As I promised I will post on why I do not think that Obama is a progressive either. Just like Clinton, I have heard him called a hard core liberal. And for the life of me I do not see where they come up with that analysis.
I have been critical of Clinton, even to the point of being called a sexist. Apparently, that person does not know me, but anyway, I want to be fair and balanced (always loved that term). We all know of Obama's popularity on the stump, we know of his desire to bring hope and change, and we know that he is running up Clinton's butt. He seems to be the perfect candidate for the people. But is he?
Recently the Progressive Review analyzed the two democratic candidates. We are aware of his positives and I would like to post the bad things they found about Obama. His stands and votes and so forth.
Deserted previous support for two-state solution to Mid East situation
Misled on extent on lobbyist support
Opposed filibuster efforts against nominated Supreme Court Justice Alito
Called the late Paul Wellstone "something of a gadfly"
Voted for a business-friendly "tort reform" bill
Wrote that conservatives and Bill Clinton were right about welfare
Is willing to put right-wingers in his cabinet
Says "everything is on the table" with Social Security
Opposed efforts to censure Bush administration for illegal wiretapping
Voted to make John Negroponte the National Intelligence Director.
Voted for a nuclear energy bill that included money for bunker buster bombs and full funding for Yucca Mountain.
Won’t rule out first strike nuclear attack on Iran
Received $708,000 from medical and insurance interests between 2001 and 2006
Went to Connecticut to support Joe Lieberman in the primary against Ned Lamont
Supports federally funded ethanol
Refuses to take a position on the anti-constitutional Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act
Called Pakistan "the right battlefield ... in the war on terrorism" Threatened to invade Pakistan
Opposed putting heating fuel assistance for low income in stimulus bill
Uses various evangelical cons to win supporters
His policies in most areas have yet to be revealed
Voted against a 30% interest rate cap on credit cards
Has a developer buddy who just got indicted
Opposed the war as a state senator, less certain as a federal one
If you are a Progressive Democrat, which I am, these are things that need to be considered before you vote. But then if you are a Progressive then you do not have much choice in democrats. Both are extremely pro-business, which flies in the face of the label "progressive". But then what is your choice? McCain? Now there is a joke and soon to be another post.
The only "real" difference between the two democratic candidates as of this writing, is one appears to be desperate and the other seems to be more confident everyday. Of course, all this could change with the next set of primaries and this whole soap opera will begin again.
Yes, I would like to see a democrat elected as president and for that reason I have a difficult choice to make. My primary is next week and I have a wealth of crap to consider. We ALL have a wealth of positions and issues to consider and I hope we all make the best choice