Obama's legislative record.

Just a short diary, linking to an interesting blog entry summarizing Obama's legislative record. Turns out, according to Obsidian Wings, that it's substantive, smart, and un-flashy. A link below the fold.

Here you go. Discuss amongst yourselves.

•  I read it, and appreciate the link

  It's not glamorous, but I like it.

  by rikyrah on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 02:57:50 PM PDT

•  Tip jar.

  Saving up mojo for a DailyKos bottle opener from the Trusted User Online Store.

  by HeyMikey on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 03:19:37 PM PDT

  •  his state senate voting record

    is much longer and more controversial....

    by inevitibility on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 03:27:40 PM PDT

    •  Longer, yes

      But the style of working together with the opposition in this way was the same. He was in the minority party for two of his three terms. If he couldn't work across the aisle, he'd never get anything of subsyance done.

      by jacortina on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 03:35:30 PM PDT

•  I think he's got a pretty good

  record. I wished he would go a lot further on his voting reform etc. But I guess I can only expect the Dems to go so far. Hopefully since they have the majority in congress they'll do more. There's only a few votes that bug me and one of them is where he voted to move major class action lawsuits to state courts. But, hey a few bad votes is not so bad. I'm an Edwards girl but I do like Obama for the most part.

  by sarahlane on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 03:25:50 PM PDT

•  24 October 2006

  I think everyone knows about this famous Hilzoy post, heck some folks use it as their signature.

  So, I voted for "That was a diary?"  but would have voted for "This non-diary is as old as mold" had it been offered.

  by philgoblue on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 03:27:14 PM PDT

•  Obama's Methods

  Were much the same in the Illinois Genral Assembly and, in fact, before that as a community activist.

  From the link given:
  

  His bills tend to have the following features: they are good and thoughtful bills that try to solve real problems; they are in general not terribly flashy; and they tend to focus on achieving solutions acceptable to all concerned, not by compromising on principle, but by genuinely trying to craft a solution that everyone can get behind.

  Around here, 'bipartisanship' is often considered a dirty word and is usually immediately associated with compromise and 'selling out'. But Obama quite often works by finding a way to take others at least a step in the direction he wants (rather than to some middle ground) with their cooperation instead of confrontation.

  by jacortina on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 03:33:32 PM PDT

  •  These are very nice thoughts...

    ... to begin ONLY after Washington gets a good exterminating.  When the vicious, hateful and selfish Republicans are in a very small minority, then and only then can their be real bipartisanship.  As long as they have the power to prevent the truth from surfacing, we cannot allow ourselves to be vulnerable.

    Why is bipartisanship a dirty word here, simple, it doesn't exist because when Democrats turn around, they get shot in the back.

    Obama uses the same BS we've heard from so many who have underestimated Republican evil.  And who loves this shit, Hollywood, because it's the dreams movies are made of.  However, when the good guy shoots the bad guy, he needs to make sure he is dead before he puts down his gun.

    by cpa1 on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 03:52:55 PM PDT

    •  Wrong

      Simply put, your inability to see that it can work without compromise is not a limitation of HIS methods, but of YOUR comprehension.

      How do I know? Because his methods have worked. Democrats were in the minority in the Illinois General Assembly for his first two terms and he still got HIS bills through. Not by giving in, not by moving in the direction of the other side, but by getting the other side to join him in what he wanted done.

      by jacortina on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 03:57:57 PM PDT

    •  So, don't turn around.

      Just because some Democrats have gotten burned while flipping burgers with Bush and Delay doesn't mean it's prudent to give up BBQ.

      Just be mindful of who you give the lighter fluid to.

      If some Republicans want to help us pass some progressive legislation, I'm not gonna flinch; I'm gonna get the job done.

      In fact, I'd feel better if we kept the kids busy, helping with the potato salad, than letting them go off on their own, without adult supervision.  We've seen what trouble they get into when they go off on their own without oversight.

      by chicago jeff on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 04:26:08 PM PDT

  •  It's a good legislative skill for a president.n/t

    by IrishCatholicDemocrat on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 08:04:27 PM PDT

•  Very Useful link, key to many disputes.

  Don't delete the diary.

  by ormondotvos on Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 03:36:38 PM PDT