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FacebookCaucus 2008:
Top-dog Dems look the same — until you drill down
How they would tackle education, immigration, Yucca Mountain, health care and online gaming would affect all of us in Nevada
Thu, Jan 17, 2008 (2 a.m.)
2008 Caucus Coverage
- Caucus Guide: Biographies, Issues Overview and a how to caucus video.
- Political blog: Continuous updates
- Interactive: Candidate Selector and Trivia Game
- Caucus Locator: For Democratic locations, or GOP sites.
The three front-runners in the Democratic presidential race are in general agreement on some of the biggest issues facing the country.
New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama favor health insurance for everyone, seek reform of the No Child Left Behind Act, oppose the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository and want comprehensive immigration reform.
But there is nuance to their views on these issues, and outright disagreement on others. What follows are summaries of the candidates’ positions on six key issues.
Concern about the economy -- which has moved to the forefront of the nation’s conversation -- is especially acute in Nevada, which leads the nation in the rate of foreclosures. Economists say the foreclosure crisis is leading to a credit crunch that could help spur recession; some say Nevada is in an early recession.
The Bush administration last month negotiated a bail-out plan with lenders that has been criticized as too limited: It freezes the interest rates for certain borrowers for five years -- providing relief for some homeowners but leaving out most homeowners at risk of foreclosure.
Clinton: Freeze interest rates for all subprime borrowers for five years, send $30 billion in relief to communities affected by foreclosures to pay for financial counseling and legal assistance and help communities offset the social costs of foreclosure. Encourage mortgage backers Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, as well as state housing finance agencies, to help homeowners refinance unworkable mortgages.
Edwards: Freeze interest rates for all subprime borrowers for seven years. Adjust bankruptcy laws to allow homeowners to renegotiate their loans. Require lenders to negotiate with borrowers facing foreclosure. Create a government fund to provide temporary payments or bridge loans for families in trouble. Improve government oversight of lending companies.
Obama: A government fund for foreclosure relief, including $10 billion for immediate foreclosure counseling and loan refinancing and $10 billion for community services. Adjust bankruptcy laws to allow homeowners to renegotiate their loans. Improve enforcement and regulations to reduce foreclosure fraud. Identify consumer-friendly credit cards.
— Alexandra Berzon
The topic is especially relevant in Clark County with the proposed merger of the state’s largest health insurance company, Sierra Health Services, with national behemoth UnitedHealth Group. If unconditionally approved by the U.S. Justice Department, the merger would give United a large enough market share to raise the cost of premiums and lower reimbursement payments to doctors, opponents say.
The three presidential candidates promise to introduce public health plans that can improve competition and rein in insurance companies by regulating their premiums and barring them from refusing patients because of preexisiting conditions.
That is easier said than done because radical reforms are fraught with political pitfalls.
About 47 million Americans are without health insurance, and the cost of their care is borne by the entire system.
Clinton: People can keep their existing coverage, choose from private health care options provided to members of Congress or pick a public plan similar to Medicare. Emphasize prevention and technology improvements. The government should fund independent research to compare the effectiveness of drug treatments.
Edwards: All Americans should be insured by 2012: Businesses would cover employees or help pay for their insurance; the government would increase federal support of Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and states would create nonprofit purchasing groups that offer a choice of competing insurance plans to promote affordable care and offer options between public and private plans. His plan would require new revenue.
Obama: Improve technology to reduce waste and prevent errors, saving a typical American family $2,500 a year. Improve prevention and care for chronic conditions; increase insurance industry competition and reduce profits, and offer a national health plan for individuals -- with subsidies for middle-class families -- that will turn no one away and provide all essential services. Unlike his opponents, Obama would not force people to get health insurance.
— Marshall Allen
Education
The federal No Child Left Behind Act, President Bush’s education reform law, requires schools to show that “adequate yearly progress” has been made by their students, including minorities and children from low-income families. The goal is to have 100 percent of students performing at least at grade level in reading, writing and math by the 2013-14 academic year.
The Clark County School District has struggled under the law, but this year was the only one of the nation’s five largest urban districts to make “adequate progress.”
Schools that fail to meet the annual benchmarks face sanctions, including loss of funding and potential state takeover. Republicans say the law has brought accountability to classrooms and raised professional standards for teachers. Democrats say the law has never been adequately funded, making it impossible for individual districts to meet the many demands.
The law is up for reauthorization this year.
Clinton: Excessive standardized testing stunts student creativity. The law must be overhauled and full funding must be reinstated for career and technical education, college preparation and mentoring programs. Funding is also needed to help reduce class sizes in the nation’s most crowded urban districts.
Edwards: The law’s measure of academic success must be broadened beyond standardized tests. States must have flexibility in implementing reforms. Teachers working in high-poverty schools should get $5,000 bonuses. A national teacher university should be created to recruit and train top college students for jobs in schools and subject areas with the highest need.
Obama: Improved assessments are needed to accurately and fairly track student progress. The law must be fully funded, so that the accountability system supports schools in need of improvement, rather than just handing down sanctions. Math and science should be national priorities, summer learning opportunities should be expanded and English-language learners should get help.
— Emily Richmond
Nuclear power and Yucca Mountain
The Democratic front-runners oppose the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.
But there’s no such consensus about the role of nuclear power plants in supplying America’s future energy needs.
Clinton: Calls herself “agnostic” on the question, but has questioned a growing role for nuclear power if there is uncertainty about how to deal with its radioactive waste.Edwards: Opposes nuclear power because of uncertainty about how to dispose of the waste.
Obama: Explore nuclear power as a part of the energy mix.
— Phoebe Sweet
Internet gambling
The federal government has long considered Internet gambling illegal, though many gambling advocates say the law against it -- designed to combat bookmaking activities by the mob in the 1960s -- didn’t envision the Internet and applies only to sports betting.
A few big companies like MGM Mirage and Harrah’s Entertainment have supported efforts to legalize Internet gambling, but the concept lacks broad support.
The American Gaming Association has been reluctant to push for legalization, instead supporting a bill to study whether Internet gambling can be regulated. Some say this is a necessary first step so the enterprise can gain legitimacy.
The association represents land-based casinos rather than the companies now operating Web casinos from offshore, locations far from the reach of U.S. regulators.
Though the right to gamble has never been a pressing issue for most Americans and it may be years before Congress takes up the issue again, some industry experts say legalization is inevitable because of the potential tax revenue now going offshore to a thriving underground economy.
Clinton: Supports the industry’s position: to study Internet gambling to see whether it can be fairly regulated so that individuals can safely participate in it and American businesses can compete in the international market.
Edwards: Opposes legalization, doubting it can be controlled.
Obama: Worries that the Internet is “a Wild West of illegal activity”; supports a study of Internet gambling and supports regulation to address the worst abuses.
— Liz Benston
Estimates put the number of undocumented immigrants in the Las Vegas Valley at 75,000 to 150,000; many have family members who are citizens among the valley’s 450,000-plus Hispanics.
Little separates the candidates on the question of immigration; each calls for the kind of comprehensive immigration reform that withered in Congress last year:
a pathway to legalizing many of the nation’s estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants, plus stronger law enforcement and border protection and a plan for future workers.
That proposal would have allowed millions of undocumented immigrants to become citizens if they paid a fine and learned English. It also would have strengthened borders and created a program for future workers.
Clinton and Obama voted for the bill in June.
— Timothy Pratt
To see more issues and how the Democratic candidates stand on them, check out the Sun's caucus guide.
Discussion: 59 comments so far…
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The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
THANK YOU Dems for electing Hillary. As a REPUBLICAN, nothing makes me happier than seeing a Republican run against Hillary Clinton. NOTHING unites the Republicans more than Hillary Clinton and this will give us a GREAT chance of winning the general election. THANK YOU DEMOCRATS:) You picked the most experienced candidate in 2004 and we demolished him and we will do the same to Clinton. She will be no match to Hukabee/McCain or McCain/Hukabee or Hukabee/Guiliani ticket. People of the country want a fresh and genuine face and Hukabee is that face for Republicans and he can beat the old timer Clinton in the general for sure. Republicans will turn out in droves across the South once they see that Hillary is the opponent. Thank you Dems for electing Clinton! Go Hillary Go:)
Barack Obama for President of the UNITED States of America.
I don't even have to read this to know its biased. The repetitive order of discussion Clinton, Edwards, Obama purposefully diminishes Obama so I know this is a pro-Clinton article. This is consistent with most of the Sun's articles. Always look for multiple sources of information before making a conclusion. All mainstream sources have a bias that must be recognized. Every candidate has a web site, if you truly want to understand where each candidate stands on each issue, take a look at their web site.
Obama's campaign is the only one funded by nuclear power consortiums, backers of Yucca Mountain. That should have been in this article. He would promote nuclear power if elected. That's why they are giving him the money.
Though her campaign has been relentless in attacking Obama's plans for our country, the truth is that there isn't a lot of difference on their stances on Iraq, the economy, terrorism, healthcare or the other important issues. The big difference between Hillary and Barack is that Hillary will mobilize Republican voters and will not be able to win over the independent voters needed to win in November. This makes a vote for Hillary (to borrow a phrase from Bill Clinton) "a roll of the dice."
Sooner or later, Americans must realize that to have any realistic plan to eliminate dependence on foreign oil, nuclear power, along with solar, wind and bio-diesel or other synthetic fuel must all be part of the mix.
If most "U. S. Americans" would pay attention to what countries like Brazil and France are doing with bio-fuels and nuclear power, respectively, we would see that both countries are far ahead of us with regard to "fuel independence."
Barack Obama is trying to tell you all something that you NEED to know and that you may not like to hear, but in the end, he is right. This is one of those tough decisions that a real president has to make.
Unless you like rising gas, fuel oil, utilities costs, unless you personally stand to profit from them, we need to make some serious changes in how we fuel our country, and in exchange do much better at fueling our economy.
Here's the diff: Clinton tells you what you WANT to hear. Obama tells you what you NEED to hear. Vote your needs over your wants.
While we are in our worst economy in decades, we have democratic Presidential candidates acting like Republicans, wanting to push us further in the hole with their "economic" plan. Currying further favors for Big Business and Corporations, instead of the PEOPLE. Obama is talking about MORE TAX CUTS and Small busines. This further takes money from our government and middle class. That does NOT help Middle and lower income. This is Dubya all over as we are seeing-yet again, Bush is now talking more tax cuts to stimulate the economy. GIVING TO BUSINESSES DOES NOT STIMULATE THE ECONOMY...AS CURRENT PROOF SHOWS.
WE NEED JOHN EDWARDS. CLOSE THESE CORPORATE LOOP HOLES. Build up the working class.
As these Corporate candidates keep giving to businesses, the people keep hurting. Citibank shipped so many jobs over seas, got their tax breaks and shelters and LOOK WHERE WE ARE. Now, the few jobs left in this country, we risk losing 20,000 jobs. HELLOOO.
Again, the WORKERS, THE BASE OF OUR ECONOMY hurts. Add this to the housing problem. OMG. More for the elites. My sister just received word last month from Chase that her bonus was now going to end. And then this month, Chase Bank announces they've hired former PM Tony Blair PART TIME for a ONE MILLION DOLLAR SALARY.
WHO ARE THESE POLICIES HELPING?
Forget keeping, HELP Bring back the PROMISE to America.
John Edwards, for the people, not the powerful.
Real Change on REAL ISSUES.
I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that you FORGOT TO INCLUDE JOHN EDWARDS POSITION ON NUCLEAR PLANTS.
Not fair.
John Edwards will NOT allow any more Nuclear Plants be built. PERIOD. As he acknowledged in even the debate, when Hillary tried to play an "I GOTCHA", when he voted in 2001 for Yucca, reports came out later that the information used for that Bill was falsifed and untrue and not complete. We've learned much more since then. And THAT IS ANOTHER REASON HE DOES NOT SUPPORT Nuclear Plants. We have no way to store the toxic chemicals from it, besides that it is an incredible waste of money that does not give a good return on energy. BUSINESSES want it....Like Obama's big donor, Exelon, that has given him $250,000.00 so far.
John Edwards is the PEOPLES candidate. This is what America has been asking for, REAL representation. So don't vote for the Corporate pushed Front Runners.
John Edwards for America
Chuck Todd: "I Thought Edwards Gave the Best Presentation." "On the perception front, I thought Edwards gave the best presentation; he may have been a little light on speaking time, but in this intimate forum, his skill of making every one of his answers personal to the viewer shined through very well."
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2...
Chuck Todd: "Head vs. gut on first economic answer…Edwards made the answer personal and talked about people; Clinton talked about the problem in more technical terms." 9:45: "Watching both Edwards and Clinton handle this first economic question really shows the difference in their personalities. Edwards made the answer personal and talked about people; Clinton talked about the problem in more technical terms. A head vs gut answer; both campaigns are probably pleased with the contrast." "Head vs. gut on first economic answer,"
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2...
Rachl Maddow from Air America Radio:
It boils down to these choices, why you would vote for these candidates:
Hillary for the party
Obama for him and his personality
Edwards power for the people.
Speaking of purse issues and policy, vs record. This is one of the clearest yet, on who a candidate will put first, Corporate donors, or the people.
On that Bankruptcy Bill that passed in to law in 2005 that was brought up in the Debate. Only Clinton and Obama were in the Senate to vote against it. And they did. BUT what they didn't mention was an important piece that was SEPARATE from that Bill. It was an amendment to CAP interest for the Less Priveleged debtors to 30 percent maximum. OBAMA DID NOT SUPPORT that, believing financial institutions should charge as much as they want.
How is that fighting for the people?
John Edward for America!
Do not give up and vote for Hillary as the status quo. Do not hope that Obama can beat the Republican nominee. The media blitz for these two candidates has been playing into the Republicans hopes of retaining the White House for another four years. Nevada can make the difference this year!!
John Edwards has consistently shown that he has the biggest statistical advantage over all of the Republican candidates. John Edwards can win the national election, ensuring that this will not be a repeat of elections of 2000 and 2004. Do not inject doubt into the election by nominating an barely electable national candidate.
Caucus for John Edwards this Saturday and make him the front runner!
Nothing makes my republican father's face light up like hearing that his republicans will face Hillary Clinton. He says that is the one person who could unite the republicans in the November election.
He actually likes Obama enough that he would vote for him! He said Obama reminds him of Bobby Kennedy who he liked very much, and thinks Obama could bring the nation together.
He says anyone but Hillary! Hillary will keep the nation divided and stagnent in elected into office. He really hates her.
If my father says he would actually VOTE for a democrat in my lifetime when he never has before, thats enough to convince me that Obama is the right one to support!
Obama Unites the nation! My father is living proof!
Lets move forward, not backwards!
Hey slbk! Got any proof of your power consortium claim? No! Because it's totally untrue, in fact, it's illegal. Hillary's slimey reference was to donations to Senate campaigns, where, in Illinois, both Obama and Keyes rec'd equal contributions and Hillary rec'd even more in power company money than Obama in both of her New York Senate campaigns. And guess what? The people that gave money to Hillary's campaigns are the same power companies that brought you Three Mile Island. For a former First Lady, she is running a sleeze filled campaign, and you seem totally willing to spread the lies, slbk. Thanks. Hope you're proud of your icky self.
Nevada can save the country from eight more years of GOP hell by giving John Edwards the momentum he needs.
Neither Obama or Hillary can win in Novemeber. John Edwards can win and would take the country in new direction.
If you are concerned about the growing wealth gap, the decline of the middle class, the enviroment, your own ability to afford health care, and America's place in the world John Edwards is the only candidate to even consider.
Edwards 2008!
Do we really want the Scandel ridden Clintons back in our white house...Just remember..Ken Starr, Monica Lewinsky, Linda trip! Nafta...that took all of those American jobs away!
Bill got oral from an intern in the oval office...He lied under oath " I didnt have sexual relations with Mis lewinsky" and was up for impeachment!
They are liars and power hungry!
The problem is that George Bush has been such a total disaster, that he makes the Clintons look good by comparison!
Do we really want these people representing our country to the rest of the world. They are not change..they are the same tired BS! Lets go forward, not backwards.
I want a man of character, and class. A man who is inspiring, and hopeful for our future.
Obama is the clear choice, and could take our country in a new direction that we havent seen in 40 years.
Please vote with your heads, and think this through!
As I watch Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail, I find them increasingly a study in contrasts, their differences evident not only in the things they say but in the fundamental nature of their respective campaigns. Hillary Clinton wants to be America's manager-in-chief, and her campaign shows it. Clinton '08 is a strictly managed affair from the top down, and that is how decisions are made: from the top down. Among Clinton's high profile backers is Martha Stewart, and Clinton '08 has all the earmarks of a Martha Stewart campaign, a campaign with not so much as a throw pillow out of place. In fact I should imagine that if one were to compare one of Clinton's speeches to a Martha Stewart address before a gathering of potential investors, one would find very little difference. Barack Obama, in contrast, wishes to lead by inspiring; and he has already demonstrated the ability to inspire many thousands across the United States and indeed around the world. If Hillary Clinton represents the market-model, managerial mentality of the 1990s, Obama seems to recall the political and social leaders of the 1960s, as many have observed - leaders who believed likewise that leadership was about more than just managing bureaucracy. None of America's greatest presidents are considered great because of their bureaucratic management skills. Abraham Lincoln's authorship of the Emancipation Proclamation was not an act of effective bureaucratic management, nor was JFK's dream to put a human on the moon by the end of his decade. If Barack Obama were not in possession of the basic skills required for the job he seeks, he would not have come as far as he has. Obama possesses far more, however, than the ability merely to be our chief pencil pusher.
I find it very disturbing that Mrs. Clinton claims to know how to make tough decisions. Her experience has suggested that her tough decisions have found her name attached to every scandal in the Clinton Whitehouse, - "Whitewater, Filegate, and Travelgate." No other First Lady in History has had their name attached to every scandal under the presiding President, but Hillary. This is indeed disturbing. No?
Hillary's BOGUS claim to have the "experience" to be president: * She FLUNKED her bar exam TWICE in Washington DC, then moved to Arkansas and passed it there * She practiced PATENT LAW her whole career in Arkansas (this is NOT experience to be president). * She was First Lady. Is this experience to be president? Shall we nominate Laura Bush for president? Perhaps we should nominate Laura Bush, at least she doesn't have the high negative poll numbers that Hillary does. * She is now NY Senator, but has been spending all her energy for years preparing for and running for the nomination for President, so she's experienced at running a (CORRUPT) presidential campaign, but THIS ISN'T EXPERIENCE TO BE PRESIDENT !!! By the way, Barack Obama has more years in ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICE than Hillary has. He was State Senator in Illinois for 8 years, and has been U.S. Senator for the last 3 years. That's 11 years in elected public office. Hillary has had 6 years !!!
MMM... Many Obama "supporters" are Republicans. The Conservatives have already labeled him as "Liberal" after John Kerry endorsed him. Carl Rove said that Obama is more liberal than Clinton. Republicans will vote for a black Liberal. Give me a break. This is just a Republican scheme to divide the Democratic Party.
Republicans will not vote for Obama in the general election if he is nominated. They will make up lies about him and attack him like what they did to John Kerry 4 years ago. Look at what the Republican candidates are doing to each other now. The Republicans are the masters of negative Campaigns. They are the real Status Quo in Washington. Look at what King George W has done to America in the past 8 years. The last thing America needs is 4 more years of the Republican Empire.
RADIO AD SCRIPT:
Announcer:
There’s a big choice to make on Saturday.
For years, one politician after another -including President Bush- has come to Nevada making promises about the nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, but they’ve all been broken.
So who will shut down Yucca Mountain once and for all?
Hillary Clinton
The Las Vegas Sun says –quote- “Of the three candidates, Clinton… showed real courage, real leadership, and real solidarity with Nevada in voting against Bush’s Yucca Mountain plan.”
John Edwards voted to keep Yucca Mountain open… twice. Once Edwards even voted to keep it open over President Clinton’s veto.
And Barack Obama? The Las Vegas Review Journal said Obama was –quote “hip deep in financial ties” to one of America’s biggest Yucca Mountain promoters…nuclear giant Exelon.
So if you want Yucca Mountain shut down for good, there’s only one choice…the one the Sun called –quote- “the best prepared, best qualified candidate.”
OBAMA "FACT CHECK":
OBAMA HAS CONSISTENTLY OPPOSED USING YUCCA FOR PERMANENT NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE
Obama Spokeswoman Said That States Shouldn’t Be Burdened With Others’ Waste. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported, “The Obama campaign said Monday the candidate did not accept money from Exelon's lobbyists. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the letter shows Obama ‘doesn't believe any state should be burdened with storing the waste from others as long as the state has a storage site to deal with its own waste.’” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 5/15/07]
Ø Obama Wrote “I Have Always Opposed Using Yucca Mountain As A Nuclear Waste Repository.” In 2007, Obama wrote, “I want every Nevadan to know that I have always opposed using Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste repository, and I want to explain the many reasons why I’ve held that view. In my state of Illinois, we have faced our own issues of nuclear waste management. There are some who believe that Illinois should serve as a repository for nuclear waste from other states. My view on this subject was made clear in a 2006 letter to Sen. Pete Domenici, who at the time was chairman of the Senate Energy Committee. ‘States should not be unfairly burdened with waste from other states,’ I wrote. ‘Every state should be afforded the opportunity to chart a course that addresses its own interim waste storage in a manner.’ That is a position I hold to this day when it comes to both Illinois and Nevada.” [Obama Letter To The Editor, Las Vegas Review Journal, 5/21/07]
3/23/07: Obama Said He Was Opposed To Plans To Build A Permanent Nuclear Waste Repository At Yucca Mountain. The AP reported, “Obama said he was opposed to plans to build a permanent nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The senator, whose home state has the most nuclear reactors in the nation, suggested he might support regional dump sites.” [AP, 3/23/07]
CLINTON HAS TAKEN THOUSANDS FROM NUCLEAR POWER PLANT OPERATOR NRG ENERGY AND NRG CEO DAVID CRANE IS A BUNDLER FOR THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN
Clinton Has Accepted Thousands In Contributions From NRG Energy Inc., Which Is The First Company To File An Application For A New Nuclear Power Plant In The United States Since The Three Mile Island Accident; Clinton's Position On Nuclear Power Has Confounded Critics Who See A Contradiction In Her Opposition To Yucca But Not To Expansion In Nuclear Power. "At a South Carolina town hall in February, Clinton expressed concerns about waste disposal but noted that 'nuclear power has to be a part of our energy solution.' Clinton has accepted thousands in contributions from the nuclear industry, including nearly $80,000 in this election from employees and a PAC of NRG Energy Inc., the first company to file an application for a new nuclear power plant in the United States since before the Three Mile Island accident." [AP, 11/13/07]
David Crane, The President And CEO Of NRG Energy, A Nuclear Power Company, Has Raised At Least $100,000 For Clinton And Made A $4,600 Contribution. David Crane, a "Hillraiser" for the Clinton campaign, is the president and CEO of NRG Energy Inc. Crane donated $4,600 on March 31, 2007 to Clinton's campaign. NRG Energy Inc. is the first company to file an application for a new nuclear power plant in the United States since before the Three Mile Island accident. [Center for Responsive Politics; AP, 11/13/07; White House For Sale]
NRG COMMITTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE
NRG Committed $5 Million To The Clinton Global Initiative In The First Year And $175 Million Total. [Clinton Global Initiative]
CLINTON ONLY RECENTLY CALLED FOR ACTION ON YUCCA MOUNTAIN AND NO PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE
Clinton Justified Previous Inaction On Yucca Mt. Issue, Saying It Was "A Waste Of Time To Ask Questions" To The "Republican-Controlled Congress."
Senator Inholfe Questioned Clinton's Opposition To Yucca Nuclear Repository Because "She Was Missing In Action" For Repository Hearing. Senator James Inhofe, R-Okla., challenged Hillary Clinton's promise to "not go forward" with the proposed Nevada nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain because she failed to attend 2 nuclear waste hearings held by her committee on Environment and Public Works. Senator Grey said: "When Senator Clinton had the opportunity to ask 'hard questions' of administration officials about Yucca Mountain, she was missing in action."
Jan 16, Las Vegas
So, it seems either Senator Obama is unaware of our past, from yet another many examples, or he is trying to rewrite history. Trying to actually infer, people voted for Reagan because they just wanted to feel good, too. Like that's all he has to offer.
Now on the campaign, Senator Obama actually states:
"I don't want to present myself as some sort of singular figure. I think part of what's different are the times. I do think that for example the 1980 was different. I think Ronald Reagan changed the trajectory of America in a way that Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not. He put us on a fundamentally different path because the country was ready for it. I think they felt like with all the excesses of the 1960s and 1970s and government had grown and grown but there wasn't much sense of accountability in terms of how it was operating. I think people, he just tapped into what people were already feeling, which was we want clarity we want optimism, we want a return to that sense of dynamism and entrepreneurship that had been missing."-Barack Obama
Only problem is, we remember the horrible Trick Down Economics and the start of the projbect for the NeoCons, and the decline that has lead us here.
AND, the TRUTH and REALITY is not because of excesses from decades before, PLEASE, and was not for a goodie goodie messaage, but one of FEAR and Threats with Cold War, Middle East, Gas wars, And Iran Hostages. Now surely Senator Obama has a bit better memory than he is showing. And should not stoop to such low levels for political gain.
King George and his mentor Dick Chenney are pro oil and pro Nuke. Oil price has more than doubled since he was crowned. Americans are paying twice as much on gas than 8 years ago. President Clinton cleaned up the mess left by Bush Senior and turned huge Budget Deficits into a surplus. King George squandered all the money in an endless war and turned the surplus into record deficits. History doesn't lie.
For those who are pro Nuke, where are you going to store all the radiative waste? In your backyard?
Some hard data on Budget deficits:
In 1992, it was $290 billion. In 2000, there was a surplus of $236 billion. The deficit was $413 billion in 2004, a record.
For those who are pro Nuke, where are you going to store all the Nuclear wastes other than Yucca Mountain? In your backyard?
Despite protests to the contrary, Saint Obama the Uniter has actively sought an opportunity to inject race into the 2008 campaign leading into Nevada and South Carolina. He couldn't find it, so they first went with "fairy tale" being racist to describe one of Obama's positions. Hardly racist. Then his campaign picked up on Clinton’s MLK comment and misinterpreted it. He needed to trick and incite African Americans, while distancing himself enough personally so as not to be obvious to whites, Hispanics and others.
Obama is a con man.
He needs to keep in mind, however, that if his race is going to held out as a reason to vote FOR him, it must also be a valid reason to vote AGAINST him. He can't have it both ways. I hope his disgusting race games ultimately crash his campaign.
BARACK OBAMA LIED TO NEVADA:
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2P0sGcy1...
Hannity, Rove and every other conservative is bashing Clinton at every opportunity and praying Obama gets the nomination. They know they can win against this lightweight state senator hack (I discount his whopping two years of federal experience because all he done since being elected to the U.S. Senate is posture and campaign for the presidency).
Republicans don't want to go up against Clinton, and in particular, American women.
People are all over the place on issues. I say pick a young person who has the energy to take on all these big issues. Someone with fresh eyes who is engaging young people. The babyboomers are all going to retire and the next generation has to learn how to take over. The policies made will impact them the most. Show the world that equality and the melting pot of America isn't just talk. Put you vote where your mouth is
Vote for Barack Obama
(Removed by the site staff)
Are you Kidding me they want Hilary to win because they have so much from the past to put against her. Obama has a clean record shes looked. I respect him, her comes into my lunch establishment in D.C. and he refusses lunches from anyone he pays his own way and with his own cash. He is honest and kind and one of the best customers.
We are being asked to vote for president a man with "a NON-NEGOTIABLE commitment to AFRICA..Shouldnt we be voting for a President Of the United States Of America with a NON-NEGOTIABLE commitment to AMERICA???
Barack Hussein Obama gets a free pass with the media because they are afraid he will throw the race card at them next.
Get real people.
When did "youthful drug use" become a positive phrase??
Selling drugs and using drugs no matter what age is a crime. Elect an addict - choose Barack Hussein Obama
Yes, there is race and gender in this election, but there should be more to it than that. What about patriotism???" One of the candidates belongs to a church that is "a congregation with a NON-NEGOTIABLE commitment to Africa"..See Trinity United Church Of CHRIST..Click onto its ABOUT US..It is a fact, not rumor!! It is their Exact words..
Free pass from the media? hahaha. He has been acussed of starting a race war.--He actually only responded once when he said "Her comments were ill advised" and then the media ran days worth of stories about a race war, we saw hillary's biggest supporters, and her aging husband, on tv everyday talking about barracks teenage drug use and his attempt to make it racial. You call that a free pas, I call it a Crucifixion.
They call Obama an inexperienced Green Back, but he has 11 years of politcal experience, he started as an illinois senator in 1996-that's a fact. He spent his young life serving the poor, elderly, and fighting corporate corruption -- http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/....
And this whole time, he has refused to sink to the amazing depths that hillary has( Seriosuly Hillary, are insane? Suing the cullinary union--and you call yourself a democrat...smells more like bush in here).
Obama loves America and loves the American people, and it is genuine. Use your critical thinking and dont be swayed by the lies and soundbites of the media -- read this article on Obama's real political experience and make up your mind for yourself!
If you wanna call yourself an American!
If you truly support Obama, then spread this article to everyone on your email list. Let his record and his years of selfeless service to the American dream speak for itself. Remember, we are only seperated from every other person in the world by 6 people. Send it to every American you know. Truth will always trump lies, so don't be afraid. Stand for truth in these dark times and let's take our country back from the elites.
Time Magazine - Obama's Political Experience
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008
Obama's Varied Record
By AP/CHRISTOPHER WILLS
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/...
BARACK OBAMA LIED TO NEVADA:
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2P0sGcy1......
NEVADA CANNOT TRUST OBAMA OR EDWARDS TO STOP NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE AT YUCCA MOUNTAIN!! HILLARY CLINTON HAS SAID NO TO YUCCA MOUNTAIN NUCLEAR STORAGE THE PAST 7 YEARS! VOTE HILLARY FOR NEVADA SAFETY!!
Obama is the ONLY candidate who proposes allowing anyone to buy into the federal employee's health system, which is the best there is and is a single payer system. Until we go to at least a single payer system like the rest of the civilized world we'll never get health care costs down or rank higher than 55th (and sinking) in the world for quality of health care.
No Clinton 3rd Term!
To have a woman sworn in as President of the United States would be such an amazing and beautiful, historic sight. I think the fact that men like Bush have run our country, into the ground, has made this amazing opportunity that we now have before us that much sweeter.
Women have been told to sit down and shut up for too long! It is time for a woman to take charge and show the world she can lead our great nation as good or better as any man. I like Barack Obama, he has a good message, but he is a "dreamer", Hillary is a "doer" and the best woman to come along in our history for the job. There may not be a chance like this again for a long time. Obama is very young still and there is plenty of time for him to learn the ropes and run again in the future. Hillary is ready to lead right away, she already knows exactly what to do and you can't buy or "dream" experience.
Hillary is such a valuable asset to America that we are so very fortunate to have at this moment in time when all of our people so desperately need the kind of caring a woman like her can bring immediately, care we can rely on to be there. The timing could not be more perfect. There is always time for the rest, but right now is Hillary's time, while we still have her. Hillary has my vote all the way!
Sure, Obama's plan allows people to buy into the federal employee's health system, that is the privileged ones who qualify for it. Hillary's plan covers ALL Americans no matter how poor and especially the poorest and all of the middle class. Obama's plan is nice if you have the money to afford it, but Hillary understands much of America is bankrupt and she cares about everyone, not just the ones who have money. There is no comparison, Hillary wins this issue easily. Hillary all the way!
Hillary is playing dirty politics. She lies. She passed a flier around in New Hampshire and in Nevada scaring people into believing Obama is going to create a 1 trillion dollar tax increase to fund Social Security. FALSE. He only said he'd consider "raising the cap" to $200,000. Currently SS tax is only on those who make $97,000 a year or less. "Clinton, of all people, should know this. She was there, in the White House, when her husband signed the 1993 budget -- which conservatives and the media pilloried as a major tax hike."
Hillary has been fast and loose on the facts by stating that Obama's health plan left out 15 million. Her's leaves out 1% and Obama's about 2-3%. See factcheck.org.
She and Bill Clinton both have lied on her Iraq vote. On meet the press she tried to make it sound that she voted on Sen. Hagels bill which stated congress needed to authorize a war. But Bush rejected Hagels for another and Hillary voted yes on it.
I don't want a president who purposely twist the facts to slander her opponent or to win votes. This isn't politics as usual. I WANT CHANGE. If she is lying and misleading voters now, what do you think she'll do as president?
Hillary is a farce riding on her husbands resume. Bill was elected promising universal health care. The Congress was democratic. Eighty percent of the public was behind it. The economy could easily support it. Yet her program was 1000% failure. She had another 6 years to try to revive it. Let's hear the excuse for 8 years of failure on her supposed pet program - when her husband was the president no less. Now there's an election, she's promising you healthcare again just like Bill did - with an unworkable mandatory plan. The theory is that if you can fool them once, you can always fool them. As Geffen says, "the Clintons lie with such ease, it's troubling". and the NY Times' William Safire called her a "congenital liar". Hillary flunked healthcare. She flunked Iraq. She flunked Iran. She even flunked the Washington bar exam twice, and is a serial failure as a housewife. That's her record - her so-called experience. Would you let someone perform surgery on you if they were not a surgeon...just married to one for 8 years?
CLINTON 08
Don't forget http://hillarythemovie.com/trailer.html
NO THIRD TERM !
NO MORE BUSH, NO MORE CLINTON- Enough is enough!
Really sad how dirty and divisive politics has become. We see the trickle effect coming from the top, all the way into the cynical atmosphere radiated by some of these ugly posts.
A fish may not be aware of the very water it swims in, but things CAN be very different guys! Let's try a little harder to see through the smoke, shall we?
Obama '08
Obama does not deserve to be president.
His supporters are rude, vicious people from what I have encountered steadily.
Obama encourages it like he did with his smear job "stand up" routine attack on Hillary at a high school today.
He was AWOL and did not vote a record 130 times!!! in the Senate when it came time to '"change" America.
He fixed his wife's salary in Chicago, it doubled to $365,000.00 and he did nothing for the people there on top of it.
I do not trust him.
His health care plan leaves millions of Americans out in the cold.
He and his campaign workers constantly use bait and switch attacks on their fellow Dems. Being sneaky and dishonest are hardly traits we need all over again for 4 - 8 years.
After he slanders and damages Hillary he plays all innocent and becomes Mr. Nice guy, and it's 'let's all have a truce' after he started and encourages the whole incident.
He has no experience compared to Hillary, only a Jr. Senator 2 short years to Hillary's 7 including her re-election.
Is too young to be President yet, JFK had 14 years in Congress and Senate before he ran, and Obama is no JFK.
Obama steals lines from MLK and JFK for his speeches in an attempt to dupe his zombie youth clone army to thinking he is as great as those great men. Hey Obama, here's a clue! accomplish something first, and be original, "I have a dream" ?? oh brother..
He is a "dreamer" Hillary is a "doer"
His second largest campaign contributer is Exelon, the largest nuclear energy company in America, so much for the environment..
He and his wife both are very materialistic, it is quite obvious seeing their lush lifestyle.
We already have a President we are trying to be rid of giving all our money away to foreigners, we don't need another one.
We already have a President we are trying to be rid of that bases his judgments on what God tells him to do, we don't need another one.
We already have a President we are trying to be rid of who refuses to hold people accountable who screw up when they work for him, we certainly don't need another one.
Hillary on the other hand has fired several of her people when they stepped out of line.
Obama uses preacher speaking techniques in his speeches, an actual phony mind control 'roll technique' used by preachers to hypnotize their followers into mental submission.
Is very arrogant talking down to Hillary in his blatant disrespect for her being a woman and 15 years his senior.
Very disrespectful along with his snotty, clueless followers to both Bill and Hillary thumbing their noses at the Clinton's incredible legacy and all the great things they have done for their country and people all over the world.
I really could go on here more but I think that will suffice for now.
Hillary All The Way!!
Obama please just GO away..
People of Nevada, tomorrow you will tell the world what you are experiencing, what you are witnessing in your very own state. . Unlike Obama, who gives a persuasive speech and draws the young and impressionable, we know what it is going to take to get our Democracy back. Obama has done a great job riding on the coat-tails of reality, the reality that in 2009 George Bush will be leaving office, barring he is not impeached first. It is not enough to know GWB is leaving office. Unlike Clinton, who said she has had a "dose of reality" upon her visit to your great state, John Edwards has and will continue to fight for you. He is the champion of the middle class. Today Sprint is laying off 4000 more workers, how many of these type of headlines do we have to read before we get it right! Please for the sake of our livlihood, for the sake of our country.....Caucas for JRE for ALL Americans!
Does this mean if Obama gets elected no one can ever use the words “fairy tale” again, or any other words that might suggest he doesn’t know what he’s doing or what he’s talking about or that he might be full of BS, because that might be perceived as racially insensitive?
That’s a serious issue, regardless of Obama’s politics, if political speech is going to be curtailed about something as important as the performance in office of the president of the United States, because someone’s feelings might get hurt.
I’m guessing anything remotely resembling any of the delightful remarks about Bush's chimpy appearance, intelligence, preparedness for office and performance in the last seven years would pretty much be out with poor old Obama.
Can you imagine four years of an Obama adminstration's racial slicing and dicing? What a mess. No way.
Why is Hillary so steeped in controversy? Why this trailer at http://hillarythemovie.com/trailer.html
SEE AND CAUCUS: JFK/John F. Kennedy's advisor Ted Sorensen's Obama endorsement at http://youtube.com/watch?v=ReDCmk2c2g8
BARACK OBAMA LIED TO NEVADA ABOUT YUCCA MOUNTAIN AND DECEIVED THE CITIZENS OF YOUR STATE
WATCH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2P0sGcy1......
HE AS WELL PLAYED THE RACE CARD AND DIVIDED THE DEMOCRATS... AND THEN ADMITTED IT ON A NATIONAL DEBATE
WATCH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQY_9Zcsj......
OBAMA IS A DIVIDER NOT A UNITER!
I think what turned me off of Obama (and I was excited by his speeches at first) was the way in which he looked down during the NH debate every time she spoke. He listened attentively to the men. I hate that. If you taped it, check it out... Hillary, on the other hand, listened attentively to everyone. We women learn to expect that behavior, and perhaps to not even notice it. Start watching...it's shocking.
I think that nonverbal behavior speaks worlds about a person. Does he really want to be a "uniter" of everyone, or just the men?
This article did not talk about the differences among the candidates with unions. John Edwards is the real pro-union candidate. He has been supporting unions all across the country long before this campaign ever began. Edward's campaign manager is Congressman David Bonoir, one of the strongest supporters of unions ever. Edwards listens to members, and not just to union leaders. He respects union leadership, but backs unions because of the members. He passionately wants to help Americans have real opportunities and better lives. Edwards has seen the rug pulled out from under family and neighbors as a young man watching textile mills closing all around him. He will never forget. He will never stop working. Edwards is the ONLY candidate who speaks for unions everywhere he goes, and to all audiences. He is the only candidate who is pro-union in his general campaign materials, and does not have an extra flier he uses only in pro-union areas. He supports the unions. Period. There is a big, big difference in being pro-union only when you need votes to win a primary. Will this kind of promise be kept? Edwards is the candidate every union member in Nevada should caucus for. Not merely caucus for, but caucus proudly for. Show the country that union members have good memories, and understand real loyalty.
JCJCD - stop spreading your propaganda videos on youtube!
You have been uploading hundreds of videos and have DISABLED the comments and ratings on them because you don't want users to post the reality on your videos!!!!
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT DIRTY! Your smearing tactics are very deceitful and we will get you REMOVED from YOUTUBE for your propaganda and dirty smearing attacks. You are as DIRTY as the party you're campaigning for, the Clintons.
SHAME ON YOU for posting hundreds of videos!! People are catching on to what the Clinton campaign has been up to... Smear campaigns and dirty attacks.
Everyone realizes how dirty the Clinton camp is. SHAME on you jcjcd! Everyone who's against his nasty actions and attacks, complain to YouTube and have jcjcd's videos removed! Be a man and allow people to be able to respond to your videos instead of hiding. You know the truth hurts and you just want to suppress the American people's say! Time to take action against jcjcd!!!
JCJCD - stop spreading your propaganda videos on youtube!
You have been uploading hundreds of videos and have DISABLED the comments and ratings on them because you don't want users to post the reality on your videos!!!!
You are now spamming all over this site and the web with links to your videos.
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT DIRTY! Your smearing tactics are very deceitful and we will get you REMOVED from YOUTUBE for your propaganda and dirty smearing attacks. You are as DIRTY as the party you're campaigning for, the Clintons.
SHAME ON YOU for posting hundreds of videos!! People are catching on to what the Clinton campaign has been up to... Smear campaigns and dirty attacks.
Everyone realizes how dirty the Clinton camp is. SHAME on you jcjcd! Everyone who's against his nasty actions and attacks, complain to YouTube and have jcjcd's videos removed! Be a man and allow people to be able to respond to your videos instead of hiding. You know the truth hurts and you just want to suppress the American people's say! Time to take action against jcjcd!!!
I WANT TO FIX HILLARY CLINTON FOR STAYING WITH BILL WHEN SHE SHOULD HAVE DIVORCED HIM OVER:
1. HIS ANTIMASTURBATION
2. HIS CHEATING ADULTERY
ALSO IM AGAINST HER NOT LISTENING TO ME ABOUT VOTING AGAINST THE ANTI POKER BILL (PHONE CALLS, LETTERS) AND RECEIVING FUNDING FROM HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY OVERCHARGING AND AGE DISCRIMINATING. I ALSO BELIEVE LIKE JOE LIEBERMAN THAT BILL CLINTON SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPEACHED AFTER ILLEGALLY CHEATING ON HIS WIFE.