Rhetoric vs Record

ON ENERGY
The Obama Lie: "I believe we should immediately give every working family in America a $1,000 energy rebate, and we should pay for it with part of the record profits that the oil companies are making right now."

The Real Obama: Barack Obama voted for the 2005 Energy Bill that included billions in tax breaks for oil companies.

PROOF: Barack Obama Voted For The 2005 Energy Bill.
(H.R. 6, CQ Vote #152: Motion Agreed To 92-4: R 53-1; D 38-3; I 1-0, 6/23/05, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #158: Passed 85-12: R 49-5; D 35-7; I 1-0, 6/28/05, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #213: Adopted 74-26: R 49-6; D 25-19; I 0-1, 7/29/05, Obama Voted Yea)

The 2005 Energy Bill Included $2.8 Billion In Subsidies For Oil And Natural Gas Production. "The conference agreement provides for $14.6 billion in tax breaks and credits between 2005 and 2015, including: - $2.8 billion for fossil fuel production..."
(Toni Johnson, "CQ Bill Analysis: HR 6," Congressional Quarterly's "CQ Bill Analysis," www.cq.com , Accessed 7/14/08)

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY): "When It Came Time To Stand Up Against The Oil Companies, To Stand Against Dick Cheney's Energy Bill, My Opponent Voted For It And I Voted Against It."
(Aaron Burns, "Clinton Questions Obama's Oil Company Claims," Fox News' "Embeds" Blog, 4/25/08)

Senator John Kerry (D-MA): "Instead of reducing our dangerous dependence on oil, protecting our environment and strengthening our economy, this policy gives billions of dollars to the oil, gas and nuclear industries."
(Office Of U.S. Senator John Kerry, "John Kerry Says Energy Policy Fails Americans," Press Release, 8/9/05)

The Washington Post: The 2005 Energy Bill's Provisions "Turned Into A Piñata Of Perks For Energy Industries." "The provision was just one example of how the energy bill, touted as a way to reduce dependence on foreign oil or moderate gasoline prices, has been turned into a piñata of perks for energy industries."
(Michael Grunwald and Juliet Eilperin, "Energy Bill Raises Fears About Pollution, Fraud," The Washington Post, 7/30/05)

The New York Times' Thomas Friedman Said The 2005 Energy Bill Contained "Massive Pork Slabs Dished Out To The Vested Interests Who Needed Them Least."
(Thomas Friedman, Op-Ed, "Too Much Pork And Too Little Sugar," The New York Times, 8/5/05)

ON NUCLEAR ENERGY
The Obama Lie: "I don't think that we can take nuclear power off the table."

The Real Obama: Barack Obama says he is "not a nuclear energy proponent"

PROOF:
Barack Obama Does Not Support Nuclear Power. Obama: "I start off with the premise that nuclear energy is not optimal. I am not a nuclear energy proponent."
(Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Town Hall Event, Newton, IA, 12/30/07)

ON THE TAX AGENDA
The Obama Lie: "I not only have pledged not to raise their taxes, I've been the first candidate in this race to specifically say I would cut their taxes."

The Real Obama: In 2004, Obama promised voters he would support a middle-class tax cut - he never supported it once elected. In fact, Senator Obama twice voted to raise taxes on Americans making $42,000 a year or more. Overall, Obama has voted 94 times to raise taxes and prevent tax cuts.

PROOF:
Obama-Biden Has Called For Higher Income Taxes, Social Security Taxes, Capital Gains And Dividend Taxes, And Corporate Taxes, As Well As "Massive New Domestic Spending." "Obama's transformation, if you go by his campaign so far, would mean higher income taxes, higher Social Security taxes, higher investment taxes, higher corporate taxes, massive new domestic spending, and a healthcare plan that perhaps could be the next step to a full-scale, single-payer system. Is that what most Americans want, someone who will fulfill a Democratic policy wish list?"
(James Pethokoukis, "Barack Hussein Reagan? Ronald Wilson Obama?" U.S. News and World Report's "Capital Commerce" Blog, 2/12/08)

Obama-Biden Will Increase Capital Gains And Dividend Taxes. Obama Economic Advisors Jason Furman and Austan Goolsbee: "The top capital-gains rate for families making more than $250,000 would return to 20% ... The tax rate on dividends would also be 20% for families making more than $250,000, rather than returning to the ordinary income rate."
(Jason Furman and Austan Goolsbee, Op-Ed, "The Obama Tax Plan," The Wall Street Journal, 8/14/08)

Tax Policy Center: Obama-Biden Would Raise Taxes On One Out Of Every Three Senior Households. "Even though Senator Obama's plan eliminates individual income taxes for seniors with incomes less than $50,000, his plan would raise taxes for almost 10 million senior households, over a third of the total (not shown in table). On average, seniors would face a tax increase of about 2 percent of income."
(Burman et al., "A Preliminary Analysis of the 2008 Presidential Candidates' Tax Plans," The Tax Policy Center, 6/11/08)

Obama-Biden Would Raise Income Taxes. Obama: "[I] would roll back the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000."
(Sen. Barack Obama, CNN Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Manchester, NH, 6/3/07)

U.S. Department Of Treasury: Small Business Owners "Are Frequently Subject To The Highest Individual Income Tax Rates."
("Topics Related To The President's Tax Relief," U.S. Department Of Treasury, http://www.ustreas.gov, May 2008)

Obama-Biden Would Raise Social Security Taxes. "Obama's proposal ... would impose social security taxes on income above $250,000 per year. He would continue to exempt income between $102,000 and $250,000 from social security taxes."
(Teddy Davis, Sunlen Miller, and Gregory Wallace, "Obama Kisses Billions Goodbye," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/18/08)

Obama-Biden Called For A Tax On Coal And Natural Gas. Obama: "What we ought to tax is dirty energy, like coal and, to a lesser extent, natural gas."
("Q&A With Sen. Barack Obama," San Antonio Express-News, 2/19/08)

Obama-Biden Called For A Tax On Oil. Obama: "I think it is appropriate for us to impose a windfall profits tax on our oil companies."
(Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At A Campaign Event, Charlotte, NC, 5/2/08)

The Washington Post: Barack Obama's Tax On Oil Companies Will Only Lead To "Higher Prices At The Pump."
(Editorial, "Tapping Tired Wells," The Washington Post, 8/6/08)

FactCheck.org: "Obama's Votes Indicate A Willingness To Raise Taxes." "Certainly Obama's votes indicate a willingness to raise taxes, and Obama has not been shy about saying explicitly that he will raise some taxes."
("The $32,000 Question," FactCheck.org, http://www.factcheck.org, 7/8/08)

ON EARMARKS
The Obama Lie: "That's using a hatchet to cut the federal budget. I want to use a scalpel so that people who need help are getting help."

The Real Obama: Barack Obama has requested nearly $1 billion in earmarks in just three years.

PROOF:
During His Time In The U.S. Senate, Barack Obama Requested More Than 300 Earmarks Totaling Nearly $1 Billion.
(Obama Senate Website, 9/6/08)

PolitiFact.com: "But as for his claim in the debate: Is it accurate? Obama, on his Web site, has listed every earmark he's requested - but not necessarily received - as a U.S. senator. It totals $931.3-million. McCain is also correct that it comes to nearly a million dollars for every day that Obama's been in the United States Senate, provided you include just working days. ... We say this claim is Mostly True."
("McCain Right On Amount Of Obama's Pork Requests," PolitiFact.com, 9/26/08)

Citizens Against Government Waste Gave Barack Obama A Lifetime Rating Of 22 Out Of 100.
(Citizens Against Government Waste, "CCAGW Challenges Presidential Candidates On Earmarks," Press Release, 12/27/07)

The Club For Growth Gave Barack Obama A Score Of 33 Percent For His Votes Against Anti-Pork Amendments. "[T]he Club for Growth released its 2007 Senate RePORK Card, compiling a scorecard of all senators' votes on fifteen anti-pork amendments throughout 2007. ... Obama (D-IL) Score: 33% Ratio: 2/6."
(Club For Growth, "The Club's 2007 Senate RePORK Card," www.clubforgrowth.org , 11/5/07)

"In 2006, Obama Requested That The University Of Chicago Receive $1 Million To Support Its Construction Of The New Hospital Pavilion." "For more than 75 years, the University of Chicago Hospitals (UCH) has provided state of the art medical care on the South Side of Chicago. UCH is one of the largest Medicaid providers in Illinois, and it provided more than $90 million in uncompensated care for Medicare and Medicaid patients this past year. To continue providing the best care for patients from all walks of life, UCH is proceeding with the construction of a new 600,000 square foot facility that will ensure their ability to provide the best care for patients well into the future. Funding will go towards assisting the construction and equipping a new hospital pavilion that will increase the Hospitals' clinical capacity by over one-third."
(Obama For America Website, answercenter.barackobama.com, Accessed 7/23/08)

Michelle Obama Was Appointed Vice President At The University Of Chicago Hospitals In 2005.
(University Of Chicago Medical Center, "Michelle Obama Appointed Vice President For Community And External Affairs At The University Of Chicago Hospitals," Press Release, 5/9/05)

ON DIMPLOMACY:
The Obama Lie: "I Didn't Say That I Would Meet Unconditionally."

The Real Obama: In An October 2007 CBS Interview, When Asked About Meeting With "Hugo Chavez And Etc. Etc.," Barack Obama Said "Exactly, And Without Preconditions." CBS' Harry Smith: "You said, 'I will talk to so and so and Hugo Chavez and etc., etc.'" Obama: "Exactly, and without preconditions." (CBS' "The Early Show," 10/15/07)

PROOF:
Barack Obama Has Repeatedly Affirmed His Position Of Unconditionally Meeting With The Leaders Of State Sponsors Of Terror Like Ahmadinejad

At A July 2007 Debate, Barack Obama Said He Would Meet With The Leaders Of State Sponsors Of Terror "Without Precondition." QUESTION: "[W]ould you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?"... OBAMA: "I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them -- which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration - is ridiculous."
(CNN/YouTube Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

Watch the Video: http://www.youtube.com/v/qXuLqhZXsrM

In September 2007, Barack Obama Confirmed That He Would Meet With Iranian President Ahmadinejad. QUESTION: "Senator, you've said before that you'd meet with President Ahmadinejad..." OBAMA: "Uh huh." QUESTION: "Would you still meet with him today?" OBAMA: "Yeah, nothing's changed with respect to my belief that strong countries and strong presidents talk to their enemies and talk to their adversaries.
(Barack Obama, Press Conference, New York City, 9/24/07)

Watch the Video: http://www.youtube.com/v/KQ2yJqWguCU

In An October 2007 CBS Interview, When Asked About Meeting With "Hugo Chavez And Etc. Etc.," Barack Obama Said "Exactly, And Without Preconditions." CBS' Harry Smith: "You said, 'I will talk to so and so and Hugo Chavez and etc., etc.'" Obama: "Exactly, and without preconditions."
(CBS' "The Early Show," 10/15/07)

In February 2008, Barack Obama Said He Has Been "Absolutely Clear" On His Position: "I Will Meet Without Preconditions" With Leaders Of Iran And Other Hostile Regimes. OBAMA: "There has been no confusion. I have been absolutely clear on this. I will meet not just with our friends but with our enemies. I will meet without preconditions."
(CNN's "The Situation Room," 2/4/08)

According To Barack Obama's Website, "Obama Is The Only Major Candidate Who Supports Tough, Direct Presidential Diplomacy With Iran Without Preconditions." "Obama is the only major candidate who supports tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions."
(Obama For America Website, http://www.barackobama.com, Accessed 5/12/08)

Joe Biden And Other Democrats Have Criticized Barack Obama's "Without Precondition" Statements

Joe Biden Said "Absolutely Positively No" To Unconditional Meetings With Leaders Of Rogue States. BIDEN: "Would I make a blanket commitment to meet unconditionally with the leaders of each of those countries within the first year I was elected president? Absolutely positively no."
(Joe Biden, Remarks At The National Press Club, Washington, DC, 8/1/07)

Sen. Clinton Said Barack Obama's Position Was "Irresponsible And, Frankly, Naïve." CLINTON: "I thought that was irresponsible and, frankly, naive to say that you would commit to meeting with, you know, Chavez and Castro and others within the first year."
(ABC News,' "Good Morning America," 7/25/07)

America's European Allies Are Concerned About Barack Obama's Pledge To Meet With President Ahmadinejad Without Precondition

The Washington Post: Europeans "Increasingly Concerned That Sen. Barack Obama's Campaign Pledge To Begin Direct Talks ... Could Potentially Rupture U.S. Relations With Key European Allies." "European officials are increasingly concerned that Sen. Barack Obama's campaign pledge to begin direct talks with Iran on its nuclear program without preconditions could potentially rupture U.S. relations with key European allies early in a potential Obama administration."
(Glenn Kessler, "Europe Fears Obama Might Undercut Progress With Iran," The Washington Post, 6/22/08)

ON GOVERNMENT WASTE:
The Obama Lie: "The cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy."

The Real Obama: If Barack Obama Could Enact All Of His Campaign Proposals, Taxpayers Would Be Faced With Financing Over $1 Trillion In New Spending Over One White House Term.

PROOF:
If Barack Obama Could Enact All Of His Campaign Proposals, Taxpayers Would Be Faced With Financing Over $1 Trillion In New Spending Over One White House Term.
(Barack Obama's Spending Proposals: http://www.barackobama.com/index.php, Accessed 8/19/08)

PolitiFact Discredits Obama's Claim That His Proposals Are Paid For; Says His Rhetoric Is "Disingenuous." "Until he fleshes out his economic plan considerably more, it's disingenuous to go around claiming his proposals are 'paid for.' And that claim is even more suspect considering that his proposals would leave a larger deficit than would the tax laws currently on the books. We find his claim to be Barely True."
("'Paid For' Without Real Money," St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact.com," www.politifact.com , 6/16/08)

The New York Times' David Brooks Said For Barack Obama To Fund His Domestic Programs, He Will Have To Break His Pledge Not To Tax The Middle Class. "Both [Obama and Clinton] promised to not raise taxes on those making less than $200,000 or $250,000 a year. They both just emasculated their domestic programs. Returning the rich to their Clinton-era tax rates will yield, at best, $40 billion a year in revenue. It's impossible to fund a health care plan, let alone anything else, with that kind of money. The consequences are clear: if elected they will have to break their pledge, and thus destroy their credibility, or run a minimalist administration."
(David Brooks, Op-Ed, "No Whining About The Media," The New York Times, 4/16/08)

Investor's Business Daily: Barack Obama Would Have To Tax Middle Class Taxpayers To Fund His Billions In New Spending. "Obama's spending agenda - exceeding $307 billion a year - dwarfs that of Bill Clinton a decade and a half ago. And he would be sure to run into the same immovable mathematical obstacle faced by the last Democratic president. Taxing the handful of CEOs and other fat cats won't be enough. The big money Obama wants will have to come from the many millions of middle-class taxpayers."
(Editorial, "Only CEOs Need Fear," Investor's Business Daily, 5/9/08)

Chicago Tribune: Barack Obama Hasn't Been Talking About Balancing The Budget And "Has A Full Plate Of Spending Initiatives." "Obama's campaign on Monday scoffed at the McCain proposals. But Obama hasn't been talking boldly about the certain path to a balanced budget. He promises to cut taxes for most Americans . . . and he has a full plate of spending initiatives."
(Editorial, "Failure Of Nerve," Chicago Tribune, 7/8/08)

Los Angeles Times: Barack Obama "Has Not Identified New Revenue Sources Or Spending Cuts To Pay For Some Of" His Proposals. "The Obama campaign responds that tax cuts, once enacted, are usually renewed and do not expire. Therefore, they say, Obama can legitimately claim to be recouping money for other purposes by scaling back the tax cuts. Obama has not identified new revenue sources or spending cuts to pay for some of what he wants to do."
(Peter Nicholas, "Adding Up The Cost Of Obama's Agenda," Los Angeles Times, 7/8/08)

Barack Obama Has No Interest In Eliminating Deficit Spending

Barack Obama: "I Do Not Make A Promise That We Can Reduce [The Budget Deficit] By 2013." "'I do not make a promise that we can reduce it by 2013 because I think it is important for us to make some critical investments right now in America's families,' Obama told reporters this week when asked if he'd match McCain's pledge."
(Nedra Pickler, "Analysis: Obama Won't Try For McCain's Budget Goal," The Associated Press, 7/8/08)

Chicago Tribune: Barack Obama Has "No Interest In Eliminating Deficit Spending." "Since winning the nomination, Obama reportedly has been moving toward the middle of the political spectrum. But on the budget, he still sounds left of center, with no interest in eliminating deficit spending."
(Editorial, "Failure Of Nerve," Chicago Tribune, 7/8/08)

ON SPENDING BILLS:
The Obama Lie: Barack Obama would curb government spending

The Real Obama: Barack Obama voted yes on nearly every spending bill during his time in office.

PROOF:
Barack Obama Has Never Voted Against A Spending Bill During His Time In The U.S. Senate, With The Exception Of A Supplemental Spending Bill To Fund The Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan.
(Library Of Congress Website, "Status Of Appropriations Legislation For Fiscal Year 2009," www.thomas.gov , Accessed 7/29/08; Library Of Congress Website, "Status Of Appropriations Legislation For Fiscal Year 2008," www.thomas.gov , Accessed 7/29/08; Library Of Congress Website, "Status Of Appropriations Legislation For Fiscal Year 2007," www.thomas.gov , Accessed 7/29/08; Library Of Congress Website, "Status Of Appropriations Legislation For Fiscal Year 2006," www.thomas.gov , Accessed 7/29/08)

Barack Obama Has Voted For A Total Of 19 Spending Bills During His Time In The U.S. Senate.
(Library Of Congress Website, "Status Of Appropriations Legislation For Fiscal Year 2009," www.thomas.gov , Accessed 7/29/08; Library Of Congress Website, "Status Of Appropriations Legislation For Fiscal Year 2008," www.thomas.gov , Accessed 7/29/08; Library Of Congress Website, "Status Of Appropriations Legislation For Fiscal Year 2007," www.thomas.gov , Accessed 7/29/08; Library Of Congress Website, "Status Of Appropriations Legislation For Fiscal Year 2006," www.thomas.gov , Accessed 7/29/08)

Barack Obama Voted Against Providing $94.4 Billion In Critical Funding For The Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan.
(H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay)

ON DEREGULATION:
The Obama Lie: Barack Obama has fought for "re-regulating" the banking industry

The Real Obama: Joe Biden voted for the same bill that Barack Obama blames as the cause of the market regulation problems.

PROOF:
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Was Supported By And Authored By Members Of His Campaign The Washington Post: Barack Obama Attacks The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Despite The Fact That It Was Supported By Members Of His Economic Team. "One element of the Obama campaign's brief against Mr. McCain is that he supported repeal of the law separating commercial banks from investment banks. ... Would it be churlish to point out that another author of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley law is former congressman Jim Leach, a founder of Republicans for Obama? Or that Obama advisers Lawrence H. Summers and Robert E. Rubin supported the repeal -- which was signed by President Bill Clinton?"
(Editorial, "'Always For Less Regulation'?" The Washington Post, 9/19/08)

The Bill "Was A Widely Accepted Bipartisan Compromise" Even Supported By "Obama's Running Mate, Joe Biden." "It's true that Gramm authored the act, but what became law was a widely accepted bipartisan compromise. The measure passed the House 362 - 57, with 155 Democrats voting for the bill. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 90 - 8. Among the Democrats voting for the bill: Obama's running mate, Joe Biden. The bill was signed into law by President Clinton, a Democrat."
(Joe Miller And Brooks Jackson, "Who Caused The Economic Crisis?" FactCheck.org, 10/1/08)

Joe Biden Voted For The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act Of 1999.
(S. 900, CQ Vote #354: Adopted 90-8: R 52-1; D 38-7; I 1-0, 11/4/99, Biden Voted Yea)

Jim Leach - Leader Of "Republicans For Obama" And Speaker At The Democratic National Convention - Was The Co-Author Of The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
(S. 900, Signed 11/12/99)

Obama Economic Adviser Secretary Bob Rubin "Worked Very Hard On This" Bill. CLINTON: "But I do want to thank all the members here and all those who aren't here and I'd like to thank two New Yorkers who aren't here who have been mentioned -- former Secretary of the Treasury Bob Rubin, who worked very hard on this, and former chairman, Senator Al D'Amato, who talked to me about this often."
(President Clinton, Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)

Obama Adviser Larry Summers Was Involved In Negotiating The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, And Called It A "Major Step Forward Toward The 21st Century." "Mr. Summers, the Obama adviser, was among those who negotiated the [1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley] measure on behalf of the Clinton administration, and he praised it as a 'major step forward toward the 21st Century.'"
(Michael M. Phillips, Elizabeth Holmes and Amy Chozick, "Candidates Call Upon Big Names For Advice," The Wall Street Journal, 9/18/08)

President Clinton Signed The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Into Law On November 12, 1999 As Public Law No. 106-102.
(P.L. No. 106-102)

According To Non-Partisan FactCheck.org, The Act "Had Nothing To Do With Causing The Crisis"

FactCheck.org: The Act "Had Nothing To Do With Causing The Crisis." "Gramm's legislation had broad bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Clinton. Moreover, the bill had nothing to do with causing the crisis, and economists - not to mention President Clinton - praise it for having softened the crisis."
(Joe Miller And Brooks Jackson, "Who Caused The Economic Crisis?" FactCheck.org, 10/1/08)

Former President Clinton Said The Enactment Of The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Didn't Have "Anything To Do With The Current Crisis." Former President Clinton: "But I have really thought about this a lot. I don't see that signing that bill [the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act] had anything to do with the current crisis. Indeed, one of the things that has helped stabilize the current situation as much as it has is the purchase of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, which was much smoother than it would have been if I hadn't signed that bill."
(Editorial, "Bill V. Barack On Banks," The Wall Street Journal, 10/1/08)

ON FANNIE AND FREDDIE
The Obama Lie: Barack Obama tried to warn against the impending collapse of Fannie and Freddiehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.bold.gif

The Real Obama: John McCain Pushed For Fannie And Freddie Regulation While "Obama Was Notably Silent." Obama solicits advice and campaign contributions from executives and board members from the failed mortgage broker.

PROOF:
The Washington Post: In 2006, John McCain Pushed For Fannie And Freddie Regulation While "Obama Was Notably Silent." "In 2006, he pushed for stronger regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- while Mr. Obama was notably silent. 'If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole,' Mr. McCain warned at the time."
(Editorial, "'Always For Less Regulation'?" The Washington Post, 9/19/08)

In Just Four Years, Barack Obama Has Received More Money From Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac Than Any Other Member Of Congress In The Past Two Decades (Since 1989) Except Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Chris Dodd.
(Lindsay Renick Mayer, "Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac Invest In Lawmakers," Center For Responsive Politics' "Capital Eye" Blog, www.opensecrets.org , 9/11/08)

The Washington Post: "Two Members Of Mr. Obama's Political Circle, James A. Johnson And Franklin D. Raines, Are Former Chief Executives Of Fannie Mae."
(Editorial, "Tough Decision Coming," The Washington Post, 8/28/08)

Obama Adviser Jim Johnson Is The Former CEO Of Fannie Mae. "There is no public policy reason to exempt them. It is not fair.' Inside Fannie Mae's sprawling Wisconsin Avenue headquarters, Lightfoot's proposal set off alarms. A team of executives led by chief executive Jim Johnson and Vice Chairman Frank Raines gathered around the firm's 34-foot-long boardroom table to decide how to respond."
(David A. Vise, "Fannie Mae Lobbies Hard To Protect Its Tax Break," The Washington Post, 1/16/95)

The Obama Campaign Has Solicited Franklin Raines, Who "Stepped Down As Fannie Mae's Chief Executive Under The Shadow Of A $6.3 Billion Accounting Scandal," For "Advice On Mortgage And Housing Policy."
(Anita Huslin, "On The Outside Now, Watching Fannie Falter," The Washington Post, 7/16/08)

Former President Bill Clinton Said Democrats Bear Responsibility For Resisting Any Efforts To Reform Freddie And Fannie

Former President Bill Clinton: "I think the responsibility that the Democrats have may rest more in resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress, or by me when I was President, to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac."
(ABC's "Good Morning America," 9/25/08)

ON THE RESCUE PACKAGE
The Obama Lie: Barack Obama had a plan to combat the mortgage crisis.

The Real Obama: Barack Obama Did Not Make Calls To Round Up Votes For The Economic Recovery Package. Barack Obama Would Not Take A Position On Whether Or Not He Supported Or Opposed The Government Rescue Of AIG.

PROOF:
Barack Obama Did Not Make Calls To Round Up Votes For The Economic Recovery Package Obama Aides Concede Barack Obama Did Not Make Calls To Round Up Votes. ABC's JOHN BERMAN: "The McCain campaign has been hammering Obama suggesting he did not take a leading role in the financial negotiations." SEN. MCCAIN: "At first, he didn't want to get involved. Then, he was monitoring the situation." BERMAN: "Indeed, Obama aides say he did not make any calls to help round up votes."
(ABC's "Good Morning America," 9/30/08)

Barack Obama "Hinted That Had He Known Earlier The Deal Was Going Down To Defeat He Would Have Worked The Phones Even Harder." "Obama also hinted that had he known earlier the deal was going down to defeat he would have worked the phones even harder, especially given that some of those who voted no, were some of his early supporters."
(Lee Cowan, "Obama Places No Blame, But..." MSNBC's "First Read" Blog, http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com, Posted 9/30/08)

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) Said He Did Not Feel Pressure To Vote For The Bailout Bill. "Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., told me yesterday that he felt no pressure at all to vote for the bill. 'For me it was an easy decision,' Johnson said. 'The bill has nothing in there that mandates workouts of these foreclosures that are pending. We have up to 5 million that are meant to occur over the next year.'"
(Jake Tapper, "And What About Those 95 Democrats?" ABC News' "Political Punch" Blog, http://blogs.abcnews.com, Posted 9/30/08)

Barack Obama Was "Mum" On The Financial Crisis

The Washington Times: "Obama Mum On Market Crisis." "Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama opted Friday not to divulge details of his recovery plan for the financial crisis after a morning meeting with his top economic advisers - fearing it would stir Wall Street jitters."
(S.A. Miller, "Obama Mum On Market Crisis," The Washington Times, 9/20/08)

Barack Obama "Opted Friday Not To Divulge Details Of His Recovery Plan For The Financial Crisis." "Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama opted Friday not to divulge details of his recovery plan for the financial crisis after a morning meeting with his top economic advisers -- fearing it would stir Wall Street jitters."
(S.A. Miller, "Obama Mum On Market Crisis," The Washington Times, 9/20/08)

Fox News' Major Garrett Reported That Barack Obama Would Not Take A Position On Whether Or Not He Supported Or Opposed The Government Rescue Of AIG. GARRETT: "On the biggest financial issue of the day, Barack Obama would not say if he supported or opposed the government-backed rescue of insurance giant AIG." BARACK OBAMA: "We don't know all the details of the arrangement with AIG and the Federal Reserve must ensure that plans protect the families that count on insurance." GARRETT: "Obama also wants taxpayers protected but executives and shareholders exposed but on the central question to intervene or not, Obama sidestepped. Advisers said lack of details forced caution. The larger political truth: advisors believe anxiety alone is enough to lift Obama in the polls. That is why on the trail, Obama doesn't talk about specifics of the moment but the nation's overall direction."
(Fox News' "The Special Report," 9/17/08)

info from & for more info see: http://www.johnmccain.com/RhetoricvsRecord/