Barack Obama--Top Twelve Myths
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- Obama's Stand on All The Issues
Official Website of Barack Obama 2008 Presidential Campaign
Know The Facts Behind The Attacks
I had taken some time off from this article as I was very happy to see McCain and Obama both promise to run "clean campaigns" as both candidates have faced some terribly bad and ridiculous attacks in their past. However as Obama has gained ground in crucial battleground and some "red states" this campaign has just jumped back into the gutter. While not very surprised I am disappointed in both campaigns. I do understand the strategy but I hate to see it. It definitely turns off many voters when the campaigns go this negative. I understand McCain needs to change the topic of conversation as its hard for him to win with then topic of conversation on the economy and Bush's failed economic policies. And I also do understand the Obama camp's fear of being "swiftboated".
I do hope the last 2 debates are filled with actualy talk of issues and policies but in case these attacks do continue as I assume they will I have added in a few of the lies against Obama as Myths 2 & 3 as I feel those 2 campaign ads/attacks have crossed the line. If McCain wants to win the votes of independent voters he needs to get stronger on the issues and even perhaps ditch some of his economic policies which make it easy to tie him to Bush (like the Bush tax cuts & his opposing a profits windfall tax on Big Oil).
Myth #1 Barack Obama Wants To Raise Your Taxes
This is McCain's main attack against Barack Obama's (and the all Democrats for that matter) economic plans. McCain claims Obama wants to raise your taxes. While this is not entirely false, it definitely is not true. Obama's economic plan actually lowers taxes for 95% of working families. It does raise taxes on those making over $250,000 per year. Non partison groups when comparing McCain's plan to Obama's rate Obama's economic policies 3 times more favorable to the middle class.
Obama does however want to end the Bush Tax Cuts, something John McCain agreed with the last 7 years. McCain voted against the Bush Tax Cuts twice and has been a strong opponent to them over the years, that is until he started running for President in 2007. McCain in the past has even said:
"I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us at the expense of middle-class Americans who need tax relief."--John McCain, May 2001
When asked to pledge no new taxes McCain has refused, perhaps remembering the "Read My Lips, No New Taxes" quote that greatly assisted Bill Clinton into the White House, but also raising questions in my mind how fiscally conservative John McCain is considering George W. Bush was also classified as a fiscal conservative before he was elected and he turned out to be a very big spender. Considering the last example we have of the Democratic platform regarding the economy was Bill Clinton's years, and he left office with a surplus. Considering taxes were not raised in 1992 the way McCain suggests they will be, leaves me very confident the Democrats will assist the middle and lower classes and finally tax the wealthy a fair percentage.
Myth #2 Obama is Dishonorable Refusing to Fund the Troops
In a pretty obvious movement to go into the gutter as McCain/Palin are hurting in the polls as the economy continues to worsen and both McCain and Palin have made some very questionable statements these last few weeks. While I understand the strategy this is exactly what I hate about politics and why I have lost a lot of respect for McCain, a candidate I used to favor 2nd or 3rd of all the candidates in the primaries (Republican and Democrat). While I'm not very enthused about the Obama camp shooting back (bringing up the Keating Five)I do understand why as I have seen what happens to Dem's who try to take the high road (Kerry, Dukaukis just to name a few).
I do think the new line of attack on troop funding is somewhat ridiculous as McCain and Obama both have used the same tactic of voting against funding that is diametrically opposed to their Iraq Strategy. But this new attack on Obama is pretty despicable as the as tries to make it look like Obama is accusing our troops of air raiding Afghanistan villages. The full statement has nothing to do with that Palin is alluding to but I again understand why they are attacking in such a way as things look very grim when looking at the state to state polls. Factcheck.org has the best explanation of what Obama really said.
Myth #3 Obama Pals Around with Domestic Terrorists (Bill Ayers)
As strange as that may sound this is another attack the McCain/Palin camp is throwing out there trying to raise doubts about Obama. Although to many of us this reminds us of the Clinton camp when they started their "kitchen sink" strategy, many voters might only be hearing this false attack for the first time. Bill Ayers was an anti-war activist and a member of the Weather Underground roughly 40 years ago. CNN has some good analysis of Bill Ayers and Palin's attack on Obama. Despite how many people conclude how biased the media is I feel CNN works hardest at staying neutral. Yes Fox News definitely favors the rightand MSNBC definitely favors the left, but CNN in my opinion is as close to the middle as you will find this election.
MYTH #4 Obama Has No Experience & Will Be "Learning On The Job"
Contrary to Hillary's belief, when Obama wins the election and moves into the White House he won't be thrown into a control room and just start hitting buttons to run the country ala Homer Simpson style. Obama will have an excellent staff of advisers. He has stated on multiple occaisions he will take advice from all his constituents. I even expect some Republicans on his staff (Colin Powell?), and even people from Bill's old staff. Yes Obama has only been in Congress for a few years, but that doesn't mean he can't make a good decision (wasn't he the only one right about the Iraq War?). His group of advisors will give him all the options and Obama will make the right choice. He owes no political favors to big corporations, big business, lobbyists like one candidate I know of who has a penchance for choking up just at the right moment. How many more favors does she owe after New Hampshire? We may never know, but if Hillary is in the Oval Office someone will be calling to collect. And I highly doubt it'll be the backbone of America, the middle class on the phone.
Another point, if we look at how well Obama has run this campaign, a campaign that had no chance six months ago going up against the Clinton Machine. This excellent campaign by itself is a superb example of what a great leader he is and is a nice prequel to how well he can organize and motivate the nation if he is elected President.
MYTH #5 Obama is a Separatist due to his South Side Chicago Christian Church He Belongs To
Yes I too was shocked on this one. Calling Obama a Separatist is like calling Hitler a Humanitarian. Yet this is another aspect that has been brought at me as I spread the Obama word one computer screen at a time. Yes Barack Obama belongs to the Trinity United Church of Christ on the South Side of Chicago. This is a predominantly (but not exclusively) black church who is very proud of their race and heritage. They are not racist, they are not a separatist group, these are all lies and misconceptions. The south side of Chicago is heavily black and extremely poor. This church is about bringing people together to rise up out of their situations. They are proud to be black and I don't find that to be racist at all. They don't exclude any race from their church which is what people will lead you to believe.
Update: Obama has decided to leave this Church due to some more recent actions of his former Paster Jeremiah Wright.
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MYTH# 6 Obama's Fairy Tail-- He & Hillary Have the Same Record on the Iraq War
As Hillary was crying in New Hampshire nearly half a state away she dispatched her husband for a nicely timed false attack. His Fairy Tale Attack was timed to cause some doubt for the voters and they hoped not give the Obama camp enough time to reply in time. I don't believe the Fairty Tale Attack worked as the exit poll #'s still showed Obama with a 3 to 1 advantage with college students however it is important to show what Slick Willy did here as it might come up again.
Bill took a statement Obama made in 2004, edited it, and spouted it back out the the crowd to make it speak the way Willy wanted it to. Jessica Yellin gave the official answer, but if your stubborn antagonist won't check your link (because they know its not true of course) explain to them: 1. When Obama made the comments Bill is referring to he was speaking of what to do with the troops already in Iraq, not whether he initally supported the war or not. 2. Obama made these comments at the time of the Democratic National Convention in 2004 and thought it would be out of line to contradict the Democratic Nominee at the time.
It almost seemed like a plan to me. While Hillary's sobbing Willy is on the rampage using all his experience to paint a bad portrait of Obama for voters to see. I think there's much more to what happened in New Hampshire than just this however this coincidence of events definitely helped the Clinton's in New Hamshire.
MYTH #7 Obama is Unpatriotic and Refuses to Put His Hand Over His Heart During the Pledge of Allegiance
An anonymous e-mail has been sent out to countless people stating exactly that. Ridiculous as it may be, some people actually believe it. This is exactly what happened blow by blow and shows you the infamous photo of "Barack Dissing The Flag". I am amazed this has gotten as much attention on the net as it has, it just shows how desperate someone is getting (either Hillary or the Republicans). The event ocurred at Senator Tom Harkin's steak fry in Iowa and the attackers take everything out of context. Obama, Richardson, & Hillary are all facing away from the flag as the national anthem is being played. If this were a miltary funeral then all 3 were in violation of code. This being a steak fry means that no one has broken flag code. Its a good photo for the myth but in reality Obama is a stout patriot and always puts his hand over his heart when he says the pledge of allegiance. Nice try to the anonymous attacker who instigated the myth. The fact that he/she remains anonymous should in itself prove its not true.
MYTH #8 Obama is a Muslim
Yes this hub would be funny if so many American's weren't so gullible. I am in fact getting somewhat demoralized by how easy it is to sway the masses as of late. When I need to refuel though I listen to Obama's Iowa Speech which was a masterpiece. I have included the video below.
No of course Barack Obama is not a muslim. I see many attackers using his full name Barack Hussein Obama to try and bring these allegations more truth. This is flat out racism for people to try to and do what they do and it is getting pretty ugly out there. The full allegation and answer is quite lengthly so I will try to abbreviate. Barack's father was born in Kenya and was raised as a muslim. When Barack's father grew up he became an atheist or agnostic. Obama attended Catholic & Muslim (in Indonesia) schooling for 4 to 5 years before being sent to live in America with his grandmother. He was sent to these schools not for religion but because his mother wanted him to attend the best schools around for educational purposes. Barack Obama is a Christian and has never had anything to do with Muslim Religions. Just another desperate attempt to keep this inspirational leader out of the White House.
I hate to say it but I am beginning to think America is home to much more closet racism than I thought before. The good news is that our youth definitely is not judging Obama by the color of his skin as the youth will be and is the future of this great country.
PS- I will update as more myths appear as I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg.
MYTH #9 Obama Was Sworn Into Office With The Quran
That didn't take long at all. Not 12 hours after this is published a new ugly myth out being spread on the web. I double checked with Politifact just to be sure but Barack Obama was sworn in with a Bible as I expected since Obama is a Christian.
MYTH #10 Obama Is Hiding Taking PAC Money In His Donations
Yes another crazy attack on Obama has surfaced. This time it is said that this inexperienced candidate is actually taking lobbyist money, just doing it so smart no one can detect it. Basically it is the Clinton camp distorting facts. Yes Obama has taken PAC money in the past, pretty much its always been a normal thing in Washington, that is until Barack Obama and John Edwards stepped up. Here is the blog with the full picture and great sources. Obama and Hillary sit at opposite sides of the table when it comes to campaign financing and campaign finance reform.
I have found a second source which explains this very well also. This blog shows a nice full picture of PAC money, lobbyist money and the big 3 Democrats Obama, Hillary and Edwards.
MYTH #11 Obama is the weaker candidate to face John McCain in November
In the last two weeks polls have now shown Obama has a much better chance than Hillary Clinton coming up against John McCain. The last poll I saw shows Obama beating McCain by six points. That same poll shows Hillary and McCain virtually tied.
Another thing to look at, McCain will defeat Hillary when it comes to the independent vote. McCain is popular amongst independents, Hillary is not. Hillary Clinton will also unite the fractured Republican Party who is not happy at all about McCain being their nominee. As one Obama supporter put it best "Nothing unites the Republicans more than a Clinton."
MYTH #12 "But we would risk the confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate who once suggested bombing our ally, Pakistan" John McCain, February 19, 2008
McCain has come out attacking Obama for his statement about taking out Osama Bin Laden and other top level Al Qaeda terrorists. Apparently its fine with McCain to stay in Iraq for 100+ years and fine to nonchalantly bomb Iran, but it is naive of Obama to actually take out Bin Laden? This strike that Obama talks about by the way was asked to George W. Bush before by CNN's Wolf Blitzer to which Bush immediately replied pretty much the same answer as Obama's statement. Hard to say if this means the derailed Straight talk express changes direction again (waterboarding, Bush tax cuts, abortion, etc). McCain needs to be careful not to make the same mistakes Hillary made. Just because Obama is the younger candidate does not mean he in naive. Obama's "naiveness" would have kept us out of Iraq in the first place, and very possibly his "naiveness" would have had our ground forces in the right locations to capture/kill the true enemy, Bin Laden.
For the full answer to McCain's attack see: BarackObama.com they explain it in much further detail and have many other great resources as I'm sure this is only the beginning as McCain now will attack Obama daily as McCain has all but guaranteed to Republican nomination.
Obama's Democratic Nomination Acceptance Speech
Obama Iowa Speech
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Comments
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter, and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
--Abraham Lincoln
Loved it! It is depressing how gullible our fellow Americans can be.
That is one thing I love about hubpages. I think I've only met one person I didn't like here and I think they left recently. Everyone here is pretty smart and polite/nice, some other social networking communities I can't say the same for...
Obama Has No Experience & Will Be "Learning On The Job" Contrary to Hillary's belief, when Obama wins the election and moves into the White House he won't be thrown into a control room and just start hitting buttons to run the country ala Homer Simpson style. Obama will have an excellent staff of advisers. He has stated on multiple occasions he will take advice from all his constituents. I even expect some Republicans on his staff (Colin Powell?), and even people from Bill's old staff. Yes Obama has only been in Congress for a few years, but that doesn't mean he can't make a good decision
The Australian Government recently changed after 11 years. The Government campaign was based on look at our record and compare it to the opposition, They have no knowledge on Governing. True, but they won government, in December. To my wonder they appear to be doing well. We call it the honeymoon.
Lets hope the Billary has run their race.
Great hub full of good comments.
Thanks Mr. M. I hope the US gets its own Honeymoon real soon. Its going to be a wild year that's for sure.
Great hub, I have been listening to talk radio and they constantly talk about how Obama is a Muslim and that he is a traitor to his faith since he is running for president of the U.S.
I think Obama has many, many people very scared. If Hillary gets the nomination her negative #'s (47% people don't like her) are so high that they have a good chance of beating her. If Obama gets it I have trouble seeing a close race from the Republicans. I'm making sure everywhere I travel on the net that none of these crazy myths get any wings.
Very true. Some of my GOP friends have been sending me lying emails about Obama.
Its scary how easily that information gets passed on as truth. I think McCain is getting hit by some now in South Carolina. That's one part of politics I could do without.
I like Obama, too bad Hillary seems to be pulling ahead.
Yeah I was very dissappointed in Nevada. It appears the Union's in Nevada have no control over their members vote which renders them with even less leverage. South Carolina is huge now for Obama (a virtual must win) and Super Tuesday he needs to do well as well.
All true, I still cannot convince my Republican father that he was sworn in on the Bible. He insists that its true, but can't cite his source. Great hub.
Thanks. Yeah I love people that argue that McCain has some sort of Manchurian Candidate scenario due to when he was a POW or that Obama is part of some radical muslim plot that started 40+ years ago. While these ideas are great for movies it surprises me how many people truly believe these ideas.
I've gotten a few of these in my inbox and immediately discredited them with about 5 seconds of research, lol. This is very informative, and scary at the same time. So many people will believe what they want, regardless of the source. Thanks for sharing all the info. =)
Thank you. Yes it is ironic I never planned to write this hub but I ran into so much of this info being spread on the net, and now it seems like the truth is out there finally. Still some negative people but at least everyone has a chance to learn the truth.
Yep! those are dirty old tricks, politics in action! There is no doubt that many of these Myths or straight out lies will stick to the vast majority of people and they may do so for a good reason. Very few Americans travel abroad (Mexico and Canada does not count although there is a lot to see and learn)
It is not easy to get specific Data, but most places show anywhere from 10% to 25% in passport ownership for Americans. Now that is LOW.
Why is it important to travel and meet other people of different background, culture, economic status etc. ? Well for one thing, we get to have a better understanding of the world we live in. In my opinion watching Fox news, and other TV programs is just not nearly enough.
As a Canadian I have traveled lived, done and still doing business overseas in a variety of counties with very different standard of living, culture and language. I’d like to think that I am at least a bit wiser and a lot more tolerant then when I left Canada.
I like Obama and besides all the excellent qualities he and his wife have, I think they also have class and elegance and perfectly fit for the now infamous White House.
My two cents…
That is very true, I have been to Tijuana and Toronto (botha stones throw from the border) but until my recent online experience I really had no contact with anyone from another country which explains why so many Americans are out of touch with the modern world.
That is one major plus for Obama, he can repair the relationships Bush has destroyed. I hope the world will think more of us if we elect our first Black President. I too love Michelle Obama, she has more class in her pinky finger than Bill & Hillary combined.
Sounds like people might like to see Michelle Obama run for President?? :)
You never know, maybe in 16 years...
Although in her latest interview on CNN yesterway you can tell she does not like politics very much. She's in it for her husband but it sounds like she's not very fond of the campaign lifestyle and other aspects of politics.
Good hub... but you might want to change the title to Top 7 Myths, now that it's no longer 5. =)
Thanks you're right, although I figure as soon as I do something new will be released from the Clinton camp. Not a bad idea though since I guess I can always change it again if I have to.
Wow... Why can people just live with the candidates? And why do they even CARE how Obama worships? I can understand having no experience, and being unpatriotic, but because those are untrue, I don't see why people should care...
Personally, I'm all for "ABC." "Any Body but Clinton!"
Its sad people automatically associate Muslims and terrorists which is unfair. Not every Muslim is a terrorist just like not ever Christian was involved with the Crusades. I like ABCM, have to throw in a letter for McCain and his 100 year war and his bomb Iran sogn he was joking about.
Obama's going to have alot of work to do when he gets in office but he's the man to do it.
Well, my friend, with Mitt out of the running, I guess the religious talk must fall onto someone else.
Yeah I was surprised the Bible Belt wasn't more upset about the Morman thing. It wouldn't but me too much but a little.
The good thing with the Muslim thing it opens up how low the other candidates will go. In the end after the truth is revealed about Obama's Christian faith and church which he has belonged to for 20+ years on the south side of Chicago it ends up making the attackers look like bigots.
None of your candidates would make it here in the UK - the first thing the Brits would be asking is 'why do they keep shouting?' Does speaking normally go out of the window for the entire campaign? The second thing that would soon be exposed here is that when you actually analyse their speeches you realize that it is just empty rhetoric - they are not actually saying anything.
May the best man........or woman win;)
Obama totally kicked butt last night! How do you think he'll do in Texas and Ohio on 3/4? The polls are so far calling it for Hillary, but I'd love to see him get at least one of those states.
He's ahead in delegates now, too according to CNN :) Let's hope that lead keeps growing!
Firefly-
I think you may see the candidates shouting so much because they are speaking in front of such large groups. The are quite capable of normal discussion but these elections over here are all about excitement and getting voters motivated. Much from the candidate and a good part of it from us knowing we will be rid of George W. Bush. And I will agree with you their stump speeches are not full of detail. Their purpose is to capture the attention of the voters who do not like boring speeches. However both Obama and Hillary are quite capable of sitting down and telling you exactly what they are going to do when they get in office.
CM Vandelinden-
Yeah I did not think Obama would sweep again, this is almost unbelievable not that Obama is winning but the way he is doing it with large margins in demographics that should favor Hillary. Hillary has skipped Wisconsin so I expect Obama to crush her again next week in Wisconsin and Hawaii and then with his momentum he should win in Texas and Ohio. Obama is ahead in pledged delegates 1059 to 956, so over 103 pledged delegates right now. As it will be tough for either candidate to outright win now by only pledged delegates as long as Obama keeps this large lead it would be downright cheating if the Democratic Party vetoed the people's delegates and used their "Super" Delegates to nominate Hillary. Apparently this happened for Mondale over Hart in the past, but if that were to happen the Democrats will lose a whole generation of voters perhaps forever.
Nice Hub full of quality information. I think it is disgusting that in order to be elected to our highest "most esteemed" position in our government people are drug through horrible muck of filth and lies. How can other countries respect our leader when we spend almost two years telling the world what a low life they are? We have no idea who the candidates really are and how can we?
Thank you for pointing out some obvious ignorance. I live in Orange County, California definitely GOP country but honestly, I wish that the party titles were completely dropped and instead of considering a candidate based on their party, how novel would the idea be that we pick the person based on their platform and their merit. PICK THE BEST 'PERSON' For the Job.
I am all for equality, but I think that if by some terrible fate that Hillary is elected, we will have shot ourselves in the head. Do you think that our relationship with the Middle East will improve with her at the helm? AND WHAT THE HECK???Hillary has the experience to lead this country? Are you kidding me? Is she saying now that she ran the country when Bill was in office? She didn't do a very good job of running her family. How dysfunctional are they? And I'm sorry but it seems to be fairly common knowledge that the white house staff and the secret service never shed a tear when Hillary packed her bag the first time. She had a reputation for treating the staff with complete and total contempt. I think of all the cadidates that she is the most deceptive and underhanded. I agree that these Myths may be from her camp.
But probably the most discouraging realities outlined in your Hub is how incredibly ignorant people are. First of all even if Obama were of Muslim faith, that would not make him a terrorist. This is plain fear and stupidity. And I hate to say that the people making these accusations probably claim to be Christians. Funny how the term is defined as those who believe in Christ and try to live their lives "Christ-Like" I guarantee you that the Christ I worship is nothing like this.
Obama is articulate, well educated and has a very calm and centered demeanor. I think he is highly qualified. Sorry to get on a rant but it struck a cord Thank you again for your Hub.
Thanks for the comments, I don't mind the rant at all as everything you say is so true. This hub was started somewhat as a rant as I ran into people on the net not only believing these myths but spreading them around without checking their facts. Ironically, it is now my most visited hub.
I really look forward to the day when our negative politics of old is gone and the candidates actually have to run a straight campaign. Its funny 3 months ago I was pretty sure she would win but just as slowly as Obama has been racking up delegates I have seen people all over the net warming up to Obama. Its truly a great thing to see our country becoming so open minded that many would have no problem if our next President is black or a woman. Its truly great to see how far we have come in our history and it is really the greatest that right now we are a part of history in the making.
He'll definitely sweep WI and HI. I hope you're right about Texas and Ohio :-)
I couldn't agree with you more regarding the Superdelegates. We've had nearly 8 years of the people's voices not being heard. If the Dems ignore the will of the people and make Hillary the nominee, they're going to lose a whole lot of their base. And not even just the 18-40 demographic, but increasing numbers of women and even seniors who are behind Obama. I hope they're smarter than that....
Great job blowing up those rumors. It is funny how people will believe such obviously blatent lies. Keep it up. Go Obama!
Thanks for the comments. I really feel like all of us are part of history in the making with this great campaign for Obama 2008.
One good that has some out of the Clintons going so negative so early, we are now tested and ready for the Republicans who will try the same types of things in the general.
Hey jormins (and other Obama supporters :-) ) did you see the moveon.org petition "Let the Voters Decide"? I signed it earlier. Here's the link if anyone is interested:
http://pol.moveon.org/superdelegates/?r_by=12133-3
(Hope this is okay with you, Jormins---if not, I'll understand if you delete it :-) )
That's a great link (I just signed up myself), I was actually in the very early stages of trying to find the e-mail addresses of the Super Delegates (so I can e-mail them one by one) but it appears impossible to get them all so that link is a great resource and a great addition. If we make our voice known there's no way the Democratic Party can backroom broker a deal to push Hillary ahead unfairly.
nice hub
It would be nice to have someone to run the country that still believes in the USA standings.....The Pledge: The Flag: National Anthem: Being Sworn in with the Bible: All of these things are important .... they maybe small issues....but it is what started the USA off when it first came to be..... Native American or Not....If it wasn't for this...this nation could have been communistic... US candidates ... believe in the USA Standings
Obama offers the opportunity to bring about real progressive change in America. McCain and Clinton seem to be locked into divisive policies which will continue to divide the country. McCain's embracing Bush's policies promises more diaster in our economy and in the Middle East. Hillary is a divisive politician, while some of her negatives are unfair, she is the best force the Republicans have to unite their party. Senator Clinton as president would face a divisive Congress, and the Democrats would lose the Congress and the White House in four years. Obama's ability to bring people together , provides the opportunity to build a strong coalition of Democrats , Independets and Moderate Republicans. Hillary does not have that ability, she is not Bill.
Bingo!!! Love this hub! Ain't it just SO easy to go around and "demonize" somebaody, and worse -to take anonymity with doing so - that is really LAME when people do that just to sneak up some advantage - but it is an evil, mean spirited thing to do as well - I guess that is thier true colors. *sigh*
There has been some real mean talk on Obama's abortion stance. I refuse to believe that Obama has anything but love for newborn and unborn children. WHY he didn't vote was because the hard-right right wing language was trying to slip in hidden agenda's to undo established law, and at the same time, re-iterate established law.
Obama said so, but hard-righties anr making him seem like he SUPPORT partial-birth abortion - he NEVER voted FOR that! thats crazy (I don't even think there is a bill where you can vote FOR that! rofl! He merely voted that he was "present" - which is neither "yes" or "no" - because the language of the bill was flawed- and just ask who (repubs) wrote that bill... a no brainer... flawed (not all repubs, just the Bush Admin repubs - in my honest opinion)
He is one smart man. He was there, he listened, but didn't jump into that highly controversial cauldron pointing fingers - because a 'yes" or a "no" will get anybody into hot water -
the uneducated assume this is an up or down vote directly on abortion - but in reality these "bills" are highly convoluted, loaded with legal mumbo jumbo, twists and turns, and the writers are hoping to sneak something through to suit their agenda -
No wonders these bills never quite make it. A "present" vote is still not a "yes" which will give a nod to accepting just this kind of flawed lawmaking.
One last comment, lawmakers vote on TONS of bills, many dumb ones, too, but somebody has an agenda and tries to push their bill along in congress. Almost anyone can go look at the history and say 'so and so' voted this way or that - but even John Kerry accused Bush/Rove about this same tactic of accusation -
thanks for reading! =) NelsonJen
NelsonJen
Great comment. Yeah I am definitely seeing more Republicans going after Obama now as they are realizing he could very well defeat Hillary. Its funny how the fighting is shifting, now Obama is the devil to some. One Rep compared him (and Hillary) to Hitler because they are "socialists" and the Universal Healthcare is the beginning of the end. Its unbelievable some of the stuff I come across but luckily these are only a few crazed McCain (& George W) supporters and not the majority.
I like Obama, and the wild lies about him are certainly offensive. I voted for him in the New York primary. But I don't agree with all the negativity here regarding Bill and Hillary. Obama -- and Hillary -- disappointed me greatly when they refused to say (at a "debate") that they would pull the troops out of Iraq by 2013. What was that all about? If Hillary is the candidate, I'll vote for her gladly. Both candidates are playing politics (so what's new about that?) but I think it's a shame they are not more outspoken about ending the war, bringing the troops home, reversing Bush's attempt to dismantle the U.S. Constitution and privatize (meaning to end) Social Security, etc. Democrats smearing Democrats only helps the Republicans!
Yeah I hate to say it but Obama and Hillary were slow to react, I think they became better candidates due to John Edwards somewhat forcing their hands on many issues. I also hate to say it, but knowing she should be the lesser evil (compared to 100 years McCain), if Obama doesn't get the nomination I don't think I'll be able to bring myself to vote for her. I really, really dislike her.
By adamantly expressing your dislike for Hillary Clinton, you hit on the real challenge in this campaign. It is not Hillary Clinton's qualifications or experience to be Commander and Chiel. It is about how you feel about her, and how you feel about Obama on an emotional level. So you really dislike her. That is what is stopping her from being a great president - how people feel about her.
What concerns me, is that if this were an interview in a law firm, where resumes or cvs were being reviewed, Hillary would be a stronger candidate with experience going back to 1972. Obama would be the less experienced candidate, but younger, fresher and more favorable. What is happening here is epidemic across board rooms in America. If Hillary and Barack were interviewing for any job, Barack would win with an expensive suit, a firm hand shake, an optomistic smile and male charisma It wouldn't matter how his resume or cv compared to hers or what his proven performance has demonstrated.
Unfortunately, his performance may impact many of us, in detrimental ways. But that's right, no one's really addressing his performance in office.
You write: "Obama will have an excellent staff of advisers. He has stated on multiple occaisions he will take advice from all his constituents. I even expect some Republicans on his staff (Colin Powell?), and even people from Bill's old staff. Yes Obama has only been in Congress for a few years, but that doesn't mean he can't make a good decision (wasn't he the only one right about the Iraq War?). His group of advisors will give him all the options and Obama will make the right choice."
But how do you know this to be factual, other than blind faith?
As far as being the only one to be right about the war, that's a vote he didn't have to make before he was in Congress. What if a national security crisis demands him to lead us into war, is he going to turn to advisors to see if he should do that, is he going to be able to take the action required to protect our nation, if the need arises.
Don't worry, I'm not trying to change your mind, or even to pursuade you to see Hillary in a differnet light. I just wanted to express that Obama will win, and Hillary will lose, based on the old politics of gender inequality. It has nothing to do with who is the most qualified candidate to be president of the United States.
Interesting comment but I first of all I must say my dislike of Hillary Clinton has nothing to do with her being a woman. She might be older than Obama but by no means has a more impressive resume in my book. I don't count her time as First Lady as experience running the country. If you are married to a rocket scientist I don't think that qualifies you to help build rockets. She was a very vocal and active first lady but she didn't even have the security clearance to come close to anything "Presidential".
When you say blind faith I feel that is wrong because it isn't blind. I have seen what Obama can do for many years. It is faith, just as you have faith in Hillary.
With Iraq, you're right Obama didn't have to say anything about the war. At the time Obama said it was a mistake was at a time when his stance was not popular. The polls pointed the way Hillary voted (big surprise) and so I give him a lot of credit for being so "inexperienced" to make the right choice when very few did.
As for old politics I don't understand that statement at all. When the Clinton's go negative on their attacks, that's old politics to me. When Hillary takes more PAC money than even the Republicans and big business owns her, that's old politics. Obama has released his tax return, Hillary refuses to disclose, that's old politics. Obama is doing nothing I consider old politics, in fact, I consider what he is doing as exactly opposite of that.
And if Hillary is such a great leader and Obama is isn't, why has Hillary's campaign been run so poorly? She has run a terrible campaign and has made Obama look like a genius in comparison. She had all the organizational advantages, a huge super delegate advantage, a money advantage (in the beginning), and she squandered it away. Based on that alone, I know she would not accomplish what Obama can and will when he's in the White House.
Hillary also unites the Republican Party which despite what they are trying to show us, is fractured over McCain's nomination. Some Republicans are even voting for Obama and he welcomes them. If Hillary were to win the nomination she would unite the Republican voters out of hatred of her, not love for McCain and despite having 8 years of Bush I give McCain a 50/50 shot to defeat her.
While the majority of Republicans won't vote for Obama, they definitely don't hate him the way they hate Hillary Clinton. Many will stay home as McCain is not their choice as we saw at CPAC where he was strongly booed even after the crowd was told not to boo the nominee. Polls show Obama much stronger than Hillary against McCain and should be the last reason Clinton supporters need to vote Obama. McCain can't be allowed to bring another term of Bush's policies. If Obama gets the nomination as it appears he is very likely to now, he will invite Hillary's supporters to join him and I hope that they keep an open mind.
Sounds very defensive. As I only wanted to open a positive discussion, I will bow out. I am a die hard democrat, but I will not be voting for Obama, An interesting hub none-the-less.
Jormins, staying home on Election Day is equal to voting for McCain. Need I state what a McCain victory means?
Victori-
Sorry if I sound too defensive I do try to stay positive buts hard for me to say anything good about Hillary. I really have nothing nice to say about her. I apologize if I offended you, I don't mind opposing opinions on my hubs at all.
Bill-
You are right, the more I see of McCain and him flip flopping on his values to appease the right the more he scares me. Before these primaries I definitely would have favoredhim over Hillary but lately he's just so far out there on Iraq, then kokingly singing about bombing Iran. Its scary some ofhis ideas. The good thing at least with Obama's good night last night I hopefully won't have to make that tough decision. I do know if Obama were to have a large elected delegate lead and for the Super's to steal the election as I have heard happened for Mondale vs. Hart, I would never vote Democrat ever again. I doubt it will happen but its scary that its even possible.
However the candidates are chosen, it comes down to the choices you have on Election Day. If you do not vote, you leave the choice to someone else -- and the result could be disastrous for the poor, for young men and women who may have to go to war instead of building a future, for the homeless, for the elderly who risk losing Social Security. That's not to mention the Supreme Court, the unemployed and the continuing march of the Military-Industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about.
That is very true. I'm not very pleased with George W. Bush but I can't complain too much as I didn't vote against him in earlier elections (I have never liked Gore or Kerry). I hope the Democratic Nomination gets resolved fairly but as McCain continues to derail off his straight talk express (as right now news of some inappropriateness w/ a female lobbyist breaks) its true whoever the nominee is we can't let McCain and his policies get into office at this crucial time for our country.
This article is the best worded and actual cited, looked thouroghly through information I have seen in recent weeks. I, several weeks ago, was one of the Obama criticizers, but after my frequent research, I found that many people have been told wrong, and it is sad to say, but Obama will probably be having more troubles and rumors in the time to come. If he is president, there might be a lot of chaos, but then again, thats what myths, rumors, and urban legends do to people. Great job on this, out of everything i have seen, there is nothing stupid like other articles, totally unbiased information.
Thank you Judas, that's what I am hoping, that people keep an open mind with Obama if they did not originally like him. Its scary how many times I see people saying these myths on social networking sites so its nice to send them here to at least give them a heavy dose of the truth. If they don't like liberals they probably won't ever like Barack, but people not liking him for some of these myths is really wrong. Thanks for the comment.
Jormins - I'm glad for the opportunity to see your passion. Now I understand how Obama has built such momentum. Just to give you a little additional insight into a Hillary supporters mind. I think its very hard to be for a candidate at the expense of being against another democratic candidate. However, it is just too heartbreaking to accept that years of experience are not valuable in a prresidential campaign. Let me equate it (again) to a long time employee who has worked for the same firm for over 35 years, say since 1972. Then the firm hiires a new young, professional, guy and 3 years in they are competing for the same promotion. As I have said before, this decision is made in board rooms across America everyday of the week. It just doesn't seem fair. And with disappoint, individuals do become disenchanted and therefore disinfranchised, But since you are the first to join my fan club, I will try to keep an open mind. If my candidate face defeat.
You make a very very good point as I have somewhat been on both sides of that coin, being the young and up and comer, and then being the established person in my former company and seeing people with less experience hired to replace people with more just save a dollar or two. I am trying to be more open towards Hillary and I thought I had made it over the hill after the 2/21 debate. Hillary's final statement had me thinking maybe I would want her as VP, but then just a few days later her "Shame on You" campaign came out and she reminded why I can't stand her so much. I'm real curious to the tone of the debates tomorrow night. I think almost anything could happen.
I wonder what you might be saying if it was known that Hillary attended an "unashamedly white" church.
How sad that you can't discern your own hypocrisy.
What I fear is that your candidate will run and no one will feel entitled to criticize him because he is black. And this deficiency(in a fair and balanced campaign for the presidency will, I believe, be felt in the anonymity of the voting booth.
So it's okay to spread negative lies about Hillary in an attempt to stop spreading myths about Obama? And its okay with no proof whatsoever to accuse her campaign of starting it? This is exactly the hypocritical nonsense that his campaign has been getting away with. And so clever that he refuses to discuss negativity, so he doesn't have to respond to any of this. How clever.
1229WF -
I would think Hillary's Church is a proud church, I'd bet predominantly white but it shouldn't be an issue at all. If this church bans people of other race, then I would call them racist, but I have no problem with any race being proud of their race.
You may be right about the closet racism, however based on the large number of votes Obama has already received I am not as worried about that as I was before. I think our country has come a long way since the days of MLK. And you could also flip that, Hillary could have the same problems because of closet sexism. The key will be independent voters (in the General) and Hillary does badly with independents, Obama does great with them.
John -
The picture of Obama in the outfit was on Drudge and it said it was sent by the Clinton staffer. Hillary's camp was then very slow to deny it. I'm still researching the source but I would not be surprised if its like what was sent out before Iowa. I was not surprised to find out that most of these myths are coming from her camp. Hillary may be firing these surrogates but either she's a bad leader or she knows about these negative smear attacks and its all calculated. Either way I'm not impressed.
Hillary tries to take Obama off message by going negative but she just turns people off. No one liked it in South Carolina and it continues to have the same effect. Obama is not a perfect person or candidate but to call him a hypocrite is pretty harsh. When Obama attacks Hillary he uses facts. It'd be nice if Hillary's campaign would try to do the same.
You aren't telling me you are using the Drudge report as a journalistic source, are you? If so, oh dear.
Hillary has traveled the world and has hundreds of pictures publicly posted of her in many native outfits. The photo of him circulating is childish, I can't even believe it's an issue. Her campaign would NEVER purposely put that out there because it is sophmoric and they know the backlash it would bring. And incidentally, they are getting blamed for it anyway. You know, my brother worked on several democratic and republican campaigns in the late 80's, early 90's - he says it wouldn't surprise him at all if it was Obama's campaign that did this.
Everytime she attempts to point out something questionable about him - his campaign ATTACKS her pointing that out. It's like 'see, we told you she was a meany.' It's the most childish tactics I have ever seen at work in my life. And the scary part is its working!
It was SHAME ON YOU Barack - he didn't give his buddy credit for lifting the speech. Anyone who has ever turned in a term paper knows that they have to at least footnote the damn passage! Imagine if I said - well, that paragraph was my good friend's who took this course last year...I'd get thrown out of school! It doesn't matter that he didn't 'steal' the speech, he didn't reference at all that it belonged to somebody else.
What's worse is he barely acknowledges it, he dismisses it, laughs it off and you all go along with him. Since when does he get to decide what is important and what is not. I have never been so disapointed in this country before...there are so many people so easily swayed, so easily mislead, like you are all stepford wives. We will see McCain in office next year. Thanks to you all. Why do you think the republicans 'hate' her so much, huh? B/c they knew she could have won. You are all so gullible. Oh well.
If the Drudge Report says it came from a Clinton staffer and they don't deny it why should Obama think it didn't? Hillary still can't say 100% it didn't come from one of her people but if it did she knows nothing about it. However when I hear about their new 'kitchen sink' strategy I think its possible it did come from the Clinton camp. We might never know but Obama did nothing wrong getting to the bottom of it.
You say her campaign would never do anything like that then why did they do it before Iowa? She had to fire two staffers for their misconduct. Clearly its possible it can happen.
Deval is his co-chair, he lifted nothing. I've never seen footnotes during a speech but what Obama did is done everywhere. Hillary "lifted" her final statement at the 2/21 debate from Edwards but you don't see Obama calling foul. Hillary was booed when she tried to mount that attack and she deserved it. Most of the analysts call it the lowest point for her in that debate.
You have the right to your opinion but no one that I am in regular contact with here or at other sites are 'stepford wives' or 'gullible'. I know most of my Obama supporters that agree with me are highly intelligent people. Just because your candidate is now behind I think its somewhat unresponsible to resort to name calling. If you don't like Obama that's fine with me, but he's run a brilliant campaign and deserves to be in the White House. He's the best person for the job.
I do agree Obama has run a great campaign - obviously. But the best campaign leader does not always result in the best president. Hillary losing may not be equated to Gore's upsetting loss. But we all know the best person for the job is not always the one elected.
Here's the secret behind Obama's great speaking ability:
I don't listen to the rumors or take them to heart. I look and listen to the issues. And I don't think that either Obama or Clinton have the right policies for this country's security or the the problem with illegal aliens and all the taxes true Americans are paying every year for them. Sorry, but this is a big issue for me and neither of them cut the mustard in my book. I'm voting for the Rebublican, regardless of who is is.
What is a "true American?" I hope you're not implying that Obama is not a "true American!"
I think she is referring to illegal immigrants. I am against illegal immigrants however I think deporting 12 million+ people is not a realistic answer. I think Obama's plan is realistic and fair regarding that issue but I whole heartedly expect Republicans to vote McCain and Dem's to vote for Obama or Hillary. I think the independents will again decide who's president again. Another strength for Obama as he's strongest of the three amongst independents. Hillary is the weakest of the three meaning I think McCain will have the best shot against her as opposed to Obama.
Thank you for this hub. It's been incredibly depressing to me to find so many ignorant and hateful rumors spread about Sen. Obama, up to and including the notion that he is the Antichrist!
Did you see his speech today (March 18th)? It was incredible.
It is quite scary how many people are out there proclaiming all these crazy notions. The good thing I see though is a lot of level headed people making sure to stop the wildfire when the real crazy attacks come out. I have seen people proclaiming liberals are mentally unstable, Sen. Clinton called a Socialist and compared to Hitler, and yes the Antichrist notion as well. I'm glad our country has come such a long way that many defend Obama and Sen. Clinton when these crazy notions are published as though they are fact.
I hate to say I missed the speech but have seen many highlights of it. I plan on watching it in its entirety later tonight or tomorrow as it sounds like it might be Obama's best yet. Here's the youtube link to anyone who might have missed it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU
Yes, Obama is a myth isn't he? Myth Number 10! That Obama is the Messiah! The Gospel according to the Prophet Oprah.
And he's still playing "Smoke and Mirrors" with us about his involvement concerning the Rezko indictment long enough! Poor judgment in associating with him, will Obama be called to testify in the trial? And now Rev. Wright seems to be having a bad-mythical hair day! Where did he find this guy anyway? What terrible judgment on Obama's part! The Wacky Wright Show will continue, same time, same station! It is so outrageously funny that its hard to believe that the Rev. wasn't paid-off by McCain/Clinton operatives.
Obama has fully disclosed all his dealings with Rezko. He sat down for hours with reporters not too long ago to put that to bed. Obama has done nothing wrong with the Rezko situation. The Governor sounds like he is in trouble but Obama is not dirty.
I get the feeling Michelle chose the Church, however you can't judge a 30 year ministry of a man by a few youtube blips. Wright pales in comparison to the hatred preached by a Hagee, Parsely or Falwell if you ask me.
Anyone still trying to push the Wright issue now is just trying to cover up the "sniper fire lie". The Wright issue has been answered in Obama's excellent speech about race (see youtube link above your comment). You may not like Obama but calling him a myth is a stretch and there's over 13 million who agree.
No I like Obama, I just don't like his BS. He's a smooth talker and has 13 million people brain washed. Ever watch his speeches? I'm sure you have! All of them have a crowd behind him, obviously hand picked by what seems to be from the look-a-like JIim Jones school of "Cults Are Us." These young glassy eyed zombies, shake their heads in methodic unison, like those bobble headed knick-knack dolls you get at the Obama carnival. They all praise Sen.Obama in unison, agree with him verbalyl in unison and shout in unison. Like a Rev. Wright sermon, "Praise the Lord!" And then these Obama worshipers pick up their pay check from the "Obama for President" committee on their way out. As far as the Rezko's indictment is concerned, Obama has answered questions from the Chicago papers about his relationship with Rezko. But Obama wasn't under oath. He may very well be subpoanaed as a defense witness, the Chi legal community has alluded to. So stay tuned for the real truth cause newspapers were just putty in Obama's hands! Don't forget, Obama is a lawyer, a very good lawyer at that!
Every politician is a smooth talker and while I agree with you many voters vote for their candidates for the wrong reasons and don't know much about him, of the three remaining candidates, Obama supporters are the most educated about their candidates and policies in my dealings on the net and in person.
Sen. Clinton always gets smoked versus Obama the more educated you go up the ladder. Many McCain supporters are voting Republican blindly and don't even like him. I consider that more of a brain washing, anyone who votes for someone they don't even like because of something like abortion or illegal immigration when our country has some much more major issues on the table right now.
I think you are very naive if you don't think all the candidates place people behind them in every appearance. Its a pretty common political practice to show diversity or whatever the campaign wants to focus on. If you think Obama is paying his supporters at his rally that is just ridiculous. Obama is giving out checks to people filling the stadiums? I think his campaign money is primarily going to advertising as in every new state he hits, he must crack the very popular Clinton name, whereas many people don't really know much about Obama or have gotten bad information from biased supporrers from the right.
I'm curious to your source of Obama is going to be subpoenaed as you allude to some wrong doing. I have thoroughly researched the Rezko situation since Sen. Clinton first brought it up and I find nothing sinister on Obama. You have the right to your opinion but I hate when I hear conjecture about Obama. Compared to the Clinton's past or even McCain's past (Keating 5, lobbyist questions) its ridiculous to think Obama as sinister in comparison.
Awesome hub and you are abosolutely 100% correct on all 9 myths. People need to check their facts before blindly believing this nonsense. People need to realize that certain people want us to continue down the same failed path we've been on for the past 8 years! DO NOT BE DISTRACTED BY NONSENSE NON_ISSUES LIKE JEREMIAH WRIGHT!!! Remeber that our country is going down the tubes and McCain wants to keep us going down the same way! It would be INSANE to vote for four more years of Bush considering he's been one of the worst presidents in history and that's exactly what McCain represents. FOUR MORE YEARS OF BUSH! We cannot let this happen. Barack Obama is the only choice in November.
You hit it right on the head Jonny. Peoples' dislike for someone like Reverend Jeremiah Wright can basically result in us having 4 more tenuous and costly years in Iraq, not to mention more economic woes. I like John McCain as a person, but he has no idea about the economy as he has proven, just look at his latest gas relief proposal. McCain is a good man but he has somewhat sold out (and flip flopped on many core issues he himself was against) in order to have a 50/50 shot as President thanks to this fracturing long primary. I just hope this all ends well.
Eloquent or "smooth talker"? Depends on your viewpoint.
He's just another politician. Tells you what you want to hear. I see no change or anything new from him thus far.
While I do agree pretty much all politicians are not as truthful as they could be as absolute truth does not equal votes. People never vote for the guy telling them exactly what needs to be done.
However, if you look at the Iraq War, Obama was against it even when it was unpopular to be against it. Obama also was the only candidate not pandering to voters with the gas issue right before the Indiana Primary. Only time will tell us for sure but I have a lot of faith in Obama based off what he's already done on the south side of Chicago, in his time in the Illinois State Senate, in DC and during this campaign.
I thank you for dispelling some of these myths. So many people do not look into the canidates closely and what they actually stand for. They listen to rumors and not facts.
I must say that I am voting for him. I am one of those that have always voted for a person. Not a party. I look at what that person stands for, their plans for the future.
I am so tired of what is going on in this Country. We need some BIG changes and we need them now. We do not need to spend more money on wars that we do not belong in and startng one with Iran is not a smart thing to do.
I heard McCain say that by 2013 he plans to have the troops home. Why take so long? Our Country needs them home now. Why spend anymore more money there? We need to spend it on our people.
My vote is with Obama!
I get very sad when I hear people spouting what they call the "truth" about Obama and his heritage. While I may or may not necessarily agree with his politics, I think it is completely uncalled for to attack him with this racist agenda.
Thank you for posting this hub!
I know the people who made up the lies about him feel so dumb right now. People are smart and they know the truth about Obama. Its just you have some very scard white people, and blacks who are not sure of who he is. Just be smart and do your checking yourself on the facts. and remember the truth will always set you free.
I have received these emails from so called "Christians". As a Christian I am disgusted and appalled.
I don't know if the urbane and well spoken man of letters: Mr. Obama is going to be hurt by the rumors. I sort of doubt it. He is the greatest thing that has happened to this country since King, Evers, and the Kennedy's.
After the last electoral tragedy, giving the illegal victory to Bush by the Bush Supreme Court, I worry more of election fraud, denial of ballots, an escalation of a war or an attack on another country by Bush.
I am wondering why so many in the media are holding Obama up to a higher standard. After Reagan, whose residency in the White House seemed to suggest once and for all that an idiot may sleep near former greats, well--name anyone.
Even Nixon was a piker whose crimes were petty compared to the free for all against the people that really got into high gear with The actor, Reagan, who also used astrology to decide his movements.
We still hear of "bad" Mr. Clinton, especially from the right, who just can't get over that he was caught doing what the majority of men would have done but won't get the opportunity. No, I am not for it.
I can't imagine why a man of Mr. Obama's stature would agree to run for the presidency. He seems to represent all that is diametrically opposed to the liars and cynicism omnipresent in politics today. Why should he have to continue defending against the trash being thrown his way?
On the other hand, he may be the last hope to restore the office to the respected, pivotal place it once held in domestic and foreign affairs. I pray that he is the right person to guide the united States through the trying times ahead.
I have always maintained my respect for the U.S. Presidency and our form of government. It is the office which deserves our respect and support, but certainly not the man, who may subvert all this country stands for.
Herbert Walker Bush (George, the old man)was my choice and deserves a well remembered place in history. He heroically defended our country in WWII and carried out his term in office as a gentleman, but refused to bend his values and lost his second term.
I cannot vote for anyone who aggressively attacks another country without first being attacked. It is not the American way. Those who remember the cold war will tell you of the dangers faced by our country, yet we remained stoic and averted wars that would have destroyed the earth. The bloodshed ON both sides during this period is as real as if the war was hot. But casualties were low, compared to a major conflict, possibly going nuclear.
How do you explian the preacher at the church that he attended for 20 years making a statement about "God damn'ed Americans" and then all of sudden oh Obama is not apart of that anymore. Is that a myth?
How do you explain the "Agents of Intolerance" that McCain panders to just to garner political votes? Do you think Hagee, Parsely, or the Falwell Regime does not preach hatred? Yes McCain has flip flopped on Hagee now after searching him out for his endorsement, but I see no problem with Obama having trouble cutting ties with the man who brought him to Jesus. Yes Wright is a nut but I don't see how he makes Obama less a good person.
solarcaptain,
You make a ton of great points. I think W should have looked at how his father handled Iraq before and taken a page from his book, it was a coalition of nations and we all split the bill. Unfortunately we are paying for W's big mistake all on our own, for who knows how many years to come.
As much as I dislike Bill Clinton I do have to admit after 8 years of Bush Clinton is looking like a great President. I look at his 6 trillion surplus he left behind compared to W's "fiscal responsibility" that will have us all tightening our belts I think for 5-10 more years just to get by.
While morally I used to agree with the Repuiblicans, but for every Clinton or Spitzer we find, there's a Larry Craig or a Mark Foley comes out of the closet (or bathroom stall) respectively. The Republican Party has quickly shown me they are just as bad morally, if not worse, than the Dem's and really when it comes to Washington most of them aren't there for the people. They are only there for themselves and their special interest groups and lobbyists that support them.
Thanks for writing about these myths. I've written on this topic also, and still can't believe how easily people will believe things like this. Another thing that bothers me is how people attack him for his middle name. It's a name. There are a lot of people named "Jesus" who have ended up in prison for horrendous crimes, doesn't mean there is a connection, right?
It always stuns me when I see something like 11% of voters still don't know that Obama is not a Muslim. I don't think I have heard one person introduce McCain as John Sidney McCain III yet this campaign.
I also am glad a large majority of voters have already seen past the smokescreen of the GOP trying to use Obama's name against him, I find it insulting to the intelligence of the voters when they stress his middle name or show pictures of him in Kenyan garb and other ridiculous tactics. Most McCain supporters I run into don't like McCain at all so they push for reasons to dislike Obama.Congratulations on a great hub! with all of the hullabalo over some of the recent decisions that Senator Obama has made I've posted this as well: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/2/03026/8
Enjoy!
Has anyone anywhere even taken a hard look at the muslim fiath? It is ok to decieve. It's ok to lie. As long as it' for the cause. The sept 11 pilots were here preparing for a decade.... Obamba was exposed to to much of that as a child for me to risk my childrens future. Intelligence is wonderful, but without common sense, It's useless.
I have never studied the Koran but from what I hear it is a book of peace not a book promoting lies and deceit. There are good and bad Muslims just as there are good and bad Christians.
Just so you know, Obama was never a Muslim so your whole premise is pretty shaky. Obama had enough common sense to know the Iraq War was a terrible mistake. If anyone is lacking common sense I would say its the Republican Party these last 8 years. Just a few months ago, Bush had no idea that gas prices were expected to hit $4.00+ a gallon.
As in the Christian Bible, the Koran is full of contradictions. As with Christians and Jews there are significant number of intolerant fanatics who cause great mischief. George Bush is a moronic, intolerant, fanatical Christian.
I am sorry people are so quik to relate every thing that happens in the states to one office. Thats very scarry. The congress has more power then anything else. If we start to see that changing the philosophy of the congress as a whole we might get somewhere. If we continue to be swept in by the thought that this one man makes all the desicions, right and/or wrong, we will be lost. We are headed toward socialism. If you want to continue that route. Obamba is your man. Good luck with that one.
I think you are naive if you think Congress has more power than the President. Without W we would not be in Iraq and would not have this economic mess we currently have. I agree Congress deserves much of the blame but Bush will go down in history as one of our worst Presidents ever. As for "socialism", I think I'll risk it. Last time the Democrats had the oval office I don't remember much socialism being forced on the population. I do remember a recovering economy (from Bush Sr.'s mess) and a 6 trillion surplus though.
Scott, why do you think "we are headed toward socialism?" I haven't seen any signs of it. Only one member of congress calls himself a socialist--Bernie Sanders, junior senator from Vermont. Before being elected to the Senate Sanders was re-elected to the House of Representatives many times as a "democratic socialist."
Know Better-
You have many very interesting points of view however I will never post a comment like that laden with so many insults and just downright hatred. Just because someone doesn't think exactly like you and agree with you doesn't make them as horrible as you seem to to think of much of the HubPages community and me as well it seems. You may not like this article but I am glad out of my thousands of readers (nearing 10K now) you are the first to be so angry about this article and the views of my readers.
I do however think this article is very important as I see stats that more than 1 in 4 believe Obama was raised as a Muslim and even today the New Yorker Cover and the controversy that has started (satire or slander and all that). If you like McCain and believe he would be a better President I have no problem posting your comment as on the issues that matter most to me Obama blows McCain out of the water. But please keep your anger and insults out of my hubs. This community has some of the best minds on the net, and while I don't always agree with everyone here, I try to give everyone the respect they deserve.
Jormanis-
Apparently
Know Better-
Also to not ignore the points I thought interesting as I do feel they deserve a rebuttal (more of my "horribleness" if you can take it)
1. I never stated this article had no bias. You are naive if you think you can find anything on the net with no bias towards Obama or McCain. Some places are better than others, but when you see a link to Obama's website and a picture of Obama to begin the article did you really expect me to be someone who is not supporting Obama for President?
2. The issue with the middle names is basically people throwing out the "Hussein" name to scare up votes as some would say. I hope not too many people hear BHO and decide he is a Muslim simply because of that. I doubt McCain will need to worry about his middle name being used to associate him with a religion of which he is not.
3. I don't see Jeremiah Wright as a myth. I know the RNC wants everyone to talk about Wright nonstop but unfortunately for them Senator Clinton beat that issue like a dead horse. Obama has cut ties with Wright just as McCain has backtracked on some of the religious figures he chased down for an endorsement. I would prefer if voters worried about the issues not the religious figures. What does a Wright, Hagee or Parsely have anything to do with getting this country back on the right track?
4. I do agree the fanatics left and right are a huge part of the problem. Going around trying to classify people that have differing opinions of you as a fanatical however is not the answer. I think Moveon is ridiculous and after joining them a few months ago I have already left them as they are fanatically left. To assume I am an extreme leftist is amusing to me. As I have told others, I normally agree more with Republicans on the issues and still do on a great many. However, on the main issues right now: the broken economy and Iraq, I am definitely backing the Democrats this election.
5 . You seem to think I am a political pundit who loves politics which again makes me laugh. I am a fantasy football blogger who liked Obama and in my travels online kept running into people spewing pure lies (i.e. the Myths which you seem to think aren't real myths). I wrote this so I could stop telling people "No Obama has never been a Muslim" or "no Obama didn't get sworn in on the Koran", instead I pointed them here and I'm glad I wrote this when I did as slowly but surely the truth is being spread to fight the outright lies being thrown out there. I don't "love politics and the mudslinging", I don't know how many times I have said I can't wait for a substantive debate between Obama and McCain on the real issues.
6. You compare McCain's 100 year war comment and his bomb Iran song (and now his cigarette joke) to the lie that Obama is a Muslim. There is a huge difference. McCain has personally said or sang those 3 things. I lost you on this 'neutral observance' of yours as 3 comments do not equal an outright lie.
7. Just because I have never left North America does not make me an "out of touch American", however I do feel if someone were to travel the world and actually live in different places throughout the world, they would have a much different view of the world. I think it is a great plus to talk to people from every part of the world which is very possible online.
I stopped here as at this part of your hateful comment you took it up a notch. I know this is going to be a nasty election but please if you comment again have some respect for everyone. I'm pretty sure you are not the smartest person ever viewing this "measely blog" as you seem to think. I don't see how this blog throws "gas on the fire" on the Obama Myths but you have the right to your opinion, just keep it clean next time and try to have some respect.
Jormanis-
Maybe if you had actually read what I had written, and give everyone respect like you claim you do when you do not, hence the points I had made, instead of apparently skimming through it and deleting it you would have understood better. And it was not written out of anger, I made it crystal clear, the postings here are laughable and cannot even be taken seriously. If you had read what I posted it was made clear, I am skeptical of McCain and Obama, I was simply pointing out hypocrisy and arrogance I found when I actually showed respecting in actuall READING what was posted here. I suppose I'll point them out again and I will spare the insults, after all my rant was only about the bias being blasted from the left and the right, me being an undecided independent and all as stated...
That is very true, I have been to Tijuana and Toronto (botha stones throw from the border) but until my recent online experience I really had no contact with anyone from another country which explains why so many Americans are out of touch with the modern world.
-Above is the part where you claim that since you are out of touch with the modern world, everyone else must be.
It always stuns me when I see something like 11% of voters still don't know that Obama is not a Muslim. I don't think I have heard one person introduce McCain as John Sidney McCain III yet this campaign.
-Above is where you made an irrelevant point about Obama and the Muslim myth when you were really getting at Barrack Obama's middle name being Hussein.
I think you are naive if you think Congress has more power than the President.
-Above is you insulting someone about the same as I had done to you and your posters on my original response you hid from your 10k plus readers (you're so modest)
How do you explain the "Agents of Intolerance" that McCain panders to just to garner political votes? Do you think Hagee, Parsely, or the Falwell Regime does not preach hatred?
-Above is just ridiculous, so just because McCain is guilty of the same thing makes it ok for Obama, And just to be clear again I am an independent, McCain and Hagee and Obama and Wright are both unholy unions
That is one major plus for Obama, he can repair the relationships Bush has destroyed. I hope the world will think more of us if we elect our first Black President.
-Above you must admit, that is a pretty dispicable point you are trying to make, originally I made a point that the thought of electing Obama to appeal to the world because he is black is very superficial of you, if you think things like that, things as simple as image will put us in the world court of opinions good graces, and a few points earlier you had mentioned how little you even knew to begin with of the world around us, only visiting Tijuana and Toronto and all.
Jormins, staying home on Election Day is equal to voting for McCain. Need I state what a McCain victory means?
-How would you like a McCain supporter saying the same thing. I would like to know from the crystal ball you got from the ghost of christmas future what a McCain or Obama victory means? But apparently everyone here can see 4 years into the future.
Apparently if you do not have problems with statements like those, I do not know what your definition of respect is, I just came here looking for unbiased Obama facts, but I just found politics no better than the Bush regime, and all my original point was being an independent I am sick of both sides spewing arrogance and trying to pass off untruths, maybe now you can understand where I was originally coming from, wise up man, and if you were anything like you claim to be in your postings you would have understood my point in the first place.
Bet you could not wait to throw 'naive' back, I know I am not going to find unbiased points in a blog. But that is just further proof of how little attention you gave my post.
KB-
Trust me I read your post. Respect is not calling everyone an idiot and going on a rant on blips of comments taken out of context. I too an am independent and trust me I am taking a break after the primary which got just downright nasty near the end. I don't enjoy that part of politics. I enjoy a debate about the issues that will affect us greatly for many years to come. Iraq, Iran, the economy, The Bush tax cuts, torture, etc.
I respect your opinions, not your insults to me and the community. When you post things like THIS, I also think its a little disrespectful but I have allowed this post because you have edited out the insults and I would like to address the issues you have with me. Ironically, we both agree that the far left and far right have really destroyed the election process. This was supposed to be a 'civil' election but as the 527's are already going its obvious this will be another nasty election.
1. Yes that statement is a little general but I truly do feel if you never leave the country and refuse to talk to anyone from outside the country you will not have a very good look at the modern world. The world was with us the first time we went into Iraq, they aren't with us this time. Many Americans don't care about the rest of the world (I have met people online mad about us giving any foreign nation aid). I agree when we are hurting we shouldn't be giving away the house, however we should not stop giving aid to any foreign nation in desperate need because our economy is down. We should work with other nations and take into consideration the rest of the world.
2. The John Sydney McCain III comment is a response to a comment above about people introducing Obama as BHO. Perhaps I'm biased but I believe if a radio jock keeps yelling out BHO, over and over, they are trying to add doubt about Obama and adding to the whole "whisper campaign". There are people out there that believe Obama is a Muslim and refuse to even consider otherwise. Taken out of context yes it doesn't make much sense, put it all together and I think it makes sense.
3. The naive comment might have been harsh and I do admit when I get into discussions with Obama opponents (hard to actually find McCain supporters) sometimes I am not the coolest. I have however never insulted anyone the way your first comment insulted me and many of my readers. My 10K comment was to show you how out of line you got. In the last 6+ months I have never had to block a post in this hub. This hub has become quite popular and for the most part well liked so my point to you was that you were out of line. Out of nealy 10K readers you were the first I had to deny. (I'm looking for a prize to send)
4. I agree with you Wright and Hagee are both very wrong, and neither of them is acceptable. It is however hypocritical for Obama haters to attack Obama for Wright and not even care about McCain's checkered religious backers. All this does is take people away from the real issues.
5. I think you see something in me saying Obama would be the first black President as sinister whereas I don't see that at all. I think our country has come a long way since our beginnings and think it would be a major step for our country. Don't vote for Obama just because he is black, but also I think it is wrong to vote against him just because he is black. Vote for the best person for the job regardless of skin color, gender, age, etc. And I am right about Obama being well liked in the rest of the world. Just talk to them, the whole world is pretty interested in our politics and amazingly are pretty well versed on the issues.
6. I believe that statement about not voting is true. I did not vote for Bush or Kerry so I can't complain too much about the last 4 years. But if disenfrachised Clinton supporters stay home on election day, in essence it is akin to voting for McCain as his base will show up to vote. No one knows for sure who will be the better President, but based on everything I have seen I strongly support Obama.
When the primaries began I actually favored Obama, Edwards, and then McCain third (although I liked Huckabee a lot too). I think McCain would make a much better President than Bush has. I disagree with his view on Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and his plans to make permanent the Bush tax cuts and an economic plan that really does not add up. He might cut pork barrel spending but if we are spending so much in Iraq how can his economic policies come close to even adding up? And yes Obama's plan is a little lofty but if we are out of Iraq by 2010,2011 I can see the economy improving greatly like the Clinton years.
I do appreciate the last reply as you kept it clean and I do hope you make your decision on who to vote for from these upcoming debates we will have before November. I think if you really get to know both candidates on the issues, you will see that Obama has the upper hand on McCain.
Good hub :)
Excellent hub! I hope you don't secretly count one of my hubs about Obama to be spreading rumors. Its merely for laughs, for the most part :)
Thanks Para & Gecko I appreciate it. I actually am a big fan of satire, I found your hub on Obama being too old 4 Prez very funny. I think the New Yorker screwed up in that only political pundits will see the satire in their cover. The common person seeing it on tv will not assume that cover to be satire. As I hear many conservatives analysts say, which I agree with: its not a good joke if you have to stop and explain it. But I'm sure the New Yorker got a ton of publicity from that cover as I believe that was their true goal.
Is it a myth that Michelle Obama said that she is proud of her country 'for the first time'?
That is not a myth that would be a mistruth. See what Michelle Obama really said and put in context and if you won't see anything wrong with her statement. I have many times been accused of not being patriotic when I speak out against torture, Abu Ghraib, and things of that nature. Patriotism is much deeper than a pin in your coat or a blind following of your government and your government's policies.
Mistruth, how so? According to that New York Times blog the context is pretty clear unless they did not paraphrase Mrs. Obama properly. Apparently I only have not heard the part about this pride being in her adult years. She did not mention the torture specifically, she had plainly said she was unpatriotic, for some vauge period of time. She mentioned an ambiguous umbrella term 'issues'. Also I could not find her mentioned in that wikipedia article, but that is alright because what really is an article on wikipedia worth? Even so the torture highlighted is the fault of those soldiers, who were punished, not the entire nation. If so how should you be punished? By being ashamed for years or decades of where you are from which in turn made you who you are, and in turn be ashamed of yourself? Every nation on earth has committed equal if not far more heinous atrocities and should they not be proud because of dispicable acts on the parts of others? Should I be ashamed of my country and myself? Take the Olympics being in China for instance and all the charges against them and their human rights violations, should all the billion of them be ashamed all the time, even now? In that light it almost makes the context as if there is some country where no such indecency has ever taken place, that is the only one to be proud of, one that does not exist. Of course pride is not everything, it is more the fact that in such a sensitive atmosphere as an election that she could feel so comfortable saying something like that, which makes some peoples concern valid that she may harbor resentment towards the United States. I have a few more questions. Is it also a myth Michelle Obama made a graduation speech at some university laced with racial bigotry? Barrack Obama has written two books correct? I have heard people quoting the book where there is a part in one or the other where he discusses something along the lines of peace in the Middle East and says something close to, if relations there [Middle East] got drastic he would side with the Muslims? I suppose I am more interested in cases like these being myths or not than the ones selected here, I appreciate your response, and look forward to any light you can shed.
If you have no problem with Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, or the policies of our government to torture our captives then I doubt I'll be able to convince you that Michelle Obama is not not who you seem to know she is. As I said before, in full context I have no problem with what she said and she has explained many times what she has said. Its your choice to not believe her and know its something sinister.
I'm ashamed that our government does not follow the Geneva Convention but that does not mean I am not a patriot or that I don't support our troops. If you read Michelle's statement in full context she is not saying this is the first time she is proud of her country. These other myths are things I have never heard of (and I have heard a lot). If you have an example I can check it out but most likely if you don't have a reliable source then its not true. Its amazing what you can find said about both candidates on the net many of which is totally untrue. Most of the campaign ads I see on both sides are full of mistruths. Always check the source if you really want to know what is true and what is not true.
I did not say 'I have no problem with torture' or what you forementioned, perhaps you misunderstood. I am just trying to get things nice and proper, and I would hope you are too. I do not appreciate that. Where is a link to the full statement, where does she reference the torture as being her reason for being ashamed of her country, or only proud of it as of late? I was not questioning yours, nor many of the other tangents, such as your own personal patriotism. You are right, saying I disapprove of action A or B does not have anything to do with patriotism, but saying 'I was not a patriot, but now I am' is far far different. I do not not not know Mrs. Obama and neither do you, and we can only take what she puts out there. From the link you pointed out, she explicitly stated she has had some form of scale of her own pride. Up until then she had either faked pride or had none, and now she really does [have pride], as in for real, and she did not explicitily say identical reasons she had been ashamed of this country that you have. Its simple semantics. Its I do not believe the sources I had heard the other questions from, that is why I am asking around. I had just figured you had read Mr. Obama's book and could simply say, 'no, that was no where in his book'. I have more questions with greater significance than Mrs. Obama's own pride in her country and when, or heresay regarding the contents of Mr. Obama's book. Is it true Mr. Obama wants to set aside $850 billion in a foreign aid program while your country is in what many say a stagnant and dwindling economic status? Also, is Mr. Obama's proposed social safety net idea true or not, if so what are the specifics? Thank you again, and I am sorry if I somehow caused you to misunderstand where I am coming from.
For openers, Obama wants to strengthen the Social Security system while Mclame wants to "privatize" it (i.e., turn it over to the same Wall Street bankers who gave us the current mortgage meltdown. Second, Obama proposes to repair our costly and ineffective health care non-system. Finally, Obama proposes fairer income tax rates. This would be achieved by allowing the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire.
Abs,
Based on your above answer you didn't seem very concerned with torture and our government policies. If you are backing McCain you are backing the continuance of Bush's regime of torture. McCain recently has changed his previous view on torture to now match Bush's (I believe to help solidify the conservative right who don't like him very much).
From what I remember (I read Audacity awhile ago but I think I would remember aomething like that) there was nothing in the books about siding against Israel. I would think if that were true McCain would be all over that. Obama has stated many, many times how important an ally Israel is.
I'm looking on the net for a full transcript but until I find it here is another decent blog which explains things. Taken out of context yes it sounds terrible, look at it for what it is, and its pretty tame. Even Laura Bush sides with me on this one.
http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2008/02/distort
As for the 850 billion in foreign aid, I have never heard anything like that. That number sounds very high as we are in a recession. Do you know where you heard that from? Economically Obama's plan makes much more sense than McCain's to me primarily because Obama understands the need to get out of Iraq. We have spent and are spending tons of money over there.
LAST ONE I PROMISE: It's there, I did not condone torture, I said it was awful, I pointed out every nation is guilty of human rights violations. I meant it is not a singular reason to be ashamed of something as large and ambivalent an ideology as 'country', because you are ashamed of the act (hate the player not the game, Americans say right?). I am not backing McCain or Obama (alphabetical, not order of preference, relax, I've already seen how quickly you have jumped to conclusions based on assumptions regarding my prose) I am simply seeing into voting Obama. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, yes? I am simply inquiring, and I still do not appreciate the answers in the form and tone I am getting them. You referenced me a wikipedia torture article, I reference you wikipedia on Obama, that is where I read $850 billion in foreign aid and more bits most would hope to be myth (see how much trust I put in a source, to where I question that, and then I will continue and so on, even after here, I like the Bible verse 'all men a liar, and only God be true' I can only imagine what it'd say about politicians McCain and Obama alike). It is a high number though isn't it, in addition to social safety net welfare especially. I do not put too much stock in Mrs. Obama's remark; you can just say she put foot in mouth, no taking that out of context, Proud - Country - First - Adult Life. I could make darker analogy to that but I won't. I'll let that one go, but you must admit, a statement like that doesn't not belong anywhere to where it can be taken out of context, especially when some paranoids think Mr. Obama to be Islamic (before you retort, I DO NOT THINK HE IS). You get the point now though yes? And as much as I hate to admit it, your country did not act outside the Geneva Articles in regards of torture. That said, it is still no excuse, anyone responsible should be held accountable in military court and be brought to justice. As terrorists break laws and rules of war (laws and rules of war, ridiculous huh?) they are not protected by the Article IV. Perhaps a new convention is necessary to amend torture to combatants such as terrorists (I AM STILL NOT CONDONING TORTURE, JUST THE FLAWS IN GENEVA ARTICLES). I am sorry if my writing is difficult to ascertain and I can see somewhat how you may take some of MY things out of context Jormins, but all of it is there in writing, I didn't say "I want to torture and eat the young", or "I never liked spinach, until I turned 21, but I always liked spinach", you catch my drift, you misunderstood me is all. Alright, I have two final questions, or at least they ought to be unless I come back here in the near future for another controversy. Here goes, What now do you know of Mr. Obama's withdrawal plan, 16 months seems unfeasible, most would imagine that the gradual withdrawal would leave ones due for departure towards the end of the interval vulnerable to where US would just have to go back in to keep peace and stop the loss of life? I know he has been accused of changing his stance on this, so it can be assumed he is flexible on the issue of Iraqi occupation timetable and objectives to meet prior to departure? I had heard some where Mr. Obama has said that he feels that the Afghanistan front deserves more attention and would be more likely to deploy a surge there, is there any truth to that, or that he ever brought up the notion? Finally, this drilling in US issue is the most annoying of all. What have you heard as far as Mr. Obama's stance on US offshore drilling? I have heard he has changed his stance more than a few times. It seems as if all of Washington has no clue what they want to do, House, Senate alike, much less two candidates who you do not know where they will fall on that issue once in elected, since both started against it. Long, short, what have you heard, in regards to Obama and offshore drilling? The 'air up your tires' and simply agreeing with the Pickens Plan for alternative energy (Pickens, who Obama has never met, and Pickens who is staying impartial to either candidate). It just alarms me how he [Obama] attached himself to that plan, and how he [Obama] is when he is off script. I believe offshore drilling is an answer, if only Reagan or Clinton had gotten it done, where would US energy be. After all, no one can argue the main issue, yes it is 10 years from now or 7 depending who you ask, but....BUT...it is jobs, jobs for years to come. I really want to vote Obama but some things worry me, this election will drive me crazy and I'll just vote Nader if it keeps up at this rate. THANKS AGAIN JORMINS, SORRY FOR THE LENGTHY COMMENTS, I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER THEM. RALPH, HOW DO YOU EXPECT SUCH AN IMMATURE COMMENT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, WHAT KIND OF FACTS CAN YOU EXPECT FROM SOMEONE WHO RESORTS TO CHILDISH NAME CALLING IN SOMETHING YOU SEEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT (Let the facts do the name calling)? AND JORMINS…….WALTER PAYTON IS ALL WELL AND GOOD BUT I’LL TAKE JOHN RIGGINS OR BARRY SANDERS ANY DAY, take it easy.
I do apologize for assuming you were backing McCain. Lately that's all I have been running into online. I disagree that we haven't broken the Geneva Articles but that is a very long debate and not a big deal if we don't exactly see eye to eye there.
I believe based on my memory of prior debates that Obama is pretty intent on withdrawing one or two brigades a month as soon as he gets in there (if he wins the general of course). Roughly 16 months is his timetable for a full withdrawal but he has always said condition on the ground could alter this mission. The quote he loves to say is that we need to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. Obama also is intent on concentrating in Afghanistan as we are losing ground there currently due to our massive attention in Iraq.
As for off shore Obama was against it but I know he is moving more towards the center since the end of the primary as any candidate who wants to win a general election has to and should. I know Obama has altered his stance on off shore as I believe McCain had the edge there as 2/3 of Americans want off shore according to recent polls. In the cnn link it sounds like Obama is open to compromise on the issue of off shore drilling due to the excessive current gas prices. I myself am on the fence on off shore but it does worry me that the second McCain changed his stance the oil lobbyists filled McCain's coffers with millions in contributions. The last thing I want is a new President who owes favors to big oil. The lower link is Obama's energy plan. I do apologize again for coming back so harshly, I have been attacked many times from the far right, and while I understand its a rough campaign I think it has made me a little thick skinned when it comes to certain issues. As for the Nader vote, remember, the only time Nader made a difference in the race was Bush V. Gore. Although many Nader voters disagree, the way I see it, Nader helped prevent the most green President we could have ever had.
The Nader thing was a joke. As for the Gore thing, either way, prices on everything went up. I think the cost of food, fuel and everything in general would have skyrocketed with Gore's hair brained schemes (how are lower income people supposed to just buy solar panels, or hybrid cars, or alternative fueled anything, the governements not going to give that stuff out but they'll tax you if you don't get it). There might be more crooks spawning in this new wave of green-ness, than in oil. Just imagine how much farmers would need to be compensated for paying for heavily taxed fuel and 'carbon credits' (my mistake if they're the same thing). Is it just me or when you pick up one of these green catalogs or you look at a green way of doing something, it seems that they're charging an awful lot? And its supposed to be something cheap, practically free. Well I'm done, I don't think I have any more Obama questions.
I honestly don't think Gore would have been a good President despite how poorly W has done these last 8 years. I feel the true problem was the candidates offered to us these last elections. Definitely living "green" costs more than many believe. I do think once we get started it will get easier with time and will create "green jobs" as we hopefully phase out foreign oil.
I hope you tune in for the 3 debates Obama & McCain are going to have before November. On the issues that impact America the most I think you'll like Obama's ideas. I am a little skeptical that Obama can bring the Republicans and Democrats together in harmony to get things done, but a Democratic President with an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress will have no excuse for getting things done and righting the wrongs W has done. I linked a funny youtube vid about Bush below you might enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aEURwsrUSQ
In 2000 I supported McCain early on because like jormins I (at that time) did not think Gore would have made a good president. However, my thinking changed on that when Bush and his cronies swiftboated McCain and the choice came down to Bush and Gore.
After the dirty tricks of Bush, I could not support him, and McCain was out of it by then. So I was left with Gore, and honestly, I do not know if he would have done better or worse than Bush. I do know that I respect and support much of what Gore has done since 2000.
To me Bush is just another Nixon without half the smarts and none of the flair.
Good stuff.... thanks for posting this. I also hope that Americans won't be so gullible this time. Then again there are a lot of forces behind the scenes trying to get McCain and company into office. It is really sad that our country has been reduced to this.
By the way... there is one new Obama myth floating on hubpages... there are people trying to claim that he is not a U.S. citizen and his birth certificate is forged. These people will stop at nothing to make up lies!!!
Yeah I hate all the outright lies that are just thrown around when it comes to politics. Its ironic the Republicans got a little taste of their own medicine so to speak when some of the false rumors about Palin's 5th child started getting spread around the net with very little facts behind it. I think it is a huge error for the Democrats to focus on those personal issues when they only detract attention away from the very important issues like the economy, the Iraq War, etc.
I can't wait for the debates to begin(Sept. 26th).
Thank you for putting this up! Please keep it updated as the republicans like to lie, and then lie about lying!
Obama HAS to win! How could anyone even consider McCain???!!!
Many of the "top 10" myths are opnions only and not based on fact. It is "fact" that Obama has lobbyists, including oil and insurance lobbyist to thank for his rise. His closest advisor, David Axelrod has dome much work for energy companies as a lobbyist. He spins this)like Bush, by saying that he was never "registered", although he did the same work and still does.
Joe Biden's son only recently resigned his post as a lobbyist and Biden was given as free pass on his support of the Iraq war and his votes in favor of every single Iraq war spending bill, while Obama criticized Hillary same vote on the war.
Obama criticized Hillary for suggesting the gas tax suspension, although Obama supported the very same gas tax suspension while Senator of Illinois.
Obama also requested nearly $900 million in earmarks over a three year period, including $1 million for his wifes hospital, while criticizing others.
Obama has flip-flopped on nearly every issue that he has campaigned on.
Not opinion, just public records fact. Check it out for yourselves instead of relying on partisian opinion.
While it is true that neither campaign is totally devoid of any lobbyist influence McCain has tons of lobbyists on his personal staff. Charlie Black, Rick Davis, Nancy Pfotenhauer, just to name a few. Here's a link to all 133 of them: http://mccainsource.com/corruption?id=0006
It is a fact (I'm not sure why you think the evidence disproving the myths is opinion as I use sources that use only facts) that Obama does not take lobbyist PAC money donations and has forced the DNC to stop taking it as well. Axelrod is a political consultant and never has registered as a lobbyist. I know the right wing sites claim he is one but factually he is not. Here is a link to a pretty neutral nesweek article giving the facts behind that allegations.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/138519
Obama has flip flopped on off shore drilling which he had to because he and the Dem's were dead wrong on that issue but for the most part McCain owns Obama on flip flopping as he himself used to be against the Bush tax cuts, abortion, torture, etc. As McCain has tried to solidify the base of the party he has hurt himself on the issues which many independents and non-partisons like me greatly respected him for. I don't think McCain is a bad guy but I think he made a huge mistake catering to his base. He should have picked Lieberman for VP like he wanted and seperated himself from Bush with his policies. A smart candidate runs to the middle in a general election.
Its amazing for me to see well respected Republicans coming out to support Obama (Colin Powell, William Buckley Jr., Susan Eisenhower, just to name a few) to me showing that McCain truly has run a pretty poor campaign in my opinion.
WE WON!!!! America didn't fall for the myths and lies!!!!
November 4th was definitely a great night. Once Pennsylvania was announced at 8 PM my time my group pretty much knew it was over and unnofficially started celebrating.
Now I have to try and secure some tickets to the inauguration. I saw a report some of them sold for over 10K so that should be interesting. I definitely want to be in DC this January though. This was a crazy and wild but fun campaign.
Thanks for clearing the lies and myths about a great son of America, Barack Hussein Obama. Now, I want you read my hub "A Call for Death Sentence to Confirmed Rapist" and offer your comments. I am your fan too.
Hoodala says:
2 years ago
People should know the truth!