Wow, Barry is two-faced

[bcj1755]

Obama plays populist, anti-Washington role in CA


By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer Charles Babington, Associated Press Writer – 51 mins ago
Featured Topics:

COSTA MESA, Calif. – In Washington, President Barack Obama is the ultimate insider, hosting White House parties to woo lawmakers and diplomats. Elsewhere, he increasingly plays the embattled and populist crusader, helping average Americans fight entrenched interests on Capitol Hill and Wall Street.

On Wednesday, Obama donned that cloak in Southern California, where he said the weather and conversations are much nicer than in Washington. The conversation was more one-sided, to be sure, as he stood before 1,300 frequently cheering people, 2,500 miles from the Capitol's shadow.

He defended his ambitious plan to overhaul health care, energy, education, taxes and spending policies in the coming months, against unnamed forces aligned against him.

"I know some folks in Washington and on Wall Street are saying we should focus on only one problem at a time: 'our problem,'" Obama said. "But that's just not the way it works."

"You don't get to choose between paying your mortgage bills or your medical bills," he told the crowd in a hot auditorium. The government, too, must tackle multiple challenges at once, he said.

Obama spoke for 21 minutes, then took eight questions. The first: Will he seek re-election in 2012?

"If I could get done what I think needs to get done in four years, even if it meant that I was only president for four years, I would rather be a good president — to take on the tough issues for four years — than a mediocre president for eight years," Obama said.

There were other whiffs of self-sacrifice. Referring to the uproar over bonuses paid to executives of the largely nationalized AIG insurance company, Obama said: "I know Washington's all in a tizzy, and everybody's pointing fingers at each other and saying, 'It's their fault, the Democrats' fault, the Republicans' fault.' Listen, I'll take responsibility. I'm the president."

In the same breath, he said, "We didn't draft these contracts." But he added, "It is appropriate when you're in charge to make sure that stuff doesn't happen like this."

Obama tried to head off questions about AIG by saying he understood taxpayers' anger. And he tried to broaden the issue, which has vexed his young administration.

"These bonuses, outrageous as they are, are a symptom of a much larger problem," he said. It's "a culture where people made enormous sums of money taking irresponsible risks that have now put the entire economy at risk."

In fact, no one asked Obama about AIG. The questions focused on jobs, schools, unions' rights and other issues that are easier for him to handle.

One little curve ball came, however, on a topic Obama rarely mentions on his own: immigration. Before a crowd that seemed divided on the emotional, politically dangerous issue, Obama said he still supports "comprehensive immigration reform."

The nation must find a way, he said, to strengthen its borders while also giving about 12 million illegal immigrants a path to possible citizenship.

"People who have been here for a long time and put down roots," he said, should have "a mechanism over time to get out of the shadows" and achieve legal status, including citizenship.

They would have to learn English, pay a significant fine and "go to the back of the line" of those applying for legal entry, he said.

Former President George W. Bush backed a similar immigration program. But it died in Congress amid heavy criticisms, especially from those saying too many illegal immigrants have been allowed to enter the country.

Obama visited the Los Angeles area Wednesday to promote his $787 billion economic stimulus and to tape an appearance Thursday on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090319/.../obama_economy



I find a couple of points to be revelaing....

"In Washington, President Barack Obama is the ultimate insider, hosting White House parties to woo lawmakers and diplomats. Elsewhere, he increasingly plays the embattled and populist crusader, helping average Americans fight entrenched interests on Capitol Hill and Wall Street."

In other words, he can alternate who'se butt he kisses and can taylor his lies to a specific audience.

"The nation must find a way, he said, to strengthen its borders while also giving about 12 million illegal immigrants a path to possible citizenship."

Yeah......12 million new Obama voters

As a side note, I"m sitting here looking at the pictures that go along with this story...man, he sure does know how to strike a dramatic pose. I know of another politician who also knew how to strike a dramatic pose. I don't think i need to mention this other politician's name....*cough cough* Hitler! *cough cough* In fact, some of the poses are disturbingly similar.

[RunningOnMT]

Originally Posted by bcj1755

Obama plays populist, anti-Washington role in CA


By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer Charles Babington, Associated Press Writer – 51 mins ago
Featured Topics:

COSTA MESA, Calif. – In Washington, President Barack Obama is the ultimate insider, hosting White House parties to woo lawmakers and diplomats. Elsewhere, he increasingly plays the embattled and populist crusader, helping average Americans fight entrenched interests on Capitol Hill and Wall Street.

On Wednesday, Obama donned that cloak in Southern California, where he said the weather and conversations are much nicer than in Washington. The conversation was more one-sided, to be sure, as he stood before 1,300 frequently cheering people, 2,500 miles from the Capitol's shadow.

He defended his ambitious plan to overhaul health care, energy, education, taxes and spending policies in the coming months, against unnamed forces aligned against him.

"I know some folks in Washington and on Wall Street are saying we should focus on only one problem at a time: 'our problem,'" Obama said. "But that's just not the way it works."

"You don't get to choose between paying your mortgage bills or your medical bills," he told the crowd in a hot auditorium. The government, too, must tackle multiple challenges at once, he said.

Obama spoke for 21 minutes, then took eight questions. The first: Will he seek re-election in 2012?

"If I could get done what I think needs to get done in four years, even if it meant that I was only president for four years, I would rather be a good president — to take on the tough issues for four years — than a mediocre president for eight years," Obama said.

There were other whiffs of self-sacrifice. Referring to the uproar over bonuses paid to executives of the largely nationalized AIG insurance company, Obama said: "I know Washington's all in a tizzy, and everybody's pointing fingers at each other and saying, 'It's their fault, the Democrats' fault, the Republicans' fault.' Listen, I'll take responsibility. I'm the president."

In the same breath, he said, "We didn't draft these contracts." But he added, "It is appropriate when you're in charge to make sure that stuff doesn't happen like this."

Obama tried to head off questions about AIG by saying he understood taxpayers' anger. And he tried to broaden the issue, which has vexed his young administration.

"These bonuses, outrageous as they are, are a symptom of a much larger problem," he said. It's "a culture where people made enormous sums of money taking irresponsible risks that have now put the entire economy at risk."

In fact, no one asked Obama about AIG. The questions focused on jobs, schools, unions' rights and other issues that are easier for him to handle.

One little curve ball came, however, on a topic Obama rarely mentions on his own: immigration. Before a crowd that seemed divided on the emotional, politically dangerous issue, Obama said he still supports "comprehensive immigration reform."

The nation must find a way, he said, to strengthen its borders while also giving about 12 million illegal immigrants a path to possible citizenship.

"People who have been here for a long time and put down roots," he said, should have "a mechanism over time to get out of the shadows" and achieve legal status, including citizenship.

They would have to learn English, pay a significant fine and "go to the back of the line" of those applying for legal entry, he said.

Former President George W. Bush backed a similar immigration program. But it died in Congress amid heavy criticisms, especially from those saying too many illegal immigrants have been allowed to enter the country.

Obama visited the Los Angeles area Wednesday to promote his $787 billion economic stimulus and to tape an appearance Thursday on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090319/.../obama_economy



I find a couple of points to be revelaing....

"In Washington, President Barack Obama is the ultimate insider, hosting White House parties to woo lawmakers and diplomats. Elsewhere, he increasingly plays the embattled and populist crusader, helping average Americans fight entrenched interests on Capitol Hill and Wall Street."

In other words, he can alternate who'se butt he kisses and can taylor his lies to a specific audience.

"The nation must find a way, he said, to strengthen its borders while also giving about 12 million illegal immigrants a path to possible citizenship."

Yeah......12 million new Obama voters

As a side note, I"m sitting here looking at the pictures that go along with this story...man, he sure does know how to strike a dramatic pose. I know of another politician who also knew how to strike a dramatic pose. I don't think i need to mention this other politician's name....*cough cough* Hitler! *cough cough* In fact, some of the poses are disturbingly similar.

Interesting observation about the pose. It fits though. As time goes on I am more convinced that this guy is pure evil. I wouldn't say he's two faced though...seems to me he's more of a chameleon, constantly changing with the environment. Boy theres another animal comparison , Chameleon, chimp, zebra, and let us not forget ass.

BTW..as for making comparisons, did you ever notice the similarity between Clinton and Mussolini...that smug way he used to stick out his chin and bob his head?

[FTK87]

suprise suprise

[94z07]

Yeah he's two-faced. I wrote this bit back durring the campaign. BHO took every position in this piece at one point or another. Many of the lines are direct quotes. But BHO's sycophants will overlook any flaw because he is black and a democrat.

Tonight’s debate will feature Illinois’ Junior Democrat Senator Barak H. Obama Jr. vs. Barak H. Obama Jr. the Junior Democrat Senator from Illinois.

Issue number one: Withdrawal from Iraq.

Sen. Obama: I will pull our troops out of Iraq immediately and the withdrawal will take no longer than 16 months from the time I become President.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I will refine my Iraq policy and listen to the commanders on the ground. There is no set timetable for removal of our troops.

Issue number two: Public funding for presidential campaigns.

Sen. Obama: I will accept public funding for this election. Public support for elections is key to our freedom. It is the only way to free us from moneyed special interests.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: The public funding of our elections is a broken system. I ask my supporters to help me leave this broken system.

Issue number three: NAFTA

Sen. Obama: As President I will begin immediately the unilateral renegotiation of NAFTA. We will use the hammer of potential opt-out as leverage. NAFTA is devastating and a big mistake.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I will not unilaterally reopen negotiations on NAFTA.

Issue number four: Corporate Tax Cuts

Sen. Obama: Corporate tax cuts are the exact wrong prescription for America.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I will cut both the tax rates on corporations and reduce the tax code complexity. I will cut taxes on corporations to the tune of $300 billion with a B as in Barak.

Issue number five: Right to bear arms

Sen. Obama: The D.C. Handgun law is Constitutional. I, as you know claim to be a Constitutional Law Professor, so I should know this one. Easy.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: It looks to me that the D.C. handgun ban overshot the runway. That it went beyond constitutional limits. The handgun law was not constitutional. The ruling of the SCOTUS was correct.

Issue number six: Welfare reform

Sen. Obama: I have always been against the 1996 welfare reform.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I am now claiming that I personally helped to slash welfare rolls by 80% using the bold reforms from the 1996 legislation.

Issue number seven: Bush’s energy bill

Sen. Obama: Make no mistake, this is an area where John McCain is offering a third Bush term.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I proudly voted for the 2005 Bush-Cheney energy bill.

Issue number eight: Nuclear Power

Sen. Obama: I Am Not A Nuclear Energy Proponent! I start off with the premise that nuclear energy is not optimal. I am not a nuclear energy proponent.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I Don't Think That We Can Take Nuclear Power Off The Table. I don't think that we can take nuclear power off the table. What we have to make sure of is that we have the capacity to store it properly and safely, and that we reduce whatever threats might come from terrorism.

Moderator: Store it? You want to store the energy?

Sen. Obama: uh

Issue number nine: Individual Healthcare Mandate

Sen. Obama: I am not opposed to the idea of an individual mandate. We, Axelrod and I, are in touch with the former Clinton Healthcare Advisors.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: We've got a philosophical difference which we've debated repeatedly, and that is that Senator Clinton believes the only way to achieve universal health care is to force everybody to purchase it, and my belief is the reason that people don't have it is not because they don't want it, but because they can't afford it.

Issue number ten: Immunity for telecommunications companies involved with national security

Sen. Obama: I will filibuster ANY bill that contains immunity for the telecommunications companies.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I support a bill that offers immunity to the telecommunications companies.

Moderator: That is the end of the first segment. Thank you both. We’ll be back with the next twenty issues after a break depending upon ratings.

Moderator: Welcome back. For the next ten issues, Sen. Obama will answer first and Sen. Obama will give the rebuttal.

Issue number eleven: The death penalty

Sen. Obama: I do not support the death penalty.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I think that the death penalty should be applied in very narrow circumstances, for the most egregious of crimes.

Issue number twelve: Preconditions for meetings with terrorists’ state sponsors.

Sen. Obama: I will sit down and talk to these people any time.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I will only meet with these terrorists if it will advance the interests of the United States.

Issue number thirteen: Israel’s capital.

Sen. Obama: Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: The disposition of Jerusalem is up to both parties. It may remain the capital or not as they see fit. They will decide whether or not to partition it into two cities. It isn’t our business to take a side.

Moderator: You both fail. Tel Aviv is the capital of Israel. Do either of you ever look at a dam* map?

Issue number fourteen: Relations with Cuba

Sen. Obama: We should end the embargo and normalize relations with Cuba. It is time to end the embargo with Cuba because it has utterly failed in the effort to overthrow Castro.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: As president, I'll maintain the embargo it's an important inducement for change because we know that Castro's death will not guarantee freedom.

Issue number fifteen: Gay marriage

Sen. Obama: I am personally against gay marriage but it should be left up to the States to decide for themselves whether or not they want it.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I oppose the California ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriages. Fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples should be protected under both state and federal law.

Issue number sixteen: Late term abortions

Sen. Obama: Mental distress should not be a reason for a late term abortion.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: A woman’s choice should not be infringed upon by any law that would restrict her access to a safe abortion. I have proposed a federal abortion rights law to make sure access is unfettered.

Issue number seventeen: Debates

Sen. Obama: I will debate John McCain anywhere anytime. This is a conversation that I am happy to have.

Rebuttal from Sen. I reject these town hall meetings.

Issue number eighteen: Strategic oil reserve

Sen. Obama: The situation of rising prices is unique. We need to tap the strategic reserve to lower prices.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I do not think the country should use the strategic oil reserves at this point. I have said and in fact supported a congressional resolution that said we should suspend putting more oil into the strategic oil reserve but the strategic oil reserve I think has to be reserved for a genuine emergency.

Issue number nineteen: Drilling for oil at home

Sen. Obama: I am open to oil drilling at home.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: What I will not do, and this has always been my position, is to support a plan that suggests this drilling is the answer to our energy problems. If we've got a plan on the table that I think meets the goals that America has to set and there are some things in there that I don't like, then obviously that's something that I would consider because that's the nature of how we govern in a democracy. When I'm president, I intend to keep in place the moratorium here in Florida and around the country that prevents oil companies from drilling off Florida's coasts. That's how we can protect our coastline and still make the investments that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and bring down gas prices for good.

Issue number twenty: Why do you want to be president?

Sen. Obama’s self rebuttal: I got hit in the head with a rock. I uh, I uh, because I have two daughters. And I think about what kind of America they’re going to be growing up in. And uh, maybe only a few people are able to make it into the middle class. And I think about uh foreign energy uh and polar ice caps uh and our way of life has changed and America is no longer what it could be what it once was.


Issue number twenty-one: Russia invades Georgia

Sen. Obama: I see the actions of both sides as morally equal. I call on both sides to lay down their arms and talk peace. I strongly condemn the outbreak of violence in Georgia, and urge an immediate end to armed conflict. Now is the time for Georgia and Russia to show restraint, and to avoid an escalation to full-scale war. Georgia's territorial integrity must be respected. All sides should enter into direct talks on behalf of stability in Georgia, and the United States, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community should fully support a peaceful resolution to this crisis.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: McCain nailed this one. I call “dittos” on his answer. "I condemn Russia's aggressive actions and reiterate my call for an immediate ceasefire... Russia must stop its bombing campaign, cease flights of Russian aircraft in Georgian airspace, and withdraw its ground forces from Georgia."

Issue number twenty-two: Infanticide

Sen. Obama: I voted for legislation that would protect infants who survive an abortion.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: My record clearly shows that I voted against legislation that would protect infants who survived an abortion.

Issue number twenty-three: Iraqi surge

Sen. Obama: The surge will never work. I am against sending more blood and treasure to Iraq on a risky venture that no one, except for the people who planned, proposed, carried out, and supported, thinks will work.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I have no idea what would have happened had we applied my approach. The surge succeeded beyond the wildest dreams of the militarily illiterate. Let's be clear, our troops have completed every mission they've been given. They have created the space for political reconciliation. I have said repeatedly that there is no doubt that our troops helped to reduce violence. There's no doubt.

Issue number twenty-four: Domestic terrorist William Ayers

Sen. Obama: I know thousands of people. I got to know Ayers only through the work he is doing on education. My relationship with Ayers was only tangential.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: Ayers did despicable things. I sat on the board of Ayers’ Chicago Annenberg Challenge for five years.

Issue number twenty-five: Experience

Sen. Obama: In 2004 I admitted that I’m not ready to be president. But judgment is more important. I also added Joe Biden to the ticket to bring his experience to the fore and make up for my lacking.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: Experience is very important. McCain should not have a small town Mayor as his running mate. Ignore her judgment on key issues.

Issue number twenty-six: Raising taxes

Sen. Obama: It is true that I would roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans back to the level they were under Bill Clinton, when I don't remember rich people feeling oppressed.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I will delay rescinding President Bush's tax cuts on wealthy Americans. Such an increase will further hurt the economy if those tax cuts are allowed to expire. I think we've got to take a look and see where the economy is. I mean, the economy is weak right now.

Issue number twenty-seven: US involvement in civil wars.

Sen. Obama: No amount of US troops or US spending can end a civil war.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: The US must act unilaterally with no fly zones and troops on the ground to end the civil war in Darfur and provide opportunities to children in Kenya.

Issue number twenty-eight: Change you can believe in

Sen. Obama: I will bring new blood to Washington. I will end the politics of the past.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I have surrounded myself with staff, advisors, and a running mate that are all long time Democrat party insiders going back as far as the Carter years.

Issue number twenty-nine: Community organizer

Sen. Obama: These comments about community organizers are way off base. These people have no idea what community organizers do.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: When classmates in college asked me just what it was that a community organizer did, I couldn't answer them directly. Instead, I'd pronounce on the need for Change.

Issue number thirty: Affirmative action

Sen. Obama: My daughters should probably be treated by any admissions officer as folks who are pretty advantaged. We should take into account white kids who have been disadvantaged and have grown up in poverty and shown themselves to have what it takes to succeed.

Rebuttal from Sen. Obama: I am firmly behind efforts to expand diversity, particularly in higher education.

Moderator: Well thank you both for coming. I look forward to this fall when you two will have more opportunities to agreeably disagree.