Obama’s Credibility Gap
By Bud White on April 25, 2008 at 11:32 AM in Advertising, Barack Obama, Big Oil, David Axelrod, Energy Policy Act of 2005, Exelon, Fund Raising, Obama Attack Ads, PACs & Lobbying Groups
Obama continues to say one thing and do another. The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday that Obama has continued to take money from oil executives:
Sen. Barack Obama continued accepting donations from oil company executives and employees last month even as he aired ads in which he stated he took no oil company money, his campaign finance reports show.
Obama has taken at least $263,000 from oil company executives, family members and employees since entering the presidential race last year, including $46,000 last month. At least $140,000 has come in chunks of between $1,000 and $2,300, the maximum permitted under federal law.
Obama supporters will point out that Hillary also take money from oil executives. She freely admits this, saying:
“Well the fact is [Obama] didn’t take money from oil companies, but you can, and we do, take money from people who work for oil companies, they’re Americans, they can contribute, so we both do that,” Clinton admitted.
Why does Obama continue to mislead the public about the source of his contributions? It might come as a shock to his supporters: it polls well. It’s an open secret that Obama spends lavishly on a small army of pollsters, message men, media advisers, public relations experts, and advertising agencies. But in the case of being clean of oil money, Obama’s money machine didn’t speak to his message men:
In the weeks leading up to the Pennsylvania primary, Obama aired a campaign spot in Indiana and Pennsylvania that sought to reinforce his theme that he would change the Washington culture, while also tapping into voter distress about the high price of gasoline. In the ad, he called for a windfall profits “penalty.”
“Since the gas lines of the ’70s, Democrats and Republicans have talked about energy independence but nothing’s changed — except now Exxon’s making $40 billion a year and we’re paying $3.50 for gas. I’m Barack Obama. I don’t take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists, and I won’t let them block change anymore,” says the spot, which aired as recently as April 8.
Obama’s team has carefully crafted a message that he doesn’t take money from political action committees, although he did until recently, and he doles out substantial amounts of money from his own PAC. Instead he takes enormous sums from people who just so happen to all work in that industry. It’s really just a shell game with dummy corporations: These groups of ultra-wealthy donors are not registered and regulated, and therefore Obama can claim that he doesn’t take money from oil companies:
Obama’s ad is factually correct. He does not take money from oil companies. A 1907 federal law bars all corporations from giving money to political candidates. However, oil company employees can make donations.
As the ad aired, Obama took $12,400 from oil company executives and employees in increments of $1,000 or more. Altogether, people who identify themselves as working for oil and gas companies donated $46,000 in March.
Obama’s claims allow him to project a squeaky clean image created by his handlers. The only problem with this poll-tested strategy is that it collides with the reality that wealthy oil executives are pouring money into his campaign. Obama’s chief strategist David Axlerod, in a moment of candor, described his role like this: “I know my business and the technology of politics and polling and focus groups, all of what we do, in some ways contributes to an atmosphere of cynicism. I try to fight that. I can’t say I’m totally blameless.” You think?
Obama’s willingness to say one thing and do another is wearing thin. He continues to lose contests and his favorability ratings have plummeted. Claiming to be clean of oil money is one thing, actually doing it is something else. “From our perspective, if there is a distinction between oil company PACs and lobbyists, and their executives, it is a mighty fine line,” said Sheila Krumholz, director of the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign donations. “They all represent the same interest — oil.”
(Release: November 13)
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N Carolina poll who gets your vote
——————————————————————————–
http://share.triangle.com/electionpoll08
Who gets your Vote:
Who gets your vote?
Barack Obama 725
Hillary Clinton 574
John McCain 585
Sounds like a good commercial!
Obama’s Ex-Pastor Resurfaces, at Potential Cost to Candidate
Rev. Wright’s Public Defense May Hurt Obama Before N.C. and Ind. Primaries
By OLIVIA STERNS and DAVID WRIGHT
April 25, 2008
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright is on a campaign to explain controversial remarks of his that created a firestorm for his former congregant, presidential hopeful Barack Obama, but many believe Wright’s fiery remarks could burn Obama once again.
I love your handle. That made my day.
Thanks. You recognizing it made mine. The handle’s origin is obvious. But it was inspired by those PR idiots latest attempt to diffuse the gift that keeps on giving: Reverend Wright.
Good post Bud….There is no way to clean up Pastor Wright….That soap just don’t exist…I’m just sayin….
When Waffle quit claiming that he doesn’t take lobbyist money, Jesus will came back to earth.
Jesus is bot, robo Jesus.
I’m kidding.
here are a few article to support this walk vs talk issue…
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lobbyists-on-obamas-08-payroll-2007-12-20.html
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obamas-k-street-project-2007-03-28.html
Bud: can you put something together using Rev. Wrights’ words from tonight - “Obama says what he needs to say because he’s a politician” (PLEASE use the exact quote so you don’t get charged with putting words into his mouth!) with a list of all of the lies BO has told and continues to tell?
The thing that I’ve seen on the Wright promo snippet is that Wright basically says Obama is lying to cover things up and win an election…e.g., he’s a politician.
Using Wright’s own admission about Obama (they’re like uncle and nephew, after all!) against the laundry list of lies might make a short-hand way of demonstrating how much of an empty suit and fraud BO really is.
Thanks for considering this suggestion.
Good suggestion. Let’s see what tonight brings.
I doubt Wright’s performance tonight will work as well as “the speech” did for Obama. “The speech” worked fairly well but apparently not well enough if the PR team has put Wright into the media’s cross-hairs once again. Obama thinks he can outsmart America but the heart and soul of America is on to him and one way or another he is toast.
Following the speech up the day after with “typical what person” was not the smartest move, no.
Yeah I forgot that! Thanks.
Credibility GAP?! That would imply that this conman had any credibility to start with. I mean, if HOW his father GOT here in his book was a lie, and if HOW his momma and dad MET in his book was a lie, I’d say he had ZIP credibility from the GET!
BABY-O is an empty suit made of the fabric of lies….He’s gonna start using that classic line…” I’m not a rook “….
Meant “I’m not a crook “
Rook might work, too. Ha!
Rook: a chess piece usually resembling a fortified tower. This rook’s losing its strength, don’t you think? Mortar is coming out between the stones, and the walls are starting to crumble.
“Rook” is also a somewhat archaic term for a crow, I believe.
Obama is now getting into bed with the DNC. Wonder what they promised him for his monetary help. It seems to me that this is a huge confilict of interest for the DNC since they have a major voice in determining who the Democratic nominee will be. Where I come from, this is called a bribe.
Obama-DNC Fundraising Deal
http://thepage.time.com/obama-dnc-fundraising-deal/
I would love to see them hold that in Florida or Michigan….This thing has CORPORATE STINK all over it….
getting into bed? More like getting up for a cigarette and his wallet ….
Ouch. Good one!
One thing that we know for sure is that they are screwing the voters with this deal. Or maybe a better anology is that the DNC is prostituting themselves for the mighty dollar.
I swear, you folks…where in the woodwork have you all pounces out of. Did not you all know that the pockets of all the politicians are lined by big oil! Where have all you ppl been…..
BTW, when a site like this is turned into a bigoted and harmful bunch of ppl like what you and many other sites have become, I feel like I am left out of the process of legitimate debate.
I am ashamed of the hurtful things that ppl say about both sides of the democratic campaign. Aren’t you all to be on the same side. My question is no matter what side you hale from, would you vote for the other candidate when it comes down to the wire to beat mcshame? I seriously doubt it from what I read here…..Be ready for much more of the same old crap that we have had to live under for the past 8 damn years under bush…Now that I have said this, Larry and Susan, I will not interfere any longer in this debate you all have here. All I can say is WOW!!!!! BTW, did you all know that our ppl are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, for gawds sake……:o( Why are you not in uniform and defending our nation over there with all your grandiose words and articles…At least from what I understand at least Larry is doing his part…..what about you folks….I want my country back as much as you do, how we do it is for the democrats to win in Nov. not the repub’s Now get on yoru high horse and start to work for the well being of us all not just a few….
What has obama done for our people in Irack since he got to DC ? He voted for all major funding bills. Name one thing that obama has done to stop the war. Please name one.
obama aint’ getting my vote, ever.
ditto.
and i find the fear trolls tiresome.
Did you put this up at Huffington Post and Daily Kos? Is it still there? Were you called names?
When you can answer that honestly with the word, yes to the first two and no to the last, come back and we’ll talk.
Would I vote for the other candidate when it comes down to the wire to beat mcshame?
No, I will not. Because just because some snake-oil salesman calls himself a Democrat while his minions call me a racist for not supporting him, associate with racebaiters and terrorists while trashing the most Progressive President of my generation, and now refuse to debate, doesn’t mean he’s entitled to my vote.
And spare me the “Supreme Court! What about the Supreme Court!” whining. I will NOT be blackmailed into voting for Obama by some ancient argument that the SCOTUS will be stacked with Conservatives who will take away the right of women to chose an abortion. Nor will the Iraq argument move me- I don’t think Obama is more likely than McCain to get us out of Iraq or keep us out of Iran. He’s just a clueless dick who wants the title and the cool office, he’ll let the GOP run roughshod over him.
Sorry, but “any Democrat is better than McCain” doesn’t really cut it here.
BO couldn’t wait to shake John Robert’s hand … so any discussion about his SCOTUS appointment potential is not necessarily a winning one for bobo.
then I call you out as a republican…..
I doubt the OP cares what you think which was exactly his point and you fell for it.
then I call you out as a republican
Perhaps one that will vote for Hillary.
Respectfully, BO could give a RTY^ about what you think Brenda Stewart.
BO is a neo neo-Marxist immoral wannabe.
You want to know what he was doing in Columbia U? He won’t tell you. WHY? Never wrote a paper for Harvard Law review? WHY?
Says one thing and does another,constantly blaming someone else, not taking responsibility for his own actions?
Brenda….Preach it to another choir…I’m not voting fo a fascist andt hat’s what Obama and his campaign represent to me….Sorry but this working class democrat does not like having a contrived installation candidate shoved up my ass….Unity is a delusion left by the wayside by Pelosi et, al…
Yeah, how insulting is that? The idea that these asshole Obamaphiles can do and say anything they want, but once St Barack wins the nomination we are supposed to fall in line like good little lemmings…give me a break.
Brenda, you feel free to call me anything you want. Your candidate can’t have my money, and he can’t have my vote. No matter how much you stamp your foot, hold your breath or call me names.
I’d rather be called a Republican (which I’m not) than an Obamacrat (which I will never, ever be.)
My side is with the American people. I vote for the candidate that I know for sure to have the best interest of the American people at heart.
Obama allegiance lied somewhere else. He said it himself, he will side with the Muslim if the political wind changes.
No, he’s not on my side.
“Obama allegiance lied somewhere else. He said it himself, he will side with the Muslim if the political wind changes.”
That’s quite the bombshell… why isn’t Hillary using it? Where/When did Obama say that?
Why aren’t you in uniform instead of coming here and spewing your garbage all over the place? You Obamabots are most ignorant hypocritical people I’ve ever seen.
Don’t let the blog room door hit you in the ass on the way out?
Well, my friend, I was here long before you and the likes of you came here to take over this place. We did discuss things that needed to be discussed that was in favor to us all. I am ashamed of you all….I was run out by you folks here and I am not one bit happy with this. I hope someday after this is all over and done with, we can get back to discussing the real issues of today….I do not partake in bigoted nonsense.
It’s too bad Reverend Wright does not follow in your footsteps. And also too bad Obama sat in that church for 20 years and listened to him.
Delusions of grandeur? I do not have a problem with what you are saying. Keep saying whatever you want.
sounds like the pot calling the kettle black here…
All I can say is WOW!!!!!
Oh, for sure. Me too. A candidate who gets so tired he has to take days off. Like whoa! A candidate who can’t eat waffles and read a teleprompter at the same time. I mean, let him finish his waffle and then he’ll answer your question, right?
I’ll get off my high unity unicorn now.
Vacationed where ? Oh yeah the Rev was on a cruise and BO was in the Bahamas….
Now BOP takes a day off and and the Rev is still cruising.
What Timing. If you have Both the REV & BO out there in the media, BO is going to be questioned.
If I sell DVD’s of my sermons for profit, then the 27k Obama gave to the “church” was used for production of these. Hamas does the same thing.
Obama has credibiity issues? Yeah. But I am reminded of a Bible vers that the Warrior Queen of Tuzlah and her minnions might want to consider as they pine for November:
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Luke 6:41
“Warrior Queen of Tuzlah” and “minnions” followed by a Bible Verse. Classic Obamabot.
Like Ed Schultz, running down a list of slanders against Hillary, treating them as fact, and then calling for “Unity.”
I bet Kevin broke his arm patting himself on the back after his last post.
SCOREBOARD!
Oh sorry, that was B-Rob, not Kevin.
Not that there’s any difference, Obamabots who post here are completely interchangeable. Comes from reading off the same inane talking points, no doubt.
They are interchangeable because they have nothing original (or factual) to say.
Bud, good post. Obama’s a liar and a fraud, and Axelrod and Company are in the business of spin–great combination.
I’m curious about something: Given the well-documented fact that Obama will NEVER win in the GE, yet some SDs contInue to move toward him, do you think payoffs, corruption, bribes are in the works?
I’m serious. From what I understand, the SDs have never before been very important, and they are mostly politicians themselves. Obama has oodles of money and not much else going for him.
We hear that the candidates are talking to the SDs, and making promises and offers. I don’t think it’s so farfetched that the most affluent one is sweetening the pot.
Is anyone investigating this?
Just Stopped by to say hi, Thanks
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