2008 Woodie Awards
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Obama can talk the talk, but Hillary will walk the walk
Letter to the editor
Barack Obama has presented himself as a unique political figure who says what he means and does what he says. In the Ohio debate, we saw a glimpse of the real Obama; the Obama who became chair of a national security subcommittee, put it on his resume, but did not hold a single oversight hearing because he was too busy running for president; the Obama who spends his time talking about change you can believe in instead of change you actually can count on. Given the opportunity to take the reins of leadership and shape two critical areas of U.S. foreign policy - Afghanistan and our alliances in Europe - Sen. Obama has done next to nothing.
As chairman of a key Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, Sen. Obama had an opportunity to assert his leadership and set an agenda for America to help address the war in Afghanistan and strengthen some of our most important alliances. But by his own admission, he was too busy running for president to conduct a single substantive hearing of the subcommittee he chairs. He would rather talk about what he would do, rather than do it through the responsibility he had. Hillary Clinton doesn't just want the job of president; she wants to carry out the job of president. How can we tell what Barack Obama would be like as president if he did not carry out his responsibility in the senate?
Curtis Taylor
Eugene
As chairman of a key Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, Sen. Obama had an opportunity to assert his leadership and set an agenda for America to help address the war in Afghanistan and strengthen some of our most important alliances. But by his own admission, he was too busy running for president to conduct a single substantive hearing of the subcommittee he chairs. He would rather talk about what he would do, rather than do it through the responsibility he had. Hillary Clinton doesn't just want the job of president; she wants to carry out the job of president. How can we tell what Barack Obama would be like as president if he did not carry out his responsibility in the senate?
Curtis Taylor
Eugene
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 48
Andy Olson
posted 2/29/08 @ 5:48 PM PST
it's about time someone said it!
Sarah Smith
posted 3/04/08 @ 2:45 AM PST
Obama's a blank screen
Scott
posted 3/04/08 @ 8:11 AM PST
Your point could be taken here if it was only Mr. Obama that was taking time off from his Senate duties to run his campaign. The fact is that all candidates have pretty much abandoned their post while running in the Primaries and will continue to do so for the most part if they move on to the Nov. (Continued…)
Melinda Espinosa
posted 3/04/08 @ 10:43 PM PST
It looks like the voters here in Texas and Ohio agree with you, Curtis. I live in South Texas and I saw your commentary pop up on the wire. I agree with you 100%!
GO HILLARY!
Taylor
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:06 PM PST
Sorry, but you have no way of proving that Obama can't "walk the walk". Additionally, you have no way of proving that Hillary can. Hillary has stated multiple times that she would refuse to sit down with leaders from countries such as Cuba. (Continued…)
Curtis Taylor
posted 3/06/08 @ 10:27 AM PST
Thanks for the comments, Hillary supporters!
After seven years of George W. Bush, we need a president with the strength, experience, and vision to make change a reality. (Continued…)
Phil Singer
posted 3/11/08 @ 6:35 AM PST
It's tough to see how Senator Obama's campaign can tout his commitment to the military when Senator Obama couldn't be bothered to hold a single policy hearing on Afghanistan. (Continued…)
Karen T.
posted 3/19/08 @ 1:14 PM PST
The press has, until the last few weeks, been severely tilted and admittedly so, not for her.
But she just keeps going on. You know why? Because every time her back's been against the wall, people like you have come to her aid. (Continued…)
Jeff
posted 3/19/08 @ 8:55 PM PST
This article is completely skewed. The title is misleading, as the article goes no detail into Hillary's specific strengths and weaknesses, but simply points out Obama's every real and imaginary flaw. (Continued…)
Tim
posted 3/20/08 @ 6:31 PM PST
I'm starting to think that almost everyone that is voting for Hilary is voting for her because she's a woman. Not because of skills she possesses. I personally vote for people because I like what they stand for and their attitude. (Continued…)
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