Obama 101
The Obama Primer 2008
This information is provided to show that Obama, rather than being an agent of change and a source of hope that as a leader in Washington he will not play the same political games of the past, has been as coy, ambiguous, misleading, and false in his service and speech to the American people as any other elected official.
What is the meaning of “mandate?”
Obama criticizes the mandate element of Clinton’s plan, she says all people must carry insurance, but he also says that his plan would “require” that all children be insured. I imagine it hinges on one’s definition of “require.”
Yet, Obama continues to criticize Clinton f or her plan’s mandates on coverage. But so does his have mandates of sorts. Obama’s plan includes a “requirement” for employers to provide employees with health insurance or pay into a public fund; do it or else.
What is the meaning of “expert?”
Obama’s campaign flyer on his health care plan trumpets a favorable quote from the newspaper, The Daily Iowan concerning his plan. Positive press, can’t beat it. However, upon investigation, it is learned The Daily Iowan is a University of Iowa student newspaper; not exactly a heavy endorsement by the New England Journal of Medicine.
Obama dipped into the Iowa press corps again to prop up the image of his healthcare plan. In January of this year, Obama ran an ad in Iowa that claimed “experts” were saying that his healthcare plan was “the best.” When these “experts” were investigated, it turns out that they were editorial writers at the Iowa City Press-Citizen, who said they never consulted actual healthcare experts. But we did stay at a Holiday Inn last night!
Obama even went so far as to air a TV ad in Wisconsin that says that a former Clinton Administration official, Labor Secretary Robert Reich, claims that Obama’s healthcare plan would provide for greater savings than Hillary’s plan. On January 13th, Reich himself said this is not true, and no where in Reich’s blogs on the subject does he mention Obama’s being the plan of individual savings. Besides that, Reich was a labor secretary, not a healthcare finance expert. Jeez.
Obama’s stated $2500 savings per family is hard to swallow for many economic experts. John Sheils, senior vice president of The Lewin Group, a politically neutral health care research organization, says that the average family spending on healthcare is around $4500 per year, thus $2500 of Obama’s savings knocked off that would represent almost a 50% savings per year per family. Sheils says, “It’s just outrageous that you could claim you’d knock 50 percent right off the top.” Almost as outrageous as claiming student newspapers and main stream newspaper editorial writers are policy experts.
Politicians always misquote the media:
Obama did not only use the Iowa press corp, he also used the Washington Post to prop up his plan. Obama said the Washington Post claims Obama’s healthcare plan would save Americans $2500 per year. However, the Post claims they never said that. They claim that they were fed those numbers by Obama’s campaign people. Ooops!
Flip-flopping in flip-flops!
During the January South Carolina Democratic debate, Obama lied to the good people of the Palmetto state. Obama claimed that he never endorsed a single-payer government healthcare plan. However, in a 2003 speech he stated; “I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer health care program.” Then, upon entering the U.S. Senate and even with both houses of Congress controlled by his own party, Obama told The New Yorker in May, 2007; “we’ve got all these legacy systems in place, and managing the transition … would be difficult to pull off. So we may need a system that’s not so disruptive.” What? A politician backtracking on his proposals once he is elected? Incredible!
I am not a partisan politician!
Obama has voted with the Democratic majority over 90% of the time, and, has voted in sync with Clinton 94% of the time. Interests groups, those that Obama says he does not play well with, give Obama and Clinton identical ratings for being liberal.
That damn war!
Conveniently for him, Obama was able to avoid voting for or against the war in Iraq, his history shows that he might have even avoided voting either way even if he was in the Senate at the time. However, he has since criticized Clinton for her vote on the war without telling you that since 2004, he and Clinton have identical voting records on the war.
Obama likes to make it known that it is his intentions to remove troops from Iraq, quickly. This despite voting against John Kerry’s deadline for removal bill. Obama also has admitted that he could see U.S. troops fighting in Iraq for years to come. Perhaps not as long as McCain’s statement of possibly 100 years. At any rate, let us not forget that we have been in Germany for almost 70 years and Korea for over 50. Will Obama bring those troops home…quickly?
Honey, I’m home…maybe!
For the record, Obama said in the Las Vegas debate that he would have our troops out of Iraq by the end of 2009. That does not sound like his previous statement that they could probably be there for many years. Which is it, damnit?! When Obama does clear this mess up, it is found that he would keep a certain amount of troops inside Iraq to take care of “our strategic interests.” Oil? The truth is that none of these candidates will be totally taking our troops out of Iraq in the immediate future an d anyone that tells you that is a banana head trying to get your vote.
In September of 2007, Obama said some troops may have to remain in Iraq until 2011. Meanwhile, Dennis Kucinich remained unmoved on his 3 months and out policy. Obama’s plan is not a removal, it is, as he has called it, a “phased redeployment;” a very ambiguous term and policy if there ever was one. So our troops may be in Kuwait, Jordan, or other mideast rathole, but at least the greatest of them will not be in Iraq. In the end, the result is the same…retreat.
In a N.H. debate with NBC news and questions by Tim Russert, Obama would not commit to having all troops out of Iraq by the end of an Obama first term.
A TV ad before the Nevada caucuses found Obama stating the following: “I’ll be a president who ends this war in Iraq and finally brings our troops home.”
The sky is still falling!
Obama said in January of this year, that “we are back where we started two years ago” in Iraq. Which is true if you only listen to Catie Couric, Nancy Pelosi, and Barack Obama. Actually, according to the Brookings Institute, all indicators of violence show considerable improvement compared with two years ago.
And what about Bush’s fear mongering, as claimed by Obama, Democrats, and Mean Green Gore? Well, Obama also stated in his August 1, 2007 speech that “there are terrorists holed up in those mountains (Pakistan) who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again.” He’s playing on our fears!! Is this a problem? Well, probably, since Pakistan is denying that there are Al Qaeda or Taliban safe havens in Pakistan. Thus, already you have a foreign policy mess brewing because Obama is playing the JFK ego card.
Can’t we all just get along?
While were on war and the criticisms of “Bush’s” “unilateral” war in Iraq, let us go back to August 1, 2007 and listen to Obama. Obama stated then, in general, that “I will not hesitate to use military force to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to America.” As for Pakistan specifically, he said that if elected he would go in unilaterally to “take out” al Qaeda if the U.S. has “actionable intelligence” and Musharraf refuses to act. Whether Pakistan wants it or not, Obama is a comin’! Quickly, on August 14, 2007 in a Chicago candidates forum, Obama attempted to weasel out of using the term “unilaterally,” Too late, no take backs!
I’m for the workin’ man, man!
Obama loves to tout his labor union backing and says he will make businesses work again for the middle class. What he forgets to tell you is that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has given Clinton a pro-business voting rating of 67%, while only giving Obama a 55% score.
Do I get credit for trying?
We all hate those outrageous credit card interest rates. Well, in June 2007, a bill came before the Senate that would have capped credit card interest rates at 30%. Obama voted against it. He says that he thought that rate was too high, should be lower. Well, there is no public or congressional record of him making that statement.
We need to get rid of George Bush!
The Congressional Quarterly found in 2006 that Obama supported Bush’s policies 49% of the time in 2006 Senate votes. So does that mean he will be half-like George Bush if elected? Only half as bad?
Against them but for them:
In a January 14, 2008 interview with the Reno Gazette-Journal, Obama stated; “You look at the economic policies when they’re being debated among the presidential candidates, it’s all tax cuts. Well, we know, we’ve done that; we’ve tried it. That’s not really going to solve our energy problems, for example.” However, in other speeches and bills proposed by him in the Senate, Obama would give tax cuts to the alternative energy industry; ‘I’m against tax cuts to the energy industry while also being for them.’
Bush gives Obama gas:
Something further to give you gas. Obama stated in Las Vega on January 16, 2008 that Bush has not made any effort to encourage use of alternative fuels or raise fuel efficiency standards. However, Bush has signed major bills that do both. Said Obama, “we have not seen any serious effort on the part of this administration to spur on the use of alternative fuels, raise fuel efficiency standards on cars.” Read on my Obama intoxicated friends.
Obama also likes to say that Bush has given major tax breaks and tax giveaways to the oil and gas industry. However, Bush’s 2005 energy bill raised taxes on the oil and gas industry. The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which Bush signed, contained tax breaks for the electric utility industry for new transmission lines and clean-coal facilities, while also giving incentives for alternative fuels research and subsidies for energy efficient cars and homes. Hello!! Obama supported this bill so if Bush did screw up, Obama supported it. Doesn’t Obama know what is in the bills he votes for? Perhaps he is not ready to be President.
Futhermore, besides contradicting himself with his own words, Obama’s statements on Bush being lax on energy issues is contradicted by the record. Bush signed another bill in December 2005 that sets a national fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first major increase in fuel efficiency standards in 30 years. The National Environment Trust…that’s National Environment Trust, called it “extraordinary change.”
Sounds like extraordinary change by ordinary Washington people.
Bush can’t spell or say “nuclear.”
While were on Bush, how much criticism has he taken for being an idiot? Quite a bit, right? Well, in August 2007 in Chicago, Obama stated that he would work with the “President of Canada” on trade matters. Canada has a Prime Minister, not a President. Hey, dumbass, his name is Stephen Harper. Perhaps he is not ready to be President.
Hey, Teddy, I want to be another JFK!
On January 14, 2008, Obama gave an interview to the Reno Gazette-Journal. In his remarks, Obama stated; “I think Kennedy, 20 years earlier, moved the country in a fundamentally different direction.” Now, what direction was that? Into Vietnam? Into the disastrous Bay of Pigs? Further into the Cold War? Into the 1960s without Civil Rights legislation? Not exactly a visionary direction I’d want to connect myself with, how ‘bout you?
Bring your condoms into class for show & tell:
During the July, 2008 YouTube debate, Obama falsely accused Mitt Romney of supporting policies specifically addressing sex education for 5 year olds. Which was false and funny considering Obama himself was criticized for making similar policy statements the week prior to this debate.
Custer thought the Indians loved him too:
What better place to act like a normal Washington politico than in Washington D.C. During a Q&A session with a D.C. tv station, Obama attempted to build up his support among the minority community with twisted claims of his popularity with those voters. Obama talked highly of his perceived Latino support in Illinois and Iowa, while in D.C., hmmm. Anyhoo, he did not mention that his Latino support in this year’s primary was a lower percentage than it was during his 2004 Senate primary. Nor did he mention that there are very few Latinos in Iowa. I wonder how his support is among Native Americans in Hawaii. The Latino population in Iowa is only 3.8%, so small that official exit polling didn’t even post results for it, but lumped them into the “other” column.
I have the support of the “others!” What is this, Lost? Speaking of lost, there are 7 counties in Iowa where the majority of the 3.8% Latino population resides. Obama won only 3 of these counties. Further speaking about lost Latinos, in 2004 Obama fooled 70% of the Latinos into voting for him. However, in the 2008 primary, that number dropped to 50%, and Hillary got 49%. Not much to brag about there, Mr. Obama.
I think I can, I think I can!
Obama likes to deflect the cause of his failings. When asked why he wrote (not passed) such a weak nuclear power plant leak reporting bill, rather than admit the truth and say that the nuclear power industry is in his back pocket, Obama said it is awfully tough to pass the perfect bill in Washington. Hmmm. But does he say his current proposals will probably be watered down as well? No, he’s pretty emphatic on the campaign trail about what he will do. I guess it will be easier to pass bills in Washington in about 6 months.
Jesse, Al, their calling me names!
Again deflecting the criticism, when Obama was named the “most liberal” senator by the nonpartisan National Journal, Obama stated that it was because he had voted to create an outside ethics office for the Senate; implying that that one vote was a heavy liberal mass of policy. Well, actually, the National Journal used 99 different votes to form the basis of their liberal rankings. And is afraid of being labeled a liberal? Someone out there must have evidence of Obama embracing the liberal label at one point or another…all Democrats do it.
Taking on the tough fight:
While in the Illinois Legislature, Obama chose to vote ‘Present’ rather than ‘Yes/No’ on over 130 bills? Attempting to avoid making a bad political move I imagine. Bonnie Grabenhofer, president of the Illinois National Organization for Women said in a Chicago Tribune story; “When we needed someone to take a stand, Senator Obama took a pass.” The New York Times examined Obama’s state voting record and said, “Mr. Obama voted present on questions that had overwhelming bipartisan support. In at least a few cases, the issue was politically sensitive.” The buck stops no where near Obama…unless it comes from a donor.
The goose and the gander:
In their South Carolina debate, and at other times, Obama criticized Clinton for being “a corporate lawyer on the board at Wal-Mart.” However, what Obama does not say is that Hillary was actually a pain-in-the-ass to Sam Walton. Hillary was very vocal on the matter of Wal-Mart promoting women and advocating for sound environmental corporate practices. Also, in 2005, Hillary returned a $5000 campaign contribution from Wal-Mart, citing “serious differences” with their practices. Did Obama return any campaign contributions from his number 1 donor over the past 10 years, Exelon, the power plant company that has been leaking nasty green stuff into Illinois drinking supplies for years? Probably not, his chief campaign strategist, David Axelrod was once worked for Exelon as a consultant.
Show me the money!
On the subject of lobbyists, it appears that Obama takes money from everyone that is associated with a friendly lobbyist, but not the lobbyists themselves; “The senator’s official policy “specifically states that the Obama campaign does not accept donations or fundraising help from federal lobbyists or PACs,” according to a campaign spokesperson. Obama, however, is sticking to a strict interpretation of his ban on lobbyist contributions. His campaign does take money from spouses of lobbyists, partners in lobbying firms, ex-lobbyists and state lobbyists, according to numerous news reports.” Robert Wolf, COO of Swiss banking based UBS Investments, and chairman of its USA divisions, has raised and encouraged his employees to give money to Obama’s campaign to the tune of almost $200,000 since July of 2007. Exelon nuclear power company CEO and his workers have given Obama nearly $500,000 for his campaigns. Remember David Axelrod? Former Exelon consultant; he now works for Obama.
According to Obama, he has been pretty harsh on lobbyists while in the Senate. In the YouTube debate, in answer to Mike Gravels correct claims that Obama takes lobbyists money, Obama said, “the reason you know who is raising money for me, Mike, is because I have pushed through a law this past session to disclose that.” “Pushed through” a law reporting these things has he? Well, no, not exactly. He did sponsor an amendment to the Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007, yet it never became law. Besides this bit of tough talk fibbing, Obama’s amendment would have only applied to federal lobbyists who shill out the bucks. Oh lord! Pushed it right through he said. Hmmm.
If I was Martin Luther King, I would have ducked!
Going back to Obama stating that he would not have voted for the war in Iraq had he been in the senate. Well, he may have. Before he got into the U.S. Senate, Obama said he would not have voted for Bush’s Patriot Act. Yet when he arrived in Washington, he voted for its renewal. However, Obama says that it was the original Patriot Act that he was talking about, he “guaranteed” that he would have voted against it. Then in 2004, he said he wasn’t sure if he would have voted against it or not. Jeez, make up my mind. He also said in a 2003 Illinois National Organization for Women questionnaire that he would vote to repeal the 2001 Patriot Act, yet he has since voted for its renewal in 2006
On funding for the war, Obama told an audience in Illinois in November 2003, “Just this week, when I was asked, would I have voted for the $87 billion dollars, I said “no.” I said no unequivocally because, at a certain point, we have to say no to George Bush.” This was a bill for funding Iraqi military operations prior to Obama being in the U.S. Senate. But once in the Senate, Obama could not say no to George Bush. He voted for Iraq war funding bill on at least 14 different occasions, which total approximately $300 billion of the $400 billion that Bush has asked for. Just say no?
I caught a fish, this big!
However, that $300 billion may not seem like much to Obama since he has a distorted sense of what we’ve spent in Iraq. Obama said during the N.H. debate that the war has cost us $1 trillion, and may get to $2 trillion. According to the Congressional Research Service, through 2007 we had spent $449 billion. Who keeps the books in the Obama household? However, he did go to Harvard Law, not Harvard Business School.
Viva la Whitewater!
Obama has been linked to Chicago real estate developer Antoin Rezko, a person currently under federal indictment for various real estate scams, while also being sued many times locally. As it turns out, Obama did some legal work for Rezko’s company. Obama and Rezko have been friends since Obama left Harvard. Rezko has been a major contributor and campaign fundraiser for Obama since Obama e ntered politics. There was a land deal in which Rezko and Obama both obtained parcels of land in Chicago…right next to each other. As soon as this story made the press following Clinton’s charges in the South Carolina debate, Obama quickly returned some campaign contributions to Rezko. Go away, please Antoin.
Yes you did. No I didn’t!
Obama has criticized Clinton for her vote in favor of a 2001 bankruptcy bill. Can you say twist the quote? Obama states that Clinton said, “she voted for the bill but hoped that it wouldn’t pass.” This is not what Clinton said. She voted for the bill but later said she regretted voting for it and was happy to see it fail in committee.
Ok. Now go vote.
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FactCheck.com
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