Obama is the lobbyists’ puppet

Discussion: comments so far…

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy. Additionally, we now display comments from trusted commenters by default. Those wishing to become a trusted commenter need to verify their identity or sign in with Facebook Connect to tie their Facebook account to their Las Vegas Sun account. For more on this change, read our story about how it works and why we did it.

Only trusted comments are displayed on this page. Untrusted comments have expired from this story.

No trusted comments have been posted.

1. By JohnF

   May 26, 2008

   6:44 a.m.

   Flag

   What state does Obama represent? Is agriculture a major industry in that state? How many people does that industry employ in Illinois? I'm guessing that is why Obama voted for the farm bill. No lobbyists required.

   Let's take a look at John McCain. From the Washington Post:

   "For years, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has railed against lobbyists and the influence of "special interests" in Washington, touting on his campaign Web site his fight against "the 'revolving door' by which lawmakers and other influential officials leave their posts and become lobbyists for the special interests they have aided.

   "But when McCain huddled with his closest advisers at his rustic Arizona cabin last weekend to map out his presidential campaign, virtually every one was part of the Washington lobbying culture he has long decried. His campaign manager, Rick Davis, co-founded a lobbying firm whose clients have included Verizon and SBC Telecommunications. His chief political adviser, Charles R. Black Jr., is chairman of one of Washington's lobbying powerhouses, BKSH and Associates, which has represented AT&T, Alcoa, JPMorgan and U.S. Airways.

   "Senior advisers Steve Schmidt and Mark McKinnon work for firms that have lobbied for Land O' Lakes, UST Public Affairs, Dell and Fannie Mae."

   And let's not forget the way that Vicki Iseman flew McCain all over the country on her lobbying company's private jet.

   This guy holds himself up as a paragon of virtue. Don't believe it.

2. By devan95

   May 27, 2008

   5:40 a.m.

   Flag

   When Illinois utility Commonwealth Edison wanted state lawmakers to back a hefty rate hike two years ago, it took a creative lobbying approach, concocting a new outfit that seemed devoted to the public interest: Consumers Organized for Reliable Electricity, or CORE. CORE ran TV ads warning of a "California-style energy crisis" if the rate increase wasn't approved—but without disclosing the commercials were funded by Commonwealth Edison. The ad campaign provoked a brief uproar when its ties to the utility, which is owned by Exelon Corp., became known. "It's corporate money trying to hoodwink the public," the state's Democratic Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said. What got scant notice then—but may soon get more scrutiny—is that CORE was the brainchild of ASK Public Strategies, a consulting firm whose senior partner is David Axelrod, now chief strategist for Barack Obama

3. By devan95

   May 27, 2008

   6:30 a.m.

   Flag

   In addition to being an old timey liberal Obama is such an empty suit he things the US has 57 states! Goes to Wellsley and calls them Wellslyan! When he talks off script he's liable to say anything. Only guarantee is it's going to be moronic.

4. By thebs

   May 27, 2008

   2:01 p.m.

   Flag

   Let's see... five of McCain's top aides have resigned recently due to their ties to lobbyists.

   Less than two weeks ago, Tom Loeffler resigned from the McCain campaign after his past lobbying for Saudi Arabia and other foreign governments was revealed. Also look at the story of Randy Scheunemann.

   Obama's campaign has been financed by small donors. He's refused any money from federally-registered lobbyists. Contrast that with McCain's campaign, which by the most recent count, has over 100 lobbyists who are fundraisers or campaign staff.

   The only puppet here is McCain.

5. By devan95

   May 27, 2008

   2:11 p.m.

   Flag

   Notice how Obama has to choose words very carefully - like he "refused money from federally-register lobbyists." He's still getting big bucks from the unions, oil co. & pharmacy execs, not to mention the huge kickbacks from rich farmers and his corrupt buddy Lasko. Tell us again how that land deal worked on this house......
   Don't be fooled - this guy is a corrupt as they come - even by Chigaco standards. Old time liberal, nothing new. And he's dumber than Jimmy Carter, for Alah's sake.

6. By devan95

   May 27, 2008

   2:12 p.m.

   Flag

   This is after he recalled a meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev that did not happen....
   Barack Obama is getting called out again for his knowledge of history, including his own family’s, after declaring to veterans on Memorial Day that his uncle helped liberate the Auschwitz death camp at the end of World War II. Two problems with the tale: Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet Army, and Obama’s American mother was an only child. Speaking in Las Cruces, N.M., on Monday, the Democratic presidential candidate said he did not serve, but comes from a family that did sacrifice for the nation.

7. By devan95

   May 27, 2008

   2:17 p.m.

   Flag

   And did you also know that ancestors on his mother's side owned slaves........
   There is so much about this guy that is not known - let's hope it doesn't take the libs as long to learn about him as it took them to see in the Clintons what we have seen all along....

8. By thebs

   May 27, 2008

   2:57 p.m.

   Flag

   Devan95, give me a break. You criticize Obama's "knowledge" of history, yet you cite imaginary people in your critique.

   Who is Lasko? I'm assuming you're referring to Tony Rezko. Get your facts straight. Other than purchasing some land from Rezko while Rezko was under investigation, tell me what, specifically, Obama did wrong.

   All candidates have made simple blunders while speaking on the campaign trail. Working 18 hour days while traveling for over a year will do that to you.... lest you forget McCain's confusion over who the Shiite/Sunni are.

9. By lnardozi (Louis Nardozi)

   May 27, 2008

   3:16 p.m.

   Flag

   Ever wonder how the Patriot Act got passed? Seems like anyone who read it would never in a million years vote for it right? Do you know Congress doesn't even READ the laws it passes? There is legislation being introduced in the House and Senate that would stop your freedoms from being trampled in the mud. It's called the Read The Bills Act and it requires each law being passed in Congress to be READ OUT LOUD IN ITS ENTIRETY. Also, the law must be published on the web for 7 days before voting to give we the people time to comment on it. I know everyone's very active politically this year and here's something we can ALL agree on - we don't want Congress sneaking around behind our backs! If you're active politically, please be active in this - go to the link below and let your Congressmen know of your support!

   http://www.downsizedc.org/read_the_laws....

10. By JohnF

    May 27, 2008

    5:45 p.m.

    Flag

    devan95,

    Obama was at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Wellesley College is in Wellesley, Massachusetts. You need to get your facts straight.

    The 57 states Obama was referring to were quite obviously the 57 states and territories that hold Democratic Presidential primary elections.