Has Senator McCain’s ‘Straight-Talk Express’ Taken a U-Turn in Favor of His Political Aspirations?

In a letter sent to Senator John McCain posted here  the Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) today asked the Senator a simple question:

As a frontrunner for the 2008 Republican nomination for President, will you campaign within the presidential public financing system or is it your intention to abandon the limitations of that system in favor of more campaign dollars?

The letter goes on to read…

“Senator McCain, you have made so-called ‘clean elections’ a staple of your political career.  Despite significant First Amendment concerns, you have consistently championed strict restrictions on political speech toward that stated end. 

“Moreover, as recently as the 2004 election cycle — the most expensive presidential race in the nation’s history — you maintained ‘absolutely’ your conviction favoring public campaign financing.  Indeed, in November 2003, you sponsored legislation to strengthen the presidential public financing system, stating at the time that it was your hope ‘that a bill can be enacted to take effect for the 2008 presidential election.’  

“Americans were therefore puzzled when you evaded a direct question regarding the very campaign finance limitations you advocate.”

CFIF pointed to a November 19, 2006 exchange the Senator had on with George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s This Week, which is the most direct answer McCain has given to date…

George Stephanopoulos:  “As you look to a Presidential campaign, you’ve been a great advocate for campaign finance reform.  If you choose to run, will you stay inside the public financing system or go around it?” 

Senator John McCain:  “I don’t think – it depends, one, on what other candidates might do…” 

It should be noted that CFIF believes there is something fundamentally wrong with using taxpayer dollars, albeit voluntary, to fund political campaigns.  If it were up to them, the Presidential Public Financing system would have been done away with long ago. 

But, McCain has consistently portrayed himself as a man of principle.  In fact, the Senator’s recent proclamation that his principled belief in a troop surge in Iraq trumps his political ambitions is to be commended. 

So why is he playing a game of political dodge ball when asked whether he will abide by the limitations of the presidential public financing system?  Shouldn’t his “reform” principles – regardless of how flawed they are – dictate that he should abide by the candidate equivalent of speech restrictions he seeks to impose on everyone else?