Obama Denies Filling Out Questionnaire That Bears His Handwriting

ABC News:

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., maintained at Wednesday's ABC News debate in Philadelphia that his handwriting does not appear on a 1996 questionnaire stating support for a ban on the manufacture, sale, and possession of handguns. The Democratic presidential frontrunner made this claim even though a copy of the original document suggests otherwise.

"No, my writing wasn't on that particular questionnaire, Charlie. As I said, I have never favored an all-out ban on handguns," said Obama.

Read the whole story: ABC News

Comments

[init]

Obama don't worry about silly sh.t. Crazy people do not need guns. They might shoot someone in the face. Bring out the paperwork that destroyed the American Unions and job markets. See whose signatures are on that! I bet those signatures are some of the wealthiest people in this country! Sane people do not vote against their own interest.

[Tumult]

From what I have read on this, he did not have staff in that campaign that was not part of the group that issued the questionnaire. The group was already working for the campaign, had not formally endorsed him, and had yet to have him complete or turn in the questionnaire. Additionally there are several versions of the questionnare. The questions people have a problem with are typed, and straight yes or no answers, that were exactly what the group was looking for, Only one of multiple submitions has his handwritting on it. And one person said since we were already working for his campaign he probably did not take it seriously. This sounds like some of the bitching surrounding the Coaches poll in College football. And as such is really hard to take seriously. You really have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to come up with these attacks on Obama.

[jrterrier]

is that his writing on the document or not? if it is, then why aren't you all playing this up just like you did the bosnia story?

[tempusbinder]

I'm amazed that no investigative journalist has looked into authenticating this document.

It appears from the time, date and page stamps on the first three pages that they were faxed together in 1996. However the following pages, with the disputed answers, do not bear any such stamps. If the following pages were not part of the original fax, on what basis are they being grouped with it now?

The lack of fax stamping on the subsequent pages actually sets up a presumption that they are not part of the same document as the page with the handwriting, but are parts of two separate documents. The valid question then is why were there two documents? Not as scandalous a question as that based on the suggesting his handwriting is "on the document" with the typewritten position responses.

Can we get some grown up journalism here?!?

[seejake]

this is like Rezko. Old news, and complete bullshit. Nothing but innuendo and weak attempts at trying to forge a narrative. Speaking of forgeries, where's the evidence??? All we're doing is relying on the words of a few unknown hacks. Furthermore, this from ABC News, which - after the debates last night - has absolutely zero credibility.

[Spontini]

Ummmm.... the evidence is contained in a link in the underlying news piece if you woud bother to look. It shows his handwriting on the questionnaire. That's not innuendo. How exactly do you write on a document that you say you never saw?

[tempusbinder]

Yes -- people should look at the evidence themselves:

http://www.politico.com/static/PPM43_080328_obama_iviquestionaire_091096.html

There may be a question to raise about how and why two documents were sent out, but the evidence does support that the page with his handwriting and the pages with the position responses were from two separate documents.

[rrafiringa]

So are you certain that is Obama's handwriting?

[meanguy]

"i did not have responses to that questionnaire"

[DavidJohnston]

I think Saint Obama's disingenuous responses and lack of accountability for Rezko, Wright, his bitter comment, his healthcare position, his NAFTA position, and on and on and on, suggests that there is little reason to doubt the authenticity of these documents.

[Dailyfare]

Unless I missed something, the question on that particular questionnaire (at least the pages I've seen) was about state legislation on handguns, not federal. The question on a federal handgun ban was not asked.

[Researchguy66]

The photo suggests he was sleep-talking at that point. So, if it turns out that he did actually change the form to indicate his complete opposition, he was only lying because he was asleep.

[markkraft]

This is old news redredged.

The only really newsworthy thing that occurred in last night's debate was that Hillary Clinton claimed that Iran was actively seeking nuclear material for a weapons program which a recent national intelligence estimate says was cancelled *SIX YEARS AGO*.

Remember when Bush and Cheney said the same thing the day after that national intelligence estimate came out... and they were called for it?!

Well, apparently, Hillary, Bush, and Cheney think alike... intelligence be damned!

[Researchguy66]

It's old news...and yet it keeps coming back up...why won't people learn to disregard what they shouldn't bother with.

[MJD615]

Many people don't really know too much about Obama, so they pay attention to everything about him. You can't make an informed decision by just following the crowd.

[rvme]

I only just heard about it a week ago. Can you imagine what the voting public who don't know about the story will think when the see the Willie "horton" Ayers ads?

[rvme]

I think the news is that Obama now says he didn't scribble on it.

[markkraft]

Old news... Pls. disregard.

It was already established during his first campaign that someone else -- incorrectly -- filled out the paperwork that led to his policy stance being misrepresented. The only writing from Obama on the form were in the form of a few notes, regarding some of the issues.

[jrterrier]

no, that's the point. that's what he said during his earlier campaign. but now a separate document surfaced that shows (according to some) that his handwriting is on the document. he needs to say whether is or is not his handwriting.

[theDrip]

This is just some lame sophomoric fear mongering . The corporate ruling elite and their media boys are targeting their enemy. Barrack will do extreme harm to their fascist state and their government guaranteed revenue.

Now when Mickey Mouse wants to attack my candidate by creating an atmosphere of false patriotism and false superiority while using the public broadcast spectrum, I say that is enough. This country is heading towards open conflict within our own borders. ABC and their employees need to heed notice that their anti-American style of journalism holds consequences both economic and personal. I suggest they grab themselves by their crotches and prepare for a blowback of historic proportions. Much like the leadership in China.

I am not bitter. I am not anger. The real corporate elites in this nation have lost their licensed privilege to continue broadcasting rightwing, fascist agendas. If you advertise on ABC, FOX or Clear Channel, you should prepare for serious economic consequences. Progressives should start to immediately identify these businesses and launch an economic boycott. The only way to save our troops is the immediate withdrawal of our monies from their coffers.

[Researchguy66]

Wow, that would be pretty awesome if you could not buy anything from any company with any advertising on ABC, FOX or Clear Channel. I'd applaud the effort.

[HatingTheGame]

Wait its a forgery! Dan Rather did this, just to get to Obaba. Call CBS, fire Rather, threaten them, take away their license, put them in jail, smear smear smear ...!! What, oh, that's been done? Never mind...

Man, the Dems need a spin meister master Dr. Evil like Rove. Just like he faked the forgery, and confused the issue enough for George Bush going AWOL in the National Guard, Obaba needs someone like that.

Frankly its sick how Amerikka has to cowtow to gun toting, trigger happy, red neck to get elected. And we call ourselves civilized.

[Researchguy66]

Very true...it's disgusting how rednecks from Podunk jump in the pickup truck and drive into our safe inner-city neighborhoods and spray bullets in every direction. They definitely should have no rights to guns if they're going to behave this way.

[08timefortruth]

In your own ignorant way you made a point....rednecks may not be the ones spraying bullets in the inner-city but they also are not the only ones with guns.

[rrafiringa]

Those rednecks are nevertheless American citizens, please refrain from name calling. YOu're better than that.

[Ramirez]

"Frankly its sick how Amerikka has to cowtow to gun toting, trigger happy, red neck to get elected."


Right, Mr Obama Guy. And "religious," too. You left that out.

[chasgoose]

How can he even justify this? At least Clinton's Bosnia story didn't have any policy implications. Yes it was a misrepresentation of her viability to be President and its a disturbing example of her willingness to lie, but it didn't contradict her policy statements.

The problem with the Barack questionnaire (and what makes it relevant, especially if Bosniagate is relevant) is that the questionnaire contradicts his stated gun policies and makes it seem as though he is willing to pander and lie to say whatever he needs to get elected. How are we supposed to believe any of his policy proposals if there is physical evidence of him publicly saying one thing on an issue and privately saying another?

This isn't the first time he has glibly brushed off something controversial with an obvious lie to deflect attention from his mistakes. I mean his initial response to Rev. Wright, was patently untrue, but since the admittedly-brilliant race speech, no one has seemed to address that. Everytime he does this he is just feeding Republicans with ammo to paint him as a flip-flopper. NOT GOOD.

[NappyRoots100]

He did not fill the questionaire out supposedly his campaign manager did. What we need to do is find this person and ask them what happened with this...His handwriting is not on the entire document. Just a few lines at the bottom of one page...Did he read it? Have no idea, but I know he should have. I think he stated clearly last night that the 2nd amendment has an inherent individual right to bear arms. He studies the constitution. He knows that banning all guns would be unconstitutional and never past muster.

[mikegoodyearaz85338]

The ACLU would disagree with you and they are full of constitutional scholars. I say lets analyse the handwritng and see if he is telling the truth.

[gonavy]

This is what someone looks like when the water is rising above their head. He has lost control of the message.

[ibsteve2u]

The problem with data coming from politico.com is that whenever I go to their website and view their main page their headlines make it patently obvious to me that either Clinton or McCain is acceptable to them.

That ability to lump those two people into the same generally positive category tells me that Politico is managed and staffed by people who are eager to see the status quo that is destroying America continue.

[Ramirez]

Yes. A Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, it is.

[hopelessobama]

just another lie from barack, get used to em

[trubski]

My god, these 'issues' are tiresome and juvenile. We have changed a great show of American Democracy into a snarling spitting contest appropriate to a middle school playground.

4000 soldiers have died in Iraq. Crude oil is selling at $114 a barrel. Tens of thousands of people are losing their homes.

And we argue about lapel pins, whether or not someone can accurately remember a scribbled note written 11 years ago, or if we have sufficiently denounced every acquaintance who might once have said or done something not everyone agrees with.

Pathetic.