and Obama is not the one. I’d be more worried w/ Obama as he as shown us nothing! Crooked politician, that’s it!
Posted by: Diane | April 11, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
Common Sense – So what’s Obama’s plan to stop the $5.00 a gallon gas from happening?
Posted by: Dogsoldier | April 11, 2008, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
When he checked off the box next to the pledge to accept public financing and said that he would accept it if the Republican nominee did, he made a promise. This coupled with his other fibs makes him Axelrod’s Pinocchio. It’s time he mans up!
Posted by: smartprimate | April 11, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
Common Sense,
“Can anyone explain how someone can be in the Senate for 25 plus years and not have the connections to match a Senator with just 3 years in the same Senate?”
Perhaps because he has PO’d a lot of special interests? Look into his pork-barrel spending and you will find that he hasn’t been sharing the wealth enough to buy contributions.
Posted by: sdust | April 11, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
What’s so amusing is reading the cynical approach to dealing with the reality of losing to a far superior opponent.
He isn’t supposed to be a candidate. He doesn’t wear a lapel. He doesn’t put his hand over his heart. He doesn’t have experience. Blah, blah blah.
All the while, the one who isn’t “supposed” to be doing anything is laughing all the way to the White House while cynics argue about issues of little or no signficance. Funny
That’s the total humor in Success is the Sweetest Revenge. Losers lose and winners will continue to win, despite the odds.
I know it hurts.
Posted by: Common Sense | April 11, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
If lying is a superior campaign strategy, I suppose Obama is winning.
Funny though that he’s lost his 10 point lead in the latest Ipsos poll.
Posted by: smartprimate | April 11, 2008, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
smartprimate: funny screen name…by the way, he lost his 10 point lead, but not for long. I have high hopes for him in the general!!
Posted by: Susan | April 11, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
Hi Dogsoldier, hold on a sec while I dig up the rest of the links…
Posted by: Susan | April 11, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
Susan: Obama finally released his hold on the FEC nomination. Now the rest of the Senate Democrats have taken over obstructing the FEC from doing its job, in order to protect Obama and Hillary.
I don’t know about you, but I think $78 Million is a lot of money from “bundlers.” Norman Hsu is of course the most infamous bundler. We still don’t know anything about the REAL sources of this $78 Million!
Posted by: carl | April 11, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
Thanks Common Sense, I will know not to respond in the future. By the way, kudos on your posts!
Posted by: Susan | April 11, 2008, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. One more time.
Given McCain’s name recognition, Senate tenure and very impressive fund-raising skills, McCain isn’t supposed to have problems getting money from donors, is he? Can anyone explain how someone can be in the Senate for 25 plus years and not have the connections to match a Senator with just 3 years in the same Senate? The answer is quite clear. Very few truly believe in MCain and his cause or that he will win against Obama.
The bottom line is that Obama has run a superior campaign with Hillary Clinton as his opponent. When Obama wins against the legendary Clinton Machine, he will have demonstrated great political skill, all the while appearing above the fray. McCain is a far easier trophy than Clinton because its going to come down to the issues, not rhetoric. Rev Wright? McCain has Rev John Hagee who is far worse. Rezko with no news? McCain was directly involved with the Keating 5.
So, my friends, when it comes down to the issues and the American people, most in this country want change and McCain doesn’t represent that. All of the whining and rhetoric doesn’t mean a thing. RHETORIC NO, ISSUES YES.
Simply put, MCCAIN WILL LOSE.
That is all Dog Slider
Posted by: Common Sense | April 11, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
Common Sense – Obama can’t even win his own democratic party primary. Us Hillary supporters alone are holding Obama in place and that’s not even counting republicans, yet. Obama gave FL and MI to the republicans and should Hillary lose, who do you think we’ll support?
Posted by: Dogsoldier | April 11, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
Hillary is old news. With a husband like Bill, who needs enemies? Bill is torpedoing his own wife’s campaign, although it was already taking on water.
The press doesn’t even ask Obama any Clinton questions anymore which shows, she’s done. MCcain ignores her, Obama doesn’t address her and the only way she gets news is to go something stupid, which she and her campaign are superior at.
Posted by: Common Sense | April 11, 2008, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
Common Sense – Really? Obama quit so soon? And destroy so many Arab terrorists dream?
Posted by: Dogsoldier | April 11, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
Clintonistas are fond of accusing Obama of running a smear campaign, or running negative. Can they please provide any evidence or examples of this negative campaign?
To be honest I can’t wait for the sniping in the Democratic Primaries to finish. Its time to start to bring the party back together. I believe Obama is a man for this moment, I believe passing up this moment would be a historical blunder. But I would prefer a Democrat in the White House ahead of ANY Republican, whoever that may be.
Posted by: markymark | April 11, 2008, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
Actually, I have no problem of “more of the same”, nor “more of a change”. The matter of fact is that Obama, Clinton, or McCain are all politicians, and they have to win first before they could occupy that office. Sounds simple, but they, any one of them, will do anything, within the boundaries of their basic principles, to win. The only problem with Obama is that he always says one thing and does the other, or he says something, but it is not matched by action or backed by record.
I may or may not agree a lot of McCain says, but I respect what he does within his boundaries. I may or may not agree a lot with Clinton, who may occasionally overstate or mis-remember something which can happen to anyone, but she stands on her ground firm on important principles and she has shown time again her ability to get things done.
As far as Obama is concerned, he reminds me Bush, and scares me, for selling something he only pretends to be, or at least, he has not enough evidence to back him up. It is a chance one cannot afford for the next 4 years.
Posted by: lazy to think | April 11, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
CommonSense,
If you want to make a car comparison, you need to expand on the example. Please allow me to help—
Usually, when you go to a car dealer, you look at all the cars (in this case, presidential candidates), or you are drawn to a particular model (Dem or Rep). You look at the window sticker to see what you are getting for your money (research the candidate’s position on issues and their voting records). You might actually sit in the car and then perhaps take it for a test drive; you know–test the gears, horn, wipers, etc (contribute to their campaign and vote for the candidate in the primary). For the mechanic in all of us, some might kick the tires and look under the hood (perform some form of campaign support). In the end, the “collective we” makes a decision (voting in the GE) and we drive off the lot.
In this case, the dealer (the MSM) keeps trying to get us to buy one particular car (Obama). Every time we try to look at the window sticker, the dealer (the MSM AND Obama!) keeps changing it or hiding it from us.
My concern is that the “collective we” will end up buying a lemon and we will have little, if any, recourse available to us for the next four years. The last eight years has already shown us what happens when we get a lemon.
HRC ’08 or McCain ‘08
Posted by: Virginia Independent | April 11, 2008, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
Virginia Independent – Excellent post.
Posted by: Dogsoldier | April 11, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm
Dogsoldier:
Yes, I heard about that, but I haven’t had an opportunity to read the article yet. If that’s what he said, he’ll alienate more PA blue-collar voters than ever. Inspired or unified is not what they’ll likely feel by his insensitive remarks. Not surprising to me.
HILLARY ’08
Posted by: Emily | April 11, 2008, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
This guy does not even make sense half the time. With no original idea of his own he steals others well thought out policy statements; changes a word and calls it his own!!He is sounding alot like Kerry with “flip flop”responses to issues important to Americans. Why is this guy as a candidate? Green and still wet behind his ears (no comment)he reveals his
“freshman senator side” when given a mmicrophone and No script. This candidate reminds me of the young GW BBush…..Voters beware!
Posted by: DaneNM | April 11, 2008, 11:44 pm 11:44 pm
Small American towns won’t survive 4yrs. of Barack Hussein Obama. We barely survived Bush. Obama will just finish off anything Bush has already destroyed. Sad thing is that America period won’t survive 4 yrs. of another idiot.
Posted by: annie | April 12, 2008, 12:32 am 12:32 am