'This Is a Game That Can Be Played'

June 10, 2008— -- Vetting the Vetters

Barack Obama was asked Tuesday by ABC's Sunlen Miller how he could "rail against Countrywide Financial Corp as an example of insiders and today's economy while your VP search is headed by someone who got questionable loans from Countrywide?"

"And in addition," Miller continued, "another person on that same VP search team – Eric Holder -- has also been involved in the Marc Rich scandal."

"Well, look," Obama said, "the, the, I mean - first of all I am not vetting my VP search committee for their mortgages, so you're gong to have to direct -- "

"But shouldn't you?" asked Miller.

"Well, no," Obama said. "It becomes sort of a, um, I mean, this is a game that can be played - everybody, you know, who is tangentially related to our campaign, I think, is going to have a whole host of relationships -- I would have to hire the vetter to vet the vetters. I mean, at some point, you know, we just asked people to do their assignments.

ABC's Jake Tapper has more.

McCain Backtracks on Openness to Social Security Tax Hike

McCain hammered Obama on Tuesday for proposing higher Social Security taxes, during an interview with Bloomberg News.

The presumptive Republican nominee neglected to mention, however, that he was open to a similar approach in 2005.

On a Feb., 23, 2005, edition of "Meet the Press," NBC's Tim Russert asked McCain if he would support "as part of the solution to Social Security's solvency problem, that you lift the cap so that you would pay payroll tax, Social Security tax, not just on the first $90,000 of your income, but perhaps even higher?"

"As part of a compromise," said McCain, "I could, and other sacrifices, because we all know that it doesn't add up until we make some very serious and fundamental changes."

Asked about the 2005 remark, a McCain spokesman acknowledged the tension with his current position while arguing that the Arizona senator's criticism of his Democratic rival is still valid because McCain has spoken out against higher Social Security taxes as a 2008 White House hopeful.

"The contrast here couldn't be more clear, and pulling one dated quote out of thousands won't change it," McCain adviser Brian Rogers told ABC News. "John McCain believes we can fix Social Security without raising taxes. Senator Obama has made clear his intention to uncap the payroll tax, raising taxes while failing to restore the program's long-term solvency."

Will McCain help only the wealthy? Does Obama want to raise taxes for all? LINK

Obama Smoke-Free for 'Months'
Sen. Obama responds to a question about the last time he "fell off the wagon." LINK

Obama: VP Vetters Aren't 'Working for Me'
Obama brushes off question about VP search team's controversial background. LINK

Obama, McCain Trade Barbs on Taxes
Obama compares McCain tax plan to Bush; McCain targets Obama for raising taxes. LINK

Political Comedy: 'Blue Balled'
Independent filmmakers make movies to support the Democratic Party. LINK

Bush: Iran Potentially 'Dangerous to World Peace'
President asks foreign leaders to help keep Iran from building nuclear weapons. LINK

The End of the Handshake?
Obama's use of the fist pound seems to have taken hold with politicians. LINKhttp://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5036276

Mapping Out Campaign Strategies
Barack Obama and John McCain pick their target states for the general election. LINK

The First Lady Reflects
Laura Bush talks about foreign policy and the current political race. LINK

Good News for Economy
Fed chairman says the danger of a "substantial" economic downturn has receded. LINK

Playing Favorites
Does The White House favor social programs based on politics? LINK

Who Is Vicki Kennedy?
Meet the woman Ted Kennedy admires most in the world. LINK