What are Obama's successes?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

I was listening to Sean Hannity this afternoon (yeah, I know) and he was pestering this college guy who called in saying that he supports Obama and Sean challenged him to name any of Obama's "successes" and the guy couldn't name any. It made me realize that I couldn't really think of any myself but then again I'm not entirely certain what Sean meant by "successes". I later realized that I assumed that he was probably talking about legislative accomplishments which I'm not too sure about although I'm certain he has plenty (not that they would impress Hannity or any of his "ilk", of course). Are things like him overcoming a difficult childhood, becoming a constitutional law professor, serving as both a state senator AND a US Senator, and, most importantly, becoming the presidential nominee of a major political party NOT enough to qualify as "successes" for Obama and what kind of "successes" (I wonder) does Sean think a candidate for POTUS SHOULD have under their belt in order to be considered "worthy" of the office? What made George Bush a "success" in his eyes when he failed at pretty much everything he did prior to becoming governor of Texas twice and being (s)elected President twice not to mention his MASSIVE failure to protect us on 09/11/01? What are John McCain's "successes" and how do they make him more qualified than Obama to be President? I know that it doesn't matter what the answers are because Hannity is a propoganda arm for the RNC and McCain. I just thought I'd put this out there so that we might prepare ourselves if this becomes the next big "talking point" for the GOP.

[Muttocracy]

1. some info on Obama's site

http://factcheck.barackobama.com/factcheck2/legislative_record/

[babylonsister]

2. Here's a good thread to 'prepare' yourself:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=6303258

[Muttocracy]

3. I was just about to say, ask FrenchieCat! :)

[rinsd]

4. Earmark & spending transparency and nuclear arms securement are the biggest ones in the Senate.

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act

Senator Obama worked closely with Senator Coburn, to draft and ultimately pass the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. President Bush signed this measure into law in September of 2006.

This important bill will bring badly needed transparency to Federal spending by creating a user-friendly website to search all government contracts, grants, earmarks, and loans, thereby opening up Federal financial transactions to public scrutiny. This measure was cosponsored by more than 40 Senators and received the support of more than 100 outside groups from all parts of the political spectrum. It was also endorsed by dozens of editorial boards across the country from the Wall Street Journal, to the Chicago Sun-Times and The Oklahoman.
The Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act

Hidden, last-minute earmarks hide pork and add to wasteful federal spending. Senator Obama sponsored the Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act. The bill would shed light on the almost 16,000 earmarks that were included in spending bills in 2005. Under the bill, all earmarks, including the name of the requestor and a justification for the earmark, would have to be disclosed 72 hours before they could be considered by the full Senate. Senators would be prohibited from advocating for an earmark if they have a financial interest in the project or earmark recipient. And, earmark recipients would have to disclose to an Office of Public Integrity the amount that they have spent on registered lobbyists and the names of those lobbyists. Several of these provisions were included in the ethics and lobbying reform bill that passed the Senate in January 2007.

Stopping Nuclear Terrorism and Weapons Proliferation

Senator Obama traveled in 2005 to the former Soviet Union with Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) to investigate the dangers posed by unsecured weapons. The two senators introduced legislation that was signed into law in January 2007 to help other nations detect and stop the transfer of weapons of mass destruction. The legislation also established the next generation of cooperative threat reduction efforts to destroy conventional weapons that could fall into the wrong hands. Senator Obama worked with Senator Lugar to ensure that funding was appropriated for the Lugar-Obama nonproliferation initiative.

Senator Obama also joined with Senator Hagel (R-NE) to introduce a broad bill that seeks to prevent nuclear terrorism, reduce global nuclear arsenals, and stop the spread of nuclear weapons and related technology. One provision, which was signed into law as part of the FY08 omnibus appropriations bill, requires the President to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for ensuring that all nuclear weapons and weapons-usable material at vulnerable sites around the world are secure by 2012 to keep them out of the hands of terrorists.

[Gabi Hayes]

5. whenEVER somebody asks you this, don't answer the way they want: ask them

what success McCain has had? then start rattling off the Keating 5, the Paxson letter, the 9 lobbyists running his campaign, the ZERO appearances for ANY environmental votes in the Senate, the 95% record of voting with Bush.

the continuance of Bush's tax breaks for the rich, despite voting against them in the past.

the vote for torture, despite speaking against it before the vote

his miserable record of support for Veterans' affairs

the fact that Iraq soldiers are giving Obama SIX times the money they give to McCain

IOW, DON'T allow them to frame the terms of debate. turn it back on them. that's what the pugs do, and that's how they "win"

too bad the caller wasn't aware of that simple axiom of political back and forth. Han-tittie uses it all the time.

[DJ13]

6. He did what no Bush ever could

He beat a Clinton.

[BeFree]

7. And what about Mcsame?

he's been a leader of the repubs for 26 years and where has that got us?

$4 a gallon gas. Endless wars. Health care crises. Global warming.

Thanks to mcsame and all the rest of them pubs.

[Median Democrat]

8. Here Is An Issue On Which He Has Been Most Outspoken, But Sshhhhhh!

Big Media does not want you to know, Obama has been very active and effective as an advocate for a diverse and independent media, and an outspoken critic of the FCC's relaxation of media ownership rules. John McCain? Lost in the Vicki Iselman affair allegations is the fact that Vicki Iselman was able to secure McCain's support for her telecommunications and media clients:

Why Obama Must Win - Why Disney (ABC) and News Corp (Fox) Ultimately Will Stop Him - Media Diversity

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6606530

[Proud Liberal Dem]

9. Thanks everybody for your responses

I KNEW that there had to be more information out there about Obama's "successes". I also agree that we need to start turning the tables on THEM more when they challenge us.