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McCain Blasts Obama Over Public Financing Pledge
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ShareFebruary 20, 2008 11:44 AM
ABC News' Ron Claiborne Reports: Sen. John McCain lashed out at Sen. Barack Obama today for going back on a pledge they both made in 2007 to accept public financing if they ran in the 2008 general election.
Watch the VIDEO HERE.
"Now I notice in a column in USA Today that he talking about other outside money … Look, that's Washington double speak," McCain said. "I committed to public financing . He committed to public financing. It is not any more complicated than that. I would hope he would keep his commitment to the American people. That's not transparency nor is it keeping one's word to the American people to take public financing. I'll keep my word. I want him to keep his if he's the nominee and I'm the nominee of our respective parties."
McCain said he had committed in writing to take public financing if he were the GOP nominee, as now is all but guaranteed, but would now have to "re-evaluate if Sen. Obama or Sen. (Hillary) Clinton does not make that commitment." Clinton has never made such a commitment.
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee first attacked Obama on this issue last week. He has focused his attacks increasingly on Obama, and less on Clinton, in recent days reflecting his campaign's view that the Illinois Democrat is more likely to emerge as his party's presidential nominee.
The Obama campaign hit back today.
"John McCain is in no place to question anyone on pledges when he abandoned the latest campaign finance reform efforts in order to run for the Republican nomination and went back on his commitment to take public financing for the primary election this year," Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said.
In his victory speech last night in Columbus, Ohio after winning the Wisconsin and Washington state primaries, McCain alluded to Obama, saying, "I will work hard to make sure Americans aren't deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change."
Campaigning in Wisconsin several days ago, Obama said, "If I am the nominee, then I will make sure that our people talk to John McCain's people to find out if we're willing to abide by the same rules and regulations with respect to the general election going forward. But it would be presumptuous of me to say now that I'm locking myself into something when I don't even know if the other side is going to agree to it."
"There's nothing to talk about," McCain said today. "What's there to talk about? People have made a commitment to take public financing. There's nothing to talk about. We either keep our word or we don't keep our word. I intend to keep my word to the American people."
February 20, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (29)
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McCain is such a hypocrite! Did he take public funds for the primary? NO.... he knew that he would be outraised by any of the Republitard's. SO..... now he knows Obama will cook his goose in the general election and McCain is now wanting to honor his pledge and make Obama do the same. Hypocrite Hypocrite Hypocrite
Posted by: Morpheum | Feb 20, 2008 7:27:02 PM
MCcain is a good man ...he's right you all are wrong and not to bright.
The soul is what will win not hateful or eloquent words and promises of a better tomorrow, so just do it yourself instead of depending on one.. I say ONE man or woman to do it all.. and please all. Dream if you will but it's not real life. Mccain is real and wise and IS the best choice if choice's are to be made. Choose wisely.
Posted by: helenoftroy | Feb 20, 2008 11:43:01 PM
ann, obama only meant to keep his pledge if it turned out to be to his benefit. now that he's rolling in dough, it's not to his benefit, so of course he has no intention of keeping his pledge. his word is worth nothing. i'm older (50s) and i remember a time in america when a man's (or woman's) word was everything. it is such a shame that americans are being conned into maybe electing (hopefully not) a man whose word is meaningless to the highest office in our country. integrity is not something he has. he will never have my vote. and i'm a lifelong democrat.
Posted by: so saddened | Feb 21, 2008 12:07:15 AM
stop all these arguments. Just pray for the best
Posted by: sneaky | Feb 21, 2008 3:19:36 AM
Pray for partisan gridock. At least then none of these goofballs can enact their insane ideas. The system was designed to restrict the rate of "change" to protect the country from folks like our current crop of candidates. Obama's redistributive social leveling, versus McCain's surrender of the nation to illegal immigration. Nice choice. Baaaaaa We get what we deserve.
Posted by: We the Sheeple | Feb 21, 2008 7:16:01 AM
A man is only as good as his word. Obama America is waiting to see what kind of man you really are. Flowers and chocolates are nice. Its the promises kept that keep the love affair going.
Posted by: Inide in Iowa | Feb 21, 2008 10:17:14 AM
John McCain is finished,Bushes endorsement is the icing on the cake. McCains a serial cheater,and is a Bush clone. Bush sucks,McCain sucks too.
Posted by: AJ | Feb 21, 2008 11:44:55 AM
I think financing should come from the government. Equal for all candidates with equal media coverage.
Posted by: Doug | Feb 21, 2008 12:27:27 PM
Obama may NOT get my vote in the general election (I'm assuming he is getting the nomination).
It depends on McCain's & Obama's picks for a running mate.
Posted by: In WA | Feb 21, 2008 2:42:36 PM
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