Hussein Obama's radical leftist voting record...

[Come Back to NY]

and why he will get destroyed in a national election...

[QUOTE][B]For the record
Senator Obama's voting record
By Kurt Ericksonand and Ed Tibbetts [/B]

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Sen. Barack Obama appeals to a cross-section of America as an eloquent speaker with the potential to bridge a political battlefield bloodied by years of fighting.

But underlying the Chicago Democrat's sudden rise to fame over the past two years is a solid liberal record built over 10 years in Springfield and Washington, D.C.

It's the kind of record that, no doubt, will help him in such places as Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses should he run for the presidency. But it could leave some people questioning his ability to narrow the partisan divide.

Obama, who objects to ideological labels, wins high marks from progressives on environment, abortion and labor issues, as well as on civil liberties and education, all of which are vital to winning the Democratic Party's presidential nominating process. He also clearly spoke out against going to war in Iraq in 2002.

And just last week he took a hard line on President Bush's plan to boost troop levels in that war-torn country, proposing a cap and a phased withdrawal.

Last year, Obama got 100 percent scores from the AFL-CIO, League of Conservation Voters and Planned Parenthood and an "A" rating from the National Education Association on their most recent scorecards.

"He's really been a champion on a number of environmental issues," said Tiernan Sittenfeld, the legislative director for the League of Conservation Voters.

Obama won praise from the group by opposing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and parts of the Gulf of Mexico.

National Journal, the Washington, D.C., magazine, gave Obama an 82.5 liberal rating in 2005, ranking him 16th out of 44 Democratic senators. Potential presidential rivals Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Joe Biden, D-Del., ranked slightly less liberal in the publication's rankings.

The 2006 rankings aren't available yet.

Obama has, on occasion, leveled criticism at his party, such as when he urged a greater embrace of faith and argued against overuse of such tactics as the filibuster to stop judicial nominations.

That willingness to step out, as well as a sense that he represents a break from the old-style politics, is something the senator tapped into when he announced last Tuesday that he had formed a presidential exploratory committee, calling the "smallness of our politics" his greatest concern.

"We have to change our politics and come together around our common interests," Obama said on his Web site.

One challenge he will face is fleshing that out, said former Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Gordon Fischer.

"When he talks about a new kind of politics, what does he mean by that?" asked Fischer, who's backing former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack for the party's nomination. "He's going to have to put some meat on those bones."

Obama's chief spokesman, however, said there are ample examples over the past 10 years that point to the senator as a person capable of changing the political culture.

"Look at what he's introduced, who he's introduced it with and how he's introduced it, and you'll see he's capable, throughout his time in public life, of bringing people together," said Robert Gibbs, his communications director.

One example is Obama's partnership with Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., one of the Senate's most conservative members.

The two introduced legislation last year to make it easier to find the identities of recipients of federal funding and financial assistance.

When a hold was put on the bill, bloggers and editorial writers took up the cause to get it lifted. The measure was eventually signed into law.

"That's a feather in their cap," said Steve Ellis, vice president of programs at Taxpayers for Common Sense, a budget watchdog based in Washington, D.C. "He's certainly been willing to reach across the aisle, and you could say far across the aisle."

Obama votes mostly with majority Democrats, but there are exceptions.

He backed a free trade agreement last year with the Middle East country of Oman, saying the financial impact was small and it was worth it to expand engagement in the region.

He also has pushed for the creation of an outside agency to investigate ethics abuses in the Senate.

Obama's eight-year legislative record in Springfield is lengthier than his Washington resume, and it may be a place where critics look for ammunition should he launch a presidential bid.

But, as in Washington, Obama's votes there are likely to be well-received by voters choosing a Democratic nominee.

As a member of the Illinois Senate, Obama supported a single-payer health-care plan run by the state and voted for an increase in the minimum wage. He also endorsed embryonic stem cell research and, in 2003, co-sponsored legislation that would have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation.

He voted against allowing people to claim self-defense if they used a gun in their home. The measure would have affected only residents of towns where local handgun bans were in effect.

But he also voted in favor of allowing retired police officers to carry concealed weapons. Gibbs said that would be his only exception to a prohibition against the right to carry a concealed weapon.

On abortion, Obama voted against a measure designed to protect what supporters termed live babies born during abortion procedures.

Senate opponent Alan Keyes criticized Obama for the vote during their 2004 campaign. Gibbs said the legislation, which was defeated, defined a fetus as a person and "would have criminalized every abortion."

In 1998, when Democrats were in the minority in the state Senate, he made headlines as the co-sponsor of a bipartisan-backed package of legislation that overhauled state ethics laws.

His dealings with lawmakers on that ethics bill helped him build his image as someone who can work effectively on both sides of the political aisle.

State Sen. Gary Forby, a Democrat from the coal fields of southern Illinois whose constituency includes a lot of Reagan Democrats, said Obama is a person who has wide appeal.

"Barack Obama is a person who will sit down and talk with you," Forby said.

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, a Republican from Okawville, also gave high marks to Obama's gifts as a communicator but said he shouldn't be confused with a centrist.

"He is what he is, a liberal Democrat," Luechtefeld said. "I'm not saying that's all bad. It's just what he is."

Another Republican who served with Obama in the state Senate said he's been fielding requests for his insight on Obama from residents in his district.

"I tell people he's charismatic and likeable," said state Rep. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon. "But he's relatively new on the statewide scene and very new on the national scene. What we're talking about here is someone who wants to be the leader of the free world."


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


Obama’s voting record

A sampling of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s votes during his two years in the U.S. Senate and his eight-year career as a state senator in Springfield:

U.S. Senate

Ethics: Voted last week for an ethics bill that would ban lobbyist gifts and corporate-paid travel, as well as strengthen disclosure of earmarks and campaign donations. Obama and Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., pushed to strengthen the bill, according to watchdog groups backing reform.

Weapons proliferation: Teamed with U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., to sponsor a bill last year expanding efforts to locate and destroy weapons of mass destruction. It was signed into law about a week ago.

Tax cuts: Voted last year against extending $70 billion in cuts in capital gains and dividend taxes. The bill passed and was signed into law.

Judges: Voted against confirming Samuel Alito to be a justice on the Supreme Court and John Roberts to be chief justice.

Labor issues: Voted against the Central American Free Trade Act but for a trade deal with the Middle East country of Oman.

Environment: Voted in 2005 against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

Illinois Senate

Health care: In 2004, sponsored the Health Care Justice Act, which called for a study of a single-payer health-care system for the state.

Minimum wage: In 2004, voted in favor of raising the minimum wage in Illinois to $6.50 an hour, up from $5.15 an hour.

Stem cell research: In 2004, backed legislation endorsing embryonic stem cell research.

Gay rights: In 2003, co-sponsored legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Abortion: In 2001, voted against a bill designed to protect what backers termed live babies born during abortion procedures. The bill did not become law.

Ethics: In 1998, co-sponsored a bipartisan-backed package of legislation that overhauled state ethics laws.

SOURCES: Illinois General Assembly; U.S. Senate

[/QUOTE]

[url]http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/01/20/news/122699.txt[/url]

[Jetdawgg]

I don't see anything too bad here. The war is the issue of the day and he is against it like most US citizens today.

[Come Back to NY]

[QUOTE=Jetdawgg]I don't see anything too bad here. [/QUOTE]


in similar fashion to the way a crack addict doesn't see anything wrong with smokin crack...

[Jetdawgg]

[QUOTE=Come Back to NY]in similar fashion to the way a crack addict doesn't see anything wrong with smokin crack...[/QUOTE]


He is a progressive democrat. He is a liberal. How do you expect him to vote?

[Warfish]

Face it CBTNY, distatseful as it may seem, the Dems have a number of prominant vocal media-friendly famous candidates running.

The Repubs have Guilianni, and er......that old guy who was once Speaker.....and er........John McLame......and er....Mackaka?........and er........yea.

Unless something drastic changes, I don't see any chance of a Republican Victory in 2008. If things stay similar to right now (and be sure that Dems in Congress will work to make that so, for political reasons), especially with the War.......I think a Dem Vicroty in 2008 will be a landslide.

[Jetdawgg]

[QUOTE=Warfish]Face it CBTNY, distatseful as it may seem, the Dems have a number of prominant vocal media-friendly famous candidates running.

The Repubs have Guilianni, and er......that old guy who was once Speaker.....and er........John McLame......and er....Mackaka?........and er........yea.

Unless something drastic changes, I don't see any chance of a Republican Victory in 2008. If things stay similar to right now (and be sure that Dems in Congress will work to make that so, for political reasons), especially with the War.......I think a Dem Vicroty in 2008 will be a landslide.[/QUOTE]

I am hoping that the republicans can put up someone strong. If the democrats win, we have a chance to be in the same boat as before; A one party demoCRAZY.

[Come Back to NY]

[QUOTE=Warfish]Face it CBTNY, distatseful as it may seem, the Dems have a number of prominant vocal media-friendly famous candidates running.

The Repubs have Guilianni, and er......that old guy who was once Speaker.....and er........John McLame......and er....Mackaka?........and er........yea.

Unless something drastic changes, I don't see any chance of a Republican Victory in 2008. If things stay similar to right now (and be sure that Dems in Congress will work to make that so, for political reasons), especially with the War.......I think a Dem Vicroty in 2008 will be a landslide.[/QUOTE]


I agree with your first statement but that has always been the way...guys like carter and clinton came to fruition and out of nowhere because they were media icons...

I disagree with you on the second half because national security is still first and foremost on people's minds and they don't trust the dims with that...if they would the landslide probaly would've taken place in 2004...

[Jetdawgg]

[QUOTE=Come Back to NY]I agree with your first statement but that has always been the way...guys like carter and clinton came to fruition and out of nowhere because they were media icons...

I disagree with you on the second half because national security is still first and foremost on people's minds and they don't trust the dims with that...if they would the landslide probaly would've taken place in 2004...[/QUOTE]

Jim Webb

[Warfish]

[QUOTE=Come Back to NY]I agree with your first statement but that has always been the way...guys like carter and clinton came to fruition and out of nowhere because they were media icons...

I disagree with you on the second half because national security is still first and foremost on people's minds and they don't trust the dims with that...if they would the landslide probaly would've taken place in 2004...[/QUOTE]

No, 2004 the War still has some semblance of Hope. Now, the War is almost a Political Albatross hanging round the President Neck, one the Dems will ensure he wears alone, and wear till the next election.

Nope......the Repubs don't have anyone of true real personallity up to bat just yet...or maybe at all. Some of them might have substance.....but it won't be enough. The combination of the War, the downfall of the Right in the last election (which, frankly, suprised the hell out of me) and the "historic" abillity to put the "first X" into the Presidents chair will lead to only one logical conclusion. A Dem win.

Unless something changes from today. 2 years to go, alot can change. But if it's still today two years from now.....it will be a very bad day for the Republicans.

As I see it, of course. Hell, I liked (and still like) Patrick Ramsey, lol. :D

[JetsFan2012]

[QUOTE=Jetdawgg]Jim Webb[/QUOTE]


LOL


Your love affair with Marine vets is crazy. I guarantee if Webb was an Army guy you'd be like, "Who?"

[Jetdawgg]

[QUOTE=pauliec]LOL


Your love affair with Marine vets is crazy. I guarantee if Webb was an Army guy you'd be like, "Who?"[/QUOTE]

He is the democrats VP weapon. He provides the democrats with stoutness on the defense issue. Being that he is a Marine just makes me happier.

I know quite a few other Marines around the country that stand firmly with him also. He is one of us.

[JetsFan2012]

[QUOTE=Jetdawgg]He is the democrats VP weapon. He provides the democrats with stoutness on the defense issue. Being that he is a Marine just makes me happier.

I know quite a few other Marines around the country that stand firmly with him also. He is one of us.[/QUOTE]


You need one of two things to be a VP: tons of White House experience or a great personality. Ideally, you'll have both.

Webb has neither.

[Jetdawgg]

[QUOTE=pauliec]You need one of two things to be a VP: tons of White House experience or a great personality. Ideally, you'll have both.

Webb has neither.[/QUOTE]

:yes: :yes:

He was Sect of the Navy in the Reagan Admin.

[parafly]

I don't see anything earth shattering in this article. Obama is a liberal, always has been.

[Come Back to NY]

[QUOTE=Jetdawgg]:yes: :yes:

He was Sect of the Navy in the Reagan Admin.[/QUOTE]


for seven months I believe before he got fired....

[Come Back to NY]

[QUOTE=Jetdawgg]I don't see anything too bad here. The war is the issue of the day and he is against it like most US citizens today.[/QUOTE]


classic leftist hypocrisy and contradiction...

aren't you the same poster who claims to be well researched??

the same one who claims to be an independent??


the same one who has said that abortion is state sponsored murder??

yet you see nothing wrong with hussien obama's votes to protect live birth abortions???

[Jetdawgg]

[QUOTE=Come Back to NY]classic leftist hypocrisy and contradiction...

aren't you the same poster who claims to be well researched??

the same one who claims to be an independent??


the same one who has said that abortion is state sponsored murder??

yet you see nothing wrong with hussien obama's votes to protect live birth abortions???[/QUOTE]

He is a democrat. Again, how do you expect him to vote? Like a republican rubber stamper?

[cr726]

Are you trying to bring back 2004? The main issues are not abortion and gay marriage.

The GOP will try to bring this up to forget about the war.


[QUOTE=Come Back to NY]classic leftist hypocrisy and contradiction...

aren't you the same poster who claims to be well researched??

the same one who claims to be an independent??


the same one who has said that abortion is state sponsored murder??

yet you see nothing wrong with hussien obama's votes to protect live birth abortions???[/QUOTE]

[PlumberKhan]

[QUOTE=cr726]Are you trying to bring back 2004? The main issues are not abortion and gay marriage.

The GOP will try to bring this up to forget about the war.[/QUOTE]


Classic lunatic libtard responce. Someday you will come out of your marijuana induced socialist haze, you gay blame-America-first stem cell killing draft dodging communist cut and runner!! ;)

[cr726]

You are a funny bastard. I was hoping for a pic within the post.


[QUOTE=PlumberKhan]Classic lunatic libtard responce. Someday you will come out of your marijuana induced socialist haze, you gay blame-America-first stem cell killing draft dodging communist cut and runner!! ;)[/QUOTE]