Full Time "First Lady" Hillary: Obama Was "Part Time" State Senator

[jefferson_dem]

Hillary: Obama Was "Part Time" State Senator
By Greg Sargent - January 11, 2008, 10:53AM

Check out this little nugget from the campaign trail in Nevada, as per the Las Vegas Review Journal:

Clinton implied that Obama's career has mostly been spent running for office rather than governing.

"He was a part-time state senator for a few years, and then he came to the Senate and immediately started running for president," she said. "And that's his prerogative. That's his right. But I think it is important to compare and contrast our records."

I haven't heard the "part time" line before. It suggests that Hillary is going to keep going with her "experience" frame, and that the sharp elbows are still out, even though Hillary isn't perceived to be behind right now.

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/hillary_obama_was_part_time_state_senator.php

[babylonsister]

1. Nice to see she's dropped the negative campaigning.

:eyes:

[terisan]

25. I don;t think it negative to point out an opponent's political experience or lack of same.

[babylonsister]

28. Just because she says it doesn't make it so. nt

[terisan]

35. Is there a factual error in her statement?

[babylonsister]

45. Factual as far as it goes; so is the negative connotation. Try

reading Rove's op ed yesterday. The implication is there, it's ugly, and this after she claimed she wasn't going negative.
That's how I'm reading it; you, as a fan, aren't. So be it.

[terisan]

75. I do not consider Karl Rove a reliable source on Democratic candidates. nt

I respect Senator Clinton but I do not consider myself a fan.

[skipos]

2. Clinton is a full-time conservative Democrat. No thanks. ABC. nt

[wyldwolf]

82. and that makes Obama a full-time ULTRA conservative Democrat?

[jackson_dem]

91. Then that makes Obama Ben Nelson, who is expected to endorse Obama

[Texas_Kat]

3. Are State Senators in Illinois full time?

Certainly in Texas they are not. State senators and reps are truly 'part time' and paid only when the Leg is in session (though they have funds for maintaining offices and staffs during the interim periods.)

Not every state has the same process though. Are State Senators in constant session in Illinois? Or do they have 'real world' jobs as well?

[TwilightZone]

12. No, they generally meet a couple days a week, even when there's an active session.

http://www.ilga.gov/senate/schedules/default.asp

[Radical Activist]

69. Seriously, stop it. You're wrong.

The link you provide shows nothing. They usually meet more than two days a week and that's not how you define a full time legislature anyway.

[Nailzberg]

71. It is full time... kinda

The regular session is usually about the first six months of the year. They reconvene in the fall to reconsider the governor's vetoes. So the entire summer and most of the fall they are usually back in their districts. The governor or the Assembly leadership may also convene special sessions to consider appointments or impeachments.

So basically the Assembly is adjourned about half the year. Most state senators have second jobs. Obama's was as a Sr. Lecturer at University Of Chicago Law School. Some of these guys are farmers. Some are teachers. Some have legal practices. It's a citizen/politician role. They certainly don't do it for the pay.

[Texas_Kat]

89. Thanks, I wondered

Texas has a Leg session continuously for about 6 months every 2 years. Course, the Gov can call them back into 'special session' anytime he wants (or has) to.

Texas legislators earn $600 per month in session or not. I guess $7200/year isn't a job that will make you rich. :)

[ccpup]

4. and how is this statment not true?

he ran a campaign for Senate based on a promise he would NOT run for President, got elected, took the Oath of Office and immediately started laying the groundwork for a Presidential Run, leaving his Constituents holding an empty Campaign Promises by Obama bag.

One thing you can't say about Hillary -- who actually kept her promise and respected the voters by fulfilling her obligation to serve her first term --, she didn't blatantly use the constituents who trusted her enough to vote for her as stepping stones to a premature Presidential Campaign.

[Tarheel_Dem]

16. not to dispute your word, but do you have a link or source for

the promise you attribute to Sen. Obama?

[ccpup]

29. here's one thing I found:

"I am not running for president. I am not running for president in four years. I am not running for president in 2008."...--Barack Obama, Nov. 3, 2004

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2006/02/obama_in_08_o_y.html

[Tarheel_Dem]

39. thanks for the link. I guess i was hoping for something more

substantial than a blog.

[ccpup]

43. sorry, but I'm multi-tasking here like crazy, on my way out the door

and didn't have tons of time to do a deep search. It's obvious, though, that it is something he promised and that it was enough of a promise as to inspire conversation in the community and the Press.

[Radical Activist]

57. Illinois has a full time legislature and it was more than a few years.

Two lies at once. Pretty impressive.

[ElizabethDC]

5. Was he still practicing law while he was state senator?

Just wondering. I don't think it really matters, I just didn't know.

[NYCGirl]

18. No, he was a constitutional law lecturer at U of C Law School during this time. NT

[ElizabethDC]

90. Thanks! n/t

[cali]

6. Oh brother,

It's my understanding that the Illinois legislature is not a part time body. If it is, fine. If not, that's dishonest. And it wasn't a few years- it was 7. I think it's fine if Obama starts bringing up her reliance on her years as first lady and the fact that she didn't ever have any security clearance, didn't take part in high level meetings, etc.

[TwilightZone]

20. It is a part-time body.

http://www.ilga.gov/senate/schedules/default.asp

[cali]

23. Then that's fair to point to. n/t

[Radical Activist]

58. No, it isn't.

Congress doesn't meet every month either but that doesn't make it part time.

[Colobo]

7. That's a positive campaign right there.

[HeraldSquare212]

8. Wasn't it Bill who coined the term, "the Perpetual Campaign"? nt

[Fredda Weinberg]

9. HRC had the decency to give us a full term. Sorry, but it counts for sumpthin n/t

[terisan]

15. Clinton & obama each pledged to not run for pres in 1st Senater term. He broke his pledge. nt

[Fredda Weinberg]

44. I wasn't aware of that. So why is he getting a pass? n/t

[terisan]

85. Here is Obama with Russert stating categorically he will finish Senate term and not run

for higher office:


January 2006
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10909406/


MR. RUSSERT: There’s been enormous speculation about your political future, Senator. The man you succeeded in the Senate, Peter Fitzgerald, a Republican, said this recently. “I think there’s a very good chance that Senator Obama is on the Democratic ticket in 2008 as the vice presidential nominee.” Do you agree?

SEN. OBAMA: No. You know, I can’t speculate on those kinds of things. What I have said is that, you know, I’m not focused on running for higher office, I’m focused on doing the job that the people of Illinois just sent me to do.

MR. RUSSERT: But there seems to be an evolution in your thinking. This is what you told the Chicago Tribune last month: “Have you ruled out running for another office before your term is up?” Obama answer: “It’s not something I anticipate doing.” But when we talked back in November of ‘04 after your election I said, “There’s been enormous speculation about your political future. Will you serve your six-year term as United States senator from Illinois?” Obama: “Absolutely.”

SEN. OBAMA: I will serve out my full six-year term. You know, Tim, if you get asked enough, sooner or later you get weary and you start looking for new ways of saying things. But my thinking has not changed.

MR. RUSSERT: So you will not run for president or vice president in 2008?

SEN. OBAMA: I will not.

MR. RUSSERT: Senator, thank you very much for your candor and for joining us and sharing your views.

[Fredda Weinberg]

88. TY. I thought there was something fishy about this person. NYers

were adamant about HRC.

[TwilightZone]

10. The Illinois Senate is generally only in session a couple days a week.

So, technically, "part-time" could be an accurate description.

http://www.ilga.gov/senate/schedules/default.asp

[HeraldSquare212]

11. God forbid they not be professional politicians! nt

[DontTreadOnMe]

14. Experience is not measured in years in office!

George Bush Jr. has seven plus years experience as President of the United States.

Does that mean George is more qualified than Hillary?

[MethuenProgressive]

19. And he actually had to be Present to vote "Present", too.

That took up a lot of time.

[Radical Activist]

61. That's not true

When they're in session they usually meet four days a week. Much like the US Congress does.

[Nailzberg]

81. Then the US Senate is a part time job by your standard.

The body is not in session every day so that members can attend to other government business.

[Bread and Circus]

13. He's had more years in Senate the she yet they are running

at the same time. That kind of means she's more guilty of what she accuse him of.

Memo to Clinton camp:

1.) this is just a stupid ploy
2.) please reconsider how low you want to go because the bottom of the barrel is increasingly coming into focus.

It's starting to feel the Clintons will say just about anything to smear Obama and it's downright disgraceful.

[terisan]

22. As you actually know Clinton has 6 more years in the US Senate than Obama.

Each pledged to not run for president in the first term. She kept her word to the public. He did not keep his word.

[cali]

26. why do people here resort to creative addition?

She was elected in 2000. He was elected in 2004. See? Easy peasy.

[terisan]

32. Thanks for your correction. Clinton has 4 more years of Senate service.

[Bread and Circus]

34. go back and check your facts... because you are forgetting

his state Senate experience as well.

[terisan]

37. I am talking about Washington DC political experience. Specifically US Senate experience.

[Anouka]

46. just keep redefining the conditions ...

until you straitjacket the only truths you'll consider acceptable. some folk are already too familiar with that tactic, since it's an old tactic used against them.

[terisan]

47. My statements reflect my beliefs about relevant experience. I was clear from the start that I was

speaking about Washington DC experience.

[Bread and Circus]

87. No, you were responding to me originally and I was right and

you were wrong.

Now, you are just trying to redefine the terms of the debate to save face. Good try though.

[Anouka]

42. I don't think it counts with them.

First Lady duties trumping state senate experience. okie doke. No teaching experience trumps Constitutional Law Professor. okie doke. Failing the DC bar exam trumps President of the Harvard Law Review. okie doke. Strange Tyson Foods futures trading profit trumps intentionally working in poverty for the betterment Chicago's southside community. okie doke.

didn't a former president himself say Obama was inexperienced and the nation would be 'rolling the dice' with his 'fairy tale' of a run?

I wonder why Bill wants to be back in the White House so desperately, he's willing to savage fellow democrats with lies and innuendo to do it?

[Bread and Circus]

33. Yes but as a Senator (Illinois and U.S.) He has more years put

in.

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear on that. Also, I think it is trivial that he said he wouldn't run for President and then did so. He's got a right to change his mind.

I think it is clear that the Clinton camp continues to sink to new lows to further the politics of personal destruction to further her own ambition and career. Obama changing his mind doesn't sully the democratic process, but what she has been doing lately certainly does. What she is doing is really wrong and nothing to be proud of. Politically grasping.

[terisan]

40. I think promises not kept are issues of character ant the record of each on promises

should be examined to see if there is a trend.

[MethuenProgressive]

17. Why is every accurate comment about Obama's record called "Negative!" by ObamaNation?

It's the accuracy that really gets their knickers in a knot.

[TwilightZone]

24. Habit, perhaps.

They're so convinced that she's lying all the time that they just assume that everything she says is a lie.

Up next, Hillary lies and says that the sky is blue!

[Muttocracy]

21. he had three part-time jobs then

um, he wasn't picking out china patterns or planning state dinners the other part of the time

from http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4029835:
which I think pulled from his site?

Political Experience
U.S. Senator from Illinois, 2005-present
Illinois State Senator, 1997-2004

Professional Experience
Lecturer, University of Chicago Law School, 1993-2004
Attorney, Miner Barnhill & Galland, 1993-2004

[TwilightZone]

27. That would confirm Hillary's assertion, not deny it.

He was a part-time senator while he was still working as an attorney and lecturer.

[Muttocracy]

30. yes, but the part-time implication

would seem to be to knock his experience - while it's OK for her law time to be part of her "35 years" of experience.

Plus unless you explain that some legislatures are part-time (it varies from state to state) it sort of insinuates that he was doing a half-baked job.

Personally, I think this experience thing between the two of them is silly. I was for Biden, 2nd Dodd, because of their experience. For the others to fight over experience just makes me :eyes:

I wish all these candidates would get back to work. They're being almost no-time employees and full-time campaigners. Guess that's how the system works though.

Will be interesting to see what happens once Senate is back in session soon.

[TwilightZone]

31. "Part-time Senator" is pretty clear.

I understand your underlying assertion, but the phrase is an accurate description.

[goku2008]

38. o

he expanded healthcare for 100,000 ppl, passed laws to have confessions video taped, passed best ethics reforms in 25 years, i don't call that parttime, that is hard work to do

[William769]

36. Hey jefferson_dem are we going to see you post anything of substance for policy ideas on your guy?

I keep looking I just don't find it, not only from you but from anyone.

[goku2008]

41. here

here youy go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4027473

[jefferson_dem]

49. You doth protest too much. Here ya go - -

Please bookmark these so you don't come back here whining about this again. Thanks.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4027473

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4029835&mesg_id=4029835

[William769]

50. And yet nothing by you.

[TwilightZone]

52. That was rather strange.

He's either taking credit for someone else's posts, or the three users are one person.

:shrug:

[TwilightZone]

51. You didn't create those, so I'm not sure what your point is.

You didn't even post in them.

Are you claiming to be goku2008 and zulchzulu? Or just taking credit for their work?

[William769]

55. I would have thought better of a poltical science major.

[TwilightZone]

60. Could be worse...

I had a poster tell me one night that he was a professional political strategist and was something like 23 of 28 in various races.

He then went on to tell me that Iowa politics are an unquestionably perfect representation of every other state and Iowa politics are exactly the same as every other state in "Middle America".

I told him that if he worked for me as a strategist and made that assertion, I'd fire him in an instant.

[jefferson_dem]

59. I'm claiming that you can't read and are obtuse.

BILLY: Hey jefferson_dem are we going to see you post anything of substance for policy ideas on your guy? I keep looking I just don't find it, not only from you but from anyone.

There are gobs of Obama's policy positions at those links. He said he was looking so I helped sort him out.

[William769]

62. But you yourself never seem to want to help Obama out on this.

How odd.

[jefferson_dem]

65. Odd is a word that fits you well, Billy.

Cheers to you and best of luck to your candidate. :hi:

[William769]

68. Thats it avoid the question.

you have a nice day also.

[Adelante]

48. Not bad for part-time

[THUNDER HANDS]

53. Hillary has been running for president since before she was elected to the senate

Every vote she's cast has been with one eye pointed toward the White House. To deny that is being disingenuous.

[Nedsdag]

54. Keep it up Hillary!

Keep sticking your high heel in your mouth.

You and Bill and pushing more people away from you.

Keep it going, your majesty!

[Radical Activist]

56. That's a lie on two points.

It wasn't "a few years" and Illinois has a full time legislature.

[TwilightZone]

63. Illinois does not have a full-time legislature.

Come on, people. This stuff really isn't that hard to find.

They generally meet only two or three days a week, even when they are in active session. Some times, it's one day a week.

http://www.ilga.gov/senate/schedules/default.asp

[Radical Activist]

66. Yes, they do.

That's why they receive full time pay. Congress doesn't meet for five days a week when they're in session. Does that make them part time? Work on your definitions and do a little research. Here's a link.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE4D81E3AF937A35755C0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2

"Experts characterize the legislatures in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania as virtually full-time bodies. Although many lawmakers continue to hold outside jobs in those states, the length of the legislative sessions, at least six months and usually more, makes most outside careers impossible. New Breed of State Lawmaker"

[TwilightZone]

67. One day a week is full-time? Damn, sign me up!

http://www.ilga.gov/Senate/Schedules/2008_January_Schedule.pdf

Two full sessions the entire month.

[Radical Activist]

73. Stop lying.

The schedule changes at the last minute and January veto session is not reflective of a normal session. Obviously you don't know what a full time legislature is or how the calendar works.

[TwilightZone]

76. At least I can actually read a calendar.

[Radical Activist]

78. No, you obviously can't

because you don't understand a legislative calendar and the fact that what you link to will end up being far more work than one day a week.

[jefferson_dem]

84. This poster is full of shit. IL has a full-time professional legislature.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4033368&mesg_id=4034227

[jefferson_dem]

72. Take it up with the Director of Public Affairs, University of Illinois. He says ...

...

The Illinois Legislature long ago crossed the bridge from part-time to full-time, says Charlie Wheeler, director of public-affairs reporting at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

And until 1967, the Legislature met every other year, according to the state archives office. The move to annual sessions helped spell the end of a part-time legislature composed of citizens instead of true politicians, Wheeler says.

“I think we’re better off with a professional legislature,” he says. “It’s a complex state. It’s a diverse state. It has serious problems. It’s better than having amateurs every other year for a few months.”

http://www.illinoistimes.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A5196

[Radical Activist]

64. Here's an article about Illinois' full time legislature.

Hillary lies again...

"Experts characterize the legislatures in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania as virtually full-time bodies. Although many lawmakers continue to hold outside jobs in those states, the length of the legislative sessions, at least six months and usually more, makes most outside careers impossible."

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE4D81E3AF937A35755C0A96F948260

[zulchzulu]

70. OK...we can play this game, Hillary...

Is Bimbo Patrol part of your experience as First Lady in AK and in the White House? What about the couple of years you weren't talking to your husband because of the Monica bullshit?

Clinking teacups with the leader's wives when you were First Lady might get you a gig on Martha Stewart. Maybe.

Sheesh...what a low campaign the Clinton team is doing...

[TwilightZone]

74. Wow, I had no idea that she was First Lady of Alaska.

[jefferson_dem]

80. She was a wonderful hostess when Laura Bush visited for tea in 2000

I'll give here that

...

Laura Bush took tea at the White House yesterday morning with Hillary Clinton, in the customary courtesy call by the incoming First Lady. What was never expected to be a meeting of minds began badly when the door of Mrs Bush's limousine refused to open, delaying her emergence at the south entrance of the White House.

Laura Bush took tea at the White House yesterday morning with Hillary Clinton, in the customary courtesy call by the incoming First Lady. What was never expected to be a meeting of minds began badly when the door of Mrs Bush's limousine refused to open, delaying her emergence at the south entrance of the White House.

"I'm glad to see you," said Mrs Clinton without great warmth, as she tried to steer Mrs Bush away from cameras. But Mrs Bush seemed content to bask for a few moments in the limelight, smiling benignly before being ushered in.

Mrs Clinton, in what had to be a political decision, was in her campaign and Senator-elect garb of black trouser-suit and peach blouse, looking brisk and businesslike. Mrs Bush, who looked pale and tired was in a lilac-checked suit with a sensible skirt, which her mother-in-law, Barbara, would thoroughly have approved.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article157247.ece

[OneMoreDemocrat]

77. This whole 'First Lady' business that Hillary keeps banding about.....

is such nonsense.

Pickles has spent just about the same amount of time in the White House (not to mention as First Lady of Texas)...anyone think
that qualifies her as a candidate for President? Hillary seems to think it should.

I kinda like Hillary and would be supremely happy to vote for her in the General, but I wish she'd stop with the whole
First Lady bit...it's ridiculous.

[wyldwolf]

83. Not according to Obama

[killbotfactory]

79. A lazy black man, shuckin' and jivin' his way to the presidency

Is that what she means?

:eyes:

Keep lying, Clinton. You're good at it.

[workinclasszero]

86. Yup more code words...

Part-time (lazy..shiftless..ect.)

Yeah we get it Hillary. :eyes:

[babylonsister]

94. Exactly! nt

[codeindigo]

92. does this have to do with his voting record?

:shrug:

[SaveElmer]

93. Funny telling the truth about Obama's career

Gets his supporters in a tizzy

[rucky]

95. If he can draft all that legislation in a part-time job...

Damn he's good!

[AzDar]

96. How can ANY Dem support Hillary after her Dick Cheney moment last week??

"The TERRORISTS watch these elections..."
:puke:
DO YOU LIKE FASCISM, FOLKS????

[workinclasszero]

98. Good Question

Hillary sounded very Republican with that comment.

Freeperish even. :puke:

[Radical Activist]

97. What are the official duties of a full time first lady?

[juajen]

99. Actually, watching Laura Bush in the White House for the past

seven years, should make everyone stand up and salute Hillary Clinton, who because of her smarts and communication skills, helped the Clinton Administration become the most popular US Administration in many years. Of course, she certainly had her naysayers, but, frankly, they were mostly pugs. I never expected to see her treated this way by a DUer. I believe that most men are dismissived of the supportive role that women play as wives of leaders and the difficulty of their lives because of that ignorance. Yes, some women are much better at this than others. How do you like the comparison of Georgie boy to Big Dog. Not much, is there.

Liking your candidate is one thing, idolizing him/her is another.