This Obama campaign video may be too explicit for you to watch

We have to warn you in advance, this video is really extremely painful to watch.

First, some background: Every presidential campaign knows that the most valuable resource it has, even including all the money it takes to get into the Oval Office, is their candidate's time. There are only so many days before each election and only 1,440 minutes in each day. And the poor candidate needs to sleep some too.

So every campaign builds a list of surrogates, supporters who are briefed on the current campaign message, and booked onto TV and radio shows to spread the word in an enthusiastic, informed and intelligent way. These surrogates range from the candidate's spouse and children to U.S. senators and governors to state legislators.

Even Chuck Norris has been able to talk on TV. Mike Huckabee' s veteran communications consultant, Kirsten Fedewa, has helped spread the campaign's modest budget farther by booking him and his surrogates on shows worth more than $100 million of free air time, for example.

Cable TV shows with all that time to fill are the hungriest spots for....

free talking heads to make their pitches. And they can be intimidating experiences for newcomers to the pressures of live national TV. (Have you ever had that dream about showing up for class and learning it's actually the final exam?)

After Tuesday night's election Barack Obama's campaign booked Texas State Sen. Kirk Watson on the MSNBC "Hardball" show with Chris Matthews. Opposite Streeter was Hillary Clinton surrogate Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio.

She made the standard case for her candidate. Matthews turned to Watson and asked him to name some legislative accomplishments of the Illinois senator. Dead silence. As they're taught to do when cornered, surrogate Watson tried to turn the conversation in another direction.

But Matthews, smelling blood, would have none of that. He interrupted and pressed the senator over and over again to name one thing Obama had accomplished in the Senate. More silence. You could almost hear Clinton campaign workers smiling while Obama's groaned.

Today, Watson posted a good-natured message on his website saying, "So...that really happened." And explaining that he had anticipated talking about Obama's big Wisconsin win or the March 4 Texas primary and when thrown a curved hardball on national television, "my mind went blank."

Clinton, for her part, couldn't resist twisting the knife, delightedly talking about the incident during a speech in New York City Wednesday as proof that her opponent is all eloquent talk and no substance, while her campaign helpfully e-mailed the video clip to reporters across the country as "must-see TV."

If you insist on viewing the painful interview, here it is.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Ronald Loui]

Well, this is actually good. I've taken this line before when it comes to smears, and I'll take it again. When there is TIME for the people to have a look, and someone raises the issue, well, then let's all have a look at the facts.

I claim Hillary Clinton's "experience" in the Senate is mediocre, characterized by a failure to get any major legislation passed that she authored, using the committees to berate people like General Petraeus, and passing legislation mainly to do things like rename post offices (for good people, to be sure, but hardly controversial, difficult bipartisan legislation). So you can't just look at her percentages, you have to read the synpsis of the bill.

The Clinton people respond that Obama's supporters don't know his major legislative accomplishments when put on the spot. OK, that may be true, but clearly that's only true of some supporters, and not reflective of Obama's actual Senate record.

Here is where you find factual resolution of this dispute: thomas.loc.gov, search for "Clinton bill" and "Obama bill", and read the first 50 results. Or go to www.senate.gov and do a similar search. Remember that proposing a bill is NOT the same as getting a bill passed as law.

Now, anyone out there care to post the results? Go ahead, let's hear what you find!

[Gavin]

PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE EXAMPLE OF THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND THE OVERATED OBAMA campaign...

Trust me, Chris Matthews has done his fair share of slamming on Hillary - so this was completely fair, and surely the state senator's reaction demonstrated the lack of evidence to support Barack's talking points.

I support Hillary Rodham Clinton, not only for her legistlative accomplishments--which she DOES possess, but also become of her skill, resiliency, and prepardness to lead the country out of the doldrums we are in.

[Chris]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for writing this article!!! I think the American press has NOT vetted Obama or his campaign. I think it is very important he is vetted, if he wishes to hold the highest office in the land. So many people have jumped on the "Obama HOPE" wagon, and yet- When you ask an Obama supporter what "Change" they are trying to accomplish, they just start sounding like Obama...Ummmm..hope...ummm...yes we can...YES we can WHAT?!

[Kay Long]

I watched and didn't find Watson's responses so painful as I found Matthews arrogant and bullying. He decided that Obama supporters MUST be supporting him because of his list of accomplishments. I support Barack because he inspires me to remember the America that the world used to admire, and gives me hope that together we can get there again; and because he offers fresh approaches to old challenges. His background in political action is impressive, and he stands for what I want America to be. Only I — not Chris Matthews — will decide why I'm voting for Barack Obama. Matthews is a jerk who needed to be put in his place, which I thought KO did nicely.

(Interesting point. Missing "KO"?)

[Shawn]

Since Hillary lacks a distinguished legislative record, all she can do is mock an Obama surrogate for flubbing an interview. That's rich. Unlike Hillary, Obama has an impressive legislative record, passing major ethics reform and a nuclear non-proliferation bill that experts say has greatly improved our national security, to name just two.

[KWinn]

LA Times who wants so bad for Billary to win they actually think that this will slow down the momentum of Barack Obama; haha you are sadly mistaken. Painful..one person..not the whole campaign and I couldn't care less what Matthews thinks..my mind is made up for Obama and no amount of trickery by LA Times, Matthews or those that are resorting to negative campaigning will change it!!

[LS]

Why was Senator Clinton represented as having done something wrong in this article? this is about Obama and his campaign, Hillary didn't twist the knife, this was fair game. Obama and his team have been going after Hillary full throttle; and Hillary "twisted the knife"; What she can't play politics, only Obama can, even when there is a huge error on the Obama camp, someone makes it about Senator Clinton.

[Jordan Davies]

Sincer Obama has a very good legislative record, easily found, Mr Watson obviously didn't do his homework to prepare for such a question from Mr Matthews. However, this does not in any way taint Senator Obama's record nor his ability.

[Delman]

Most people voting for him don't care what his list of accomplishments are. George W. Bush probably had a list 2 pages long. What a fine president he turned out to be.

[Ben]

NO, PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A CLINTON THAT IS SO GOOD AT RHETORIC THAT SHE CAN CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT SHE ISN'T A RHETORICIAN.

Hilary Clinton is someone who will say anything to get a vote. She is in so many pockets in Washington that even IF she were to get elected, accepting the fact that she REALLY CAN make up her mind on what she believes, which I have not seen any evidence on, she would be obligated to SO many people that she couldn't effectively do her job.

Her line against Obama about his inexperience is simply that. A line. Rhetoric. At least Obama's rhetoric is different than other rhetoric in the past, and by the way. . . what exactly is Hilary experienced at?

1.Not getting a health care bill passed when she had 4 years to work on it.

2. Passing legislation to chastise a military General? (ok this is just pointless if not laughable.)

3. Living in the White House while her husband ran the country.

4. Renaming post offices. . .

4. Moving to a state where she knew she could be elected, just so she could be elected to do the very thing that she is doing right now, TRYING TO GET BACK IN HER FAVORITE HOUSE.

[mary schwabe]

Kay Long's comments are right on. I watch Chris
Matthews on a regular basis and this incident was about as arrogant and nasty as he has ever been.
It was NOT Hardball as Chris mistakenly thought. He can ask any question he wants; but when Watson said he was not prepared to answer it why did Chris go after him like a pitbull? That was more about Chris being arrogant and meanspirited; not content with exposing Watson's unpreparedness/ignorance, but needing to angrily rub his face in the dirt over and over.
It was a victory interview after an exhausting election day; not a Hardball visit where the
guest knows to be prepared for anything.
I've noticed Chris' behavior changing recently in that he is cutting his guests off mid-sentence more and more so that he can say what he wants to say. I am interested in hearing his guests as well. I enjoy a thoughtful exchange of ideas between respectful, informed individuals, not a bloodsport.

[Kenneth Cardenas]

NOT TRUE:
Obama has an impressive legislative record, passing major ethics reform and a nuclear non-proliferation bill that experts say has greatly improved our national security, to name just two.

NOBAMA NOBAMA NOBAMA

[Dennis]

I think most of us watching this just feel sorry for an inexperienced local politician (probably just a guy who owns a small business and got elected). This was likely his first time on national television and his fist time to be treated this way.

Chris Matthews looks like a bully and a jerk. This will earn sympathy for that small town politician.

This won't hurt Barack Obama. People know that it isn't the candidate and Senator Obama can (and does) outline his successes.

I know that the Clinton people need something, anything to feel better about their race. Their candidate has now lost eleven races in a row (including Democrats Abroad decided today) and reports came out today that she ended January with 7.5 million in debt even after her personal loan of 5 million. Her campaign is over. The race has, for all purposes, been decided.

This clip won't hurt Obama. It does hurt Chris Matthews, badly. And if it gives a little cheer to Hillary's despairing supporters for a day, well, then, so be it.

[Dorothy Greenlin]

Thank you for publishing this article. Obama talks change but all I hear is a lot of fluff and no substance. What change??? Spare change??? What about Oprah's rediculous swooning on Obama, as well.

Hillary on the other hand speaks of accomplishments and solid plans. She puts in the due diligence and takes a position. It takes research, passion, and knowledge to stand for issues. She is not a hothead. Let's take our time and make the right choice.

[Jon]

Hah!

[Ron PArker]

The way is see it,

Americans are out looking for a knight in shining armor to rescue them from the dark days of the Bush Administration and lead them to the glorious days of Camelot. It looks like they are going to choose the dashing young, charismatic, Freshman Senator, Barak Obama, as the one to take them there. That's too bad because while those days of Camelot are not beyond Obama’s vision they are far beyond his grasp. Having served as the Freshman Senator from Illinois for seven years gives him the equivalent education in politics of a kindergarten student. This is not the time to put a politician in training at the helm of the ship of state that President G. W. Bush policies have torpedoed and left sinking in a sea of debt and up to it’s eyeballs in almost insurmountable international problems. It will take more than Obama has to offer to undo the horrific damage left in Bush’s wake.

Washington is a jungle and the beasts that live there in will eat Obama alive leaving nothing but an empty suit of dented armor and an even bleaker future for American’s. Barak is a fine young man. He’s intelligent, sophisticated, appealing and, perhaps, eloquent. But, the sad fact is he is just too inexperienced to do the job of President of The United States of America at this point in history.

It’s no wonder Obama is doing so well in the race for the Democratic leadership and candidate for the Presidency. The Bush Administration has created an atmosphere of confusion, drowned the American’s trust in their leaders, and all but destroyed America democracy. Young America is frothing at the mouth for change and Obama offers “change you can believe in”. Black American’s are so excited about the prospect of having a black President they will vote for Obama with their hearts.

Young American’s, of any color, are starry eyed at the opportunity to make real change and faced with two choices, either, of which will be an historical decision they, too, will vote with their heads in the clouds and their feet planted solidly in thin air.

They can elect a woman. That would be a major change. Or, they can go all out and vote for a black man. Wow, now that would really be change. So needing to show how much change they really want, how much change they desperately need, they will likely opt for the more radical of the two choices they have. American’s will choose Barak Obama. Because they are so desperate for change that they will vote to show how much change they really want instead of change that is smart.

What will they get? They’ll get a fine young man who really has the best interests of his country at heart, but a man who can’t deliver what the country needs. They will get a knight in shining armor he can’t quite fill, riding a pony, carrying a toothpick for a lance.

Anyway, that’s how I see it.

Ron Parker

[Ron PArker]

The way is see it,

Americans are out looking for a knight in shining armor to rescue them from the dark days of the Bush Administration and lead them to the glorious days of Camelot. It looks like they are going to choose the dashing young, charismatic, Freshman Senator, Barak Obama, as the one to take them there. That's too bad because while those days of Camelot are not beyond Obama’s vision they are far beyond his grasp. Having served as the Freshman Senator from Illinois for seven years gives him the equivalent education in politics of a kindergarten student. This is not the time to put a politician in training at the helm of the ship of state that President G. W. Bush policies have torpedoed and left sinking in a sea of debt and up to it’s eyeballs in almost insurmountable international problems. It will take more than Obama has to offer to undo the horrific damage left in Bush’s wake.

Washington is a jungle and the beasts that live there in will eat Obama alive leaving nothing but an empty suit of dented armor and an even bleaker future for American’s. Barak is a fine young man. He’s intelligent, sophisticated, appealing and, perhaps, eloquent. But, the sad fact is he is just too inexperienced to do the job of President of The United States of America at this point in history.

It’s no wonder Obama is doing so well in the race for the Democratic leadership and candidate for the Presidency. The Bush Administration has created an atmosphere of confusion, drowned the American’s trust in their leaders, and all but destroyed America democracy. Young America is frothing at the mouth for change and Obama offers “change you can believe in”. Black American’s are so excited about the prospect of having a black President they will vote for Obama with their hearts.

Young American’s, of any color, are starry eyed at the opportunity to make real change and faced with two choices, either, of which will be an historical decision they, too, will vote with their heads in the clouds and their feet planted solidly in thin air.

They can elect a woman. That would be a major change. Or, they can go all out and vote for a black man. Wow, now that would really be change. So needing to show how much change they really want, how much change they desperately need, they will likely opt for the more radical of the two choices they have. American’s will choose Barak Obama. Because they are so desperate for change that they will vote to show how much change they really want instead of change that is smart.

What will they get? They’ll get a fine young man who really has the best interests of his country at heart, but a man who can’t deliver what the country needs. They will get a knight in shining armor he can’t quite fill, riding a pony, carrying a toothpick for a lance.

Anyway, that’s how I see it.

Ron Parker

[sam]

You know, during the aftermath of 9/11, I could honestly say that watching "all" Americans unite in comforting one another, exercising good will through tragedy, made me proud to be an American for the first time. I was 41 years old at the time.

[Clintonista]

Okay, say we make the argument that "experience" is all that matters. Hillary has 35 years, supposedly, so she is the nominee for the Democrats.

But McCain is a good hundred years older than Clinton. And has served in the Senate for at least 25 years. And before that, he was in the military for another 20 years.

45+ YEARS PWNS HILLARY!

Not to mention being a POW means you have TRULY been tested and vetted.

Surely Clinton is shooting herself in the foot with this experience argument. I just sit back and laugh. I wonder if anyone can find a clip of Clinton trying to get the Woodstock Museum legislation passed. YES WE CAN!

*choke*

[Patsy Caraway]

Sen. Obama has no legislative background in the US Senate and hence his platform of hope and change takes the place of that. He even claimed to have done something in the IL senate that he didn't do: he claimed to have provided all IL citizens w/health care coverage and he did not. DON'T BELIEVE HIS LIES. IT'S ALL CAMPAIGN REHETORIC AND HYPERBOLE, NOT EXPERIENCE. If an IL citizen doesn't have private insurance, anyone over 25 and under 65 cannot get state Medicaid in IL, I know for I have tried...I lost my job and COBRA was $322 a month to continue my insurance coverage...this was too expensive to carry and still pay my bills. So, contrary to what Sen. Obama claims HE DID NOT HELP PASS LEGISLATION TO EXTEND FULL HEALTH INSURANCE TO IL CITIZENS! SO, after 48 years of working and paying state and federal taxes I cannot get health coverage from either my state or federal governments, even though any illegal alien can get health care in the state of IL, and he does not even address that issue.

[First of all]

What a joke this argument is. Chris Matthews spewing his authority for the sake of this discussion is as contrived as most of America's interpretations of Clinton or Obama. Experience vs. Change. There, its been said, choose one, get over it, move on. Don't give the campaign advertising agencies too much credit on the candidates behalf and start spewing their language all over the place like an unintelligible media bastard Matthews. The democratic candidates are still "moderate" despite their perceived progressiveness.

[avant Strangel]

I find it interesting that the person representing Hillary wasn't posed the question. She was just as vague as he was.

Personally I think everyone should verify the info themselves at the thomas jerfferson library of congress website
http://thomas.loc.gov/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/20/201332/807?detail=f

[Mark C. Eades]

Last time I checked, Kirk Watson wasn't running for president. I'm sure Clinton and Obama both have lots of supporters who might not be able to answer each and every question Chris Matthews throws at them on Hardball. I doubt I could, either. To take this as a reflection on the candidate him/herself is silly, and anyone who thinks this will stick to Obama is sadly mistaken: The story, if indeed there ever was a story, will be gone tomorrow.

[Nathan]

Kwinn-
I'm not sure how you deduce that the LA Times wants Hillary to win when they endorsed Obama.

I am an Obama supporter but I don't think there is anything unfair about this coverage. The guy choked.

[Jack]

Gee KWinn (2/21 at 4:45 a.m.), do you know who the LA Times endorsed as the Democratic candidate for President? Sen. Obama. I don't think posting this blog (just as they post many others of differing views) really constitutes a desire for Sen. Clinton to be president or any trickery.

[It's about winning]

Guys, let's remember the overarching objective here: to get a Democrat in the White House in November!! This is not about which of the candidates has supporters who can best describe their accomplishments. It's about who can beat McCain in November. My humble opinion (supported by every poll I have seen) is that Obama is the one to beat McCain - if we push Hillary, there are so many people on both sides who dislike her that we might actually hand over a White House which is otherwise ours to lose this year. Fewer Republicans are expected to show up because conservatives are lukewarm about McCain - but as one of them said on NPR, the one thing that WILL get them to get out and vote would be the prospect of "President Hillary Clinton". Let's be strategic here guys, dial down the partisanship inside the progressive camp, and put the person who has the best chance to win forward. No question it's Obama hands down, but if anyone out there has data or arguments to the contrary I'm all ears...

[matt]

Very telling video. I find that a lot of Obama supporters can't explain why they vote for him either. Wake up America! Hillary '08

[riano]

Would you consider changing your mind if it wasn't due to trickery or negative campaigning?

Didn't the LA Times endorse your candidate, Sen. Obama instead of Sen. Clinton? Maybe it is all part of the trickery...

[Tina]

I am a supporter of Obama and I know that he may not have the amount of expirence that Hillary has. I am not here to down play her "expirence". But this country is going to shambles fast. Maybe it's time that we got a fresh outlook and someone who is hungry for change. In my opinion hunger and drive beat out expirence. After all George Bush had "expirence" and look what he has done.

[dennis urbano]

Well, it is clear to me that HRC and BO are the perfect couple for the WH. HRC as the president an BO as... well the press secretary...

[Phil]

The question posed to Obama's surrogate spokesman was irrelevant. Notwithstanding that Clinton's legislative record is meager itself, legislative prowess has never been an indicator of presidential competence. Legislation is NOT a leadership function, and certainly not an executive one. Presidents who got big things done --e.g. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Reagan were all either lacking legislative experience or had modest legislative accomplishment. Very few activist presidents were in the Lyndon Johnson mold of master legislator. Good presidents must offer a combination of inspiration, decisiveness, collaboration and imposition of will. They are *executives* not law writers. Like JFK in 1960, Obama's executive composition is more conjecture than certain, but Clinton's is known to be largely absent or negative. Notwithstanding everything that's come before, Clinton's campaign is exhibit A in the case against her competence.

[Dave Schlueter]

Why is Obama winning even though he lacks any real experience and basically is an unknown ? Because Hillary is a known quality -- we know her well and hate her -- and refuse to vote for her. Many of Obama's supporters are ABC (Anybody But Clinton) voters -- it is either Obama or a Republican. I am hoping for a new face and vision, not another paid for political hack.

[GCramer]

The sad truth of the interview, if you listen closely, is that Hillary's representative doesn't actually list any accomplishments either. She lists all the things Hillary has been pushing for but has not accomplished. And we all know by now how she sold her soul to the devil on the health care issue.

Unfortunately, that still doesn't give Obama a long and healthy list of his own legislative accomplishments...

[Victor]

Barack Obama supporters really make me laugh. First of all, KWinn, the LA Times endorsed the person who has not even finished a single term in the U.S. Senate. I'll give you a hint: it's not Hillary. So how are they using trickery?

And as far as negative attacks go, there was nothing to suggest Chris Matthews was "bullying" or being "arrogant" in any way, as another poster put it. He asked a simple question, waited for a response, got none, and even allowed time to pass so the state senator from Texas could gather his thoughts before asking the same question a couple minutes later. The response was exactly the same: nothing. An obvious mistake for the Obama campaign to have this guy represent them on National TV.

The problem was quite simple, actually. The state senator from Texas was on to discuss the same rhetoric that Obama has been selling from day one. Unfortunately he got a substantive question that could not be answered with "yes we can," "Obama is for change," or "Hope." And you saw the response. You think the absence of a record has something to do with the fact Obama declined to debate Hillary before the Wisconsin Primary? Hmmmm...

[KWinn]

Thanks to all those that straightened me out..apparently I missed that.

[Kildare]

One thing that no one is taking into account on the part of the Senator from Texas is that the time lag it takes for people on the east coast to talk to someone sitting in Texas. It makes somebody look stupid when in reality they're waiting for the signal to reach across thousands of miles and back.

[CeeCee]

Obama has a great deal of legislative accomplishment, for the three years he's been in the US Senate.

He's introduced bills on health care, energy, Iran, voting, veterans, global warming, campaign finance and lobbyists, Blackwater, global poverty, nuclear proliferation, and education.

Following are bills he introduced in 2007 alone that have been PASSED in the Senate:

S.AMDT.1041 to S.1082 To improve the safety and efficacy of genetic tests.
S.AMDT.3073 to H.R.1585 To provide for transparency and accountability in military and security contracting.
S.AMDT.3078 to H.R.1585 Relating to administrative separations of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder.
S.AMDT.41 to S.1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged.
S.AMDT.524 to S.CON.RES.21 To provide $100 million for the Summer Term Education Program supporting summer learning opportunities for low-income students in the early grades to lessen summer learning losses that contribute to the achievement gaps separating low-income students from their middle-class peers.
S.AMDT.599 to S.CON.RES.21 To add $200 million for Function 270 (Energy) for the demonstration and monitoring of carbon capture and sequestration technology by the Department of Energy.
S.AMDT.905 to S.761 To require the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education to establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering.
S.AMDT.923 to S.761 To expand the pipeline of individuals entering the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to support United States innovation and competitiveness.
S.AMDT.924 to S.761 To establish summer term education programs.
S.AMDT.2519 to H.R.2638 To provide that one of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5 million or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee owes no past due Federal tax liability.
S.AMDT.2588 to H.R.976 To provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty.
S.AMDT.2658 to H.R.2642 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.
S.AMDT.2692 to H.R.2764 To require a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction and security plan.
S.AMDT.2799 to H.R.3074 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.

[Young Atheart]

Here is a summary of legislative experience from
Library of Congress web-site
http://thomas.loc.gov
Bottom line: Obama has much more legislative experience than Hillary and MORE SUBSTANTIVE experience.

Hillary has passed 20 pieces of legislation -
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty.
Only five of Clinton's bills are more substantive.
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.

Obama's list - during the first (8) eight years of his elected service

233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.

Obama in U.S. Senate
**the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (became law),
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, (became law),
**The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, (became law),
** Honest Leadership and Open Govt. Act (became law)
** Sponsorship with John McCain (R-AZ) of a climate change bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds by 2050
** Obama also introduced the "Iraq War De-Escalation Act"
** joined Chuck Hagel (R-NE) in introducing legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism (partial passage)
** sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries (vetoed by Bush)
**The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, (In committee), and many more.

President don't author bills but they must champion and advocate with those that do. That is a big difference between Hillary and Obama.

[Rob Junglov]

The answer for Kirk was simple, this is what he should have told Chris. "I can not list one legislative accomplishment for senator Obama, not a single one and what's more I don't care. The reason that I and millions of other democrats, independents and moderate republicans that are supporting Barack in this election is that we feel the country is in need of a great leader, not another legislator. The citizens are sick of legislators that will not work together to solve our problems. We are tired of legislators that are only red or. Blue, we are tired of legislators that are only liberal or conservative; we are tired of being ripped off and abused by these legislators from both parties. No Chris this election is not about electing a legislator, it is about electing a leader that can unite and inspire the congress and the country to lead this country forward. When a legislator today say's he is reaching across the isle, what they mean is that they are about to reach across the isle and punch the other party in the face as hard as they can. We are tired of these so called "legislators" we are tired of their broken promises and their excuses. America will have a job opening in 2009 for a new president and we are going to hire a great leader named Barack Obama. Experienced legislators need not apply.

[Michael]

Hope, hope. Change, change. Oh, what a joke it is.

[Chude]

What a bunch of crock! This says more about Senator Kirk Watson than it does about Barack Obama. More of the usual...

[Shohadaku]

Reason #8457456 to support a man who represents honest change FOR THE BETTER- RON PAUL.
Obama and Hillary are the same. Their plans are the same. They BOTH are pushing for war with Iran. Pull the wool out of your eyes America.

[Elise in NH]

Matthews has been favoring Hillary ever since he was called out for his "pimping" comment about Chelsea, which NOBODY ever asked him to do. It's on him --- he chose to use that sexist language, and now he's feeling the heat of Team Hillary and She Who Must Be Obeyed.

I despise the sexist term that Matthews used, but Chelsea is a full-grown woman, at age 27. If she can't take the heat, or at least speak up and fight back for herself, then she shouldn't be on the trail.

Matthews seems to be veering from pillar to post...going for sensationalist sound bites rather than substantive converage. Par for the course for TV news, of late.

That TX lawmaker who was an on-air surrogate for Obama had a *very* bad day...he just licked up and had a deer-in-the-headlights moment. But that doesn't mean that Obama's policies (and record) aren't substantial. He has sponsored or co-sponsored hundreds of bills while a member of the IL and the US Senate. He has more years in elected office than Sen. Clinton. The charges that he doesn't have experience simply don't stand up.

Elise in NH
The Obama Minute: quick, easy actions
to support Barack Obama's candidacy
http://www.obamastraws.blogspot.com

[Tom]

Recently, a pollster took two groups of 50 Obama supporters and asked each group which of his accomplishments contributed to their support of his candidacy. Not one person in either group could come up with any accomplishments. They just repeated the mantra, change ... hope ... etc.

[Jamie]

This is the funniest video in politics today. An major Obama supporter can't name his accomplishments. His reactions are hilarious...hehehe

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23261748#23256713

[Matt]

Backing Obama because he can inspire people and unite them across differences is a fine reason to support Obama. By inspiring people to participate, he will help other Democrats to win office. By inspiring people, he will have stronger support for his programs. By inspiring people to overcome differences, he will find ways to get things done.

[Kiku]

Obama's Education:

* 1983 Foreign Policy Degree from Columbia,
* 1991 Law Degree from Harvard, graduated magna cum laude from Harvard, and he served as the President of the Harvard Law Review, one of the most prestigious student positions in the world.

[Kiku]

Illinois State Senate 1996 - 2004

* Welfare legislation

* Created the Earned Income Tax Credit program that gave over $100 million in tax cuts for families throughout Illinois over 3 years.

* Expanded early childhood education

* Enlisted the support of law enforcement officials to draft legislation requiring the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases.

* He passed a law to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of drivers they stopped. The law was at first very controversial, but due to Obama's skills as a negotiator and bipartisanships, he won the support of the police. During his 2004 general election campaign for U.S. Senate, he won the endorsement of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, whose president credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enacting death penalty reforms.

* Pass the toughest campaign finance law in Illinois history. The legislation banned the personal use of campaign money by Illinois legislators and banned most gifts from lobbyists. Worked with U.S. Sen. Paul Simon (D-IL), 1988. Before the law was passed, one organization ranked Illinois worst among 50 states for its campaign finance regulations.

* Created a working, affordable health care plan in Illinois, that covers 70,000 kids and 84,000 adults, where all kids qualify for $40 per child. Obama sponsored and passed this legislation, working with Rod R. Blagojevich(IL Gov.) See All Kids http://www.allkids.com/ . It is a model for a workable, affordable national health care.

[Kiku]

Obama Legislation Passed in US Senate

* Lugar-Obama Act to decrease nuclear and conventional weapons proliferation around the world.

* Coburn-Obama Transparency Act transparency in federal spending, found at httP://www.usaspending.gov

* Cosponsored the Healthy Kids Act of 2007 and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007 to ensure that more American children have affordable health care coverage.

* Obama worked to pass a number of laws in Illinois and Washington to improve the health of women. His accomplishments include creating a task force on cervical cancer, providing greater access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, and helping improve prenatal and premature birth services.

* As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Obama passed legislation to improve care and slash red tape for our wounded warriors recovering at places like Walter Reed. He passed laws to help homeless veterans and offered an innovative solution to prevent at-risk veterans from falling into homelessness. Obama passed legislation to stop a VA review of closed PTSD cases that could have led to a reduction in veterans' benefits. He passed an amendment to ensure that all service members returning from Iraq are properly screened for traumatic brain injuries

* Congo: Obama and Leahy successfully passed an amendment to provide $13 million in assistance to the DRC for military reform and election assistance. The bill also provided the the US policy is to oppose and fight against the rape and killings of women that is a particular horror there. Obama has recently sent a letter to Sec. Rice demanding a report of their efforts there.

* Darfur

* Introduced Patriot Employer Act, August 2007, to reward companies for keeping jobs in the US

* As a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee, Obama helped pass legislation in the recent improvements to the Higher Education Act to increase the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,10.

* Obama passed legislation with Senator Jim Talent (R-MO) to give gas stations a tax credit for installing E85 ethanol refueling pumps.

* Obama sponsored an amendment that became law providing $40 million for commercialization of a combined flexible fuel vehicle/hybrid car within five years.

* Congressional ethics legislation, called the Gold Standard of ethics reform, passed by Obama and Feingold that ending subsidized corporate jet travel, mandating disclosure of lobbyists' bundling of contributions, and enacting strong new restrictions of lobbyist-sponsored trips. The Washington Post wrote in an editorial, “The final package is the strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet.”

* Obama has introduced and helped pass bipartisan legislation to limit the abuse of no-bid federal contracts.

Civil Rights

Obama has worked to promote civil rights and fairness in the criminal justice system throughout his career. As a community organizer, Obama helped 150,000 African Americans register to vote. As a civil rights lawyer, Obama litigated employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and voting rights cases. As a State Senator, Obama passed one of the country's first racial profiling law and helped reform a broken death penalty system. And in the U.S. Senate, Obama has been a leading advocate for protecting the right to vote, helping to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act and leading the opposition against discriminatory barriers to voting.

[Kiki]

Just because a particular supporter couldn't cite the specifics about Senator Obama's legislative accomplishments doesn't mean they don't exist. Check out this link and see for yourself.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/21/164117/783/290/461422

[Donna]

from Ben

Her line against Obama about his inexperience is simply that. A line. Rhetoric. At least Obama's rhetoric is different than other rhetoric in the past, and by the way. . . what exactly is Hilary experienced at?

Missing the BIG point: It's STILL rhetoric.

[Donna]

from Ben

Her line against Obama about his inexperience is simply that. A line. Rhetoric. At least Obama's rhetoric is different than other rhetoric in the past, and by the way. . . what exactly is Hilary experienced at?

Missing the BIG point: It's STILL rhetoric.