HONEST ABE
Obama Snubs The State of the Black Union In New Orleans here thousands suffered during Katrina: Is it about winning or being there for your fellow Americans.
http://rightvoices.com/2008/02/23/obama-snubs-the-state-of-the-black-union/
Your Words " his words- PLAGIARISM: be honest (check out the words)
http://www.youtube.com/user/wtmv
Obama reneges on his word to use public funding
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080215/ap_on_el_pr/mccain
People in glass houses: was it poor judgment? You be the judge: Obama wrote letters for Rezko a friend , who was indicted last fall on federal charges
http://mediamatters.org/items/200706140007
Obama"s Iraq Platoon Story Spin at the Austin Tx debate:
http://southernledger.com/ap/98571/Fact_Check_Obamas_Iraq_Platoon_Story
To Those Who Question Obama's "Legislative Accomplishments"
When MSNBC's Chris Matthews lit into Barack Obama supporter (and Texas State Senator) Kirk Watson during Tuesday night's election coverage for not being able to list Obama's "legislative accomplishments," you would have inferred from his ferocity that Matthews was on the verge of cracking a major story.
While Matthews stopped short of waterboarding Watson to get a response, he kept at him no less than eight to ten times over the next few minutes, sneering "You have to give me his accomplishments. You've supported him for president, you're on national television -- name his legislative accomplishments."
Clearly without experience in appearing with Matthews and obviously without sufficient background on the recent dynamics in the United States Senate, Watson did indeed look more nervous than Mike Huckabee at a Planned Parenthood rally and failed to respond both in answering the question and, on behalf of the Obama campaign, shutting down the very premise.
No doubt, Watson -- and anyone acting as an Obama campaign surrogate -- should be able to rapidly list the important issues that the Illinois Senator has championed. This includes the Lugar-Obama legislation that has helped decrease the threat of old nuclear, biological, and chemical weapon in the former Soviet Union and the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 which Obama co-authored and that led to USAspending.gov, which keeps Americans better informed on government spending.
Obama has also been very active in legislation to end the Iraq war and the much-heralded Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act, which passed in July of 2007 and addressed the hideous treatment received by Veterans under the Bush administration, began its legislative life as the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act, introduced by Obama earlier in the year.
But here's the thing that any person going on television to represent Obama should repeat without end -- and that should also be a part of the Obama campaign's standard playbook: No Democrat, including Senator Hillary Clinton has been able to do one hell of a lot that meets the accomplishment benchmark of "passed legislation" in a time of unending, record-setting Republican obstructionism.
Obama has been in the Senate for three years, two of which were spent with a Republican majority that would not even let legislation sponsored by Democrats reach the floor for a vote and, on the few occasions where Bill Frist granted such a luxury, Republicans shot down most Democratic initiatives with extreme prejudice.
In the current (110th) Congress, the Republican minority has blocked everything but the Senate chaplain's morning prayer and is on pace by a wide margin to filibuster more legislation than any Senate in U.S. history.
And there's the answer that the Texas state senator should have given on Tuesday night in response to Matthews' badgering. He should have been able to list just a few of Obama's legislative efforts but, far more importantly, he should have been in tune enough with the national legislative scene to say "Chris, have you been watching the U.S. Senate the last few years?"
He could then have gone on to discuss how Republicans have had a significant Senate majority for most of this young century and, during the brief periods Democrats have held a razor-thin edge, the GOP has made damn sure that the Democratic side of the aisle has no "legislative accomplishments" to hang their hats on in election years.
As for the Obama campaign, I support your guy and I'll give you this statement for free as you will certainly need it when Republicans begin lobbing charges of zero legislative accomplishments that will make Matthews look like an Obama groupie.
"Senator Obama knows that the American people are smart enough to see that the Republican party has become committed to doing nothing but blocking legislation that would help the American people and restore our nation to a place of esteem in the world. And they'll further reject Republican claims that any Senator has not passed enough legislation when the GOP has made it their life's work to see that no legislation is allowed to pass.
"More than anything, this demonstrates why a new kind of politics is necessary in Washington and why the American people are ready to turn the page and see all of us begin to accomplish more."
Lather, rinse and repeat.
Oh, and you may want to give a copy of this to your campaign's supporters before they appear on national television.
You can read more from Bob at The Agonist.
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And Obama wants to hold hands with these same rethugs.
Oh, and what about NAFTA Expansion (since HuffBO is not reporting it)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/breaking-obama-says-he-w_b_67780.html
No legislation at all would be preferable to what the Republican-controlled Senate has passed since coming to power in 1994. And while the Republicans lost control of the Senate in 2006, the Democrats hold the narrowest of majorities. Therefore, I think it is totally unreasonable to expect Barack Obama or any other Senate Democrat to have a long list of what Chris Matthews calls "accomplishments". In a broader sense, Democrats accomplished a lot just by PREVENTING the Republicans from doing as much damage as they would otherwise have done. Thanks to Republican "accomplishments", we have the conquest of Iraq, the ruination of New Orleans, the mortgage mess, the recession, and waterboarding. We don't need any more "accomplishments" like that. At least Obama voted against the conquest of Iraq. It's a case where quality is more important than quantity.
Apparently due to a glitch on the site, my post was accidentally deleted.
Here it is again, in full.
"Oh, so Obama was no more incompetent than the rest of Democrats in Congress. Fabulous. How inspiring.
Need I remind you that the Dems in Congress campaigned on ending the war in Iraq, were given power, had countless opportunities to end it, and balked? Need I remind you that the Dems in Congress have roughly an 18% approval rating?
If I were an Obamaphile I wouldn't be tying Obama back to the competence of Congressional Dems under ANY circumstances, but whatever floats your boat."
Still smarting from the slapdown Mittsy took?
Duh. Did you not read the article? What part of Republican filibustering did you not understand? The Dems weren't given the power in Congress. They still don't have the 60 votes necessary to override. Obama's coattails will hopefully bring enough in to finally get a working majority.
Legislative accomplishments of Clinton vs. Obama:
In five years as the most influential Democrat in the Senate, Hillary has managed to get the following 20 (twenty) laws and resolutions enacted:
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson
6. Name post office after John A. O'Shea
7. Designate August 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death
10. Congratulate the Syracuse University Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty.
Only five of Clinton's bills are, according to Morris, "substantive":
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11.
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the Wilderness Preservation System
Concludes Morris and McGann: "In the face of Hillary Clinton's reputation as an effective U.S. senator, this record of paltry accomplishment is sobering. As much as Alexander Hamilton, Harriet Tubman, and the American Revolution deserve our recognition, one thinks the voters of New York may have expected more of their junior senator."
The list of Obama"s legislative accomplishments is too substantive to post.
During the first 8 (eight) years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 (eight hundred twenty) bills. He introduced 233 (two hundred thirty-three) regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
His *first year* in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 (one hundred fifty-two) bills and co-sponsored another 427 (four hundred twenty-seven).
These included:
1. **The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law,
2. **The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law,
3. **The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act - passed the Senate,
4. **The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law,
5. **The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill - in committee,
6. and many more.
In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 (eight hundred ninety) bills and co-sponsored another 1096 (one thousand ninety-six).
An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made public.
He's not just a talker.
He's a doer.
Respectfully, I would like to write a summary of senator Obama's goals.
AS a first step, by the ability to move the masses, inspire and huge voter turnout get a majority of Democrats elected to senate breaking the bind the democrats are in.
Giving Tax breaks to companies who create jobs in America.
Increasing teachers pay so it attracts more intelligent worthy individuals.
Expand the congressional health care plan to all and creating a big enough pool to make it possible for all people to buy those with no exclusion for preexisting conditions, and making healthcare portable.
Make health care, portable. So we are not tied to our jobs enabling us to realize our potential in a true capitalistic way.
Try to negotiate with world instead of trying to bully the world and hence making even the Europeans call us the biggest threat to world peace.
Provide consensus building leadership, so that the Russians, Chinese and Indians do not feel compelled to form an alliance to protect the rest of the world from American tyranny.
Try to make college more affordable.
Inspire us to serve our country and rise above our selfish no fulfilling motives of making money.
Try to decrease the influence of Lobbyist (idealistic goal and probably unattainable as Senator Obama explains in his book with brutal honesty).
Try to bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans by emphasizing our common themes rather than dwelling on the differences.
Try to keep Medicare and social security solvent unlike the republicans who want to eliminate them ( under the slogans of privatization, budget busting, and have deliberately got us there by busting the budget, warmongering, overspending on defense so people would have no choice but to voluntarily accept the cuts )
Try to prevent the country from becoming the slaves of faceless corporations, serving ever more powerful billionaires.
Try to bring together and start a dialogue between the religious and secular elements of society ( not by giving in and start praying more but by conveying that it was the Baptists on whose insistence the separation of Church and State was added in the constitution )
Redefine Liberalism as a noble desire to work towards a common ideal of taking care of each other as demonstrated by social security, police service, fire departments, Medicare, unemployment insurance, retraining programs, and adding means to make college more affordable, working towards eliminating homelessness ( not a minority only issue anymore but middle class issue now that millions loose homes, veterans with PTSD and brain injuries homeless ), reinstating a new GI bill, funding the VA hospitals better . To the cynics I say YES WE CAN just like we will be able to afford another 100 years of war if McCain in elected.
If Senator Clinton cannot inspire, cannot get a sweeping republican rout, cannot win but in populous union dominated states, how will she accomplish any of her goals? How will she begin the world together by continuing the Bush foreign policy of not talking to foes?
I suggest you call Seth Swirsky - good lord Huffpo 2 blogs with 2 completely opposing set of facts on the same day. How extraordinarily democratic of you.
Why does Obama lie?
http://www.politicalgateway.com/main/columns/read.html?col=747
And why does the MSM not investigate?
Interesting article.
Thanks for the link.
OMG Nic...what a lame reference. I wouldn't investigate it either.
Obama supporters reading this: please give me one concrete example of leadership he has shown SINCE Congress took over the Senate in 2006 on any of the following issues:
Censure of bush (Feingold's motion)
Impeachment of bush
Getting us out of Iraq - voting to get troops out, voting against funding
Protecting the Constitution and restoring the constitutional rights that have been eroded.
No fair responding with "What has Clinton done?" I don't support her and don't believe that she has taken any leadership either.
Anyone? Anyone?
Obama has shown profound leadership in the Senate.
In a time when the Congress is still bitterly divided along party lines, Obama has bridged the partisan divide by sponsoring legislation that is cosponsored by Democrats, Independents and Republicans, alike.
Do your homework, take a look at Obama's legislative record and compare it with Clinton's.
http://thomas.loc.gov/
If you require play-by-play analysis:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/20/201332/807/36/458633
Obama practices what he preaches on the stump. He says he can bring together Democrats, Independents and Republicans. Well, his legislative record shows just that.
This is the concrete leadership America needs right now. Obama has shown that he can and will provide it.
Okay, I followed your links. Neither address the issues I listed. Here is a question: Was the number of bills proposed/co-sponsored by Obama significantly more or less than your typical Senator? How does he rank overall in legislation co-sponsored?
And, again, how has he stood up for the Constitution?
You did not address my question. I asked about specific issues. I know he has co-sponsored legislation. I want to know what he has done about these specific issues. I want to support the person who has shown that he or she will stand up for the Constitution. How has he done that?
What has Clinton done? The world is not fair.
Think of Obama sponsored lobby reform legislation as an effort to break the neo-con lock on Congress.
Think of the Obama sponsored nuclear non-proliferation initiative as preventing the next war.
Think of Clinton voting to give Bush the prerogative to attck Iran. To be fair though, Obama abstained.
The DNC is responsible for letting the war continue, a political gambit to let the R's dig themselves deeper. Was it worth it?
You did not answer my question.
The DNC is not responsible, you dim bulb. Harry Reid, Rahm Emanuel, Nancy Pelosi, and Steny Hoyer have to take a heaping helping of the blame. The rest goes to the Democratic Senators and Congresspersons, with a few outstanding exceptions.
The thing of it is that Obama will surround himself with excellent people...his cabinet perhaps:
- Biden for Sec of State
- Hagar for Sec Def
- HR Clinton for Sec Int
- Richardson for UN Sec
- Gen Clark for Sec of Homeland Security
- Warren Buffet for Sec Treasury
and so on....you know, real people who are smart, thoughtful and effective
They said the same thing about bushie in 2000. "Excellent" can be defined in different ways. That is NOT a reason to elect someone. Hillary would also surround herself with "excellent" people.
Agreed. This is what scares me the most. I am sure Senator Obama does not intend to be ineffective but his lack of experience heightens his dependence on advisors. This is not a good recipe for success.
Excellent journalism! Thank you for raising the standard of the public discourse in America.
His tenure in Illinois was nondescript as well. Face it. He's not done a lot except learn how to talk pretty.
There is nothing wrong with "talking pretty." More than we can say about the current president. It's actually an asset to be able to inspire other with words. Words bring change and Obama has shown that he delivers.
Blah blah blah is not delivering.
You sound like a 'fact checker' for rush limbaugh. Never let the facts or actual history stop your stupid argument!
exactly... He became state senator, then started running for US senator a feww weeks later and then started running for president a few months after that ... And remember if the Illinois repubs were not so pathetic and made Peter Fitzgerald decide not to run again Barack may still be in the Illinois senate
LOL...Ann, my dear, you are hilarious. You still have not done the research that I have asked of you. Please print out a list of Obama's SUBSTANTIVE legislative accomplishments while in the U.S. senate and print one out of Hillary's. You will see that Obama's takes up a full page, while Hillary's may take up a post-it note. Now don't go including her legislation to rename post offices, etc. I'm talking about bills that help out regular U.S. citizens. Do it ANN. Go now. It's for the sake of your mental health.
Actually, he has: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/20/201332/807/36/458633
AnninCA is a well known Obama basher. Not worth the effort.
THANK YOU! This is the hard information and the type of story that I have been looking for every since our former mayor (of Austin) stepped into that Matthew's pile!
I sooo appreciate this kind of information - Sir, you are a Real Journalist, a rare breed in today hyperfluff world!
Posted February 22, 2008 | 11:02 AM (EST)