 |
This post is a fun one. Now that the Democratic candidates left standing are
finally starting to go at Obama’s record, maybe I won’t be the only one accused
of “vitriol.”
“Barack Obama’s kind of change is where you sit down and you cut a deal
with the corporate world,” Bonior said. “If you look at his record
in Illinois when he had a major — sponsored a major health bill that’s what
he did. He watered down with the help of the corporate lobbyist and they got
a weak product out of that.”MSNBC host Joe Scarborough interjected: “Are you saying that Barack
Obama is a sellout to corporate interests?”Bonior responded, “He was four years ago in Illinois. All you have to
do is look at the legislation I’m referring to.”Edwards
Campaign Asserts Obama Once A Sellout To Corporate Interests
But if you enjoy the intersection between big money politics and hypocrisy
this one is for you. As I’ve said many times, until there is campaign financing
of presidential elections, as long as the fundraising is legal I couldn’t care
less. But the same cannot be said for Mr. Obama. That’s why the articles I’ve
got below gave me such a chuckle today.
Also, as promised and also as a warning, here at TM.com we will continue to reveal
reality. I know it goes down with a gulp for some of you, but I don’t do what
I do for favorable reviews from people who don’t have the stomach for politics,
which at its heart is about separating politicians and parties on issues. Now
I know with Mr. Obama that’s tough because he’s not an ideologue so everyone
wants us all to join hands and sing kumbaya with the angelic spirit of Karen
Carpenter singing in the background, but, um, no, not going to happen around
here. Ever. I should also reiterate that I could care less about the online
criticism or hate mail, which should be obvious by now, though it does provide
me with a chuckle. Let me also say that I continue to reject the notion that
pointing out a politician’s record is offering “hate” or being “vitriolic.”
Or is it just because the target is Barack Obama, a candidate running for national
office who has a halo because he’s never been vetted and everyone wants to keep
him politically sealed until the general election? The answer to that is yes.
I’ve never seen such sensitive Nellies as I have with Obama’s supporters. If
they had to go through one-quarter of what Clinton’s supporters go through they’d
be on frickin’ life support. I do appreciate the emails telling me to get ready
to support him in the general election, because I will be “needed.”
Iowa isn’t all, but thanks for the smoke. On the other side, I’ve never received more emails from Democrats freaked out over Mr. Obama’s win in Iowa.
But imagine my delight when I was emailed this quote, which Obama supposedly delivered
today in New Hampshire. Bonus thought: He was actually serious!
“We have chance to say to the corporate lobbyist, your days
of setting the agenda in Washington are over. They have not funded my campaigns,
they will not run my White House, and they will not drown out the voice of
the American people when I am president of the United States.”
– Barack Obama in Concord, New Hampshire, January 2008
The guy should do stand up comedy.
But of course, Mr. Obama, anything you say, sir.
Setting: cocktails, cigarette butts, loud talk and a dose of reality. Scandalous!
Politicians playing poker with lobbyists? Insert scene from “Casablanca”
here. Read and enjoy, compliments of my email inbox, which has been busy today.
Frankly, I find Mr. Obama’s quote today not only hilarious, but considering
the poker with lobbyists juxtaposition below, downright comical. Smudges on his halo? Tell me it isn’t so! Heh-heh.
In
December 2007, the Associated Press reported, “Barack Obama played poker
and basketball with lobbyists when he was a state senator. He took their campaign
donations and worked with them to write legislation … A look at Obama’s
seven years in the Illinois Legislature reveals a complicated relationship with
lobbyists – particularly for someone who now makes criticism of lobbyists a
centerpiece of his presidential campaign.” The report also noted, “About
40 percent of the money he raised as a state senator came from PACs, corporations
and unions, including organizations with a financial stake in legislation he
was sponsoring.” [Associated Press, 12/1/07 (emphasis added)]In May 2007, the Chicago Tribune reported that while he was in the Illinois
State Senate, “Nowhere was Obama’s ability to navigate Springfield’s
subcultures on better display than at The Committee Meeting. That was the code
name for Wednesday night poker games attended by about a dozen lawmakers and
lobbyists.” (Chicago
Tribune, 5/3/07)According
to the Associated Press, “Under [Illinois] state law, it’s illegal
to play poker for money, but the law is seldom enforced when low-stakes games
are involved.” (Associated
Press, 9/24/07)In August 2007, the Associated Press
reported that Obama “acknowledged Thursday that he swims in ‘the
same muddy water’ that corrupts Washington.” “I have a bunch
of friends who were state lobbyists,” Obama said. “The fact of the
matter is … I played poker with them, so I don’t think that lobbyists
are evil … I just think they’ve got an agenda and you got to be clear
about that, and not pretend that they don’t.” He added, “Why
else are they getting hired and making all this money unless they’re actually
getting something done?” (Associated
Press, 8/16/07)In September 2007, the Associated Press reported, “Poker night also included
a lobbyist for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, and the game eventually
was moved to the association’s office.” (Associated Press, 9/24/07)In November
2004, the Chicago Defender reported, “Senate President Emil Jones hosted
a farewell reception Monday night, which was attended by several hundred elected
officials, staffers and lobbyists.” (Chicago Defender, 11/9/04)
One thing is clear, Mr. Obama has definitely united the freepers. It’s only the beginning and it will only get worse from here.
Comments are closed.