MyDD :: Barack I-didn't-know Obama

Barack I-didn't-know Obama

by mbolack, Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:30:29 PM EST

Vetting our two Democratic presidential candidates has definitely been a mixed bag. On one hand, Hillary Clinton's life and political history has been in the news and reported online for many years. Barack Obama is another deal. He has essentially gotten a free ride in the national media, only being questioned seriously when the news was so shocking that the mainstream media had no choice but to report it.

So I went hunting, and was often surprised at what I found. It amounts to a pattern that I find dismaying. There are a lot of links here, documenting sources for my conclusions, and there is a lot to read.

Here is my list, in no particular order. See if you agree with me, and answer the questions for yourself... did he really not know, or is it just that he didn't mind?

1. He joined and remained active in a church where racism and anti-American hate is routinely preached. He and his family attended, and heavily contributed for about 20 years. This has received worldwide attention, as show in the link below.
Ten Must-See Videos from The Times Online
Obama first claimed not to know about Wright's inflammatory statements. He later admitted he did.
CBS News
Flip-Flip Video
CBS News
OOPS... didn't notice. Or else he forgot.
Rev Wright, one of the ministers, even promoted Obama and denigrated Hillary Clinton from the pulpit spurring an IRS investigation as to the validity of their non-profit status. The Obama campaign is also reported to have campaigned on at least one occasion at church events, furthering the curiosity of the IRS.
WCBS TV
Obama Speech at General Synod of the United Church of Christ
But, OOPS... he didn't know. Or didn't mind.

2. Senator Obama bought stock in two companies whose investors included his 2004 campaign political donors. One, in fact, was developing medicine to treat avian flu -- with the stock purchase coming right before Obama introduced legislation to increase funding to combat the virus.
The other company, SkyTerra, received government permission to build a national wireless network on the day Obama purchased his shares. Among the principal owners of this business were four people who had raised more than $150,000 for Obama. Attorney Obama claimed later that they were in a semi-blind trust, that just didn't legally work out. When this became public, Obama sold the stock.
Chicago Sun-Times
New York Times
Oops... he didn't know. Or didn't he mind?

3. Senator Obama came into politics through the famously corrupt Chicago political machine, with the help of some of the slimiest characters imaginable. (Several major players who helped him are have been indicted for graft, fraud, etc. Obama now keeps a rep at Rezko's trial every day to monitor testimony.) Obama has had to donate to charity much of the money they gave him to get his start, though the admitted dollar amount keeps increasing as time goes on. It's now up over $250,000. Tony Rezko, currently at trial on federal charges of attempted extortion, money laundering, and fraud, was also involved in the purchase of Obama's home at well below market value.
Huffington Post
Chicago Sun-Times
New York Times
Not so well publicized is the fact that Obama wrote letters to the Illinois Dept of Housing, recommending Rezco's company, North Kenwood, LLC, for the housing projects that soon became slums, causing inhumane hardship for their residents.
Obama Letters
These slums, later repossessed, were in Obama's district while he was an Illinois senator. In fact, some are about a mile from his home, and several are still boarded up. Obama professed to be unaware of any problems. During the Democratic debate on January 21, 2008, Obama, in fact, gave the impression that he had merely done about 5 hours of legal work for "this individual."
The Rezko Foreclosed Properties
telegraph.co.uk
No Quarter
Rezko Watch
Chicago Tribune: Almost Believable
OOPS... he didn't know. Or did he care?

4. According to the Sun-Times, Barack Obama, "allegedly decent guy and agent of change" in Washington, requested an earmark in 2006 for $1 million taxpayer dollars for the University of Chicago Hospitals, where is wife, Michelle Obama, was a vice president. Said hospital, by the way, gave Michelle Obama a huge raise (nearly $200,000, more than doubling her salary) in 2005 after Barack was elected to the United States Senate.
Michelle Obama
Chicago Sun-Times
According to The Chicago Tribune, "Obama had a special connection to Maytag: Lester Crown, one of the company's directors and biggest investors whose family, records show, has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Obama's campaigns since 2003." Maytag closed its refrigerator plant in Galesburg, Ill during Obama's 2004 Senate campaign, but Crown says Obama never raised the fate of the Galesburg plant with him. Obama's campaign responded "that the senator did not know Crown sat on Maytag's board until the Tribune noted it last September in a story about the closing of the Maytag headquarters in Newton, Iowa."
Chicago Tribune
Obama Truth
Oops... he didn't know? Or didn't he care?

5. Obama took donations from federal lobbyists and political action committees for his House and Senate races and his own Hopefund political action committee. He only stopped taking this political money -- and began speaking out against it -- when he launched his presidential campaign in February 2007. However, he still takes hundreds of thousands of dollars from their high level employees.
Politifact
The Hill
Politifact
Oops... he didn't know? Or doesn't mind?

6. Opponents have asked Senator Obama to release the records from his term of state office in Illinois. Since he has little other experience in politics (he did, after all, declare his presidential candidacy barely 2 years after election to the US Senate), this doesn't seem an unreasonable request. The records might also shed light on his relationship with Rezko and some of the other corrupt individuals he rubbed shoulders with during his climb up through Chicago politics. But lo and behold, the records all seem to have mysteriously disappeared.
Politico
The Pantagraph, a central Illinois newspaper
Questions have also been raised about Obama-sponsored legislation during the last year he was in office there. It is alleged that, in the interest of making Obama appear more prolific, then Illinois Senate Majority Leader Emil Jones appointed Obama as sponsor of many pieces of legislation, even though other senior senators had spent many years working on the bills.

"I took all the beatings and insults and endured all the racist comments over the years from nasty Republican committee chairmen," State Senator Rickey Hendon, the original sponsor of landmark racial profiling and videotaped confession legislation yanked away by Jones and given to Obama, complained to me at the time. "Barack didn't have to endure any of it, yet, in the end, he got all the credit."
"I don't consider it bill jacking," Hendon told me. "But no one wants to carry the ball 99 yards all the way to the one-yard line, and then give it to the halfback who gets all the credit and the stats in the record book."

As a result, Todd Spivak of the Houston Press noted, "During his seventh and final year in the state Senate, Obama's stats soared. He sponsored a whopping 26 bills passed into law -- including many he now cites in his presidential campaign when attacked as inexperienced."
Houston Press
Oops... he didn't know? Or did he mind?

7. Obama's website sported a page for the New Black Panthers organization until it was discovered and reported by the media. It was quickly removed. Obama denounced their support, but the New Black Panthers' Winter 2008 newsletter still carries a full page ad for his campaign on page 36. Though the origin of the ad is not stated, it contains logos, graphics and quotes from the Obama website, which Obama could have ordered removed as a copyright violation.
The NBP page, before its deletion.
NBP Winter 2008 Newsletter
OOPs... he didn't know.

8. In addition to the controversy concerning his numerous "present" votes while in the Illinois legislature, Obama also maintains that he just pushed the wrong button on 5 or 6 other votes. (Let's not even go there!) According to the New York Times, however, an examination of Illinois records shows at least 36 times when Mr. Obama was either the only state senator to vote present or was part of a group of six or fewer to vote that way, causing many to question whether he was really just trying to avoid taking a stand.
LA Times on Obama votes
Real Clear Politics
New Your Times
Obama also has an exceptionally high no-show ration for votes since coming to the Senate.
Media Matters
OOPS... he didn't know? Or didn't he care?

9. On Wednesday, Feb 27, 2008, CTV reported that a senior member of Obama's campaign, Austan Goolsbee, spoke directly with the Canadian Consulate General in Chicago to assure them that if Obama publicly spoke about opting out of NAFTA, they should not take it seriously. It would just be political posturing... campaign rhetoric. Obama flatly denied the report, attacking both Senator Clinton and Senator McCain for their comments on the issue.
On March 4, the New York Times, among other sources, revealed that the conversation had indeed taken place, and published the memo. The Canadian government announced that an investigation would begin to find out who was responsible for leaking the memorandum concerning the conversation.
CTV News
New York Times
New York Times published the memo
OOPS... he didn't know.

10. Obama's position on the war in Iraq, in spite of the October 2002 speech, has not been as unwavering as he would have us believe.

He wrote in The Audacity of Hope that by March of 2003, "I began to suspect that I might have been wrong."

In July, 2004, he told the Chicago Tribune, "There's not that much difference between my position and George Bush's position at this stage."

Once elected to the US Senate, he told Charlie Rose on PBS, "Once the decision was made, then we've got to do everything we can to stabilize the country, to make it successful, because we'll have too much at stake in the Middle East. And that's the position that I continue to take."

Obama continued that tack in his speech of November, 2005. Mirroring the Bush administration's position, he asserted on January 26, 2006, that "it remains my position that we have a role to play in stabilizing the country as Iraqis are getting their act together." In this interview on Meet the Press, he further stated, "My position has been that it would not be responsible for us to unilaterally and precipitously draw troops down regardless of the politics, because I think that all of us have a stake in seeing Iraq succeed."

It wasn't until October of 2006 that he called for "all the leadership in Washington to execute a serious change of course in Iraq."

A month before he announced his presidential candidacy he repositioned himself again, saying for the first time, "It's time to start bringing our troops home."

It wasn't until May of 2007 that Obama voted against funding for the war for the first time.

In June, 2007, Obama voted no to Senator John F. Kerry's proposal to remove most combat troops from Iraq by July 2007, warning that an "arbitrary deadline" could "compound" the Bush administration's mistake. He voted instead for a Republican-sponsored resolution that stated the Senate would not cut off funding for troops in Iraq.

Commentary Magazine
Obama Gets the Facts Wrong
Clinton Takes on Obama
MSNBC
The Boston Globe
OOPS... did he forget?

11. Senator Obama is chair of of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on Europe, having been appointed in early 2007. According to Congressional Records, the subcommittee's jurisdiction includes "all matters, policies and problems concerning the continent of Europe, including the European member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization." That means it has jurisdiction over NATO.
As Senator Clinton asserted in a recent debate, "NATO is critical to our mission in Afghanistan. He's held not one substantive hearing to do oversight, to figure out what we can do to actually have a stronger presence with NATO in Afghanistan."
Politifact
OOPS... he didn't know... or did he forget?

12. Senator Obama told Tim Russert in January of 2006 that "I will serve out my full six-year term."
From the official transcript of Meet the Press:
MR. RUSSERT: But there seems to be an evolution in your thinking. This is what you told the Chicago Tribune last month: "Have you ruled out running for another office before your term is up?" Obama answered, "It's not something I anticipate doing." But when we talked back in November of `04 after your election I said, "There's been enormous speculation about your political future. Will you serve your six-year term as United States senator from Illinois?" Obama, "Absolutely."

SEN. OBAMA: I will serve out my full six-year term. You know, Tim, if you get asked enough, sooner or later you're going to get weary and you start looking for new ways of saying things. But my thinking has not changed.

MR. RUSSERT: So you will not run for president or vice-president in 2008?

SEN. OBAMA: I will not.

Obama formed an exploratory committee in January of 2007 and declared his candidacy two months later.
Meet The Press Transcript January 22, 2006
"Obama Takes the Russert Test" from The Swamp
Obama Learns the Washington Ways
OOPS... he forgot.

13. Senator Obama promised to use public financing for the general election if his Republican opponent would do the same. Now, apparently after he realized how much more money he could have at his disposal, he has reversed himself.
League of Women Voters
Mr Obama's Waffle
OOPS... he forgot.

14. Obama bragged in the Iowa debate about the "nuclear legislation I've passed." When he encountered resistance from the nuclear industry... including Illinois-based Excelon, the country's largest nuclear plant operator and one of Mr. Obama's largest sources of campaign money, he edited his bill several times, making it weaker each time. The bill, however, never passed. It died. But Mr Obama gained a chief political strategist... David Axelrod. In October 2007, Obama resubmitted the bill in its watered-down version.
Nuclear Leaks and Response Tested Obama in Senate
OOPS... he forgot.

15. Senator Obama purports to be in favor of "universal" health care, utilizing private insurance, on the campaign trail. In fact, he adamantly denied advocating single payor. But there was a time when he was in favor of the single payor system.
Video
The Swamp
OOPS... he forgot.

16. While campaigning, Obama told several hundred people in Iowa, "No lobbyists need apply to my White House."
However, in contrast to his pledge to fight against the influence of special interests, his record on employing lobbyists isn't quite so pristine. Several high level members of his campaign are registered lobbyists, including his New Hampshire campaign manager. Lately, he has softened his campaign line to, "They are not going to run my White House."
The Boston Globe
The Wall Street Journal
Politico
The Washington Post
The Hill
Obama actually seems very comfortable working with lobbyists on legislation. To site just one example...
According to ABC, Obama "has quietly worked with corporate lobbyists to help pass breaks worth $12 million," that gave two overseas companies tariff suspensions. Both companies also have facilities in Illinois.
One of these companies, Nufarm, told its shareholders it was making "more money than ever before in North America because it had increased its prices on its U.S. and Canadian customers, predominantly farmers." This had the effect of profiting business interests in his state, while punishing its farmers.
According to ABC News, "With a dozen tariff suspension bills to his name, Obama stands out as the most prolific of any Democratic presidential hopeful on the topic."
Despite Rhetoric, Obama Pushed Lobbyists' Interests
OOPS... he forgot. Or didn't he mind?

How many other things are we going to find that Senator Obama conveniently forgot? It is my hope that the political powers-that-be will lay off the talk about ending the primaries early, and that the media and the internet diggers will help us truly vet Senator Obama. Use a little old-fashioned, objective journalism... remember that?
If he has nothing more to hide, it can only help him.
But if we don't know the whole story yet, it might just help us be certain that we can indeed put a Democrat in the White House in November.
That is, after all, what Democrats want, isn't it?

Tags: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton (all tags)

Permalink :: 157 Comments :: Post a Comment

Ignorance is bliss, (2.00 / 8)

and to hear his supporters tell it, Obama is a very happy man.

Another Hillary Supporter for Obama!

by Beltway Dem on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:32:28 PM EST

I think it would be worthwhile (2.00 / 4)

to bet on whether he will be a one-term senator. My guess is that he doesn't like the Senate; he probably will run for governor. Since one way or the other he will lose in 2008, his best hope of being president one day is to lose the nomination this year. If he were to become the nominee and lose the presidency, as he would, his presidential aspirations will soar right up there with McGovern's, Mondale's, Dukakis's, and Kerry's.

Another Hillary Supporter for Obama!

by Beltway Dem on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:39:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I think it would be worthwhile (1.33 / 3)

That is the Clinton campaigns end game plan now isn't it. "Since one way or the other he will lose in 2008" You are despicable.

by joseb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:12:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I think it would be worthwhile (2.00 / 5)

Yes, to win.

Even if it means disenfranchising the voters of FL and MI.

Even if it means disenfranchising the Superdelegates.

Even if it means playing the race card again and again and again.

...

Oh, wait. I'm sorry. Those are things OBAMA is doing.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 05:28:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama doesn't have the power... (none / 0)

...to disenfranchise superdelegates or voters in FL or MI.

If he did, that would be something. He doesn't. His brother is not governor of those states. He doesn't own the legislatures.

I suggest we drop the "race card" thing right now, because it only makes Democrats look stupid in front of the Republicans. Both sides have race issues. I get it.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:41:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama doesn't have the power... (2.00 / 3)

Obama OPPOSED revotes in FL and MI.

Regardless of his smackdown to Florida voters, do you really believe Obama could win Florida?
Never!

Hillary/Obama08

by annefrank on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 02:08:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama doesn't have the power... (1.66 / 3)

Reality Check On Clinton's Claims on Florida and Michigan Delegates

CLINTON RHETORIC: "Let's talk about the agreement. The only agreement I entered into was not to campaign in Michigan and Florida. It had nothing to do with not seating the delegates. I think that's an important distinction. I did not campaign... that's not the case at all. I signed an agreement not to campaign in Michigan and Florida."

REALITY: Clinton Said "It's Clear" That The Michigan Primary Won't "Count For Anything"

Clinton Said "It's Clear" That The Michigan Primary Won't Count For Anything. Clinton, on why she stayed on the ballot for the Michigan primary said, "Well, you know, people in Michigan are flat on their backs. They have the highest unemployment rate in America. They are now grappling finally with what they are going to do with the auto industry. 1 in 10 jobs in America is tied to the auto industry which is -- the American auto industry, which as we know is centered in Michigan. You know, it's clear this election they're having isn't going to count for anything. But I just personally didn't want to set up a situation where the Republicans are going to be campaigning between now and whenever. And then after the nomination we have to go in and repair the damage and be ready to win Michigan in November 2008." [NHPR Interview, 10/11/07]

Clinton Campaign Said She Was "Not Participating in the Michigan Primary." Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said, "Clinton signed a pledge saying she will not campaign. She is not participating in the Michigan primary because she is not campaigning there. She is honoring the pledge." [New Hampshire Union Leader, 10/11/07]

RHETORIC: "Now, the DNC made the determination that they would not seat the delegates, but I was not party to that"

REALITY: Clinton Top Delegate Adviser Voted To Strip Michigan And Florida Of Their Delegates

Clinton Top Delegate Adviser Harold Ickes Voted For Democratic Party Rules That Stripped Michigan And Florida Of Their Delegates. "Harold Ickes, a top adviser to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign who voted for Democratic Party rules that stripped Michigan and Florida of their delegates, now is arguing against the very penalty he helped pass. In a conference call Saturday, the longtime Democratic Party member contended the DNC should reconsider its tough sanctions on the two states, which held early contests in violation of party rules. He said millions of voters in Michigan and Florida would be otherwise disenfranchised - before acknowledging moments later that he had favored the sanctions." [AP, 2/17/08]

RHETORIC: "The people of those two states disregarded adamantly the DNC's decision that they would not seat the delegates. They came out and voted. If they had been influenced by the DNC, despite the fact that there was very little campaign, if any, they would have stayed home but they wanted their voices heard. More than 2 million people came out. I mean, it was record turnout for a primary. Florida, in particular, is sensitive to being disenfranchised because of what happened to them in the last elections. I have said that I would ask my delegates to vote to seat."

REALITY: Many Voters Stayed Home Because They Knew Their Votes Would Not Select Delegates To the Nominating Convention

TNR: "Knowing That Their Ballots Meant Nothing, Many Voters [In Michigan And Florida] Stayed Home." "Without ads and stump speeches--Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan--the actual primary votes in these states were meaningless beauty contests, and perhaps not even that. Knowing that their ballots meant nothing, many voters stayed home. And, as everyone expected, Hillary romped to victory on the basis of her brand name and voters' lack of familiarity with the alternatives." [Editorial, TNR, 2/8/08]

The Pledge Clinton Signed

WHEREAS, Over a year ago, the Democratic National Committee established a 2008 nominating calendar;

WHEREAS, this calendar honors the racial, ethnic, economic and geographic diversity of our party and our country;

WHEREAS, the DNC also honored the traditional role of retail politics early in the nominating process, to insure that money alone will not determine our presidential nominee;

WHEREAS, it is the desire of Presidential campaigns, the DNC, the states and the American people to bring finality, predictability and common sense to the nominating calendar.

THEREFORE, I, [Name], Democratic Candidate for President, pledge I shall not campaign or participate in any state which schedules a presidential election primary or caucus before Feb. 5, 2008, except for the states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina, as "campaigning" is defined by rules and regulations of the DNC.

POLITICIANS AND EDITORIAL BOARDS SAY THAT THE MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA DELEGATES SHOULD NOT COUNT

Clinton Backer Bob Kerrey Said "You Don't Change The Rules In The Middle Of The Game. Period" When Asked If the Delegates From Florida And Michigan Should Count. "You don't change the rules in the middle of the game. Period," said former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey, The New School's president, when asked if the delegates from the Florida and Michigan primaries should be represented at the Democratic National Convention in August. Scoopy ran into Kerrey on Sunday at Chelsea Piers, where Kerrey had taken his young son and a friend bowling. "No new vote and no new caucuses, either. Just stick to the rules that they agreed to," Kerrey said firmly. The Democratic National Committee stripped both Florida and Michigan of all their delegates because, defying party rules, they held their primaries before Feb. 5. The candidates all agreed to abide by that decision and not campaign in those states. Barack Obama withdrew his name from the ballot in Michigan and didn't compete in Florida. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in both states and now says their delegates should be counted toward the total. Although Kerrey endorsed Clinton in December, he clearly doesn't endorse her position on the Michigan and Florida delegates. [The Villager, 2/13/08]

Nancy Pelosi Said That Florida And Michigan Delegates Should Not Be Seated If Those Delegates Would Decide The Nomination. Nancy Pelosi had one more stunner in the interview: She said the Florida and Michigan delegates should not be seated if those delegates would decide the nomination. "Well, I don't think that any states that operated outside the rules of the party can be dispositive of who the nominee is. That is to say they can't make the difference because then we would have no rules," she said. Pelosi added, "But I do think that the best outcome for us is if one of the candidates pulls ahead and this issue is disposed of long before we get to the convention. We certainly don't want to ignore Florida and Michigan, but we can't ignore the rules which everyone else played by." [San Francisco Chronicle, 2/15/08]

Tom Harkin Said He Staunchly Opposed Seating The Delegates From Michigan And Florida. Tom Harkin said he will staunchly oppose seating delegates chosen in the Michigan and Florida primaries for the same reason he will uphold the superdelegates' independent vote: It's the rules. Michigan and Florida Democrats broke the rules when they moved their primaries ahead of Feb. 5 without permission, Harkin said. "No way I'd ever be in favor of seating them," the senator said. [Telegraph Herald, 2/17/08]

Al Sharpton Said Seating Delegates From Florida And Michigan At The DNC Would Be A Grave Injustice. Seating delegates from Florida and Michigan at the Democratic National Convention would be a grave injustice, the Rev. Al Sharpton said Wednesday in a break with prominent civil rights leaders. "I firmly believe that changing the rules now, and seating delegates from Florida and Michigan at this point would not only violate the Democratic Party's rules of fairness, but also would be a grave injustice," Sharpton said in a letter to Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. [AP, 2/13/08]

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Clinton Wants To Seat The Michigan And Florida Delegates And The Obama Campaign Dismisses That As "Hogwash"; The Obama Campaign Is "Right About That." "Clinton says Michigan and Florida should be seated and their delegates divided in accord with the primary vote. She's won support from NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, who says the party is disenfranchising minority voters. The Obama campaign dismisses that as hogwash. They say Obama ignored both states at the national party's request and shouldn't be penalized for playing by the rules. Even if we hadn't endorsed Obama for the Democratic nomination, we'd have to say he's right about that." [Editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2/22/08]

Austin American Statesman: Clinton Wants To Seat The Delegates From Michigan And Florida. "That Would Be Patently Wrong" and "Grossly Unfair To Obama." "Clinton, who won the most votes in the outlaw primaries in Michigan and Florida, now wants those delegates recognized and seated at the Democratic Party national convention in Denver in August. One of her top advisers, Harold Ickes, a Democratic National Committee member who voted to strip delegates from those states, now wants them seated. That would be patently wrong. Party officials told the legislatures in both states they would lose their delegates if they moved their primaries ahead of Super Tuesday, Feb. 5. And the party's presidential candidates agreed not to campaign in states being punished by the Democratic National Committee for setting early primaries...Seating the 156 Michigan and 210 Florida delegates would be grossly unfair to Obama, who, unlike Clinton, didn't go to Florida... The only fair thing for Democratic officials to do is to stick to their guns and ignore the Michigan and Florida delegations or redo the primaries." [Editorial, Austin American Statesman, 2/18/08]

New York Post: "No Changing The Rules In The Middle Of The Game" When It Comes To Michigan And Florida. "No changing the rules in the middle of the game. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean must be prepared to deliver that message to Sen. Hillary Clinton and her allies. With a razor-thin delegate margin separating them and ever-fewer states left on the campaign calendar, Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are working all angles to get to 2,025 - the number needed to win their party's presidential nomination. Which is why the Clinton forces are looking at Michigan and Florida." [Editorial, Editorial, TNR, 2/8/08] ">New York Post, 2/11/08]

TNR: When It Became Clear That Clinton Faced A Potential Battle For Delegates, She Began To Demand The Rules Be Changed In The Middle Of the Game. "But as soon as it became clear, in the wake of Iowa and on the eve of South Carolina, that Clinton potentially faced an extended battle for delegates, she began to demand that the rules be changed in the middle of the game. Her campaign has been arguing that the non-contested elections in Michigan and Florida should be made retroactively meaningful--and, therefore, that Clinton should be handed a gift of nearly 200 delegates. The Clinton team has wrapped its case in the logic of voter disenfranchisement. `I hear all the time from people in Florida and Michigan that they want their voices heard in selecting the Democratic nominee,' Clinton has said. There is a perfectly cogent case to be made that Floridians and Michiganders deserve their say. (Some of our best friends and elderly relatives reside in those states.) The way to address this complaint is to schedule new elections so that candidates can advertise, make speeches, organize voters, distribute yard signs--you know, do `democracy,' a concept Clinton seems not to understand. The DNC, if it does decide to redress Clinton's complaint, needs to do so immediately." [Editorial, TNR, 2/8/08]

http://factcheck.barackobama.com/factche ck/2008/02/22/reality_check_on_clintons_ clai.php

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:02:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama doesn't have the power... (none / 0)

Wow, you actually use the exact talking points of the Obama Campaign. Quite original (oh, like your candidate).

by anya109 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 01:46:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama doesn't have the power... (none / 0)

It's obvious that this is coming from a paid Obama staffer.

Of course he/she is using their rhetoric.

by Dave B on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 10:34:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama doesn't have the power... (none / 0)

Where can I get my check?

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:09:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama doesn't have the power... (2.00 / 0)

At least I give credit.

It's funny to read the Alegre HRC cut and paste diaries from HRC propaganda central. Many of the comments thank Alegre for the great work. Alegre responds by taking credit.

By the way, my long post at the top of these comments only had one piece from the BHO site. I put a good amount of effort in that. And, your fellow HRC supporters zero and troll rated me for no reason at all.

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:12:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama doesn't have the power... (2.00 / 1)

Michigan State senators allied with Obama's campaign, including Sen. Tupac Hunter and Sen. Buzz Thomas, the co-chair of the Barack OBAMA campaign in Michigan, effectively killed any and all chance for a revote.

On to the Convention Floor!

by oh puhleeze on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:48:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I think it would be worthwhile (none / 0)

**Projecting much?

If the choice is between hope and fear, always choose hope. BC

by greylox on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 02:41:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hey, stupid. (1.33 / 3)

The Legislatures and the Governors of Florida and Michigan disinfranchised voters. Not Obama.

It doesn;t matter whether Obama wanted or did not want revotes. If those folks wanted to have revotes there would have been revotes regardless of what Barack Obama wanted.

Blaming Obama for their incompetence is par for the course for Hillary's braid-dead supporters.

by Hesiod Theogeny on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 09:31:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey, stupid. (none / 0)

Hey stupid (just using your derogatory comment to another poster).

Barack Obama is blocking the re-vote option that the DNC says is ok with their rules. This is after he said that he would abide with the DNC position.

Obama rules: Votes only count when they are for me; rules only matter when they are for me; I can break the rules by buying national ads that play ad nauseum in FL but since even then the voters didn't vote for me, they don't count...

by anya109 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 01:50:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey, stupid. (none / 0)

Hey stupid again. Barack Obama isn't blocking anything. He has no power to block state legislatures and governors from revoting. None. Nada. Zippo.

I don't mind you criticizing him for opposing revotes, but saying he's "blocking them" is complete bullshit. He's not.

by Hesiod Theogeny on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 09:55:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Electability is an issue (2.00 / 2)

that Obama talked about a lot when the number suited him. Since the object of getting the nomination is to become president, perhaps we should nominate someone who has a chance. That's not Barack Obama.

Another Hillary Supporter for Obama!

by Beltway Dem on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 08:08:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Your method of determining that? (2.00 / 1)

I don't get your rationale. Obama has plenty of electibility.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:42:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Current analysis (2.00 / 3)

of the electoral college based on state polls show Hillary over McCain by 63 and McCain over Obama by 50.

Another Hillary Supporter for Obama!

by Beltway Dem on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:15:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Current analysis (1.50 / 2)

That means very, very little.

Two weeks ago Obama was beating McCain by more than Clinton. Those numbers fluctuate rapidly. Just wait until there's a week of flap on sniper-gate, and we'll see where Clinton's numbers are.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 02:55:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Current analysis (none / 0)

They don't fluctuate rapidly unless there is a reason for it - hmm - I wonder what that could be?

by anya109 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 01:52:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Current analysis (none / 0)

Yes, that was two weeks ago. Do you really think that voters are going to forget G-D DAMN AMERICA! if Obama is the nominee and the Repugs get ahold of him? Do you REALLY think that blue collar/lunchbucket Dems are really going to go for that shit in the GE? A guy whose morals kept him in a church with a preacher like that for 20+ years against a POW with much more experience and patriotism? You need to get your head out of the sand and think about the average voter, not the bonehead online bloggers. Kos and the rest of you "progressive" internetz lackeys are not the average voter.

by BrandingIron17 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 01:53:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Head in the sand (2.00 / 0)

Head in the sand is saying that people won't forget some other guy saying "God damn America" but will forget Clinton telling blatantly false fish stories about being in a combat zone.

Head in the sand is basing your candidacy on your ability to fight through smears like Monica, Whitewater, Travel Office scandal, Vince Foster, lesbianism, Kazikhstan, and the pardons of 140 friends on the last day of Bill's presidency, and then suggest that your opponent is finished by his relationship with one angry black man who said a few angry things at a government that had oppressed his people for hundreds of years.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 10:35:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (1.16 / 6)

What, not even 1 Diary on MyDD re Clinton's pure fabrication of her Tuzla visit?
Oh yes, Ignorance is bliss!

Democrat for the democratic nominee

by KLRinLA on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:35:54 PM EST

Actually, (1.85 / 7)

there was such a diary, and it rolled off into deserved oblivion.

In case you're interested, Daily Kos is the place to go and read that kind of stuff. Nonsense like that doesn't get much of an audience here.

Another Hillary Supporter for Obama!

by Beltway Dem on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:40:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Wow (2.00 / 3)

Nonsense like Clinton either baldfaced lying about her overseas experience or completely misremembering important key events of said experience doesn't deserve to be covered, but we're going into the 10th day or more of rambling about Jeremiah Wright, a good man who has been repeatedly smeared by right-wing media?

I was under the impression that the basis of this website was covering Democratic issues of all sorts, not just the ones that directly benefit Hillary Clinton.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:17:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wow (none / 0)

How exactly does whether she walked or ran on the tarmac implicate her foreign policy credentials?

On to the Convention Floor!

by oh puhleeze on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:37:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wow (none / 0)

It calls into question whether she remembered other foreign adventures, like bringing peace to Ireland, correctly.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 10:36:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 3)

Holy moly there were like six today....

How many more Bosnia swift boat hit jobs can we take.

by MediaFreeze on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:41:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Swift boat hit jobs? (2.00 / 1)

Please make me laugh... I'd love to hear exactly how this was a swift boat hit job.

by alb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:51:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 0)

holy moly, is the best moly

from http://www.BulbSociety.com we find that according to the ancient Greek poet Homer, the magical properties of Allium moly allowed Ulysses to enter unharmed the lair of the sorceress Circe. Southern European folklore regards the plant as good luck and a protection against demons. Allium moly is an ornamental allium, or flowering onion. It is a close relative of the famous edible alliums: Allium sativum (garlic) and Allium cepa (the common cooking onion).

Garlic reportedly gave strength to the pyramid builders and courage to the Roman legions. Medicinally, it has served as a popular remedy for colds, sore throats and coughs; physicians and herbalists prescribed garlic as a diuretic and for intestinal disorders and rheumatism; and people ate garlic daily as protection against plagues, disease and, of course, creatures of darkness. Early American colonists relied on the plant to treat a variety of medical problems, while later settlers strapped garlic cloves to the feet of smallpox victims hoping to cure them.

Onions also have been used medicinally for centuries. In the Middle Ages the onion was used as a charm against evil spirits, the plague and infection. The onion was a favorite spring food of American Indians, providing a frontiersman with a good nose a telltale means of locating an Indian encampment.

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:06:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 6)

What, not even 1 Diary on MyDD re Clinton's pure fabrication of her Tuzla visit?

Not that this is worth responding to, but let's get a few facts straight. The following pieces of her Tuzla story been confirmed:

UPDATE Friday 6:45 p.m.

Lissa Muscatine, who served as Hilary Clinton's chief speechwriter in 1996 and accompanied her on the Bosnia trip, feels that I have failed to provide a full picture of what took place. She gave me her "vivid recollections" of the arrival in Tuzla, which I quote below:

I was on the plane with then First Lady Hillary Clinton for the trip from Germany into Bosnia in 1996. We were put on a C17-- a plane capable of steep ascents and descents -- precisely because we were flying into what was considered a combat zone. We were issued flak jackets for the final leg because of possible sniper fire near Tuzla. As an additional precaution, the First Lady and Chelsea were moved to the armored cockpit for the descent into Tuzla. We were told that a welcoming ceremony on the tarmac might be canceled because of sniper fire in the hills surrounding the air strip. From Tuzla, Hillary flew to two outposts in Bosnia with gunships escorting her helicopter.

UPDATE Saturday 8:45 a.m.

Gen. Nash says that I misquoted him in saying he was unaware of any "security threat" to the First Lady. While he was unaware of any "sniper threat," he now tells me there were a couple of "security concerns" that day, which he found out about after returning to his headquarters after greeting Clinton at the airport. There was a "non-specific report" of a possible truck bomb in the area. The military also had information that "some of the communications associated with the First Lady's visit were being monitored."

Where Clinton misspoke was in remembering actual sniper fire and running from the plane to the awaiting vehicle. But she probably had a heightened sense of danger at the time because Chelsea was traveling with her.

But if that's the best response you have to this diary, then you may as well run with it.

Fortune strums a mournful tune for those whose campaigns peak too soon. --Bored of the Rings

by Inky on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:24:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sniper fire (2.00 / 2)

She probably mis-remembered the eight year old girl as a sniper, and her poem and kisses were bullets whizzing by.

She really ought to just say, "Okay, you caught me. I pulled a doozey. Well done."

How does she intend to run against McCain, who is legendary in his candidness with the press?

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:22:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

So it's OK that she made up a tall tale because she was scared?

by joseb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:16:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 2)

If you want I could write a diary on Obama's tall tales (and I do know of several), but I don't see what purpose it would serve. But perhaps I'm wrong, so let me know if you'd like one. This is how I see it. Hillary remembered the sniper threat and imagined sniper fire as well as -- memories have ways of playing tricks on us, particularly memories of dangerous situations. So no, she didn't make up a tall tale, as much of the essential story was true -- she misremembered some details and misspoke. If you need to play up this minor gaffe in order to justfy your support for another candidate, that really doesn't say much for your candidate.

Fortune strums a mournful tune for those whose campaigns peak too soon. --Bored of the Rings

by Inky on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:10:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

You are so funny. You've got guts to clip the last part of a fact check that gave HRC four Pinocchios.

Four, that's the maximum level. It's only assigned to whoppers. And, you think this is beneficial to HRC, that's really funny.

We have a tape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It6JN7ALF 7Y&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/stor yonly/2008/3/23/95418/5038/471/482606

And she's been caught with N. Ireland, and SCHIP, and Nafta, and FMLA.

Inky, in the past I've appreciated the back and forth with you, but your post here is really desperate. Yikes!

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:14:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tuzla (none / 0)

I turned the tv on for a few seconds several times today. Each time the Horrible Giant Tuzla LieLieLie was featured, and being treated as worse than Watergate, final proof that she's a total lying phony scum with no foreign policy experience whatsoever, she's finished, dead, drop out time. I don't need no stinkin' diary, and yes, there they are anyway.

On to the Convention Floor!

by oh puhleeze on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:35:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Devastating... (2.00 / 11)

Incredible work. Highly recommended. Well sourced. People need to be held responsible for their actions. This diary should be the grist for a substantive conversation on each and every one of these issues.

by MediaFreeze on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:40:41 PM EST

Hear, hear! n/t (2.00 / 1)

Grumpy, reluctant, sore-losing, unhappy, irritable Hillary supporter for Barack Obama 2008

by DemAC on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:07:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Devastating... (2.00 / 1)

Your funny, read my post near the top of this comment list.

You'll find that a lot of the provided sources undercut the diarist's points.

It's funny.

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:16:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

Look, I'm not going to argue with you abuot Barack, its clear we wont convince each other, what I'm curious about, is why you view Hillary as electable? Why do you think a canidate that is viewed asa liar by the majority of the American people will win their votes? Do you think that people will suddenly decide that honesty is overrated or what?

by Socraticsilence on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:47:29 PM EST

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 6)

Check out the state by state polls of her verses McCain as opposed to Obama verses McCain. Then you will understand.

"Do you know the difference between a War Story and a Fairy Tale?"

by RedstateLib on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:25:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (none / 0)

Why don't you provide the polls your talking about? There are some phony assertions being used on myDD.

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:18:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 7)

As people get to know Hillary better, they will come to trust her more. One of the nice things about having been the subject of a smear campaign is that as people get to know you, their opinion of you can only rise.

People in New York didn't think Hillary could get elected Senator either. There she was, a carpet bagger, at a time when the whole country was experiencing Clinton fatigue from the Lewinsky affair, et al. But not only did she pull it off, but she won the support of upstate rural New York (the equivalent of winning in a red state) by doing what she does best, campaigning hard and listening carefully to what was on people's minds.

I used to not give her enough credit for her first senate run, but it truly was pretty remarkable. Compare that to Barack Obama, who has never once had a serious challenger in a GE.

Fortune strums a mournful tune for those whose campaigns peak too soon. --Bored of the Rings

by Inky on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:50:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Seems to me... (2.00 / 2)

He ran against Representative Bobby Rush in 2000. So I'd say that was serious, as he lost.

I'd also say that Clinton is a serious opponent, and the primary has been, essentially, dozens of general elections.

Anyway, just to provide counterpoint to your statement, the more I've gotten to know Clinton, the less I like her. I started out in her corner, but it was her own words and gamesmanship that pushed me to embrace Obama more truly. It was right about the time her campaign started calling various state primaries "insignificant" because they didn't vote majority for her.

I'm glad that you can find so much inspiration in Hillary Clinton, but I don't think I'm atypical in having been lost by Clinton, rather than "stolen" by Obama.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:30:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Seems to me... (2.00 / 5)

Obama's loss to Bobby Rush was in the primary -- I know all about it, but was too courteous to dwell on it.

I was as far away from Hillary's corner as one can get until a couple of months ago. I was an Edwards supporter and I assumed I would side with Obama over Hillary if it came to that. But when Edwards dropped out of the race I realized I preferred Hillary's stands on various issues including health care reform, and I was disgusted by Obama's "Harry and Louise" ads and the multiple bogus accusations of race-baiting leveled at both Bill and Hillary -- it was so unnecessary -- Obama was going to get the bulk of the AA vote after Iowa had established him as a credible candidate -- there was no need to poison the well, but Obama's surrogates did so anyway. Finally, as I got to know Obama's advisers better, I realized that of the two remaining candidates, I actually preferred Hillary.

Fortune strums a mournful tune for those whose campaigns peak too soon. --Bored of the Rings

by Inky on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:52:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Seems to me... (none / 0)

Barack............WE HARDLY KNEW YOU!

Hillary 08

by Patriot2008 on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:03:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Seems to me... (2.00 / 1)

Wow, that is some reason to support a candidate because another candidate's campaign "dissed" some states.

How about Obama not doing anything about his "people" in Chicago who were freezing and living in trash heaps that his political mentor, slumlord Tony Rezko "renovated". At least 11 buildings were in Obama's State Senate District and about a mile from his mansion that same slumlord helped him buy. That is one of many issues that made me go away from Obama.

by anya109 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 02:03:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

All the marbles (2.00 / 0)

Obama worked on behalf of those people for many years as a community organizer and as a state senator.

He eventually realized that he could do more good fixing things if he had higher office.

Obama is playing for all the marbles. He's in no way less serious about his people back home, but he also realizes that there are people everywhere that need help.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 10:40:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

Check her electoral vote and you will see.

Hillary Clinton 294
John McCain 231
Tie 13

John McCain 288
Barack Obama 238
Tie 12

by JoeySky18 on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:00:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

In March, great (2.00 / 2)

Clinton was up by 10% in Wisconsin before Obama spent a week campaigning there. He walked out of that state with 58% of the vote.

I'm not saying that Clinton would lose the general election to McCain, but a lot can happen in a week, much less seven months. Also, running numbers like that shortly after the hardest week Obama's had in the campaign so far is more than a little sketchy.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:34:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: In March, great (2.00 / 0)

Prove it. Link to the poll you're talking about.

by mrstas on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 08:28:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

My apologies (2.00 / 1)

I was thinking about a poll that I heard on TV in early February.

In going over online results, I see Clinton was within the margin for error (Obama 47%, Clinton 43%, MOE 4%) less than a week before the WI primary:

http://electioninspection.wordpress.com/ 2008/02/14/rasmussen-roundup-obama-leads -wi-by-4-trails-in-ohio-by-14/

Obama won 58% to 41%, a change from a 4% lead to a 17% lead in less than a week.

The point is that Obama can surprise folks.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:38:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My apologies (none / 0)

yes, he sure can when he lied about NAFTA and health care there and got away with it.

by anya109 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 02:04:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My apologies (2.00 / 0)

He didn't lie about either one of those. The Canada NAFTA rumors were thouroughly debunked and the health care mailers outlined the single difference between their health care plans. What, you don't want him campaigning on the issues?

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 10:42:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (none / 0)

This looks like the junk science that someone was trying to spread on myDD.

Please refer to the 50 state polls that allow you to come to this electoral math.

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:20:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 4)

excellent research and sourcing. it's part of a pattern.

by campskunk on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:49:42 PM EST

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

The sourcing given undercuts the diarist's points.

Look at my post way up near the top.

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:21:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 5)

Outstanding research, presentation and the sourcing is comprehensive!

Maybe you can offer classes on "old-fashioned, objective journalism" to the MSM???

Thanks- keep writing!

by ProudMilitaryMom on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:10:46 PM EST

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 3)

EXCELLENT POST....GREAT KEEPSAKE...THIS WAY ALL THIS INFO Is HANDY IN ONE DIARY...THANK YOU...YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB PUTTING THIS TOGETHER...

Go Hillary!

by Patriot2008 on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:39:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

This diarist uses links that undercut their own points. Look at my post near the top.

--1jphusseinb-- she's not a monster, as far as I know--diplomat Sinbad, making the world safe--all bluster, no cattle--

by 1jpb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:22:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 3)

Excellent research. Thoughtful and important diary. Thank you. recommended.

by macmcd on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:45:55 PM EST

Barack is nothing but the anti-Clinton (1.50 / 2)

for the Clinton-hating DKossacks and DUers to swoon over. I'll love watching that crowd turn on him when he doesn't do everything according to Kos' absolutist line.

"there is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right in America"-William Jefferson Clinton, forty-second President of the United States

by DiamondJay on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:49:46 PM EST

Substitute Bush for Clinton (none / 0)

and you sound exactly like redstate.com.

You're ignorant of many of Kos' highly critical posts of Obama.

But like it or not, he's going to win the nomination. Time to decide whether you'd rather have him or John McCain as president.

by corph on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 03:39:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 4)

My Oh My!...

There are so much that I didn't know about Obama.

Thanks for the excellent consolidation of the important thing we should know about Obama.

You should send it to MSM and news paper.

Thanks a lot. You did a great service to help fellow voters made informed decision.

by JoeySky18 on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:49:52 PM EST

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 4)

Wow. Thank you so much for putting this together.

If Obama gets the nomination, and Corpress actually begins delving into his past, many of his supporters (you know all those new people he's pulling in to Obamanation!) who believe he is some kind of different are going to be in for a rude awakening...

I also think it's fairly ironic that the 2nd person to run on the idea that he's a uniter, is pretty much ripping the Dem party in 1/2.

Going into bookmarks!

by jen on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:54:12 PM EST

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 3)

16 points? Wow! Okay, so, some of your "evidence" is taken out of context. Some is fabricated. Some is true. Some is Republican talking points (shame on you).

If you're telling me that all that is bad about the dude fits on one page for me to print out, then say hello to President Obama.

Now, to the point I wanted to make when I decided to dignify your hit piece with a response. I quote you:

"a church where racism and anti-American hate is routinely preached"

Routinely? Says who? Where's your evidence? I want more than 10 videos or however many you think you have watched (or have been told by fox that you've watched). Typical of some party, not ours, where you take someone like Rev. Wright, take the worst of his sermons, chop 'em up, delete any residue of context, and turn the man into a monster. Typical of some party, not ours. We take the good with the bad my friend. Typical of our party to present the good with the bad. So where is all the good that Rev. Wright has done? Where is all the good that Senator Obama has done? Or is he truly an empty suit? Transparent? Or black? Or not black enough?

So, dear diarist, should it not be typical of you, a democrat, to spend your time on documenting and spreading all the good things that Senator Clinton has done (which I'm sure there are many) instead of trying to bring the opponent down?

But for that question we already know the answer.

_____________
PUMA: Perverse Undemocratic McCain Adherents

by lizardbox on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:02:18 PM EST

Just for context (2.00 / 3)

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/3/23/0433 4/5836

The non-hatchet-jobbed sermons. Wright was a good man, and I can't find anything in those that are racist.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:38:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just for context (2.00 / 1)

While I'm sure these sermons were wonderful in their complete context, all you have to do is think of the Republican 527s getting hold of the selective clips put out by Faux News and made into an ad.
No right winger is going to take the time to read the entire sermon- did anyone besides Democrats look into Kerry's war records when he was swiftboated?
All they will hear from now until the GE is the man who said he wanted to "transcend" race sat in a church pew for 20 years listening to the preacher who said that white America infected black people with AIDs, "god DAMN America" and "chickens coming home to roost (similar to Malcom X's statement after the assasination of JFK)".

If you remember the Swift Boaters, you'll understand that no one is interested in reading those sermons.

by skohayes on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:35:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Reality check (none / 0)

Your candidate's basing her candidacy on the idea that 527 smear campaigns can be beaten. There's a hundred times more dirt (both false and legitimate) on the Clintons than there is on Obama.

By your estimation, we should just give up now, because both of our candidates is iredeemably flawed vs. 527s.

Or, we can admit that both of our guys have more backbone than John Kerry, and continue from there.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 02:59:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Reality check (none / 0)

Ok - why does Obama say he condemns and denounces these?

by anya109 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 02:10:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Reality check (2.00 / 0)

He wasn't a fan of a few things Wright said, but you can't argue that these angry things were more than a tiny, tiny fraction of a 30+ year ministry spent praising God and doing work for the community.

Wright marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Surely he has things to teach beyond "God Damn America."

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 10:15:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

Hi all!

I find all this very fascinating and am just getting started learning about this stuff.

One question though; how come some of these quotes and things aren't given in the context of what it was he was actually speaking about? I'm just asking because I'm new to this whole political scene, and have only been voting for a bit (firt Prez election)... but I just thought I'd ask.

Other than those obvious omissions and the stuff that was widely reported already, I loved the way this stuff was presented. Neat bullet points and formating! Loved it!!!

One other question; did someone on Team Hillary contact the Chief of Staff of the Premere of Canada? I've been told by many Obama supporters this is true. My dad says yes and my mom says no!

Anyway, keep it up. This was pretty good!

by Chelseain32 on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:04:19 PM EST

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

To answer your question re: Hillary team contacting Canada:

from globeandmail.com:

PMO: Officials only got briefing from Obama campaign

by jen on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 12:39:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (none / 0)

Wow... thanks! That article really seems to contradict itself, and uses the word allegedly when referring to Mr. Obama. Strange how the same paper was the one that had the original story, and then Mr. Harper kinda made a stink about it and then Mr. Brodie kinda changed his tune. What to believe, especially because these guys are super duper conservative, right? So, I mean, noo way Hillary is working deals with these guys right... even though Brodie mentions her specifically???

Who cares really, cuz the Canada media is prolly just as bad and tainted as the American media. They stink with all their biases!

by Chelseain32 on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 12:55:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

Let's see, there is a memo proving that Obama's campaign did have contact with Brodie and did talk about NAFTA (no "allegedly" there), even though the campaign denied such a meeting.
And there is a statement from Harper's spokeswoman flatly stating the Clinton campaign had no contact with the Canadian government regarding NAFTA.
So I'm not sure why you're having difficulty comprehending the article.

by skohayes on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:43:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (1.50 / 4)

While trying to respond to another thread, I did a google search and found a compilation of Barack's lies:

here.

by Hurdy Gurdy on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:10:41 PM EST

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 1)

That's quite a list...

by MediaFreeze on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 01:13:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Hey everyone... (2.00 / 1)

My new favorite website is called "Freedom's Enemies". It's a really really great site that tells me exactly who hates freedom. Awesome!!!! USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA

by alb on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 04:03:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barack I-didn't-know Obama (2.00 / 8)

Okay, where to begin? Some of this is valid criticism, some of it I just don't have time to research. But other parts are just flat-out dishonest. So here goes, as best as I can do somewhat on the fly...

1. "Obama first claimed not to know about Wright's inflammatory statements. He later admitted he did."

Nope, bzzzzt. I know Universal got him/herself a nice little spot on the rec list for typing exactly that, but it's demonstrably false. Obama stated he did not hear the HIV or GD America comments. He also stated he was present when Wright made other controversial remarks in criticizing U.S. policies. There's a link in my diary here.

3. I know you really,