20070515 Senator Barack Obama - Man Of Steel?

Senator Barack Obama - Man Of Steel?

May 15, 2007

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MAN OF STEEL?

Obama Touts "Steel In Him" To "Make Strong Decisions" Despite Running From The Issues Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

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This Morning, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) Claimed To Have The "Steel In Him" And "Capacity...To Make Strong Decisions":

Sen. Obama: "You know, I think that somebody who has arrived where I am out of Chicago politics, has to have a little bit of steel in him. I have the capacity I think to make strong decisions even if they're unpopular, even if they're uncomfortable, even if sometimes I lose some friends." (ABC's "This Week," 5/13/07)

But In The Illinois Senate, Obama Passed On Tackling Tough Issues:

Obama Had A Habit Of Voting Present "Even On Some Of The Most Controversial And Politically Explosive Issues Of The Day." "[O]bama's history of voting 'present' in Springfield - even on some of the most controversial and politically explosive issues of the day - that raises questions that he will need to answer." (Nathan Gonzales, Op-Ed, "The Ever-'Present' Obama," The Rothenberg Political Report, 2/13/07)

A "Present" Vote Is "Used To Provide Political Cover." "Because it takes affirmative votes to pass legislation in the Illinois Senate, a 'present' vote is tantamount to a 'no' vote. A 'present' vote is generally used to provide political cover for legislators who don't want to be on the record against a bill that they oppose. Of course, Obama isn't the first or only Illinois state senator to vote 'present,' but he is the only one running for President of the United States." (Nathan Gonzales, Op-Ed, "The Ever-'Present' Obama," The Rothenberg Political Report, 2/13/07)

On An Abortion Bill In The Illinois Senate, Obama Voted "Present" So As Not To "Look Insensitive And Endanger [His] Re-Election." "Obama said he sought compromise with abortion opponents, but they balked. As a fallback, he said he worked out an arrangement with abortion-rights advocates to encourage Democrats to vote 'present' on some bills if they feared a 'no' would look insensitive and endanger their re-election." (Rick Pearson and Ray Long, "Careful Steps, Looking Ahead," Chicago Tribune, 5/3/07)

In 1997, Obama Voted "Present" On Legislation Banning Partial Birth Abortions That Contained An Exception For The Life Of The Mother And A Provision Prohibiting Prosecution Of The Mother. (David A. Joens and Paul Kleppner, Almanac Of Illinois Politics - 1998, p. 81)

The President Does Not Have The Option Of Voting "Present" On Tough Issues. "But as Democrats - and Americans - are searching for their next leader, the Illinois senator's record, and not just his rhetoric, will be examined under a microscope. As president, Obama will be faced with countless difficult decisions on numerous gray issues, and voting 'present' will not be an option. He will need to explain those 'present' votes as a member of the Illinois Legislature if he hopes to become America's commander-in-chief." (Nathan Gonzales, Op-Ed,"The Ever-'Present' Obama," The Rothenberg Political Report, 2/13/07)

As Senator, Obama Was Noticeably Quiet On Providing An Iraq Plan:

Senator Obama Waited 11 Months Before Giving A Major Speech On Iraq. "Though Mr. Obama is framing his candidacy to appeal to Democrats who have long opposed the war, until recently he was not among his party's most outspoken voices against it. He campaigned strongly against the war in his bid for the Senate in 2004, but when he arrived in Washington he waited 11 months to deliver a major speech on Iraq." (Jeff Zeleny, "As Candidate, Obama Carves Antiwar Stance," The New York Times, 2/26/07)

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE) On Obama's Iraq Rhetoric: "I Don't Recall Hearing A Word From Barack About A Plan Or A Tactic." (Jason Horowitz, "Biden Unbound: Lays Into Clinton, Obama, Edwards," The New York Observer, 2/25/07)

As Presidential Candidate, Obama Lacking Specifics:

"The Voices Are Growing Louder Asking The Question: Is Barack Obama All Style And Little Substance?" (Nedra Pickler, "Is Obama All Style And Little Substance?" The Associated Press, 3/27/07)

Sen. Obama's Views On Social Security Reform: "Everything should be on the table. ... I don't want to lay out my preferences beforehand..." (ABC's "This Week," 5/13/07)

Obama's Health Care Plan Will Be Issued "Over The Next Couple Of Months." "Mr. Obama said that he would be issuing a detailed plan 'over the next couple of months' to achieve universal coverage by the end of the first term of the next president, in January 2013. When asked why he did not have such a plan, he said, 'Our campaign now is a little over eight weeks old.'" (Robert Pear, "Candidates Outline Ideas For Universal Health Care," The New York Times, 3/25/07)

Obama Repeatedly Avoids And Runs From The Press:

For Five Weeks, Obama's Campaign Refused To Answer Chicago Sun-Times' Reporter. "For five long weeks, Sun-Times' investigative reporter Tim Novak called, e-mailed, requested, practically pleaded with Obama's press people to provide information about the senator's relationship to Rezko when it came to the development of low-income housing in Chicago. In an abundance of fairness and an excess of solicitousness, Novak sent a list of questions. For five weeks, no answer." (Carol Marin, Op-Ed, "Obama Ducks The Questions," Chicago Sun-Times, 4/25/07)

Obama's Campaign Sent A Staffer To Monitor Reporters So Obama Could Make A Speedy Getaway And Avoid Questions. "Meanwhile, an Obama staffer, sent to watch us, nimbly Blackberried our movements to someone inside. Suddenly, bodyguards pulled the SUV down into a parking garage, grabbed Obama, and with wheels squealing, sped out and away." (Carol Marin, Op-Ed, "Obama Ducks The Questions," Chicago Sun-Times, 4/25/07)

Obama Took The "Unusual" Step Of Banning Press From A Hotel Reception During The DNC Winter Meetings. "A flier for DNC members said, 'Senator Barack Obama Cordially invites you to an Evening Reception.' It was held in a medium-sized reception room. Cocktails, sold by the hotel, were $6.75 and domestic beer was a buck less. 'Space is limited, therefore this event is for DNC Members ONLY,' the flier said. 'Members can bring one guest to the event.' The room was jammed and a line snaked onto the promenade as Obama workers checked their lists like it was a nightclub. Reporters were barred - a somewhat unusual, although not unheard of, policy for a meet-and-greet-type event in a public place like a hotel." (Mike Allen, "For Obama, No News Is Good News," The Politico, 2/2/07)

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