Meet The Dream Ticket: Obama-Kerry '08

Weekly Standard: Candidate Needs Serious Running Mate; Besides, It'd Be Fun!

(Weekly Standard)  This column was written by Dean Barnett.

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With the Lioness of Tuzla's campaign taking on still more water and her path to victory looking all but impossible, Barack Obama has emerged as the overwhelming favorite. And you know what that means — soon everyone will be talking about who Obama should select as his running mate.

Let's first discuss what Obama requires in a running mate. Obviously, he desperately needs someone who will balance out his unprecedented lack of experience. The most important thing that needs addressing is his flimsy (i.e. non-existent) military bona fides. Chances are, the analysts will unanimously dictate that Obama needs a veteran on the ticket.

But Obama's credentials deficit runs much deeper. Obama is equally inexperienced in everything else that matters, too. For instance, there's no reason to believe that he's particularly economically literate, or that he's savvy in the ways of congressional dealings. We've learned this week that he certainly doesn't know the way to the Senate's secret underground bowling alley.

But these are mere pragmatic concerns, and I know the Obama campaign likes to exist on a loftier plane. Therefore, I'll try to discuss things in terms that David Axelrod and perhaps even Obama himself will appreciate. After endorsing Obama, Bill Richardson explained that he did so because, "In my view, Senator Obama represents our best hope of replacing division with unity." That's swell, but one can imagine a lot of voters thinking, "Unity sounds really neat, but right now I'm really concerned about rising gas prices and the plummeting value of my house." At some point, the Obama campaign will have to find a way to tether itself to more earthly matters than the problems Obama prefers addressing. The running mate selection will be a milestone event in that process.

Some people think the aforementioned Richardson would make a good ticket-mate. Sorry — he wouldn't, even if he lost the unbecoming facial hair. In spite of the media's impressive effort to turn a guy who earned about 2 percent of the Democratic party's support in the primaries into a kingmaker when he endorsed Obama, Richardson, as evidenced by his performance in those primaries, is a second-rater. Additionally, in spite of his really nice résumé, Richardson has gravitas issues of his own. Let's not forget that Governor Richardson spent decades boasting about the Oakland A's drafting him when no such thing had occurred.

In the lefty blogosphere, Jim Webb has emerged as Obama's dream running mate. While Webb certainly has the military bona fides for the job, he's only been in the senate for 15 months. Now, please don't take what follows the wrong way — I like Jim Webb and got a lot of heat for saying nice things about him during his race with George Allen. But I don't think Jim Webb is a great politician or even a particularly good one. I don't consider a razor-thin victory over an incumbent who ran the worst campaign in memory the mark of a political titan. Webb also has little tolerance for foolishness, which suggests that he should stay as far away from presidential politics as possible.

Besides, Obama needs someone with a thicker political résumé than Webb's. Webb has strength in one area, and Obama has weaknesses in every area. What Obama really needs is an éminence grise, a senior figure who oozes seriousness on an array of issues. Unfortunately for Obama, he's a Democrat, and the Democratic party hasn't made a hospitable home for serious people this decade. For goodness sakes, the last two chairmen of the party have been Terry McAuliffe and Howard Dean. As law professors like Barack Obama say, "Res ipsa locquitur."

Yet there is one man that Barack Obama can turn to who will fill all the ticket's needs. That man is John Kerry. We've already discussed how Obama needs a serious running mate, and Kerry at least looks serious. Besides, Kerry is haughty and dour, two traits which are sort of bastard cousins to seriousness. Additionally, if my memory serves correctly, Kerry spent time in the armed forces and even had a tour of duty in Vietnam. And although he's gotten nothing done in the Senate, at least he's been there forever.

Unlike the almost presumptive nominee, Kerry is a fine debater. How good was Kerry in the 2004 debates? The New York Times described his fluid performance in his first joust with George W. Bush by exclaiming, "He moved gracefully. Mr. Bush slouched and stayed coiled tight, but Mr. Kerry seemed at times to be waltzing with his partner, the lectern. Mr. Kerry moved his hands almost continuously, at one point folding them over his heart like a French mime as he explained that he felt 'nothing but respect' for Tony Blair and British soldiers serving in Iraq." A French mime? Waltzing with his lectern? Need I say more?

Kerry would also bring certain pragmatic, political advantages to the fray. Kerry has been vetted. No surprises will emerge about John Kerry. Well, maybe a few minor ones from Bob Shrum's back-stabbing memoir (like Kerry's juvenile behavior at a campaign get-together with Peter, Paul & Mary), but nothing major. And Kerry's presence on the ticket will make this election more of a referendum on the Bush administration. I know Obama prefers looking forward rather than backwards, but a little glance of this sort in the rearview mirror would help his chances considerably.

I know what you’re thinking: Why would I, a conservative partisan, give the Obama campaign such valuable free advice? This actually would concern me were it not for two factors: 1) I'm quite confident the Obama campaign doesn't care what I think; and 2) I'm even more confident that John Kerry is doing everything he can to further his ambitions on his own. I've been a Kerry constituent for almost 25 years. (It feels like longer.) I know he's still scheming his way to the presidency, and a spot on the Obama ticket would put him back in the game.

But I must confess an ulterior motive for my pining for an Obama/Kerry ticket. Things have gotten dull around here. Every day, we have to write about the latest development that defines Barack Obama. The little lies, the habitual evasions, the avoidance of substance — each day we get fresh evidence that Obama is a lot more like the typical politician than the country believes. It's an important story, one that has to be covered.

And I will cover it. But is it too much to ask of the Obama campaign that while it makes me slog through this drudgery, it also provides me with the endless entertainment that another national John Kerry campaign will surely provide?

Ah, the times we had! Like when John and Teresa went to a Wendy's with the Edwards to prove they were regular folks but didn't eat and had a sumptuous catered feast waiting for them at their hotel. Or when he promised his advisors he wouldn't go windsurfing and did so anyway. Or when he called a Secret Service agent a cuss word for allegedly making him stumble on the ski slopes, declaring to the media, "I don't fall."

Just the thought of fresh, anguished cries of "Swiftboating!!!!!" brings a smile to my face. Besides, doesn't the country deserve to see what kind of relationship would develop between Michelle Obama and Teresa Heinz Kerry?

[serrano338]

Still a little premature here. Support for Obama is slipping and though it may not show in the polls, the Wright scandal HAS damaged Obama. People are still not sure about him, then there''s Rezko, Ayers, Selma, and it''s only because people like this writer have overblown the Bosnia thing, keeping it alive, but still failing to nail Obama on some major lies and inconsistencies and misstatements. So don''t count you bamas before they hatch. Time could be on Clinton''s side. Politics is not predictable and when journalists speak in terms of being sure about something, there is only one position to take, don''t be so sure. Obama''s has peaked and the down arrow follows him around like the bowling balls he wa not able to keep out of the "Chicago'' gutter from whence he came. He''s OUT! Oh and please Not Kerry, he would need VP VIAGRA every day.

[ranger1948]

I think at election time there will be a number of silent voters come out of the woodwork and vote against obama. I can''t believe the majority of the public has been taken in by him. I would vote for anyone over obama. I would have liked to seen a good black candidate run on the democratic ticket. Every election it seems the political parties hand us *** to select from.

[quatrops]

I''m pleased to see this rag flailing around in this hit piece with not much more than not-very-good sarcasm. That''s usually a sign that you''re on the ropes intellectually and argumentatively.

They should be re-named the "WEAKly Standard".

[prantha]

Economic experience? Well, he has managed his campaign pretty well; and he did not have to LOAN his campaign any money or leave a trail of bills behind in every venue...

And, how much experience did W have? (Hint: less.) But the big difference between W and Obama is that Obama is intelligent enough to recognize incompetence and won''t so stupid as to surround himself with "yes men."

[samthetvcat]

Look, I''m an Obama supporter but I''m also female, and I think these male pundits SERIOUSLY underestimate the level of resentment women will feel if Hillary doesn''t at least get VP.

They all understand how blacks would feel outraged if Obama were to get muscled out of the nomination by the Clintons'' backroom dealings, but they just seem to take it for granted that women will be accepting if Obama beats out Hillary based on ''dragging his heels'' over MI and FL.

If Hillary makes it known that she wants VP, and if Obama shows reluctance, women are going to be furious. Even if Obama does nominate Hillary VP, women are still going to need to be cultivated to come on board.

I just skimmed this piece, but the author didn''t even mention Hillary even in passing did he? I know it was supposed to be funny, but still . . .

[standlee5]

Obama/Kerry, now that''s interesting.

[gkc99]

Fred Barnes'' blog, aka the "weakly standard" is just a hollow shell of the Nether Repugniscum Orif*ace.

They should leave the smears to the masters.. This pathetic little piece of tripe isn''t even worth the cup of electrons it''s consumed.

But what do you expect from Neocon-scum Fred Barnes?

[prantha]

BTW... The prosecution of the Rezko trial will be in its SIXTH (6th) week of witness testimony on Monday and, even though the courtroom is filled to the rafters with Hillary operatives desperately hoping for a small morsel that they can blow up into a huge political indictment against Obama, not a single word has come out with which they can splash across the press and the blogosphere to destroy Obama''s reputation.

The trial will soon be going to the Defense''s witnesses soon. So, people should really give that up. Sorry Hillary; ain''t nothing there. He just knew the man. It''s kinds like how YOU KNEW HSU AND COUNTLESS OTHER CRIMINALS.

[neff1111]

Obama/Kerry: wonderful combo. I like it.

[alee25]

You must be joking. John "pass the puck" "D-" Kerry as VP? Is it not enough to have an inexperienced, hypocritical, Wrightmongering, play the race card, Mr GQ as (horror of horrors!) the potential Democratic nominee?
Kerry lost the election for a reason - he was weak, a roll rover, low in talent, big on wife''s billions, big mouthed (remember his comments about young people going to Iraq? Only those who don''t do well in school end up in Iraq).
Ughhhhhhhhh...............

[alee25]

You must be joking. John "pass the puck" "D-" Kerry as VP? Is it not enough to have an inexperienced, hypocritical, Wrightmongering, play the race card, Mr GQ as (horror of horrors!) the potential Democratic nominee?
Kerry lost the election for a reason - he was weak, a roll rover, low in talent, big on wife''s billions, big mouthed (remember his comments about young people going to Iraq? Only those who don''t do well in school end up in Iraq).
Ughhhhhhhhh...............

[neff1111]

This sexist thing about Hillary is stupid.Vote for the best candidate regardless of their ***, race or religion. That is the constitutional, ethical and SMART thing to do -the ISSUES if you will. If you are a woman, you may have to swallow your " pride". There will be a woman president. I am not sure Hillary is the one.

[neff1111]

What is this???? The word *** is taboo? Censored? How idiotic. It is an accepted word in medical, social and literary talk. Who is the fool who censored it confusing it with something that is not appropriate? I give up.

[hiddengun88]

This won''t work, because I won''t vote for Obama.

This team looks familiar; oh, another BUSH - CHENNY team.

Arrgh. Wake up, Obama, you can''t win.

[douglaplante]

CBS News has dropped to a new low by passing this garbage on to the public.
NOT ACCURATE!
NOT INFORMATIVE!
NOT FUNNY!!
Doug LaPlante

[hiddengun88]

That''s bribery. Obama is selling his cabinet
position all over the nation for supports. He is even using Al Gore''s name., basket ball court (he knows more American play basket balls instead of bowling), etc... My biggest problem; he is selling empty promises for supports. This guy is cheap & dirty.

[cecibertrand]

So, who is Dean Barnett? surely not a class A journalist! What kind of dribble is this? No better writing assignment than to use old tired cliches to meet a word quota? We are in the 2008 political race for truth and honor and an opportunity for the USA citizens to take their country back and clean up the curruption. And just for a start-including better education for journalist; teaching them about integrity and honesty.

[hinnis]

What a ridiculous article. CBS, besides being in the tank for Obama, you really need better writers.

[katycav]

It''s so funny to me that all the people who think Obama is so great are beginning to suggest that the people behind him have absolutely got to ba able to hold him up. Obama as president would be window dressing. The thought of Kerry as VP is ridiculous. If possible Kerry is even more liberal than Obama. The Dems would have to be willing to self destruct if they choose Obama as the nominee. Obama could not take time off yesterday to appear for the memoriam for Dr. King as he couldn''t be bothered a few weeks ago to attend a day long forum on "The State Of The Black Union." One of the black talk show hosts yesterday in weighing the future problems of racial conflict in the U.S. said that when Obama became president he would fix everything. Barack Obama is not worthy of that kind of blind faith. If all the blacks are voting for him on that basis they are in for a shock.

[mramerica1]

America would indeed greatly benefit from Obama picking a seasoned candidate such as Kerry. But America would also benefit from pictures of a Hillary Clinton nipple slip. That sounds outrageous, I know. But not as outrageous as you might think. To find out more about how a slip could unite the country, please visit: www.****************.com

[happyweasel]

Obama:Gore:08
This mends fences & gives Gore the highest post givable. We all know the power that can be had by a VP is more than in the 90s. Gores what he says, even thinks what he thinks he thinks (make sense?). But THIS is the solution! Obama could possibly facilitate it to happen; it wouldn''t with Hillary on the top of the ticket. Hillary fans will be sated, Obama''s giddy, and more than 50% of America will be happy.

[happyweasel]

Obama:Gore:08
This mends fences & gives Gore the highest post givable. We all know the power that can be had by a VP is more than in the 90s. Gores what he says, even thinks what he thinks he thinks (make sense?). But THIS is the solution! Obama could possibly facilitate it to happen; it wouldn''t with Hillary on the top of the ticket. Hillary fans will be sated, Obama''s giddy, and more than 50% of America will be happy.

[mcjohns3]

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.
In my view, the author is not adding to the important political dialogue that we so desperately need right now. It seems that his intention is simply to ''fire-up'' the right by bashing the left. I wish he would spend more precious wit trying to raise the right instead.

[nobama-2009]

Any free thinking person still voting for Obama needs to get their head examined.

He can''t win the big states we dems need in the national election...he is losing support from independants because of his closet racism. Plus be sure he has more skeletons in his closet!!

We need Hillary to go up against Mccain in Nov or else we get four more years of repubs!!
Wake up Obama kool aid drinkers!!

[bhagwandeol]

this discussion is premature. hillary will be the nominee.her tax returns show that although she acts tough against male contestants but she is a kind woman. giving away 10 % of newely earned wealth shows the real clintons may be the highest donation among politicians.
obama is no more than AN EMPTY FLUTE WHICH MAKES NICE SOUND BUT ON BORROWD LIPS AND BREATH OF THE FLUTE PLAYER WITHOUT THAT IT IS A N EMPTY PIECE OF WOOD WITH TOO MANY HOLES.
obama,s empty rhetoric is nothing more than that. he claim to be a honest and fair person but he is trying to steal the nomination by not agreeing to seat the delegates from florida and michigan based on voting results. his tactics are deep dirty inside but polished outside. OBAMA SHEEN WILL BE OVER SOON AND SOON WE WILL SEE A VERY DIRTY AND CUNNING POLITICIANS WHO IS FOOLING EVERY ONE BY HIS RACE CARD.
clintons are the best god given gift to america after kfk and bobby kennedy.
wake up america before it is too late.
bhagwan deol los angeles

[geezbox-2009]

This can''t be serious. What a horrible combination. Obama needs a running mate who meshes with his personality. Kerry is too establishment, too old-boy-politician. Webb is a better choice despite his lack of tenure in office. Kathleen Sebelius (governor of Kansas) is a much better choice. Heck, even Hillary is a better choice as VP than Kerry.

[gaiaschild-2009]

or nancy pelosi, bill richardson, tom daschle, joe biden, leaving attorney general open for john edwards who doesn''t want VP and who knows, maybe doesn''t want AG (i want that), let''s see, who else ... ??? maybe john kerry department of state. we cannot take all the good ones out of the senate and congress ...

[gaiaschild-2009]

o hey, about sen. clinton''s charity, most of was given to the clinton library.

when i give money to myself it is not tax deductible.

[elfici]

I have decided that the fundamental difference between progressives and conservatives is progressives don''t think cynicism and intelligence are the same thing and they certainly understand that optimism is not the same as naivete. All the conservative pundits with their scoffing remarks and dismissal of Obama sound very smart, don''t they? Sorta like those young pseudo-intellectuals at the coffee shop who like to appear that they hold the key to some deep and mysterious understanding of the world by making dismissive pronouncements of judgment over the rim of their paper cup of espresso. It''s easy to be negative and faithless, it''s a lot harder to take personal responsibility for our lives and do the actual work to figure it out and reach toward an ideal. Think about who you would rather have leading our country - someone who refuses to fill in the gaps in his knowledge by entertaining the discussion of any potentially opposing viewpoints (like the president we have endured these past eight years), or someone who is willing to engage people, including all the other duly elected leaders of this country in the process of government for the first time in decades. I am sure that idea makes the conservatives extremely nervous, since they are under the impression that the elite of their ilk run the country better than any silly old democratic process. I guess I must be terribly naive, but I have faith in Democracy and so does Barack Obama.

[elfici]

I have decided that the fundamental difference between progressives and conservatives is progressives don''t think cynicism and intelligence are the same thing and they certainly understand that optimism is not the same as naivete. All the conservative pundits with their scoffing remarks and dismissal of Obama sound very smart, don''t they? Sorta like those young pseudo-intellectuals at the coffee shop who like to appear that they hold the key to some deep and mysterious understanding of the world by making dismissive pronouncements of judgment over the rim of their paper cup of espresso. It''s easy to be negative and faithless, it''s a lot harder to take personal responsibility for our lives and do the actual work to figure it out and reach toward an ideal. Think about who you would rather have leading our country - someone who refuses to fill in the gaps in his knowledge by entertaining the discussion of any potentially opposing viewpoints (like the president we have endured these past eight years), or someone who is willing to engage people, including all the other duly elected leaders of this country in the process of government for the first time in decades. I am sure that idea makes the conservatives extremely nervous, since they are under the impression that the elite of their ilk run the country better than any silly old democratic process. I guess I must be terribly naive, but I have faith in Democracy and so does Barack Obama.

[elfici]

I have decided that the fundamental difference between progressives and conservatives is progressives don''t think cynicism and intelligence are the same thing and they certainly understand that optimism is not the same as naivete. All the conservative pundits with their scoffing remarks and dismissal of Obama sound very smart, don''t they? Sorta like those young pseudo-intellectuals at the coffee shop who like to appear that they hold the key to some deep and mysterious understanding of the world by making dismissive pronouncements of judgment over the rim of their paper cup of espresso. It''s easy to be negative and faithless, it''s a lot harder to take personal responsibility for our lives and do the actual work to figure it out and reach toward an ideal. Think about who you would rather have leading our country - someone who refuses to fill in the gaps in his knowledge by entertaining the discussion of any potentially opposing viewpoints (like the president we have endured these past eight years), or someone who is willing to engage people, including all the other duly elected leaders of this country in the process of government for the first time in decades. I am sure that idea makes the conservatives extremely nervous, since they are under the impression that the elite of their ilk run the country better than any silly old democratic process. I guess I must be terribly naive, but I have faith in Democracy and so does Barack Obama.

[elfici]

I have decided that the fundamental difference between progressives and conservatives is progressives don''t think cynicism and intelligence are the same thing and they certainly understand that optimism is not the same as naivete. All the conservative pundits with their scoffing remarks and dismissal of Obama sound very smart, don''t they? Sorta like those young pseudo-intellectuals at the coffee shop who like to appear that they hold the key to some deep and mysterious understanding of the world by making dismissive pronouncements of judgment over the rim of their paper cup of espresso. It''s easy to be negative and faithless, it''s a lot harder to take personal responsibility for our lives and do the actual work to figure it out and reach toward an ideal. Think about who you would rather have leading our country - someone who refuses to fill in the gaps in their knowledge by entertaining the discussion of any potentially opposing viewpoints (like the president we have endured these past eight years), or someone who is willing to engage people, including all the other duly elected leaders of this country in the process of government for the first time in decades. I am sure that idea makes the conservatives extremely nervous, since they are under the impression that the elite of their ilk run the country better than any silly old democratic process. I guess I must be terribly naive, but I have faith in Democracy and so does Barack Obama.

[elfici]

I have decided that the fundamental difference between progressives and conservatives is progressives don''t think cynicism and intelligence are the same thing and they certainly understand that optimism is not the same as naivete. All the conservative pundits with their scoffing remarks and dismissal of Obama sound very smart, don''t they? Sorta like those young pseudo-intellectuals at the coffee shop who like to appear that they hold the key to some deep and mysterious understanding of the world by making dismissive pronouncements of judgment over the rim of their paper cup of espresso. It''s easy to be negative and faithless, it''s a lot harder to take personal responsibility for our lives and do the actual work to figure it out and reach toward an ideal. Think about who you would rather have leading our country - someone who refuses to fill in the gaps in their knowledge by entertaining the discussion of any potentially opposing viewpoints (like the president we have endured these past eight years), or someone who is willing to engage people, including all the other duly elected leaders of this country in the process of government for the first time in decades. I am sure that idea makes conservatives extremely nervous, since they appear to be under the impression that the elite of their ilk run the country better than any silly old democratic process. I guess I must be terribly naive, but I have faith in Democracy and so does Barack Obama.

[elfici]

whoops sorry about that. I did not think it was accepting comments. It was not my intention to spam that way. Hopefully moderators will remove all the extra posts.

[hinnis]

geezbox: You''re right. Obama does need a running mate who matches his personality. Now all he needs to find is a ruthless, dishonest racist.

[hobiej-2009]

I would throw out that it might be wise for Obama to announce not only his VP selection, but also his Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense if not more potential cabinet members. This would deflate both McCain''s supposed advantage as a War Hero and his experience.
Maybe.....
VP: Kerry, Bloomberg, Biden, or Sebelius
Sec. of State: Biden
Sec. of Defense: Wesley Clark
Sec. of Energy/new global warming type position: Gore or Richardson
Attorney General: John Edwards
somewhere Clinton should be involved as well although definitely NOT as VP.

[marthadavid]

bhagwandeol
You prove it''s true that Clinton attracts the uneducated, and uniformed. Charitable donations to the Clinton library and/or foundation can hardly be considered charity. 400,000 dollar income declarations, from the crooks Bill Clinton pardoned can only be considered payoffs. They make the Sopranos look tame. What a joke. I can''t believe Americans continue to be bamboozled by these two. Will YOU ever wake up?

[hinnis]

OBAMA: DIRTY POLITICIAN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING: Chicago Sun-Times -- A close examination of Obama''s first campaign clouds the image he has cultivated throughout his political career: The man now running for president on a message of giving a voice to the voiceless first entered public office not by leveling the playing field, but by clearing it. Alice Palmer, a friend and mentor to Obama, served the district in the Illinois Senate for much of the 1990s. Decades earlier, she was working as a community organizer in the area. She risked her safe seat to run for Congress and touted Obama as a suitable successor. But when Palmer got clobbered in that November 1995 special congressional race, her supporters asked Obama to fold his campaign so she could easily retain her state Senate seat. Obama not only refused to step aside for the woman who was his friend and had recommended him for the seat, he filed challenges that nullified Palmer''s hastily gathered nominating petitions, forcing her to withdraw. Had Palmer survived the petition challenge, Obama would have faced the daunting task of taking on an incumbent senator. "He wondered if we should knock everybody off the ballot. How would that look?" said Ronald Davis, the paid Obama campaign consultant whom Obama referred to as his "guru of petitions." In the end, Davis filed objections to all four of Obama''s Democratic rivals at the candidate''s behest. He then went on to win the election.
http://tinyurl.com/2zwwte

[hinnis]

OBAMA%u2019S CHANGING STORY ON REZKO: Chicago Sun-Times, March 16, 2008: For the first time, Sen. Barack Obama put a figure Friday to the amount of campaign contributions that indicted political fund-raiser Tony Rezko raised for the senator''s campaigns, and the number -- about $250,000 -- was far more than he previously acknowledged. Obama''s estimate exceeded his campaign staff''s previous estimates of Rezko''s fund-raising during Obama''s 12 years in politics. In November 2006, Obama''s staff estimated Rezko raised $50,000 to $60,000 over the senator''s career. In the last year, Obama''s campaign fund has given charities more than $157,600 in donations it linked to Rezko, his family, friends and business associates.

[ilanbarak]

Dream ticket? No, nightmare ticket. Bill Richardson is perfect.

[greenfun]

Kerry that wimp. Dreamticket my foot. Just what we need-two wimps in the White House. Kerry should stick to windsurfing.

[hinnis]

OBAMA LIES IN PENNSYLVANIA AD
From NBC/NJ%u2019s Aswini Anburajan
GREENBURG, Pa. -- The Clinton campaign today accused the Obama campaign of "false advertising," claiming that a recent ad Obama released in Pennsylvania was disngenous because Obama has been the recipient of more than $200,000 from the oil and gas industry.
In the ad, Obama says, "I''m Barack Obama, and I don''t take money from oil companies or lobbyists, and I won''t let them block change any more."
Obama has taken $213,884 from the oil and gas industry as of Feb. 29th, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Sen. Hillary Clinton has taken $306,813 in that same period.
Two of Obama''s campaign bundlers are also CEOs for oil and gas companies, per a list released on his campaign Web site.
Robert Cavnar, listed as a bundler who has raised between $50,000 to $100,000 for the campaign, is the chairman and CEO of Mission Resources Corp., a Houston-based firm. George Kaiser, also listed in the same $50,000 to $100,000 category, is the CEO of Tulsa-based Kaiser-Francis Oil Company.
"It''s unfortunate that Senator Obama is using false advertising to explain why he can be trusted to do something about energy prices," Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said. "Senator Obama says he doesn''t take campaign contributions from oil companies but the reality is that Exxon, Shell, and others are among his donors."
http://tinyurl.com/2on6dr

[lindafranke]

Thank you Dean Barnett. If he taps Kerry, what will the Mums talk about, their heritage. One rich and white the other poor and black? Well, at least one is authentically African.

[lindafranke]

Thank you Dean Barnett. If he taps Kerry what will the Mums talk about, their heritage? One rich and white the other poor and black. Well, at least one is authentically African.

[lindafranke]

Thank you Dean Barnett. If he taps Kerry what will the Mums talk about, their heritage? One rich and white the other poor and black. Well, at least one is authentically African.

[lindafranke]

Thank you Dean Barnett. If he taps Kerry what will the Mums talk about, their heritage? One rich and white the other poor and black. Well, at least one is authentically African.

[hinnis]

OBAMA LIES IN PENNSYLVANIA AD
From NBC/NJ%u2019s Aswini Anburajan
GREENBURG, Pa. -- The Clinton campaign today accused the Obama campaign of "false advertising," claiming that a recent ad Obama released in Pennsylvania was disngenous because Obama has been the recipient of more than $200,000 from the oil and gas industry.
In the ad, Obama says, "I''''m Barack Obama, and I don''''t take money from oil companies or lobbyists, and I won''''t let them block change any more."
Obama has taken $213,884 from the oil and gas industry as of Feb. 29th, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Sen. Hillary Clinton has taken $306,813 in that same period.
Two of Obama''''s campaign bundlers are also CEOs for oil and gas companies, per a list released on his campaign Web site.
Robert Cavnar, listed as a bundler who has raised between $50,000 to $100,000 for the campaign, is the chairman and CEO of Mission Resources Corp., a Houston-based firm. George Kaiser, also listed in the same $50,000 to $100,000 category, is the CEO of Tulsa-based Kaiser-Francis Oil Company.
"It''''s unfortunate that Senator Obama is using false advertising to explain why he can be trusted to do something about energy prices," Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said. "Senator Obama says he doesn''''t take campaign contributions from oil companies but the reality is that Exxon, Shell, and others are among his donors."
http://tinyurl.com/2on6dr

[citizenusa-2009]

Still pulling for Hillary but if she doesn''t make it, I''d vote for the Obama/Kerry ticket in a heartbeat. ANYBODY, BUT ANOTHER LYING, CHEATING, WAR-MONGERING REPUBLICAN!!!!!!!! They mug for the cameras when our men and women DIE for NOTHING!!!

[justingosnel]

Dream ticket, more like stupid ticket. Besides Hillary, Kerry just might be the wrost elected Democratic Senator. Kerry is a disgrace to American politics, he is a waste in the Senate. This seems more like a Dream ticket that the Republicans would like to have. CBS, come on, this is pathetic.

[hinnis]

OBAMA WILL NOT COOPERATE IN RELEASING 8 YEARS OF HIS STATE SENATE RECORDS
Judicial Watch: Obama %u2018intended to leave no paper trail%u2019
By Klaus Marre
Posted: 03/26/08 01:01 PM [ET]
The president of a prominent watchdog group said Wednesday that he believes Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) %u201Cintended to leave no paper trail%u201D during his time in the Illinois Senate.
Judicial Watch, which has been seeking access to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton%u2019s (D-N.Y.) records from her time in the White House, argued Wednesday that the Illinois senator, who has criticized the former first lady for a lack of openness, has his own %u201Crecords problem.%u201D
%u201CThe more we learn about the Illinois Senator, the more obvious it becomes that he is anything but the ethically upright outsider he purports to be,%u201D said Tom Fitton, the president of Judicial Watch.
The group rose to prominence when it repeatedly took on former President Bill Clinton during his time in office. It also sought records from the Bush administration regarding Vice President *** Cheney%u2019s energy task force.
In a statement, Fitton noted that his group has sought access to Obama%u2019s records as a state senator and questioned whether the presidential candidate has been forthcoming with regard to what happened to those documents.
He said that %u201Cnobody knows where they are, if they exist at all%u201D and claimed that %u201CObama%u2019s story keeps changing.%u201D