Obama Doesn't Take Donations From Lobbyists... Until He Does

By Jim Geraghty
National Review Online

Barack Obama justified his flip-flop on public funding by arguing that "John McCain's campaign and the Republican National Committee are fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs."

From Bob Novak's column Saturday:

As he gives up public funding for his campaign, Sen. Barack Obama is reaching out to new sources, including Washington insiders whose influence he has vowed to end.

Obama is now using lists of contributors to Democratic congressional chairmen, primarily lobbyists of both parties. One recipient of a letter signed by Obama is a Republican lobbyist who has contributed to senior Democratic Reps. John Dingell of Michigan and Charlie Rangel of New York, not out of ideological affinity but to keep their doors open.

"Together, we change the way business is done in Washington," said the Obama letter. "We can end the undue influence of special interests."

All Obama statements come with an expiration date. It's just a matter of when.