Barack Obama Has Never Beaten George Bush

Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...

Mo Rocca Feed

Barack Obama Has Never Beaten George Bush

Posted Jun 21st 2008 8:58PM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: George Bush, Young Turks, Democrats, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Video

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama claimed over and over during the primaries that they were strong leaders who could take America in a new direction. They also claimed that George W. Bush was the worst president in US history. Then, how come they have never been able to beat him in almost any legislative battles?

This week they surrendered again. This time it was about giving immunity to telecommunication companies who broke the law to placate the Bush administration. Nearly everyone involved admits they broke the law -- otherwise they wouldn't need immunity.

I didn't rob a bank, so I don't need immunity for robbery. Everyone should have their rights, and that definitely applies to the telecom companies and the Bush administration as well, so it should be very simple for them to go into a courthouse and show there was nothing wrong with what they did. Except they can't, and that's why desperately need immunity for the crimes they have committed.

This isn't about spying on terrorists. The FISA court gives out warrants like they're growing on trees. If they spied on terrorists, it's the easiest thing in the world to show. No, this is for breaking the law and spying on Americans without a court order. Do we know who they spied on? No, and now we never will. Why? The Democrats are going to give these companies -- and by extension the Bush administration -- immunity for breaking the law.

In essence, the Democrats are giving a preemptive pardon to George Bush and everyone else that authorized and participated in this illegal surveillance program.

Now, if we only had a couple of strong leaders on the Democratic side who could stop this. Oh wait a minute, I remember two people that kept telling me how strong and capable they were. One of them even claimed that change was coming. You know when it might be a good time for change? Right about now.

Instead, Hillary Clinton is on vacation somewhere doing absolutely nothing about this immunity bill. When it's not about her career, all of a sudden she's not that moved to fight for us, our laws and our constitution. Since she's not going to be president, she's taken her ball and gone home.

And what about Obama? Nothing. Worse than nothing, because he's actually thinking about voting with the Republicans on a so-called compromise, which in the words of Sen. Feingold is nothing short of a "capitulation." Leadership you can believe in!

You think I sound angry here, you should have seen me all week on the show. If you want to see what I think of pathetic Democratic weakness, watch this (not safe for work or with kids around). The Democrats make it nearly impossible to respect them. And if you want to see what I think of Senator Clinton and Senator Obama's awful record of leadership on this issue, watch this:

If you can't beat the most unpopular president of all time in a simple legislative fight like this, how can you claim to be a strong and effective leader?

Young Turks on You Tube

Permalink
Email this
Linking Blogs
Comments [102]
Share this
- Add this post to...
- Netscape
- Digg
- Del.icio.us

Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 7)

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Here's the full text of Obama's statement taken off Tommy Christopher's blog:

"Given the grave threats that we face, our national security agencies must have the capability to gather intelligence and track down terrorists before they strike, while respecting the rule of law and the privacy and civil liberties of the American people. There is also little doubt that the Bush Administration, with the cooperation of major telecommunications companies, has abused that authority and undermined the Constitution by intercepting the communications of innocent Americans without their knowledge or the required court orders.

"That is why last year I opposed the so-called Protect America Act, which expanded the surveillance powers of the government without sufficient independent oversight to protect the privacy and civil liberties of innocent Americans. I have also opposed the granting of retroactive immunity to those who were allegedly complicit in acts of illegal spying in the past.

"After months of negotiation, the House today passed a compromise that, while far from perfect, is a marked improvement over last year's Protect America Act.

"Under this compromise legislation, an important tool in the fight against terrorism will continue, but the President's illegal program of warrantless surveillance will be over. It restores FISA and existing criminal wiretap statutes as the exclusive means to conduct surveillance – making it clear that the President cannot circumvent the law and disregard the civil liberties of the American people. It also firmly re-establishes basic judicial oversight over all domestic surveillance in the future. It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses. But this compromise guarantees a thorough review by the Inspectors General of our national security agencies to determine what took place in the past, and ensures that there will be accountability going forward. By demanding oversight and accountability, a grassroots movement of Americans has helped yield a bill that is far better than the Protect America Act.

"It is not all that I would want. But given the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay. So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives – and the liberty – of the American people..

"Inside every flaming liberal is a conservative screaming to get out"

There are exceptions to every rule of course....

Bobby at 11:03PM on Jun 21st 2008

2. Like you all very much. Cenk, don't interupt quite so much. Love your enthusiasm, but stifle just a bit????

marcia shrock at 11:20PM on Jun 21st 2008

3. I think good ol' Hill deserves a vacation. And you forget that this bill actually hasn't been voted on in the Senate. Clinton has made her position on FISA quite clear many times. But I like how you added the part about Clinton, so that you wouldn't feel badly for voting for Obama, who's decided to throw the Constitution under the bus. Clearly, being a Constitutional law expert, he knows all the implications of his support for this bill. Maybe you should just hope he's going to be filibustering this sucker, but Pelosi's support of this bill makes it highly unlikely.

J. Choi at 12:52AM on Jun 22nd 2008

4. Cenk,

In case you have not noticed the Media Darling Democratic Controlled Congress has a 19% approval rating. That is ten points below the approval rating of President Bush.

Paul Sparcello at 12:58AM on Jun 22nd 2008

5.
In case you have not noticed the Media Darling Democratic Controlled Congress has a 19% approval rating. That is ten points below the approval rating of President Bush.

Paul Sparcello at 12:58AM on Jun 22nd 2008
===========================================

It's the same old, same old. Same old retort.

Someone say, "Fux Noise." The wingnuts say it's more popular than MSNBC.

Mention that Governor bush is the worst "president" ever. The wingnuts say, "He's more popular than Congress."

Doesn't change a thing.

Captain Negative at 2:57AM on Jun 22nd 2008

6. Cenk : Even if you are finally found innocent by judge and jury, the cost of your defense in a criminal trial can be backbreaking.

This is one reason for people, otherwise sure of their innocence, seeking immunity from prosecution. To avoid the financial damage caused by the trial and associated costs.

I once had a client who had run afoul of a federal law. I was sure that, after a long and very costly trial, he would win but I had to advise him that it would be cheaper for him to plea bargain and have his company pay a small fine.

To go to court and win would have been ideal but, practically speaking, his small company would have a hard time recovering financially from the win but could easily afford the fine.

longwalker at 6:24AM on Jun 22nd 2008

7. Congress plays and nothing gets done right.

The Democrat controlled Congress took time out to waste time with a hearing involving Scott McClellan's book. While some hoped there would be big new facts brought out by the Democrat Congressman questioning, nothing new was revealved other than what was in the book. Some had wished for criminal charges, haha, with a bunch of dumb Democrat's asking the questions, even if there were something to reveal, they would not find it. McClellan would be an excellent witness for Bush/Cheney if anyone was stupid enough to try to bring criminal charges against them, on the CIA agent ID being revealed based on rumors or dreams. Whilre McClellan thinks Bush/Cheney may be hiding something, McClellan says he thinks Bush did not lie, and has no information that Cheney lied. The Special Federal Attorney on the Libby trial, Fitzgerald, looked into the Valerie Plame CIA secret agent ID being revealed, and came up with nothing. Fitzgerald found no criminal actions involving the revealing of any CIA Agents ID. Richard Armitage leaked the information about Plame, not Bush/Cheney, and Fitzgerald did not even find that Armitage did anything wrong. If anyone wants to knock Fitzgerald, forget it. It was Fitzgerald, a Democrat, who got the convictions on the friend of Obama's, the crook Tony Rezko, who was involved in payoffs, the old Chicago "pay to play" Democrat Politics.
This McClellan Congressional has proven to be a waste of time and the public also sees what a waste the Democrat Congress is, resulting in 19% approval ratings, almost 10% lower than Bush's.

If Pelosi had a set of balls, maybe she would have brought the many Bush/Cheney impeachment resolutions onto the floor of Congress for action, instead of taking the cowards way out and doing nothing for 18 months.

Robert OKane at 6:40AM on Jun 22nd 2008

8. Obama's Tax Plans already Largest Tax Increase in United States History
1)Obama just proposed to make historic changes in Social Security taxing and benefits that people recieve. 6/13 Obama proposed that he will increse money people put into SS, but will recieve NO additional benefits even though they put in more money. What it is is a Socialist plan to redistribute the wealth. Starting off it will not call for any increase between income of $102000 and $250000, just over $250000 will pay more. But once the Government makes this change of SS policy, only time will will be as to when those earning between $102000 and $250000 will pay more but get no increase in benefits they recieve.
As of now, Obama's proposal will mean someone earning $1,000,000, will pay $93000 more, will no additional benefit, a Tax Increase of almost 10%
2-Obama supports the UN Tax which would be a US Tax for Carbon Emissions, about $20 billion a year in new Taxes, which goes to UN, not the US Treasury.
3-Obama's Senate Bill in support of another UN Tax, this for fighting Global Poverty, at 0.7% of the GDP of the USA, which would get paid to the UN. That is about $60 Billion dollars a year, figure it out, non of which goes to the US Treasury.
4-Obama has already said he will let Bush's Tax Cuts expire, for more taxes on everyone. Obama has said he will give middle class a tax break, but Obama's middle class earning for a family is between $64,000 and $92000. Those even with joint earnings of over $92000 are considered Rich by Obama and will pay more.

Those are right now the major components of Obama's plans for the most massive tax hikes in US History. Look it up.

Robert OKane at 7:21AM on Jun 22nd 2008

9. okane, you me and everyone else in this country owes $30,000, 10k of it w's debt. when are you going to pay your share?

Dennis at 3:34PM on Jun 22nd 2008

10. It's the same old, same old. Same old retort.

Someone say, "Fux Noise." The wingnuts say it's more popular than MSNBC.

Mention that Governor bush is the worst "president" ever. The wingnuts say, "He's more popular than Congress."

Doesn't change a thing.

Captain Negative at 2:57AM on Jun 22nd 2008
------------------------------
Might not change a thing, but it sure does add some legitimate perspective to the rants of the left! Shows their hypocrisy also...they scream about Bush's low ratings and hope everyone ignores their much lower ratings!

falling at 11:41AM on Jun 22nd 2008

11. Capt. MILFS.......

Keep towing the Pelosi Party Line 19%'er!!!!!!!

Paul Sparcello at 10:43AM on Jun 22nd 2008

12. OH MY GOD!!! Based on the quasi-communist, leftist, socialist, hate America propaganda being spouted here, it would appear that our Nation seems to be headed for difficult times

MAC580 at 11:17AM on Jun 22nd 2008

13. Bad month for Obama & the democrats by any rational standard.

Jim Johnson resigning, Chris Dodd & Kent Conrad in the midst of scandal making Obama's claim to the mortgage crisis as relevant as his own involvement with Rezko. Conflict of interest doesn't constitute "change" from where I sit.

Throw in Obama's major backflip in rejecting public campaign financing is just one more nail in the character coffin for me.

This article may be as close as I ever come to agreeing with Cenk on Obama's ethics & strength to govern. His whitewashed speeches & comments are starting to uncover his inability to carry through with his profound platform of gov't revision. His contradictory rhetoric is just a chip off the old gov't block & his levee is starting to leak worse than the rain soaked midwest right now.

It's incredible to me he could find a hundred votes much less millions with what I've seen of the man lately. He is the most suspect of candidates bar none that I've ever witnessed. My only hope is his style of delivery will wear to the substance of his words & I'm glad we've got four & a half more months to expose this phony for what he really is.

Bobby at 11:54AM on Jun 22nd 2008

14. Hey there Big Guy,

Lets see....."""The Democrats make it nearly impossible to respect them""".

Why should they break tradition boss?

Willet at 11:59AM on Jun 22nd 2008

15. If Obama can't lead the Congress what makes you people think he can lead the country.

Rick at 10:15AM on Jul 12th 2008

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

Mo's Video

The Sound of a Smoke-Free Barack...
Almost two years ago we speculated on how Barack Obama's voice would change if he stopped smoking. ...

Coming Soon

Most Commented On

Coming Soon

Mo's Bio

Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.