What does Obama bring to the table? Nothing!!

hey all~ okay...trusting that this can stay civil i will chime in.... i believe that Obama brings a lot to the table. but i must talk about a few other things first. we all know the records of the 'other' candidates running for office....and what some consider qualifications others considers draw backs. so i won't 'attack' the others that i consider unqualified per se (at least i won't use the names) i believe that Obama being so fresh is a huge qualification. we have all seen how that as a senator or rep. is on the hill for long....that they tend to (not always) become stagnant and indoctrinated into petty partisan differences (not talking big stuff, like let's say business tax breaks, but small stuff like how to combat illegal immigrants) so i think that with his freshness, we have a better chance at a unified operation from D.C. (and it would follow, in theory, that more would be accomplished) 2. i think that BY his speeches, and enthusiasm we have seen that he CAN in fact get the peopls attention. this would mean that we would have a president who people actually 'want' to listen to....and let's face it...a lot of people tune out our leaders. 3. IF memory serves me right (which i must admit is not always :P) his record in the illinois state senate speaks to his abilities in office. 4. he has in the past, defied his party leadership and called them to task on things (for example: calling them to task on a tendency to alienate religious people and groups, and on ethics reform) this shows us that he probably wouldn't be a puppet 5. i also know that, according to his website, he will not accept 'special interest' donations from lobbyist or political action committees....this shows us a level of honesty that some of our leaders lack. so there...i gave 5 reasons why i believe that he is qualified and brings some real tangible things to the table. ~j

whatever you said Obama still the best compare to the rest. He is more honest than the rest!

Okay Rodney, here I am to answer your question!! It's not how long Obama has been in the Senate, it is what he has done in so little time that tells me he is presidential material. Being a woman in Illinois, I really had issues deciding who to vote for, and let me just be clear before I begin this that I did all of my research independently, with no bias to begin with. Please bear with me because this is going to be lengthy... I'm also assuming that you're looking at Obama's record vs. Clinton's. Honestly, there isn't all that much difference between them. Obama and Clinton care alot about the same issues, and have frequently worked together on legislature, despite what her campaign would like to imply. She is a frequent co sponser on his bills, and he on hers. But this is supposed to be about Obama's accomplishments, so here goes..(in no particular order, just off the top of my head) April 2007- introduced the "Stop Fraud Act" that would stop mortgage transactions which operate to promote fraud, risk, abuse, and under-development, and for other purposes. Co sponsored by Richard Durbin. (Clintons bill is calling for enhanced disclosures, S.2114, and is even said by collegues not to be as tough or address the issue as directly as Obama's does, she can't get a co sponsor for it..but again this isn't supposed to be about her.) He has also proposed these bills..S.J.RES.23: A joint resolution clarifying that the use of force against Iran is not authorized by the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq, any resolution previously adopted, or any other provision of law. (No more excuses for Congress to say they are not clear what they are voting for!!) S.2030: A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require reporting relating to bundled contributions made by persons other than registered lobbyists; and S.AMDT.41 to S.1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged. S.453: A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections S.1977: A bill to provide for sustained United States leadership in a cooperative global effort to prevent nuclear terrorism, reduce global nuclear arsenals, stop the spread of nuclear weapons and related material and technology, and support the responsible and peaceful use of nuclear technology. S.1084: A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans. And these are just a few that he has proposed...there are many he was a sponsor or a co sponsor of that were successes! Just for giggles here is a list... S.AMDT.1041 to S.1082 To improve the safety and efficacy of genetic tests. S.AMDT.3073 to H.R.1585 To provide for transparency and accountability in military and security contracting. S.AMDT.3078 to H.R.1585 Relating to administrative separations of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder. S.AMDT.41 to S.1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged. S.AMDT.524 to S.CON.RES.21 To provide $100 million for the Summer Term Education Program supporting summer learning opportunities for low-income students in the early grades to lessen summer learning losses that contribute to the achievement gaps separating low-income students from their middle-class peers. S.AMDT.599 to S.CON.RES.21 To add $200 million for Function 270 (Energy) for the demonstration and monitoring of carbon capture and sequestration technology by the Department of Energy. S.AMDT.905 to S.761 To require the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education to establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering. S.AMDT.923 to S.761 To expand the pipeline of individuals entering the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to support United States innovation and competitiveness. S.AMDT.924 to S.761 To establish summer term education programs. S.AMDT.2519 to H.R.2638 To provide that one of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5 million or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee owes no past due Federal tax liability. S.AMDT.2588 to H.R.976 To provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty. S.AMDT.2658 to H.R.2642 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability. S.AMDT.2692 to H.R.2764 To require a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction and security plan. S.AMDT.2799 to H.R.3074 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability. S.AMDT.3137 to H.R.3222 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability. S.AMDT.3234 to H.R.3093 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability. S.AMDT.3331 to H.R.3043 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability. Senate Resolutions Passed: S.RES.133: A resolution celebrating the life of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson. S.RES.268: A resolution designating July 12, 2007, as "National Summer Learning Day". He must be doing something right. Let's take time into consideration here and put it this way..Clinton has sponsored 354 bills since Jan. 2001 out of which 307 didn't even make it out of committee. Obama has sponsored 129 bills since Jan 2005 out of which 120 didn't make it out of committee. This is average for both of them relative to their peers. Comparison of bills shows that Clinton and McCain both tend to propose "safe" bills that do not upset special interest groups where as Obama introduces bills with no regard for what the special interests think. Obama has a better record of getting his initiatives passed (when looking at the whole picture), has more bipartisan support in the Congress which leads to bigger majority votes in Congress making his agenda easier to pass. Let's be honest, nothing that happens in Congress is done easily. I think Obama would be a great leader. I have seen the progress his change has helped bring to Illinois. I just hope he doesn't have to resort to stooping to Clinton tactics of Campaigning to get there. As far as Senate records go, every one of the presidential candidates have missed quite a bit of Senate time since the campaigns started. I think I've said enough, go to GovTrack.us for more information on all the candidates. They are a lot more reliable than CNN or MSNBC.

100% agree. i was bipartisan as a volunteer at last nights caucus and I talked to many people. I asked a few Obama supporters why do you support Obama...the answer..because this is history. you know what...i dont want to elect a president because it makes history. guess what every new president is making history. i select my candidate based on qualifications and ability to effectively lead my country in a forward direction. I know what Hillary will do on day one. Obama himself said that on day one he will sit at the desk in the oval office and say "this is cool". is this what you want your president to do on day one??? I could not believe how many people were at my caucus who had absolutely no idea what this man's policies actually were. I have asked several people on different mylot discussions the same question...and guess what...they havent responded.

Well, given the choices which are limited...he is as qualified easily as Hilary Clinton who would be the first woman president. I am not hearing alot of talk about him being afro-american at all. I am trying to hear what he can do for the country. To be honest, The candidate that I would have voted for, dropped out. McCain, Hillary, Obama were not on my list of choices but that's what we have. I like Obama's thoughts more than hilary's and mccains.

Honestly I'm not sure what either of them bring to the table. I'm not a McCain fan but looking at both of the Democrats, neither of them has really done much.

This is a question that still has not been answered to this day. Obama can only talk a good game if David Axelrod writes them for him. If he decides to free style it either turn into a gaffe or into a never end run of ums. For such a great communicater he cannot speak. I have heard second grader deliever a speach better than Obama. Real and truly his speaking skills are the most overrated thing about Obama. About Obama becoming the first African-American president, why would that be the reason to vote for someone. If I was to say that the only reason I am not voting for Obama is because he is black I am a racist, but there are people out there that will vote for Obama just because he is black, why is that not racism. So what he is a Senator, that is no big deal there are 99 other Senators.

I say this not as an Obama supporter, but as an American. The Constitution qualifies a person to be able to run for public office, any public office. Not some person with steam coming out of his ears tapping angrily away on his keyboard to defame people on Mylot. If anyone's qualifications should be questioned, it would be McCain's who wasn't born in America but on a Navy base in Panama.

I've been wondering myself what all the hoopla over Obamis about. I think last night's primaries proved that people are beginning to get past the hype of Obama's charisma to realize that the office of president requires experience and wisdom which he cannot bring to the table.

I really think people are swept up in him being young, black, and new. Most voters are ignorant and don't know anything about the candidates they vote for. They see his face all over the place and assume he's great. They somehow blame Hillary for Bill Clinton's adultery (I still don't get that one). Either way I see nothing about him that qualifies him as a president. He has almost no political experience and has never served our country. Now people compare him to JFK just because of his age. JFK was a patriot who served our country and worked hard to earn his presidency. Obama's just riding high thanks to the media.

My head is spinning here. Wow, there have been some very good comments and some idiotic BS, but I feel everyone should be able to have their own opinion. My concern here is I keep hearing experience, and when you get right down to the bare bones, the only way any of these candidates will get experience is to win and get into the White House. Do any of you think any experience George Bush had prepared him for 9/11, no, but he was president and had to make decisions, right or wrong, and deal with what he did afterwards. Then because people began to disagree with those fly by the pants decisions, that no one else would have been any more qualified to make, now he gets criticized, which I personally feel is so unfair, who else could have known exactly what to do under the circumstances he had to deal with. This country had never been under terrorist attack before, not like he had to deal with. So everyone has seen what Bush has had to endure, so what happens now if Obama or Hillary get in office, and a month later we are attacked again, how will they respond knowing what Bush has had to put up with, are they gonna ignore the terrorist and say now children don't do that! We need to play pretty, or I will take my toys and go home, PLULEESEEEEE! No one knows how any candidate will react to any situation until they are actually put to the task. I can promise you the sun will shine all year long, but does that make what I say the gospel truth. The candidates tell us what they think we want to hear, and then do what they want to when they get into office. It has always been that way and until we stand up and say No More! It will continue. I think every promise a candidate makes should be put into a contract, and before that candidate is put into office they should have to sign that contract with the American people, then when they don't do what they promise, we as the board of directors in this big company should be able to hold them responsible, wheither it be they are put out of office or fined, they should have accountability to the citizens they make all these promises to.If this was put into place the candidates would stop and think before they decide to give us lip service, and we might be able to actually believe some of the promises being made. Don't you agree this makes sense? America has to have change, things cannot go on as they are, we are in big trouble financially, with other countries, and morally, yes it is time for change, but it will not come from these candidates, it must come from We The People.

Agree with you on that Rodney850, But yet I am still waiting to see what Obama supporters have to say. And I am hearing Nothing.

I personally do not think that Obama or HIllary have anything to bring to the table. When asked questions they gracefully avoid the question and make fluffy long speeches about nothing. How do either of them plan to do anything in this country? Nobody knows. Because neither of them ever answer questions.

Let me just begin by saying that neither Obama nor Hillary would have been my choice. I do believe that experience does count especially due to the mess that the present administration has made regarding our relationship with the rest of the world. JFK's inexperience almost got us into a nuclear war with Russia and in that case he had more world, and political experience than either candidate. There is something to be said for being able to inspire people however I do think that if Obama was elected that the expectations for what he would accomplish are so high, that just like when the democrats took over Congress in November people will be disappointed that he will not be able to accomplish all the things they expected him too. On healthcare for all Americans I don't think anyone can take away Hillary's dedication to that issue since she has made it a priority since 1992. We can go on and on issue by issue and in the end most people are going to vote for who they are most comfortable with or just because they are sick of this administration and do want a change no matter who it is.

i know what you are saying but seriously...our choices are pretty limited here.....think about it. Is Hilary really a good candigate? I was all for John edwards and now...I'm really not sure. To be honest I don't like any of the candidates.