Well, since no one could tell me what Obama has accomplished...

[1corona4u]

after I asked 4 times, I started to look myself, and I gotta say it. He has a weak portfolio, at best, and co-this, suported-that, means nothing to me. To paraphrase Joe Biden, this man is truly not qualified to be president.

Here is a list I was able to find, and if there are any other relevant accomplishments his supporters would like to point out, please feel free.

By Jim Lyons | June 29, 2007


For those of you who hear questions like “what has he done?”, here is a list so far of Barack Obama’s accomplishments in the US Senate:

1. Sponsored the “Higher Education through Pell Grant Expansion Act”.

2. Co-sponsored the “Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act” proposed by John McCain.

3. Amended the “Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act” proposed by Arlen Specter.

4. Supported the “Secure Fence Act” to build fences and other security along the Mexican border.

5. Introduced the “Lugar-Obama” initiative expanding a previous initiative to reduce the threat of conventional weapons.

6. Was the primary sponsor of the “Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act,” which was signed into law December 22, 2006.

7. The “Coburn-Obama Transparency Act” would create a web site listing all organizations receiving federal funding from 2007 onward. It would provide a breakdown of which agencies gave out funds, what organizations received funds, and what the funds were used for.

8. He joined Russ Feingold in passing a bill to strengthen legislation regulating legigslators’ travel on corporate jets.

9. Along with Charles Schumer he passed a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections including fraudulent flyers and automatic phone calls.

10. Co-sponsored a bill on climate change with John McCain to reduce greenhouse gases by 2/3 by 2050.




His accomplishments in the private sector:

1. Headed a non-profit organization assisting churches to organize job training programs.

2. After receiving his law degree magna cum laude from Harvard, he directed a Chicago area voter registration drive.

2a. He was elected Harvard Law Review’s first “black” president.

3. As an attorney with with Miner, Barnhill & Galland from 1993 to 1996, he represented community organizers, discrimination claims, and voting rights cases.

4. He was a lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School from 1993 until his election to the Senate in 2004.

5. He has authored 2 books: The first was “Dreams from My Father,” a memoir of his childhood and early career. The audio book earned a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album. His second book, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream” has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for 30 weeks.

http://eburgobama08.org/2007/06/29/what-has-senator-obama-done/

[HeraldSquare212]

1. but at least he didn't blow the Clarence Thomas hearings

like the then-Chair of the Judiciary Committee did.

: )

[Catherine Vincent]

3. LOL!

[quinnox]

2. Obama is too new to the scene and doesn't have any compelling

reasons for him to be president. Really, what has he accomplished? Its a good question. Why should he be president?

[1corona4u]

6. You know that and I know that...

but how is it, that goes totally un-addressed by his supporters?

[DangerDave921]

8. Visceral reaction

I believe many simply like his image, his persona, his warmth -- whatever you want to call that intangible "x" factor that draws people to him. I don't think it's the message that really matters much, at least to a lot of people.

And I'm not bashing Obama supporters specifically. Most of us are guilty of spontaneous reactions to a certain person.

And the same question could be asked of others. What has HRC accomplished? What has Edwards accomplished? From a political standpoint, neither has really been a stand-out in terms of accomplishing anything of major importance.

[1corona4u]

10. I agree, but at least Hillary & Edwards have a history...

we all know what she has accomplished. I specifically want to know what else, other than what's listed in my OP, what has he done?

[quinnox]

14. yea

I guess the "hope" thing is the main motivation for Obama supporters, but it seems kinda thin for a good reason.

[1corona4u]

16. Exactly. We are in deep doo doo...

and the fact that he doesn't have much time, or experience, under his belt really bothers me. I guess he thinks since he worked on the streets of Chicago, he can do anything...

[DangerDave921]

4. additions

But how many square feet is his house? And how much does he spend on haircuts? And how much money is he worth?

We all know these are the truly important issues! :)

[1corona4u]

5. I want to know specifically what he has done..

if you can't answer the question, why bother to post?

[DangerDave921]

9. why?

It's called lighthearted humor, my friend. Humor needs no purpose. Forgive my unwelcome intrusion on your oh-so-serious political discussion.

:)

[1corona4u]

15. You're right...

but everytime I ask this question, I either get no serious answer, or a joke. sorry to snap at you. :-)

[DangerDave921]

27. No problem

I wish I could answer your question. But I am leaning toward Biden myself so I am a little biased. But I try to keep an open mind and question everything, which leads some on here to accuse me of "attacking" other candidates. I'm not attacking; just asking questions.

I think the top 3 candidates all have serious deficiencies.

HRC is really riding on her last name and her gender. That's what got her elected a senator from a state she never lived in. She runs a highly staged and crafted campaign and has a hard time coming down on one side of an issue.

Edwards, while he now preaches a solid message, is still to me a smooth-talking trial lawyer who bought a senate seat and had a very brief, uneventful term as a senator. And his unbridled wealth does rub me the wrong way when he talks about two americas.

Obama. Again, nice message of hope and inclusion. But virtually no experience to qualify him for president.

[polichick]

7. imo Obama would be good as veep. nt

[1corona4u]

11. I agree with you...

really I do. And, it would give him the experience he needs to keep the WH when-whomever is out in 4/8 years. BUT, as a prez, right now, I don't think so.

[momto3]

12. I agree.

I would love to see a Biden/Obama ticket.

[MNDemNY]

36. A heartbeat away?

[jillan]

13. Actually that is better than I thought it would be.

What about Hillary?

I know she did a great job stopping the privatization of Social Security, and I love her for that.
But I don't know what else.

[1corona4u]

19. I don't know....

Let me clarify, they have a long history in politics. Both John & Hillary do. I honestly worry less about her than I do Obama, because of BC. There's a lot of guidance there, you know? And, as much as I hate John, he too has a decent portfolio. Obviously, Biden blows all of them away, but with 35 years in the senate, he should.

If you look at Obama, really, he's been in politics for 11 years. Eleven years.

[jillan]

20. That reminds me -

This weekend I want to rent Robert Redford in The Candidate.

[1corona4u]

23. Yeah, I think I might rent it too...

been so long since I've seen it.

[monmouth]

17. I love Obama's energy and his passion, but in essence he is an empty suit.

[1corona4u]

22. Exactly..

[Dawgs]

18. Well, here's my reasoning for supporting him.

1) His judgement in 2002-2003 regarding the Iraq war.

2) He speaks for a younger(my) generation.

3) His entire career(not just political) - His decision to become a community organizer in one of the shitiest places in America, the knowledge he gained from teaching constitutional law, and his number of years as a state legistlator; which some people try to pretend is the same as working for McDonalds. I think many people forget that he was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. This means he could have gone anywhere to become a highly paid lawyer. Instead he decided to take a job in South Chicago for little money as a community organizer.

4) His vision for America.

5) His positions on climate change, healthcare, civil rights, and his position on taking money from lobbyists.

6) His life experience growing up fatherless with a white mother.

These are just a few of the reasons I support Barack Obama.

[1corona4u]

21. And, how do you equate this as being

QUALIFIED to be president? I understand why YOU support him, but what, in what you said, makes him qualified? Again, I disregard the Iraq statement, because he wasn't even in the senate at that time. he spoke out in ONE anti-war rally in Chicago. That's a lot different than actually having to vote for/against it, and in fact, Obama himself, said he had no idea of the intelligence they had before the vote.

By the way, there are still older folks in this country too, and it's kind of scary that the "youth" in this country are supporting him because he represents youth/young ideas to them. I wonder what his stance is on the baby boomers, such as myself. I guess we don't matter though....

[Dawgs]

24. Both Obama and I are not young, and I'm responding to those that wonder why he's supported.

Second, he spoke out many times against the Iraq war.

See this video for starters--> http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid901176778/bclid900482168/bctid659820802

Then go here to read his speech and tell me you don't think he was right, and that it doesn't sound presidential --> http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Barack_Obama's_Iraq_Speech

Here's part of it,

"..I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history.

I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of al-Qaeda.

...

You want a fight, President Bush? Let’s fight to make sure that the UN inspectors can do their work, and that we vigorously enforce a non-proliferation treaty, and that former enemies and current allies like Russia safeguard and ultimately eliminate their stores of nuclear material, and that nations like Pakistan and India never use the terrible weapons already in their possession, and that the arms merchants in our own country stop feeding the countless wars that rage across the globe.

...

You want a fight, President Bush? Let’s fight to wean ourselves off Middle East oil, through an energy policy that doesn’t simply serve the interests of Exxon and Mobil.

Those are the battles that we need to fight. Those are the battles that we willingly join. The battles against ignorance and intolerance. Corruption and greed. Poverty and despair."

[1corona4u]

26. See, here's the thing...

this isn't about "sounding presidential". It's about BEING rpesidential. You do that by actions more than words. 11 years in politics is simply not long enough for someone to claim they are qualified. Sorry. Oh, and you said you weren't young, but in your first post you specifically said;


2) He speaks for a younger(my) generation.

Obama "speaks", "supports", "plans", and does nothing. Not even vote when it's controversial. I am so ready to ask the senate what the real truth is about him missing the KL bill, so I get a straight, honest answer. I think the citizens of this country need to know, from the source, the US Senate, before the caucuses.

[Dawgs]

29. How do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you say "Obama does nothing"?

I'm done with you.

Don't bother responding because you're going on ignore.

I don't have time for people that support someone who voted for the Iraq war and then claim that those who were against it don't do or say anything.

Have a nice life. I hope you wake up soon.

[MNDemNY]

45. BHO has voted to support the war several times.

If he is so against it why fund it? I know you'll just put me on ignore. Your list is probably as long as your arm. Tuck your head in deep...must not hear dissenting views, head will explode.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

31. how much political experience did Eisenhower have?

George Washington? Dick Cheney? Donald Rumsfeld?

Experience is important but it is not everything.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

30. have you read the anti-war speech you refer to?

he accurately predicted every damn thing that's happened in Iraq since the invasion. Either he's psychic or he knows what the hell he's talking about.

[1corona4u]

34. Yes, I have.

[MNDemNY]

38. Your # 1 is bullshit.

Do you REALLY believe that BHO would have voted against the Iraq resolution had he been in the Senate? As much of a politician as he has proven thus far to be, if you do believe that you are at best naive. He would have followed the "leadership" and not have stood with the likes of Kucinich (for the record, Dennis has my primary vote)..

[MadBadger]

39. First off, yes, I do believe he would have been his own person

Second, Biden? Since when did he not vote for the IWR?

[MNDemNY]

40. Sorry my bad.

But you have to know he would have towed the line. His record reflects such.

[MadBadger]

41. All i know is what he said before the election

And that is enough for me. Those are the facts, everything else is just speculation.

[MNDemNY]

42. Yes, like he's been his "own" man when he voted to fund the war?

And his impassioned fight against Kiel-Lieberman was fabulous! He's got a pair, alright!

[MNDemNY]

43. Deep down, (not too deep) you know better.

But , hey, WTF go with that.

[Hobarticus]

25. I honestly feel he's the weakest of all the candidates...

I think he's a great Dem, that's not an issue.

I hear a lot of lofty talk, but that's about it. I sincerely feel he is not qualified.

Naturally I'll support him if he gets the nom, but I hope he doesn't.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

28. Obama has less experience than Biden, Dodd or Richardson

I don't think that's debatable. But there are other reasons to vote for a candidate, and if you don't see those things in Obama by now, you're probably not going to in the future.

[1corona4u]

33. I Like Obama's passion...

I really do, and I don't think he is wrong on everything he says, but, I think he needs more time. That's all I'm saying. I posted this after I had asked 4 times in various threads, and no one responded. I truly wanted to know if there were things out there that I was missing.

[MNDemNY]

37. I note a curious absence of BHO supporters on this thread.

Interesting.

[hyphenate]

32. I'm still of the mind that

he's not experienced enough. Things can and will change, for sure, but I'd like to see him in the senate for awhile before making the leap to president so soon in his career.

[Hippo_Tron]

35. IMO, the best person for the job probably has no government experience at all

I refuse to believe that out of the 300 million people in this country, the best qualified person for the presidency happens to be one of the 585 Senators, Congressmen, or Governors or a few hundred more or so that have held those positions recently.

IMO, the best person for the job is probably not involved in politics and has no government experience whatsoever. I'll admit that Obama doesn't have very many accomplishments in the Senate. I don't really care. If the process allowed for State Senators to be viable presidential candidates, then I'd still vote for him even if he had never been elected to the US Senate in the first place.

[Occam Bandage]

44. That's a pretty good record. I like all but the fence.