国产人人色I色婷婷综合久久中文字幕雪峰I奇米色777欧美一区二区I久热久热aV爽青青在线I国产av喷水I国产伦精品一区二区三区免.费I高潮av在线Iww欧美一级I91天天看I黄a在线91I九一无码中文字幕久久无码色…I丰满国产精品视频二区

   

Obama to forgo public funds for election campaign

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-19 21:56

WASHINGTON - US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Thursday he has decided to forgo public financing of his election campaign against Republican John McCain.


Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama answers questions from the audience as he campaigns at Kaukauwa High School in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, June 12, 2008. [Agencies] 

The decision frees him up to collect money privately, which could be a help to him strategically ahead of November's election.

During the Democratic primary contest to pick his party's candidate, Obama smashed records for fund-raising, largely on the success he achieved in raising money over the Internet.

"We've made the decision not to participate in the public financing system for the general election," Obama said in a video statement e-mailed to reporters.

Obama said the decision meant his campaign would be forgoing more than $80 million in public funds during the final months of this election. But the move allows him to raise as much private money as he can.

"It's not an easy decision, and especially because I support a robust system of public financing of elections," he said. "But 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 said his rival McCain's campaign and the Republican National Committee were fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest groups that can make unlimited donations.

"From the very beginning of this campaign, I have asked my supporters to avoid that kind of unregulated activity and join us in building a new kind of politics -- and you have," he said.

"Instead of forcing us to rely on millions from Washington lobbyists and special interest (groups), you've fueled this campaign with donations of $5, $10, $20, whatever you can afford," he said.

"And because you did, we've built a grassroots movement of over 1.5 million Americans."

Obama's ability to raise huge amounts of money, particularly over the Internet, showed results for him in the Democratic primary contest that turned into a grueling battle against rival Hillary Clinton.

Clinton ended her campaign millions of dollars in debt while Obama was still flush with funds.



Top World News  
Today's Top News  
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours