Does Obama's Record Back His Rhetoric?

CBSNews.com Reports: Democratic Frontrunner Promises To Bring Unity, But Work In Senate Limited Mostly To "Midrange Issues"

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

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As Barack Obama has emerged as the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, voters have been offered a preview of how Republicans will likely characterize the Illinois senator in a general election match up.

One recurring theme has been where Obama falls on the ideological spectrum.

In early February, Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant called Obama the Senate's "most liberal" member. Presumptive GOP nominee John McCain, Newt Gingrich and others have echoed the charge.

Their evidence? A January 31st finding by National Journal that put Obama at the top of the list of most liberal senators in 2007.

Obama's critics don't always mention the fine print: Obama was found to be the 10th most liberal senator the previous year and the 16th most liberal the year before that, and other studies don't echo National Journal's findings.

Nonetheless, the "most liberal" charge is likely to be heard early and often should Obama emerge as the Democratic nominee, particularly as it appears at odds with his insistence that he will reach across the aisle and shift the political calculus away from the bitter antagonism of recent years.

"There's a lot of uncertainty about how he would govern and how he would put into practice what we think of as bipartisanship given what we know about his Senate record," said Sarah Binder, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and an expert on Congress.

Binder notes that Obama has spent his time in the Senate on "midrange issues," such as ethics reform and nuclear proliferation, where he could more easily find a Republican senator that would be open to working with him.

"He wasn't working on issues where you have hard Democratic vs. Republican divides," she said. "He seems to have very carefully chosen out areas where there were prospects of success and where he could find like-minded people across the aisle."

"He's been cautious, overall, as a senator," said David Epstein, a professor of political science at Columbia University. "He hasn't been a firebrand in terms of liberal causes, but he's staked out a leftist policy position. His record doesn't provide a lot of basis for the claim that once he's president he's going to win over Republicans and sort of bring everyone together."

Democratic Illinois State Senator Denny Jacobs, who played poker with Obama when they were both state legislators, disagrees.

"He brought some ethics reform to Illinois, and that's no easy thing," said Jacobs. "He worked with both sides of the aisle to get that done. I think he's pragmatic. Illinois is the wild west of campaign finance, and Barack came in here and created some rules."

"I think that what he's proven is that he does believe in something, he does have a core, but he's also someone who can move people from both sides to a resolution," Jacobs added.

Republican Illinois State Senator Bill Brady, who also worked with Obama, said Obama was "probably the most liberal member of the Illinois State Senate" - in part because he "represented the most liberal area in the state." (Epstein, using roll call vote and bill co-sponsorship data, found Obama to be the 6th most liberal in the State Senate.)

"I think he's a believer," said Brady. "He's a bleeding heart liberal, but he's smart enough not to put it in people's face right now."

In a debate with Hillary Clinton last Thursday, Obama was asked to respond after his rival brought up an uncomfortable cable-television exchange in which an Obama supporter was unable to identify any of the senator's accomplishments. Obama cited his work on health care, providing tax breaks to families, reforming the criminal justice system, and passing "the toughest ethics reform legislation since Watergate."

"I don't perceive him as one of the chamber's liberal members," said Jennifer Duffy, a veteran analyst with the Cook Political Report. "I don't perceive him as one of the guys who goes down on the floor and rails about his pet cause."

Obama has been criticized for not taking a stand early in his career on some hot-button issues, including abortion: He voted "present" on abortion questions seven out of 14 times in the state Senate, including once when the issue was a statewide ban on so-called partial-birth abortion.

Binder said Obama's time in the Senate suggests that he seems "comfortable working across the aisle on some of these smaller type of issues." But she suggested there are few clues as to how effective President Obama would be in dealing with larger, more divisive issues such as the war, health care, and entitlement reform.

"Those are all issues where there could be bipartisan solutions, but it's a big challenge," she said.

[lorinkundert]

We know that Clinton''s rhetoric surely doesn''t match her record, she changes almost daily.

[realpatriot1]

I''m not sure how the Brookings Institution would prefer to go about dveloping bipartisonship but I don''t think the place to start would be abortion or gun control or Iraq.

It takes 2 willing parties to achieve bipartisonship and someone must take the lead of at least attempting it.

The best places to start are the "mid-range" issues of ethics reform and fiscal responsibility because that''s where you''ll find the truly responsible officials in both parties who are willing to work for the public good. These are also the 2 issues which permeate the debate most readily on all other issues.

Buliding goodwill has a synegistic effect that builds upon itself and can then spill over to a certain degree into more contentious areas.

No one expects that the 2 parties will ever agree on everything but the public deserves officials yo look for agreement where it can be found.

[ov442]

I think if you believe that Bill clinton would be a distraction in the white house because of negative media pundits from Fixed News during Hillary''s presidency, then you dont have a clue about our country''s problems. Because our problems will be in the forefront of the agenda of whomever gets in the whitehouse and if its a democrat, work will get done and progress will be made. If its McCain or Huckabee, life will continue to spiral downward for 250 million americans.

As for Obama, This article is the first one, since he began that takes a critical look at both his record and his rhetoric. And im afraid its taken too long to do it. Because now so many poeple have drunk the ObamaMania kook aid, Few have even asked how he is going to enact change in washington and who is he going to change. He currently has much of the old Democratic Unchangeable institutional figures backing him.
Did he tell those guys like Kennedy and Kerry, that hes going to have to change them? did he tell Murtha hes going to have to change him? how bout Levin and Durbin? Did he tell Hillary Hes going to change her?
How about the Republicans.... I havent heard any of them say once yet, that they are willing to change for Obama but not Hillary.
Since the president does not create law to pass in congress, what changes is he going to force through?
Its a crock actually.

[rowdytexan2]

Since the president does not create law to pass in congress, what changes is he going to force through?
Its a crock actually.


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Posted by ov442 at 09:57 AM : Feb 26, 2008

Exactly!

[rowdytexan2]

"He wasn''t working on issues where you have hard Democratic vs. Republican divides,"

No, he doesn''t...and he wasn''t there for the vote on the Iraq war and ducked out on the Iran legislation. And while a senator in Illinois voted ''Present'' 130 times to keep from taking a stance. Now most state legislative sessions are every other year. So that means in those legislative sessions he ducked out 130 times! So what the hell DID he actually vote on?

[notblue]

This article is about Obama not the hated Bush. Why is it you leftwingers feel that the chimp lied 935 times?? Are you saying the chimp was able to FOOL the greatest minds the Democratic party has to offer 935 times???? Or more likely did everyone see the same intelligence including the Chimp and it was hindsite and POLITICS that lead the Dems to place blame and not SHARE after the fact?? NO that makes too much sense, it must have been the "moron" who fooled everyone! LOL! Remember people there were countless investigations into pre-war intelligence lead by a panel of democrats and what was found??? NOTHING! Wake up to reality people and deal with the problems the world faces. The reality IS they are not caused by ONE man ONLY blinded morons would adopt such a simplistic perspective.

[jedi08]

Obama will get *** done because he isn''t hatted by half the country like Hillary is. When Hillary talks she reminds people of their mother or just a annoying b!tch.

Obama is a smooth talker and he will be able to wheel and deal and run the country much better the Billary ever could. Just look how they have both run their campaigns.

An important quality of a President is inspiring and bringing the country together to get things done. Hillary is unable to do that because of her past and her personality. Half the reason People hate Bush is because they are embarassed that he sounds dumb when he speaks or is giving speeches.

Experience is overrated compared to judgment. Hillary has shown little or no judgment. Whether is was marrying a cheating man, trusting him, trusting Bush and voting for the war, how she was the ineveitable canidate and didn''t plan her campaign past super Tuesday. She is a joke and I can hear the song now.

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Good Bye

[cozzicon]

"No, he doesn''''t...and he wasn''''t there for the vote on the Iraq war and ducked out on the Iran legislation. And while a senator in Illinois voted ''''Present'''' 130 times to keep from taking a stance. Now most state legislative sessions are every other year. So that means in those legislative sessions he ducked out 130 times! So what the hell DID he actually vote on?"-- Posted by RowdyTexan2

I lived for 38 years in Illinois. In Illinois a "Present Vote" is made usually to indicate a belief that the legislation is incomplete or lacking. And only in situations where the bill will not pass in the first place. This is traditionally how it works.

However, in Obama''s case (And I looked it up) 90% of the bills he voted present on were revamped, and on the revised bill he voted yes or no. In the case of the remaining 10%, a large portion of those never were presented for consideration again.

I just thought you''d like to know.

[pepperp1]

silly question to be asking now, of course it dose not. Visit upcoming Rezko trial and Senator Obama boneheaded joint home purchase with the indicted political fixer. he has no record, oops wrong button, if I would have shown up I would have voted different, oops you mean theta Exelon bill I said passed didn%u2019t, PRESENT and many times the only representative to do so ...

%u2026the only consistent part of his voting record is for his biggest clustered contributors ENERGY company Exelon%u2026..and the bill to notify communities of nuclear leaks he didn%u2019t pass but says he did%u2026.


Smell the coffee before it%u2019s to late Dems%u2026the American People will not follow your folly

[pepperp1]

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 10:13 AM : Feb 26, 2008


Lets not forget to add the oops wrong button defense on the really politcal votes....


.......Barack Obama angered fellow Democrats in the Illinois Senate when he voted to strip millions of dollars from a child welfare office on Chicago''s West Side. But Obama had a ready explanation: He goofed.

"I was not aware that I had voted no," he said that day in June 2002, asking that the record be changed to reflect that he "intended to vote yes."........


Or the boneheaded ethics that thanks to the Federal Judges ruling on Monday will now explore Barrack%u2019s web of Rezko connected kick back campaign contribution ....lordy anyone really recall why Dems lost the house after 40 years in the 90s.....CORRUPTION IL. STYLE

[gunownerdan]

"How a politician stands on the Second Amendment tells you how he or she views you as an individual ... as a trustworthy and productive citizen, or as part of an unruly crowd that needs to be lorded over, controlled, supervised, and taken care of."
- Suzanna Gratia-Hupp

www.A-HUMAN-RIGHT.com

[watcher269-2009]

Well, does John McCain? NOOO!

[cozzicon]

"Liberals wake up and look at the facts. Obama and his wife are the roll models of racism! " -- Posted by commonsence1

Oh please keep talking... please?

"Americans hear this, the evil BREAD is the root of all racism! Especially that dark stuff... Rye."

Oh God stop... my sides are hurting.

[davek455]

this article is exactly my concern with Obambi as the Dem nominee....it is too risky to put Obambi up against McCain. Wait til the mid-country finds out he is more liberal than uncle teddy. Wait til they find out his positions on gun control, drivers licenses for illegals, and has no foreign affairs experience. His 10 point advantage over McCain quickly drops to a 10-point deficit. People in Ohio and Texas, please think of this next Tuesday.

[mcvet]

You''''re already tucked in - just stay there. I''''m sorry you are threatened by a President who isn''''t lilly-white. But your boogy-man warnings aren''''t going to wash this year - people have had enough.


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Posted by nokoolaid at 10:53 AM : Feb 26, 2008
+ report abuse

Yep! The Big "O" Express is going to roll right over them!! Sieg Heil Bush!!

[rushlimpdrug]

". . . However, in Obama''''s case (And I looked it up) 90% of the bills he voted present on were revamped, and on the revised bill he voted yes or no. In the case of the remaining 10%, a large portion of those never were presented for consideration again.
I just thought you''''d like to know."
Posted by cozzicon at 10:27 AM :

So what does this say about the Illinois state government?

Sounds like he was just voting on krap.

What did Obama accomplish? ? ?
Change? ?

[adastra8]

Clinton is talking about change. Obama is doing it. He''s already building the grassroots coalition that will force a reluctant Washington to expand on the ethics reform he passed when he was in the Senate. It may not be flashy or popular with his fellow pols, but ethics reform and increased accountability are an essential foundation to everything else that needs to be done. Obama has demonstrated the clear-sightedness and determination to kick Washington free of its dysfunction.

[mcvet]

this article is exactly my concern with Obambi as the Dem nominee....it is too risky to put Obambi up against McCain. Wait til the mid-country finds out he is more liberal than uncle teddy. Wait til they find out his positions on gun control, drivers licenses for illegals, and has no foreign affairs experience. His 10 point advantage over McCain quickly drops to a 10-point deficit. People in Ohio and Texas, please think of this next Tuesday.


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Posted by davek455 at 10:46 AM : Feb 26, 2008
+ report abuse


Well of course! Let''s just "Stay the Course" folks!! ROFLMAO They will cut taxes to the rich, it will trickle down to you. They will cut spending although they never have and they will balance the budget, although they never have. They will ship your jobs to other countries and pretend all these new jobs exist, while YOU work at Wally World, without medical benefits and at $7.00 per hour. Sure folks just keep the same tired old solutions in place even though YOU KNOW they don''t work. Why? Because these Nazi''s say the man is A "Liberal". Makes perfect sense!! LMAO If you are so stupid you will buy this trash I have some land to sell you! Sieg Heil Bush

[realpatriot1]

Look at commonsense, everything the man supports is white...obviously he''s a rascist.

Just using your logic bud.

[samthetvcat]

The ''most liberal'' charge comes from Republicans who aren''t at all Conservative. ''Most liberal'' charges coming from McCain are going to be like the pot calling the kettle black . . .

[rowdytexan2]

Or the boneheaded ethics that thanks to the Federal Judges ruling on Monday will now explore Barrack%u2019s web of Rezko connected kick back campaign contribution ....lordy anyone really recall why Dems lost the house after 40 years in the 90s.....CORRUPTION IL. STYLE


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Posted by pepperp1 at 10:34 AM : Feb 26, 2008

Exactly, Pepper!

His total experience has been to work on SIX, mind you SIX pieces of legislation in his Senate career, on some iffy ethics legislation!

Where has he promulgated any legislation on health care, education, welfare reform, or economic packages, if he is such a great go-getter! NONE! No voice raised on any of these issues! But he''s going to CHANGE everything!

Good God, people, wake up!

[sharpcookie1]

I am genuinely not concerned by what Obama has not yet accomplished in his career. I am impressed by his character and his integrity. He has done enough to show me that he has good judgment. He has shown the humility needed to acknowledge his weaknesses and consult with other wise folks when necessary. Something the current President and his giant ego never did. I believe Obama is exactly what this country needs right now. An approachable real human being who listens and cares and has the courage to do what needs to be done. And the truth is, Washington eats good people for breakfast. If Obama had all the experience the media is yakking about, he would likely be too beaten down to do what needs to be done.

I voted for Obama in the primaries. And I would be honored to vote for him in the election. I am not fond of Hillary. She has always struck me as insincere and an opportunist seeking power. But I will still vote for her if she somehow wins the nomination. Because the Republican party still seems overly concerned with religious nuts and rich people.

[crusherking]

Nice rhetoric McVet. Problem is that Bill Clinton is the culprit in shipping jobs overseas. Of Course you don''t want to admit that right? Seig Heil Obama!

[cozzicon]

"So what does this say about the Illinois state government?

Sounds like he was just voting on krap.

What did Obama accomplish? ? ?
Change? ?" -- Posted by rushlimpdrug

Actually yes... he did create change.

As the article above notes, he authored and got passed ethics reform in Illinois... which is no small accomplishment.

Among other things as well.

Illinois politics is worse than Washington (You have no idea).

[prinzowhales]

Obama''s mentor in the Senate was Joe "War Pig" Liebermann. Obama backed Liebermann against an anti-war Democrat...shows you how important Barack thought ending the war actually was.

"War Pig" Liebermann has endorsed "War Pig" McCain. McCain best friend in the Senate is Hillary "War Pig" Clinton. And, Bill says that a run between Hillary and John will be the most "civilized" [in the internationalist Sh*thead language, this means "non-confrontational and meaningless"] election ever held.

If you want your children dead and maimed in war, if you want them to enjoy dead end jobs with declining wages...then vote Demo-publican...you will deserve what you get!!

[prinzowhales]

If you want real change--then you actually have to vote for it! Vote Third Party in November! The Demopublicans have said to ''ell with America...well, to ''ell with the Demopublicans!

[jack3213]

Such hypocrisy in the minds of Democrats! ..the never satisfied generation of narrow minded people that live comfortably in the dark. Nothing is ever right according to a Democrat- first you want something then you don''t and then you blame someone else as a first response when you change your mind. McCain is a far cry from the inexperiance in Obama and far cry from the lies of the Clintons. That is it folks, only one choice : Make it RIGHT.

[billpl-2009]

"It''s the economy, Stupid"

....doesn''t anybody ever learn

[rowdytexan2]

"Clinton is talking about change. Obama is doing it."

Please tell me what he''s changed? The only thing he''s changed is a few lines on Hillary''s plans that he''s (pardon the pun) xeroxed! His stances that he borrowed from Hillary?

Tell me, when his platform is EXACTLY like Hillary''s, what is he going to CHANGE any differently?

A grassroots American Idol contest with a lot of buffoonery doesn''t even begin to show me confidence that this man can do anything but talk a good line.

[gdig60804]

Obama is just way to inexperienced to lead us in a direction of change. Even his wife stated Obama will make mistakes. We the American people can''t afford to have a President who doesn''t know what his doing.

[cozzicon]

"cozzicon Look at what the man supports! Black everything! Look at the facts, that''''s all I''''m asking. Like I said before if a white candidate supported White everything like Obama does he would not hear the gun fire in this race." -- Posted by commonsence1

I''m sorry. I''m a white American and I don''t need a church that supports white people. I wasn''t a slave. I wasn''t forced to come to the US and whipped.

I also wasn''t disenfranchised at a voter.

My oppression, came from southern Italy where the "black hand" controlled almost everything, and my family''s solution was to come to the US- but we are white so the "Anti-Italian Racism" we experienced fell away rather quickly.

So based on my experience and that of my forbears, I do support "Black Everything". These are good people who have been given a bad deal. I will, and have, marched with them. I will support them.

Pro-black in this case isn''t anti-white. You don''t see pro-black activists beating white people or burning crosses. When they do, I''ll stop supporting them.

And no- I''m not sure about voting for Obama. I''m undecided. But I never vote without knowing the facts- and that is what I published.

[rowdytexan2]

Such hypocrisy in the minds of Democrats! ..the never satisfied generation of narrow minded people that live comfortably in the dark. Nothing is ever right according to a Democrat- first you want something then you don''''t and then you blame someone else as a first response when you change your mind. McCain is a far cry from the inexperiance in Obama and far cry from the lies of the Clintons. That is it folks, only one choice : Make it RIGHT.



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Posted by jack3213 at 11:41 AM : Feb 26, 2008

Exactly! Make the right vote for someone who doesn''t promote war and fear! Make it right by voting for someone who will not allow more tax cuts for corporate America. Make it right by voting for someone that might support criminal charges against the Neocon regime for their lies and corruption!

Make it right! Vote the Neocons out of our White House and Congress!

[barbaraf4]

I am tired of hearing about Obama''s rhetoric. This is just like JFK''s wonderful words. Read my lips: SOMEONE ELSE WRITES HIS SPEACHES - HE ISN"T MAKING THIS UP AS HE GOES ALONG.

[petesis]

Hilary should quit. She is an excellent person and a great politician but she is too divisive and too many people absolutely dislike her. Perhaps it is not her fault and it is certainly not fair, but for her agenda to go forward, it will have to be with her in another capacity then as President. Obama is too good. I don''t know why Hilary thinks she benefits from these debates. She looks bad next to him. She talks and she convinces herself and her supporters but she is dull and wonkish. She will make an excellent Secretary of State.

[gdig60804]

I''m not really happy with anyone who is running. I did however like hucklabee. I am not one to vote for a particular party. I vote for who will bring positive change. I believe we need a new health care reform for everyone. I love how everyone goes on about how that what cripple the economy. People are just afraid of change and politican use that fear to scare the American people.

[jack3213]

Rowdy_ So you would rather have more terorism in this country? More taxes taken out of your pocket? No foregn policy experiance? Much more expensive healthcare? OK, then- let me know how that works out for you in 2 years.

[mcvet]

So you would rather have more terorism in this country? More taxes taken out of your pocket? No foregn policy experiance? Much more expensive healthcare? OK, then- let me know how that works out for you in 2 years.


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Posted by jack3213 at 11:58 AM : Feb 26, 2008
+ report abuse

You know you fascist have swallowed so much snake oil in the last 7 years you wouldn''t know the TRUTH if it hit you square in the face. YOU freaks gave us a President who didn''t even know where the nation of Iraq was on the map. Yep that''s right folks these fascsit gave us the WORST in our history and here they are telling us Obama, the senator from the state of Illinois, doesn''t have enough experience. ROFLMAO Wow! Now that is a bootlicker... Sieg Heil Bush!! By the way swastika hugger, would you care to explain the 935 lies told to us to start a needless war? Hummm??? Sieg Heil Bush

[nicksp2]

I find it sad that the media is just now realizing that these are the questions we should have been asking ourselves about a month ago. Obama is a very bright and gifted man, but he is still young and has a lot to learn. He would make an excellent president in 12 years-after serving more than a few years in the senate, and making some tough calls instead of taking the easy road out. We are electing a president in wartime, people, and it is going to be a tough ride - we need someone who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and maybe not be as popular as a rock star, but who can lead us out of the mess we face. That person is Hillary Clinton.

[gdig60804]

I''m not really happy with anyone who is running. I did however like hucklabee. I am not one to vote for a particular party. I vote for who will bring positive change. I believe we need a new health care reform for everyone. I love how everyone goes on about how that would cripple the economy. People are just afraid of change and politican use that fear to scare the American people.

I talked to a doctor last week who said it is the CFO of these medical companies that are ruining health care. He stated the CFO''s of big medical companies makes about 30 million dollars a year and doesn''t share that money.

That''s the problem the rich keep getting richer and they refuse to share their profits that the American''s work hard to give them in the first place. They rather pay for cheap labor within different countries.

We don''t know enough about Obama to take a chance on him as the Democratic nominee. Hillary has proven herself to be a tough fighter and reformer. She has taken some licks but she''s still in there!
This article echoes what many Hillary backers know. Obama has taken the easy route on everything; voting present on unpopular issues, finding easier problems to gain consensus, and receding into the background on divisive issues. This shows what an opportunist he is and possibly his inclination to make friends rather than deal with the nitty gritty. Needless to say, many backers are going to be very angry if he is not strong enough to go to battle to achieve some real goals, such as get us out of Iraq and establish good healthcare reform, and the biggy...raise taxes on the wealthy. He will try to get everybody to agree and if they don''t, he is likely to back away from the problem.
To sum it all up, the voter should not be mislead into thinking he is some kind of wonder boy who can magically achieve consensus. It is isn''t going to happen when the country is so split on the big issues.

[mcvet]

Obama is just way to inexperienced to lead us in a direction of change. Even his wife stated Obama will make mistakes. We the American people can''''t afford to have a President who doesn''''t know what his doing.


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Posted by gdig60804 at 11:43 AM : Feb 26, 2008
+ report abuse

ROFLMAO Right! We''ve been living with one now for SEVEN years and as a citizen of Illinois I can tell you that Obama has MORE ability and common sense than Bush and McGoo put together. But hey go ahead america keep listening to freaks who have lead you into this mess.... ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush

[mediapreachr]

''I am tired of hearing about Obama''''s rhetoric. This is just like JFK''''s wonderful words. Read my lips: SOMEONE ELSE WRITES HIS SPEACHES - HE ISN"T MAKING THIS UP AS HE GOES ALONG.
Posted by barbaraf4 at 11:53 AM : Feb 26, 2008''
Let''s not forget how this guy got in politics-Pandering to the ghettos and slums of Chicago.

[gunownerdan]

Obama''s voting record proves he''s just another rabid gun-banning extremist who is not capable of obeying his oath of office.

[crusherking]

cozzicon wrote"Pro-black in this case isn''''t anti-white. You don''''t see pro-black activists beating white people or burning crosses. When they do, I''''ll stop supporting them."

Guess you missed the LA riots. Pro anything is always anti something else. Be Pro Human. Anytime you differentiate your support or opinion of someone based on skin color, you are practicing racism.

[mediapreachr]

''I talked to a doctor last week who said it is the CFO of these medical companies that are ruining health care. He stated the CFO''s of big medical companies makes about 30 million dollars a year and doesn''t share that money.

That''s the problem the rich keep getting richer and they refuse to share their profits that the American''s work hard to give them in the first place. They rather pay for cheap labor within different countries.
Posted by gdig60804 at 12:03 PM : Feb 26, 2008
The reason common man in US has no more money,it''s because the rich HAVE GOT ALL THE MONEY.It is the real explanation.The wealth transfer has taken place.

[huanaco]

GENTLEMEN ALL : THIS ARTICLE SHOWS THAT MR. OBAMA IS JUST A BALLON ABOUT TO GET FLAT IN HIS OWN WORDS. HE IS A REPUBLICAN TROYAN HORSE WHO WILL BE DEMOLISH IF HE IS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY STANDARD BEARER.

[gdig60804]

MCVet

First of all why do you assume I voted for Bush? I don''t like Bush and I never voted for him.

Obama is a good talker and his of african American decent. That is why Oprah is giving him alot of money and support. There are alot of inexperienced Black man who don''t qualify to be President. Just like Obama. He is waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy to INEXPERIENCE!! HIS ANOTHER JIMMY CARTER.

[theroo4]

Yes, let''s elect another Republican for President. Then the Iraq war will last forever, we can invade Iran, the rich can get richer, our deficit will never be paid off - our air and water can go to hell, we can become a theocracy, we can hand out guns EVERYWHERE, even the White House, as they are so safe in the proper hands.

NickSP2, good comment.
Petesis, just see how long Obama will be loved when he can''t get anything done or when he says "present" as commander in chief.

[theroo4]

The Repugs can also appoint totally unqualified people in important positions, taxes will grow, but they''ll be hidden (toll fees, health care, various fees, etc. You can''t charge things forever. I guess that''s why Democrats have the reputation of raising taxes. That HAVE to to get rid of the deficit that the repugs have caused. You woundn''t spend money like Bush, would you? Charge everything, in the middle of a war?