Its common Politician usually flip-flop. Beware, If ever a politician promises change he is bullying you. He thinks you are downright dumb and dish out anything at you. The only change we can bring to our lives is through our efforts and hard work. If you are lazy and dont want to work you can join socialist bandwagon and expect change

What you fail to point out is that even though it is 5+ years for off shore drilling to kick in NOBODY else has a better plan. Obama bashing McCain for wanting this just bashes but has NOTHING more. Now he wants speculators to be dealt with, but Democrats tried this 2 weeks ago and it failed because of all the line items they squeezed into the bill.

Yet Dems own House and Senate for past few years and your Dem leaders have done NOTHING for you people. Wake up and turn the tide back to Red. Only then can we get rid of all this garbage being introduced by so called "leaders".

Obama flip flopped with his church first he didn't hear those statements then he heard them. Second he flip flopped with the public financing, first he was for it now he's aganist it. Isn't flip flopping the same reason John Kerry lost the last election?

Obama made a choice that was smart given the situation he was in, nothing more.

Let the Fake Dems and the Republicans blast the hell out of the blog now ignoring that McWar has done the exact same thing more then a few times and even did it with campaign finances earlier this year.

Obama is right. It's all fine and good for McCain to complain about this because he knows that he can't possibly raise the kind of funding that Obama can.. but the fact is that McCain's got the 527's who are more than willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars smearing Obama… while McCain uses his 80M for his straight talk express. If anything,… Obama is leveling the playing field… and even better.. not using YOUR tax dollars.. the tax dollars of people who may or may not support him.. to run his campaign. McCain's just mad that he doesn't have even a fraction of the support without lobbyists.

Obama is stuck with his flip-flop label, unlike McCain.

Campaign financing is not an issue that would affect the American people. Sen. Obama did what he will need to do as president of the United States. That is, make the best decision that will profit his cause. In this case, he could run a better campaign without being limited to a certain amount of money. The only reason Sen. McCain is worried about this is because Sen. Obama has raised much more money than he has. This is just another distraction to confuse the voters.
Voters have much more to be concerned about in this election. We need to be concerned with things like climbing gas prices, high food prices, jobs, health care, recession and this Iraq war we are engaged in with no end in sight under a McCain adminstration. Besides, a candidate for president has a right to change his or her mind on an issue once considering all points of view.

He who has never changed his mind about anything should cast the first stone.

Obama 08!!!!!

On "Fox News Sunday," Tom Daschle, Obama's campaign co-chairman, argued that Obama "didn't break his word on this."

Tom Daschle manages to stay one step slower than a slug.

HE'S THE ONE USING THE SMEAR AND ATTACK. OBAMA IS SO FULL OF IT. TALK TALK TALK BLAH BLAH BLAH. WHY DON'T YOU TELL HOW MUCH THIS CHANGE YOUR TALKING ABOUT IS GONNA COST AND WHAT THET HELL ARE YOU GONNA CHANGE, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE. YOU SEEM SO SURE OF YOURSELF, THE WAY YOU TALK OBAMA YOU WILL GET IT DONE IN YOUR FIRST TERM, I HOPE YOU DO CAUSE THAT IS ALL YOU WILL GET ONE TERM. AND HOPEFULLY NOT EVEN THAT. BEWARE OBAMAS GLOBAL POVERTY ACT. IT WILL MAKE AMERICA GIVE ITS MONEY AWAY WHEN WE NEED IT.

GLOBAL POVERTY ACT = OBAMA

GLOBAL POVERTY ACT = OBAMA

GLOBAL POVERTY ACT = OBAMA

LOOK IT UP HE WANT TO SEND OUR MONEY OVER SEAS.

GLOBAL POVERTY ACT = OBAMA

HE WANTS TO TAX US SO THAT THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES DON'T WANT HAVE TO DO FOR THEMSELVES. HE WANTS TO GIVE THEM OUR MONEY.

GLOBAL POVERTY ACT=OBAMA=TAXING AMERICANS SO THAT THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES CAN LIVE OFF OF YOUR HARD WORK.

But McCain's economic adviser Carly Fiorina, on CBS' "Face the Nation," argued that "a good leader is influenced by the facts on the ground."

The is an explaination of the change of heart McCain had regarding oil drilling in the US. I wonder why when Sen. Obama changes his mind after being influenced by the "facts on the ground," it is considered a flip-flop or a lie.

Obama 08!!!!

OBAMA = GLOBAL POVERTY ACT

OBAMA= GLOBAL POVERTY ACT

OBAMA=GLOBAL POVERTY ACT

OBAMA=GLOBAL POVERTY ACT

OBAMA=GLOBAL POVERTY ACT

HE WILL CONDEM US TO A ONE GOVERNMENT WORLD, OBAMA IS PUSHING FOR A GOVERNMENT WORLD THAT IS HIS TRUE PLAN.

OBAMA=GLOBAL POVERTY ACT

Didn't Obama claim to be a different sort of politician?
Don't his supporters spout endlessly about- a new sort of politics.
Hmmm. Is this the kind of stuff they are referring to. I guess that was the premise of his candidacy. We know it wasn't experience. So, what is left? If I was an Obama supporter, I think I would be feeling duped.

I'm keeping score on flip-flops…..MCSAME WINS.

Just another one of Obama's flip flops. This is not the first and wake up America we getting ready to see all kinds of back paddling now!! Get ready for that bus ride where you will feel the skids marks every which way except loose!!
No Obama!!

Obama broke his word on public financing because he has so many rich people to pay now to run his campaign. Public financing doesn't pay enough to cover the cost. He and his campaign make me sick!!!

And it's called GREED!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't like what I hear coming out of McCain's mouth. It might be better if he doesn't say anything before running it by his advisors.

This is why I am no longer a democrat.

Republicans accuse Obama of fip-flopping because he won't take public financing. Obama will need more than 85 million dollars to fight of the scum bag republicans smears, attacks and lies. Plus, the republicans don't want Obama to put staff in all 50 states. This is not even an issue of flip-flopping. This is a smart move to win the presidental election. Of course the republicans want to make an issue out of declining public financing, they would love to limit Obama resources to fight back.

It is too bad they are talking about who said what first instead of talking about and coming up with solutions on the real issues; ending the war in Iraq, rising unemployment, home forclosures, gas prices, and health coverage for everyone. It's time to stop the mudslinging and act presidential. The American public is tired of the same thing year after year and we can not afford to waste any more time.

mcbush is the one who cannot be trusted. he is a senile old fart who cannot defend his own record, so he attacks Sen obama. he's a sad old man.

I promise to love and honor 'til death do us part. (In front of God and Man)

Or 'til I meet a sweet young millionaire and current wife is heavy and disabled.

Flip-Flop McShame. Flip-Flop Flip-Flop.

He started a long time ago, and just can't stop.

This is Hillary. This has always been Hillary. The "haters" don't see it. Their bias blinds them to the work, the care, the solutions. I couldn't be prouder that I supported this states-person, this leader, this caring, fellow American. No glitz, just commitment and tireless work, work, work. Thank you for your wisdom, heart and remarkable ability. She is still here! Thank God.

NO ONE CARES ABOUT THIS FINANCING CRAP. LET THE REPUGNENTS DROLL ON AND ON. LET'S GET ON WITH ISSUES.
THE MAIN ISSUE IS LET'S GET SENATOR CLINTON NOMINATED FOR THE PRESIDENCY AND DROP OBAMA. I RECOMMEND BIDEN AS A RUNNING MATE FOR SENATOR CLINTON.
NOW LET'S HEAR ABOUT MEANINGFUL ISSUES—–GAS, OIL, FOOD, ECONOMY, EDUCATION, HOUSING, MORTGAGE HELP, HIGH INTEREST RATES ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, AND GETTING TROOP TO AFGHANISTAN, AND THE EXTRAS NOT NEEDED IN AFGHANISTAN COME HOME.

Obama is now getting onboard with what Clinton called for months ago….to look into the speculators regarding the cost of gas. Not an original thought in his head.

Obama is now getting onboard with what Clinton called months ago….that Senator Obama is disengenuous on his statements of what he would do. Flip-flop on campaign financing.

Senator Clinton had is right all along…….and Senator Obama is still following her lead. DNC threw this guy down our throats, against the popular vote. Senator Obama is NOT good for America.

Vote for America……Vote McCain!

Obama was for it before he was against it, Humm sound familiar? Obama is a flip-flopper just like McCain. I have always felt it was ok to change ones mind based on the additional evidence presented. I am aganist off shore drilling, however the day may come when we may have no choice. I do have a problem with the campaign finance flip-flop. This is a personal advantage for him, if it weren't, he would be for it. Anyone who believes he would reject it if he did not think he could raise more, is really stupid. It is in his best interest, period. He hopes to outspend the Republicans as he did Hillary and buy the election as he bought the Primary. It is nice to know the ecomony is not as bad as I thought. If people can afford to give their money to Obama, I think we are just fine. The price of gas is a non-issue to his supporters who can afford the price of $4.00 a gal. I hope they get to pay even more if Obama is the President. I can still afford to buy gas and groceries. I have to cut back on others, no more bottled water for me. Starbucks is a goner as well. My Motorhome will stay home more, but hey, I can still sit in it and pretend I'm in the woods, even BBQ next to it. It is a 41 ft. diesel that gets about 7/8 miles to the gal. So, guess our trips will be fewer, and closer to home. We are close to the Sierra Nevadas and lots of lakes, so I hope others are as lucky as I am.

If THIS IS WHAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING to focus on until november then they are desperate.

I don't think anyone minds when the candidates change their positions - if they stuck with an antiquated argument - and never change - that would be wrong too - its when a candidate claims to be under sniper fire that never happened…is when we raise our eyebrows….

Carly was a loser at HP and got run out of town. Now she is supporting another loser. Birds of a feather flock together?

To quote McCain's economic adviser Carly Fiorina, "a good leader is influenced by the facts on the ground."

So concerning Obama's decision to let millions of small donors fund his campaign, the facts on the ground say it would be a disservice to the many excited first time voters who want to carry him — Sen. Obama — to the White House with their small donations and their votes.

So here we have it: even McCain's economic adviser would agree that Sen. Obama's decision show that he is a "good leader."

You can pump to your hearts content, but if there are no refineries to process that pumping, it becomes irrelevant.

Look at the two issues mentioned here. Of the two the oil drilling is much more serious. Senator Obama changing his mind on public funding is nothing. Senator McCain most certainly would have done the same thing if he had been in the postion that Senator Obama is in. The old saying goes - those who can do and those who can't complain about it. Why not increase in those areas where they are already drilling first - while it is being done start the conversion.

McCain and his cronies are angry but not surprised that Obama decided to forego public financing.

His supporters wouldn't have it any other way. Why would Obama throw away one of his biggest weapons. (His supporters money)

McCain would have been thrilled if Obama took public money.

McCain knows he has a bb gun compared to Obama's 357.

All he can do is whine about it.

Daschle, so liberal that even his constituents finally tired of him. Obamabots take note at who your candidate turns to for advice. Rev Wright, Bill Ayers, Daschle, are all far left loons.

Please and love. Obama's gonna lead us back to the 60's.

Please think and vote "Democratic" - We are spending billions of dollars on a war. — We own other countries trillions of dollars. —

We are losing jobs, losing homes… gas is sky high and because of that war we are losing lives.

Since Bush, we are losing a lot…– now with the floods, which will cost billions. Now food will go up.

This is not about whom you like or dislike — this is about the Democrats winning… Save the USA or we will be the new 3rd world.
Please do not vote McSame.

Charlotte

Obama got votes because he has better ideas and people want to see him as President, nothing more.

People have a hard time giving money to anyone right now, but we want a President that cares for the people and NOT big oil like McWar does.

Its funny that you manage to put 4.00 a gal on Obama even though it is Bush who got us here!

McWar's plan will not get a drop of oil to the market for 5 to 10 years! Then what is their that says McWar's new oil buddies will drop their own prices?

It is out right funny that your big problim is the need to make coffee at home instead of Starbucks and that your monstrous motor home will get used less.

Thanks for adding all the Greenhouse gas with your 7 to 8 MPG!!! Wow now you might have to be responsible for something other then your own greed!

all flip-flop. No difference.

There is a difference: McCain flip-flop on a policy issue. Obama flip-flop on his character. Obama does not keep his word on anything. Check out factcheck. com. He lies.

Whose pulling the strings on Obama? The Party? The people who own him through their money machine? Write-in Hillary Clinton on the November ballot - we need a backbone in the White House.

Hilarious - the obfuscating, prevaracating, flip-flopping Obama keeps attempting to smack down McCain.

Grow up Obama, and learn to be honest. Who wants another dirty politician for president? You are not about change Americans can believe in!

This disgusted former Democrat won't vote for you.

Charlotte

…and Obama didn't "buy" an election….the 1.4 million voters who contributed to his campaign gave him the chance to introduce himself to voters in comparison to Hillary who has the well known Clinton name. The vast majority of the contributors gave sums less than 100 dollars.

She also blew a huge amunt of money before Super Tuesday thinking she was sure to win.

Lets see, McCain wants to lift the ban on off shore drilling. When oil was $45 a barrek the ban made sense. But with oil at $135 a barrel, off shore drilling looks different. Obama, as recently as two months ago, publicly stated he would take public financing but when it became politically exppediant for Obama to changee his mind, he did. Not out of any principle but because he wanted an advantege. Obama's only message is look how old McCain is and link him to Bush. A completely negative campaign. The hypocracy is amazing and watching his supporters turn contortionist trying to rationalize this blatent promise breaking would be amusing if it wasn't so pathetic. McCain/Clinton 08

Too bad Hillary's not around!

The Obama camp was right, though. We can't vote for McCain - he's way too conservative and only wants to carry on Bush's failed policies. We can't show our dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party by ruining the country even more - if you are a Democrat that doesn't want to vote for Obama, do the right thing - keep Bush part 3 out of office by voting for Bob Barr!

PUMA PAC for Barr!!!

Cain doesnt have a clue.He should just drop out now and let the next knuckledragger in line try for it.

Charlotte

If you don't support Obama that's fine. Actually, the price of gas is an issue to Obama supporters and so is the economy and that's why we are willing to give what we can afford to finace his campaign. We believe in Obama. We want change. Obama supporters don't believe who can get that change from McCain. And by the way, Obama didn't buy the election. Millions of Americans voted for him.

politics as usual- all bluster and no substance!

I'd rather support a nominee who backs out of public financing because he has gotten a purer form of public financing in the 1.5 million small donors, and yes, to be honest to his advantage THAN a nominee who changes on his off-shore drilling stance.

Which decision impacts the future world we leave to our children and their children's children? Like so many of the other issues, Obama has the edge.

Charlotte

It is nice to know the ecomony is not as bad as I thought. If people can afford to give their money to Obama, I think we are just fine. The price of gas is a non-issue to his supporters who can afford the price of $4.00 a gal.

Good strategy "pretend" that the rich are voting for Obama……. Perhaps the people in Washington, Bush and McCain should have planned ahead to insure this energy crisis never happened….. nah, lets keep voting for them (although they make out like bandits from the high oil prices)

Obama could care less if his supporters have money for gas and food as long as he gets his share. What arrogance this man has. McCain and Obama would have equal amounts, but no Obama has to cheat and try to buy the election. Anybody who thinks 527's have anything to do with this is wrong. Now Obama is playing the race card, of course no one else can do this or they will be labeled a racist. What a liar and and cheat he is.

You go Obama it is okay to change your mind for a better idea .You are making good .Rooting for you keep up the good work.

The aim of campaign financing is to keep individual stacks of big money out of politics.
Obama's campaign is EFFECTIVELY achieving that goal.

If McCain would dump his federal lobbyists and PAC support as Obama has done, then he too could opt out of public financing, WHICH IS NON-BINDING on candidates!

The flip flop on drilling IS A GIMMICK; because early oil WILL NOT be achieved by drilling.

Obama is the one with integrity; since he's keeping big money out of politics!

McCain't lacks integrity; because he knows that drilling can only bring some relief 10 years from now!

Americans want a PRAGMATIC President who WISELY changes his mind for the better — rejecting big money in his campaign!

There is no way around it. Senator Obama flipped-flopped on taking public money for his campaign. Now I will call him a liar again.

Obama is a bigger flipper then McCain, HE is a back stabing smooth talking boi but thats it. McCain know that he might have to change dirrection years later on an issue. But its only been months and Obama is changing his tune once again. what next will he change his mond on. oh that he is not an elitist.

Charolette,
We all have to cut back on non-necessities. And guess what, it's while a Republican is in office. So, please, don't blame Obama for this, because he is not in office yet! Also, it sounds like you are a flip-flopper yourself. So, if you vote for McCain, please don't complain again because you are voting for the same problems that you are facing now.
As a supporter of his, gas IS an issue to me, and to just about every other supporter of his aw=s well. Please, stop being so bitter, because you and all your other puma people are the reason why Obama made that comment!

obama is a FRAUD!!!! - He is NOT qualified to lead our country.
Obama comes from Corrupt Chicago - sorry obama & DNC - you cannot BUY - or STEAL the election!

While I will be voting Obama over McCain, I will admit that both are typical politicians and they can both legitimately be called flip-floppers.

I can't see why McCain cares if Obama takes public financing or not it doesn't effect him one way or the other.

Let's think about this. What are they flipping on. One is trying to save the tax payer money and the other is attempting to create more environmental problems. The first made a decision that benefits everyone, the second has decided it was convenient for him to take this stance, even through the drilling would not ease a thing for a decade or more.

Let's not talk about flipping but rather what are they changing their minds about. McCain is making a huge mistake while Obama is doing what is right. Lets get away from oil and the oil companies and get those no emission, no fuel cars out there asap!

Political expediency for both of them and in both cases the right thing to do. Even though I don't support the blank check on drilling that oilmen want, strategic access to large resources is important. Yes, I know it won't be ready for a few years and we could be working on alternatives during that time. I believe in BOTH AND instead of EITHER OR.

If we can get the oil from existing reserves, no need for offshore. Shale is stupid because we better have our alternatives online before that becomes viable.

Obviously both have "flip-flopped". Let's do the comparison.

McCain wants to screw our beaches for an oil which wont make any significant difference. Then, by the time it is available, there would be alternate energy and the "oil for beaches" will not be needed.

Obama want to not take the tax dollars, just the 10s and 20s the public will donate volunteers.

I would always prefer Obama's flip-flop over McCain's flip-flop.

Well, yes, of course McCain's latest flip-flop in a long line of policy and philosophical positions pales compared to Obama's decision not to participate in the public financing. Charlotte, as ever, is obviously torn because she wants so desperately to believe in Obama.

Well, Charlotte, here's the good news: if you read the entire response Obama gave on the questionnaire, you will see that his initial intention to accept public financing was "conditional" and that one of the conditions was the his campaign would be able to work out an agreement with the Republican nominee's campaign so that the playing field would be as level as possible, and 527s would not have the power they had in the 2004 election.

McCain has had an on-again/off-again relationship with public financing, as I'm sure you know, that has depended entirely on his own financial situation. To say nothing of the legal trouble he may be in because of his violations of the law, and the many loopholes he has found that allow him, for example, to use his wife's corporate jet. And, he has stated that he will not try to "referee" conservative 527 groups that attack Obama, which is well within his rights. But both candidates need to maintain as competitive an edge as they possibly can.

The Republicans are going to try to make as much of this as they can, of course. Lindsay Graham, on MTP with Joe Biden this morning, gave a great performance of a Believer whose hopes had been dashed by Obama's betrayal. So sad. What really makes Republicans weep is the Obama campaign's fundraising power. What's this world coming to when Democrats don't allow themselves to be blindsided by Republican machinations?

obama is a fool.America deserves better.

Charlotte, please don't be stupid. I'm an Obama supporter and can't afford 4 dollars/gallon, but i also realize that approval for drilling off coastal states will not be a solution, for many reasons.

The primary reason is that most states that would see the drilling would not allow it. Florida and California are strongly apposed.

Did you know that last year the Saudis increased their oil production by 5 percent? Do you remember seeing a 5 percent decrease at the pump?

neither do i. The reason is that any new oil production gets absorbed into the global market immediately. And if you think the oil companies will only sell this oil to America, think again.

Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska currently gets divided among America, Canada, and the Asian markets. Yet, it is an American oil field!

Please, don't be stupid.

OBama's laundry list contiues to grow.

Any one of them by themselves doesn't mean anything, but when you start adding them all up together, it really makes one question his sincerity and truthfulness.

Where I come from, my word is my bond and a handshake is worth a $10,000 loan.

I don't know that Obama can be trusted, he says one thing and then does another.

Just something to ponder.

It is silly to expect politicians to hold to a position even when that position is no longer the best one. We do not need another GW Bush.

And by the way. When is CNN going to dump Lou Dobbs? All he does anymore is whine. I haven't been able to learn anything from his show is over 18 months. He used to have a good show. Now he comes off like a partisan. Ditch him and find someone without a political axe to grind.

GET THIS ! Yes this is a pivotal time in our history. but you cannot elect an African Americans when there is NONE running. if obama gets elected he will be just another man that got elected that should not have.
Yes indeed this is pivotal if he gets elected you will have elected a citizen of Kenya to be president of the United States.but you will not have elected a black man. No matter how he could not stand his "whitey" mother she was white so there goes your electing a black person to take you down the yellow brick road.

Right now the oil companies own 40 million acres of oil fields offshore…They could drill for all the oil they want right now, but for whatever reason have choosen not to…If we permit them to purchase the 600 acres offshore oil fields they want right now, we won't get the first drop of oil till 2018…That's what Senator Joe Biden said on Meet The Press this morning…Is he right??..

Dear Charlotte,
Logical and intelligent people do sometimes embrace facts, learn and change their minds. Sen. Obama is that kind of person. He is not about to be swiftboated this time and I say hurrah for him. Whether you like it or not, he WILL be the Democratic nominee. Your hateful and ill- informed comments will not change that. Hillary has moved on and is helping Barack overcome the challenges we face from people like you. We love you anyway!

Obama is smart enough to know that the repugs were going to play games if he stuck with public financing. He did what he should have done. Answering a questionnaire is not taking an oath. He had a right to change his mind and he did. So what? Obama's fundraising is real public financing. Small donors investing in changing America for the better.

The drilling deal is a red herring. We have $4.00 gas because of Bush and Big Oil's best friend forever, Dick Cheney. We have $4.00 oil because of a senseless war they started to benefit Big Oil. McSame will only make it worse. We need a real energy revolution that is not dependent on fossil fuels. Not more leases for Big Oil to screw up the environment. The oil they find will not be marketable for at least 10 years. That will not reduce prices in the long term or the short term. Real leadership in Washington would have freed America from dependence on fossil fuels a long time ago. Look at Brazil. They are largely free of the oil monkey. If the repugs and Bush had paid more attention to energy innovation and less to crippling the Constitution we would be better off.

McCain has unfortunately left his maverick days to become the king of flip-flops from tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% during a time of war to torture, immigration, oil-lobby manipulation, etc.

It is sad how any conservative could criticize Obama for not wasting tax dollars on his campaign. I thought Republicans were for a platform of so-called "lower spending." It appears these Republicans switched to debt spending instead with their record-breaking deficits. It was one of the main reasons I became a former Republican now fully supporting Obama '08.

The real deal is gone for this time…

But she'll be back and we are here to make sure of it.

PUMA pride - http://www.justsaynodeal.com

McCain '08 for Hillary '12

McBush has flip flopped on more issues than John Kerry. On taxes, on the war, on offshore drilling etc etc. Obama did flip on the campaign finance issue. He really had no choice. Even FOX news said he had no choice. Obama gets his finances from small donation from every dat Americans. Obama does not get support from the Corporate Puppet masters like puppet number one, McBush. If Obama allowed McBush to force him into the public finance deal without a fairness agrement. Then Obama losses his support and McBush gets his Corporate Crook buddies to finance 'Non Profit organizations' to trash Obama whils McBush campaigns with our tax dollars.

McCain did not give his word about not drilling. He realized that the situation had changed and we now need the oil yesterday and if my fellow Democrats would have allowed drilling long ago we would not be in this mess.
Obama gave his word on the public financing issue. No spin no nothing he gave his word. The way I was raised when you give your word you do not go back on it. You are only as good as your word.

No brainer Obama flip flopped. McCain saw the citizens suffering and made a decision to do something about it. That is a leader I can believe in. PROUD TO BE AN AMERIMcCain.

lou, as a independent i would like for you to tell the world what would you do as a president i stead of beating down each candidate. i watch your show everyday and i cant believe what i hear .i think you are no different from either candidate.i rather watch jack cafferty. happy ratings.

Oh get real, Michele. Obama's campaign was financed not "just by small donors." He has just as much "big money" being contributed as anyone.

Check your facts.

Let's get over the McCain split with his first wife — shall we? It has nothing to do with this campaign.

McCain:
• Serving his country in Congress since 1981
• 5-1/2 yrs. POW in Hanoi, with extreme torture that left him unable to raise either arm above his head
• McCain’s 17 military awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Navy Commendation Medal
• McCain was married to his first wife, Carol, for 15 years
• He adopted Carol’s 2 children from a previous marriage
• John and Carol McCain divorced in 1980
• McCain has repeatedly admitted: "My marriage's collapse was attributable to my own selfishness and immaturity. The blame was entirely mine.”
• John’s divorce settlement with Carol included two houses and ongoing financial support for her medical treatments
• Carol and John remain on good terms.
• Carol supports her ex-husband's 2008 presidential campaign
• Carol has often said that she was not bitter
• She says: "He’s a good guy. We are still good friends. He is the best man for president.”
• McCain has been married to Cindy, his second wife, for 28 years
• They have 3 children together
• In 1991 John and Cindy adopted a 4th — a girl of “color” from Bangladesh
• ALL McCain children love, respect, and think highly of their father

So what have YOU done lately to be in a position to judge John McCain?

It's wrong and Obama should know it. I'm an Obama supporter, but this was wrong.

what matters more? the Fact that Obama is being completely supported by the general public < PUBLIC FINANCING ? Or the fact that McBush has yet again followed in Bushes footsteps, completely disregarding his own natural judgment. BUSH is the reason were paying so much for energy, and He is also the reason why this country is so messed up.

As a tax payer I don't want too pay for their campaign. I think as tax payers we are over burdened. If McCain can't inspire the people that are his supporters too donate money then what can he inspire them too do. I think that 85 million can go to these people who has to watch their homes submerge from water. McCain has been trying too back peddle out of public financing since he signed off on it. So who is the flip-flopper. The reality of it is until they can actually get in that oval office and see exactly what has happened and how much damage is done, they, are both going too say very general things. That is the reality of the situation.

in obama's world thats called chicago politics where ethics is a dirty word.when you can't win on an even field lie and justify.God save america.

Yes, he is willing to take money from people who cant afford it. Maybe
you & Obama should live in the Midwest for ahile where all the floods and devastation have taken place and wonder how these people are going to donate to him. He should take his excess and donate to the Red Cross and Salvation Army that are out of money . Im sure with his millions that he doesn't care about the price of fues and what food prices are. He flies around in jets and gets driven around in limos….
what a waste of money plus the secret service . Hes a joke & a liar.

The difference between the two is …..Obama did what he thought was better for himself, McCain did what he thought was better for the country. Does anyone see that? And for everyone who has seen obama's new ad, check out the facts. The guy is so full of himself and crap it makes me want to puke!

I'd like to see an independent, random selection of names from that 1.5 million donors to see if they themselves donated to the obama campaign or was it courtesy of Tony Rezko and company

charlotte shut up.

Barack Obama's lame rationalization of his decision to reject public financing of his general election campaign is just another indication of the lack of authenticity, credibility, and integrity he displayed in his long-delayed denunciation of Reverend Jeremiah Wright's extremism and in his willingness to publicly throw his own grandmother under the bus for political reasons.

I've voted for every Democratic White House nominee since John Kennedy in 1960, but this year I'll leave the presidential portion of my ballot blank. Nobody makes the cut for me in '08.

So many flip-flops, it is like a day on the beach..I must comment on another blog..Kevin, on another post. Loved your post turtle story. May I borrow it? It fits Obama to a tee. I had never heard it before, and find it hillar-ious. I remember the Robin Williams movie where he accidently wins the election. Didn't have the foggest idea what to do. Obama fits that mold, also that movie is where Obama got the, "we are not red states, we are not blue states, we are the United States." I got to admit it has a nice ring to it. Obama, is a POST TURTLE! I will write Hillary Clinton on my ballot in November, watsted or not my conscience will be clear.

The situation of fuel costs have changed and both of our candidates have changed with that need. The campaign finance situation has not changed, only the man crying "change you can believe in", has abandoned his principles.

Yes, Obama was clearly for public financing and still is for public financing the different here is Obama look at the situation viewed public financing up agaist his purest public financing machine and came to an excellent stand which was No thank -you and that was very smart !! Obama understands that his supporters want him to win and we are givern Obama small donations from our hard working money and we want Obama to use it to win and if you ask me this is the purest form of Public financing and Obama didnot go back on his word because he clearly said he did'nt want Lobbyiest and PACS to be apart of this and with Mccain and we all know how the Republicans are going to come full force. So I said Good for Obama.

Hey Charlotte,

It sounds like you live in a beautiful state and you have all of your toys around you so that you can play in that beautiful state and enjoy yourself. The problem with your reasoning is that you are willing to sit back and cut back on the joys of life because of the expense of gas. That's just crazy. Instead, you should be raising hell and holding your government responsible for not mandating that we have a way to outfit our vehicles with the new technology that is already in place and already being sold to consumers. The technology is already here but it is expensive. If the government was truly concerned about the price of oil, one thing that it could do is help bring automakers and these talented startup companies together and subsidize every American who wanted to get their car installed with one of those electrical plugin kits. Believe me you if you had half the vehicles in this country wired, gas prices would fall back to .89 cent for regular within 12 months.

You give up to easy. Check out this link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25104169/

You need to take a cue from the Obama supporters and get involved. The best thing that Barack Obama did this past week was to reject public financing. I don't want my money going to a candidate that I didn't support. Plus, instead of Barack being held accountable to special interest and lobbyist; he is accountable to me.

The difference between you and me… I'm finally ready to get out into the streets and roadways of American, roll up my sleeves and do a little hell raising.

If not now, then when?

There is no edge. Just a pack of lying politicians like Oboma and McCain. Put your thoughts into some other endeaver.

Michele in Oregon,, that was funny!! obama hates America! and blames it for all that is wrong in the world, lol, and I bet he hates you too, but not YOUR MONEY, and yes God forbid we should drill and help out hurting Americans, what a terrible thing to change your mind on,,, obama is a dangerous fraud,

DEMOCRATE VOTING FOR McCAIN, DOWN WITH THE DEMS!!!

Wow. Thank goodness I'm not the only one who believe Obama's rejection of "public financing" means absolutely nothing. Who cares…really. "We the people" are funding his campaign with small donations. McSame is upset because he can only get funding from his fat-cat lobbyist friends and big oil/business.

I supported McSame before he flip-flopped on WHO HE IS. He used to be against tax cuts for the rich; he used to be supportive of veterans; he used to be the rebel in W's side. BUT, he's flipped on all of us who supported him when he was hell-raiser. Now he just looks like another W. The deal breaker for me was his failure to vote on the torture issue after going head-to-head with W. He said the US should not torture and now has changed his mind. I guess once we vet out the report from the General who looked into torture at Gitmo, McSame will have something else to explain.

Best way to divert attention from your flip-flops is to point out the other guy's. Nice try McSame! Won't work.

Flip Flop, what politician doesn't flip flop on the issues. As to Obama backing out of public financing, I understand it and agree with it but I think he went about it wrong. McCain is showing he will say anything to get elected, he knows the gas tax holiday is useless, he knows this drilling idea is useless and will do nothing for our price at the pump for many years to come and then maybe only five cents according to some economist. While I support Obama, he really doesn't have much of a plan that will work, we are to addicted to oil and the oil companies will spend billions to fight him every step of the way. I have come to the conclusion that we are just stuck with high prices at the pump, life goes on.

McWaffle is already being investigated for campaign infraction during the primary and flying around the world on Cindy's jet, why shouldn't Obama use the money he has raised to support his campaign? More power to him! McWaffle is for big oil! GET RID OF ENRON LOOPHOLES NOT BEAUTIFUL SHORELINES!

mccian is the biggest flip floper on this planet earth.

How do you know Obama's election money is pure? Because it is donated in smaller amounts? Because it is donated over the internet? I guess lobbyists or special interest families and friends can't donated in smaller increments over the internet? I think it is very greedy of Obama to ask for money from the general public when the price of kitchen table goods is going up daily. He should be ashamed of himself.

Mccain is trying to play that political game on off shore drilling to make Americans happy but he doesnt relize that it wont help us now its too late we should of done that ten yeras ago. Mccain is the real deal of flip flopers.

Republicans Are Angry Because By Obama Not Taking Public Funds It Takes Away Their Big Advantage. . . Money! Its Like A Slap To Their Face With A Wad Of Hundred Dollar Bills! Although Some Republicans Probably Like It! The Only Thing Mccain Is Going To Drill Is A Deeper Hole For Himself!

CHARLOTTE—YOU MUST BE A REPUBLICAN THAT McSAME DO NOT WANT TO CUT TAXES FOR{THE RICH}===MOTORHOME,STARBUCKS-LOL

All politicians change their minds. It goes to the point of appealing to a group of people. I don't like it, but am used to it. Over the last few years I have decided the best approach to picking a President is to determine who is going to control congress and choose the opposite party to run the White House.

I am not mad at Obama for opting out of public financing. It is his choice. I think this may be the start of something over the next few elections.

I am not opposed to offshore drilling. We need to look 10 years in the future. If no viable alternative is available having more oil is not a bad thing. I think the oil not being put in the SPR needs to be sold at market value and that money put towards alternative energy. It could take 20 years before alternative transportation becomes affordable.

We have two wars going, an economy in the tank and the reputation of our country abroad the lowest ever. Public financing for campaigns or not is not a major issue for me. All I know is that most conservatives were saying Obama was too naive just a few days ago but all of a sudden they are saying he's too clever. Maybe it's they who are flip-flopping!

Off-shore drilling, several energy experts have said, would make no difference. McCain is pandering the same way he tried to pander with his gas tax holiday idea (I wonder what happened to that brilliant idea!). No wonder Bush, the man with the reverse Midas touch (everything he has touched–the war, the economy, the environment, etc. turned to dust) is also supporting off-shore drilling. McBush is headed for a huge defeat!

Obama-Sebilius '08!

And I would rather support a candidate that changes a position based on changes in the conditions faced by the American people than by one that changes his position (with a SIGNED agreement) for personal gain.

Obama is making mistake after mistake, the worst of which is that he has failed to unite the Democratic Party. I do not see any leadership ability in him.

which foreign policy does mcain possess,serving in military and being a p.o.w does not qualify one to be an expert of foreign policy,iraq is an example of poor foreign policy,iraq is neither korea nor germany,this is war that will not end,its not about liberation its about occupation and that creates unforgiving atrocities which will fuel war for a long time,combined with the difference in culture and religion,there will be fighting as long as american troops are still in iraq,spending billions of money while countries like china,japan,germany,france are expanding their economy,its time to build ours.

Off shore drilling still won't solve anything, because in the end, we're still making ourselves dependent on oil, just close to home. Maybe it could work for now, but I'm getting sick and tired of trying to use quick fixes, but that will be just another bandaid over the real problem. Oil isn't going to last forever, so we need to find other solutions. Even if prices came down to were it was before the 9/11 attacks, we would go right back to consuming so much of the world's resources in crude/oil and besides it's already going to take several years already to get that up and running were it maybe effective. True, you could drill for now and during that time discover other alternatives, but I don't see that happening because there's money to be made in oil. If the consumption of oil reduces dramatically, your talking about job loss in the oil industry and oil producing countries that depend on the oil they sell as income would not survive well. With that in mind, I don't ever see anyone jumping up and down doing anything because their driven by money.

It looks as if , what ever is done for the best, And you changed for the good of gas guzzlers. Now what the heck are they all crying about.

Who has FLIPPED FLOOPED more in the past 5 months, His list is so long , now he wants HC to come along an carry his Baggage.

Better yet go read his book , The AUDACITY of HOPE. In it he say's. I WILL STAND WITH THE MUSLIMS SHOULD THE POLITICAL WINDS SHIFT IN AN UGLY DIRECTION >

Now he has that NEW SEAL HE STANDS BEHIND > NEXT HE WILL MOVE THE WHITE HOUSE TO A MUSLIM COUNTRY <

YES < YOU DEMOCRITICS AN THOSE WHO VOTE FOR YOU DO NOT SHED A TEAR < WHEN YOUR DOLLARS ARE GONE <AN ALL YOU HAVE LEFT

NOOOoooooooooo OBA MA . A LIAR< AN A FLOPPY UPPER LIP .