By Dotcomabc

Jun 21, 2008 12:56pm

Deconstructing Obama’s Friday Press Conference

So after breaking his principled pledge to enter into the public financing system for the general election, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., held a press conference Friday.

Somewhat surprisingly, very few of the questions were about this flip-flop on taking public funds.

I wasn’t traveling with the campaign — ABC News’ Sunlen Miller was there — and she and I conferred beforehand about what she would ask the senator.

Here’s an abbreviated version of how it went down.

Obama, standing at the banks of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Fla., began by talking about Sen. John McCain’s latest flip-flop, this one on off-shore drilling.

“I understand how badly people are struggling to pay gas prices that have reached well over $4 a gallon in many places,” Obama said. “That’s why I’ve proposed taxing the record, multibillion-dollar profits of oil companies and using some of that money to pay for a $1,000 middle-class tax cut that would go to 95 percent of all families and offset some of these rising costs in fuel. It’s also why I’ve proposed a second fiscal stimulus package that would mail another round of rebate checks to the American people. These steps, along with investigations of possible market manipulations in the oil markets, would ease some of the short-term pain of these gas prices. But what wouldn’t do a thing to lower gas prices is John McCain’s new proposal, a proposal adopted by George Bush as well, to open up Florida’s coastline to offshore drilling.

“John McCain’s proposal, George Bush’s proposal to drill offshore here in Florida and other places around the country would not provide families with any relief this year, next year, five years from now,” he said.

Question 1 — When would he consider drilling?

Obama: “What I know having spoken to experts in this field is that we can’t drill our way out of the problems that we’re facing.”

Question 2 was about Obama’s flip-flop on public financing, specifically about his assertion that the public financing system is broken. How so?

“What we’ve got as a system — as I’ve said yesterday — that where we see 527s, the RNC, or the DNC outside groups raising vast amounts of money, much of it undisclosed from special interests, from PACs, from lobbyists, and that amount of money last election cycle dwarfed some of the money that was spent within the system,” Obama said.

“Now, if you look at what we’ve done, we don’t take PAC money, we don’t money from federal registered lobbyists, we’ve now imposed those same rules on the DNC, 90 percent of our contributions are from small donors and what we have done is to create a system that allows us to free ourselves from dependence on special interests and from lobbyists,” Obama said. “That stands in contrast to Sen. McCain’s operations right where he says he’s in the system and yet a huge proportion of his money is raised from special interests, from lobbyists, I don’t think that’s a recipe for reform. I am a sponsor of a public financing bill that can strengthen the system because I recognize not every presidential candidate may be able to do the same things that we’ve done in this campaign. And so my commitment to fixing the system remains, but in this campaign it’s my belief that in fact what we’ve built is something that frees ourselves from special interests and allows us to run an effective campaign as well.”

Question 3 — What would he have done in the Elian Gonzales case?

(Elian’s Miami relatives protested Obama’s appearance since two of his top advisers — Gregg Craig and Eric Holder — were involved in the case on the “wrong” side. Craig represented Elian’s father in the custody case; Holder worked for the Justice Department that seized Elian to return him to Cuba.)

“That was eight years ago, and obviously it was a wrenching situation for the families involved,” Obama said. “But I’m running for president in 2008, and my focus is on how do we create a US-Cuba policy that will create political freedom on that island and allow the people who live there to prosper. That’s not what we have right now and I outlined just as recently as a month ago an extensive approach that I think can lead to liberty in Cuba.”

Question 4 — In 2000, almost 20,000 votes in the Jacksonville area, almost all African American, were cast out and not counted. Does he think Bush won fair and square?

“I’m running in 2008, that was eight years ago,” Obama said. “So my focus is moving forward — how do we protect voters who are going to be registering in record numbers here, and are going to want to turn out and vote?”

Question 5 was about the Fortune Magazine report that Obama had backtracked on his primary position on NAFTA.

Obama said, “We’ve distributed the full transcript, right? So you guys can make your own judgment as to whether I had changed my position on NAFTA. I think what you will see from the transcript is — rather than the impression of a reporter — is that in fact that my position hasn’t changed. What I said very clearly in that interview was that I have no doubt that there was some overheated rhetoric in the midst of a primary campaign, but that my essential position has remained unchanged not just during this campaign, but for the last five years.”

Question 6 was whether Obama supports broadening the use of nuclear power.

Obama said, “Nuclear power should be in the mix when it comes to energy. … I don’t think it’s our optimal energy source because we haven’t figured out how to store the waste safely or recycle the waste.”

Question 7 was about reports of Israeli military exercises possibly to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“Without access to the actual, detailed intelligence, you know, I want to be careful about characterizing what was done and whether it was appropriate or not,” Obama said. “I think Israel is entirely justified to be concerned about the constant harangues by Iran and Pres. Ahmadinejad and Iran’s support of Hezbollah and Hamas and so there is no doubt that Iran poses an extraordinary threat to Israel and Israel is always justified in making decisions that will provide for its security.”

Question 8 — Does Obama have a lot of work to do in Florida?

“I’ve got a lot of work to do everywhere,” he said.

Question 9 came from ABC News’ Sunlen Miller, asking about two points Obama made when explaining his public financing flip-flop. He said there were threats of GOP 527s, when there aren’t any currentl. (See Politico’s Jonathan Martin’s excellent report, “GOP third-party effort nonexistent.”) Obama also said PAC money and lobbyist money fund McCain and the RNC, but in reality they account for less than 2 percent of McCain’s money and about 1 percent of the RNC’s money. Doesn’t that seem like a thin argument for something so important? Sunlen asked.

“Well, Sunlen, you and I both know that 527s pop up pretty quickly and have enormous influence and we’ve seen them. There was an ad, one in South Dakota, by Floyd Brown, I think, where it took a speech that I had made extolling faith and made it seem as if I had said that America was a Muslim nation. We’ve already seen attacks on my wife from, you know, the Tennessee Republican Party. I don’t think that I am off the wall here to say that, you know, a lot of outside groups are potentially going to be going after us hard.”

Obama continued: “With respect to the RNC, you’ve got Carly Fiorina, who is McCain’s chairwoman, saying, bragging about how much money the RNC is raising and how that money is going to be used to attack me and promote John McCain. So this isn’t speculative on my part. I think it’s something that we’ve seen in the past, and it’s something that we continue to be concerned about. In terms of PAC money and lobbyist money — you have the statistics right in front of you — but I would suggest that if you look at where John McCain has been raising money in the last several months that a sizable proportion of his bundlers have been from federal lobbyists.”

Question 10 was about the new FISA legislation, which Obama will vote for, much to the chagrin of many liberals.

“This was a highly imperfect piece of legislation, and it’s not the legislation I would have drafted,” Obama said. “I have said before that I thought it was a mistake to provide immunity to phone companies not so much because I’m interested in punishing phone companies per se. Let’s assume that they were acting on good faith based on representations that the administration had made, but because we don’t really know what those representations by the White House were. And I think what’s clear is, is that the way the program operated broke the law that was existing at the time.”

Obama continued: “On the other hand, what I’ve also seen and learned is the degree to which the underlying program itself is in fact necessary to help prevent terrorist attacks. I think it’s very important that we have the capacity to monitor and track individuals who could potentially do the United States harm. My ultimate goal has always been to make sure that we’ve got somebody whose overseeing the executive branch so that it can’t simply assert a national security interest and then wiretap whoever it wants, but rather that there’s some check because of the exclusivity provision that’s provided in this bill because it says you’ve got to run thru FISA and a court outside of the executive branch — it provides the oversight that I sought. I also think that you’ve got an inspector general in place who is going to be able to at least investigate what exactly happened to make sure that we don’t see these kinds of executive branch abuses in the future. And my intention is when I’m president of the United States to have a thorough review of all these programs and to make sure that if there continue to be loopholes or loose ends that I believe are undermining civil liberties, then we are going to get those fixed.”

Question 11 — Will he be at the FISA vote?

“I’m not sure when the vote is scheduled,” he said.

Question 12 — Should the president’s top aides have to testify before Congress in the investigation into the fired US Attorneys?

“I think that nobody is above the law,” Obama said. “If there are specific assertions of executive privilege, then you know those can be examined. But I think this notion, this blanket notion that you can’t subpoena White House aides where there’s evidence of genuine wrongdoing, I think is completely misguided. You know, as I recall, Richard Nixon mounted similar arguments. That’s not how we operate. We’re a nation of laws, and not men and women so … that’s a precedent I don’t mind living with as president of the United States. I think this is not a situation where, I think, the Democrats are trying to go on a fishing expedition. We’ve got direct evidence that was provided by Republican appointed attorney generals, or US attorneys, that, that they had been pushed in the direction of political prosecutions. That violates every tradition we have of an independent US attorneys office that’s gonna prosecute the law without regard to partisan interests.”

Question 13 was about how McCain, in Canada on Friday, implied Obama is a protectionist, and the McCain campaign called Obama an opportunist for his public financing decision. If he hadn’t pulled in $265 million, would he have made the same decision?

“That’s a question you have to ask John McCain because he was all over the map on public financing, right?” Obama said. “At the beginning of this process, when I think they were projecting raising enormous amounts of money, he said he’d consider opting out of the system. Later when his campaign had collapsed for awhile, he said he was definitely in the public financing system. You know, I’m not gonna speculate on what we would have done. What I’m looking at is what we’ve been able to build.

“In terms of Senator McCain’s comments — what’s interesting to me is that he chose to talk about trade in Canada instead of in Ohio or Michigan. (Michigan) Gov. (Jennifer) Granholm was with me today and talked about the state having lost 400,000 manufacturing jobs since George Bush took office. You know, I think Sen. McCain should have shared some of his views there to American voters. But, I repeat, I believe in trade, and you know I had an opportunity to talk to (Canadian) Prime Minister (Stephen) Harper. I believe that the U.S. has an enormous interest in maintaining robust trade relationships with Canada and Mexico, and I expect those to continue under an Obama administration.

Question 14 was something about what he wants voters in Florida to know about him.

“What I’d like them to know is that I come to politics because of my own story,” Obama said. “Somebody who wasn’t born into wealth or privilege but was given extraordinary opportunities, partly because of a family that cared for me and gave me a great education, but partly because of the country that allows you to make it if you try. And that I think is the essence of the American dream, I think that’s the essence of the Florida dream, and what I want to make sure of is that that dream continues for the next generation and for generations to come. That’s what’s slipping away right now, and that’s what we’re fighting for in this election.”

Lastly, Obama was asked about New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg defending him before a Jewish audience on the issue of smears.

“I appreciate Mike Bloomberg,” Obama said. “I think he’s a terrific mayor.”

So … 15 questions.

Three of them were about Obama’s broken promise, 12 were not.

And while certainly it’s important to ask Obama about FISA and other matters, I am rather flummoxed that the press conference was so bereft of conflict.

What do you think?

- jpt

User Comments

Shocked! Shocked I say!!!!!!

Posted by: wales | June 21, 2008, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm

hey media — don’t you DARE challenge Obama when he doesn’t have a speech writer or teleprompter around, because you will be called racist! Obama, therefore, is immune to scrutiny, he even said it himself yesterday, that the GOP will try to make people scared of him, because he is “black”. The race card is powerful, and this is how we will elect our president, regardless of his scary and dangerous past. Oops, I said something critical, I guess he will call me racist now.

Posted by: doublestandard | June 21, 2008, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

So does that tell you something? Public Financing is a non issue. The public in general doesn’t buy into the program. It is a program that came out of the sixties that has never really worked. Why ABC feels so strongly about it only you guys could tell us.
Why don’t you guys make your case instead of assuming that we all should back it, and be upset? What is about the program that benifits America, the voter, the candidates? I’ll tell you; nothing

Posted by: Thinking | June 21, 2008, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

I think Obama should keep it up; we’ll turn him into a halfway decent Republican yet.

Posted by: 1percenter | June 21, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

I think 3/15 is actually a little higher than the ratio of people who care about public financing/people who don’t care about public financing in any way whatsoever.
Not all news has to be “conflict.” I care a lot more about the flooding in Iowa than I do about campaign finance reform.

Posted by: Dave | June 21, 2008, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm

The media has to play up things like this or they’ll be out of a job (and join the 8% of our population in Michigan).
Ultimately, I think most of us agree that the country needs a new direction. Who will deliver it? An inexperienced Obama or the septuagenarian McCain. Both are decent men and both have their barnacles.

Posted by: MIguy | June 21, 2008, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm

Tissues anyone?

Posted by: Thinking | June 21, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

Whenever Obama flip flops, it becomes a non-issue?!!!
**************************************
Actually I was disappointed that he said he would ever take it. I have never supported Public Financing, and I am a life long liberal Democrat.
I am happy he changed his mind.

Posted by: Thinking | June 21, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

If Obama has no speech in front of him, he’ll become a sleepwalker.

Posted by: chris | June 21, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

This is like the 10th blog on this tired topic. Public financing is a welfare system folks; the joke is the democrat is ditching it while the republican isn’t. Public financing doesn’t stop the peddling of infuence and is a waste of money. Why should any taxpayer money go to support the largess of either campaign?

Posted by: 1percenter | June 21, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

What do I think??? First 3 of 15 question IS NOT bereft of the press!!!! Second, Obama DID NOT break a promise…..her filled out a stupid questionnaire that most of the candidates inclouding McCain did not fill out. Get over it!!!!!! You are not my faVORITE political analyst by a mile. Jake, you’re not that bright.

Posted by: michaelinphily | June 21, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

The media gave Obama a pass in the primary. Why should we expect them to not give him one in the general? It’s disgusting the way the MSM fawns over a candidate who seems to be waffling on every issue.

Posted by: Charlie35 | June 21, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm

PS
i liked all of his answers to the questions even the THREE stupid questions you kept wanting to bring up
get over it
if mccain would stop unequivocally all 527′s then perhaps obama would have gone for public financing
the fact is, mccain said he would stop them and then later said he couldnt stop them….
and its true that it doesnt take very long for a 527 to claim itself and launch its attacks
just because the people from last election arent participating it doesnt mean that the rest of the lunatic fringe isnt poised and ready to start shelling out the cash
please find somehting else to write about soon, im tired of reading the same blogs with the same questions for the last 3 days

Posted by: bhrandon | June 21, 2008, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm

I think I’m sick and tired of Obama.

Posted by: Dianne | June 21, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

What is the difference between public financing and financing by the public? As long as people are willing to pay for campaign instead of signing in their tax forms, I have no objection. The more number of people pay for campaign it makes it only more democratic instead of a selected few. All power to people who would like to be involved in the campaign?

Posted by: sreeharsha | June 21, 2008, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm

What I like about Obama is that the lefties are so enthralled with him that when he veers to the right on an issue, like public financing, they all follow him thinking they are turning left. Maybe there is a chance for bipartisanship after all…

Posted by: 1percenter | June 21, 2008, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm

…what you wear on your feet when not wearing shoes.

Posted by: 1percenter | June 21, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

Here’s what I think:
The opt out wasn’t a surprise. Every journalist and his brother knew that this was coming. There were stories about this way back in April.
So, how much more can there be to ask of him? He made a promise that he didn’t keep, and it’s been reported that way consistently.
It’s time for journalists to move on and not try to disingenuously feign surprise or indignation that he “suddenly” pulled this move.

Posted by: RJ | June 21, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm

I really don’t think that people care about public financing.
People care more about jobs, middle class tax cuts, and ending the Iraq War.

Posted by: Reba | June 21, 2008, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm

Of course Obama’s right on the corrupt campaign finance system. Thankfully, he and the DNC aren’t taking all that PAC and lobbyist money like George W McCain and the RNC. Let the Republicans continue their Culture of Corruption…and Obama will rely on ordinary Americans. That’s what “We the people” means…and EXACTLY what our founding fathers meant by it.

Posted by: wilder5121 | June 21, 2008, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm

Dane: If you were talking to me, then I’m pretty sure you prove my point.

Posted by: 1percenter | June 21, 2008, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm

“Oh really? So now Obama the magnificant is ruling the entire Dem party by decree?”
Yes. A good reason to vote for Nader-Gonzales or for Cynthis McKinney.
Any updates on The One’s supposed determination to cancel the Denver convention in favor of a non-voting coronation ceremony in Chicago?

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm

Obama couldn’t give a straight answer so he cowardly deflected with a “dog ate my homework” excuse. How is it that a man who wants to be President doesn’t even know the schedule of the US Senate, WHEN HE’S A MEMBER OF THE SENATE?
Instead of voting Present he will vote Absent this time. The guy is the biggest fake in the world. He is all made up by PR firms and people. The best molders of fake PR in the world or the best money can buy. well money buys them all. A lot of money is now being spent on Michelle to make her over into a new person.

Posted by: DemocratForever | June 21, 2008, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm

Is ABC part of the media? This is obviously a partisan attack of only one side, as if McCain hasn’t already violated his own law.
If anybody went back on his promise it was McCain who signed a pledge to use only public financing to obtain a four million dollar loan to jump start his flagging campaign. Second, he used it to avoid the cost of mounting a signature effort in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania – where accepting public financing is enough to get a candidate on the ballot.
The Republican Party is sitting on three times the money the Democrats have, then there are the 527s. Obama is in this to win, not to look like another chump for the cons to smear without a comeback.

Posted by: Javalation | June 21, 2008, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm

@1percenter
“What I like about Obama is that the lefties are so enthralled with him that when he veers to the right on an issue, like public financing, they all follow him thinking they are turning left. Maybe there is a chance for bipartisanship after all…”
People that follow a leader like this without thinking for themselves is dangerous. Just look at most of the Middle East where you have a highly uneducated, easily mobilized population. While it’s nice for Dems to be supporting their candidate, for them to blindly follow him on every issue (read: every Democratic strategist on TV defending his every move) is dangerous. Sure their are Republicans who do this also, but usually there are enough moderates in the party to offset them – which there seems to be a lack of in the DNC right now – moderates.

Posted by: Dave | June 21, 2008, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm

It was a pretty balanced interview with practical questions, kind of NPR style. It could have been livelier. For one thing, it didn’t mention moveon.org closing it’s 527 in response to Obama’s candidacy, but then there wasn’t the usual obsessing with his campaign finance retraction.

Posted by: kat | June 21, 2008, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm

Why are you whining?
It’s a good thing that the press stays focused on the issues, rather than superficial accounts like the one you have just done.
Here, is Obama justified to try to defend himself from 527s groups and special interest money?
Is it or is not it recourse to lobbyists money a total corruption of the political system etc.

Posted by: Mark Webb | June 21, 2008, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm

Obama has done a huge damege to campain finance reform. I now know that Barack Obama is a fraud!

Posted by: cincinatikid | June 21, 2008, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm

If you dont like something about Obama then “GET OVER It” is what Obama says.
If you like it then send me money is what Obama says.
I can not take a stand because some followers think I stand for the opposite position. So if I never take a stand then everyone thinks I agree with them and I win all the votes. It is really very simple to win the presidency. Just let everyone fanticize in their mind that I support their view. Suckers.

Posted by: DemocratForever | June 21, 2008, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm

Oxycon said:
“Oh really? So now Obama the magnificant is ruling the entire Dem party by decree? ”
Arrogance at work again.

Posted by: Billw | June 21, 2008, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm

Dave: The silver lining is that if he wins, work may actually get done in D.C. (for better and worse). And, the fact that he’s not hopelessly ‘left’ on every issue, like this one, is promising. The problem I have with McCain is I don’t think his ‘conversion’ to the “right” is real. Well, maybe ‘really convenient’.

Posted by: 1percenter | June 21, 2008, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm

Obama is a professional liar. He can not be trusted.

Posted by: Pat | June 21, 2008, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm

In January, the Obama campaign described union contributions to the campaigns of Clinton and John Edwards as “special interest” money. Obama changed his tune as he began gathering his own union endorsements. He now refers respectfully to unions as the representatives of “working people” and says he is “thrilled” by their support.

Posted by: Flip FLOPPER Obama is the name | June 21, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

Voting for a mob-friendly “post-partisan” dissembler who talks out both sides of his mouth because he’s “black” is a darn dumb thing to do.
Idi Amin was “black”, for crying out loud.

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

The real source of Obama’s money is coming from bundler’s that are more corrupt than lobbyist donations. It makes it appear that most money is coming from small donors when in fact BUNDLER’S have found a way to donate huge sums of money to campaigns and make it appear as 100 dollar donations at a time.

Posted by: Josefromsantafe | June 21, 2008, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm

Obama’s entire movement is coming 95% (!) from little people like me who send him 50 bucks, 20 bucks.
Posted by: Josefromsantafe
——————————
Give me a break! Josefromsantafe, that is Obama want you to believe.

Posted by: Pat | June 21, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

Hey Obama has a idea. Lets have Obama live off internet donations and start his own country. All the Obama lovers can move to the Land of OBAMA and worship Obama 24/7

Posted by: why_hillary_lost | June 21, 2008, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

I am a typical Obama supporter that resorts to name calling whenever my leader is exposed for lying

Posted by: AB | June 21, 2008, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm

All I hear from the mainstream media is “flip flop flip flop nyardyardyahyah.” And no one asks McCain about his shady opting out and then opting in again and his getting loan guarantees against federal funding while he “wasn’t taking the funds” during the primary, nor does anyone ask McCain about his heavy dependence on the RNC and 527 groups, which is why Obama opted out. Obama’s opt out is the only way he can in reality match McCain dollar for dollar in the election because he isn’t taking 527 money and the DNC doesn’t have any money. Wouldn’t you rather have someone raise it directly in small donations than doing as McCain is doing, taking big bundles of fat cat support from the RNC?

Posted by: DBX | June 21, 2008, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm

McCain/Bush are aligned with big energy and against independent energy. McCain is making the claim that offshore drilling will provide short term energy relief, but govt estimates are that if approved today, it wouldn’t have much impact before the 2030s. He also misrepresents Obama as being anti nuclear, while the truth is Obama is for using nuclear as part of a package of alternatives. A McCain ad is suggesting that he is pro alternative energy, but it’s a lie. He only favors centralized alternatives like nukes, he opposes alternatives that encourage individual citizens to be energy independent, like wind, solar, geothermal and hydrogen exchange batteries.

Posted by: Javalation | June 21, 2008, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm

I’m not clear, Jake, why you feel the need for Senator Obama’s press conferences to be conflict-laden — especially given the free ride that McBush has enjoyed so far.
Let’s have some conflict at a McBush press avail! Then I’ll support your thirst for blood from the Democrats — well, maybe not, but a least it’ll even things out a bit.
Obama 2008 — Yes, WE CAN!!!

Posted by: jackt51 | June 21, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm

I am totally lost and feel like a creep after i voted for Obama

Posted by: jackt51 | June 21, 2008, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm

And, Jake, who does your hair?
Who does Obama’s?
John Edwards, an actual Democrat rather than a mob-friendly “post-partisan”, is the best nominee the delegates could elect.

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm

Jose,
If you’re giving away your hard-earned money to Obama because you think he’s not controlled by “special interests,” you might as well have spent it on lottery tickets.
Obama is controlled by the unions, the gay lobby, the black lobby, the Wall Street lobby, the Jewish lobby, you name the lobby, they’re for Obama.
Special interests HATE John MaCain because he votes on principle, not based on their dictates. I think most of his principles are wrong, but at least they’re principles. His own party hierarchy hates him — shouldn’t that tell you something, or are you too blinded by Obamania? They don’t like him because he refuses to be controlled.
You really should spend your $50 on lottery tickets. That would definitely be a better investment toward your retirement than Obama’s inane Social Insecurity plan. His plan is to tax the rich at over 90% of their earnings so that if they ever HAD a plan to create a job that could employ you, they won’t anymore.
On second thought, don’t buy lottery tickets. You’re gonna need that $50, because if Obama is elected, $50 in 2008 dollars is going to be a hell of a lot of money.

Posted by: ajmalkov | June 21, 2008, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm

I’ll tell you why the public doesn’t get worked up about this, Jake. “Public Financing” is a non-issue. The way it’s worked is a joke. The purpose was to limit the money each campaign spends but in the real world that’s not the way it works. Each campaign is supposedly “limited” to 80-something million dollars. But on top of that interest groups and 527′s pour hundreds of millions of dollars into the campaign (while the candidate pretends to have nothing to do with it and, as McCain said last week, claims to be unable to “referee” what those interest groups do).
So, what does “public financing” actually accomplish other than to encourage duplicity? Which is more democratic? A phony “public financing” limit, that is then studiously ignored while the unlimited money pours into 527s? Or a campaign that raises money in small amounts over the internet while instructing its donors to NOT contribute to 527s, as Obama has done (having already gotten Move On to dismantle their own 527)?

Posted by: Lisa | June 21, 2008, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm

a fool and his dollar is soon parted. And many fools are parting with the dollar to make the Democratic party the richest party (people) in the world. Be careful what you wish for.

Posted by: scag wag | June 21, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm

The more money McCain (or Obama) has to spend, the more the media stands to earn on selling commercials. Selling not only to the two campaigns, but to PACs and 527s and anybody else who will buy air-time. The media clearly have a vested interest in not just ratings, but more so in the demand for commercials, and so the closer the race – and the more money the candidates (or parties, or 527s, etc.) raise – the more money the media outlets make by selling. Why report on McCain’s funding success? Much better business to take advantage of all that cash, not cut off the former campaign reformer now laying golden eggs. It’s their bottom line at stake, same as it ever was.
Talk about a conflict of interest. Was it big oil money pouring in, as the sudden change in McCain’s stand on drilling in environmentally sensitive areas suggests? How will we ever know? There’s no benefit to a commercial news outlet in uncovering the source of the money – they are just trying to get their piece of it.

Posted by: truth | June 21, 2008, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm

Three words: Liberal media bias.

Posted by: Media Bias | June 21, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm

Obama’s stance on drilling will sink him with ordinary Joes who will wish by October that gas was still $4.00 a gallon. Plus the Dems want the government to takeover the oil companies – and a Dem president and Dem congress just may be able to pull that off. No thanks!
How did you all like Obama’s attempt to buy Hillary’s older voters base by promising no taxes to seniors making less than $50,000 per year? Guess he doesn’t realize those seniors’ taxes were one of the things that was going to help keep social security solvent, which is only fair since they’re the ones benefitting from it. Oh that’s right, he wants to raise the SS taxes on the working class; guess that’s how he’ll pay for it.
Oh well, maybe next week he’ll make a nod to the sweeties and promise to exempt women from paying taxes.

Posted by: HoosierSue | June 21, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm

ajmalkov,
I think you are confusing being controlled and being supported. Lobby groups like any other citizen group can choose to support whoever they want. It’s a big tent, gays, straights, repubs, dems and even you can fit. But if federal lobbyists and PACs are giving you money they control you and that is the case with Mccane and certainly not Obama.

Posted by: solsol | June 21, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm

If someone answers a question the first time, why should twelve other people ask it again? There were other issues that begged attention.

Posted by: Gwyneth | June 21, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm

“There were other issues that begged attention.”
Yeah, yeah. Michelle’s makeover, the black-and-white sundress on “The View”, where YOU can buy it, and like that.
The bloom is off Obama. Now, how do the Democratic delegates beat the Chicago machine?

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm

Obama told Tim Russert at a debate on February 27 that he had plans to accept pubic financing and that he would sit down personally with John McCain to make it happen.
He never did that. I call that breaking a promise.
And the press is being negligent not to hold him to it.

Posted by: Vnd | June 21, 2008, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm

Let’s face it, the McCain campaign and the RNC knows it has been on the defense rather than the offense. They were counting their ability to get financing from individual donors in excess of the $2,3000.00 limit. Senator Obama’s campaign in my opinion is being financed by the public.

Posted by: kaysha | June 21, 2008, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm

Isn’t it amazing how quickly the Obama supporters jump to his defense-attacking the messenger instead of thinking about what Obama has actually done. ABC happens to be one of the few media outlets that are not in the tank for Obama and understand their job is to report the news – not distort it in Obama’s favor. The reality is Barak Obama is a con man, a liar, a hypocrite of major proportions-even for a politician. The knee jerk reaction of his supporters to any criticism simply shows how mindless they all are and how unwilling to face unpleasant truths. With all his pretty speeches and platitudes, he really has no original thoughts or the credentials to lead this country. I have never voted Republican in my life but Obama as the Democratic nominee is beyond comprehension. What idiots!

Posted by: Marross | June 21, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm

I think that politicians shouldn’t be spending my hard earned tax money on their reelection campaigns. We have much more pressing needs than giving John McCain or Barack Obama $85 million each to attack each other. That money should be going to roads, bridges, and security at our ports and borders. Definitely not to politicians.

Posted by: Brian | June 21, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm

My bad! Actually that’s a limit of $2,300.00 per individual donor.

Posted by: kaysha | June 21, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm

“Somewhat surprisingly, very few of the questions were about this flip-flop on taking public funds.”
Are you being serious?

Posted by: Rev. Dr. E Buzz Miller | June 21, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm

McCain has “flip-flopped” on a dozen major issues – he won’t even sign the immigration bill he WROTE now, for example, yet ABC continues to endorse him by trying to make THIS into an issue? Go Disney – Micky Mouse as usual.

Posted by: seeingeyeseesall | June 21, 2008, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm

So Barack Obama thinks we can tax our way out of the high oil prices?
Since when has the way to bring down the cost of something, been to add a new expense to the company that makes it?
Obama could lower the cost of gasoline by ending the tax on it! In fact Obama supported a bill that would have added 57 cents in tax per gallon of gasoline!
The government earns more in tax on a gallon of gasoline, then the companies make in profit on a gallon.
So if gasoline companies are making record profits, government has to be making record tax revenue also!
California alone will take in $5 Billion in state gasoline taxes this year!

Posted by: Heather | June 21, 2008, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm

Obama said that ninety-percent of his funding comes from the widdle people.
Where does the other ten percent come
from?
COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY!

Posted by: questioner | June 21, 2008, 3:55 pm 3:55 pm

Obama, decended from heaven as Messiah should known the answers to all of those questions asked before they were asked! I expect him to walk on water for his next press conference.

Posted by: dirt farmer | June 21, 2008, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm

“I expect him to walk on water for his next press conference.”
Bite your tongue: albeit by chicanery, The One “won” the Iowa caucuses. Then he shoveled into a sandbag at Quincy, Illinois. And now the whole midwest is underwater.

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm

“Bite your tongue: albeit by chicanery, The One “won” the Iowa caucuses. Then he shoveled into a sandbag at Quincy, Illinois. And now the whole midwest is underwater.’
Posted by: Ma Belle | Jun 21, 2008 4:03:51 PM
SQUISH SQUISH SQUISH….
THANK YOU; WE NEEDED THAT ;=)
country before party!!!

Posted by: wet feet | June 21, 2008, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm

How many commentators actually agreed to give $3 on their tax filings? I know I didn’t.

Posted by: sr | June 21, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

Senator McCain is intelligent and savy in his thinking of picking Colin Powell as his vice president (according to a postintg here). Colin Powell has intergity, intelligence judgment and experience, all of which are lacking in the empty suit Obama. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Posted by: Mary | June 21, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

Too late for buyers’ remorse.
We already have a presidential nominee seal, complete with eagle and Latin for “yes we can”, for God’s sake.
If it were not so sad, it would all be so very funny. Can’t wait to watch SNL tonight, though I don’t know how much more funny they could make it than the site of BO standing behind that podium with his play like seal….

Posted by: tomay | June 21, 2008, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm

Is it funny or is it sad? The submissive personalities who pick up ‘scary’ sounding words from their shock jocks and Fox network, but don’t seem to be capable of actually constructing coherent sentences with them. They are playing the fool as they follow some ‘authoriatarian’ figure and what does it get them? The talk radio hosts live in multi-million dollar mansions gated so they never have to get any where near the people they fear the most…..Their poor, submissive followers.

Posted by: Eileen From Maine | June 21, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm

I think the only people who care about Obama opting out of of public financing are the media. The media hysteria over this the last couple days has been a watercooler joke where I work. ABC news has covered this extensively the last couple of days–you know what they haven’t covered. Zimbabwe. Barely a mention of the military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. But oh no! Obama is opting out of public financing! Who’s out of touch? That would be the media.

Posted by: CJ | June 21, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm

The oil companies have made huge profits and really don’t want to find more oil. There are thousands if not millions under lease that the companies could set up a rig on tomorrow. Part of the problems is the way oil futures can be traded and these trades are not controlled by USA laws. The oil companies have also contributed millions to Obama’s campaign and those profits are one reason Obama is against off-shore drilling. More oil and gas equals lower prices and less profits.

Posted by: Mary | June 21, 2008, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm

“And while certainly it’s important to ask Obama about FISA and other matters, I am rather flummoxed that the press conference was so bereft of conflict.”
Jake, that’s because most of your colleagues think that journalism is just parroting what politicians tell them instead of getting to the truth that Obama is the biggest flip-flopper around and a liar.

Posted by: Joe | June 21, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm

Now THAT is what I call public financing!
It is time to take this country back to “We the people”. And oh yes, We can.
AND, WE WILL.
Posted by: josefromsantafe | Jun 21, 2008 4:13:49 PM
————————————-
Now that is what I call pure BS!

Posted by: HP Boston | June 21, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm

Thinking,
Has Obama ever done one single thing which you haven’t been able to somehow rationalize? Here’s my predicton — 100 years from now the history books will have a definition of “Politics as Usual” and beside the defintion will be Obama’s picture. He is the king of politics as usual.
========================================
Obama, no vetting allowed!
========================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | June 21, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

The flopobama has a flippy habit of lying and waffling about EVERYTHING!
He is SEALING his fate with his tacky campaign. I plan to make millions selling barf bags whenever he is speaking!

Posted by: HP Boston | June 21, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

“I think Obama should keep it up; we’ll turn him into a halfway decent Republican yet.”
The One IS a Republican. A SOFT Republican.

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

Hey Obama has a idea. Lets have Obama live off internet donations and start his own country. All the Obama lovers can move to the Land of OBAMA.
—————————
We’re already here. It’s called the USA.

Posted by: Too Much Fun! | June 21, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm

So we can’t go toward energy independence by increasing domestic oil supply?
Obama is an economic idiot. Truly an idiot.

Posted by: drjohn | June 21, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm

The One IS a Republican. A SOFT Republican.
That’s what “post-partisan” MEANS.
Rise Up, Democrats! :^)
Throw off the mobsters in your “leadership” and get back to FDR, and to the struggles — “conflict”! ooo — begun by the great “black” Democrats.
The “content” of this One’s “character” seems to be missing.

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm

Oh NO!
The evil Obama changed his mind about something.
McCain never has…cough
Hillary never did…cough
My God. They’re POLITICIANS. It’s what they do. They ALL flip when it serves their purpose. No doubt it’s incredibly lame, but Obama certainly wasn’t the first.

Posted by: Reality | June 21, 2008, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm

Posted by: markymark | June 21, 2008, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm

“ordinary folk aren’t much interested in the financing issue”
Is “ordinary” as used here politi-speak for “un-rich”, or for “ignorant”? Or for both un-rich AND ignorant? Or for some OTHER thing?
As for “folks”, political discourse would be much improved if this word were — on a purely voluntary basis, natch — BANNED, along with the phrase “the American people.”

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

“I wish he would spend as much time and energy examining McCain … ”
Don’t worry about wasting any energy — haha — on crazy ole soldier McCain. He ain’t gonna be the REAL Republican nominee.

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm

I think anyone with even the slightest knowledge about political financing knows that so many loopholes exist in the “public financing” aspect that there really isn’t a pure ethical approach either public or private financing. Of course, that does not get addressed by Tapper or many of the lazy press.
And to the previous post that Obama is an “idiot” for not ratcheting up oil production. Do your homework. Read the scientific studies that determine that opening up ANWR and offshore will have a miniscule effect on price drops and supply. And why haven’t the oil companies exploited the thousands of leases they already have off the coast? Why have they not built a new refinery in years? So much for their lies about “turning their profits into more research and production.” Give you one guess where their profits are going.
Oh it’s all Obama, no, Clinton’s fault. That’s the ticket.

Posted by: tdub | June 21, 2008, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm

Newsweek has just reported that Obama has opened a 15% lead on McCain nationally (51% – 36%).
Dogs may bark but the caravan moves on.
(Old Arabic saying)

Posted by: WesTruesdell | June 21, 2008, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm

Thanks Wes for providing the most skewed of all the recent polls.
Note that the top 8 polls currently have Obama up by 5.6% on average. Take Newsweek’s biased poll out, and it’s more like 4% (estimating here).
So much for honesty and being objective!

Posted by: JA | June 21, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

It’s not an question of WHY Obama is not taking Public Financing.
The issue is that this decision is the latest of a LOOOOONG list of lies, broken promises, back stepping, mis direction of the questions, and just plain lack of integrity, lack of experience, and lack of judgment that Obama shows every other day.
My 13 year old daughter and I were watching the news. When it was reported that Obama was apologizing to the two Muslim girls, my daughter looked at me and said “Dad, Obama is either apologizing, or clarifying something almost every day”. From the mouth of babes.
The thing I really don’t get is why seemingly intelligent journalists, news reporters, and Obama supporters are so willing to trash their credibility, their integrity, and self respect to cover for this guy. Doesn’t it get tiresome?
Maybe by November, we’ll see a LOT of tired Obamaites.
Obama hasn’t even STARTED the Gaffe Season yet!
Oh, and trying to redirect the discussion to McCain because there’s no defense for Obama isn’t going to work.

Posted by: RoBoTech | June 21, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

the pressure has not started yet and obama has already started cracking.
HE IS A FLIP FLOPER BUT HE SUGAR COATS IT. REPUBLICANS WILL COME OUT AFTER HIM LIKE KERRY AND BLOW HIM TO PIECES ON HONESTY , INTEGRITY AND MORALS,
IT IS A SHAME THAT DEMS WILL LOSE WHIOTE HOUSE BID NOT BECAUSE OF MCCAIN BUT BECAUSE OF THEIR BLINDFOLDED TRUST IN OBAMA
bhagwan

Posted by: bhagwandeol | June 21, 2008, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm

I think Obama will make the best President of this nation since FDR. He speaks truth and he understands that to be a part of this nation’s future he has to get elected. As to the rest of the diatribes on this blog, I say a vote for McCain is a vote for more BushandCheney lies!

Posted by: onenationunited | June 21, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm

Terry,
Wake up and get real. Barack Obama pledged to aggressively pursue a publicly financed general election. He didn’t even reach out to McCain.
Let’s be honest with ourselves here. When Obama made the pledge he had no clue that his fundraising would be so successful. Now that he’s rolling in money he wants out.
He has flip-flopped, stop trying to spin things. He never even sat down with McCain’s campaign to discuss this at length.
Why are people so full of it?

Posted by: JA | June 21, 2008, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm

What did the Republican party to Harold Ford Jr. He’s doing grassroots fundraising. Getting more people involved in elections…and you want to stop him from doing that? Getting Americans interested in what their leaders are doing? Isn’t that how we got George Bush…people saying elections don’t matter. Well, why should he give up his advantage, the Republican’s have had a money advantage for years. Oh yeah, you sure did miss all the changes McCain has made, what about the one that’s support tax breaks for the wealthy…how’s that helping us regular people. Besides 3 out of 12 questions is 25%, that’s alot my friend considering all the other issues he has to address.

Posted by: Web | June 21, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

FISA MEANS VOTE NO VOTE FOR OBAMA

Posted by: NoMcSAME | June 21, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

Obama gets away with so much because the press is afraid to rock the boat.
It’s adults acting like children- it’s called peer pressure, and obviously, we have not outgrown it.
Obama is empty promises and arrogance.

Posted by: enough already | June 21, 2008, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm

“Thanks Wes for providing the most skewed of all the recent polls.
Note that the top 8 polls currently have Obama up by 5.6% on average. Take Newsweek’s biased poll out, and it’s more like 4% (estimating here).
So much for honesty and being objective!”
June 21 Gallup Daily poll has Obama by 2%, down by 2% since the 20th, and down by 6 since the 16th.
Rasmussen Daily has Obama by 4%.
Steve Rasmussen was asked about this Newsweek’s poll yesterday and he said that Newsweek’s polls were always volatile (nice way of saying, crap).
IF you have faith in polls, then Rasmussen and Gallup are consistent and usually correct. Even if they are BOTH owned by Democrats, Steve Rasmussen at least tries to be fair.

Posted by: RoBoTech | June 21, 2008, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm

Web,
It’s funny how things turn out. Now that your candidate has more money, you’re against allowing the playing field to be financially level in the general elections.
This is done for a reason: to prevent money controlling elections. This is a terrible precedent for the future, and I fear Obama has opened the gates to a regression in reforming the broken political system. He certainly is no longer perceivable as a reformer, and anyone who tries to defend him as such now is either a paid blogger or just plain naive.

Posted by: JA | June 21, 2008, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm

“My 13 year old daughter and I were watching the news. When it was reported that Obama was apologizing to the two Muslim girls, my daughter looked at me and said “Dad, Obama is either apologizing, or clarifying something almost every day”. From the mouth of babes.”
Too bad SHE can’t vote at the convention (if Possumus Regulus, or however The One’s styling himself on that phony “seal” — did he HAVE to use a “possum” word?? — permits the convention to meet).

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

Obama sent emails asking for the public to help out Iowa and giving contact info while McCain said he felt bad for us. I am Iowan in a flooded area. I have no problem when Obama respects a request from our Governor not to come.
Making fun of either candidate further divides us as a nation (which is less work for the terrorists to have to do).
Lets get away from the party bias, gossip, hateful,slanted attitudes we hear in emails, radio and news which we choose to pass along. Both candidates and party have good and bad.

Posted by: ethanolgirl | June 21, 2008, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

Hey HP Boston-
So I guess you are afraid to post the rest of my message- you know, the part about how 95% of Obama’s donations come in the form of $20 – $50 from millions of average Americans? What is it about “public” that you don’t seem to understand?
What makes that BS, “my friend”?

Posted by: josefromsantafe | June 21, 2008, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm

“This is done for a reason: to prevent money controlling elections. This is a terrible precedent for the future … ”
HAhahaha. Without a Democratic rebellion, there ain’t gonna BE no future — just the drify presence of the latest fluffle uttered by The One.
Oh, here’s a question they forgot to ask: The One’s supposedly stopped smoking. Did he do that with some pharmaceutical assistance from Chantix, the drug that’s driving the vets crazy? (If so, that’ll be the cop-out to come: “I had no idea I was drugged.”)
Now drink your delicious soma.

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 21, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

It is apparent that Obama is the annointed one of the U.S. Press. I am waiting for the debates between Obama and McCain. Hopefully we will get some isight into who who this guy really is!

Posted by: HR Waltner | June 21, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm

“Another problem with asserting that small donors are an antidote to undue influence by wealthy contributors is that even small donors are almost certainly much richer than the average American.
In a study of $100 contributions to state campaigns in six states during 2005, the Campaign Finance Institute found that more than half of donors earned between $75,000 and $250,000 a year. The median U.S. income that year was $46,000. While it’s tricky to extrapolate to the presidential race, it is unlikely that campaign giving has suddenly become a common pursuit of working-class families.”

Posted by: Jeremy | June 21, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm

It is not as much about Obama’s flip-flop regarding the public financing but about the nonsense-answers he gave to all the 15 questions. How is it possible that a lot of people got fascinated by such a person only for his promisses of CHANGE?

Posted by: Stephanie | June 21, 2008, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm

“[T]hose with wealth and power also have played a critical role in creating Obama’s record-breaking fundraising machine, and their generosity has earned them a prominent voice in shaping his campaign. Seventy-nine “bundlers,” five of them billionaires, have tapped their personal networks to raise at least $200,000 each. They have helped the campaign recruit more than 27,000 donors to write checks for $2,300, the maximum allowed. Donors who have given more than $200 account for about half of Obama’s total haul, which stands at nearly $240 million.”

Posted by: Jeremy | June 21, 2008, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm

Kids are taught attitudes from their parents. She probably isn’t being taught that people will twist what Obama says to influence people towards their own party or make news. McCain has had his own share of it. Funny how she only sees one side.

Posted by: ethanolgirl | June 21, 2008, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm

What’s truly funny is that she’s a 13yo girl and apparently has more insight than you do.
The current discussion is about Obama breaking his promise, which he has. And here people like you come to cover up for him and act as if we put those words into his mouth about pledging to aggressively pursue a publicly financed general election.
Wake up!

Posted by: JA | June 21, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

McCain is currently breaking the law by continuing to spend over the spending limits he promised to abide by through the primary season in exchange for public financing. The Republican head of the FEC said McCain could not opt out without FEC permission, which he does not have.

Posted by: commenter | June 21, 2008, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm

Time to start doing your homework folks! Stop blasting our candidates and look at their policies. Why do those of you that do not want to support Senator Obama want him to take your tax dollars to run his campaign? I sure don’t! Let him finance his own campaign. Senator McCain states he does not know how to use a computer. How many does he hire to do this? Time to start thinking for yourselves folks! We have serious problems, how they finance these campaigns just is not that important in the whole of things!
Start researching your facts and find out which man is closer to your true beliefs. eg. drilling (now this one bites for sure)

Posted by: Pepper | June 21, 2008, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm

Pepper wake up.
Do you really want to open the floodgates to where candidates can spend whatever amount they want to? Do you really think this is a good idea? What happens next elections, when the candidate is very pro wealthy and breaks all records. Will you be changing your mind then?
If you want to separate money from politics, spending limits is the way to do it. It’s not a perfect policy, but allowing limitless spending is a regression in campaign finance reform, and Barack Obama is the one to take us down that dark road.

Posted by: JA | June 21, 2008, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm

No can candidate in the the history of our country has ever spent as much on the W H O L E election… as B O spent in the first four months of this primary!
No one! Not Hillary! Not Mccain!
And this is the freedom B O’s anticipated change will engender.. to to give him the right to get rid of this country’s money with equal disregard and aplomb!
He is, in this and many other ways, more of a republican Bush than a Democrat… possibly because, like Humpty Dumpty.
the fractured DNC is perched precariously on a wall waiting to
t
u
m
b
l
e
and shatter into a hundred million pieces.
COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY!!

Posted by: QUESTIONER | June 21, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm

Pepper
“Start researching your facts and find out which man is closer to your true beliefs. eg. drilling (now this one bites for sure)”
Telling the truth and having personal integrity is more important to me than what a man SAYS his issue stances are. What does his stance matter if he doesn’t tell the truth and is distrusted?
If you want to believe a what a Politician (actually ANY MAN you don’t personally know WELL!)tells you without question, that’s you.
Mark my words, it’s going to come down to Obama’s integrity.
Personally, I don’t think he has any. He’s proved TO ME that he is a typical, ambitious Politician that will say what he needs to say, denounce people and organizations he needs to denounce, and flip flop when he needs to, just to get elected.
He’s no Messiah, no “new” politician. His message of hope and change are already tarnished, and it’s still five months to election.
But don’t think I’m am ONLY against Obama. I don’t like McCain, either.

Posted by: RoBoTech | June 21, 2008, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm

Whatever you feel about the oil companies its wrong to change the game in the middle. To simply tax thier record profits at a higher rate is no different than nationalizing their revenue stream to be allocated as the politicians in power see fit. Its okay to change rates and laws before the game to set a playing field but to come in half way is really unfair. I say this knowing that they paid the former Exxon CEO a 400 million dollar cashout, and yes he took it. Our government colluded with the automakers giving tax breaks to those who bought suv’s over the years, and now that policy is bankrupting people who have to pay for this at the pump. So now some politicians want to tax the extra money they are paying for gas because of a failed policy and reallocate that to those they deem worthy. Its pretty nutty. A good government policy would have been to give tax rebates to those who bought efficient vehicles and you can make them in each class of car, even with suv’s. If we collapse our own demand for more oil we won’t even need to drill much more than we are now. We have the technologic and manufacturing capability to do this. Why are some saying we need to drill in every pore while not really pushing gas saving efficiencys we already have available. We could increase the average mph of the nation in half the time it would take to drill for it, and it would be last far longer and allow us to conserve our resources.

Posted by: Brian | June 21, 2008, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm

Hey SORRY Jeremy
I guess I missed that one… but you better wake up fast if you think Obama doesn’t have lots of friends in high AND low places. Obama receives his donations from the rich and well-connected at the same time that he receives his donations from the poor and not well connected.
Do the MATH Jeremy. 300+ million dollars / 1.5+ million donors

Posted by: josefromsantafe | June 21, 2008, 7:21 pm 7:21 pm

Truth be told:
Until the media wises up, Obama and his wife are definitely getting a “free ride” Nice to have the media and press in their back pockets. Tired of all the Obama slants. The news outlets are spinning out of control for the Obamas.
Who loses—the American voters.
This issue is about character and judgment–Obama lacks both.
The media screwed up with giving Bush a “free ride” and now the media is doing the same for Mr. and Mrs. Obama.

Posted by: NielfromPA | June 21, 2008, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm

The press can’t seem to quite put their finger on why Obama going back on his promise isn’t becoming a bigger story.
It is because he is getting so much money from small donors, that it would be hard to say he was going the route of politics as usual. When was the last time $25 donations were the way a candidate preferred to fund their campaign?
This group that is backing him are young and likely to be a force in politics for the next 40 years.
We are watching a sea-change in American politics.

Posted by: cpindc | June 21, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm

how does he continually get away with not really answering anything???
Is this really what his supporters want? A man who when asked questions, plays these games? Is that “new politics?” Seems to me it is a perfection of the oldest and worst politics.
He said that he would go with public financing.
Now he says no.
He said that he would start moving troops out of Iraq within 90 days, and get the troops out overall.
Now he says, no, not even by the end of his first term.
He said that NAFTA was a mistake and he went after Hillary for it, nastily.
Now he says that he has always supported it. That his position hasn’t changed. (I guess the Canadians had that right)
He said he would bring us a new way of doing politics.
What he has brought so far is a new level of divisiveness, ugly political maneuvering, and old chicago politics.
He said “WORDS MATTER.”
Mr. Obama, exactly WHICH words matter???

Posted by: drae | June 21, 2008, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm

Obama – a new kind of politician? I think not. Rather, a very accomplished mudslinger.

Posted by: A | June 21, 2008, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm

Obama has outright reversed or lied about issue after issue and the press is leaving him totally alone—well except for Tim Russert who tried to pin him down —telling Obama that his words should be important and are you going to keep your word. Mr. Russert didn’t get to hear the outcome because the legend in the News business died last week. No Tim Russert, he is not a person where his word are truthful and can be trusted. He says now that the federal funding system is “broken” but you know when he made the statement that he planned to use the federal funding system just a few months ago, it was broken then too….Obama just thinks everyone is fools.

Posted by: Ann | June 21, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm

You forget that Rupert Murdock’s Fox News spends about an hour a day attacking Obama and praising McCain. That can be considered a campaign donation of about one million dollars a day or about 150 million over the next five months. So Obama begins 150 million in campaign contributions behind McCain before he even says hello. Since ABC news is also promoting McCain and attacking Obama, it is also donating to McCain. Please also remember that in 2004 “Progress for America,” a single Republican group, spent 35,000,000 in order to elect Bush.

Posted by: Jay | June 21, 2008, 8:38 pm 8:38 pm

The Obama campaign dances faster each day, side-stepping substance and fact, creating its own versions of the truth on every issue. When even that gets a bit tough, Obama brings out the race-card again, as he did this week.
America has awakened, “gotten to know Obama better” as his campaign and followers wished, and the result is he is less liked than before.
The shouts of victory, the aloofness, and the crassness from his campaign, the DNC, and his supporters is having a very negative effect.
People are finally realizing that Axelrod and the DNC, in Obama’s name, have used and abused every element of the Democratic Party save one.
African-Americans have been used, women have been used, wishful youths have been used, old-line Democratic men have been used, etc. The only element that is “getting what it wants and what it is paying for” is the far-left/corporate elite cabal.
The aforementioned African-Americans, the women, the young people, and the men have been ruthlessly pitted against each other, their own long-time allies, to merely further the cause of, and gain power for, the far-left/corporate elite.
This shameful, heartless, power-mad machination perpetrated by Axelrod and the DNC will not succeed. They will fail.
Each day the curtains open a bit wider in “Oz”, and the ugly truth becomes more apparent. By the end of summer they will be fully open and the “wizards” exposed. This time the wizard is not actually kind-hearted, nor well-meaning!

Posted by: NeverObama | June 21, 2008, 8:42 pm 8:42 pm

i am so disappointed with the republicans its hard to get behind mccain. And I am picking up something like a cult of personality thing off the obama camp regarding him that is scary. I wasn’t a hillary supporter either. You gotta ask, how did we get boxed in so early to handing our immense government over to one of these two. Something doesn’t pass the smell test here.

Posted by: Brian | June 21, 2008, 9:06 pm 9:06 pm

well, do your job…..this is what happened with bush, the media just went along and look what we got…
keep pushing jake.

Posted by: al | June 21, 2008, 9:23 pm 9:23 pm

Let me see, you want so desperately to turn Obama into John Kerry right? Sorry, this man is no John Kerry. He will outsmart even the Republicans at their own game. And, he will do it honestly. No one in their right mind would choose differently than Obama did. You know, things change in the process of the campaign and you make decisions based on what you have in front of you as choices. If Hillary or the Republicans did this you would hail it as a show of strength. If Obama did not do this, you would hail him as a wimp and a fool. Well he is neither of those. And, if you personally were in his shoes, you surely would have made the same decision. And on top of that, he is being funded by the public directly in the millions. Truly a democracy. He is owned and controlled by no one, but his will is to do what is best for America. Get over it, this is very clear to an objective viewer who has in their heart what is best for America rather than only what is best for their own pocket book.

Posted by: Paul Stewart | June 21, 2008, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm

You, Jack, have been documenting Senator Obama’s flip flops, lies, backpedals, and MISTAKES for awhile. However, must of your chums there have not.
I’m not the least bit shocked by this. But then most of the media has been serving as his personal fluffer and the truth about his sordid friends and complete ignorance about issues domestic and foreign was hidden until Hillary-haters had her out of their way.
Can yall start acting like journalists NOW and shine the daylight on this creature from Chicago?

Posted by: Dakinikat | June 21, 2008, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm

Amazing that its okay for Bush and Chaney to lie, pull us in to huge debt, a terrible economy, and war started by lies.
Reporters hardly touched Bush on this.
If you believe everything the Republican propoganda gives out, then its not the Democrats that are blinded.
Neither party is perfect, but to become so hateful and nasty as many of these bloggers are, show that we still have a way to become reasonable, responsible adults and nation. Yes there is common ground, but no one will find it through anger and hateful attitudes.

Posted by: ethanolgirl | June 21, 2008, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm

ehanol girl.
“Amazing that its okay for Bush and Chaney to lie, pull us in to huge debt, a terrible economy, and war started by lies.
Reporters hardly touched Bush on this.
If you believe everything the Republican propoganda gives out, then its not the Democrats that are blinded.
Neither party is perfect, but to become so hateful and nasty as many of these bloggers are, show that we still have a way to become reasonable, responsible adults and nation. Yes there is common ground, but no one will find it through anger and hateful attitudes.”
Yeah I agree. But these guys are have been pretty nice compared to some blog posters.
But here’s my concern about your post.
I see a lot of kindergarten aged liberals posting on ost of these blogs.
At least their posts indicate kindergarten. “But mommy, little Johnny (McCain) did it (too, first, the most, whatever you want to insert here)”.
Since we are discussing Obama now, then when there’s no logical defense of Obama’s buffoonery, it’s “Well uh..uh…uh.. the GOP did it, too. waaaaah..waaahh!”.
These people need to grow up and be adults instead whiny tottys.
Just because McCain did something wrong DOES NOT GIVE OBAMA A PASS WHEN HE DOES THE SAME!
Being a LIAR is being a liar, and to excuse it because “Little Johnny did it, too” is infantile!
And vica versa

Posted by: RoBoTech | June 21, 2008, 9:53 pm 9:53 pm

Typical responses. Obama never answers anything directly. Will you vote….I don’t know when it’s scheduled….How about a yes or no. Who cares when the vote is scheduled, simple…yes or no. Flippity Floppity . Many of us have said from the beginning.What is up with the press? Press conference to explain why he lied. Blame it on someone else…

Posted by: Bea | June 21, 2008, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm

How do you know when Obama is lying?
Every time he opens his mouth.
I sincerely hope America will wake up before they are brainwashed into voting for a man who is really starting to believe the hype about him being a magical, mystical being who can do no wrong and is the only person capable of saving the nation and the world. People with messiah complexes are dangerous, and are not deserving of your trust. Please use discernment… the future of our country is at stake.

Posted by: Mary Lou | June 21, 2008, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm

WOW – Where in the hell have you people been? Oh let’s see….you all worked so hard to push Hillary out of the race with constant bashing that you didn’t have time to really look at Obama for what he said and did. If I remember correctly all the way through the primaries it was – “I Agree with what Hillary said”. You all should thank yourselves for such a great job. Why ask questions now? Just put the crown on his head and slap the Obama seal up under the ABC logo!

Posted by: Hillary | June 21, 2008, 10:22 pm 10:22 pm

“Somewhat surprisingly, very few of the questions were about this flip-flop on taking public funds.”
LOL
Are you serious? They’re holding their fire, Mr. O’ is not the nominee yet, no matter how many fake seals he can come up with.

Posted by: Wade | June 21, 2008, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm

Yep. Hope and change and a new kind of politics, all right. Not.

Posted by: DWPforHILL | June 21, 2008, 10:27 pm 10:27 pm

I think it was a terrible blow to public financing and the press should not allow Obama to skate on this one. More and more people I talk with are seeing that Obama is just another politician and not the great reformer he espouses to be.

Posted by: rafraf | June 21, 2008, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm

Let’s go over the 35 elements of the bill of impeachment, based on the lies and misleading statements the President made to the Senate to get us into a war that never needed to happen. No WMDs, and bin Laudin free as a bird, elsewhere.

Posted by: bruce becker | June 21, 2008, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm

I still don’t see a story in this so called “flip-flop biz”. A candidate can change their mind if conditions warrent. They shouldn’t give us another bush “stay the course” for God’s sake. Obama may have up to a half a billion in donations this election and he hardly needs public campaign funds. Plus it will give him greater flexibility. How is that a crime or even big story? The media is just trying to make hay again to get more people’s eyes on their advertisers products so they can make more money.

Posted by: Brian | June 21, 2008, 10:31 pm 10:31 pm

The public financing system leaves you out of money for months between the primaries and the after nomination time. Therefore it is a broken system.
Anyone who uses it will lose. McCain actually signed up to use it and he is not being hammered for cheating and acting like he never signed anything.

Posted by: bruce becker | June 21, 2008, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm

How will you address the loss of homes by millions?
- What is your prescription for the vacuum in health care for millions in a faulty system that desperately needs overhaul to expand and offer full coverage to all while at the same time reducing costs?
The right wing cannot answer this one. It would require that we actually live up to the Christian ethic and give to those less fortunate. It would look like ‘socialism’. OOOH..

Posted by: bruce becker | June 21, 2008, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm

Now, he’s done it! Out of all the things he’d done and said so far, this is too amplified.
I am shocked and disappointed.
This is not the Barack Obama I knew.

Posted by: TriciaNC | June 21, 2008, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm

Loyalty when it is not blind loyalty is an amazing virtue. And betrayal is a wound that causes agony. So for those who feel betrayed by Senator Obama, I understand your indignination, anger, and pain. But did you honestly expect constancy and loyalty from Senator Obama? He has spent months displaying the opposite qualities. What you now have is a moment to learn: somebody who is betrayer will betray you over and over, as long as you give him or her the opportunity. The only way to stop it is to shun the betrayer, steer completely clear of him or her. Put your energies and attention elsewhere – perhaps toward reforming the D.N.C. or contributing to Senator Clinton to retire her primary campaign debt. Or toward your family, your friends, your pets, your community. But protect yourself from the repetition of the pain of betrayal – it is a wounding act that keeps on wounding, and you do not need to keep putting yourself through it again.

Posted by: Heidi Li | June 21, 2008, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm

“i am so disappointed with the republicans its hard to get behind mccain. And I am picking up something like a cult of personality thing off the obama camp regarding him that is scary. I wasn’t a hillary supporter either. You gotta ask, how did we get boxed in so early to handing our immense government over to one of these two. Something doesn’t pass the smell test here.”
You got that right Brian. Something just doesn’t sit well with this. Two of he worst candidates in the fields.
Both are Liars and Pander Bears.
It’s a scary time.

Posted by: RoBoTech | June 21, 2008, 11:06 pm 11:06 pm

You don’t hve to care about public financing. But you SHOULD care that the person who was all about chaning how politics works lied, lied, lied and lied.
He’s nothing more than same old/same old.
And THAT does matter. He broke his word, and showed he will do anything to win.

Posted by: beth | June 21, 2008, 11:24 pm 11:24 pm

Will not vote for this fraud.

Posted by: LAM | June 21, 2008, 11:46 pm 11:46 pm

George SOros financing Obama and bullied against CLinton. All Super delegates are sold to soros. So presidency will be decided by outsiders and not by voters. America wake up..

Posted by: dash | June 21, 2008, 11:49 pm 11:49 pm

It is McCain’s task, not the media’s, to make the case that he would make a better president than Obama…that Bush’s policies on Iraq and the economy should be maintained for four more years. He can’t expect the media to bail out his campaign if it doesn’t resonate with the American public.
Obama doesn’t own the internet. McCain has the same opportunity to raise funds there. It is not Obama’s fault that McCain’s fundraising appeal is limited. Blaming the media won’t change that.

Posted by: WesTruesdell | June 22, 2008, 12:21 am 12:21 am

Again, Obama is NOT telling the truth! He claims “90 percent of our contributions are from small donors”
This simply a lie! It’s 90% of the donors for his campaign are small donors, but more than 90% of contributions are from the “big” donors! Whenever we hear Obama, we must check the facts, because he does not tell the truth, and he will say anything to get elected.
About the media, yes, it is no surprise they go soft on Obama. The journalists do not do their job, and they want to determine the outcome of the election in Nov., not the voters. Do we really have democracy in this country???

Posted by: JJ | June 22, 2008, 1:25 am 1:25 am

Most of Obama’s money comes from big bundlers — even though there don’t need to be very many of them — he also has gotten a lot from Wall St., -i.e. Republicans — what do youthink they care about working folks?
RNc’s 527 money accounts for between 1-2% of their donations. A pittance. Another Obama lie.
He tried to blame John McCain for the flooding in Iowa when it is his fault. McCain, Feingold and McCaskill proposed legislation on levees that would help Iowa and Missouri — Obama voted AGAINST it.
This man is incapable of telling truth.
Wake up America!!

Posted by: Annagain | June 22, 2008, 2:04 am 2:04 am

Love George W Bush? Are you better off now than you were eight years ago? Then you’re gonna LOVE George W McCain.
Like Bush…only older.

Posted by: wilder5121 | June 22, 2008, 2:11 am 2:11 am

Since so many of you apparently didn’t bother to read the article, the question put out there was “why was the press conference so bereft of conflict? ”
And the answer is………… because Obama answered every question they asked.
He disarmed everybody completely with answers like…….
“having spoken to experts in this field [the consensus ] is that we can’t drill our way out of the problems that we’re facing”
…………. in response to a question about off shore drilling.
A to-the-point, professional answer. The days of cheap oil are gone and we need to acknowledge that and move on.
Or how bout this one in response to a question about the flip-flop on public financing,
“my commitment to fixing the system remains, but in this campaign it’s my belief that in fact what we’ve built is something that frees ourselves from special interests and allows us to run an effective campaign as well.”
Another solid answer.
The fact is, Obama has been able to raise money from millions of small donors and doesn’t need the public system, or lobbyist support — a rarity for political candidates for a long time now. In the past, candidates always were owned by someone. Obama will be the first in a long, long time who won’t be.
Another attempt to get Obama to misspeak failed when a reporter hammers on the public financing flip flop and points out that there have been no GOP 527 threats yet. Obama’s masterful understatement………………..
” I don’t think that I am off the wall here to say that, you know, a lot of outside groups are potentially going to be going after us hard.”
Obama is just pointing out the obvious — that he’s gonna need a lot of dough to fend off attacks.
Can’t really argue that one.
You might not like it if you’re a McCain supporter, but he would do the same thing if he had the money and you know it.
“But I think this notion, this blanket notion that you can’t subpoena White House aides where there’s evidence of genuine wrongdoing, I think is completely misguided. You know, as I recall, Richard Nixon mounted similar arguments. That’s not how we operate. We’re a nation of laws, and not men and women so … that’s a precedent I don’t mind living with as president of the United States.”
A great quote, I think, just like it is. None of the reporters could quibble with a guy who gives answers like that.
This guy will be a real breath of fresh air in government.

Posted by: larrysteve | June 22, 2008, 4:27 am 4:27 am

The Real Iraq War
The Iraq War was fought for 2 reasons, neither of which was because Saddam had WMD that posed an “immediate threat” to us. One reason was because Bush wanted to avenge his Daddy because Saddam had threatened to hurt him after the Gulf War ended. But the other reason was more compelling: this week it was reported that Iraq’s ministers, who were and are greatly influenced by the U.S., are going to give Western oil companies, two of which are ExxonMobil and Chevron…which are the largest U.S. oil companies…some tasty no-bid contracts to re-develop Iraq’s vast oil fields. Other oil companies from Russia and China were ignored.
When Bush the Oil President was (s)elected, Big Oil, who vigorously helped Bush win (or steal) the election, saw its chance. What happened as soon as Bush and his left testicle Cheney took office? Cheney had a closed-door “energy session” with the major U.S. oil companies. Top secret. To this day we do not know what was said behind those doors.
But now we have a pretty good idea.
We now can deduce that the major theme of the session was: American Oil Companies Regain Foothold In Iraq’s Oil Fields On False Premise of War With Iraq Because Of Saddam’s WMD That He Does Not Possess.
Yep, that about covers it. Bush hatched up some lies about this WMD Saddam was supposed to have, poured gas on the fire and fanned the flames, had his speechwriters craft the finest propaganda since Adolf Hitler, and before you knew it, BAM…Bush was marching into Iraq to rid the world of those nassssty WMD with most of America eagerly urging him on.

Posted by: StupidAmericans | June 22, 2008, 4:31 am 4:31 am

The media, especially on television, have been making a huge deal out of Barack Obama’s very legal decision to reject the public financing system in favor of private donations. According to the pundits, Obama’s decision here reflects a Washington “business as usual” attitude toward politics in that Obama is supposedly rejecting reforms that make the electoral process more fair. The argument raised by the Obama campaign, that this campaign is different because donations are overwhelmingly from small donors, continues to go unheard. The media also continue to ignore the fact that Obama has taken the bold step of rejecting 527 money.
But what’s even worse is that the media seem to be largely ignoring the fact that friends of the McCain campaign have actually broken the law lately.
During McCain’s campaign-financed trip to Canada intended to bash Barack Obama on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Republican presidential candidate also attended a fundraiser for his campaign hosted by American ambassador to Canada David Wilkins. Democrats have been pointing out since then, largely to no avail, that Wilkins’ participation appears to be a violation of Hatch Act provisions that prohibit political activity for government employees – and the State Department’s ethics office includes presidential appointees under this category.
This is not the first time the McCain campaign has been associated with violations of campaign financing law. McCain appears to have broken campaign finance law in the past by illegally trying to remove himself from the campaign financing system after already financially benefiting from it, a crime punishable by five years in prison. This too was largely ignored by the media, and of course without the media acting in their role as governmental watchdogs the Republican government pretty much let McCain get away with what appears to have been a crime.
But sure, let’s continue to verbally assault Barack Obama for his very legal decision to reject public financing.

Posted by: those pesky media lies | June 22, 2008, 5:25 am 5:25 am

If you want something done right, do it yourself. Next time, you do the interviewing yourself instead of discussing the questions with Sunlen Miller and leaving it up to her to ask them. No?

Posted by: CTJD | June 22, 2008, 7:32 am 7:32 am

does any one seriously believe Obama is not trying to buy the white house?

Posted by: sokadija | June 22, 2008, 8:03 am 8:03 am

Stealing Oil Company windfall profits does nothing to solve the high price of gasoline and may in fact raise the price even more. To date I believe 4 Oil Industry hearings have taken place since Dems took control of Congress . No evidence of gouging, price fixing or any other illegal activity. Who’s windfall profits do we take next? Bill Clintons 109 Million in speaking fees? He only makes that money because he was an American President. Shouldn’t we all share in the 109 Million?

Posted by: Dennis D | June 22, 2008, 8:40 am 8:40 am

More funding for Iraq
Warrantless Wiretaps pass
Sounds like the Dems lied to us to win election 2006. Obama included.

Posted by: Dennis D | June 22, 2008, 8:43 am 8:43 am

Obama is a pathological liar. Period!

Posted by: A | June 22, 2008, 9:25 am 9:25 am

Love to see the repubs, all in a tither, trying to smear Obama, maybe if they paid attention to their own candidate’s pandering to everyone, they would vote democratic!!

Posted by: judy | June 22, 2008, 9:44 am 9:44 am

NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU THINK!
Seriously, your opinion means absolutely nothing. Get over your self-absorbed ego and your insecurities.
Listening to an idiot arguing a stupid point is not going to change anyone’s mind.
Why should ANYONE listen to an individual who just sits in front if their computer all day repeating dribble about meaningless “issues”?
You didn’t think of anything original yourself. You just parrot information you read on some webiste. You have NO IDEA if what you are saying is even accurate.
You aren’t smart. You aren’t informed. And your sarcasm is in no way creative or clever.
If you spent a much time ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING to improve the place where you live as you do ranting about things you know nothing about, perhaps positive changes could occur.
GO OUTSIDE, GET A LIFE, HELP YOUR COMMUNITY, AND STOP WASTING TIME!

Posted by: Like Your Opinion Matters | June 22, 2008, 9:53 am 9:53 am

To JJ who posted at Jun 22, 2008 1:25:49
the following:
“Again, Obama is NOT telling the truth! He claims “90 percent of our contributions are from small donors”
This simply a lie! It’s 90% of the donors for his campaign are small donors, but more than 90% of contributions are from the “big” donors! Whenever we hear Obama, we must check the facts, because he does not tell the truth, and he will say anything to get elected.
About the media, yes, it is no surprise they go soft on Obama. The journalists do not do their job, and they want to determine the outcome of the election in Nov., not the voters. Do we really have democracy in this country???”
Please stop with the outright lies – where are your “facts” – your opinion is not a fact. Freedom of speech is not only a right – it is also a responsibility that each one of us has. It is a responsibility that all Americans and the news networks must take seriously.
When we speak out, it is our responsibility to think first before we speak and to speak what is true. Freedom of speech is not a license to say whatever we want just because we feel like it and it will help our cause. That is the method of dictatorships not democracies.
If there is truth, what ever it is can and indeed must be spoken, and that is true freedom of speech. It is okay to say the emperor has no clothes for example – it is in plain sight for all to see. It is also acceptable to speak the truth even if that will cause you hardship – but it must be true and based on facts of which ome is aware and can prove.
On the other hand, an “opinion” that “90 % of Obama’s contributions come from big donors” is irresponsible without full details to explain why you could even possibly believe this. This is simply not believable – thoughtful people, which is what the majority of Americans are, will see through this misinformation campaign.
And even if others have said and mistakenly accept and believe a falsehood, we are not absolved from our responsibility to make sure we are not propogating falsehood. We must first determine if it is true or not. Or, whether it is intentionally slanderous. Creating and propagating falsehood is in fact propaganda – we don’t do that here – remember? This is America….

Posted by: Paul Stewart | June 22, 2008, 10:36 am 10:36 am

From the voice of a two-year old – oooo, Obama, you lie, I’m tellin.
Every politician lies. What disheartens me about this, is that Obama reneged on a promise. Is that the same as a lie? I’m curious.

Posted by: jack | June 22, 2008, 10:44 am 10:44 am

Now I know that it is impossible to become a good president….. In the world of Presidentland, you can’t learn any thing.
You may as well be a robot. A decision that you made six years ago to authorize the war comes back to haunt you…. something that you say in passing that you will pursue… like using public financing is suddenly a betrayal of public trust…. He lied to the people. Well Mr. Bush and Mr. McCain… your lie was bigger than my lie……..Why don’t we get all candidates to write an essay on what they would do as President and don’t even bother allowing them to campaign… you know that they will break some promises, so we won’t ask them to make any. The American people will judge the person with the best essay and vote for them as President… but please.. you only get one chance to write the essay.

Posted by: Ron | June 22, 2008, 11:04 am 11:04 am

All I see in Obama is a US Senator so concerned with his own life that he is working overtime to put together a fifty-state campaign when he’s still on our clock. He’s still collecting the salary and perks we the people are paying for, right?
Why are his “proposals” for relief from the high price of gas and economic stimulus package only that–proposals? Why is he only a public sponsor of legislation and not an instigator? He’s still on our clock.
Where is the legislation to make insider trading in the oil futures market against the law? Where is legislation that requires those who speculate in oil futures to prove they can take delivery on the contracts they are bidding so high as a hedge against the weak dollar? Where is the legislation that makes taking delivery on at least one oil futures contract mandatory if said speculators wish to continue killing the economy?
What is he doing now, on our dimes, to earn a promotion in November?
Geez, looks like he’s doing what every other politician, McCain included, does so well–talk, talk, talk while looking for more and more money. In whose interest does he operate now on our dime?
Certainly isn’t the People he means to rule, now is it?

Posted by: M.L. Bushman | June 22, 2008, 11:06 am 11:06 am

HA HA,
The press corps has so treated Obama with kid gloves so long that they now have a tiger on their hands which cannot be tamed. Obama now believes he’s above all scrutiny, and he is. He OPENLY, CLEARLY, PUBLICLY, and UNDENIABLY LIED about public financing, and yet it’s just another general press day talking about what a smart move that was. Leap the Faith, my friends, Leap the Faith!
=======================================
Obama, no vetting allowed!!!!
=======================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | June 22, 2008, 11:09 am 11:09 am

Obama & Wife are on the cover of the pop tabloid US Magazine this week.
Are we supposed to take this seriously?? Is this his attempt to reach out to Hillary’s “women”?? Is this where he thinks he could do it??
I’m a lifelong dem switching to McCain this election. At least he isn’t trying to be Hollywood. or make that “Bollywood”

Posted by: mel | June 22, 2008, 11:10 am 11:10 am

The comments on “Meet the Press” this morning:
Obama signed his name to an agreement.
There’s nothing more important than keeping your word…
Obama will throw anyone under the bus to win.
Obama thinks winning is more important than keeping his word.
McCain thinks the country is more important than winning.
Obama is calculating and has a split personality.
Obama is captive to the left–and is being played like a fiddle by Moveon.org.

Posted by: riley | June 22, 2008, 11:14 am 11:14 am

Well I do not know ABC’s motivation about this issue, it is the only organization that seeems to be making an issue of it, but I can tell you that most of you are making a big deal of it because it hurts McCain.

Posted by: Thinking | June 22, 2008, 11:16 am 11:16 am

To answer Tapper’s question, I’d say that the absence of “conflict” in the press conference – shows that people are already starting to move-on from the so-called public-financing issue. The Republican Party was attacking Obama on this – but the thing is – they’re just sad that they can’t raise as much money as Obama.
So, now that everyone realizes that the Republican attack was BOGUS and LAME – they’re seeing that Obama isn’t afraid of making a tough decision that will HELP HIM WIN. Because, isn’t that the larger goal anyway – to WIN? Some people try to paint Obama as some kind of high-and-mighty savior, but the thing is – he’s GOT TO WIN…otherwise he can’t begin to change the system. The media realizes that detail. And also, as a former Floridian myself, I’d say that they (the Floridian media) has more class there than some places.
It also shows they’re interested in Obama and eager to forget Bush and his buddy McCain. You can also look at the recent Florida poll by Quinnipiac – that shows Obama ahead in Florida. This suggests Florida is totally up for grabs in the coming election. Florida can be won by Senator Barack Obama.

Posted by: Allen | June 22, 2008, 11:17 am 11:17 am

Obama loves to spend money–he wants more so he can spend more.
Research his enormous earmarks and who they helped:
His wife’s employer–she got a hefty raise
Father Pfleger–his nutty priest advisor
Trinity Church-the church that hates our gov’t.
Obama wants more money to spend by raising our taxes. He can’t seem to get enough money or power.

Posted by: riley | June 22, 2008, 11:29 am 11:29 am

I wonder if the “experts” who told Obama drilling won’t help are as smart as the scores of “generals” who told him the surge wouldn’t work.

Posted by: ajmalkov | June 22, 2008, 11:54 am 11:54 am

I wonder if the “experts” who told Obama drilling won’t help are as smart as the scores of “generals” who told him the surge wouldn’t work.
***************************************
It doesn’t matter if the estimates are correct and there is 3% of the worlds reserve in off shore, and that supply is only three years of US consumption. Then that means that the whole worlds supply is only good for 100 years, IF the US is the only one using it.
However as it turns out we are using about 60% of the oil, so the worlsd supply lasts about 50-60 years. Then what?

Posted by: Thinking | June 22, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

He’s Obama, the media darling. The general election coverage won’t be any more balanced that the primary coverage, and democracy will suffer for it. The media would much rather cover Michelle Obama’s position on pantihose, than explore REAL issues that REALLY matter in this election, because that would force them to “get into the weeds,” an excuse I just heard on Releable sources, along with the “flip flops are so last year” quip.
It’s very disturbing to political junkies, like me, but the sound bite voters should have lots of new slogans to base their decisions on.

Posted by: Teri B. | June 22, 2008, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm

Why is it that if oil company windfall profits are taxed as proposed by McCain and Hillary to give ALL of us a federal tax holiday, that the oil companies will just raise prices on the consumer?
But if it is a windfall profit tax to give some people (middle income) a $1000 tax cut, then why does not the same problem exist? And I find the claim of 95% of all families and “middle income” to be a false correlation.
Also please ask Obama about permanently fixing the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) of which he has NEVER addressed as both Hillary and McCain have. Is he planning on using the AMT projected revenues to offset his spending… like Bush has done to make his tax cuts look better?

Posted by: nickberry | June 22, 2008, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm

When the candidate says one thing and later says or does the opposite, it is a form of dishonesty. Supporters who find excuses for such behavior are being dishonest with themselves. There may be good reasons for a change of heart. Flip-flopping, if you prefer that term. If that’s the case, just say so. Lying about the reasons for the change of position, is what makes it so bad.

Posted by: Independent | June 22, 2008, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm

And by the way… Obama should be called “The Great Deflector” in contrast to Reagan “The Great Communicator.”
Why cannot this guy Obama directly answer a question? It reminds me of trying to get info out of my teenager.

Posted by: nickberry | June 22, 2008, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

The only thing that keeps this empty suit standing upright is an enormous amount of hot air. The guy doesn’t even know what he said

Posted by: Soetoro No! | June 22, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

A lot of vitriol against Obama. A lot of rather nasty chatter and slander. Like Obama said the other day…. Obama hit the nail on the head when he said the tack that would be taken would be to paint him as a scary guy. I will give credit for putting down Obama’s answers in full – if you read them objectively, you might understand why no one is asking the same thing again and again. Obama truthfully answers the question openly on the first go. Not like others who give answers that are not clear or try not to admit a change in stance when there is indeed one. You know he spoke it like he saw it and like he called it. What more can you ask after that?
I guess the many Republican and subliminal racist and fear mongering bloggers are getting frustrated that a man focused on truth, justice and restoring the American dream looks unlike what they might have imagined. No matter, once he is President, he will start to look more normal to you. Most anti-Obama bloggers have one angle or another. Good strategy I suppose. Make him out to be a Messiah, a racist, unpatriotic, too liberal, weak, in the pocket of terrorists, etc.. Good luck with all of this completely made up irrelevant noise. It is destined to fail – it is not only wrong, it is way over the top. The American people are not fools. While you might fool some of them some of the time they are not about to be fooled again.
These posters’ frustration I think reflects that Obama is right on the issues. That he is a man of substance who wants to change America’s direction to lead her for the collective benefit of all Americans to goals that are suited to the majority of Americans as opposed to the favored minority. And where is the press and all the posters on asking McCain and Obama about the real issues? This is the important stuff – or have you forgotten them? I can remember a few to you, although I am sure you know them better than I but just rather not talk about them because they high light why Obama is the best choice. Why don’t we ask them a few of these questions and stand back and really listen to them:
- What will you do about the daily loss of lives and new casualties and the billions being spent in the war in Iraq?
- How will you deal with Iran and other nations with mal intent?
- How will you succeed at the so far failed effort to route out Bin Laden and his terrorists?
- What will you do about declining American long term security through foreign policy, policies on religion generally, and religious terrorists and extremists specifically. The question might be phrased – how will you deescalate the global tension? How will you build a bridge of understanding to the non extremist Muslim world and to other major religions and cultures to build global social stability and work together with them to eradicate terrorism?
- What will you do about the US policy of unilateralism and shooting first?
- How will you handle the real and important issue of representing and moving everyone forward including African Americans, Hispanics and other minorities within America?
- How will you address the lack of economic progress in the last 8 years and growing economic misery for the typical American.
- What will you do about the financial crisis (made in America by the way), that is infecting the global finanacial system and bouncing back in other shapes and forms and knocking on America’s door with secondary impacts?
- How will you address the loss of homes by millions?
- What is your prescription for the vacuum in health care for millions in a faulty system that desperately needs overhaul to expand and offer full coverage to all while at the same time reducing costs?
- How will you address underfunded social security as boomers rapidly approach retirement?
- What is your approach to handling the budget and current account deficits?
- How will you address the decline of the dollar in America and as a global reserve currency?
- What is the right answer to spiraling oil and gas and other commodity prices that seem to be out of control?
- Will you look to change America’s energy policy to one that would replace oil and gas dependence with truly long term sustainable energy from sun and wind? If so, how and in what time frame? If not, why not or what else?
- Will you look to change America’s environmental and science policies, which have historically fueled its growth in productivity and return them to unmatched in the world? If so, how? If not, why not?
- Will you return America to a leadership role in the world. In particular will you look to lead the global attack on the lethally real and exponentially growing environmental issues including pollution, global warming and polluted water? If so, how? If not, why not?

Posted by: Paul Stewart | June 22, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

Just because he thinks he is a Messiah so he can say whatever he wants.
He is free to change it anytime too.
The amazing is his supporters support his flip flops.
That is why he think he is GOD.

Posted by: catleya | June 22, 2008, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm

Mel 11:10:04,
The magazine cover said, Michelle shops at Target.
I shop at Target too.
Should I vote for them?
Talking about tries to embrace working class people.

Posted by: catleya | June 22, 2008, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm

Just because he thinks he is a Messiah so he can say whatever he wants.
He is free to change it anytime too.
The amazing is his supporters support his flip flops.
That is why he think he is GOD.
***************************************
You need to grow up.

Posted by: Thinking | June 22, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

You see that faux presidential seal he created? Obama is as real as that seal.

Posted by: Vnd22 | June 22, 2008, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm

Everyday we hear people are struggling to survive with the high gas prices.
Some of them have to skip their breakfast to fill up the gas.
People lose their houses too.
I wonder how can he expect collect more than 300 millions $ for the GE from small donors?

Posted by: catleya | June 22, 2008, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm

Thinking,
Are you referring to yourself?

Posted by: catleya | June 22, 2008, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm

I wonder how can he expect collect more than 300 millions $ for the GE from small donors?
Posted by: catleya | Jun 22, 2008 2:14:20 PM
*******
$5, $10 at a time, just like he did in the Primary. If you have 1 million donors donating $10, you get $10 million, etc.

Posted by: jmc663 | June 22, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm

The commentator said,Obama doesn’t care about his principle all he cares only to win.

Posted by: catleya | June 22, 2008, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm

JMC663,
Do you believe that every single of his supporters will donate money to his campaign?
How about those youth voters?

Posted by: catleya | June 22, 2008, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm

The commentator said,Obama doesn’t care about his principle all he cares only to win.
Posted by: catleya | Jun 22, 2008 2:21:14 PM
*******
LOL! Isn’t what this is all about anyway? This is a contest, a race and the only prize is POTUS.
It’s kinda funny that the media said Obama would not have the “guts” to forego public financing. Obama campaign is the most publicly financed run ever. From people like me, and millions more just like me.

Posted by: jmc663 | June 22, 2008, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm

JMC663,
LOL,,,You are right..I now believe what is :” Change You Can Believe In”

Posted by: catleya | June 22, 2008, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm

the faux outrage from conservatives is pretty funny, considering McCain is now stumping against positions he himself has his name on bills for.

Posted by: Gion | June 22, 2008, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm

I just sampled this mornings talk shows on TV. All of the Republicans were whinnying, crying and very upset that Obama can raise over $500 million from the American public with no restrictions while McCain will have to make do with $85 million with restrictions for the general election.
They cry, “no fair”, “unfair”, he should have to campaign under the same conditions we do. Sorry, but have to run. I have to fix the baby formula for the Republican crybabies.

Posted by: Beto | June 22, 2008, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm

Senator Obama will shine with honor and decency compared to the corrupt evil president we now have. If he wants to raise his own money, more power to him. Nothing and no one has been as corrupt and corporate owned and operated as Bush/Cheney. Give me Senator Obama please. I can’t take anymore of the neocon horror show that we are now living. McCain is just what we do not need to bring a better chance for America.

Posted by: Vicki | June 22, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm

Obama is as corrupt — Rezko, Emil Jones. Given opportunities, he’d be as corrupt as Bush/Cheney. It is only a matter of time before he throws out all principles he has used to paint himself a different politician.

Posted by: amy | June 22, 2008, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm

Obama is not the media darling, but he is the people’s darling. We need this intelligent and honest man so desperately that it will make the difference between attacking preemptively more countries or not. It means having sane leadership or having neocon oil greedy goons continuing to wreck our government. Obama is scary to republicans who know they are in big trouble. People are sick and tired of them and want them gone. When you don’t trust your president, and I sure don’t, you have nothing left. The presidency is a position that should be taken seriously to represent the people and the people’s interests. Not one time has that been done by the Bush administration. Not one time will it be done by McCain.

Posted by: Vicki | June 22, 2008, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm

John McCain during a debate should ask Obama what exactly does CHANGE YOU BELIEVE in means.

Posted by: dpxe | June 22, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm

I don’t trust Obama — I didn’t trust him then and I trust him even less now.
And I base my judgment on facts, not ‘faith’.

Posted by: amy | June 22, 2008, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm

How is Obama people’s darling when he won less votes than Hillary? He won less states after March 4, he won 500,000 votes after March 4?
He is the darling of those who are wealthy to donate to him. A large portion of his money came from big donors. WaPo and LA times have long reported that.

Posted by: amy | June 22, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm

Once again I can see that educated people prefer Obama.

Posted by: Jose | June 22, 2008, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm

“Once again I can see that educated people prefer Obama.”
Baloney — especially if by “educated” you mean people who learned anything about propaganda, politics, and European history while collecting diplomas and credentials here and there.
(I’m about as educated as anybody, and prefer ANYbody to The One’s crypto-messianic flimflam.)

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 22, 2008, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm

“Obama is scary to republicans who know they are in big trouble. People are sick and tired of them and want them gone.”
Republicans LOVE The One — Senator Hagel announced today he’d blablabla Obama’s running mate.
It’s just another style — submissive, sneaky and “polite” — for the same ole crappola dished out by Dub & Co.

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 22, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm

“Once again I can see that educated people prefer Obama.”
Well, thank God that MOST ADULT Americans are not ivy league educated.
And thank you for an uplifting message, I needed it today.

Posted by: RoBoTech | June 22, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

Well – it would be nice if we saw ABC investigate McCain’s flip flops (and call them that) on taxes and oil drilling (not to mentino immigration). Jake – perhaps people don’t care about this whole public financing thing. What’s wrong w/ having 1.5 million small donors?

Posted by: David | June 22, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm

“”Once again I can see that educated people prefer Obama.”
__________—–
Right!
I guess the guys and gals in the “hoods” and the women struggling to get off of welfare….. don’t count as members of Obama’s Elitist Party!
So you won’t be needing their votes
Well, I think they’re the lucky ones.
They can make up their own minds,,,,,
N O N O B O!
COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY!

Posted by: QUESTIONER | June 22, 2008, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm

There are some poster such as Paul Stewart that have their head in the sand or elswhere. They believe every little word that the corrupt Obama says without ever thinking about reinforcing the facts through very credible sources. Senator Obama is just another man from the corrupt Chicago political machine that will say or so anything to win. What he says today will change when the wind blows from the east or the audience change. He is a socialist, not a democrat. He care more for Barack Obama than the United States of America. He will loose in Noivember.

Posted by: Mai | June 22, 2008, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm

“Senator Obama is just another man from the corrupt Chicago political machine that will say or so anything to win. What he says today will change when the wind blows from the east or the audience change.”
That was probably said Word for Word in 1860 about Abe Lincoln.

Posted by: WesTruesdell | June 22, 2008, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm

How can you keep harping on this when he didn’t make a promise to take public financing? He committed to pursue an agreement with the GOP nominee, he didn’t outright say just “YES”. It’s like some in the MSM want to focus on just bites instead of the full responses. He’s not bound by the law to level the playing field with the GOP nominee. He’s got an advantage and he’s going to use it. Why would anyone with a legit shot at winning the presidency let themselves be handicapped by the broken campaign finance system? This whole promise breaking affair is getting ridiculous already.

Posted by: Eddie, NYC | June 22, 2008, 8:58 pm 8:58 pm

“What he says today will change when the wind blows from the east or the audience change. He is a socialist, not a democrat.”
Obamessiah is a soft Republican, not a Democrat. OR a democrat. We need an open convention, not a coronation.

Posted by: Ma Belle | June 22, 2008, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm

Is it simply a case of the press knowing that ordinary folk aren’t much interested in the financing issue and know that Obama has explained his decision as fully as he can and is going to? Maybe the press were actually doing there job, rather than hammering one issue that the public really don’t care that much about.
I think Obama has pretty much explained the change of policy to my satisfaction at least. And I would imagine Obama will be way more open about the financing of his campaign than McCain is going to be. I am starting to get the feeling that McCain sounds a lot more righteous than he has justification in being sometimes.
Posted by: markymark | Jun 21, 2008 5:31:53 PM
___________________________________
WOW!! I am so impressed with you.
Your post is word for word the talking heads (once was news) on every TV station SPOUTED all weekend! FREAKING AMAZING!! The press is saying exactly that, the stupid, ignorant people will never pay any attention!

Posted by: HP Boston | June 23, 2008, 8:50 am 8:50 am

“In reality, the media are helping McCain cover up a huge tactical error. McCain could have announced that he would take public financing and publicly agreed to Obama’s requirement for a “fundraising truce.” Instead, he failed to push Obama, and embraced the Republican Party and right-wing 527s. McCain foolishly waited until Obama’s announcement, in order to attack Obama. In doing so, McCain lost his only hope for financial parity with Obama, who might have felt obligated to take public financing if McCain had been willing to meet all of the conditions.
Unable to gain a financial advantage by limiting the Obama campaign’s spending and using the Republican party and 527s to smear him, McCain this week turned to his only hope in this campaign: that the mainstream press will lie about Obama, ignore the misconduct of McCain, and help McCain win by misinformation. We can’t let the media get away with distortion of reality.”

Posted by: McCains Media | June 24, 2008, 10:39 am 10:39 am

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