By Julia Hoppock

Jun 19, 2008 5:06pm

McCain criticizes Obama’s position on public funding: matter of trust

ABC News’s Bret Hovell reports: Senator John McCain severely criticized Sen. Barack Obama’s decision not to take part in the federal public financing system for his campaign, characterizing the Illinois Democrat’s decision as a matter of trust.

"This is a big deal, a big deal," McCain said. "He has completely reversed himself and gone back, not on his word to me, but the commitment he made to the American people."

McCain was speaking to a small group of reporters in flood-ravaged eastern Iowa, where he had gone to tour the damaged town of Columbus Junction.

McCain said he was especially concerned by Obama’s decision to opt out of the federal financing system because he – or someone with his campaign – had filled out a questionnaire during the primaries that promised to take federal matching funds if his Republican opponent did as well. McCain has said he would do the same.

"Sen. Obama’s reversal on public financing is one of a number of reversals that he has taken," he said. "I’m especially disturbed by this decision of Sen. Obama’s because he signed his name on a piece of paper, signed his name."

McCain said he had not made a decision about what his own campaign would do in light of Obama’s decision.

The public financing system would provide approximately $84 million for the presidential nominee to use from the conclusion of the nominating convention until election day. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has already raised record amounts of money, and could potentially top that number through private donations to his campaign.

McCain tried to tie Obama’s decision to his character.

"This election is about a lot of things but it’s also about trust. It’s also about whether you can take people’s word."

User Comments

People called me Hillary supporter. But I refused to vote for him, even though Hillary is on the so called Dream Ticket. Since from the begining he is not trustworthy to me. He is trying to fool all the people all the time, until the GE. And still people so fad up with the old politics that they believe in this dangerous guy. Well Clintons do lie at times, but one thing you can say they mostly will not lie when the nation comes. They might lie for their own political interest. And no one is saint in politics. But this man lies to Muslims, Xians and now Hindus by keep the monkey god statue in his pocket. He just said he would not let Osama become the martyr and he also said in the same speach that it will unlikely that US forces can catch them alive. In other words US forces should not try to catch him. He said to earn a point or two over hillary that he is not taking money from special interest, now that battle is over, he changed his stance on that. I just can not trust him at all.

Posted by: I know obama | June 19, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

I dont know what’s more pathetic: The first poster or the story itself..

Posted by: pity | June 19, 2008, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm

lol
that was the best comment ive ever read
hahahahahaha
monkey god statue in his pocket hahahahaha

Posted by: bhrandon | June 19, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm

McCain needs to stop whining. He has FLIP FLOPPED on so many more things than McCain has ever done.

Posted by: Sandy | June 19, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm

No More Lobbyist!!!!!
Getting rid of the extremely negative impact of lobbyist is one of the major reasons I support Senator Obama. I will gladly donate to Obama because I have seen the destruction from lobbyist up close.
Barack Obama has said many times, “Lobbyist will not own my White House.”
McCain has flip-flopped on many things. Yesterday he told the citizens of Missouri about a gas tax holiday he knows Congress will never approve.
Prior to McCain’s event in Missouri yesterday, Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri said in a conference call that McCain’s plan would cost the state 6,000 jobs and $167 million in federal gas tax dollars for Missouri’s roadways.
“The people of Missouri can smell a phony deal a mile away,” she said. “Frankly, that’s what John McCain’s gas tax is. He knew it wasn’t going to have any meaningful impact on people’s real pain – our dependence on foreign oil.”
McCaskill said it was “a promise he knew he would never have to deliver on.”
The article, “Could McCain Have Come Up with a More Ill-Suited Economic Advisor Than Phil Gramm?”, is one of many examples for the damage caused by lobbyist specifically gas prices and the subprime housing damage.
http://www.alternet.org/election08/87999/?cID=936047#c936047

Posted by: Stan | June 19, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm

I agree with the first poster. Barkey says whatever he needs to say to gain points then does what is politically expedient. Now public campaign financing can join Wright, Ayers Rezko, Pfleger, and Jim Johnson under the bus.
Barkey’s supporters will say and do anything to excuse what he does. Yesterday I pointed out Barkey was an admitted cocaine and marijuana user in response to disparaging remarks regarding Cindy McCain’s years ago addiction to prescription pain killers.
Know what the O-Clone response was? At least he didn’t steal the cocaine and marijuana. That excuses it, because the illegal drugs he used were not stolen. These people go through all kinds of machinations to excuse The Great and Wondrous Obama’s behavior. I guess they think that everyone is as silly and gullible as they are.
I guess that is the effect of too much kool-aid.

Posted by: FoxyBrown | June 19, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm

lets see now MCcain takes money from anywhere—-obama relies on public supporters——-VERY INTERESTING,-who is for who

Posted by: rodney | June 19, 2008, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm

No dirty money in this from us,the American people…..

Posted by: me | June 19, 2008, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm

McCain has flipped on:
Torture
Bush tax cuts for the rich
Evangelical right wing
Drilling off the coasts and ANWR
Windfall profits tax
McCain says whatever his audience wants to here.

Posted by: JR | June 19, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm

Another funny thing about the O-Clones. Any discussion of Barkey’s character turns into an ad hominem attack on John McCain.
Barkey was the one who first swore to use public funds. Now that he is getting money from “small donors” (read: overseas probably terrorist backed who can’t be traced over the internet) he doesn’t want to use public money. Earlier he said using public money was a way to ensure that candidates are not beholden to special interests. Wonder who Barkey is beholden to? I do.

Posted by: FoxyBrown | June 19, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

Foxy,
The responses you got may be because some people really don’t care if someone tried drugs. I’m sure the right wing, ultra conservatives who get blasted on gin and tonics will point their finger. But really, who cares?
There’s quite a few people in this country who tried drugs in college. Doctors, lawyers, business leaders, etc.
Is a good thing? No. Does it make someone any less able to lead the country? No.
We watched Hillary pounding shots of whiskey for the camera. Is THAT ok? Alcohol kills way more people than marijuana every year. Should our leader promote bar drinking?
We all know Bush was a heavy coke user and drinker as well. But he never had the guts to just admit it. His old friends had to tell us about it.
I personally don’t care at all about things that happened 20 years ago. People, even politicians, have the right to make mistakes and learn from them.
But then again, I’m all hopped up on kool aid.
I love Obama. He’s pissing eveyone off. The establishment hates him and conservatives fear him. That’s the best indicator he’s the guy that we need.
I trust him whole heartedly to be exactly what he is, a skilled politician with natural leadership skills.
He’s running for President – a political job. Not for Pope.

Posted by: Fish Tales | June 19, 2008, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm

FoxyBrown… I don’t wonder who

Posted by: Mark | June 19, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm

I guess 1.5 million donors would disagree.
Freedom of speech is what the Republicans have argued before, except they usually mean Corporate freedom of Speech.
McCain’s whine is getting a little tiresome.
I think he is trying to define himself as anything Obama is not, couple of more weeks and he will have himself tied into knots.

Posted by: Thinking | June 19, 2008, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm

Fish Tales…. Charles Manson had natural leadership skills too.

Posted by: Mark | June 19, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm

McCain is just mad because he was expecting to be able to use the public funds without looking like a total douchebag compared to Obama.
I can’t believe we even have public financing.

Posted by: Tim@Work | June 19, 2008, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm

obama has outright lied about too many things.
he will be swift boated so severly it aint funny.
he cant be trusted and has no backbone.
this is what will crush him in the general election.

Posted by: NED | June 19, 2008, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm

With 10% of tax payers checking off the Presidential Campaign Fund box on their Tax return, it is a non issue.
There are so many loopholes in the system that allow things like the swift boaters etc., that it actually works against the public.
The Republicans have showed us the way, No public financing of the Presidential Campaign.

Posted by: Thinking | June 19, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

i my family and friends have contributed to obama.-we are a very special interest group.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE.

Posted by: rodney | June 19, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

Both Kerry and Bush opted out of public financing in 2004. According to CommonCause.com, the presidential public financing system is outmoded and in need of reform–hence candidates opt out of it. Before Obama’s announcement, it was already predicted that both candidates would choose to fund their own races.
In case it’s not obvious, candidates would make a “big, big deal” out of their opponent’s decision to put cream in their coffee. The rhetoric is one-size-fits all. Do you research, people.

Posted by: Sarah | June 19, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm

Is this the change that we’ve been waiting for? Seems like the same old BS.

Posted by: Mack | June 19, 2008, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm

“we must get off the oil kick–there is no future in it for we the people.” More empty rhetoric from the empty heads.

Posted by: Mack | June 19, 2008, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

It’s funny how obama defend his public finance “to fight what so called 527″. Did he forgets Moveon.org?? He sounds like when he said he wasn’t aware of the questionaire that labeled him as the most liberal senator even though his handwritings were on the questionaire. Liar!!! If obamaniacs still doesn’t think this guy is a liar then they are so blind that no miracle can help.
I’ll be laughing my butt off if obama raise less than 80millions. Then he’ll say “i’ll take public finance because I committed to it”
New kind of politics?? all of them do what’s best for them first before the people they are supposed to serve. When we have the capacity and the resources to drill, these congressmen don’t allow it (for whatever stupid reasons they said but deep down it’s for their own benefits). It’s pathetic and make me want to throw to even look at obama while he’s claiming he’s a fresh kind. ech…

Posted by: hannah | June 19, 2008, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm

mack
want to pay 10.00 per gallon next—they will take the blood right out of us—will not stop unless we go to alternate fuels and power.

Posted by: rodney | June 19, 2008, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm

Obama needs money to buy a trust but he’s wrong.
Mc Cain-08.

Posted by: chris | June 19, 2008, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm

Until that magical day happens, we can all just do nothing and hope for the change to happen. Maybe someone else will solve our problems for us.

Posted by: Mack | June 19, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm

Obama will take care of you just like he took care of his mentor. He’d throw the whole country under the bus for 4 years of fame and fortune.

Posted by: Mack | June 19, 2008, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm

Then you may want to check out Ron Paul, because Obama is for big everything.

Posted by: Mack | June 19, 2008, 7:21 pm 7:21 pm

a parting thought
—obama is being supported by millions of indivudals–mccain is backed by big business lobby–choice you make will be your future for the next four years–after 16 years of some of worst government in history we need to wise up and if after four years we are no better off—–VOTE HIM OUT OF OFFICE AND HOLD HIM RESPONSIBLE–be it obama or mccain

Posted by: rodney | June 19, 2008, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm

What makes you believe that Obama isn’t backed by big business?

Posted by: Mack | June 19, 2008, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm

MACK
very easy–start naming a few—the act with rev. right and such is really kid stuff—we know mccain is bought and paid for by big oil. all the drilling in the world will not lower gas prices–they are in controll—may lower a few cents now and then to quiet the public outcry.

Posted by: rodney | June 19, 2008, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm

Again, the O-Clones missed my point like they always do. I said that in response to folks slamming Cindy McCain for her prescription drug use, I brought up Barkey’s use of coke and weed. I was admonished that no one cares about that. I guess except when McCain’s wife does it.
The Clones again excuse any behavior of Barkey. Now the fact that he has reneged on his pledge to use public financing is somehow McCain’s fault. Never Bambi’s fault. And talk about whining. I never saw a grown man whine more than Bambi. He’s worse than a girl.

Posted by: FoxyBrown | June 19, 2008, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm

mack
ron paul–ross perot–and afew others are the kind of people we need —-but since they cannot be bought by big business—they cannot get anrwhere—they are for the country and people –not special interest

Posted by: rodney | June 19, 2008, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm

I don’t care enough about him to do any research about who backs him. It wouldn’t change your mind anyway. It’s just naive to believe that he’s not just like every other politician. Just because he says it, doesn’t make it so. You really may want to check out Ron Paul because he is the only one that is for real change.

Posted by: Mack | June 19, 2008, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm

You’re right about that Rodney.

Posted by: Mack | June 19, 2008, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm

So Obama lied to his supporters and will raise as much money as he can–the $500 million man and John McCain will only have the federal financing system. Oh yes, the broken system that Obama will not use. CAN OBAMA BUY AMERCIA? How does this look for the first black man to buy America. He can advertise and advertise and buy votes but I think the American people can see what is going on—you know Obama—transparency.

Posted by: Anne | June 19, 2008, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm

So Obam,a “lied” you say, how about this:
John McCain reiterated his opposition to drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday, a day after his statement calling for it.
Can’t John make up his mind or is he so confused without Lieberman or Cindy to correct him that he’s become erratic and has lost his bearings?

Posted by: JR | June 19, 2008, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm

Something wrong with having $500M to spend on a presidential run…..Why would anyone need that much $ to become president? More importantly, who is contributing that much money to “make him president” and why?

Posted by: Scott | June 19, 2008, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm

So Obama wants real public financing, not government money or hand outs. oops whos is the conservative here. Wants us out of Iraq and empire building. Amazing… next he is going to say he wants to balance the budget….Is he trying to get Pat Buchanan to support him?…. how exotic……or on the ticket? lol…

Posted by: ENN | June 19, 2008, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm

Obama flip flops all the time.
In november Obama called the DC gun ban constituational then in the pennsylvania debate wouldn’t answer the question.
Obama was against the israeli wall in 2004 then when he ran for president was for it.
Obama flip flops on nafta. In 2004 he says it was good for illinios. Then he rails against it now he says it was overheated rhetoric.
OBAMA IS THE MESSIAH OF FLIP FLOPS.

Posted by: Jason | June 19, 2008, 10:00 pm 10:00 pm

First, John McCain violated his own campaign finance laws. McCain broke the “McCain-Feingold” law which prohibits candidates from leaving the public financing system if they use the promise of funding to secure a loan, as McCain did (he secured his $4 million loan during a critical moment of his faltering campaign by promising to use the public financing if he failed to pay it back). McCain also received free ballot access in many states because he had pledged to accept matching funds. If John McCain wouldn’t obey the campaign finance laws in the primary, why should anyone expect him to keep his word in the general election?

Posted by: Fresh Brains | June 19, 2008, 11:03 pm 11:03 pm

Why does a socialist public financing system even exist? Peddling influence will happen no matter how things are financed. My advice is to stop whining and just raise some money; if you’re not raising money, then ask yourself why not…

Posted by: 1percenter | June 19, 2008, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm

McCain is playing the system. He has organized a way for individual donors to give up to $73,000.00 each by giving to the Republican National Committee. McCain then uses the RNC money to attack Obama. So McCain takes the taxpayers’ money then uses extra funds, as much as he can collect, to attack Obama. Obama just nullified this plan by the GOP and McCain. The news media never explains this situation and McCain’s plan in a very simple manner.

Posted by: Jack | June 20, 2008, 4:49 am 4:49 am

Wow, is’nt this the pot calling the kettle black. Mc Cain is the biggest flip-flopper I ever seen. He is so ridiculously transparent in his villification of Obama. Puleeeze!!!!!

Posted by: Susan | June 20, 2008, 8:44 am 8:44 am

You bet it’s a big deal to McCain! He was hoping that Obama was stupid enough to allow himself to be herded into a position that would allow the Republicans to slime him as they did Kerry. Finally, the Democrats have a guy who is not only right on the issues, but smart enough to outwit the Republicans.

Posted by: Sam in Florida | June 20, 2008, 9:26 am 9:26 am

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