PORTLAND, Maine, Sept. 26, 2007
Obama Tackles Experience Question In Maine
"A Long Resume Does Not Guarantee Good Judgment," Senator Says
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Democratic presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., is greeted as he campaigns in Portland, Maine, on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007. (AP)
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Obama is about halfway through his first term in the Senate, but he said such a short time in Washington is not necessarily a bad thing.
"A long resume does not guarantee good judgment," he said, naming Vice President Dick Cheney and former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld as examples.
Both were key planners of the Iraq war that Obama, a senator from Illinois, says never should have been waged.
Obama spoke to some 2,000 people at the Portland Expo about the need for change in government health care, economic and foreign policies.
But he said it's also time for a basic change in the political system so Americans can rally behind a common purpose.
"It's still possible for us as Americans - not as Democrats, Republicans or independents, but as Americans - to join together and do great things," he said.
The hand-clapping, sign-waving crowd that paid $23 apiece for admission cheered repeatedly and rose to its feet during Obama's 35-minute speech. If elected, he said he would get out of Iraq, introduce universal health care coverage, change the tax code and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
America also needs to improve its "moral standing" in the world by being more open to listening and negotiating with others, he said.
Republican National Committee spokeswoman Summer Johnson said Obama shouldn't talk about "moral standing" when he sat out a Senate vote on a measure to condemn the liberal interest group MoveOn.org for a newspaper ad criticizing Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.
"It seems Obama plays to the kind of politics set forth to him by MoveOn.org," Johnson said.
A fundraiser was planned after the rally at the Cape Elizabeth home of Robert A.G. Monks, a longtime Republican financier who has run unsuccessfully as a Republican for the Senate three times. His son, Robert C.S., is chairman of the Obama for Maine Committee.
Supporters hoped to raise more than $300,000 for Obama's campaign from the rally and the reception, the younger Monks said.
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- CRUCIFIXION! American version
BARABBAS -- Mass murdering US President with his HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DEAD BODIES IN IRAQ!
JESUS -- Talkative Iran Preeacher with his hundreds of MERE WORDS!
And the violence-loving Jews AGAIN yelled, "Crucify him!"
"Crucify him!"
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Some things never seem to change with the Jews. LOL
Message?
Americans, save yourselves from the wicked & wanton slaughter!
Extricate yourselves from the Middle East madness of endless vengeance and violence, which has been going on among Middle East war lovers for thousands of years now! - Reply to this comment
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He will eliminate the IRS, Wasteful Government Spending & Stop The Iraq War Immediately!
Most importantly, he voted NO on anything in Congress that is not allowed by the Constitution.
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