Centerfield

I would guess that the Obama people are straining to find a way out, right now. They have a couple excuses in the near term.

First, that Obama is not the nominee yet, so it's premature and presumptive to talk about what he would do in the general election.

Second, I believe Obama decided not to take public funds (and abide by the limits) in the primaries, and if I understand correctly, he has asked for an opinion from the FEC as to whether he can opt out in the primaries, and go back to the system in the general. It isn't clear to me whether tha opinion has been rendered yet. But if it goes the other way, Obama would be off the hook.

Here's a great post by Beertap regarding McCain's interest in earmarks:

http://beertap.wordpress.com/2008/02/17/earmarks-and-gop-hypocracy/

Here's the link to Beertap.

If the two candidates are restricted to public funds then their supporters, like me, will look for alternate paths. For instance the DNC, DSCC, DCCC, Moveon, Actblue...
To me this would be better because Democratic donors and turnout will still overwhelm the GOP while forcing support downticket to Senators where I want to see a 60 vote advantage.

McCain's dare seems like it has a few wrinkles.
One is that he borrowed a million from a Bethesda bank. In reality a minor but interesting wrinkle.
I hope Obama doesn't take the bait. The campaign environment with its multiple sources of proxy campaigning makes public financing a joke.