by John McCormick
ALGONA, Iowa – There are almost always questions from voters about health care, immigration and the influence of lobbyists.
But others are less expected. In recent days, for example, presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama has been asked about Iceland, Norway and a potential federal Department of Peace.
That last one was asked here a short time ago by a man in his later years who also asked whether Obama would consider, if elected president, a council of ethical and spiritual advisers.
The Illinois Democrat nodded in agreement and said he would surround himself with such advisers, although added that he might not call it the Council of Ethical and Spiritual Advisers.
"There are a lot of smart people, but so much of leadership is, especially presidential leadership, I think, is character. It has to do with, you know, how you stay focused on the reasons that you took this office," he said. "How do you make sure it's not just based on ambition? How do you make sure you're not just trying to protect your office?"
Obama said most of the nation's problems are not "technical" in nature. "They have to do with the fact that we operate on the basis of short-sightedness, or greed, or selfishness, or we're hoping for power," he said.
In terms of a Department of Peace, Obama said he has another department in mind for that job. "I want to create a State Department that works because that's what the State Department is supposed to be," he said.
Friday, in Monticello, Iowa, Obama was asked about energy efficiency in Norway.
"This is the first time during the campaign that I've been asked about Norway," Obama said. "I'm very impressed by that."
He then added that Norway is "much smarter in terms of using the money they get from oil revenues to reinvest in energy efficiencies."
Another North Atlantic nation came up during a question-and-answer session on Saturday in Independence, Iowa, when Obama was asked his opinion of Iceland's efforts to be free of oil use in the coming years, while also using more hydrogen for fuel.
"Hydrogen is a part of clean energy," Obama responded, adding that he would boost funding for alternative fuel research.
He then pointed voters to his campaign staff members and Web site, if they have further questions. "We can answer any question that you've got," he said.
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Comments
"There are a lot of smart people, but so much of leadership is, especially presidential leadership, I think, is character. It has to do with, you know, how you stay focused on the reasons that you took this office . . . How do you make sure it's not just based on ambition? . . ."
"Obama said most of the nation's problems . . . "have to do with the fact that we operate on the basis of short-sightedness, or greed, or selfishness, or we're hoping for power,' . . ."
I think he had someone in mind when he said this. The question is: Will he ever come right out into the open and accuse Hillary of blind ambition?
Posted by: John W. | December 16, 2007 4:57 PM
If there's one thing that BO and every other pol needs it's a council of ethical advisors...
If only they'd listen.
Posted by: MJ | December 16, 2007 5:01 PM
Here's a question from someone in Illinois, not Iceland*:
"Why should we take your so-called health plan seriously when you haven't introduced this legislation during your time in Congress?"
*Though the difference this weekend isn't great.
Posted by: Bruce | December 16, 2007 7:48 PM
Senator Obama has an exceptional skill for oration; a skill that is much for frequently used than that of debate.
I think a lot of people will see what an outstanding choice he is for President, after we send him out of Iowa with a BIG WIN!!!
The real news is that Senator Obama, practically unknown on the national level until 2004, is actually competing well against John Edwards -- who has been running for national office for nearly six years, and Hillary Clinton, who is married to an x-President!
Some to the latest polls in Iowa actually show him ahead 33%-24%-24%. That's not only amazing, it's probably historic! Just think of what he could do to heal our nation; politically, racially, and globally. What an awesome thought -- "President Barack Obama".
Posted by: Obiwan1250 | December 16, 2007 8:41 PM
Makes good sense to me.
The man is sharp.
Posted by: Mr. Unite Us | December 16, 2007 8:51 PM
Perhaps Senator Obama would like to discuss his support for "clean coal" technology, as well as nuclear power. Anyone who has read the November 12th New Yorker article regarding oil sand mining in Canada and the environmental degradation it has caused will want to question Obama's support of "clean coal" technology that would cause even greater environmental damage.
Posted by: David Porter | December 16, 2007 9:44 PM
A Deaprtment of Peace? Everyone sing Kumbiya now.
Posted by: Terry | December 16, 2007 10:12 PM
President Bill Clinton this weekend stopped at the home of Palm beach developer Thanos Papalexis and gave a great speach to attendees focussing on some of Hilary's policies... Wether USA can handle a woman President or not, i dont know if we have another choice because once you get into her policies and truly understand them, they do seem to be the best route to rebuild the USA..
Posted by: Thomas Peters | December 16, 2007 10:40 PM
To our favorite wing nuts Brucie and Big T, at least Obama can answer a question.
Get it!!!!
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 17, 2007 9:17 AM
Good for Obama for wanting to expand and reinforce the role of the State Department in creating a secure and stable international situation. Unfortunately, the State Department's mission is limited to dealing with recognized states, does not address terrorist organizations or the epidemic of violence within the borders of the United States. The bill to create a US Dept. of Peace (HR808) would focus 2/3 of its efforts on homeland violence prevention, and address the root causes of violence everywhere. More information can be found at thepeacealliance.org.
Posted by: David Hazen | December 17, 2007 10:16 AM
The Council on Ethics and Spiritual Advisers for Obama. Does that include indicted Tony Rezko, Daniel Unruh and the Muhajans just to name a few of his associates for the past 17 years.
This guy is all about crooks not Hope.He just gets me with all this rhetoric.
Will the real Barry Hussein Obama please stand up. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | December 17, 2007 10:24 AM
Oh great Bruce is back! Bruce, why'd you come back? You hate this paper and we hate you.
Posted by: john | December 17, 2007 10:36 AM
Unfortunately, Obama's energy policy is about one shade greener that George Bush's energy policy. The core of his energy policy is clean coal and ethanol. Neither of the two have can really be considered green in the wildest stretch of the imagination nor do they offer a very friendly energy efficient conversion ratio.
If elected, I can only hope that he surrounds himself with people who have a strong background in Thermo Dynamics.
Posted by: Alvin Hulse | December 17, 2007 11:53 AM
Although algae to oil is still expensive, I hope that Obama won't leave that method of alternative fuel off his list. It looks hopeful.
Posted by: Bill | December 17, 2007 7:14 PM
Crazy Duck,
I guess if you ask a stupid question, you will get a stupid answer.
Posted by: Terry | December 17, 2007 8:06 PM
[quote]
"Why should we take your so-called health plan seriously when you haven't introduced this legislation during your time in Congress?"
Posted by: Bruce | December 16, 2007 7:48 PM
[/quote]
Bruce - Please post links to any health plan submitted to Congress by an Illinois Republican Senator before Barack Obama was elected, so that we can compare and contrast their plans.
Posted by: BC | December 17, 2007 11:16 PM
Obama is the only candidate who knows and believes that the only current means of significantly reducing our reliance on oil and coal in producing electricity. Unpopular as it would be to say so, he hould say so. And he should support the only other solution with real pootential for releving our use of oil (both for poswer generation and auto fuels) with no environmental downside, i.e. Ocean Thermal Energy Vonversion (OTEC) which gains no support from our Governement (DOE) because it was not invented there. there.
Posted by: William Buchanan | March 24, 2008 6:45 PM