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?
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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
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Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 7)
16. If Obama cant show leadership in the congress, what makes you people think that he can lead the country. He talks alot, but doesn't seem to know how to say what he means.
Rick at 12:36PM on Jun 22nd 2008
17. By: Tucker Bounds
In September 2007, over three quarters of the United States Senate joined together in a bipartisan fashion, (Kyl/Lieberman), to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Barack Obama opposed this legislation, deciding that playing partisan primary politics was more important than our nation's security. Even Hillary Clinton and Senior Illinois Senator Dick Durbin had the judgment to call our enemies by their name, especially a group responsible for the killing of American troops in Iraq.
If Barack Obama does not have the judgment and experience to even identify our enemies, how can we expect him to stand up to them?
Paul Sparcello at 1:35PM on Jun 22nd 2008
18. Paul, you're becoming a real cretin.
I've long said that Puss-losi should be impeached!
In fact, I agree with this statement from Robert Okane....
----------
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
Captain Negative at 1:46PM on Jun 22nd 2008
19. falling, if you don't like my Congressional representatives, you don't get a vote.
If I don't like yours, there is nothing I can do about it.
The ONE VOTE you and I each have is a vote for or against the presidential candidate.
"Defending" Governor bush by saying that two legistlative bodies, composed of HUNDREDS of people are A LITTLE LESS popular than the governor is LAME-ASS!
Captain Negative at 1:51PM on Jun 22nd 2008
20. Cap,
Saying and doing are totally different things. How many times have you contacted your Representative over the issue of Pelosi not bring Impeachment to the floor? Pelosi's herself says Impeachment is off the table. Have you asked your Representative to remove Pelosi as Speaker? How about her hand picked House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer providing Retroactive Immunity to Big Phone, are those issues that made you vote for the Democratic Controlled Congress? I doubt it.
Paul Sparcello at 2:12PM on Jun 22nd 2008
21. Will the real John McCain please stand up. For people that want to meet the real john McCain, please read these two articles:
http://www.realchange.org/mccain.htm
http://www.nationalreview.com/contributors/levin040501.shtml
Now that's the McCain, the reformer we know.
Data just released show America is behind most industrialized nations when it comes to life expectancy. That is why we need universal healthcare like Obama is advocating. Just food for thought:
- For average white American male, life expectancy is 72 years and John McCain is already 72 years old, so he might kick the bucket any time now
- For average black American male, the life expectancy is 70 years and Barack Obama is only 46 years old.
iynaroc02 at 3:52PM on Jun 22nd 2008
22. Why are you just now realizing this? I was always a Democrat until I got sick and tired of voting for people with no conviction or balls to stand against the rest and force change. I would rather go Republican and know that ambition is solid and strong AND the moral values are there. Cenk, it's an uphill battle man.
E at 4:09PM on Jun 22nd 2008
23. McCain Hampered by Campaign Missteps
Posted: Sunday 06/22/08 01:31 PM EDT
Filed Under: Elections News, John McCain
It hasn't been a good week for John McCain, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. The all-but-crowned Republican presidential nominee drew fire for a number of mistakes as he tried to woo conservatives and independents, raise money and go after Democratic rival Barack Obama.
Dennis at 4:15PM on Jun 22nd 2008
24. It'll be interesting to see how Obama votes on the war funding bill next week passed by the House. Since he believes in the necessity for advanced intelligence monitoring & if elected not force a vote for more funding at the beginning of his term for his stance on "withdrawal" of troops. This might buy him 6 mos. of wiggle room. Of course on the other hand it would also once again align him with the war effort in the most technical sense.
Just like FISA, the corner he paints himself into gets smaller & smaller & gives even the diehards cause for pause. Give us an update on this next week Cenk. "What say you now"?
Bobby at 4:57PM on Jun 22nd 2008
25. Paul, I contact my representatives quite often. I see absolutely no indications that it has done a bit of good. As far as I can tell, BOTH of my Senators are just, 'rubber stampers.' Unfortunately, the republicans they replaced were worse. It is what you and I and most everyone else is stuck with - choosing the ones we hope will be the lesser of the evils.
Captain Negative at 5:07PM on Jun 22nd 2008
26. I'm far more concerned with what the republican, "October Surprise" will be. I'm suspecting the republicans' best friend -Isreal- is
going to be the catalyst. It just might be, "now or never" for the Isreali's to give dick & bush the excuse they need to launch the next phase of WWIII. You know, the war that started on 9-11 for the world's oil reserves.
I really hope people aren't naive enough to believe that Russia and (the republican friends) RED CHINA are going to say,
"Look.Those silly neocons are committing another ARMED ROBBERY in Iran. Aren't they charming? Aren't they amusing? Isn't that cute?"
Captain Negative at 5:08PM on Jun 22nd 2008
27. Yes, Captain -, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. People, I've said it before, so pardon the redundancy.
There ARE no Democrats, no Republicans, no real nations- only Corporations, and damn few at that. Witness the amazing consolidation of power in mysteriously anonymous centers. Banks (big ones) failing, airlines dropping like flies, etc, etc, and so forth, all because of a band of illiterate 'ragheads' in AFGHANISTAN??? FISA immunity? Why? Who's REALLY controlling things?Isn't it strange how no matter what happens, Osama just happens to pop out of his Boogeyman Jack-in-the-box at just the right time and say "Boo!"? Now he's playing both sides against another... Pay attention, folks- The (deliberate) fall of the WTC was a desperate, clumsy attempt to ignite the fuse of a new order. Another attempt may indeed be coming.
The question is- will we let them get away with it?
Robert at 7:24PM on Jun 22nd 2008
28. You reap what you sow. If all of you so called unbiased journalists would step back and quit drooling over Obcarter and check his past history in the Illinois and US Senate you would be able to get a really clear take on ht new carter administration. Instead of beating up Bush, who by the way is history on Jan 20, 2009 look at the real issues, what is important for you ie. economy, Iraq, immigration, border security etc. etc and see where each presumptive candidate stands and which one actually comes close to matching up your ideals and vote for that person. This election is to important to the future of this nation to allow your emotions to rule . Think with the head on your shoulders and not the little one. If the press were to scrutinize Obama as much as it did Hillary or Bush he may not be the so called rock star you claim him to be. Research the issues.
dave at 8:13PM on Jun 22nd 2008
29. Dear Dave-
See above.
Robert at 8:20PM on Jun 22nd 2008
30. does anyone realize that Bush is the worst president we've ever had. the U.S is in so much debt that if everyone in the U.s paid $16k we would just break even.
resou at 8:59PM on Jun 22nd 2008