What Is Up With Politics Today?

Mr. McCain says he is disturbed because Mr. Obama had pledged to accept public financing and is now refusing that same financing.  He immediately followed his disturbed comment by saying that he would now reevaluate his commitment to use public financing.  In this clip he later said he wasn’t disturbed because it would now be possible for Mr. Obama to outspend him in the election but because Mr. Obama broke his word to the American people. 

Well now.  I can get behind being upset if he broke his word (not saying I agree here just that I can understand the comment).  I mean who wants a president who is going to lie, right? Wait, let me stop laughing.  Ok, so assuming that McCain is upset because he is so shocked and dismayed about someone lying (again, we’ll look at the reason Obama changed his mind later just go with me for now) how in the world can he possibly say he’s considering doing the same thing?  And with a straight face!  I mean if you are so upset that someone else lied, or broke a promise, or changed their mind then how in the world can you then justify doing the same thing?

Obama’s reasoning for changing his position on public financing was stated as not wanting to take part in a ‘broken system’.  I happen to agree that the system is broken and I’m actually ok with him changing his mind.  I don’t consider it breaking a promise TO change your mind in most instances, especially if you have a valid reason.  BUT that really isn’t the issue today.  The issue is that McCain says he’ll reconsider (read I’m going to spend as much as you do bub) his pledge to accept public financing. Why?  Not because he has a moral opposition to the system but because Obama is doing it.  McCains’ “if he can so can I” attitude bothers me much more than Obamas’ ‘broken system’ reasoning. 

Now I am disturbed.  I don’t like to see someone who might be my next president using the grown up equivalent of “he hit me first”.  I’ll see if McCain decides to use or abandon the public financing and what his reasons are when he does decide before I make any long lasting decisions about his character.

What do you think of Obama’s decisions and McCain’s remark?  Do either disturb you?

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