CNN

Obama, need to focus on Hillary Clinton. This race is not over, she is preparing for a long hard fight. It's possiable he could lose this race.

Lot of Americans like to have Obama being their president so He can feed them all his poems and live on their dream with this stupid economy

I agree. Keep your promise Obama. I do think McCain winning the election would be horrible, but you can't backtrack on a pledge.

It doesn't Matter. Obama will beat McCain with one hand tied behind his back and a rusty nickel in his other.

Obama/Edwards 08

Ind. for huck! If Mccain is the nominee. I will vote for obama...or another 3rd party candidate...

I WONDER WHY OLD GRAND PA McCAIN IS BRINGING THIS UP...HEAR HIS ANTICS!
McCain had decided to accept public financing of his primary season campaign last summer – but eventually opted out of the system before accepting funds because it would have limited the amount he would be allowed to spend to $54 million until the Republican Party’s nominating convention this summer.

THIS IS A MAN WHO RENEGED ON HIS PROMISE, BUT NOW WANT OBAMA TO DO THE SAME!

TALK ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARD – THE REPUBLICAN WORMS ARE CRAWLING OUT FROM UNDER THE ROCK!!!!

ACCEPT PUBLIC FINANCE, THEN BE LIMITED IN DONATIONS AND YOU GET SWIFTBOATED! NOT GOING TO WORK THIS TIME OLD PA!

GO OBAMA!!!!

Barack Obama keep your word!!! You were the one who insisted on this arrangement!!

I am shocked that this doesnt seem to be bothering obama supporters one bit, he just signed this pledge less than a yr ago and he's already backtracking on it...wow, well you dont have me fooled Mr Obama from hopenation...KEEP YOUR PLEDGE!!!

Just another Flip-Flop (one of many I might add) from the Obama world of "change you can believe in" the kind of change the does not hold you accountable for your actions or what you say. You can make "bonehead" decisions, change your mind several times and not stand behind your word because to quote Obama "it important to right from the beginning". Kool aid anyone?

Oh, just wait, this is only the beginning of Obama's demise... When the McCain attack machine really gets going, the Democratic party will lament their poor judgment and regret nominating a meek novice over a seasoned fighter. Four more years of a Republican president... what a shame.

Dani.... Here's the inconvenient truth.... poor people can't afford healthcare insurance on Hillary's plan either....so what's your point? They do not purchase it and then they are fined for not having it....yeah, that make's much more sense! I have been poor and now am possibly low middle income. I cannot afford health insurance either, but like Mr Obama has said.... people do not forego having health insurance because they do not want it.....it is because they cannot afford it... I am self-employed. Just in the past 5 years, the cost has become soooo outrageous, people are forced to pay for food and shelter first.

As for public financing, seems to me they should have all made that decision before the primaries. Now that McCain is aware of Obama's fundraising potential.seems like he wants to now agree to public financing. I was under the impression that the public was the primary source of Mr. Obama's campaign support. As long as people are restricted to a maximum contribution limit, why should it matter? If lots of people are willing to contribute small amounts of money to help him get his message out, couldn't the same be also true for Mr. McCain?

I am amazed that the people of this great country continue to follow behind individuals who are unknown, untested and inexperienced but perhaps one hell of a speaker in one way or another to the likes of the Jim Jones followers just waitiing for their cup of Koolaid!!!! Our country is in grave despair and what we don't need is someone who has not proven oneself, reagrdless if we like or not we need someone to head our country that has experience and knowledge to do that and and it is not by far the time to elect someone who gives one hell of a speech, minus substantial backup . Republicans and democrates, where are your heads??

Jessica, how can you say that Obama is like any other politician and then you say that Hillary would be better or that you would vote for McCain, which one is it? Then how do you choose, what are you basing this on, I sincerely hope you have something better than this to back up your opinion.

How is he not good for your country? I am amazed at all of you high and mighty individuals who change your minds all of the time but expect others not to. Would you rather he be like good ol' George and stick to a statement or policy even if it is wrong. Yeah, that's the kind of President I want..yeah right.

Get over it. If you look at the quote, he said he would pursue it aggressisvely, how does that translate to I promise.

Don't be a sore loser because Hillary is getting swept.

I would vote for McCain over Obama any day.

Before anyone "gets after me," this is my first time on a blog and I'm on because I care deeply about this upcoming election. Sooo...I appreciate any help. Thanks for the interruption.

I guess this is the kind of change we can expect from Obama!!!!

Typical politician, change, hope, blah,blah,blah. Nice Cuban,Che flag hanging in your Houston office. No vote for you!

Obama can never give a straight answer on ANY difficult question/situation. He is the most evasive person when it comes to matters such as these. Yet, he's suppose to be our agent of change?? Doubtful. Maybe they should be saving "Change we can make-believe in".

Um hello people. There has been no breaking of word. We do not even have a primary winner. Why doesn't everyone actually wait to see what he is going to do before you call him a hypocrit? A little objectivity would be nice.

This is another story left out of the main headlines that shows Obama is a liar. He doesn't want superdelegates making the decision for the people yet hes gave 3 times the amount to superdelegates than Hillary has. He says he 'll be right from day one yet has voted over 100 times in the Illinois senate "present." He accuses Hillary of combing through his "hundreds" of votes and picking ones that highlight his incompetence yet does the same thing to her. I really would like an Obama supporter to highlight for me specific reasons they like him. Specific things he's done that has helped americans. Other than voting present on whether or not Illinois should let sex shops be by elementary schools. Go past all the petty negative comments made about Hillary and listen to her tell people how many kids have healthcare because of her, how she wants to reinforce the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, or how she wants to crack down on employers who hire undocumented workers. Now why do you like Obama other than "he gives great speeches" or he's a "movement!!!"

VOTE FOR HILLARY '08

I agree on fact that Obama is already seen as hypocrite.Hi is just a nice talking guy.I find myself in position that is a good choice voting republican.

it is sad jessica to just dismiss obama as not good for the country when you dont even know the man ?who is so love by so many maybe its time to overcome your heart and pray for understanding to be in the know! also for those who choose to insult an older man like mccain pls dont ! respect him because he is older! even though we know his not the best man to inspire our nation to a better place!

McCain, never, I'm an Independent from Arizona, I can't remember the last thing he did for us here in the last ten years. Please this is just the beginning of the good ol' boy spin they are going to throw at any Democrat. After the competition between Obama and Clinton, go Obama, if Senator McCain wants the funds to be fair I am sure there will be millions of Obama supporters more than willing and able to paint their own signs, create their own shirts, go door to door. I have already seen a car spray painted Obama here.

Are you kidding? Now that Obama is the front runner and has raised the amount of money he has, he is not going to abide by the committment he made in the past. He is a hypocrite, and spins his words just like what he accuses of "typical Washington". He will do whatever it takes to get himself elected. He is the same old politician just trying to wrap himself up in a difderent package. When someone is as critical as he has been of the older generation, and the "insiders", he knows all the tricks himself, and will stoop to whatever level it takes. Wake up America.

Did somebody throw the Hillary fans and McCain supporters a raw piece of meat before their feeding time? Really folks, belonging to the potentially losing side doesn't mean you have to be so obnoxious. Obama had said previously that he would honor his commitment. Too bad Hillary didn't do the same when she promised the voters of New York that she wasn't going to use her senate seat as a stepping stone to the presidency.

Finally, someone is calling Obama out on something. It is about time. It seems to me that most of the time, people are walking on eggshells around this candidate because they are so afraid of seeming racist or having their comment turned into something it isn't. A perfect example would be Bill Clinton's comments in South Carolina which were twisted or spun by the media into something entirely different from what he really said. I'm glad someone is doing it, even if it is McCain. If Obama is the Democratic candidate, he will have to answer a lot of questions that are a lot tougher and I predict that McCain's experience will prevail. That's why we need Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee. She has been through the fires before and emerged triumphantly. She has the toughness and the experience to defeat John McCain. Rock star Obama indeed has flaws, and a lot of you need to figure it out, before it's too late.

Figures CNN won't post my response to the Lobbyist comment I had.
Maybe some of you who criticized me will read this.
#1, I wouldn't be bum'd out if Obama got the nomination over Hillary. I would vote for Obama.
#2, Some of you need to research what a Lobbyist is. Everyone puts a bad wrap on Lobbyist because they have no clue what they actually are. Not all Lobbyists are "bad". (There are some special interests that we could go without).
#3, Obama has infact taken quite a bit of money from Lobbyist throughout his Political career. He also took a bit of money from a Lobbyist fundraising event to start off his Presidential bid. (Also, some of his donations are from self proclaimed "Former" Lobbyists)
Taking money from Lobbyist's isn't as bad as people make it out to be. There have been some weak minded people in the past, but Hillary and Obama? I give them more credit than that.

I am educated, I did goto college, and I understand politics more than most. ( I won't claim to know everything). But I do my research. Also, if you goto the Hillary website, there is a list of Lobbyist's that have donated to Obama. (These may be the Lobbyist's who claim they are no longer Lobbyist's). Either way. Check it out.

I just want to find out about from both of the Candidates Obama and McCain, that we have debt so much trillion dollars for Subprime Loan. I want to ask both of candidates to answer how can you do to solve those subprime loan problems that we have right now. And how both candidates can solve those who are out of jobs and we don't have too many to pick from...and what would those candidates can do for American peoples job or how to bring back those Companies here in the United States of America? I understand about NAFTA but we are suffer about jobs. Lots of lay offs right now...what do we have to do those who are out of jobs? We need some one can solve problems with GLOBAL SITUATION. OBAMA or McCain which one can do you think do the best to those matters? Iraq war we still have to solve those too...and boarder from Mexico. Immigration matters...before that we want to solve our inside of America matters to solve too. Please, someone can make them to answer back for us. Thank you for taking my question and comment. From Mike Miyake

Oh Please - Obama is a shmuck. Cutl Obama will die out soon - 20 year olds don't hang on to fads for too long - and if Obama wins the primary - we are stuck with a kid in diapers that lots of sexist men and black people will vote for - what a "CHANGE" - go America!!!!

Obama will do what is best for him - as any other politician will do –he will lie, make false promises like the one he is "taking back" now about campaign financing....but most of all - the horror of his whole Mesiah image - is that he won't know his butt from his head if he gets to the White House - now that is different than all the other candidates.

Unfortunately maybe Obama is like JFK - look at JFK's record people...not so great...catch a clue!

why would sen mccain be surprised about obamas,breaking commitments?..... obamas constant flip flopping and flagrant attempts to ignore the issues?wont debate hillary in wisconsin,yes they may have debated 18 times with all the dem candidates ,8 or nine candidates present.....but only obama and hillary debated only once in SC ........and hillary went easy on obama....obama lacks substance,experience and is weak on detailed issues but talks plenty of fluff,obamas got good speech writers....but when it comes to a PROVEN RECORD OF CHANGE,??make no mistake about it,its hillary. i hope wisconsin people,take a good hard look at the choice here......we wont have another chance,if obama were the dem nominee?sen mccain would ponce down hard,on obamas experience as well as his past pracices in college,morals,ethics.clinton would beat mccain.

I am so happy McCain is calling Obama to the Carpet on things. Why Hillary didnt make more of this earlier is amazing to me. Obama is like a Democratic George Bush, he plans to delegate out his plans to other people because he, him self has no plan. he is not unlike a motivation speaker that is all show no substance. i am an independent voter and i will not vote for Obama. he is too green, too naive and needs more time to understand what the role of the US President is to the rest of the world.

This is the first of many times that Obama will go back on his wispy promises. He's a poser.

McCain is too honest to deal with this Obama. Obama will not keep his word, because he only keeps the word that will be good to him, and he never kept any of his words that would be bad to him. He's extremely smart, and he's good at arguing. Whatever he does, even if he kills someone on purpose, he can find a good arguement to defend himself, and the person who accuses him will become a so called "liar"

Is anyone else having difficulties getting your thoughts posted on CNN?

I'll try this again:

What is presumptuous is to act as if Hillary Clinton is not still running a viable race for the Democratic ticket..... Wow..... amazing.

I am in favor of a non-Republican in office for 4 more years.... but this race on the Democratic side is FAR from over.... let's concentrate on that instead of prophecy.

Who cares?

Obama will beat McCain either way.

I wonder if McCain would be bringing this up if he could raise anywhere near as much money as Obama does.

Obama would be crazy to do public financing. I have a modest job and life, but I contribute 25 dollars a month to Obama's campaign. Public financing would prevent me and several of my friends from doing this.

This cost me nothing and cost you guys how much ha?

Calling On True Americans. Boycott CNN and it's advertisers! CNN is fixing the elections

Obama is backing away from a pledge he so strongly advocated just a year ago? Sounds like the same old and tired Washington politics-as-usual to me. He's no different than the rest of them; he just has a more hypnotic stump speech.

Janet you need to go back and read the article again. Barack Obama is the one changing his mind not John McCain.

Obama can't be intimidated,John!

Barack Obama has already broken his promise to his constituents. He told them while running for Senate that he would finish his term.... by running for President he is already jeopardizing that promise. I do agree with the fact that McCain cannot really hold Obama to this promise though when he did not stick to public funds himself during the primary. McCain is just looking for a way to weaken Obama during the General election. McCain knows that Obama would be able to beat him easily with the campaign dollars that he has already brought in and is attempting to weaken him by holding him to this so-called promise.

McCain, never, I'm an Independent from Arizona, I can't remember the last thing he did for us here in the last ten years. Please this is just the beginning of the good ol' boy spin they are going to throw at any Democrat. After the competition between Obama and Clinton, go Obama, if Senator McCain wants the funds to be fair I am sure there will be millions of Obama supporters more than willing and able to paint their own signs, create their own shirts, I have even seen a car spray painted Obama here, and especially go door to door for Senator Obama.

See we are in a situation that more war will not solve, especially the war we are having against ourselves. There are no proven solutions, there can't be its illogical since we have never been at this stage in human history. We have alot of challenges we need to meet, America is filled with people of great mind and spirit, I think Senator Obama is willing to tap into it and demand from people there best and no not just taxes. All politicians in reality use taxes to tap into American wallets. We all know this, what do we actually get for our buck is the question.

McCain decided against public funds for the PRIMARY election. He had not agreed to anything. Nobody in the Republican field asked for an agreement to all take public funding. Obama DID say he would take public funding if his opponent would, in the general election.

This is McCain's first chance to agree to that. He wasn't running against Obama before.

The question is, will Obama honor his pledge?

It doesn't give an advantage to McCain, it levels the playing field (some), but Obama will still have the advantage in special interest funded ads.

Obama made a pledge he made when he started out and is now back-sliding since he finds it more convenient to dip into the larger coffers of private contributions.

None of the Obama backers seem to be weighing in on this issue. Hmmm.

Barak Obama is no different than any other politician. He just has not accumulated as much baggage. Given time, he will.

Since we really do not know what we would be getting, I just do not want to have "B. O." in the White House.

Just say No to B. O.

ye ha obama

Oh my, it looks like Dinosaur McCain is running scared...

Whatever, I hope Obama goes with whatever he can
honestly raise and not fall into limits on his fundraising.
I don't know a lot about public financing but I do know
that Obama did very well with individual fundraising. What
Obama said 1 year ago, well that was then and this
is now. Is McCain now upset because Obama has
raised millions from his supporters. Obama was
probably surprised himself at the amount of money
that came in. Does McCain think he is going to stop it now?
On the idea of signing a public financing pact a year ago, maybe
Obama thought that was a good idea at the time, but no one,
including McCain jumped on the bandwagon then.
Having a CHANGE OF HEART is not a sin., nor is it a lie.

figures he would back out.....and I thought he was about change.....

guess not.

My name is little Johnny McCain.
I wasn't going to say anything about a agreement, BUT I will because...
I only gots 4 nickels, and none of my friends will give me more!!!!
I gots to get more money, cuz nobody likes me enough to give more.

I know!!! I'll call out Obama...
because he gots LOTS OF MILLIONS of friends...
and LOTS OF MILLIONS of nickels, too...
and MORE pouring in every day.
This is the ONLY way I have a chance against him.
Many people won't see that I am pushing the panic button here!
They will just whine and cry if Obama doesn't agree. Waaaah!

Now Obama is front runner and their attack machine is geared up. this is not new. it will happen and Obama takes it easy. these are the same old washington games. nothing new to us .

Yes Janet, many many people (not just Clinton supporters) prefer McCain over Barack Obama. We want someone with details, knowledge, and experience representing us. McCain called Obama out – now he needs to actually act on one of his inspirations – we'll see what happens.

If you look at Obama's record this is not suprising at all. The same thing happened with his watered down nuclear bill and who knows what else when people start actually looking at Obama's record. What is very interesting is that McCain has been able to do what Hillary has not: critique Obama and his entire message. McCain is calling out for Obama to be the so-called progressive that he claims to be. Isn't anyone shocked that McCain, a self-proclaimed(closet moderate) conservative, is the one demanding Obama be honest about his "earmark" spending(doesn't this go against his whole "holier than though" aura regarding not taking lobbyist money) and to stick to his word regarding public financing. For those of you who want to spin this and say that it would favor McCain and that's why Obama has not committed. Uhm read the article, didn't Obama spearhead the public financing measure, thus it comes down to an issue of who keeps their word. Overall if this is a preview of a McCain-Obama presidential battle; it doesn't look good for Obama.

Since it is quite evident that Obama is trying to BUY the Presidency, I don't think he will be willing to stick by his pledge to accept public funds for the fall campaign.

Most of my family are lifelong Democrats, but we are all planning to vote for John McCain if Obama is the nominee. We can't afford to have another inexperienced person in the White House. He's all talk and no substance and his nasty, mean spirited supporters scare me.

GO HILLARY 2008

why would he go public financing he would make 185 mil as opposed to 85 mil for the public financing. seems like mccain is worried how much obama can make during the general election. furthermore, the rnc has 200 mil waiting for the general. that would be stupid for obama to accept the public financing bid... take a hit, keep with your small donors and move forward like you always do... obama 08

To HELL with MCCRAZY and the WARMONGERS!!!!!!

Here we go...

This is what all the Obama supporters are going to face if you vote him in as the Democratic nominee. The Republicans led by John McCain, will have him for lunch. McCain is a fighter, and a formidable opponent. Obama simply will not be able to compete with him.

All you democrats better vote for Hillary, because she's the only one with the strength to stand up to John McCain.

Dani
You have issues with Baracks plan, yet HRCs plan forces everyone into health care weather they want it or not and inforces penalties if they don't take it. Get you facts straight Baracks plan ( and yes I have read it). makes health care affordable for who ever wants it and only mandates ( in other words force) children to have it, because children clearly are not adults and can't make the decision to accept or reject health care.

Taking about public financing at this stage of the game is irrelevant. It needs to be done AFTER the nominees are chosen.

I don't believe any of them. Politicians will say and do anything to get elected. They have no honor. Obama made a commitment before he knew how things would turn out. Now that he's doing well he;s not going to give up all that money. As far as McCain, well I hope McCain-Feingold works out swell for him.

That is the best trap I have ever heard. If Mr. Obama agrees to this, We are sure as soon as he publically commits to it and it becomes clear that he will be the nominee, the Republicans will definitely start lashing out their publicity on Muslim story in Bible belt through conservative Radio stations. Obama will be left with out means to reach out to the people. It is not going to be McCain who will do the dirty jobs but it will be the Radio hosts. Democrats do not walk in to this trap. As of today Obama will beat McCain with his youth and hope and Republicans know it well.

McCain knows if Obama is the nominee then he'll have a hard time beating him in the general election. If it's Hillary, however, it'll be easy because half of the democrats hate her and the republicans loathe her to the core.

mccain, did he say he was 100 years old or the u.s. would be in iraq for 100 years. old man, with old ideas and a bush clone.

The difference between Obama's Health Plan and Clinton's Health plan are so minute. Why are people making it seem like there are vast differences? It really shouldn't be a deciding factor because I'm sure who ever wins the White House will tweek their plan to fit the best interest of the people.

Where are you all reading that Obama said no? Or are the people who hate Obama just injecting that part into the story? Reading is fundamental.

Any money that is spent to prevent another war-monger from gaining the next presidency will be the most well-spent money in the world.

Let McCain have the honor of keeping his pledge.

And let the American people have the wisdom to elect a President who will stop wasting hundreds of American lives and huge sums of money in Iraq.

You guys are all very sad cry-babies. Sad that an African-American with a MLK like unified front appeal will be president. I am appalled by the lack of vision of my fellow Americans. Shame on all of you. McCain once had integrity, he lost it 4 years ago when he agreed to be pimped out by Carl Rove, the very person who had sodomized him 4 years prior to that. Please, do you think that Johnny Mac will be there for you in the end. Come now, let's not be naive.

Sounds like McCain already thinks Obama is going to be the nominee.
Why doesn't he go to Hillary and ask her the same thing??

It also screams desperation on McCains end because he knows he can't raise the kind of money Obama came because he doesn't have the support of the people.

Obama isn't perfect and neither is McCain, there's going to be A LOT of things that the politicians are going to change their minds about. So Hillary supporters get over yourselves!

Obama should tell McCain "I don't work for you." McCain's advisors (Rove, Cheney, etc....) are obviously coaching him to be the Alpha dog and get Obama to submit to McCain in front of the country.

The only problem is the Alpha Dog is a senile, washed up liberal Republican who belongs in the Smithsonian, not the White House.

So Obama funds super delegates? Is this not the same old Washington politics? I think he is saying anything to win – something he accuses Clinton of. Shame on him.

As I read it "tMcCain had decided to accept public financing of his primary season campaign last summer – but eventually opted out of the system before accepting funds because it would have limited the amount he would be allowed to spend to $54 million until the Republican Party’s nominating convention this summer.
That scenario promised to seriously handicap his effort if he were to become his party’s nominee and face a well-funded opponent with no spending limits."
Maybe Obama faced the same problem when he started his campaign.

Funny that the above people didnt read next to last paragraph of that story.

"McCain had decided to accept public financing of his primary season campaign last summer – but eventually opted out of the system before accepting funds because it would have limited the amount he would be allowed to spend to $54 million until the Republican Party’s nominating convention this summer."

So basically grandpa McCain just did a McFlop.

i watched sen. mccain on cnn interview yestaday and i was really sad !that if this gentleman wins the president position it would be like going back to the past and he was a bore and could not really answer the questions asked properly .people close to him made it clear not to be negative of obama because that was and is not the goal so now he is talking about something that is already water under the bridge as if these are the real problems that america cares about.wow! america has moved on!word to the wise you.

Dani–he is not encouraging any American to go without health insurance. He is actually encouraging those poorer Americans to invest in health insurance by making it affordable for them and their children. Just because he is not the candidate you support, please do not distort the truth. I can tell the type of candidate you would vote for

Hillary has been eliminated from the equation by news organizations such as CNN. Once again, women take a back seat as males promote males to keep their dominance firmly in check. Obama, to me, seems like a master opportunist. It will be Hillary – when Texas, Ohio and Pennyslvania vote for the real deal, not some evangelist

Let the man speak first before you go and try to answer for him or think for him. Obama has the right to speak first.

McCain just wants his options so please give it too him stop whinning McCain!!!

The man has to leave his options open. He is not gonna take any and does not need any! Today I raised $175.00 in one hour for his cause.

Well, it seems that we are getting the first taste of what an Obama presidency woud look like; probably nothing like anything that he has promised so far on the campaign trail.

He really needs to be honest and straight with the American people; it doesn't seem that he will escape from being another Washington politician; Mccain is looking to be more progressive and reformist than he is, at least at the moment.

Janet-

They all agreed to public financing in the GENERAL; McCain opted the public financing in the PRIMARIES and then changed his mind. He is criticizing Obama for hinting at the fact that he may not want to do public financing in the GENERAL. Ergo, Obama's not as godly as the rest.

I've been watching the presidential race between senator obama and
senator clinton and it makes me very sad to think that we are so
divided and against each other. first these two people should be encouraged to come together as a team either way and beat the
republiccans and take back the white house. the commentaors on cnn
and msnbc. should shut the hell up and stop lying to the american people!!! every time i turn on the news and it's all lies. like the bill clinton blow-up that was't a blow-up at all! You people are not helping
us you are being bias and it's just not right. I saw chris matthews on
msnbc making bets and it was so un-ethical to bet that someone will
lose and then use your positon to sway the outcome! I think this is wrong. And as a result i do not watch his show any longer. Now, I see
the same thing on cnn, . these lies and false inundos need to stop.

AH HA! OBAMA WAS THE ONE WHO INITIALLY CALLED ON ALL FELLOW CAMPAIGNS TO SIGN ON TO HIS IDEA TO ONLY USE FEDERAL FUNDS AND NOW..............HE DOESN'T WANT TO PLAY ANYMORE. IS THIS A PRECURSOR OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ALL HIS OTHER PROMISES HE HAS MADE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?? MAYBE SO. AND HE HAS SUCH A SMOOTH WAY OF BACKING OUT OF THINGS. IT JUST SHOWS HIS INEXPERIENCE. HE PRETENDS TO BE THE "CHANGE" IN WASHINGTON POLITICS BUT IT LOOKS TO ME, HE HAS FALLEN RIGHT IN LOCK-STEP WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT. LEARNED TODAY THAT HE HAS GIVEN ALMOST $700,000.00 PAC MONEY TO "SUPER-DELEGATES" CAMPAIGNS!!! BUT, HE'S NOT PART OF THE ESTABLISHMENT IN WASHINGTON.....NO, NO, NO. I THINK OBAMA SUPPORTERS HAVE BEEN DUPED! VOTE FOR HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT! SHE DOES WHAT SHE SAYS SHE'S GOING TO DO!!! HILLARY '08

Mc Cain is asking Obama to make a statement as if he is the nominee...WOULD BE STUPID TO MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT AT THIS TIME. McCain is just trying to make waves..We all know the republicans want Hillary, as they can beat her. GO OBAMMMMMMAAAAA!!!!!

Obama is a FLIPFLOPPER. He says different things depending what kind of audience he has, he's a PANDERER.

Obama cannot be trusted.

Obama is fighting a battle on two fronts right now...

McCain has already christened Obama the Democratic nominee and is attacking him as such, while Hillary is still battling with him for the spot (and rightfully so).

Because he is not commenting, McCain is accusing that Obama will go back on his promise.

If he did make the commitment now, you know the Clinton machine would attack Obama for "being so arrogant as to already declare himself the winner."

Keep your head up and don't let them drag you into the mud!!

I think that Obama saying he is not a "detail guy" really says nothing about his judgement or the direction he wants the country to move. He has also said many times that he would listen to his advisors and not just have "yes men" on his staff. A presidents' job seems to me to be one of leadership. A CEO does not make all of the decisions in the trenches but OK's them and hires qualified people to hash out details. Ideologically Obama seems to be the best candidate for me and I believe for America.
I also do not know the details of the public financing deal to decide on just how good of an idea it is. What would be considered public financing? It seems to me the only fair way to do such a thing would be to allocate the same amount of funds for each candidate. Otherwise "public financing" would become just another way to hide private donations.

Yep sounds like someone wants to try to call out Obama now that he's played with the calculator a little bit and realizes it would significantly hurt him in the pocket to run against the well funded Obama campaign. Poor baby.

While we're at it though, what is this a triple team against Obama?? Is there anyone else who wants to try to keep Obama out of the nomination seat as well? So far we have Hillary, Bill, and now McCain as well. The man hasn't even been nominated yet and you're trying to take pot shots.

McCain is a hypocrite.

In 99' he wouldn't overturn roe vs wade....now he thinks we should.

Opposed the Bush tax cuts...then supported them.

Opposed torture...but just he other day voted no against a plan that would essentially make water boarding illegal.

This guy talks out of both sides of his mouth.

Has Obama's campaign mentioned a word about not following through on this promise? I don't think it's fair to call the man a hypocrite unless & until that happens.

It about time someone is challenging Obama to commit to anything!!!
He has Wolf Blitzers lip prints all over his rearend.....

McCain starts to attack Obama with all these non-sense. Everyone knows McCain has bad temper and it is going manifest any minute. Can you imagine him being the president. That really scares me.

if obama wins the nomination every body will vote republican

I could be wrong but I do not think so.
McCain will not beat Obama or Clinton.
The Dems will be change over the Bush years.
McCain is just the same as the Bush years.
More of this endless war with vague goals and a un-winnable outcome meaning it needs a political solution... this will not be acceptable

He has a snowballs chance in hell and best.

How funny that there isnt nearly as much comments on this story as stories that slander Hillary, is it because people are afraid to attack Obama or CNN is afraid to POST attacks against. Oh no! Nothing bad can be posted about Saint Obama!

This is where we find out if Barack Obama is a man of his word ... or just a man of a lotta words. For once I'd like a president who can be trusted to do what he says.

If Obama backs away from his commitment to accept public financing, then how can we trust anything else he says? If he honors his commitment, even though it negates his fundraising advantage, then we have reason to believe him when makes other promises.

It'll be interesting.

Mama alway told me if something sounds to good to be true it is! Don't morph into a Clinton now. You HAVE TO BE A MAN OF YOUR WORD. If you promised before the game started, to go the route of public finance for the general election, and now it doesn't suit you, well that's just tough. Momemtum, just like voters, can be just as quick to leave as it was to come.

And really, would it be so tragic if the two of you only had $75M each to spend?

This is just the beginning to ALL the things the Republicans will demolish Obama with. I have and always will be a Hillary supporter, and after watching John McCain SLAM Obama, it is clear that HE WILL NOT HOLD HIS OWN IF he wins the Democratic nomination. The Republicans will rip him to shreds.

Obama is VERY WEAK on debating and he has obviously has fooled ALL of his supporters!!! It is time to demand answers people! Obama has fooled you, and he now refuses to debate. Doesn't that sound odd? Doesn't that sound like BUSH?!!! Barack=Bush!

Hillary is tested and approved. Everyone needs to just admit that she may not be the most "friendly" looking candidate, but she will RUN DOWN the GOP, no doubt!!! She is a definate fighter!

If McCain were so interested in the concept, why didn't he commit a year ago? Obama will keep his word – when it's given. Unlike the other candidates, he doesn't take commitments lightly. His opponents will throw anything out there to see if it sticks and he just doesn't play the same way. That's why voters are flocking to him, he's more genuine and thoughtful – and much more intelligent. We're just not accustomed to real people like Obama in American politics . . . it takes some getting used to.

UH-oh! Everyone has wondered how long it would take Mac to rip Obama from the protective and loving arms of his "Care bears", guess you can say, "It's on."

BROTHER OBAMA, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING ON THIS? MR. HYPOCRITE,
IF YOU ARE NOMINATED, I WILL VOTE REPUBLICAN THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE; THIS IS COMING FROM A BLACK GUY OF AFRICAN DESCENT LIKE OBAMA

Ahhh, the [R] hypocrisy begins. Has John McCain opted for public financing? Of course not. Although John-boy is known as a maverick, he is falling right in line with his right-wing puppet-masters. Let the Swift-boating begin.... Anything but a battle of policies and ideas.

And the last two elections show that the American people will fall for it every time. The [R] party takes you all for idiots, and you prove them right 9 times out of 10....even as they bend you over for the drudging you deserve.

Obama...if you can't keep your word, how can we trust that you will bring change to our country.

you are a big liar

YES WE CANNOT !!!

OR

YES WE CAN IN A DREAM !!!

hahahaha...now you'll start to see what we've been talking about the whole time...great preachers...love to talk...more than walk....lol

I think this whole issue is premature. Obama should be allowed to secure the Democratic nomination before looking at this issue. The last thing we Democrats need is for our nominee to commit to such a proposal before looking at it carefully. One concern is that even though the candidates agree to public financing, outsiders (like those who brought us the swiftboat ads against Kerry) will still be free to spend as much as they want to try to influence the election. If that happens, the public financing agreement will be in name only and may leave the candidate on the receiving end of such attacks without the readily available resources to respond effectively.

Isn't sticking to your word EXACTLY what a presidential candidate should be doing? Makes you wonder what else he might claim he didn't really say? I sure do "hope" that doesn't happen.

Obama is not even the democratic nominee yet. But it doesn't stop the above Clintonites and McCain Republicans from saying he is a flip flopper...... Give the guy a chance...... History has shown he is less of a flip flopper than Hillary (Don't you dare drink from the same water fountain as me... Goldwater Girl)

Hmmmm, Obama is in a pickle. Could this be his first mis-step?

Well even he is due a mistake or two from timeto time. Hillary supporters have no room to make too much fuss over this. Unless of course, they want to get into a debate regarding campaign funding sources.

Why would Obama, at this point, go to public financing? That would be foolish and silly. The DNC would NEVER allow that to happen.

People are voting based on fear, emotion, and hidden agenda's. That's what got us GWB.

I say, do what you need to bvecome president and stay president Obama. It that means doing things against your "better-taste" do it. We need you. Continue to take Hillary down and then blow by McCain in the general.

Obama 08' 12'

Frankly, McCain is as OLD as Hillary. Have we not seen and heard from these old politicians before? Is this the man who could not knock out Bush of 2 occasions? Is this ole man for real?

As regards Hillary, no comments. The only problem I see if how the Latino/Latina will fare when Obama wins the nomination. Wise people would start to rethink their positions!!

This from a man, McCain, who ASKED for federal funds/matching funds, then decided he didn't want the money after all. Now, he wants to challenge someone? He is the hypocrite. He wanted that money when he was broke, behind and losing. Now, all of a sudden McCain doesn't want the money. And why do you suppose he himself doesn't want the money? Yet, he has the nerve to call someone else out. Give me a break. Unless he has decided to take that money, he'd better shut up real fast.

HAHAAHA McCain!!! You know Obama has more funding power than you and now you're trying to make him look bad for it!! Obama please on behalf of the American people accept every dime we give you. We don't care about your agreement, we care about crushing McCain. Pull no punches, don't pull a Kerry. KNOCK HIM OUT!!!!!!!!!!

I want to point out a disparity in CNN's reporting. Obama has weaknesses, as this article and the comments highlight. We don't spend enough time learning about his weaknesses because the media handles him like a baby. Please read the NYT story about Superdelegates Gregory Meeks, and Edolphus Towns in NY, continuing to support Clinton despite the fact that Obama won their districts.

CNN covers Superdelegates of color struggling with balancing their race and their support of Clinton but they do not cover those who have overcome the struggle and continue to support Clinton. This is unfair coverage and I challenge CNN to post this comment.

Go through with your word Barack. You are an awesome candidate, and to be honest with you, this wouldn't affect your campaign not ONE BIT. You will still be the next president of the United States, regardless if your campaign funds are publicly funded or not.

As for you McCain, this is a cheap shot. Is this the best that you could
do? Do you not have any other material issues to debate Barack over instead of something as petty as this. You're only pursuing the matter because it would be beneficial to you. You need to come with something stronger than this if you want to dampen Barack's campaign and his followers.

Barack '08 '12

It doesn't matter if Obama was running on $4,523.13. He would still beat McCain. This is not a story since McCain hasn't agreed to it himself.

And so it begins...McCain will crush Obama,

Good job, McCain! Way to pin Obama down and expose him for the opportunistic old school politician that he is. He thought it sounded good at the time to agree to public financing. Now he wants to back out because it wouldn't be an advantage for him.

But be careful, John. The Obama camp just might be able to spin this as a racial attack. They like to use that racial teflon to defend against attack.

I don't understand the "public financing" issue all that well; however, I do think at $54,000,000 per candidate (estimated $100 million) in the general election could be better well spent. The media enterprises get rich off this and nothing really improves for the taxpayers.

Educate me please. I don't understand why Obama, Clinton or McCain would WANT to use this financing.

Unless someone can give me a reasonable explanation; I say take the private donations and send the govt money to rebuild the Gulf, revamp our infrastructure, support our veterans, fund education and medical research, etc., etc.

I think Obama, for whatever his reasons, will be doing us a favor NOT taking the "public financing".

This election and it's coverage is nothing but a joke. The reporting has been so negative against Hillary Clinton. She has been accused of being polarizing. I watch CNN and other Networks and nearly everytime she opens her mouth, she is ATTACKING Obama according to the news. Yet when he speaks of her, the News reports his remarks as SWIPES. I watched nearly every debate and I noticed that he always made the first attack. And for these super delegates switching, I mean flipflopping from one candidate to another. Where is their integrity. Last but not least, Obama will leave millions out of his healthcare plan if he is to make it 'affordable'. If you don't have a job or lose the one you have, what can you afford? Poor people had better get their heads out of the sand.

Obama,... keep a pledge that reduces the amount of cash that he has at his disopsal. Just because he gave his word. No Chance of that. He's all about the cash and the bull crap. Playing fair and honest is only what he wants people to think he would do. It's Not what he will do. He lies about most everything and his blind mice follow. The heck of it is that they know he's a lier and that's OK with them. He is a reflection of his voters own self and he plays them well. I would say I hope you all get what you all deserve. But then the rest of us would have to suffer with you. So I hope that Hillary will prevail. If not, there's always McCain.

Doesn't matter either way, Obama could beat McCain with almost no budget. McCain knows the rich conservatives and Texas millionaire oil drillers won't be giving to his campaign like they did for Bush eight years ago. He has no choice but to go with Public Financing. Obama doesn't need to agree to anything.

Politics as usual. Promise them anything – even if you can't or won't deliver. If he doesn't keep this promise, will he keep any of his campaign promises for change?

i support Obama, therefore i truly hope he keeps his word on this, specially since he made the challenge first. i'm glad mcain brought this up and hope Obama answers the call.

McCain is being childish and old school. This kind of silliness is not the what Americans need to move America forward.

Flip flop McCain has long lost any moral authority to goad anyone into keeping their word', especially words which were never made.

Here is a guy who has been selling his soul to the evangelical devils; so much so that his own mother is suggesting that others may have to 'hold their nose' in dealing with her son. lol

Did McCain keep his word when he first RIGHTLY trashed Bush's mindless tax cuts for the greedy, and now turn around and gush over the tax cuts because he's currying favor from the 'hounds from hell' on the conservative side?

McCain continue to lose all the integrity Americans once thought he had in abundance. Such a shame.

Obama should just take pity on him and ignore the old man.

It's good to put more pressure on Obama.

He used to support "single-payer health care" and at one debate (hosted by CNN), he said he never said he supported it. Immigration is another issue he couldn't provide a detailed plan (or flip-flopped) until recently.

People really should do some research on every candidate.

Let's face it. Washington is still corrupt. There is no good candidate, just varying levels of bad. Hell, even with a "good" president, Congress will bastardize any legal document that goes through there (I'd like to see the crap that comes out of it after they put any of Clinton's or Obama's ideas through). They need to resurrect the amendment limiting terms of Congress.

I think once he is chosen the nominee for sure, and McCain is chosen, he'll probably agree. But it's not the time to start talking about limiting his spending while he's still in a hard fight with Clinton. If he does agree, it won't really hurt him that much because he'll get the free press for standing on principal, he'll still have an even amount of money as McCain, and he'll be able to give his money to down ticket candidates which will help him in close areas anyway.

Did any of you here obama say he would not do it?.....anyone?...case close....the article did not say he refused!

Let's see, I was for it before I was against it, but now I am for it.

Obama will be crushed by McCain in November.

Oh shut up... we know who obama is...mccain is just doing that old washington smear tactic stuff hoping people are dumb enough to fall for it. It happens every election year..its like people forget how worthless these politicians are for the most important year, get fooled by there trashy lies, vote for the trash, then wonder why they made such a horrible mistake.
do you really want a john mccain or a hillary clinton running this country? Is that just more of the same? Please, don't blow it this time, vote obama, and you'll have a great country again..if not, you will see your mistakes later without the opportunity to change them...

is Obama is beginning to welsh out of the agreement to accept public financing now that he has built such a large internet support base.

on other notes Obama's support appears to be coming from the Reagan democrats,as well as his natural constituantcy,namley the service workers.and some independents,,rather than the meat and potato,lesser educated blue collar worker's, the building trade's,such as carpenter's and iron workers and the auto worker type union's..that seemed to have backed Senator Edwards.....

Mr. John Lewis Grow up.
It is people like John Lewis that make peaple think twice when dealing with black people. He has been bought by some individuals and that why he is change his vote from Clinton to Obama. shame on you Mr. Lewis.

Austin
Buffalo, N.y.

This guy must be freaked about Obama if he needs to dig this deep already to make an attack before the party even has a clear front runner. Either that or he's worried he's about to fall under the shadow of the Democratic debate. Does anything McCain says right now even matter?

The REAL OOBAMA will come out into the open as soon as he will be chosen as the nominee in the Democratic party..Republicans will find a way to criticize him just as what they did with Hillary...
Let's see and watch out folks....

As an Obama supporter, I find it sad that Hillary's supporters have taken her lead & started slamming a qualified candidate who has run a perfect campaign to date. But either way, good luck.

On the financing, what a tough spot. He has more money to lose than anyone if he sticks to it. He would raise 30 million a month if he forgoes the deal. McCain would be lucky to crack 10 million a month. As a Democrat, I just want either Democrat to win, so I would love that advantage. But, he did say he would honor it, so I think he has to, but man, thats a rock and a hard place. Glad I don't have to decide..

Obama's starting to show his true colors again, though I doubt the Obamamaniacs or the media will give it any serious attention. If anything, the media and his supporters will spin it asking why would he agree to do it at all knowing that it will make it more difficult for him to get elected. If that were Hillary people would be accusing her of not keeping to her word and call her behavior manipulative and corrupt. The hypocrisy is ridiculous.

If Obama challenged, and initially agreed, to only use public financing then he should keep his promise. He chastises Hillary for going back on her word about things that she had previously agreed to, but he's just as dishonest as she is because he does the same thing. What's wrong with a level playing field?? What is he afraid of? Isn't he the person who gives all these "inspirational" speeches that talk about fairness and equality??? What a load of crap.

I know all politicians lie in order to try to get themselves elected, but Obama is the only one who tries to portray himself as a person who is above all of that.....and people actually believe it. It's amazing how blind people can be when they are feeling desperate. For those of us who see through his manipulative, corrupt, deceitful, and coniving behavior we are doing ourselves a favor by not voting for this guy. For those of you who cannot or will not look at this man for what he is.....and he does somehow get elected....you will only have yourselves to blame when the brown stuff hits the fan.

Why will Obama commit to a thing when other candidate refused to recognize?
He wants it but other rejected it and now McCain wants to use it against Obama when himself did not commit to it. I think McCain need a better negative attack and you Obama haters you should read aticle carfefully before handing down your hatred.

Another desperate attempt from the Republicians to get HRC the Dem. nomination. Why??!! Because they know that McCain would trounce her in the general! Give me Obama, give me Gore, give me anybody that would win against the Republicians...unfortunately that's not Clinton!

The new Republician (and HRC) strategy; start throwing mud in the hopes Obama with start to wallow in it.

i don't care how old a woman is, but i believe that you should fight fire with fire, if he's charasmatic, be the best charmer you can be hillary and you will attract america, how about another academy awards performance, a little tear, a little smile, call on oscar de la renta clothes can make a difference YOU KNOW! don't forget the stilettos!

Hmmm... so McCain was against tax cuts first and now he changed his mind. He is courting the conservative base and must therefore "adjust" some of his previous stances. That's fine. Anyone should be able to change their mind in the light of new realities as long as you can argue convincingly.

So Obama faces a new reality too and he can change his mind about public financing as well. I just wish that McCain could change his mind about Iraq...

MY, MY what a pickel Obamais in. Does he do the right thing or does he FLip Flop... He wants to win I call flip-flop any takers? I applaud Mccain for wanting to start out with Public funds but it would have been a dum move on his part. No one during the primaries would dream of it with money haulers like Romney, Clinton and Obama. Can't blame McCain for wanting a fighting chance. Know that what is, is what do you say Obama. Can you servive with out Oprah Money!

Well, we have been talking about the inexperience of Obama and this is going to be a great example. He should be forced to amswer that question now. It would be a great question for the Texas CNN debate. When he is not giving a speech and has to answer a hard question, he tends to stutter and gets that "deer in the headlight" look. It hard to believe that he might and I say might be running for President in the general election. What the republican attack machine will do to him will not be a pretty sight. It will be "R" rated and not fit for children.

Truth is the power of Obama's message. No one man has all of the answers to all of the problems we face as a nation, but it takes one man to start looking for all of the solutions. The is the core of Obama's message and vision. The true beauty of Obama's vision is that we all are enlisted to find the solutions with him.

The question I have for all of you is this: I do you want someone else, Hillary the elitist and/or McCain the clown, to solve your problems; or do you want to be involved in finding the solutions to your problems? In other words, are you mindless sheep, or are you intelligent men and women who know what is to participate in life and politics. If you are the former, then join the military and you can be told what to do for your entire life.

That is some of the worst thinking ever. Okay so in the middle of Obama vs. Hilary a going broke McCain now wants Obama to live up to a promise that he initially declined?

That's the same a hilary changing up the rules in the midst of everything and trying to request the dlegates of florida and michigan being seated despite agreements prior.

Wait a minute...McCain is asking Obama to keep a "promise" he's already broken. If McCain had kept his promise, his campaign would have ended last summer.

Obama should ignore McCain's ravings. This loser can't

even unite his own party as Huckabee's hanging in there

and still winning states.

CNN you are such a sad excuse for a media outlet. Why don't you just go ahead and tell the people the truth. You WANT Obama to go against McClain then you will unleash the dogs of hell against him giving the Republicans the White House.
Sad the American people drink the Kool-Aid you feed them.
Obama is yor puppet for now but only until you knock Hillary out. Obama is so stupid he just plays along like a deer in the headlights.

I wonder if slandering and ripping Obama apart in print will really put Mr. McCain in the White House?

It's not working for Hillary.

Why would it work for McCain? The slicker the attacks the more votes he will lose...especially from his own party...just my opinion.

Maybe America will wake up and see the true Obama ! He lies and misrepresents Hillary and John Mc Cain, sends out misleading fliers. Accepts contributions from Lobbyists and condems everyone else.. I'm a republican and can't wait until the rupublican party takes the gloves off... Good Bye Barack Husein Obama!!

Martin please find time to read Obama's plan and solutions for our country.

Do not criticize anyone if you not sure of what you saying , if makes you look like a foolish person.
Mike maybe you consider talking to the parent of the student gun man why they bought him a gun, or why do they not bringup their son in a right way as you Mike.

Most of you just want to post irrelevant comment on the blog and you think it is funny.
I am all the way in Canada supporting your next president and you are out there saying bull words against your next president.
Do you think it is a fight? It is a campaign period and if you want food to fall from heaven, you will die of hunger. He's been telling you that it is not going to be easy to fix the country that he will need everyone commitment to succeed and he encourages you to standup for yourself and for your country.

After all he didn't give bush permition to go to war where all the country money have been wasted. Do you think president Bush ate the money? Hillary and other gave him support to use every necessary means against Iraq and he did. Will you blame Bush for misusing American money ing Iraq.?
Obama is about to change all that ,when you realized that you have no choice but to join the wagon for new life in America

I like it when John McCain walks right into Momma's trap. If McCain don't think we can raise three times as much for Obama in the General Elections he got a shell shock of a surprise coming his way.

John McCain isn't the front running in funding from active military people. Fact: Active military people gave Ron Paul the most money, Barack Obama second, John McCain third and Hillary last. John McCains expectation of staying in Iraq for 100 years isn't something our military supports. No more Bush wars and policies is what our military is saying and we all need to listen. Vote Obama. McCain is Bush in sheeps clothing and he'll bring Jeb Bush along with him.

What a bunch of anti-Obama rhetoric. You ae all speculating as he hasn't even made a decision yet.

So Jay, you would vote for him in 2008, and then if he didn't know what he was doing you wouldn't re-elect him? Huh?

Obama/Edwards in 2008!

McCain challenges Obama to keep his word- that's interesting.
McCain has flip flopped on amnesty to securing the boarder, no tax cuts to yes tax cuts, so why should financing his campaign be any different? He just saw a way of making Obama go against what he said in the past and cant resist calling him on it. Obama goes out of his way not to commit to anything but hope so he can't be called on it later. Sometimes having no expience is an advantage. Charisma and lack of experience is no reason to win but the young will never vote for anyone Mc Cain's age so we are in trouble!.

As the above comments suggest, this is a serious matter. I'm already sensing a feeling of 'buyer's remorse' over Obama, and I believe that a slide is coming up with these states that are leaning Clinton at this time. If Obama decides to back out of his earlier commitment and rely only on private donors, it would be a very bad precedent.

Barack Obama persuded the public fiancing pact at the time because he did not know he would raised more money than everyone. Now, that he is better than everyone in private campaign donation, he will not forsake his advantage.

John McCain, the same person who has "flip flopped" on "real" issues like the Bush tax cuts and amnesty, is in no position to call anyone's bluff to be "honest." I wonder how honest McCain is going to be when he tries to woo the Rush Limbaugh conservative base.

ahhh..knock knock...excuse me my fellow bloggers....he did not say he would or he wouldn't. Great strategy by Mc Cain though. unfortunately Barack is in a Jam on this... Let's see what the witty cape crusader does in this challenge.... Same Barach Time...Same Barach Channel!

When it comes to being a hypocrite, McCain has shown himself to be that and much more. As for anyone who will vote republican or not vote at all, if someone Obama is nominated, please reconsider and vote for Obama.

Hillary is an elitist and is seeking power to enrich herself. McCain is an honorable veteran, but too closed minded and knows, he admitted, nothing of economics. Senator Obama is the best candidate in the race for the presidency, and the best candidate to find all of the solutions for all of the problems we face today and in the future.

People change their minds all the time. But one thing is clear: self-imposed financial constraints were intended to prevent candidates from getting a huge disadvantage from big backers. Obama gets his campaign dollars 25 dollars at a time from millions of ordinary Americans, not big-business fat cats trying to steer the outcome of an election to their pecuniary benefit. Obama should not feel compelled to forego the contributions of millions of everyday folks whose voices are drowned out by the lobbyists in Washington. Gimme a break!

Since the potamic primaries, Obama is unstoppable. His message to the people is very relevant and inspiring. It might look like for some that he has no specific plans to navigate this nation. To me he looks very confident and brave to weather any situation that may beset in the future. I believe that he will not destabilize this country's economy and moral values.

I would love to see Obama have to give Oprah's millions back. It is about time he is attacked as he has done to Sen Clinton. Pundits and reporters alike are tip-toeing about his campaign for fear of any racial remarks which is ridiculous and unfair, given the sexist remarks leveled at her.

Obama should also fire back at Clinton because she is using the rhetorical saying that states "ATTACK IS THE BEST DEFENCE"

Obama is not the nominee yet. Why is McCain so impatient?

Bias to Aftican African has been overused and overrated. Look who is being bias now, them of course, including Mr. Lewis just to favor Obama. Thsi is outrageous and ridiculous, Mr. Lewis change votes and rules during election to favor Obama.....be fair to Hillary....WAKE UP, who is bias now!!!!

Janet, I don't support McCain. I am voting for Clinton in March here in Texas. I am a BIG Clinton fan. I just found the post on Obama really enlightening and wanted to share. Maybe I should have posted it under a different article. Oh well, it's shared anyway.

These day I read the news network including FOXNEWS, ABC, MSNBC and CNN. I think that CNN is to much favor Obama. Now FOXNEWS and ABC are more objective than CNN now.

I HOPE THAT OPRAH AND THE KENNEDYS CAN LOOK AFTER THEIR BOY WHEN HE IS FACING SOME HARD QUESTIONS........

Why is McCain telling you whom the candidate is going to be? Last check the race has not been decided yet.

Hillary has experience, integrity, and has always pushed for healthcare since the early days of Bill Clinton's presidency. Hillary wants to debate Obama in Wisconsin; however, Obama is not prepared as usual (no experience). Obama is not the best person for the job. Hillary for President and Obama for Vice President. Now that's a winning ticket. Obama should not be greedy wanting to be President at such an early stage of his life. Hillary for President for 8 years; Obama President for the following 8 years. We will have 16 years of a Democratic President.

Hillary for President; Obama for Vice President in 08′ !

Okay everyone- a peek into the general election. Still time for serious thinking. Do we really think that Obama will be strong enough in the general election vs. McCain? I am seriously concerned that the big hype balloon will be slowly punctured and then come tumbling down leaving us with nothing. It will be McCain "straight talk" vs. Obama "wishful thinking" and- given the serious nature of our times-most people will probably tend toward pragmatic. It may not be fair,but it is realistic. In trying to please everyone and "unite" everyone,I feel that Obama isn't strong in his core policies (universal health care, education). We need strong democratic direction to win in 08.

Typical uninformed Hillary supporters who don't read the entire article. Before jumping on the side of the Republican maybe you should read the story and not just write about what you know nothing about.

mwaha haha.. McCain is going bankcrupt in this campaign.. he wants everyone to fit "speed-governor" in their campaigns ..If you got money why cant you party ?

..it doesn't really matter if that style/rule has been there for 3 decades now, I just like Obama's responce "It would be presumptuous of me to start saying now that I'm locking myself into something when I don't even know if the other side is going to agree to it." – His Excellency the 44th President of United States of America, Barack H. Obama.

..OBAMA 08

..OBAMA 08

Obama flip flop on his decisions just to gain votes and support. Most of the Aftican American as well, 9 out of 10 voted for Obama including Mr. Lewis changing his vote from Hillary to Obama for political and covenience reasons. They also plan to meet about superdelegates just to favor Obama. Who is now being discriminated? It is Hillary...WAKE UP!!!

You know, through this whole campaign process it has sickened me the amount of money the candidates have raised and spent, especially Clinton and Obama. More so Obama for the mere fact that he has so oftentimes turned a "Hillary picked on me" moment into "let's show her, send me some money." Are these people truly able to afford to keep sending him money? One poster earlier commented "yippeee, it's payday, means I can send him (Obama) more money. " Times are tough, hopefully people are using common sense in what they can afford. I'm thinking public financing may be the best way to go.........otherwise, guess people can always send their surplus rebate checks to the candidates.

To Dani:

You could not be more unaware of what you are saying. Obama writes his own speeches, and candidate reads their own speeches from a teleprompter. It is called using modern technology. If you are a college graduate, you would know this.

With the GOP it is always better to make sure their fingers are not crossed, THEN agree with them. They cannot be trusted, but Obama has much support from them, so I would hope for an honest and honorable handshake.

No matter how you cut it, McCain will no-doubt adopt Hillary's desperate tactics toward the end and claim that Obama is not being straight. The old man will get desperate. Just wait.

Couple that with all his Bush support and all bets are off anyway.

At least with Obama, he'll shoot straight, and EDUCATED people with "the internets" will be able to uncover all the lies... like Bill and Hillary's novel of untruths thus far...

Folks, Obama is not a sucker. He's not going to commit to anything with out:
A: actually being the nominee
B: having a joint announcement and signing.

Doing anything else would surely show he was politically ignorant. Doing what he is doing shows he is smart enough not to fall for a first shot sucker move. You don't do anything like this till after the actual nomination.

McCain had decided to accept public financing of his primary season campaign last summer – but eventually opted out of the system before accepting funds because it would have limited the amount he would be allowed to spend to $54 million until the Republican Party’s nominating convention this summer.

OH GEEZ HOW MANY TIMES WILL THIS GUY CHANGE HIS MIND!

Good, and Sen. Obama WILL keep his word!

Obama 08! YES WE CAN!

there are far more important issues and much more serious promises to be made to the american people and KEPT. this is not an issue of any importance, and if that is all republicans can come with against democrats--------

Janet,
Obama is the one who's trying to back out of it now!!

On Friday, Obama seemed to avoid committing to the agreement. "It would be presumptuous of me to start saying now that I'm locking myself into something when I don't even know if the other side is going to agree to it."

er hillary trolls please stop attacking obama 4 this...obama has stated that once he is the nominee he will stick to his word on the condition that the opponent does tooo.

It must be to McCains advantage or he wouldnt have brought it up.Obama will still beat him by a land slide.As far as the Washington Post is concerned I wouldnt even use it for the bird cage bottom.

Now wait just a minute , last week McCain said HE was not going to go with federal funding.So if anyone has backed out on anything , it's McCain.

It shows that McCain has more integrity than Obama . Obama is tied with so many vested interest people . If Obama is the Democratic nominee without the big states supporting him , he is toast . Obama wouldn't even allow the legitimate voters of Michigan and Florida primaries to be counted . Talk about Unity and Integrity !

Like a member of the Keating 5 should have a lot of say!!!

Wrong again. Republicans don't care who the Democrats put up for defeat. Obama would be easier, but Hillary will do just as well. The Country is not ready to revisit the 60's. Race and Gender are dividing the Country and we are tired of it. How about voting for ability and experience. He(McCain) puts country ahead of self and has the history to prove it.

Will somebody tell " old Man McCain" to take some more Geritol and " shut up ""

Jay, what makes you believe Hillary would not what she's doing as commander in chief: her poor senate record or the fact that she's the wife of Bill Clinton?

As for Dani, Mrs. Clinton had the chance in the 90's when America was prosperous at enacting her health care plan. She failed miserably and would fail again, as there is no way in hell that the republicans would accept it. Wake Up!

I know Obama is just like any other politician – I hope his true colors come about before it is too late. Obama needs more experience and even if Hillary looses the nomination the conservatives will never vote for Obama. I personall will vote McCain if Obama gets the nomination. HE IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY

Looks like Obama is going back on what he said a year ago. Sort of like the time he said he accidentally pressed the wrong button while voiting. Ha Ha.......now the fun begins. A new kind of politics indeed. Only washington does some one propose thing and then not quite a year later, say that he lock himself to it. Ha Ha ... the cult of obama begins to unravel. At least CNN had the grace to put it on the ticker. I thought they would hide it or something.

Am I missing something. I don't think that all of the states have voted yet. Don't count us out here in Florida either!!

What? Stop taking $5 donations from ordinary folks?

If we're serious about getting "special interest" money out, maybe they can agree to not accept contributions over $200. Then, let see who's really serious about campaing finance reform. Otherwise, this is just a desperate Clintonesque challenge.

Uh-oh, Obama is in trouble... he will either handicap himself for the general election or he can risk looking like a flip-flopper that he accused Hillary of being. Obama has talked himself into a hole now... let's see how he gets out of this one.

The GOP attack machine is just getting started... I wonder if Obama will really be ready for the Republicans...

McCain is showboating. This is going to be the most lopsided election in history. There is a profound movement and that movement has a leader in Barack Obama.

Someone should tell McCain and the so called Conservatives that they can fall on the sword but so many times.

This is who Hillary Clinton supporters would prefer over Barack Obama? He agrees to one thing, then decides it's not in his best interest, and then now wants to switch back? Hmmm... Sounds just like HRC!

I don't know enough about the "public financing" idea to judge whether it is a good idea or not (not meaning for one candidate or the other, but the system itself).

I think contribution limits and full-disclosure are probably more important. Either way, a publicly-financed general campaign would definitely drastically favor McCain over the current situation.

The question for Obama is whether voters' knowledge that he gave up the funding upper-hand for a "public finance" undertaking would benefit him as much or more than foregoing it. It is definitely something his campaign management should be analyzing.

Hey John,

Hold on yet because we still have to wrap up this nomination for Obama. The clintons are like a snake that you don't kill it by cutting the tail you kill it by crushing the head.

As per public financing system forget about it, we the people have a say in this too, not just Obama. We want the nation to see our contributions that we want our government back. So go back to your repubs and hope they finance you because we are ready to finance Obama with our little salary earnings.

Public fianacing can start after Obamas first term in office. So deal with it John. And the last time i checked you John is a war hero not a cry baby.

It sounds like McCain is getting Scared and rightfully So. Obama will out do him 4 to 1 in Raising cash and he knows it. I would advise Obama to stick with the US people and our Donations to get him where he is destined to be because he is going to need EVERY penny to fend off all of the attacks and lies that are about to be thrown at him.

People who we have never heard of will be comming out of the shadows claiming things about Obama that will be false and if he doesn't have $$ to refute them ALL he will be destroyed.

Our memories of Rove and Swiftboats is still VERY fresh Mr. McCain.

We are Watching.

Obama does not seem to be able to keep his commitments. He is not mature enough for the chief of staff position.

McCain has to cool down a little before he considers taking the hammer to his piggy bank !

Barack Obama is not the nominee yet and once all that is settled he can talk to Barack Obama about that. I am confident Barack Obama will come up with a good solution.

'Til then : OBAMA'08

Well, well, well. If Obama isn't just another run of the mill politician I don't know who is. This guy is so two faced. People accuse the Clinton's of trying to win at all costs, but Obama makes them look like little angels in comparison. I have said this before and I will say it again, no way Obama wins a general election. He is by far the most liberal Senator in the entire senate. If McCain can't beat him I would be very surprised. Senator Clinton on the other hand would most probably beat McCain rather soundly.

WE DON'T NEED MORE FALSE HOPE FROM FANCY POLITICIANS LIKE OBAMA WHO HAVE NO CHANCE OF DELIVERING! WE NEED SOLUTIONS!

Do the right thing America, Vote Hillary 2008!

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Is that what they say?
It is a matter of principles. If you make a promise. You keep a promise. Obama is already seen as a hypocrite, and this will show how inexperience can paralyze a candidate.

If he changes on this, i will not believe anything he says going forward.

I think he'd be a great President, but not in terms of what we face today as a nation. I am a lifelong democrat and will vote republican if there is another Commander in Chief who does not know what he's doing in the office.

It will be interesting to see if he keeps his pledge or not. If he doesn't, I wonder how he would spin it?

This is the best comment I read in Washington Post on the true nature of Obama:

The problems with Obama's health care plan are "An Inconvenient Truth"

His plan encourages people, especially the poor, to go without health insurance to save money.

Obama isn't a "detail guy." He's said it himself multiple times.

His lack of attention to detail shows up in how incredibly bad his policy plans are.

The way his health plan works, people, especially the poor, would be tempted to go without health insurance in order to save money, and wind up going to the emergency room for care.

Obama said so himself in answer to a debate question, and then he said he'd charge a penalty to those same poor people.

It happened when Obama tried to "wing it", answering a debate question.

He's suprisingly bad at thinking on his feet.

Please remember that all those "inspiring "speeches you get excited about are actually written by someone else, although Obama does actually read them (from a teleprompter)

Maybe he is a rock star.

Just like that lip-syncer on SNL.