Muscatine

Democrat Barack Obama is also talking about the economy. He'll meet with Democratic governors in his hometown of Chicago.

Yesterday Obama became the first general election candidate to forego federal campaign funding since the system was up in 1976 following Watergate. That means he'll be giving up the $85 million that the government provides to each nominee after the conventions.

McCain is accusing Obama of going back on a pledge to accept public funding. But Obama, in announcing his decision to supporters yesterday, said the system is "broken." He said the opposition has become expert at "gaming" it.

Obama's primary campaign raked in more than $265 million as of the end of April.

Last month's figures are due today.

This should tell one all they need to know about Obama.

1. Obama won't keep his word or promises.

2. Obama accuses McCain of being an expert at "gaming" it, all the while raking in multi millions of dollars to campaign on. What a laugh Obama is, to think Americans are too stupid to see through him. 

Two things...

First, Obama hasn't gone back on his word. He had stated that "If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election." He was looking to negotiate a deal that would include limits on 527s and other outside groups. However, John McCain wasn't interested in that.

Second, it's funny that McCain is complaining about Obama's fundraising because back in 2004 he praised Howard Dean for the very same kind of fundraising that Obama is doing, saying "That's what we want [campaign finance] to be all about."

VAN SUSTEREN:  You've tried so hard to rein in politicians on campaign finance.  Governor Dean has opted out.  Senator Kerry has opted out.  President Bush, I don't know if has opted out, he's certainly going to opt out.  I mean, they've all sort of passed campaign finance.  What do you think about that?

MCCAIN:  Well, remember that the presidential financing is unique because it has public financing.  No other federal election does.  We're gong to have to change that.  It worked well from 1976 until about 1990-something.  We'll probably have to increase the amount of matching funds.  But I would like to say, if I hadn't run for president of the United States, we would never have passed campaign finance reform.  And of course, I'm still gratified that the United States Supreme Court upheld it as constitutional.

VAN SUSTEREN:  But haven't they sort of, for lack of a better words, the richer candidates right now, whether it's rich because they got it on the Internet or for whatever reason -- haven't they sort of found a way to get around the campaign finance?

MCCAIN:  No.  First of all, again, the presidential it's matching funds, and our legislation did not address the presidential primaries.  But second of all, I think it's wonderful that Howard Dean was able to use the Internet, $50, $75, $100 contributions.  That's what we want it to be all about.  We want average citizens to contribute small amounts of money, and that's a commitment to a campaign.  So I'm for that.  I think it's a great thing.  I think the Internet is going to change American politics for the better.

Poor John. He just can't seem to make up his mind. I think the Republicans call that flip flopping, right?

Not to be confused with the Democrats that call it "Standard Operating Procedure."