Obama had two choices:

1. Keep his pledge and risk not having the money to defend against swift boat style 527 ads or

2. Change his mind and forgo public financing given his huge lead in campaign cash which largely came from small contributors and is, in effect, public financing anyway.

Obama made the right choice. There have already been smear campaigns against Obama such as McCain's stating he has been endorsed by Hamas and especially the implication that he's (insert ominous music) a Muslim.

If the 527s can successfully smear a decorated white Vietnam veteran, especially compared to someone like Bush who shirked his service, then Obama would have to be much more naive even then McCain has painted him if he thought that they wouldn't stoop to attacking a black man with the middle name of Hussein compared to a former POW!

So this is your justification for him being a liar ?

That is pathetic .

It's a good justification -- and exactly accurate. Obama did not lie -- he changed his mind because circumstances warranted that he change his mind. If W had this characteristic, we would be far, far better off.

But, I'm wondering, why is it that Republican trolls frequently put "Democrat" in their forum name? Really, now, we Democrats are not fooled. If we were fooled that easily, we'd be Republicans.

Beathan

Your hero McCain was trying to opt out of public financing way back in February and had stretched the rules of campaign financing prior to that date.

Why is McCain so angry at Obama doing something that he would do if he could and had the broad based support Obama enjoys.

A plus for McCain though are all of the lobbyists on his staff. Surely they can steer some money his way or contirbute to 527s on McCains behalf?

What am I saying? "Mr. straight talk" would never ask them to do that...