Politico’s guide to Obama’s opt-out

Original Link: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11212.html

By ARIEL ALEXOVICH & JACQUELINE KLINGEBIEL

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) made it official Thursday: he won’t opt into a publicly financed presidential campaign. Though his decision was widely expected, the move nevertheless represents a departure from the strong signals he has been sending concerning his commitment to the taxpayer-funded program.

Join us now as Politico takes a multimedia trip back in time (thank you, YouTube) to revisit some milestones in Obama’s evolution on the issue.

June 29, 2006 Fifteen months after getting sworn into office, the junior senator from Illinois notes his strong support for public financing and assures constituents that Dick Durbin, the senior senator, feels just as strongly.

Jan. 24, 2007 Shortly before Obama officially declares his candidacy, talk show host Larry King asks Obama if he is going to stay in the public financing system.

OBAMA: Well, you know, this is something that, obviously, we are going to have to take a careful look at. I'm a big believer in public financing of campaigns. And I think that for a time, the presidential public financing system works.

Unfortunately, because funding has diminished relative to the cost of campaigns, I think you will see a lot of people opt out. And even as I support public financing, I think it's very important for Democrats to be competitive in the general election. That's a decision we are going to have to make.

Feb. 1, 2007 The Obama campaign brings in the lawyers, sends a letter to the Federal Election Commission asking if he could raise money for the general election while retaining the ability to opt back into the public financing system.

Feb. 22, 2007 The FEC responds in the affirmative with a draft opinion – if he meets certain conditions.

Nov. 27, 2007 In a response to a candidate questionnaire, Obama writes “I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.”

Feb. 20, 2008 In a USA Today op-ed, Obama again vows to “aggressively pursue” a publicly financed campaign.

Feb. 26, 2008 During a presidential debate, moderator Tim Russert challenges Obama on the sincerity of his pledge. Obama’s pursuit of a publicly financed campaign no longer seems so aggressive. “What I — what I have said is, at the point where I'm the nominee, at the point where it's appropriate, I will sit down with John McCain and make sure that we have a system that works for everybody.”

April 27, 2008 Two months later, in an interview with Chris Wallace of “Fox News Sunday,” Obama promises to sit down with McCain and talk about preserving “a public system.” No such meeting occurs.

June 19, 2008 Obama closes the door on public financing of his campaign, citing the “opponents who become masters at gaming this broken system.”

Avi Zenilman contributed to this report.