This video was date for 2003. Bill Clinton lied for sleeping with Monica lewinsky on the stand and lost law license because of this. Hillary dodges question in regards to white water and other illegal things the Clinton have done. This was five years ago and no one can rember their exact words five years ago. Any how, my vote will not go to Hillary. The Clinton history out weighs any health care gibberish of 5 years ago.

This seems to be such a big deal for everyone who wants to take Obama down a peg, but is it REALLY?

Where is the LIE? He said then that he likes single payer as a goal but it wouldn't be immediately achievable. He says now that he likes single payer but the challenges in making a transition right away would be too great. That seems extremely consistent to me...one is talking about what you'd like to see hypothetically, the other is stating a practical policy position on how to implement. Looks like worst case scenario here is tempered enthusiasm, but I don't see that he said he favors implementing single payer, and therefore I don't see where he lied in the debate.

Even if that is an infinitessimal shift in position, isn't a person allowed to learn from greater experience anymore? I don't see that he's ever said what Clinton says he said, I don't see that he's lying, even by omission.

Fact checkers nailed Clinton on a couple of doosies, and point out one small technicality in Obama's positions that could look like a small inconsistency depending on how you spin it, yet the press is just giving Clinton a pass as all is fair in political campaigning, and they're nailing Obama to the cross.

If Senator Obama's opinion on how to get health care for those who do not have it in our country has changed, his goal has not. Why should this matter if the outcome is the same?
I am so tired of the Clinton Machine's smear tactics, and if this is the worst they can dig up on Senator Obama after the swampy past of the Clintons, then it makes me love Obama even more. I used to be a fan of the Clintons, now I am appalled and disgusted. If they can't unite their own party, how is Hilary going to unite a country? If Hilary gets the nomination, I, for the first time in my life, might vote republican.

Posted by: Washington | January 23, 2008 10:49 AM

Typical. When we don't know how to defend Obama in the scope of the issue we turn around and pull an outside card, in this case the Monica card. Then we pull out but "they did it too." And of course, "that was so long ago." Here's an idea Monica, white water that was soo years ago. No one can remember the exact words....

"Obama's statements now or your lying eyes and ears?"

End of Franks Video.
O-"single payer program-- that's what I would like to see"

C-"he was for single payer and said he was for single payer if we could get a Democratic president and Democratic Congress."

O-"I never said that we should try to go ahead and get single-payer."

Neither. Clinton is saying Obama favored it,was FOR it, and Obama saw it COULD happen under certain circumstances. Obama responds with saying he never said we SHOULD GET it. They are both right. Obama was for it, and saw it could happen under certain circumstances. Hillary is right. Obama did not refute he was for it or that he saw it could happen under certain circumstances, Obama said he never said we should get it. He's right. They both are. Speaking to each other in different tongues.

In the debate he does not deny being for single payer - he denies it being his plan to put forth a single payer system - because it would not be feasible - which in the video he also says - he is a proponent - but it is not practical (unless the whole elected government thinks this way). I think the press is falling into the clinton game - of let's spend a lot of time on this - the end result is that it confuses everybody. the clinton tail is wagging the dog.

Hillary Clinton will do and say whatever it takes to be elected, including claiming to be against something she voted for, yet she gets a free ride from a media that seems more afraid of being shut out of the Clintonian inner circle than it is about the truth.

I don't get it. What difference does it make. That was 2003. Are people not allowed to change their views on an issue?
The BOTTOM LINE for me is that he wants UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE FOR ALL!!! and he's looking at different ways that can be done! What is wrong with that??? Hillary was in office (with her husband according to her)for 8 years and her HEALTHCARE PLAN FAILED. Where is it??? So I don't care about single payer or whatever. People need Universal Healthcare! Hillary's plan did not work. Give someone else a chance!

It's the same as when Hillary and Bill keep harping on and on about Baracks Stance on the Iraq war! ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT HE VOTED AGAINST IT!!! He ONLY voted to fund it because our troops were already on the ground there. Are you supposed to not fund the troops while they are in harms way??? What are they talking about???? It doesn't mean he supported the war in any way. It means he SUPPORTED OUR TROOPS!!!!!!
Stop SPINNING everything! This is ridiculous! Frankly the voters are getting turned off by this crap.

Speaking of halos, where's Hillary's? Whitewater, the National Travel Office, where if Hillary would have disclosed documents in a timely fashion there would probably not have been a Ken Starr? Human's do not sport halos; humans have shortcomings. I'll take Obama's shortcomings to Hillary or Bill's any day.

Oh, please! I agree with both previous posts and I hope that our irresponsible media that did nothing to really critique the Iraq war for years is not going to go down this road. Bill Clinton lied in front of the camera to the entire nation about "not having sex with that woman." I don't really care if he did or didn't, but I do care about the lying. Why should we trust his veracity? Can no one appreciate nuance in this country anymore? Perhaps this is why the least educated democrats are supporting Clinton. Let's hope a process of education can take place, and it would be nice if the media would help. And talking about Hillary Clinton's great record of 35 years, she is just riding on her husband's shirt tails. I am an independent and intend to vote for Obama in the California primaries.

You Obama-philes don't get it, do you? Just because Clinton has also lied, doesn't mean that Obama is "clean" or "different" as you people have maintained for YEARS. The Clintons are not only knocking the halo off, they are trampling it in the dirt. And if you continue to parse statements and attempt to "clarify" Obama's "real meaning" for the dolts who can't tell the difference between a lie and a carefully worded spin, all you will do is prove the Clintons' point: Obama is just another politician, willing to pick up and shed positions as expedience dictates.

so what? Do they think we are this trivial?

Twist as you may, We will go for the lesser of all evils in that instance. The victory will be sweet when the Clinton camp is defeated. Whats the sweetness in victory without a fight? At the end of it all more tears for Hillary and more sleep for Bill (at least not in public). Cant stop the Obama reign!

Hillary and her campaign seem to think that she really scored with this video. I think quite the opposite. Hillary and her continuous negative comments are simply a turn off. I was once rooting for Hillary, but have since realized that this country doesn't need another devisive person like Bush in office. Instead we need someone who is not into political games and trys and wants to rise above it all. That person is Barack Obama. So, no Hillary this video doesn't prove anything, but how low you will go to try to knock Obama down.

Even though Obama said he would support single-payer in the 2003 speech, he at other times backed away from that and is now not supporting it.

As human beings, none of us is perfectly consistent.

Hillary does waffle though, not over the years so much as over a matter of minutes. Obama is more consistent.

Now the nasty Clinton mud slinging machine comes out. Just like the old days with Bill and Hill.

yes, folks, why not return to those days of division and rancor?

Where's Eric Zorn when you need him?

I quote from the article,

"Neither one of them is currently supporting a single-payer system, where — like Medicare — the government would be the sole payer of all medical bills, eliminating the role of private insurance companies. Single payer is controversial, but it’s the best way to ensure that at least all Americans have health coverage. The only presidential candidate to support something like this is Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich."

The statement about coverage is correct. So, why does the reporter say that it is controversial? Surely, Medicare is doing a good job for seniors, so why not extend it to all Americans? Where would be the controversy? Of course, with companies like Aetna, etc. There would be no controversy with most Americans. Yet, here the Democratic candidates are running away from this sensible plan like it was the plague. Here is a perfect example of how corporate money has corrupted the political process.

Clinton wants to mandate her health plan and force people to buy it ,even if they can't afford to do so. So in a nut shell , people will lose there homes,cars and go hungry,all in the name of mandated health insurance.

It's not that people don't want health insurance , they can't afford to buy it !

Obama has the better plan that will bring the cost down,so more people can get health insurance.

You know , the American people are sick of a do nothing congress and a president that runs on self will.

People are seeing the Clinton's for what and who they are,and realizing that a vote for Hillary is a vote for a Republican , because she is un-electable in the general election.

She won't get the Independent vote , and way to many Democrats will cross over to keep her out of the White House.

Time for real change in this country.

OBAMA 08

plust why is she taking his comments out of context.. to refute what he said!

Somebody had the time to make this all up and cannot distinguish between "what I like to see" and "what I can make happen."

If this is the lie that Obama has told then he is really a breath of fresh air in american politics.

Your tie is better spent on perjurors whose license are withdrawn and those who cry for votes.

Find more election news http://www.seferm.com/news/us/governementelection/elections.asp

WOW, I wonder if Matthews and Russert will hit Barack with this inconsistency. Doubt it. Qoute from BO after winning Iowa "I will never lie to you."

This guy is arrogant and pompous and may not be the second coming . . .

Whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Where does Obama get off even claiming to be the standard bearer of "change" in the first place?

Single payer or not, this guy has done nothing to CHANGE politics in Illinois since he's been elected. He's endorsed party hacks like Toddler Stroger and done nothing to clean up the mess in his own backyard. Rather, he's accepted money from fixers like Tony Rezko! Obama is a part of the problem, not a "standard bearer of change."

Clinton's a liar, too, but I haven't seen any video of her showing up on "Meet the Press" saying "I will not run for President in 2008."

If Obama is serious about this "change" he talks about he should get started with it in the state he was elected to represent.

Well, he may have changed his stance, do we all remember every single word that we say? It is also better than Hillary flip floppying continuously on that debate!!! Also, when we look up obama on the Wiki encyclopedia thing on the internet net, at least we are not getting a list of Bill Clinton's mistresses, women he has assaulted or woment that Hillary didn't sic Jack Palladino after them... What is the Kathleen Wiley book all about??? Clintons need to be taken out of all Politican fields... Dirty, dirty!!! It won't be too nice to have the Future Presidential Candidate in another civil lawsuit over Fraud this year!!! They are gutter trash and shouldn't be allowed to represent anyone in our country... this is a disgrace!!

The videotaped statement does not contradict what Obama has said.

In the video he states that what he "would like to see", is single payer. In principle. That's always been his position.

He does not think it's feasible right now, with the system we have already in place. Thus his proposal involving extending coverage of traditional style insurance.

He could have also said, "what I would like to see is nuclear disarmament." It doesn't mean he is saying that is the policy he is advocating in the near term. It's just something he would also "like to see."

I think many democrats, including hillary, would "like to see" a lot of things eventually.

There's a difference between what we candidates would "like to see" and what his policy proposals have been and continue to be.

His statements were philosophical, not about advocating a specific policy or proposal.

Barack never said he was against Single Payer, even in the debate. What he said was since we are not starting from scratch, let us develop something that is practical within our current system.

I guess Clinton lying has continued.

Bill Clinton said Chelsea and him were walking in a casino and overheard some one say to an employee "If your going to vote for Hillary, then we are going to schedule you to work so you can't make it to the Caucus." Jon Stewart pointed out that Bill was able to hear this conversation over the noise of a casino, the noise of the throng of reporters,supporters & secret service.

I doubt he heard anything other then he political gears grinding away in his head. Hillary lies, Bill lies and they can't be trusted.

I WILL NOT vote for Hillary if she gets the nomination. Not because she's a woman, but because she's a Clinton.

Where's the lie?

I'd like to buy a 3 bedroom home for $17,000 like parents. But that's not going to happen. Obama probably feels the same way about single payor. Like he'd said he would support it but we all ready have a system in place.

Does Clinton support single payor. I haven't heard state her position.

Do you think all adults should be forced into Hillarycare?

Should universal health care include illegal immigrants.

Shalom folks! I am a Ugandan & surely not an American;but do implicitly trust that America has a lot to gain in voting for Obama.

Please democrats give him a chance to run against the republicans, & both the White House & Congress will be Yours for grabs. The world will embrace you again after wards.

Shalom Barack Obama!!

Is Obama "dancing" around the truth?

I don't think that, short of Bill Gates, anyone could run for office in this day and age and not be beholden to absolutely anyone - it just takes too much $$$. However, I am very impressed by Mr. Obama and am certain that, if he's elected, we stand a much better chance of moving away from "business as usual" than we do if Hillary is elected.

Vote China! Vote for a Clinton!

Bill Clinton's U.S. China Relations Act of 2000 and Walmart are a match made in heaven--for the Waltons and the Chinese! Of course, it's no accident that the Clintons secretly made use of their Arkansas and Chinese allies to gain the presidency. With USCRA, the Clintons set our country up for a trade imbalance that made the Waltons even richer. Bottom line: a vote for Clinton is a vote for the People's Republic of China.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_ campaign_finance_controversy

What a pleasure it is to see the fighting between the Obama Kooks and the Clintoon Kooks!
Universal health care coverage, oh my!!!! I highly doubt you Loons even understand what it means and how it works? Will government-run health care run as well as the state of Illoinois, which is months and years behind in paying its bills? Will government bureaucrats decide who lives and who dies, who gets treatment and who doesn't? How will all of this get paid for? Will you folks still pay premiums just as you do now? How will universal health care be an improvement over the current system? Why is the government automatically better at doing things than the private sector?

"There's a difference between what we candidates would "like to see" and what his policy proposals have been and continue to be."

Exactly, so why is he denying what Clinton said if that was exactly her point. You have these ideas, and what you would like to see, and you don't follow through....you change your mind once engaged, commit to a new plan. It is the mark of an opportunist who sought to take the popular route in order to get nominated. Secondly, Obama has these ideas of hope and change. Philosophical. What makes you think he will stick to what he would like to see in Washington, and what he will actually do, if he can't keep to his "visions" once he gets in the door, which seem to show him always changing once past a hurdle. It's the mark of an opportunist. Hint at anything and everything to get elected. Whatever you want to hear. Whatever will get me nominated or elected . But, I have my own plans apart form my visions.

Interesting to see Hilary Clnton use the "desperation" term on Obama's alledged debate attack on her after his loss in the New Hampshire primary. Would think desperation would more adequately describe her crocodile tears moment or the enlistment of her husband as a Carl Rove style mud-slinger. "Sure, you were against the war and sufficiently described the consequences, but why are you voting to supply them with armor???" Ridiculous!

Give me a break. This is such a stretch. I understand that you are a Clinton supporter but please give us a break. CNN did some fact checking in Clinton claims re Obama from the debate and other media outlets have done the same on previous claims. It appears she has distorted his record many times. This example is a nice attempt to find something for the Clinton campaign to argue back, but it's such a stretch. Give us independents a breal. We are already turned off from politics due to this sort of lying and based on what I've seen and researched the Clinton campaign is by far, by far the most guilty of spin, distrotion and lying. Iowa gave her a scare and now it appears that anything goes to discredit her rivals in a quest to win the nomination, no matter how divisive and unethical. She has lost my vote in the general, which is a hard realization for me and many of my friends who are so upset with two terms of Bush.

If you read the whole of what Obama said it implied that although he thought the single payer system attractive IF one was starting from scratch, but it wasn´t feasible for the US since the US already had alternative systems in place and he didn´t think it was what people wanted. The Clintons are distorting this on purpose--shame on them.

Let us not forget that Hillary was the president of the Young Republican Club when she was at Wellesly College (maybe she's counting that as part of her 35 years experience). She also worked to get Goldwater (Republican who ran unsuccessfully ran against LBJ) elected. So people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

You know, I've watched the video and looked at the full context very carefully and I think Obama's case for being consistent stands just fine. You're going to have to dig real hard to find cases of dishonesty in Obama.

As for Clinton's honesty and integrity: hmmm. The comparison to Obama doesn't look so good. They should stick to the theme that they know how to wield power and that they will wield it ruthlessly - lying, slandering if needed - in order to do good for their constituency and to further their own legacy. This would aid them in appearing more honest.

Clinton voted FOR the Iraq war - now she wants to end it. Obama called for single payer system in 2003, now he doesn't support it. O.K., uhm, where is the lie by Obama?

JoeC | January 23, 2008 11:28 AM

"The statement about coverage is correct. So, why does the reporter say that it is controversial? Surely, Medicare is doing a good job for seniors, so why not extend it to all Americans? Where would be the controversy? Of course, with companies like Aetna, etc. There would be no controversy with most Americans. Yet, here the Democratic candidates are running away from this sensible plan like it was the plague. Here is a perfect example of how corporate money has corrupted the political process.

JoeC hits the nail on the head with his comment. Of course, one of the reasons single-payer is controversial is because the Republicans have spent 40 years conflating it with (careful now, hide the children, here it comes....) SOCIALIZED medicine.

You've heard, of course, of the senior citizen who says, "Leave my Medicare alone. I don't want any of your socialized medicine."

So many of our politicians are gutless and cowardly. Oh were there someone who had a chance of getting elected who wanted to be President (or Senator or Congressman) more than they wanted to just be elected!

Obama's spiritual adviser, J Wright gave Trumpeter Award to a man it said "truly epitomized greatness. Louis Farrakhan. maybe for Wright and some others, Farrakhan "epitomized greatness." For Americans, Farrakhan epitomizes racism, particularly in the form of anti-Semitism. Over the years, he has compiled an awesome record of offensive statements, even denigrating the Holocaust by falsely attributing it to Jewish cooperation with Hitler "They helped him get the Third Reich on the road." His history is a rancid stew of lies. Any praise of Farrakhan heightens the prestige of the leader of the Nation of Islam. His anti-Semitism and particularly his false insistence that Jews have played an inordinate role in victimizing African Americans.
Farrakhan's dream has vilified whites and singled out Jews to blame for crimes large and small, either committed by others as well or not at all. (A dominant role in the slave trade, for instance.) He has talked of Jewish conspiracies to set a media line for the whole nation. He has reviled Jews in a manner that brings Hitler to mind. And yet Wright heaped praise on Farrakhan. According to Trumpet, he applauded his "depth of analysis when it comes to the racial ills of this nation." He praised "his integrity and honesty." He called him "an unforgettable force, a catalyst for change and a religious leader who is sincere about his faith and his purpose." These are the words of a man who prayed with Obama just before the Illinois senator announced his run for the presidency. Will he pray with him just before his inaugural?
The New York Times recently reported on Obama's penchant while serving in the Illinois legislature for merely voting "present" when faced with some tough issues. Farrakhan, in a strictly political sense, may be a tough issue for him. This time, though, "present" will not do.

"You Obama-philes don't get it, do you? Just because Clinton has also lied, doesn't mean that Obama is "clean" or "different" as you people have maintained for YEARS. " -- Compliments of JB

If you cannot see the glaring differences between Hillary Clinton and the politics of the past, and Senator Obama and the politics of the future, JB -- you are not a rational human being, and you should stop pretending that you're just adding to the legitmate discourse here, because you're not. You clearly have an AGENDA.

It is not always about what someone said in 2003 versus today; I do agree that positions evolve. (Although this example by F James falls flat for many of the reasons already artciulated here; mainly, Obama's statement in 2003 is consistent with his position today; but I digress.) But it's the politics of old to spread half-truths in the way that the Clintons have, and to use the aura of a former President, who is legitimately revered, knowing that less informed voters will view his statements as gospel. It's disingenuous, slimy and unbecoming behavior for a former president.

And Obama is no less dignified, nor any less of an agent of change to try and defend his record even if he has to raise his voice. Give me a break. He has every right to that and that is not about being politician -- it's about being human and not wanting your record distorted. And not anyone of us would hesitate to defend ourselves in our work place if our bosses diminished our accomplishments in the work-place, and Obama is no different. But it's the ease with which the Clintons play fast and loose w/ the truth that demonstrates their character and it is an unflattering glimpse into their souls and how Hillary will govern our nation. And, JB, if that's what floats your boat (perhaps, your swift-boat), so be it. That, likewise, offers a glimpse of your character as well.

We need universal health care for everyone. A system where people can dodge paying the bills is unfair to those that do.

Obama speaks about change but never says how in the world he can change it. He just says he can unite, well I heard that from Bush as well.

I think that Hillary Clinton's campaign is coming undone if they honestly think that this shows Obama in a bad light...what has been clear from the start is his commitment to health care and getting things done.

I am uninsured and have looked long and hard at the candidates' plans and the only one that makes sense to me is Obama's. Both Edwards and Clinton MANDATE coverage, along the lines of the Massachusetts mess proposed by Mitt Romney. I do not have health care because I cannot afford it, not because I do not want it...I am one of the growing number of middle class people falling through the cracks.

Obama's proposal has won kudos from Robert Reich (a cabinet member in Bill's admin) in an op ed in the Wall Street Journal.

Focus on the policies, forget the political manipulations of the Clintons and support Obama...or else we are on for years more inactvity as Washington wallows in mudslinging.

How about that Hilary failed at getting health care when she had the chance, the President and a democratic Congress? She brought us this whole HMO mess!!! Now she wants to mandate insurance whether people can afford it or not, meaning benefits to the insurance companies, cuz people have to have it!!! And up and up it will go!! Obama said clearly he was for single payer if we were starting from scratch. But to get it done now with people already having insurance they want to keep, we need to go another way. You all are desperate for something to write about, I guess, because this is nothing. What about pressing the Clintons to release the papers from the library so we can really look at her experience???

"This is such a stretch. I understand that you are a Clinton supporter but please give us a break. CNN did some fact checking in Clinton claims re Obama from the debate and other media outlets have done the same on previous claims."

Maybe the problem is people like you make a statement and never elaborate. Where is the stretch, and how do you arrive at the stretch? I'm guessing the problem you have is relying on the media to do the thinking for you, all you have to do is pick the outlet that arrives at a favorable bottom line result. Don't tell me CNN disproved it, and waste time telling me Frank is a Clinton supporter. Spend more time disproving it. Show me what CNN taught you. BTW Frank is ANYTHING BUT a Clinton supporter. Sometimes I get the feeling he might have Obama's back only because he'd hate another four more years of using the following letters on his key board C- L- I- N- T- O- N-. Frank is hoping to take them out once Obama is elected.

Hillarys plan did not work because Republicans refuse to work with her. This fact has not changed.

They will work with Obama. He even got a Republican endorsement.

"What a pleasure it is to see the fighting between the Obama Kooks and the Clintoon Kooks!"

Don't worry guy who ill remain nameless, we know you are itching for attention. After we figure out who is on the ticket we will be sure to turn around and get you in on the action. I know you've been missing some combat.

So everybody evolves and grows, that's a good thing, just like how Bill Clinton evolved with the Monica Lewinsky issue and just like the Clintons are now using Obama as a shield for their corruptions. Have they paid a visit to their friend Norman Hsu in jail yet.

Obama is the biased media favorite with out a dout! Hillary has to run on her record being looked at with a fine tooth comb for 20 years. Yet there is no vetting for Obamba. WHY?

Obama is a liar, stop blaming it on the Clintons, you guys look so damn petty...

It must first be said that Obama did, indeed, employ an artificial visage of change and unity that would to some degree be underscored by his relative youth and racial heritage. He made himself look like something grander than he is, to inspire excitement in voters.

Hillary's tactic, then, was to openly and shamelessly attack Obama in any way possible. Hillary has her Bill, Hillary has her dynastic support. There's more dirt to dig up on her, but there's also more publicity and social connotation tied to her in general. She can afford to kick Obama in the proverbial balls as much as she wants, because her public image is more familiar. An upstart trying to take the moral highground will of course find his path difficult when a cage fighter politician (in some situations, the best thing a nation can have) insists on no-holds-barred campaigning. It's like watching a choirboy get sent to military school.

But let's think about this for a second. Obama had the courage to make ideals like 'hope' and 'change' central to his campaign. When such nice rhetoric catapulted his popularity, suddenly everyone was an 'agent for change'! When Obama started winning, Hillary started to act like she was a victim. Remember that brief period of time when there were accusations of sexism leveled at Edwards and Obama back in New Hampshire because Clinton was the target of a great deal of criticism? It was more public sympathy that gave Clinton a win there, nothing more. Now Clinton's got a minor edge again, but realizes how dangerous Obama is. What is his strength? Presenting himself as the new man who will revitalize Washington. What is Clinton's strategy to hit him at his weak point? Come up with any kind of minor, haphazard criticism that can shock the public out of the magic Obama casts over them.

But what's really going on here? Well, two things. On the one hand, Obama does have a couple weaknesses, he's new at this, has made a couple of mistakes in his efforts to provide a campaign that would refrain from negative politics and focus on the 'good America', the 'America that can be', rather than making the race look like a race for power. Clinton, on the other hand, has no qualms in reducing the race to the exact same thing it's been the last 2 elections; she's not afraid to be the Bush of the Democratic candidates. Great, a courageous woman. We could certainly use one of those as President, but I don't know if I'm chomping at the bit to get a woman who's just as skeazy and loose with the truth as Bush in office.

Obama puts forward a theme of honesty. He tries to make this campaign rooted in truth. Are you people trying to make the claim that, since he has had (at worst) a minor change in approach to healthcare over the course of the last 5 years, leading to a slight contradiction, this completely undermines the worth of his campaign? Perhaps you are right. Perhaps Clinton, who appears to have no regard for the truth whatsoever, is the better choice: she shows that disregard every chance she gets, so at least we'd always know we were getting lied to. That's the 'change' I'm looking for.

Why is it that politicians can't change thier minds about things? Why do we blast them with riducule when they change their minds? From the way I understand it, politics is all about compromise and compromise would be immpossible without the ability to change your mind. Who set up this immpossible standard anyway? Would we mind if the Obama came out and said, "you're right, I was in favor of that, but I've since realized that it's not the direction I'd like to go." Would that have been an acceptable answer?

To all of you people on here

shut up, you have all changed your minds at some point in the past, changing your mind is perfectly acceptable and reasonable. I don't want a president who doesn't change his mind (like our current retard in chief) I want a president who can see problems from all sides and find the best possible solution. Even if that solution means he has to change his mind.

I'm not sure why none of the Democratic candidates who are supporting healthcare reform are not supporting the repeal of the portion or ERISA that allows insurance companies very limited liability when they are denied benefits.

For example, if your insurance company covers people nationally, then if you are denied care and you are injured as a result of that care, ERISA only allows damages that are based on the cost of the procedure and no punitive damages.

Everyone should be really concerned because insurance companies can continue to get away with denying care.

I think situation is much easier. Instead of "No I did not!" Obama should have said "Even if I did, my position has changed". Alas a politician's instinct to deny something he doesn't support _now_ is too strong. So, less lies and less fear of evolving positions please. And less misinterpretation of what's been going on before.

Posted by: Charles Kushner | January 23, 2008 4:08 PM

Posted by: RuthieM | January 23, 2008 2:18 PM

Charels and Ruthie,

In that respect "I was against the war before I was for it" is Hillary growing and changing her mind.

remember folks while we're playing back old video there is one of HRC (newer than the Obama 2003 clip) where she refers to the chance to 'debate' the issues and says "now comes the fun part" She LovEs this stuff. Do we want a president who gets off on smear?

Notice her slogans too: "Ready on day one"
Never defines what 'ready' means. And what is her evidence of that anyway? Because she said so?

How about "35 years of experience" In publice office? no. First Lady of a govenor and First Lady of a President. Does she have any credentials working for change like MLK had who never held public office? To quote a former President: GIVE me a BREak!!

ABC ABC no more dyNASTY for me.
billary PUT the CROWN Down!

Well no matter what Hillary does wether it is crying or bringing up old things it wont make a differnce to me because evry body in their right mind knows where we can find neew hope and who we can follow to reach that destination. Obama is the right way!

Where is the so called extended version of BO's comments? The clip provided doesn't give the full picture of Clintons claim. I still stand by BO's explanation, though it wouldn't have mattered as he is aiming at providing universal Health care to everybody. Good and honest guy in deed. Unlike the lying Clintons.

First of all the Obama camp needs to stop lying and come clean about him being muslum.secondly he has no plane for health care .It was Hillary who has time and time again on health care .Obama is a blaton out lier he has no play but to sell America out .Hes not experinced enough to go flush the toilet let all be the president of this great country.he needs to drop out befror he is exposed for the tradior that he really is .Obama needs to go on the O'RILLEY FACTOR,BET HE WILL STUDDER MORE WHEN bILL o'RILLEY GETS THREW WITH HIS MUSLUM ASS.tHERE IS AN ON GOING INVESTIGATION ON HIS BLATON LIES.I HAVE SAID IT TWICE NOW OBAMA WILL BE EXPOSED FOR THE TRADIOR THAT HE IS.AND THE BLACKS HE HAS CHOSEN TO HIDE BEHIND IN SOUTH CAROLINA WILL KNOW HES A FAKE AND THEY WILL BE THE FOOLS FOR LISTENING.hES CHOSEN THEM AS HIS PATSEY AND THEY ARE SO STUPID NOT TO NOTICE .OH BUT WAIT WHEN ALL COMES DOWN WHEN HES EXPOSED WOW THEY WILL SAY BUT WE THOUGHT HE WAS A GOOD MAN LOL LOL .NAW THE BLACKS ARE VOTING FOR HIM JUST BECAUSE HES BLACK.HES THE BIGGES LYER OF THE CENTRUY AND YET THEY STILL WANT TO VOTE FOR THIS BLATON OUT LYER.WOW GOOD CHRISTIANS THERE.WAKE UP AMERICA BEFOR ITS TO LATE VOTE HILLARY WHO HAS THE PLAN TO GET AMERICA BACK ON TRACK.

First of all the Obama camp needs to stop lying and come clean about him being muslum.secondly he has no plane for health care .It was Hillary who has time and time again on health care .Obama is a blaton out lier he has no play but to sell America out .Hes not experinced enough to go flush the toilet let all be the president of this great country.he needs to drop out befror he is exposed for the tradior that he really is .Obama needs to go on the O'RILLEY FACTOR,BET HE WILL STUDDER MORE WHEN bILL o'RILLEY GETS THREW WITH HIS MUSLUM ASS.tHERE IS AN ON GOING INVESTIGATION ON HIS BLATON LIES.I HAVE SAID IT TWICE NOW OBAMA WILL BE EXPOSED FOR THE TRADIOR THAT HE IS.AND THE BLACKS HE HAS CHOSEN TO HIDE BEHIND IN SOUTH CAROLINA WILL KNOW HES A FAKE AND THEY WILL BE THE FOOLS FOR LISTENING.hES CHOSEN THEM AS HIS PATSEY AND THEY ARE SO STUPID NOT TO NOTICE .OH BUT WAIT WHEN ALL COMES DOWN WHEN HES EXPOSED WOW THEY WILL SAY BUT WE THOUGHT HE WAS A GOOD MAN LOL LOL .NAW THE BLACKS ARE VOTING FOR HIM JUST BECAUSE HES BLACK.HES THE BIGGES LYER OF THE CENTRUY AND YET THEY STILL WANT TO VOTE FOR THIS BLATON OUT LYER.WOW GOOD CHRISTIANS THERE.WAKE UP AMERICA BEFOR ITS TO LATE VOTE HILLARY WHO HAS THE PLAN TO GET AMERICA BACK ON TRACK.

I don't know if Hillary would be ready on day one.
I do know she was not ready one day before the New Hampshire primary.

Interesting post I want to share!!

I went to see Obama today. I walked in 100% convinced that i was going to vote for him this Saturday, and i walked out less 50% sure about my vote. Let me now tell you why.

The media has depicted the Clinton campaign as fanning the flames of race during this campaign, well Obama does that too, but very subtly. First, i was surprised that Senator Obama dropped his Harvard graduate educated English and picked up a not-so subtle southern African-American English. He dropped his Gs, used Ain’ts here and there, and took up a very preachy tone. Well, this is not serious at all, though i was trouble by it. You can argue that he was trying to relate and adopt his stump speech to the present audience.

However, what troubled me is at one moment during Obama’s stump speech, the Senator turned to the audience, mostly African-Americans, and said (the quote is not verbatim) “y’ll know they are tryin’ to bamboozle ya. It’s the same ol’ Oky Doke. Y’ll know about the Okay Doke, right?” Well let me inform my white friends from the North East about this reference: This is a pure racially coded speech. These expressions raise red flags into every African-American man and woman who hears them. Their meaning is that the white man/woman is trying to fool the black man/woman into doing something against his or her own interest. It depicts the black man/woman as easily fooled by the white man/woman’s hocus pocus. It means that the white man/woman must not be trusted just because s/he white (just a point about my credentials: i teach race relations at a university here in SC)

As an African-American, i thought that Senator’s Obama stump speech and tone was, quite frankly, insulting to me. Obama accuses the Clinton campaign of race baiting, but i think before he wages his finger at the Clintons, he needs to really uphold the same standard to himself. It is dishonest of him to try to hoodwink the African-American community here is SC by using race.

By Randy Jefferson Jr

— Posted by Randy Jefferson Jr

Bottom Line:

Like all of you. I know that health care is the most critical, and important issue facing the American people. Now, and in the coming elections. And like the vast majority of the American people, I want HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law NOW! "Single payer, Tax Supported, Not For Profit, True Universal Health Care" free for all as a right. Like every other developed country in the world has. See: http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676.htm

“HR 676:
For church goers: less money to insur. companies and more to the church- lots more.
Srs on Medicare: save way over $100/wk. Because no more medigap, long term care & dental insur. needed. No more drug bills.”

But if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our current politicians to get HR 676 passed into law before the elections. We will have to identify, and replace all the politicians standing in the way of passage of HR 676. And, I think the best first place to start is with the politicians that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bills for the kids. Passed by congress twice.

But what about the President. It was Bush after all that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bill passed by congress to assure more health coverage for Americas kids. So which of the presidential hopefuls do I think will be most supportive of implementing the demand of the majority of the American people to have HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law immediately!

We have some very fine presidential candidates who would make good presidents. But none of the top Presidential candidates directly support HR 676, the only true Universal Health Care plan. So I am supporting Hillary Clinton. She is the only top candidate that has ever actually fought for universal health care before.

I have enormous admiration, and respect for Hillary Clinton. She fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds back in 1993. To prevent this disastrous health care crisis that is now devastating the American people, and America. She fought so hard for the American people that she risk almost completely destroying her husbands presidency. I haven't forgotten her heroic effort. If any Presidential hopeful for universal health care deserves my support, it's her.

Also, if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our government to give us HR 676 which we all so desperately need NOW! Then we will need the most skilled politician we can get on our side to broker the best health care plan for the American people that we can get. Though it will be less than we need, and less than we deserve. The politician I think to best do this is Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are probably the most skilled politicians in American history.

The insurance industry, and medical industry that has been ripping you off, and killing you has given Hillary Clinton so much money because they fear her. They have also given Barack Obama so much money because they fear Hillary Clinton. They think they can manipulate Barack Obama against the best interest of the American people better than they can manipulate Hillary Clinton. There is no race issue with Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are the poster family for how African Americans want white people to be towards African Americans.

As always, African Americans are suffering, and dieing in this health care crisis at a much higher rate than any other group in America. The last time there was any significant drop in the African American death rate was when Bill Clinton was president.

My fellow Americans, you are dieing needlessly at an astounding rate. In higher numbers than any other people in the developed world. Rich, and poor a like. Insured, and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. And we the American people must stop it. And fix it NOW! Keep Fighting!!! Never! give up hope. There are millions of lives at stake. Bless you all... You are doing great!

Obama said oops on Senate votes
Barack Obama angered fellow Democrats in the Illinois Senate when he voted to strip millions of dollars from a child welfare office on Chicago's West Side. But Obama had a ready explanation:
He goofed.

Also announced he had fumbled an election-reform vote the day before, on a measure that passed 51 to 6. The next day, he acknowledged voting "present" on a key telecommunications vote.

He stood on March 11, 1999, to take back his vote against legislation to end good-behavior credits for certain felons in county jails. "I pressed the wrong button on that," he said.

Obama was the lone dissenter on Feb. 24, 2000, against 57 yeas for a ban on human cloning. "I pressed the wrong button by accident," he said.

But two of Obama's bumbles came on more-sensitive topics, he backed legislation to permit riverboat casinos to operate even when the boats were dockside.

The measure, pushed by the gambling industry and fought by church groups whose support Obama was seeking, passed with two "yeas" to spare -- including Obama's. Moments after its passage he rose to say, explaining that he had mistakenly voted for it.

Obama would later develop a reputation as a critic of the gambling industry, and he voted against a similar measure two years later. But he was clearly confused about how to handle the issue at the time of his first vote, telling a church group that he was "undecided" about whether he backed an expansion of riverboat gambling. And, months earlier, he had voted in favor of a version of the bill.

Obama's vote sparked a confrontation after he joined Republicans to block Democrats trying to override a veto by GOP Gov. George Ryan of a $2-million allotment for the west Chicago child welfare office. being responsible," said Sen. Rickey Hendon, accusing Obama of voting to close the child welfare office.Obama replied "I understand Sen. Hendon's anger, I was not aware that I had voted no on that piece of legislation.

I think it is interesting how ALL of these candidates continue to produce these low blows and bicker like school kids. If that type of behavior would make a great president, my former adolescence would be running. But then again, we continue to attack one another in these comment boards and blog postings. If we are really r