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  • Posted By: mightnotvoteobama @ 08/19/2008 8:11:33 AM

    its funny how the obama camp is crying foul now ! after its all over ... did the obama camp NOT know that he would be put on the spot ? thay had to think the abortion question would come up and obama should have better prepared himself for the questions as for mccain cheating thats just some more crap because obama lost the over all q&a forum but he did good though ! givin his veiws on the type of stuff that was asked ! but mccain did great !

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 08/19/2008 2:03:31 PM

      I'm sorry, but I felt McCain said what he thought the people want to hear and he was also to "ready" for the questions. Also, how did he know about the Supreme Court Question?! Obama spoke from his heart, To me, Obama is the one who did Great.

      • Posted By: loriw @ 08/20/2008 5:11:29 PM

        Each candidate was given general categories that would be discussed but not specific questions. So both were told there will be questions about the Supreme Court of the U.S.
        You are entitled to your opinion but I found it amazing that all 8 analysts immediately following the forum disagreed with you.

  • Posted By: gobbledegook @ 08/20/2008 3:58:23 PM

    HOLY MOLEY, McCain vowed to defeat evil in our lifetimes, not his. Free Will will thwart predestination; so much for the pundits.

  • Posted By: Omaar @ 08/19/2008 1:11:58 AM

    If the McCain;s LIE about this half Sister, what won't they LIE About !!!!!

    Vickie Iseman is either Gagged and Bound, Er Um Hog Tied, or the B!tch is Swimming with the Fishes or ....

    WORSE she's lying Next to Jimmy Hoffa Somewhere Beneathe the Sea !!!!

    • Posted By: Davole @ 08/19/2008 2:07:19 AM

      Omaar -

      Your rants are not in any way applicable to this discussion board regarding the Saddleback forum.

      Do you understand the meaning of the word "topic"?

      • Posted By: Omaar @ 08/19/2008 5:20:59 PM

        I Suggest You attend to Your rants an I attend to EXPOSING ALL THINGS MCCAIN...UNDERSTAND...

        When you Purchase NewsWeek, I'll Abide your Rules...

        But until that Mystical, majical, Majestical Moment Occurs....

        I'll Post whatever i choose, within NewsWeek Rules...

        Not Your Borderline-Bull-Spit !!!

        The Meeting is hereby Adjourned

        Purchase NewsWeek or Shut The F--K Up !!

        • Posted By: Davole @ 08/20/2008 1:23:02 PM

          Omaar -

          You continuously demonstrate that obamabots are incapable of staying on topic - thank you!

          Also, it's time to replace the heavily soiled newsprint at the bottom of your parrot's (AskPlus) cage!

          Do you also let him sit (or should that be s*it) occasionally on your shoulder?
          If you do, it's also probably time to send your obamabot T-shirt to the laundry facility!

        • Posted By: AskPlus @ 08/19/2008 6:51:32 PM

          I believe he thinks only is rants are relevant Mr. Omaar. Next he'll ask for appreciation from some other blogger if he stays to form.

  • Posted By: Cashew @ 08/19/2008 9:24:19 AM

    The Saddleback debates are a joke.
    I have read the many coments and not one mentioned the fact that the Angelical Right Wing are very religious people and are doing their part to convince the middle-class votors to vote their way and only their way. I was taught you could be Religious about anything, even how to use others to edify your position. It doesn't matter if McCain knew the right words to say. His personal life is a record of deception and lies. From my studies he has gotten where he is today because of the MONEY, not leadership. Wasn't he one of the bottom ten in his class, yet he still was sllow to become a pilot. How did he do that?
    Money talks in politics. He dumped his first wife, an invalid, (no longer the model he married, and couldn't support his life style}, so with his notable name he chased an other model, 18 years his junior , with lots of money. I understand he believes you have to have 5 million to be considered rich. A true believer knows money can't buy happiness unless you have the inability to think clearly about what your actions are. Is that his problem or is he just another jig---. Actions speak louder than words.
    In my veiw Obama answered from the heart as much as possibe. He had to think and not give a canned answer. He woud be the first to admit he does not have all the answers, and sometimes has to change his mind when shown a better way. He also knows you cannot, by our constitution legislate morality and expect others to believe the same way.
    This Great Grandma hopes Obama wins this election, even though I have voted Republican for more thatn 47 years.
    Obama, did push to have apartments built for the less fortunate, but isn't it the responsibility of the landlord to keep the property up . .

    • Posted By: Davole @ 08/20/2008 11:57:33 AM

      Cashew -

      You question why John McCain was able to rise from being one of the bottom 10 in his class to become a pilot. Obviously even the lowest reported members of that elite class had what it takes to succeed.
      See what can happen when some people actually strive to achieve a worthwhile goal!

      Then you criticize the fact that he obtained a divorce upon returning to the US after having endured 6 years as a POW, and having served much of that time in solitary confinement. That could have a profound affect on any person! Don't you realize that?

      Are you aware that close to 50% of marriages in the US end in divorce? So, what's your point?

      You state that Obama answered from the heart. I may agree with you here, but if so, why is his heart located in his posterior?

      Lastly, you say that you are a great grandma - are you the one that Obama tossed under the bus a while back?

      If so, get back on your feet, humbly stand proud, remember where the "typical white woman" comment originated, and pray that Obama will search for, attain, and be guided by a compassionate Christian religion which is not preoccupied with racial stereotypes and denigrations.

    • Posted By: bojack27 @ 08/19/2008 12:32:14 PM

      What do you think the left wing liberals are doing? If deception and lies are apart of his life and you believe that is the only reason why he has been in office for more than a quarter of the century then you aren't as informed as you think you are... What happen between his wife and him is documented and what makes it good is that the both of them still get along.... The 5 million part was a joke in which you didn't get and McCain even said they (the liberal media) will misconstrue his sayings over this..... I cannot argue with your view because it is your view but to me Obama wasn't direct becuase he was trying to appease those who support him and trying to gain new supporters claiming to be just like he is..... he lied and his voting record on abortion proves it ..... Obama doesn't have all the answers and neither does McCain but Obama inexperience showed in all aspects of the forum.. Speaking of legislating morality.... it is the demoncrats who want to legislate morality on others by forcing them to accept homosexuality as being normal while our religous beliefs say otherwise.... and if we don't agree with them we are labeled as racist.... As far as you being a Great Grandma I give you alot of respect because you have voted longer than I have been alive..... but I think that you are turning a bling eye towards the real issue .... Obama is not ready to be president.... I'm a republican and I know that Hillary has more experience than he does and would have been a better choice for the democrats..... As for the landlord situation.... Obama has the responsibility as a lawyer and public official to protect the citizens from unlawful practices and people in which he failed to even protect himself from.... this shows his lack of judgement .... and character because he knew this guy was crooked and continued to let him raise funds for him..... bad judgement on his part...

    • Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 08/19/2008 10:09:34 AM

      Yes, actions speak louder than words. Obama has requested earmarks for his political cronies, financial backers, and even his wife's employer after they gave her a huge raise. McCain has requested none and fought against this backdoor pay to play system.

      Obama obtained 12 million in tax waivers for foreign companies - 12 MILLION!

      Obama lies about his positions, and changes them when he thinks he needs to to get elected. He copied Clinton's platform so she wouldn't be able to challenge him on policy, then started changing it as soon as he became the presumptive nominee. He shifted from pro-Palestinian to pro-Israel when he decided to run for national office, telling his Palestinian pals that he would be more upfront about his real position after the close election was over. He told his church going anti-gambling supporters that he opposed state legislation in favor of gambling, then voted to allow the gambling, and now that developer is one of his biggest financial backers.

      He skirts the edge, pushes the envelope on ethical requirements, not disclosing that a single client (Blackwell) was the primary source of his income while he was a state legislator, and then helped Blackwell obtain hundreds of thousands in public money for a project.

      Rev. Wright knew the man for 20 years, and was his "spiritual father" according to Obama, and even Rev. Wright says Obama will say and do whatever he thinks he needs to say and do to get elected.

      Rev. Wright has it right.

  • Posted By: Davole @ 08/19/2008 10:43:57 AM

    No Contest
    by INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Monday, August 18, 2008 4:20 PM PT

    Election '08: Last weekend's McCain-Obama protodebate made it clear why Obama won't keep his promise to debate McCain "anywhere, anytime." McCain, with a robust resume and details at his fingertips, won big.

    It was only in May that Sen. Barack Obama cockily proclaimed he would debate Sen. John McCain "anywhere, anytime." But in June, Obama said no to McCain's challenge to have 10 one-on-one town hall meetings.

    After what happened at Lake Forest, Calif.'s evangelical Saddleback megachurch Saturday evening, we may have found that debating is Obama's Achilles' heel. Whether or not you like the idea of such events being held in religious venues, the plain-and-simple method of questioning used by Saddleback pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren revealed fundamental differences between these two men.

    "It's one of those situations where the devil is in the details," Obama said at one point. He could have been referring to his own oratorical shortcomings when a teleprompter is unavailable. We learned a lot more about the real Obama at Saddleback than we will next week as he delivers his acceptance speech in Denver before a massive stadium crowd.

    The stark differences between the two came through the most on the question of whether there is evil in the world. Obama spoke of evil within America, "in parents who have viciously abused their children." According to the Democrat, we can't really erase evil in the world because "that is God's task." And we have to "have some humility in how we approach the issue of confronting evil."

    For McCain, with a global war on terror raging, there was no equivocating: We must "defeat" evil. If al-Qaida's placing of suicide vests on mentally-disabled women and then blowing them up by remote control in a Baghdad market isn't evil, he asked: "You have to tell me what is."

    Asked to name figures he would rely on for advice, Obama gave the stock answer of family members.

    McCain pointed to Gen. David Petraeus, Iraq's scourge of the surge; Democratic Rep. John Lewis, who "had his skull fractured" by white racists while protesting for civil rights in the 60s; plus Internet entrepreneur Meg Whitman, the innovative former CEO of eBay.

    • Posted By: DavidCA @ 08/19/2008 9:32:36 PM

      Sorry for reposting this, but it's apropos to your last point.

      McCain's answer to the first question Saturday night didn't pass the smile test.

      "Who were [sic] the three wisest people that you know that you would rely on heavily in an administration?"

      1. David Petraeus, Centcom Commander - In the United States, Senator, we have a little thing called civilian control of the military. I know it's hard for retired Captain McCain, USN, to adjust his thinking, but as President he would be Petraeus' boss, not the other way around. Lord knows, I wish my boss would listen to me sometimes, but most of the time I'd rather have clear direction that I can figure out how to realize. Whether you agree with him or not, Obama's pledge - "I will give our commanders in Iraq a new mission, to end this war" - is more in line with the Constitution.

      2. John Lewis, Congressman (D-Georgia 5th) - Really, Senator? You noted that he was beaten and injured on the Selma march in 1965, but I doubt you were listening to John Lewis when you voted against a federal holiday for that other guy in that march (Martin Luther King, Jr.), or at any other time in your life. But, prove me wrong and invite him to speak at your convention! His speech at the 2004 DNC convention was really good, after all.

      3. Meg Whitman, retired CEO of ebay - Brilliant! She did have that one great idea we all wish for, namely how to use the internet to sell all our excess stuff, but could this have more to do with the facts that she's a big Republican donor and that she formerly supported Mitt Romney? I know, let's make her Secretary of DoGS (Department of Garage Sales); is that your secret plan for dealing with our record budget deficit?

      Are you smiling? QED.

      • Posted By: Davole @ 08/20/2008 11:29:08 AM

        DavidCA -

        Gee, I didn't notice any requirement that John McCain was obliged to pass any smile test in providing honest answers to the questions from the pastor.

        Would you please provide some factual information to support your contention?

        To conclude, you ask whether I am smiling - LOTFL!

        Good day!

  • Posted By: AskPlus @ 08/19/2008 2:15:46 PM

    Wow. The liars ans smearers page. I thought that was on the other page - highlighting all of Mr. McCain lies. Mr. Holmes, Zombie Hero, pearson, davole the would-be intellect, bojack, and cowen - all present and accounted for. Doesn't Mr. McCain remind you guys of the movie Dave? No? Don't forget to get together and think up new smears for Mr. Mccain 72 birthday next Friday. Don't discount the demographics.

    • Posted By: Davole @ 08/20/2008 11:16:50 AM

      AskPlus -

      Being the parrot that you are, it might be time to request that your handlers replace the heavily soiled newsprint at the bottom of your cage!

    • Posted By: Lee Holmes @ 08/19/2008 3:47:15 PM

      Do not be obtuse. If I am ''lying''then you should have no problems refuting said lies. Put up or shut up. In the meanwhile,

      www.cnn.com TRANSCRIPT Anchor Rick Sanchez with Pastor Rick Warren,August 17,2008.

      www.foxnews.com TRANSCRIPT Commentators Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes with Pastor Rick Warren,August 18,2008.

      • Posted By: AskPlus @ 08/19/2008 3:55:56 PM

        Hannity? Warren? Fox?!

        Doesn't that kind of refute itself? Didn't the persons and entities mentioned start the smears?
        Please understand the definition of obtuse would be attempting to defend these bogus liars - and they are and they know it - with biased, known liars and platforms. Good on you Mr. Holmes. Can you be intellectual and obtuse at the same time?

  • Posted By: bojack27 @ 08/20/2008 10:59:55 AM

    I brought some tissues for those who are blowing SNOT BUBBLES in public.... all of you demo(n)crats are upset now that Obama bombed on the major questions.... I have a question to all of you demo(n)crats who are whinning now that McCain has taking the lead in the polls and closed the gap on THE GREAT PRETENDER OBAMA..... what did you think the Saddleback Forum was going to be talking about? Each question was designed to show the morality of each canidate and where each stood on issues concerning Christian voters .....notice I said Christian voters!... It was Obama who is trying to pass himself off as a Christian in a church format.... now that he has be revealed as a pseudo Christian who lacks the moral fiber to stand up for the defenseless (unborn) and lies about the reduction of abortions under President Bush's administration and his support to terminate children who were born alive and yet he still voted against to let them live..... he is a fake and was expose nationally and the polls are finally reflecting his immorality, his lack of leadership, his weak foreign policy stance and his overall failure to acknowledge the need for offshore drilling.....

    He is not ready to be the President of the United States.......... in my opinion

  • Posted By: C. MacLean @ 08/19/2008 7:08:26 PM

    The biggest blooper was thinking an evangelical minister could ask appropriate or meaningful questions about the issues.

    He can't, and didn't.

  • Posted By: Omaar @ 08/19/2008 5:23:47 PM

    McCain's Broken Classics.....

    #1 Hit: I told You "The Surge Would Work"

    Note: As Though McCain Originated "The Surge" When in Fact "The Surge" is General McFarland's Military Strategy and it did not happen at Anbar, "The Surge" happened in (Bagdad) The Bloody Anbar Awakening Happened Almost a Year Before "The Surge" and General Petraeus was Not in Iraq, During "The Anbar Awakening" or "The Surge"...

    The Anbar Awakening: Is the Crucial Turning Point in the Iraq War and without it, The Surge would still be at Day One and the Casualties Would still be Prevalent. Yet Semi-Senile John McCain has Projected himself as the Creater of "The Surge", as though, Mccain Concieved, Created and his "Surge Strategy" was Implemented by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the President, based on Mccain's "Military Experience" when all He did was Sign on a Non-Partisan BandWagon to send an Additional 20,000 Troops....

    Thats All McCain Did.

    McCain Hit #2: "I know how to Win Wars"

    Oh Really John ? Are you Counting Viet Nam as a WIN for America ? You were Locked Up and being Tortured Day & Night, Remember ? John, Name One Military Strategy that you had Concieved, Created and had Implemented by the President & his Joint Chiefs of Staff...

    Please and Don't Mention "The Surge" I just Squashed that LIE


    McCain Hit #3: "No Timetable for Withdrawal, Come Home in Victory"

    What is a Victory to You John McCain ? The President of Iraq wants us OUT, The President of the USA is setting a "Time Horizon" and its been said, the Time Frame is (2010) Yet, We should Leave in Victory, Not Enough Dead Bodies, for you John ??
    ---------------------------------------

    John McCain Hit #4: "The 4 1/2 Year Military Strategy Failed, Because it was a Poorly Planned & Poorly Executed"

    McCain is Condemning Joint Chiefs Of Staff, The President, The Vice President, Himself, The Senators & Congressmen and Women who Voted on all the Military Strategies, leading up, to the "Surge" and Above all else the US Military Performed their Jobs Incompetently, Thats Exactly what he's saying...

    Yet McCain Double Talks and Calls the U.S Military Honorable, Brave and Corageous..McCain has to Open his EYES WIDE and Accept that he was a Major Force in Voting 95% of the Time on the Iraq War and All Bush Military, Foreign and Domestic Policies....Fact

  • Posted By: Prestwood @ 08/19/2008 4:29:58 PM

    Have you heard about Rick Warren's new book - The Purpose Driven Lie!!!! It was released on Sat at the Civic Forum. Every story produced now about the Civic Forum, Rick Warren and John McShame and the Lies they are still producing to cover up the CONE GATE scandal has a different twist and turn. No doubt McShame knew the questions and got ahead of himself with the prepared answers. Just view the tape yourself. There is no doubt that Republican Warren (even though he says he is an Independent) didn't even ask the same questions - although he puts words to the questions to make people think they were the same questions. Not even the very 1st question was the same. He asked Obama who in his personal life and in his admin would he consult with - He asked McShame who in his admin....BIG Difference...Also - McShame was so happy he was performing to standards of the ROVE ATTACK Machine - he got ahead of him self witht the answers....Please do not let this story die because ANGRY Rick Davis sent a letter to NBC complaining about A Mitchell....that is how the McShame campaign and the RNC makes stories disappear that have truth to them about their low road tactics and strategies....Even if it isn't this that continues as a story ...it is time for the press and the journalist and commentators to start questioning McShame....oh what you can't because the ATTACK DOGS now keep him from the PRESS. Come all.....lets not be decieved nor afraid of these tactics....McShame got 1 thing right during the Civic Forum when he answered that Evil must be Defeat....lets start with his campaign......Defeat Evil and the McShame run for President

  • Posted By: Prestwood @ 08/19/2008 4:29:01 PM

    Have you heard about Rick Warren's new book - The Purpose Driven Lie!!!! It was released on Sat at the Civic Forum. Every story produced now about the Civic Forum, Rick Warren and John McShame and the Lies they are still producing to cover up the CONE GATE scandal has a different twist and turn. No doubt McShame knew the questions and got ahead of himself with the prepared answers. Just view the tape yourself. There is no doubt that Republican Warren (even though he says he is an Independent) didn't even ask the same questions - although he puts words to the questions to make people think they were the same questions. Not even the very 1st question was the same. He asked Obama who in his personal life and in his admin would he consult with - He asked McShame who in his admin....BIG Difference...Also - McShame was so happy he was performing to standards of the ROVE ATTACK Machine - he got ahead of him self witht the answers....Please do not let this story die because ANGRY Rick Davis sent a letter to NBC complaining about A Mitchell....that is how the McShame campaign and the RNC makes stories disappear that have truth to them about their low road tactics and strategies....Even if it isn't this that continues as a story ...it is time for the press and the journalist and commentators to start questioning McShame....oh what you can't because the ATTACK DOGS now keep him from the PRESS. Come all.....lets not be decieved nor afraid of these tactics....McShame got 1 thing right during the Civic Forum when he answered that Evil must be Defeat....lets start with his campaign......Defeat Evil - Vote Democratic - Barack Obama 08

  • Posted By: tiredoflies @ 08/19/2008 4:17:19 PM


    Again, what FactCheck did NOT point out is that what Obama said WAS in and of itself THE TRUTH ..

    IN CONTRAST, MCCAIN ACTUALLY LIES AND FACTCHECK LETS MOST OF THAT GO.

  • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/18/2008 10:18:41 PM

    On the ethics bill, I bet you a million dollars that McCain was the problem and not Obama. He sounds crotchety and mean-minded, and as if he were affronted that such a junior senator (and a Black man) would have the gall to approach him for his consideration on this bill.

    McCain is part of that crass class of American bourgeois bigots - the so-called "upper class" who are anything but classy and everything to do with money and superficial values - all talk and self importance, flashing their money around -- I mean, $600 loafers to visit the Dalai Lama in, now I'm sure the Buddhist monk was super impressed with those classy lookin' shoes, damn. yo mamma... McCrass is the leader of the bigoted, moneyed class who all join country clubs and act all distant and cool toward anyone who doesn't belong - who they didn't grow up with or recognize somehow for the shallow hypocrites they themselves are - poseurs, every one!

    • Posted By: Zombiehero @ 08/19/2008 1:17:19 PM

      So instead of admitting that Obama lied or at least misrepresented himself...your still blaming McCain?

  • Posted By: Omaar @ 08/18/2008 10:58:46 PM

    Rezko is in Prison, Obama was Never Charged in this Case and You Yahoos Continue to Chirp about NOTHING, as though this Case is (White Water) or the (Keating 10) SORRY, Obama is Not Involved in the Rezko case...

    In Those 2 cases, Both the Clinton's & McCain got off Scott Free !!

    Rezko's Wife gave the obama's a Sweet Deal for a House and it was Not illegal...I'm So Sorry...

    Wait a Minute, i'm very Glad to Dissapoint You yahoo Obama Haters.

    Like you would would Turn Down a Sweet Home Purchase....Yeah Right...

    It was Legal and thats that !!!

    • Posted By: chindognyc @ 08/19/2008 12:18:11 AM

      Good point Omaar, and don't forget that Rezko also donated money to Bill Clinton's library.

      • Posted By: Zombiehero @ 08/19/2008 1:14:09 PM

        You kept on calling Bill Clinton a lier and a cheat but now you want to use him as defense?
        Clinton's Library never ran a campaign on "new politics" and "no lobbyist" money....Obama did and he accepted tainted money from Resko....kept denying he ever did, and every time new records came out showing he took more than he said...he had to give more money to charity. Just admits that Obama never should have taken that money and never should have gone through the land deal with Rezko and move on.

    • Posted By: Shadoe01 @ 08/18/2008 11:39:24 PM

      You need to wake up and smell the truth. Obama said he did not know Rezco, but Rezco owned the property next to him and sold him a piece of it. As for them giving him a good deal who do you think you are kidding? Obama is no different than any of the other, he may be even worse as he listed to Wright for twenty years and let his children listen to the racist hate. And just for good measure why don't you send Obama to live in those fantastic apartments he raves about building to help the "poor". They were substandard when they were built and more than half of them are so unsafe at this point that they are going to have to be torn down. Yeah, he is Mr. Wonderful!

  • Posted By: Mimi13 @ 08/19/2008 12:37:11 AM

    McCain cheated (again) at Saddleback.
    Warren lied about "The cone of silence" AND about giving out questions.
    McCain and Warren: Two dishonorable snake oil salesmen.

    Just two more reasons Christians are voting for Obama! www.

    I thought this post from uuforyou deserved repeating. "Rev." Warren LIED about the "cone of silence." John McCain repeated the LIE. There is simply not another term for what transpired. I am so sick of self-rightous hypocrites filled with religiousity thinking they know so much about how the rest of us should live that the ordinary rules of civilized human conduct do not apply to them. This was my first encounter with "Rev." Warren and his puffed-up church -- and it will surely be my last.

    • Posted By: Davole @ 08/19/2008 1:58:42 AM

      Mimi13 -

      What factual evidence do you have to support your claim that McCain cheated at Saddleback, and that Rev. Warren lied about the "cone of silence"?

      • Posted By: Zombiehero @ 08/19/2008 1:11:25 PM

        The Obama campaign said so so it must be true right? ha ha They are just upset because Obama came off aloof and didn't do well at the forum.

  • Posted By: oynx3442 @ 08/19/2008 12:21:12 PM

    "Guttmacher Institute: In 2005, 1.21 million abortions were performed, down from 1.31 million abortions in 2000."

    Factcheck.org - if you were really checking stats on abortion why would you present a horrible stat like this? Why not look at the overall trend of ALL abortions over the last 8 years versus the trends before that in a similar 8 year time period? Why would you single out the number of abortions in ONE year? Here is a similar stat, a town has 0 murders in 2006 and in 2007 they have 1 murder - whoa, murder is now up 100% in that town! Please report numbers that make sense before making outrageous claims.

  • Posted By: Lee Holmes @ 08/19/2008 11:56:02 AM

    Say FACTCHECK. How about the ''bloopers''from Obamas press sycophants at NBC and The New York Times?

    There never was a ''Cone of Silence''. After going on the liberal CNN with Mark Sanchez and torpedoeing the rumours on Sunday night,Pastor Rick Warren went on the conservative FOX with Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes yesterday evening and sank them,repeating his position that the only person who was given any questions in advance was...Barack Obama.[whose campaign has not yet responded].

  • Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 08/19/2008 11:17:05 AM

    "We need a president who sees government not as a tool to enrich well-connected friends and high-priced lobbyists, but as the defender of fairness and opportunity for every American," the candidate said in his June speech. "That's the kind of president I intend to be."

    But his actions don't match his words. Away from the bright lights and high-minded rhetoric of the campaign trail, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has quietly worked with corporate lobbyists to help pass breaks worth $12 million.

    "It's an entire culture in Washington -- some of it legal, some of it not," the Democratic hopeful told a New York crowd in June, rallying support for his ethics reform agenda.

    But last year, at the request of a hired representative for an Australian-owned chemical corporation Nufarm, Obama introduced nine separate bills exempting the company from import fees on a range of chemical ingredients it uses in the manufacture of pesticides and herbicides. Nufarm's U.S. subsidiary is based in Illinois.
    While legal, Obama's bills on behalf of Nufarm and other companies are part of the special treatment machine Washington rolls out for special interests, say good-government watchdogs.

    "If you have a company...there's a whole factory set up to help you get these suspensions," said Steve Ellis, president of the Washington, D.C.-based watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense. "It's a pay-to-play system you have to rev up and work." Hire the right lobbyist, pay the right fee, and you can save millions, he explained.

    In Nufarm's case, Obama's staff met with a lawyer representing the company, Joel Junker, in person and on the phone several times, Junker told ABC News. Junker says he worked with Obama's staff to craft the nine bills and keep them moving forward.

    In a glowing financial report issued just two months after Obama introduced Nufarm's numerous tariff-lifting bills, 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.

    In particular, "price rises on phenoxy herbicides," a family which includes 2,4 D, "improved the profitability of those products, despite no significant increase in sales volumes."

    Economics aside, some medical researchers also harbor concerns over 2,4 D. Studies have purported to find a link between high exposure to the chemical and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer. Defenders of the chemical say it is safe, and note that even scientists who believe a link exists cannot explain how the chemical may cause the cancer.

    Only one other 2008 presidential hopeful has introduced more tariff suspension bills to benefit major corporations than Obama -- Longshot GOP candidate Sen. Sam Brownback, Kan. Sen. John McCain introduced none.

  • Posted By: mk3872 @ 08/19/2008 10:43:11 AM

    How could you forget to mention that McCain supported 2 of the 3 judges he said he now DOES NOT SUPPORT?

  • Posted By: mk3872 @ 08/19/2008 10:42:39 AM

    How about debunking McCain stating that human rights begin at conception? An non-implanted human egg is not a life sustainable without its host. Plus, if this were true, that would make McCain's promise of supporting embryonic stem cell research moot. He would be breaking the law and committing murder.

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