Thursday, April 17, 2008

In criticizing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) as wavering on whether to participate in the public campaign financing system ["A Lapsed Principle," editorial, April 14], The Post overlooked two obvious -- and relevant -- points:

First, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) already opted into and then asserted that he opted out of the presidential public financing system. In short, Mr. McCain has been given a free pass on criticizing Mr. Obama for considering the same course of action that Mr. McCain has already taken. Moreover, Mr. McCain's decision is tainted by a "sweetheart loan" about which the Federal Election Commission has said it has questions.

Second, adviser-lobbyist Charles Black has said that the McCain campaign won't decide until July or August whether to opt into the public financing system. More double talk.

Each candidate will make a decision to opt into the presidential public financing system according to whether doing so will help him or her win.

The principle to which we all ought to look for guidance as to whether a candidate supports campaign finance reform is whether that candidate has pledged to make public financing of all federal races a priority if he or she is elected.

Mr. Obama has given that pledge. Mr. McCain hasn't.

DAVID DONNELLY

National Campaigns Director

Public Campaign Action Fund

Washington