The Question Wasn't Even a Hardball

This clip proves nothing about what Obama's accomplishments have been or haven't been. It only proves that you better prepare when you're called in to discuss your candidate.

Notice the all-around amusement (including the studio laughter at 1:35) as Chris Matthews goes for the jugular. Even Olbermann is amused by the exchange. Wow. That was uncomfortable, and something Kirk Watson will probably be reliving in his nightmares for quite a while.

UPDATE: Kirk Watson remembers some accomplishments...

(via tpm)

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Posted 12:10 PM EST by Andy in Barack Obama, Chris Matthews, Election 2008, Keith Olbermann, News | Permalink

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Comments

Finally an example of what is the issue at hand. I was in the salon getting my hair cut the other day, not one person could name anything Obama had done politically.
This is the most important job in the world and Obama's own supporters don't even know if or what he has accomplished.
Wake up people in Texas and Ohio, John McCain and the Republicans will eat him for breakfast. Smooth and eloquent only go so far.
I am hopeful that Hillary will bring the change we need!

Posted by: daniel | Feb 20, 2008 12:17:06 PM
How sweet of Chris Mathews to go for the jugular on an Obama supporter. Does he ever to the same for a McCain or Bush supporter?

Posted by: Roscoe | Feb 20, 2008 12:19:17 PM
Awesome. Just awesome. Exactly.

Posted by: Eric | Feb 20, 2008 12:21:32 PM
What is it with Towleroad? This site consistently either freezes my computer or causes an error in Windows Explorer -- that never happens anywhere else.

Posted by: luke | Feb 20, 2008 12:22:09 PM
Chris Matthews has been a huge supporter of Obama even saying his speeched give him tingling feelings up his leg. (not a joke)
Anytime someone confronts an Obama supporter on facts and the Obama supporter doesn't like the outcome, they say it's dirty politics, or "going for the jugular" in the case.
Truth is truth, give me a break!

Posted by: tsd40 | Feb 20, 2008 12:24:43 PM
While I do think Chris was a bit rough.. the guest could've come a bit more prepared. If you Google Obama's legislative accomplisments, you will find many.. including a great article about it from the Washington Post. I bet the majority of Clinton supporters wouldn't be able to name lists of her individual legislative accomplishments either... though she has many as well.
As far as Chris joing after an Obama supporter and a McCain or Bush supporter... Chris has vigorously gone after people on both sides of the asile.

Posted by: Andrew | Feb 20, 2008 12:28:31 PM
Here's one of Obama's U.S. Senate accomplishments: not being a raging, backbiting bitch.

Posted by: jeff | Feb 20, 2008 12:34:33 PM
Mathews loved thompson and his "manly cigar" and has a huge dady man crush on mccain.

ACOMPLISHMENTS if you are seriou and not just spouting rheric from a sense of frustration over your preferd canddates standing in the election
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Ethics and Lobbying Reform
Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has been a leader in fighting for open and honest government. During his first year as an Illinois State Senator, he helped lead the fight to pass Illinois' first ethics reform bill in 25 years. As a U.S. Senator, he has spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Senator Obama is one of the authors of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (S. 2180). The bill would lengthen the cooling off period to two years for lawmakers and staff who seek to become lobbyists, and it would require immediate disclosure as soon as any job negotiations begin. The bill would open conference committee meetings to the public and require that all bills be posted on the Internet for 24 hours before they can be voted on by the Senate. Finally, the bill would end all lobbyist-funded gifts, meals, and travel and strengthen the Senate office that monitors lobbyist disclosure forms.

In addition, Senator Obama has sponsored three other ethics-related bills:

The Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission Act (S. 2259)
The bill would create an outside ethics commission to receive complaints from the public on alleged ethics violations by members of Congress, staff, and lobbyists. The commission would have the authority to investigate complaints and present public findings of fact about possible violations to the House and Senate Ethics Committee and Justice Department. By taking the initial fact finding out of the hands of members of Congress, who are often reluctant to investigate their colleagues, the bill ensures prompt and fair disposition of public complaints.

To avoid manipulation of the commission for political purposes, any person filing a complaint that they knew to be false would be subject to a fine and/or imprisonment. No complaints could be filed against a member of Congress for 30 days before a primary election and 60 days before a general election.

The bill has been widely endorsed by reform groups. According to Common Cause, "this legislation would do more to reform ethics and lobbying than any other piece of legislation introduced thus far because it goes to the heart of the problem: enforcement." Public Citizen praised Senator Obama "for having the courage to challenge the business-as-usual environment on Capitol Hill and introduce far-reaching legislation." Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington stated: "This is the first bill that deals seriously with the lack of oversight and enforcement in the existing congressional ethics process. . . . This bill will help restore Americans' confidence in the integrity of Congress.

The Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act (S. 2261)
The bill would shed light on the almost 16,000 earmarks that were included in spending bills in 2005. Under the bill, all earmarks, including the name of the requestor and a justification for the earmark, would have to be disclosed 72 hours before they could be considered by the full Senate. Senators would be prohibited from advocating for an earmark if they have a financial interest in the project or earmark recipient. And, earmark recipients would have to disclose to an Office of Public Integrity the amount that they have spent on registered lobbyists and the names of those lobbyists.

The Curtailing Lobbyist Effectiveness through Advance Notification, Updates, and Posting Act (The CLEAN UP Act) (S. 2179)
The bill aims to improve public access to information about all legislation, including conference reports and appropriations legislation, in particular after hurried, end-of-session negotiations. Conference committee meetings and deliberations would have to be open to the public or televised, and conference reports would have to identify changes made to the bill from the House and Senate versions. Finally, no bill could be considered by the full Senate unless the measure has been made available to all Senators and the general public on the Internet for at least 72 hours.

Health Care
The United States is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, yet more than 45 million Americans have no health insurance. Too many hard-working Americans cannot afford their medical bills, and thus, health-related issues are the number one cause for personal bankruptcy. Too many employers are finding it difficult to offer the coverage their employees need.

Promoting affordable, accessible, and high-quality health care was a priority for Barack Obama in the Illinois State Senate and is a priority for him in the United States Senate. He believes firmly that health care should be a right for everyone, not a privilege for the few.

Preserving and Improving Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid represent America's commitment to take care of the elderly and the poor--some of our most vulnerable citizens. Senator Obama has voted to preserve and strengthen these programs at every opportunity. He has voted to restore funding to these programs and has voted against budgets that cut these programs.

Medicare

Some 42 million American seniors are served by Medicare, including 1.7 million in Illinois. Medicare is a promise we have made to our seniors, and along with Social Security, it is essential to a dignified and financially sound retirement. Cuts to Medicare will seriously harm those who have worked all their lives, paid into the system, and need medical care.

Senator Obama is concerned about the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program and its effect on our nation's elderly and disabled. In particular, he is concerned with the difficulty enrolling and choosing among a large number of plans (more than 40 in Illinois), the restrictions on changing plan selection after enrollment, the prohibition against negotiating for the best drug price or discounts, and the high costs of the program for seniors.

Senator Obama is a cosponsor of the Medicare Informed Choice Act (S. 1841), which would extend enrollment without penalty until the end of 2006. This bill would also allow all Part D beneficiaries to change their plan once during 2006.

Medicaid

Medicaid is the nation's health safety net. Over 53 million Americans of all ages, including 2 million Illinoisans, rely on Medicaid for their health care. As a member of the Senate's Medicaid Working Group, Senator Obama will continue the fight to strengthen Medicaid, as well as help providers who care for large numbers of poor and uninsured patients.

Improving Quality of Health Care
Senator Obama is pursuing legislative initiatives to help improve health care quality.

He helped draft and introduce the National MEDiC Act (S. 1784), which promotes patient safety initiatives, including early disclosure and compensation to patients injured by medical errors. He also introduced the Hospital Quality Report Card Act (S. 2359), which will use federal hospital quality reporting requirements to inform and assist patients and other consumers in making their health care decisions.

Senator Obama strongly believes that greater use of health information technology can contain costs and improve the efficiency of our health care system. He introduced the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Efficiency Act (S. 2247), which would leverage the federal government's purchasing power to encourage increased adoption of technology by participating health plans.

In 2005, Senator Obama spoke at the commencement of the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine about the importance of health information technology. Click here to read that speech.

Avian Flu
Avian influenza - or bird flu - is a potentially grave health threat to the U.S. and other countries around the world. Senator Obama was an early leader in bringing this problem before Congress and pushing for greater funding to improve preparedness.

Starting in March 2005, he obtained $25 million for international efforts to combat the avian flu and called for an inter-agency task force to immediately address this issue. This funding is now being used to mitigate the effects of the pandemic in Southeast Asia.

Senator Obama introduced the Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act (S. 969), which calls for collaboration and cooperation at the state, national, and international level to ensure preparedness in the event of pandemic influenza. Such preparedness includes the procurement of antivirals, development of effective vaccines, and improvement of the public health infrastructure and medical surge capacity in hospitals.

Senator Obama also worked to push $7.9 billion through the Senate to help the U.S. prepare for the possibility of an avian flu pandemic.

Environmental Health
Senator Obama is deeply concerned with the hazards of lead poisoning. Almost 400,000 children have elevated blood lead levels, including many in Illinois. Over the past year, one of his legislative priorities has been highlighting the problems associated with elevated blood lead levels in children. As a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Obama pressured the Environmental Protection Agency to issue long overdue rules for home remodeling and renovation that could prevent 28,000 lead-related illnesses each year, resulting in an annual net economic benefit of more than $4 billion.

In 2005, Senator Obama introduced the Lead Free Toys Act (S. 2048), requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to ban any children's product containing lead.

He also introduced the Healthy Communities Act (S. 2047) to identify and address problems in communities that are at high risk from environmental contaminants. In addition, recognizing the contribution of housing, parks, trails, roadways, and public transportation to healthy lifestyles, Senator Obama introduced the Healthy Places Act (S. 2506) to assess and support improvements to the built environment.

Genomics
Genomics is the study of how a person's genetic makeup affects propensity for disease and response to treatment. Research in this area has the potential to predict which people will get sick, diagnose illnesses earlier, and screen patients to determine which drugs will be safe and effective. In August 2006, Senator Obama introduced the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2006 (S. 3822), which would increase funding for research on genomics, expand the genomics workforce, provide a tax credit for the development of diagnostic tests that can improve the safety or effectiveness of drugs, and reaffirm the need to protect genetic privacy.

Environment
As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Obama has worked to ensure our nation's environmental laws and policies balance America's needs for a healthy, sustainable environment with economic growth.

Lead
Since coming to Washington, Senator Obama has made the elimination of childhood lead poisoning one of his top priorities.

Over 400,000 children in the U.S. suffer from lead poisoning. Lead is a highly toxic substance that can produce a range of health problems in young children including IQ deficiencies, reading and learning disabilities, reduced attention spans, hyperactivity, and damage to the kidneys, brain and bone marrow. The most common source of lead exposure is lead paint in older housing.

During his first year in office, Senator Obama successfully fought to get the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish long-overdue rules for how contractors involved in the renovation and remodeling of homes should deal with lead paint hazards. To force EPA to issue the rules, Senator Obama threatened to block the confirmation of an EPA official and passed an amendment to stop EPA from delaying the rulemaking process. When the rules are eventually finalized, they will prevent 28,000 lead-related illnesses each year, resulting in an annual net economic benefit of more than $4 billion.

Lead is also present in many children's products. In 2003 and 2004, nearly 150 million pieces of toy jewelry were recalled because of toxic levels of lead. To address this problem, Senator Obama introduced the Lead-Free Toys Act (S. 2048) to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban any children's product containing lead.

Senator Obama is also an original cosponsor of the Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act (S. 2053), which would provide tax credits to property owners who eliminate or contain paint hazards in homes where low-income young children or women of child-bearing age live.

Great Lakes
The Great Lakes store one-fifth of the world's surface water, and Lake Michigan alone provides drinking water for an estimated six million residents in Illinois. The Great Lakes are also important for recreation, transportation, and economic development. To preserve this national treasure, Senator Obama has been a strong supporter of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration and is a cosponsor of the Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Act (S. 508).

One of the greatest threats facing the Great Lakes is aquatic invasive species. Senator Obama was successful in ensuring that Illinois receives adequate federal funding to operate a barrier to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan and disrupting the balance of the lake's ecosystem.

Global Climate Change
In addition to protecting the quality of the air we breathe, Senator Obama believes the U.S. needs to do more to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. He is a cosponsor of the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act (S. 1151), which was introduced by Senators McCain and Lieberman.

More info: Senator Obama's speech to the Associated Press in April 2006 on climate change.

Mercury
In December 2005, the Chicago Tribune published an in-depth report on the extent of mercury contamination in the fish eaten by Americans. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can cause serious developmental problems in children, ranging from severe birth defects to mental retardation. As many as 630,000 children born annually in the U.S. are at risk of neurological problems related to mercury. In adults, mercury can cause major neurological problems affecting vision, motor skills, blood pressure and fertility.

Sampling conducted by the Tribune showed surprisingly high levels of mercury concentrations in freshwater and saltwater fish purchased in the Chicago area. The Tribune series also reported on how existing programs at the Food and Drug Administration and EPA have failed to adequately test and evaluate mercury levels in fish.

To address this problem, Senator Obama introduced two bills - the Mercury Market Minimization Act (S. 3627) and the Missing Mercury in Manufacturing Monitoring and Mitigation Act (S. 3631). These bills would significantly reduce the amount of mercury that is deposited in oceans, lakes, and rivers, which in turn would reduce the amount of mercury in fish.

Defense
With the nation facing unprecedented threats, our military needs to remain the world's best. We must adapt the Pentagon to face 21st century threats such as global terrorists and loose nuclear weapons in the former Soviet states. Senator Obama is working to ensure that the nation's defense capabilities are strong, agile, and prepared and that our troops are provided with the equipment they need.

Destroying Surplus and Unguarded Conventional Weapons
Small arms have caused four out of five casualties in recent conflicts. There are countless caches of older mortars, antipersonnel landmines, and other weapons spread across the globe. These caches are minimally secured and make attractive targets for terrorists. For instance, shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles have hit more than 40 civilian aircraft and killed more than 600 people since the 1970s. The U.S. government's current response to threats from conventional weapons stockpiles is underfunded and divided.

Senator Obama has partnered with Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Dick Lugar (R-IN) to address this looming security vulnerability. In 1991, Senator Lugar helped craft the sweeping Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program to enable the former Soviet Union to safeguard and dismantle its enormous stockpiles of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, related materials, and delivery systems. The program has deactivated or destroyed 6,760 nuclear warheads.

After visiting weapons stockpiles in Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan, Senators Lugar and Obama introduced S. 2566, which would expand the cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons. The Lugar-Obama bill would energize the U.S. program against unsecured lightweight anti-aircraft missiles and other conventional weapons and would strengthen the ability of America's allies to detect and interdict illegal shipments of weapons and materials of mass destruction. Funding would be provided to eliminate unsecured conventional weapons and assist countries in improving their ability to detect and interdict materials and weapons of mass destruction.

Respect for the Nation's Armed Forces
American troops are serving admirably overseas. Senator Obama believes that we need to give them the resources they need when in combat, and the support and services they earned when they return home.

Military Funding
Since arriving in Washington in 2005, Senator Obama has been a strong supporter of defense funding. He has supported the annual Defense Department appropriations bills and supplemental appropriations bills that fund American troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Senator has also supported pay raises for the troops, efforts to improve military readiness, and the acquisition of new weapons systems.

Senator Obama backs efforts to expand TRICARE eligibility and reduce TRICARE premiums so that our nation's service members, Guard members, reservists, and their families can have improved access to health care.

Armored Vehicles
During consideration of the 2005 Defense Department authorization bill, Senator Obama voted to provide additional funding for add-on armor for military vehicles and for additional up-armored military vehicles to help keep our troops in combat safe. According to a report by the New York Times, roughly half of the Army's 20,000 Humvees are fitted with improvised shielding that leaves the underside unprotected, while only one in six Humvees used by the Marines is armored at the highest level of protection.

Health Care
Senator Obama successfully passed legislation in the Senate to force the Pentagon to work towards an efficient electronic medical records system that will help ensure better care for our nation's troops. It is Senator Obama's goal for each separating service member to receive a secure electronic copy of his or her military and medical records at the time of discharge to smooth the transition to the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care system.

Traumatic Brain Injury
As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Obama has been tracking the high incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) among the veterans returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. TBI is being called the signature injury of the Iraq war. Often caused by the shock wave of improvised explosive devices, TBI can result in permanent brain damage. In order to ensure that these returning heroes receive appropriate medical attention, Senator Obama passed legislation in the Senate that requires all soldiers to be assessed for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) after they return from deployments.

Protect Troops from Avian Flu
In 2005, Senator Obama passed legislation that would require the Department of Defense to issue a plan to protect our troops from an avian flu pandemic.

Seniors
As we transition to an increasingly global economy, many Americans are at risk of being left behind through no fault of their own. Among those most affected by these changes are senior citizens, many of whom are on fixed incomes. We need to modernize our social safety net to help senior citizens meet these new challenges, but we also must preserve those elements, such as Social Security and Medicare, that have enabled us to fulfill our moral commitments to our parents and grandparents.

Social Security
Social Security is more than just a retirement plan; it is also a program of social insurance. And it has been one of the most successful government programs in our nation’s history. Senator Obama has fought to prevent the privatization of Social Security, which provides a vital safety net to tens of millions of seniors and Americans with disabilities.

Prescription Drugs
The U.S. is the largest market for pharmaceuticals in the world, yet our seniors pay the highest prices for brand pharmaceuticals. The Medicare Part D Program was supposed to address this problem but instead created a “doughnut hole” which limits drug benefits for seniors with more than $2,250 in annual costs. (Senator Obama was not in the Senate in 2003 when Congress passed the Part D program but would have opposed it.) For many seniors, this is a particularly devastating example of "bait and switch." A truly meaningful prescription drug program should provide a benefit that seniors can understand and count on, and reduce the cost of these drugs. To help lower the cost of prescription drugs, Senator Obama has supported efforts to allow American seniors to purchase prescription drugs in Canada and bring them back to the U.S. He also has supported giving Medicare the ability to negotiate lower drug prices.

Veterans Benefits
Illinois has a large proportion of aging veterans. Unfortunately, Illinois ranked 50 out of 53 states and territories in disability benefits for at least 20 years. As a result of Senator Obama’s involvement, the VA has increased the number of claims reviewers in the Chicago office, providing for a speedier processing of claims. The VA has also increased training which will ensure more consistent decisions. He has worked with Senator Durbin to require the VA to provide veterans in six states, including Illinois, with notification of their rights to appeal any benefit decisions. As a result of these appeals, Illinois veterans are starting see larger benefit checks.

The Administration’s approach to handling veterans’ health care ignores the reality of rising demand on the VA, and it places additional burden on veterans. Three years ago, the Administration established a means test for VA health care eligibility, and it has banned hundreds of thousands of veterans – some who make as little as $30,000 a year – from enrolling in the system. That affects both older and younger veterans. Senator Obama has opposed these changes and has fought for greater funding for veterans’ health care.

Housing Assistance
President Bush has proposed a 25% reduction – $190 million – in the Section 202 senior housing program, which provides affordable housing to senior citizens in developments owned by nonprofit organizations. The Section 202 senior housing program allows seniors to live with dignity and self-determination. There are about 286,000 Section 202 units serving very low-income seniors across the county, and an additional 15,800 units serve low and moderate-income seniors. Senator Obama has supported greater funding for the Section 202 program. He has also worked with Senator Stabenow to increase funding for housing for grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Heating Assistance
Senator Obama has been a strong supporter of greater funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps senior citizens in many Northern and Midwestern states pay their winter heating bills.

Food Assistance
About one in every five elderly Americans is at risk of hunger during the year. For that reason, Senator Obama has opposed President Bush’s proposal to cut food supports, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, that sustain vulnerable families, children, and senior citizens.

Emergency Preparedness
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Senator Obama introduced legislation to prevent another tragedy in which the poor and elderly are left behind during a natural disaster or terrorist attack. His proposal, which was included in the recent port security law, requires states and localities to have emergency evacuation plans in place that take into account the special needs of senior citizens.

Crime
Senator Obama is a strong proponent of tougher measures to fight crime, in particular the growing problem of methamphetamines, which has ravaged many communities in Illinois. He has also advocated providing more resources to local law enforcement officers.

Fighting the Spread of Methamphetamines
Senator Obama cosponsored the Combat Meth Act (S. 103) which provides more money for fighting methamphetamines, tightens up control on the sale of meth ingredients, and provides assistance to children of meth abusers. The legislation would limit access to cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, the primary ingredient used to make methamphetamine. This bill passed the Senate on September 15, 2005, and was signed into law.

Senator Obama has supported greater funding to fight meth through the use of Byrne Justice Assistance Grants. The Byrne Grant program provides important funding to many local Illinois law enforcement groups. For example, the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group (SIEG), a meth taskforce that polices 31 Illinois counties, pays for 5 of its 12 agents through Byrne grants. During Senate consideration of the Department of Justice funding bill, Senator Obama cosponsored an amendment to raise Byrne funding to $900 million in 2006; the amendment passed the Senate.

Support for Local Law Enforcement
Senator Obama has been a strong supporter of efforts to increase funding and support for our local law enforcement. He supported the reauthorization of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program in the 109th Congress (PL 109-162) and supports efforts to increase COPS funding. The COPS program provides local law enforcement funding for: (1) hiring and training law enforcement officers; (2) procuring equipment and support systems (3) paying officers to perform intelligence, anti-terror, or homeland security duties; and (4) developing new technologies, including interoperable communications and forensic technology. Since 1994, the COPS program has funded more than 5,800 additional police officers and sheriffs deputies in Illinois and over $45 million in crime fighting technology assistance.

Sex Offenders
Senator Obama cosponsored Dru's Law (S. 792) which creates a nationwide sex offender database and requires greater monitoring of sex offenders upon their release from prison. The bill passed the Senate on July 28, 2005.

He also cosponsored the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. This bill increases the penalties for sex crimes against children under the age of 12, and creates a national Internet site known as the National Sex Offender Public Registry. The bill will also provide grants to local law enforcement to assist in preventing and investigating sex crimes against minors.

Violence Against Women Act
Senator Obama cosponsored extension of Violence Against Women Act (S. 1197), which passed the Senate on October 4, 2005, and was signed into law. The Act provides increased funds to law enforcement to combat violence against women. It also establishes a sexual assault services program and provides grants for education programs to prevent domestic violence and encourage reporting of abuses.

Security for Federal Judges
After the horrific murder of an Illinois federal judge's mother and husband, Senator Obama and Senator Durbin worked together to beef up security at our federal courthouses. The Illinois senators secured $12 million to improve security for federal judges. Senator Obama also joined Senator Durbin in requesting a Government Accountability Office investigation into additional steps that can be taken to protect judges.

Greater Funding for Chicago
Senator Obama has voted in favor of distributing federal homeland security funds to states and cities most at risk of a terrorist attack. In 2006, Chicago obtained a $52.5 million grant for training and equipping emergency first responders, up 16% from the previous year's $45 million grant.

Immigration
Senator Obama shares the growing public concern about illegal immigration in the United States. The challenge facing President Bush and Congress is how to effectively stop the flow of illegal immigrants across our borders, better manage immigration flows going forward, and deal with illegal aliens who are already living and working in this country.

The Department of Homeland Security recognizes that identifying and deporting 11 million undocumented workers currently in this country would be both logistically impossible and highly disruptive to the American economy. Instead of mass deportations, Senator Obama believes that Congress must pass comprehensive, compassionate reform that reaffirms the rule of law and brings the undocumented population out of hiding.

The Senate Immigration Bill
Senator Obama played a key role in the crafting of the immigration reform bill that the Senate passed in May 2006. The bill, which President Bush supports, would provide more funds and technology for border security and prevent employers from skirting our laws by hiring illegal immigrants. The bill also would provide immigrants who are now contributing and responsible members of society an opportunity to remain in the country and earn citizenship. But not all illegal immigrants would be guaranteed the right to remain in the U.S. under this proposal; they would first have to pay a substantial fine and back taxes, learn English, satisfy a work requirement, and pass a criminal background check.

Senator Obama offered three amendments that were included in the Senate bill. The first amendment strengthens the requirement that a job be offered at a prevailing wage to American workers before it is offered to a guestworker. The second amendment makes it simple, but mandatory, for employers to verify that their employees are legally eligible to work in the United States. And the third amendment authorizes $3 million a year for the FBI to improve the speed and accuracy of the background checks required for immigrants seeking to become citizens.

A final consensus bill must now be negotiated to work out the differences between the House and Senate immigration bills. Senator Obama appreciates the serious ramifications of this issue – for American workers, Illinois communities, and immigrant families. He will continue to work with President Bush, his colleagues in Congress, and the citizens of Illinois to improve the effectiveness of our immigration laws and strengthen border security.

Chemical Plant Security
Illinois has at least 10 facilities where a large-scale chemical release could threaten more than a million people, and an additional 20 facilities where such a release could threaten more than 100,000 people. Despite this, there are currently no federal standards to require chemical plants to protect against terrorist attacks. While a number of plants have taken important voluntary steps to improve security, there are still major gaps, and there has never been a comprehensive security assessment of chemical plants across the country.

Senator Obama, working with Senator Lautenberg, introduced tough legislation to drastically improve security at our nation's chemical plants. The Chemical Safety and Security Act (S. 2486) would establish a clear set of federal regulations that all plants must follow. Plants that are considered a high risk to large population areas or critical infrastructure would face more stringent standards. The bill requires chemical facilities to take steps to enhance security, including improving barriers, containment, mitigation, and safety training, and, where possible, using safer technology, such as less toxic chemicals or safer procedures.

Transit Security
Senator Obama is deeply concerned about the safety of the millions of Americans who use our nation's public transportation systems everyday. Unfortunately, non-aviation security has been under-funded since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, and our subways and buses remain vulnerable. Only days after the July 2005 bombings in London, England, Senator Obama cosponsored and voted for an amendment that would have increased rail and transit security by $1.2 billion. Although that amendment was defeated, Senator Obama remains committed to improving rail and transit security.

Disaster Response
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, improving our nation's emergency planning and response capacity has become a priority for Senator Obama. He has introduced legislation to ensure that the mistakes witnessed before and after Katrina are not repeated in the future. Senator Obama's legislation includes provisions to establish a national family locator system for missing persons, a mobile corps of volunteer health professions, and mandatory planning for the emergency evacuation of people with special needs, including low-income individuals, the elderly, and the disabled.

Terrorism Risk Insurance
Senator Obama cosponsored the extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (which became Public Law 109-144). The Act provides important protections to real estate in large cities such as Chicago.

Nuclear Waste
Within the past five years, three nuclear power plants have reported missing spent fuel. Senator Obama introduced the Spent Nuclear Fuel Tracking and Accountability Act (S. 1194), which would establish specific and uniform guidelines for tracking, controlling, and accounting for individual spent fuel rods or segments at nuclear power plants, including procedures for conducting physical inventories. These provisions were included in S. 864, which passed the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on June 8, 2005.

Drinking Water Security
Senator Obama drafted an amendment, which was included in the Safe Drinking Water Act, which passed the EPW Committee on July 20, 2005. The Obama amendment would provide $37.5 million over the next five years to protect the country's drinking water from a terrorist attack. It also instructs Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control to develop the tools needed by drinking water systems to detect and respond to the introduction of biological, chemical, and radiological contaminants by terrorists.

Education
Obama is committed to providing every American with the opportunity to receive a quality education, from pre-kindergarten to college or vocational school to job retraining programs.

Technology has created a quiet revolution by breaking down barriers and connecting the world's economies. Businesses have the ability to move jobs wherever there is an Internet connection. Countries like India and China start schooling their children earlier, keep them in school longer, and have a strategic emphasis on math, science, and technology. The importance of educating American children for the global economy was the subject of a commencement address that Senator Obama delivered in June 2005 at Knox College.

Senator Obama believes that we must do the same here in America. States and local school districts, as well as parents, teachers, and students must take the lead. The federal government must fund its mandates and assist in identifying and expanding the best programs.

However, there is no substitute for strong parental involvement. Because education begins at home, parents must set high standards and inspirational examples for their children. As a father, Senator Obama believes we need to find the time and the energy to help our kids love learning. Parents can read to their children, discuss what they read, and make time for this by turning off the TV.

Early Education
Head Start is the major Federal program supporting early education. In Illinois, Head Start provides tens of thousands of children with a safe learning environment, while encouraging parents to be involved in their children's education. Senator Obama believes that Congress must increase overall funding for the program, especially funding for Early Head Start and teacher education. He will also work to preserve the essential role of Head Start parents.

Primary & Secondary Education
Local public schools not only educate our students, they often provide a focus for community activity. Local school districts often serve as laboratories for innovation in education, but too often this innovation remains localized. Although the federal role in education is limited, one way the federal government can make the most of its scarce resources is by fostering innovation - identifying the best programs and practices, and helping expand them around the country.

Senator Obama has introduced the Innovation Districts for School Improvement Act (S. 2441). Under this initiative, school districts would submit plans on how they would become centers of reform. Twenty districts nationwide would be selected based on the best plans to increase achievement for all students and put effective teachers in all classrooms. These districts would receive substantial federal resources but would be required to implement systemic reforms and show convincing results.

Differences in learning opportunities during the summer contribute to the achievement gaps that separate struggling poor and minority students from their middle-class peers. Senator Obama introduced the Summer Term Education Programs for Upward Progress Act (STEP UP) (S. 2149) to address the achievement gaps among schoolchildren in the early grades. STEP UP establishes a grant program to support summer learning opportunities to be offered by local schools or community organizations.

Post-Secondary Education
Senator Obama believes that every high school graduate should have the opportunity to go to college or vocational school. Student loans provide critical financial aid for many Americans. Not long ago, financial aid was primarily in the form of grants. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Graduates now have more and more difficulty keeping up with loan payments. At a minimum, our government has the responsibility to ensure that the most affordable and sensible loans are available to our students. But government and students are not the only ones who need to act. Tuition costs have been rising at an average rate of 8% per year, well above the overall rate of inflation. Colleges and universities must also do their part to rein in costs and pass those savings on to students.

To address this problem, Barack Obama's first bill as a U.S. Senator was the HOPE Act (Higher Education Opportunity Through Pell Grant Expansion Act) (S.697), which would help make college more affordable for many Americans. The bill would increase the maximum Pell Grant from the current limit of $4,050 to a new maximum of $5,100.

Veterans
As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama is committed to helping the heroes who defend our nation today and the veterans who fought in years past.

Benefits Disparities
Following reports in December 2004 that Illinois veterans have for decades ranked nearly last in average disability pay received, Senator Obama led efforts to uncover the reasons for this disparity and to correct it. As a result of this pressure, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opened an investigation into the matter, agreed to hire a dozen new claims specialists for the Chicago regional office, and agreed to re-examine the claims of Illinois veterans who felt they have been treated unfairly. Senators Obama and Durbin introduced an amendment that became law requiring the VA to notify Illinois veterans about their right to seek a review of their past claims. The resulting outreach to Illinois veterans in the summer of 2006, led to an increase in the number of Illinois veterans getting the benefits and services they deserve.

Greater Funding for Veterans Health Care
As early as February 2005, Senator Obama warned of a shortfall in the VA budget. Four months later, the VA reported that in fact it had more than a $1 billion shortfall. Senator Obama cosponsored a bill that led to a $1.5 billion increase in veterans' medical care. During the debate on the Fiscal Year 2007 budget, Senator Obama cosponsored measures that would have provided additional funding increases for veterans.

In September 2006, Senator Obama introduced the Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act (S. 3988) to improve the VA’s planning process to avoid budget shortfalls in the future. The bill requires the VA and the Department of Defense to work together and share data so that we know precisely how many troops will be returning home and entering the VA system.

Homeless Veterans
Every year, 400,000 veterans across the country, including an estimated 38,000 in Chicago, spend some time living on the streets. Senator Obama has been a leader in fighting homelessness among veterans. He authored the Sheltering All Veterans Everywhere Act (SAVE Act) (S. 1180) to strengthen and expand federal homeless veteran programs that serve over 100,000 homeless veterans annually. During the debate on the Fiscal Year 2007 budget, Senator Obama passed an amendment to increase funding for homeless veterans programs by $40 million. These funds would benefit programs that provide food, clothing, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and employment and housing assistance to homeless veterans.

In June 2006, Senator Obama introduced the Homes for Heroes Act (S. 3475), which would expand access to long-term affordable housing for homeless veterans by setting aside $225 million to purchase, build or rehabilitate homes and apartments for veterans. The legislation would also greatly expand existing veterans rental assistance programs and create a new office within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to coordinate services to homeless veterans.

Food for Recovering Soldiers
Senator Obama introduced an amendment that became law providing food services to wounded veterans receiving physical therapy or rehabilitation services at military hospitals. Previously, service members receiving physical therapy or rehabilitation services in a medical hospital for more than 90 days were required to pay for their meals.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and TBI
Senator Obama fought a VA proposal that would have required a reexamination of all PTSD cases in which full benefits were granted. He and Senator Durbin passed an amendment that has become law preventing the VA from conducting a review of cases, without first providing Congress with a complete report regarding the implementation of such review. In November 2005, the VA announced that it was abandoning its planned review.

Senator Obama passed an amendment to ensure that all service members returning from Iraq are properly screened for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI is being called the signature injury of the Iraq war. The blast from improvised explosive devices can jar the brain, causing bruising or permanent damage. Concussions can have huge health effects including slowed thinking, headaches, memory loss, sleep disturbance, attention and concentration deficits, and irritability.

Easing the Transition to the VA
Senator Obama passed an amendment that became law requiring the Department of Defense (DOD) to report to Congress on the delayed development of an electronic medical records system compatible with the VA's electronic medical records system. DOD's delay in developing such a system has created obstacles for service members transitioning into the VA health care system.

In September 2006, Senator Obama introduced the Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act (S. 3988) which would help veterans transition from the DOD health system to the VA system by extending the window in which new veterans can get mental health care from two years to five years. The Lane Evans bill also would improve transition services for members of the National Guard and Reserves.

Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Feb 20, 2008 12:37:27 PM
Words...just words? I guess he doesn't have any words. He should have borrowed some from Gov. Deval Patrick.

Posted by: Jared | Feb 20, 2008 12:40:57 PM
Saw this live last night and it was really painful to watch. I had to mute my TV several times. I have met Kirk Watson before and voted for him in 2006. He's a good guy but obviously unprepared for Chris Matthews. However, it was a fair question and he should have done his homework.

For the record, Mr. Matthews will go after anyone (depending on the day and his mood) regardless of party affiliation.

Posted by: kirkyo | Feb 20, 2008 12:42:24 PM
Barack Obama's short time in politics has been spent with his eyes on the US Presidency. He is a blank slate.

Chris Matthews is known for asking direct questions and expecting direct answers. Chris Matthews doesn't take kindly to people who use the answer time to "tell a story" that in no way answers the question. Unfortunately, that is how Barack Obama answers questions even during a debate.

Posted by: PacificHeights | Feb 20, 2008 12:44:19 PM
I LOVE this. It is exactly what I have been saying. People L-O-V-E Barak, but cann't say what he's accomplished. How can you endorse someone when you don't know what he's done? How do you know he will do something that will make you proud?

He is an EMPTY SUIT.

Posted by: dc-20008 | Feb 20, 2008 12:45:02 PM
Jimmyboyo loves the cut and paste, doesn't he???

That bullshit cut and paste is a bunch of hyped up glory speak. My sister worked with him for over 2 years in Chicago, she witnessed first hand how he would try and take the credit for items he had absolutely nothing to do with.

Why don't all you supporters take a bus trip to Chicago and visit the actual people that have worked with Obama over the years, not a select few who he had personal relationships with to smooze. Better yet, why doesn't the media do its job and ask the past Obama co-workers what the real deal is.

The people who worked in the trenches with him don't look favorably on him or the way in which he operated.

Posted by: timshep | Feb 20, 2008 12:50:25 PM
He is an empty suit. He gives pretty speeches that make people feel good. He grabs people with emotion, not with realistic courses of action.

I find it amazing that when people have legitimate reasons to criticize his vagueness, they are portrayed as "hate mongers", "going for jugular", etc. Barack Obama is the man behind the curtain in The Wizard of Oz.

Posted by: SBS | Feb 20, 2008 12:54:37 PM
Um, just being objective here, but here's the exchange that occurred directly afterwards:

Olbermann: In defense of Sen. Obama and also in context, can you name one accomplishment of the US Senate in the last seven years?

Matthews: That’s a broader question requiring a larger preparation.

Olbermann: Yeah, you don’t have an answer to that one either. (Studio laughs)

Matthews: Let me say…but you know what, Keith? They should be able to make some points..

Olbermann: I’m not disagreeing with you on that…In two weeks, Chris …

Matthews: And I’m not here to defend the US Senate, he’s here to defend Barack Obama and he had nothing in his—he had nothing to say. That’s a problem.

Olbermann: In two weeks, Chris and I will have complete coverage of the primaries in Ohio and Texas, at which point I’m expecting a written reply to may…

Matthews: Why do you think they call it Hardball?

Olbermann: Alright, but this isn’t Hardball, we’re doing election results. (more laughter)

Matthews: Well, you know…it’s late at night…

Posted by: banjiboi | Feb 20, 2008 12:55:47 PM
I thought I read it says "comments", not "cut and paste". Start your own website Jimbo if you want to regurgitate the Obama spin in the comments section. This is supposed to be the area for Towleroad fans to leave OUR COMMENTS.

So my comment....fuck off jimbo

Posted by: troy | Feb 20, 2008 1:04:21 PM
He was responding to the criticism that Obama has done nothing. Cut and paste job it may be, but its certainly not irrelevant or uncalled for.

Gee, people certainly are vehement this election.

Posted by: Wes | Feb 20, 2008 1:10:01 PM
In response to Andrew, who refered to Clinton as a backbiting bitch - i see this sort of thing from Obama supporters all the time. They are supposedly supporting Sen. Obama because of his positive message, his hopefulness, and because he is not divisive, like Hillary. And then they don't hesitate one bit in calling her a bitch - or worse.

As for the clip, no it does not say anything about Obama's qualifications or achievements. It does, however, provide a perfect example of the hysteria that has swept across the democratic party. So many people think Obama can turn water into wine, while they know virtually nothing about him, much less taking the time to compare his rhetoric to his resume. Even worse, he fans the flames, comparing himself to JFK and MLK . Frankly, I don't care to have another president in office who thinks he is Jesus.

Posted by: Jay | Feb 20, 2008 1:13:37 PM
Ooo, I can smell Springtime politics nasty-funk in the air!

Let's not forget that they are both politicians, and as such, they both spin facts favorably towards themselves. They both have pretty similar voting records. Both voted for the continuation of Bush's tax cuts. Both voted to confirm Roberts and Alito to the Supreme Court. If you're a Democrat, chances are you'll vote for whichever one secures the nomination, despite these two facts. And even if you, personally, don't, most of the rest of us will.

Hear that sound? It's the sound of scales falling from the eyes of millions of Democrats. I would like to believe that things will be kept civil within intra-party debate and campaigning, but then I remember that this is politics and scold myself for such wishful thinking.

This clip serves as a good reminder that a) five minutes with Google will save you a lot of embarrassment and b) mindless groupies of any stripe are kind of annoying.

Posted by: AG | Feb 20, 2008 1:14:02 PM
ANDY please edit the cut and paste crap of Jimbo...like the obama campaign it is smoke and mirrors and catchy slogans without substanse...which is WHY HE LOSES IN DEBATES.
Obama is US PR/Marketing supreme. And didn't we Democrats make the same mistake when we nominated Kerry last time?

Posted by: MCnNYC | Feb 20, 2008 1:21:25 PM
Timshep wrote: "The people who worked in the trenches with him don't look favorably on him or the way in which he operated."

Not sure what you're basing that on, Timshep, but as someone who works in affordable housing in Chicago, I can tell you that the vast majority of people who worked first-hand with Obama organizing on the South Side are now his most ardent supporters.

Chris Matthews just needed to get that clip on the record so he can go on with his man-crush. The State Sen from TX was just ridiculously unprepared, and the potential damage to the Obama camp should not be underestimated.

But as irritating as it was to scroll past jimmyboyo's cut-n-paste, if you think Obama has no legislative experience, READ IT.

Shut up and read it.

Posted by: Jeff | Feb 20, 2008 1:21:48 PM
Hermes In DC:

To clarify: I never quoted Mr. Cloud as saying big fucking deal. It's a common practice amongst any writer novice or otherwise that if you're going to attribute a quote, you'd do so by inserting quotation marks around the phrase, which I did not do, so it was my intent and hope that the sentence would be taken as purely my own interpretation and opinion.

With all due, I do see how the remark could have easily been miscontrued.

Posted by: banjiboi | Feb 20, 2008 1:22:43 PM
Funny, I watched this excange last night and I thought, all I know of Hillary's record is her failures. I found out she had a lot to do with legalizing Plan B today but mostly I know of her not getting health care reform and votes for wars. Then of course are all her husband's failures, DOMA, DADT, NAFTA etc. Hmmm.

Posted by: Jersey | Feb 20, 2008 1:26:47 PM
Jeff,

Shut Up is what you tell me. Is that how you get your way in politics?

What exactly do you do in affordable housing in Chicago? Do you work on the Federal level, State, Local, Apartment manager, Leasing Agent???

I have worked in the FHEO Department of Hud, so I'm pretty familiar with most areas of affordable housing.

Since you claim to work in affordable housing, what is the greatest accomplishment Obama has done since arriving in the Senate (working with both sides of the isle like he promises) to help the affordable housing issue?

Posted by: timshep | Feb 20, 2008 1:44:12 PM
Obama borrows speeches, and apparently several of you borrow the phrase "empty suit." See, it's easy! Don't forget to credit each other when you steal terms, or Hillary will come after you too.

Posted by: hal | Feb 20, 2008 1:53:28 PM
People on here make me sick when they make generalizations based on one piece of information. You see one interview and immediately brand all Obama supporters as clueless! You're so full of shit!

Here are two street interviews - same reporter, same day:

Obama supporter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kica8hmSdAM&feature=related

Clinton supporter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htD8v2t81h4&feature=related

The Clinton supporter didn't know shit about his candidate, the Obama supporter had more insight. Some of Clinton's supports are voting for her solely because she is a woman with no idea of her legislative record!

There are educated and clueless supporters on BOTH sides. That is how it has always been and it won't change anytime soon.

Posted by: soulbrotha | Feb 20, 2008 1:53:53 PM
MCNNYC says: "ANDY please edit the cut and paste crap of Jimbo...like the obama campaign it is smoke and mirrors and catchy slogans without substanse (sic)"

Last time I checked free speech still exisits. Andy would never deny one of his readers that right.

Posted by: tegs3 | Feb 20, 2008 2:05:06 PM
The Obama haters are kicking a dead horse they can't see. The dead horse? The fact that most Americans, democrat or republican or green, or libertarian, etc, doesn't know much about politics.

People believe Obama is an empty suit because they never bothered to actually look at his life and record. They don't want to. Because if they do, they'll have to actually give him some consideration. Same for many Obama supporters in accordence with their attitude towards Clinton.

Most Americans go for the candidates personality and some particular issue that vexes them. And right now, people wants Obama's personality, and the issue that vexes us is Change.

Posted by: Astonedtemple | Feb 20, 2008 2:06:06 PM
Ooops! I meant to publish my response to Hermes In DC on another post.

I guess that's what I get for ho - I mean, post-hooping!

Posted by: banjiboi | Feb 20, 2008 2:16:49 PM
Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy. While frustrated with your perpetual hardons for ephemeral polls, I have been impressed with your attempts to not deal with personality issues or attack Sen. Clinton simply as Sen. Clinton.

But Matthews' [whose sexist hostility to Sen. Clinton is well-documented] request was "give me some legislative ACCOMPLISHMENTS."

"Sponsored, cosponsored, voted for, supported, supports, introduced, fought for, would do this, would do that, believes, etc., etc., etc." are NOT accomplishments. Strip the boilerplate you copied from Obama propaganda down to what he's actually accomplished, done, gotten passed, and there would be very little left. Much of what he takes bows for in the US Senate are things that Sen. Clinton could take equal bows for such as cosponsoring the [HIV fighting] microbicide research bill.

And you left out these parts of his record:

While allegedly caring so much about affordable health care, I'm aware of nothing he's done to stop the so-called non-profit hospital his wife is a VP from marking up the cost of their patients' medications 525% — shamefully high even for an industry known for its greed. They cleared over a 100 million dollars in profit last year.

Sen. Obama has increased his words of love and concern for non-Harvard educated, poorly paid American workers since populist Edwards withdrew and recognizing Sen. Clinton's similar appeal to such voters. But when he was smearing Sen. Clinton for having once served on the board of Wal-Mart [where she was known as a pain-in-the-neck for having demanded they treat their women employees more fairly] during the SC debate, he failed to mention that, until a rare non-Obama hynotized reporter revealed it, his wife was on the board of Treehouse Foods, one of Wal-Mart's biggest suppliers. Mrs. Obama, who is still being fairly criticized for saying she didn't become proud of being an American until a black man was being seriously considered as a Presidential candidate, resigned.

But back to his accomplishments, or should I say non-accomplishments:

Obama lied to "The Advocate" when he said he was a "chief cosponsor" of the Illinois LGBT rights bill. He was too busy running for US Senate to take a few seconds out of campaigning to sign his name.

Obama lied to "The Advocate" when he said he "passed" the Illinois LGBT rights bill. He was even able to vote for it as by then that campaign had sent him to Washington.

Not technically in his legistlative record, but it was something of an accomplishment to get Illinois voters to believe he would keep his oft-repeated promise not to run for President until after he'd served his full six-year Senate term. Shelflife of promise? Three years.

Obama lied to audiences in Iowa when he said he had passed a bill regulating the nuclear industry in Illinois.

Sure, he supported three gay rights bills that died in committee, just as he supported the nuke bill that was killed by parlimentary procedures, but that's not an "accomplishment" whereas getting his supporters to still believe in him when he lies about passing them, well, accomplishment is too small a word.

Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Feb 20, 2008 2:23:28 PM
What are you Hillary supporters going to do WHEN Obama gets the nomination? Hillary has no chance.

Posted by: Gregoire | Feb 20, 2008 2:29:35 PM
Who goes on a show like that without their information all lined up? Goddamn.

Posted by: oakling | Feb 20, 2008 2:34:50 PM
Thank you very much, Jimmyboyo. I think your list really puts this whole non-issue to rest.

Posted by: Miles | Feb 20, 2008 2:46:00 PM
Thank you Gregoire. All of these glassy eyed Clintonistas are on the attack because their girl, whose Senatorial accomplishments include voting for war in Iraq, is going to lose the nomination. Go on guys, if you hate Obama so much, go ahead and vote for McCain in November. But don't expect him to do you any favors when it comes to your basic civil rights. Obama goes to black churches and rails against homophobia...do you have any idea what that means, what kind of personal integrity that takes? Obviously not.

Posted by: R | Feb 20, 2008 2:57:49 PM
Jimmyboyo:
You stated:
"Senator Obama passed an amendment to ensure that all service members returning from Iraq are properly screened for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI is being called the signature injury of the Iraq war. The blast from improvised explosive devices can jar the brain, causing bruising or permanent damage. Concussions can have huge health effects including slowed thinking, headaches, memory loss, sleep disturbance, attention and concentration deficits, and irritability."
what was the name/number of this amendment?
it sounds like he sponsored and passed it all by him self...wow, that is awesome!!!

Posted by: findlay | Feb 20, 2008 3:03:04 PM
Isn't anyone concerned about Hillary Clinton getting involved in heath care again?! I mean her stuff was DOA the last time.

Posted by: Brandon | Feb 20, 2008 3:03:36 PM
I'll tell you two things he DIDN'T do:

He didn't vote to authorize this disastrous war.
He didn't vote to pass the Bankruptcy Bill which was nothing more than a big fat present to the Financial Industry which was already making record profits...*

His opponent voted for both and continues to dole out any all money Bush demands to keep the Iraqi war going.

Posted by: McQ | Feb 20, 2008 3:18:18 PM
Jimmyboyo: While I commend you for the research about legislative action in the past several years, it should be noted (in fairness) that those bills have long lists of co-sponsors. Indeed, Hillary appears in those lists.

Posted by: Robert | Feb 20, 2008 3:27:09 PM
I just want to point out the electability argument.

Barrack Obama won his Senate seat because the man he ran against, Jack Ryan, had a scandal going on and dropped out of the race, not because he had a huge win over an incumbent.

Before that, he unsuccessfully tried to unseat Rep. Bobby Rush, the South Side Democrat in 2000. The congressman trounced him 61 percent to 30 percent, even though it looked promising in the start of that election.

Hillary was elected twice with large margins in New York, and no, not all of New Yorkers are democrats.

If the Obama supporters think he is just going to walk into the White House easily, you're mistaken. The assualts from the Republicans haven't even started.

Posted by: daniel | Feb 20, 2008 3:27:16 PM
I see 2 sane people on here. I of course do not list myself in this group.

:-)

Michael and Robert Thank you both for being level headed.

Robert, I have never made a claim that Hilalry hasn't sponsored, cosponsored, passed legislation.

To the others who have turned out to be upset with the very info they demanded

You demand one thing.............GET IT............then cry with even with one demanding censorship

Clinton has many wonderful qualities. Many of her supporters are great people. The rest wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww You are not doing her any favors

Have a nice day

I look foreword to working with all of you to fix america after bush/cheney with Obama as our next president. It is impossible for hillary to win from this point on. She needs 63-67% wins in texas and ohio. Texas is now margin of error territory and Ohio just saw SUSA's poll today say that since last week obama has cut her lead in half to only 9% with 2 more weeks to go.

I feel for you. Your emotions are wapped up in your candidate, but it is over.

When you do finally realize this fact then I and many other Obama people will be waiting with open arms to embrace you and to take the fight to mccain.

Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Feb 20, 2008 3:42:54 PM
Yeah, I notice that Andy chose not to mention the smackdown that Olberman gave Matthews directly following his sniper attack. I watched it live and THAT was when the studio burst out laughing, not before. Olberman asked Matthews to name an accomplishment of ANY Senator in the last few years and Matthews stammered, hemmed and hawed and then said he would need to do more research. THEN the studio broke out laughing.

Secondly, I noticed that Matthews didn't ask the same question of the Hillary supporter and as she laughed and gloated over her opponents surprise attack she said, "He can't come up with one thing that Obama has done, whereas Hillary has done MANY things while Senator." MANY things is not very specific. I suspect if she had been sucker punched she would have been unable to come up with specifics either.

Posted by: Zeke | Feb 20, 2008 3:44:06 PM
"The assualts from the Republicans haven't even started."

Who needs Republicans when you've got Clinton supporters fighting your battles for you?

Posted by: Danmac | Feb 20, 2008 3:47:10 PM
I've noticed Andy's posts of late seem to favor Clinton. Nothing wrong with that, but obviously Towleroad should not be seen as objective, as it's not. With good reason - it's one person's (excellent) blog.

I have concerns about Andy posting about the so called plagiarism of Gv. Duval's words by Obama. This story was explained very quickly by Obama and Duval and there is an earlier clip of an old Obama speech where he credits Duval's words and laughs, saying that it was about time he borrowed some of Duval's words since the Gov. "shared" some of Obama's best lines during his gubernatorial race.

Plagiarism is such a serious accusation and Obama clearly is a great writer, both of books and speeches. I feel that this issue was a total storm in a teacup and I'd much prefer to have my daily dose of Towleroad minus the cable news, ratings generated spin cycle (of EITHER candidate).

Andy, if you support one candidate over another, I believe it is time to show your hand. This blog is an influential and widely read forum, but, as it's formed solely by your editorial opinions, it requires clarity. Major newspapers endorse candidates and still attempt to show balance in their reporting, but that endorsement gives readers a sense of how the editorial opinion might be shaping the content.

Posted by: Danmac | Feb 20, 2008 4:01:47 PM
TO ZEKE, SOMEWHERE DEEP WITHIN THE OBAMA BORG HIVE:

You're shamelessly, disingenuously changing the subject. The subject is not Matthews because he's neither running for office himself nor someone campaigning for someone who is like Kirk Watson. What he knows or doesn't know about who's accomplished what is not the subject.

Speculation about what the woman supporting Sen. Clinton might or might not be able to say is not the point. Your attempt to distract by that is typical political spin. I can speculate that Matthews was so stunned that an elected official who'd agreed to come on his show to promote Obama couldn't come up with a single thing to say when someone finally asked a question about SUBSTANCE that he ran with that.

And THAT is the only thing we know for a fact—not even a professional politician, beyond the average mesmerized Obamaite off the street, could name ONE thing Obama has accomplished.

And the issue is NOT his accomplishments, and even I agree there are some, but that Obama is riding a wave to the nomination generated almost entirely by a personality cult. And that's no reason to vote for anyone.

As for the asssertion by R, Jessica H. Christ--Obama goes to black churches and rails against homophobia..."????

I beg you---pull your head out of his ass before you suffocate! He has NEVER "railed" against homophobia ANYWHERE. The word, on those rare times it is ACTUALLY used, is always hermetically sealed from any idea that his audience actually CHANGE their behavior in ways that will result in finally allowing us legal equality.

Rail??? He hasn't even come close to the fury of Donnie McClurkin screeching "GOD DELIVERED ME FROM HOMOSEXUALITY" on the stage that Obama paid for after introducing him as one of his favorite performers.

THIS is the kind of self-delusional myth that makes Obama's campaign, whatever real virtues it has, and there are some, ultimately so FRAUDULENT! He's dropped the gay word here and there and you giving him credit for fucking leading us to the Promise Land.

Shall I spell it out in your hand for you? OBAMA IS NOT THE MESSIAH. No one who even WANTS to be SAVIOR FOR THE GAYS would bald-faced lie about what he's already done for us as OBAMA nakedly, shamelessly, coldly, smile fuckingly playing us for stupid and getting away with it did when he told "The Advocate" he'd sponsored and passed a gay rights bill in Illinois.

FORGET Hillary. Forget even McClurkin. Don't come back with sexist crap about Billary or DOMA or DADT or anything else when, again, the issue is what OBAMA is about. I'll believe every other piece of bullshit propaganda any Obama supporter wants to spin but TELL ME HOW THE FUCK YOU CAN EXCUSE HIS FUCKING LYING ABOUT THAT?

Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Feb 20, 2008 4:05:10 PM
Poor Andy - two weeks ago i accused him of Hillary bashing. I guess the shoe is on the other foot. Thank you, Andy and keep up the good work!

Posted by: James in Chicago | Feb 20, 2008 4:06:26 PM
I'm 100% convinced Bedwell is here to turn people against Hillary. Every time I read his posts, I reread Obama's record and positions and then drink another gallon of his kool-aid.

Posted by: astonedtemple | Feb 20, 2008 4:16:32 PM
Michael

I am going to have take that sane comment.

The cussing isn't cool.

Zeke has shown himself to be a very sensible and kind poster/ person. Even if you 2 totaly disagree, there is no need to go there.

Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Feb 20, 2008 4:22:12 PM
take "back"

Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Feb 20, 2008 4:24:11 PM
A day that will go down in infamy....I agree with Michael Bedwell.
Obama went from a state Senator(who wouldn't take a stand on any of the really tough issues facing Illinois, voted *present* instead) or voted *no* on issues of importance to the poor and later said he *meant* to vote *yes*(thats like my shitting on your forehead and saying *sorry* I meant to shit on your chin).
Now that he's the frontrunner he will finally get called out on his record or lack of it. Reporters may be Liberals, but they are reporters first and a good story trumps preferred canadate any day.
Jimmy....your list means diddly squat....there is not 1 single piece of legislation that Obama actually drew up and most of what you cited he didn't bother to vote for. As to not voting for the war....well, he wasn't in the Senate then or he most likely would have.
I'm sorry, but 6 years as a do nothing state Senator then 103 days as a U.S. Senator dosen't make you qualified to be President of the U.S. in what is going to be some of the toughest years we, as a nation will ever face.
I rarely agree with Hillary, but she's right, good speeches won't solve our porblems....I want to hear plans, not platitudes.

Posted by: Joshua | Feb 20, 2008 4:24:49 PM
Wow that tired "present vote" meme rears its ugly head again. Joshua, have you looked into that accusation? The IL chapter of planned parenthood itself came up with that tactic to give moderate republicans cover to vote down attempts to impose parental notification for abortion and other ridiculous anti-abortion laws (I can't use the term partial birth abortion as it's bullshit) The head of planned parenthood bemoaned how that accusation is being used against him when the tactic worked so well for them. Clinton is a slimeball for using that to attack Obama.

Posted by: Jersey | Feb 20, 2008 4:40:58 PM
And Zeke, baby. It's hardly a "sucker punch" to ask a STATE SENATOR what the candidate he supports for president has accomplished in office.

Please.

Posted by: jmg | Feb 20, 2008 5:10:12 PM
I looked at the yahoo political dashboard today and it looks like Obama is inevitable.

I'm also 100% sure the Hillary supporters here are going to turn into McCain supporters...after changing their names if they have class.

:)

Posted by: astonedtemple | Feb 20, 2008 6:22:12 PM
amazing the number of people here who take all this furor as journalism. asking a STATE senator from TX to list the legislative accomplishments (as if being a legislator was some sort of privileged leader!) of a candidate may be a "fair" question, but adopting that sissy butch SIR appellation was pure theatre, through and through. it's TV, people. the "hardball" franchise is fishing to get itself in the news & blogosphere - and like the Sex Pistols of '77 - mission accomplished.

perhaps Watson should have been better prepared - and who's to say he wasn't? Perhaps - given some benefit of the doubt - the guy was caught off guard initially and then couldn't regain his composure - hence the deer in the headlights reaction. (if you've never had the same feeling at some point in your own lives, then perhaps you're not living as fully as you should)

finally - this WASN"T "Hardball". A different show, a different context and a different host who wouldn't have let Chris Matthews rampage for his won ego. Watson is immaterial - how well he represented Obama is obvious, but it doesn't have anything to do w/ the candidate himself. merely the messenger.

pity that one can't say that about the (newly?) svelte Mr. Matthews. Once a media whore - always a media whore. May your passing go unnoticed by the agents of the ether, Chris.

Posted by: resurrect | Feb 20, 2008 8:09:52 PM
It is absolutely hilarious how apoplectic Clinton supporters have become over the last few weeks and even knocking it up a notch over night.

Definitely shows the the kinds of personalities attracted to the Clintons' campaign.

O8AMA!

Posted by: audiored | Feb 20, 2008 8:13:07 PM
I am tired...been on the road....but here some new thoughts/rampblings that I respectfuly submit.

Chip Arndt

There are often times in history when the ability to communicate a message and connect with people is the first step, and most important step, to being a leader to create change, adjudicate new laws, or convince "aged white stalwarts" to move to a new way of thinking.

The ability to inspire people and make them, once again, believe in themselves as agents for change, as opposed to a being politician that represents themselves as the sole agent to change is important to think about.

Senator Clinton simply has not connected the dots with the "mood" today in the American electorate. As I have said many times to people, half of winning elected office is representing what you will do in office and the other half is reacting to the mood of the times and understanding what the people are yearning at the time your are running for office.

Senator Clinton is qualified, a hard worker, a good person, an incredible debater and a caring mother. And she does have more accomplishments than Senator Obama.

But what do the Ameriocan people want right now? It seems to me that 50% of the formulae to get elected the Clinton Campaign has failed to address, namely to realize that the US Democrats voting in primaries and caucuses are asking for a candidate that inspires each of us to do our part while "she/he" works hard to do his part in Washington, without a legacy of back biting and bitterness.

They are asking for a different way to govern and approach issues, which unfortunately the highly intelligent and cerebral Senator Cliton does not possess. She will always defer to a management approach which is rugged and tough. That may have worked at another time in history but not today. Is she qualified, of course, does she inspire people to be better, of course (for some...but not enough), and does she create an unexplicable aura of "the possibility that we can do anything" that people like Tiger Woods, Brett Favre, John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Ghandi, Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, Larry Kramer, and many others exude. She comes close....but not close enough. Is this wrong? I don't know. Is this right? I don't know. Is this what is? Yes.

Many people who write on this blog are "liberal", Which is wonderful, but you represent about 20% of America that actually vote. Disclaimer: I am a moderate, maybe too a fault, so shoot me.LOL

Senator Obama is, in my humble opinion, trying a new formulae of politics that we have not seen in a while. Many of you just don't like what he is doing, and frankly never will, albeit trying to reach out with an olive branch to bigots whom otherwise are the enemies of the LGBT community. This includes, people, pastors, and politicians who simply want to see the LGBT community wiped off the face of the earth (maybe) or sent to our own island.

For many of us in the LGBT community, and I have asked Larry Kramer about this year's ago, "might" want the exact same thing of those aforementioned bigots.

So where does that leave us?

Do we compromise to create change, do we not talk to the "biggots" as Bush has suggested we simply don't taklk to Iran. Maybe...that is an approach. But it is certainly one we have not taken consistently, what about: China? (of cousre we should not talk to them with their human rights record), Cuba?, Russia? Jordan? Do we revolt in the streets and burn down the houses of those who otherwise desire us dead?

Or do we create change and movement on social issues by compromise "WITH A MESSENGER THAT FITS THIS STYLE OF MANAGEMENT", even if it comes with a heavy heart knowing that everything that we want to accomplish for the LGBT simply, and realistically, will not be done. Why? We are voting for a President of all of the people not just the LGBT community. Does this mean I and we stop fighting, of course not, does that mean that we work with a candidate that has clearly inspired people to come together, I think so.

There is no one way to create and initiate change. We all know it takes activists, moderates, and working with many others who you simply don't like. This is the USA and "dictating" change from my history lessons does not happen often in the USA. (Side note: for those who bring up the Civil Rights Act, Prohibition and the repeal thereof, the right to vote for women -- 777 Ammendent...etc....you all have very valid points that this is a very effective way to create change, but this is not Obama's way...and you can fault hinm for that, but you can't fault him for understanding that people today want his approach and not Senator Clinton's).

From reading the posts, many in the TowleRoad family believe that the best leader is one whose list on accomplishments is long. True enough, accomplishments are important to show that you can do things within the group you are working with, but does it answer to the ultimate ability to communicate on a grander scale?

Do accomplishments in passing bills for lower medicare costs, or more relief for victims of Katrina, or the passage of hate of the Matthew Shepard Act, equate to the one's ability to inspire people far and wide who never will read or know about, or even care about, those said accomplishments.

And do people candidly believe that "...because Senator Clinton worked on health care for many years as First Lady..." makes her the expert on passing universal healthcare? Can there only be one person who is able to pass legislation to afford the LGBT community more rights?

Many of you believe that Senator Obama will abandon us because he has not specifically addressed what he would do for gay people in front of a non gay audience, I do not believe that he will. Why do I say this? Do I have something pledged in blood? No. Has any candidate pledged anything for us. No. I beleve this simply because I have been with him three times in Miami, New York and Los Angeles and believe he will coordinate his own approach to legislative change in helping the LGBT community. Am I naive, many might say so, but I would, in the end of the day, disagree as many of us have strategized with Senator Obama on how to help the gay community over the past 12 months and that did not translate to identifying an agenda for of legislative initiatives for the LGBT community in the primaries. Disengenious....you may say that....or political reality? Does this mean Senator Obama will do nothing if elected President for the LGBT community, some believe so...I don't believe so.

All Presidents have wonderful advisors and Obama will have those, as would Senator Clinton...so where does this leave us and what is the majority of the American electorate reacting to to date?

Senator Obama has wonderful people in his corner, Senator Clinton has wonderful people in her corner...but Senator Obama has what many of you simply don't like to see as an asset, and are determined to see as a fault, namely that of a leader USA needs a leader who can inspire to be better people and in turn he takes than mandate to create change in Washington DC and America.

Chip Arndt

Posted by: Chip Arndt | Feb 20, 2008 8:27:03 PM
so sorry for typos...I got off of a plane from overseas today...and am exhausted. We forge ahead, and I hope that my general thoughts make some sort of sense.

Chip Arndt

Posted by: Chip Arndt | Feb 20, 2008 8:38:31 PM
Yes, Chip, Obama inspires. People like you and then:

>>>>Bedwell, you have done nothing but attempt to pick Obama apart for the past several months. ...

It is clear at this point that Obama will be the Democratic nominee. Unless you want to further besmirch by association the reputation of your good friend Leonard Matlovich, I sincerely suggest you re-examine your goals in this process and get with the program.

Posted by: 24play | Feb 20, 2008 12:46:36 PM>>>24...you have stunned even cynical me by stooping to the slime of suggesting that I'd better "get with the program" or risk "besmirch[ing] by association the reputation of" my late close friend Leonard Matlovich. How dare you? If you were anyone to have accomplished, sacrificed, given, suffered anything in your life remotely compared to him you would be writing under a name we might recognize rather than a ridiculous nom de Net like 24play.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Leonard's excrutiating death by AIDS. Barely a month before he died by my side he was speaking for gay equality, against antigay BIGOTRY in the pouring rain in Sacramento. A year before that he was arrested protesting in front of the White House. Please be so kind as to take your ruthless hands off my friend's memory, and return to your usual level of illiterate and incoherent demonization of anyone who doesn't bow to your God Obama. Or is threatening me with a firing squad next on your demagogue's list of punishments for those who won't "get with the program"?

Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Feb 20, 2008 5:25:54 PM>>>>Bedwell,

...it's only because I hold your dear departed friend in such esteem that I can only question what he ever saw in you. I don't know what Obama ever did to you to inspire this never-ending flow of irrational vitriol. But I repeat: You're a repulsive embarrassment to Matlovich's memory. Being such a firm believer in guilt by association, you should maybe ponder the harm you do to his memory.

Posted by: 24play | Feb 20, 2008 5:38:52 PM<<<<<

Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Feb 20, 2008 9:12:36 PM
With 8 years in the Illinois Senate, Sen Obama will have had an impact on the state. As a Jr US senator with only 2 years under his belt and with much of 2007 on the campaign trail I cannot see any major accomplishments occuring. Introducing a piece of legislation is just the first step and all 100 senators introduce dozens of bills or sign on to some one elses legislation.
good oratory and large crowds of high schools students must not be allowed to be the deciding factor in this race. Sen Obama is ahead with the support of independent voters, who like those in Wisconsin can walk in election day and vote for any candidate. Sen Obama has the media drooling over him and the print press reporting him through rose tinted glasses. Give the republicans the next 8 months and Sen Obama will be no more fresh, or shinny as John Kerry was after Karl Rove and the swift-boaters tore him a new butt hole. Hillary Clinton is the true street fighter and she can duke it out with the GOP slash and burn machine. She can win!!!!

Posted by: David in Iowa | Feb 20, 2008 9:45:19 PM
Wow, I'm very surprised at the nasty comments and mud slinging. We're not the enemy everyone, as adults I would like to read comments with healthy and respectful disagreements, not f*&k you this, and shut up that.

Personally, I like both candidates. I was a Clinton supporter, but as a diabetic I am nervous on her stance with health care reform. Clinton has received funds from various pharmaceutical companies (that fact is even mentioned in Michael Moore's "Sicko") so I am weary of her true allegiances. However, I do praise her for her commitment to the environment, witnessed by her achievements in bringing hydrogen fuel cell GM vehicles to the military in upstate NY army bases. Clinton is a fantastic debater with a lot of political experience and accomplishments. Obama is a breath of fresh air, and a lot of people are forgetting he IS rather young in the political world. Obama may not have produced a novel of accomplishments but he certainly has made an impact and effort. Discounting him so readily would be tantamount to discounting Bill Clinton in 1992 when he ran for office (Clinton was reprimanded for being inexperienced then, however, as Obama, Clinton utilized his inexperience to his advantage).

In the end, Clinton and Obama are great candidates with very different background. Both may offer different political perspectives. However, I AM very disappointed in the Towleroad community. It seems everyone is playing along to the media's fiddle in pitting Obama and Clinton against one another. For shame.

Posted by: Cory | Feb 20, 2008 11:00:24 PM
Oh, and as for Chris Matthews, I have NO respect for him. He's a patsy with a hardon for the the RNC, and after watching him fall all over Ann Coulter when she laughingly referred to Clinton and Gore (and Edwards) as "fags" I wanted to beat the piss out of him. As for the studio laughter, the only laughter I heard was when Olbermman took Matthews to task with the same question.

In the end, the public should start demanding ACTUAL politics and not over sensationalized headlines. What has Matthews proven in this "direct" questioning? Nothing more than he is an ignorant as the people he claims to grill. The media needs to take responsibility for their actions and start being balanced, there is WAY too much pandering and bias in journalism. What happened to the days when news organizations had to present BOTH sides of a story impartially? Oh, I forgot, Rupert Murdoch and News Corp/Fox News owns the media now. Tsk.

Posted by: Cory | Feb 20, 2008 11:07:46 PM
I am absolutely stunned by the vitriol and AD HOMINEM attacks that Democrats are launching against Democrats over the DEMOCRATIC nomination.

We don't need to worry about the Republicans. They're gonna laugh their asses off right back into the White House.

Notice how the regular Log Cabin Towleroadies have stayed COMPLETELY out of these discussions? There's a reason. They're howling over how we are going to destroy EACH OTHER before we ever get to our convention.

At the very least can we limit our criticisms to policy differences and leave out the childish personal attacks?

Who ever wins the nomination there are going to be A LOT of people here who are going to have to eat their words and support a candidate that they once painted as the devil incarnate.

I would be ecstatic with EITHER of the candidates as our nominee and ECSTATIC to have EITHER of them as our president.

I have a preference but I'm not going to attack (personally or otherwise) someone who prefers the other. I treat McCain supporters with 1000 times more respect than some of you (on both sides) treat other Democrats. I honestly don't understand the mindset of such people or their overall strategy for turning the White House BLUE in November.

I don't think these "scorched earth", slash and burn campaigns for the nomination are the best strategy to winning in November.

Posted by: Zeke | Feb 20, 2008 11:52:34 PM
Cory, I agreed with your posts until the end of the second one. I'm no huge fan of Chris Matthews, but his question was legitimate, given the highly common concerns---reflected in comments here and many other places---about Obama's record.

But I definitely share your disappointment with the level of discourse. About 98 percent of us seem to be liberal Democrats, and fighting over two viable candidates would have been inconceivable a few years ago. (I saw John Kerry in an aiport last week and wanted to punch him. Least inspiring candidate EVER.) If we get a ticket that contains (in whatever configuration) Obama, Clinton, or Edwards, I see limited prospects for the elderly, not especially healthy, inconsistent McCain. We should be celebrating, because it seems impossible that even the Democrats could lose this contest. (Save an entry from the loathesome Ralph Nader...)

Hell, I wouldn't be crushed even if McCain won. Not my ideal, obviously, but also not an embarrassing moron like our current Great Leader. It would be far from ideal, but still a great change. And regardless of your favorite candidate, this country obviously needs a lot of change!

Posted by: Paul R | Feb 21, 2008 12:00:32 AM
Compare accomplishments between Obama and Clinton. And this only takes into account their time in the US Senate.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/20/201332/807/36/458633

Obama had a huge impact on Illinois regarding ethics reform and more importantly reform of the criminal justice system in that state.

Posted by: audiored | Feb 21, 2008 12:06:37 AM
Blowhards, all of you.

Posted by: ger | Feb 21, 2008 1:06:36 AM
@ZEKE

Alas, there's someone who has studied understands the Republicans' play book.

Thank you for your comments.

I, myself, have just recently taken my head out of the fluffy pink clouds and given serious thought as to what the real fight is going to look like months down the line.

And something in the milk ain't clean.

Posted by: Banjiboi | Feb 21, 2008 10:14:24 AM
"studied and understands"

Posted by: Banjiboi | Feb 21, 2008 10:16:12 AM
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Barack Obama | Chris Matthews | Election 2008 | Keith Olbermann | News

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