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President-Elect Barack Obama's '08 FBG headquarters - Footballguys Forums

UPDATE: Since we have a pretty good group of FBG's who are Obama supporters, I got a suggestion that we start an FBG campaign donation group that is hosted on Obama's website.

Here is the link to donate as an FBG, which will be counted as part of our group of supporters.

No benefits go to me for setting it up, or to anyone, but it might be cool to see how we as a group can contribute financially to him getting the nomination and eventually the presidency.

We're starting out with a goal of raising $1,000 which isn't that much if we each just chip in a little bit.

I know I've donated individually, as well as many of you, but in the future, if we all click through this link above, we can track our impact, so donate today and show our support! Obama's Speech on Race: Here is a link to the video and transcript of Obama's speech on race.

Many consider it to be one of the best speeches on race given in quite some time.

Here is a link to many newspaper editorials reviewing the speech. 3-20-08 - The Cost of the War - transcript (scroll down some) 3-19-08 - The World Beyond Iraq - Given on the 5th anniversary of the war.

Here is a link to an internal copy of the transcript.

I'll change it later whenever it's posted to his official site. Reverend Wright Comment Controversy Update: In light of recent events regarding Obama's former pastor (who is now retired), Obama has put out a video that denounces Wright's comments.

March 15, 2008 "We have to come together" video speech which is brand new and discusses the Wright comments, and talks about unity, and moving forward as a nation.He has also put out a pdf that explains his beliefs.

He has also given a number of speeches that show that he does not share his pastor's views, politically or racially.

"Call to Renewal Keynote Address".

"Selma voting rights commemoration" call to unity, watch the speech as well.

Interview with a church member of Obama's church Jane Hoffman.

Interview with Otis Moss who is replacing the retired pastor Wright. This is for those not familiar with or those who want to learn more about Barack Obama - what he stands for, his history, his platforms, or why he might make a good president. I'll continually update this first post with requested information about Obama so that you, the FBG, can have all your questions regarding Obama answered. UPDATE: For those with questions about where he stands on specific issues, I encourage you to read his Blueprint for Change (Obama's Plan for America).

Here you can find details on what he wants to do on major issues, such as Ethics, Health Care, Economy, Seniors, Education, Energy, Fiscal, Rural, Women, Immigration, Poverty, Service, Civil Rights, Foreign Policy, Veterans.

More information is given at the end, along with a speech you can read, and a link to more specific information on each topic.

You no longer have any good excuse for being uninformed about his policies. UPDATE Part 2: If you want to hear in Obama's own words his stances on certain policies, click the heading for each topic that is in blue, such as Abortion.

Below each topic in blue, are some specific policies and speeches for each topic I've been able to find.

Click on the Policy or Plan links to get pdf's detailing his plans for each issue.

Also listed are policy speeches dealing with the topics.

Click on these to hear more information about each subject. What Barack Obama has said on the following issues can be found by clicking on links below in Blue: Abortion Budget/Economy Obama's Plan | Home ownerships & mortgage fraud crackdown plan | Fiscal Policy | Policy Speech Civil Rights Obama's Plan | Policy Speech Corporations Crime Drugs Education Obama's Policy (Pre-K to 12 plan) | College Affordability Plan | Policy Speech on Pre-K to 12 plan | On College Affordability Energy/Oil Obama Policy | Policy Speech Environment Obama Policy | Policy Speech Families/Children More Info Foreign Policy Israel Policy | Speech on Iraq & Iran | Speech on nuclear weapons and diplomacy | Speech on Counter-Terrorism Strategy | Speech on restoring american leadership Free Trade Govt.

Reform Obama Policy | Policy Speech Gun Control Health Care Obama Policy | Frequently asked Q & A | Policy Speech Homeland Security National Service Plan | Obama Policy | National Service Speech Immigration Obama policy Infrastructure/Technology More Information Jobs Principles/Values Social Security More Information | Policy Speech Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Obama policy | Policy speech Welfare/Poverty Obama Policy | Policy Speech If you have a question about him, or have any interesting information, post it and I'll try to update it here.

Much of this was borrowed from Wikipedia. HistoryBorn Barack Hussein Obama in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961.Father is Barack Hussein Obama, Sr.

(black)Born in Kenya as a goatherder, Harvard educated, in US for studies, divorced Barack's mother in 1963, died in 1982 (carwreck), primarily corresponded to Barack through letters, only met him once after divorceMother is Ann Dunham (white)Born in Wichita, Kansas, very instrumental in Obama's upbringing, died around 1995 from cancerAt age 6, mom married a muslim man from Indonesia and moved herself and Obama to JakartaAt age 10, sent back to Hawaii without mom, living with grandparents, to attend the Punahou School in Honolulu, a prestigious college prep school, where he stayed until 12th grade.Studied 2 years at Occidental College in CaliforniaTransferred to Columbia College in NY, majoring in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations, receiving his BA in 1983.Worked for one year at Business International Corporation1985, moved to Chicago to direct a non-profit project assisting local churches to organize job training programs for residents of poor neighborhoods.Visited Kenya, his fathers birthplace, and met family members in an attempt to learn more about himself and his roots (heavily summarized, detailed account in Dreams from my Father)1988 entered Harvard Law School, where two years later he became the first African American to be elected president of the Harvard Law ReviewObtained his Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude from Harvard in 1991.Returned to Chicago, directing a voter registration drive.Worked for civil rights law firm Miner, Barnhill & GallandTaught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1993-2004 (senate election)Married wife Michelle Robinson in 1992, and now have 2 daughters Malia (1999) and Sasha (2001)Robinson was an associate attorney at the civil rights firm Obama worked for*Any omissions, errors, or whatever, post and I'll correct them Political History1996, Obama was elected to the Illinois State Senate from Chicago's 13th District in the south-side neighborhood of Hyde ParkIn 2003, named chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee2000, Obama made an unsuccessful Democratic primary run for the US House of Representatives, challenging former black panther Bobby Rush.

(61% to 30%)Ran unopposed in 2002 election to keep his seat on the Illinois State Senate2004, Obama ran for the US Senate when Peter Fitzgerald vacated his seatEarly on, he trailed multimillionaire businessman Blair Hull, but allegations of domestic abuse hurt Hull's popularityFrom a crowded field of seven candidates, Obama received over 52% of the vote in the 2004 dem primary.Then he was matched against republican Jack Ryan in the general election, but Ryan withdrew from the race following public disclosure of sexual allegations by Ryan's ex-wife.With less than 3 months before election day, republican Alan Keyes accepted the nomination to replace Ryan, even though he was a longtime resident of MarylandOn November 2nd, 2004, Obama received 70% of the popular vote to Keyes's 27%Newly elected, fresh face in the senate, he delivered the keynote speech to the 2004 Democratic National Convention to much acclaimMember of the following Senate committees: Foreign Relations;

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions;

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs;

And Veteran's Affairs.Legislative History State LegislatureHelped author an Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit that provided benefits to lower income familiesWorked for legislation that would support residents who could not afford health careHelped pass bills to increase funding for AIDS prevention and care programsAuthored a law requiring police to videotape interrogations for crimes punishable by the death penaltySupported legislation that required insurance companies to cover routine mammograms.US SenateObama sponsored 152 bills and resolutions brought before the 109th Congress in 2005 and 2006, and cosponsored another 427 His first bill was the "Higher Education Opportunity through Pell Grant Expansion Act" (never voted on by the senate, didn't pass committee, republican controlled senate)Took an active role in improving border security and immigration reformCo-sponsored the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, with John McCain.Later added three amendments to "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act" sponsored by Arlen Specter, which passed in May 2006 but wasn't supported in the House.In Sept 2006, he supported a related bill, "The Secure Fence Act", which authorized fencing and other improvements along the southern border - this was signed into law in Oct 2006.Partnering first with Sen.

Richard Lugar (R-IN), and then with Sen.

Tom Coburn (R-OK), Obama successfully introduced two initiatives bearing his name.

"Lugar–Obama" expands the Nunn–Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons, including shoulder-fired missiles and anti-personnel mines.

The "Coburn-Obama Transparency Act" provides for a website, managed by the Office of Management and Budget, listing all organizations receiving Federal funds from 2007 onward, and providing breakdowns by the agency allocating the funds, the dollar amount given, and the purpose of the grant or contract.

On December 22, 2006, President Bush signed into law the "Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act," marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.During the first two weeks of the Democratic-controlled 110th Congress, Obama sponsored eight bills and resolutions and cosponsored another 28.

His legislative activities during the current session's first days focused primarily on ethics and energy-related bills.Speeches & TranscriptsThe Time Has Come for Universal Health Care. January 25, 2007In the 2008 campaign, affordable, universal health care for every single American must not be a question of whether, it must be a question of how.

We have the ideas, we have the resources, and we must find the will to pass a plan by the end of the next president's first term. I know there's a cynicism out there about whether this can happen, and there's reason for it.

Every four years, health care plans are offered up in campaigns with great fanfare and promise.

But once those campaigns end, the plans collapse under the weight of Washington politics, leaving the rest of America to struggle with skyrocketing costs.Floor Statement on President's Decision to Increase Troops in Iraq January 19, 2007Mr.

President, I would like to speak briefly on what is a roiling debate not only in the Senate but across the country, and that is the President's policy with respect to Iraq.

There are countless reasons the American people have lost confidence in the President's Iraq policy, but chief among them has been the administration's insistence on making promises and assurances about progress and victory that do not appear to be grounded in the reality of the facts.Larry King Live with Barack Obama - Transcript (Scroll down halfway) January 10, 2007Well, let me say there was one area where I completely agree with the president.

And that is that American troops have done everything that's been asked of them.

They have done an outstanding job.

And I don't doubt the president's sincerity in thinking that this third or fourth approach to the problem is the right one. But I did not see anything in the speech or anything in the run- up to the speech that provides evidence that an additional 15,000 to 20,000 more U.S.

Troops is going to make a significant dent in the sectarian violence that's taking place there.World AIDS Day Speech: Race Against Time December 1, 2006You know, AIDS is a story often told by numbers.

40 million infected with HIV.

Nearly 4.5 million this year alone.

12 million orphans in Africa.

8,000 deaths and 6,000 new infections every single day.

In some places, 90% of those with HIV do not know they have it.

And we just learned that AIDS is set to become the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years. They are staggering, these numbers, and they help us understand the magnitude of this pandemic.

But when repeated by themselves, statistics can also numb - they can hide the individual stories and tragedies and hopes of the Leos who live the daily drama of this disease.A Way Forward in Iraq November 20, 2006Throughout American history, there have been moments that call on us to meet the challenges of an uncertain world, and pay whatever price is required to secure our freedom.

They are the soul-trying times our forbearers spoke of, when the ease of complacency and self-interest must give way to the more difficult task of rendering judgment on what is best for the nation and for posterity, and then acting on that judgment – making the hard choices and sacrifices necessary to uphold our most deeply held values and ideals.Energy Independence: A Call for Leadership September 20, 2006Now that summer's over and gas prices have finally come down a bit, there's a temptation to put any discussion about energy on the back burner until the next crisis arises.

Gone are the days when the President would make sweeping pronouncements in his State of the Union about America's addiction to oil - today there is far more political mileage out of questioning Democrats' commitment to fighting terror than by affirming America's commitment to energy independence.An Honest Government, A Hopeful Future August 28, 2006The first time I came to Kenya was in 1987.

I had just finished three years of work as a community organizer in low-income neighborhoods of Chicago, and was about to enroll in law school.

My sister, Auma, was teaching that year at this university, and so I came to stay with her for a month. My experience then was very different than it has been on this trip.

Instead of a motorcade, we traveled in my sister's old VW Beetle, which even then was already ten years old.

When it broke down in front of Uhuru Park, we had to push until some joakalis came to fix it by the side of the road.

I slept on the couch of my sister's apartment, not a fancy hotel, and often took my meals at a small tea-house in downtown Nairobi.

When we went upcountry, we traveled by train and matatu, with chickens and collard greens and sometimes babies placed in my lap.Xavier University Commencement Address August 11, 2006I have to say that I'm pretty humbled to be here.

Each year there are hundreds of commencements in this country.

All are hopeful, some are inspiring, and most of you probably won't even remember who your speaker was ten years from now.

As a rule, they usually involve an old guy like me giving young folks like you advice about what to expect in the real world - advice about the challenges you'll face and the obstacles you'll have to overcome.AFSCME National Convention August 7, 2006In coffee shops and town meetings, in VFW halls and right here in this room, the questions are all the same.

Will I be able to leave my children a better world than I was given?

Will I be able to save enough to send them to college or plan for a secure retirement?

Will my job even be there tomorrow?

Who will stand up for me in this new world? In this time of change and uncertainty, these questions are expected - but I want you to know today they are by no means unique.

Throughout our history, they have been asked and then answered by Americans who have stood in your shoes and shared your concerns.Campus Progress Annual Conference July 12, 2006When I told people that after college, I planned on being a community organizer and working in low-income neighborhoods, they thought I was crazy. My mother and grandparents thought I should go to law school.

My friends had applied for jobs on Wall Street.

But I went ahead and wrote letters to every organization in the country that I could think of.

And finally, this small group of churches on the south side of Chicago wrote back and gave me a job organizing neighborhoods devastated by steel-plant closings in the early 80s.Call to Renewal Keynote Address June 28, 2006But today I'd like to talk about the connection between religion and politics and perhaps offer some thoughts about how we can sort through some of the often bitter arguments that we've been seeing over the last several years. I do so because, as you all know, we can affirm the importance of poverty in the Bible;

And we can raise up and pass out this Covenant for a New America.

We can talk to the press, and we can discuss the religious call to address poverty and environmental stewardship all we want, but it won't have an impact unless we tackle head-on the mutual suspicion that sometimes exists between religious America and secular America.Northwestern University Commencement Address June 16, 2006...As you go on in life, cultivating this quality of empathy will become harder, not easier.

There's no community service requirement in the real world;

No one forcing you to care.

You'll be free to live in neighborhoods with people who are exactly like yourself, and send your kids to the same schools, and narrow your concerns to what's going in your own little circle. Not only that - we live in a culture that discourages empathy.

A culture that too often tells us our principle goal in life is to be rich, thin, young, famous, safe, and entertained.

A culture where those in power too often encourage these selfish impulses.Take Back America Conference Remarks June 14, 2006It's a time where you can go to any town hall or street corner or coffee shop and hear people express the same anxiety about the future;

Hear them convey the same uncertainty about the direction we're headed as a country.

Whether it's the war or Katrina or their health care or their jobs, you hear people say that we've finally arrived at a moment where something must change.University of Massachusetts at Boston Commencement Address June 2, 2006And let me tell you - the easiest thing in the world is to do nothing at all.

To turn off the TV, put down the paper, and walk away from the stories about Iraq or Darfur or poverty or violence or joblessness or hopelessness.

To go about your busy lives, wishing these problems away but expecting someone else to do it.

To remain detached;

To remain indifferent;

To remain safe. But I hope you don't do what's easy.

I hope you do what's hard.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama at Emily's List Annual Luncheon May 11, 2006We meet here today at a time where we find ourselves at a crossroads in America's history. It's a time where you can go to any town hall or street corner or coffee shop and hear people express the same anxiety about the future;

Hear them convey the same uncertainty about the direction we're headed as a country.

Whether it's the war or Katrina or their health care or their jobs, you hear people say that we've finally arrived at a moment where something must change.Energy Independence and the Safety of Our Planet April 3, 2006The issue of climate change is one that we ignore at our own peril.

There may still be disputes about exactly how much we're contributing to the warming of the earth's atmosphere and how much is naturally occurring, but what we can be scientifically certain of is that our continued use of fossil fuels is pushing us to a point of no return.

And unless we free ourselves from a dependence on these fossil fuels and chart a new course on energy in this country, we are condemning future generations to global catastrophe.Energy Security is National Security February 28, 2006In this year's State of the Union address, President Bush told us that it was time to get serious about America's addiction to foreign oil.

The next day, we found out that his idea didn't sit too well with the Saudi Royal Family.

A few hours later, Energy Secretary Bodman backtracked and assured the world that even though the President said he planned to reduce the amount of oil we import from the Middle East, he actually didn't mean that literally.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama at the Lobbying Reform Summit January 26, 2006Now, I've been asked by my caucus to take a role in lobbying reform - a role I'm proud to have.

As many of you know I'm from Chicago - a city that hasn't always had the cleanest reputation when it comes to politics in this country.

But during my first year in the Illinois State Senate, I helped lead the fight to pass Illinois' first ethics reform bill in twenty-five years.

I hope we can do something like that here.Moving Forward in Iraq November 22, 2005Today, nearly 160,000 American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are risking their lives in the Middle East.

They are operating in some of the most dangerous and difficult circumstances imaginable.

Well over 2,000 men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice - given their full measure of devotion.

Thousands more have returned with wounds like those that I saw at Walter Reed.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama at the Robert F.

Kennedy Human Rights Award Ceremony November 16, 2005I come to this with tremendous humility.

I was only seven when Bobby Kennedy died.

Many of the people in this room knew him as brother, as husband, as father, as friend. I knew him only as an icon.

In that sense, it is a distance I share with most of the people who now work in this Capitol – many of whom were not even born when Bobby Kennedy died.

But what’s interesting is that if you go throughout the offices in the Capitol, everywhere you’ll find photographs of Kennedy, or collections of his speeches, or some other memento of his life.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama at the National Womens Law Center November 10, 2005As I was thinking about tonight's dinner and all the progress the women's movement has made in the last century, the first thing that came to mind wasn't all the legal cases won or the legislation passed;

It wasn't the issues debated or even the individual rights secured. I thought about my daughters.Remarks of U.S.

Senator Barack Obama regarding the Sex on TV 4 Report November 9, 2005I want to start by thanking the Kaiser foundation for the work you've done not only on today's report, but on making these issues of media and family a part of the national conversation. This is a subject many of us come to not as politicians or policy makers, as but as parents most of all.Non-Proliferation and Russia: The Challenges Ahead November 1, 2005Good morning.

As some of you know, Senator Lugar and I recently traveled to Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan to witness firsthand both the progress we're making in securing the world's most dangerous weapons, as well as the serious challenges that lie ahead.Teaching Our Kids in a 21st Century Economy October 25, 2005The other day, I was reading through Jonathan Kozol's new book, Shame of a Nation.

In it, he talks about his recent travels to schools across America, and how fifty years after Brown v.

Board of Education, we have an education system in this country that is still visibly separate and painfully unequal.Statement of U.S.

Senator Barack Obama on the Avian Flu October 18, 2005We are continuing to witness the relentless spread of avian flu, carried slowly but predictably by wild, migratory birds from countries in Southeast Asia to Western China, to Mongolia, and then over the Ural Mountains into Russia and Ukraine.

From there, avian flu has spread over the past week to Romania and Turkey, and we have just learned, possibly into Greece.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama on the Confirmation of Judge John Roberts September 22, 2005First of all, let me congratulate Senator Specter and Senator Leahy for moving the process of confirming the nomination of Judge Roberts along with such civility, a civility that I believe speaks well of the Senate. Let me also say that I remain distressed that the White House during this confirmation process, which overall went smoothly, failed to provide critical documents as part of the record that could have provided us with a better basis to make our judgment with respect to the nomination.

This White House continues to stymie efforts on the part of the Senate to do its job.Securing Our Energy Future September 15, 2005The days of running a 21st century economy on a 20th century fossil fuel are numbered - and we need to realize that before it's too late. Our persistent dependence on oil is a danger our government has known about for years.

And despite constant warnings by researchers and scientists, major corporations and our own government officials, it's a danger they have failed to prepare for, listen to, or seriously try to guard against.AFL-CIO National Convention July 25, 2005It would be naive of me to start without acknowledging what's been on everyone's mind during this convention.

As America tries to find its way in a global economy, we meet here at a challenging time for the labor movement.

There are questions of strategy and tactics, leadership and power.

And I can imagine that many of you are anxious not only about labor's future, but yours.

You're wondering, will I be able to leave my children a better world than I was given?

Will I be able to save enough to send them to college or plan for a secure retirement?

Will my job even be there tomorrow?

Who will stand up for me in this new world?Remarks of U.S.

Senator Barack Obama on the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill and the Avian Flu July 19, 2005Mr.

President, I rise today in support of H.R.

2057, the Foreign Operations Appropriation Bill.

I'd also like to highlight one aspect of the bill. Since coming to the Senate six months ago, one of the foreign policy and health issues I have focused on relates to the avian flu.

I am pleased that this bill includes $10 million to combat the spread of this potential pandemic, adding to the $25 million that the Senate provided in the supplemental appropriations bill in April.American Legion Conference July 16, 2005Over the last few months and throughout the campaign, I've been able to travel the state and meet veterans from all across Illinois.

And no matter how many stories of heroism I hear, I constantly find myself in awe of your service and inspired by your sacrifice. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said that To fight out a war, you must believe something and want something with all your might.U.S.

Senator Barack Obama addresses the American Library Association June 27, 2005Thank you.

It's an honor to be here with the hundreds of dedicated librarians who make up the American Library Association.

Before we begin, I'd like to say a special hello to ALA member Nancy Gibbs, who is the mother of my communications director, Robert Gibbs.

Believe me, I have no idea how the biggest mouth in our office came from a family of two librarians, but we're proud to have him on board and I'm sure you are too.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama at the Pritzker School of Medicine Commencement June 13, 2005Congratulations!

After four long years of endless studying, sleepless nights, and constant stress, who's ready to kick back, relax, and jump head first into their residency?Remarks of U.S.

Senator Barack Obama on the nomination of Justice Janice Rogers Brown June 8, 2005I rise today to speak on the nomination of California Justice Janice Rogers Brown to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.

Now, let me begin by saying that the last thing I would like to be spending my time on right now is talking about judges.Remarks of U.S.

Senator Barack Obama at the Knox College Commencement June 4, 2005Good morning President Taylor, the Board of Trustees, faculty, parents, family, friends, and the Class of 2005.

Congratulations on your graduation, and thank you for allowing me the honor to be a part of it.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery May 30, 2005This is my first time visiting the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, and as I was driving through I thought to myself that the staff and the volunteers who have made this possible should feel very proud of the work they're doing - this is a beautiful place for our veterans to come home to.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama About America's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy May 26, 2005Mr.

President, throughout the last half of the 20th Century, one nation - more than any other on the face of the earth - defined and shaped the threats posed to the United States.Remarks by Senator Barack Obama at the Rockford Register Star Young American Awards May 7, 2005Thank you, and congratulations to all of this year's Young Americans.

Now that you've each received your award, I have one question for all of you: What are you going to do with it?Remarks of Senator Barack Obama NAACP Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner May 2, 2005Thank you.

Half a century after the first few hundred people sat for justice and equality at these tables, I am honored to be here with this crowd of thousands at the 50th NAACP Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner.A Hope to Fulfill April 26, 2005Thank you.

It's great to be here at the National Press Club - I want to thank the club as well as the FDR Institute for arranging this luncheon together.

I'd also like to thank Anne Roosevelt and Jim Roosevelt, who inspire us all by carrying on the proud legacy of their grandfather.SIUC College of Agriculture's 50th Anniversary April 23, 2005Thank you.

It's always great to be here in Carbondale, and a real honor to speak here at SIUC's first Agriculture Industry Day. Now, I'll be honest - I haven't done all that much farming living on the South Side of Chicago.

But I have to say, my fondest farming memory is when I once offered to help out a friend with his harvest.

Knowing the full range of my agricultural experience and expertise, he took one look at me and said...no thanks.Remarks by Senator Barack Obama at the Opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum April 20, 2005Let me congratulate all of those who have helped to make this wonderful vision a reality.

But we gather here today not to celebrate a building.

We gather to celebrate a man.Statement of Senator Barack Obama About His Amendment to Provide Meals and Phone Service to Wounded Veterans April 14, 2005Statement of Senator Barack Obama Amendment to Provide Meals and Phone Service to Wounded Veterans Wednesday, April 14, 2005 M.

President, today I am offering an amendment to the fiscal year 2005 Emergency Supplemental, which I am pleased to announce...Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the Nuclear Option April 13, 2005Mr.

President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to think about the implications the nuclear option would have on this chamber and this country.

I urge you to think not just about winning every debate, but about protecting free and democratic debate.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama at the Herblock Foundation Annual Lecture April 11, 2005Thank you for inviting me here tonight.

It's been a pretty busy week, but I figured I'd better do my best to show up here since I can't think of an easier target for political cartoonists than a tall, skinny guy with big ears and a funny name.Obama Remarks to the American Legion Legislative Rally March 28, 2005Remarks by Senator Barack Obama American Legion Legislative Rally Tuesday, March 1st, 2005CURE Keynote Address March 11, 2005 Since I first learned about this organization from David and Susan, I've often thought about the simple act of hope that began its journey. I've thought about three mothers, sitting around a kitchen table, sharing the pain and the helplessness that go along with watching the child you love, the child whose happiness you live for, struggle with a disease that mom and dad can't fix.

A disease that doesn't necessarily go away with the doctor's medicine, that isn't talked about most nights on the news, that isn't funded and recognized like a lot of the other diseases.Remarks of Senator Barack Obama at TechNet March 8, 2005We're here today because when it comes to the global economy, the rules of the game have changed.

This is a fact not only understood by a roomful of Silicon Valley CEOs, but by families I met all across Illinois during the campaign.

They know that when it comes to their jobs and their wages, they're not only competing with workers in Naperville and Carbondale, but in New Delhi and Calcutta.John Lewis's 65th Birthday Gala February 21, 2005 Thank you.

It's an honor to be here tonight to celebrate one of the most courageous and compassionate Americans of our time.

Happy Birthday John. When I was first asked to speak here, I thought to myself, never in a million years would I have guessed that I'd be serving in Congress with John Lewis.Keynote Address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention July 27, 2004...Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.

Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America — there's the United States of America.

There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America;

There's the United States of America....Remarks of Illinois State Sen.

Barack Obama Against Going to War with Iraq October 26, 2002I don't oppose all wars.

What I am opposed to is a dumb war.

What I am opposed to is a rash war.

What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair, weekend warriors in this administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne.

What I am opposed to is the attempt by political hacks like Karl Rove to distract us from a rise in the uninsured, a rise in the poverty rate, a drop in the median income, to distract us from corporate scandals and a stock market that has just gone through the worst month since the Great Depression.Podcasts01.31.07 Iraq War De-escalation Act Senator Obama discusses legislation he introduced yesterday: the Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007. "This plan would not only place a cap on the number of troops in Iraq and stop the escalation, more importantly, it would begin a phased redeployment of U.S.

Forces with the goal of removing of all U.S.

Combat forces from Iraq by March 31st, 2008 - consistent with the expectations of the bipartisan Iraq study group that the President has so assiduously ignored." 01.08.07 Ethics Legislation: A Chance to Change the Game Senator Obama discusses the need for new ethics legislation with the start of the 110th Congress. "On Election Day, the American people sent a clear message to Washington: Clean up your act. After a year in which too many scandals revealed the influence special interests wield over Washington, it's no surprise that so many incumbents were defeated and that polls said "corruption" was the grievance cited most frequently by the voters." 01.03.07 Against an Escalation in Iraq Senator Obama discusses President Bush's plan to escalate the Iraq war with a so-called "surge" of troops.

By doing so, the President would be overriding the expressed concerns of Generals on the ground, Secretary Powell, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group and the American people. 12.07.06 Iraq Study Group Senate Obama discusses the Iraq Study Group report that was just released and his own thoughts on how to move forward in Iraq. 11.15.06 Senate Democratic Majority Senator Obama discusses the new Senate Democratic majority and upcoming legislation, including an increase in the minimum wage, implementing all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations and a real energy policy. 09.26.06 Transparency Act and Chemical Plant Security. Senator Obama discusses the "Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act" being signed in to law today, as well as the chemical plant security legislation agreed upon by House and Senate negotiators last week that is far too weak and fails to adequately protect American lives. 09.20.06 Energy Independence Speech - MoveOn Progressive Vision Series Senator Obama delivered this speech to 700 students of Georgetown University today as part of the MoveOn Progressive Vision series. "In the middle of the Cold War, we built a national highway system so we had a quick way to transport military equipment across the country.

When we wanted to beat the Russians into space, we poured millions into a national education initiative that graduated thousands of new scientists and engineers.

If we hope to strengthen our security and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, we can offer no less of a commitment to energy independence." 09.14.06 Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill Senator Obama discusses the Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill, which creates a public searchable website of all federal spending.

This will allow the American people to find out where their tax dollars are going.

It's been passed by both the House and the Senate and the President has indicated he'll sign it in to law, possibly next week. 09.06.06 Africa Trip Recap Senator Obama just returned from a 15-day trip to Africa where he visited South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Chad.

He discusses his tour of Robben Island prison, meeting with U.S.

Troops, visiting refugee camps of those fleeing the genocide in Darfur and the need for addressing Africa's growing AIDS epidemic. Partnership for Public Service: Q and A with Tim Russert Yesterday, Senator Obama took part in a question and answer session hosted by Meet the Press host Tim Russert at the Warner Theatre in downtown Washington.

It was part of the fourth annual summer intern event sponsored by the Partnership for Public Service. Senator Obama talks about how he got his start in public service and the need for young people to get involved with their government. For more information on the Partnership for Public Service, please visit www.ourpublicservice.org. Fuel Economy Reform Act The Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006 seeks to break the decades-long logjam on increasing fuel economy standards by taking a new, more flexible approach. Homeland Security Appropriations Senator Obama discusses the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. "Common sense dictates that the areas at greatest risk deserve our greatest attention, but unfortunately, too many in Congress are focused more on political handouts than strategic funding.

The Senate will likely again vote down legislation I cosponsored to make homeland security funding more risk based." Call to Renewal Keynote Senator Obama spoke at the Call to Renewal Conference sponsored by Sojourners earlier to day.

He spoke of the role of religion in politics. "This is why, if we truly hope to speak to people where they're at - to communicate our hopes and values in a way that's relevant to their own - we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse. Because when we ignore the debate about what it means to be a good Christian or Muslim or Jew;

When we discuss religion only in the negative sense of where or how it should not be practiced, rather than in the positive sense of what it tells us about our obligations towards one another;

When we shy away from religious venues and religious broadcasts because we assume that we will be unwelcome - others will fill the vacuum, those with the most insular views of faith, or those who cynically use religion to justify partisan ends. In other words, if we don't reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, Jerry Falwell's and Pat Robertson's will continue to hold sway." Senate Iraq Resolutions The Senate is debating two resolutions on Iraq this week.

Senator Obama discusses his support for the Levin amendment. "Despite the fact that there have been some differences within the Democratic party, there is unity at this point that we need to bring our troops home as quickly as possible and that the Bush administration's simple-minded refrains of "we know best" and "stay the course" are simply not acceptable.

It's not acceptable to conduct a war where our goals and strategies drift aimlessly regardless of the cost in lives or dollars spent.

And that is where the Democrats are absolutely unified.

That the Administration has not only poorly conceived this war but also poorly managed this war." Katrina Reconstruction Contracts/US toll in Iraq at 2,500 Senator Obama discusses the amendment he and Senator Coburn will offer to the Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization bill which would require that all Federal contracts in excess of $500,000 for Katrina reconstruction be competitively bid.

Also, the Senate takes a moment of silence to mark the passing of 2,500 American service men and women in Iraq. Network Neutrality Senator Obama discusses Senators Snowe and Dorgan's legislation to protect network neutrality on the internet. "It is because the Internet is a neutral platform that I can put out this podcast and transmit it over the Internet without having to go through any corporate media middleman.

I can say what I want without censorship or without having to pay a special charge. But the big telephone and cable companies want to change the Internet as we know it.

They say that they want to create high speed lanes on the Internet and strike exclusive contractual agreements with Internet content providers for access to those high speed lanes. Everyone who cannot pony up the cash will be relegated to the slow lanes." Honoring Our Commitment to Veterans Senator Obama discusses the steps he's taken to make sure veterans get the support they've earned for serving their country. "For decades, Illinois veterans have received less disability pay than they earned simply because of where they live," said Senator Obama.

"I strongly encourage veterans who feel like the VA made a mistake in their claim to call 1-800-827-1000 or visit a special website the VA set up at Senator Durbin and my request at: www.vba.va.gov/SpecialOutreach." A Real Solution for High Gas Prices Senator Obama discusses the high price of gasoline and offers steps designed to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and bring down prices for good. "By now, the only thing as predictable as rising gas prices are the short-term political solutions that come along with them.

It seems like every year, as soon as headlines start announcing “Pain at the Pump” and Americans start emptying their wallets to fill up their tanks, politicians revert to their Rolodex of responses, from tax rebates and tax holidays to investigations into price gouging by oil companies." Immigration Rallies On Monday, all across the United States, thousands of people attended immigration rallies.

Senator Obama talks about the Chicago rally and the status of immigration reform in Congress. Updates on Darfur, Immigration, Gas Prices Senator Obama talks about the current situation in Darfur and the upcoming Save Darfur rallies, his meeting with President Bush on immigration reform, and finally, the high price of gasoline and the Senate's reaction. Loyola University Town Hall Meeting (65 minutes) During the Senate recess, Senator Obama has been using his time to meet with constituents in Illinois.

So far he's held 49 town hall meetings since he took office 16 months ago. Today's podcast is the audio from the April 10th town hall meeting at Loyola University.

Topics include Iraq, energy policy, education, Darfur, and immigration reform.

If you're interested in additional information on any of the topics discussed, please use the links below. Immigration Reform Senator Obama discusses the debate currently going on in the Senate over comprehensive immigration reform. "It behooves us to remember that not every single immigrant who came into the United States through Ellis Island had proper documentation.

Not every one of our grandparents or great-grandparents would have necessarily qualified for legal immigration.

But they came here in search of a dream, in search of hope.

Americans understand that, and they are willing to give an opportunity to those who are already here, as long as we get serious about making sure that our borders actually mean something." Improving Chemical Plant Security Senator Barack Obama will introduce legislation to drastically improve security at our nation’s chemical plants. "There may be no greater failure of our government than the fact that we have done almost nothing to secure one of America's most vulnerable targets - the 15,000 chemical plants in America," said Obama.

"These chemical plants represent some of the most attractive targets for terrorists looking to cause widespread death and destruction." 21st Century Schools for a 21st Century Economy Senator Obama discusses the need for both additional resources and reform in American schools if students are to compete in the 21st century economy.

You can read about the legislation he's introduced to create 20 Innovation Districts across the country. Energy Security is National Security "Our enemies are fully aware that they can use oil as a weapon against America.

And if we don't take this threat as seriously as the bombs they build or the guns they buy, we will be fighting the War on Terror for a long long time." Darfur: Current Policy Not Enough Security and political conditions continue to deteriorate in Darfur.

If the United States does not change its approach, an already grim situation is likely to spiral out of control.

Senator Obama discusses why this is not only a humanitarian crisis, but also an issue of national security. Lobbying and Ethics Reform Senator Obama discusses legislation he has introduced to help increase transparency and accountability in government and help clean up Washington. Supreme Court Nomination of Samuel Alito Later this morning the Senate will vote on the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S.

Supreme Court. Senator Obama discusses his decision to vote against the confirmation. Today's Meeting on Iraq with President Bush Earlier today, Senator Obama met with President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretary Rice and Secretary Rumsfeld, as well as other members of Congress to discuss Iraq. Remarks: Honest Leadership and Open Government Senator Obama's remarks at today's event in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress.

House and Senate Democrats came together to shine a spotlight on the Republican culture of corruption and highlight efforts to clean up Washington and get back to the people’s business. Visit Democrats.gov to learn more. "We're here today to answer that call because let's face it - for the last few years, the people running Washington simply haven't.

And while only some are to blame for the corruption that has plagued this city, all are responsible for fixing it. That's why we're asking Republicans to put an end to the pay-to-play schemes and join us in passing the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, which should go a long way toward correcting some of the most egregious offenses of the last few years." From the Road: Israel and the Palestinian territories At the end of his Middle East trip, Senator Obama podcasts from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

He talks about his meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials, as well as what he saw while he toured the West Bank and Jerusalem. Note: The ending of the podcast is a bit abrupt as the cell phone connection was dropped.

The Senator didn't get a chance to say goodbye and thanks for listening.ControversyAs a young adult, he struggled to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage.

Obama writes about smoking marijuana and trying cocaine during his teenage years to "push questions of who I was out of my mind."On November 1, 2006 the Chicago Tribune reported that on the same day that Obama's home in a South Side neighborhood of Chicago was purchased, an adjoining vacant lot was bought by the wife of Antoin Rezko, an Illinois businessman currently facing federal charges of attempted extortion, money laundering, and fraud.

Obama later bought a ten-foot-wide strip of lawn from Rezko.

Two days after the report, the same newspaper ran an editorial calling on Obama to explain why he would "allow himself any connection" to a developer who "notoriously attaches himself to political figures, often parlaying friendships into business dealings that have attracted official suspicions for several years." The following day the Chicago Tribune reported Obama's statement that it was a mistake to have engaged "in this or any other personal business dealing that would allow [Rezko], or anyone else, to believe that he had done me a favor.

For that reason, I consider this a mistake on my part and I regret it." On December 24, Obama's spokesman confirmed that one of Obama's 2005 summer interns also had ties to Rezko, although he denied any favoritism.

The Obama office had nearly 100 interns that summer. The Tribune's report does not accuse the Senator of any wrongdoing or unethical conduct and no evidence to the contrary has been uncovered.

A December 2006 article posted to The New Republic online site criticized follow-up reporting in the Chicago Tribune, Slate, and Washington Post for failing to add value to the story: "The role of the press in all this should be to put perceptions in line with the facts as they stand, not inflate the perceptions and raise the distant possibility that the facts might line up behind them.Helpful LinksPolitical Fact Checker We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S.

Political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases.

Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding. Senator Barack Obama's official stance on the Issues Get his blueprint for america here, or read about his positions on the following issues: Ethics, Health Care, Economy, Seniors, Education, Energy, Fiscal, Rural, Women, Immigration, Poverty, Service, Civil Rights, Foreign Policy, Veterans.

More information is given at the end, along with a speech you can read, and a link to more specific information on each topic.

You no longer have any good excuse for being uninformed about his policies. Senator Barack Obama's voting record (Project Smart Vote) Seems like a good place to get information on his voting history while in the senate.

Votes seem to be categorized.

Also, extra info on him like biography, speeches, etc. Wikipedia article on Barack Obama Good source of all kinds of information.

A lot of the above information was taken from here. Dreams From My Father - Wikipedia link Short section on the book with a bit of information.

The book is a great resource. Obama 2010 Originally setup to re-elect obama for the 2010 senate election.

Good resources. Obama's Official Senate Webpage He posts podcasts from here, transcripts of speeches, positions on issues, and more. On The Issues - Barack Obama Seems to give snippets regarding his views on major political issues.Religious AffiliationsChristian - United Church of Christ , attends one in ChicagoQuote: I was drawn to the power of the African American religious tradition to spur social change.

[...] In the history of these struggles, I was able to see faith as more than just a comfort to the weary or a hedge against death;

Rather, it was an active, palpable agent in the world.

[...] It was because of these newfound understandings–that religious commitment did not require me to suspend critical thinking, disengage from the battle for economic and social justice, or otherwise retreat from the world that I knew and loved–that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity United Church of Christ one day and be baptized.

It came about as a choice and not an epiphany;

The questions I had did not magically disappear.

But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt God's spirit beckoning me.

I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth.Scandals, Gossip, and Rebuttals - pertaining to Obama campaignAnatomy of an anti-Obama smear campaignArticle rebutts the following claims:Within months after her husband was sworn in as U.S.

Senator, Michelle Obama received a pay increase of $195,000 from the not-for-profit hospital where she works!Sen.

Obama says he wants to make health care more affordable, but "he didn’t tell us that his wife is one of 13 vice presidents at a not-for-profit hospital that in 2005 reported earnings of over $100 million -- in part by charging uninsured minorities three and a half times as much as whites with insurance for the exact same care!"After encouraging college students to pursue public service over "the big house and the large salary," Sen.

Obama was the subject of an "embarrassing investigation into the purchase of his stately $1.65 million mansion" and now regrets purchasing land from indicted political fundraiser Tony Rezko.Though Sen.

Obama has spoken about worker’s rights to groups critical of Wal-Mart, he didn’t mention that the CEO of TreeHouse Foods received $26 million in compensation in 2005, while Wal-Mart’s CEO received $10.5 million, despite being a much smaller company -- "maybe because he's embarrassed his wife sits on the Board of Directors of TreeHouse Foods, a company that shut a plant in 2006 that was staffed primarily with low-paid Hispanics!"January 23, 2007 - Debunked Insight Magazine and Fox News Smear CampaignIn the past week, many of you have read a now thoroughly-debunked story by Insight Magazine, owned by the Washington Times, which cites unnamed sources close to a political campaign that claim Senator Obama was enrolled for “at least four years” in an Indonesian “Madrassa”.

The article says the “sources” believe the Madrassa was “espousing Wahhabism,” a form of radical Islam. Insight Magazine published these allegations without a single named source, and without doing any independent reporting to confirm or deny the allegations.

Fox News quickly parroted the charges, and Fox and Friends host Steve Doocy went so far as to ask, “Why didn’t anybody ever mention that that man right there was raised — spent the first decade of his life, raised by his Muslim father — as a Muslim and was educated in a Madrassa?” This post has been edited by adonis: Yesterday, 03:09 PM

Open to suggestions for other categories, different presentation, or whatever.

This is mainly to serve as a point of factual information regarding Obama, at least the first post in this thread, so if there are other categories not mentioned that you'd like to know about, I'll try to get info on them.

Just post a request.

Quote: Open to suggestions for other categories, different presentation, or whatever.

This is mainly to serve as a point of factual information regarding Obama, at least the first post in this thread, so if there are other categories not mentioned that you'd like to know about, I'll try to get info on them.

Just post a request. Awesome.

Nice work. (Now I just need to take the time to read all of this - outstanding effort)

Not about to read all that...All I know about him is that he is a black guy from Illinois with a funny name. Is he considered a moderate liberal?

Nice work, here's some more info taken from Wikipedia: Of his religious affiliation, Obama has written: I was drawn to the power of the African American religious tradition to spur social change.

[...] In the history of these struggles, I was able to see faith as more than just a comfort to the weary or a hedge against death;

Rather, it was an active, palpable agent in the world.

[...] It was because of these newfound understandings–that religious commitment did not require me to suspend critical thinking, disengage from the battle for economic and social justice, or otherwise retreat from the world that I knew and loved–that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity United Church of Christ one day and be baptized.

It came about as a choice and not an epiphany;

The questions I had did not magically disappear.

But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt God's spirit beckoning me.

I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth. He's also a good family man, and he seems to be a genuinely nice guy, one of the last few in politics today.

Has he said anything yet about on-line gambling?

That's the dealbreaker for me.

Quote: Has he said anything yet about on-line gambling?

That's the dealbreaker for me. :goodposting;

Wow...nice work adonis.

One of my complaints with him is his energy policy.

He is big on coal liquification as a substitute for oil.

Replacing one fossil fuel with another doesn't seem like a win to me.

Just to nitpick a bit. Oh yeah and nice job.

That's a great post. This post has been edited by NCCommish: Jan 17 2007, 01:07 PM

Quote: One of my complaints with him is his energy policy.

He is big on coal liquification as a substitute for oil.

Replacing one fossil fuel with another doesn't seem like a win to me.

Just to nitpick a bit. Oh yeah and nice job.

That's a great post. I think I remember hearing they had something to do with coal that they crush it, and it burns cleaner.

For the life of me, I can't remember where, though.

Quote: Nice work, here's some more info taken from Wikipedia: Of his religious affiliation, Obama has written: I was drawn to the power of the African American religious tradition to spur social change.

[...] In the history of these struggles, I was able to see faith as more than just a comfort to the weary or a hedge against death;

Rather, it was an active, palpable agent in the world.

[...] It was because of these newfound understandings–that religious commitment did not require me to suspend critical thinking, disengage from the battle for economic and social justice, or otherwise retreat from the world that I knew and loved–that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity United Church of Christ one day and be baptized.

It came about as a choice and not an epiphany;

The questions I had did not magically disappear.

But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt God's spirit beckoning me.

I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth. He's also a good family man, and he seems to be a genuinely nice guy, one of the last few in politics today. Updated with a religious affiliation section.

Quote: Quote: One of my complaints with him is his energy policy.

He is big on coal liquification as a substitute for oil.

Replacing one fossil fuel with another doesn't seem like a win to me.

Just to nitpick a bit. Oh yeah and nice job.

That's a great post. I think I remember hearing they had something to do with coal that they crush it, and it burns cleaner.

For the life of me, I can't remember where, though. Would still rather see us go straight to renewables than invest billions in a transition to another fossil fuel which will just slow the move away from fossil fuels.

New speech/statement from Obama regarding the Iraqi war troop surge option.

It's updated in the OP, but thought it was worthy of mention here as it's pretty good stuff. Linky Quote: Floor Statement on President's Decision to Increase Troops in Iraq Friday, January 19, 2007 Mr.

President, I would like to speak briefly on what is a roiling debate not only in the Senate but across the country, and that is the President's policy with respect to Iraq.

There are countless reasons the American people have lost confidence in the President's Iraq policy, but chief among them has been the administration's insistence on making promises and assurances about progress and victory that do not appear to be grounded in the reality of the facts.

We have been told we would be greeted as liberators.

We have been promised the insurgency was in its last throes.

We have been assured again and again that we are making progress and that the Iraqis would soon stand up so we could stand down and our brave sons and daughters could start coming home.

We have been asked to wait, we have been asked to be patient, and we have been asked to give the President and the new Iraqi Government 6 more months, and then 6 more months after that, and then 6 more months after that. Now, after the loss of more than 3,000 American lives, after spending almost $400 billion, after Iraq has descended into civil war, we have been promised, once again, that the President's plan to escalate the war in Iraq will, this time, be well planned, well coordinated, and well supported by the Iraqi Government.

This time, we didn't have to wait to find out that none of this seems to be the case.

Already, American military officials have told the New York Times that there is no clear chain of command between Iraqis and U.S.

Commanders and no real indication that the Iraqis even want such a partnership.

Yesterday, Prime Minister al-Maliki, the person whom the President said had brought this plan to us, the man who is supposed to be our partner-in-chief for this new plan, told foreign journalists that if the United States would only give his Army better weapons and equipment, our soldiers could go home. The President's decision to move forward with this escalation anyway, despite all evidence and military advice to the contrary, is the terrible consequence of the decision to give him the broad, open-ended authority to wage this war back in 2002.

Over 4 years later, we can't revisit that decision or reverse some of the tragic outcomes, but what we can do is make sure we provide the kind of oversight and constraints on the President this time that we failed to do the last time. I cannot in good conscience support this escalation.

It is a policy which has already been tried and a policy which has failed.

Just this morning, I had veterans of the Iraq war visit my office to explain to me that this surge concept is, in fact, no different from what we have repeatedly tried, but with 20,000 troops, we will not in any imaginable way be able to accomplish any new progress. The fact is that we have tried this road before.

In the end, no amount of American forces can solve the political differences that lie at the heart of somebody else's civil war.

As the President's own military commanders have said, escalation only prevents the Iraqis from taking more responsibility for their own future.

It is even eroding our efforts in the wider war on terror as some of the extra soldiers will come directly from Afghanistan, where the Taliban has become resurgent. The President has offered no evidence that more U.S.

Troops will be able to pressure Shias, Sunnis, and Kurds toward the necessary political settlement, and he has attached no consequences to his plan should the Iraqis fail to make progress.

In fact, just last week, when I repeatedly asked Secretary Rice what would happen if the Iraqi Government failed to meet the benchmarks the President has called for and says are an integral part of their rationale for escalation, she couldn't give me an answer.

When I asked her if there were any circumstances whatsoever in which we would tell the Iraqis that their failure to make progress means the end of our military commitment, she could not give me an answer.

This is simply not good enough.

When you ask how many more months and how many more dollars and how many more lives it will take to end the policy that everyone now knows has not succeeded, ``I don't know'' isn't good enough. Over the past 4 years, we have given this administration every chance to get this right, and they have disappointed us many times.

But ultimately it is our brave men and women in uniform and their families who bear the greatest burden for these mistakes.

They have performed in an exemplary fashion.

At no stage have they faltered in the mission that has been presented to them. Unfortunately, the strategy, the tactics, and the mission itself have been flawed.

That is why Congress now has the duty to prevent even more mistakes and bring this war to a responsible end.

That is why I plan to introduce legislation which I believe will stop the escalation of this war by placing a cap on the number of soldiers in Iraq.

I wish to emphasize that I am not unique in taking this approach.

I know Senator Dodd has crafted similar legislation.

Senator Clinton, I believe, yesterday indicated she shared similar views.

The cap would not affect the money spent on the war or on our troops, but it would write into law that the number of U.S.

Forces in Iraq should not exceed the number that were there on January 10, 2007, the day the President announced his escalation policy. This measure would stop the escalation of the war in Iraq, but it is my belief that simply opposing the surge is not good enough.

If we truly believe the only solution in Iraq is a political one--and I fervently believe that--if we believe a phased redeployment of U.S.

Forces in Iraq is the best--perhaps only--leverage we have to force a settlement between the country's warring factions, then we should act on that.

That is why the second part of my legislation is a plan for phased redeployment that I called for in a speech in Chicago 2 months ago.

It is a responsible plan that protects American troops without causing Iraq to suddenly descend into chaos.

The President must announce to the Iraqi people that within 2 to 4 months, under this plan, U.S.

Policy will include a gradual and substantial reduction in U.S.

Forces. The President should then work with our military commanders to map out the best plan for such a redeployment and determine precise levels and dates. Drawing down our troops in Iraq will put pressure on Iraqis to arrive at the political settlement that is needed and allow us to redeploy additional troops in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region, as well as bring some back home.

The forces redeployed elsewhere in the region could then help to prevent the conflict in Iraq from becoming a wider war, something that every international observer is beginning to worry about.

It will also reassure our allies in the Gulf.

It will allow our troops to strike directly at al-Qaida wherever it may exist and demonstrate to international terrorist organizations that they have not driven us from the region. My plan would couple this phased redeployment with an enhanced effort to train Iraqi security forces and would expand the number of our personnel--especially special forces--who are deployed with Iraqis as unit advisers and would finally link continued economic aid in Iraq with the existence of tangible progress toward reducing sectarian violence and reaching a political settlement. One final aspect of this plan that I believe is critical is it would call for engagement by the United States in a regional conference with other countries that are involved in the Middle East--particularly our allies, but including Syria and Iran--to find a solution to the war in Iraq.

We have to realize that neither Iran nor Syria wants to see the security vacuum in Iraq filled with chaos, terrorism, refugees, and violence, as it could have a destabilizing effect throughout the entire region and within their own countries.

So as odious as the behavior of those regimes may be at times, it is important that we include them in a broader conversation about how we can stabilize Iraq. In closing, let me say this: I have been a consistent and strong opponent of this war.

I have also tried to act responsibly in that opposition to ensure that, having made the decision to go into Iraq, we provide our troops, who perform valiantly, the support they need to complete their mission.

I have also stated publicly that I think we have both strategic interests and humanitarian responsibilities in ensuring that Iraq is as stable as possible under the circumstances. Finally, I said publicly that it is my preference not to micromanage the Commander-in-Chief in the prosecution of war.

Ultimately, I do not believe that is the ideal role for Congress to play.

But at a certain point, we have to draw a line.

At a certain point, the American people have to have some confidence that we are not simply going down this blind alley in perpetuity. When it comes to the war in Iraq, the time for promises and assurances, for waiting and patience is over.

Too many lives have been lost and too many billions have been spent for us to trust the President on another tried-and-failed policy, opposed by generals and experts, opposed by Democrats and Republicans, opposed by Americans and even the Iraqis themselves.

It is time to change our policy.

It is time to give Iraqis their country back, and it is time to refocus America's effort on the wider struggle against terror yet to be won.

Quote: One of my complaints with him is his energy policy.

He is big on coal liquification as a substitute for oil.

Replacing one fossil fuel with another doesn't seem like a win to me.

Just to nitpick a bit. Oh yeah and nice job.

That's a great post. good post the guy is a heck of a public speaker and i think that when things get closer it will only increase his popularity. i know what you mean about the coal thing...what the heck is that?

I guess if we stopped using oil it would be a good way to let the middle east burn themselves down.

I still cant figure out why we havent explored using the f-ing sun as a resource for energy...it seems like a pretty decent option to me.

I guess no solar energy companies are funding any campaigns

I didn't have time to read the whole post, but will get back to it.

One question, is he a Muslim? "Well sir, I’m at a loss here because I don’t believe in killing people to move traffic." -- D.C.

Police Chief Charles Ramsey to Rep.

Tom Davis, R-Va., on how long officials planned to allow a two-day standoff with a man on the Mall continue before taking drastic action.

The incident caused major traffic jams in Washington.

Quote: I didn't have time to read the whole post, but will get back to it.

One question, is he a Muslim? Jewish. "But in the unlikely story that is America, There has never been anything false about hope." - Barack Obama "Not in our day, but at no distant one, we may shake a rod over the heads of all, which may make the stoutest of them tremble.

But I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power, the greater it will be," – Thomas Jefferson.

Is this all your work?

Hot damn, if it is, NICELY done. i recently scored 100% with this guy in a recent 'who would be your president'-type survey so i'm definitely going to take some time to read this at some pt.

Quote: Not about to read all that...All I know about him is that he is a black guy from Illinois with a funny name. Is he considered a moderate liberal? From what I recall, he has one of the most liberal voting records in the Senate.

Quote: I didn't have time to read the whole post, but will get back to it.

One question, is he a Muslim? Nope.

Christian (United Church of Christ - attends a big one in Chicago) He was agnostic for most of his life but while he was doing community service work in Chicago, he found a great church headed by a guy he really liked.

He started going there, and has been a member for a long time. He was never a muslim, but did go to a muslim school when in Indonesia (i think) and also went to a catholic school.

His mom remarried an indonesian guy after getting divorced from his real dad (a kenyan).

He only stayed with the new dad a few years, while young, and religion didn't seem to be that big a deal then.

Quote: is this all your work?

Hot damn, if it is, NICELY done. i recently scored 100% with this guy in a recent 'who would be your president'-type survey so i'm definitely going to take some time to read this at some pt. link to survey

Thanks for all the hard work.

I've been wanting to know more about him and it looks like you covered it all.

Now I just have to make the time to read it all. Thank you!

His voting record Interest Group Ratings

Quote: His voting record Interest Group Ratings Thanks...updated OP to include link to www.vote-smart.org

Comming from the Right side I am very happy to see him as a possible canidate for the left. He has a 0% chance of winning.

Jeb Bush could run and win vs him so any other Republican canidate will run away with it.

Quote: Comming from the Right side I am very happy to see him as a possible canidate for the left. He has a 0% chance of winning.

Jeb Bush could run and win vs him so any other Republican canidate will run away with it. He might as well quit now.

Billy Ball Thorton says he has a 0% shot.

I'll send your prediction to him right away.

Expect his withdrawl from consideration within the next week or two.

Good article here rebutting some claims about Obama (untrue or unfair claims).

Link to it was added in OP. Link to website Quote: A new website, ObamaTruth.org, poses this question at the top of the page: "In his lust for personal wealth has Barack Obama sold his moral compass?" The centerpiece of the site is a nearly three-minute video called "The Audacity of Barack Obama," which divides its claims into four chapters.

It should come as no surprise that the video -- and the website generally -- relies on discredited sources and innuendo to tar Sen.

Obama. This is exactly the sort of site the media would include in a "Not everybody loves Obama" story.

Which is why it's so important to address its specious arguments now. What follows is a chapter-by-chapter debunking of the video (originally published at Obamarama.org, which also provides the video): Chapter 1 The Video’s Claim: "Within months after her husband was sworn in as U.S.

Senator, Michelle Obama received a pay increase of $195,000 from the not-for-profit hospital where she works!" The Truth: Michelle Obama did receive a raise two months after Sen.

Obama was sworn in.

Why? Because she was promoted to Vice President of University of Chicago Hospitals -- a position she had been in line for since joining the hospital in 2002. As the Chicago Tribune reported in 2006, Michelle Obama was brought on as Executive Director of Community Affairs, a new position that was intended to grow into a Vice President’s post, according to then-president of the hospital Michael Riordan.

"I knew where I wanted to go with this position," he told the paper.

"I wanted to identify someone to grow into it." In fact, Riordan had discussed the promotion with Michelle Obama before the election, but "she had been reluctant to undertake the commitment until her husband's Senate campaign was finished," according to the report.

She wanted to be sure they would maintain their primary residence in Illinois. A hospital spokesman also listed the achievements of Michelle Obama that warranted her promotion: Quote: They included expansion of the institution's women and minority vendor purchases, rejuvenation of its volunteer program and work she did to help set up a collaborative effort with South Side clinics and doctors' offices to provide primary care for low-income residents who otherwise would seek treatment at the emergency room. Her new salary is right on par with that earned by other Vice Presidents at the hospital, too, and actually falls towards the lower end of the spectrum.

"She is worth her weight in gold, and she is just terrific," Riordan said. Shockingly, the video failed to note these facts. Chapter 2 The Video’s Claim: Sen.

Obama says he wants to make health care more affordable, but "he didn’t tell us that his wife is one of 13 vice presidents at a not-for-profit hospital that in 2005 reported earnings of over $100 million -- in part by charging uninsured minorities three and a half times as much as whites with insurance for the exact same care!" The Truth: People without medical insurance are charged more than people with insurance in virtually every hospital in the country.

Because of negotiations in the 1980s that kept prices lower for people with HMO plans or Medicare, hospitals raised their charges for many normal procedures in the 1990s, a reality that resulted in higher costs for PPOs and the uninsured. According to the Council for Affordable Health Insurance, the state with the highest cost-to-charge ratio (which reflects how much more people without insurance are charged than people with insurance) is Nevada, which charges...wait for it...three and a half times more.

Following Nevada is California, Alabama, Florida and Arizona.

Illinois doesn’t make the top five. Without question, rising health care costs for the uninsured is a major problem.

Blaming Michelle Obama for a flawed system that is in effect in every hospital in the country just because she works at a hospital, however -- not to mention insinuating that such a disparity is based on racial prejudice -- is as irresponsible as it is absurd. Chapter 3 The Video’s Claim: After encouraging college students to pursue public service over "the big house and the large salary," Sen.

Obama was the subject of an "embarrassing investigation into the purchase of his stately $1.65 million mansion" and now regrets purchasing land from indicted political fundraiser Tony Rezko. The Truth: Sen.

Obama bought his home on Chicago’s South Side at a price on par for the neighborhood, using advance money from his bestselling book.

Seven months later, he purchased an adjacent sliver of land from the wife of Tony Rezko, who had bought the bordering land on the same day Sen.

Obama closed on his home (the seller required the sales be closed on the same day, as the New Republic points out).

Tony Rezko is a well-connected Chicago fundraiser who is currently involved in two unrelated criminal cases. Contrary to the video’s claim, there was no investigation into the purchase.

The Washington Post reported that "There have been no allegations that Obama...broke the law or committed any ethics violations." Still, Sen.

Obama said he regretted the purchase, which he called "boneheaded," because of how it could be perceived. As the New Republic notes, "No one is seriously accusing Obama of any wrongdoing" in this situation.

In addition, Sen.

Obama has since that time opposed gambling interests that Rezko supports, and has donated $11,500 in campaign contributions from Rezko to charity. Chapter 4 The Video’s Claim: Though Sen.

Obama has spoken about worker’s rights to groups critical of Wal-Mart, he didn’t mention that the CEO of TreeHouse Foods received $26 million in compensation in 2005, while Wal-Mart’s CEO received $10.5 million, despite being a much smaller company -- "maybe because he's embarrassed his wife sits on the Board of Directors of TreeHouse Foods, a company that shut a plant in 2006 that was staffed primarily with low-paid Hispanics!" The Truth: Michelle Obama joined the Board of Directors of TreeHouse Foods in June 2005, shortly after the company was spun off its parent company, Dean Foods.

TreeHouse CEO Sam Reed was reportedly paid $26.2 million in 2005, much of which was in the form of stock options stemming from the company’s spin-off and contingent on the company’s level of performance, according to Crain’s Business.

In other words, the company must do well for Reed to receive that money. TreeHouse has an Executive Compensation Committee to determine the salaries of its executives.

Michelle Obama does not sit on this committee.

When asked, she pointed out that Reed’s compensation is "benchmarked to that of other food firms." She also noted to a reporter that her income "is pretty low compared to my peers," adding, "You wouldn't ask that question if, like some people in politics, we had trust funds and were rich." As for the claim about the plant that was shut down in 2006, it’s true.

It was a pickle plant in La Junta, Colorado, and employed 153 people.

It was not closed by TreeHouse directly, however, but by Bay Valley Foods, a division of the larger TreeHouse company.

The video’s attempt to link Michelle Obama to the plant’s closure -- and to once again inject racial overtones into its specious claim -- is like saying the Secretary of Agriculture should be held responsible for the unfortunate closing of a military base. A press release from Bay Valley Foods regretfully attributes the closure to "a reduction in our pickle business and a significant increase in overhead costs, making it necessary to consolidate our manufacturing network.

The La Junta facility is a high-cost plant with the lowest utilization among Bay Valley Foods’ pickle plants.

Production at La Junta will be reallocated among our five remaining pickle production facilities."

Great work

Quote: CAMBRIDGE, Mass.

- The hair, now closely cropped, was a short Afro.

He dressed in a leather coat and high-ankle boots, not the conservative business suits and power ties that fill his wardrobe today. Yet , , ) displayed the traits _ and attracted the same kind of following and accolades _ that have made him a leading contender for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. In 1990, Obama became the first black president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review, a position that usually falls to the student with the sharpest elbows.

Obama won by convincing liberals and conservatives alike of the strength of his intellect, the soundness of his judgment and the merit of his vision. Obama analyzed and integrated Einstein‘s theory of relativity, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, as well as the concept of curved space as an alternative to gravity, for a Law Review article that Tribe wrote titled, "The Curvature of Constitutional Space." Obama, now 45, came to Harvard in 1988 after graduating from Columbia University and spending four years as a community organizer in Chicago.

While most of the 550 students admitted each fall are on a trajectory toward high-paying corporate law firms or the judicial bench, Obama aimed for public-interest law from the outset. Christina Bryan, a Houston attorney who shared first year classes with Obama and considered herself a conservative at the time, said, "I felt that he always took the time to listen to opposing points of view and address it in a thoughtful way.

That‘s not always the case in that setting." Midway through his second year, Obama was elected president, the top editing job.

He beat out 17 others, including four fellow black students. Obama, however, did not want the achievement to be misperceived. The eight issues that Obama presided over included articles on Martin Luther King Jr., and gender and racial discrimination in retail car negotiations, as well as an anonymous, student-written "Note" arguing the legal system had not provided adequate protections against discrimination for those who are both black and men. For all his success, Obama did suffer one defeat at the Law School: He was rejected by a screening committee of female students for a pinup calendar of black students created as both a fundraiser and a source of black prideHarvard experiences sculpt obama appeal

His voting record looks at least middle of the road, if not slightly left-leaning, which I can understand.

Still, he seems to be the best candidate for bringing this nation back under one roof so to speak, and at least to get people to talk about ideas, instead of simply calling the other side stupid and refusing to talk, as both hyper-liberal Democrats and the hyper-con Republicans do. Out of all the candidates out there, I'd vote for Obama before anyone else, unless he does something foolish, like change his name to Clinton or something.

His voting record looks at least middle of the road, if not slightly left-leaning, which I can understand.

Still, he seems to be the best candidate for bringing this nation back under one roof so to speak, and at least to get people to talk about ideas, instead of simply calling the other side stupid and refusing to talk, as both hyper-liberal Democrats and the hyper-con Republicans do. Out of all the candidates out there, I'd vote for Obama before anyone else, unless he does something foolish, like change his name to Clinton or something.

Quote: Quote: Quote: One of my complaints with him is his energy policy.

He is big on coal liquification as a substitute for oil.

Replacing one fossil fuel with another doesn't seem like a win to me.

Just to nitpick a bit. Oh yeah and nice job.

That's a great post. I think I remember hearing they had something to do with coal that they crush it, and it burns cleaner.

For the life of me, I can't remember where, though. Would still rather see us go straight to renewables than invest billions in a transition to another fossil fuel which will just slow the move away from fossil fuels. let's look into other forms of energy that eliminate or nearly eliminate co2 emmissions, not a patchwork solution.

Bump. This deserves to be on the main page.

I started a thread with this article, but maybe it should also be in here ?

What the hell.... Barack Obama has built a solid liberal record 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, Ill., 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 in 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 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 plenty of 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 resumé, 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, Ill., also had high marks for Obama's gifts as a communicator but said he shouldn't be confused as 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 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 two weeks 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 Samuel Alito to be a justice on the Supreme Court and John Roberts to be chief justice of the court. 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 SINGLE-PAYER 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: 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. What's next The next step will come on Feb.

10 in Springfield, when U.S.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is expected to say whether he is definitely in the race for president of the United States in 2008.

Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: One of my complaints with him is his energy policy.

He is big on coal liquification as a substitute for oil.

Replacing one fossil fuel with another doesn't seem like a win to me.

Just to nitpick a bit. Oh yeah and nice job.

That's a great post. I think I remember hearing they had something to do with coal that they crush it, and it burns cleaner.

For the life of me, I can't remember where, though. Would still rather see us go straight to renewables than invest billions in a transition to another fossil fuel which will just slow the move away from fossil fuels. let's look into other forms of energy that eliminate or nearly eliminate co2 emmissions, not a patchwork solution. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZOsOB3z3IE Here's a possible idea.

This guy is sitting on a very near literal gold mine.

Honestly...if you'd had seen this scene in a movie...would you believe it? America goes to war with a number of Middle East countries...during this time, someone with a Muslim name runs for president. It's just too ridiculous to even believe. Not disparaging the guy at all...I know little about him...I'm just pointing out the glaring and obvious irony.

Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: One of my complaints with him is his energy policy.

He is big on coal liquification as a substitute for oil.

Replacing one fossil fuel with another doesn't seem like a win to me.

Just to nitpick a bit. Oh yeah and nice job.

That's a great post. I think I remember hearing they had something to do with coal that they crush it, and it burns cleaner.

For the life of me, I can't remember where, though. Would still rather see us go straight to renewables than invest billions in a transition to another fossil fuel which will just slow the move away from fossil fuels. let's look into other forms of energy that eliminate or nearly eliminate co2 emmissions, not a patchwork solution. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZOsOB3z3IE Here's a possible idea.

This guy is sitting on a very near literal gold mine. That was cool.

Quote: One of my complaints with him is his energy policy.

He is big on coal liquification as a substitute for oil.

Replacing one fossil fuel with another doesn't seem like a win to me.

Just to nitpick a bit. Oh yeah and nice job.

That's a great post. As I recall, Illinois is a big coal state.

I would hazard to guess that has something to do with his stance.

Quote: Quote: One of my complaints with him is his energy policy.

He is big on coal liquification as a substitute for oil.

Replacing one fossil fuel with another doesn't seem like a win to me.

Just to nitpick a bit. Oh yeah and nice job.

That's a great post. As I recall, Illinois is a big coal state.

I would hazard to guess that has something to do with his stance. Undoubtedly.