Josie Ortez: "Any thoughts on the yes vote for the Cheney Energy bill?"

It's not actually called the "Cheney Energy bill," that's just a nickname Hillary Clinton gave it to make a stronger attack against Obama. Here is that Obama had to say about the bill:

"It was the best that we could do right now, given the makeup of Congress."

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/15/obama.clinton/

Here are details on Obama's energy policy:

http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Energy_+_Oil.htm

By the way, Wikipedia has a page summing up Obama positions here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Barack_Obama

"Patriot Act?"

It appears Obama voted for it after several "compromise" measures were added to it. He also voted against extending its wiretap provision. Here is his statement from the House Floor, explaining his motives:

"Let me be clear: this compromise is not as good as the Senate version of the bill, nor is it as good as the SAFE Act that I have cosponsored. I suspect the vast majority of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle feel the same way. But, it's still better than what the House originally proposed. This compromise does modestly improve the PATRIOT Act by strengthening civil liberties protections without sacrificing the tools that law enforcement needs to keep us safe."

http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060216-floor_statement_2/

Hillary Clinton also voted for the Patriot Act both when it was first enacted and then when it was reauthorized. So if you're going to criticize Obama on this point, then you have to criticize Clinton as well.

Obama's Homeland Security policy:

http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Homeland_Security.htm

"'Present' vote on Stem Cell Research?"

Can you provide a reference on this? A cursory Google search didn't turn up his "present" vote here. I did see that Obama voted present on state legislation for abortion, which is in effect a "no" vote.

Obama's policy statements express strong support for stem-cell research. Here's a link that goes into detail:

http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Barack_Obama_Abortion.htm

By the way: To anybody who doesn't think Hillary Clinton has sent out misleading mailers like she accused Obama of doing ("Shame on you!"), here's a link that demonstrates otherwise:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/youve_got_mailers.html

In conclusion, I would say Obama has made some missteps here and there, but if you read his overall policies, they are very good. (People who know more than I do say that Obama's policies and Clinton's policies are about 90% the same.)

I really can't imagine the wasteland that radio and TV would become if Clinton were to be elected. From Fox to EIB to Chris Matthews unzipping their collective flies and jerking off on their desks while screaming at the top of their lungs for the next 1200 days straight. At least with Obama they have to pretend not to be racist assholes, a little bit. As it is, Mike Savage's head may explode on-air with Obama but then he'll be quiet.

I couldn't agree with you more.

My earlier posts attempted to bring reason back into this process...I think disparaging either candidate is counterproductive and makes me wonder whether we can 'pull it together' in the end to beat McCain (which we desperately need to do. Hubby and I are looking at property in Canada in case that man gets elected, no joke).

That sad feeling you have originates from other democrats who leave you wondering if they will 'drop out' if their own preferred candidate is not nominated.

It IS disheartening. I want to THANK YOU for your ACTIONS - and your words. I feel a bit chastised myself because I've only contributed financially but you and other committed volunteers are doing the ground work.

THANKS

As a registered independent and a person who has voted both sides of the isle, I can honestly say that it bothers me when people assume Obama supporters are 'drinking kool aid'. But it also disturbs me when people feel justified in personal attacks against Hillary. It's not necessary. Issues are issues. Neither is perfect and they both would need the full support of the others' constituency to win in the general.

None of us knows the future. Those who seem to be so sure about what will happen (Obama will win the nomination and the general) are both amazing and a tad bit scary. Whether Hillary gets the nomination or Obama gets it, we will have an uphill battle against a unified (if lackluster) republican base.

I wish i would see more people intelligently assert their primary preference while saying (as I do) that they will support whomever the democratic nominee will be.

That would probably make you feel less disheartened.

BTW This particular thread has been more substantive than MOST others I've read over the last couple of weeks. Be glad you didn't read some of the posts a week of so ago. It seems (at least) most everyone has a name and i don't think i read the word 'idiot' even one in eight pages of posts!)

Hillary Clinton states Barack Obama is a blank screen and has not been around long enough and we do not know enough about him. However, her Tax Statements are a Blank Screen and it is she has been around too long and we know way too much about her.

"Hillary Clinton has been telling America that she is the most qualified candidate for president based on her 'record,' which she says includes her eight years in the White House as First Lady - or 'co-president' - and her seven years in the Senate. Here is a reminder of what that record includes: - As First Lady, Hillary assumed authority over Health Care Reform, a process that cost the taxpayers over $13 million. She told both Bill Bradley and Patrick Moynihan, key votes needed to pass her legislation, that she would 'demonize' anyone who opposed it. But it was opposed; she couldn't even get it to a vote in a Congress controlled by her own party. (And in the next election, her party lost control of both the House and Senate.) - Hillary assumed authority over selecting a female Attorney General. Her first two recommendations, Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood, were forced to withdraw their names from consideration. She then chose Janet Reno. Janet Reno has since been described by Bill himself as 'my worst mistake.' - Hillary recommended Lani Guanier for head of the Civil Rights Commission. When Guanier's radical views became known, her name had to be withdrawn. - Hillary recommended her former law partners, Web Hubbell, Vince Foster, and William Kennedy for positions in the Justice Department, White House staff, and the Treasury, respectively. Hubbell was later imprisoned, Foster committed suicide, and Kennedy was forced to resign. Hillary also recommended a close friend of the Clintons, Craig Livingstone, for the position of director of White House security. When Livingstone was investigated for the improper access of up to 900 FBI files of Clinton enemies (?Filegate?) and the widespread use of drugs by White House staff, both Hillary and her husband denied knowing him. FBI agent Dennis Sculimbrene confirmed in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 1996, both the drug use and Hillary's involvement in hiring Livingstone. After that, the FBI closed its White House Liaison Office, after serving seven presidents for over thirty years. - In order to open ?slots? in the White House for her friends the Thomasons (to whom millions of dollars in travel contracts could be awarded), Hillary had the entire staff of the White House Travel Office fired; they were reported to the FBI for 'gross mismanagement' and their reputations ruined. After a thirty-month investigation, only one, Billy Dale, was charged with a crime - mixing personal money with White House funds when he cashed checks. The jury acquitted him in less than two hours. - Another of Hil lary's assumed duties was directing the 'bimbo eruption squad' and scandal defense: ---- She urged her husband not to settle the Paula Jones lawsuit. ---- She refused to release the Whitewater documents, which led to the appointment of Ken Starr as Special Prosecutor. After $80 million dollars of taxpayer money was spent, Starr's investigation led to Monica Lewinsky, which led to Bill lying about and later admitting his affairs. ---- Then they had to settle with Paula Jones after all. ---- And Bill lost his law license for lying to the grand jury ---- And Bill was impeached by the House. ---- And Hillary almost got herself indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice (she avoided it mostly because she repeated, 'I do not recall,' 'I have no recollection,' and 'I don't know' 56 times under oath). - Hillary wrote 'It Takes a Village,' demonstrating her Socialist viewpoint. - Hill ary decided to seek election to the Senate in a state she had never lived in. Her husband pardoned FALN terrorists in order to get Latino support and the New Square Hassidim to get Jewish support. Hillary also had Bill pardon her brother's clients, for a small fee, to get financial support. - Then Hillary left the White House, but later had to return $200,000 in White House furniture, china, and artwork she had stolen. - In the campaign for the Senate, Hillary played the 'woman card' by portraying her opponent (Lazio) as a bully picking on her. - Hillary's husband further protected her by asking the National Archives to withhold from the public until 2012 many records of their time in the White House, including much of Hillary's correspondence and her calendars. (There are ongoing lawsuits to force the release of those records.) - As the junior Senator from New York, Hillary has passed no major legislation. She has deferred to the senior Senator (Schumer) to tend to the needs of New Yorkers, even on the hot issue of medical problems of workers involved in the cleanup of Ground Zero after 9/11. - Hillary's one notable vote; supporting the plan to invade Iraq, she has since disavowed. Quite a resume?. Sounds more like an organized crime family?s rap sheet. Feel free to check these records." From Blogger Eve