Nation & World

<< Previous   of   Next >> Alex Brandon / Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks with Howard Dean (right), the head of the Democratic National Committee, on a flight from Washington to Chicago on Thursday.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Thursday, June 19, 2008 Barack Obama rejects public financing; John McCain attacks decision By Peter Nicholas Los Angeles Times WASHINGTON -- Democrat Barack Obama announced today that he would opt out of the public financing system for general election campaigns, making him the first major party candidate in more than 30 years to rely strictly on private donors to underwrite the crucial final stage of his presidential bid. Obama's decision reflects a confidence that he can pull in private donations far exceeding the $84.1 million he would receive from the federal Treasury after he officially becomes the party's nominee in August. Yet in spurning public funds, he disappointed some government watchdog groups, which described him as turning away from campaign financing practices intended to curb the influence of money in presidential politics. "This decision would make Sen. Obama the first presidential candidate since the Watergate reforms to refuse public financing in the general election and fund his presidential bid instead with private money, which often comes with expectations of special access or favors," said Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen, a nonprofit group that represents consumer interests in government. Obama posted a video message on his Web site explaining the decision. He said that while he is committed to campaign finance reform, he believes that abiding by a "broken system" would be self-defeating. He also suggested that the Republicans would exploit loopholes in the system by pouring money into outside entities that would subject him to "smears and attacks." Obama said that "the public financing of presidential elections as it exists today is broken, and we face opponents who've become masters at gaming this broken system." Obama has proved more prodigious at raising funds than his Republican rival, John McCain. Through the end of April, Obama collected $265.4 million in campaign donations, compared to less than $97 million for McCain, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. McCain's campaign said today that it has not decided whether to accept public funding. McCain aides quickly seized on Obama's announcement, casting it as a broken promise. "Politics got the better of Barack Obama this time," said Brian Rogers, a McCain spokesman. "That's not the new kind of politics that he's promised." In a questionnaire that Obama received from a Midwest network of good government groups in November, he was asked if he would forgo private funding provided his opponents did the same. Obama answered: "Yes." "I have been a longtime advocate for public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests," he wrote.

1. Snohomish County man dies of swine flu 2. Lynnwood bank reprimanded by government 3. Police ID make of vehicle in fatal hit-and-run 4. Armed man shot by deputies in Arlington 5. IRS joins puppy mill investigation 6. Jetty Island ready for sand castles 7. Boeing's 6-month tally: 1 net order 8. Warriors & Patriots: Many American Indians served before getting full citizenship rights 9. Movin' out 10. Marshals seize swindler's home 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Warriors looking for balance • Three Scots vying for QB slot • Jackson looks for another title • Decorated veteran continues to serve as active volunteer • City Council reviewing sign regulations • Wildcats get a peek at newcomers • Lynnwood still in rebuilding mode • Shoreline feels a kindergarten growth spurt • Leave the patriotic pyrotechnics to professionals, cities urge • Trading dollars for kilowatts New PUD energy conservation programs save ... • By John Wolcott SCBJ Editor • Record crowd at Paine Field’s General Aviation Day as FHC Celebrate ... • Celebration of aviation's history and future presented in multiple venue ... • The time is ripe for small businesses to take no prisoners • EPA proposal to regulate global-warming gases would be costly for small ... • Innovation helps the town of Forks to offset tough economy • Powering the people