The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

askhoop, you've done a good job as an Obama staffer in spinning his record to paint him as an honest, caring and sharing individual. Unfortunately, you've told only half the story.

Those of us in downstate Illinois are saddled with whichever political hacks the Chicago Democrat political machine decides it wants in office. At the moment, that group includes both of our far-left senators, Dick Durbin and Barack Obama, and of course our spacey governor, Rod Blagojevich. All three endorse larger and more intrusive government, higher taxes, and massive increases in deficit spending, all "for the people." All three reflect the absolute worst in politics today.

Want to know where Obama's heart really is? Just listen to Dick Durbin or check his voting record because Obama, our esteemed junior senator, votes in lock-step with Durbin nearly every time. If you like socialized medicine, federal assistance for practically everything and much bigger and more demanding government programs, then Obama is your guy. Winfree's endorsement of him tells me all I need to know about her.

Oprah is a public media figure and I think she has an obligation to present all sides of any given issue, including the presidential campaign. That doesn't mean she can't share her views, which she's obviously already done. She says she supports Obama and it would be "disingenuous" to have any other candidates on her show.

In my mind, denying access to other candidates comes across as more disingenuous. In fact, it seems kind of racist to me. Unequal access--is that what this country's about?

The question is how much difference will Oprah have on Obama's Presidential campaign, can she effectively alter results or just sway vote ----------------------------------------------> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=460

Bloomberg? It's laughable to suggest Bloomberg (or Hillary Clinton or John Edwards for that matter) has a better track record of political accomplishments than Barack Obama. If you don't know about them it's because you've accepted his opponents' sound bite about his supposed lack of experience rather than actually looking at his experience. Here's a summary for you:

Obama's experience has been effective and groundbreaking. In his majority years in the Illinois State Senate, he sponsored 780 bills, with 280 having been signed into law. In his first year as US Senator, Obama held 39 town hall meetings throughout Illinois. He also sponsored 152 bills and resolutions and co-sponsored 427 more. At every step of his career, Senator Obama has shown the experience of a strong leader with high moral standards.

Senator Barack Obama started his career in public service working as a community organizer in Chicago, helping inner-city poor. He earned a mere $13,000 a year in this capacity. During this time, he helped to register 150,000 people to vote. From this experience, the Senator understands very well the struggles and concerns of working Americans.

Senator Obama went on to graduate from Harvard Law School, where he was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. He then passed over 600 high-paying job offers to work in a civil rights practice at fractional pay. Through this career decision, Senator Obama demonstrated his commitment to equal justice for all.

Senator Obama has been a senior lecturer on Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School. Thus, the Senator has a deep understanding of the Constitution which he has sworn to uphold.

Senator Barack Obama has ten years of senatorial experience -- eight years in the Illinois State Senate and two years as a U.S. Senator. Senator Obama has a 100% approval rating from the League of Conservation Voters and Planned Parenthood. The National Education Association gives him an "A" on their most recent report card.

To understand Senator Obama's strong leadership, we only need to look at his record:

As an Illinois State Senator, Obama added health insurance for 20,000 children, while working on welfare reform and earned-income tax credits. His work resulted in an increased minimum wage (from $5.15 to $6.50). His death penalty reforms mean that interrogations must now be video taped. This bill passed Senate 58-0, and was signed into law by a governor who first opposed Obama's bill. He also sponsored a bill against police profiling.

Obama is known for his unquestionable ethics and intergrity. Upon joining the U.S. Senate, House Speaker Harry Reid designated Barack Obama as the Senate point man on ethics for this very reason.

Senator Obama publically opposed the Iraq war long before the invasion. In 2002, he accurately predicted that the war would be of an undetermined length, fought with an undetermined cost and an undetermined objective. He further realized that the U.S. invasion would result in an Iraqi civil war.

At the same time that Senator Obama has publically opposed the war, he's worked hard to insure that our nation's veterans receive the care and support they so richly deserve. Senator Obama has worked on veteran's issues since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate.

Many of Senator Obama's accomplishments in the Illinois Senate were the result of building consensus with Republicans. In the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has continued in this consensus building direction. He worked with Republican Senator Lugar to expand and author a program to locate and dismantle stray Russian WMD's left over from the cold war after the disbanding of the USSR, as but one example.

In January 2007, Senator Obama sponsored a major ethics/lobbying reform bill with Russ Feingold. The law insisted on toughter measures that ban lobbyist gifts and meals as well as the free use of corporate jets. The law requires the disclosure of earmarks and contribution bundling to candidates or committees, and also restricts retiring congresspersons from going into lobbying.

Senator Obama has demonstrated that, not only will he take all positions into consideration, but he'll work hard at pushing through those reforms that achieve the greatest good for the entire nation. This is the type of experience and strong leadership that we very much need in our nation.

Having been an Oprah fan since AM Chicago I am a little disappointed that she injected herself into politics. Clearly it's her choice and right. Yet for many of us who value her often independent and critical judgment, it places her in an uncomfortable and comprising position. Supporting a candidate is not selecting a product to give-away or locating inspirational stories. It has to be a little more concrete than a Jesse Jackson mantra of "Keep Hope Alive." I intend to encourage and support Bloomberg. Obama, though inspirational and politically courageous, pales in comparison in actual accomplishments and track record. I'm not aware of any single issue he has passionately championed as an elected official i.e. Gore and the environment, Hillary and health care. Oprah's value is diminishing for me, as she has surrounded herself with too many yes people and only occasionally offers a critical assessment of current events. She was clearly off base with the war and Don Imus, late to join the environment and healthcare band wagon and played into stereotypes with AIDS in the Black community. Shake up your staff...you have several years left. You have earned more than enough money and respect.

I agree with the comment that "If Oprah supports Obama then i am for Obama." I know many people as well who have either changed their vote or are now giving Obama a second look because of Oprah. Politics has been my hobby since my college days in DC (about 10 years) and among all my smart politically active friends most (and I mean an overwhelming majority) are giving Obama a second look because of Oprah.

I think Oprah should be President.

If Oprah supports Obama, then l am for Obama. she has helped more people than any politicians l have seen. she has done more for peolpe all around the world and she is a woman of truth, brains, good values, genuinely cares for people and want to help and change the world for the better. so, if she says obama is the right person for the job, l believe her.
And already Obama got my vote and with her endorsing him that actually confirms the wise decision of my vote.
one thing for sure is that if she wants Obama on her show all the time, l will never get tired of watching him becasue l cannot seem to get enough of him talk and laying his ideas and values. He is so smart and will make a good president than any candidates out there because he is so honest,authentic and true to his words.

God hasn't yet endorse his own candidate.

I'm SO over Oprah...that her Obama-mania isn't even surprising.

God, er huh, Oprah, is being very up front and honest.
She supports Obama and therefore will not have his rivals on. That makes sense.
Besides, why would anyone want to watch just anyone when you could watch Obama.
the woman has great taste and knows a real president when she sees one.

Oprah has done more for average Americans than any politician alive.

Millions of Americans will accept Oprah's recommendation because he has no reason to mislead or lie to Americans. She's not seeking any favors from Obama.

She tells it as it is. Her endorsement of Obama is as genuine as her words. Unlike Clinton's endorsements from people who are either indebted to them or former employees of her husband who are hoping to be part of a Clinton II administration.

Oprah had both Gore and Bush on her show. So don't try to assert that she favored Bush. Bush poured his heart out while Gore talked politics. Oprah is not to blame.

Furthermore, Oprah's single vote didn't elect and re-elect Bush. She probably didn't even vote for him. Americans did.

If you love your mum better than my mum, it's perfectly understandable and acceptable. Oprah loves Barack Obama. And while I'm a Republican, I will go with Oprah and vote for Obama. You don't have to like it. It's my vote and I owe it to no one.

Oprah has the right just like any other citizen to back who she wants.

Senators, Govenors ex presidents endorse people why can't she. It is a tribute to her popularity that so many people are upset that she is supporting Obama. It was Ok that she endorsed him as long as she did nothing. If she acts on it it becomes a problem. Would these same people be complaining if she was supporting Hillary?

Sounds like fear to me.

Oh gerritsr!

So Bush cares about you, huh?

Perhaps he cares about his money. The money he will be making when he leaves office.
Some idiot! they care more about the republican party than the country?

Oh Lord, we have a long way to go.
No wonder some people supported the KKK when they were killing innocent black people.
I am a republican myself, but I submit, the only candidates worth of my vote are Obama and Mike Huckabee.

If the Democrate makes a mistake to nominate Hillary, we will face another election where we will pick our nose and vote for lesser of two evils.

I'm glad I voted for Bush... if I were in a Democratic district in St. Louis or Milwakuee Wisconson, I would be able to vote several times each election!!!! Free your minds.... Hillary, Obama, Edwards, Kerry, Kennedy... they all don't care about you: never have, never will

andfurthermore1-

I think the "perch of sanctimonious righteousness" has just extended to the area occupied by your post. nice phrasing though.

I think Oprah was very clear why she doesn't like most politicans on her show. She was very clear that she knew they were bs her and the public. But don't blame Oprah, blame the millions he voted for Bush repeatedly. Shame on America for that.

Oh now she's skeptical of politicians. Too bad she was such a willing puppet of the Bushies when she so adoringly (and uncritically) had him on her show during his re-election campaign. And when she helped sell the illegal unjust invasion of Iraq to her gullible audience.

Too little too late Oprah. Your perch of sanctimonious righteousness has become too much to stomach. That's what happens when groupthink sets in from only have 'yes' men and women surround you.