I realize it’s all about hope, and change, and a better tomorrow. That Mr. Obama is supposed to be a “new” type of politician. And as a new type of politician - he’s supposed to be above the “frey” - the lying, the mudslinging, the petty barbs.

Well then - how does one reconcile this? Back in February, after one of the myriad of Democrat Party debates, Barrack Obama waiver-ed a bit on his pledge to accept only the “public finance” framework and to not decide to rely only on his own funds (as was the case in the last two elections for both candidates). After that debate, Sen. McCain reminded Sen. Obama of his commitment to public finance:

“The fact is, Senator Obama signed a piece of paper and pledged to take public financing for his campaign if I did the same,” Mr. McCain said. “I believe that Senator Obama should keep his commitment also, which means taking public financing. The rest of it is ground noise. The rest of it is irrelevant.”

Okay, Mr. McCain did declare he would take public financing for his campaign. Today, Sen. Obama decided, “Screw that! I’ve got the equivalent of my own printing press, and the public be damned!” Okay, well he didn’t actually say that, actually what he said was:

“It’s not an easy decision, and especially because I support a robust system of public financing of elections,” Obama told supporters in a video message Thursday. “But the public financing of presidential elections as it exists today is broken, and we face opponents who’ve become masters at gaming this broken system.”

Now, let me begin by saying, I don’t disagree with Sen. Obama’s decision. Strategically, it’s a brilliant maneuver for him to sidestep the regulations that McCain-Feingold would have placed on him and rely only on his own fundraising prowess. Obama has demonstrated himself an able fundraiser. He has made records where he raises two million dollars a day. It is incredible, amazing, and makes you stand up and go “wow!”

McCain, however, has languished in his fundraising, hamstrung in large part by the idiotic campaign finance reform laws he felt compelled to push forward despite being at odds with the majority of his party. I find it a bit of electoral irony that the Republican candidate for President is being impeded by his own legislation. Neverthless, Sen. McCain should be recognized as a man of his principles, and he is standing by the framework he’s developed. The choice, however, will put him at a significant cash disadvantage against Mr. Obama in the fall.

Oh but let me return to the issue here, because it’s not about McCain, and it’s a simple one.

Obama said, I’ll do public financing if you do. McCain did. Obama decided today he wouldn’t.

Wow. That’s some new kind of politician. I’ve never seen that before… eh Brutus?

Hail Ceasar! Senatus Populus Que Romanus!

I don’t think SPQR would look as good on the Obama logo - but Brutus was about “hope and change” too.