Obama wavers on opening fund-raising events to media

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has made transparency in government one of the regular themes of his presidential campaign, but his commitment to openness has come under scrutiny following press attempts to gain access to his private fund-raising events, Politico reports.

Following his win in Iowa, a select group of reporters were invited to attend several fund-risers and give an account of the events to the rest of the traveling press corps.

"But there was fine print: Obama would disclose fundraisers and allow media coverage for those held at public venues, such as hotels, but not for those at private homes."

The campaign defended its decision, arguing that the Illinois senator has gone further than any other candidate for the presidency.

“All candidates should be held to the same standard of transparency,” the campaign said in a statement Thursday.