Sen. Obama's office responds

The pious, self-absorbed, arrogance of politicians without expertise other than pontifical rants timed for the evening news. Shame on us citizens for electing them. Term limits of one term only I say !

This is Politics 101. Why would Obama work to pass a watered-down version of a bill when he and other Democrats can instead pass a bill with teeth and then have the ability to inflict political damage on Republicans if they refuse to join in?

I'm sure McCain would love to have the senate pass 95-5 something that he authors so that he can get some face time and proclaim that he is sticking up for the little guy and leading a bipartisan effort to quash corruption. But the Abramoff scandal is not bipartisan, it is Republican any way you paint it. Therefore the Democrats are going to use the opportunity to push for real reform and see if Republicans are REALLY interested in addressing the problem. Kudos to them.

Let's get behind Senator Obama, he's doing the right thing!

From Fort Collins, CO
Sen. McCain's letter was right on. Obama had an excellent opportunity of helping to bring the two parties together in resolving so many of our problems. But since the Democratic Party has pushed him in the forefront to be a major party line speaker, he is losing his credibility. Too many in the Democratic party and some in the Republican party put Party above people's interest. Finance reform will now become a partisan issue, just as Social Security reform was. The Democrats wouldn't even discuss that issue in its entirety.

Why would we think the Democrats would work together with the Republicans. They have worked against our President on almost every issue. The Democrats are only interested in advancing their power in Washington. They follow self appointed leaders like Ted Kennedy like puppies follow their mother. They should pick people with honor and integrity and follow them. They should do what's good for the country not just what's good for them in promoting themselves. Obama is another failure like our other Illinois Senator. And I'm a registered Democrat. Industry is fleeing Illinois and we get back little from Washington conpared to what goes out of this state.

anyone who thinks senator mccain is doing good for the little man is fooling himself, mccain and the republican party for five years now has passed laws to serve there interests and only there interests.

McCain is getting jumpy before his doomed run to be the US president--the republicans showed their true values by electing an insurance lobbyist to majority leader in the house after all their rants and raves about being sincere believers in reform--Senator Obama has integrity,sadly Mc Cain and friends do not-they just talk a lot-

McCain's choice to publicize his criticisms rather than speak to Obama directly says something about his transparency in the spotlight. For him to conclude via assumptions what Barack's intentions are, and for him to, as mentioned, release said assumptions to the news groups shows what he thinks of an American's perception, or lack thereof. For a second there, I criticized myself for finding fault in him for the sole reason that the self-thrust of his words into our television and through our ears was too-easily interpreted as insincere. I'm glad to find reason to doubt my own American perceptions.

Same old Democratic Party - Party first / Country
Last / Obama should be ashamed but he will wiggle out. Anyone who reads without bias will easily see Obama as the hypocrite he is.

Typical Obama. All talk and photo op and no action.

I am ashamed to have Obama as one of my Senators...right along with Dick Durbin.

I find it hard to believe that any of the anti-Obama faction among those posting responses here even read Sen. Obama's letter. Sen. McCain's response letter is so out of left-field, so petulant, so ultimately disingenuous as to be embarassing. Did HE even read Sen. Obama's letter?

Again, my Republican/Conservative friends who are bashing Sen. Obama for the sake of bashing him, at least have the intellectual curiosity and honesty to read Sen. Obama's letter. I don't see how you could then praise Sen. McCain's over-the-top miffed-teenager response.

Yeah, C. Church, it's Democrats who put party before country... Riiiiighht.
Is that why the Republicans refused to swear in Alberto Gonzalez today?
You neocons are hilarious, and it will be a very loooooooong time before you will be able to elect a Senator or Governor in Illinois... nobody trusts the Republican party anymore.
We're blue now and we aren't going back... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

Why did Obama back away from McCain's bipartisian effort? Quite simple, his benefactor, George Soros, did not want his paid-in-full Senator to cooperate with any Republican effort. Remove something like that from the upcoming elections? No way! Georgie sez jump and Obama sez "How high?"

It is a shame that Senator McCain, whom I like, didn't bother to pick up a phone and ask the Senator from Illinois for some clarification if he was confused. Instead he chose to go to the press with his angry reply. I regret this ever made the news. This should have been worked out in private so these two Senators could have remained in a collaborative spirit. Senator McCain's angery reply serves his ego but damages the public good. This is our loss folks. Let us, Democrats and Republicans, tell these two guys to get over this and solve some of these issues together. We can all agree on that.

I have submitted editorials in the recent past to the Tribune regarding Barack Obama and the clear path he is choosing to be no different than other Democratic partisans like Durbin, Kennedy, Schumer, et al. These editorials have not been published because they do not square with the Tribune's desire to build up this man of little experience on the national stage or courage to be different. Obama tried to play it slick with a trusted and experienced person like Senator McCain. He is now burned. His apologists will be unable to cover up his games on this one.

Today, John McCain was outclassed by a freshman Senator.

Keep up the good work, Barak!

Sorry but the modern Republican Party has never done a single thing to put the country ahead of the party. How many times have the Republicans exploited 9/11 for partisan gain? Do they not realize that the terrorists attacked Americans and not Republicans or Democrats. And do they not realize that criticism of President Bush's decisions regarding the war on terror, and the Iraq war in particular, are a healthy part of democracy? Did not Karl Rove suggest that Democrats responded to 9/11 with calls for therapy while Republicans prepared for war? If that's not putting the elephant over the flag then I don't know what is. The GOP came to power in 1994 promising reform. All they gave us was corruption, incompetence and arrogance.

Blah..blah...blah from Gibbs, Obama's spinmaster. Obama got a spanking. Obama is a United States senator regardless of whether he is a Freshman or a veteran. Bipartisan means negotiation and compromise. Not trying to ram a Democratic proposal down the Senate's throat, which has no chance of passing. More rhetoric and not enough results. Both parites need to remember that the American people are the primary concern. A watered-down bill is better than doing nothing as usual.

I tell you what outrages me, The fact that Sen. Obama did not return a more forceful response! Oh well, what do you expect from a gentlemen. I like both Sen. McCain and Sen Obama. However I must say, " Will Someone Please Get Mr. McCain's Bottle!!" As for all the idiot Republicans "Read Sen. Obama's Letter" He was a Gentlemen and Honourable. He's not out for himself and is not putting himself before his country. He just doesn't agree with McCain. It's that simple.

I'm so tired of hearing the right talk about all the great things the republican party has done. In five years they have lead down a path of destruction!! Most unblind people see it. That's why they are going to get a butt whooping come Nov.

Senator McCain seems almost frantic in his desire to produce some kind of bipartisan lobbying reform. Why not let the committe hold open hearings as Obama suggests? I suspect he's more concerned about the verdict of the voters in November.

McCain's "outrage" evokes images of Al Capone criticizing the feds for not wanting to cooperate with him on "gangster reform."

Every day, more and more Republicans are being linked to the Abramoff scandal. Dozens of GOP lawmakers on the take from this corrupt lobbyist. And they want to act outraged that Democrats intend to use this as a campaign issue?

It is about time for Illinois Voters to start seeing what kind of frauds they have elected into the U.S. Senate like Obama and Durbin. Obama only cares about himself and the 2008 Presidential elections. He no longer cares about Illinois now that he has been elected and deemed the "savor" of the democratic party. I am just glad I no longer live in a state that is really ran by Mayor Daley and democrats who want to launch their careers and care nothing about the people of Illinois.

Two senators putting their views in writing for all to see. Extremely refreshing. Still, blind members of both the Repuiblican and Democratic parties find this distrubing. This is politics not a high school version of the United Nations. If these grown men aren't allowed to politic, argue, and express their feelings and then back them in writing than we truly have devolved into a nation of TV sound bites. Go back to your extremist/partisan blogs so you can be caressed by the words of those who think exactly like you.

I sincerely believe that John McCain's letter to
Barack Obama simply highlights McCain's personal presidential aspirations. He is very adept at avoiding commenting on so many controversial subjects for fear of losing the support of the 'Middle of the Road' voter.. Of course he
needs the support of Obama's popularity to gain
credit and political advantage in legislation
that can lessen the damage perpetrated by Abramoff.

It would do Sen. Obama good to do a close read of the power politics of Machiavelli. Obviously, Sen. McCain has done his homework and knows how to play the game.

If McCain were a proponent of ethical behavior, why would he engage in shrill public smearing of his opponent? No, taking a page out of today's Republican playbook, the smear is not just the means for advancing his cause but the objective. When he cries out "disingenuous," does he realize he's looking in the mirror?

Sen. Obama does what ever Kennedy and Dickie Turbin tell him to do. Cliff

I believe that this constant bantering from the republican blogs and idealogues is just a bi-product of their leader. His methods of say one thing and do another have left this country the most divided in history. It is also the standard operating procedure to personally attack any democrat as being soft on security, partisian and practically traitors if they disagree with anything the republicans want. This letter from Sen. McCain shocked me because I thought that he was different. But alas, he is just another republican that wants to demonize all democrats. I have supported many republicans, I am a registered democrat. I am a conservative when it comes to fiscal policies, but I am also a realist when looking at entitlement programs, how about the corporate welfare that the republicans so dutifuly protect.

This is just one more example of one party being in total control of government. It does not work well in Illinois and is surely has not worked in Washington DC.

Hey Dave in Chicago,
I agree, it would do Obama some good to read about Machiavelli.
It also would help to study the late Chicagoan Leo Strauss, if he really wants to understand the neocon cult...
http://www.catalystmagazine.net/issues/story.cfm?story=475

Politricks. If Obama was being disingenuous in a meeting, why is it neccessary for McCain to go public with his displeasure? Should not the senior, experienced pro pull the rookie aside and tell him to cut out the nonsense? I have no idea whether or not Obama was up to partisain shenanigans or not, but you can be quite sure that McCain knew that going public would create a hardening of attitudes within his party.
Let he who is without sin...

Once again both of our Illinois Senators put party above country. Can anyone name one thing positive, with substance, Obama or Durbin have done for our State? Time to vote both of those self-serving knuckleheads out of office

We need real reform in Washington. Trusting the GOP to police their own culture of corruption would be like trusting the state democrat party to police their own culture of corruption. Does anyone think such a thing will work. Good for O'Bama for pushing for a tougher stance.

If anything has come out of the past 5 years, it's a distaste for the GOP party. The party of corporate welfare and lies. The party that's 20+ years removed from fiscal conservatism. I used to be a Republican, but it's clear to me that the GOP seeks an agenda that my conscience can't accept as acceptable.

Regardless, I wish for the day that the GOP comes back to reasonable and progressive social policy mixed with responsible fiscal policy that doesn't focus on giving to huge corporations (like Exxon) while ignoring those people who may be on hard times.

As much as I respect and admire Senator McCain, I have to say that his letter sounded snitty and schoolgirl-ish; and then releasing it to the press on top of that? Compounds the error. For someone who is said to be gearing up for a presidential run in 2008, Senator McCain sure doesn't appear presidential at the moment. And much as I disagree with Senator Obama on a number of issues, I have to say his response was appropriate and classy.

What puzzles me about this conundrum is that McCain had to release his reply publicly. It leads me to believe that if anyone is posturing for political gain, it would be Mr. McCain. The Republican party now views Obama as a real threat and will do anything to discredit him. Unfortunately for Republicans, McCain's response seems agitated and uncalled for; the same kind of stuff that cost him the Republican nomination in 00'. Our freshman Senator has definitely outclassed a senior.

"Obama responds."

I'm sure the Senator will respond, but your link doesn't present that response.

This is all political posturing for McCain's run in 2008. Once again, the Republicans have proved that they will publicize every event in strictly partisan terms in order to divide the voters even further. Once again, when a Democrat disagrees with a Republican, the Republican has to play political spin games for his own advantage. McCain only cares about McCain and situating himself for another try to be President in 2008.

As a former citizen of Illinois' 6th Congressional District I think that the good people of your state are lucky to have Dick Durbin and Barack Obama as their Senators. I have to put up with Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander - both of whom voted to cut my pay and both of whom support policies that I rarely agree with.

I respected both men, but I think Obama comes out on top on this one. This unfortunately stinks a little too much of sacrificial lamb. McCain obviously needed an outlet to slay some dragons before midterm elections and, more importantly, before he runs for President, and what better way to do it than to nail one of the rising Democrats?

Read Obama's book. The one most striking conclusion I drew from it is that he is a sincere reformer who did not get into politics out of a need to feel important, but out of a desire to do good work. As a state senator, he was one of the leading forces behind our new state ethics bill, which is now a model for the nation. His ethics credentials match up well against McCain's any day. McCain has a long and well-known track record for these irrational outbursts.

Shame on all of you - discussing the argument instead of the substance of the reform proposals.

Why should congresspeople receive gifts and meals from lobbyists? They shouldn't. What's wrong with an office of public integrity? I say it's about time. The ethics committees don't work because they're led by the party in power - the most likely to commit ethics abuses by definition.

We should be focused on DEMANDING real lobbying reform. It's about time.

Sen. McCain's letter is disappointing. He wants Sen. Obama to work with him on his lobbying bill which apparently Sen. Obama views as "tepid". McCain's party is the party that currently holds the disrepute of being corrupt and incompetent. Sen. Obama should distance himself from working bipartisan with McCain. The Democrats have their own bill. McCain has shown less class and maturity than Obama. Score Obama.

John McCain has the reputation of a maverick, a reformer, a statesman. In fact, he is just as quick to lie down for the Bush administration as any other GOP pol. His anti-torture bill was neutered upon signing by Mr. Bush. He uttered nary a peep about this, having already won by appearing to stand independently against the president, but in reality only creating a smokescreen.

If Senator McCain is, indeed, committed to campaign finance reform, why did he campaign vigorously for George W. Bush in 2004, while Bush supported and continues to support lax if any controls on campaign spending and fundraising? Why, if he is against mounting deficits, did he campaign for Bush, who has given us record deficits?

John McCain is not just a garden variety hypocrite, he is a chameleon who presents a moderate face to the general electorate, while standing foursquare behind the hard right agenda of the worst elements of the GOP when it counts. He is a stealth weapon of the Guardians Of Privilege, and this is what makes him dangerous to the working men and women of America, and to our children who will inherit the mess being created by his party.

His sniping against Barak Obama is just an attempt by a GOP partisan to besmirch the reputation of a rising star of the Democratic Party. I, for one, am certain that Senator Obama will prove to be a true statesman, and, in the final analysis, Senator McCain will go down as just another GOP hack.

To all you Obama bashers, let me get this straight. Obama backs out of McCain's plan because it is essentially a watered down version of the Democrats plan for reforming our corrupt lobbying system, and this is bad? How?

Why should the Democrats help the Republicans create weaker reform standards?! Think about this and ask yourselves who you truly believe is putting their own interests first. Remember: it was the Republicans who took lobbying corruption to the next level with the K-Street Project. We wouldn't even be having this discussion if it hadn't been for this (admittedly!!!) partisan effort to intentionally corrupt the system.

McCain should be cooperating with Democrats like Obama...not vice-versa. There is a difference. What is McCain afraid of? Why does he want to weaken the Democrat's proposal? Why should we care if Obama refuses to compromise and appease the rule-breakers? Why is McCain himself trying to compromise with the corrupt sect of the GOP he has so often distanced himself from? What happened to his spine?

Some of you need to step back and quit trying to read so hard between the lines before you've even read the bold print right before your eyes.

I'm surprised all of you democrats and republicans alike think that one of these two parties represents anyone of you. both parties are comprised of a bunch of millionares who make legislation to make sure they stay millionares. Do you think any state representative, Obama or McCain or any others have to worry about healthcare, what disfunctional school to send their kids, how much money they will be in debt next month? If they did they would have come up with a solution a long time ago. Having said that, at least Obama has some dignity, isn't it a little obvious what McCain is doing here, he is probably running for President soon so he see's someone like Obama as his future competitor who is gaining a lot of popularity, then publicly tries to discredit him for no reason. come on, this is politics 101. I would figure McCain would have been a little more angry with Bush for allowing these prison tortures to take place given McCain's background. but since McCain only attacks democrats and can't stand up to his own party that makes sense I guess.

Mr. McCain should have vented the same kind of animostic feelings agains Mr. Bush during the 2000 election that he did on a fledgling senator, who appears on the surface to have not deserved the political lashing.

Sure, Kevin...
I can name one good thing Durbin did in the last 24 hrs...
He grilled that lying S.O.B. Alberto Gonzalez in yesterday's hearing.
And before you defend our Constitution-burning attorney criminal, can you please explain why Gonzo wouldn't be sworn in? I thought you neocons were real sticklers for honesty under oath...

Wow Bungles.....a neo con conspiracy, ...how Diebold stole the election.
Sounds like you're reading some very well balanced stuff.

hey k.o.a.,
what's up? actually, yeah, i get my info from liberal and conservative sources...
for example, here's some valuable info i learned from freerepublic...
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a38432f49307d.htm

kool aid alert,

you're right... it's gotta be kool aid that makes stuff like this appear out of thin air...

http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=979bc356fbfc082be8930f269e2bde50

http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=1661

http://www.teambio.org/2006/02/usa-maximum-security-detention-center/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20060130/bs_prweb/prweb339303_5

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1559151.stm

say, who won the "war on christmas"?