Obama Breaks Little New Ground On Policy

Washington Post: Democrat Has Not Emphasized Any Signature Domestic Issue

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Perry Bacon Jr..

---

Already famous for his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama entered the Senate with more than the usual aspirations about the impact he could have.

So in 2005, he had his office arrange informal seminars so that experts on health care, the economy, energy and education could brief him. "I'm not running for president," he told a group of experts at his Capitol Hill office in the spring of 2006. But he said he had a "national voice" and wanted to use it.

When Obama changed his mind and decided to run for president after only two years in the Senate, however, he effectively dismissed the importance of policy proposals, declaring in one speech in early 2007, "We've had plenty of plans, Democrats," and in another: "Every four years, somebody trots out a white paper, they post it on the Web." He cast his "new kind of politics" in terms of his ability to transcend divisions and his unique biography and offered few differences on issues from Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and the other Democratic presidential candidates.

But now this approach faces a new test from Sen. John McCain. The GOP candidate is making an aggressive appeal to independents by emphasizing his past and present stances against party orthodoxy, particularly his proposals to combat global warming.

Obama has not emphasized any signature domestic issue, or signaled that he would take his party in a specific direction on policy, as Bill Clinton did with his "New Democrat" proposals in 1992 that emphasized welfare reform or as George W. Bush did with his "compassionate conservatism" in 2000, when he called on Republicans to focus more on issues such as education.

Obama's campaign is "clearly politically transformative, it's clearly from a policy standpoint been cautious," said James K. Galbraith, a liberal activist and economist at the University of Texas at Austin who had backed former senator John Edwards in the early primaries.

"The change that Senator Obama has promised is one of tone and leadership style," said William A. Galston, who was a domestic policy adviser to President Bill Clinton and is backing Sen. Clinton but who said he would enthusiastically support Obama if he is the party's nominee. "He has not dissented from party orthodoxy in the way Bill Clinton did on the way to the presidency in 1992," Galston added.

Heather Higginbottom, who runs Obama's policy office at the campaign's Chicago headquarters, cited education as one area in which Obama offers ideas that are not traditionally Democratic, arguing that the problem is not all about schools or funding, but about parents who let their children watch too much television. She said his proposal to give teachers bonus pay if they receive special training or if their students score high on standardized tests is an idea that some liberal-leaning teachers unions oppose. And she said the campaign has brought "fresh thinking" on many issues, particularly on one of Obama's favorites: increased government transparency.

But Higginbottom said the campaign's emphasis is on practical solutions, not ideological points. "I know it's interesting from a political perspective to look left, right and center, but we want to put forward ideas that will move forward in Congress," she said. "And we have the potential to engage people in a way they haven't been engaged recently and give them the tools to participate."

David Axelrod, Obama's top political adviser, said that the campaign will devote more staff members to policy (there are now seven) and that the senator's speeches will increasingly highlight his proposals.

"The next six months is going to be about competing visions for this country," he said. "Obama is looking forward, and his policies will reflect that."

Obama's domestic policy proposals, including expanding health care to all Americans and offering tax cuts for the middle class while raising taxes for those who make more than $250,000 a year, differ little from those that Clinton and other Democrats have proposed during the primaries. His ideas for solving the nation's housing crisis are similar to those of congressional Democrats, offering aid to people who cannot pay their mortgages and proposing a second economic stimulus package.

Obama, like many congressional Democrats, has pushed for more education funding, a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and immigration legislation that would create a path to citizenship for people who are now in the United States illegally.

In part, Obama's approach reflects the broad consensus that has developed during the Democratic primaries. Unlike Republicans -- many of whom disagree with McCain on issues such as global warming and immigration -- Democratic presidential candidates, the party's leaders in Congress and Democratic voters largely agree on an agenda. There is little of the left-center divide of the Bill Clinton era. Self-identified independent voters broadly favored the Democrats' approach over that of the GOP on Iraq, health care, the economy and dealing with the federal budget deficit, according to a recent Washington Post poll.

Jared Bernstein, a liberal economist at the Economic Policy Institute, praised him for offering a more progressive agenda than the past two Democratic presidential nominees, former vice president Al Gore and Sen. John F. Kerry, neither of whom proposed a universal health-care plan, as Obama has. "There's a recognition that small-bore approaches to solving the big challenges is not sufficient," Bernstein said.

Obama's policy ideas reflect the group of mainstream Democratic advisers he has surrounded himself with, many of them younger colleagues of experts who had held top-level positions in the Clinton administration and ended up working for the former first lady's campaign.

Jeffrey B. Liebman, a Harvard economist who advises Obama on budget issues, had been a top aide to Gene Sperling, President Clinton's top economics adviser, who now works for Sen. Clinton's campaign; Michael Froman, a Citigroup executive who advises Obama on Wall Street issues, was a top aide to former Treasury secretary Robert Rubin, another Clinton backer.

Obama also brought in people who were not in the Clinton orbit, but most of them are not new to Washington. The advisers say that what drew them to Obama was not his embrace of their policy views but rather his potential appeal for getting things done.

"His message of uniting people and trying to do something new was apparent from the beginning, and so he sort of had me at hello," said University of Chicago professor Austan Goolsbee, Obama's top economic adviser.

The campaign, however, has distanced itself from more controversial views, such as Goolsbee's description of Obama's opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement as political rhetoric. Goolsbee denied the account of what he said at a meeting at the Canadian consulate in Chicago, and Obama has kept his anti-NAFTA rhetoric.

Looking forward, Galston said that while Obama and McCain would each seek to emphasize independence from their parties on "second-tier" issues such as teacher pay or global warming, on the big issues, such as the Iraq war and the economy, they would hew to party orthodoxy while at the same time arguing that the other is even more tied to his own party.

"The Obama campaign will argue on those issues McCain is, if anything, more conservative than Bush," Galston said. "The McCain campaign will argue although Senator Obama has campaigned on a promise to bring us back together, that in fact he is not a moderate, despite his tone, but is a liberal."

Bruce Reed, who also was a policy adviser to President Clinton and now supports Sen. Clinton, said it is important for the eventual Democratic nominee to show some break from the party, to burnish centrist credentials. "Our candidate will need as many proof points as possible that we're not the weak-on-defense, big-spending liberal the Republicans always say they are," he said.

Obama aides, however, say their approach will work because most voters are looking not for a new vision for expanding health care but rather for a reformed political system such as the one Obama calls for, one that would solve problems rather than resort to bickering.

Galston said Obama's approach could succeed in a general-election campaign as long as the candidate made sure voters were more familiar with his plans, but he was more skeptical about the approach working if Obama is elected president. "There are many scholars . . . who believe that polarization in the country between the parties is pretty thorough and that a change in tone may not be sufficient," he said.

Staff writer Shailagh Murray and polling analyst Jennifer Agiesta contributed to this report.

[perceptions5]

Looks like the "elites" pick, Obama is losing ground.

Seems like his "fictional stories" accounts accounts of past history are taking it toll on this guy that most Americans STILL don''t know.

And I doubt it if this "creation by our liberal elite wolfpack press" will make it come November. Just not qualified, but a great "talker".

"Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that John McCain attracting 47% of the vote nationwide while Barack Obama earns 42%.

McCain is viewed favorably by 52% of voters nationwide and unfavorably by 45%. Obama%u2019s numbers are 48% favorable and 49% unfavorable ."

Obama, Vote NO to a Jimmy Carter second term..........

[obama8years]

Google - International Solidarity Movement

And then decide if Obama is worth it.


Somebody ask Obama about his involvement with the International Solidarity Movement? Let him answer that, is he going to dodge it , like Ayers and Rev Wright?

If Barack Obama didn%u2019t know about Abunimah%u2019s writings (and Abunimah says he did), the same as his claims of being unaware of Reverend Wright%u2019s remarks after 20 years, then Obama is not competent to be our President. Abunimah likes to lie and claim Al Awda has nothing to do with the ISM or Electronic Intifada, though plenty of evidence exists on the website the homepage at www.StoptheISM.com showing the contrary.

But Obama%u2019s association with the ISM through his church and lobbying in Chicago goes even deeper than just his past links to Al Awda and Ali Abunimah. His pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, are both equally involved with the ISM.

[briannorwood]

This is a moronic article!

I guess Universal Health Care and ending the war in Iraq aren''t important enough!

[one-american]

Looks like the press is finding out that Obama is really just a hollow figment of the liberal imagination...

[jus111-2009]

this is why Hillary Clinton stays in the race, he is all talk, and that is it.

[oldone60]

VOTE OBAMA -- IT IS TIME NOW FOR BLACKS TO RISE...
Posted by eatmochicke2 at 11:13 AM : May 29, 2008
============
That''s random, and I hope somebody''s idea of a sick joke.

I am not voting for Obama, not because of his race - a poor reason to support or oppose someone. I will not vote for hime because he is an inexperienced hard left wing politician who, IMHO, will grovel in front of our enemies, attack our allies and raise our taxes greatly to pay for socialist pie-in-the-sky schemes.

Obama is the second coming all right - of the Carter "malaise" administration. Only this time it will be worse.

Barack Obama - Endorsed by HAMAS!

[unclawdog]

really eatmochicke2??? do you really expect us to believe you''re an african-american?? you''re a sad, shallow, white male masquarading as an overzealous black voter? pathetic.

[oldone60]

Looks like eatmochicke2''s 11:13 post has been deleted. unclawdog is probably right & one of the human monitors noticed...

[aldon61]

eatmochicken: I''ve seen your posts on other stories, you can''t really think anyone believes that you''re not a white racist, do you? Go grab another Dixie beer and swallow down some crawfish, oh, and I do hope you suck the heads, it''s good for you.

[aldon61]

CBS: Good work on getting rid of eatmochicken''s post, block him permanently, will ya?

[realpatriot1]

ccfscda,

Thanks for spelling out the fantasy which we know is what Hillary and her supporters have been counting on for some time.

While you folks dream about 2012 and 4 years of McCain just to get to Hillary the train is going to head out of the station without you.

Your premises are all flawed. Obama is actually developing comfortable leads vis a vis McCain in the battleground states he needs to win the electoral college. The Dems are favored by the public on every issue except terrorism and they''re more competitve on that than the GOP is on anything else.

When the Party in power is presiding over an endless war, recession, out of control gas prices and inflation, and has squandered Amrica''s role as the moral leader of the world it doesn''t bode well for that party. When a conservative voice as prominent as Rupert Murdoch(FOX News) predicts a Democratic landslide and hints that he might endorse Obama, you might want to hedge your predictions a tad.

[Torilin]

ccfsdca
If you are able to predict future Please let me know this Saturday''s Lotto numbers, I''ll give you a 2% cut.

[vet_sk]

Hillary has lost and will never have support to run again -- she''s lost all credibility in politics and her ability to do simple math. The fact that Hillary wants to count all 50 states is fine. But then she says all the caucus states should not count.

[suzyku]

Here we go, the likes of you start the "trash"! I, too would like to know how you can predict the future?! You are just another irrelevant pundit, can''t do anything so become a psuedo expert and write about it!

[myshiba]

americans are finally waking up and seeing that obama is brainless, clueless, and incompetent; just like they did for bush and the iraq war, the msm is attempting to ram obama down our throats (unvetted and filled with lies and deception); IT WON''T WORK THIS TIME BECAUSE WE ARE HIP TO THE CON!

[brianbwb-2009]

I''d rather a politician didn''t make promises that cannot be kept, than one who promises the same BS we have been hearing for decades.

Let the man get into office first, then his "signature" issue will be determined at the end of his term, as Bush is now linked with war.

[bloogirl-2009]

It is not a question of "black or white" - it''s who qualifies - and he does not. I agree with the other person that he is hollow - no substance - no experience. All talk - nothing beyond.

[brianbwb-2009]

"It is not a question of "black or white" - it''''s who qualifies - and he does not. I agree with the other person that he is hollow - no substance - no experience. All talk - nothing beyond." Posted by bloogirl

The same is true for all the candidates, they are all hollow, until they see which way the wind blows, and how much they can get away with.

If Mr. Obama were not qualified, he would not be in the contest, obviously he is qualified.

[obama8years]

Follow the money. The book was published by a Soros owned publishing company....known for publishing anti Bush books. Much adoo about nothing. The little Judas McClellan will be used by the left and discarded, like Cindy Sheehan.....and he pretty much burned the bridge back to republican land.

[bloogirl-2009]

I would rather not have 4 years of O''mama. It''s time for the dumb***** running the dnc to wake and smell the coffee. I thought some of these people were smarter than this. If he is given the democratic nomination, they are handing the election to mccain. I am one of those who will NOT vote for him. I will either vote for mccain or stay home.

[bloogirl-2009]

if you have enough money and bull**** - you can run. it doesn''t mean you''re "qualified".

[brianbwb-2009]

"...and he pretty much burned the bridge back to republican land." Posted by obama8years

He couldn''t have picked a better bridge to burn.

[brianbwb-2009]

"if you have enough money and bull**** - you can run. it doesn''''t mean you''''re "qualified". Posted by bloogirl

True, every president in at least the past 40 years has been nothing but money and BS, but In this case, it seems that "qualified" means following your point of view.

[cozzicon]

"Google - International Solidarity Movement

And then decide if Obama is worth it."-- Posted by obama8years

Thanks for the pointer. Another reason to vote for Obama.

It would be ignorant to think that Arabs, Palestinians, or any other minority group (especially an oppressed one) wouldn''t have their own activist organizations, press, and spin machines.

The issue in the middle east isn''t black and white. It''s about finding a compromise on both sides that will last.

The fact that Obama is familiar with the Palestinian cause, as well as the Jewish cause- is an excellent find.

We here in the US tend to make the Neanderthal mistake of of defining "Israeli GOOOOD, Arab BAAAAD"- when in fact the issue is about a balance of rights:

The right of Israel to exist, and the right of Arabs to their land.

The solution comes from reconciling the above issue. Not being black and white.

Obama apparently understands that, while others spin the "GOOOOD/BAAD" rhetoric and label Arab organizations as terrorist.

[secundus2]

Sen. Obama has to run on "hope" and "change" and "belief in change" precisely because he has no substantial record of accomplishment either in Illinois or the US senate.

Thus far in his campaign, he hasn''t even put an emphasis on legislation he might propose, but rather, on things he was against (NAFTA, authorization of force against Iraq, etc.). In those political clashes he didn''t bring a majority of DEMs with him and he didn''t offer better alternatives that would have produced an increased level of trade or the overthrow of the Iraqi dictator (national policy since 1998 under Pres. Clinton). He wants to leave Iraq even as he ignores the improved situation there (recognized today by the UN Sec''y General).

Most of what he displays is disdain for the work of others. He has made no political "mistakes" because he has never been the author of any significant policy or program that actually went into effect.

[andylance1]

So Perry Bacon is saying that Obama is offering a "progressive" agenda concealed in rhetoric about "vision."

A vision is hard to pin down and discuss the merits about - because all the words sound so pretty - coming from the rainbow candidate and all.

I feel like I''m on a jet experiencing turbulence, quick, where is the air sickness bag?

[max0010]

I can live with OBAMA maybe shutting a %u201Cdeaf ear%u201D to what his preacher taught him for some 20 years, probably because he believes the teachings but would never speak the philosophy to others because he knows it is radical. But it is really hard for me to believe that he never expected to payback or give Rezko anything in return for his generous gifts? His biggest fundraiser, personal real estate advisor. THIS MORNING it was announced that Antoin Rezko has been issued an arrest warrant for corruption-related charges by a Las Vegas judge for large gambling debts. This man was giving money to OBAMA like there was no tomorrow and it appears he had no money to give? Reason? Rezko told the federal judge in Illinois that he was $50 million in debt. Rezko besides giving mega bucks to OBAMA for his campaign, he bought the lot next to OBAMA%u2019s home at a mere $650,000.00 to help OBAMA purchase the home. OBAMA knew well that his friend was under investigation for corruption LONG before he bought the house, which has been satisfactory proven in court, long before he accepted the money for his first Senator campaign. Never anything in return of any kind to Rezko, just accepted these as %u201Cgifts%u201D because he is a %u201Cnice guy%u201D. This should clearly tell you what OBAMA thinks of the average US citizen %u2013 gullible, easy to fool, naove, he is fleecing America with his speeches.

[rowdywicca]

I''m still wondering what the helll all his change is.

#1 He''s not above politics as usual, he''s dirty
#2 He never supported education as an Illinois senator as attested by his colleagues
#3 In seven years as an Illinois senator he never even passed a piece of legislation. So how did he improve anything? His district is still mired in slums and their killing each other off!
#4 As a US senator he has passed one piece of legislation for relief efforts in the Congo, and glomed his name on several other people''s legislation. Has not been able to get any of his other proposals out of committee, because he only served 143 days, and has been campaigning ever since.

Do I care what Obama''s VISION is when he has no record of the ability to get it done? NO!

Do I care that Obama''s VISION includes voting for *** Cheney''s freaking energy bill? YES, I DO!

Do I want to turn over the button to the atomic bomb to the equivalent of a first grader who''s been in school 143 days? NO!

Do I think Obama has the power to get all the lobbyists out of Washington and get rid of every politician who is corrupt (just like he is)? NO!

My vote goes to the candidate who has proven her ability to get her own sponsored legislation out on the floor, and voted into law that has significant benefit for citizens.

[erichsh]

Barack O-Same-a. I thought he was going to be all about "change" and "hope".

[obama8years]

We here in the US tend to make the Neanderthal mistake of of defining "Israeli GOOOOD, Arab BAAAAD"- when in fact the issue is about a balance of rights:

The right of Israel to exist, and the right of Arabs to their land.

The solution comes from reconciling the above issue. Not being black and white.

Obama apparently understands that, while others spin the "GOOOOD/BAAD" rhetoric and label Arab organizations as terrorist.
-------------------------------------
Cozzicon did the ISM get to you as well.

What are the ISM%u2019s goals?

Originally, the goal was to put international college students in front of Palestinian terrorists as cover, to hinder anti-terrorism tactics of the Israel Defense Forces, and to drain Israel%u2019s resources any way possible while claiming they are just %u201Cpeace activists.%u201D Their goal has always been to dismantle Israel and carry out the propaganda campaign of Arafat%u2019s PLO. The current goal is to convince anyone and everyone, but mainly the next generation of college students and leaders that Israel is an apartheid state like South Africa was (at the same time the Arabs promote anti-Semitism and insist no Jews can live in Palestine). %u201CRacism%u201D is to be used as red herring for naive recruits as the ISM practices the PLO policy of trying to annihilate the Jewish minority in the Middle East to set up another Arab Muslim dictatorship to rule over them

[robstrck]

Obama is an affirmative action candidate.

[Razzl]

Exactly, Obama''s campaign is about a change of leadership. Policy wonkette Hillary can''t get that because the old-school academic-style political consultariat holds it as an article of faith that campaigns are about issues. They tend to stumble when they have to incorporate personality into the mix...

[popstom1]

The cheep gold plated slum lord lawyer chicago politician Obama is a joke naver has finished
a job

[cozzicon]

"Originally, the goal was to put international college students in front of Palestinian terrorists as cover, to hinder anti-terrorism tactics of the Israel Defense Forces, and to drain Israel%u2019s resources any way possible while claiming they are just %u201Cpeace activists.%u201D Their goal has always been to dismantle Israel and carry out the propaganda campaign of Arafat%u2019s PLO. The current goal is to convince anyone and everyone, but mainly the next generation of college students and leaders that Israel is an apartheid state like South Africa was (at the same time the Arabs promote anti-Semitism and insist no Jews can live in Palestine). %u201CRacism%u201D is to be used as red herring for naive recruits as the ISM practices the PLO policy of trying to annihilate the Jewish minority in the Middle East to set up another Arab Muslim dictatorship to rule over them"-- Posted by obama8years

Wow, lots of words, and no citation.

What are the goals of the JDL/JDO? What is Kahanism? Mordechai Levy? Kahane Chai?

You sir have a lot of studying to do before you claim erudition on these subjects.

The problem is not black or white- which is the point.

[rowdywicca]

True, every president in at least the past 40 years has been nothing but money and BS, but In this case, it seems that "qualified" means following your point of view.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by brianbwb at 12:25 PM : May 29, 2008

Qualified in his ''vision'' is rather skewed...especially when it comes to fiscal responsibility...and on foreign relations is either very naive or stupid. His ''vision'' of just talking our enemies into peace, disarming us in a world that rather hates us, rather speaks to it.

I remember AMericans thinking that Bill Clinton was nuts for bringing our troops to defesive capacity rather than offensive. Now Obama thinks we''re all just going to put down our weapons and love each other because he says so. Sorry, never in history has it worked that way. Talking to your enemies from a position of weakness rather than strength is an invitation for them to jump on you and beat the krap out of you! You have to have a strong DEFENSE so that they know if they don''t join you in peace that you will certainly have the ability to do something about it if they don''t.

Any MORON knows this! But all the love in talk, and the visions, and the pretty words, of his shill marketing campaign seem to have bamboozled people into thinking that''s how the world works. It doesn''t!

[jack3213]

The blind walk endlessly behind the inexperianced leader promising them the sky will open, war will end, the economy will improve immediately, in the meanwhile they raise your taxes, keep the war going, provide no change in health care and smile.. I sure would like to be *kissed* first. Vote McCain 2008.

[gocubs58]

obama8years: How would we be f*cked with Mccain?

Easy - we''re f*cked now. Mcsame is simply the Bush 3rd term.

[gretagreen]

In my humble opinion, Barack Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime candidate. I''m motivated and inspired about our future like I have never been before and so are my parents and my grown children. I guess it''s true that most of his ideas are not new, but they are good and he does have a plan on how to implement them.

President Obama 2008

[talkingham]

Oh excuse me Jackasz3213 I thought you were describing the Bush/McCain ticket and 100 year Iraq war folley that has brought this country together so well and not cost us a penney over $1-trillion and $4/gal gas. Idiot.

Guess we don''t use taxes to fight this war that will at best result in another Islamic state. Great job. I could do better than that, anyone could. Let''s have some more wars we don''t need while the real terrorists go free, and plot to kill again. Idiot.

[medmom04]

what is this? is there any good political discussion here? i''m sure Obama has no intention of using talk alone to bring about peace with rogue nations! come on! Diplomacy does work, and I don''t see you jackholes offering better solutions, you are just bashing each other ruthlessly. what your personal lives and characters must be like. try decent conversation for once!

[ozonmojo]

The emptry suit will be emptier when confronted with real,hard problems.That is why,if he wins in November,he will inaugurate the second Jimmy Carter administration

[michael0004]

In my humble opinion, Barack Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime candidate. I''''m motivated and inspired about our future like I have never been before and so are my parents and my grown children. I guess it''''s true that most of his ideas are not new, but they are good and he does have a plan on how to implement them.

President Obama 2008


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by gretagreen at 01:29 PM : May 29, 2008

Help me out. What exactly are these great ideas? All I seem to hear from him is generalizations or unrealistic ideas like "getting rid of all the Washington lobbyists".

[seah5]

Obama''s chants and slogans are intended for The black community, to unite and rally to solidarity.

Starting with Ophrah, "He''s the one, moving on to Change we can bleive in, Change, Change the government, Yes, we can"

All calls to unite, Join the movement, be party of making history for the first black President. The First black President who will Give that apology for slavery, which will bring about The payment to all black people for the reparations of slavery.

Yes he is the Affirative action candidate.

[dinkydog1]

Obama is going to send all white people to gas chambers. Dont vote for him.

Posted by gopsoccermom

.........................

Tough trolling here soccer mom, the rest of these rants are even more silly than yours.

[obama8years]

Obama and Wright pretty much cut from the same cloth.

But Ali Abunimah is more than just some %u201CPalestinian activist%u201D based in Chicago, the same location as Reverend Wright and the Trinity United Church of Christ. He is, in fact, one of the founders of the fiercely anti-Semitic ISM Arab group Al Awda, the Palestine Right of Return Coalition. Abunimah is a high level international leader of the ISM for the Arabs who travels extensively between Chicago, Europe and Ramallah.

Al Awda in Arabic means %u201CThe Return,%u201D and the group not only calls for the complete destruction of Israel, even denying Israel%u2019s current existence on its website and urging boycotts against not only Israelis, but American Jews and their businesses, but also calls for specifically supporting Arab terrorists in Iraq who kill US soldiers. Among its more than 130 chapters across the US and Canada, Al Awda%u2019s New Jersey chapter is led by a young woman named Charlotte Kates who has called Israeli children killed by suicide bombers %u201Cfair game.%u201D The ISM%u2019s Al Awda openly supports terrorism as %u201Clegitimate resistance%u201D in ISM revolutionary lingo.

[michael0004]

While considering visiting U.S. TROOPS in Iraq this summer, Obama declined McCains invitation to take a JOINT TRIP to the Middle Eastern country, a blog on The New York Times Web site reported.

"I just dont want to be involved in a political stunt.... I think that if Im going to Iraq, then I''''m there to TALK to TROOPS and talk to Commanders," Obama said. "I''''m not there to try to SCORE POLITICAL POINTS or PERFORM."
-----------------------------------------------------

Posted by omaar-101 at 01:27 PM : May 29, 2008

Of course Obama would not think of ever doing anything for political reasons. Yeah, right!

[obama8years]

Jimmy Carter Supports Hamas

Rev Wright Supports Hamas

Louis Farakahn Supports Hamas

Barack Huesainn Supports ....?????

In short, Obama saw no problem being lobbied in the past by someone who openly promotes terrorism and discrimination against Jewish-Americans.

Al Awda is commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Nakba (catastrophe of the creation of Israel) this coming May thanks to the willingness of the management of Hilton Hotels to overlook anti-Semitism in its facilities to make a buck. A new petition is in the works to get Hilton to stop this. Al Awda%u2019s scheduled guest of honor will be a PFLP terrorist member named Khalida Jarrar, and their website recently gave an homage to the late PFLP founder George Habash. Al Awda wants convicted Islamic Jihad financier/terrorist Sami al Arian released, a murderer of over 100 people abroad, some of them Americans, from terrorist attacks.

[acolton1]

Wow Dunkin'''' Donuts and a a fringed black-and-white scarf that the celebrity chef wore in the ad offers symbolic support for Muslim extremism and terrorism.

Donuts and Iced Coffee and Terrorism what a fantastic mixture why did not StarBucks think about that. I am sure Starbucks stock would have at least Trippled in Price if StarBucks had mixed, Donuts and Iced Coffee and Terrorism. I am going to rush out and do an Islamic jihad just so I can get some ICED COFFEE, DONUTS, AND TERRORISM, i might need to go to the thrift store and get a black-and-white scarf to go along with my DONUTS, ICED COFFEE AND TERRORISM, I am sure I will be rushing back to Dunkin'''' Donuts for seconds and thirds and a forth helping. I am sure its delicious.

[mcvet]

President Obama!! I LIKE IT!! Sieg Heil McBUSH!!

[acolton1]

Omaar-101 what do you think about this article

Wow Dunkin'''' Donuts and a a fringed black-and-white scarf that the celebrity chef wore in the ad offers symbolic support for Muslim extremism and terrorism.