McCain ads contrast Palin and Obama

I would love to read in any of the subsequent posts what EXACTLY Obama has accomplished. Tangible things too....not platitudes and "great speeches". Hillary hit it right on the nose with her earlier assessment - "other than a great speech he gave in 2004, what exactly has he accomplished?".

What organizations has he led?

What executive leadership experience does he have?

Obama's answer that running for president is all the "executive experience" he needs is laughable.

We need LEADERS not orators.

"Where did she come from? Who is She? How did she get selected as Vice President on the Republican ticket," are the questions circulating from coast to coast about Alaska's two year governor, Sarah Palin. Even before her scheduled prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention, Palin has already galvanized the Evangelicals, rural voters from the Appalachian corridor, the Southerns, and lots of women, who like her can... "bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan... but never let their husbands forget he's the Man!" .

Well, here is the answer to the Sarah Palin mystery in song: "The Clampets, The Palins... The Oil!" (sung to the tune of the long running hit show "The Beverly Hillbillies"):

Lemme tell you all a story 'bout a man named Todd,
Whose wife came out of no where...
And his family's sorta odd.
Indeed she is attractive,
And can sure 'dress-out' a moose...
But her value to this ticket
Is her State's bubbling crude.

Oil that is. Black gold. Alaskan tea!

Well the next thing you know,
Old Sarah's tapped for Veep,
With of all her family's "baggage"
She's still headed for DC
This young (granny Clampet),
With her guns, bible and all
Will help McCain "whup"
Barack Obama come this Fall.

www.Vberryhill-soulvoice.blogspot.com

Palin has far more executive experience than her running mate, JOhn McCain. Maybe she should head the ticket.

Cindy, you should move.

Why does Obama call women "sweetie"?

"What executive leadership experience does he have?"

Please apply the same question to McCain

Why don't you take a minute of your own time and do some research on his accomplishments/ leadership positions, instead of just asking people for answers?

I am so angry that Barack Obama is even running for the most important position in our country! He does not deserve this at this stage in his career! When Hillary Clinton was running for the democratic nomination, men in the back of the room held up a sign reading "Iron my shirt!" How would Obama like a sign saying "shine my shoes"? There is a lot sexism out there and I am tired of it!!

This post is from another site but I think it sums up the culture of the conservative right:

'Sorry, but the truth isn't "liberal." It's pretty funny to hear you right-wingers screech when things don't go your way, just like infants in the sandbox. And I don't need to be lectured on "loving America" by the same self-loving conservatives who opposed every advance in human rights in this country for the last 70 years. You have destroyed this economy every time you've gotten your hands on it, though Democrats always clean up your messes. You have killed thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of innocents around the world. You have beaten, dragged, lynched, and defamed everyone who looks different from you or disagrees with you.

I don't need your moral judgments on liberalism, because you have no ground from which to make them. You are morally, intellectually, and now financially bankrupt. It is you who hate the idea that America means dialogue and compromise--you want it all, all to yourselves.

I love my home and my country too much to cede it to the likes of you. It's not America I hate--it's your philosophy. America is more generous, decent, and kind than you have ever let it be, or would ever let it be.

That said, it's an American tradition to honor our fellow Americans' hatefulness as their "right." So I honor your right to continue hating everyone to the left of Hitler. But you will never, never, get my vote, and I will work as hard as I can to undermine your every effort, in every way I can, as long as I live.

Enjoy watching history move past you. It will whether you want it to or not.'

Posted by: Mike A | September 3, 2008 1:50 AM

Thank you Mike for such a eloquent post. You my friend are a True American and Patriot!!!!

Cindy, it is the Republcian who have been making the "expereince is all that matters" agrument, so for you to ask Democrats to provide proof is disingenuous, as we were never the ones making the claim that expereince is necessary.

Now you have this Governor Palin, for who the Republcians have still been unable to name a single accomplishmnet that qualifys her for the White House.

To reply to your inane logic, what executive leadership expereince does McCain have, if this is so imporant to you all of the sudden.

The irony is lost on people liek you, who have niether the intellectual capacity to understand what hypocrisy is, but won't even expend the due diligence that would expose you conitive dissonance for what it is, outright absurd hypocrisy.

OK, Cindy......well, we can start with the fact that he is leading an enormous campaign and managing thousands of volunteers with a budget many times the size of Wasilla, Alaska, which is the job Ms. Palin is most familiar with. i won't mention the fact that he was a community organizer, because Republicans have no idea what that means, for them, public service = military service and nothing else compares.

You know who had TONS of executive experience? George W. Bush. all he did his whole life was lead and ruin companies, then he drove the US into the ditch. but you should keep touting "executive experience." it's not like it sounds LUDICROUS or anything.

oh we want Obama accomplishments? Ok. Apparently your google isn't working, because you could have easily found this with one search. Then again, people like you don't really WANT to know what he's done, because then you can't post on sites like this with ignorant challenges like you just have:

He sponsored 152 bills and resolutions in his first year in Congress. Co-sponsored 427 more. One of them being the Secure Orderly Immigration Act sponsored by *GASP!* John McCain. (what was that about not crossing party lines to work together Lieberman?) He also worked with Repub Senator Lugar on a program that finds and dismantles WMD left over from the cold war.

He worked to overhaul campaign finance reform with Feingold.

In the state Senate he worked on legislation to reform the death penalty, he brought health insurance to 70K children, 150K residents overall. He introduced a bill that would study welfare success rates in order to improve the system including providing job skills training to those receiving aid. He introduced a bill that would require the state of Illinois to purchase a portion of their energy from renewable sources.

Oh and not to mention the Federal Funding and Accountability Act passed in 2006 and the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act passed in 2007

So, I'd venture to say that the man has accomplished alot, and has even crossed the aisle MANY times to work on isues that matter to the American people.

Cindy from Cambridge,
Leadership is never about executive experience. There are plenty of seasoned Republican executives looking for a job. Leaders emerge and inspirre a whole nation into action. I would suggest that you re-examine your position based on a clear understanding of what leadership is all about. George Bush has a very strong executive experience resume and an MBA. Look at what that did to the country. Yes, George Bush is a seasoned executive - leader he never was.

We need the change .. but not in the wrong direction. Obama is not ready and will take U.S in a wrong direction. He needs to answer about his association with some extreme people who hate America.

Yeah Cindy! Preach On!

Except for the fact that you got all your facts wrong, you are preaching to the choir! You are right:
OBama brings thought provoking and stirring speeches that touch upon the morality of both parties. What is his speaking skills and legislative experience working with members of both houses compared to someone with Trooper-Gate, the Bridge to Nowhere, and over $20 million of "pork" earmarks for her small Alaskan town?

If we can't hire someone corrupt like us, then throw the bum out of the debate who touts reform. Good to see you support the fleecing of Americans too Cindy.

Cindy, below please find the answer your question of "what EXACTLY Obama has accomplished:"

Respectfully,

Terp

Couldn't they have found a photo of her where she doesn't look like a deranged person? Her record is a joke. Running this ad is only going to bring attention to her lack of experience, not his, which I can't believe they want to do. 18 million people VOTED for OBAMA to be a candidate. Are they all wrong? She got a slightly higher percentage of the votes of the 650,000 people who live in Alaska (which is smaller than most cities and counties in the lower 48).

This is like that ad over the summer where McCain blamed Obama for the high gas prices and everyone saw it and said "WTF? Is he getting senile?"

I seriously question the intelligence and experience of everyone involved with the McCain campaign.

Since it is very easy to use the Internet to find these answers for yourself, anyone demanding to know what Obama has accomplished is either too lazy to find out, or, simply does not wish to acknowledge that Obama has a significant record of legislative achievements, organizational achievements, educational and professional achievements, and leadership achivements to his name. He has also been vetted by, and supported by 18 million and more Americans through a tough Primary process.

Why not just start with the Wiki page dedicated to him and take it from there. You might also try the Washington Post and NY Times as thery have both run multiple articles on his legislative records from the IL State Senate and the US Senate.

Barack Obama's Community Organizer experience = Sarah Palin's PTA experience.

Obama learned how to knock on people's doors, while he was mentored by terrorists like William Ayers. At the same time Palin was balancing budgets and making executive decisions.

Who would you rather have in the White House?

Go Palin!

Why doesn't the media go and highlight all the Obama has done? Good question. Maybe because he hasn't done anything.

I don't see that Palin is running for President. If you are going to compare, it should be Palin compared to Biden.

Leadership and vison is what is needed from any great president. That Obama has. OldMc has had 22 years to make his mark and has not, especially in last 8. Alaska is not much population-wise to govern. Obama has staed what he has accomplished with details on his web site.Anyone that still does not know just says that as they will never vote for him regardless. Oldmc has changed his position and sold his soul to the the right wing. He used to be a Maverick until he got knocked down by his own party when he last ran for president. Our greatest leaders have been great orators. OldMc can barely read his speeches.

Lincoln was a great orator and had no "executive experience." What he did have was great judgment and insight. That is the real issue.

Obama's indication that 'running for president' qualifies as 'executive experience' is preposterous. I can say that I'm qualified to run Toyota Motor Company because I manage an online Toyota fanzine. Its illogical

McCain's choice of Palin shows he is not competent to be President. McCain had only met Palin once before he chose her to be his running mate. His staff had not veted her. And yet he chose her to be a 72-76 year old heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States of America. McCain's poor judgement mirrors that of Bush's. Now with Palin as the VP pick you can be sure big oil will continue to own this country and your wallet. Not to mention the fact that conservative republicans have NO RESPECT for the Constitution of the United States, (not that Americans really care about that - their main concern is being able to afford milk right now.)

The Democrats can overlook almost anything in their own candidate, but they require perfection in Palin? She's a governor (how many of you are?). She's a mom. Without moms none of use would be here. Yes she was a mayor too. She does not run away from (or deny) problems -- she faces them. How many of your readers do? The Constitution says we only have to be 35 years old and born here. Obama barely qualified for that. The change Obama wants is to cram oppressive laws and oppressive taxes down our throat. She just wants to make things better (I like that kind of change). I don't like heavy handed legislation and even heavier taxation. (You are Bostonians -- you ought to understand THAT!)

Yeah! inspiration and change be damned.

We need leaders. Like Governor Bush was in Texa... oops, wait, uhmmm...

Yeah, look. All you republicans can moan, whine and cry about this and that but the bottom line is he is that he exemplifies leadership. Does the fact that he came from nothing and a single parent household to be the viable first black president of the united states mean nothing??? Are you insane???

Hey, Cindy from Cambridge - just how much experience do you think that a person that is mayor of a town of about 9,000 (if that many) and being involved in the PTA has? Has Palin even ever lived in a really big city or had experience with addressing urban problems that our major cities have? Even as Governor of Alaska, the number of constituents she represents pales compared to the number of people that live in just the city of Chicago, where Obama did community organizing, not to mention the number of people he represents as Senator for Illinois. She's a little goldfish that has just been dropped in the ocean.

We need someone with a bit more experience with Washington D.C., our FEDERAL government, and that has shown good judgment in their decision making (how about flying home to Alaska from Dallas after going into labor, when she already knew she had a baby that would have Down's Syndrome and that baby would face enormous challenges when born). Although she may be a very nice lady, I don't think she has shown me the level of competence she needs to run this country!

Are you talking about her leadership on the "Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service, Inc.," 527 group?

"The approval rate for Congress is down around 11 percent because the law was not fully implemented, and the '74 law on these so-called 527s — 527s are a disgrace and they have to be eliminated because they're clearly in violation of the law." -- some guy named John McCain lolz

How can people paint 20 months of governorship of a state with a population less than that of a major city as enough to lead the country....even without examining what was accomplished or botched. If Obama had selected a Palin, the right would've been all over him for selecting an unloyal successionist, and vindictive hypocrite. The Grand Odd Party has struck again. Nominate a gun-toting right winger with intolerant attitudes toward others....but all is forgiven about the candidates own family and ethical issues if he/she to a fund-o-mentalist church regularly. Ugh.

The McCain camp must think that we are idiots. There is no reasonable comparison between a Presidential nominee and a Vice Presidential nominee. Obama is the candidate, Palin is the stand-in for a not-so-ready candidate whose cheese has slipped off of his cracker. The Presidential nominees are the comparison. Fact is, there is no comparison. John McCain is blowing it big time. Karl Rove is right. This highly contrived and transparent wedge candidate will do more harm to John McCain's fortunes because thinking people see his choice for what it is. I feel sorry for Sarah as she tries to be the trooper and team player that she obviously is. Who will lose? We will if this ticket wins in November. What a shame.

There are lots of comments about John McCain selecting Sarah Palin just to attract Women votes. How about the Men that are excited to see a qualified conservative Woman on the ticket. She may not be the most qualified V.P. pick McCain could have made, but past experience isn't everything that goes into selecting a qualified running mate. Sometimes it only contributes to the corruption. How about the potential and energy she brings to the Executive Office!

Hey, Cindy from Cambridge - just how much experience do you think that a person that is mayor of a town of about 9,000 (if that many) and being involved in the PTA has? Has Palin even ever lived in a really big city or had experience with addressing urban problems that our major cities have? Even as Governor of Alaska, the number of constituents she represents pales compared to the number of people that live in just the city of Chicago, where Obama did community organizing, not to mention the number of people he represents as Senator for Illinois. She's a little goldfish that has just been dropped in the ocean.

We need someone with a bit more experience with Washington D.C., our FEDERAL government, and that has shown good judgment in their decision making (how about flying home to Alaska from Dallas after going into labor, when she already knew she had a baby that would have Down's Syndrome and that baby would face enormous challenges when born). Although she may be a very nice lady, I don't think she has shown me the level of competence she needs to run this country!

The personal Palin story is overshadowing a much more significant piece of news:
"We learned last week that John McCain really wanted to choose his very good friend, Joe Lieberman, for VP but caved into pressure from the religious right. McCain will save his Lieberman pick for the Supreme Court — sorry evangelicals but you’ll have no leverage on Maverick McCain by then. Your Vice President will have no power in the process and a Democratic majority will happily confirm pro-choice Lieberman to the Supreme Court!”
Please understand the debate about abortion is essentially over. It may have become clearer to some during Lieberman's address to the convention last night. It takes some time for this profound reality to sink in.

We need people with the right policies.

This is not about experience. When have Americans ever voted for a President only based on their experience? You can have lots of experience of doing the wrong thing - like John McCain, and his barmy right wing, anti-science nut of a running mate. I don't care if she has been in the senate for years, or a governor of a tiny state (populationwise) for 20 months. The fact is that she is a crazy right wing nutjob who thinks it is a good idea to give money to the rich and continue to send the economy down the tubes.

It doesn't matter how long they have been serving. What matters is what they are going to do. Palin will make the vast majority of Americans worse off.

If Palin (both a mayor and a governor ) is unqualified to be vice president then how is the Community Organizer qualified to be president?

Unfortunately to the liberals of whom largely live in cities with a population of 100,000 or more, this country is a nation of Wasillas, not Chicagos.

Smells like the Dems are scared.

Obama's supporters appear to be absolutely petrified of this woman. I suspect that we will soon find out why.

The Republicans VP choice has more leadership experience
than the Dumbocrat's P choice.
The Dumbocrats talk a good game about women, but when they
had a chance to select a woman for VP what did they do? They
selected Biden, a tired old dumbocrat hack with a history of
condescension and cheuvenism. I can't wait till Old Joe talks
down to Palin in the debates. You just watch...he can't help it.

What!? You've got to me kidding. This is a perfect example of "the emperor is not wearing any clothes". You are comparing the Senator from Illinois with the former mayor of a 6500 pop. town in Alaska?! She finally got elected as Govenor and has been in that position for 20 months!
Barack Obama earned his law degree from Harvard in 1991, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Soon after, he returned to Chicago to practice as a civil rights lawyer and teach constitutional law. Finally, his advocacy work led him to run for the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he became the third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate. In the Illinois State Senate, this meant working with both Democrats and Republicans to help working families get ahead by creating programs like the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which in three years provided over $100 million in tax cuts to families across the state. He also pushed through an expansion of early childhood education, and after a number of inmates on death row were found innocent, Senator Obama worked with law enforcement officials to require the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases.

In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the challenges of a globalized, 21st century world with fresh thinking and a politics that no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. His first law was passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to rebuild trust in government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where every dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been the lead voice in championing ethics reform that would root out Jack Abramoff-style corruption in Congress.

As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama has fought to help Illinois veterans get the disability pay they were promised, while working to prepare the VA for the return of the thousands of veterans who will need care after Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizing the terrorist threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, he traveled to Russia with Republican Dick Lugar to begin a new generation of non-proliferation efforts designed to find and secure deadly weapons around the world. And knowing the threat we face to our economy and our security from America's addiction to oil, he's working to bring auto companies, unions, farmers, businesses and politicians of both parties together to promote the greater use of alternative fuels and higher fuel standards in our cars.

HELLOOO!!!

Any comparison of these two shows the desparation of someone who puts the Republican Party BEFORE the country!

i agree with cindy i do not know much about obama except that he is popular. I understand people would love to have an african american in office. i myself am half african american but to me color doesnt matter isnt that what martin luther king pushed?

Sarah's a real firecracker; watch tonight. More important than O's or McCain's acceptance speeches

Somebody's really nervous..and I don't think it's Sarah Palin or John McCain..

He did a stint as 'community activist' before his work as a state senator who voted 'present' 130 times. I have no idea how many votes he actually did cast as state senator and whether any of those mattered any more than a congratulatory message to the Cubs or Bears.

So yes, I wish to know what he did. Besides vote as a a member of a large group. What has he done individually in making a decision that affected people.

The most tangible I can come up with is that he was part of election campaigns and very good at self-promotion in his only 'executive' capacity.

Barack Obama is a natural leader. Even Karl Rove admits that he is one of the best American politicians in decades. John Kennedy did not have a history of administration as well. So does not John McCain.
The problem for McCain was to get attention for the Republican Convention which he is getting now with the controversial choice of Ms.Palin.

Well hopefully the extremely lengthy post I just submitted with detailed Obama accomplishments will see the light of day here....otherwise, I question the Globe's committment to fair reporting.

--Education: graduated at the top of top US schools: Columbia, Harvard

--Leadership from a young age: Editor, Hardvard Law

--Leadership in challenging recent climate: running extremely successful campaign

--Social issues appreciation: community organizer

--Respect for the US Constitution: specialized in constitutional law

--Ability to grasp political challenges: elected to Illinois state senate at young age

--Ability to attract knowledgeable support: was INVITED to run for president (did NOT volunteer!) by Democratic insiders seeking an alternative to Clinton (little known fact--look it up)

--Experience creating laws: 8 years Illinois senate

--Experience working across party lines: four specific instances in US Senate (look them up--they exist even if you want to deny them), including ethics reform (with McCain, among others!), nuclear non-prolit (with Luger), transparent government (with Coburn). WANNA IGNORE THESE NOW, like the other republicans??

--Experience leading to an understanding of how the US government works: 3 years in the US Senate (ask Palin how a bill becomes law, please!)

--Foreign relations experience: sits on relevant committee, visited Iraq two years ago, toured this year, chose a running mate wisely to back himself up

--Foreign and social relations tact and sensitivity: raised in variety of cultures

--Experience engendering international respect: look it up and contrast it with the disdain our "allies" view Bush and McCain's approaches

--Skills: public speaking, nuances thought, no knee-jerk reactions, no temper, firm sense of discipline, practical decisionmaking, understands modern technology and the internet, does not impose personal ideology on others, not hung up by hypertestosterone-based, brainless "honor" thing.

--Intelligence: too obvious to need to show evidence of (unless you can't admit it in spite of his educational and political successes)

--Judgment: has "got it right" first, only to be followed by Bush, McCain, supported by Malaqui, etc.

All you have to do is be willing to examine facts to find the information to make an informed choice. It doesn't matter who you vote for in the end, just do it based on knowledge, not by being buffaloed. Whether you agree with Obama or not, don't disrespect the intelligence of millions who do because it only reflects on YOU and your willingness to protect your opinion by wallowing in ignorance.

I'm sorry, but as a moderate (i.e., thinking) Republican, Sarah Palin's views on creationism and foreign policy (God told the US to invade Iraq) scare me immensely. Isn't this exactly the kind of logic we are trying to get away from? What was McCain thinking? I've defended him until now, but now am seriously torn between the Democrats and Libertarians. McCain seems to care more about courting the religious right than he does about the people, like me, who supported him in 2000. He should have chosen Lieberman or Ridge. He just lost my vote.

Republican marketing startegy of presenting what people want to hear not what is true continues with Palin. her personal story represents exactly what she is: self -serving. The other point not yet mentioned in US media is how she has pushed for foreign processing to be allowed in Alaskan fishing waters- to provide better pricing to fishermen in EXACTLY the areas she and her husband fish for salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska- let alone her current ethcis problem. She's as dishonest as Republicans need. As for "leadership" I suppose you didn't watch her first speech with McCain at her side- she's a cheerleader in a suit. At least Obama provides inspiration and you may pick on his oratory- and experience, but it is what this country needs- our people need- to lead us away from the raping of our treasury and values for the benefit of a few at the expense of every American. If we are going to PAY, let's pay for Americans, ALL OF US - not just the Republicans.
As for Hillary's comment being so expressive of Cindy's posting here- apparently the proof is in the fact he is the Democratic nominee, enough leadership to move how many people away from the Clintons, and hopefully enough for the rest of the country as well.

Its not hard to find info Cindy from Cambridge

State legislator, 1997–2004
Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996, succeeding State Senator Alice Palmer as Senator from the 13th District, which then spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park-Kenwood south to South Shore and west to Chicago Lawn.[27] Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation reforming ethics and health care laws.[28] He sponsored a law increasing tax credits for low-income workers, negotiated welfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.[29] In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican Governor Ryan's payday loan regulations and predatory mortgage lending regulations aimed at averting home foreclosures,[30] and in 2003, Obama sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.[29][31]

Obama was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, and again in 2002.[32] In 2000, he lost a Democratic primary run for the U.S. House of Representatives to four-term incumbent Bobby Rush by a margin of two to one.[33][34]

In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.[35] During his 2004 general election campaign for U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enacting death penalty reforms.[36] Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the US Senate.[37]

2004 U.S. Senate campaign
In mid-2002, Obama began considering a run for the U.S. Senate, enlisting political strategist David Axelrod that fall and formally announcing his candidacy in January 2003.[38] Decisions by Republican incumbent Peter Fitzgerald and his Democratic predecessor Carol Moseley Braun not to contest the race launched wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving fifteen candidates.[39] Obama's candidacy was boosted by Axelrod's advertising campaign featuring images of the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and an endorsement by the daughter of the late Paul Simon, former U.S. Senator for Illinois.[40] He received over 52% of the vote in the March 2004 primary, emerging 29% ahead of his nearest Democratic rival.[41]

Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winner Jack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.[42]

In July 2004, Obama wrote and delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.[43] After describing his maternal grandfather's experiences as a World War II veteran and a beneficiary of the New Deal's FHA and G.I. Bill programs, Obama spoke about changing the U.S. government's economic and social priorities. He questioned the Bush administration's management of the Iraq War and highlighted America's obligations to its soldiers. Drawing examples from U.S. history, he criticized heavily partisan views of the electorate and asked Americans to find unity in diversity, saying, "There is not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America."[44] Broadcasts of the speech by major news organizations launched Obama's status as a national political figure and boosted his campaign for U.S. Senate.[45]

In August 2004, with less than three months to go before Election Day, Alan Keyes accepted the Illinois Republican Party's nomination to replace Ryan.[46] A long-time resident of Maryland, Keyes established legal residency in Illinois with the nomination.[47] In the November 2004 general election, Obama received 70% of the vote to Keyes's 27%, the largest victory margin for a statewide race in Illinois history.[48]

U.S. Senator, 2005–present
Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 4, 2005.[49] Obama was the fifth African American Senator in U.S. history, and the third to have been popularly elected.[50] He is the only Senate member of the Congressional Black Caucus.[51] CQ Weekly, a nonpartisan publication, characterized him as a "loyal Democrat" based on analysis of all Senate votes in 2005–2007, and the National Journal ranked him as the "most liberal" senator based on an assessment of selected votes during 2007.[52][53]

Legislation
Obama voted in favor of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and cosponsored the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act.[55] In September 2006, Obama supported a related bill, the Secure Fence Act.[56] Obama introduced two initiatives bearing his name: "Lugar–Obama," which expanded the Nunn–Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons,[57] and the "Coburn–Obama Transparency Act," which authorized the establishment of www.USAspending.gov, a web search engine.[58]

Obama sponsored legislation requiring nuclear plant owners to notify state and local authorities of radioactive leaks.[59] In December 2006, President Bush signed into law the "Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act," marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.[60] In January 2007, Obama co-sponsored the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007.[61] He introduced S. 453, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections.[62] Obama also introduced the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007. [63]

Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges.[65] He sponsored the "Iran Sanctions Enabling Act" supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.[66][67] Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries.[68]

Committees
Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works and Veterans' Affairs through December 2006.[69] In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments with Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.[70] He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on European Affairs.[71] As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama has made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.[72][73][74][75]

As hard as the Demorats might try to run against Bush, he is not up for election. Why would they rather run against Bush? Because they know that Obama can't compete against McCain's experience and leadership. Biden should easily parrot Obama's over produced party lines, being experienced in filching the work of others. Palin brings a refreshing potential for real change and real reform. She can lead, not trot out the same old rug worn bon mots. Turn her loose and watch the sparks fly. The good ole boys and girls of both parties seem a bit nervous.

NB: To keep you awake at night, consider that No No Nancy Pelosi is only 2 heartbeats from being in charge, regardless of who wins the Presidential election.

I would love someone to actually say why we should support McCain - Palin instead of just attacking Obama once again. Your post is just more of the same. No one has anything good to say about McCain, all they can do is recycle the same Rebublican talking points over and over.

All I know is the Republicans had eight years in power, and we saw the results of their arrogance, corruption, and incompetence. Why would you want more of the same?

Leaders can only take credit for the actions of those they directly supervise, which optimally ranges from 3-7 people. In the end, it isn't the executive experience that matters to me, but the policies that count. In this regard, the Democratic and Republican Parties are very different. Obama and McCain represent both sides fairly well. So vote based on the policies not personality (or oratory skills). Bush may come across like an idiot, but he implemented the Republican economic policy with precision. Personally I am voting for Obama because I want the estate tax repealed and increased taxes for everyone who makes over $250,000. I could care less about supposed inexperience on either side of the ticket..

Cindy, here is a list of some of Obama's accomplishments

As organizer:
1. Organized largest voter registration in US history

In Illinois:
2. Death penalty reform
3. Banned gifts from lobbyists
4. Health Insurance to 150,000
5. Banned discrimination toward gay and lesbians in housing and jobs

In Senate:
6. Ethics reform in the Senate (bi-partisan)
7. Nuclear proliferation bill (bi-partisan)
8. Co-sponsored Immigration reform with John McCain--- before John McCain changed his mind

Presidential campaign:
9. Inspired the largest Democratic turnout (along with Hillary Clinton) ever!
10. Biggest democratic fundraiser ever!
11. Manages an organization of 2,500 paid employees, with operating budget of 40mil a month, and 20K volunteers.

Now. You tell me, exactly what are John McCain's accomplishments in the last 8 years? Seriously.

Palin ran a business, is a mom to five kids, ran a town and runs a state.

Obama and Biden are just a pair of lawyers--that's real empathy with middle of the road America. Neither one has ever held a real job.

To compare Palin to Obama in the same breath is to insult Obama's accomplishments and the intelligence of the voter. Who is Palin?? We are just learning like McCain is. She is a creationist, anti-environment, denier of global warming, pro-gun, hard core evangelical who fired a city librarian for resisting censorship. She is a double-talker who fought for huge earmarks for her tiny town. She appointed a man convicted of sexual harassment to be in charge of Public Security. She is a hypocrite who attacked Hillary as a whiner and now wants to ride Clinotn's coat tails. She has no serious education and these attempts to give a strident abuser of political power (Troopergate) credibilty through The Big Lie will backfire and sink McCain. His judgment is on the line and he failed the test.

If ever there was a self deluded bunch, it is the Delegates to the Republican National Convention. They have convinced themselves that the bulk of the general public is foolish enought to give credence to their arguments about Governor Palins "experience," that women, especially disgurntled Hillary supporters will support their ticket and forget the issues they cared about because Governor Palin, is a woman, and will rally to her defense as they deride any crtiticism of her as sexist. Palin is the religious right's Manchurian Candidate and while it has the party faithful fired up, that in and of itself is an indicator of just how severely out of touch the Republican Party is.

Couldn't agree with you much. Too much flash but not substance. He will discover if he ever wins that there is a difference between running an election and governing a nation.

There's a lot of talk about experience. Look at what the 2 experienced idots in office have gotten this country. Higher gas prices, american losing their homes, jobs.

While I'm not pushing Obama off as a God of some sort like the main stream media. I have an issues with a parent man or woman that would subject their pregnant teenage daughter's life to the media. Sara Palin has not protected her daughter and I have serious doubts that she and McCain win that she can protect this country. Also Palin teaches abstinence and no sex education...looks like she did a good job in her own family with that.

Why haven’t the so called “mainstream media” probed into the revelations about Obama that are much more ominous than the desperate claims being publicized about Sara Palin? The media’s failure to publicly expose Obama’s questionable past and lack of experience demonstrates the leftist media bias and the hypocrisy of those fighting to invoke the fairness doctrine on the few existing conservative media vehicles. The job of the news media should be to publicize facts,not propaganda, about all candidates so that the electorate can make an informed decision. Unfortunately, U.S. citizens are being ill-served and brainwashed into electing a typical power-hungry politician backed by the Democratic political machine instead of supporting those whose records prove they are true agents of change.

My main problem with Palin is her extreme views on Choice, Intelligent Design, and the idea that she is experienced since she has been a governor for less than two years. She is a lovely, warm, mom and a Governor of Alaska. She rides ATV's, plays basketball, knows how to hunt and fish, and understands how to balance a budget. Hooray!! So do I, but that does NOT qualify me for V.P.
The fact that Hillary voters would vote for Palin, just because she is female- that insults me and should insult every thinking woman in America. The fact that McCain chose her- doesn't just surprise me, it repels me.

If I were a betting person, this long shot could bring good returns.
Just to really shake things up, let's take a look at what might happen because of all the media on her and her family.
In a few weeks Governor Palin will step up to the microphone and step back from the nomination. She will claim it is either because of her young child with Down's Syndrome, her young daughter's pending parenthood, or just the realization that her family is just too important for her to lose time with them for a minimum of four year while performing the job of V.P.
What will Senator McCain do? This fine upstanding woman has chosen to pass up a great honor as her family just has to come first. He will be put on the spot no longer having a running mate, but he will perform admirably in rapidly picking another choice to fill role of his running mate. And with so little time before the election, what else could he do? Who he chooses may not be a favoured choice of the party, but the vote must go on and the new choice must be accepted if the Republican party is going to keep doing what is right for this country.
As I said, if I was a betting person...

we do not want another term of George Bush..if Mcaine is elected to be the next president of America ,because of his bad temper ..American Nation will continue tof ight war and war. that is exactly what Mciane want to bring the America people.
The Bible sayds live in peace with all men..i so suprised to know that those so called evagelical do not even go to church at all and some of them has never even opened the Bilbe since they were born to learn the truth..instead the listen to Shan Hannity and the other guy that just got 400,000 million contract on the radio talk ...The Bible say we all shall account for every word we utter on the last day..
The Republicans wants to bind the rule to have their ways. a party that belongs to the rich...Democrats ...wake up and do not allow the so called gop to shout you down.....be attentive to their lies and stupid advs. if God is for Democrats who can be against them..Repulicans are do what i say and do not what i do what a shame. Gop is not a sincere party and it will never be..they have failed and fooled the American people for too long now.
ken

Cindy from Cambridge... you hit the nail right on the head.

Did Obama vote for the 'Bridge to Nowhere'?

As a lawyer and legislator, Obama has experience with legislation that Palin does not. The office of VP requires knowledge and interest in international issues that Palin has not yet demonstrated. Palin speaks out against corruption; can she also be conciliatory and unify a deeply divided nation?
Interesting that comparisons are being made between Palin and Obama, instead of comparing Palin to Biden, and McCain to Obama.
The US President, and potentially the VP if something happens to the President, is the most powerful position in the world. McCain's record is most critical, but Palin is too untested for such an important position. She is charismatic and fascinating, but that is not enough.

Barack Hussein Obama, who grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he lived from
the age of 2 until 10 years of age (the world's most populous Islamic nation).

Barack Hussein Obama then moved to Hawaii where his childhood mentor was Frank Marshall Davis, an open member of the Communist Party.

After that Obama was associated for 20 years with his self proclaimed mentor, Jeremiah Wright. Jeremiah Wright married the Obama's, and baptized their children. Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope", is based on one of his Wright's sermons.

Obama is close friends with Tony Rezko, who is under felony prosecution. Another Obama's friend and associate is William Ayers, founder of the terrorist group Weatherman, and guilty of being involved in numerous bombings -- none of which he regrets.

THOSE ARE THE FACTS! You may not like the facts, and hate to see them published, but those are the facts!

cindy,

Name ONE presidential candidate that has the applicable "executive experience" to be president. The truth is you can't. No one can. No one has the experience required. Obama might not be the perfect candidate, but he makes people listen and want to actually DO things. Makes people want to participate. He makes people WANT to be proud Americans. If doest nothing else, these basic ideas alone will make him worth electing.

I have been a life long republican voter, but I have had it with the BS we see day in and day out. I have always supported McCain, but it has reached the point where he is just another tired story in a long line of people passionate for mediocrity.

Obama may not be perfect, but who is? I want to see people care again and I think he can make that happen.

a reply to Cindy from Cambridge

"Great Speeches" are often given by people who are viewed as "Great Leaders." Look at Clinton, Reagan as the most recent examples. They knew how to wow a crowd, and left office under favorable terms.

GW, however, is not a great word-talker, and is viewed as a horrible president.

Although GW is a horrible speaker, he beat Gore & Kerry because they were in charge of Snoozefest '00 & '04 respectively.

If you can give a great speech, people will follow you. Even if I agree with you, I can use your Clinton quote in a different light. He has MILLIONS of people following him all because of 1 speech. People aren't impressed with his pasts accomplishments, but with the way he currently views the world and his promises for the future.

And as the article points out, what executive experience does McCain have?

If the democrats had picked an experienced Presidential nominee ( I am sure there are more qualified candidates), Obama would not have to compare his meagre experience (2500 staffers and a multimillion / month budget for 19 months) with those of Sarah Palin (as Mayor ot not Governor) and feel proud that his experience was better. Palin managed several billion dollar budget with 10s of thosands of employees.

To those who think Palin should head the ticket since she has more executive experience, Obama should drop out of the race since he has none to speak of.

I think Palin balances McCain''s ticket just like he got Biden to overome his lack of experience. He should have picked Hilary instead since Biden is a Washington insider with more experience in the Senate than McCain. This conflicts with the message of change.

John Edwards for President in 2012!!!

Cindy you have a computer use it.

Anybody who votes for this ticket Mccain/Palin after during a google search on her is a hyprocrite.

Hate Obama all you want, but please, atleast read a little about Palin views instead of the Mccain camp's press releases.

All Obama accomplishments posted here are fake. Please do not embarrass yourself with these made-up information. The add tell all truth.

And what sort of experience can prepare someone for the Presidency? Isn’t being able to speak properly and deliver an effective message to the American people an important skill for a president? Haven’t you ever watched Bush give a speech as he stumbles through a message while making up words? He makes our country look like a joke.

Also, if you look back in history at some of the great presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or Abraham Lincoln – none of them had any more experience than Barack Obama. They all had some legal experience, but none of them had much political experience to fall back on. All of them, however, had great ideas, fresh perspectives, and the ability to deliver great speeches.

We're being told that Sarah Palin couldn't possibly lead the nation because she governs a sparsely populated state. I don't recall the population of Arkansas being a deal breaker when Bill Clinton was elected. Before landing in the White House, he spent his entire political career in a state with well under three million people.

With respect to executive experience, Obama has now run a presidential campaign for a 2 years that is bigger than the entire state of Alaska.

Legistative experience
US Senate:
Ethics reform: S. 230, 110th Congress; S.1, Became Public Law 109-110-81, 9/14/07
Searchable public database of federal funding awards: S. 2590, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 9/7/06; Became PL 109-282, 9/26/06
Full disclosure of lobbyist bundling: S. 2590, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 9/7/06; Became PL 109-282, 9/26/06
Nuclear threat reduction Obama-Hagel Nuclear Weapons Threat Reduction Act S. 1977 Introduced Aug 2, 2007
Keeping weapons of mass destruction (including anti-aircraft missiles) out of the hands of terrorists Congress, S. 2566, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 456, 5/25/06; Provisions included in H.R. 6060/P.L. 109-706
Financial and Security relief for the Congo S.2125, 12/16/05, Become Public Law No: 109-456, 12/22/06
Required Pentagon to disclose anti-flu measures to federal govt SA 1453 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 11/18/05; S. 1042/H.R. 1815, Became Public Law No: 109-163
Tax credit for installing E-85 pumps AP, 7/27/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58; S. 918, 109th Congress; SA 670 agreed to, 5/12/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58; S. 918, Referred to the Committee On Environment and Public Works
Funds for research on hybrid/flex fuel vehicles SA 851 to HR 6, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 6/23/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58
Improving services for homeless veterans S. 3421/P.L. 109-461; S. 1180, 109th Congress; S. 3475, 109th Congress; Obama Press Release, 6/26/06
Tax credits for military families with war-zone assignments The amendment was introduced during debate on the Senate’s 2006 tax reconciliation bill, ruled out of order, but later included in the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act, which passed both chambers and became law on December 22, 2005. [H.R. 4440, Became P.L. 109-135, 12/22/05; SA 2616, 109th Congress
National family locator system in case of disasters or emergencies SA 4573 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 7/13/06; H.R. 5441, Became Public Law No: 109-295; S. 1630
Prohibit no-bid contracts for emergency response needs. Removed from all 3 bills where introduced.
Illinois:
State Campaign Finance reform HB672, 3R P 52-4-1, 5/22/98; PA 90-0737, 8/12/98
state Ethics Reform
Bipartisan health care reform extending insurance to 154,000 93rd GA, SB 130, 3R P 42-13-2; Signed into law 6/30/03, PA 93-0063
Created hospital report cards for consumers 93rd GA; SB 0059, 2003; 3/19/03, 3R P 55-0-1; Signed into law 8/20/03, PA 93-0563; Pantagraph, 1/10/03
Pressured EPA to conform with lead paint law after 7 years of delay SA 1061 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 6/28/05, Obama Press Release, 7/25/05; H.R. 2361, Became Public Law No: 109-54, 8/2/05
Health Care Justice creating fair access to insurance. act 93rd GA, HB 2268, 5/19/04, 3R P; 31-26-1, 6/24/04, Sent to the Governor; 93rd GA, SB 2581, 3/24/04, Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3R 3/25/04; Lexington Herald Leader (Kentucky), 1/18/07; State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), 6/15/04; Campaign for Better Health Care release, 7/31/05
Capital punishment reform 93rd GA, SB 0472; 4/3/03, 3R P; 57-1-0; 5/29/03, HA1 SC; 56-3-0; 11/5/03, OAV P; 58-0-0; P.A. 93-0605, 11/25/03; Pantagraph, 4/4/03; Associated Press, 4/24/03]
Required videotaping of Capital crime interrogation 93rd GA, SB 0015, 4/3/03, 3R P; 58-0-0; P.A. 93-0517, 8/12/03; 93rd GA, HB 0223, 5/15/03, 3R P; 58-0-0; P.A. 93-0206, 7/18/03; Chicago Tribune, 3/4/03; Chicago Tribune, 7/18/03
Anti-racial profiling law 93rd GA, SB 0030; 4/3/03, 3R P; 58-0-0; P.A. 93-0209, 7/18/03; 93rd GA, HB 0361, 4/3/03, 3R P; 58-0-0; House Total Veto Stands, 11/6/03
Whistle-blower protection law 93rd GA, SB 1872; 3/27/03, 3R P; 57-1-0; P.A. 93-0544, 8/18/03; Crain's Chicago Business, 4/14/03
Equal pay for women 93rd GA; SB 0002; 2003; Signed into law, 5/11/03, PA 93-0006; AP, 5/11/03; Chicago Tribune, 5/8/03; Chicago Tribune, 5/12/03

An impartial observer could rightly question the judgment of Gov. Palin for her failing to tell her teenaged daughter how to have sex with a male without becoming pregnant. Evidently, the social ideology of Gov. Palin prevents her from fulfilling this motherly duty to protect her daughter. If elected to national leadership, then how will Gov. Palin’s blinding social ideology affect other of her judgments? After all, in the case of her daughter, whom she must love dearly, Gov. Palin has allowed her social ideology to interfere with good sense. The American voter has an interest in whether Gov. Palin, if elected, would try to impose her social ideology on other families, via policy or politics. Young females will have sex with males, but pregnancy should occur at the right time with the right man. The right time, one could argue, follows obtaining an education. The right man, one could suggest, will have a job, a car, and a place of his own, and will have no criminal record. He will also provide for his family, and properly function as a father and a husband. At the same time, young females willingly have sex for the excitement, thrill, and pleasure of the experience, and naturally so. Yet, in modern times, most rational individuals understand that pregnancy should wait for the right moment. Gov. Palin appears not to reflect this sensible view regarding her own daughter, thereby fostering concern about the clarity and soundness of her judgment in other matters.

Whoa! Where can I consult the "add" which tell all truth, Microtek?

The fact is that by naming Plain as his VP choice, McCain is gambling, but with chips that belong exclusively to the American people. Should his wager pay off in an election victory for him and Ms. Palin, then the next bet our country must win is that his health sustains him, frankly, for the next four years. The President of the United States is not only the "leader of the free world," but also commands authority over the world's most lethal arsenal of nuclear weapons and its formidable armed forces of 1.4 million troops. It is difficult to square such breathtaking responsibilities with a person who, until 20 months ago, was the mayor of a town of less than 7,000 people and today is governor of the third least populous state whose population barely eclipses that of Washington, D.C. and a budget less than one-fifth the size of New York City's. She was elected to office with just over 100,000 votes – a total Obama received in the New Hampshire primary on his way to 18 million votes! As for foreign policy experience, she only obtained a passport last year (on the occasion of visiting Alaska's National Guard troops in Kuwait) and otherwise has not been involved in any foreign policy activity. According to Charlie Black, one of McCain's top advisors, "She's going to learn national security at the foot of the master for the next four years, and most doctors think that he'll be around at least that long." Should McCain win, we ought to pray that Mr. Black is right; otherwise, we should just pray.

Where did Sarah Palin go to college , Idaho univ never heard of it. I have heard of Harvard. hahah You must be joking people take a look at the was repubs did to this country. You want more of the same vote mckaaaaaaaane you want change you better vote Obama or we will soon be reading " The rise and fall of the United States.

What make McCbush/ Sarah chick better leader then Obama and Biden. Wakeup people. McCbush sound like another bad burger from McDonald not leader. Obama and Biden exactly know what they are talking about and so as majority of American nation right now. It is people like Cindy here doesn’t have any clue what they are talking about. Wakeup people!!! I hope great US nation learned lesion from last 8 years. I remember when American nation elected Bush second term it was one word floating around all around the world that majority of American are stupid by reelecting bush. And now Sarah as VP this is another proof of McCain have no clue what is going on he is so out touch and also prove of his decision making capability is so poor how the hell he is going to lead the country. This is so scary right now if people like Cindy still doesn’t wakeup and make Bush’s third terms. What had happen to our nation and country’s economy and reputation of US nation in rest of the world. For Sarah this pregnancy thing is proof how she lost touch with her family. She was so busy in her new gig as small population state’s governor for last 2 years and that is the reason her teen daughter is pregnant because she did not spent any quality time her to making her aware of how tough it is in this would be for rest of her life and new born’s life to support and live and provide best to child in this crazy world. Another for Sarah is, she is no way in the hell can be compared to HRC. HRC was rock star I never supported her but Obama and Biden is the best team to lead the nation and rest of the world right now. Not stupid Mccbush and his passies and hot mama that have no clue what are the family values and What is more important family first or your carrier.

(1) Julie said: Why does Obama call women "sweetie"?.

That's annoying! I can't help but still have that image in my mind when he pushed that lady media person aside and says "I don't have time for that now sweetie".

(2) Funny that before Palin was picked, I was wishing to have a candidate NOT from Yale or Harvard. it seems as they're the only one who has this section cornered. If you don't go to Yale or Harvard... you don't have a chance. It's ridiculous and so overated! There are TONS of smart people in other universities. And here we are... Idaho University, "never heard of it". It's absolutley loony. Seriously would love anything BUT Yale and Harvard.

"OBama brings thought provoking and stirring speeches that touch upon the morality of both parties. " *********** In that case, he really should be an inspirational speaker. And actually, he brings empty words that touch upon to ONE like MIND. ... not to both parties.

Empty words... what has he EVER done? Where is the beef?... Other than always looking for a shallow vote of "present" ... what are his accomplishments?

You can judge a man by his friends. Hmmm.... McCain: Leaders from both sides (probably more from Democrats: Kerry, Lieberman, Hillary, Biden). Of which, many have a hard time saying anything against him and actually defend him... Where as Obama...hmmmm, his political "supposed" supporters have things to say against him (Hillary and Biden)... and his other close friends.... hmmmm, you fill in the blanks.

"The McCain camp must think that we are idiots. There is no reasonable comparison between a Presidential nominee and a Vice Presidential nominee." .... No, I am sure they don't think that we're all idiots. Just the ones who voted for Obama.

And you're right, it's unreasonable to compare, but because those two are the closest in inexperience, that's who you compare. Isn't it sad? It should have been Hillary. If not, then it should be Biden/Obama.... the ticket is upside down. But I am sure you can't see that. Now, had Obama actually "WORK" as he was elected to do, and not eye the Presidency so early in his career... perhaps he wouldn't be compared to a VP candidate. And you know it.

Cindy,

I would love to answer your questions on Obama's accomplshiments, after graduation from Law School Obama became a community organizer on the South side of Chicago , which is basically someone who does "get out the vote activities" in his/her area. He was a civil rights attorney on the South side of Chicago, and also taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago with his friend William Ayers who is still a professor there. William Ayers by the way is a convicted terrorist and radical from the 1960's and close friend of Obama's. He is among several of Obama's friends that are convicted felons such as Tony Rezco who was involved in a nice little mortgage scheme with Obama.

From 1997 to 2004 he served in the Illionois State Senate in which he voted present over 160 times. His record in the Senate in Illinois is less than stellar. At the 2004 DNC he gave a rousing speech in which many pundits pegged him as the next generation of the democratic party. He ran and was elected to the US Senate for the state of Illinois in 2004 and took that office in 2005. His record in the US Senate has been less than stellar. He announced his run for the white house less than two years into his 6 year term and has been running for president since that time.

He has sat on many boards in the Chicago area, but none of which outside his campaign and a few small ones. that required the administration of a budget, the deployment of any military forces. contact with foreign trade sources. or energy and economy management. In short Cindy, Barak Obama is the least qualified candidate for president to EVER run for the office of president, and in order to divert attention away from these qualifications, the media which votes each year 90% democratic tears down the qualifications of a sitting governer which by the way HAS done all of the above, that Obama has not. and what is funny here is she would be the second in command and he is vying to be the commander in chief.

------------
Whoever any of these candidates are is second to the platform they represent.

Obama has formally changed his party to fit his vision of the future (no smears - run on issues, no to lobbyist money, etc.).

McCain changes his issues to fit his party (which contradict his previous issues).

evangelical politics = national disgrace = international failure
-----------

As a non American it disgusting to read how the majority of bloggers on this site are so racist that they have to continually use comparrisons with Hillary, and Obama's lack of experience compared to everyone else who has made a mess of your country and damaged world relations almost beyond repair. Time to clean up the mess folks, the world is watching and they the majority once again have to remind you Americans this election is about electing someone who has the ability to communicate with world leaders. Ignorance is the only skill that the Republican party and its die hards supporters have gained recognition for world wide. The bully tactics don't work anymore, you have fallen from grace, wake up and smell the daisies you losers. Give peace a chance. Does the world think the unskilled inexperienced under cooked Obama can deliver. "YES WE CAN" 200,000 Germans will vouch for that. 4 million US viewers, 85,000 who attended his acceptance speech agree, wait a minute 20,000 Republicans don't agree, who the hell cares.

Wonder if McCain will now dump Cindy and go after Sarah?? After all, he's done this before......

To: Women of America, and Women all over the world who seek to be Free from the oppression that defines the way certain men in media and in power continue to treat women.

Ladies, if you take a look at the situation in today's media you will find a commonality.

Something just under the surface will tug at your conscience as if to say "this is strikingly familiar", and the pale and gruesome reality is that IT IS!

Remember when Hillary, a stellar candidate for the Presidential nomination, was at the height of her contest for the primary? Well do you remember what the media and bloggers did to her? It wasn't pretty, and more painfully, it WASN'T RIGHT!!!

IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN!!

Certain bloggers/reporters/so-called-media constituents are at it again. They are making up stories about another woman candidate, solely for the purpose of SMEARING THAT CANDIDATE BECAUSE SHE'S A WOMAN!!

LADIES, YOU MUST NOT STAND FOR THIS DISRESPECTFUL AND UNEQUIVOCATED TREATMENT OF THE WOMEN CANDIDATES!! THIS MUST STOP!! THE TIME IS NOW!!

Whether you think Governor Palin should be the VP or not, YOU MUST DEMAND EQUAL TREATMENT FOR HER!! STAND UP FOR WOMEN!!

Barack Obama and the media DESTROYED Hillary.

Don't let the media and B.O. do the same thing to another woman candidate!! STAND UP AND FIGHT!! SARAH PALIN WOULD!!

Let us be honest here. The left would be viciously attacking any veep choice that McCain makes. Whoever McCain picked would be used by the left as an attempt to paint him as senile and lacking the judgment to be president.

Frank and John,
No, we Dems aren't "scared" of Palin. We LOVE McCain's choice of a running mate, actually, we couldn't be more thrilled. Seriously. It's GREAT. The GOP is proving to one and all (AGAIN) that they couldn't successfully run a bake-sale, let alone a country. Let's see, if they were running my kid's school bake sale they'd have no money at the end of the day, and in fact they'd end up with a financial deficit. This would be because the GOP would have given free samples to all their friends when they thought nobody was looking. The GOP will never, never get my vote, EVER.

I can't believe the ad is Palin compared to Obama! This just goes to show that McCain is, umh, old! He's had several bouts with deadly cancer and now he's intrusting the future of our nation to a person who people know nothing about, except the fact that the media has tons of negative stuff to dig up on her. Come on people, she sued the bush administration for putting polar bears on the endangered species list because she was afraid it would screw up her money hungry oil digging prospects for the state she governs. She doesn't care about us, she cares about her political future and money!
The fact of the matter is, McCain could have choosen anyone to be his vp, but he chose a woman governor. Need I say more? Forget about who's who for a second and think about what McCain has done. At least Obama picked a vp who covers any weaknesses that he may have.
As a woman, I am completely disgusted with McCain for trying to take my vote this way instead of doing what is truly best for America. Or maybe it's just because no other current republican leader was good enough anyway so he just picked the person that looked best in front of the camera.
And yes you McCain loving people can bash my comment all you want. I am not a democrat, I am not a republican, but I am an American! I will not go through another four years rising gas prices, increased college tuition, and more national debt quietly. McCain agreed with Bush 90% of the time, but not me.
Obama for President!

Did the Republican's forget that McCain is running against Obama and not Palin? The ad pitts the Republican VP nomination against the Democrat President nominaton. How about pitting the right position against the right postion? President nominee against President nominee and VP nominee against VP nominee. What are they afraid of?

Try an ad pitting Palin against Biden. Go ahead. Let us all see the difference between the two candidates that are a heart beat away from the Presidency. This is what it is really about so go ahead, draw the differences between the two you should.

Has John McCain sublated the top spot to Sarah Palin? otherwise I dont get the point of this advert. Sarah Palin's match is Joe Biden.

This goes to show how John McCain wants to rule, he wants to be Proxy Commander-in-Chief

As Marshall McLuhan stated, the medium is the message. JFK proved that in 1960 at the famous Nixon/Kennedy debates. Those who watched on television believed that Kennedy had won, those who listened on the radio believed that Nixon had won.
Why?
The answer is simple: Kennedy was tan, young and strikingly handsome. He oozed charisma and style. He was a classy guy. Nixon had a pallid complexion, perspired and appeared awkward and stiff. As it stand, Obama has the edge in appearance and looks, and charisma.
The medium really is the message.

Why won't somebody just say it? Palin is not qualified because she's not intelligent enough. She may be politically adept, but intellect is not her forte. She's demonstrated no aptitude for analysis and synthesis - the combination is critical to leadership. I could literally see her wheels turning during her interiews with Gibson, and it was obvious that she doesn't have the grey matter muscle for the job. If you think she can fill the role because she's likeable, then go ahead and make that argument. Me - I ran that gauntlet with Georgie. Don't think I want to go that route again. Hasn't worked out for me or my country. I'm just sayin'...