Obama packs 'em in, riffs on Iraq, Alito

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Obama packs 'em in, riffs on Iraq, Alito

By Jamie Francisco
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 31, 2006

More than 600 people filled the gym of a northwest suburban middle school Monday to hear U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) answer questions on the conflict in Iraq, bird flu and the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

Obama's appearance at London Middle School in Wheeling was one in a series of town hall meetings that he has hosted throughout the state.

Before taking questions, Obama reiterated his plan to support an unsuccessful effort Monday by some Democrats to mount a filibuster in an effort to block a vote on Alito's confirmation to the high court.

Obama cautioned conservatives as well as liberals that supporting Alito's nomination would compromise civil liberties. He argued that Alito would not question President Bush's policies that allow the government to eavesdrop on private phone conversations under the guise of a national security.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0601310239jan31,1,806838.story?coll=chi-news-hed