more $$?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23257223/

McCain presses Obama on public financing - COLUMBUS, OH - John McCain accused Democratic presidential rival Barack Obama of engaging in Washington doublespeak over accepting public financing for the general election as the likely GOP nominee tried to turn a money issue into a character test.

The issue is in regards to money that is raised through taxes and made available for presidential candidates to use for the general election. Each candidate can opt to receive $85,000,000. The catch is that the candidate cannot raise any money beyond this $85 million. Both Obama and McCain indicated last year they would accept the public funding. McCain has indicated that he will uphold his earlier position of accepting the money. Obama, however, has appeared to be wishy-washy on the issue stating they need to come to a "meaningful agreement in good faith that results in real spending limits."

In January Obama raised more money than any candidate in history... No wonder he doesn't want anything to do with this public money; it is petty cash compared to what he is actually capable of raising. Seems as though the prospect of getting $85 million was pretty sweet last year when this thing was just getting going, but now that he knows that he can raise plenty money he doesn't need to worry about it.

Obama speaks of "real spending limits"... Is a million dollars a day "real spending limits"?? (from a NYTimes 2.21.08 article; “Obama and Clinton Spending Furiously”) That's limited? If that's limited, what's he going to do when he actually gets into office? McCain has spend $100 million less than Obama, yet Obama wants to put limits on McCain (NYTimes 2.21.08)!

Obama flipped his stance on this issue in light of an unexpected, but massive, fundraising campaign. What does this say about Obama's character? He did not keep his word on this issue. That is McCain's complaint; "That's Washington doublespeak. I committed to public financing. He committed to public financing. It's not any more complicated than that. I'll keep my word, and I want him to keep his."

As a footnote: It is interesting to note that McCain has turned to criticizing just one candidate; Obama. Does that suggest that the GOP has given up on Clinton?