Obama Breaks Pledge Opting Out Of Public Financing

Sen. Barack Obama said today he will opt out of the public financing system.

"We've made the decision not to participate in the public financing system for the general election." He goes on to blame his decisions on Republicans saying "we face opponents who’ve become masters at gaming this broken system. John McCain’s campaign and the Republican National Committee are fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. And we’ve already seen that he’s not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups, who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations."

There is only one problem. Obama is breaking a pledge he took. He was asked by Common Cause last November, "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 the presidential public financing system?" Obama answered in the affirmative.

McCain campaign communications director Jill Hazelbaker hit the nail on the head when she said the following in response to Obama's dishonest breaking of his pledge: “Today, Barack Obama has revealed himself to be just another typical politician who will do and say whatever is most expedient for Barack Obama. The true test of a candidate for President is whether he will stand on principle and keep his word to the American people. Barack Obama has failed that test today, and his reversal of his promise to participate in the public finance system undermines his call for a new type of politics. Barack Obama is now the first presidential candidate since Watergate to run a campaign entirely on private funds. This decision will have far-reaching and extraordinary consequences that will weaken and undermine the public financing system.”


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