Does the average person struggling really give a shit about Obama opting out of public financing

[bigdarryl]

The pundits are going crazy over this talking about Obama is FLIP FLOPPED on his promise to take TAXPAYERS money in the General election. I don't think the average person trying to make ends meet gives two cents about public financing once again the Washington insiders and pundits are out of touch with the average person these idiots like Scarbough, Buchanan and Mekia sit on TV with there three figure salaries and try and lecture people about life.

[rox63]

1. No, most people don't care

And the pundits are lying when they say that Obama "broke his word" on this. He never made any sort of promise or pact about public financing. He said he'd consider it if his opponent agreed to it as well.

[Higher Standard]

2. In his own words

"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election"

While he checked "Yes" to the question, he put this conditional on the answer. It seems clear that the intent was to pursue an agreement that would plug some of the holes in the public financing system, for instance the 527s. If there was an inability to reach an agreement that would prevent McCain from taking advantage of those holes, then it would have been silly for the Democratic nominee to tie his own hands by accepting public financing.

[flpoljunkie]

8. Though, we must hold Obama to his promise to make public financing reform a high priority if he wins

[Oleladylib]

3. EXCEPT..the history of flip/flop accusations against dems..won Bush another term..

It doesn't take much, folks..People are very simple in their thinking. Most don't even know about the 527s etc.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

7. They'd accuse him of flip flopping no matter what. With the money he is raising he can defend

himself AND point out McCain's numerous flip flops.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. no. non-issue. but we certainly get all a -twitter about it

count on DU to echo every media offensive right on cue

[Vinca]

5. No.

As far as I'm concerned he can rob a bank to get the money as long as he promises to win.

[closeupready]

6. These millionaire talking heads are irrelevant. I long ago decided

to completely ignore their faux outrage, as they are almost all Republican, and seek mostly to preserve their tax cuts, come hell or high water.

[tularetom]

9. The "average person" probably doesn't KNOW he did it

The TV talking heads would probably be dismayed at how little influence they really have with the mythical "average American".

The day after Russert checked out I asked five different people what they thought about his demise. One was sorry he died, two didn't know he was dead, and two didn't know who the hell he was.

[Growler]

10. Nope.

[butterfly77]

11. No, they have nothing..

they will do anything to be able to have something negative to say. One of these women hosts (the one with the dark hair) she reminds me of what they call bimbo, she seem to be trying to attack one of the Dem strategist over this she kept saying but its unfair, as though we really give a damn.

Its about winning and they are crying about public financing when in reality he is getting public financing from WE THE PEOPLE.. What did Obama say..NOT THIS TIME.

[olkaz]

12. No, which is why they're trying to morph it into some sort of bogeyman.

Seriously, it's preposterous. Nobody cares.

[jasmine621]

13. yes. Appears as Rev Wright said...Obama will say what he has to

say to get elected...he is a master politician who can deliver the mirage of "change."

[SoonerPride]

15. alerted

bye now

[butterfly77]

16. So, with that now said..

should I vote for Obama over this or not..

[SoonerPride]

14. He ought to say "I'm not using taxpayer money like John McCain"

That would appeal to the "I hate taxes and government" crowd.

Why is John McCain, a multi-millionaire using yourtax dollars to run for President? Make his using taxpayer a money a liability.

[quantass]

17. OMG! With McCain's daily problems i find it funny that the MSM Always focuses mostly

on every step Obama makes so they can spin it to some negativity...My god just this week alone i count 3 new serious McCain damning issues that the msm has merely glanced over or ignored.....

You gotta be kidding me that they are trying to make this public financing an issue....LOL! If they are making this silly thing an issue then OMG Obama is in for sleepless nights.

I figure it is because Obama equals ratings and McCain...natta....Why air McCain campaign corruption when you have Obama catching pancakes or not wearing a lapel pin for the day....

So when you think of it that way, it makes sense..McCain is getting a free pass but the consequence is that he isnt getting much MSM time...Obama on the other hand gets a lot of air time but then every little thing -- no matter how positive -- will (and is) used as a weapon against him because the MSM needs and wants ratings and Obama has shown that topics on him are ratings gold!

If this theory holds then as we get closer and closer to November there will be equal hawk-eyeing on both candidates but a bit more will be on the one who is the frontrunner in the polls at that time.

[DeschutesRiver]

18. Nobody gives a shit, and McCain is again barking up a dead tree on this

I know I listened to a bit of this latest crap, and thought "big so what?" Unless I am missing something critical, I saw what Obama said, which is that he was willing to merely discuss the public funding issue. He didn't commit to anything - so right there, McCain claims that Obama did agree are lies. Further, his exaggerations are embarrassing (believe he said "broken promise...,.of staggering dimensions"...is this guy for real? He is more freaked about the public cash issue for him than I've seen him get about our problems, like the economy, Iraq, etc). So there isn't even a flip flop - just a decision not to "discuss" something with his opponent. Saves the old bastard time right there to get out and raise more money, so maybe McCain should thank Obama for not wasting his time.

Besides, so Obama isn't sucking off the public teat to fund his campaign - like this is a problem? And I'd add that given all the cheap opening shots that Mr. "I will run an honorable campaign" McCain has pulled already, including those of that dumb husband stealing, drug stealing cash cow he married, I think Obama is showing extraordinary good sense and political skill to make the most of the money he can get donated to stock up a pile o'cash to fight these jerks when the going starts to get really rough.

Maybe if McCain had kept his word and run an honorable campaign on the real issues, Obama would have been more willing to discuss a different road to take via public financing. But from what I understand, he is reacting to how ugly the campaign is likely to become later in the summer, and doesn't want to go into that battle with one financial hand tied behind his back.

Smart man, good judgment, willing to be flexible and take current facts/situations into account, and change course if they so dictate. That is hard for some people to do, but if you plan to run a diverse country in tough times, it becomes a critical skill for a president to have in his bag.