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Obama Responds to Clinton's Comments on OPEC

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May 05, 2008 10:56 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: At a rally in Indianapolis, Sen. Barack Obama responded to Sen. Hillary Clinton's comments that as president she would try to sue OPEC.

"You say you’ve been in the White House for eight years, you’ve had two terms as U.S. Senator and haven’t said a work about OPEC and now suddenly you’re gonna take it right to OPEC," an exasperated Obama said. "When you’ve opposed fuel efficiency standards that would actually reduce demand for oil and put OPEC in a bind. That’s not being straight with the American people. That’s not the kind of politics we believe."

Obama spoke before what the campaign estimates was a 21,000-person crowd outside in the drizzling rain. Stevie Wonder performed in the preprogram, singing a regular song on the Obama campaign's play list, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."

Obama heads later tonight to greet workers at a shift change at a local factory in Indianapolis.

May 5, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary | Permalink | User Comments (104)

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Hillary's desparate pander ideas are getting more and more bizarre. Thank you Sen. Obama for calling them with honesty.
OPEC is an international organization with their own autonomy - how is little Hillary going to "sue" them? Just as idiotic as anyone believing that she can get legislation passed to have that tax holiday in place by Memorial Day of THIS year, when she's not even the nominee.

Posted by: Sara | May 5, 2008 11:10:10 PM

Hillary is trying to come up with solutions. What has Obama done.

Posted by: D | May 5, 2008 11:17:04 PM

why is fox news so pro hillary?

Posted by: Bernie | May 5, 2008 11:18:43 PM

Darn....no matter what new direction for America that Hillary proposes, the Obamaniacs condemn it. What is the course of change that they are proposing? We're almost to June, and I still don't know what Obama stands for.

Posted by: PGHPAVOTER | May 5, 2008 11:18:59 PM

Obama man of zero ideas. Sevie Wonder how appropriate since black people are blindly voting for Obama.

Posted by: GEEVILL | May 5, 2008 11:19:25 PM

You guys just dont get it. Obama doesnt have to do anything. Just keep spouting out RHETORIC and let the corrupt liberal media put a POSITIVE SPIN on everything he does.

they could have EASILY put out media suggesting that Obama has been PANDERING to the masses about his hope and change shtick .

Considering he has no experience, no consistent record of working in a bipartisan way, and no way to prove he can singlehandedly change washington.

Does the media put any of that out ????

NO SIR.

FREE RIDE.

Just imagine for a second if the media had PANNED Obama for every stump speech he makes with the same ZEAL they do for Clinton.

He wouldnt even be in the race anymore.

But this was never a race. The media has insisted on BRAINWASHING the public into believing everything Obama does is good, and everything Clinton does is bad.

You wouldnt believe the backlash that is going to come at the media once the election cycle is over.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008 11:21:16 PM

Can some what tell me, how can you offer solutions without discussing or even attracting the beneficiaries? Obama is at the right tract in talking to the American people and he has the ability to offer the real solution because it is his fundemental believe. Obama can change the still of American politics, especially on foreign policies and world wide security. If you people need peace to come to this world then vote for Obama. Obama 08

Posted by: David | May 5, 2008 11:23:40 PM

David - Your comment makes the point of every Hillary supporter out there.

Posted by: PGHPAVOTER | May 5, 2008 11:25:22 PM

Politics Lesson #1: When your solutions SUCK, they will get blasted for the sham that they are. I'd rather no plan than one that will drive up oil prices and cost hundreds of thousands of jobs. But hey, I'm a little smarter than the average Hillary supporter. Pander Bear 2008!!!

Posted by: Jane | May 5, 2008 11:26:07 PM

Obama can always tell us a string of things that Hillary cannot do, or a list of things that he knows Washington did not do, or how bad Bush was.

Well then exactly when is Obama going to stop pointing out all the ills and tell use what he will do, he never says what he will do only how bad others have been.

Seems to me Obama either does not have a clue what to do, or will do nothing if he gets elected.

Posted by: SJ | May 5, 2008 11:26:28 PM

Sj - Pander Bear, Annie Oakley, Hillary the Bosnian General.....all you guys do is call names. Every time she says something about her plans or her experience, a new name comes out from the supporters of "new politics". Correct me if I'm wrong....has there been name calling or giving the bird from the Clinton campaign? Where are Obama's plans? Is he keeping them secret because we would be afraid of them?

Posted by: PGHPAVOTER | May 5, 2008 11:33:05 PM

Is Hillary really for the common man and woman?

1) Hillary voted AGAINST the Vitter amendment which PREVENTS the government from confiscating guns from law abiding citizens during emergencies or martial law. Interestingly Obama voted for it and for the rights of gun owners.

2) The Clintons recently revealed on their tax returns that they had amassed fortunes of 109 million dollars.

3) Hillary was instrumental in pushing FOR and getting NAFTA passed which has been a disaster for American workers. According to documents released by the National Archives, Hillary in 1993 attended at least 5 meetings that were used to win approval of NAFTA by Congress and these documents detailed her role in promoting NAFTA while she was first lady.

4) Hillary along with the Republicans voted for the Iraq War which have taken billions of our tax paying dollars out of our pockets and put them into the pockets of oil companies and defense contractors.

Posted by: E Nelson | May 5, 2008 11:35:05 PM

D, go learn some economics. When you tax the oil companies, they just pass the tax on to the consumers. There is no savings for consumers. This is why it's called PANDERING and has been rejected by 250+ "elite" economists who have studied the issue ad nauseum and who are being ignored by Hillary. Please don't question my intelligence with bad grammar and no understanding of economics.

Posted by: Jane | May 5, 2008 11:39:32 PM

PS: Tell Hillary to find one economist who thinks consumers will actually save money and get back to me. America is still waiting for one non-advisor, non-Shell lobbyist to step forward. To date, there are ZERO.

Posted by: Jane | May 5, 2008 11:42:03 PM

Obama can afford to be an elitist but working class americans can not afford an elitist president who does not have their best interest at heart. Obama may not think that $12 a week is much but working class americans sure do and that is why they like Hillary's gas tax holiday! Obama worries about the high price of arugla and working class americans worry about the high price of gas and food and Hillary is on their side!!! Hillary gets it!!

Hillary Geter Done!!!!!

Posted by: russell | May 5, 2008 11:45:22 PM

All Obama has done is PANDER to people who are desperate for change.

Obama has NO record of voting in a bi partisan way.

He has the most liberal voting record in the senate.

He has used the MEDIA to HYPE himself with no actual evidence to back it up.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008 11:48:00 PM

I see a desperate Obama alive! His campaign has been the most negative one ever in history! Every plan Hillary has proposed, Obama jumps out and says that this is pandering, or same old politics and suggests that Hillary is dishonest. On the contrary, Obama is the biggest hypocrit and lier I have ever seen. He lied in the public in SC debate that the only association with Renzo was limited to 5 hours of work. There are really too many examples to prove Obama is just another politician yet he likes to pretend how much integrity he has. In fact, he's a man with no substance but full of empty words. I feel sick of him! I'll stay home if he's the nomination in the fall. He's doomed to lose.

Posted by: Wendy | May 5, 2008 11:50:12 PM

Yawn.

I dont know whats worse. Your guys undying faith in Hillary or your complete lack of knowledge in how legislation is done and how international economics work.

This gas tax WILL NEVER HAPPEN. You do realize shes not the president right? Bush will never sign any bill that taxes the oil companies. This bill does not exist. It was her fake game to make you think she was doing something.

OH and she wants to take on OPEC? Go right ahead, We only give them a billion dollars a day. For Oil we so desperatly need. Im sure we can leverage with that. Oh wait. They know we need it and they know India and China want that oil too and are willing to pay for it.

You saw what happened to gas prices in the early 80s? Same thing.

Posted by: Rob | May 5, 2008 11:55:20 PM

D, from what I hear, they've been taking some crazy poll on who is more "electable" for the last 5 months now. Guess who's winning?

Posted by: Jane | May 5, 2008 11:57:01 PM

Her comments on OPEC today and the gas tax yesterday make he seem even less prepared than W was. Unbelievable. She just gets worse and worse as you get to know her. Is she unraveling right before our eyes>

Posted by: Bob | May 5, 2008 11:57:24 PM

Not a fan but Rush Limbaugh's comments today about Bill hitting on his date last year were awesome.

Posted by: Bob | May 5, 2008 11:58:57 PM

pick a poll, you can find a poll to fit you canidate. Hillary!

Posted by: D | May 5, 2008 11:59:55 PM

Saying Hillary has executive level experience is like saying Yoko was a Beatle. Her comments of the last 2 days are making that crystal clear.

Enough of the drama! Go back to NY/IL/AK?

Posted by: Bob | May 6, 2008 12:00:09 AM

Clinton is really becoming a nuisance and shows that unlike her husband, she does not really know anything about good governance. sue opec? when you are fully dependent on Opec for your oil supply will only help to shoot oil to $200 per barrel. Please Americans dont vote for this lady. You are lucky that your vote counts, if we had such opportunities here, Clinton would long have ended her campaign.

Posted by: vinny | May 6, 2008 12:00:58 AM

The "poll" I'm talking about is the one that's gone on in 47 states/territories now--not from the media, but actual, votes. And it says right here that Obama has more of them...

Posted by: Jane | May 6, 2008 12:01:38 AM

HRC got it wrong - sue OPEC. Oh yeah, she's a lawyer. So did BO - fuel economy? You're kidding right? If you want to stick it to OPEC, you start producing oil on your own turf (i.e. ANWR, Gulf Coast, etc...). Once you threaten to approach self-sustainability by producing 85 million barrels/day, OPEC will have to find another customer for the surplus oil. That's a lot more oil to flood the market and result in much cheaper oil.

Posted by: Frustrated Voter | May 6, 2008 12:09:10 AM

It could come down to at the end, that Obama will lead in electoral votes and Hillary could lead in the popular vote. Then the question is, SD needs to determine who is more electable.

Posted by: D | May 6, 2008 12:09:56 AM

She will TRY to sue OPEC. They are laughing all the way to the bank. There is no limit to what she will promise or lie about is there?

Hillary needs to be stopped. The sooner the better. She will cause even more damage to what might be left of our image outside the US with her dive to the bottom of the barrell.

Her statement to OBLITHERATE IRAN and her desire to return to a Cold War strategy is just way over the top. Now she is wanting to sue OPEC? She didn't learn her lesson on her Bosnia lies and joked about them on Jay Leno. I didn't find anything funny about it then and I sure don't think she can laugh this one off. Seriously, this woman has a problem grasping reality.

She has done enough damage within her own political party using Clinton triangulation to split it right down the middle. Polarization is alive and well in the DNC with all of her negative attacks.

I could NEVER vote for this woman and I am sure hoping others will feel the same tomorrow. We need to start rebuilding not keep tearing each other apart. The excitement of all the campaign buzz is gone and the only ones having fun now are the Clintons. They are laughing at the rest of us because they have successfully turned this country upside down. I'm not laughing Hillary.

Posted by: Sick of Her | May 6, 2008 12:13:31 AM

Hey Sick,
It sounds like you have a hard time with the idea of a woman in the top position -- get used to it -- Hillary definitely has more testicular fortitude than Obama ever will.
========================================Obama is a bad bowler too!

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | May 6, 2008 12:20:50 AM

All Obama does is criticize Hillary for pandering and using political expediency, when Obama is the one who threw his pastor under the bus for political expediency, threw his granny under the bus for political expediency, and can't explain how he came to buy a house with a mafia guy, or how he came to do business with a flag stomping, bombing terrorist Ayers, but he can tell us to not listen to Hillary who is offering us solutions to our problems. Obama is just bitter he has to keep campaigning, he'd rather be back in the virgin islands vacationing.

Posted by: calli | May 6, 2008 12:24:10 AM

Remember what the Rev. Wright said, he is a politician .
He would say anything to get elected.

Posted by: blue Irish | May 6, 2008 12:25:19 AM

@Bernie,

This is the answer.

Why MSNBC and CNN are pro Obama?

Posted by: blue Irish | May 6, 2008 12:27:05 AM

HRC is an unguided missile. A
loose-tongued flake.

Posted by: anon | May 6, 2008 12:28:14 AM

GOP Gleeful at Obama rocky period

By LIZ SIDOTI – 15 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans can hardly contain their glee as they watch Barack Obama battle through a rocky period. And why should they?

Nothing else is breaking the GOP's way this year. But, at least now, the Democrats' political phenom is tarnished, and, if he defeats Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination, he will enter the general election campaign not only bruised and battered — but also carrying baggage as he faces Republican John McCain.

"We've had a rough couple of weeks. I won't deny that," Obama said Friday.

The Illinois senator has repeatedly had to address — and repudiate — the ranting of his bombastic former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Obama has continued facing questions about his relationship with indicted Chicago businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko. The candidate's patriotism has been questioned. So has his readiness.

On the eve of a critical Pennsylvania primary, Obama caught flak for claiming that small-town folks are bitter and thus cling to guns and religion. Then he turned in a lackluster debate performance. He ended up losing that primary to Clinton in part because he didn't attract enough white, working-class voters.

Now he finds himself in the midst of competitive contests in two more states. Losses Tuesday in Indiana and North Carolina would further weaken him. Even if he manages to hold off Clinton in those and the final primary contests, Obama would essentially limp to the nomination.

Posted by: Fred | May 6, 2008 12:33:13 AM

Clinton is a nuisance candidate.

Posted by: anon | May 6, 2008 12:37:22 AM

Is Hillary pushing to be McCain's Vice President?

Hillary seems to act like a Republican.
The more she talks, the higher the price of gasoline goes.

Hey OPEC countries were going to sue you. If you don't pay up, well um, you know, um, you know...
Watch OPEC's response to Hillary tomorrow. OPEC will lower production so that our gas goes to $5 before the end of the year.

Thanks Hillary, you just guaranteed my family won't be able to eat.

Posted by: Dan | May 6, 2008 12:49:45 AM

This is a story. Honest.

Meanwhile, in three years in the Senate, Obama has managed to .... campaign, has a poor attendance record, hasn't even called two of his subcommitees to meet, and ... what else, exactly?. In Illinois, well, not much more in eight years ... but he did right a book about how great his values are ... an autobiography based on "composite characters", i.e. fictional playmates ! ! !

Posted by: JimF | May 6, 2008 12:53:32 AM

The politics that we do not believe is when Obama gets exasperated to any proposal for action, because he does not think of any. Now, what does it mean with 2 terms in the White House? Is obama so ignorant to think that a first lady has the power or obligation to pass legislation? who is we? in politics that "we" do not believe? Is his elitist group or he and Wright? Obama is the politician that we can not believe.

Posted by: libre | May 6, 2008 1:02:29 AM

Hillary's solution to high gas prices:
sue OPEC in an Iranian court.


Posted by: anon | May 6, 2008 1:02:50 AM

The facts are simple:
Obama only needs to win two states to seal the nomination: NC and OR

In NC, the latest poll has him up by 9
(49% to 40%).
In OR the latest poll has Obama at
50% to CLinton's 38%...its. over...the truth must hurt.

Posted by: bob | May 6, 2008 1:03:02 AM

Why are people acting like this is a contest?

Clinton will win IN tomorrow by about 2%. Obama will win NC by about 8%. They will basically split the delegates.

Clinton will have a net gain of about -0. Over the past several week Obama has been gaining "Super delagates 2 or 3 here, 4 or 5 there. Believe me, the super delagates have been vetting him like the news media could only dream of. When Clinton gains a super delagate, it makes the NEWS!

Once the remaining primaries occur, and they split those delagates too. Then the rest of the super delagates give it to Obama.

Think I'll turn off my TV because I know how the movie ends!

Obama/Richardson '08
Obama/Edwards '08

both got a nice ring to em

Posted by: Tom | May 6, 2008 1:03:17 AM

Obama keeps on thinking that the voters are fools, he is arrogant. Hecritisizes the Clintons, McCain, The Country, the democrats, but has not offer any single solution or plan. Just words that he thinks sound smart. Obama is the politician we don't believe.

Posted by: libre | May 6, 2008 1:06:06 AM

And once again he responds to someone else's ideas, instead of explaining his own. Too bad he wasn't as quick to respond to Rev Wright's hate speeches.

Posted by: Mack | May 6, 2008 1:07:22 AM

Obama wants s to wait years until the auto industry can improve efficiency standards to do something about the oil price?. He is just laying the ground to avoid any compromise or any work, just hoping that things are going to como along on "hope". Obama the politician we don't believe.

Posted by: libre | May 6, 2008 1:09:00 AM

Can any Hillary supporter actually defend this?

It is impossible tu "sue" OPEC.

All she can do is threaten to obliterate them

if they do not comply.

Madness.

Isn't she supposed to be a policy wonk?

Posted by: Dann | May 6, 2008 1:14:58 AM

If Obama uses some of the same ingenuity that he used to come up with that sweet real estate with his pal Rezko, there isn't a problem that he can't solve!

Posted by: Mack | May 6, 2008 1:15:03 AM

Obama/Richardson '08
Obama/Edwards '08

both got a nice ring to em

I had second thoughts.

Richardson Ambassador to the UN
Edwards SECRETARY OF LABOR

that leaves who to run with Obama?

Obama/

Posted by: Tom | May 6, 2008 1:15:44 AM

If Obama wins the nomination, I can vote McCain, vote Nader, or write in Hillary. Anyone but Obama.

Posted by: Mack | May 6, 2008 1:41:02 AM

Hmmm..... Alot of the replies I have read are funny and not based on facts. If you keep an open mind you will see that Hillary is not trust worthy. She keeps changing solutions and coming up with different ideas to fit the moment. Atleast when Obama proposes an idea he sticks to it and if it turns out to be wrong he accepts he's wrong and apologizes. Hillary acts like Bush in that she does not accept her fault or apologize. Did you know she never apologized for her vote to invade Iraq, or her lie about her trip to Bosnia? Instead she said president bush abused the authorization, and that she misspoke about her Bosnia experience. Don't you want a president that can atleast say I am sorry, I was wrong? She used a strong language today and said she will Obliterate Iran, eventhough she knew it was a strong word she still did not back down from it. In contrast, Obama apologized for his comment about Pennsylvanians and explained what he meant and accepted that he did not phrase his comments properly. If it is Hillary, she will try to come up with false solutions, to manipulate the minds of Americans.

Take the gas tax holiday for example, Hillary assumes that consumers are stupid and do not understand basic economics. It does not take a wiz to know that a gas tax holiday is not the solution to rising gas prices. And for all those that are criticizing Obama for not coming up with a solution, maybe if you read his proposals, which can be found at www.barackobama.com, or were not too busy watching Hillary's negative ads you will notice that he proposed a $1000 tax cut to middle class families, which comes to about $100 a month. This tax cut does not only help them deal with the rising cost of gas, but of food and other stuffs. He also proposed that America cuts its dependence on foreign oil and invest in alternative energy sources. Thus, he has both short term and long term solution to energy crises. What about Hillary? Her short term solution is 18cents a day, which comes to a totally of $28 for 3moths. And since the gas tax holiday is for 3moths, Hillary is offering you $28 for a year compared to Obama's $1000. Next, her long term fix is to sue OPEC. LOL! So much for her experience. So I urge you all to read both Obama's and Hillary's foreign policies and economic policies and then make your decision.

In addition, Obama is honest and trustworthy. What about Hillary? Not at all. She thinks the average American is stupid and can easily be manipulated, which is what I see from reading comments from Hillary supporters. Before I forget, Hillary said she was going to use the profits from the oil companies to pay for the gas tax holiday but the problem is that she had already commited to using the money for something else. She does not remember just like how she forgot that she had reporters with her when she traveled to Bosnia and her experience was all on tape. Thus she can't pay for the gas tax holiday, which will put America in more debt.

Posted by: Cee | May 6, 2008 1:41:19 AM

Obama and his supporters have some great ideas! I'm sure the people over at Huffingtonpost will really appreciate them!
Kool-Aid 2008!

Posted by: Mack | May 6, 2008 1:54:10 AM

Obama said he did not wanted to debate, he wanted to campaign and deliver his message. All he has done is attack Senator Clinton's campaign, but from afar, shielded from rebutals and questions. He cowardly is "debating" like the kind of politician we do not believe.

Posted by: libre | May 6, 2008 2:04:23 AM

Going to an unashamedly black church for 20 years that preaches black liberation theology isn't a bad thing, unless you are running for President. All the excuses in the world can't change that. Oprah showed much better judgment.

Posted by: Mack | May 6, 2008 2:12:23 AM

I do not buy the comedy between Wright and Obama, they are still pals, they think alike and Obama should not be the Democrat nominee, he does not have a chance in the General Election. Twenty years supporting sermons of hate and he thinks we believe that now he is offended, and enraged? He is a phony and a hypocrite, the worst kind of politician. He sure learns fast Only five years and he is involved with radicals, launderer money through the law firm he worked for, did favors for rezko in exchange for campaign money and a front lawn, Sinclair rumor and all this while he looks down on regular Americans. Obama is the kind of politician we can’t believe.

Posted by: libre | May 6, 2008 2:25:09 AM

To make America better during the next four years, all of you will have to vote Democratic no matter who the nomination goes to. If you vote for Nader, or McCain you will vote against your own self interest. If you are happy with the current direction of our great nation right now, with the high oil prices, Iraq war, Jobs being shipped over seas, high number of home foreclosures, Big business bail outs, poorer teachers, down turn in education, America's Chinese Debt, unprotected borders, American passports being produced overseas, value of the dollar dropping, huge tax cuts for corporations, who is really benefitting from the Republican controled government? These guys are selling America out and pointing at race, religion, and terrorist they can't catch while profiting on a war that's killing our young son's and daughters!
Vote Dem, Vote Dem, Vote Dem! Vote them Repubs right out of office and let's take most of them to jail!!

Posted by: This is America | May 6, 2008 2:26:07 AM

TedDaddy Do you think that Obama has a chance in the general election only with the black vote? You are alienating everybody else.

Posted by: libre | May 6, 2008 2:27:17 AM

TedDaddy You are presented with the facts about Obama's facts like Unectability and you go back 20 years tryng to pin something on Senator Clinton. Barack has nothing to ofer and he is not going to win the general elections. if he becomes the nominee we all Democrats loose.

Posted by: libre | May 6, 2008 3:09:24 AM

dl, you are correct. Karl Rove could learn something about planting lies from Hillary, Bill and their surrogates.

Posted by: DennisNC | May 6, 2008 3:37:39 AM

All of Hillary's plans will fail! Starting with the gas tax relief pander, where not one economist, liberal or conservative, thinks that her plan is a good idea. As President she wants to force all Americans into a government run universal health plan. The government doesn't even work, so how she going to get it to run health care? If Hillary is President and that is a huge if, she will be embroiled in fierce battles with Republicans for all four years of her term and NOTHING will get done!!! So if Hillary has the plan, no thanks. Most of her ideas are very bad ideas and the ones that are good ideas will never get approved.

Posted by: Liberated | May 6, 2008 3:42:57 AM

If you doubt the bit on Karl Rove advice, go to Karl's column and read all the advice he has given publicly to Obama. Better yet, google it and prove me wrong. LOL

Posted by: mixed-american | May 6, 2008 3:51:05 AM

RCP Average for the dem nomination is now at 0.3% for Obama. 24 hours ago it was 2.9%. new polls are out for the NC and IN contests showing very close polling averages. Tomorrow night may just be fun!

Posted by: mixed-american | May 6, 2008 3:54:12 AM

This lady is making fun of us.

Posted by: Sato | May 6, 2008 3:54:37 AM

If you vote for Hillary, then please refrain from every criticizing Bush again for the invasion of Iraq. She gave him unqualified support with her votes. Or did you every really oppose waht we did?

Posted by: DennisNC | May 6, 2008 4:04:24 AM

Just wait - she will sue The Universe, when we would not elect her.
But....
who cares?

Posted by: Linda, Fl | May 6, 2008 4:20:26 AM

Oil is a mega issue. It is an exhaustible resource. The oil price is based greatly on supply and demand. The subject is as oily as the crude itself. There is no one single perfect solution which the economists cn testify.

Mc Cain and HIlary seem to belong to and come from the same school of economics.

The rising cost of living in the US is due to the Iraq war that she is engaged in. Too much of money has been minted for the purchase of arms, missiles and fighter planes etc. The Government is entirely responsible for its own doing.
If only the trillion of USD were spent on social welfare projects, oil exploration in and around USA, production of its gasoline and diesel, tapping the solar, wind and water energy and agricultural development etc, the country would have been in a much better condition today.

What the Republican Government is doing is to divert the peoples' attention from the local economic and social ills such as growing unemployment, escalating production cost,imports dependency, sluggish job creation, rising crime rates and able all the hidden or the unspoken racial divide between the whites and the blacks.

Being the spouse of a past president does not mean that she has the necessary experience to run a country. Where previous presidential experience is concerned, she has nil so is Obama.
I just cannot understand how she dould accuse Obama for lack of experience when she is in the same boat as Obama.

So we have judge who is the better candidate for the C-in-C of US. FRo what I can see, McCain is more suited as a Military Commander while Hilary, Secretary for Social Welfare/Women Affairs. Obama tips the scale for the presidential position - he is cool, calm and not rash in making a decision.
Besides, he is more of a gentleman - tactful and not temperamental. These are the hallmarks of good leadership.

I wish you all the luck, Obama.

Posted by: Billau Chris | May 6, 2008 5:30:20 AM

I feel saddened by the tone of some of these blogs. Americans I have met on my travels have proved to be friendly and courteous: just great folks! It is time the leadership style of the USA is changed, as I cringe every time the Govt disappoints and fails.I am sure many are hoping for America to regain it's stature and leading role in world affairs. If Barak Obama can become President, deliver the leadership required, and be supported by the people, the USA will reverse the leaching of respect that has happened in recent years.
Any person you elect is a risk, but I believe Obama has the honor, decency and drive to be a President to all Americans. As a New Zealander, I regret I cannot vote for him.

Posted by: Ron | May 6, 2008 5:32:43 AM

Obama is a whiner. He has no ideas of his own. At least Hillary is trying.She deserves to win.

Posted by: stacy | May 6, 2008 5:33:09 AM

Obama is a serious whiner. He does not have ideas of his own. At least Hillary is trying.

Posted by: stacy | May 6, 2008 5:34:29 AM

Have any of you ever wondered why Clinton appeals to the blue class workers and Obama appeals to the college educated? No one running can give us a laundry list of what they are going to do. What they can do is to give us the feeling that they have OUR'S and the country's best interests at heart. Anyone running for an office like this has got to have an ego bigger than Texas, but which one wants and cares for change more? In the end this is what each of us will have to decide.

Posted by: darlene | May 6, 2008 6:35:06 AM

Hillary is going to repeal my gas tax this summer.That comes to $60.48 the way I drive. My vote is worth more than that!
Now she wants to sue OPEC. Another joke.
Hillary, it's simple. If you want my vote, hold your breath!!

Posted by: DAVID NH | May 6, 2008 7:16:28 AM

obama's gas plan

"Present"

"er, what, me decide? I just want to read a speech someone wrote about it."

Posted by: trettin | May 6, 2008 8:18:18 AM

Darlene,

I have a theory on why Obama appeals to richer liberals and Hillary to poorer ones. Because the Rich don't really need specifics, their lives aren't really that bad. They don't need the gas holiday, nor do they really care that Obama's Healthcare plan is not universal. It's convenient for them to rail against the war, but their kids aren't serving in it. Their lives are all in all, pretty good.. so what do they care? They love the speeches and hype and that's all it takes to turn their heads. They aren't hurting.

Working class people aren't into show, their lives are hard, they don't really trust politicians. But they do gravitate to specifics, because to THEM, these details matter. To them, a gas holiday might be the difference between taking a well earned family trip, or not being able to afford it. To them, being covered on a healthcare plan could be the difference between bankrupcy and financial solvency. To them, details matter, because their lives are hard, they work hard, they don't watch pundits on CNN, they don't have time for pretty speeches. It's put up, or shut up.

Posted by: A reader in Georgia | May 6, 2008 8:42:17 AM

Hey Carnival, perhaps you are too young to remember, but the 1990's was one of the most prosperous decades in the last century. Poverty declined, incomes rose, the middle class gained ground, minority familes achieved greater financial independence, the budget was balances, the world was relatively peaceful. The Clintons in fact, DO produce results. Again, many of the kids voting for Obama were likely playing T-Ball and were unaware of these intricacies. Perhaps they should ask their parents.

Posted by: An Opinion | May 6, 2008 8:44:48 AM

Mrs. C can not you see. You can not sue OPEC first off because to do so you would need my hard earned tax dollars and I will oppose your misspending when you should be looking to spend those hard earned tax dollars to researching biomenthane generation which is ole technology but proven. Or spend my tax dollars on enforcing higher milage requirements from the automakers and a conservation education program starting in the school system.
Oh, Mrs C can you see ????????????

Posted by: petronew | May 6, 2008 8:45:48 AM

No Dann,

92% blacks voting for someone only because of skin color is racist. Shame on those black people who praised Clinton and have to justify their racist vote for Obama by manufacuring phony hate.

Posted by: geevill | May 6, 2008 9:01:24 AM

Obama is calling a reduction in gas tax pandering. What does he call his party cutting $840 million from a funding bill to feed hungary children? It seems that the only people concerned are former senators, McGovern and Do.e. All he's worried about is getting his racist butt elected. The republicans are going to weave a coat for Obama of his lies, deceitful tactics, and his radical friends, and mulsim followers Hamas, etc and smother him with it. All they have to do is tell the truth and that will be enough.

Posted by: Russ | May 6, 2008 9:10:40 AM

It amazing that we haven't heard Nadar's name not being mentioned more often. His running for President is likely to damage Obama's voter group (left - eco types) that to Hillary's centrist Regan Democrats.

Obama will never win in November.

Posted by: Mark | May 6, 2008 9:35:28 AM

Clinton doesn't have any solutions, never has, never will.

She is just a Pander bearer

Posted by: Thinking | May 6, 2008 9:37:40 AM

i think its funny when people talk about bills passed- obama and hillary are on alot of the same bills!!! and i live in new york so i know alot of her bills are empty just to add to numbers of bills she has been able to pass!
and just to pull out one bill- lead problem, obama's bill was much stronger than hillary's but they co-sponsored each others bills..

Posted by: MELISSA | May 6, 2008 9:52:58 AM

Apparently, Thinking is only in an empty bonehead, so claimed the boneheaded from Chicago. He has no plans on anything that was his original idea. He, let's use a kinder word, copies from his opponents. When someone proposes a plan, he complains. As for himself, he has nothing, except criticizing, deceiving, stating incomplete truth, and then going negative by saying others negative or old politics.

You can wait for 50 years when BO's long term solution to come its way, only if you can live long enough to see it.

Posted by: Boneheaded, Chicago | May 6, 2008 9:58:07 AM

boneheaded , chicago
the gas tax wasnt hillarys idea it has been around and already tried and didnt work!
all of her idea's have also been around for a while...
if you want to talk about taking a stand after some one already did try talking to enemies in your first year question when hillary said obama was naive for even thinking about talking to enemies in the first year then later on said she would as though it was her idea and said it is a sign of STRENGTH !!!

Posted by: MELISSA | May 6, 2008 10:03:19 AM

thanks geevill that was very informative!!lol
i guess??

Posted by: MELISSA | May 6, 2008 10:17:14 AM

Have any of you "bitter" americans actually hear or see the context around his comment or are you just relying on agenda driven right wing media? Yeah it was poorly worded but he was actually connecting and understanding people who have watched their jobs go away and not be replaced. He was talking about one small segment of society. He was not saying people who are religious are bitter or people who support the second amendment were bitter, etc.

Posted by: X marks the spot | May 6, 2008 10:48:00 AM

When did they change the name to Burma. I can't keep up with countries constantly changing their names. What's up with that.

Posted by: t | May 6, 2008 10:51:40 AM

I meant from Burma.