CNN

All his money is coming from Oprah hahahaha. This guy ias a joke. GOP has a lot to show about this guy if he get the nomination. Just wait and see. Then I want to see the face of his supporters . That will be priceless .

How can Obama even begin to talk about slogans? The man is nothing but a catchy slogan speech giver. While giving speeches and talking about dreams is always inspiring how about we talk about what we are actually going to do, Obama? What is it exactly that you think you are gonna change? Obama in the white house is going to be worse for America than anyone will know, especially for anyone who is in the military (which I am!). Talk does nothing for Americans, action is what we need!

Clinton Can!

Senator Barack Obama has profoundly stated that his presidential campaign, does NOT in any way, shape or form, take or accept money from lobbyist and special interest groups. Obama does NOT accept pac money.

Obama's campaign is funded entirely by the American people. People who are very proud of him, as I am, and who know that he is the best candidate by far to lead this nation of ours.

As a life-long democrat I'll be voting for McCain over Obama should he secure the nomination. He wouldn't even be a factor if he was running against anyone else. It's akin to a middle manager interviewing for a CEO position.

I will be soooooo glad when this primary/nomination thing is finally decided...I hope that all of us who claim to be Democrats are able to unite behind the one candidate that will be "selected" by the DNC....
This is a very MATURE decision that Dean and the DNC will have to make when they PICK who will run against McCain...
Its about returning the presidency to the Democratcs, not about stroking the egos of any particular candidate(or their supporters).....
Hillary and Barack...be MATURE and accept what is BEST for the party...
Us supporters can shed a quick tear / cuss if we need to ( if our candidate doesnt get selected)....shake it off.........then go to the poll in Novemeber and vote for the candidate representing the Democratic party.

This comment only applies to the bottom 50% of posters. But what service do you think you do to your candidate when you misspell falsehoods in all caps? It is akin to those who put candidate bumper stickers on their car and turn left into oncoming traffic (Yes, I have seen this more than once).

The problem with America isn't Bush, Clinton, etc...its that people treat votes like sports. They root their favorites with reckless ignorance. There are valid reasons to support each candidate, but those seem to get little airtime amongst the American public.

So instead of wasting your time running your mouths about something to which you are ignorant. Do some time to actually research. That way you wont do a disservice to your candidate. And for the love of God, get rid of the bumper stickers until you learn how to operate a car.

Obama, it is worth noting, received $708,000 from medical and insurance interests between 2001 and 2006, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. His wife Michelle, a fellow Harvard Law graduate, is a Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals, a position that paid her $273, 618 in 2006. For what it's worth, she also received $51,200 for attending a few board meetings of TreeHouse Foods, a giant firm where she was made a director after Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate.

One day after Obama denounced Big Money control of U.S. politics in Iowa City, Iowa, the Los Angeles Times reported that Obama "raised more than $1 million in the first three months of his presidential campaign from law firms and companies that have major lobbying operations in the nation's capital." Obama has also received a combined $170,000 so far this year from financial giants Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, who together spent $4.6 million on federal lobbying in 2006.

"Obama received more than two-thirds (68 percent) of his first quarter 2007 fundraising total ‘from donations of $1000 or more.'"

The Los Angeles Times also reported that Obama received more than two-thirds (68 percent) of his first quarter 2007 fundraising total "from donations of $1000 or more." Obama has "played up populist themes of [campaign finance] reform," trumpeting his "large number of small donations" and claiming (in the Senator's words) to be "launch[ing]a fundraising drive that isn't about dollars.". But his astonishing first-quarter campaign finance haul of $25.7 million included $17.5 million from "big donors" ($1000 and up) – a sum higher than the much more genuinely populist and remarkably pro-labor John Edwards' total take ($14 million) from all donors.

According to Chicago Sun Times columnist Lynn Sweet, "Obama talks about transforming politics and touts the donations of ‘ordinary' people to his campaign, a network of more than 100 elite Democratic ‘bundlers' is raising millions of dollars for his White House bid. The Obama campaign prefers the emphasis be on the army of small donors who are giving – and raising – money for Obama. In truth, though, there are two parallel narratives – and the other is that Obama is also heavily reliant on wealthy and well-connected Democrats."

Face it....any politician that has been around for any time at all gets "bought out" to a certain extent. Maye to what extent is the real issue. Hillary sure can't be pointing fingers.

It seems no one can run a campaign without millions and millions of dollars. Just think how much money Hillary started out with in her war chest. If I'm remembering correclty she broke all records at the beginning of her campaign. She had been working on her Presidential campaign even before Bill left office 7 years ago.

Our founding fathers knew what they were doing. That's why Bill Clinton should not be allowed to serve his third term. Everyone knows Hillary and Bill sold their souls to special interest and lobbists years ago.

Obama has become a little high and mighty on himself. The only business as usual he wants is the business according to him. When it benefits him, he'll do something different. He took special interest money. He took money from contributors that are a bit shady in his campaigns as well. It's a bit hypocritical for him to now charge Clinton with doing exactly what he's done in his past. Dig deeper people. There's a whole lot about Obama you may not like and it's about to come out when the Republicans get ahold of him.

If Obama can't take special interest's money one day, then vote against them the next, then maybe he's in the wrong business

That was a good one and its true...we need change and not the same old story!

Obama a self made man!!

Wow!!! all of this off of one comment. Come on America we should be better then this by now.

On a real note, suppose Obama wins and makes Hillary his Vice President or Hillary wins and makes Obama her Vice president? What am I trying to say? I am trying to say stop all the bickering back and fourth and Unite as an American people. Why do you think the media is doing the same thing? Because the media believes this is what the people want. This is not a Jerry Springer show.
If you look at the two canidates and what they want for this country they are not to far apart. It comes down to whom you can trust to make the change.

Just get out and vote, and make your vote count!!!!

Tired of the blame game!!

Rhetoric and Lies

Talk is cheep Mr. Obama, and your Rhetoric and vagaries are tantamount to lies. You don't give even one specific example, against Clinton.

This commentary is rich coming from You Mr. Obama. The very same Mr. Obama who sold the Illinois people out to be used as a nuclear dumping ground, in exchange for you receiving $200,000 from the nuclear energy company Exelon.

Count the zero's, that's two hundred thousand dollars, of 'change'!

Mr. Obama you are a sham.

I'm letting the people of America know that you have no clothes Mr. Emperor! Not a stitch!

There is no 'O' in 'change'!

Its to the point now where I cringe every time I hear Obama say "change".

Seriously, people, faze out the rhetoric. Realize he has very little experience, and that yes, experience does matter. One person can't simply "change" Washington with their idealism. It's extremely naive of him to think otherwise.

OBAMA 08.HE IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB.

We have been seen too much of this dirty political game. We don't want to discuss this.

We are calling all history professionals who are spiritual and have keen eyes to stand up to tell people what's going on in this country.

Every day and every night we are going to call GOD's righteousness to save America!!!!!

By the way, I like Willie Brown's point about the Superdelegates. Their purpose is to make sure that the Democratic nominee really represents the Democrats. All the open primaries that have let Independents and Republicans vote in our elections and determine our candidate, should be counter-balanced with a truly Democratic (big D folks) voice, which is what is the role of the super-delegages.

wake up people! They are all liars or they wouldn't be in the position that they are in. Deciding on who the next president is all about subtraction. Who is ready to lead. Let's get real, they are all covering ALOT up!

"Ty" wrote: there maybe links between the war and the lobbyists for the defense industry.

What do you mean "maybe". That's all this war is about...$$$.

"Mission Accomplished" meant "We started a war that is a bottomless pit of money for the industrial war complex and will be for the next 100 years"

What corporation did Cheney from? All together now...

HALIBURTON!

What is Blackwater? All together now...

NEOCON's PRIVATE ARMY!

Where's my "The END is Near!" sign? It's around here somewhere...

I can hardly wait for the next campaign slogan out of Hillary Clinton's campaign. At a certain point, though, you have to look at the facts. A year ago, she was the "inevitable" nominee, with a huge set of advantages. Included among her advantages is, presumably, the fact that she has had much more "experience" with campaigns than Barack Obama, and that her "experience" translates into good judgment and execution. Except, guess what? She appointed the wrong people to key positions in her campaign, she's had more twists and turns in her strategy and message than a rattlesnake on hot coals, and she's gone from "inevitable" to trailing in elected delegates, states, and popular vote.

Thankfully, the voters are realizing that Barack Obama not only is a powerful speaker, but he has great judgment, hires exceptional people, and executes flawlessly. I'm hoping and praying for the day when this unifying, inspiring, and pragmatic leader moves into the White House!

What "solutions" does ms. clinton have? Is it from the same place as her "35 yearsw of experiance"? I have tried to stay mostly positive, even thrown in a little humor, during this campaign but I must say the distortions, misquotes, out of context quotes and out-right lies being thrown out by the Clintonista group have finally got me a bit annoyed.

Lie # 1 Mr. Obama is all talk and no substance, He was out there with his health care plan before Ms. clinton, he has detailed his economic and foreign plans in plans ins specific details on his web site, just because his SPEECHS are about hope and empowering the people does not mean he does not have any plans, just because you are too lazy to READ for yourself doe not mean he has any plans.
Lie #2 Mr. Obama is taking money from PACs. His listo of donators (>$200) is required, like all the candidates, to be open for review. GUESS WHAT NO PACs are listed! Ms. Clinton has MANY listed so he is not distorting the truth you are just being too lazy to go look. Whether you can believe it or understand it the majority of his money has been coming from small donors, LOTS of us!
Lie #3 Ms. Clinton has "more experiance" if you look soley at the time they have served in the Senate this is true, however, if you look at the time they have spent as a Representative this is a lie. If you look at the time they have spent in public service, this is a lie, if all you are looking at is amount of time they have worked this also a lie , she is older than him, but spending time as a spouse of a public servant is not credited as time by any right thinking person, and he has more time earing a paycheck than she does.
Lie #4 Ms. Clinton's remarks that Florida's & Michigan's voters are being disenfranchised by the DNC – She agreed prior to the election that those votes would not be counted if the states did not follow the rules, SAME AS ALL THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES. The lie that somehow these people lost their right to vote is wrong, the selcetion process for a candidate is NOT guarunteed by ANYTHING the DNC could just appoint someone to represent them, same as the RNC or any other party, they make the rules on how the candidate is selected.
Lie #5 Mr. Obama is trying to change the rule on superdelegates, nope he is jsut trying to get the delegates to vote for him, the delegates do NOT have to vote as they say they will early in the race (see the superdelegates changing votes now) he is just saying that they should vote the way the majority of the voters voted. It is not a rule change just a request to the superdelegates to support the rank and file of the party (you regerstered dems) that the party leadership.
I would continue but I think you get the point, Ms. Clinton's campaign is based on lies and distortions, she expected to have a cakewalk and now has "her panties in a wad" because she is not getting it. She plays it up that she is a woman and anyone who votes against her is sexist, the truth of the matter is people who do the research, look into the facts, vote for someone else because she is a liar and a remanent of the old win at any cost in it for themselves politician, not because she is a woman!

Hello America

Would someone please make a comment about Obama's
Detailed Economic Plans, Wall Street Journal this week.

Bush, Bush, Clinton, Clinton, I hope Not!
Obama 08, Change is good.

Neither Obama nor Hillary are in office yet, real change is coming,
Will see.
Let them speak no more buzz words.

To Chris Austin TX ,

Obama is not kidding. He is being honest and forthright with the American people. Also you have no facts to back up what you are eluding to. Your candidate Mrs. Clinton is the one not telling the truth to the American people. She want to take the elections away from the American people by using other means. That is bad politics she playing by dividing people. Black vs Latino and that is wrong. That is being a HYPCRIT on her part. She should let the people elect whom they want and certainly should not be by other dubious mean. Get it my friend. This is a democratic nation. It is not Kings nation nor one party state.

Please remember to cast your vote for OBAMA since you live in TEXAS. Campaign for him will you. We need people like OBAMA. You don't want another 4more years of the Clintos Scandals and reign. Do you my friend?

America is for GO OBAMA 2008 We with are with you up to the End.

Hope without actions is just a daydream.
Hillary has tested, long deliberated, carefully constructed plans, and the knowledge about working the levers of government to achieve those plans.
Obamanista's try to understand, he's blowin smoke!

Obama will not change much, by the description of the office he so wants he is not instrumental in making laws, he like us will be at the mercy of our elected HR and Senators. Yes, he can veto, but he can be overruled.

So, Hillary takes money from lobby groups. I just have a hard time believing that all 100% of Obama's contributors are like me, just plain old people. Give me a break. I am getting tired of the change message, I want to hear how Obama purposes change? How will he do it? With what money? He has said nothing to entice me into the frenzy, how blind are so many people that they are not hearing anything and that is the message they are content with? Obama is a politician plain and simple and like the rest of those running for the office will say anything to get the title. As usual the entire group to chose from stinks. Is the option "none of the above" going to be available?

I would like to see "the new era" win and bring some dignity
to the White house. Obama, Michelle and those two beautiful
girls deserve to live in Our White House. I believe Obama when
he says he wants to make changes.

OBAMA 2008

Who is Lobbyist and lobby for what?

the people or organization lobby for human right is lobbyist, lobby about the global warming is lobbyist, for animal right is lobbyist, for Chindren or Woman's right is lobbyist, for nationwide service industry such as millions restaurant worker's right is also lobbyist,
Lobby for prevent poverty is lobbyist,

Lobby is legal. People have the right to have their voice to be heard.

If Florida lobby for their vote is lobbyist, they do have the right to lobby.

The question is what we lobby for ???

Toy company lobby to asking fair competition from oversea's import,
local farm industry lobby for a better policy so they can develop world market,
Clean energy or green energy industry lobby for support so they can bring clean energy to American's homes reduce the depandent form foreigh oil.

My dear friends, Obama just use very short words to misleading people, as most people they don't careful read Clinton's plan and idea, even Obama just copy and past the same to looked like he have something to say on the webpage or in the speech.

short word is powerful and easy to remember such as" lobbyist"--that must be evil, "Yes, we can" how short and powerful and inspirational, or Just one word "change" plus one word "hope",

Obama will steal this beautiful country by only few cheap words.

I call few word candidate: "hope" "Change" "Yes, we can" "lobbyist"

I guess the most disappointing thing here is how people allow their own personal biases affect their opinions. It would seem logical to check things out for comments are made. Wouldn't you want accurate information BEFORE you dive in? Case in point: IRAQ WAR. How much more must we spend before it's accepted as a failure. I'm sorry, but our nation's economy, infrastructure, perception abroad, healthcare, and education system are erroding by the minute. Our "blank" checkbook needs to be diverted to these issues.

On the pac money issue, it goes toward the public perception of being a "bought politician", which we know is a major epidemic throughout the history of politics. Obama simply has not accepted any pac money from lobbyists, period. He runs a "citizen" funded campaign and any money previously accepted from lobbyists have been returned. He's not in anyone's back pocket but the American people who enthusiastically support him. Tell that to ex-politicians accepting million dollar a year salaries from lobbyists for past favors. This has been a long time coming.

The information is out there everyone. You owe it to yourself to check things out.

How 'tied in' to the preservation of Corporate Lobbyists are you when you accept a small proportion of your support from 'PAC money'-it's still from individuals(Obama)? Not much if any.

Now how tied to sustaining the 'Lobbyists' that you claim you'll get rid of when a LARGE proportion of your campaign funds come from the same groups that financially supported Bush/Cheney (Clinton)?

There's a huge difference. Stop saying that they are on the same level when there is no question that Clinton accepts huge amounts of financial support compared to Obama or even McCain. There's no comparison. Clinton, rightly so, stays clear of this argument.

Abby,

I am sure you ahve spent hours pouring over the issues, right? I have read every issue and have reviewed their votes in the senate! Please understand that Hilary has no more experience and even less character! Your are right, this is not a popularity contest! This is about what is right for our country and what is right for future relations with those abroad! Hilary and her pathetic husband are fighting for their position in politics..........nothing more!

This guy is sham. He took lobbyist's money until he run US presidency and he dares to make sure accusations.

Neoliberalism is a prevalent problem in Washington DC. Politicians from two parties alike are dominated by the influences of corporate money.

Hillary Clinton has been in Washington DC for years. During these years, the number of lobbyists have triple, including lobbyist for Blackwater (defense contractor – security contractor in Iraq).

Although there is no relation between Hillary and Blackwater, however, there maybe links between the war and the lobbyists for the defense industry.

We need to recheck the record on which politician voted for the war.

Right on Abby!!

OBAMA offers DREAMS..."The Audecity of Misleading Statements!"

HILLARY offers REALITY AND "REAL"SOLUTIONS!!!

ALL of Obama's plans have been written from Hillary's ideas. Then he has the NERVE to call them his own! LOL!! HE IS NOTHING BUT LIP SERVICE... ~~~~ WE NEED ACTIONS NOT WORDS~~~~

To all the people who aren't getting it:

1) Obama talks policy and details constantly. Not just pretty speeches, and no matter how many times Hillary says so doesn't make it true. Furthermore, his details make sound sense. Unlike Ms. "Mandate and Garnish".

2) Obama is upfront about his donors, and his taxes too for that matter. It's very clear he is the man of the people, not the man of the lobbyists. Hill herself will tell you she is not.

3) The experience thing? Do your research instead of spouting Billary BS. He's got more, has served longer than her, and if you look at their sponsorship and authorship of bills as well as their voting record, he's got Hillary pulped.

When will you Hillarites stop lying about Obama? Oh yeah. When she takes the clue and bows out......

Stop repeating their lies and do your homework, kids.

OBAMA!

History seldom lies, if they ever do. Obama has magic and that magic will work wonders in all aspects of the average American. This is our chance to change America and the world for good. Obama '08.

All you people that are for Hillary have nothing vested in this war. You just write insulting blogs and go about your business as usual. It's funny how the majority of you so-call-haters hide behind your screen names...the solution is REAL change...Hillary wants to be president so that her and her husband can write books and make tons of money from America...I really wish you people would do your homework about the two canidates before you express your opinion(s). She cares nothing for YOU as an American...her and her husband bought a house in NYC so she could run for the NY Senate...she ran for NY senate in the area she ran in cause she knew she would win...she ran so she could be president...she was already in the white house...ENOUGH OF THE BUSHES AND THE CLINTONS... for all you haters TOO BAD...

OBAMA ALL THE WAY
haters get a LIFE...

Folks, regardless of your opinions on Sens. Obama or Clinton, you're not doing your side of the argument any favors when YOU POST IN ALL CAPS.

It makes your post less enjoyable to read and is generally considered rude – sort of like screaming in a conversation instead of stating your opinion in a normal tone of voice.

Thanks for considering.

what is wrong with speeches, how will people hear you if you do not talk or hear your point of view from speeches, what is wrong with change are you are people afraid of moving forward, what is wrong with inspiring, have you never been inspired to be better than what you are. Obama gives detailed plans in his views on his website people should look and read before they believe what Hilary has to say. I would love to know her real record but as a lawyer she is always covering up her past. She really does not take stands on issues and does things in secret. I do not want to live in the past any more lets move forward with someone else

Why is it that when Barack defends his positions after being attacked, it's seen as negative campaigning? If he didn't answer the Clintons' negativity, the Clintonites would say he was weak and wouldn't be able to stand up to Republican scrutiny in the fall. If he can stand up to the Clinton machine for the past year, the Republicans should be a piece of cake.
You can go to Obama's web site and see where he stands on all issues and It's true that you have to pledge when you donate that the donation is coming from an indiviual. He has also made his tax returns public. I don't understand why any individual would donate to Clinton, who can write a check for $5 million and not show her tax returns.

Well, even though Obama found a new position to not take Lobbyist money, ONLY during his Presidential campaign...and yet has raised over 85K from Lobbyists, at least Hillary doesn't allow those Lobbyists or Corpporate donors to influence her VOTE LIKE OBAMA DOES.

Obama voted for the Cheney Energy Bill in 2005, Hillary did not.

Obama voted NO to cap interest rates to financial institutions to protect citizens from loaners in gouging and predatory lending. HILLARY VOTED YES to Cap interest rates.

Obama is in favor of Nuclear Plants, and was one of the first to sign on to Liebermans Nuke Bill, besides the obvious upthread Energy Bill he supported (Exelon, 6th largest Nuclear plant has contributed over 250K to Obama)

AND

Obama tried TWICE to push a Lobbyist Back Liquified Coal Bill that would have used MILLIONS of tax payer dollars to fund this programs that would have added so much Global Warming Pollution, environmentalists were screaming for 6 months for him to pull it, until it lost support in June 2007.

So Obama, who walks the talk?

Jo oklahoma, B from Miami, FL, Chris Austin TX, Abby, and all other Clintonistas care for some cheese with your whine?

Look at them writhe, spin, and malign for their Corporate Shill. So yesterday's politics. So devicive, So dericive. Sad knowing in your heart of hearts hillary cannot motivate, inspire, nor lead.

Time to turn the page on the Clintons.

YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obama does not take money from lobbyists....unlikeHRC who is in bed with them. Get your facts straight before you start defending HRC – a corporate laywer on the board of Wal-mart.

obama sucks.. you obamacide drinkers need to get a grip.

HILLARY IS NOTHING BUT TRASH TALKER ALL SHE SAYING IS WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR THAT'S WHY SHE IS RUNNING OUT OF MONEY... AND PLUS SHE VOTED FOR THE WAR AND NOW SHE IS TALKING ABOUT CHANGES IN AMERICAN... NOW THE QUESTIONS ARE...

WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR THE WAR?

IF YOU CANT MANAGE THE MONEY YOU HAVE NOW, HOW WOULD YOU MANAGE THE MONEY IN THE WHITE HOUSE?

Obama has never taken money from lobbyists. He did at the beginning of his campaign and once he found out links to lobbyists, he returned the money. Its a shame we want to have the same person who's a part of the so called broken washington be elected. Obama relects change. His healthcare plan is way better han Hillarys. He opposed the war from the beginning. NAFTA a failure, he opposed from the beginning, on both stances, Hillary switched sides to get votes. Thats just wrong. His economic plan is better than Hillarys'!

Obama has taken money from everyone the same as Clinton, he has been endorsed by the most liberal part of the party and by different unions and super delgates ..what is wrong with this guy he is no better than anyone else...HE IS WORST he took his name of the ballott and took away the fundemental right to vote of the people of Michigan..WHo does he think he is OBAMA ,,your not god and your no democrat as people fought for the right to vote and Shame on you for being part of excluing Michigan and FLorida from the process...PEOPPLE DIE FIGHTING FOR TE VOTE ...OBAMA your a disgrace

I do not believe Obama. As everybody knows, he only has "PROMISE", not action. After he twisted Hillary's comments about Dr. King, I was shocked! Everybody respects Martin Luther King. Why did Obama try to seperate people based on the race?

How much money from lobbyist is not the question. DID YOU TAKE MONEY FROM LOBBYIST OR NOT. YOU ALL TAKE MONEY FROM THEM. STOP SAYING THAT YOU ARE GOING TO CHANGE WASHINGTON. YOU ALL ARE THE SAME.

Obama stole Hillary's economic plan and handed it out as his own. Who believes that he doesn't take money from lobbysts? Has he checked everyone of his donors?

I believe there are two divisions of strongly supporters in this Presidential race, first one try to change voters mind, which is the news media and secound, special intreset and we all know why.
unfortunatly both are infavorite of Sen. McCain and to make him elecated, they need weakest Democratic nominee, First support him to win Ather that Hamered him.
Let see after Barak Obama wins the Dem. Nom., if the news media will add his middle name when they will mentioned.
BARAK HUSSAEN OBAMA

Thanks and good Game

Obama's political action committee has doled out more than $694,000 to superdelegates since 2005, the study found, and of the 81 who had announced their support for Obama, 34 had received donations totaling $228,000.

We've given to Obama's campaign and we sure as heck ain't lobbyists or special interests. Our families have given to his campaign too and they aren't either. And so that's what the Obama supporters are made up of, just small donations from folks like us, a great display of democracy at work. That's why too, I just can't figure out why everybody in this nation isn't supporting Obama, as opposed to Clinton, who is so backed by lobbyists and special interests, PACS, and before that, she voted for one of the biggest disasters in American history and she appears to be proud of it, as she campaigns with blood-soaked hands from our dead and wounded troops in Iraq. Go Obama, Obama '08!!!!

OBama is absolutely right! Hillary runs a very negative campaign, always striking below the belt. She talks about solutions. What solutions? She only appeals to the uneducated and ignorant. People who just don't know.
Obama /08

Thats right Obama doesn't take money from lobbyist... just corrupt slumlords.

They all take money from questionable people.

in the beginning i was for hilary but later convince through doubts, for number, when she was asked about signing in agreement with Bush regarding the iraq, she when around the corner, up hills and down hills to prove she was right, and when she was ask, "so you are saying that you were naive when sign agreement etc." she took everyone around the same corner, up and down the same hill again, this every one sees and should see is that if she becomes President of the United States, she will not admit that she wrong, would go all out of her way to try to convince the people she is right or just simply blame it on someone else, who will that some be you, me, ?

It's very disappointing to see how visceral the attacks from the Hillary camp have become. These are the very same attacks I would expect from the GOP machine - Obama is a hippocrite, Obama is a liar, Obama took money from slumlords, Obama is all talk giving speeches, not solutions.

I think it is very clear from several sources - not just obama's website but from independent analysts like the NYT, politico and others that the following statements are true:

- Obama has NOT taken money from lobbyists. Most of his campaign contributions are rather smallish amounts from individuals.

- Hillary HAS taken money from PACs, and rather a lot of it. Much of it could have spent more effectively, but that's beside the point.

- Yes. Early in his campaign Obama accepted money from Rezco and a PAC disguised and something else. Those monies were donated (so, it's a wash - like he never even had it)

- Several important and high profile Democratic persons have backed each candidate. It is understood that each of them may 'want something' out of it after the election. Indeed, whether it be Clinton or Obama many of their supporters will end up with important positions within the White House - that's just a natural part of politics.

- Yes. A lot of Obama's speeches are inspirational and focus on general concepts rather than details. It's what he's good at and frankly that's what people like - don't bore me with the details. However, that DOES NOT mean he doesn't have SPECIFIC itemized solutions to National Security, Economic stimulus, Health Care, Immigration or any other opportunity facing the American people. The difference is that is what Hillary talks about - this may be part of the reason she is losing the popular vote - Many voters vote with warm fuzzies and not cold hard facts.

Democrats need to STOP this pointless bickering based on knee jerk reactions to whatever your candidates machine is churning out that day. Both candidtates will be a strong president for this country but we need to stop the divisive rhetoric and debate the facts in a civilized manner.

It has been noted in studies that people tend to vote with their "gut" more than anything else. It seems the CNN readers are quick to make superficial judgements in this veign. It is easier to make blanket unfounded statements about the candidate that doesn't "feel" right (likely deep seeded racist tendencies) than to take the time to research what is really going on behind the scenes. Anyone who DOES take the time knows very well what Clinton's political history consists of, as well as Obama's. People posting statements such as "this guy is a joke"? Let's get real here, Obama has weaknesses like any candidate will, but his campaign is transparent, you cannot fault him for being a typical politician, that arguement just doesn't hold water.

Also, what are Hillary's reuslt. Please someone dig up some facts for her 6 years in office....Oooh yeah, she has only 3 years of US senate service more than Obama. But Obama has about 4 year more of State Senate experience.

HELLOOOOO...Hillary is just plansss....no execution!!!!

I have a problem with O bam bam -- He talks alot of talk - not once have I heard in the last two debates what his plan is - and how will he do it. I'm sick and tired of his long speeches about yes we can. What about what he's going to do? O bam bam only has two years in the senate. Compare the length of service to Hillary's. No way will I vote for someone who have not once visit Iraq and Iran to see the problems our nation is in. All talk!!!!!!

Come On CNN, tell the whole story about how
the Super Delegates are being out right purchased by Obama.
If he dislikes lobbist so much why is his campaign acting like a lobbist.
((Obama's political action committee has doled out more than $694,000 to superdelegates since 2005, the study found, and of the 81 who had announced their support for Obama, 34 had received donations totaling $228,000.))
Boston Globe 2/14/08

he has only taking money from rezko, and rezko gave a piece of land.

Hillary failed trying to get universal heatlhcare the first time and her major accomplishment for child healthcare was during her husband's presidency. If she gets nominated I feel the republican party will be unified because they really can't stand her. We need someone to unify the country. We need the feeling of hope in the prospect of a recession(I think we are already in recession). Our economy is based on trust in the government and our belief in the strength of the dollar. Hillary praised nafta(free trade) but some economists feel it is one of the reasons our dollar is weak. China’s trade surplus reached $177.5bn (£118.7bn) and our trade deficit is reaching an all-time high of $214bn. It's eerie similar. I feel that Obama gives us the trust we need in a time where critical decisions are needed to point our government in the right direction. Read a little of this and you might say "Obama knows what he is talking about and he seems to have real solutions".

At the Tax Policy Center in September 2007, he blamed special interests for distorting the U.S. tax code. "We are taxing income from work at nearly twice the level that we're taxing gains for investors," Obama said. "We've lost the balance between work and wealth."[100] His plan would eliminate taxes for senior citizens with incomes of less than $50,000 a year, repeal tax cuts said to favor the wealthy, close corporate tax loopholes and restrict offshore tax havens, and simplify filing of income tax returns by pre-filling wage and bank information already collected by the IRS.[101] Announcing his presidential campaign's energy plan in October 2007, Obama said: "Businesses don’t own the sky, the public does, and if we want them to stop polluting it, we have to put a price on all pollution." He proposed a cap and trade auction system to restrict carbon emissions and a 10 year program of investments in new energy sources to reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil.[102]

Obama was an early critic of Bush administration policies on Iraq.[103] On October 2, 2002, the day Bush and Congress agreed on the joint resolution authorizing the Iraq War,[104] Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicago anti-Iraq War rally in Federal Plaza,[105] saying:

I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars.[106]

On March 17, 2003, the day Bush issued his 48-hour ultimatum to Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq before the U.S. invasion of Iraq,[107] Obama addressed the largest Chicago anti-Iraq War rally to date in Daley Plaza and told the crowd "It's not too late" to stop the war, though many demonstrators conceded that war appeared inevitable.[108]

Barack Obama repeatedly says he doesn't take money from NATIONAL lobbyists. He does, however, take money from STATE lobbyists.

I am amazed at the capacity for people to jump to conclusions without evidence when the actual evidence is so easy to find.

Mani (and others), it's been pointed out to you over and over that you can see a list of Obama's donors on the web. You may think 'he must be taking lobbyist money' because you just figure everyone must be, but you can actually find out for sure. Just go look!

Martin, you do know how to read a web site, right? I mean, you're here. So do you think that Obama has no plans just because the meanstream media doesn't tell you what they are? Early in his campaign, Obama got beat up by the media for being to detailed about his plans in his speeches. (They called him 'too professorial'.) So he's backed off and speaks about ideas now, but the plans are there for you to read. Just go to his web site for the details. In fact, both candidates have detailed plans on their web sites. If you can't be bothered clicking though to read them, then at least don't complain that they don't exist.

I still love seeing all the Clinton sheep continuing to line up. How's the shearing going?

I can not beleive what I am reading. First and foremost, Obama is correct in stating that he has not received a dime from lobbyist. REZKO in which he did business for funded his campaign and when he found out, Senator Obama gave that $80,000.00 to charity!! People get your facts right! Hillary claims 35 years of experience, but I have to ask the question, doing what?? Obama has more senatorial experience then she does. It's there for the public view. He words mean that he is ready for change and you know what, so am I!!! All people of all races have been dealt a blow through the first Clinton Administration and both the two Bush Administrations. We need something different and something worth fighting for. We the people are the government, so stop making ignorant comments and keep an open mind and vote your belief.

Abby, words inspire people to get solutions and results.

Let's make this easy. If you donate on barackobama.com, you have to check a box confirming that "This contribution is not made from the funds of an individual registered as a federal lobbyist or a foreign agent, or an entity that is a federally registered lobbying firm or foreign agent."

John Edwards had the same thing on his donation site.

Hillary does not.

One more thing ... Jo Oklahoma. Ted Kennedy didnt vote for the war. Neither did 27 Dems and 1 Repub. (Chafee), who is backing Obama. Those Dems who voted for it did so either because they are hawks (Lieberman) or because it was the politically safe play at the time (Kerry, Edwards, Clinton). Obama was an aspiring politician who did the unpopular thing and stood up and spoke up agains the war. Those are facts. Now get back to your bickering, folks.

As far as I know, he hasn't been funding his campaign from lobbyist donations. That is what I understood his claim (on multiple occasions) to be. I thought that is what all of the hubbub about his campaign style was about.
As for the Obama "empty promises" thing, I'll agree that he issues a lot of rhetoric on the campaign trail, but it is NOT true that he doesn't put forth ideas. If you read his Web site it is just as meaty as Clinton's is. During the debates he has shown a willingness to talk specifics. This Obama is all rhetoric thing is just an empty meme. People would repeat it whether it was true or not.

I believe strongly in women's rights and all civil rights for all citizens. However, I think a vote for Hillary would set back women's rights rather than propel it. She is too inseparable from her despicable husband. She does not stand alone like a true woman should. And at the end of the day his candidacy for president did not need HIllary nearly half as much as she needs him. I loved when Geraldine Ferraro ran for VP, I wish there were more women like her! 1984 was too long ago and it saddens me. We need another credible woman candidate! I have always voted for a woman when I had the chance, but I believed they were all strong, independent women. Hillary is tough, I will give her that. But I do not believe her to be strong or independent. I will be voting for Barack on Tuesday. Thank you.

I do agree that Obama now says he took money from lobbyists with that "double the money" comment, but lets get real, the only way stuff gets done in Washington is because we work with lobbyists to get it done. Sad, but it's true, and Obama would be a fool if he refuse to have anything to do with them.

Here ya go again : Rezko ! If you can copy "Clinton, Rezko" to an Internet search , you'll find ALL the amazing information ! It's also amazing that Hillary had $5 million in available cash !! I didn't think senators got paid that much!

As I understand it, lobbyists have to be registered – Obama has not taken money from registered lobbyists. Remeber registered lobbyists get their money from the companies/interests they represent wheras ordinary folks get their money from their paychecks.

For example – if I am a registered lobbyist representing Glaxo then any donation I make as a lobbyist will be Glaxo money. If Glaxo decides to support Hillary then the I will donate Glaxo money to Hillary but I as an individual can make my own donation out of own pocket to my candidate of choice. What Obama is saying is, he has not taken money from registered lobbyists but he has taken money from individuals who may or may not be lobbyists and thus has has only taken money when the individuals have paid from their own pocket.

Obama takes lobbyist money, too. He is still shooting his chops about lobbyist? Knock it off, Obama. This guy has no real plans, just a lot of ying yang.

At least Obama had the good sense to plagiarize Hillary's words on his Website.......

Will Obama ever talk about solutions? All he does is preach and say we need to come together. Well how is uniting America going to get things done? Why can't Obama supporters see that he NEVER talks about solutions? He is just sweet talking is way through this election. Like Hillary says, "We need a reality check!" Hillary has solutions, Obama has poetry. It is that simple. Do you want to hear solutions or a nice vague speech about change?

VOTE FOR HILLARY!!!!

Someone please tell me what experience Hillary is claiming to have. She's been a senator for a few years, but what else is she referring to? Living in the Whitehouse doesn't count. There's a groundskeeper who's been at the Whitehouse for several presidencies, but I'm not going to vote for him.

Go Obama! Barack to the Future!

Ring Ring Ring............Hear oh Nation Hear oh land the hour has come and this is what i call the Hour of now.I saw a lot of people criticizing Obama from all corner.Yes he need those critics to make him more stronger and more popurlar.If America wants to believe it or not,Obama is the next president of United States Of America.The American Dream which Martin Luther preached decades ago is here.America is changing and nobody will stop the tide,it is either you join or you will be blown away by the tide.PERIOD

"
Chris Austin TX February 15th, 2008 12:17 pm ET

Obama is kidding right? He too takes money from Lobbyist. He says so with the (Hillary takes twice as much) comment. So Lobbyists donate to the campaign. Obama's campaign has benefitted from it, as well as Edwards, McCain, Romney, and Clinton. All of them have been given Lobbyist money. Obama doesn't state he too has taken money from Lobbyist. At least Clinton came up with (They are Lobbyist who represent the voters). I have yet to hear Obama's excuse as to why and what Lobbyist he has been funded with. Obama needs to stop being a hypocrit, it's getting old".

Enlighten us please!!! What Lobbyist are funding the Obama campaign.
What's getting old is people posting statements they can"t prove!!!!!
Obama's campaign is being funded by "we the people"

I love how people....like to use everyone elses lines and say where is your politics.....those are people who are not looking at the facts. If you listen to what they have to offer from a health, economic, federal and evniromnent town hall....you will no. So all Hillary people will say is where is the beef. Lets stop making excuses if you don't know by now..you are ignorant and cannot read or hear. Stop making excuses as to why people are voting. 40% of his voters are educated college graduates from the age of 18-29. How can ove 8-10 million educated people be so Naive....opps I forgot.Hillary is going after undeducated people. So stop the childesh games and go to both sites to get your reading and no he doesn't take lobby money...anyone who has given from a lobby has been donated to so charity. Those who cannot get FACTS right don't deserve to vote.

PS every politician does have some negative...Obama isn't perfect. We are not electing Jesus..we are electing a better candidate who we think will be a better benefit to the american people.

I have some change that you can belive in. Its Hillary changing her stance when the cards are stacked against her. For all you Hillay lovers, where were you when she had the lead! Also, If you dont know Obama's stances you should go to his web page and read and stop waiting for the sound bites.

"I am the inevitable candidate"

"I have 35 years of experience"

"I can win the blue states in a general election"

"Solutions not Speeches"

Hillary fans, thats CHANGE you cant BELIEVE!

To Susan:
First: try not to scream,it's rude.
Second: If he has honesty,integrity,morals he woud never be a senator.
And everybody know this.

Let's be honest with ourselves no candidate is above the fray. For those Obama supporters who adamant about is no money from lobbyists take a gander at this.

1996 to 2004: "almost two-thirds of the money he raised for his campaigns - $296,000 of $461,000 - came from PACs, corporate contributions, or unions, according to Illinois Board of Elections records. He tapped financial services firms, real estate developers, healthcare providers, oil companies, and many other corporate interests, the records show."[1]
Starting in 2004, Obama "has collected $128,000 from lobbyists and $1.3 million from PACs, according to the Center for Responsive Politics." Obama's "$1.3 million from PACs represents 8 percent of what he has raised overall. Clinton's Senate committee, by comparison, has raised $3 million from PACs, 4 percent of her total amount raised, the group said."[1]
"Obama's own federal PAC, Hopefund, took in $115,000 from 56 PACs in the 2005-2006 election cycle out of $4.4 million the PAC raised, according to CQ MoneyLine, which collects Federal Election Commission data. Obama then used those PAC contributions - including thousands from defense contractors, law firms, and the securities and insurance industries - to build support for his presidential run by making donations to Democratic Party organizations and candidates around the country."[1]

Well Maybe we should continue to let Obama buy his super the super delegates he has spent $900,000 dol;lars on them compared to Hillary who has spent $250,000 hmmmmmm !

clintonistas are in DENIAL DENIAL DENIAL. they can't stand the fact that OBAMA has NOT taken any money from lobbyists for his campaign while their precious candidate has taken most money from PACs out of all the presidential candidates. i feel sorry for them because they've invested so much in Mrs. Clinton only to realize she's being steamrolled by the Obama Express.

OBAMA 2008

Do you really expect me to believe that the unions who are endorsing him are not contributing to his campaign? How is this different?

for anyone do you have a list of Hilary lobbyists that have donated to her campagin. i would like to really know. Obama of course has lobbyist that contribute to, but Hilary campagin donation largely comes from lobbyist. So if you are her supporter request the list and post it so that you know who she owes in the end. I would like her list to be posted just so we can she who is donating to her campgain

Hello America

Lets Not Forget;

By Robert Parry

Now, the Clintons are battling for a new lease on the White House – and they are applying lessons learned from the win-at-all-cost Republicans to discredit Barack Obama.

Though Obama had the foresight to oppose George W. Bush’s Iraq invasion, the Clintons accuse Obama of lacking consistency in his anti-war positions. Bill Clinton called the story of Obama’s war opposition a “fairy tale,” ignoring the fact that Hillary Clinton was a war supporter from 2002 almost until the day she jumped into the Democratic race.

The Clintons have sought to make an issue, too, out of Obama’s links to low-income housing developer Tony Rezko, who is under federal indictment in an Illinois corruption probe. [For some background, see Chicago Sun-Times article, Nov. 5, 2006.]

However, the Clintons have had their own difficulties in similar areas, from their ties to the swindler Jim McDougal during their Arkansas days, to the Marc Rich pardon while in the White House, to donations from fugitive Norman Hsu in Campaign 2008.

Most audacious of all, however, the Clintons are making an issue out of Obama’s mild praise of Ronald Reagan, when they have spent years not only complimenting Reagan but protecting his dubious legacy.

Just a reminder!

Obama 08

Senator Obama seems to be a man of integrity. I would love to be carried away by his charismatic speeches with their message of change and hope along with so many others. But his naivity about how he can change things in Washington just proves to me how ineffective he will be. There was no more honorable president than Jimmy Carter and remember how the country suffered. So I can not in good conscience vote for Senator Obama, even if he is destined to win the nomination. The road ahead is too dangerous and full of obstacles for the inexperienced. Senator Obama has only 4 years experience in the Senate, that's just not enough to be able to complete the great mission of the Democratic party . If he really wants to be a great president, someone remembered 100 years from now, not just for the color of his skin, but for his accomplishments. He needs to go back to IL, run for govenor, and get some experience deal with running a state and working with the state legislature. When he has that experience, I will vote for him because then he will know how to get the job done. Until then, just like I would not give the keys to an inexperienced driver on an unknown and treachorous road (no matter how eloquently he pleaded for them), my vote goes to Clinton.

Chris,

Im surprised at your ignorance in politics. Most of us Austinites are not falling for Hillary's politics. Wake up bro! Youre going to be real disappointed when Barack wins.

That's where and why her health care initiative died.

When will Americans wake up. Hillary has dismissed every state she has not won as unimportant. If she's elected, she'll dismiss the whole country as nothing more than fodder for her cannon. She supports NAFTA, she supports GAT. Since Bill made his trade deals with China, our negative trade balance is over ONE TRILLION DOLLARS. That's money that could be spent right here.

Hillary is not in the solutions business; she's in the clinton business, nothing more.

See how 2 yrs in Senate can bring something to the table? Nothing, a rehash of CLINTONS Economic Plan. PEOPLE, wake up, Obama needs more training, he needs to attend Senate hearings and take a stand, not just voting present. He needs to create the lobbyist accusations again since he wants to veer away from his unpopular economic plan.

HILLARY is ready, she has more knowledge in fiscal policy, vote for her, you'll feel better.

I am sorry to disappoint you obama folks, but the 14 million that Hillary has raised since super tuesday has been from everyday folks......many of us gave small donations and eschewed our valentine day gifts. so get off your high horse....she is supported by the little ones, unfortunately they are not the wired ones, so you dont hear them screaming and rabid here like you. Whether he takes money from lobbyists or not, we KNOW he bought land at a below market value from some one currently facing trial.

...ALL GLOVES ARE OFF, ALL ATTACKS ARE SHARPENED ...THE CORONATION OF THE DYNASTY HEIRESS ENDS .....HERE COME THE OBARAMA HOPE /CHANGE EXPRESS.....TAKE COVER Y'ALL........OBAMA HAS ALREADY WON PEOPLE ...REMEMBER HE IS NOT COMING FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT ...THANK GOD SOMEBODY HAS THE GUTS TO STAND UP TO 24 YEARS OF BUSH/CLINTON DYNASTY RULE ......YOU HAVE MY VOTE OBAMA.....AND DO NOT LET HER GET UNDER YOUR SKIN .......SOUR LOOSERS CRY AND MOAN AND GIVE DEVILISH LAUGHS.
HERE COMES OBAMARA EXPRESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, Martin:

Exactly what solutions is Clinton offering in HER speeches? As far as I can tell all she is doing is spouting, "I'm the candidate with solutions. Obama is all talk I'm all action. We need solutions for x, y, and z, and I have them," but her speeches never tell you what any of these solutions are either. Just because you define yourself as a candidate with solutions doesn't mean it's true.
These candidates all manipulate rhetoric to fire up their crowds while refusing to really offer anything of substance. I wish the American people would demand more of them, but it seems we're more interested in having a popularity contest. Guess it's our "American Idol" syndrome rearing its ugly head.

Vote for Clinton and see the nation go to the Chinese. Our economy is in shambles thanks to her lying, cheating husband. The Clinton's are evil, all you have to do is see what has happened to their close friends. Barak is not perfect, if Clinton wins the nomination, I am voting for McCain, at least he is not going to sell my country to the Chinese.

CLEAN RESPONSE ! I LIKE HIS STYLE !

stop the needless atacks. Focus on the facts and issues!!

If Obama's detractors are going to accuse him of wrong doing or being a hypocrtie regarding lobbyist money ... perhaps they should provide the evidence that supports their case. The CLINTONS represent everything that is and has been wrong with Washington for decades ... they for better or worse are as polarizing and devisive as two politicians can get! I don't often agree with Republicans, but I do want to see a Democratic President capable of working with them ... NOT fighting them as Hillary so often rants that she will do. I couldn't help but cringe at the sight of a 60 year old woman of modest stature holding up a pair of boxing gloves ... my God, she looked like a clown at a high school pep rally!

All talk and not much on specifics. That is Obama.
This is the same guy who said that his biggest fear was losing an important piece of document unless his aides handed it over to him not prior to 2 mins.
This is the same fellow who would not fold his arms when the national anthem was played.
He even said that he was not a chief operating officer and that being a President did not mean that he was required to delegate tasks.
And now as for money from lobbyist he is not squeaky clean either.
Although all politicians take money from them including Hillary.
But with Hillary atleast from day 1 she has been talking at length about issues and what she would do from day 1 of her Presidency.
Obama has also spoken but sort of when I listen to him in debates it is kinda with less enthusiasm. I give him credit for being a forceful speaker and he can get people moving. He has been quite good at delivering his message of inspiration and hope. However Presidency requires much more than that. Hillary has travelled the world and knows the world leaders. She has been the first woman on the Senate Armed Services Committee and has been to Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama keeps saying that he did not vote for the war as if that is heroism. When the commander in chief ( Bush ) at that time along with his generals came up with the WMD what was one expected to do ? He has to be trusted. At that time anyone who spoke against the war and Bush was seen as unpatriotic. Remember Dixie Chicks -what happened to them when they spoke up against the war ?
Hillary did what was right then. And there is no reason for her to apologize for Bush's lying. People should go after Bush and you know that is not going to happen. The only way to resolve this is to get them republicans out of the White House and put Hillary who is slightly more experienced in there. I have no doubt that she will turn around the economy. I have some reservation about the universal health care program.

What does Obama have to hide? Why is he so scard to debate Hillary before the Wisconsin? He is all rhetoric and no solutions!

One can always tell the Clinton supporters on these blogs.

They’re the ones whose comments contain frequent misspells, horrible grammar and absolutely no logic.

Not surprising, considering the fact that they’re in her demographics…the uneducated.

How anyone could want another business-as-usual Clinton/Bush in the White House is beyond me. Hillary is the most disingenuous, aristocratic, hypocritical millionaire in the race, and that's saying something. Vote Obama.

Exactly, HRC is part of the same old corrupt system. What do you expect from a former Wal-mart employee?

Come on observant1, Susan and Robert – what about Rezko – did he make him swear where his money came from? the truth is this patron of his who started his political career is under fed indictment for influence peddling and there's more to come.
While he got elected with Rezko on his campaign finance committee for the US Senate the fact is that 11 housing units that Rezko used taxpayer's money for went w/o heat in the winter of 97 while Rezko contributed to Obama's election. Obama later said he didn't know about the plight of his constituents but the local papers said obama would have had not read any papers and been cut off completely from the media to not know. he was know as "Barry" at one point in his life and interview after interview of those who knew him paint a different picture then he. So my question remains who is barrack obama? His campaign says he turned the money over to charities but don't mention the fact that he used the dirty money to get into office and didn't return it until he got money from individuals/lobbiest! It will all come out and i doubt CNN will post this since they clearly favor obama.

Obama is attacking Hillary because he has nothing else to offer. Change change change change change... [yawn!]

OBAMA = WORDS
HILLARY = SOLUTIONS + RESULTS

OBAMA = "CHANGE"
HILLARY = PROGRESS

I hope all voters come to their senses. This is not a popularity contest. IT'S ABOUT OUR FUTURE!

LEARN ABOUT THE ISSUES AND WHAT THE CANDIDATES STAND FOR!

HILLARY ALL THE WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All you bloggers need to take a chill pill. All the presidential candidates have taken some PAC or lobbyist money during the course of their political careers, even the resounding John Edwards. Obama has done the best job of not taking PAC or lobbyist or special interest money of the presidential candidates during this presidential nomination process season. Hillary has take the most special interest/lobbyist money of all the presidential candidates to fund her campaign.

Obama is right on the "money" is pointing out Hillary's double-talk about talking on special interest but yet takes plenty of money from them. John Edwards pointed this out over and over again about Hillary. Now Hillary is trying to pull a "fast one" by trying to pick up John Edwards' populist theme! Sorry Hillary, Obama is not going to let you get away with it.

Obama in 08!

Could Roland Martins hatred of the “White Folk” be any more apparent? Who are you? What have you ever done to advance the causes of Americans, it is easy to sit on a TV and espouse meaningless opinions. There is no reason for any American to listen to pundits especially those who have never lifted one finger to advance the cause or status of “Average Americans”. Mrs. Clinton has suffered attack, after attack, after attack it was understandable from the Rightwing they hate her, but she must also fight the misogynistic males of the so-called “Progressive” movement. If you were going to spout your useless opinions why do you not talk about the gender discrimination and the racial discrimination Mrs. Clinton has to suffer from right now? Perhaps because it would dispel two myths one is that women have achieved fairness and equality and number two that “whites” are the perpetuators of racism in America. With 85%+ of the “African American” vote going to Obama the primary is all about race despite your willingness to ignore it. Perhaps you are not willing to expose this or to perform your due diligence and investigate Mr. Obama’s problematic past and connection and allegiance to a racist anti anyone but “African American” church, the Trinity United Church of Christ in Illinois and that church’s adherence to a racist policy known as “The Black Value System”.

George in OH

Are you saying Hillary has done better

She voted for the war in Iraq
She voted for the War with Iran
She got no bid contracts for Iraq (The Roubled security Firm)

who's kidding who

Where is the tax return.

Ohio is not going to spoil it this time by handing the Election over to the republicans, because will not have the Vote.

Hillary the Big state politian.

Were you saying something when she said hope is nothing. That what brought people here to America, Hopes and Dreams.

Hillary is Smart, but miscalculated the heart and soul of a United America.

I hate to say it but this guy is going to get the nomination and we are going to lose the election in November. Nothing was guaranteed with her but no one has hit this guy yet and the Republicans are going to run him over with a truck, laughing all the way. The love affair does not cross lines the way people imagine it will and even I can't buy this, admittedly good, man's rhetoric. If only hopeful words and good looks were what mattered in the world, but they don't and this idea that he is another Kennedy is just more myth-spinning. Kennedy barely won the election (with the help of Daley) and he was hated by many in this country and loved by far fewer. We don't need another Kennedy, we need another Roosevelt or Truman.

So now its Obama who will say anything to get elected. Its all smokescreen, and we all know how strong Hillary is on her key issues. If you think she would cave in you are dreaming. The entrenched retoric from Bama supporters is beyond belief, that she has sold herself and been bought by big business is just ridiculous. And to compare her to Bush, are you really a democrat?

When Obama wins the nomination just support him as you would have supported Hillary. You question his experience, he's been a law maker longer. Yet the one thing you can't question is his integrity against the ol' boy establishment of the Clintons and their ilk.

Change is coming either be a part of it (Obama) or continue to wallow in the problems. We've had Bushs and we've Clintons, and look where we are now!

Hillary show us the 2007 Tax Returns For You and SLICK WILLY????

Both Senators Clinton and Obama should make visible exactly, in simple and easy to understand documentation, EXACTLY which Lobbiests they have received contributions. Back and forth non-specific banter lends to cause for suspicion aimed at them both. They should both drop the subject if they are not willing to be transparent. This behavior is like Bush and his cabal, the country is tired of that!

The same man who said, "The Republican Party has been the party of ideas for the last 10-15 years", and the same man who said "Ronald Reagan was transformational"-in a nutshell, the man who found a way to say something perceived as complimentary about "the other party" and nothing wrong, the man who, in his book, wrote nicely about President George W. Bush during a social visit to the WH-that man demonizes his Democratic rival as "bought" by the big interests, without, of course, saying a single specific as to how she has been bough. Does he demonize her because she is the only one saying, against the media, "The Emperor has no clothes!" Oh yeah, this is the man who does not accept lobbyists' money-only bundled money, please, just as he does not accept meals bought by lobbyists, only give him the lobbyists' cocktails and lobster while he is standing, and he will eat that (*his* ethics bill technicality, not mine). Give me a break! The governor of Wisconsin said it all last night: when asked what Obama has done, he paused and said (he is a supporter), "Well, look, he has built a formidable ground organization". Yes, yes: personality cults always inspire millions...

Chris, Mani, Viktoria,
Where do you get your facts. Psycholying may be what politics is all about but come on! You guys aren't just being deceptive, you all are telling blatant lies. I have donated to Obama for the very reason that he does not take their money. And for the record, just because Obama is an amazing inspirational speaker doesn't mean he has no solutions. The logic of the American people amazes me.

I just can't trust Hillary! She seems sneaky!!

You people (Americans) are hilarious. I've been following the presidential election fairly closely, especially the Obama campaign since his Keynote Speach in 2004. Obama represents the very few things that are good about politics....the opportunity to right the wrongs and to get back on the straight and narrow. He's an average guy, who came from humble beginings, worked hard and understands the struggles faced with Middle America. He knows what it is like for those of us who live paycheck to paycheck....who knows what it is like to stress out about how the rent is going to be paid at the end of the month....he knows what it is like to live like the majority of people living in America. He also knows that he is one man, and that he alone cannot change the dire situation in the USA.....but he has the support of a great number of people....and when you have the support of a nation, then there are very few things that can stand in your way.

If I was an American, I'd vote for Obama in a heartbeat......he has no ties to corporate America and maybe, just maybe he can give middle America a fighting chance in a future that is gloomy at best.

Personally, I think this whole issue is blown out of proportion. I think that there are many lobbyist firms who do good, and NECESSARY work, and to demonize all of them is just ridiculous. (and no, i have ZERO connection with the lobbyist industry – I'm a musician)

Instead of jumping on the bandwagon, with everyone else, about whether Hilary takes more money or Barack takes more money, perhaps the better thing to do would be to actually take some time to examine their respective work on lobbyist and ethics reform. And I'm not talking about going and reading Common Dreams or Alternet, or some thing like that. Im talking about ACTUALLY reading the bill itself and formulating your OWN opinion.

Sheesh. To think you're all allowed to vote??!?!??!

Chris- There is a website called Opensecrets.org which details very clearly where the candidates' money has come from. Go there and check it out and you will find that Hillary has taken just under a million dollars from PACs and Obama has taken none.

Martin- If you want to know the details of Obama's plans, go to his website and read his policy statements on the issues. He does not go into great detail about his plans in his speeches because early in the campaign he was accused of being too intellectual and too detailed and people didn't like it.

Clinton is hypocritical. How can you claim that lobbyist are good one month and then pretend to fight them another.

Obama has not taken any lobbyist money during his campaign. Those are the facts.

Go Home Clinton, we are tired of you.

Obama 08.

Susan, did you know Rezko bought a house next to Obama's house and later sold it to Obama for cheap! God knows if he has already been bought by Slum Lord.

I would take their money,listen to their plea,and still have the backbone to do the right thing for the American people.If they didnt like it ,oh well.My first obligation is to my bosses and they are the American people whom elected me to do the job of the people.

observant1, Robert , DJ, Emily, Amy Marshall,,,100% sure., colorblind, Jude, Susan, St. Michaels, MD...100% sure.

Just so you all know and I know that these people who are saying they're sure Obama hasn't taken any money from lobbyist.... work for Obama. Because how else can they be sure?

I am the only Moron on this planet that thinks Obama is a wolf with sheep clothing.

Dear "Viktoriya"

Barack Obama, does not, I emphasize, does not, take money from lobbyist, as oppose to Hilary Clinton whose campaign would go broke if it wasn't for lobbyist money.

Don't think its true? Why would anyone pour 5,000,000 $ out of their own pocket if it wasn't a life-death situation? Ask yourself this question.

Want a fact? Her donors are doubting her – she wasted over 120,000,000 $ on nobody knows what.

Anyways, I believe it's a fair comeback from Barack. He hasn't used any lies, he just stated facts.

Obama, 08.

Obama said "Washington was a place “where good ideas go to die."

Is he going to move the nations capital to the Land of Rainbows and Butterflies where he lives?

Obama needs to learn to play the game. He will be eaten alive by the Republicans. I almost want him to win so I can see how disappointed all of his Obama-bots will be when that happens...

I am a supporter of Hillary Clinton.I do like senator Obama and his dreams too.I am pretty sure he is capable of making them come true.What concerns me is once he becomes President is he going to be spending our tax dollars on global poverty specially Africa as a pay back to Oprah?

It is clear that some of you Hillary supporters have never donated money to a presidential candidate before. So let me educate. Presidential candidates have to account for every dollar that is donated to their campaign they have to indicate the person who donated, and what company the person works for. This information is available to the public in FEC databases. That is also how the press knows how much money each candidate has raised. Most of Obama's contributions come from people who are donating amounds of $100, $200, $250 and the like. This is publicly available information.

Some of you Hillary supporters should quit talking and start donating to her campaign. Her campaign is running out of money and you guys clearly know nothing about donations to candidates. Meanwhile people like me are keeping Obama's campaign in the black.

Obama is kidding right. His political career at the begining was bought and paid for by Rezko. He would have gotten no where without this "Slumlord." Obama isn't so squeaky clean people wake up. It will be interesting to see who will take a chance on being his running mate if he gets the nom. I doubt Hillary or John Edwards will want that job. Maybe Oprah!

CHRIS.....WRONG!
OBAMA 08.
He's going to win, and that's all that matters!

correct the spelling to "none of us has clean hands"

amy :"I am 100% sure Obama has taken NO money from lobbyist. The money that he took from one company at the beginning of the campaign he gave back once he found out that they were involved in lobbyist activities........"
How much more deluded can anyone get...Obama maybe the lesser of the two evils but he certainly is no saint. He has created a cult nothing less...and sadly this is going to be the reason for him becoming the next president of these United States, not because of issues but cult,blind cult following.

Change change change I guess he took over the dictionary and when anybody mentions a word his members say that's his, change must be in his camp now...

And...and....if Hillary dares, if she so much as dares dispute his claims his supporters go ape.....the say SHE is attacking him.

obama is a joke, he has done nothing and doesn't know now to do anything but grin and smirk and give speeches written by someone else. It is a shame that , this is all it takes to get some people to follow. He doesn't give you any specifics on what he is going to do. But as far as lobbyist,,,REMEMBER HE HAD TWO HEALTH CARE LOBBYIST AS PART OF HIS TEAM.

Now he accuses Hillary of taking money...HE HAD THE MEMBERS OF THE LOBBYIST GIVING HIM DIRECTIONS.

He can say he don't take money from lobbyists all he wants. He still has them on his staff as advisers. There's something you never hear the MSM talk about.

Do not fall for Hillary's dirty politics. Hillary going dirty ... BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Bad politics. Exactly what Mr. Obama has been warning us about all along. I have been nice to Hillary until now, but yesterdays commercial was ugly. BOOOOOOOOO ... GO HOME HILLARY.

GO OBAMA!!!!

Newsday Newspaper in Ohio:
"We do not have a direct quote indicating her campaign told us she thought it was good for the economy at that time. Also, for that matter, Clinton's campaign did not contact us to question the item after it appeared in print.

Obama's use of the citation in this way does strike us as misleading. The quote marks make it look as if Hillary said "boon," not us. It's an example of the kind of slim reeds campaigns use to try to win an office. That said, we should have been clearer."

Talk about saying anything to win.... Goo Hillary!!!!!

Lobbying the government is a constitutional right... hating on lobbyists is such a cliche campaign argument.

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong, use your brain. If Obama took money from lobbyist Hillary would be the first to tell you and further she would deny that she does. Further, Hillary and McCain keep saying Obama doesn't give specifics and the reason why they keep saying that is so they can continue to steal his ideals or reshape them as their own because they have none. Obama has been specific enough and that's all they need to know prior to any debate. Obama is a smart man and knows not to play into their hands. They both are desperate of know what Obama knows. Obama is simply the best.

Obama should be the President or BUSH must stay on. I am tried of the Clintons thinking we should serve them for life they stink

Susan.........sorry – you are wrong! And does anyone find it interesting that if Clinton points out something on Obama it is negative ad but if Obama points out something on Clinton is is NEVER portrayed that way?

We should all wake up – Senator Obama is just as much a part of the good ol boys club in Washington as Ted Kennedy is – or as John Kerry is.

I am stil confused over the CHANGE message when millions are uninsured now and if his healthcare policy was implemented millions would be uninsured then.........just don't see the change.

One last comment – Clinton brought out the green jobs in Dec 2007, and she brought out the central bank theory in Aug 2007.....looks like she is the leader and he is candy coating the same message and trying to make it his.............looks like politics as usual to me!

I think Senator Obama also took his name off of the Michigan ballot...and then learned from Senator Clinton and left it on in Florida? She again was the leader and he followed..........now that isn't change to me! That is just simply playing 'follow the leader'

you people are pathetic. I cant beleive that you cant see that this guy is a fraud.

John Mccain is going to expose him like a naked baby out of the womb

have Americans become this naive. To believe a politician that tells you what you want to hear is sad.

I love this,the Democrats as always aim the gun right to the foot. The Republican party is enjoying this immensly,they (Democrats)cant even unite their party how are they going to unite the country,give me a break!!!!

Obama has taken money from lobbyist. So please not say he has been given money from lobbyist. According to the Boston Globe, which states in article dated 8/9/07: "In Obama's eight years in the Illinois Senate, from 1996 to 2004, almost two-thirds of the money he raised for his campaigns - $296,000 of $461,000 - came from PACs, corporate contributions, or unions, according to Illinois Board of Elections records. He tapped financial services firms, real estate developers, healthcare providers, oil companies, and many other corporate interests, the records show."

I encourage people to find the facts, no rely on any campaign to tell you what is what. The record should speak louder than any candidate. Don't be caught up in the back-n-forth of negative politics.

I think senator clinton is deperate for power, if you look at both candidate , you see can the difference between reality and deperation.

Clinton is no solution.
As for healthcare, for COVERING EVERYBODY, Clinton's solution is … to MAKE EVERYBODY PAY, and PUNISH those who cannot pay!
Her story about "Mandate" is nothing else than a disguised word for "coercion".
Punishing the weakest in society that one pretends to help: I've never heard anything more absurd and insensitive in politics.

Reading all these comments, I've come to the conclusion that the American electorate is really in trouble. Most of the Obama defenders on here are drinking too much of the Kool-Aid and most of the Clinton backers are oblivious to the many out-right political missteps and flip-flops of the Clinton campaign.

You guys really need to get some perspective on things... Sheesh.

You can go to the FEC website and see every donation that is made to his and Hillary's campaign.

HILLARY DISCLOSE YOUR TAX RETURNS!
FULLY VETTED?
NO NEW SCANDALS?

Hillary needs to release her tax returns, she's hiding something.

Did you know that they "rented" their mailing list to a company that Bill works for? Normally, this would net them close to 800K but they only got 8K (and that was 11 months later). Something doesn't smell right.

I see "Obama Nation" has it's "American Idol" candidate! ...WORD!

Ugh, the Clinton family has also "loaned" their mailing list from her donors of her campaign and earned almost 9 thousand in December from doing so. They "loaned" it the owner of Info Usa who also contributes to the Clinton Library.

Wake up people. The Clintons love corporate mula.

tell it like it is obama!

obama 08!!

A lot of you people are clearly completely ignorant on the issues. Hillary is basically in bed with the lobbyists. Obama has not taken a cent. Get your facts straight.

Just say NO to BILLARY 08

Amy is right, Obama has not taken any money from lobbyists. The money he has raised has come from normal every day people like you and me. Clinton is a liar and a con artist. She'll take money from lobbyists then turn around and say she is against them and will shut them down when she gets elected president. Honestly its people like Clinton who are giving this country a bad name by playing dirty politics. Obama represents honesty and the people.

Hillary is the solution candidate, but there all bad solutions.

Hillary vs. McCain = McCain
Obama vs. McCain = Obama

It really is that simple.

Obama 08

Suzy: nice use of the word "nearly." This just sounds like another Clinton supporter's spin!

"Empty can make loud sound" which mean that a person talk a lot and promise a lot when in fact he has nothing to offer or has no clue how to fullfill his promise. Obama is this type of person. If anyone believe in his promise and hope he will bring change without the experience is just like hoping to win a lottery. I did not hear in his speed any detail on how he will bring change at all, I only heard change will come, but how?

The problem Obama identifies is not the acceptance of Lobbyist money but the flip flopping (i.e., pandering) that Clinton does to reach her rapidly diminishing supporters. Stay on track with Obama in 08 and quit the hating!

Clinton, and her supporters, never answer this fact: that she has taken more money from Lobbyists than any other candidate Republican or Democrat. They always respond through deflection: Well, Obama has also taken money from Lobbyists. But this does not answer why Hillary has taken so much more money from Lobbyists than even Republican candidates. Will someone please defend the amount of money Clinton has taken from Lobbyists? Clinton's "lobbyists represent real people" is the closest she, or her supporters, get to answering this fact, which is either a non-answer or the lamest answer a politician can give.

Some of the Obama supporters think of Obama as being this poor person. Their income tax reported $900,000 of taxable income. Where did that some from. He lives in a home that cost over a Million dollars. His hands are not very clean!

Hillary is soaked in the dirty partisan politics of Washington. We can always debate who is right and wrong. But too bad time is running out for everyone who thinks Washington cannot change.

Hillary will be the last person in USA who will fight against the lobbyists. Not all lobbyists are bad..I agree but all have their own vested interest. So all are NOT good for us people. Simple.

Obama needs to stop promising change if he cannot back it up with how he intends to resolve issues. He is always saying "we can do this we can do that". We all know what we can do it takes somebody to do it......give me resolutions.

The origins of campaign contributions must be published. There is no way to get away with lying about it.

The issue at hand is change. Change is now. Please all of you pondering voting for Hillary or McCain, change your minds and vote for Obama. Help to make America and the world a better place. Yes! We can!

Hey Chris from Austin,
Neither Obama nor Edwards have taken money from lobbyists for their campaigns, which is what made their campaigns so remarkable that they could compete with Hillary's and all her lobbyist funding. It's all from the public. And that's been a large part of the campaign message from Obama and Edwards...that they were against using money from lobbyists and special interests.

when is HRC gonna release her tax receipts? whats she got to hide? why is she only planning to release her tax records aftere the election? dont the voters in ohio, texas and p.a deserve to know where she got the 5 million to loan her campaign? why didnt she pay for some rental and cleaning services in iowa? how come nothing was done until it was made public? she cant be trusted!

I can't believe the Clinton hacks on this website. There's so much angry DENIAL out there. Wow.

Ok hacks, what is your response to the fact that ONE WEEK after Mark Penn slammed Obama for working on an energy deal with Exelon, it comes out that MARK PENN's lobbying firm just received $250,000 in December from, who? That's right Exelon. Hypocrite.

Joe... have you seen the photo of Rezco sitting between Bill and Hillary. There were lots of smiles. Does that ring a bell? Ask Matt Lauer for a copy.

I've heard some Dems complaining on here that the Reps. stole their name by calling them the Democrat party.

Well, grammatically they are correct. A person belonging to the liberal party is know as a Democrat and a person belonging to the conservative party is known as a Republican. Therefore, a party belonging to the Democrats would be known as the Democrat Party and the party belonging to the Republicans would be known as the Republican party. If it were to be called the Democratic party then it's members should be known as Democratics not Democrats. Democratic party is an adjective which describes the parties organization and because the party uses delegates and doesn't use a direct vote, it is more of a process known as a Republican process. (The difference between a true democracy and a representative process known as a republic)

So please get the English straight.

30 years or so of the Bush and Clinton family in office. We need change. If we continue doing the same things we will continue to get the same results. We, as americans, need to stand up and vote for change. Now is the time! Go Obama!!

"I will not be running a negative campaign."

Hilary Clinton said this about three months ago when her campaign was well ahead of Obama and the other democratic candidates.

As her lead started to slip, she pulled in Bill to do her dirty work. Once the public became wise to this she pulled him away and started to attack herself.

Is this the sort of leadership the US wants? For Hilary Clinton, when the going get's tough, it's time to back down on your word.

This is what Obama is referring to with the "politics of old".

I have heard it said by the pundits that it's hard to say anything bad about Obama because he hasn't done anything. (Meaning that he avoids controversial stand and votes.) As he gets more experience he will be a target but I'm sure he will still be the pet of the media, at least for a while.

Many of the charges he has made against Clinton apply to him as well. He chided her for her stand on NAFTA but he voted to extend the funding. He has a way of avoiding votes that may reflect on him negatively, though.

His supporters will be in for a surprise if and when he is elected and has to be accountable for his actions which will be on the evening news every night. he can't vote "present" forever.

If Hillary does not get the nomination, I don't even think i will vote!

>His whole campaign is based on 'us' the people of the United States >funding him so that when he is in office, he owes no one but 'us' the >people of the United States!

Amy.......................................wise up.

But its ok to take money from Tony Resko, Obama? Give me a break.

i hope this does not get too bitter betwee nthe two of them..

they are both good candidates – personally – i am voting for barack – but more importantly – we need to defeat the advocate for 100 years in iraq..

relieve the white house of its courtship with wacky nut case evangelicals.. actually have the democrats control the deficit (raise the revenue on taxing filthy rich hedge fund managers at working people rates, tax oil, try to reduce pork, etc) – find a health care plan that will help businesses and if at all possible please please help with the cost of college through this republican admin student loan rates have increased dramatically ...

Chris Austin TX, the Obama campaign does not accept money from lobbyist groups and there is therefore no reason for Barack to give an excuse. He has said that some funds have no doubt come from folks employed by various organizations. That is common and, of course, the right of any individual to do. I fail to see any hypocrisy in Obama's position.

I want to know why Hillary supporters are happy to have two families ruling this country. Why they are happy to live with politics as usual. Do they think that it's really Bill Clinton that they are voting for? Do they want this country to remain divided?

Please tell me.

Chris, all the lobbyist money in the world won't help Clinton win the election. She has gotten so much money from them and yet she still has to loan herself 5 million dollars. That's no chump change. Also Obama doesn't need to take money from special intrest groups, he is outraising her in campaign money by millions of dollars. I think you should get your facts straight before call someone a Hypocrite.

Hillary will say ANYTHING to get the nomination.

First, she was ready on day 1. Then, she had the most experience. Now, she is in the "solutions business"

She has so many messages its hard to keep up. None of the slogans will work because we the people see that she is not sincere and will do and say anything to win.

We currently have a president with low character, we dont want another one.

Obama's message is the same when he is up and when he is down.

Hillary can't say the same.

I'm glad the Obama is defending himself and pointing out the contradicting statment Hillary repeats again and again. I would like to see if anyone can give names of lobbyists that have donated to either campaign. Somehow, I have a feeling that Clinton's true colors would be revealed and she would have to find a real issue to try to use against Obama...

hey Barack Obama has black power and Karl ROVE Bush's closest Adviser on his side the (REPUBLICANS) are loving IT

Correct Amy. Chris, check your facts next time - Obama has not taken any donations from lobbyists or special interest groups.

His quote was the Clinton has taken twice as much money from lobbyists as any other candidate this cycle. How does that equate to an admission of taking lobbyist money, Chris in Austin? It's funny how you MIS-interpret that to suit your needs. This is why politics is what it is.

OBAMA '08

It's the truth. Sorry Clinton supporters. She burned through $100 million of lobbyist money in ONE MONTH on the campaign trail. We don't know how much of the new $14 million that she's raised has come from lobbyists and what portion came from Bill's coffers (which have been inflated by his deals like the one with the Kazakh strip miner that the NY Times reported).

Why don't we know? Because she'll never tell. Why? Because she won't release her tax returns. Why? It usually means she's got something to hide. She's hoping that there are enough gullible voters in Texas and Ohio that she can put her train back on the track.

Keep hammering this Obama. Democrats deserve to know the answers.

It is my understanding that Obama has made a point to not take money from lobbyist. Either way, Hillary is the poster child self interest and corruption that we are trying to get away from. Thats the beauty of electing someone younger; the longer your in politics the more favors you owe.

Mr. Obama does have a much shorter list of slogans, but they are repeated over and over. Hasn't he been part of Washington politics for the last 2 years? And exactly what does he plan on doing to clean it up? Plus I've never heard Mrs. Clinton feel the need to apologize for for putting substance in a speech.

84% of the people responding to Lou Dobbs yesterday said that they did not believe a politician could take money from lobbyists and then not be influenced by those same lobbyists. If that is true, then who is making the decisions – who is really running the country?

oh Amy, what an innocent girl you are, im sure you are a first time voter and been brainwashed by Obama, just another case...

Well don't wait for Cnn, Msnbc and other news outlet to bring up the fact that he too takes money from lobbyist.. I hate fox news. However, Hillary has been getting better coverage from them than the other networks..Step up cnn!!!

I agree with you Chris....Obama is so quick to point his finger at Hillary when he is guilty of the same thing. No matter how good or bad one is as a person and a politican, they need the lobbyist money to fund the campaign to a certain extent. So Obama, have you heard of the saying about throwing stones at people."

Chris,

Do you not know how to read English? You can quote me "Obama has never taken money from lobbyists and never will". His twice as much comment is in reference to those other candidates that take lobbyist money not himself. We need a president who will not take money from lobbyists. You know why? Because when they do and they get in the office they agenda is no longer for the people but for those lobbyists. Just look at the current President as an example. We need someone who has morals, who will stand for fairness, who will stand for the American people not just the rich or the lobbyists. Only Barack can do that!!! Go Obama 08!!!

hey Chris, check the facts.... he was not taken money from Lobbyist this campaign or election cycle.... and even with alll the money she's collecting..... she still can't manage it right... she can't balance her own budget.... why trust her with the countries budget..... i guess she plans to keep lending her own money when things don't add up.... she's a gem

Obama, can you please talk about what yours plans are? Do you have any? Solutions are vital to solving problems. I have more interest in solutions. Remember Kerry was miles ahead of Bush at this stage 4 years ago. Lets get down to the solution business.

Like people wouldn't remember what she said in a debate just a few weeks ago. She fell right into that one!

Chris,

He said she has taken twice as much as anyone else...... the person in second would be John McCain. It is known that you can say that someone is taking pac money if they get money from individuals who work for companies as opposed to the company it self. I think the distinction is that if you take money from a company/lobbyist then it may be contrued as having to perform favors at a later time for that company/industry. If you take money from individuals, that perception is less prominent.

I think to a certain degree it really doesn't matter unless you have shown a habitual pattern that you lean more to big business as opposed to people.

It is all smokescreen.... not a substantial issue as far as I am concern.

Im really getting sick and tired of Obama, he has no shame, he is just another wasington politician, prechers, speaches, motivation, hope, etc..... Well mr, thats not enough, Hillary will come out victorious of March 4th and you will be history. sorry mr green, maye in 8 years.

Sorry Chris, you're wrong. He has not accepted a dime from anyone currently registered as a lobbyist. He may have taken money from folks who have lobbied at some time, but the difference is HRC is taking money from lobbyists currently on the payroll of a given corporation or special interest group. There's a big difference.

I´m more and more disappointed by Hillary. She´s cheating the whole nation, she´s trying to win at any cost. People are not that stupid. I´m ashamed that I once supported her.

Please wok on your grammer and pluralize Lobbyist.

Colbert '08

Maybe you should wok on your spelling.

Rather than throwing up this accusation, Chris, why don't you show where this is the case? He did say twice as much as any other candidate in the election, but he did not say that he took any lobbyist money.

Prove it, Chris!

We need a one person, one vote democracy.

Not a one dollar, one vote whorocracy.

Obama does not take money from lobbyist. This claim was refuted over and over again earlier in the campaign when edwards would not let it go and looked stupid every time obama had to explain it to him...clinton is in bad shape because she takes pharmaceutical dollars, but then comes back saying that she will fight against their interests....explain to me how this would happen?? I'm open to it. I understand the role of lobbyists and PAC donations in campaign politics, not many people are naive about this....but when you have a candidate like Obama running, its hard to want to favor the stale hypocrisy of most politicians.

In the end this lobbying issue magnifies a desire to move beyond divisive politics that are endlessly fueled by special interests.

DON'T BE FOOLED BY OBAMA!
He's all talk. Check his record. He accomplished NOTHING in the senate.
He says he wants to unite people and work with independents and republiclans, yet he has one of the MOST partisan, LEAST independent voting records in the senate.

OBAMA IS ALL TALK!

Obama takes money from lobbyist, including money from convicted felons. It was also reported yestreday that he has spent huge sums of money bribing super delegates to back him and that 75% of his super delegates have received huge sums from him. He will be better served by giving specifics to his empty rhetoric.

It is time for a change, a change that will unite Americ, a change that will focus Americans on solutions and not problems, a change that will lead America to a brighter future. The is now for Sen. Obama.

Chris, do you have any proof that he has taken Lobbyist cash? He makes all of his money available to the public and the claim that he has never taken a donation from the lobbyist is a big claim to make, why would one lie about it?

So, do you have any proof? Because I can't find anything about it.

Oh thats right, uneducated, arrogant views! The same type of views that got us into Iraq in the first place.

Awww...dont be mad little Chris....

Hillary and her little delegate lead are gone for good lolol

America is tired of the same business in Washington we want change...and you will soon be aboard the Hope ship

I am 100% sure Obama has taken NO money from lobbyist. The money that he took from one company at the beginning of the campaign he gave back once he found out that they were involved in lobbyist activities. His whole campaign is based on 'us' the people of the United States funding him so that when he is in office, he owes no one but 'us' the people of the United States!

YOU SAID IT ALL GOOD WORK CHRIS FROM AUSTIN TEX.
JO OKLAHOMA GO HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
WHAT ABOUT JOHN KERR AND TED KENNEDY THEY ALSO VOTED FOR THE WAR, BUT YOU DON'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. AND BELIEVE ME THEM TWO SENATORS WILL WONT POLITIAL FAVORS. HE WILL BE INTO THEM BIG TIME.
JO OKLAHOMA

Obama give me a break! This guy is joke!

Yay, bitter sparring! This is going to get good.

Obama does not take money from lobbyists, and is donor database is open for all to see if you don't believe me. He said Hillary has taken twice as much as any of the other canidates, not twice as much as him. Get your facts straight and stop being ignorant!

It's the hypocrisy of it all.. Senator Clinton, how do you take on the ones that you defend.. It does not make senser.. Attack lobbyists while I defend them and they fund my campaign.. Give me a break.. Are the American people this dumb?? Blind loyalty is the same as open ignorance..

NO STATEMENT THAT HE MADE IS FALSE. PERIOD.

The only thing Obama does is blow hot air. It's getting tiresome. I can't wait for the OH, PA and TX primaries and see Hillary kick his (you know what)!

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT '08

Chris, he hasn't taken any money from lobbyists. I don't understand what part of that you don't understand. If he did and claimed he didn't, it would be brought out in the open by Hillary who is always looking for things to say about him. It would be the easiest thing to rip on him about, but she can't say anything because lobbyists have not funded his campaign.

Maybe Obama should talk about his support on the right to bear arms to the students at illinois

Come on now. It is getting old. Obama is taking lobbyist money too.
The same political game. I don’t see much of the “change” in Obama. He is only talk…

True collors coming through. Another politician accusing others of eating from the same hand he is eating from. Who wrote that speech? all he does is talk and the media favors him.

obama, does rezko ring a bell? lol...what a joke

Some lobbyists are for the good of the people – not all are bad.
It has been nearly confirmed that Obama basically copied Hillary's economic plan, which she has had outlined and posted for a few months.

I hate such a hypocrite that pretends to be a clean politician. First of all, no politician is clean. And he sent the earmark fund to his wife's hospital, and his wife's salary was doubled when he was just elected senator. Do you see the link as I do?

Chris, you're kidding right? Because Obama is not. He's telling the truth. Obama's campaign is funded by ordinary people – not connected to groups who have manipulated politics in Washington for a long time. I'm sorry, Clinton might be trying to find her voice, but talking against lobbyists, her bread and butter, is a lie and everyone knows that.

I don't like negative politics, but I would say this is more fair than the completely false and misleading blows Clinton has been making at him.

Hillary is just too repulsive and I think she is not good for America at all.

Clinton supporters are a little delusional to be defending her on this now–
Hillary was the first to criticize Obama for taking lobbyist money without talking about the fact that she takes more money from them than he does.

Chris "Obama is kidding right?" get a life!!!!
Stop distorting his words like your mentor Hillary...
Go Obama 2008!

...Obama hasn't taken money from Lobbyists. Where do you get your information?

You're in an important voting state- learn the facts and then make a proper decision. Clinton takes money from them. Obama's fundraising is almost completely done online.

Chris, neither Edwards nor Obama have taken money from current lobbyists. Please research.

i was wondering why hillary has huge support among big businesses in NY and CA.How come relatively rural states hardly ever support clinton.just pay attention to results from rocky mountain states

Just how is Hillary going to deliver solutions when she takes huge sums of money from weapons manufacturers, and insurance and pharmaceutical companies?! She cannot unite this country.

Obama, will not be a good leader for this country.

"New York senator had taken almost twice as much money from lobbyists as any other presidential candidate this cycle."

Obama fans:
I guess the $150,000 from Exelon Corporation to Obama after he placated the people of Illinois over their poisoned drinking water(Nuclear Leaks) must fall into another category, huh.

Lisa NC

Good one Obama, you've just caught Hillary double talking again. I remember that first quote from Hillary about lobbyists "representing the will of the American people".

I agree with Chris from Austin. Oprah- I mean, Obama- is so interested in making himself seem like he's untouchable and high & mighty that he's making light of the fact that he is stealing ideas, themes and campaign ideas from Clinton yet he's a man of change? He's the same old lying, hypocratic type of leader that has led this country into a sinkhole to begin with. Empty words, empty promises- that man cannot think for himself.

Actually, Obama has taken NO money from lobbyists for his presidential campain. Get your facts straight Chris.

More lies from the Clinton campaign as usual. They are getting desperate it seems.

Obama's advisors are lobbyist and big company reps. His election chair at many states are lobbyist. Though he will say they are state lobbyist.

Well if lobbyist is a murderer in Obama's eyes, then a State murderer is less guilty than a Federal murderer?

What a crop of hypocrisy!!!

Only in America it works.

Chris, prove it. How do you know what Obama or Hillary are taking from lobbyists. Do you have any references. People on these blogs just talk without any analysis of the situation. Get your facts before opening your mouth. You can sometimes make yourself look silly. If you support one candidate over the other, just support them, stop trying to talk down about the others. Your candidate must really be week, when you have to talk more about the other candidate. And you guys spend a lot of time talking about character and other irrelevant things. Just discuss issues, your candidate's issues.

Uncommitted 08'

Perhaps Obama could explain why he watered down his legislation about nuclear spill testing at the request of republicans and EXELON and then took campaign contributions from them? Hey, CNN, care to investigate about that????

Obama's not being funded my any federal lobbyists or any PACs...get ur facts right Chris

This is the main reason I can not believe people are arguing that Clinton is the right choice. She is owned by the lobbyists, she is not changing that. If she would show her tax returns we could all see, that she is just talking tough while taking money from corporation to increase her fortune.

people have to realize there is no choice here.

@ Chris
There are more candidates in the race than Obama. Like Republicans.

Lobbyists work primarily on persuading legislators. Wannabe executives who take their money are setting themselves up for conflicts of interest. This includes Edwards, for whom trial lawyers were just as much lobbyists as any other candidates. All candidates should "just say no" to lobbyist money and avoid problems.

Obama is correct. Hillary keeps having to change her strategy because everything she's used so far has failed to stop Obama's momentum. For me, this is further evidence that Hillary is not genuine – she's just looking to say what she thinks we want to hear.

Actually, Obama has not taken money from Lobbyists or Special Interests in his Presidential Campaign. Five minutes of research could have told you that, but I suppose Hillary supporters would rather whine.

Chris – i'm pretty sure that Obama has only received money from AMERICANS.

while Hillary takes money from slime.

winner: Obama

I see Obama as a cheerleader, not a potential president. Anyone can make up a catchy slogan Like "Yes we can", even my second graders do that. I would not want to see Obama in the White House any more than a seven year old.

The difference is Clinton has taken more money from Federal lobbyist than any candidate...check the facts

Go OBAMA!! Hillary... you're toast!

Love the come back...keep hitting her where it hurts.

This is all he can say well what about his money from oil companies from the state of Illinois.

Obama is kidding right? He too takes money from Lobbyist. He says so with the (Hillary takes twice as much) comment. So Lobbyists donate to the campaign. Obama's campaign has benefitted from it, as well as Edwards, McCain, Romney, and Clinton. All of them have been given Lobbyist money. Obama doesn't state he too has taken money from Lobbyist. At least Clinton came up with (They are Lobbyist who represent the voters). I have yet to hear Obama's excuse as to why and what Lobbyist he has been funded with. Obama needs to stop being a hypocrit, it's getting old.