Obama: What would you ask?

[CommunityEditor]

Wednesday afternoon, Military Times' Congressional Editor Rick Maze sat down with Barack Obama for an exclusive interview. Video, photos and transcripts of that interview will be available Monday, July 7.

If you had an opportunity to sit one-on-one with Obama, what would you ask?

[Biglew97]

Since oil prices and Global Security are hand in hand, what is his plan for weening us off foreign Oil Dependence. Most americans are aware there is no quick fix, but a comprehensive plan would be nice, or at least encourageing.

I would also ask why is a bold plan such a hard concept for The US government to accept (besides Big Oil Money buying off Politicians on both sides of the aisle). For Example we can plan a mission to Mars or put Men on the moon, but we can't develop a bold plan that acts as a catalyst to develop hydrogen Fuel Cells. A plan that increases the scale, availability and affordability, that all americans can enjoy not just the top 15% of the american populace. Hydrogen fuel cells operate on water, one of the most abundant resources on our planet not to forget that the exhaust is Water.

My argument or question would tackle Four important things that we as american are worried about these days, Jobs, Energy, the environment, and the security of this great nation.

I would also add that weening us off of foreign oil is imperative because any american that uses foreign oil is complicit in the deaths of americans in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Shrike]

Senator Obama,
1) You are undeniably one of the farthest-left leaning politicians in the Senate. Are your recent transparent attempts to portray yourself as centrist nothing more than the political equivalent of blowing smoke up the asses of ignorant voters?

2) Over the past few months, you've had to throw supporter after advisor after mentor under the bus (in the parlance of our times). Do you make it a habit to surround yourself with incompetent, racist, and/or politically embarassing advisors? If elected president, would you continue displaying such bad judgement?

3) You change your position on topics faster than most politicians I've ever seen. If elected, do you look forward to your name becoming synonymous with the phrase "flip-flop"? Have other notorious flip-floppers called you to complain that you were giving them a bad name?

4) Over the past year, you've gotten paid a very large salary to represent the citizens of Illinois in Congress. You've spent most of that time campaigning instead of doing the job you are paid to do. Does it cause you any shame at all to cash the paycheck that your constituents paid for?

Will we have the chance to submit questions for Senator McCain? I have some good ones for him, too.

[Kegler]

Senator: If you are relying on your advisors to help you with Military decisions....why the heck did you pick one of the worst AF Chief of Staffs in history who drove everything including morale to all time lows while he was in charge. Having retired Gen McPeak as an assistant campaign manager and advisor definitely calls your judgement into question. That decision alone should actually cause a no confidence vote!!!!!

Originally Posted by Shrike

Senator Obama,
1) You are undeniably one of the farthest-left leaning politicians in the Senate. Are your recent transparent attempts to portray yourself as centrist nothing more than the political equivalent of blowing smoke up the asses of ignorant voters?

2) Over the past few months, you've had to throw supporter after advisor after mentor under the bus (in the parlance of our times). Do you make it a habit to surround yourself with incompetent, racist, and/or politically embarassing advisors? If elected president, would you continue displaying such bad judgement?

3) You change your position on topics faster than most politicians I've ever seen. If elected, do you look forward to your name becoming synonymous with the phrase "flip-flop"? Have other notorious flip-floppers called you to complain that you were giving them a bad name?

4) Over the past year, you've gotten paid a very large salary to represent the citizens of Illinois in Congress. You've spent most of that time campaigning instead of doing the job you are paid to do. Does it cause you any shame at all to cash the paycheck that your constituents paid for?

Will we have the chance to submit questions for Senator McCain? I have some good ones for him, too.

Wow... Greats statements, but completely lacking any examples or fact and weighed down heavily with personal bias... You sound like the type of guy that wants 8 more years of Bush.

[Shrike]

Originally Posted by Shilo

Wow... Greats statements, but completely lacking any examples or fact and weighed down heavily with personal bias... You sound like the type of guy that wants 8 more years of Bush.

What does Bush have to do with any of those statements? My opinion of the current president - which isn't very favorable, BTW, but way to go jumping to conclusions! - is completely immaterial to Obama's poor judgement and lack of qualifications.

Can you dispute ANY of the points raised in my questions? Go ahead. Take your best shots:
- Does or does not Obama have one of the farthest-left voting records? Has he or has he not tried to position himself more to the center since he became the defacto nominee?
- How many piss-poor advisors and/or mentors has Obama had to boot or disavow statements from? Why the hell would some who wants to be president display such poor judgement as to surround themselves with such potentially embarassing people?
- Has he not changed opinions back and forth on issues?
- Has he fully performed his duties as a Senator over the past year or so, thus earning the salary we as taxpayers give to him?

Fire away with your devastating rebuttal!

Well I apologize, but you come off like a staunch republican

To be honest, I don't see that you are making any factual points. You are make blanket statements.


- Does or does not Obama have one of the farthest-left voting records? Has he or has he not tried to position himself more to the center since he became the defacto nominee?

I'm going to group this with your statement about him flip-flopping on issues, which I has answered below.

- How many piss-poor advisors and/or mentors has Obama had to boot or disavow statements from? Why the hell would some who wants to be president display such poor judgement as to surround themselves with such potentially embarassing people?

There again, this is opinion. I assume that you're talking about Rev Wright? That's the problem with politics isn't it? Everyone you know is scrutinized and then you are held accountable by association. I think that his relationship with the "good" reverend was unfortunate, but I also think that the senator handled it very well. There was also some scandal about a business dealing he had with someone in Chicago that had mob ties or something to that affect. If there is some proof other than Senator Obama new a guy one time that might have done something, then I am all ears...

- Has he not changed opinions back and forth on issues?

You may have me here. I would need to read about specific issues so that I can debate them with you. I tend to read a lot about the election and I have yet to hear of any big issues that he backtracked on.

- Has he fully performed his duties as a Senator over the past year or so, thus earning the salary we as taxpayers give to him?

He has the right to run for president. Plain and simple. If the incumbent is running should his pay be docked as well? Or any politician for that matter? Are you saying that any public official should not receive a paycheck while running for public office? I don't really understand your point here. If you want to say that you don't believe that he has "paid in his due" to run then just say it. There's no reason to try to mask it under the guise of saving taxpayer money.

[Shrike]

Originally Posted by shilo

Well I apologize, but you come off like a staunch republican

To be honest, I don't see that you are making any factual points. You are make blanket statements.


- Does or does not Obama have one of the farthest-left voting records? Has he or has he not tried to position himself more to the center since he became the defacto nominee?

I'm going to group this with your statement about him flip-flopping on issues, which I has answered below.

- How many piss-poor advisors and/or mentors has Obama had to boot or disavow statements from? Why the hell would some who wants to be president display such poor judgement as to surround themselves with such potentially embarassing people?

There again, this is opinion. I assume that you're talking about Rev Wright? That's the problem with politics isn't it? Everyone you know is scrutinized and then you are held accountable by association. I think that his relationship with the "good" reverend was unfortunate, but I also think that the senator handled it very well. There was also some scandal about a business dealing he had with someone in Chicago that had mob ties or something to that affect. If there is some proof other than Senator Obama new a guy one time that might have done something, then I am all ears...

- Has he not changed opinions back and forth on issues?

You may have me here. I would need to read about specific issues so that I can debate them with you. I tend to read a lot about the election and I have yet to hear of any big issues that he backtracked on.

- Has he fully performed his duties as a Senator over the past year or so, thus earning the salary we as taxpayers give to him?

He has the right to run for president. Plain and simple. If the incumbent is running should his pay be docked as well? Or any politician for that matter? Are you saying that any public official should not receive a paycheck while running for public office? I don't really understand your point here. If you want to say that you don't believe that he has "paid in his due" to run then just say it. There's no reason to try to mask it under the guise of saving taxpayer money.

If you had a job for Apple, and you told your boss "I'm taking the next year off to look for a better job, and you must pay me while I do it" what do you think the boss' reaction would be?

I understand the logic behind your statement. I still would have to insist that you hold every politician to the same standard. If your were to say "I believe that all politicians should not receive payment for their elected office, while in the midst of a campaign because they are not fullfilling their duties", then I may agree with you. But it seems as if you are calling out a candidate based on something that almost all cadidates do and making it sound as if he is alone on this.

Are you going to stop politically motivated trilals of Jose Nazario and the Hadithia Marines? I know you had on your website that you would prosecute "war crimes." Are you going after military members based on propaganda by the left?