McCain Rails Against Obama "Double-Speak"

(CBS)

COLUMBUS, OHIO -- John McCain continued to hammer Barack Obama over public financing and what he calls Obama's empty rhetoric.

"Facts are facts," McCain said, contending that he and Obama committed to take public funds to finance their general election campaigns a year ago. "Now I noticed in a column in USA Today today, he is talking about other outside money…that's Washington double speak."

McCain said he planned on keeping his promise. "I think the American people would expect him to hold to that commitment, especially if you want to bring about change," he said, admitting that he would have to reevaluate his commitment to public funds if Obama chose not to accept public financing.

McCain brought up the issue last week, after speculation that Obama might be looking at another course for financing the general election. Today, McCain said his camp still hasn't spoken directly with Obama's campaign. "There's nothing to talk about. What's there to talk about? We both made a commitment to take public financing. There's nothing to talk about. We either keep our word or we don't keep our word," he explained.

The presumptive GOP nominee was also asked about his speech last night and its focus on Obama. "I try to be even handed in my responses," he said. "I especially think that in some cases that rhetoric has to be substantiated by specific recommendations and I think that Senator Obama not been specific in his recipe as to how we address these challenges."

McCain also alluded to Obama's inexperience on national security today, clarifying his remarks from last night when he said, "Will we risk the confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate who once suggested invading our ally, Pakistan?"

"My statement that I made at my speech was that he suggested bombing Pakistan without their permission," McCain said. "The best idea is to not broadcast what you are going to do. That's naïve… it's just fundamentals of the conduct of national security policy."