The Official BARACK OBAMA For President 2008 Thread [All You Need To Know Inside]

[The_Mayor]

Barack Obama
cash-on-hand: $36,263,688


Bio
Candidate status: Announced
Filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC on February 12, 2007
Full story

Current job: U.S. senator from Illinois

Birth date: August 4, 1961; Honolulu, Hawaii

Family: Married Michelle Robinson (1992-present); Children: Natasha (2001) and Malia Ann (1999)

Religion: Christian; attends Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago

Education: Columbia University, B.A., 1983; Harvard University, J.D., 1991

Career Highlights
1990s: Practiced civil rights law and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School.

1997-2005: Illinois state senator, representing the 13th District.

2000: Ran for a U.S. House seat but lost primary to former Black Panther Bobby Rush.

July 27, 2004: Delivered keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.

November 2004: Won the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois, defeating Alan Keyes. It was the first time in history a Senate general election race was between two African-American candidates.

Other Facts
He is author of "Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance" (1995); "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream" (2006) and "It Takes a Nation: How Strangers Became Family in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina" (2006).

Obama won a Grammy Award in 2006 for best spoken album for his reading of "Dreams From My Father." In his 1995 autobiography, Obama confessed to experimenting with marijuana and cocaine as a teenager.

In 2006, he toured five African countries, including a visit to Nyangoma-Kogelo, Kenya, his late father's hometown.

He was the first African American to be president of the Harvard Law Review.

Campaign Web site: www.barackobama.com



-Barack’s Views on Important Issues-

Immigration
Supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Abortion
Supports abortion rights

Iraq
Opposed use of military force in Iraq. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Supports phased redeployment of U.S. troops. Opposed Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq. Had once called for troop withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006.

Same-Sex Marriage
Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional ban. Supports civil unions.

Social Security
Opposes Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts.

Taxes
Opposed extending 2003 Bush tax cut law through 2010. Supports eliminating marriage penalty and extending child tax credit. Supports scaling back capital gains and dividends tax cuts and re-examining tax benefits for the top one percent of earners.



Supporters
Some supporters, who may have also contributed to other candidates, include:

Adam Arkin, actor
Donated $250

Jodie Foster, actress
Donated $1,000

Jamie Foxx, actor
Donated $2,300

Tom Hanks, actor
Donated $4,600

Paul Newman, actor
Donated $4,600

Tom Skerritt, actor
Donated $1,000

Will Smith, actor
Donated $4,600

Isaiah Washington, actor
Donated $2,300

Joanne Woodward, actress
Donated $4,600


Advisers
Some of the top and notable advisers, according to the campaigns and/or media reports.

David Axelrod, senior strategist
A former Chicago Tribune political reporter who advised Edwards during his 2004 presidential bid.

David Plouffe, campaign manager
Former executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and senior aide to House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt.

Pete Rouse, chief of staff
Former chief of staff to Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle

Julianna Smoot, finance director
A former finance director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, raised more than $25 million in the first fundraising quarter of 2007.

Jim Margolis, senior advisor
A media strategist with close ties to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Steve Hildebrand, campaign adviser and strategist
An "early state" expert who served as Iowa director of Vice President Al Gore's presidential run

Robert Gibbs, communications director
A former communications director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Betsy Myers, chief operating officer
Clinton administration official, sister of former Clinton press secretary Dee Dee Myers

Campaign Web site: www.barackobama.com

[Sh@d0w~B0x!ng89]

I vote obama, damn mayor, this thread is way better then the ron one, you came more prepared.

[Sh@d0w~B0x!ng89]

damn Paul Newman,4,600
them motherfuckers are cheap as hell, we might have a black president, if everything goes according to plan

[OriginalGangsta]

a christian that attends church but is pro-abortion/murder?

Need more info though, it's quite limited info here.
how much money he got from contributors means nothing

I find that he doesn't have that many views on important issues
but if u can prove me wrong that'll be great

[Dro210]

Anybody know his stance on drugs, specifically de-criminalization or legalization of marijuana?

I doubt he's for any of that shit, or I would know by now... just wonderin if anybody else knows anything about it

[Inept]

Immigration
Supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Okay, that's all fine and dandy. I'm good with most of it except for the fact that the fence will not be effective. It seriously seems to be a waste of time and money.

Abortion
Supports abortion rights

Even "late-stage abortion" or w/e? (not saying I'm completely against it)

Same-Sex Marriage
Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional ban. Supports civil unions.

What the hell? I really don't like when people mention their personal views. I want their views on what is beneficial for more liberty. Not their personal moral views. Good though.


I'd like more mention on his stance on less important issues as well.

I thought mayor or someone said he was pro-legalization but I haven't done any background checking on that.

[illmatic630]

he's got my vote unless something stupid happens

[sugahill]

Barack Obama on Abortion
* Trust women to make own decisions on partial-birth abortion. (Apr 2007)
* Extend presumption of good faith to abortion protesters. (Oct 2006)
* Constitution is a living document; no strict constructionism. (Oct 2006)
* Pass the Stem Cell Research Bill. (Jun 2004)
* Protect a woman's right to choose. (May 2004)
* Supports Roe v. Wade. (Jul 1998)
* Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
* Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
* Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)

Barack Obama on Budget & Economy
* Return to Paygo: compensate for all new spending. (Oct 2006)
* Bush's economic policies are not working. (May 2004)
* Supports federal programs to protect rural economy. (May 2004)
* Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)

Barack Obama on Civil Rights
* Racial equality good for America as a whole. (Jun 2007)
* Put the Confederate flag in a museum, not the state house. (Apr 2007)
* Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality. (Oct 2006)
* No black or white America--just United States of America. (Oct 2006)
* Marriage not a human right; non-discrimination is. (Oct 2004)
* African-Americans vote Democratic because of issue stances. (Jul 2004)
* Forthright on racial issues and on his civil rights history. (Jul 2004)
* Defend freedom and equality under law. (May 2004)
* Politicians: don't use religion to insulate from criticism. (Apr 2004)
* Supports affirmative action in colleges and government. (Jul 1998)
* Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws. (Jul 1998)
* Miscegenation a felony in 1960 when Obamas practiced it. (Aug 1996)
* The civil rights movement was a success. (Aug 1996)
* Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
* Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)

[sugahill]

Barack Obama on Principles & Values
* A "hopemonger", having seen the power of hope. (Jun 2007)
* Hopefund PAC donated $500K to Democratic Senate candidates. (Nov 2006)
* Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values. (Oct 2006)
* Post-1960s politics more about moral attitude than issues. (Oct 2006)
* Post-1960s politics more about moral attitude than issues. (Oct 2006)
* Americans dislike partisanship--not solution like Dems think. (Oct 2006)
* Greatness based on Declaration of Independence, not military. (Jul 2004)
* Unflinching progressive but ok to downstate conservatives. (Jul 2004)
* There's a call to evangelize in politics. (Apr 2004)
* I'm a big believer in the separation of church and state. (Apr 2004)
* Be strong or be clever and make peace. (Aug 1996)
* Guilt is a luxury that not everyone can afford. (Aug 1996)

Campaign Themes
* Washington can change if we say: Yes we can. (Mar 2007)
* Source of his book title "Audacity of Hope" was a sermon. (Feb 2007)
* On cover of Time magazine, about his book & presidency. (Oct 2006)
* Progressives should recognize common morality with religion. (Oct 2006)
* "Audacity of Hope" to change politics to reflect common good. (Oct 2006)
* Offer real hope-not blind optimism-to the American people. (Jul 2004)
* I'm living my parents' dreams and the American dream. (Jul 2004)
* We are one people all defending the United States of America. (Jul 2004)
* Want common-sense solutions, not liberal-conservative labels. (Jul 2004)

Personal History
* Traces ancestry to Jefferson Davis, President of Confederacy. (Feb 2007)
* Born in Hawaii; lives on Chicago's South Side. (Nov 2006)
* Raised secular, but with working knowledge of world religion. (Oct 2006)
* Baptized as an adult in the Trinity United Church of Christ. (Oct 2006)
* First black president of the Harvard Law Review. (Jul 2004)
* Ryan quits Senate race amid sex scandal allegations. (Jun 2004)
* Mother attacked for playing with a black girlfriend. (Aug 1996)
* Poverty of political organizers was proof of their integrity. (Aug 1996)
* Spent time in both Muslim and Catholic schools. (Aug 1996)

Racism & Race
* Convention keynote speech highlights party's black targeting. (Jul 2004)
* America's race and class problems are intertwined. (Aug 1996)
* Biracial heritage has caused identity crisis. (Aug 1996)
* There is some hope of eventual reconciliation between races. (Aug 1996)
* Racism wasn't merely the cruelty involved, but arrogance too. (Aug 1996)

Voting Record
* Biggest mistake was intruding in Terri Schiavo case. (Apr 2007)
* Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
* Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)


Many more here
http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm

He's no Hugo Chavez, but if we will ever have a socialist leader of this oppressive ass country it will take leaders like Obama to slowly empower the poor and oppressed and sway the tide of conservativeness.

[Blasphemy]

This guy's name is Barack Hussein Obama... "Hussein"=Saddam, "Obama"=Osama... He's black... this guy will not be elected. The odds are too heavy.

[Inept]

Wow, didn't know that was his middle name. That's a crazy coincidence.

Anyway, I really like what I'm reading. I agree with most of his ideas.

[OriginalGangsta]

* African-Americans vote Democratic because of issue stances. (Jul 2004)

Plz explain
what does that mean?
so far it sounds like he saying "black america, vote for meeee"
I must be misinterpreting this, it's vague

This guy's name is Barack Hussein Obama... "Hussein"=Saddam, "Obama"=Osama... He's black... this guy will not be elected. The odds are too heavy.

Obama has been laden as a pro-universal healthcare dude

[Blasphemy]

Obama has been laden as a pro-universal healthcare dude

I don't delve into politics, but I can tell you for sure that this guy will not be elected. The name and skin color are just not what the majority of American's will be looking to put in office.

[sugahill]

Plz explain
what does that mean?
so far it sounds like he saying "black america, vote for meeee"
I must be misinterpreting this, it's vague

The republicans after slavery wanted a cheap unskilled labor force to filled the industrialized urban centers so they courted the black vote. Once they got what they wanted out of us they abandoned us for rural and suburban white interests. Most Blacks live in impoverished urban areas and Democrats support interest that can potentially benefit us.

[OriginalGangsta]

Does nobody have any information that they know of regarding Obama?

I hope Ron Paul gets elected because I support and understand his views, therefore most of my post was paragraph based, because I wrote it myself.

But what does he believe in? You can only say what he believes in by telling me what he believes in in your own words, as opposed to a copy and paste.

I've never supported an american president before, i've read about ron paul and his goals and I understand them, which is why i support them.

But you guys sound like you just read his views like a checklist and allow that to be the deciding factor without really understanding him. How about an actual discussion?

When you promote a product it has to stand out and differentiate itself from the competition. So there's enuff to discuss about, What big changing value does Obama bring to the table?
So far it seems nothing other than skin color.

Ron Paul wants to change the foreign policy, which has been the leading cause of hate from enemies. That's security for you, long overdue security!

Limited Govt., has Obama even addressed that issue? Because some of you don't realize how big this is as an issue today, in the history of american presidency there has never been a more powerful president than Bush, 9/11 allowed him to give himself massive almost dictactorial power, and the govt. grows faster than any business in the world at the moment.

Has Obama addressed this? Ron Paul wants to take that power away, promote limited govt., stop policing the world, and allow the states to vote on what they want passed as political and legal direction. Limited Govt. means less govt. spending which means less taxes, see how all his views connect?

That is something big, does Obama have anything remotely of this size that he brings to the table?????

[OriginalGangsta]

It means that black folks in America like welfare, affordable education, job security, affirmative action, and abortion rights.

And

* No black or white America--just United States of America. (Oct 2006)

Hmmmm..... something is wrong there! These two statements don't go with each other.

I don't delve into politics, but I can tell you for sure that this guy will not be elected. The name and skin color are just not what the majority of American's will be looking to put in office.

it was a joke, read ur post and read what i wrote again

[Inept]

Aka Ron Paul wants a sort of governmental revolution. Reverting back the days when our government was pro-liberty 100%. I'm still undecided though.

[sugahill]

"No black or white America--just United States of America" is his vision, not the reality of racism in this country. You wanted a vision from him well that's one of them.

Ron Paul doesn't support womens right to choose abortion, doesn't support workers right to organize and shoots down any attempt of minorities in this country to get a leg up in education and work force. His stance on foreign issues are attractive to you because guess what? they're liberal. Democrats, I mean real democrats not the appeasers like Bill Clampett and Wife Hillary have been pushing for that since Jimmy Carter.

[sugahill]

Props to the thread starter

[Inept]

With the way things are going we'll just have another anti-stem cell research, anti-abortion Christian picked president. I really, really hope that doesn't happen.

Orrrr Bush will attempt to cancel the 08 elections furthering his hold on the country and slowly ensuring his dictatorship. Haaaa