Did Obama promise to take only federal financing in the general election if he's the nominee?

[Karmadillo]

Hardball has McCain saying he did and he'll hold Obama to his promise. Would this help or hurt us? Since it looks like we can outraise the Republicans this year, and since it's crucial the Democrats win the White House, I'm thinking we might be better off opening the floodgates and taking in as much money as we can get. Are there advantages to Obama's promise (if it is his promise) I'm missing?

[Freida5]

1. Initially he did and then he flipped flop

[democrattotheend]

10. He didn't flip flop

He hasn't said one way or another yet.

[Tarheel_Dem]

12. Liar! I dare you to find a source where he "flip flopped".

You guys are priceless.

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. "the commitment you made last year is an ‘option,’ not a pledge.” Obama is backtracking

on his commitment. No surprise there.


Campaign Legal Center - Common Cause - Democracy 21
League of Women Voters - Public Citizen - U.S. PIRG

Reform Groups Urge Senator Obama to Reaffirm
the Commitment He Made Last Year to Use Public Financing
System if He Gets the Democratic Nomination and if His
Republican Opponent Also Agrees to Use Public Financing in General Election

In a letter sent today, reform groups urged Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) to personally make clear to citizens that he remains committed to using the public financing system in the presidential general election if he is the Democratic nominee and if the Republican nominee also agrees to use the public financing system in the general election.

A copy of the letter is available here.

The reform groups include the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG.

According to the letter:

Our organizations are deeply concerned about recent statements by your campaign spokesperson, Bill Burton, regarding the commitment you made last year to participate in the public financing system in the presidential general election if nominated by your party and if your major party opponent also agrees to use public financing in the general election.

The letter states, “According to Politico (February 14, 2008), Mr. Burton stated that the commitment you made last year is an ‘option,’ not a pledge.”

The letter further states:

Mr. Burton further said, “the only reason this is an option is because we pursued the decision from the FEC. As the Clinton campaign continues to remind you, Obama is not the nominee, but this is a question we will address when he is.”

The letter adds:

According to the New York Times (February 15, 2008), “‘We will address that issue in the general election, when we’re the nominee,’ Mr. Burton said. ‘We’re just not entertaining hypotheticals right now.’”

The letter states, “These statements by Mr. Burton conflict with the commitment you made last year. There was nothing said in your commitment about public financing in the general election being an ‘option,’ or ‘a question we will address’ at such time as you are the nominee.”

According to the letter, “Last year, on March 1, 2007, following a favorable FEC response to your advisory opinion request, Mr. Burton, stated: ‘If Senator Obama is the nominee, he will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election,’ according to the Associated Press.”

The letter adds, “On the same day, Senator McCain’s campaign issued a statement making the same kind of commitment. The statement said, ‘Should John McCain win the Republican nomination, we will agree to accept public financing in the general election, if the Democratic nominee agrees to do the same.’”

The letter states, “Some nine months later you repeated the commitment in response to a questionnaire.”

The letter continues:

On November 27, 2007, the Midwest Democracy Network, an alliance of 20 civic and public interest groups based in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, released the results of a questionnaire that they sent to all of the presidential candidates.

The following question was on the questionnaire:

If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in presidential public financing system?

You answered this question as follows:

OBAMA: Yes. I have been a long-time advocate for public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests. I introduced public financing legislation in the Illinois State Senate, and am the only 2008 candidate to have sponsored Senator Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) bill to reform the presidential public financing system. In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.

The letter states, “This commitment was made without any conditions and clearly stated, ‘If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.’”

The letter states, “On February 13, 2008, in response to a question, Senator McCain’s campaign manager reaffirmed the pledge Senator McCain made last year. According to a February 13, 2008 post by David Broder on washingtonpost.com:

Asked whether McCain, a longtime advocate of campaign finance reform, would accept public financing of the general election campaign, with its spending limits, Davis reiterated McCain’s pledge to do so — if the Democratic candidate also complied.”

The letter points out, “Given the uncertainty created by your campaign spokesman in the last two days about the status of the commitment you made, our organizations request that you reaffirm the commitment you made last year.”

The letter concludes:

Our organizations strongly urge you to personally make clear to citizens that you remain committed to using the public financing system in the presidential general election if you are the Democratic nominee and if the Republican nominee also agrees to use the public financing system in the general election.

###

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to men and women of all ages. With more than 88 years of experience and 850 local and state affiliates, the League is one of America’s most trusted grassroots organizations.



THE LETTER:


Campaign Legal Center- Common Cause - Democracy 21
League of Women Voters - Public Citizen - U.S.PIRG



February 15, 2008

Dear Senator Obama,

Our organizations are deeply concerned about recent statements by your campaign spokesperson, Bill Burton, regarding the commitment you made last year to participate in the public financing system in the presidential general election if nominated by your party and if your major party opponent also agrees to use public financing in the general election.

Our organizations include the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG.

The presidential public financing system was established to protect the integrity of the presidency and the interests of the American people. Every Democratic and Republican nominee for president since 1976 has used the public financing system for their general election campaigns.

According to Politico (February 14, 2008), Mr. Burton stated that the commitment you made last year is an “option,” not a pledge.

Mr. Burton further said, “the only reason this is an option is because we pursued the decision from the FEC. As the Clinton campaign continues to remind you, Obama is not the nominee, but this is a question we will address when he is.”

According to the New YorkTimes (February 15, 2008), “‘We will address that issue in the general election, when we’re the nominee,’ Mr. Burton said. ‘We’re just not entertaining hypotheticals right now.’”

These statements by Mr. Burton conflict with the commitment you made last year. There was nothing said in your commitment about public financing in the general election being an “option,” or “a question we will address” at such time as you are the nominee.

Last year, on March 1, 2007, following a favorable FEC response to your advisory opinion request, Mr. Burton, stated: “If Senator Obama is the nominee, he will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election,” according to the Associated Press.

On the same day, Senator McCain’s campaign issued a statement making the same kind of commitment. The statement said, “Should John McCain win the Republican nomination, we will agree to accept public financing in the general election, if the Democratic nominee agrees to do the same.”

Some nine months later you repeated the commitment in response to a questionnaire.

On November 27, 2007, the Midwest Democracy Network, an alliance of 20 civic and public interest groups based in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, released the results of a questionnaire that they sent to all of the presidential candidates.

The following question was on the questionnaire:

If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in presidential public financing system?

You answered this question as follows:

OBAMA: Yes. I have been a long-time advocate for public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests. I introduced public financing legislation in the Illinois State Senate, and am the only 2008 candidate to have sponsored Senator Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) bill to reform the presidential public financing system. In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.

This commitment was made without any conditions and clearly stated, “If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.”

During the course of the past year, the media recognized the commitment you made.

For example, a Washington Post editorial on April 5, 2007 said:

One of the leading candidates in each party — Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), whose request to the Federal Election Commission opened the door to this solution, and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) — has already agreed to accept the public financing and live within the general election limits if his opponent were to do the same. It’s time for the other leading contenders to make clear their intentions.

Similarly, a New York Times editorial on April 5, 2007 said:

hy shouldn’t all the candidates join Senators Obama and McCain in pledging to go halfway toward sanity by embracing public finance limits in next year's general election, providing both final candidates agree?

That would at least suggest a heartbeat still exists for public financing among the money political class.

On February 13, 2008, in response to a question, Senator McCain’s campaign manager reaffirmed the pledge Senator McCain made last year. According to a February 13, 2008 post by David Broder on washingtonpost.com:

Asked whether McCain, a longtime advocate of campaign finance reform, would accept public financing of the general election campaign, with its spending limits, Davis reiterated McCain’s pledge to do so — if the Democratic candidate also complied.

Given the uncertainty created by your campaign spokesman in the last two days about the status of the commitment you made, our organizations request that you reaffirm the commitment you made last year.

Our organizations strongly urge you to personally make clear to citizens that you remain committed to using the public financing system in the presidential general election if you are the Democratic nominee and if the Republican nominee also agrees to use the public financing system in the general election.

Campaign Legal Center League of Women Voters
Common Cause Public Citizen
Democracy 21 U.S. PIRG

http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=10688

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. i still don't see a "flip flop"...he's not the candidate YET..n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

20. Mr. Burton stated that the commitment you made last year is an ‘option,’ not a pledge.”

He's backtracking already. We shall see if he's REALLY a man of his word....should he be the nominee.

[Warren Stupidity]

30. Do you want to win or lose in November?

[in_cog_ni_to]

34. Obama said he would accept Public Financing. n/t

[Warren Stupidity]

36. Do you want to win or lose in November?

It is as simple as that.

[in_cog_ni_to]

39. No it's NOT as simple as that. That's just going to give the GOP one MORE thing to attack

him for! Heaven knows they have enough on him already. Let him backtrack on Public Financing and it will be MORE fodder for the RW attack machine.

[Warren Stupidity]

40. One of many. I'm glad we agree on that.

But yes by all means lets cripple his campaign with the public funding cap so that he can't respond to the other 200 or so idiotic attacks they will make. Excellent plan!

Should Clinton agree to public funding?

[in_cog_ni_to]

42. Did Hillary already say she would accept Public Financing?

I don't know. If she did, then yes, she she be a lady of her word.

[Warren Stupidity]

43. Would it be a good idea for her to agree to a funding cap?

[in_cog_ni_to]

45. ONLY IF she already said she would. If she hasn't, then NO.

Obama has already said he would. If he backtracks now...flip-flopper...flip-flopper....flip-flopper. That's all we'll hear from the GOP. Remember 2004? I do!

[Warren Stupidity]

47. So it would be a bad idea for our candidate to agree to public funding.

And you think that Obama should sign up for this?

[in_cog_ni_to]

50. Obama said he WOULD sign up for it. Is he a liar? Is that acceptable to you

that he lies?

[Warren Stupidity]

56. So you agree that it is a bad idea to agree to public funding.

But you think also that Obama should do so in order to avoid being attacked by the opposition. Even if doing so will result in his defeat in November. Have I got that right?

[in_cog_ni_to]

60. Obama said he would accept public financing. Is he a liar?

I guess lying is acceptable to you as long as it's YOUR candidate doing the lying?

[Warren Stupidity]

64. No he should be a flip-flopper on this. Change his mind.

Take the hit. Drown McCain. Let's win.

[in_cog_ni_to]

71. I understand.

Lying is GOOD if Obama does it. If this was Hillary, the Obama followers would be foaming at the mouth over it.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

92. HOW MANY HERE WOULD TRUST MCCAIN TO KEEP HIS WORD ON ANYTHING?

If Obama gets the Dem nomination, then he would meet with McCains people about this.
He already said so.

Obama isnt the nominee - yet, so there is nothing to discuss.

If Obama extracted an agreement from McCain, would it be worth anything at all?

If you trust McCain - who reversed his position on torture in order to get endorsements from
conservatives, then you aren't too smart.

[jackson_dem]

105. It already is. Notice what McCain is attacking him on: ethics, reform and credibility

He is already attacking Obama's perceived strengths. This is partly because he wants folks to view Obama as the presumptive nominee (because he wants to run against Obama) but it does show they are going to go after him hard and go right for his perceived strengths. Obama will not be the same in 7 months if he is the nominee...

[AZ Criminal JD]

104. So you want a liar as the nominee

What else is he going to flip flop on?

[Warren Stupidity]

109. a) he hasn't lied about this. b) I want to win. nt.

[Kokonoe]

37. to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests.

That means money from special interests. Does McCain agree to not use any puke money, how does that pass the smell test.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

80. There's no agreement yet, but could be IF Obama gets proof McCain is committed

It looks like Obama is waiting to see IF he gets the nomination, then if there will be a firm agreement from/with McCain's people.

“If I am the nominee,” Mr. Obama told reporters at a news conference in Milwaukee, “I will make sure our people talk to John McCain’s people to find out if we are willing to abide by the same rules and regulations with respect to the general election going forward. It would be presumptuous of me to start saying now that I am locking into something when I don’t even know if the other side will agree to it.”


I guess Obama doesn't want to get screwed like in the situation with the Michigan and Florida primaries, where the opponent wants to change the rules as they go along.

Considering the way Clinton is trying to change the primary rules, I can see why Obama
wouldn't trust a republican.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

84. Trust McCain "For torture if it gets me your endorsement" ???

so you think you can trust a GOP liar?

[Freida5]

108. NYTs link on BO's pledge

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/16/us/politics/16campaign.html?ei=5088&en=3a44df72023b7adc&ex=1360818000&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1203173090-08aVk3tMkyV+YndArwaqOw

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Senators Barack Obama and John McCain tussled directly Friday over how they will pay for their campaigns, with Mr. McCain challenging Mr. Obama to abide by his earlier pledge to use public financing for his general election if Mr. McCain does so as well.

Skip to next paragraph

Senator John McCain campaigning Friday in Oshkosh, Wis., which has its primary on Tuesday.


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Darren Hauck/Associated Press
Senator Barack Obama arriving at a campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wis., on Friday.
The squabbling marked the first time the two have directly confronted each other on the issue, which revolves around Mr. Obama’s February 2007 pledge to accept public financing — and the spending limits that accompany it — if he went on to the general election and his Republican counterpart likewise accepted public financing

[BringBigDogBack]

2. I believe he said he would discuss it with whomever

the potential puke nominee would be.

Flip-flopped?
What a clown.

[Olney Blue]

3. I don't remember him saying that, but he would be crazy

to quit the gravy train he is on right now. He is going to need every dime to fight the GOP slimers.

[rinsd]

4. He asked for the FCC to rule on whether candidates could return early GE contributions...

...so they could participate in public financing for the GE

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/23/us/politics/23fec.html

More info on Obama & pub financing.


"If Senator Obama is the nominee, he will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said last March. Obama affirmed the position in a questionnaire last November.

Similarly, then McCain campaign manager Terry Nelson said at the time: "Should John McCain win the Republican nomination, we will agree to accept public financing in the general election if the Democratic nominee agrees to do the same."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/14/ap/politics/main3834839.shtml

[Karmadillo]

8. Thanks for the link. The Republicans will get a lot of mileage out of a flip-flop

on this. I wish he had thought more and postured less on this particular issue.

[Warren Stupidity]

38. So what? They will be attacking on 200 other false issues too.

Fund raising is the clearest tactical advantage Obama has over Mccain.

[Karmadillo]

98. Duh. Too bad he didn't figure that out before embracing federal financing.

nt

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

83. why should Obama ttrust McCain any more than Hillary (primary in MI and FL? anyone?)

after all, we see how dirty politics is with Hillary friends pushing up the primaries in
MI and FL, then blaming Howard Dean for enforcing the rules that Hillary Clinton agreed to.

You think McCain is any more trustworthy than Clinton?

Senator "For torture if it gets him endorsements" McCain ?

[eleny]

5. When it comes to us against the Republicans....

I say, whoever our candidate, they raise money and be damned being called a flip flopper.

I flip flopped on my promise not to give Obama or Clinton a thin dime and have donated to Obama. So I can forgive our side for changing it's mind, too.

[KAZ]

6. Yep. Cede nothing. The 527s this cycle will be horrendous.

[ginnyinWI]

15. I was thinking this at first, but then

I considered who Obama would be running against, and I don't think he'll be hurt by limiting himself to 75 million--if McCain does the same. Between now and then he'll have plenty of time to spend real money defining himself to the voters.

[Warren Stupidity]

27. Me too. What a pantload.

Fine - Obama should enter into negotiations with McCain and make absolutely sure those negotiations go nowhere and then we should outspend that loser by 2-1.

[Iceburg]

7. The man can change his mind can't he? /nt

[democrattotheend]

11. I don't think he has changed his mind yet

I thought he hadn't responded.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

103. HE DIDN'T CHANGE HIS MIND, THE OP IS MISREPRESENTING WHAT HE SAID

AND WE ALL WOULD BE FOOLS TO TRUST AN AGREEMENT WITH A REPIG LIKE MCCAIN, IF AND WHEN
THE TIME COMES.

Can't trust "democrat" Hillary to honor her word about the primaries, how can anyone trust
a repig?

The repigs have destroyed the constitution, worse than lies about campaign finance.

[cloud75]

9. This will be his first of many broken promises so much for change.

since he has no record all we have is his word and already he's going back on that because it benefits HIM. what happened to "we" and "us" it's all about the benjamins.

[Tarheel_Dem]

13. can you provide proof that Obama has broken his promise?

If not, then you're as bad a liar as your candidate.

[cloud75]

21. read my post again...the broken promise is coming...if he doesn't

break his promise then great. But it looks like he would like to break his promise so he can raise as much money as he can. He needs to stick to what he said if not he will be nailed in the GE and WE (the entire party ) will suffer. you all Obama supporters need to put pressure on him not to break his promise. Yes us Hillary supporters will use it to our advantage just like y'all have when Hillary has slipped up. Good Luck

[Tarheel_Dem]

22. don't need luck...looks like it's you guys who need that

[cloud75]

72. Good Luck in a friendly way...not everyone here is looking for a fight.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

100. NOW YOU RECAST YOUR ARGUMENT TO "THE BROKEN PROMISE IS COMING"

PRETTY SICK SHIT.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

88. only an IDIOT would trust a repig like McCain who is all for waterboarding now

how is it that Clinton supporters trust a man who was famous and respected for his opposition
to torture, himself having been tortured, and now that repig has flip flopped and supports torture?

[Occam Bandage]

14. No. He didn't. He once suggested that he might consider it.

[rox63]

16. He didn't promise anything - He said he'd consider it

That leaves him plenty of room to decide later.

[in_cog_ni_to]

18. BLATANT LIE:

"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4609604&mesg_id=4610632

[Warren Stupidity]

25. At least you put a clear warning there.

You do understand that he is speaking about a mutual agreement for both the Republican and Democratic candidates to run under the public finance limits and not a unilateral commitment for Obama to do so, right?


Obama should not bother with this. We can out spend McCain and should do just that. Fuck fairness, we need to win.

[in_cog_ni_to]

31. Fuck fairness? A LIE is A LIE is A LIE. If he said he would honor the public financing,

then he needs to do that.

Now lying is acceptable in the Obama camp. Who knew?:eyes:

McCain has already said he was going to accept public financing and Obama should honor his word and do the same. That's what this thread is about.

[Warren Stupidity]

35. No he said he would discuss this with the republican nominee.

And he should and he should make sure those discussions go nowhere. And when asked he should simply say 'we could not reach an agreement'.

The republican will have unlimited airtime and 24/7 support from the bullshit media system. The Democrat will not have this medium at all. Have tyou been asleep at the wheel for the last 12 years?

Obama can outspend Mccain the same way he has spent Clinton into the ground. Why should he give up the one major campaign advantage that he has?

Is it because the media, which is going to do everything that they have been well paid to do to defeat him, will also attack him on this point? Oh my. This will be one of the 200 or so other false issues they will barrage him with to see which will stick. Who cares?

Should Clinton also agree to cripple her campaign, or just Obama?

[in_cog_ni_to]

41. DIRECT QUOTE FROM LORD OBAMA:

"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."

As I said before....McCain has ALREADY SAID, he will accept Public Financing, so the agreement is a done deal.

Did Hillary say she would accept Public Financing? If so, she should honor her word also, but I don't know if she has said she would or not.

[Warren Stupidity]

44. so the agreement is a done deal.

No. Mccain making a statement is not an agreement between Mccain and Obama. It is not a done deal. Obama should make no such deal. I don't really care what he said, but he certainly gave himself room in your quote there to not reach an agreement with Mccain, which is exactly what he should do.

[in_cog_ni_to]

49. I don't see any wiggle room in that quote...sorry.

"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."

Lying about this is unacceptable.

[Warren Stupidity]

52. It is very simple

"I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican" - all he has to do is fail to reach that agreement. I realize that you are not going to concede this point, so I am done making it.

Would it be a good idea for Clinton to also cripple her campaign by agreeing to public funding?

[in_cog_ni_to]

57. As I stated before...ONLY if she has already stated that she WOULD accept Public Financing.

Obama has already said HE WOULD.

[Warren Stupidity]

63. So it is a bad idea to accept public financing.

And Clinton should not do so, because it is a bad idea. But Obama should do this stupid thing because otherwise he will be attacked by the dreaded rightwing attack machine as a flip flopper. So to avoid this attack (and I guess you think it will be the only angle they can find) he should sign up to give away his major tactical advantage over McCain.

I've got a better idea. Screw public financing. Obama should avoid windsurfing on Nantucket and raise as much money as he possibly can and drown the McCain campaign.

[in_cog_ni_to]

66. Obama said he would. THAT'S the difference.

Is he a liar?

[Warren Stupidity]

67. So he should change his mind. Drown McCain.

[in_cog_ni_to]

69. So he should look like a liar.

Gotcha!:thumsup: Lying is A-OKAY, but ONLY if it's Obama doing the lying. Now I understand. Thanks.

[Warren Stupidity]

73. It will pass. Changing a position is not lying.

I prefer winning this time. If it were Clinton I would hold the same position. I want the Democratic candidate to win in November.

[in_cog_ni_to]

76. Yes it is lying. It's a blatant lie if he backtracks.

"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."

[KAZ]

51. What are your priorities, exactly? Dumping on Dems? Losing?

[in_cog_ni_to]

75. NOPE. Dumping on liars?

He said he would accept public financing IF he is the nominee. Now he's backtracking. If he doesn't honor his word, we'll all know he a liar. I understand that Obama followers accept Obama lies.

Hillary would be skewered if she did the same thing and you know it.

[KAZ]

78. Horseshit. You, and your ilk, are a sure path to losing.

And I would want Hilliary to use evey means at her disposal to win in the GE. That's the difference between you and me pal.

[in_cog_ni_to]

85. My "ilk?" And what "ilk" would that be exactly?

The "ilk" that exposes Obama's LIES? Sorry. Get over it. He's the one who said it, not me.

And I call BULLSHIT on your exertion that the Obama followers wouldn't be foaming at the mouth if this was Hillary and not Obama. I've seen their visceral HATRED of her. That's just pure crap. DU would explode if Hillary did this!

[KAZ]

94. Most, not all, of the Obama supporters have been civil

in GD-P. Most, not all, have expressed that they will fully support Clinton in the GE should she win. We have a handful of whack-jobs who have really stunk up the place. And in my book, whack-jobs are supposed Democrats who throw their party overboard because they are so frickin attached to their candidate. Sound familiar?

[in_cog_ni_to]

95. I've never voted for a repuke in my life. Just goes to show you,

you know nothing about me and my "ilk.":eyes:

[KAZ]

96. Then stop bashing Dems. Seems pretty simple.

[in_cog_ni_to]

97. I suggest you stop telling me what to do. If Obama is a liar, he's a liar.

It's that simple.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

86. MCCAIN IS A KNOWN LIAR AND FLIP FLOPPER - TORTURE ANYONE? n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

89. What's that got to do with Obama saying he would accept Public Financing

if he's the Dem nominee?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

99. NO, OBAMA AGREED TO MEET WITH MCCAIN IF OBAMA GOT THE NOMINATION

Clinton learned to repeat the same old things over and over until the masses believed it.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

90. Hes not the frigging nominee yet, your own post shows you are wrong

he can't pursue an agreement with Liar Torturer McCain unless he is the nominee.

[in_cog_ni_to]

93. But he said he WOULD IF he IS the nominee.

Understand?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

102. HE SAID WOULD MEET W/LIAR MCCAIN IF OB GETS NOMINATION

ENTERING INTO ANY AGREEMENT WITH A LYING REPUBLICAN WILL BE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS THAN
TRUSTING HILLARY CLINTON'S WORD ON THE PRIMARIES.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

101. PERSUING AN AGREEMENT AFTER NOM ISN'T SAME AS AGREEING NOW

MORE SICK SHIT.

[BzaDem]

24. How can you say that?

In case you didn't read the previous posts, here is what actually happened:


"On November 27, 2007, the Midwest Democracy Network, an alliance of 20 civic and public interest groups based in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, released the results of a questionnaire that they sent to all of the presidential candidates.

The following question was on the questionnaire:

If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in presidential public financing system?

You answered this question as follows:

OBAMA: Yes. ....."

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. kick!

:kick:

[UALRBSofL]

26. yeah, they talkd about it on hardball

And McCain said he hopes Obama keeps his promise to use only federal money like McCain would.

[Warren Stupidity]

29. Insane can't raise any money.

He is going to be in the position Dukakis was in: broke on the sidelines while the Obama internet cash cow is attacking him from all sides. Get a clue. Hardballz is a Reknucklian propaganda outlet.

[Johnny__Motown]

28. He said he would consider it if the Republican did it also.. no promise made.. Would Consider It..

[BzaDem]

32. For the third time

"On November 27, 2007, the Midwest Democracy Network, an alliance of 20 civic and public interest groups based in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, released the results of a questionnaire that they sent to all of the presidential candidates.

The following question was on the questionnaire:

If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in presidential public financing system?

You answered this question as follows:

OBAMA: Yes. ..."


For emphasis:

If ....... ***will you participate in presidential public financing system***?

OBAMA: Yes.




Where is the word "consider" in that?

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. Again. That's a LIE:

"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...


McCain has already stated he would accept public financing...now Obama needs to do what he said he would do.

[tishaLA]

46. He would be stupid to do it

I think he has essentially said he would do it, but I'LL BE DAMNED IF I'LL BE HAPPY WITH IT if he follows through, assuming he's the nominee. He can raise tons more money than that addled fool he'll be competing against.

[angie_love]

53. He won't do it, he'd be crazy to. He'll take a hit and move on to raising millions more than McCain

[tishaLA]

70. He has an out, which is that

he put some stipulations upon the public financing that make it incredibly unattractive to McCain. I'm not sure what they would be, but I'm sure his team can come up with some. That would mean that he can "aggressively pursue" public financing AND get out of the stupid pledge he took.

[AtomicKitten]

48. It was discussed but in reference to the primary.

He said at the time he would never hamstring the Democrats in the GE.

Best of luck on this line of attack, Grandpa and Hillary.

Obama is becoming quite skillful at gently, skillfully, and cleverly correcting his opponents when they make spurious allegations.

[in_cog_ni_to]

54. That's not true!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4609604&mesg_id=4610632



"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."

[KAZ]

59. What is your purpose here? To hamstring Dems?

[in_cog_ni_to]

62. The OP asked a question. I answered it. Got a problem with that?

If Obama had no intentions of accepting Public Financing, he should have kept his mouth shut about it. Now he's going to look like the liar he is and the repukes will have a hay day with it if he doesn't accept Public Financing.

[AtomicKitten]

79. Ah, the power of selective quotes.

1. You're wrong, but please, please make a big stink about it. Clog the blogs with your outrage. Let 'er rip. Make attack ads. Stomp your feet. Obama will by directly to correct you and I love watching his clever and classy smackdowns of this kind of stuff.

2. Obama would not and will not hamstring the Democrats in the general election. Period.

[in_cog_ni_to]

91. Okay. Here's the entire thing...since you don't like quotes:

Campaign Legal Center - Common Cause - Democracy 21
League of Women Voters - Public Citizen - U.S. PIRG

Reform Groups Urge Senator Obama to Reaffirm
the Commitment He Made Last Year to Use Public Financing
System if He Gets the Democratic Nomination and if His
Republican Opponent Also Agrees to Use Public Financing in General Election

In a letter sent today, reform groups urged Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) to personally make clear to citizens that he remains committed to using the public financing system in the presidential general election if he is the Democratic nominee and if the Republican nominee also agrees to use the public financing system in the general election.

A copy of the letter is available here.

The reform groups include the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG.

According to the letter:

Our organizations are deeply concerned about recent statements by your campaign spokesperson, Bill Burton, regarding the commitment you made last year to participate in the public financing system in the presidential general election if nominated by your party and if your major party opponent also agrees to use public financing in the general election.

The letter states, “According to Politico (February 14, 2008), Mr. Burton stated that the commitment you made last year is an ‘option,’ not a pledge.”

The letter further states:

Mr. Burton further said, “the only reason this is an option is because we pursued the decision from the FEC. As the Clinton campaign continues to remind you, Obama is not the nominee, but this is a question we will address when he is.”

The letter adds:

According to the New York Times (February 15, 2008), “‘We will address that issue in the general election, when we’re the nominee,’ Mr. Burton said. ‘We’re just not entertaining hypotheticals right now.’”

The letter states, “These statements by Mr. Burton conflict with the commitment you made last year. There was nothing said in your commitment about public financing in the general election being an ‘option,’ or ‘a question we will address’ at such time as you are the nominee.”

According to the letter, “Last year, on March 1, 2007, following a favorable FEC response to your advisory opinion request, Mr. Burton, stated: ‘If Senator Obama is the nominee, he will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election,’ according to the Associated Press.”

The letter adds, “On the same day, Senator McCain’s campaign issued a statement making the same kind of commitment. The statement said, ‘Should John McCain win the Republican nomination, we will agree to accept public financing in the general election, if the Democratic nominee agrees to do the same.’”

The letter states, “Some nine months later you repeated the commitment in response to a questionnaire.”

The letter continues:

On November 27, 2007, the Midwest Democracy Network, an alliance of 20 civic and public interest groups based in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, released the results of a questionnaire that they sent to all of the presidential candidates.

The following question was on the questionnaire:

If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in presidential public financing system?

You answered this question as follows:

OBAMA: Yes. I have been a long-time advocate for public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests. I introduced public financing legislation in the Illinois State Senate, and am the only 2008 candidate to have sponsored Senator Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) bill to reform the presidential public financing system. In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.

The letter states, “This commitment was made without any conditions and clearly stated, ‘If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.’”

The letter states, “On February 13, 2008, in response to a question, Senator McCain’s campaign manager reaffirmed the pledge Senator McCain made last year. According to a February 13, 2008 post by David Broder on washingtonpost.com:

Asked whether McCain, a longtime advocate of campaign finance reform, would accept public financing of the general election campaign, with its spending limits, Davis reiterated McCain’s pledge to do so — if the Democratic candidate also complied.”

The letter points out, “Given the uncertainty created by your campaign spokesman in the last two days about the status of the commitment you made, our organizations request that you reaffirm the commitment you made last year.”

The letter concludes:

Our organizations strongly urge you to personally make clear to citizens that you remain committed to using the public financing system in the presidential general election if you are the Democratic nominee and if the Republican nominee also agrees to use the public financing system in the general election.

###

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to men and women of all ages. With more than 88 years of experience and 850 local and state affiliates, the League is one of America’s most trusted grassroots organizations.



THE LETTER:


Campaign Legal Center- Common Cause - Democracy 21
League of Women Voters - Public Citizen - U.S.PIRG



February 15, 2008

Dear Senator Obama,

Our organizations are deeply concerned about recent statements by your campaign spokesperson, Bill Burton, regarding the commitment you made last year to participate in the public financing system in the presidential general election if nominated by your party and if your major party opponent also agrees to use public financing in the general election.

Our organizations include the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG.

The presidential public financing system was established to protect the integrity of the presidency and the interests of the American people. Every Democratic and Republican nominee for president since 1976 has used the public financing system for their general election campaigns.

According to Politico (February 14, 2008), Mr. Burton stated that the commitment you made last year is an “option,” not a pledge.

Mr. Burton further said, “the only reason this is an option is because we pursued the decision from the FEC. As the Clinton campaign continues to remind you, Obama is not the nominee, but this is a question we will address when he is.”

According to the New YorkTimes (February 15, 2008), “‘We will address that issue in the general election, when we’re the nominee,’ Mr. Burton said. ‘We’re just not entertaining hypotheticals right now.’”

These statements by Mr. Burton conflict with the commitment you made last year. There was nothing said in your commitment about public financing in the general election being an “option,” or “a question we will address” at such time as you are the nominee.

Last year, on March 1, 2007, following a favorable FEC response to your advisory opinion request, Mr. Burton, stated: “If Senator Obama is the nominee, he will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election,” according to the Associated Press.

On the same day, Senator McCain’s campaign issued a statement making the same kind of commitment. The statement said, “Should John McCain win the Republican nomination, we will agree to accept public financing in the general election, if the Democratic nominee agrees to do the same.”

Some nine months later you repeated the commitment in response to a questionnaire.

On November 27, 2007, the Midwest Democracy Network, an alliance of 20 civic and public interest groups based in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, released the results of a questionnaire that they sent to all of the presidential candidates.

The following question was on the questionnaire:

If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in presidential public financing system?

You answered this question as follows:

OBAMA: Yes. I have been a long-time advocate for public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests. I introduced public financing legislation in the Illinois State Senate, and am the only 2008 candidate to have sponsored Senator Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) bill to reform the presidential public financing system. In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.

This commitment was made without any conditions and clearly stated, “If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.”

During the course of the past year, the media recognized the commitment you made.

For example, a Washington Post editorial on April 5, 2007 said:

One of the leading candidates in each party — Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), whose request to the Federal Election Commission opened the door to this solution, and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) — has already agreed to accept the public financing and live within the general election limits if his opponent were to do the same. It’s time for the other leading contenders to make clear their intentions.

Similarly, a New York Times editorial on April 5, 2007 said:

hy shouldn’t all the candidates join Senators Obama and McCain in pledging to go halfway toward sanity by embracing public finance limits in next year's general election, providing both final candidates agree?

That would at least suggest a heartbeat still exists for public financing among the money political class.

On February 13, 2008, in response to a question, Senator McCain’s campaign manager reaffirmed the pledge Senator McCain made last year. According to a February 13, 2008 post by David Broder on washingtonpost.com:

Asked whether McCain, a longtime advocate of campaign finance reform, would accept public financing of the general election campaign, with its spending limits, Davis reiterated McCain’s pledge to do so — if the Democratic candidate also complied.

Given the uncertainty created by your campaign spokesman in the last two days about the status of the commitment you made, our organizations request that you reaffirm the commitment you made last year.

Our organizations strongly urge you to personally make clear to citizens that you remain committed to using the public financing system in the presidential general election if you are the Democratic nominee and if the Republican nominee also agrees to use the public financing system in the general election.

Campaign Legal Center League of Women Voters
Common Cause Public Citizen
Democracy 21 U.S. PIRG

http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Template=/CM/Content...

[Barack_America]

55. He isn't giving an answer on this because he shouldn't.

McCain is asking Obama to spell out the terms of the general election when he isn't even the nominee yet. Barack is being respectful of Hillary and the primaries yet to come by declining to discuss this now.

[in_cog_ni_to]

58. Yes he did:

"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."

[Name removed]

61. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Barack_America]

65. Right. "If".

That "If" has not yet been made a reality. And even responding to McCain makes it sound as if it has.

They're setting him up and he's not falling for it. Plain and simple.

[in_cog_ni_to]

68. "IF" he's the Democratic Nominee he will accept Public Financing. No one is setting anyone

up. That's Obama's statement...not McCain's.

[Barack_America]

82. Okay. And "if" that happens, he'll discuss that with McCain.

Not before. It would be disrespectful to Hillary and the remaining primaries.

I don't know how else to put it. You seem to already be biased against Obama on this.

[in_cog_ni_to]

87. That's because his campaign spokesman has already backtracked on that statement.

I am biased against Obama. I can't stand the man.

[Renew Deal]

74. If he works out a deal with McCain, he takes away McCains best issue.

No one is stronger than McCain on this issue.

[Warren Stupidity]

77. Obama would be giving up his major tactical advantage.

Public financing is not a huge issue with voters, even if it is McCain's best issue. The election will not be won or lost over the issue of public financing, but Obama could certainly lose the election by crippling the funding of his campaign.

So would you recommend that Clinton also work out such a deal?

[Renew Deal]

81. Like I said, they should make a deal.

Something that works. Did you know that Obama and Hillary may be the first candidates to ever not accept public funding? That's terrible for good government.

[jackson_dem]

106. Once again Obama's actions don't comport with his rhetoric. Another flip flop!

[Karmadillo]

107. He'll get a pass on it now, but if he wins the nomination, the corporate media will suddenly

discover a duty to vet him.

[jackson_dem]

110. Yup. McCain is already going after him on it