If you as a voter could ask Barack Obama any question , what would it be?

[Mags]

[writes3000]

1. OP: Do you mind correcting the spelling of his first name? It's Barack. n/t

[Mags]

5. sorry, no matter how you seem to address him, it is the wrong way. I will certainly

remove the offending r from the spelling.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TTUBatfan2008]

2. "Why do you support corn-based ethanol as an alternative?"

I believe it's an awful solution so I wonder why Obama supports it. I wonder why so many politicians in this country support it.

[Lost-in-FL]

6. No corn-based ethanol as an alternative...

lets continue using Petrol which is worse for the environment and the subject of most carnage and suffering around the world for decades.

[TTUBatfan2008]

15. Corn-based ethanol is terrible for our economy and food products...

It fucks up a lot of things, including agriculture as well as many corn-based food products, which there are many. By jacking with the corn supply, it raises the prices and consequently it raises the prices on everything in the economy. It's a chain reaction. Simply speaking in terms of the fuel itself, it's not a very good alternative. It's less efficient than gasoline, it costs more to produce it, and it's extremely corrosive during transport in tanker trucks.

[Lost-in-FL]

26. If it helps getting rid of HFCS...

I'm ok with that. My point is that oil is potentially more dangerous worldwide than corn. We have to start somewhere don't we?

[BadgerKid]

46. But corn-ethanol is said to need lots of water. n/t

[Lost-in-FL]

56. ...but Petrol waste a lot of blood.

I'm sure we can make it work just the same way we can develop other sources. I just don't believe in censuring corn based ethanol yet. We need to desperately look for other ways to create energy. It is NOT that I solely support corn based but I believe that something HAS to be done soon to stop all the blood bath over petrol. I hope my point is understood.

[BadgerKid]

147. Understood, agreed. Thank you.

I believe corn-based ethanol is workable for the short term. (Just yesterday? I thought I heard on the radio there are about 200 E85 stations around the US.) That and other renewable resources and the will of the People had better stop this insanity/inhumanity of people dying for others' greed.

[Hippo_Tron]

120. We have HFCS because we subsidize corn and put tariffs on sugar

And part of the reason we subsidize corn is because of ethanol.

[gateley]

64. You're right,

and despite the snarky previous post, it's a fair question.

Corn-based ethanol seemed like a god-send initially. What could be more natural? Win-win. But as we've learned, and as you cited, it's not what we had hoped.

They need to look further.

[MercutioATC]

16. Corn-based ethanol isn't much better

When you total in the energy expended to farm corn, the fact that it only contains 2/3 the energy of petroleum, and the effect the ethanol industry has on the price of corn, it's not as green as it's sometimes been portrayed.

[Lost-in-FL]

31. Understood...

But we have to start doing research somewhere. I know it isn't the only alternative fuel but the most talked about.

[MercutioATC]

54. On that we agree...

There are so many new alternative energy alternatives that have become practical in the last 10-20 years, even without a lot of public funding. If a decision were made to make research and infrastructure change a priority, we could reduce a major portion of our petroleum use in the next 20 years.

[gateley]

67. Open your mind.

It's not either/or. We need to pursue other options.

[RichardRay]

43. He supports corn-based ethanol as a bridge solution

We've got corn. We don't have switch grass or sugar cane or the infrastructure to use them, yet. This is one of the reasons I like Senator Obama - he knows that corn-based ethanol isn't a good long-run solution, but he also knows that it's a tool we probably have to use in transition. He's like that a lot. I know it makes some people uncomfortable; it gives me confidence.

[thevoiceofreason]

105. But that is not his first choice

His focus is on biomass, like switchgrass. That's where the real future is - and he knows it.

[TTUBatfan2008]

112. Now that is a much better solution...

:)

[Florida22ndDistrict]

145. They support it because Cargil has a lot of money...

Ethanol in general not just corn based is the wrong path. Biodiesel and Biobutanol are the way to go.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. "Are you going to ensure that the criminals in the Bush

administration are brought to justice?"

[movonne]

19. I really like that one...

[Seabiscuit]

88. I'd like to hear an answer to that question from both candidates. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

122. Me, too.

I think it's somewhat disturbing that it's not being discussed. Show some courage, candidates!

[ruggerson]

4. Why do you always conflate same sex marriage with your religious beliefs

when you are being asked about a CIVIL issue?

[Levgreee]

14. Civil unions is a civil issue, same-sex marriage is a religious issue

there I answered your question for you. If someone is asking about same-sex marriage it is appropriate to bring up his religious beliefs.

[ruggerson]

24. You are factually incorrect

A civil marriage license is called a marriage license.

A couple can get married by a civil servant and not get married in a church and their marriage is legal in the state that performed the marriage.

Same sex marriage rights are those rights that are conferred by a state or federal government.

Religious marriage is a completely different issue. Obama's own parent church marries gay couples (even though his congregation does not) as do many other churches. This has NOTHING to do with civil marriages nor the movement that demands civil marriage rights.

[Levgreee]

93. I am using civil union and civil marriage synonymously. You just described exactly what I was

talking about, you just used a different term. AND, civil union is an acceptable term.

I don't know exactly what you think I am missing. And I must say, you have completely obfuscated your terms.

You stated, when Obama is asked about "SAME-SEX MARRIAGE", he talks about his religious beliefs. Now you are saying I am totally off topic because you were talking about "CIVIL MARRIAGES", yet you originally posted you were only talking about "SAME-SEX MARRIAGE".

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, on its own, is a religious issue unless there is further clarification as a CIVIL MARRIAGE/CIVIL UNION.


"A civil union is a legally recognized union similar to marriage."
"As used in the United States, beginning with the state of Vermont in 2000, the term civil union has connoted a status equivalent to marriage for same-sex couples"

Civil unions are exactly the same as what you call 'civil marriages'.

So don't blame me and call me ignorant because you made a poorly-worded post, that did not specify what type of marriages you were talking about, and therefore appeared as if it employed the standard definition of marriage(which would include being recognized by the church).

[ruggerson]

125. The only problem here is that you don't seem to understand the basics of the issue

Marriage 101:

Marriage rights, same sex marriage rights, civil marriage rights all refer to the same issue: equality of civil marriage laws at the state and federal levels.

Civil unions or domestic partnerships are something else: names engineered by moderates who wanted to give some rights to gay and lesbian couples, without giving them the full enchilada (equal marriage rights). Some people take this as far as giving gay and lesbian couples all the rights under state marriage statutes, without calling them "marriage."

What the church does or doesn't do is an entirely separate issue, as church "marraiges" do not carry any weight of law whatsoever (unless the couple gets a civil marriage license at the same time). There are many churches which marry gay couples right now, but those "marriages" have no standing before the state or federal government.

The problem with what Barack OBama does is when asked about CIVIL marriage rights, he starts talking about his religious beliefs. He thus conflates civil marriage with religious marriage, which, as you can see from the above, is ludicrous, confusing and deceptive.

[MADem]

33. Wow, tell that to all the gay couples who were married in nonreligious ceremonies in MA! nt

[ruggerson]

44. This is the problem

a lot of people (not just Obama supporters) don't even understand the rudimentary issue.

Obama does not help matters when he intentionally obfuscates and confuses his supporters in the process.

[writes3000]

48. Do you have evidence of his "intentionally confusing his supporters"?

Or is that your interpretation?

[ruggerson]

55. He's a constitutional lawyer for pete's sake

He understands full well that the movement is for CIVIL MARRIAGE RIGHTS.

The only explanation for him responding with his religious jargon is either to

a) intentionally confuse voters

or

b) appeal to ignorant constituencies instead of educating them

[writes3000]

61. But if "unions" equal "marriage", what's the problem?

If the way to move through this issue and give gay American equal rights is to separate the terms, what is the problem?

Are you really angry with him for not explaining the difference between civil marriage and religious marriage?

Or are you angry because Obama talks about his religious convictions and that makes you uncomfortable?

[ruggerson]

63. I'm seeking clarification

as to why he conflates his religious views with a civil rights question, when asked specifically about the civil rights question.

He can talk about his religious convictions all he wants.

But NOT IN THE CONTEXT of being asked about same sex civil marriage rights. That only serves to muddy the waters and confuse people.

[MADem]

62. He considers the gay community radioactive, I think

This is just a dumb move, to me: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/05/scathing-editorial-obama_n_95210.html

I don't get why, or who, told him this whole approach of ignoring a key demographic was a good idea?

[ruggerson]

69. I think it's wholly politically motivated

he knows there is a large segment of the african american community that is very homophobic and he plays to this constituency for votes. It's a wink and nod thing. He comes out just barely enough in the occasional sermon or speech to admonish the AA community that they step on gay people too much. And then he turns around and, policy wise, steps on gay people when answering questions about gay rights.

[writes3000]

73. Wow, I completely disagree.

And if Obama is simply playing to the black constituency, why in the world didn't he attend the State of the Black Union? Why hasn't he gone on BET to talk to Tavis Smiley?

Oh, that's right. Black people - too toxic for Obama.

[ruggerson]

79. Maybe he has a problem with Tavis Smiley

what I do know is that poll after poll shows that the AA community is more opposed to same sex marriage than other populations. Obama knows this as well. He's a politician. He also knows that the gay bloc is an important one to any Democratic aspirant. So he tries to mollify both sides instead of taking a wholehearted courageous stand in favor of equal rights.

[writes3000]

82. DING! And now we get to the CORE issue. The Blacks versus The Gays.

Thanks for calling it out.

It must always be one versus the other, I see.

And really, the only way Obama will satisfy certain segments of the gay community is if he completely renounces the black religious community.

I was going to do a main post about this but you've saved me the time. That's what this is all about.

And rather than give Barack Obama, the benefit of the doubt, rather than take him at his word which he's stated time and time and time again, the safer position is to doubt and shoot holes in everything he says.

Because a black Christian who hangs out with other black Christians? The gay community better stay very, very afraid. We must fuel the fear, right? Be afraid!

Thanks for sharing.

[ruggerson]

100. That's your oversimplification, not mine

There are clearly many AA Christians who are fully supportive of gay rights, marriage equality and otherwise.

Unfortunately, they are outnumbered by those that don't, if the polls are to be believed.

Obama can count.

[MADem]

81. That's called triangulating, or, ONLY when a Clinton does it, being a big poopy phony.

That Kirbyjon creep who was one of GW Bush's favorites, and that McClurkin clown, well, they made it pretty clear what a panderbear that fellah can be when needs be, I guess.

[writes3000]

71. Really? Even though Obama speaks about the mistreatment of gays in his speeches..

you think he thinks gays, talking to gays and talking about gays - is too toxic.

Even though he's gone to fundraisers given by the GLBT community in NYC.

Even though he's spoken out about the mistreatment of GLBT folks in black churches, you think he's afraid to be associated with us.

Fascinating.

[ruggerson]

72. It's a balancing act - a political dance

one which unfortunately plays to the darker side of our natures.

[writes3000]

77. For those who seek validation, first and foremost, on their "otherness"...

They will find Obama frustrating. Because he is far less focused on what separates us than what unites us.

You may find it silly or naive but I think it's true. And I think it is part of the reason why he's doing so well.

He's not just the black person's candidate or the minority's candidate or the guy's candidate or even the Dem candidate. He's aiming to be more than that.

So he doesn't do alot of events that focus on identity politics. I think it's smart. Just my opinion.

[MADem]

75. Why does he avoid them in "reddish" states? NYC? Big deal.

PA--that takes more "courage" apparently, than he possesses.

Did you see the front page of that paper?

CLINTON TALKS, OBAMA BALKS http://epgn.p2ionline.com/Flip/Sitebase/index.aspx?adgroupid=132684&view=double&pageno=1&webstoryid=14038635

If that's your idea of a "friend"--someone who is ashamed to be seen with you in certain circumstances, well...fascinating, indeed.

Your choice, your decision. Whatever.

[writes3000]

80. That one newspaper doesn't DEFINE me. In fact, your position is insulting.

Because Obama chose not to speak to one gay newspaper in PA, I should decide that Obama is ashamed of me.

Ridiculous.

Didn't Obama do a debate on Logo? Doesn't Obama speak about GLBT rights on his website?

And yes, I consider speaking out in crowds of 10,000 to 20,000 people in red and blue states to be bold. I haven't heard Hillary doing the same in her regular stump speeches.

[SwampG8r]

84. she couldnt raise a crowd that size

[writes3000]

90. Here I am, getting all full of piss and vinegar

And you disarm with me a laugh.

I have no idea if your joke is actual truth but I needed to be brought back down to Earth.

Thanks for that.

[SwampG8r]

119. no charge

i think that glbt issues are going to be well handled during the obama administration

[MADem]

99. No. His absence from the interview in a primary state DEFINES HIM.

It's not "all about YOU" you see. How selfish of you to make it so.

It's all about him--his character, his reluctance to, no matter what the venue, stand up with and for people that, in this day and age, some fools still HATE. Not just in venues where it's easy, like NYC and "LOGO" but in places where it's a little harder, like working class PA.

You insult the rest of America when you try to make it all about you. And your blindness to the facts of his cautious and "qualified" support of the GLBT community looks like denial to me.

I doubt I'll change your mind, I don't wish to, in fact. You support Obama if you want, and knock yourself out so doing. Keep 'hoping' and 'believing' he'll make some 'change' for you. Don't count on much more than four quarters for a dollar, though.

However, I will say that your effort to pull the "high dudgeon/how insulting" card in response to what everyone I know calls a valid issue and a weak spot of Obama's is a bit, well, unbelievable to me. If this is the first time you've heard this concern, you haven't been paying attention.

[writes3000]

107. Nope, I just don't demand that candidates do EVERYTHING I say...

and accuse them of bigotry when they "shockingly" don't live up to my standards.

And PS, look who was the first person to bring ME and MY idea of a "friend" into this debate

"If that's your idea of a "friend"--someone who is ashamed to be seen with you in certain circumstances, well...fascinating, indeed.

Your choice, your decision. Whatever."

MADem, you attack me as a person and then you accuse me of making it all about me.

Hysterical. Transparent. Sad.

[MADem]

117. Fine. You stick to your own knitting, I'll do the same.

I didn't "attack you as a person" -- I was simply trying to have a discussion with you.

I stated my views reasonably, I noted that you will likely disagree, and you respond with Hysterical. Transparent. Sad.

I am none of those, and this discussion has devolved into a pointless bicker.

So you have a nice day.

[MojoMojoMojo]

103. Obama actively avoided meeting or having his picture taken with SF Mayor Gavin Newsom

While Obama was in San Francisco.

[MADem]

118. And that's a pretty friendly venue, too. NT

[writes3000]

38. I think the terminology is the main issue.

Most of the country doesn't acknowledge the difference between civil marriage and religious marriage. To them, it's all the same thing.

Is Obama taking the easy way out by not trying to teach the country about this difference? Maybe, in my opinion. But as a gay man, I think we would be better off separating the two notions completely. There should be civil unions and religious unions.

[ruggerson]

47. The fight for civil marriage is just that:

a fight for civil marriage. Whether it should be called that or not is another issue. Religious marriages are not legal unless they are accompanied by civil paperwork.

It is facetious and misleading for him to respond to questions about civil marriage rights by bringing up his religious beliefs. That is completely irrelevant to the issue at hand. He knows full well what he is doing.

[writes3000]

51. No, the terminology is the core hurdle.

And if you do polls on this, you know as well as I do, that the poll numbers change just based on the word alone.

Does Obama believe that the term "marriage" should continue to be a bridge between civil and religious unions that only applies to heterosexuals?

Or does he think that the term can evolve so the country sees the difference between civil marriages and religious marriages?

I would guess he believes in the first position. And if he does, that does not mean that he is purposefully trying to trick people.

[ruggerson]

58. marriage isn't a "bridge" between anything

In this country it's a civil institution.

And it's separately a religious institution.

Only the civil part of marriage provides a couple with the legal standing of marriage under state and federal law.

[writes3000]

65. Oh, come on, it's totally a bridge between church and state - and that's the problem.

As long as we insist on trying to change the definition of marriage, we will have a huge battle on our hands. I'm willing to bet when you ask most Americans where they were married - they will say "in a church".

I know I'm not going to convince you of anything so I'll let it be.

I do think that many gay folks who don't like Obama really have an issue with his Christian devotion.

I understand it as a gay guy. We've been terrorized by the Christian right.

Barack Obama isn't the Christian right. And there is alot about his faith that I appreciate. Oh well.

[ruggerson]

76. I grew up in a liberal protestant church much like Obamas

so I have nothing against Christianity nor Obama's brand of it.

I find it interesting that his parent church approves of religious gay unions, but his congregation has opted NOT to be what is called "open and affirming."

I also find it interesting that he tries to play to two unfortunately opposing constituencies at once, which is why (I believe) he conflates religious marriage with civil marriage.

IT is intentionally and willfully a cynical, political move.

[goldcanyonaz]

7. Why didn't you quit that church? 20 fucking years?

[Mags]

12. Mine would be about taking his children to listen to the Rev.

about the hate of American.

[JayFredMuggs]

41. You assume that children sit in long church services listening to Wright

What evidence do you have that Wright talked that way when Obama's entire family was there?

[Mags]

45. I have none, I just thought that would be my question.

Maybe my question should have been, Did your children sit and listen to the anti American sermons. Sorry to offend you.

[boston bean]

66. Well the gyrating hate filled preacher did baptize his daughters. So we know they were there on two

occassions.

Obama didn't see anything wrong with Wright, so why wouldn't he bring his children there.

[movonne]

22. Well that's one thing we agree on....thanks

[Eric Condon]

129. Wow, thanks for the RW crap.

The Hillbots just can't get enough pastorgate, can they? Hey guys, I hear there's a cable news network where you can get your pastorgate fix 24/7 - it rhymes with Schmox News.

[QC]

9. Why do you always look like someone just farted nearby

when you are asked about GLBT issues?

[murielm99]

17. Oh, I wish!

I would love to see someone do that!

:rofl:

[DesertFlower]

42. well that made me laugh. nt

[RazBerryBeret]

10. How do you see us

becoming more independent of China and paying off our debt to them diplomatically? and how long do you think this will take?

[boston bean]

11. Do you agree with Reverend Wright that Bill Clinton fucked black people like he fucked Monica?

[polichick]

49. self-delete

[MojoMojoMojo]

104. He literally never fucked Monica.He wasnt lying that he never had sex with her.

[CK_John]

13. Should we bypass the Olympics? n/t

[writes3000]

18. If you become the nominee, how will you seek to win over Hillary's passionate base?

[otohara]

52. With Help From Hillary

and Bill, because they will drop all the animosity and urge their supporters to support the nominee. Other elected officials who supported Hillary, will now publicly support Obama.

[Jed Dilligan]

20. What are you going to do about racial inequities and general injustice

in the nation's penal system?

[GarbagemanLB]

21. So three questions about Wright. I guess my question to Hillary would be why she lied about Bosnia.

[Mags]

28. I am out of post , maybe you could spare a post and ask the same of Hillary.

[izzybeans]

30. Actually to make it fair and use a totally bogus story why not ask her who killed Vince Foster?

That way both candidates are forced to answer a bogus right wing smear.

That's what the Wright trolling is all about. No one can honestly look at that issue and come away with such concerns; say unless they are David Duke or BillO

[MADem]

23. How do you reconcile your relationship with the Crown family with your

stated antiwar stance? They're in the business of war, and they've given you hundreds of thosands of dollars. What will the quid pro quo be?

[JVS]

25. Senator, why are the people who oppose you such horrendous hemorrhoids?

;-)

[Mags]

29. Can't you folks ever stop bashing . Is that really the toughest question you can come up with?

[JVS]

35. It's the question I'm most curious about. Where do all these loons come from?

[Mags]

53. Why is the question so loony? I am a diehard Hillary supporter

I would love to have a reason to vote for Obama if she fails. That's it. Loony as it may be.

[SwampG8r]

91. when she fails

not if
when

[tokenlib]

36. I think your comment about his church was bashing...

His church has been unfairly slimed enough! To reduce a minister's career to soundbites taken out of context is rather inaccurate.

[Mags]

59. A lot of the Obama folks come across so angry. I am trying

to calm down and see your side, for once, please tell me what makes you so angry about this election.

[MADem]

101. The stench of "poilitcs of hope".....not terribly hopeful. NT

[Blarch]

27. Will you sign us up with the ICC ?

[crankychatter]

32. edit (oops forgot to check who started the thread)

zip

[Catherina]

34. Why we can't pull out of Iraq faster and NOT leave troops behind

I'd seriously like an answer to that.

[gateley]

78. The logistics of pulling out

was mentioned in last week's SFRC Iraq hearings. They were talking about how to physically get our troops out -- how long it would take, for e.g., and the steps required to get one battalion out through Kuwait.

By leaving behind, do you mean a "presence" there, or just those who are stuck there awaiting their turn to leave?

[Catherina]

83. I have an exchange going with LWolf about this

I understand and appreciate the logistics but I Obama's willing to stay there longer than I'm happy about. Leaving a presence there to fight Al Qaeda bothers me. I'd like to see the US get out totally but given the choice between his judgment, McCain's or Clinton's, I'll take Obama's.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5406430#5407540

What did the SFRC conclude?

[gateley]

97. The SFRC

predominantly seemed FED UP with all the bullshit and fully recognized that Bush is "staying the course" to dump this in the next admin's lap.

The discussion of withdrawing the troops wasn't addressing the leaving forces behind to fight Al Qaeda, but rather the logistics. As though they'd moved on from the Al Q BS. I THINK someone said that Al Q is essentially gone, because most of the Iraqis (AND Iranis) hate them. I hope I'm right in my review. The purpose/topics of the hearings last week wasn't to debate whether or not we should stay and fight, thank God.

I know when Biden presented his exit strategy, the only troops he was talking about having there were to help protect the boarders during the transition (and if that wasn't working - to get THOSE troops the hell out of there, too).

So in summation :7, I think the general feeling I got was we're getting the hell out, it's not "working", and how can we best go about it. I hope my assessment is accurate. I know I felt a teeny bit optimistic after watching.

Scroll down to the first post and there are links to the hearings, if you're interested.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x114252

[Catherina]

98. Thanks for that information. Lwolf is schooling me on the McGovern

option right now too. I'm still shocked and angry we ever went over there. I'll read your links tonight. Thanks gately :hi:

[gateley]

102. And I'm right now

reading your correspondence with Lwolf!

The links are actually to footage of the hearings. And they're long, but I found them interesting because I'm so focused on us doing SOMETHING about getting out of there in a way that we don't just abandon the people whose lives we've destroyed.

There's no word for the fury and hatred I feel when I think of the machinations they utilized to get us there. It's unconscionable.

[Catherina]

110. I'm so mad. It's not something I can forgive. How did they dare?

They did it with such disregard too. If I think about it I'll start crying or explode. Both are unbearable. It's easier to just work against the people who authorized it to keep from breaking inside.

I don't know what the right answer is with how to leave anymore but we can't stay and we can't reward the people who got us there. LWolf is interesting.

[MojoMojoMojo]

111. Obamas going to leave Blackwater in Iraq and send our combat troops to Afghanistan.Big improvement.

[DesertFlower]

37. i would ask him

why so many of his foreign policy advisers seem to be anti-israel.

my jewish friends are freaking out and are afraid to vote for him.

[Mags]

40. thank you folks for the honest sincere questions.

[writes3000]

57. Given the angry, baiting tone of some of your previous posts

I hope you understand that there's been a leap of faith here for many Obama supporters.

This could have been a way to launch into another huge attack of Obama.

I'm glad that wasn't your intention. I appreciate it.

Hopefully, others on the Obama side will see your effort and tone down their angry, baiting stuff.

[Mags]

68. thank you, all is fair in love and politics. I have been really angry

about the crusade to trash everything the Clinton's have ever done or said. I just remember the 90's and what they did for our Nation and what crap they had to go thru. From trailer trash to stealing the WH. valuables. It just opens old sore spots. I want to vote for a Dem in the GE> I am trying to be more open about Obama.

[writes3000]

87. That is incredibly generous of you given how angry you've been.

Really, really open. And really generous.

And I know you're doing it because you want to save the country from the direction we've been going in. Both Hillary and Barack have that goal in common.

Thanks for trying. Hopefully some on the Obama side will learn from you. I have.

[Catherina]

113. Thank you Mags

If I ever trash you, kick me. It was a leap of faith to answer your thread for me too and I understand your anger about how the Clintons are being treated. I started hating them over the war and can't forgive anyone who was involved at the time. I'm sorry we're at odds over their treatment and I'll try to avoid directly causing you additional pain.

[bhikkhu]

128. Having replied to a previous post or two of yours

and not recalling how balanced or fair I was, just to say I appreciate your efforts, and apologize for anything I might have said that seemed unreasonable.

A fair election, and a Democrat in the WH in 09 is all we wish for...

[Hippo_Tron]

121. Doesn't seem to me like his foreign policy advisors are anti-Israel

I'm Jewish and frankly I don't have a clue where this fear is coming from.

[not_too_L8]

138. a significant departure from longstanding U.S. policy

News: HRC's position on Israel could mean a significant departure from longstanding U.S. policy. How come no one cares?

snip//

Under the heading "Standing with Israel against terrorism," Clinton's official policy paper, released last September and currently touted on her campaign website, states, "Hillary Clinton believes that Israel's right to exist in safety as a Jewish state, with defensible borders and an undivided Jerusalem as its capital, secure from violence and terrorism, must never be questioned." With the phrase "an undivided Jerusalem as its capital," Clinton seems to take a hardline position on a deeply contested facet of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and a position like this should have garnered at least passing interest from the mainstream media. So how come nobody's paying attention?

[izzybeans]

39. What are you going to do to help average Americans get out of debt? Student loans, consumer,

mortgage, etc.

[RichardRay]

50. Several, but these for sure...

1) What can we do through fiscal and tax policy to flatten the American wealth pyramid? The gap between the poorest and the richest of us is absurd. Even the gap between the lower-middle of us and the upper-middle is pretty amazing. Yes, many wealthy people have earned their accomplishments through creativity and hard work, but many are just freeloaders. What do we do about that?

2) How do we make education available to everyone, at all ages? I think college is wasted on the young, or at least on many of them. I'd like to see it become the norm for people to leave high school and get out into the world for a few years before attending college. Right now our policies and programs make it far easier to just move right from high school graduation into freshman classes. Can we make it easier for a 28 or a 32 year old to go to school? How about a 45 or a 50 year old?

3) Want to go have a beer?

[tokenlib]

60. Why are you the ONLY candidate in years to recognize the

dangers of inescapable student loan debt that destroys financial stability, handicaps the ability to save for the future, and in general makes life exceedingly difficult for millions of American families????

[SwampG8r]

95. hes

the first one to actually have to meet the obligation of those loans i bet
he and his wife only paid their student loans off recently

[Toallwhoshallsee]

70. Paul Volker

This man is one, if not the, most respected economist on the planet and he endorsed you....What does this exactly mean?

[BuyingThyme]

74. If it were on camera, I'd rudely ask something accusatory about 9/11, PNAC, or Irving Libby.

One on one, I'd probably ask if he'd like a beer.

[Condem]

85. If I had to ask Mags one question What would it be?

Hmmm... Hey, Mags, should Clinton lose this thing will you throw your considerable support behind Obama?

[writes3000]

92. Check out post #71

Mags is trying.

Maybe we should all try, huh?

[Condem]

94. Thanks, writes3000!

[NashVegas]

86. What Or Whom Convinced You That You Could Be Elected POTUS With So Little Experience?

[Condem]

89. What do you mean?

Like Abraham Lincoln?

[DarienComp]

96. I'd ask...

"Your campaign seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?"

kidding. KIDDING!

:evilgrin:

[thevoiceofreason]

106. How'd you get so damned pretty!?!

[MojoMojoMojo]

109. Thats the main reason he has so much support.

[democrattotheend]

133. That's pretty insulting

As an Obama supporter, I take offense to your suggestion that my support for him is based on something so superficial. As hard as it is for you to believe, some of us have put a lot of thought into who is the best candidate and who would be the best president.

[thevoiceofreason]

143. Worst thing about it is IGNORE completely missed the pop culture reference.

Oh well. Barack still has the best energy plan going.

[MojoMojoMojo]

108. I would ask Obama how he could work and be close friends with a slumlord who turned off the heat in

the dead of Chicago winter for three months?
And did it again 11 times.Obama worked (for Rezco )on one of the cases that the city of Chicago brought against Rezco ,so he cant deny knowing about it.

[Tribetime]

114. how many points would you spot Mccain in basketball

[flvegan]

115. Sen. Obama, would you please do what's best for this country and

put Dennis Kucinich on your ticket as VP, then, once elected, resign? I mean, I'm sure you're a great guy and all, but we really need the whole enchilada this time. Anti-war, pro-choice, pro-impeachment, pro-gay marriage, universal health care kind of guy.

Thanks, dude.

[depakid]

116. Will you hold Bush administration officials and cronies accountable

for corruption and illegal activities using criminal and civil proceedings?

[QC]

123. Exactly what's your hangup about gay people? n/t

[2rth2pwr]

124. Why do you think that babies are punishments?

[2rth2pwr]

126. How many troops make up your "Strike Force" that will stay in Iraq or the region

and will outside contractors, like Blackwater continue to stay in Iraq?

[cliffordu]

127. Can I be your best friend???

:loveya:

[2rth2pwr]

130. Do you support the DC gun ban that is under review by the Supreme Court?

[Asgaya Dihi]

131. Do you notice it, and do you plan to fix it?

Since the 70s when we started the war on drugs the death rates for both cocaine and heroin have climbed, and climbed by several times. The price on both adjusted for inflation has dropped considerably, and purity on heroin is several times what it was when we started this which likely contributes to the death rates.

We've increased our prison/jail systems by 6 or 8 times in size now leaving us the most imprisoned nation in the world both per capita and in raw terms, with a racial imbalance in prison/jail which makes South Africa in its prime look like a model of justice, also leading to the militarization of our police and other problems in an effort which turns out by the results to have been a failed effort on every front. Hurting our own badly as we make our enemies billionaires and finance some of the very terrorists we fight in a market we created with those drug laws.

Do you notice any of this, and what do you plan to do about it?

[democrattotheend]

132. Senator, are you the real deal, or will you turn out to be just another politician & break my heart?

I've grappled with this for a while, even as I have been out campaigning for him. I am under no illusion that Obama is a saint or that he has never played politics, but I do believe that he is more authentic and genuine than most politicians, more courageous, less ethically tainted, and that he hasn't had all of the idealism sucked out of him yet. But I tend to put him up on a pedestal a little bit sometimes, and I feel like if he were ever caught in a big scandal that ran counter to everything he stands for I'd be devastated.

[MethuenProgressive]

134. Why did you lie about being conceived at a Civil Rights march?

Were you pandering to the same people you were when you lied about "owing your entire existence to the Kennedys"?

[Alter Ego]

135. I would totally ask him "Why are you so awesome?"

[Vinca]

136. I'd ask him to consider the Kucinich health care plan. nt

[Barack_America]

137. How have you managed to keep your faith in American politics?...n/t

[Orsino]

139. What will you do to remove corporate money from the political process? n/t

[Sparkly]

140. How do you make a public healthcare plan affordable without mandating participation? nt

[paulk]

141. what does a nineteen year association with a crook

say about your personal integrity? And should that effect the way I look at you and how you will govern as President?

Seriously.

Why did you even go on to do a real estate deal, helping the guy protect his money, when he was already under legal investigation?

ps - "boneheaded" doesn't cut it.

[SeaLyons]

142. Why do you remain silent when the race card

is being used incorrectly or unfairly, and you know it.

[Phillycat]

144. Do you really think that using gay people as sacrifical lambs to shore up the black evangelical

vote is a progressive value?

[LisaM]

146. How would you address foreign relations with countries like Saudi Arabia

That don't grant women full rights?

[Mezzo]

148. How is "Harry & Louise" positive campaigning? and Why do you call it universal if I'm excluded? nt

[knixphan]

149. IF H.R. 676 made it out of Congress, would you veto?