Sen. Richard Burr (R-Ariz.) chides Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for making up his mind on Iraq before even traveling to the country. Burr was joined by other GOP Members to launch a new video that characterizes Obama has a politically expedient politician. (0:32)
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) says that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has voted to defund the troops in Iraq. Blackburn was joined by other Republican Senators and Congressmen to chide Obama over his position on the American troop surge in Iraq. (1:25)
In a press conference this afternoon Republican Senators and Congressmen launched an attack against Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) by launching a new seven minute video titled “The Obama Iraq Documentary: Whatever the Politics Demand.” The video asks the question: Where does Barack Obama stand on Iraq? In the video, Obama’s own words are used against him to paint the senator as a politically expedient politician who will say and do anything to get elected. (more…)
Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) speaks about the differences between Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on hispanic issues. Diaz-Balart says that Obama does not support free trade in Columbia and would like to abolish the free trade deal that the United States has with Mexico and Canada. Diaz-Balart also calls Obama’s position on free trade “highly irresponsible.” (0:44)
Senior foreign affairs advisors for John McCain, Kori Schake and Randy Scheunemann, discuss the setbacks Barack Obama has when it comesto foreign policy, especially in Afghanistan. Following Obama’s speech about national security, Schuenemann said it is interesting that Obama gave this speech, especially since he has not been to Iraq in over 900 days and has never been to Afghanistan. Rep. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) sees problems with committee organization and action on issues in Afghanistan. (17:50)
Economics, tax cuts, social security and health care dominated a discussion held by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) today looking at how the next president will pay the nation’s bills. AARP, which is the nation’s largest lobbying organization, held the forum with policy advisors for both Senators McCain and Obama. The discussion was moderated by Wall Street Journal Economics Editor David Wessel and also featured Diane Lim Rogers from the Concord Coalition and John Rother with AARP. (more…)
Today Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) campaign attacked Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for what they called another “four years of Bush economics.” The Obama campaign featured Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Heidi Hartman of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research on an afternoon conference call to take aim at the Arizona senator and lay out Sen. Obama’s own plans to help working women. (more…)
Listen to Audio Report (2:51)
Presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama made a campaign stop in midtown Manhattan last night. Obama spoke at a fundraising event attended by many supporters of former rival Hillary Clinton. The two high-profile Democrats appeared at a fundraising breakfast in New York today.
Obama’s speech emphasized unity and party loyalty. Obama took great care to mention and reiterate how similar he and Senator Clinton are on most policy issues. Obama also addressed recent criticism of his centrist posturing. He reminded the audience that he is still dedicated to withdrawing from Iraq, health care reform, and reducing carbon emissions.
After the speech, Obama made a move that recalled Steve Jobs’ famous rhetorical “one more thing” trick: he asked doners to remember Senator Clinton’s campaign debt and contribute to her repayment efforts. Obama claimed that helping Senator Clinton is akin to party unity.
Sen. John McCain’s opposition to a withdrawal from Iraq, a move supported by the Iraqi government, was criticized in a conference call held by the Obama campaign. Moderator Denis McDonough said McCain discourages Iraqis from becoming self-sufficient and questioned how McCain plans to end the war without letting Iraq defend itself.
Former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig said McCain must explain to Iraqis and Americans why he stands in opposition to the majority viewpoints held in each country. Danzig stated that war is fought to bring peace and questioned how peace can prevail when Iraqis are ignored. He said fundamentalists are able to support their anti-American claims that the United States means to establish itself in the region through McCain’s anti-withdrawal stance. Danzig continued, saying that diversion in Iraq hinders the United States’s success in the global War on Terror.
Major General Geoffrey Lambert, (USA, Ret.) said increased oil revenues and a new confidence stemming from Iraqi forces’ greater capabilities have led to Iraq’s support of a withdrawal schedule. Lambert stated that these signs are encouraging and should be supported by the United States.
In an Obama campaign conference call, former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig and Major General Geoffrey Lambert (USA, Ret.,) discuss McCain’s opposition to a timetable for withdrawal in Iraq and the Iraqi governments support for the establishment of a timetable. Lambert says Iraqi forces have a greater functioning capacity and increased confidence, two factors that increase Iraqis’ desire for sovereignty. Danzig states that McCain previously said he would support withdrawal if requested by the Iraqi government and questions why McCain’s position has changed. Danzig adds that Sen. Obama’s support for withdrawal matches Iraqi and American public sentiment. He also says McCain’s position fuels mistrust of the United States in the region. (11:36)
