Obama Talks Public Financing, Penn, Carter and Powell in Press Avail

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Obama Talks Public Financing, Penn, Carter and Powell in Press Avail

April 11, 2008 3:10 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Questions over his recent remarks about public financing dominated Sen. Barack Obama's press availability this morning spurred by comments he made at a Monday night fundraiser where he said he has created a parallel public financing system.

Obama disputed that he was signaling that he would forgo public financing in his Monday remarks. "What I was trying to suggest is that through the Internet and the enthusiasm of this campaign, we've created a model for being able to compete at the highest levels of politics without being dependent on big monied interests."

Obama said his position on public financing hasn't changed, but that the system is "creaky" and "needs to be reformed if it's going to work".

Of the opt-in $3 public financing check box on tax returns, Obama said "we know that the check off system has been declining in participation, and as a consequence, the amount of money raised through the public financing system may be substantially lower than the amount of money that can be raised through small donations over the Internet." He said it presents candidate with "tough decisions in terms of how they want to move forward if they want to compete in as many states as possible."

A reporter countered that Obama hadn't checked off the public financing $3 on his tax returns. Obama said that he always has and that a lack there of was "oversight or a mistake".

Looking ahead to potential modifications of the public finance system Obama said, "I think a bipartisan group should examine, because I don't think that's something that's something that's gonna be fixed just by legislative fiat by one party."

Obama said he does not know the likelihood of an agreement on public financing with McCain – given the short time between now and the general election, "I think everybody including the public would benefit from a system in which you did not have third parties reigning down millions of dollars primarily in negative ads directed at the other candidates which I think will be a distraction from the substantive issue of the campaign."

A spokesman for Sen. McCain, R-Ariz., said in a written statement, Obama "has clearly committed to public financing in the general election should he win his Party’s nomination, and we expect him to keep his word."

Obama added, "Whether or not we can pull it off, I don't know."

The press conference was remarkably absent of questions concerning his Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton. Obama was asked about Mark Penn and said he would have gotten rid of Penn if he was on his campaign saying he was surprised that "the highest ranking member of Sen. Clinton's team would be engaged in business activities and lobbying that was directly contrary to a position Sen. Clinton had taken."

"I'm not surprised that Sen. Clinton found herself in an uncomfortable position as a consequence, and I know that if staff of mine were putting me in that kind of position I would get rid of them."

As for the recounting of Clinton's trip to Tuzla as First Lady, Obama said "I'll let the Clinton's explain Bosnia."

Asked about President Carter’s meeting next week with Hamas, Obama said as a private citizen he can't discuss or dictate who the former president should meet with and reiterated that he would not meet with Hamas, "given that it's a terrorist organization—it is not a state".

Responding to former Secretary of State Colin Powell's praise, Obama said he does not speak to Powell on a regular basis, and shifted to Powell's concerns over Iraq.

Obama agreed with Powell's assertion that the US can't continue to keep a large number of troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, "I think he's exactly right and what he's said is consistent with what I've said which is that we have to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. this is not going to be a matter of just being able to say we are pulling them all out regardless of consequences."

Following the Washington Post story this morning on the role of big time bundlers in his campaign, Obama disputed that they have much of a day-to-day advisory role, "They are very active, though they don't interact much with me, they interact mostly with each other. They are not as a general rule part of my day-to-day policy or advisory committee, although there are some people who have raised money for me who are also prominent business leaders...Their focus is on raising money."

Obama also touched on abortion, stating that it's "never a good thing" and pointing to his support of pro-life Democrats Tim Roemer and PA Sen. Bob Casey as a means of continuing a conversation with each side of the issue. Obama said "that's the kind of conversation that I think would allow us to move forward in actually reducing the number’s of abortions."

April 11, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (45)

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Yes Diane,

Use your vote to reinforce war, $5 dollar gas, jobs outsourced to foreign countries and permanent tax cuts for the wealthy. That works good for you right?

Well, 85% of Americans on record have disagreed with you. That puts you in the "bottom" 15%, and that's where it will stay. At the bottom.

Enjoy Bush and his policies and politics while you can. Come November, he and McCain will not be running this country. Keep your fingers crossed for McCain. He's gonna need fingers and toes.

Posted by: Common Sense | Apr 11, 2008 4:04:18 PM

Given McCain's name recognition, Senate tenure and very impressive fund-raising skills, McCain isn't supposed to have problems getting money from donors, is he? Can anyone explain how someone can be in the Senate for 25 plus years and not have the connections to match a Senator with just 3 years in the same Senate? The answer is quite clear. Very few truly believe in MCain and his cause or that he will win against Obama.

The bottom line is that Obama has run a superior campaign with Hillary Clinton as his opponent. If Obama is able to win against the legendary Clinton Machine, he will have demonstrated great political skill, all the while appearing above the fray. McCain is a far easier trophy than Clinton because its going to come down to the issues, not rhetoric. Rev Wright? McCain has Rev John Hagee who is far worse. Rezko with no news? McCain was directly involved with the Keating 5.

So, my friends, when it comes down to the issues and the American people, most in this country want change and McCain doesn't represent that. All of the whining and rhetoric doesn't mean a thing.

Simply put, MCCAIN WILL LOSE.

Posted by: Common Sense | Apr 11, 2008 4:06:22 PM

Susan,

"What kind of judgment would he have if he just gave up his money advantage without thinking about it first?"

That's a good question because he technically already did. He just took it back out of convenience.

I don't have a lot against Obama, but he does seem to try to sell the idea that he takes the high road in situations where he really doesn't. In short, he is more of a politician than he will admit to.

Posted by: sdust | Apr 11, 2008 4:06:41 PM

Common Sense - Having some trouble with folks who express their Wright to vote as they see fit?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 11, 2008 4:08:21 PM

yes common sense - i worked hard for 39 years, saved a bunch of pennies and can afford the $5 gal gas. We need a qualified person in the White House, and Obama is not the one. I'd be more worried w/ Obama as he as shown us nothing! Crooked politician, that's it!

Posted by: Diane | Apr 11, 2008 4:09:51 PM

Common Sense - So what's Obama's plan to stop the $5.00 a gallon gas from happening?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 11, 2008 4:12:53 PM

When he checked off the box next to the pledge to accept public financing and said that he would accept it if the Republican nominee did, he made a promise. This coupled with his other fibs makes him Axelrod’s Pinocchio. It's time he mans up!

Posted by: smartprimate | Apr 11, 2008 4:13:09 PM

Common Sense,

"Can anyone explain how someone can be in the Senate for 25 plus years and not have the connections to match a Senator with just 3 years in the same Senate?"

Perhaps because he has PO'd a lot of special interests? Look into his pork-barrel spending and you will find that he hasn't been sharing the wealth enough to buy contributions.

Posted by: sdust | Apr 11, 2008 4:13:27 PM

What's so amusing is reading the cynical approach to dealing with the reality of losing to a far superior opponent.

He isn't supposed to be a candidate. He doesn't wear a lapel. He doesn't put his hand over his heart. He doesn't have experience. Blah, blah blah.

All the while, the one who isn't "supposed" to be doing anything is laughing all the way to the White House while cynics argue about issues of little or no signficance. Funny

That's the total humor in Success is the Sweetest Revenge. Losers lose and winners will continue to win, despite the odds.

I know it hurts.

Posted by: Common Sense | Apr 11, 2008 4:13:39 PM

If lying is a superior campaign strategy, I suppose Obama is winning.

Funny though that he's lost his 10 point lead in the latest Ipsos poll.

Posted by: smartprimate | Apr 11, 2008 4:21:06 PM

smartprimate: funny screen name...by the way, he lost his 10 point lead, but not for long. I have high hopes for him in the general!!

Posted by: Susan | Apr 11, 2008 4:23:27 PM

Hi Dogsoldier, hold on a sec while I dig up the rest of the links...

Posted by: Susan | Apr 11, 2008 4:36:31 PM

Susan: Obama finally released his hold on the FEC nomination. Now the rest of the Senate Democrats have taken over obstructing the FEC from doing its job, in order to protect Obama and Hillary.

I don't know about you, but I think $78 Million is a lot of money from "bundlers." Norman Hsu is of course the most infamous bundler. We still don't know anything about the REAL sources of this $78 Million!

Posted by: carl | Apr 11, 2008 4:40:27 PM

Thanks Common Sense, I will know not to respond in the future. By the way, kudos on your posts!

Posted by: Susan | Apr 11, 2008 4:45:49 PM

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. One more time.

The bottom line is that Obama has run a superior campaign with Hillary Clinton as his opponent. When Obama wins against the legendary Clinton Machine, he will have demonstrated great political skill, all the while appearing above the fray. McCain is a far easier trophy than Clinton because its going to come down to the issues, not rhetoric. Rev Wright? McCain has Rev John Hagee who is far worse. Rezko with no news? McCain was directly involved with the Keating 5.

So, my friends, when it comes down to the issues and the American people, most in this country want change and McCain doesn't represent that. All of the whining and rhetoric doesn't mean a thing. RHETORIC NO, ISSUES YES.

Simply put, MCCAIN WILL LOSE.

That is all Dog Slider

Posted by: Common Sense | Apr 11, 2008 4:59:45 PM

Common Sense - Obama can't even win his own democratic party primary. Us Hillary supporters alone are holding Obama in place and that's not even counting republicans, yet. Obama gave FL and MI to the republicans and should Hillary lose, who do you think we'll support?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 11, 2008 5:02:58 PM

Hillary is old news. With a husband like Bill, who needs enemies? Bill is torpedoing his own wife's campaign, although it was already taking on water.

The press doesn't even ask Obama any Clinton questions anymore which shows, she's done. MCcain ignores her, Obama doesn't address her and the only way she gets news is to go something stupid, which she and her campaign are superior at.

Posted by: Common Sense | Apr 11, 2008 5:06:33 PM

Common Sense - Really? Obama quit so soon? And destroy so many Arab terrorists dream?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 11, 2008 5:09:34 PM

Clintonistas are fond of accusing Obama of running a smear campaign, or running negative. Can they please provide any evidence or examples of this negative campaign?

To be honest I can't wait for the sniping in the Democratic Primaries to finish. Its time to start to bring the party back together. I believe Obama is a man for this moment, I believe passing up this moment would be a historical blunder. But I would prefer a Democrat in the White House ahead of ANY Republican, whoever that may be.

Posted by: markymark | Apr 11, 2008 5:43:47 PM

Actually, I have no problem of "more of the same", nor "more of a change". The matter of fact is that Obama, Clinton, or McCain are all politicians, and they have to win first before they could occupy that office. Sounds simple, but they, any one of them, will do anything, within the boundaries of their basic principles, to win. The only problem with Obama is that he always says one thing and does the other, or he says something, but it is not matched by action or backed by record.

I may or may not agree a lot of McCain says, but I respect what he does within his boundaries. I may or may not agree a lot with Clinton, who may occasionally overstate or mis-remember something which can happen to anyone, but she stands on her ground firm on important principles and she has shown time again her ability to get things done.

As far as Obama is concerned, he reminds me Bush, and scares me, for selling something he only pretends to be, or at least, he has not enough evidence to back him up. It is a chance one cannot afford for the next 4 years.

Posted by: lazy to think | Apr 11, 2008 5:44:31 PM

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