Obama Takes Heat For 'Independent Expenditure' Ads

San Francisco Chronicle:

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama - who has criticized Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards for benefiting from "independent expenditure" and political action committees - is taking heat because some of the same kind of organizations are now spending money, organizing and putting up TV ads on his behalf in the Bay Area.

These types of independent organizations aren't illegal as long as they do not act in a coordinated way with the campaign. But critics say Obama is being hypocritical in denouncing Edwards' connection with "527" independent expenditure groups while not demanding that ones supporting him stop.

Read the whole story: San Francisco Chronicle

Comments

[tbone99]

Obama is a hypocrite .He thinks he is above playing by the same rules he calls others out on. He talks change and takes money from the same corporate interests that will keep things the same.He promises hope ,but forgets to add - only for the top 10%. He flatters the Repugs with having the "best ideas " and calls Democrats "fuzzy headed "liberals.

Who are you Barack Obama?

And who you truly represent?

[ALMAL]

Now i often hear people say'
they played racial card with OBAMA ,
and made argument,that in IOWA he won lots of white support,
and if now white people dropping him
but AA people continie support him,
so they blame this on racism.
I would argue ,that people now got to know him better,and they dropping support,becouse there not much what to support,
and understandably people of color want him to succede,so they dropping him little slowlie.

I SAY,HE IS SINKING AND HE WILL SINK EVERYBODY ON TICKET WITH HIM.

He got to much of history,and not much of achivement

[Cid]

@Mileve Maric: "And there is no basis for these charges as we all know President Clinton and all that he has done for our country."..
Damn straight. He was the best Republican President in the last 45 years!!.
Would it be too much to ask if we could have a REAL Democrat now? Huh?...
No Clinton. No Obama..

[SadAmerican]

Obama is a whiner !!
If he gets the nomination, just wait until the Republicans get hold of him.

This is off topic, I know; Does anyone know where Elizabeth Edwards has been? Hope she hasn't had a relapse.

[OhPlease2007]

Edwards denounced 527's and Obama didn't, which speaks directly to the Obama character question in him having good, honest, and fair judgment. In my opinion, Obama doesn't exercise a 'reasonably acceptable level' of good, honest, and fair judgment on this issue, which is one more reason -- among many -- why I will never vote for Obama.

Edwards '08!

[OhPlease2007]

Obama is phony in blasting Edwards for 527's.

Edwards '08!

[Lesjoan]

Obama cries more than my 5yo!

[Zhonni]

The difference is that Obama has no connection to this group.

Edwards's campaign manager was the head of the 527 group in Iowa.

So before you start your Messiah, Godsent, Chosen one crap, you should do your research.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!

[StephenDedalus82]

People who have convinced themselves they are the messiah very soon start to believe the rules don't apply to them.

[SCharb]

Well, there's a difference between attack ads produced by your top staffer and fluff pieces by somebody you've never heard of. This isn't exactly urgent. Give the campaign some time, they'll get around to it.

[AnninCA]

What I don't get is that it's obvious that his tactics would eventually be caught. You really cannot get by with accusing your opponent and then doing exactly the same thing a month later.

Now, I cannot imagine that he believes that anyone will buy the idea that he "didn't know." That's blatant lying.

So is the game plan to now get Edwards to "pick" on him too so he can, again, inspire the rescuer vote?

[lexicoscott]

so lets get this straight. It's illegal for the candidates to coordinate with these independants, and yet St. Obama criticized Edwards about this. So, is he saying his criticism was an indicted response to Edwards illegally coordinating with these folks? Because, if it's illegal, and Edwards was legit, and did not coordinate with them, isn't it the same damn thing that they supported Obama with their efforts? Seems very hypocritic­al... or is it. The candidates can't really control what these people do can they? So St. Obama was unruly, and unjustified in his criticism of Edwards then right? Seems as though his "strategy" is shining through, and it's not so Sainty after-all.

[ballewb]

Where are the issues?

[Trace8089]

Oh!!! Saint Obama say it isn't so. Just goes to show he's just as much a politician as the rest.