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Obama Shifts on Welfare Reform
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ShareJuly 01, 2008 12:19 AM
ABC News' Teddy Davis and Gregory Wallace Report: Barack Obama aligned himself with welfare reform on Monday, launching a television ad which touts the way the overhaul "slashed the rolls by 80 percent." Obama leaves out, however, that he was against the 1996 federal legislation which precipitated the caseload reduction.
"I am not a defender of the status quo with respect to welfare," Obama said on the floor of the Illinois state Senate on May 31, 1997. "Having said that, I probably would not have supported the federal legislation, because I think it had some problems."
Obama's transformation from critic to champion of welfare reform is the latest in a series of moves to the center. Since capturing the Democratic nomination, the Obama campaign has altered its stances on Social Security taxes, meeting with rogue leaders without preconditions, and the constitutionality of Washington, D.C.'s, sweeping gun ban.
The shift in Obama's rhetoric on welfare reform has proceeded in stages. When former President Bill Clinton was poised to sign welfare reform while running for re-election in 1996, Obama called it "disturbing." A decade later, as an underdog running for president against Clinton's wife, he spent 2007 avoiding the subject. By the time Obama emerged as the Democratic frontrunner in the spring of 2008, he began leaving the impression that he was for it all along.
During a 1996 interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Obama could not conceal his disappointment in his fellow Democrat. "Bill Clinton? Well, his campaign’s fascinating to a student of politics. It's disturbing to someone who cares about certain issues. But politically, it seems to be working," said Obama.
Calling himself a believer in "making lemonade out of lemons," Obama co-sponsored a 1997 bill approved by the Illinois legislature and signed by the governor which made changes to state programs to help move people from welfare to work.
He made clear at the time, however, that he probably would have opposed the federal welfare overhaul. Speaking on the floor of the Illinois state senate, Obama described his on-going concerns as including a lack of job training, insufficient oversight, and provisions blocking legal immigrants from receiving benefits.
While the states played an important role in helping people make the transition from welfare to work, the truly controversial decision which sparked the dramatic reduction in the welfare rolls was the one made by Clinton at the federal level.
The bill passed by a Republican Congress and signed by Clinton included work requirements and time limits. It included fewer supports for people moving from welfare-to-work than Clinton had originally envisioned. Though later restored at the federal level, it also included an end to benefits for legal immigrants which both Clinton and Obama found objectionable.
Clinton said it was far from perfect legislation. But unlike Obama who looked at its flaws and said he probably would not have supported it, Clinton signed it.
"Today, we are taking an historic chance to make welfare what it was meant to be, a second chance, not a way of life," said Clinton at the 1996 bill signing.
While campaigning for president in 2007, Obama refused on two occasions to say if he would have signed the same welfare-reform bill approved by the husband of his top rival.
After addressing the International Association of Firefighters on March 14, 2007, Obama told ABC News, "I tend not to look back to what would have been done 10 years ago. We’re talking about what I’m going to be doing for the next 10 years."
When ABC News posed the same question four months later, Obama again refused to answer.
"I’m not going to re-litigate what happened back in the 90s," said Obama at a July 17, 2007, press conference in Washington, D.C. "I'm talking about what's going to be happening going forward."
"Bill Clinton isn't on the ballot," he added.
Once he had become the Democratic frontrunner in the spring of 2008, Obama signaled that he had always backed the 1996 welfare reform.
Asked if he would have vetoed the reform measure, Obama told The New York Times in a story published on April 11, "I won’t second guess President Clinton for signing."
Now, with the Democratic nomination firmly in hand, Obama is going one step further. In an ad airing in 18 states, including 14 carried by President Bush in 2004, Obama is celebrating a reduction in the welfare caseload made possible by legislation he originally opposed.
July 1, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (187)
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Of course he flip-flops. Remember " Slick Willey " who made thirteen hundred campaign promises, kept ten and governed by the polls, lied to the American people with his pointing finger and to a grandjury. This crook was God to Liberals and now we have " Slick Obama " Silver tounged liar who is going to ride the Liberal's magic carpet right to the White House, so they beleive. It never fails to amaze me how good Liberals are at lying and you would swear they were on drugs cause no straight thinking person could beleive the things they do!
Posted by: Ranger Frank | Jul 1, 2008 1:48:45 AM
Yeah WestCoast,recognise you, Irma and Alpaig as one of the most vocal Hillary supporters. Cannot force you to support Obama but mccain? He is a war hero i recognise that but it is hypocritical of him not condemning GOP attacks. He did not strongly condemn the attacks on Michelle and he is now crying foul with General Wesley's attacks.
Posted by: vuzous | Jul 1, 2008 1:51:52 AM
vucous: Now I see the problem - you're a Keith Olbermann junkie. He is the most biased Obama cheerleader on the air, you really need to get out and see the real world for a while. By the way, a few months ago, Keith gave one of his tirades about Bush and FISA, now he's done a 180 degree turn because Obama all of a sudden supports it. Oh, yeah, Keith Olbermann, real integrity in TV "journalism" - NOT!
Posted by: Grammy Barb | Jul 1, 2008 1:56:10 AM
And you must be a fox associate. I dont rely on one media but a host of medias. CNN is the only fair media. ABC is pro-mccain, cant even mention false news and definitely NBC is pro-Obama. You call me an NBC junkie and yet you also went to NBC to listen to Keith. I guess you reason just like Mccain.
Posted by: vuzous | Jul 1, 2008 2:02:20 AM
This is one of the most anti-Obama biased articles I have ever read. Every paragraph contains a distortion of the facts. Shame on you ABC.
Posted by: bob10001 | Jul 1, 2008 2:03:32 AM
That's my Obama. He will change his mind on Iraq tomorrow if they tell him it's going to guarantee a win in November. The man has zero conviction. None. Nada. Zip. I hope no world leader picks up on the fact that Obama will sell this country to the highest bidder. It's not questioning his patriotism, I'm just stating a fact. Obama loves this country as long as they vote him into office. If he loses in November, I advice that they have prozac ready for him. He's going to go on a Americans are a bunch of racists tirade. Because we all know that only racists would dare disagree with his crazy policies. Color me racist because I think his policies would be disastrous to this country.
Posted by: coolrepublica | Jul 1, 2008 2:22:06 AM
he does not know what the hell he's talking about. He shifts his positions about twice a day. How can the American voter know what he stands for? He's a nothing, someone who has been in the Senate for some 147 times. and has voted present most time which means nothing. He will make American a 3rd rate country just like th4e ones he lives in in his youth.
Posted by: love234america | Jul 1, 2008 2:24:46 AM
And what qualifies Mccain to be President? Calling another President lousy?and yet he is seeking the same office. Obama flips is small compared to Mccain. Mccain flips like a fish.
Posted by: vuzous | Jul 1, 2008 2:29:23 AM
ABC the house organ of the Republicans!! After the berbeque thrown by Sen Mcain or did I say Mcsame?, the ethics of fair joutrnalism was compromised. I never thought in developed Nations bright people can be bought with cheap beer and meat!! shame on the whole ABC fraternity. You are disgrace to modern journalism. I think you can do well in Zimbabwe as Mugambe cheer leaders too!
Posted by: Ngash | Jul 1, 2008 2:37:41 AM
Another Flip Flop what a suprise!
Posted by: Kiki | Jul 1, 2008 2:43:41 AM
He shifts... he scores!
He will move to the middle and say he's always been there... he might even believe it himself.
I don't know if McCain has a chance against someone who will say anything to get elected. And an electorate so eager to hear it.
But maybe truth will win over hype... I hope it will.
Posted by: smartprimate | Jul 1, 2008 2:54:50 AM
It's a great ad!!!
Posted by: Grace | Jul 1, 2008 3:00:20 AM
The article stated "Obama's transformation from opponent to champion of welfare reform is the latest in a series of moves to the center. Since capturing the Democratic nomination, Obama has altered his stances on Social Security taxes, meeting with rogue leaders without preconditions, and the constitutionality of Washington, D.C.'s, sweeping gun ban." Well DUHH!!! Each of these changes in position came as a result of public polling - he doesn't have a position, other than to say whatever is needed to be said to get elected... just lile ALL of the candidates.
Posted by: Namako OH3 | Jul 1, 2008 3:12:24 AM
It's three am... do you know what your position is, Sen Obama?
Posted by: smartprimate | Jul 1, 2008 3:13:34 AM
upcoming Obama Flip-Flops
1.I will not withdraw troops from Iraq immediately.
Posted by: john | Jul 1, 2008 3:17:46 AM
Now we know what Obama means when he says he's about change.
Little did we know he meant changing his mind. Many, many times.
President McCain - and it won't even be close.
Posted by: Jo | Jul 1, 2008 4:12:26 AM
And...Obama keeps rising in the polls.
Nobody cares about this ridiculous stuff. Americans only care that their country, reputation, economy, and military have been DESTROYED by the Republicans.
George W McCain is just more of the same. Old. Stale. And tired...
Posted by: wilder5121 | Jul 1, 2008 4:50:26 AM
BARACK FLIP-FLOP "FAST EDDIE" OBAMA
OBAMA IS STILL MAKING IT UP AS HE GOES.
OBAMA THE APPRENTICE-NOMINEE
HE DEPERATEWLY NEEDDS THE CLINTONS NOW
I GUESS UNSPECIFIED CHANGE IS NOT ENOUGH
TJ, THE CLINTONITE, SAYING KEEP YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN AS HE FLIPS.
Posted by: TJ | Jul 1, 2008 4:53:28 AM
Republicans are now officially on the Endangered Species List.
Americans (and the entire rest of the world) can't wait for November!!!
PAYBACK TIME.
Posted by: wilder5121 | Jul 1, 2008 5:03:32 AM
One of Senator Obama's very close friends once said to the locals of his ward when discussing Wal-marts building a new store near Trinity Church, "If you place profit over principle then you are nothing but a prostitute." This was in reference to the local people wanting Wal Mart to build a new store to make jobs in the area. This can also fit the political ambitions of "true" oportunist who will sell himself at whatever price just to get elected. They become nothing more than prostitutes to whomever they surreptitiously serve. Rev. Wright, you have a very good quote there and thank God for the internet so we can always see what you have said! Remember we, the people, are always watching and have a great memory.
Posted by: Abe | Jul 1, 2008 5:28:30 AM
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