Barack Obama's Bad Decision on Public Financing

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he is a very evil man...who the hell would but a BLACK PERSENDET WHO HATES THE COUNTRY THAT HES GOING TO HAVE POWER OVER!!????!!!!
i dont have any prob over blacks AT ALL!!
im just scared...being in texas im sure i will survive but..im scared the world will end becuz of this basturd!!
GET THE BASTURD OUT OF THIS WONDERFUL COUNTRY!!!
our acconomy is bad enough without him.

fionna cole of TX 5:55PM March 18, 2009

Bottom-line is, Obama changed his mind. Whether he thinks he will have to challenge the attack ads, or he wants to play for states he never would have been able to, he changed his mind.
To be honest, I wish he did use public money because it would have sent a stronger message than the one he is sending now. The Presidency of the United States of America is for sale, and let's not disguise that with 25 buck donors. The mere fact that we can give donations makes the seat for sale. Media wants money to air commercials; campaigns need funds to send out mailings (stamps aren't free); politicians need to pay advisors and researchers for all kinds of reasons. Campaigns cost money. Not sure they should cost more than 85 million US dollars, but that is the politically corrupt world we have created.
Obama never really thought he would be where he is financially. Let's be honest about that as well. He has his Harvard degree in law, but he ain't that smart. Nobody thought he would/could raise the money he has raised. The best political minds probably didn't imagine this kind of machine being created and operated by a black man, or any person for that matter. That said, he should not have went back on what he said. The best way to counter all those negative ads is to keep your head above the frey. This episode won't sink him, but it does ad extra baggage to an already heavy ship.
McCain is no bright star, but on this issue he wins hands down. Both have some major shortcomings, and as this general election rolls on we will see more from both. The dangerous thing for the Obama campaign is they've painted this Golden Boy image on Obama and it is starting to fade. His rhetoric is not matching with his actions. This will drum up images of Bush because Bush painted us with "compassionate conservatism" and "uniter not a divider", and look what happened.
That said, I am an optimist and can't imagine Obama would give us another 4 years of destruction. It is this optimism that I believe the U.S. was founded upon. No one is perfect, and I'm not looking for Obama to be perfect. I just see in his words, and most of his actions things that will propel this nation out of this downward spiral. McCain just isn't offering those hopes.
A sidenote - I had to respond to this - Tibor of XX - Obama's eligibility to be president? - That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Don't you think if he was not eligible to be president someone would have told him by now? From the Supreme Court to Congress to anyone, I think there would have been someone who would have said, "Mr. Obama you are not eligible to run for President of the United States."
Free speech is great, but free speech by ignorant people is dangerous and takes the cause back to the beginning of evolution. Bro, you are born here, you can run for the office. Check Article 2, Section 1, Paragraph 5 of the Constitution of the United States of America. It's pretty clear.
Peace

W. Anthony Malcolm of NY 6:37PM July 01, 2008

"Why are all Obama supporters foreigners, poor people or unintelligents? Oh, I forgot, that's America now."
That was pretty clever, God Bless McCain of IL. Based on the two sentences above, I'd surmise that you're a compassionate conservative Christian Republican (hipoChristian), who, and I'm taking a stab in the dark here, would not be averse to a little ethnic cleansing (in God's name, of course) should your homeboy McCain sleaze his way into office. Cuturally, America is changing for the better, in my opinion. I know you miss the days of "separate but equal" where everyone knew their place. All this diversity is probably going to make your head explode. The good news is no matter how much you rail against this cultural shift, not you or O'Riley, Limbaugh, Hannity or any of your hate-mongering idols, are going to stop it.
Btw, although born here and maybe not poor (seems unlikely), your writing style indicates a measure of unintelligence.

Clowned by the GOP of CA 11:48AM June 28, 2008

Why are all Obama supporters foreigners, poor people or unintelligents?
Oh, I forgot, that's America now.

God Bless McCain of IL 1:17PM June 27, 2008

People who STILL support Bush, the GOP and, McCain are completely missing the big picture. They are like kids with Attention Deficit Disorder: can't pay attention for more than a few seconds, details confuse them and, they should be on medication. The big picture is this(stay with me): Bush and the GOP have screwed this country over and it will take YEARS for America to right itself. Reasonable people believe the country is on the wrong course and McCain's rhetoric indicates he is unwilling to change direction. He will continue to dig America deeper and deeper into ruin, but at least he's not a flip-flopper. As for flip-flops, everybody in the world does it(except McCain); what applied yesterday may not apply today or tomorrow. Obama's fundraising prowess should be equated to an unplanned pregnancy; I say keep the baby. Bush said he'd be a "uniter, not a divider" instead we got and "idiot ,not a genius". Now THAT'S a flip-flop. But I digress. Bush and the GOP have been BAD FOR AMERICA, that's the big picture. Why would McCain be any different, the same sleazy groups who funded Bush will fund McCain. If you don't recognized this simple, most obvious of facts, then you a person who cannot be reasoned with because your opinion is based on a life lived in an alternate universe. Your misguided and wasted vote should be cast there, too.

Clowned by the GOP of CA 10:10AM June 23, 2008

I am a 75 year year European who has taken part in many elections and suffer in wars, over the years. Barack Obama is showing his strength, by receiving small contributions from the voters who belive in and support his policies for change, not from the 3% of wealthy Americans and their lobbyists who do it for financial gain and to control the American People.
Let the voters take over the control of their future, and their governance, and let us look forward to negociating peace and unity, instead of creating war and conflict which seems to have been part of our history for thousands of years. I only wish that we Europeans could vote in this Most Important off all elections, I would Vote For Barack Obama. Sincerely Mike Wall, Tenerife.

Mike Wall of 6:25AM June 22, 2008

Senator Obama stated that one of the reasons he is not going to accept public financing for his campaign is because the 527's are lying in wait for him. Why should the republicans use the 527's when they have an outlet like Fox News to rag on Obama 24/7? Furthermore, if they think they can make us forget the news about the no bid contracts for big oil companies in Iraq by focusing on this stuff they better think again.

clarence of MI 10:39PM June 21, 2008

God forbid if Hillary Clinton or John McCain had gone back on their promises....they would have been crucified, but with Mr. Obama......it's ok, he has his reasons, he has to do whatever is necessary to win the "prize". We not only forgive him, but CREATE justifications for his actions.

Ellie of NJ 8:51PM June 21, 2008

If Obama would have stuck with his word, it would have sent the message that money doesn’t elect a president, people do. Not vice versa, so why offer words to condone his flip flop? He went back on his word, and that’s what’s plain and simple here. Obama’s excuses are excuses, so do yourself and everyone else a favor and demand he live up to his speeches/rhetoric. Either that, or at least have the decency not to attack those who respect the truth. Obama is old and wise enough to know better, so in my book, the idea of how Obama “gets there” matters too – not just that he got there. I hope I am like many who realize at this moment in time honesty means everything.
Enough with the dirty tricks, or worse, those who play into them.

Lynne of WI 7:08PM June 21, 2008

If we are to go into your own geneaology, you are not really an American, but a lucky man whose father was not really an American. Does that make you less American - I doubt, so also All American. If you are sure of your facts, then go post it, it will join the Fight The Smear campaign.

kunle of MN 4:14PM June 21, 2008