Obama's Lobbyist Fib

PHILADELPHIA -- Watching the tube in Pennsylvania these days might as well be called watching OBAMA TV. I've seen my share of saturation advertising buys during campaigns, but this is unprecedented. In a five-hour session of watching one network I counted 14 ads sponsored by Barack Obama, compared to a total of three ads for Hillary Rodham Clinton.

And guess what I woke up to on my hotel clock radio? Yep, that's right, the audio version of Obama's ad.

That's all well and good except for the fact that every one of the Obama ads I saw or heard present him personally telling what can only be charitably described as a half-truth -- that he takes no money from Washington lobbyists. "I'm the only candidate who doesn't take their money," he says in the ad entitled "For Decades."

Obama is careful to claim in the ad that he does not take money from "Washington" lobbyists. That's because he does take money from state-based lobbyists.

Long ago the media watchdogs, such as Politifact.com, determined that at best it is only half true for Obama to claim that he takes no money from federal lobbyists. He takes plenty of money and advice from those who work for lobbyists, such as former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle. More on Craig Crawford's Trail Mix.

Also on Trail Mix: Clinton's Expanding Trust Gap

Follow Craig Crawford on Twitter: www.twitter.com/craig_crawford

Comments

[THISTLE]

Mr. Crawford:

You are the only one not drinking the St. Obama Kool-Aid, and reporting the facts on Obama and
his false claims. I wish you would do a more in-depth look at the many Lies Obama tells.
And expose his real record, - this is a guy who says, he wants to bring people together, when
his record shows the exact opposite.

I have watched you on some cable shows (which I no longer watch) where you are frequently
cut-off, or shouted-down, while trying to say state facts. That is why I no longer watch these
flacks/pundits who are on their knees to St. Obama.

But please, you don't have to be so polite - it's not a "fib" - with Obama - its a LIE - one of many...

[authoritarianbootlicker]

That right. You tell' em! I like the fact that you go around looking for people to tell you exactly what you want to hear.

[SLone08]

Hahaha!

[SamanthaJaneSalem]

Anymore, if we don't agree with someone, he or she must be drinking the spiked Kool-Aid. "St. Obama"?-- your post lost any objectivity at the precise point you typed "." after "St".

No not a lie, not even close-- "fib" is ridiculous enough in itself. If Obama says he's not taking money from Washington (i.e. federal) lobbyists, then that's the truth. There's nothing dishonest about it.

And any politician who ever dealt with lobbyists can't work for Obama? The talent and experience of Tom Daschle should go to waste?

John Edwards tried to smear Obama by saying he took money from corporations when actually Obama takes money from employees who work for corporations (like most people?)-- so sorry, find something else to hit him with.

These sniper bullets are blanks.

[frustratedinohio]

How easily you believe he is innocent. You don't even listen to anybody elses opinions or facts. Very scary.

[vallon]

more snipe(r) fire...

[DemandTruth]

Parse parse parse, spin spin spin to try to catch Obama in a "half lie" or "half truth". The FACT is, he was VERY specific in his claims - which are specifically TRUE. Just as Clinton was very specific about having to run with her head down in Bosnia. Just as she was specific when claiming the pregnant woman who died was turned away because she couldn't pay $100.00. Very specific, and all you can get on Obama is 6 degrees of seperation, guilt by association parsing and spinning. No one is going to come back and accuse him of "misspeaking" now, are they.

[Gibbons]

A half truth is a whole lie.

[JackieW]

Still ain't Bosnian sniper fire, is it?

[democraticjack]

Which lie would have more impact on any legislation presented by either candidate? A campaign lie or a personal embellishment lie? You are right; it ain't sniper fire.

[Obamamo]

Everytime HIL-LIAR open her mouth she lies. She can not be trusted PERIOD.

[CindyV]

Obama telling us a half truth? The man who is going to change the way we so business in Washington isn't pulling a fast one on us, is he? I guess he is just like all the other politicans out there. What a disappointment.

[vallon]

Your obvious disappointment brings a tear to my eye.

[Countess]

Dear Craig, When you are running against a Ballistic Lie Machine like the Clintons half-truths look like sainthood in comparison.

[democraticjack]

So Republican of you. It's like impeaching Bill for lying about a BJ and not impeaching Bush over countless war atrocities and violations against the Constitution. His lies involve policy; hers are resume pads.

[authoritarianbootlicker]

Let's remember that Bill Clinton had his chance to get Bin Laden and blew it (no pun intended). Had he been able to focus on national security perhaps we wouldn't be in this mess.