Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) has raised many eyebrows in the past few weeks with his novel, somewhat surprising, suggestion regarding the potential public funding of his campaign for the presidency.  On Feb. 1, the Obama Exploratory Committee submitted a request to the Federal Elections Commission for an Advisory Opinion (AO). The committee is asking the FEC if it is within legal limits for Sen. Obama to "provisionally" take funds from private donors for his campaign but to also have the option, should he get the Democratic nomination, of returning those contributions in order to accept public funds. However, this would only happen if the Republican opponent also agreed to do so.

This proposition is wrought with intrigue, not to mention brilliant strategy. By making the request to the FEC, Sen. Obama has made it publicly known that he is not precluding the use of public funds. That's likely to make some supporters of public financing very happy, especially after the disappointment such individuals may have felt after Hillary Clinton -by some media accounts - single-handedly killed the presidential public financing system. The proposition, if accepted by the FEC and if Sen. Obama becomes the Democratic nominee, also presents a challenge to the Republican opponent to fight fair. The political costs incurred by the Republican nominnee for turning down such a noble challenge are immeasureable.