Obama's already being given "Pinocchios" by the media for planning to turn down public financing after saying he would accept it. (The WaPo gave him two, not the maximum of four awarded for outright fibs like sniper fire, but it still ain't good.) Per Jake Tapper, here's what Obama said last September in response to a questionnaire:
The question was: "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 checked: "Yes" and wrote:
"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."
Now McCain, who lags way behind in fundraising ability, is saying he'll be happy to accept public financing. That would level the playing field for him. Obama's response so far? No dice. He explains this way:
"We have created a parallel public financing system where the American people decide if they want to support a campaign they can get on the Internet and finance it, and they will have as much access and influence over the course and direction of our campaign that has traditionally been reserved for the wealthy and the powerful."
That's not a bad response. The press will still hammer him over it, though, while giving their buddy John McCain a pass on his flagrant violation of campaign laws during the primary - laws that he helped pass, laws that burnish his illusory "maverick" credentials. (Here's Jane at FDL with details. Re McCain and the law, more details are available at Buzzflash.)
Obama can't opt out without referring to McCain's move. There's a way to do that without taking the low road. The next time the question comes up, Obama can say this:
"I respect Sen. McCain for many things, including his role in passing campaign reform. So I was particularly disappointed to see his campaign break the rules when it suits them - and even break the law itself, according to neutral observers. The plan I described last September required the good-faith participation of both campaigns. Since that good faith has now been broken, we need to find another way.
Fortunately, the American people have created a better system themselves, from the grass roots. Using the Internet ..."
That ought to work. It gets him out of the "Pinocchio" box, and forces McCain's busriding journalist friends to address inconvenient truths about lawbreaking and rulebreaking on the Straight Talk Express. Give it some thought, Obama team ....
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