McCain, Obama Clash Over Campaign Funds

John McCain is baiting Barack Obama over campaign finance, the New York Times reports. Obama pledged last February that he would accept public financing—which comes with spending limits—if he became the Democratic nominee and his Republican opponent did likewise. He hasn't recommitted and GOP front-runner McCain is wondering out loud if Obama, the race's most prodigious fund-raiser, will try to back out.

"I expect Senator Obama to keep his word to the American people,“ said McCain. "Our whole agreement was we would take public financing if he made that commitment as well. And he signed a piece of paper, I’m told, that made that commitment.” A noncommittal Obama said that if he clinches the nomination, “my folks will sit down and see if we can arrive at a common set of ground rules.” (More Barack Obama stories.)