Disappointed Bloggers Redo ABC Debate And Obama Responds

MOMocrats-- punditry from a motherly perspective dedicated to putting a Democrat in the White House-- today unveiled their exclusive interview with Barack Obama on issues close to the hearts and minds of American families.

The 23 contributors to MOMocrats, including myself, an OffTheBus member, hail from across the U.S. and weigh in daily on the candidates and issues of election 2008. Most recently, following the ABC debate that angered bloggers and received poor reviews from the press, MOMocrats decided to draft a list of questions they wish had been asked of the candidates. They then sent these questions to the Obama campaign. Of the questions, Obama responded to 5, submitted by both readers and MOMocrats contributors and ranging from foreign policy to family leave.

First off, the senator was grilled on poverty and affordable housing and responded:

"I believe that inserting simplistic tag lines or one-dimensional goals are
unlikely to be helpful in meeting this challenge."

He elaborated further by describing his plan to tackle the problem of affordable housing with his Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

"The Affordable Housing Trust Fund would use a small percentage of the profits of two government-sponsored housing agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to create thousands of new units of affordable housing every year."

In addition, Obama wrote that he would

"ensure that all Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs are restored to their original purpose."

Obama was asked in another question, what he would do as President to address the mortgage crisis and crushing debt burden so many U.S. families now face. His response:

"Six months ago, I announced my plan to put a middle-class tax cut worth $500 per person or $1000 per family into the pockets of workers who deserve it. I also proposed eliminating income taxes for seniors making under $50,000 and creating a universal mortgage credit for homeowners who do not itemize, which will provide an average of $500 to 10 million homeowners.

"And because this kind of relief can't wait until the next President takes
office, I proposed a plan in January to provide an immediate tax cut of $250
for workers and their families and a temporary $250 bonus to seniors in
their Social Security checks. These tax cuts will help to stimulate the
economy by immediately putting money into the pockets of working Americans
who need it and will spend it. And if the economy continued to worsen, I
called for an additional $250 to workers and seniors to help them get by."

He further detailed a Foreclosure Prevention Fund, and a Credit Card Bill of Rights that would ban

"unilateral changes to credit card agreements, applies interest rates
increases only to future debts, and prohibits interest on transaction
fees."

Most significant of Obama's answers on domestic family issues was his response to expanding Family Leave for workers and supporting state paid leave programs.

"As a state legislator and a U.S. Senator, I have always supported family friendly policies. As president, I will initiate a 50 state strategy to encourage all of the states to adopt paid-leave systems, and I will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with start-up costs and to help states offset the costs for employees and employers."

You can read more of Obama's answers on raising the federal minimum wage, his view on torture, and Child Care and Dependent tax credits along with the full text of the interview here.

MOMocrats has also issued an open invitation to the Clinton campaign for their response to the questions.

Follow Christine Escobar on Twitter: www.twitter.com/greenparentchgo

Comments

[LibbyBuck]

After 8 horrendous Bush-Wants­-To-Contro­l-the-Enti­re-World politics, that includes having the ENTIRE media in his pocket, haven't we learned to see when a candidate is a victim of biased propaganda talking heads? Do we have to go through this grueling exercise everytime?

We must end the Bush/Clint­on/Bush/Cl­inton Dynasty and not get sucked into these crappy stupid divisive dirty tricks.

I used to like Hillary, but I'm sad to see her resort to such low ball behaviour. Puke!

[cubalibre]

OMG I can not believe you people think this guy has a
snow ball chance in hell to win the general election. He
hates whites he hates Jews and he hates this country.
Or he is really stupid. How can you sit for thirty years in
sermons, have a relationship so close to those sermons
that you actually write a book about one of them. Then
say that you are offended by the underlying beliefs of all
that is said and practiced by the person giving the sermons.
Come on,I knew those were Jeremiah Wright's beliefs three
month's ago. He's known the guy for thirty year's and it's just
now that he is offended. That is such a load of crap. The guy
went to Harvard he can't be that stupid. THe American people
are not going to buy this.

[going2ireland]

OMG! Are you really that much of an idiot? Do you have a brain of your own, or did you just grow up believing everything you heard/saw on TV? Did you watch the ENTIRE sermon???

Get a life, will ya?

[marykins123]

I'm not only an American, but a WHITE, 64 year old WOMAN and buy an Obama Presidency "hook, line, and sinker!". You know, I am that voter that is suppose to be supporting Clinton....but she has completely lost me about a month ago. Yes, I love a "fighter" in my White House, but I also want someone who will THINK before they put the boxing gloves and come out swinging. If allowed to "fight", Hillary will turn the woman's movement back on it's heels for a generation....we are ready for a woman, but we need the RIGHT woman and Clinton is all wrong.

[doc1400]

Would all readers of this post please go to the MOMocrats site and use the link at the bottom of the article to email Obama's answers to your email list.
Do something to eliminate the politics of personal destruction, gridlock, and fear.
Remember, it's your life, and your standard of living that is at stake. Thanks.

[shackelford]

If I were Obama I would not debate Hillary again.. The media is stacked against him. It's one thing to step into a den of snakes by accident; however, it is another if you step into it on purpose. That would
be nuts. I know all I want and need to know about Obama and I am voting for him. I also know a lot
about her. I've gotten a wealth of information about her on the internet and much of this record is
unknown to the majority of Americans.

[Lambasted]

Yawn. I am not impressed. "Grilled" is hardly the word for this so-called Debate Redo. It is not difficult for Obama to prepare a written response to questions he was able to pick through to answer. I want to see what he has to say to blind questions answered on the spot without the opportunity to have a team of advisers preparing his response. I must file this one in the "nothing to see here but hyperbole" circular file and move on about my day.

[doc1400]

You are a Monster surrogate. You will not kill the new politics of hope.

[MrKINOKO]

Why? Wait, I see...you want important, unscripted questions about lapel pins and who's American flagpole is bigger, right? I get it..."solutions". Also known as "politics as usual". A "written response" that makes much sense and has merit beats a $28 'waste gas all summer, kids !!' plan anyday. Grow up...and stop playing games with your childrens future because you "dislike" someone personally.

[tchristin]

Why would impromptu answers to complex problems be helpful or informative to anyone? Long before we had instant access to corporately sponsored televised debates, we managed to elect intelligent, thoughtful leaders who were not required to do this silly exercise.

Commercials telling us how white our shirts can be, interrupted by "blind questions answered on the spot without the opportunity to have a team of advisers .." is nothing but a sad joke on the American people. Every President elected has the opportunity and DO take advantage of advisors and writers. We don't need another like Bush who sounds stupid and thinks he is above the law and has been crowned king.

[philosopherkingtomas]

Where are Obama's friends?

Oprah?
Andrew Young?
Hollywood?
Rockers?

he needs you all NOW !

[lotuslike]

I agree with you, it would be great to have those that support him come on out and quelch this nonsense, although Senator Obama did an admirable job dealing with this throughout.

BTW...Andrew Young is no friend of Obama's. He made has made numerous disparaging remarks about him throughout the campaign.

[ripley8]

maybe they floated back down to earth and seen the truth ? a fad doesn't make for a president ? empty answers that change don't help either.

He's basically stated what Clinton has said about Iran , just in nicer words. no different however.


Obama said keeping Iran free of nuclear weapons would be one of his top priorities in the White House."I will take no options off the table when it comes to preventing them from using nuclear weapons or obtaining nuclear weapons," he said. "And that would include any threats directed at Israel, or any of our allies."

swallow hard. Obama has been riding Clintons coat tails for answers this whole year. mimicking her responces in alot of long winded ways as to sound his own.

[going2ireland]

I think Oprah knows that, even though she helped launch his campaign, to remain in the spotlight for Obama would only hurt him, as many, many people, such as myself, are sick to death of Oprah. Her supporting him actually turned my stomach - not at or against Obama, but that I would be supporting the very person she swooned over.

[philosopherkingtomas]

Arrianne exposed horrible "journalist" Charlie Gibson yesterday, good old Charlie exposed his republicrite PERSONAL philosophy, he is a joke!

[Opus007]

The main stream media personalities are grossly overpaid mouthpieces for the corporate agenda. They do no research., they are out there day after day - night after night- spewing the White House talking points. They are million dollar lapdogs- while the rest of us struggle to buy groceries and put gas in the car. Do you really think we really give a damn about the latest religious nutjob? IT IS SICKEINING. The only shot at change is Obama. There will be no chance with Hillary or McCain.

[OxyCon]

Obama said he would do no more debates (even though there were only 4 debates with Hillary) because he wanted to spend more time on the campaign trail speaking directly to the people, and not in the television studios.
Since that excuse was used, Obama has appeared on "The Today Show", "Anderson Copper's 360" and will spend one hour with Tim Russert on "Meet The Press".
That sure is alot of time in the studio for a man who says he won't debate Hillary because he doesn't want to spend any time in the studio.
Now, he's doing "fantasy league" debates with himself on blogs, which he stated disdainfully that he doesn't read.
The guy is a real piece of work.
When looking for a President, do you think "cowardly" is a good trait to look for?
If Obama is too afraid to debate Hillary, how can anyone in their right mind expect him to be able to talk to and stand up to the world leaders who are hostile to us? He won't be able to cower and assume the fetal potion sucking his thumb when dealing with these people, the way he is doing so now.

[Mom101]

I'm always curious as to why people say that he is "afraid" to debate Hillary after 21 debates. It's bizarre.

[LINY516]

Surprise, surprise, there are only 4 Presidential debates scheduled starring McCain and his opponents. Simply get over it!!

The media is too juvenile to be given the spotlight again in the primary process. Moreover, we've had enough debates. Blame Charlie and George for being shills and messing up the process. What does George care, he's guaranteed a spot in the white house should Clinton successfully pull off her Southern strategy.

[MrKINOKO]

I believe he said "Waste" any more time on debating a pathological liar. What would be the point? Why debate someone who insists you are an "elitist", yet has $109 mil in the bank, can't pump gas, and can't even work a latte machine? I hope that "red phone" in the White House comes with an instruction book....in English for GWB, pictures for Hillary, and Chinese for whoever she and Bill sell the White house to.
The opposite of cowardly is Brave....being brave enough to say "screw this nonsesne, come back at me when you have some issues". That's bravery. I would be worse than in a fetal position in dealing with Hillary...I would be in the next room, ignoring her.

[OxyCon]

Ooooops. Someone is a liar. Take a guess who that would be.
----------­----------­--

Sweet: Obama, on campaign plane says he does not read blogs.
----------­----------­--

Obama Takes the Pillow, Not the Bait

The senator shook a few print reporters' hands -– told a few bloggers he doesn’t read blogs –- and then headed to the back of the plane -– a part he dubbed "the fun part of the plane" -– where the photographers sit.

[MrKINOKO]

Your post shows an acute lack of understanding in the heirarchy of the 3 institutions that make this country work...pol­itics/busi­ness/milit­ary. Anyone with any semblance of knowledge of leadership knows that a President/­CEO/Genera­l doesn't "read blogs", but instead has staff to do so. The White House situation room, for example, employs people JUST TO WATCH CNN, and you better believe that if they see something funny enough that they feel it should be censored, a call goes in to CNN and you won't see that again. Not only does Obama not need to read blogs, he doesn't even have to have his campaign workers read every national/i­nternation­al blog...concerned supporters such as myself e-mail his campaign interesting things we see. All he needs to do is read a Pre-PDB (Pre-Presidents Daily Brief) and he'll know what he needs to know to continue his fight against this countries apparent horde of profiteering hawks dressed like doves.

[Cybershaman]

Wish I had heard of this before. I've got questions like:
What are you going to do to take down the Carlyle Group (BCCI)?
Can we pass legislation forcing the business community to pay for all the 'productivity increases' that have been forced on workers, over the last two decades, without compensation?
Can we stop the Bush Library/Think Tank from being put on the campus of Southern Methodist University?
What will you do about the House of Saud? Specifically, how can we hold Saudi Arabia responsible for 19 of the 9-11 hijackers as well as 80% of the fighters coming into Iraq to fight our troops?
I have more ...

[Star2000dancer]

Kucinich supporter here, carefully researching all the candidates. I see alot of negative Clinton links here, but saw one at dontvoteobama.net yesterday that gave me pause. If it's 10% true, the Repubs will crucify Obama with it. Be ready, I do not want anymore Bush years.

[MrKINOKO]

Hey...how about not directing us to religious psychobabble and racist ZOG websites?
Try on some real issues for a change, before mommy loses her house, and you have to move out of the basement.

[tchristin]

We should be worried about the ugliness of swift-boat attacks on Obama and yet believe that Hillary Clinton would escape such attacks? You have a short memory or you are not old enough to remember the Clinton years. .. or.. you work for that website. A Kucinich supporter? I doubt it.

[MaeScott]

Love you, Christinel Kudos for a great post!

[woody66]

This is like a mulligan in golf (not legal BTW), and most people do better on the second try.
"He elaborated further by describing his plan to tackle the problem of affordable housing with his Affordable Housing Trust Fund."
Question:
If home prices continue to fall won't all housing be Affordable Housing at some point?
"Six months ago, I announced my plan to put a middle-class tax cut worth $500 per person or $1000 per family into the pockets of workers who deserve it.
Comment:
I know that I deserve it but I'm not so sure about the rest of you.
Is this old style pandering or what?

[kbckc]

what an inappropriate response to an event that needs to have a very bright light shone on it due to the complete idiocy on display of moderators of Charlie Git-more-ratings and George Stepped-on­-his-cocku­s. These two clowns have insatiable appetites for attention and publicity, so let's give it to them. Only let's make sure it is properly revealing of what simple fools they are.

[ChrisInTennessee]

Here are some possible future ads for Barack Obama - please pass them on to people in Indiana and North Carolina. They are all 30 second spots developed by real people (as opposed to professionals) answering a call by Move On for grassroots ads for Obama. Thanks.
http://obamain30seconds.org/pc/?ad_id=918
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http://obamain30seconds.org/pc/?ad_id=837
http://obamain30seconds.org/pc/?ad_id=1490
http://obamain30seconds.org/pc/?ad_id=2257
http://obamain30seconds.org/pc/?ad_id=1718

[nerakami]

THIS is the dawning of a new day where aware and courageous Americans begin to take back the power from mainstream media and bring back honesty and integrity to the news world. There has to be places where Americans can go for truth and not have to be subjected to the perpetual sound bite loops fed to us by the media.

The media is fueling its own agenda and hi-jacking what we hold most sacred in this country...

our democratic process... the truth and nothing but the truth.

[patmancando]

And the MSM has been mostly pro Obama and Biased against Hillary. That has been pretty much confirmed by Media Matters. It looks like Chris Matthews, David Schuster and Keith Olbermann are on the Obama payroll, but I think they are really just unpaid Obama volunteers.

[jefegeoffe]

PatMan, you don't seem to have been paying attention these last two weeks...or perhaps all the HillnBill static is interfering with your reception! I grant that the MSM scrutinized and criticized Hillary for months, deserved or not, but to deny that they're circling Obama like piranha NOW, in their frenzied effort to keep Jeremiah Wright alive as an "issue" is mule-headed. I haven't seen any sign that they favor any one candidate (over the long haul), but rather that they will snap like terriers at anything, repeat it forty times a day for weeks, and distort both facts and intent in pursuit of "controversy" and ratings. Obama had his run, but he's certainly been targeted now, and Hillary gets the free pass when she threatens to "obliterate" Iran and joins McSame in tossing pennies to the crowd.

[kenyaw]

Good job. Thanks!

[jeannekhan]

http://www.progressive.org/mag_reed0508 warrants reading before you commit yourself
to Obama. This month's Progressive dared to have this from Adolph Reed who knows
Obama. btw when will you ask him about the Exelon seed money for his meteoric rise?
How about the GE/Exelon contract signed 12/11/07 to provide taxpayer funded nuclear
reactors he voted for and Hillary voted against thereby damning her presence on GE
entities like Newsweek, MSNBC and Washington Post where former Clinton supporters
like you changed to Obama to protect their future earnings? Shame on you for not asking
who benefits from his election and why following the money is not happening in the media..

[nerakami]

Similarly,

The Clintons former pastor was sentenced Friday to THREE YEARS IN PRISON for inappropriately touching a 7yr old in his home last March by judge Micheal Dwyer.
Accountable by Association ??

Why is Hillary pastor getting a pass. Why isn"t this story in the news?

THERE IS CLEARLY A DOUBLE STANDARD HERE or are we saying child molestation is OK in America, just like we don't ask Catholics to denounce, reject the Pope who has shielded and harbored their thousands of priest who have molested tens of thousands of young children.

What's wrong with our thinking, There is something fundamentally wrong with this picture.

[patmancando]

Clinton sat in his church, she didn't visit his bedroom...­.........e­tc, and I am pretty sure the pastor didn't offend young children in public. Big difference

[MyOwnPerson]

Bull-crackers on the double standard! I believe you got it when you said "former." If I'm not mistaken, and I could be, the Clinton's have not remained in contact with their former pastor whereas Obama has maintained a relationship with Wright, until just recently.

For the rest...I agree with you 100%.

[dadaB]

This post isn't a simple endorsement of Obama, sorry folks. Ms. Escobar has written several times about the relationship between politics and money, especially in Obama's case. Shame on you jeannekhan for not understanding this before commenting:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-escobar/clinton-and-obama-silence_b_93536.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-escobar/obama-clinton-fill-super_b_88114.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-escobar/obama-rolls-the-dice-with_b_78741.html

[GinnyinCO]

If this is the worst of what is brought up on Obama, I think we can handle it. It is worth a read from the standpoint of understanding what kind of argument. can be made.

(This is due to Reed's comments) I am really getting very tired of being told I'm nuts to support Obama. I'm a 55 year old white woman, brought up by parents who started fighting in the civil rights movement early. I have two degrees , am an RN 31 years, an atheist who has a lot of skepticism towards anything that has no logic or facts to support what may seem right intuitively. I do consider the right brain essential to thinking and decision making. I've done a lot of reading in the past four years on the history of America, financial, government, war, and politics.

I don't have a standard of living based on fads. I buy products for longevity. I have appliances and still use electronics I bought 20 to 30 years ago. I sew many of my own clothes and buy the rest second hand. My pursuit of happiness is very different from most Americans - doing & learning rather than watching.

I am not swayed by endorsements, I do note who among the people I respect also find Obama the best choice and the make up of the group.

I do understand Obama and the movement. Disagree if you want, but stop with the labeling.

[MrKINOKO]

Wonderful post, GinnyinCO. You are truly the salt of the Earth, and the real American who quietly spreads the word to the underacheivers you come in contact with to gently sway them away from "American Idol" and false Camelots....I can just read your fantastic post and tell that. Thank you.
It is people like you, whom I meet out in the World on occassion, that motivate me to continue doing "the right thing", no matter what the personal cost...as opposed to profiteering, being an opportunist, and speeding up the clock.
It greatly offends me when politicians such as HRC come out of the woods on a platform of personal gain, and insinuate how stupid I am for rejecting them and holding out for the change I know must come, one way or the other. What saddens me most is that so many Americans follow her right off the cliff like Lemmings, with no regard for how that choice impacts our planet, children, or those of us who are progressive enough to insist on Hope and Change. I don't want "solutions"...those belong in a test tube. I want people like McCain and Billary to change. Adapt. Become one with the planet. Not be Warpigs. Is that really so much to ask?

[Dandrea]

A progressive magazine? jeannekhan states she's a Clinton supporter but Hillary sounds more progrssive than these comments indicate.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/043008D.shtml warrants your reading. It's a wakeup call for Progressives to sieze the moment and build a movement. We are ready for a new politics. This election may prove to me that this may mean a new political party and I don't mean Ralph Nader but one built from the grassroots and ready for 2012.