Tavis Smiley: Obama 'One of the Worst Hypocrites in the Country' on Campaign Finance Reform

March 15th, 2012 9:38 AM

While virtually all of the Obama-loving, Super PAC-bashing media have given the President a pass for his campaign finance hypocrisy, PBS's Tavis Smiley stepped off the bandwagon Sunday to speak the inconvenient truth.

During his Tavis and West radio show, Smiley said Obama's "one of the worst hypocrites in the country is he now on campaign finance reform" (video follows with transcript and commentary):


TAVIS SMILEY: And so now the President is playing this Super PAC game. So when you suggest that first we win, and then we change it, suggests to me that you believe in your heart that once Obama wins he’s going to be serious about campaign finance reform.

But now, he’s one of the worst hypocrites respectfully, if I can say that, one of the worst hypocrites in the country is he now on campaign finance reform and you think that once he wins he’s going to get serious about changing the system that he just benefited from?

LEO GERARD, UNION PRESIDENT: Look I think that to be fair I think you’re making an unfair accusation and let me say why.

SMILEY: Tell me why.

LEO GERARD: I think that he opposes it he thinks it’s disgusting I think many of us do, but in this round he can’t fight this election with one hand tied behind his back.

As Brian Maloney quipped, "I really need to rob just one more bank, then I'll stop for good, I swear!"