Obama on being chairman of Senate subcommittee

[scbluesman13]

Obama as early as 2004 was drawing lots of DC people whenever he'd talk at fundraisers. This was his early-on spotted talent by some of the US Senate Democrat leadership like Daschle. After his speech in 2004 at the DNC primary, that was his not-so-subtle debut on the national stage. By the time he was on his way to the US Senate in 2004, Daschle, Kennedy, and others were grooming him for a 2008 pres run.

[michaelwakes]

Furthermore, the NATO-led ISAF in Afghanistan is one of the best and most diverse coalition forces established and certainly better, and more effective, than the "coalition" in Iraq. As of June 2008, there are about 53,700 ISAF troops in Afghan representing 37 countries (26 from NATO). And the US makes up about 24,000 of that number. This coalition shows the world is willing to fight an honorable war. Not a war based on a lie, such as the one in neighboring Iraq...

[michaelwakes]

It's amazing how many ppl r fooled by this and many other videos & statements about this very issue. It is true that Obama is the chairman and that he hasn't held any meetings about Afghanistan. However, the problem is that his subcommittee DOES NOT have oversight of Afghanistan! He is the chrmn of the Subcommittee on EUROPEAN relations w/ oversight of NATO. This subcommittee does not have primary, secondary, or teritary jurisdiction directly connected to Afghanistan except NATO. Factcheck plz!

[other49]

i can't believe obama has gotten this far. and all on pure unadulterated hype. hey, i have no experience either so you know i'm not a washington insider. vote for me!

ME '08

[wellverzed]

Hypocrisy!! Obama has gotten off easy so far.

[historywillabsolve]

Obama scares me because I doubt he has any convictions of his own. The dude really is an empty suit.

[jeep490]

he's an empty suit whose entire campaign is one big GAP ad.

[TheRightToBeBold]

America is far too racist to let Obama win. The only break in Republican power in the past thirty years has been CLINTON.

Of course, a lot of supposed Progressive males are threatened by a strong woman, so, the dumb Democrats will probably do what they usually do and send the weakest candidate in to battle (Obama) and we'll have eight more years of Republican rule, Congrats Karl Rove, your plan worked!

[JohannaPalacio001]

This guy is a liar and fake. Hillary all the way!!!!!!

[FelishkaAnn]

Does anyone remember Hillary Clinton calling Monica a slut this 21yr old kid who Bill Clinton used and abused and she knew it. If you sent your kid to the white house for an intership and Bill Clinton "our president" took advantage of her Then the experinced Hillary calls her names on national TV. Now she want us to believe she wants to protect our children ya right!!!!

[aprillh]

Everyone made such a big deal about Mitt Romney's Mormonism, yet nobody seems to care that Barack HUSSEIN Obama is a MUSLIM by birth, was schooled early on in strict MUSLIM schools (his Mama liked radical Muslims even though she was an athiest!). His "church" preaches "black power" -- if this were a church promoting WHITE power -- RACISM. I'm sick of the double standards. NO TO OBAMA AND BILLARY!

[aprillh]

Does Obama ever VOTE on bills? He abstains from voting more than any other senator or rep! The guy's been running for president for two of the three whole years he's been a US Senator...pathetic. NO EXPERIENCE, A SOCIALIST and everyone's clammering around the HYPE that is Obama! Be careful what you wish for...

[cmsjmc]

Obama actually admits he can't multitask. Thats so hysterical! He's a whimp. Do you really want a president that doesn't do a job that's handed to him, because he's too busy campaigning his ego? Oh, what will we do if he decides he's too busy to perform his job as president. Sounds like affirmative action to me. Lazy, unqualified people get a free ride because of their color.

[eqhammerkeg]

Is this all you got?

HILLARY, you rubber stamped too many of Bush's policies as a Senator.

You had AMPLE opportunity to use your voice and influence to

1) Address Congressional Corruption

2) Protect Civil Rights & Liberties

3) Hold Bush accountable for an economy that has divided us more and lead us to recession

and

4) Get Us Out of Iraq

[slick2hold]

Ron Paul...wake up. lrlbox21, you and I both know that al quida is stronger know then ever before. You must have your head stuck the sand the last few years as we continually put more and more troop into Iraq to fight Al Quiada.

[timeoutmagazine]

obama is such a dirty liar, i can't believe it. and i can't believe how many people are still blinded. he clearly did not do "his homework" as a senate.what change do you expect him to bring as a president? the change of inaction?

[lrlbox21]

Want another lie of Obamas.

He says Al Quiada is stronger now than at anytime.

What a bunch of horseshit.

Hes the dumbest bastard running for potus.

God help us if this moron gets elected.

[mikeusmc72]

I live in Illinois and I've been waiting for this to hit. By saying what he said in '04 and running for President now he is admitting he does not have the experience! He proved his own point!

Plus his church leader of 20 years recently honored Farrakhan Hitler with an award. You know him, the guy that condemns America, the Jews and the white man as being evil. Obama will be losing his Hollywood star status very soon. Watch for it.

[FelishkaAnn]

This is so funny all these comments but not 1 person can answer the question

Why is Mrs Clinton not releasing her 2006 taxes?

What has Mr. Clinton been doing for the last 8yrs.

Hillary Clinton has been behind this entire race. And they are cheater tell me how (when first reported) Harlem showed 0 vote for Barack Obama "Harlem" but Barack sent his lawyers and now they admit it was an error!!! Ya right. Lets talk about the court case HRC has coming up next week with peter paul.

[FelishkaAnn]

You Hillary supporter along with Bill Clinton is the reason she is losing you spread all your lies and when people start checking into this they find the true facts. HRC lied about the committee he is on a sub committee and John Kerry is over the committee she was referring to but. As a Barack supporter I have taken the time to check him out. And there are somethings I dont agree with but then I checked HRC out and after watching the Clinton Cronicals I just don't trust them. 47 people died wow.

[lrlbox21]

Some of us have known what a criminal HRC is for 18yrs.

What took so long if your so informed ?

[lrlbox21]

"Obama is the MOST LIBERAL senator in the senate - e.g. not just for abortion but for allowing babies who are born, breathing on their own to be killed, is just one sterling example) is NOT GOING to unite people who believe in life!! He's not going to unite me because I strongly dislike his views.

You can't force people to unite over issues they despise."

He doesnt even realize al queida is in Iraq.

How out of touch is he ?

[FelishkaAnn]

well since Mr&Mrs. Clinton let us all know that since entering the senate they have voted the same I guess what your saying is its ok for Hillary but its not for Barack? I must admit this does disturb me just thinking about "abortion" is sad I would never have 1 and something in me says this is just wrong!!! anyway you put it, (for me) but I have no right to judge the next women!!!!

[Lightwindszy]

obama is too busy campaigning so he could not do any hearings while hillary and others could.!!!!!!!!1

[sgvie]

If Obama cannot fulfill this chairmanship position because he's busy campaigning which is a very lame excuse he should have yielded that position to the next person in line. And he has this position for over a year now?Now we can tell where his priority lies, only to himself!

[BostonBeatnik]

Mitt Romney couldn't have said it better.

[thebot2007]

Anyone knows that when a senator or representative is running in a campaign that they not in their office much. This attack is not valid. Has Hillary been in DC lately? Has she been sitting on the committes that she belongs to.

[johnkerry7]

she has had time to actually vote, be at hearings and co-sponsor Iraq vote bills. So your point is what?

oh and voting 'present' is a lame excuse!!!

[thebot2007]

Are telling me that Barack has completely ignored all of his senate duties??

[thebot2007]

The Present Vote Refers to his time in Illonois

The "present" vote in Illinois is sometimes cast by state lawmakers with a conflict of interest who would rather not weigh in on an issue. Other times, members use the option to object to certain parts of a bill, even though they may agree with its overall purpose.

The 'present' vote is used, especially by more thoughtful legislators, not as a means of avoiding taking a position on an issue, but as a means of signaling concerns about an issue.

[lizben08]

Ignoring his duties as a Senator is not new for Barack. His favorite vote as an Illinois Congressman was "present", especially women's issues.

[flyingbird0214]

The problem is that Obama supporter are acting like little whining bitches. It seems that these kids haven't seen a real election. This is nothing. Did they think Republicans would run a first grade homeroom election campaign? They are out to cut throats and drink babies' blood. This is no kid stuff.

[HorseofCorff]

This is the most historic event in the United States History. For the first time in history we will either have a nominee for President that is a woman OR.... We will have a nominee for President who has the LEAST AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE IN ALL OF AMERICAN HISTORY!

[Laurenfhammond]

Barack Obama really needs to evaluate his track record in light of everything that is coming out...did he really believe that people would be stupid enough not to see past his rhetoric on hope and change - lets not pay attention to his Pro NAFTA stance, his failure with NATO or his 130 Present voting record in the senate. It is just plain insulting. Right - because you are what we have been waiting for. Another fraud, I don't think so.

[tomrainbow1]

Wow and Wow! Barack Husseine Obama doesn't think he need much of any experience or have to do anything that his job require him to do,but hopefully everything just be fined. This guy reminded me of G.W.Bush and look what the f happended? People we can do much better then this and elect someone that's actually know what it take to be the commander in chief and lead this country from day 1. Vote Hillary 08!

[tomrainbow1]

Wow and Wow! Barack Husseine Obama doesn't think he need much of any experience or have to do anything that his job require him to do,but hopefully everything just be fined. This guy reminded me of G.W.Bush and look what the f happended? People we can do much better then this and elect someone that's actually know what it take to be the commander in chief and lead this country from day 1. Vote Hillary 08!

[MsFoof]

I agree with the 'dumb ass' remark. As an ex-president, the clintons can't by Executive Order 'just release' their tax return. But who gives a shit. I care more about someone who knows the world stage, has spent 20 years in public service and the rest as first lady and senator. If you think any republican or independent will to vote for a guy linked to Louis Farrakhan and whose pastor (who is very close to Obama) goes to Libya with Farrakhan - you are living under a rock.

[FelishkaAnn]

Hillary or Barack have not done alot in the senate so thats such a week story. I remember the debate I also remember you people trying to say it was a lie untill the army itself said it was true. Why was Hillary getting so upset about that NAFTA flyers she knew they spoke the truth it does not say HRC said NAFTA was a "boon" it says she believes it was a "boon". But she said this in her own book so why lie now? And if you can get so work up over the word "boon" wonder what the word war will do?

[flyingbird0214]

I think Hillary referred to NAFTA as a BOOM to New York and America's economy. This was both true and false. Many jobs were created after NAFTA, but many jobs were also lost. The US lost more manufacturing jobs to China after the admission of China to the WTO. All of what happened during the Clinton years.

However, the story of Obama's lack of experience is to WEAK. It is going to keep coming because he's running against a man with years of experience in the military and the US Senate.

[jukiemom]

Thank you. CNN hates Sen. Clinton but showed this video and I am glad it's here. Out of his own mouth, he says he doesn't have the experience to be president and implies that anyone who did would be wrong. He entered the race shortly thereafter and has been campaigning, and not working in the Senate, since. In the Illinois Legislature, he only voted "present", refusing to vote "yes or no" over 120 times; thereby, not giving any opponent he might have in the election any ammo to use against him.

[FelishkaAnn]

Well I have waited all day and not one person has answered my question. But of course we all know why Hillary is not releasing that infomation "they have alot to hide" You can call me silly but I do believe with all her experince she would know that this is a problem. Oh ya thats right she was going to have this all wraped up by super tuesday FEB 5 and then the tax problem wouldn't be a problem she had to deal with. And tell me why someone with 35yrs of experince would plan past Feb 5????

[tomrainbow1]

Wow!

[FelishkaAnn]

Oh we want her 2006 tax returns. That she wont release untill she is the nominee. Because she knows it would ruin her chances against Barack. She is betting on Dem being so determind to get the White House back that what ever comes out she can blame on the GOP lieing to us all to ruin our chances of retuning to the White House. If Barack refuse to release his tax returns after lending his campaing 5mil as a supporter I would REALLY wonder why!!!

[mengwise36]

That logic makes no sense what-so-ever. Why would it ruin her chance against Obama? Is it because she and Bill makes more money than Obama and Michelle? If Obama can loan his compaign 5 Mill I would wonder why because he is NOT worth between 10 mil and 50 mil. Not because I can not see his tax form.

[FelishkaAnn]

Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson refused to say why the New York senator has not released them.

According to disclosure forms she is required to file as a U.S senator, the Clintons share assets valued between $10 million and $50 million, a much less specific figure than would be revealed by tax returns.

[eventvisionsinc]

wow,,,,,,i will support hillary instead of Obama...this was the last.

[agbizz]

Some people are just good at making excuse and smooth talks, but he will neve deliver. That very same person likes to live in the past and dwell on it rather think into the future. He said himself during Tuesday debate, "It doesn't matter now how we get the bus out off the ditch. What matters is who got us in the ditch." Gorge W. Bush got us in the ditch. But, what matter now is that Hillary Clinton is the only person who can truly get us out of the ditch.

[FelishkaAnn]

I'm sorry you misunderstood me. The Question is why hasn't Hillary released her taxes? Its been over a year. She says she has nothing to hide right? You dont have to admit it here but there is a reason she has not released them and it has alot to do with the business Mr. Clinton has been doing for the past 8yrs. Do you really think we know everything about what Bill Clinton has been doing around the world of course not but the Rep do. And they will be sure to let us all know!!!

[chemicalcatalysis]

The truth is, tax day is April 15th. Just because Obama finished his taxes early doesn't mean that Hillary has to. Its like taking an exam that lasts an hour. If one kid hands it in after 30 minutes, does that mean that everyone else has to? No. Hillary has 11,000 pages of paperwork for her taxes to deal with.

[mengwise36]

Actually they are talking about the txt from a year ago. The correct answer is "she is not required to". Obama just release his and challanged her to do the same and of course the OB supporters started "speculating" when she refused.

[bay1621]

it's ok for for OB to be too busy campaigning to hold any meeting as chairman of the subcommittee listed in the video, well don't you also think that HRC is also busy? give me a break! get real! GO--HILLARY GO OUR 44th PRESIDENT YOU HAVE THE SOLUTIONS!!!!

[FelishkaAnn]

Still waiting!!!

[FelishkaAnn]

Please the Rep are praying for Hillary its there only shot of getting the White house again. What has bill been doing for 8yrs does anyone believe they dont have plenty "35 yrs" of dirt. Bill just said 2 days ago "If you vote for me I will get things done" Why hasn't hillary released her taxes? its been a 1yr and 4months since she annouced she was running. So Hillary supporters tell me why

[chemicalcatalysis]

Actually, the GOP is praying that Obama beats Hillary because they know its their only chance. When the excitement is over and they really look at Obama and what he's done, there won't be much to say. The country as a whole won't want to put the entire country into the hands of a novice. Then you'd see a whole bunch of independents who have voted for Obama, turn to McCain for his leadership experience. Even the GOP are telling Republicans to vote in Texas for Obama to make him win.

[mengwise36]

What is with you and this Tax return thing? Did Obama's compain put you in charge of finding out her taxes? I don't know why she has not released her taxes. I also don't know if she has gone to the bathroom in the last hour.

[hill4texas2008]

The right wing does not want to take on Hillary Clinton because there will be no new news, no scandals they can exploit. With Barak, we have not even scratched the surface of what they will use against him. Remember Democrats, these people play real dirty and they have their arsenal of dirty tricks aimed squarely at Barak Obama. Hillary will make a better opponent to John McCain. She can take the right wing on and come out standing strong. She's done it before and will do it again!

[FelishkaAnn]

Obama supporter and I can tell you that Barack Obama has passed some bills while being in the senate reforming the death penelty. exposing lobbist. Hillary supporter can say she passed some laws as a NY senetar but how many of them was in her first yr?? bet you dont know but the answer is none!!!!

[chemicalcatalysis]

You also have to realize, that in the first few years of senate, there were 55 Republicans and 45 Democrats. THerefore, its harder to pass anything as a democrat in a republican dominated Senate. However, when Obama was a senator, it was 50/50 so of course its easy then.

[FelishkaAnn]

Well try passing bills being 1 of only 3 black senator and a new comer without the last name Clinton. We will have a women President one day but it will be a self made women who people respect and love for who she is not because she is married to the President.

[HorseofCorff]

Hey that sounds like Hillary. She is a self made woman. She went to law school on student loans and was admitted because of good grades. During the time period that she went to law school, she had to have substantially BETTER grades than young men had to. By the time Barack and Michelle got to college, the government was already issuing handicapping points for minorities. So Hillary not only did it the HARD way; she actually was discriminated AGAINST and prevailed.

[FelishkaAnn]

Oh this is really sad Hillary was raised in a well to do Republican home dont try playing the poor me "women" game. and the handicapping points I will just leave alone because its just that dumb!!!! But its funny how no-one not 1 supporter can give a good reason WHY SHE HAS NOT RELEASED HER 2006 TAX RETURNS. THIS IS NOT NEW IT WAS ASKED OF HER OVER A YEAR AGO.

[mengwise36]

Actually, the answer is 41 to 15 during their first 2 years. You want to try again?

[hill4texas2008]

The Republicans are salivating at the thought of going up against Barak Obama. If you watch closely, their so called "strategists" on every network are quite transparently pushing the idea of Barak as the Dems nominee. Democrats should not fall for this!

[jennwar]

Go Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

[FelishkaAnn]

Hillary release your tax forms. what do you and bill have to hide? And lets open back up that investgation about Ron Brown you evil people you won't get away with this for forever. Time to take you both off that high horse.

[stampece]

This morning on NPR, Obama supporters in Texas responded to questions of his lack of substance by saying, "He's dealing with abstract concepts like hope", and to questions of his lack of experience by saying, "It's spiritual, almost biblical." I don't think we're prepared to have an abstract, biblical presidency, do you? It's also disheartening to hear certain Americans openly admit they are supporting him simply because of his skin color. No candidate should be elected for such a reason.

[lizben08]

Later on NPR it was also said that Hillary is running her campaign like a "job interview" Barack like he is on a "date". Gee, do I want a President or a ????. I vote Hillary for President!

[MrHagler1]

What the fuck is up with wall the hill shills? 20% of people online voted that hillary won the debate, so why are their so many swarming youtube? Are they being paid? I don't think there are many people who support Hillary that are smart enough to use a computer.

[sarahcox]

Yeah cause online polls are so scientific. C'mon. Obama cultists have been gaming these things forever. All you have to do is delete your cookies. Online polls are a joke.

[mengwise36]

And OB supporters are just smart enough to use a computer to select from "yes" or "no". They are not smart enough to write an essay.

[DEMorDIE]

The whole Obama phenomenon is creepy. He seems to have the power to mesmerize people into following him without even knowing why. I cringe when I see reporters like Chris Matthews say that he "made a tingle go up my leg". Thank God I don't have the kind of mind that can be so easily swayed to follow a cult leader. I think there are enough of us to stop him in November by voting against him.

[Ed76638]

You're absolutly right. American are supposed to be glued to the TeeVee watching American Idol. They're not supposed to do "creepy shit" like getting themselves involved in the politcal process. That right alone is resevered for our corporate masters.

[jennwar]

it is interesting isn't it? and when you ask ob supporters why they are voting for him they don't have a tangible reason. i want someone solid and tangible to lead my country!!! that is why i am voting for Hillary!!!!!!!!!! :-)

[gamejatt]

Notion is Barack should have held meetings while running for president and our dear Billary is too busy to show her tax returns and getting the white house documents...DO YOU GUYS BUY hillarys double standards..

[tomrainbow1]

I guess u would rather to see her tax return,then Barack Husseine Obama do his f job and try to protecting america right? Which 1 is more important to u dump ass?

[tomrainbow1]

I guess u would rather to see her tax return,then Barack Husseine Obama do his f job and try to protecting america right? Which 1 is more important to u dump ass?

[thebot2007]

she seemed to have the time to watch SNL.

[gambitmachete]

GO HILLARY!

[Rtuchol2]

We cannot take a risk with Obama. This country has too much at stake. We need experience in the White House. Obama has a wonderful dream for america, but we need action, not dreams. We all know Clinton will get the job done and has been preparing for this for quite some time. This is so important for our country. I will definately be ready to vote Obama 2016. Lets do this the right way people, even he said hes not one of those people who are ready for this!

[Ed76638]

Damn right he had time to run for president, and he's going to beat John McCain's ass come November.

[mengwise36]

Don't be so sure. Remember 2004? The war had turn sour and Bush's approval rating going down hill. What happened? Obama is pissing off a lot of Hillary supporters. They are likely to vote Republican comes Nov.

[chadsteele3]

He is scary!!!!!and his fans are even scarier they are filled with hate!!why does Obama continue to get a FREE RIDE from the media!!!

[laroixhaos]

it's not so much a free ride as it is the benefit of the doubt, and i think the media gives him that for the very reasons i just expressed below.

but your comment doesn't suggest that you're actually open to consider something new or in a different way, so i'm probably wasting my time.

be it pro-obama or pro-clinton,

closed minds and small-minded thinking are the scariest things.

[laroixhaos]

the second part of this clip is contextualized as a contradiction, but i think it actually makes clear WHY he has been unable to hold those hearings.

at some point he changed his mind about running for president, and he did so 3 years after that clip. to me that's fair.

he's not perfect, but the beauty of his candidacy, apart from his ability to unify, is that 1.) he acknowledges he's not perfect, and 2.) he's not petty.

he's downright refreshing for these qualities.

[laroixhaos]

i'm an obama supporter, but i'd say that this portrayal, at least for the most part, is fair.

i think it's funny that hillary supporters are chiming in as if this is some sort of smoking gun.

he immediately owned up to it, which is something i don't think i've ever seen hillary do. and i think it goes without saying that if he wins the presidency he'll be able to go a lot further in the way of correcting the problem than he could as a junior senator on the committee.

[TubeFish11]

Well I do wonder if he's one of those really smart artist types - writer, orator, actor, storyteller. Artists get inside their own head and can take their eye off the ball. George W. Bush took his eye off the ball in the summer of 2001.

Too bad we can't combine these two candidates into one person. But we can't and am not comfortable with this guy at the helm.

[laroixhaos]

umm...

bush is NOT one of those really smart artist types.

your comment assumes that they are just regular americans with regular peers working regular jobs and having access to regular information. that's simply not the case, and as such, the analogy doesn't really apply, IMO.

summer of '01 was a matter of values and priorities, not absent-mindedness.

[HorseofCorff]

Obama is starting to look like he does not take much stock in his word. ...or words.... Maybe he really meant it when he said "Just words."

Lets see - Exelon - Protect the citizens; get a large donation from Exelon and Protect the citizens is changed to "Please try to be good to the citizens."

Then we have I won't run...I will run.

Then we have "My stand on Iraq is like President Bush's"... morphs into "I have NEVER supported the war in Iraq.

Lies. On top of inexperience.

[laroixhaos]

you said nothing here. everything you've stated is misquoted, inaccurate, and out of context.

if you like hillary, that's fine. but you clearly haven't done your homework to wage a criticism of this nature against obama.

there IS a criticism to be made, but you didn't make it.

[marcm1210]

I love Hillary and she always has and always will have my vote!

[TerriUp]

Go Hillary go! He is just not qualified to be President of the United States!

[Zeusdad3]

YOU GO GIRL!!! Hillary is awesome!!!

[seattlegonz]

The man is a liar and a flake.

[TubeFish11]

His excuse: "I became chairman of this committee at the beginning of this campaign. At the beginning of 2007. So it's true we haven't held any hearings on Afghanistan." He became chair in Jan 2007. Too busy running for president to oversee Afghanistan.

[dogdays6708]

Why take on the chairmanship of something when you don't intend to chair?

[Humanitycritic]

"So you're not refuting anything in this video."

So you're not refuting that Taylor Marsh is a shill.

[whoframedrudy]

He's too busy giving speeches and building his cult following to worry about Afghanistan and NATO. Oh, he's gone so far downhill since 2004. All Talk, No Action -- Obama 08.

[tomrainbow1]

I guess Barack Husseine Obama supporter think is o.k to do nothing and hopefully those f terrist just leave all of us alone. Why do think we have ours troop there in an Afghanistan in the first place?

[tomrainbow1]

I guess Barack Husseine Obama supporter think is o.k to do nothing and hopefully those f terrist just leave all of us alone. Why do think we have ours troop there in an Afghanistan in the first place?

[Humanitycritic]

Taylor Marsh is a belligerent Hillary shill.

[psychodrew]

So you're not refuting anything in this video.