Sen. Barack Obama greeted Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) on arrival in Charleston, W.Va., today. AP Photo by Alex Brandon.
by Mike Dorning
CHARLESTON, W.V.—Barack Obama came to economically struggling West Virginia today to highlight the financial burden that the five-year-long Iraq War presents for the government and broader economy and link the war’s costs to the economic hardships of everyday Americans.
Obama often touches on the theme in campaign appearances. But his speech at the University of Charleston marks an attempt to generate greater attention for an economics-based argument against the war at a time when the nation appears to be falling into a recession and voters are putting a higher priority on economic issues.
The speech was his first appearance as a presidential candidate in West Virginia, which holds its presidential primary May 13.
The Illinois senator, an early opponent of the war, argued that the Iraq War has contributed to rising gasoline prices as well as a swelling national debt that has weakened the economy. At the same, he argued, the war is draining resources that could be used to expand access to health care, improve public education and rebuild roads and bridges.
“Ordinary Americans are paying a price for this war,” Obama said. “It’s not the same price, obviously, as the price borne by our troops and their families. But it’s a price.”
“When you’re spending over $50 to fill up your car because the price of oil is four times what it was before Iraq, you’re paying a price for this war,” Obama added.
Oil industry analysts generally have attributed the surge in oil prices in part to instability in Iraq and uncertainty in the Middle East caused by threats of a conflict between the United States and Iran. But rising demand for oil from the booming economies in China and India also is generally believed to have played a role.
Obama cited estimates that the war and Iraqi reconstruction already have directly cost U.S. taxpayers a half trillion dollars and cited an estimate that the true cost of the war to the economy will reach $3 trillion by the war's conclusion.
The larger estimate, which a campaign spokesman said came from a calculation by economist Joseph Stiglitz, includes the lifetime cost of caring for wounded veterans, the cost of replacing spent and damaged military equipment and the lost economic productivity of soldiers and civilian contractors killed or wounded.
Obama noted that government spending on the war and the Bush Administration’s tax cuts, which Obama would repeal for families earning more than $250,000 per year, together have added trillions of dollars to the national debts. The rapidly expanding debt, he said, “is creating problems in our fragile economy.”
“No matter what the costs, no matter what the consequences, John McCain seems determined to carry out a third Bush-term,” Obama said. “That is an outcome America can’t afford.”
The cost of the war and the Bush Administration tax cuts, he continued, stand in the way of such aspirations of Democratic voters as making health care coverage affordable for all and reducing the financial burden of getting a college education.
“Instead of fighting this war,” he said, “we could be fighting to make universal health care a reality in this country.”
McCain Communications Director Jill Hazelbaker e-mailed a response to reporters saying that Obama’s speech “displayed how fundamentally wrong he is on the central issues facing America's future: our economy and national security.”
She added that Obama “offers the tired tax and spend ideas of the past” and “has embraced an irresponsible policy of withdrawing our troops from Iraq without regard for the conditions on the ground.”
Below is the prepared text of Obama’s speech, which in some places varies slightly from the speech as delivered:
Five years ago, the war in Iraq began. And on this fifth anniversary, we honor the brave men and women who are serving this nation in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. We pay tribute to the sacrifices of their families back home. And a grateful nation mourns the loss of our fallen heroes.
I understand that the first serviceman killed in Iraq was a native West Virginian, Marine 1st Lieutenant Shane Childers, who died five years ago tomorrow. And so on this anniversary, my thoughts and prayers go out to Lieutenant Childers’ family, and to all who’ve lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The costs of war are greatest for the troops and those who love them, but we know that war has other costs as well. Yesterday, I addressed some of these other costs in a speech on the strategic consequences of the Iraq war. I spoke about how this war has diverted us from fighting al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and from addressing the other challenges of the 21st Century: violent extremism and nuclear weapons; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease.
And today, I want to talk about another cost of this war – the toll it has taken on our economy. Because at a time when we’re on the brink of recession – when neighborhoods have For Sale signs outside every home, and working families are struggling to keep up with rising costs – ordinary Americans are paying a price for this war.
When you’re spending over $50 to fill up your car because the price of oil is four times what it was before Iraq, you’re paying a price for this war.
When Iraq is costing each household about $100 a month, you’re paying a price for this war.
When a National Guard unit is over in Iraq and can’t help out during a hurricane in Louisiana or with floods here in West Virginia, our communities are paying a price for this war.
And the price our families and communities are paying reflects the price America is paying. The most conservative estimates say that Iraq has now cost more than half a trillion dollars, more than any other war in our history besides World War II. Some say the true cost is even higher and that by the time it’s over, this could be a $3 trillion war.
But what no one disputes is that the cost of this war is far higher than what we were told it would be. We were told this war would cost $50 to $60 billion, and that reconstruction would pay for itself out of Iraqi oil profits. We were told higher estimates were nothing but “baloney.” Like so much else about this war, we were not told the truth.
What no one disputes is that the costs of this war have been compounded by its careless and incompetent execution – from the billions that have vanished in Iraq to the billions more in no-bid contracts for reckless contractors like Halliburton.
What no one disputes is that five years into this war, soldiers up at Fort Drum are having to wait more than a month to get their first mental health screening – even though we know that incidences of PTSD skyrocket between the second, third, and fourth tours of duty. We have a sacred trust to our troops and our veterans, and we have to live up to it.
What no one disputes is that President Bush has done what no other President has ever done, and given tax cuts to the rich in a time of war. John McCain once opposed these tax cuts – he rightly called them unfair and fiscally irresponsible. But now he has done an about face and wants to make them permanent, just like he wants a permanent occupation in Iraq. No matter what the costs, no matter what the consequences, John McCain seems determined to carry out a third Bush-term.
That’s an outcome America can’t afford. Because of the Bush-McCain policies, our debt has ballooned. This is creating problems in our fragile economy. And that kind of debt also places an unfair burden on our children and grandchildren, who will have to repay it.
It also means we’re having to pay for this war with loans from China. Having China as our banker isn’t good for our economy, it isn’t good for our global leadership, and it isn’t good for our national security. History teaches us that for a nation to remain a preeminent military power, it must remain a preeminent economic power. That is why it is so important to manage the costs of war wisely.
This is a lesson that the first President Bush understood. The conduct of the Gulf War cost America less than $20 billion – what we pay in two months in Iraq today. That’s because that war was prosecuted on solid grounds, and in a responsible way, and with the support of allies, who paid most of the costs. None of this has been the case in the way George W. Bush and John McCain have waged the current Iraq war.
Now, at that debate in Texas several weeks ago, Senator Clinton attacked John McCain for supporting the policies that have led to our enormous war costs. But her point would have been more compelling had she not joined Senator McCain in making the tragically ill-considered decision to vote for the Iraq war in the first place.
The truth is, this is all part of the reason I opposed this war from the start. It’s why I said back in 2002 that it could lead to an occupation not just of undetermined length or undetermined consequences, but of undetermined costs. It’s why I’ve said this war should have never been authorized and never been waged.
Now, let me be clear: when I am President, I will spare no expense to ensure that our troops have the equipment and support they need. There is no higher obligation for a Commander-in-Chief. But we also have to understand that the more than $10 billion we’re spending each month in Iraq is money we could be investing here at home. Just think about what battles we could be fighting instead of fighting this misguided war.
Instead of fighting this war, we could be fighting the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 and who are plotting against us in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We could be securing our homeland and stopping the world’s most dangerous weapons from falling into terrorist hands.
Instead of fighting this war, we could be fighting for the people of West Virginia. For what folks in this state have been spending on the Iraq war, we could be giving health care to nearly 450,000 of your neighbors, hiring nearly 30,000 new elementary school teachers, and making college more affordable for over 300,000 students.
We could be fighting to put the American dream within reach for every American – by giving tax breaks to working families, offering relief to struggling homeowners, reversing President Bush’s cuts to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and protecting Social Security today, tomorrow, and forever. That’s what we could be doing instead of fighting this war.
Instead of fighting this war, we could be fighting to make universal health care a reality in this country. We could be fighting for the young woman who works the night shift after a full day of college and still can’t afford medicine for a sister who’s ill. For what we spend in several months in Iraq, we could be providing them with the quality, affordable health care that every American deserves.
Instead of fighting this war, we could be fighting to give every American a quality education. We could be fighting for the young men and women all across this country who dream big dreams but aren’t getting the kind of education they need to reach for those dreams. For a fraction of what we’re spending each year in Iraq, we could be giving our teachers more pay and more support, rebuilding our crumbling schools, and offering a tax credit to put a college degree within reach for anyone who wants one.
Instead of fighting this war, we could be fighting to rebuild our roads and bridges. I’ve proposed a fund that would do just that and generate nearly two million new jobs – many in the construction industry that’s been hard hit by our housing crisis. And it would cost just six percent of what we spend each year in Iraq.
Instead of fighting this war, we could be freeing ourselves from the tyranny of oil, and saving this planet for our children. We could be investing in renewable sources of energy, and in clean coal technology, and creating up to 5 million new green jobs in the bargain, including new clean coal jobs. And we could be doing it all for the cost of less than a year and a half in Iraq.
These are the investments we could be making, all within the parameters of a more responsible and disciplined budget. This is the future we could be building. And that is why I will bring this war to an end when I’m President of the United States of America.
But we also know that even after this war comes to an end, the costs of this war will not. We’ll have to keep our sacred trust with our veterans and fully fund the VA. We’ll have to look after our wounded warriors – whether they’re suffering from wounds seen or unseen. That must include the signature injuries of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – not just PTSD, but Traumatic Brain Injury. We’ll have to give veterans the health care and disability benefits they deserve, the support they need, and the respect they’ve earned. This is an obligation I have fought to uphold on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee by joining Jay Rockefeller to expand educational opportunities for our veterans. It’s an obligation I will uphold as President, and it’s an obligation that will endure long after this war is over.
And our obligation to rebuild our military will endure as well. This war has stretched our military to its limits, wearing down troops and equipment as a result of tour after tour after tour of duty. The Army has said it will need $13 billion a year just to replace and repair all the equipment that’s been broken or lost. So in the coming years we won’t just have to restore our military to its peak level of readiness, and we won’t just have to make sure our National Guard is back to being fully prepared to handle a domestic crisis, we’ll also have to ensure that our soldiers are trained and equipped to confront the new threats of the 21 century and that our military can meet any challenge around the world. And that is a responsibility I intend to meet as Commander-in-Chief.
So we know what this war has cost us – in blood and in treasure. But in the words of Robert Kennedy, “past error is no excuse for its own perpetuation.” And yet, John McCain refuses to learn from the failures of the Bush years. Instead of offering an exit strategy for Iraq, he’s offering us a 100-year occupation. Instead of offering an economic plan that works for working Americans, he’s supporting tax cuts for the wealthiest among us who don’t need them and aren’t asking for them. Senator McCain is embracing the failed policies of the past, but America is ready to embrace the future.
When I am your nominee, the American people will have a real choice in November – between change and more of the same, between giving the Bush policies another four years, or bringing them to an end. And that is the choice the American people deserve.
Somewhere in Baghdad today, a soldier is stepping into his Humvee and heading out on a patrol. That soldier knows the cost of war. He’s been bearing it for five years. It’s the cost of being kept awake at night by the whistle of falling mortars. It’s the cost of a heart that aches for a loved one back home, and a family that’s counting the days until the next R&R. It’s the cost of losing a friend, who asked for nothing but to serve his country.
How much longer are we going to ask our troops to bear the cost of this war?
How much longer are we going to ask our families and our communities to bear the cost of this war?
When are we going to stop mortgaging our children’s future for Washington’s mistake?
This election is our chance to reclaim our future – to end the fight in Iraq and take up the fight for good jobs and universal health care. To end the fight in Iraq and take up the fight for a world-class education and retirement security. To end the fight in Iraq and take up the fight for opportunity, and equality, and prosperity here at home.
Those are the battles we need to fight. That is the leadership I want to offer. And that is the future we can build together when I’m President of the United States. Thank you.
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Comments
President Bush insists that the War has been good for our economy..,,,,
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/02/19/bush-war-is-good-for-the-economy/
Posted by: Ohg Rea Tone | March 20, 2008 1:36 PM
"ZOGBY POLLS SPEAK"
"PROVISIONAL BALLOTS NOT COUNTED, PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION LAWS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN TIME FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION
"MAKES ALL THE SENSE IN THE WORLD" THAT "CAGED HISPANICS VOTES" WILL TURN THE TIDE TOWARDS JOHN MCCAIN.
20,000 IN ARIZONA
40,000 IN CALIFORNIA
50,000 IN FLORIDA
30,000 IN OHIO
15,000 IN VIRGINIA
FLORIDA, OHIO, AND VIRGINIA BEING THE KEY STATES.
JESUS, CHAVEZ, GONZALES, GONZALEZ, HERNANDEZ OF THE U.S., LINKED TO "SAME NAME" "LAST-NAMED "ATTESTED" ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SITTING IN DETENTION CAMPS NEAR YOU!.
"NO WAY TO TELL" WHO'S WHO AND WHO'S NOT "MAKES ALL THE SENSE IN THE WORLD"
THAT THE ELECTION WILL FAVOR "JOHN MCCAIN"
Posted by: Roger Morris | March 20, 2008 1:54 PM
She added that Obama “offers the tired tax and spend ideas of the past”...instead of the tried and true policy of spending what you don't have and borrowing and borrowing until the Chinese have you by the gonads and Americans can't borrow money because the bankers realize your jobs - if you have one - aren't going to last long enough to repay your bills.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | March 20, 2008 2:03 PM
Pure fiction! Blaming the price of oil on the war in Iraq shows a shameful ignorance of the global economy, especially for someone seeking to be a head of state. In fact, the primary reason for the increase in oil prices has little to do with Oil Companies desire for profits (see noted Democrat and financial analyst Jim Cramer's notes on this), and little to do with the Iraq war. The single most influential factor in the price of oil is that global demand is up - it's not that supply is down. What is causing this increase in supply is that certain countries, most notably China, are expanding industry and energy consumption, at a very fast pace. In addition, China does not place environmental restrictions and costs on the usage of oil, like the US does, so there's no deterrant to stop Chinese industry from adopting a "slash and burn" philosophy in terms of how they use energy. In the Chinese economy, oil is still relatively untaxed and cheap, and therefore it is seen as a more economically viable (and even "endless") source of energy, instead of more environmentally-friendly forms of energy.
But, that story doesn't make for a good sound-byte on CNN, so Obama tried to sell the American public a song and dance about oil being overpriced due to the war. Don't get me wrong - I think financing the war as we have been is not a smart or sustainable policy, but perhaps a presidential candidate should research his facts before making ignorant assertions.
Posted by: hl | March 20, 2008 2:05 PM
"She added that Obama “offers the tired tax and spend ideas of the past” and “has embraced an irresponsible policy of withdrawing our troops from Iraq without regard for the conditions on the ground.”"
How dare any Bush hack complain about "spending" policies. Bush has spent us to death. Literally, if we continue this course.
And even if we "must" spend? How can he cut taxes? How will the debt of this war be paid? Bush has no answers, because everything he said would happen in Iraq has been wrong. And it will continue to be wrong under McCain.
Go Obama!!
Posted by: David J | March 20, 2008 2:13 PM
Obama went easy on bush, this war has literally bankrupt our economy. We won't, and couldn't if we wanted to, pay off foriegn debt because the value of the dollar is too low, the only solution, as is the case in any bankruptcy, is to start liquidating assets. Watch for the China to take Alaska and all its oil in return for what they've lent us.
Posted by: tony | March 20, 2008 2:23 PM
Obama has what I believe is his strongest issue here.
The linkage is real.
The war has cost an unbelievable amount of money.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | March 20, 2008 2:23 PM
I would highly recommend that Swamp Things watch Charlie Rose tonight for a very sober assessment of Iraq. John McCain will run this country into the ground if he doesn't come around to the reality that THERE IS NO VICTORY IN IRAQ. EVER!!! ARE YA HEARING ME RIGHT WING WIND BAGS??? The economy is very much tied into this war, The sooner we realize that only a federal system will work in Iraq the better. I really don't care who you vote for but as much as I like McCain personally, I can not support him due to his stance on the war. You people are on your own.
Obama 2008
Posted by: Swamp Thing | March 20, 2008 2:26 PM
"Obama links cost of war to economic hardships"
UH OH!!!
Time for all the little radical Republic Party fascists to change the subject back to things that really "matter" like what Obama's pastor may or may not have said.
BwaHAHAHAHAHAHA...HAHAHAHA!!!
On March 19, 2003, George W. Bush announced that the war in Iraq had begun:
My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger - Bush
...and each year since, has marked the anniversary with a speech.
One year:
There are still violent thugs and murderers in Iraq, and we're dealing with them - Bush
U.S. Fatalities: 583
Two years:
Iraq's progress toward political freedom has opened a new phase of our work there - Bush
U.S. Fatalities: 1,522
Three years:
We are implementing a strategy that will lead to victory in Iraq - Bush
U.S. Fatalities: 2,319
Four years:
There's been good progress - Bush
U.S. Fatalities: 3,224
And now, five years:
No one would argue that this war has not come at a high cost in lives and treasure but those costs are necessary when we consider the cost of a strategic victory for our enemies in Iraq - Bush
U.S. Fatalities: 3,990
U.S. Casualties: 40,229
Iraqi Fatalities: Unknown
Iraqi Casualties: Unknown
Cost: $504,000,000,000.00
Over the course of five years, George Bush has gone from saving the world from a nonexistent danger to not wanting to lose.
Mission Accomplished?
http://altacocker.com/other_items/mission-accomplished-osama.jpg
...and this clown want's to do more of the same:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqtL-P8kzo
Posted by: John E | March 20, 2008 2:27 PM
Sadly the whole silly notion of a endless, "War On Terrorism is slowly sinking the great American Empire into the current economic ruins of daily dispair. So Senator Barrack Obama fell to mention that the 150 countries where our military forces are fighting this "War On Terrorism," cost more than the war in Iraq. What common sense would Senator Barrack Obama use in braging about how much money he would spend on our current "Military rape of Iraq?" SO ALL WARS NEED TO END WITH THE ELECTION OF THE NEXT 2008 USA PRESIDENT OR THE USA WILL CEASE TO EXIST BECAUSE RUSSSIA AND CHINA WILL WIPE THEM OFF OF THE FACE OF THE EARTH WITH THE START OF WORLD WAR III'S PRE-NUCLEAR STRIKES!
Posted by: BLACK PANTHER | March 20, 2008 2:31 PM
When is it going to be made clear that Obama always says that he was AGAINST the war. He never says that he VOTED against the war. He was not in the senate when the vote was taken. If so, we do not really know how he would have voted if he was subjected to the misinformation provided by the Bush administration.
When I watch the subject of Iraq being discussed at the United Nations, I also said that I was AGAINST the war. So I guess this qualifies me to run for president!
Posted by: jp spec | March 20, 2008 2:45 PM
Headline should read: "Obama States The Obvious. Republicans Kill Messenger"
Posted by: kg123 | March 20, 2008 2:52 PM
What the Obama doesn't tell you is that he is going to raise taxes on everyone, not just the evil wealthy who currently pay 35% of their income don't pay their "fair share". That's exactly what is going to happen if the Bush tax cuts expire, everyone's tax rates are going to go up, as long as you make more than $31K. Keep playing the class warfare game, you fraud. Hope and change, hope and change, bring the country together, unless you have been successful in life and are wealthy, then you owe!!
At no point does he even suggest controlling government spending. Sure the Iraq war has cost his economy, because the Obama believes that government and gov't spending should be the economy.
Thank God this guy's presidential hope's are done.
Posted by: Mike | March 20, 2008 2:53 PM
I don't like Obama and I think he's too slick by a long shot, but at last someone speaks the truth about the Iraq war as an ECONOMIC problem!
ANYTHING that costs $8 billion a month and an average of 66 American lives per month is NOT something we can afford.
If we were a super rich country and didn't care about losing American and Iraqi lives, then I guess it would be ok to start and continue the war In Iraq.
But let's take care of the multitude of other problems affecting quality of life in America BEFORE we start flailing, Don Quixote-like, at imaginary enemies.
God bless us and forgive us and keep us.
Posted by: Phillip | March 20, 2008 2:53 PM
The price of gas IS, in fact, ALSO rising because instead of buying goods manufactured at home by our neighbors, we send huge quantities of US dollars to China. China uses those dollars to buy more and more oil on the world market to manufacture more goods to sell to us for more of our dollars. That, in fact, does account for making gas at the pump increasingly expensive.
Posted by: peter fraser | March 20, 2008 2:56 PM
Did Obama deliver a compelling argument linking the war's costs to the economic hardships of everyday Americans?
http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1907
.
Posted by: Jeff | March 20, 2008 2:57 PM
The U.S. cannot afford this illegal War, which is costing the American people 3 trillion U.S. dollars that should have been spend in OUR COUNTRY. Supercapitalism and richmen selfish greed are too destructive toward real Americans and the World. Let bring back and enforce OUR U.S. CONSTITUTION.
Posted by: David | March 20, 2008 3:05 PM
The U.S. cannot afford this illegal War, which is costing the American people 3 trillion U.S. dollars that should have been spend in OUR COUNTRY. Supercapitalism and richmen selfish greed are too destructive toward real Americans and the World. Let bring back and enforce OUR U.S. CONSTITUTION.
Posted by: David | March 20, 2008 3:06 PM
hl:
You seem to forget that when Bush was asked back in 2000 what he would do about rising gas prices, he said he would use his background in the oil industry to persuade OPEC to lower prices.
Then when he tried to do that this year, they laughed at him.
In case you didn't notice, every time the sword rattling starts from Bush and Cheney against Iran, the price of oil goes up.
And wasn't the war in Iraq going to cause lower oil prices?? That's something else he said 5 years ago.
Posted by: BobHusseininATL | March 20, 2008 3:13 PM
"HUGO CHAVEZ SPEAKS"
CAN YOU SPELL EURO'S EXXON
CAN YOU SPELL EURO'S SHELL
CAN YOU SPELL EURO AMERICA
CAN YOU SPELL EURO'S MOBILE
CAN YOU SPELL EURO'S IRAN
BECAUSE AMERICA DIDN'T THEN AND DON'T KNOW.
CAN YOU SPELL BACKFIRED
CAN YOU SPELL "DOWNEY STREET MEMOS" SOLD FOR (1) ONE EURO!
3.1 TRILLION "GEORGE BUSH EMERGENCY SPENDING BILLS" CONVERGED INTO "EURO'S"
CAN YOU SPELL 9 BILLION DOLLARS LOST IN IRAQ SECRETARY PAULSON.
CAN YOU SPELL 8.00 U.S. FOR A GALLON OF GAS FROM A DUBAI GAS STATION NEAR YOU!
"IF BARRACK DOESN'T WIN THE PRESIDENCY" THE PEOPLE LIKE THE NEW BLACK PANTHER ARE GOING TO SET THIS COUNTRY ON FIRE" GLENN BECK SAYS!
HASN'T GEORGE BUSH, DICK CHENEY, AND THE K STREET PROJECT ALREADY SET AMERICA ON FIRE!
Posted by: Roger Morris | March 20, 2008 3:16 PM
Go away Obama. Maybe we can get him out of Illinois next.
Posted by: Glenn | March 20, 2008 3:28 PM
Since 1964 we've spent 13-14 TRILLION DOLLARS for people on the government dole.
Now that's economic hardship for the working people!
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | March 20, 2008 3:29 PM
Who are these "Oil industry analysts" that you attribute the analysis below to:
"Oil industry analysts generally have attributed the surge in oil prices in part to instability in Iraq and uncertainty in the Middle East caused by threats of a conflict between the United States and Iran. But rising demand for oil from the booming economies in China and India also is generally believed to have played a role."
How much of the recent increase in oil to they attribute to Iraq vs. growing economies in India and China? Also, Why is the price of oil now so much higher than it was 5, 4 or even 3 years ago when stability and success in Iraq seemed so much less likely than it does now with the success of General Patreaus's surge? By the logic of these anonymous "oil industry analysts", oil should be less now.
Posted by: Nectar Kirkiris | March 20, 2008 3:32 PM
If the cost of this war is hurting the economy, why does Barak and his Dem buddies continue to fund it? Why does Obama want to keep troops there if he gets elected? How does Obama propose to get China and India to stop using oil? I guess socialists don't have to let economics get in the way of a good rant. How's that approval rating going. It seems to be headed in the same direction as oil prices over the past few days. The sharpest drop in 17 yrs on Wedneday. Spot on Mr. Marxist.
Posted by: Hans | March 20, 2008 3:46 PM
Does he think this is a great discovery. With billions of dollars spent on the war, it doesn't take a genius to realize that it is affecting our economy. How long did he ponder on this before he came up with the great discovery. Probably as long as it took him to come up with he great speach about racism that everyone in this country is aware of.
Posted by: RFB | March 20, 2008 3:50 PM
Does anyone believe anything that comes out of Obama's mouth anymore?
With each passing day, the magic of Obama is washing away and being replaced by the reality of a smug, smirking Black Nationalist con man.
Good luck with that "uniter" thing Obama. We see how you and your "uncle" have been working together to unite America the last 25 years.
Posted by: Jason Beck | March 20, 2008 3:53 PM
While media elites likje Frank James praise the transcendence of Barack Obama's race speech, the average guy on the street is neither impressed nor fooled for a moment by a clearly political CYA.
Great analysis by the Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9132.html
Posted by: Jeff | March 20, 2008 4:01 PM
"What the Obama doesn't tell you is that he is going to raise taxes on everyone, "
Posted by: Mike | March 20, 2008 2:53 PM
Well, guess what...the credit card bill is going to come in that's been maxed out over the limit and someone's going to have to pay for the out of control spending of Mr. Bush and his Republican joy ride. You, me and our children and children's children are going to have to pay. You get what you vote for.
Posted by: DD | March 20, 2008 4:04 PM
And one thing that Barack can't say because of it's political sensitivity - is the insidious nature of soldier recruitment. Most soldiers come from down and out rural places where there are no jobs. You either leave town, hang around and drink, or join the military. The military is the way out of a despirate situation. So there's a loyalty to the military in the rural areas, however we are abusing that loyality by forcing our soldiers into a war, and now a nation building exercise that no one, not even the Bush Administration wanted.
Posted by: Reggie | March 20, 2008 4:11 PM
Obama is a RACIST, but it pales in comparison to what he says economically.
The guy's an INEXPERIENCED neophyte.
This HYPOCRITE should give another speech about how we all need to be concerned about RACE.
All while he sits in a pew for frackin' TWENTY YEARS and listens to a preacher spew RACIST HATE against all WHITES.
Look at the POLLS!
It's O-V-E-R, Baaahrack.
Posted by: Rick | March 20, 2008 4:18 PM
Okay I get it: the Republican's war that was started on lies has wrecked our military, wrecked our economy, wrecked our national security.
But let's talk about what's really important, things Obama's pastor said!!!!
Posted by: Joe Scarborough | March 20, 2008 4:28 PM
Obama is now a financial expert? Hell this guy knows everything about everything, he should be elected ruler of the world not just president of US. Obama, make sure you don't leave any stone unturned when trying to find something to complain about.
Posted by: quills | March 20, 2008 4:40 PM
Obama is an over-educated idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about. Wars have always spurred economic expansion, this one is no different. If you want a culprit for economic hard-times there are:
1) The free-loaders who are defaulting on their mortgages and are hoping the government can bail them out (and I'll let you guess what percentage of these jobless people looking for government handouts are Democrats).
2) Over-taxation. Make the Bush tax cuts permanent and give people their own money back and the economy would look a lot better.
3) Democratic fear-mongers that keep telling people the economy will collapse -- they'll take any opportunity they can to undermine America.
Posted by: Tom | March 20, 2008 4:52 PM
The truth about Nobama is coming out that he goes to church that supports racism and anti-american feelings. He is a true empty suit. Now if Hil-Billery would simply go away.
Posted by: Den C | March 20, 2008 5:29 PM
Posted by: hl | March 20, 2008 2:05 PM
So are you saying that instability in the Middle East has no affect whatsoever on the price of oil? Hard to see how you extract oil while there are bombs exploding, bullets flying and talks of embargos, sanctions and what not. Man you're dumb.
Posted by: jethro | March 20, 2008 5:29 PM
I am having a difficult time getting past the concept of a man who allowed his family to sit in Church to hear God Damn America. I am having a difficult time with hearing that hate is being taught in black Church's. I am having a difficult time understand this...and now wonder what other places of worship are teaching hate?
Does yours?
Posted by: reza santorini | March 20, 2008 5:32 PM
) The free-loaders who are defaulting on their mortgages and are hoping the government can bail them out (and I'll let you guess what percentage of these jobless people looking for government handouts are Democrats).
2) Over-taxation. Make the Bush tax cuts permanent and give people their own money back and the economy would look a lot better.
3) Democratic fear-mongers that keep telling people the economy will collapse -- they'll take any opportunity they can to undermine America.
Posted by: Tom | March 20, 2008 4:52 PM
Wow, you're about as stupid as your pal Steve 'bed wetter" S is.
In seven years the Repubs have run up the national debt to nearly $11 Trillion yet all of the fascist Repubs on here are still trying to find away to blame it on the rich people not getting their tax cuts made permanent.
Posted by: John E | March 20, 2008 5:33 PM
Try to find something that isn't made in China on your store shelves, then buy it.
As long as Chinese have money to buy cheap gasoline, tax-free gasoline, the price is going to stay high.
As for universal health care, does anyone really think the middle-class person who has been paying exhorbitant insurance all his or her working life is going to get a break? The political view of universal heath care means the middle class will pay for the insurance for those who cannot afford it,including 12 million illegal aliens in the country. Healthcare is NOT a right, it's something you earn, and I work hard to earn it.
Bill Clinton had 8 years to come up with the cash for a health care fix, and he didn't have a multi-trillion dollar war to fight.
And YES, nobody wants to see the war and the economy fail more than Democrats.
Posted by: joe sinopoli | March 20, 2008 5:38 PM
"In seven years the Repubs have run up the national debt to nearly $11 Trillion yet all of the fascist Repubs on here are still trying to find away to blame it on the rich people not getting their tax cuts made permanent."
That people that benefitted most from the tax cuts were the middle class -- you can look up the numbers. Next time do some homework before posting.
Also, the deficit can be laid at the feet of the Clinton administration for allowing the military to fall apart and for failing to cut entitlement spending. Now we've had to pour money into the military get it on it's feet again and we have a Democrat congress that makes cutting social programs like pulling teeth.
Posted by: Tom | March 20, 2008 5:47 PM
Posted by: Tom | March 20, 2008 4:52 PM
Tom wants a poorly educated war-mongering president to run up massive deficits for his children and grandchildren to pay for.
In other words...McCain 2008!
Posted by: Michael | March 20, 2008 6:00 PM
When Bush Sr. was President, there was the Persian Gulf War and it too destroyed our economy, and it was Bill Clinton, a Democrat, that came in to clean up the mess, and left office with a 230 billion dollar surplus in our federal coffers. Then, along comes Bush Jr. and his master Cheney who have made their deals with the military/industrial/oil complex to line their pockets with another war with of course a cut for themselves (but only when they are out of office). These Republicans that so many of you defend are pure opportunists who have used the justice system and corrupted the sanctity of our Constitution to enrich their morally bankrupted selves while causing the collapse of our economy, the death of wonderful young patriots in a fraudulent war, and to bring dishonor to the people of this fair nation in the eyes of the world. Moreover, 9/11 did not have to happen, but it was allowed to happen because Bush/Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, the Zionist lobby needed any excuse to begin their "War on Terrorism" which should have been in Afghanistan, but switched locations to Iraq where oil and the death of Hussein would be a more lucrative venture for the neo-cons besides removing one competitive power to Israel.
That is the truth. Read it and then dare to make excuses for the travesty of this immoral war.
Posted by: the truth | March 20, 2008 6:11 PM
obama said he voted against the war? war started 03 obama started 05? 06 democrats vote for me we will end the war? 08 the same message again? obama talks of cost of war but democrats keep funding it" did they not? democrats trying to make up a issue like o6? con games over and over. how did obama vote on funds for the war? or did he not vote at all like so many times before? obama i had no idea wright had ever expressed such incendiary remarks? honest bamboozie?(TOOK HIM 20 YEARS)cost of war is economic hardships? yeah h-1b visas for people like billy gates by democrats and republicans like D- GIFFORD who wants to double them? r- LAMAR SMITH WHO WANTS TO TRIPEL THEM? D- STUPAK MI wants more, dig him michigan out of work!!! and republican gregg wants more visas too!!! wow! go to college work at walmart? economy jobs future seems all going illegal and foreign workers way don't you think america? this is all going to be change by one of the three amigo's? (economy) obama ben bernanke ring bells? real esate fraud chairman since major fraud in real estate? graduated to foreclosers? impack on economy too maybe? unfair trade anything? how about create jobs anything, like how? while you and your twins are running for president corporate america is doing it's very best to change our work force big time anything on this? obama hillary mcCain when they don't tell it like it is,it's because they are part of what it is!! news flash mcCain backs isreal reparisals in gaza? no peace their either future! obamas minister says goverment are cause of spreading hiv to blacks? i thought orgin was from a monkey having sex with local congo tribesman? yes sir inspiring obama hillary mcCain my friends my friends mcCain. future what we see happening now!!! change WORSE.independent ballot access honest paper trail thank you! michigan little big horn AMEN. (spirit)
Posted by: frank l kinney | March 20, 2008 6:34 PM
So Obama can link the cost of war to economic hardships but he can't link the fact that his RACIST Pastor and his RACIST followers are the ones causing racial divide in this country. Whites are not the ones causing the issues. WAKE UP OBAMA!
Posted by: Cole | March 20, 2008 6:49 PM
Obama is just trying to chance the subject from Racism. He needs to shut up or come clean.
How can a man who wants to run the greatest country in the world, sit in a Church for 20 years listening to racism and hate think that he has the right to change the subject?
The Liberal media is trying to change the subject from the Pastor of hate to the war.
Racism, hate, anti-American speech is what I want to hear about.
Obama please resign from the Senate and drop out of the race.
You will not win.
The polls are showing a break for American.
Both Clinton and Obama are losing ground.
Posted by: Jerry | March 20, 2008 6:56 PM
Also, the deficit can be laid at the feet of the Clinton administration for allowing the military to fall apart and for failing to cut entitlement spending. Now we've had to pour money into the military get it on it's feet again and we have a Democrat congress that makes cutting social programs like pulling teeth.
Posted by: Tom | March 20, 2008 5:47 PM
BwaHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Hmmmmmmmmm, let's take a look at the National debt under Clinton and the Bush's shall we?
http://photobucket.com/mediadetail/?media=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fh224%2Fleavinit%2Fbudget_deficit_or_surplus.gif&searchTerm=deficit&pageOffset=18
There you have it, the GOP's answer to everything, PUT IT ON A CREDIT CARD AND GIVE THE RICH A TAX CUT!!!
Posted by: John E | March 20, 2008 6:58 PM
What's this? An article about something important? Am I reading the Tribune? Where's the latest racist development? Isn't there a preacher somewhere thinking something bad about white people?
Posted by: Paul | March 20, 2008 7:33 PM
As easy as it is to blame the president for overspending the truth is we demand government services and punish those who don't give it to us. Until we elect someone who knows how to say NO we will never move back to the right path. Congress still holds the purse strings. Quit demanding free everything and figure out nothing is free.
Posted by: whatnow | March 20, 2008 9:33 PM
This link is REAL. Continued tax cuts on the most wealthy does not gaurantee a trickle down - the working poor and below poverty line people continue to increase so what has been done to date has NOT MADE THINGS BETTER.
The oil prices IS NOT JUST DUE to demand overseas. For years we have had the 'fear tax' on oil prices continually jacked up as a direct result of the tensions perpetuated by Bush and Co in Iraq and saber rattling against Iran. The oil companies have made a MINT in profits - as have Governments who who put tax on oil. The ordinary people have paid the price.
The war has been HUGELY profitable to certain companies who have sent their billions in profit to tax havens - yet used taxpayer funds to prosecute the war. There is no other valid interpretation than the rape of the American people on a large scale.
Obama has NEVER said that he would end the war without consideration for conditions on the ground and I personally have a lot more confidence that he will judge those conditions more accurately than someone who can't even figure out that Iran isn't training Al Qaida.
Posted by: Jay | March 21, 2008 4:32 AM
Jerry - if both Obama and Clinton are losing ground don't you think it might be because Clinton is in this fight past when most would have stepped back? He's had 30 wins now. The only thing that Clinton can do to win the nomination now is to facilitate something that destroys Obama. To say this is unhealthy for the Democratic Party is a massive understatement.
And with Murdoch of Fox News behind her, and Karl Rove advocating for her - can the people not see that either McCain or Clinton are both acceptable choices to the powers that be? To the powers that have been taking from the American people for their own benefit?
Posted by: Jay | March 21, 2008 4:52 AM
Bobin and Jethro-
HL has it right. The major cause of oil prices rising is the demand from oil coming from the growing economy of CHina (I will add INdia too). Sure there is an effect on oil prices due to the political uncertainties in the Middle east. There is also an effect on oil prices from the democratic Congress not allowing drilling in ANWAR (which if Bill Clinton hadn't vetoed a decade ago, oil would be flowing into the lower 48 right now and the price of oil would be lower) and Utah (where a New York Congressman is holding up the exploration of oil that the people of Utah are in favor of)
http://www.americansforamericanenergy.org/utah+legislators+oppose+federal+land+grab.aspx
As Obama's spiritual leader would say "the chickens have come home to roost"
Posted by: Terry | March 21, 2008 6:34 AM
" There is also an effect on oil prices from the democratic Congress not allowing drilling in ANWAR (which if Bill Clinton hadn't vetoed a decade ago, oil would be flowing into the lower 48 right now and the price of oil would be lower)"
You know it's almost like the 6 years of Republican control of the both houses of Congress and the White House from 2000-2006 never happened.
If only we we're so lucky.
Posted by: Luke | March 21, 2008 9:12 AM
The economics issues we are encountering are affecting the whole globe. The USA does not stand on its own economically.
The dollar is weak overseas especially in Europe. People are dumping their dollars and investing in commodities like gold and oil. If you haven't noticed the price of gold is also climbing rapidly. The demand for is also growing but not at the rate of the price increases for crude. There are no shortages of oil.
What most politicians do is over simplify the issues of economics because they know many of us will not investigate their claims. This is the inherent cynicism especially of Democrats and their belief that we are idiots.
Also, the Chinese have learned that we Americans have stopped thinking for ourselves and are becoming more risk-averse. We are headed for a lot more trouble than anybody can imagine.
Posted by: Bill | March 21, 2008 9:58 AM
I've been seeing something along these lines from Obama supporters for the last several weeks now. It goes something like this: "While the sorry, silly, pathetic morons of this country are focused on race, Obama's super-enlightened, super-intelligent supporters (who prove their intelligence by voting for Obama) are focused on important issues, like health care, global warming, and $5-a-gallon gas." And now I hear from Obama that the reason gas costs so much is because American forces are in Iraq. Therefore, I fully expect that when American forces are out of Iraq within the first six months of an Obama administration that the price at the pump will immediately begin falling, and by this time in 2010, we will be paying less than $2 a gallon again as a result of Obama's courage to end the Iraq War. Is this a fair statement? If it's not, then Obama and his supporters should stop insinuating to the "super-intelligent" Obama voters that a vote for Obama means lower gas prices in the future.
Posted by: JB | March 21, 2008 11:45 AM
Luke - GO back to 8th grade civics - does the term filabuster mean anything to you?
In 2005 the Seante had 56 votes - a majority, but not the 60 needed to stop a filabuster. Even though the GOP had the Seante majority, it was the dem Seanotrs that have reduced the flow of oil into this country adn therefore raised the price.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10560979/
Posted by: Terry | March 21, 2008 8:12 PM
Luke - Guess you didn't pass 8th grade civics class? Ever hear of a filabuster?
56 Seante vote - vast majority GOP. This part of oil price increase rest directly on the dems.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10560979/
Posted by: Terry | March 22, 2008 5:10 PM