And so it begins ....

The back pedalling that is. Already before he is even into office Barrack is backing out of a 'deal' he made with the American people ... and he is blaming the Republicans for it before they even did anything yet.

Political Punch:

"In November 2007, Obama answered 'Yes' to Common Cause when asked 'If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in the presidential public financing system?'"

First - the question gives him an easy out ... that makes it a really bad question ... it should not have offered any wiggle room.

"... Obama wrote: "In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election.
My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election." ..."

Its just that, well, he didn't 'pursue' anything from the McCain folks. At the end of the story, they give this quote from a McCain campaign email:

" ... “Today, Barack Obama has revealed himself to be just another typical politician who will do and say whatever is most expedient for Barack Obama. The true test of a candidate for President is whether he will stand on principle and keep his word to the American people. Barack Obama has failed that test today, and his reversal of his promise to participate in the public finance system undermines his call for a new type of politics. Barack Obama is now the first presidential candidate since Watergate to run a campaign entirely on private funds. This decision will have far-reaching and extraordinary consequences that will weaken and undermine the public financing system.”

I agree - he failed the 'ethical' side of things ... but then, hey, he's not my nominee anyways. But guys -- I would keep Watergate out of it ... not a shining moment for the Repubs.