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General Election Ban On Fundraising Possible

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By JIM KUHNHENN, The Associated Press

Published: February 15, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - If Sen. Barack Obama becomes the Democratic nominee, he faces a financial dilemma: Use his vaunted fundraising operation for the general election or limit himself by accepting public funds.

Last year, Obama indicated he would accept public funds if his Republican opponent did as well. On Thursday, however, his spokesman hedged, and campaign finance watchdog groups are ready to pounce.

Based on past statements, Obama and Republican presidential candidate John McCain have indicated that if each was nominated, a spending and fundraising armistice was possible.

"If Senator Obama is the nominee, he will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said in March. Obama affirmed the stance in a questionnaire in November.

Similarly, then McCain campaign manager Terry Nelson said at the time: "Should John McCain win the Republican nomination, we will agree to accept public financing in the general election if the Democratic nominee agrees to do the same."

Those conditional commitments came after Obama asked the Federal Election Commission whether he could raise general election money during 2007 but return it if he chose to accept public funds.

The issue resurfaced this month when McCain became the likely Republican nominee and Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton sought the lead in the Democratic contest.

McCain advisers have said in recent days that he would abide by his proposal.

But Thursday, Burton said any speculation about what Obama will do is premature.

Asked whether the campaign's earlier position amounted to a pledge, Burton said: "No, there is no pledge."

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