WASHINGTON (CNN) – Barack Obama is contrasting Iraq’s budget surplus and America’s budget deficit as one of the reasons a change is needed in Washington.
The Senator from Illinois makes the comments in today’s Democratic Radio Address. It's the first time he’s delivered the weekly address since becoming his party’s presumptive presidential nominee.
“We learned this week was that the Iraqi government now has a $79 billion budget surplus thanks to their windfall oil profits. And while this Iraqi money sits in American banks, American taxpayers continue to spend $10 billion a month to defend and rebuild Iraq. That’s right. America faces a huge budget deficit. Iraq has a surplus,” says Obama.
“Now, Senator McCain promises to continue President Bush’s open-ended commitment to the war in Iraq, while refusing to pressure Iraqis to take responsibility for their own country. Let me be clear: we are well over five years into a war in a country that had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks.
"Our brave men and women in uniform have completed every mission they’ve been given. Our country has spent nearly a trillion dollars in Iraq, even as our schools are under funded, our roads and bridges are crumbling, and the cost of everything from groceries to a gallon of gas is soaring,” adds Obama in the remarks, which were released prior to delivery.
Obama says in the address that “the American people are worse off than they were eight years ago” and that the choice the presidential election between him and presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain could not be clearer.
From CNN Politics
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First, I got to say:
Are you kidding me???? We are paying for a war that benefits the Iraqi people, and they have a surplus?
Our government is so backwards. Get them to start paying for this war. This is why I like Obama. He doesn't think ths is right, and will address it. while politicians in general see this as how things work.
Do you know how many countries owe the US money, and yet we never collect? If we were a company, we would go bankrupt, our stock would be pennies. We have had an awful Board of directors for 16 years!!!
Maybe we can stop supporting Israel, and kick that money into our deficit. I hear that's billions as well. But, no, that isn't an option because all the Jews in this country will vote against the person who offers that up. So, we are all left responsible for protecting Israel. Doesn't make sense, but, it's how politics work, right?
WARMONGERING
RACE MONGERING
IGNORANCE
POVERTY
HATE MONGERING
LYING, TILL YOU CAN'T STAND IT ANY MORE.
AND MORE POVERTY,
* * BROUGHT TO YOU BY* *
BUSH SR.
BUSH JR. & YOUR'S TRULY
MCBUSH.
You're right Obama. I don't think anything says America loves you like taking the money out of an invaded country. Super job.
Right on, Barack!
While McCain is comparing Obama to Paris, Britney &, now, Charleton Heston, Obama continues to talk about ISSUES – deficit budget, crumbling schools, crumbling bridges, soaring prices, etc. We, most of us anyway, are NOT better off than 4 years ago. The only ones better off are the rich who have made $$$$ more thanks to tax cuts, Haliburton, oil profits, etc. The country is headed into some rough economic times, thanks to this administration, and those of us not wealthy enough to weather the storm will suffer greatly. NO GOLDEN PARACHUTES FOR US!!
The Republican administration is paying how much to rebuild Iraq while New Orleans & the Gulf coast remains destroyed!!! Scare tactics are really all that the Republicans have to offer because the effects of the last 8 years are hurtful and devastating to the majority of Americans.
Good! mccain deserves to be slammed for his constant negative campaign.
Supporting Senator Obama 100%
You liar. You would like nothing better than to weaken this country and destroy it. You said American needs to be knocked off her highhorse. Only a fool or a liberal would vote for you. Too bad so many people suck down your lies.
If we are worse off now, I'm sure Nobama will continue that spiral downward. This man is a FRAUD.
Obama you need to debate McCain so we know if it is you talking or your speech writer.
Obama 2008!! GOD bless you and your family. You would be the best thing for America!! No more republicans. God no!!!
Americans need to face reality and realize their money has been going over here in extravagant amounts, some wasted, some cannot even be accounted for!!!
Has the surge really worked if you take into consideration *YOU*
are paying them bribe money NOT to kill each other!!
Why not get OFF their soil and leave them alone and maybe just maybe all this will settle down
If they do NOT have enough *respect* for each other as muslims to not kill EACH other than thats their problem.Iraqis had nothing to do with 911 and at some point as human beings we have to say there has been enough revenge and killing for 911 and if all the money being spent on the propagandinized Bush and McSame war were brought home America could spend more to protect its open borders and ports against terrorism!!!
Good for you Obama, Stay focused on the issues.
I hope McCain reads or listens to this speech. That is a sensible radio address compared to that of Granpa McCain's.
Talking about POLICY in a radio address? Maybe McCain should try that for once.
Right on! Slam him hard. Throw Hillary's Kitchen Sink at Mccain. Mccain's lies and negative ads angers me so much. I just want to take his walking cane and club him.
Obama addressing issues while McCain addresses Obama's popularity. Glad to see Obama is still working even while onb "vacation".
Good job.
Obama '08
So Senator Obama used his radio air time to talk about the issues and Senator McCain used is radio air time to talk about Senator Obama. If this is accurate, going on what CNN reports, because I did not hear either radio address, Senator McCain better get over his anger about all the attention Senator Obama gets and work on his agenda, personal attacks and fear mongering won't work this time.
WHY IS IT THAT THE DEMOCRATS ALWAYS HAVE TO CLEAR THE AIR OF JOHN MCCAIN AND THE RIGHT WING REPUBLCIAN MEDIA CAMPAGIN O F MISINFORMATON!
OBAMO 08
Sen. Obama, Every boby has known that long time ago. I am not going to vote for the Republican, the idiots, who continue to send 10 billions monthly to Irag while our economy has been in trouble.
See the difference folks, when Obama goes on the offensive, he states the dirty facts about McCain, whereas McCain can only continue with his line of personal attacks, which is the equivalent of a temper tantrum. McCain offers the public nothing but silly rants, while Obama offers ideas and solutions. What idiot would even consider voting for McCain???
Finally. Go after him Obama. You should bring up the Keating scandal too.
A $79 Million dollar budget is a pittance against our TRILLIONS of dollar budget. It is good to see something sprout from the seeds we laid back in 2003 when we removed Sadam Hussein. Soon we will not have to contribute that $10 Million a month because the Iraqi's will be on their feet and able to handle their country. This year especially we've been able to see the Iraqi people step up to the plate and start showing signs that they won't need us much longer. Mr. Obama, you are wrong, wrong, wrong! Your message is old news. Even after your visit to Iraq, you can't say anything about your experience there without sounding like George Bush. So you say NOTHING about how much better things are in Iraq. That is a disgrace and frankly a lie to your supporters.
Right on Obama. I can't believe McCain said we were better of than we were eight years ago but worse off than we were four years ago. The Alzheimers is really kickin' in.
Nice, this is a great line of Attack
Sure, we needed to help Iraq, after all, it was us bombing them that ruined a lot of their old infrastructure. But how long do we need to continue? McCain would have us rebuilding their infrastructure for the next 10 years. We don't need another four years of the same politics.
Obama 08/12