Obama Would be the most Liberal Candidate We've Ever Had

[Bullet1987]

People, especially on DU, don't know how Liberal Obama has been in the past. All you have to do is look at his stances and statements when he was a State Senator and see for yourself. He supported SINGLE-PAYER universal healthcare amoung other things. Anybody who says Obama is a corporate candidate don't know what they're talking about and don't know his history.

[Cameron27]

1. Based on what?

What makes him the most liberal candidate we've ever had?

[antiimperialist]

5. I think his voting record and his proposals are more liberal than Clinton's

Of course, we would have to round up all their votes and analyze them one by one, but from what I can remember Obama's proposals and votes have been more liberal-leaning.

[Cameron27]

12. Well I'd like to see the votes that made him

more liberal than Clinton. We had a comparison thread here last week, and they looked about the same.

On edit, the OP said the most liberal we've ever had... ROFL. I don't think so.

[Radical Activist]

51. Of the US Senate voting records?

I've seen those comparisons of Obama's two years in the Senate. Leaving out the rest of Obama's career and voting record is misleading. Yes, he is the most liberal. We're talking about a candidate who for most of his career was covered in the socialist newspaper in his district instead of the rest of the media.

[suston96]

18. "....the most Liberal Candidate We've Ever Had"

Those absolutes will always get you into trouble.....

If you had said: "....one of the most Liberal Candidate We've Ever Had..." well then, maybe, you might be right.

[Cameron27]

25. You mean the OP, right? ... lol

[DaLittle Kitty]

54. Here is the most Liberal candidates we've ever had?

Obama Calls Iran a Threat to World Peace
by John McCormick
Chicago Tribune

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsI...

Seeking to woo Jewish votes and contributions, Sen. Barack Obama told an audience in Chicago on Friday that he considers Iran "one of the greatest threats to the United States, Israel and world peace" and pledged he would try to end Tehran's uranium-enrichment program.

Wow and Obama was a No Show for the Kyle Amendment? Guess we know where he stands now.:nuke:

[polichick]

2. Why has his rhetoric changed?? nt

[BringBigDogBack]

38. It's called campaigning, there brain.

He's running to the middle. He'll govern to the left.

[polichick]

40. Why the insult?

I'm not impressed by candidates who run to the middle to campaign ~ imo Bill Clinton didn't govern to the left after running to the middle; there's no reason to think Obama would either. Besides, they usually run to the middle AFTER the nomination.

[sandnsea]

42. He supported it in theory, what he said was

If he were building a health care system from scratch, he'd probably go for a single payer plan. But we're not, so he doesn't think we can leap from where we are to single payer in one step. I don't either. That's why I support subsidized premiums immediately, a buy-in to Medicaid or Medicare second, and then we can see where we are with costs and nonprofits.

[Radical Activist]

48. How does a progressive apeal to a majority of voters?

I look at record over rhetoric. I look closely at the moderate record of the Johnny come lately liberal who decided to start sounding more liberal for the Democratic primary.

[polichick]

55. Too bad he doesn't believe in his progressive views enough to speak them boldly...

...or vote them when the issue is controversial ~ THAT'S the kind of leader we need now.

[Radical Activist]

56. Obama has a great voting record.

I see Obama talk about progressive issues every day. He speaks about them in a way that appeals to a majority of voters instead of just pandering to the liberal base, which should really be on his side already.

[polichick]

57. I wouldn't call missing so many votes "a great record"

imo he covers his butt and panders to the right ~ trying to unite with everyone EXCEPT the base. Taking the base for granted is a huge problem for Dems, as we've seen with this Congress, so I disagree when you say the base "should really be on his side already."

[Radical Activist]

58. I guess some people hear what they want to hear

and don't hear what they don't want to hear. I looked at the headlines and press releases on his website and his message looks liberal to me:

Obama Vows Consistent Support for American Workers

Obama Wants to Aid Many Who Feel Ignored

Obama to Fight for Tax Fairness for Middle Class

Obama Vows to Protect Children from Lead-Based Toys

Obama Unveils Disabilities and Equal Opportunities Plan

Obama Statement on Climate Change Negotiations in Bali

Obama Issues Call to Serve, Vows to Make National Service Important Cause of His Presidency

In Major Policy Speech, Obama Announces Plan to Provide All Americans with a World-Class Education



Social justice, environment, education, economic fairness. Take a look at his website and his speeches. It all looks progressive.

[polichick]

59. This isn't the general election yet - they should all be progressive...

Different Dem voters are going to see the candidates through their own eyes, their own experiences ~ we all have to find the one that resonates best. Honestly, none of these candidates really do it for me, but they'd all be better than any of the Republicans ~ unless someone really great steps into the picture, I'll support the Dem who gets the nod.

[Carrieyazel]

71. Unfortunately, Senators can be taken down on their voting records alone.

That's why Senators rarely win the Presidency. He has a lot of great votes, that's for sure. But in many cases you cast contradictory votes. Your voting record is also easily distorted. That's the problem.

[BringBigDogBack]

60. I look at those same things.

[wyldwolf]

3. Nah. Anyone who says that doesn't know Barack Obama

[maximusveritas]

4. I don't know about that

He's more liberal than the other top tier candidates, but I don't think he'd be our most liberal candidate ever. He didn't really support single-payer, even in the State Senate. He thinks it would be an ideal system if starting from scratch, but didn't think there was a way to realistically get there from where we are now.

[antiimperialist]

6. On Iraq, Cuban embargo, illegal immigrant driver license and diplomacy, Obama is more liberal

By diplomacy i'm referring to the conditions he will set to talk to hard-liners and dictators in other nations.

[TwilightZone]

7. More liberal than Jesse Jackson? Ted Kennedy?

They were both candidates once upon a time.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. So were Carter and McGovern

[TwilightZone]

10. Very true. In those cases, not just candidates, but nominees, as well.

[Radical Activist]

52. They weren't nominees.

I agree that Obama would be the most liberal nominee we've ever had. I don't think we've had a candidate who came right out of left wing activism movements like Obama does.

[TwilightZone]

61. The OP doesn't say nominee. It says candidate.

[goodgd_yall]

66. Left wing activism? Please explain.

[Radical Activist]

68. Yes, perfectly accurate.

Study up on his background and the kind of community organizing work he did knocking on doors in Chicago south side public housing projects. Read up on Project Vote (closely affiliated with ACORN) which he also worked for. Its a 100% accurate way to describe his work before running for office.

[denem]

72. Ted Kennedy 1980 was DLC

He's become a bit more liberal now, like Al Gore.

[joeybee12]

9. George McGovern...

...enough said to disprove this.

[blm]

11. Kerry was, hands down. Submitted FIRST gay protection legislation in Senate in

the 80s. Submitted first public-financing of campaign legislation w/Wellstone in 1997. Led the Senate on environmental issues, as acknowledged by Al Gore. Uncovered and investigated more government corruption than ANY lawmaker in modern history and along with that gave the citizenry and congress MORE access to what had been considered secret executive documents.

[MH1]

26. You are correct

Kerry led on acid rain as Lt Gov of MA before becoming Senator. LCV listed him as an "environmental champion", he and Teresa started a non-profit to teach sustainability at colleges before most casual tree-huggers even knew what "sustainability" meant, has led on CAFE and ANWR and many other enviro issues throughout his career.

Kerry's Clean Elections bill that he co-authored with Wellstone would have been REAL campaign finance reform but of course it got torpedoed for the more-palatable-to-the-money-machine McCain-Feingold bill.

Kerry's family health bill that became SCHIP under Kennedy's sponsorship is another example.

Kerry went to Nicaragua with Harkin to listen to the elected leader there, even though Ortega is not a perfect human being.

Kerry also has spoken out against ridiculous drug sentencing laws that do nothing to solve the real issues with drugs, and opposes the death penalty.

Many "progressives" don't realize what they have in John Kerry.

But that said, Obama will govern very well for all Americans, I think, and that is what the country needs and will elect right now.

[blm]

29. Any open government Democrat is fine with me at this point. NO closed government

Democrat will ever get my support.

[TeamJordan23]

39. Also voted for Bush' war. nm

[blm]

41. No - he voted for IWR and opposed Bush's DECISION to invade when IWR was working

and weapon inspections were proving force was not needed - exactly as he promised he would do if Bush didn't administer the IWR honestly. And as Hillary and others who voted for IWR did not do and instead supported Bush's DECISION to go to war.

That IWR has nothing to do with whether a lawmaker had a liberal record or not. Do you think Obama should be judged ONLY by what nominees he let pass or his failure to sign on to letter of inquiry of Downing Street Memos?

I defend Obama quite a bit here, and I do it FAIRLY. A little accuracy on YOUR part might go a long way.

You want to make a case that Kerry wasn't a liberal when he has a 35 year record of public service - go right ahead. But I doubt you can find one other lawmaker in DC who has effected this nation's HISTORIC RECORD more positively than Kerry has over the last 3 decades.

[sandnsea]

46. Also addressed the DSM

And would be investigating the yellowcake and other war lies if he were in charge.

[sandnsea]

44. I agree

Obama is more liberal than portrayed, and I think more in tune with how policy affects real people, but Kerry is definitely more liberal across the board.

[sniffa]

13. wishful thinking

or maybe it's revisionism. some already named just a handful of liberal nominees.

Dukakis was a reich wing fascist though.

edit - see?

[joeybee12]

22. He was on C-Span yesterday...20 years later and he still

looks the same!

[sniffa]

23. was he shaving?

[sampsonblk]

14. Funny, I've never heard HIM say that

There must be a reason for that omission on his part.

[Radical Activist]

50. Wanting to win a majority of votes?

Its sad to think that as soon as a progressive candidate does all the thing it takes to get elected (raise money, good media coverage, a message that appeals to more than just liberals) then at that point some progressives will turn their backs on one of their own because he doesn't pander to them in speeches or because of some kind of perpetual losers mentality that says anyone who does well must not be good enough. Progressives really shoot themselves in the foot.

[sampsonblk]

62. Friend, that's absurd

Telling the truth is not pandering. Its called being honest.

[Renew Deal]

15. I thought Kerry was the most liberal candidate ever.

I heard that pile of horseshit 3 years ago.

[MH1]

28. Kerry was certainly more liberal than Gore or Clinton.

Possibly not the most liberal GE candidate in history, though.

[Forkboy]

16. I'm kicking this for the comedic value alone.

:evilgrin:

[sniffa]

19. let me help out

:thumbsup:

[Bluebear]

33. I'm in.

[sniffa]

36. thanks buddy

:hug:

[Warren Stupidity]

17. "He supported SINGLE-PAYER universal healthcare "

unfortunately that is not his current position.

[antiimperialist]

20. True. HIs health care proposal is arguably the weakest of all 3 major candidates. n/t

[mrreowwr_kittty]

32. Which means it has the best chance of actually being implemented.

Americans are not going to go for "mandates", and the GOP is going to push that theme hard if HRC or JE get the nom.

[rinsd]

70. Obama's plan carries mandates for children.

[MethuenProgressive]

21. ObamaNation sucks at history.

[annie1]

24. Are Kucinish and Edwards more liberal?

[ClarkUSA]

27. National Journal ranked Senators this year & rated Obama most liberal overall of all prez candidates

Link: http://nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/lib.htm

[maximusveritas]

31. Most liberal of this year's candidates (excluding Kucinich and Gravel), but not all time

There's no evidence for that claim.

[ClarkUSA]

35. I never said that, did I? I was providing facts about the current field for the people here.

I am tired of the Hillaryworld meme that Obama is a closet Republican.

[Zynx]

30. Truman ran an amazingly liberal campaign...and won.

[annie1]

34. I might be too young to know,but wasn't Jimmy Carter more liberal?

[sandnsea]

47. Not then, no

He did a lot of deregulating and was just generally more centrist as President. Don't forget, he launched the failed rescue mission of the Iranian hostages. He graduated from the Naval Academy and served 7 years. He put the grain embargo on the USSR. As President, he wasn't the same genteel guy he is now. Although he sure wasn't a cowboy like Reagan either.

[Hippo_Tron]

67. De-regulation I'll give you

But Carter was the first cold-war era President to really question the policy of propping up brutal dictators just because they weren't left-wing. Also, he didn't carpet bomb Tehran to get the hostages released and that took some serious courage and restraint not to do.

[Maven]

37. Nah...he's the *commercial candidate*

Policy positions sure to threaten no one, least of all the theocrats, or the defense, nuclear, coal and health insurance industries, slick logos, slogans, and media personality endorsements--with pretty packaging like that, all his campaign needs now is a barcode and price tag.

[Kucinich4America]

43. Let's nominate the REAL Liberal candidate

http://www.dennis4president.com

[killbotfactory]

45. His history is the key to understanding him

and where he is coming from.

If you don't know yet, this is a good start:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/14/21433/589/757/422317
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/15/113124/87/613/422461
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/12/16/11305/823/252/422838

[Radical Activist]

49. Obama came from left wing movement activism.

It amazes me to see people portray Obama as conservative. They have no clue about who he is. It even more bizarre when it comes from a supporter of Edwards who has a very moderate/conservative record in the Senate. Obama is no Johnny come lately liberal. He has always been there and still is.

[Franc_Lee]

53. I like Obama, I believe in Obama, I'm going to vote for Obama...

[Beacool]

63. What are you talking about?

His record, that is when he bothers to actually vote, is very similar to Hillary's. The most liberal would be Kucinich, then Edwards.

[Bullet1987]

64. Guys, I meant to say PRESIDENT...not candidate.

[goodgd_yall]

65. Are you kidding? Kucinich is the most liberal

surely you must know that. Unless you're dismissing him just like the MSM.

[Carrieyazel]

69. But when was the last time a liberal candidate won a national election??

There are too many Republicans, conservative-leaning Independents, and moderates out there in a general election. That's the reality. Although you want these people to stay home; they're not going to do that. These people will never vote for a candidate who is perceived as a mainstream liberal Democratic candidate. Look at all of our candidates from the past who've lost:

McGovern, Mondale, Dukakis, Kerry. They could not win in many parts of the country beyond the Democratic base. Obama looks to be a very similar case.

[democrat2thecore]

73. McGovern - the most liberal nominee -nt