I don’t understand what the BFD is.

In choosing not to take public financing, Obama did absolutely nothing illegal, unethical, or dishonest.

His agreement to accept public financing was hinged entirely on whether McCain promised to do so as well. John McCain signed a binding agreement with the FEC back in August 2007 to accept spending limits for the primary and to abide by the conditions of receiving matching funds.  To get out of that agreement the FEC must grant permission. In December he pledged to use his matching funds as collateral for a private loan to keep his campaign afloat.

(Thanks to DailyKos for aggregating all the primary-source links together.)

Once McCain ditched public funds (illegally, after having secured a loan against the funds), Obama was free to do whatever he thought was best for his campaign.

It was the smart thing to do, and arguably the most democratic (small “d”). Obama is getting the bulk of his funds from small donors. $50-$100 donations from more or less “real” mom n’ pop supporters. THAT’s democracy in action. THAT’s proof of a great campaign.

Even McCain praised that kind of fundraising in 2004:

I think it’s wonderful that Howard Dean was able to use the Internet, $50, $75, $100 contributions.  That’s what we want it to be all about.  We want average citizens to contribute small amounts of money, and that’s a commitment to a campaign.  So I’m for that.  I think it’s a great thing.  I think the Internet is going to change American politics for the better.

(source)

This is much ado about nothing. Obama didn’t do a damn thing wrong.

McCain, on the other hand, broke his own campaign finance law. He is unfit for the office he seeks (and possibly even the office he holds!)

Adding insult to injury…

The FEC board that makes the determination as to whether McCain has broken the law (a formality, since it’s clear that he has) requires a quorum of, I think, 2/3 of its members before it can render any official decision. (Anyone, please correct me if I’m wrong on that.)

Sooooooo…our Republican-run government has forced most of said members out of their positions so they can’t meet to officially sanction McCain. And the Bush administration is playing the same-old-same-old games with its nominees for new members (nominating outrageously unfit people and steadfastly refusing to withdraw them.) That’s why the DNC has sued.

FEC chairman David Mason merely pointed out the simple, legal fact that the FEC must approve McCain’s withdrawal from the aforementioned August 2007 agreement. For that offense, Mason is being forced out of his position. Mason, who had been TWICE appointed to the FEC by Bush since 2005, was suddenly persona non grata when it became apparent that he might actually enforce the law and cast an adverse vote against McCain.

It is absolutely unconscionable to me that anyone – the media, the Republicans, anyone – would have the gall to try and paint Obama, of all people, as the bad guy on this public financing issue.

(For the record, these comments were copied from a discussion at Media Matters. They are my words; I simply transplanted them here.)