Obama to McCain: I won't spend if you won't spend

While several leading presidential candidates have already decided to forgo public campaign money, Obama's made a modest proposal: the Democratic and Republican candidates should agree to a fund-raising cap in the general election and accept the public money.
(Photo credit: Kevin Lamarque - Reuters)

The NYT's David Kirkpatrick has got the goods again. His lede:

Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, issued an unusual challenge to his rivals on Wednesday. He proposed a voluntary agreement between the two major party nominees that would limit their fund-raising and spending for the general election.

It seems this is a challenge directed at McCain, who is well-known for his support of campaign finance reform. Obama is asking him to put his money where his mouth is. Literally.

As Chicago Tribune blogger Frank James notes, there's no way this is going to happen. It is unlikely that McCain, or any other candidate, will accept the offer. "But it's an interesting stratagem which will allow Obama to take the high road as a campaign-finance reformer."

McCain's reputation as a straight-shooting reformer is one of his selling points, providing appeal to moderates and even some democrats. But as Obama has shown with regards to religion, he's not content to let another candidate hold any high ground unchallenged.

McCain and Obama also argued over lobbying reform last year. From washingtonpost.com:

Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama appeared to make up yesterday after their unusual public poison-pen exchange (McCain accusing Obama of "partisan posturing" and "disingenuousness"; Obama expressing hurt that McCain "questioned my sincerity") over lobbying reform.

As Obama entered the crowded Senate Rules Committee hearing room, he playfully brandished a fist while putting an arm around the seated McCain. Awwwwww! Many pictures were snapped. "I value his input," McCain told the panel. Said Obama: "I'm particularly pleased to be sharing this panel with my pen pal John McCain."