McCain blasts Obama's financing remarks

Posted: Friday, April 11, 2008 4:18 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy and NBC's Mark Murray
Earlier this afternoon in Dallas, McCain spoke to reporters for the first time in several days. He got rather animated over Obama’s recent statements on public financing -- once again saying that Obama had previously committed to taking public funds in the general election if the GOP nominee agreed as well. McCain also left the door open to bypassing public funds if Obama does.

On Obama's recent comments on public financing: "The fact is he’s saying one thing, and he’s doing another. I mean, that’s indisputable. The piece of paper is there. He didn’t talk about having discussions about third parties and all that when he committed to saying that he would take public financing if the Republican nominee did. I am the presumptive Republican nominee. I will take public financing. Keep your word to the American people. He’s always talking in his speeches about how we need to keep our word to the American people. Please keep your word to the American people on the commitment you made in writing."

On whether McCain will take public funds in the general: "If Obama -- I mean that commitment was made a year ago. I made that commitment a year ago, and I haven’t changed. Clearly Sen. Obama has changed... I think we’d have to evaluate that at the time. You know, we will as we move closer, but again I repeat my commitment to public financing if he will, and I call on him to keep his commitment that he made a year ago, and not flip flop."

On what circumstances would lead him not to take public funds: "Well, if Sen. Obama doesn’t ... then we will then examine the option as to whether to take it or not because our commitment was if that if the Democrat nominee would take public financing. We hold to that commitment -- unshakeable. But if Sen. Obama is the nominee and decides not to take public financing, then obviously we have to evaluate our options on it. But my commitment remains that if he will, that I made a year ago, that if he will."

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Comments

Dear Senator Obama

This is one time we are requesting that you break your promise. Not only are we asking you to opt out of your promise of accepting public financing support…We are requesting that you do so. There will only be minor outrage and that will probably only come from the Republican politicians.

If truth be told you have symbolically accepted public financing when you allowed the American people to join in on your campaign to take back our United States of America.

If truth be told Senator McCain himself doesn’t appear to be headed towards taking Public financing… "March $15 Million dollars…" Enough Said lets get ready for the General Election Senator Obama

justwaitandsee (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:23 PM)

I don't think Sen McCain can talk about FLIP FLOP....He is proving to be the FLIP FLOP KING already!!!

TR (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:24 PM)

Not one word he said there made any sense. I literally cannot wait to see him and Obama on the same stage for a debate, Obama will be running rhetorical circles around him and McCain will look old and foolish.

Can't wait! (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:25 PM)

It's not fair! Most of my supporters are too old to figure out how that internet thing works!

J. McCain - Washington, DC (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:26 PM)

McCain, as long as you are disputing your "100 years in Iraq" statement, you have absolutely no ground to stand on.......can't have it both ways mister.

laghaday (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:26 PM)

I support our troops but I won't sign the GI Bill.

-McCain

colene, new york, new york (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:28 PM)

So let me get this straight. Senator McCain says he has make a firm commitment to take public funding, that is, unless he can find a way to wriggle out of it and blame the other guy.

Way to go McCain, you give hypocrisy a whole new definition.

sotiredofignorance (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:30 PM)

is it me or does it seem like mcbush is idolizing obama? everything obama says and does mcbush mimics and the repukes fall all over themselves!!!!talk about switch-up?????be your own man!!!!!

obamas' biggest fan (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:31 PM)

Well, McCain is desperate and jealous in not raising a lot of money that Obama did. Instead of trying to find out how he can raise more and appeal to voters further, he goes on blasting Obama's public financing remark (remember he did not pledge but hinted he would sign up for the system, and that was way before he became the front runner).

Jon, TX (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:32 PM)

WHEN HE GIVES BACK THE TAX CUTS THAT BUSH GAVE AWAY LIKE HE SAID HE WOULD ...THEN... SENATOR OBAMA SHOULD ACCEPT PUBLIC FINANCING, THAT WHY WE WILL HAVE MORE MONEY TO DONATE TO THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN!!!

OBAMAMAMA IN MI (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:33 PM)

The stakes are too high.
Obama needs to use every advantage at his disposal to insure his election and the election of a working majority in both houses of Congress. Our Armed Forces have been mis-used and broken down by an incompetent President executing horribly flawed policy leaving this Country in a weakened position and unable to respond to real threats. In effect he has destroyed the concept of an all volunteer force being able to cope with a dangerous world. Ask Colin Powell.
For this Bush should be tried, convicted and jailed. Unfortunately we have no statutes against Administrative Malpractice. However I have no problem with He and Cheney being turned over to the International Court at the Hague. They have dealt with this type of criminal before. I'll bet they won't water board him either.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:33 PM)

Obama go for it. Your image will not go down one bit with your supporters, if you flip flopped on this issue. Those who hate you, will hate you regardless.

We Obama supporters urge you, to not accept Federal money. Go crush the right wing with the money we give you.

For ages, corporate controlled right winged lobbyists controlled what politics and politicians went to White House. Today we the common man of America will show who the boss is.

We will give you more money, and please start politics of mudlsinging as they have done to you.

Attack McCain’s age, Attack McCains economic ineptness, Attack McCain’s flawed foreign policy in Iraq. Make another 100,000 ads, and bombard America with your message of hope.

JSmith (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:34 PM)

A checkbox on a survey is hardly a 'promise', especially one year later. Surveys--of all kinds--indicate a person's current percepetions/intentions.

I hope Obama does not take public financing. For one thing, he'll need to use a good chunk of money just to balance out the collateral damage from a long, battled nomination fight. McCain hardly has to worry about such things...NOR does he think he has the capacity to raise a decent amount of money--which is very funny, considering he's the one with the GOP constituency!

jmp, northern mn (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:34 PM)

So let me get this straight, as long as it's Obama, it doesn't matter that he signed the paper to take public financing. I get the struggle for Obama, at the time he agreed to that, he had no idea of how strong his private fundraising efforts would be, but he did clearly agree to public financing without strings attached if the Republican agreed. I think the easy route is to basically say that because it's McCain you don't have to live up to your word, but since Obama is supposed to be the one to tell the American people the truth, shouldn't he live up to his own standard, regardless of what McCain does?

Holli, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:35 PM)

How about this:

Obama keeps his public financing promise UP UNTIL the first 527 or 501(c)4 ad comes out opposing him. At that point, since McCain is benefitting from money outside the public financing system, Obama would then be free to go outside the public financing system.

McCain should have no problem with this.

ME, Santa Ana, CA (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:36 PM)

What's that Grandpa?
I think you should have had someone read what you signed for you, it was a Denny's menu!

McAgeSpot (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:36 PM)

So it's OK for McCain to do it if Obama does it. Hmm How is that keeping his word to the American people? Seems like the "straight talk" is getting crooked.

Billy, MI (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:36 PM)

VERY UNDER-REPORTED FACT in this election where race is an issue, as reported in Huffington:

"While McCain is seeking amends for his King Day vote, he has refused to back down on another controversial decision he made that put him at sharp odds with the civil rights movement.
In 1990, McCain was one of the deciding votes in helping then-President George H.W. Bush sustain a veto against the relatively benign Civil Rights Act of 1990.
In doing so, the senator found himself at odds with majorities in both chambers of Congress, most senior African Americans within the Bush administration, and the Republican-led U.S. Civil Rights Commission. He also helped Bush became the first president ever to successfully veto a civil rights measure -- Andrew Johnson in 1866 and Ronald Reagan in 1988 both had vetoes overridden.
Nearly two decades later, and on the verge of the 40th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson's landmark 1968 Civil Rights Act, McCain stood by his vote. Asked about the decision this past Sunday, he again repeated that the law amounted to a quota system that he historically has opposed."

Geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:37 PM)

Ditto to the very first post here!
McCain KNOWS he won't be able to raise money from the "little" people like Obama can and wants to back him into a corner. No, No, No, No. This is our moment to CHANGE the way they run a campaign. See? The change is already beginning! Yes We can! Obama '08!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:38 PM)

Mac, Tampa FL (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:39 PM)

Can't Wait

Isn't that the problem? Talking is all Obama has.

You can't wait to see Obama run circles around McCain, well I can't wait to see you accept responsibility for electing Obama President after he withdraws from Iraq and allows civil war and genocide to rip the entire region apart.

And to laghaday,

McCain isn't disputing his 100 years comment. He's asking you to take it for what it was. In PLAIN ENGLISH in the NEXT SENTENCE he said, as long as American soldiers aren't being harmed, he'd be find with a military presence like in Korea or Japan. YOU have no ground to stand on since you're too lazy to find out what he actually said. Obama has you right where he wants you --- in his pocket.

McCain 08 (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:39 PM)

Do people actually listen when this guy talks?? I lost respect for this man long ago; sure he was a POW, but then he had his mind warped by the Republican Party over the last few years. He was actually a very decent politician when he ran in 2000. McCain was the ideal moderate Republican/ conservative Democrat. I don't think there is any politician that rode the fence tighter than he did. Unfortunately, all of that is gone. We now have an old man playing the POW/age card to garner sympathy and votes.

Seriously, if he wins, the Iran vs. American war is not far off.

Paul, Riverside, CA (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:39 PM)

I have a suggestion:
I personally want Obama NOT to take public financing and I hope all of the Obama supporters will get on his web site and make this an issue. McCain CAN'T raise the money that we the people would contribute to CHANGE our America. So folks as justwaitandsee has said let's get together and make sure OUR candidate knows we back him

Bryce Little Elm Texas (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:40 PM)

Fire in Clinton Campaign Headquarters Destroys Tax Returns
Arson Suspected, Officials Say

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (BorowitzReport) — A blazing fire that ravaged Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign headquarters in Terre Haute, Indiana, destroyed more than just the building, campaign officials revealed today.

A spokesman for the Clinton campaign said that the 2007 tax returns of Mrs. Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, went up in flames along with everything else.

In fact, according to a spokesman for the Terre Haute Fire Department, the tax returns may have been ignited first, setting off the conflagration that burned the building to the ground.

“Based on our initial investigation, it looks like gasoline was poured all over the tax returns and then set ablaze,” said THFD spokesman Tracy Klujian. “Whoever did this has experience in destroying records.”

While the Terre Haute police have yet to name any suspects in the inferno, an eyewitness to the fire said he saw a “person in a yellow pantsuit with black trimming” fleeing the building moments after the campaign headquarters caught on fire.

At a press conference in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Clinton said that the incineration of her tax records was “a great personal loss,” adding, “I was so looking forward to sharing them with the American people.”

Mrs. Clinton cut her press conference short after a protracted coughing fit, complaining of smoke inhalation.

lupercal (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:42 PM)

Hilliar seems unable to portray herself in more positive light and all she can do is LIE, LIE, and her supporters have no problem with this because they are advocates of the double standard and of hypocrisy. If you want to hold Obama accountable for untruths, you must do so by acknowledging the endless deceptive tactics employed by the Clintons as if America is a fearful, childish nation.
We have to reject fear. We have to be responsible citizens by holding EVERYONE accountable for their falseholds. Constant use of falseholds and deception constitutes perjury for the judges of America, which is the citizenry. If we want to be led by honesty and integrity, we have to vigorously reject the Clintons' falseholds, rather than focusing our accusations almost squarely on Obama unless we must be labeled "total hypocrites".
The world will judge us by our actions, and whoever we elect will influence how the world sees America.
If we fear a repeat of Bush-like lies by entrusting our votes to a far less deceptive politician (Obama), we must remember that politician (Obama) is VERY different from Bush when it comes to ideologies and experience. So, we have to take into consideration candidates' life experiences (what they do as they grow up, whether wealth or volunteerism or community service was what impacted their lives). The Clintons' experiences have already demonstrated their lack of integrity, self-respect, and honesty.

Jerry S. Oakland, CA (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:42 PM)

MCAIN VOTED TO GIVE THE TELECOM IMMUNITY IN THE FISA BILL.VOTED AGAINST CALLING WATERBOARDING TORTURE AFTER BEING TORTURED.SUPPORTS THE BUSH TAX CUTS NOW. WONT VOTE FOR THE GI BILL BECAUSE HE HAS NOT READ IT YET.WONT HELP HOME OWNERS WHO ARE LOSING THERE HOMES BECAUSE OF PREDATORY LENDING. HE BLAMES THE HOME OWNERS.MCAIN HAS A LOT MORE TO ANWSER FOR THAN OBAMA!

RENEA,PLYMOUTH,MI (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:44 PM)

Holli -

Obama made a very significant signing statement in which he said he pledged to do this as LONG as the Republican and he could WORK OUT an agreement. I am more ticked that MSNBC does not again place a copy of the signing statement below McCain's statement.

Simply stated McCain is lying and he knows it. It’s not like Romney where he ‘misused’ his statement. In this case it is a blatant LIE. I know it worked on Romney, but Obama needs to call his bluff and I doubt McCain can intimidate Obama in the same way. The more McCain campaigns the more I am losing respect for him. I would have voted for him in 2000, but now I see why he could never get passed the Republicans. Oh, and MSNBC won’t publish this.

Trey, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:44 PM)

Senator Obama we forgive you. John is just jealous, and threatened. If the issue were the other way around, he would flip-flop as well. However, if, as you said, McCain would agree to a level financial playing field, then why not????? Nevermind, I just remembered why not. You'll need every dime we can put in your purse to fight the relentless Rovian type attacks they'll hurl your way everyday. Barack, if they go there, then NO MORE MR. NICE GUY! Fight them on their turf, and knock 'em out.

Anyway, you've created a new kind of public funding. If we have to, we will double your stipend from our heavenly portion.
Just let us know the plan. Tell us what you need.

Pulling for Obama '08

donna, pgh., pa. (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:46 PM)

Lanny Davis is wrong:

Clearly Mr. Obama does not share the extremist views of Rev. Wright. He is a tolerant and honorable person. But that is not the issue.

Andrew Sullivan is right:

The relevant - the only relevant - question is: are Obama's beliefs represented by the handful of video clips of the most incendiary of Wright's sermons? Or to unpack it a little further: Does Obama believe that black people should damn America? Does he believe that racial separatism is a viable option? Is he a black liberation theologian?

Seriously, I can find absolutely no evidence that he is, and if anyone can, I will gladly eagerly air it.

http://www.jedreport.com/2008/04/the-only-releva.html

Vote with your head, vote for the economy, vote for jobs.

Vote Democratic 2008 -- don't let the corporations and their Republican stooges win again.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:48 PM)

If Obama gets the nomination I will vote for him. McCain would be a vote for another Republican administratioon and what is that? Bush promised "compasionate conservatism" and the only compassion we ever saw was when he looked into the eyes of A Putin and saw friendship and love or something of that nature. We see where that got anybody. Bush promised lots but always delivered on the conservative agenda. John McCain can retract or triple his announcements of how he is going to help out people. All Republican presidents promise whatever they want in order to gain the vote of the middle and poorer income citizens. Then they all take more money from the national pot, cut social services, cut education, cut medical aid, cut any goverment jobs that actually try to help people so that they can give more to owners rather than those workers who actually produce the wealth of the country through their sweat and not their mineral water and whatever lunches, dinner, nights out, jets, etc. Any worker in America who thinks he or she will do better with McCain has not studied him much. Check his voting record. He says he can unite the country. His voting record is nearly fully conservative. I'll go with Barack or Hillary who can take us in a direction that will unite the majority of the nation which is middle and poorer income citizens. And hopefully some thinking Republicas and Independants can see far enough in the future to know that the small number of wealthy do not, as the Republican mantra goes,have better values, care more, know best and work best and invest best for the good of the country. It just ain't so. Go Democrats.

mexed, san antonio, texas (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:51 PM)

Barack Obama said 'he would discuss public financing' ... he does that. Period. Promise kept.

Frank, Missouri (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:52 PM)

I hope this is a Teflon John moment since it seems, as with Romney, the MSM is going to allow McCain to say anything and not call him on his flip-flops. McCain’s entire platform is a flip-flop. Come on, against tax cuts now for them, against torture now for torture. I mean this guy is ok with waterboarding, a technique used by the Japanese against our POW's in World War II. There is no large flip-flop than switching you view on torture.

Trey, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:53 PM)

Obama does not need public funds. He can opt out. That is not flip-floping as some would like to believe. It is opting out. Simple as that.

Ithacan For Obama (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:55 PM)

Guess McCain knows who he's gonna be running against in the GE!

Lin Lo (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:56 PM)

Pulling for Obama '08

donna, pgh., pa. (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:46 PM)

----------------------------------

You have been pulling for a long time now.

How is the pulling going?

John,McCain, The White House (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:56 PM)

Go ahead Mr. Obama and opt out... apparently your supporters don't care about the lies you tell - only about the lies they say the other candidates tell.

You are all made for each other - win at any cost and to *^ll with America.
Mac, Tampa FL (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:39 PM)
_______________

BE ON NOTICE REPUBLICANS

This is not a John Kerry Campaign...We will not allow you to control, quilt or manipulate The American People this time.

We are STRONGLY URGENING Senator Obama to allow the American People to continue to help him take back our country from these Un- Patriotic Souls

This is a different campaign Republicans so be on notice …

You should be embarrassed to be a Republican (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:56 PM)

Please, First Read, fact check McCain's statements - was HIS commitment actually dependent on whether or not the Democratic nominee took public financing?

Was Obama's commitment really that simple - 'I won't take public financing' - no stipulations at all?

Andy, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:57 PM)

If I'm reading this right - McCain says he'll use public financing if Obama does. If Obama uses private financing, so will he? The agreement Obama made was that if the GOP candidate used public financing, he would. So, logically, if Obama uses private financing so will McCain - no big deal. He's not going back on his word if McCain uses private financing... and McCain said he'd go private if Obama did.

Rory, Missoula MT (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:00 PM)

It's like he's challenging Obama to a fist fight, but he's telling Obama that he has to tie one hand around his back and fight on one foot. C'mon McCain, you're tough enough to handle being out-financed, aren't you?

Heidi, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:01 PM)

Everybody hold up. Mac in Tampa FL just said "To *^ll with America". He must be an American hating, unpatriotic, racist bigot for even saying that. What??? That quote was taken out of context? Huh! Isn't that interesting.

Patrick, Indianapolis (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:02 PM)

This is a riot considering John McCain is breaking campaign finance laws! McCain signed up for public financing which has a $54 million limit. He has requested to opt, but NOT YET RECEIVED APPROVAL as required. He's already spent at least $58 million and their is a petition for FEC to investigate:
http://www.theseminal.com/2008/03/26/tell-the-fec-to-enforce-the-law/

Deborah Whipp (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:04 PM)

I would think Obama was a fool for taking public financing after he's proven he can raise a gazillion dollars; and I forgive him in advance if he gave his word about public financing last year. That was then and this is now.

Argue about something that matters, McCain. Stop drowning voters in a sea of gnats.

Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:05 PM)

ME, Santa Ana, CA (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 4:36 PM)

Sounds agreeable.

BIGOLDTEXAN (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:05 PM)

McCain flip-flopped on tax cuts for the rich (he was against them before he was for them).

McCain flip-flopped on torture (he was against it before he voted for it).

McCain flip-flopped on the war in Iraq (he said it would be easy in 2002 before he said he always knew it would be a long hard struggle in 2007).

Why shouldn't Obama get a flip-flop or two, especially when it has nothing to do with the main issues facing the country? The fact that millions of ordinary people have made small donations that total in millions of dollars a month more than McCain or Clinton can match is certainly not what's wrong with the campaign financing system.

And Obama's ability to raise funds in small amounts from millions of people is his only real chance to overcome the pro-McCain, pro-war corporate media and the corporate-financed 527 outfits. Bush's Supreme Court recently permitted 527's to saturate the air waves with lying hit pieces against the Democratic candidate right up until the November election, so Obama should just state that the deal is off for that reason alone. Sure "big unions" can also finance 527s to hit back at McCain, but there aren't many "big unions" left after 8 years of Bushite unions busting.

Houston (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:06 PM)

McCain 08

Where to start. First off, the Iraqis hate Al-Qaeda. You do know that right? OK, now follow me here. There are many different factions of Sunnis in Iraq. Some are with us in fighting AQI but a large portion of them won't join the fight against them b/c of us. Now, if we leave, you will see all the factions get together and destroy AQI on their own. They won't help us help them but they will help themselves once we leave.

That leads us to McCain's point about being there 100 years. What idiot honestly believes that our soldiers won't be harmed, maimed, shot at, or killed as long as we are there? Do you really believe this? If you do, your an idiot. As long as our soldiers are there, they will get shot at. And as long as we are there, we won't get the support we need to stabalize the country. McCain wants to be there 100 years, thus advocating our soldiers being shot at over 100 years.

Now run along and learn about Sunni's, Shiites, AQI's, and Iraqis. Once you do, email McCain and tell him so he stops looking like a putz on national TV.

A Democrat will win the White House (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:06 PM)

The pledge that Obama (and the rest of the candidates) signed stated that they would CONSIDER using public financing if they were their party's nominee.

It looks to me like he has actually honored his pledge. He considered it.

Then he rejected it.

End of story.

Stop twisting the facts, McSame.

Obama '08

Pete, Seattle, WA (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:07 PM)

Did I miss something? We still have 10 more primaries, right? I mean before Hillary wins the popular vote but is forced to relent because the AA, friend of An America Hating, Friend of An America bombing.... OH WAIT that's all racist and not HATE... might cry BOO HOO.

ILOVEAMERICA (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:07 PM)

What does an animated 72-year old man look like anyway? McCain can whine all he wants but, until he has an idea on dealing with the 527's, public financing is a joke.

Ian (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:10 PM)

John McCain cannot control how Senator Barack Obama
finances his own campaign , infact right now Obama
must draw the battle line, the fight is who will be
the next American President for the next 4-8 years ,
Obama must not under any circumstances listern or
even try to discuss financing his own campaign with McCain ,infact Senator Obama should just say no and
optout period. Senator Obama we will back you with
any fund required to defeat War McCain McWar

Michael , Newark NJ (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:10 PM)

It doesn't matter how much Obama raises, the RNC always has much more cash than the DNC...

Obama made the commitment now he's backing out, and every Obama fan here, after all this is the Obama network, is giving him a free pass... Won't be that easy come November...

The Truth Hurts (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 5:11 PM)

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