Just Words? Obama Speeches "Discuss Policy As Much As Opponents"

Chicago Tribune:

As Barack Obama's town hall meeting stretched into its second hour, it was clear the candidate wasn't anywhere close to finishing. Obama had given an eight-minute answer to a question on health care, after which a few dozen people began leaving the outdoor plaza....

...In fact, read side-by-side with the other candidates' current stump speeches, the Obama script makes at least as many references to policy proposals as do theirs.

Read the whole story: Chicago Tribune

Comments

[research]

I will vote for HRC or Obama.

Will you?

Or are you really a rethug?

[Susan1968]

OBAMA NOT TELLING TRUTH ABOUT
HIS WORK AS AN ACTIVIST.

According to a woman who actually worked with him during his activist years:

"I like him, he is a nice, young intelligent man, but some of the things he said are not true," said Johnson.

"I was organizing, doing that work before Obama even came to the Gardens."

Obama's best-selling memoir, "Dreams From My Father," devotes more than 100 pages to his experiences at Altgeld and nearby neighborhoods, but he filled the book with pseudonyms and vividly re-created scenes.

But Johnson, who said she worked on the asbestos issue at the same time as Obama, said she doesn't know of any other work that Obama did at Altgeld Gardens aside from helping on asbestos.

Even his backers say Obama's achievements were modest ...

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/22/a_defining_time_of_advocacy/?page=2

[research]

To all those sincere Dem out there: Neither candidate that the corporatist MSM allowed to debate is perfect. Both must seem reasonably corporatist, both must seem likely to continue the war, or the corporations won't let them play. Both must play politics. As every election I have ever experienced, we end up voting for the perceived lesser of two evils.

I WILL VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRATS PICK.

Beware the provocateurs, both covert rethug and deranged dem. You can tell, because they threaten to vote for Brain Dead McCain or Neverland Nader.

[vsign]

Actions really do speak louder than words. I don't feel secure with a politician with only words.

The Europeans, after the German experience, don't like religiosity and don't like self indulgence. That is what they don't like about Americans, in general. Well, now it is also because of the Iraq War but I bet they would say the war grew out of these two things - too much religion and self indulgence in politics.

They make fun of their politicians - and give them power without allegience and certainly without religious fervor.

I think they will soon see Obama as much too religious and self indulgent and therefore will be able to change nothing.

They will see him as more dangerous than Bush.

Obama will be more dangerous because he is not only a false prophet, but unpatriotic and girlish!

[Jacee]

Medication hasn't kicked in yet today?

[richardsgirl]

vsign: You seem to be projecting how YOU see Senator Obama onto how others, specifically Europeans, will see him. Why would they see him as "much too religious?" Senator Obama acknowledges his faith, but he doesn't talk about it any more than any of the other candidates. And what has he said or done to suggest that he is unpatriotic. Is it because he doesn't wear the flag pin on his lapel, which is little more than a symbol that represents the hypocrisy of those who do wear it, particularly the Republicans, who want to look like patriots as they speak of war and destruction? Or because he doesn't place his hand over his heart during the singing of the National Anthem, which is something few people do, and what I myself have never done. By what measurement do you, or would anyone else, judge him as a "false prophet?" And what exactly is "girlish" about him? Senator Obama can be viewed as you describe him only if others look at him through your eyes.

[cfrbob]

Obviously the media won't bring this up so I have to. Is anyone on these boards aware that Obama voted for the Patriot Act? That's warrant-less wiretaps and searches for any American, indefinite imprisonment without a court hearing, rendition to foreign countries that support torture for any American without trial and much more. Many innocent Americans have already fallen victim to these tactics. That's not the kind of change I can believe in. Obama is more like the lesser of evils, than a savior of American government.

[research]

RayGun was incredibly popular for his content-less speeches, even with dems. Lots of Americans couldn't care less about policy details, and will vote based on Charm. Much as I would have preferred Kerry and Gore these last few years, they truly lacked charisma and charm, yet that's all Bush had going for him(if you like that sadistic frat boy thing). Hillary's DLC.ORG cynicism and mocking of Obama's charisma shows an ongoing flaw in the Democratic Establishments thinking: don't run boring wooden candidates, or in this case, crying, whining, mocking, cynical candidates. Bill was charming. Hillary is not.

[snowcat]

Shame on you, Hillary Clinton! You have no right to talk" tactics":

http://drudgereport.com/flashoa.htm

[Jazz42]

You Senator Hllary Clinton and her supporters are getting desprate. How Pathetic.

[Kreskytim]

"But lately, at least, Obama's stump speech has been heavy with them."

Yeah...lat­ely because he's been pushed into it.

Another msileading headline.

[iPolitics]

If you are reading a political blog like HuffPost including commenting it's pretty sad if you don't know where all the candidates stand on the issues. To say that any of the candidates are just words is irresponsible. They all have histories and clear positions. I hope these are voters who say they don't know where Obama stands. He stands on the right side of most issues by the way.

[HumeSkeptic]

Hillary supporters claim that she is for "solutions", and Obama is about slogans.

OK, let's examine that claim.

Regarding solutions, war is a huge problem, and she helped create that problem. She is part of that problem. She has no credibility on the issue to be offering any solutions.

On other issues, Obama has offered just as detailed plans as Hillary. For example, healthcare. One can debate the merits of Obama's plans against Hillary's, sure, but he is not lacking in detail.

Besides, detailed plans on each issue are quite meaningless at this point. Implementation of any plan would depend largely on what Congress they end up working with. What is important is to set goals and general guidelines. And Obama has done a better job in that than Hillary.

As for experience, sure, Hillary has spent many more years in politics than Obama. But that in itself doesn't qualify her more for President. What's important is accomplishments. And neither Obama nor Hillary have any spectacular accomplishments. And neither does McBomb, other than getting shot down a few times, crashing a few airplanes, and getting captured in Vietnam. So, the accomplishment thing is a wash.

On most issues, Hillary and Obama are not very different. On the issue of war, Obama is the only one who made the right call before the war started. And he did it when it was not popular to do so. To me, that distinguishes him from the other two.

Sure, one can question why he has supported funding the war, but there is no question about Hillary. He has consistently sided with the NeoCons. Consistently.

No matter how you look at it, Obama is the best choice in this election.

And since I said this, I'm ready to be called an Obama cultist, because, as all can see, I paid no attention to issues, only to slogans.

[Jazz42]

I will not call you a cultist.
You speak truth.
I agree with your post 100%
(HumeSkephtic)

[Susan1968]

Yes, he talks about issues then misses important votes in those issues.

:Sen. Barack Obama has missed the most votes of any Democratic presidential hopeful in the Senate over the last two months, including a vote on an Iran resolution he has blasted Sen. Hillary Clinton for supporting.

The Illinois Democrat has missed nearly 80 percent of all votes since September 2007. ...

Obama has also missed votes on a Democratic priority, the expansion of the federally funded State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) as well as a vote on a resolution that condemned MoveOn.org for running an ad in the New York Times attacking the top general in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/02/obama.missed.votes/index.html

[IkeChicago]

You have a nose for the trivial, keep digging Susan, there may still be oil in that dry hole.

[HumeSkeptic]

as well as a vote on a resolution that condemned MoveOn.org for running an ad in the New York Times attacking the top general in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus."
-----------
I wish he had voted against that one. That was the supidest resolution I have seen in years.

[NYC07]

Well let's be fair Here are Hillary's missed votes:

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/c001041/votes/missed/

[NYC07]

Here's some recent highlights. Hey some of them look important.

2/12/08 Vote 18: S 2248: Feinstein Amdt. No. 3919; To provide for the review of certifications by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Not Voting

2/12/08 Vote 17: S 2248: Specter Amdt. No. 3927; To provide for the substitution of the United States in certain civil actions. Not Voting

2/12/08 Vote 16: S 2248: Feingold Amdt. No. 3912; To modify the requirements for certifications made prior to the initiation of certain acquisitions. Not Voting

2/12/08 Vote 15: S 2248: Dodd Amdt. No. 3907; To strike the provisions providing immunity from civil liability to electronic communication service providers for certain assistance provided to the Government. Not Voting

2/12/08 Vote 14: S 2248: Feingold Amdt. No. 3979; To provide safeguards for communications involving persons inside the United States. Not Voting

2/12/08 Vote 13: S 2248: Feinstein Amdt. No. 3910; To provide a statement of the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance and interception of certain communications may be conducted. Not Voting

2/12/08 Vote 20: S 2248: S.2248 as Amended; FISA Amendments Act of 2007 Not Voting

2/7/08 Vote 12: S 2248: Feingold Amdt. No. 3913; To prohibit reverse targeting and protect the rights of Americans who are communicating with people abroad. Not Voting

2/7/08 Vote 11: S 2248: Feingold Amdt. No. 3915 ; To place flexible limits on the use of information obtained using unlawful procedures. Not Voting

2/7/08 Vote 10: H R 5140: H.R. 5140 As Amended; Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 Not Voting

2/7/08 Vote 9: H R 5140: Reid Amdt. No. 4010; To revise the eligibility criteria for the 2008 recovery rebates for individuals. Not Voting

2/5/08 Vote 6: On the Motion: Motion to Instruct Sgt. At Arms; Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 Not Voting

2/4/08 Vote 5: On the Cloture Motion: Motion To Invoke Cloture On The Motion To Proceed To Consider H.R. 5140; Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 Not Voting

[Tellmethetruth]

We are having this conversation about whether Obama has any substantive discussion of issues in his speeches - because Obama doesn't. Some Obama supporter is trying to be a statistican and hunt down all speeches from all other candidates and compare them to obama's and lo and behold, Obama is no different - just hot air like the rest of them. This is the defense, he is just as shallow as the rest of the field. This seems to be the point of the headline - Obama is just hot air like all the rest of the politicans.

Ralph Nader is the reason for this headline - he pointed out that since everyone is mesmorized by Obama's speeches, they have stopped noticing nothing of importance is every said about topics that are important, like Iraq, Palestine, the national debt, energy, corporate reform, etc. etc.

It's good Nader is in the race if he can get Obama to discuss issues of merit.

[nihilon x]

Obama does speak about those issues frequently. He speaks out on Iraq, he speaks out on health care, he speaks out on NAFTA and the economy, he even speaks out on the issue of Osama Bin Laden, something most other politicians won't even touch.

Everything you need to see and know about his stands on all of those issues is right here:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

You can say all day that Obama doesn't address these issues, but your saying so doesn't make it true.

[IkeChicago]

Any intelligent person that wants more substance, policy as it were could go to the candidates website and examine their position papers, there you will get all the policy you seek. Change a winning strategy because your opponent feel left out would be the height of idiocy.

[PhyloSeFiser]

I chuckle every time I see a post like this. Try picking up his book The Audacity of Hope. You don't get concrete policy specifics, but you get plenty of information about how he thinks about policy and how he comes to the decisions he comes to. And frankly, if you're looking for more than that, you're a fool. No one running for president is ever going to give concrete specifics because it give your opponents way too much ammunition.

The qualities to look for in a president are more on the order of his/her: judgement, temperament, integrity and persuasive abilities.

The more you learn about Barack Obama, the more you learn that this guy has an abundance of each of these qualities.

And Nader is a joke.

Phylo out.

[GhostOfSchlesinger]

It's time. This "battle" has become a puppet show. All parties know it. There is naught left but the destruction of our party - for, there lies the only path to the nomination of an unelected candidate.

Many blessings, but we must cease this game, however much the networks pray for the continuation of this hollow prattle from a defeated opponent:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/24/AR2008022401666.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Please, and for the sake of our party, step aside.

[sunyai]

To all you Obama haters,

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/20/201332/807/36/458633

To those who would vote for Nader over Obama,

Are you willing to gamble with the future of this country and the planet, simply to stand up for a principle? My friends, this is a bad time to vote for principles over reality. If McCain is elected because you voted for Nader, only time will tell how many more of our soldiers will be killed overseas, or how many more wrongful wars need be fought in the name of democracy and freedom. Only time will tell how the planet will be effected by climate change...
DON'T VOTE FOR NADER!!! If you don't do it for yourself, do it for humanity, and the planet.

[Tellmethetruth]

What amazes me is that Obama supporters can be afraid of Nader.

Does this mean that Obama is such a weak candidate, even Nader could make a difference???

[enoughalready13]

Precisely - further support against OBAMAmaniacs

[Jazz42]

No one is affraid of Nader.
He is a has been. In 2004 he only got 500,000 votes. I doubt if he gets 200.000 in 2008. The only ones who take him serious, is the people who hate the thought of a African American man becoming President. Wake up America this is the 21th century.
(tellmethetruth)

[HumeSkeptic]

Nader has had eight years, at least, to show that he is sincere and serious about what he says. He could have at least tried to start a movement, a party or an organization to promote the causes that he claims to represent. Where is it? What has he done in the past eight years?

And why couldn’t he find an alternative, younger candidate?

Nader is like a guy on a street corner holding a protest sign. It is his right to do so, but it doesn’t make him deserving of Presidency of the United States.

And people who like the principles and goals that Nader claims to have are not compromising those principles and goals when they vote for Obama. They are only being realistic as to what progress can be achieved toward the eventual goal in this election cycle.

My office is twenty five miles from home and my goal is to drive their in a Mercedes Benz that I cannot afford. What should I do, refuse to go to work until I get that Benz, somehow? Or , should I settle for a less expensive car, go to work, Make and save money, and eventually get my Benz?

I have no problem with Nader running. But there is no way in hell he’s going to get my vote.

[Jazz42]

I agree with you.
Nader should got doing what he does best. That is being a consumer advocate, which he was very good at.

[richardsgirl]

I remember the last time Nader ran for President. Some of my younger colleagues decided to vote for him as a protest vote. After the dust settled, Bush won the election and many blamed Nader for being the spoiler and taking away votes from Al Gore. My colleagues, who had so proudly voted for Nader, could barely hold their heads up the next day, knowing that their vote was one of many that possibly gave the presidency to George Bush. It's hard to conceive that anyone who calls himself or herself a Democrat or a Progressive can risk this happening again by giving their vote to what can result in another Republican victory.

[CitizenK]

Yes, Mr. Obama, "Just Words"

"Let us not talk falsely now,
The hour is getting late"
-- Bob Dylan


Yes, Mr. Obama, your mouthing someone else's words mouthing some other folks' words makes them just words -- but twice over, in fact. And your evoking the lives of Jefferson, Roosevelt, and King to keep us from seeing that the reason you mouthed those words was to make us forget that when Hillary Clinton says the country needs solutions, not speeches, she is not saying that you don't make good speeches, but is saying that you lack the record of leadership that would give your words substance.

So yes, they are just the words of a political campaign speech by a possibly better-tha­n-your-ave­rage demagogue trying to get us to stop thinking about what we should be thinking about, what is our duty to be thinking about: Are you up to it? Do you deserve our trust? Can you govern a country?

Your words are like the ringing of Pavlov's bell. But like the dog in the experiment, after sniffing around for a moment, we realize why we came running and remember to ask, "Where's the beef?"

The American heroes with whom you want us to associate you in some twitch of thoughtless conditioned patriotism did not ring their bell of freedom, of hope, of equality to toy or play upon our hunger for the blessings these inalienable rights but hazarded their lives, their fortunes, and their honor. They not only talked the talk, but walked the walk.

This is why the words "All men are created equal" would also be nothing but words if Jefferson and 55 others had not been willing to put their names to the Declaration and risk hanging.

This is why "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" would mean nothing if Roosevelt had not been willing to undertake that which made him a "traitor to his class" and "that man in Washington­."

This is why "I have a dream" would mean nothing if Dr. King had not been willing to bear the ultimate sacrifice. It is why Dr. King, despite his uncontested rank as the greatest American orator of our lifetime, would care not a fig if all the copies of his speech on that August day in 1963 were to disappear tomorrow so long as his vision of a country where we are all judged not by the color of our skin but by the content of our character were a reality today.

And this is also why when Mr. Kennedy decked you out in hand-me-down finery for your induction into the halls of fabled Camelot, these too were only just words, words that cannot clothe your career with the accomplishments owed to the American people for the privilege of being called "Mr. President.­" Thankfully, in fairy tales, even children are said to be able to tell the difference between words and emperors who, paraded before them at noon, are seen to be as naked as when they got out of bed in the morning.

[ResidentChimp]

Excellent post. In addition, Obama's "just words" speech is comparable to two comedians using the same gag writer as he shares his speech writer with the Devel Patrick. The truth is that when Patrick made that speech they turned out to be "just words" as he has not accomplished any of his promises. Should we expect any more from Obama?

[LetgoofmyEggo]

I LOVE IT!!! It may not help her but I am so glad she did it because it is right on target. If the election comes down to Obama or McCain I will vote Nader. It is the only way I can vote against both of the others. Let the chips fall where they may. Id just as soon leave the country as have either one of them.