Barack Obama on Government Reform
• Eliminating earmarks isn't enough; but I'll ceck every line. (Sep 2008)
• Eliminate government programs that no longer work. (Aug 2008)
• FactCheck: Worked with McCain on ethics, but bill fell apart. (Aug 2008)
• Lobbyists & special interests have strangle-hold on agenda. (Feb 2008)
• Consistently in favor of more disclosure around earmarks. (Feb 2008)
• Created a publicly searchable database on earmarks spending. (Feb 2008)
• Need a government that listens to the people again. (Feb 2008)
• Give D.C. the opportunity to elect its own representatives. (Feb 2008)
• Shine light on federal contracts, earmarks, & proposed bills. (Feb 2008)
• Bad idea to over-classify information. (Dec 2007)
• Bush's signing statements are a clear abuse of prerogative. (Dec 2007)
• Public submits policy ideas on Obama's "My Policy" website. (Oct 2007)
• Create "Google for Government" to track government spending. (Aug 2007)
• Prayer can't prevent disasters; good policy can handle them. (Aug 2007)
• Registered 150,000 new minority voters in Chicago in 1992. (Jul 2007)
• Half of us don't vote; time for taking it back. (Jun 2007)
• Bush administration has done "great damage" to U.S. (Mar 2007)
• Sponsored bill to disclose earmarks on Internet. (Oct 2006)
• Filibuster has long tradition, but used to harm civil rights. (Oct 2006)
• Electing US Senators empowers people: keep 17th Amendment. (Oct 2004)
• People are really ready for a message for change. (Jul 2004)
• Campaign race baiting works in both directions. (Aug 1996)
Campaign Finance Reform
• GovWatch: Promised public financing, and then retreated. (Jun 2008)
• AdWatch: I opt out of broken public campaign finance system. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: No, McCain & RNC don't get much money from PACs. (Jun 2008)
• Ended corporate jet travel subsidized by lobbyists. (Feb 2008)
• Never took money from federal lobbyists or their companies. (Jan 2008)
• No lobbyist money; no PAC money; fund campaigns instead. (Jan 2008)
• Money is the original sin in politics and I am not sinless. (Nov 2007)
• Reduced cost TV ads for candidates; $85M presidential limit. (Oct 2007)
• Ok to take $5 donations from drug company employees. (Sep 2007)
• Public campaign financing with free television & radio time. (Aug 2007)
• 1998: First law passed, 52-4, stripping legislator perks. (Aug 2007)
• 2004: Used state money for seemingly political mailing. (Aug 2007)
• No "bundled" money from federal-registered lobbyists. (Aug 2007)
• Campaigns last too long & cost too much. (Aug 2007)
• Doesn't take PAC money or federal lobbyists' money. (Jul 2007)
• People know his "bundlers" because he pushed disclosure law. (Jul 2007)
• FactCheck: no lobbyist money; yes from bundlers who lobby. (Jul 2007)
• First bill ever passed was campaign finance reform. (Apr 2007)
• FactCheck: no lobbyist money, yes from lobbyist spouses. (Apr 2007)
• Hopefund PAC pushes government to honor sacred commitments. (Nov 2006)
• Lobbyist influence comes from access, not money. (Oct 2006)
Voting Record
• FactCheck: Yes, Obama cast 130 "present" votes in IL Senate. (Jan 2008)
• Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
• Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
• Election reform is #1 priority to prevent disenfranchisement. (Jan 2001)
• Sponsored bill criminalizing deceptive info about elections. (Nov 2005)
• Sponsored resolution rejecting photo ID for voting. (Sep 2005)
• Sponsored bill to post earmarks on the Internet. (Jan 2006)
• Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)
• Prohibit 'voter caging' which intimidates minority voting. (Nov 2007)
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