Republicans hit hard at Obama's image

When he chants HOPE AND CHANGE--all I hear is more of the same.

YAWN!!!!

And his decision to do this matters to who exactly? Is this really the best McCain can come up with? As a member of the public, I'm glad he isn't using public money. Who wants politicians spending more tax dollars? Republicans? Are we living in bizarro world where democrats spend less money? After the current administration spending us into the ground, I guess we might be.

Well, I listened to McCain speak in St. Paul the other day and several times he couldn't even complete a full sentence. I don't suggest that he is stupid, but that perhaps he is past his prime...by a long shot. So what if Obama has so much public support he doesn't need gov't funds?

Why won't the media point out that the Republicans have been using a virtually identical copy of the Presidential seal for fundraising amounts over $5000?

Wow the GOP are really grasping at straws.

Compared to McSame I don't see how there is much of a choice going into this election.

OK TOM.... I Guess you must not feel like you are hearing more of the same from McSame...Oops I mean McCain - LOL......

Yawn, Yawn, Yawn!!!!!

@Tom Kingsley....Maybe you should read instead of just staring at headlines. Senator Oabama has some very decent and workable solutions to many issues facing Americans.

I do not know where JOhn McCain stands, as his position change almost weekly.

I will be voting for BArack Obama for President of the United States. He is a great choice and it is shameful that you and others have reverted to the same negative politics that permeates every single election.

Mr. Obama is actually trying to do something different and good in Washington by having everything out in the open. Apparently, the GOP does not like facts out in the open because they can't defend themselves. SO...all they can do isa make this into another fear tactics, race baiting election.

Gratz Republicans...you know no shame.

Barack I can only hope all your fans find out that you are well - just another politician who will do anything to win (oh I forgot that was Hillary Clinton)

All government is evil... so this is not that important to me.

But...

I think I'd still rather see Obama get in there because at least he'd screw up the fundie-cons' little plan.

I am supporting McCain's candidacy with my taxes, gosh, I might as well give him my vote. That McCain is such a stand-up guy for accepting public financing of his campaign. I can really trust him!!

OH NO! CAMPAIGN FINANCE! NOOOOOOO!

That is much more important than the economy or the illegal war in Iraq, not to mention the possible war with Iran.

Yup, this will win you many votes, Mcwar. Or, maybe not.

Uhhhhhhhhhh, short on researchers today? I can't even tell if this is supposed to be an article or just useless filler. Seriously, as a 'news outlet' shouldn't someone be interpreting SOMETHING about what is being said and not just posting verbatim things that may or may not be true published by completely partisan sources??? Really poor, so incredibly poor, you should be ashamed of yourself and perhaps consider that every piece of lazy journalism you produce is helping to destroy America from the inside out. Congratulations.

Every GOP attack on Obama screams, "We've been in charge for the last 8 years and we have nothing to run on. Nothing!"

Sigh!!!

Obama is nothing new!! I think he may be the most molded character out of the whole presidential race!! They tell him what to say, his wife to shut up and he cant even vote no or yes on issues.... i suggest everyone to look up "obama and john edwards" on youtube, its funny to see edwards totally corner him but now hes supporting him??

The Republicans, wow, sure know how to put people to sleep.

terrific journalism, globe. republicans can't win on issues and policies so they produce this garbage. fair and balanced as always

sad, that the gop can only run campaigns on meaningless crap.
shows they're scared.
mccain a maverick, whatever

This coming from the republicans who suggest Flip-flop McCain is somehow better? The same McCain who opposed Bush's tax cuts before he was for them. The same McCain who called Rev. Dobson an "agent of intolerance" before he sought his support? The same McCain who called Rumsfeld one of the "worst Secretaries of Defense in history" before he supported his policies in Iraq? The same McCain who was for comprehensive immigration reform until he was against it? The same McCain who took public campaign funds for the primary election cycle before he decided to take private money from PACs and special interests who could give him more instead? The same McCain who proclaimed to all Americans "I don't know much about economics" before he started telling us how he's going to fix the economy? The same McCain that says he is for the troops until he voted against expanding the GI Bill benefits for troops that are risking their lives for us in Iraq?

Now that's rich. Sounds like a Bush 3rd term to me.

If your entire strategy for winning is to take the low road and try to dirty up the opponent it does not say much for McSame's chances and worse for the country's chances should this ignorant approach work.

McClain for prez = doom for the US middle class - finishing the job that bush had begun....

seems pretty desperate to me..cant wait for the next article of someone taking his words and twisitng them around..oh! too late already did

The American people need to understand there are three important issues here:-

(1) Obama either unashamedly lied and broke his promise to the people or he just broke his promise. Either is terribly wrong and emphasises that he is untrustworthy and not deserving of the office of President;

(2) Campaign finance is a very big deal. Restrictions were instituted to prevent a candidate from railroading himself through to power by trickery. There is more than enough money from public finance to conduct a thoughtful and honest campaign on the issues which will reach all of the American people. The race for the presidency should not just be about who can spend more on public relations and paid for spin to obvuscate the real issues. It is not about spending money to re-invent oneself repeatedly (or one's wife) as Obama has. Town Hall meetings would be a fair way to conduct debate and wouldn't cost anything but Obama refuses; and

(3) his reason for throwing public finance under the bus are disingenuous. Democratic 527s have much more money than the Republicans. It is nothing short of scary to see Obama so routinely misrepresent the facts to the American people.

It is time that the American people woke up to the reality of Barack Obama.

Gosh. You mean the Republicans don't like the thought of Obama having more Cash. Where is the McCain, I'l take the public financing, and then saying oh, I didn/t mean it. (look at the primaries...) I'm against drilling, I'm for drilling. I am George bush I am George Bush. The Republicans are in serious trouble this election year to start non-issues this early. THANK GOD.

Given the reality of the RNC funding advantage and the possible onslaught of 527 committees, Senator Obama was not willing to stick to a principle to unilaterally disarm.

Those who were concerned that Senator Obama would not be a hard headed pragmatist who refuses to factor in information can now rest easy.

Dudes, where's the Political Intelligence here? Time to rise from the sandbox and find something substantive to report.

The Republicans are fighting for any defense against the Obama speed train that is going to knock them off their tracks in November! Is that all you got? Jeez...you are the party of tired old men! Republicans stop whining when you didn't think of a crest/logo/seal, your marketing is really off track with the American People. If you are going to win, be the party of leaders not cry babies!

grassroots campaigning. The Republicans are going to be steamrolled in November. Obama would be a fool to give up the small donations from individuals that are allowing him to raise such substantial amounts. Perhaps they should outlaw 527s. Perhaps they should outlaw donations from corporations and lobbyists. The Rebuplicans are experts at rat-holing loopholes to bypass campaign laws. Remarkable how when you can't run on your record, you attack your opponent.

Change can be good. When all you hear is "change, change change," with no substance, it becomes just more political rhetoric.

Pot calling the kettle...

527s poised with unregulated big money to spew Right-Wing Noise Machine Propaganda as before, McCaine the biggest flip-flopper of them all, it's incredible that they get away with their slimey, nefarious, power-grab Joseph Goebbels-style Big Lie tactics and people can't follow the shell game, and still keep putting down their money and picking the empty shell.

We will get what we deserve if we can't open our eyes and do our own thinking.

Arrogant hypocrite reprsents most of the Republican party. One of the biggest offenders is Georgr W Bush.

Black people have egos to. Stiil he has a god given talent to be president.

Preaching to the choir, I think. I don't see these attacks swaying anyone already supporting Obama. They land like a poor revamp of the Swift Boat attacks. Ho, hum, more of the same from a desperate group of tricksters who are slowly starting to realize that most of us are sick and tired of their avoidance and misdirection.

Not only is Obama arrogant, he is marching to his own drumbeat...he really doesn't care about any opinions on anything other than his own.....this man is not a team player.....his opinion is what counts to him.....honor, doing the right thing, telling the truth, doesn't matter. He will not be elected.....the American people are smarter than he is.....he just doesn't know that yet.

Obama is just like anyother politican

John Who?

This may be an issue with Republican spin doctors, but I'll bet it's a non-issue with most voters. I suspect these arguments will fall on deaf ears. The electorate can't wrap its collective brain around it because the dumbing-down of American has been such a success.

it's just this type of repetitous video that totally turns me off of even thinking of JMcCain. Haven't seen a persuasive video of his yet and I've tried. That he approves of such videos just confirms my choice of Obama, whose videos have already given us a change.

I'd rather listen to HOPE AND CHANGE , than FEAR AND REPETITION.

Since Obama is raising the majority of his money from small donors, while McCain is getting his money in big chunks from big donors, I still think McCain is the one more in debt to the special interests and the lobbyists.

The whole purpose of (partial) public financing of campaigns is to reduce the influence of the big donors on our representatives. It hasn't been working.

I'd like to see a president who didn't come into office owing as much to the rich and powerful. Collecting millions of small donations is a great way to do that.

A short-term blow for a long range win. Study shows that Democrats have not benefited from U.S. Presidential public fundage for years; Republicans have and one big reason McCain was counting on Obama staying the course on this one. McCain has every right to gritch: Bush showed for two terms how this works against Democrats and McCain had a path to the White House with it. Unfortunately, Obama studied the issue a little harder than he probably should have and changed his mind.

Obama is truly half and half! Half P.T. Barnum and half Pied Piper!

More of the same old Republican Political Bullcrap! I hope that the generation of new voters are as disgusted as I am by Republicans attack ads, then maybe things will finally change.

Obama claims to break the mold of the traditional politician. Every day he proves that he is just another typical office seeker. John McCain takes a beating from the conservatives because he dares to follow his own path. In other words because he "breaks the mold".

Isn't this fun???????? Our children would have been between a rock & a hard spot if they had played these games when they were in pre-school! Why are the issues of how our lives will improve ~ when will our troops come home ~ and how will the world perceive the USA after the elections be of less importance than who is funding each campaign???

Yeah, like we McCain't have more of the same !!!

Yawn

Neither really POLITICAL nor very INTELLIGENT.

Change and Hope.

Barack Obama always seems to HOPE to CHANGE his word.

So far, I have heard nothing from him consistently except Hope and Change but his words are the ones he Hope to always Change.

What else do the republicans know other than character assassination?

John McCain is playing the "public financing" game. He wants public financing now because he is not able to raise more money. When he sees that he can raise more money, he will also quit.

Now, even when he accepts public financing, they still exceed the spending limits by having other organizations advertise on their behalf. They are clearly gaming the system. At least Barack has the "balls" to get out of public financing and show him that he can fight him clean!

If you think about it, Obama's campaign is truly "public financed". When the people of america donate money, that's the purest form of public financing. Take that John McCain.

The American Mugabe-apparent will handle the election the way he handled the primary, by intimidation at a grass-roots level and systematic theft at all higher levels. The vaunted HOPE & CHANGE are the hell-bent intention on creating a nightmare of reverse racism from reparations to his Farrakhanista handlers hate-filled agenda. As a life-long Democratic it pains me to vote for McCain, but the party of Obama is not a party I wish any associationship with. I HOPE Americans CHANGE their mind about this plastic, hollow man.

It's funny to watch the conservatives scramble like cockroaches in direct light. To decline public financing gives the Democrats the finacial advantage this time. They'll be able to respond to the "swift boat" tactics. they'll be able to punch back.

If John McCain were a better choice than our current president, he'd have stood up for himself during the Republican primary in 2000, put GW in his place and won the nomination. But he didn't. He's the political equivalent of a schoolyard "do-over."; he's the GOP's declaration that they're takng a mulligan for the last eight years.

Like in a game of chess, the momentum has shifted. The Democrats have the tempo and watching the GOP stumble over themselves is the best show in town.

Issues are the only essential things for any candidate.You can attack as much as you want.people are tired of the status quo.

What a brilliant ad. Obama talks a good game in the war of soundclips when there is no substanence. Once people start asking the tough questions Obama falls apart. He's bound to make rookie mistakes since he is a rookie in the senate. Lets continue let him make his rookie mistakes in the senate and allow a seasoned veteran to run the country for the next 4 years.

Consumer confidence lowest in 16 years. What we need is 8 more years of Republican leadership to keep the money flowing to the oil companies, the Saudi's and most importantly to Wall Street.

More yawning...
Why not discuss something that actually affects the lives of ordinary citizens.
I care more about the pimple on my face than I do about Obama's seal or his decision to campaign without federal funds, since most of his money comes from small private donors any ways.

they are worse in breaking their own words!!

Sellin' Hype as Hope - Whatever happened to " we will choose to unite and not divide" ? Change we can believe in??
Hypocrite is being too kind.

Hilarious Seal blog here: http://obamacom.blogspot.com/
"And, there goes the ole' posthumousoppossum under the bus like a flattened road killed hubcap. " ROFLAO.

It is ironic that the Republican campaign professionals & pundits would attack Obama for refusing to take public financing ... tax payer dollars. Aren't they the party of less taxes and less frivolous spending? Who is being hypocritical here? If McCain had succeeded in garnering a massive war chest from small-money supporters then refused tax payer contributions, the Republicans would be trumpeting his principled stand! But since they know McCain can only win by aggressively trashing his opponent, they will grab onto negativity in lieu of the hope and optimism that Obama is trying to inspire. Enough of their politics of slander and attack. Shame on them!

Time for the games to begin...lets hear the 100 years thing again!

Stick to the issues at hand republicans ...

Certainly, they''re right. He did change what he said he would do. And you know? As long as the Republicans are willing to be held to the same stern standards, lets go for it. If his 'presidential seal' (agreed: pretty stupid) is the worst they can do, this is going to be an easy race for Obama.

Well, he decided that he could get more money through private funding. That's worse than it sounds, he' getting it from normal people, and any sensible person knows McCain would do the same thing. McCain has flip flopped on way more issues than Obama. Obama is not perfect, and he is a politician, but he's way better than McCain. If you think that McCain has more change than Obama you're insane. And Obama is change. He opposes Bush on pretty much every issue.

McSame accepted public funding and used it as collateral for a bank loan to finance his primary race, then turned around and rejected that same public funding. He was counting on Obama to roll over, play nice and be willie hortoned to death by RNC and Swift-boat mutli-godzillions. "I cannot control these ad" McSame now is crying that Obama is a pragmatic, shrewd, play-to-win opponent? Go Obama 08, and let's throw the total-disaster Bush regime and McSame's third term under the Straight Democracy Express.

john mccain doesn't know anything about the economy....enough said
we're in a recession, so if the American people really are smart they will not elect someone that admitted that they don't really know anything about the economy, unless they like being poor and out of work

Comments from Republican spinsters are only that: Spin. This is the time when
lies are uber alles. Can you imagine--ANYTHING--resembling the impact of WMD? Who introduced that, we wonder. Who also suggested that Iraq was a center of Al Queida. Who said that? Who is building a wall to keep Mexicans out? At some future date, someone will say: Mr. President, take down this wall...

I'm for Senator O'bama. Not because he is black. Not because his heritage includes a parent from Nigeria. Not because his Mom is white...or his Grandmom raised him.

I am for him because he is a special and different voice in the political process. A voice that sugests that alternatives could be better.

I am for him,not because he's black, but because I truly believe he loves America.

response to M Haisley
You haven't done your homework ,sir. You just help to spread the Obama hype, like, Obama didn't go to a Muslim school- of course he did - just read his Biography.
you state:..."Since Obama is raising the majority of his money from small donors..."

Obama small donors consist of only 1/3 of his dollars. One has to wonder who the 2/3 masters are. Could it be they hide behind the illussion and allussion of 'change'?
Some of the trickery used can be seen in just one reference here: http://tinyurl.com/522w8b

So far we have (1) the flag pin, (2) his wife's temperament, (3) Obama's decision, in the wake of overwhelming public support, for private financing, to forego a capped public funding option (he changed his mind to adapt to changing conditions -- do we want another Bush, who makes a decision a sticks with it no matter what facts or circumstances intervene?), and (4) comments by the pastor of his church.

Now really! Let's elect a pro-choice, get-out-of-Iraq, tax the rich and not the middle class, stimulate the economy without relying on an opportunistic business sector to do so, President. This election presents the clearest choice in decades. Thank goodness! Obama is a change agent; McCain is too old, too fixed and dogmatic, and is playing the same old song; maybe with different lyrics, but it is the same old song.

You liberal sheep crack me up. HOPE AND CHANGE when all you here from the Dems are "Bush 2" and "More of the same if McCain"!!! Is that not called fear-mongering?

Obama is so massively popular among traditionally underrepresented Americans that the sheer volume of our meager contributions dwarfs the traditional money machine Washington has always drawn from. McCain largely gets funded by the same corporate interests and caters to the same minority opinions of who own the majority of wealth assets in this country. This is how it's always been since the birth of our country(Howard Zinn).

The tyranny of a 232 year old status quo is not to be trifled with. There's those who say it just can't be done. I say, "YES WE CAN!"

I guess that people around here can voice there opinion about things they no nothing about Obama and it passes for fact. If any of you actually sat down and looked at his opinion on things and thought about what it might do to yo in the future then you might be alittle more conservative with your comments. I think that you are all idiots. I am not saying the I agree 100% with McCain, but, I do think he will protect this country much better than "HIM". I also think that if he had the exact same stance on things and was a white man then we wouldn't even be having this conversation. He wouldn't even have made it off the starting line. I wouldn't be opposed to having a black president but I am opposed to someone with the views of Barack Obama.

YES WE CAN BUT WILL NOT DO!
That's a matter of trust in words in promises in judgment.

Obama is fluff, the public has had enough.

While McCain isn't great, he is much more qualified in the leadership department.

How many people remember Oprah saying how great Obama was? How many remember Oprah saying how great that biographical book was...only to find out later that the author was LYING and it was largely fiction.

Oprah...a poor judge of character?

This is a huge deal. It's a huge deal if you're a Democrat who believed in and fought for campaign reform 30 years ago. Public financing is and was the cornerstone of Democrat campaign reform. The 527's? Please. Was it a Republican 527 that ran the "McCain is going to kill my baby" ad? And the one that says all Republicans are racist, heartless, neanderthal Bubba's? (Oh wait! THAT was Mr. Obama wasn't it?)

And it's about the fact that Obama PLEDGED to go with public financing (which, BTW, is not taken from the general revenue--a taxpayer must check a box which designates money for elections and that money comes out of one's return). A pledge is a bit different from changing one's mind on an issue--something I would hope EVERY sensible politician would do if and when circumstances or discoveries change and present I would hope a reason to reevaluate one's stance. Taking a position or supporting a bill is not a promise, but a pledge is. Where I come from, a man or woman whose word cannot be trusted is considered lower than a snake. Obama made a promise and broke it. Not because the situation changed---it's the same situation that existed when he made the promise. To Washington insiders, it's called political expediency, and while some things are pragmatically subject to political expediency, a man's word is not. So how do we trust Obama when he says, "I pledge to uphold the Constitution of the United States and protect her from all enemies, foreign and domestic..."? If a man breaks his word on one thing, he'll brake it on another.

Although I am an 'undecided' and open minded citizen, I would encourage anyone and everyone to please get "Audacity of Hope " and read it ,or better yet get the CD abd listen to Barack read his own words. Then you will have much insight into this man you all are trying to figure out or think you know! If you cannot afford it, it is available at the Public Library. I was quite impressed as this was sincerely written before any aspirations towards the Presidency were entertained or deemed possible. Then you all can discuss "the man".

I am a life long Democrat who has dutifully voted for every loser the Party has fileded for the past 40 years (as well as Bill Clinton-the only real winner in the bunch). However, I cannot support an arrogant, shallow, manipulating, ruthless liar like Barak Obama. He is all flash and no sunbstance. Would he be better than McCain? I don't know, however I am not willing to gamble on an unknown lightweight to lead our country. Even if McCain gets elected, there will be enough Democrats in Congress to keep things from going too far to the right (not that Pelosi and company have been anything but ineffectual so far). Plus I will not reward the arrogant, meanspirited Obama supporters by voting for their "fearless leader" (or is it mindless?). Down with the DNC and all the corrupt Chicago politicos who have force fed us with this fraud!

McCain has maybe one foot in reality and the other...not so much so! If the campaign rules were that only positive issues about your candidate could be used, Obama would far surpass McCain. Besides you could blow McCain over with a feather...he's frail physically and mentally. So far Obama has my complete trust. He knew how to win the nomination, he'll know who to appoint as VP and he'll know how to win the presidency. Some people are just afraid of others smarter than themselves....i.e. Hillary's supporters and Republicans. Why oh why would anyone to exstend our misery by voting Republican? Who exactly is happy with the last 8 years? If you're out there, please answer why you're happy and want more of the same.

Brittany -- No one mentioned Barack's color yet you reference this twice in your comment about him before you deny this as the reason for your protest. This is a free country and you're free to be as bigotted as you want. Just have the courage to state it plainly. Clearly even you are ashamed of what others will think of you for disliking a candidate not on the issues but because of the color of his skin. You are right to be ashamed of yourself.

If a man can't remember who's who now...he'll never get it straight. Poor Mc Cain....what would he do without Leiberman correcting him all the time on most issues. I'm sorry...McCain is way past his prime.

Why would anyone support an extension of the last eight years.
More corruption than the Nixon years, a president that ignores all laws, high gas prices, mortgage foreclosures, most children left behind in their education, poor roads and bridges, tax cuts for the most fortunate, outing an intelligent agent, the Iraq war that has killed 4000 soldiers and counting. Tell me again why we're in Iraq? Tell me why we started this war knowing Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.
We trusted the wrong man G Bush, he lied, and lied and lied.

I know Obama can do a better job. He doesn't have to have military experience to protect his two girls and this country. G Bush and McBush had all the so called experience. We are not safer. Don't let them scare you again into making the wrong choice. I admit it I was terrified on 9/11 and I trusted my prsident who I didn't vote for to take care of us not start a war for???????????????

That's one of thousand changes he'll make. First, "CHANGE" the US President seal. Next, once he get to the White house he'll "CHANGES" the national flag and next, "CHANGES" American social order up side down.

The DNC is the Puppet Masters and Obama will be their puppet. He says what ever he thinks people want to hear, he has no true loyalty to anything.....He is draining his followers of their minds and checkbooks. Poor Saps.....

Finally, we have a Democrat who fights fire with fire.

The Republican Party prides itself on it's hate machine. They've always loved that Democrats play by the rules and invariably loose. Those days are over.

Senator Obama is a change Democrat. Democrats are going to win, for a change.

This won't help Michelle's children at all.

Approximately 51% of this country was stupid for legitimizing one of the worst presidents America ever had and now, unsurprisingly, an overwhelming majority of voters now have buyers' remorse. Whoever says Bush is one of the best presidents ever is a drug addict. Thank God his presidency is almost over it has been like an episode of the Twilight Zone with Bush-Cheney in office.

McCain is too associated with Bush and that is why he will lose. Obama will become our next president no matter what the GOP throws at him because the Republicans for the past 8 years have seriously screwed up this country: endless unnecessary war in Iraq, high gas prices, rise in foreclosures, numerous corruption scandals, insurmountable deficits, the embarrassing response for Hurricane Katrina...the list just goes on and on.

The only qualified candidate is McCain. Those who think otherwise are idiots. We already had a terrible president, Bush, we don't need an even worse Obama to Follow!!!

McCain '08

Why are the press, the RNC and some of their supporters stinking filthy liars?
Where in the above clip does Obama say he will use public financing?
I heard him say he supports the principle. I heard him say he would talk about it, but nowhere did I hear him say he would use Public Financing.

Senator Obama for president all the way.