Barack Obama on Abortion

• No litmus test; nominate to Court based on their fairness. (Oct 2008)
• 1990: Wrote law article that that fetus cannot sue mother. (Aug 2008)
• FactCheck: Abortions HAVE gone down under Pres. Bush. (Aug 2008)
• Ok for state to restrict late-term partial birth abortion. (Apr 2008)
• We can find common ground between pro-choice and pro-life. (Apr 2008)
• Undecided on whether life begins at conception. (Apr 2008)
• Teach teens about abstinence and also about contraception. (Apr 2008)
• GovWatch: Obama’s “present” votes were a requested strategy. (Feb 2008)
• Expand access to contraception; reduce unintended pregnancy. (Feb 2008)
• Rated 100% by NARAL on pro-choice votes in 2005, 2006 & 2007. (Jan 2008)
• Voted against banning partial birth abortion. (Oct 2007)
• Stem cells hold promise to cure 70 major diseases. (Aug 2007)
• Trust women to make own decisions on partial-birth abortion. (Apr 2007)
• Extend presumption of good faith to abortion protesters. (Oct 2006)
• Constitution is a living document; no strict constructionism. (Oct 2006)
• Moral accusations from pro-lifers are counterproductive. (Oct 2004)
• Pass the Stem Cell Research Bill. (Jun 2004)
• Protect a woman’s right to choose. (May 2004)

  Voting Record

• Opposed born-alive treatment law because it was already law. (Oct 2008)
• Supports Roe v. Wade. (Jul 1998)
• Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
• Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill providing contraceptives for low-income women. (May 2006)
• Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
• Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)

Barack Obama on Budget & Economy

• Make government fiscally responsible & live within budget. (Oct 2008)
• When Bush came in, we had a surplus; now we have a deficit. (Oct 2008)
• Middle class needs a rescue package with tax cuts. (Oct 2008)
• Bailout will unfreeze credit & allow businesses to function. (Oct 2008)
• Every citizen should save energy & resources. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: National debt up from $6T to $10T under Bush. (Oct 2008)
• Clinton left behind a surplus; Bush squandered it. (Jun 2008)
• A different economic approach vs. McCain’s 4 more years. (May 2008)
• Can’t do anything at home with $12 billion a month on Iraq. (Feb 2008)
• Protect consumers with Credit Card Bill of Rights. (Feb 2008)
• Bush stimulus plan leaves out seniors & unemployed. (Jan 2008)
• Account for every single dollar for new proposed programs. (Jan 2008)
• Bankruptcy bill pushed by banks & financial institutions. (Jan 2008)
• Lack of an energy policy is a financial burden. (Jan 2008)
• Release people in bankruptcy due to health care problems. (Jan 2008)
• Bush & GOP dug budget hole; need years to dig out. (Dec 2007)
• Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don’t need them. (Dec 2007)
• Take China “to the mat” about currency manipulation. (Dec 2007)
• Rejects free market vision of government. (Oct 2007)
• Return to PayGo: compensate for all new spending. (Oct 2006)
• Bush’s economic policies are not working. (May 2004)
• Supports federal programs to protect rural economy. (May 2004)

  Financial Bailout

• Fundamentals were weak BEFORE crisis; focus on middle class. (Oct 2008)
• Not enough to help those at the top: it doesn’t trickle down. (Oct 2008)
• I sought re-regulation; McCain boasts he’s a deregulator. (Oct 2008)
• We’re in the worst financial crisis since Great Depression. (Sep 2008)
• The lax regulation that Bush favored got us in this disaster. (Sep 2008)
• Pay attention to Main Street, not just Wall Street. (Sep 2008)
• Decide financial rescue plan on future slower tax revenues. (Sep 2008)
• Spending freeze is like a hatchet where you need a scalpel. (Sep 2008)
• Latinos & blacks are hardest hit by housing & gas crises. (Jun 2008)
• More accountability in subprime mortgages. (Feb 2008)
• Help the homeowners actually living in their homes. (Jan 2008)
• Capping credit card interest rates at 30% is not enough. (Jan 2008)
• Accountability and oversight over the financial markets. (Jan 2008)
• Modify some of the fraudulent & predatory lending practices. (Jan 2008)
• Regulate financial instruments to protect home mortgages. (Aug 2007)
• Government regulation needed for when markets fail. (Aug 2007)

  Voting Record

• Voted against limiting credit to 30%, because 30% too high. (Jan 2008)
• I opposed both the 2001 and 2005 bankruptcy bills. (Jan 2008)
• Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
• Get minorities into home ownership & global marketplace. (Jan 2001)
• Require full disclosure about subprime mortgages. (Dec 2007)
• Reform mortgage rules to prevent foreclosure & bankruptcy. (Feb 2008)

Barack Obama on Civil Rights

• Has stood together with Latino leaders for last 20 years. (Jun 2008)
• Hate crimes related to the immigration issue is unacceptable. (Feb 2008)
• People want to move beyond our divisions. (Jan 2008)
• 2004 DNC speech merged “heritage” with “diversity”. (Dec 2007)
• The politics of fear undermines basic civil liberties. (Oct 2007)
• 1980s boss predicted Obama would be heir to MLK’s voice. (Aug 2007)
• Racial equality good for America as a whole. (Jun 2007)
• Put the Confederate flag in a museum, not the state house. (Apr 2007)
• Muslim heritage gives Obama unique influence in Muslim world. (Oct 2006)
• No black or white America--just United States of America. (Oct 2006)
• Gays should not face discrimination but should not marry. (Oct 2004)
• Forthright on racial issues and on his civil rights history. (Jul 2004)
• Defend freedom and equality under law. (May 2004)
• Politicians: don’t use religion to insulate from criticism. (Apr 2004)
• Miscegenation a felony in 1960 when Obamas practiced it. (Aug 1996)
• The civil rights movement was a success. (Aug 1996)

  Affirmative Action

• Keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day’s work. (Aug 2008)
• Apply affirmative action to poor white college applicants. (Apr 2008)
• Community organizing continues the civil rights movement. (Apr 2008)
• Legalized discrimination meant blacks could not amass wealth. (Mar 2008)
• Fight job discrimination to give women equal footing at jobs. (Feb 2008)
• Remove discriminatory barriers to the right to vote. (Feb 2008)
• Benefited from affirmative action but overcame via merit. (Dec 2007)
• Include class-based affirmative action with race-based. (Oct 2007)
• Better enforce women’s pay equity via Equal Pay Act. (Aug 2007)
• Blacks should infiltrate mainstream to affect change. (Aug 2007)
• Commitment to diversity by CEOs is advisable. (Mar 2007)
• African-Americans vote Democratic because of issue stances. (Jul 2004)
• Supports affirmative action in colleges and government. (Jul 1998)

  Gay Rights

• Opposes CA Prop. 8, one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 2008)
• Being gay or lesbian is not a choice. (Nov 2007)
• Decisions about marriage should be left to the states. (Oct 2007)
• Homosexuality no more immoral than heterosexuality. (Oct 2007)
• Ok to expose 6-year-olds to gay couples; they know already. (Sep 2007)
• Has any marriage broken up because two gays hold hands? (Aug 2007)
• We need strong civil unions, not just weak civil unions. (Aug 2007)
• Legal rights for gays are conferred by state, not by church. (Aug 2007)
• Disentangle gay rights from the word “marriage”. (Aug 2007)
• Gay marriage is less important that equal gay rights. (Aug 2007)
• Gay rights movement is somewhat like civil rights movement. (Aug 2007)
• Let each denominations decide on recognizing gay marriage. (Jul 2007)
• Pass ENDA and expand hate crime legislation. (Mar 2007)
• Opposed 1996 Illinois DOMA bill. (Mar 2007)
• Supports health benefits for gay civil partners. (Oct 2006)
• Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality. (Oct 2006)
• Marriage not a human right; non-discrimination is. (Oct 2004)
• Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws. (Jul 1998)

  Voting Record

• Strengthen the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Aug 2007)
• Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
• Ending racial profiling is part of fight for justice. (Jan 2001)
• Sponsored bill for special-needs evacuation plans. (Sep 2005)
• Sponsored bill for a Rosa Parks commemorative postage stamp. (Dec 2005)
• Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
• Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
• Provide benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees. (Dec 2007)
• Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)
• Reinforce anti-discrimination and equal-pay requirements. (Jan 2008)

Barack Obama on Corporations

• We both cut taxes; but McCain offers $200B to corporations. (Oct 2008)
• No capital gains tax on earnings under $250K. (Oct 2008)
• We need Wall Street responsibility BEFORE financial crises. (Sep 2008)
• High corporate tax rate is offset by numerous loopholes. (Sep 2008)
• We still need corporate ethics & vigilant government. (Jul 2008)
• Cap the farm subsidies for Fortune 500 companies. (Dec 2007)
• End tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas. (Aug 2007)
• Hold corporations responsible for pensions & work conditions. (Aug 2007)
• Tax incentives for corporate responsibility. (Jun 2004)
• Close tax loopholes for US companies relocating abroad. (Jun 2004)
• REAL USA Plan: Reward companies that create domestic jobs. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
• Prevent money laundering by disclosing corporate owners. (May 2008)

Barack Obama on Crime

• Job training for ex-offenders, to avoid return to crime. (Jul 2008)
• We need more cops; but we also need more families. (Jun 2008)
• Reduce recidivism by providing ex-offender supports. (Feb 2008)
• Ban racial profiling & eliminate disparities in sentencing. (Feb 2008)
• Have a civil rights division enforce laws fairly and justly. (Jan 2008)
• GovWatch: No, more young black men in college than in prison. (Jan 2008)
• Lack of enforcement sets tone for more hate crimes. (Dec 2007)
• Legislated protecting police detainees during interrogation. (Nov 2007)
• Pushed Illinois bill to videotape all capital interrogations. (Oct 2007)
• No extra penalty for gang association. (Oct 2007)
• Works on ex-offender laws because it could have been him. (Aug 2007)
• Need justice that is not just us, but is everybody. (Jun 2007)
• Reformed death penalty by listening & compromising. (Feb 2007)
• Some heinous crimes justify the ultimate punishment. (Oct 2006)
• Videotape all capital punishment interrogations. (Oct 2006)
• Passed 150 laws to toughen penalties for violent crime. (Oct 2004)
• Restrict police entry rules, to protect our civil liberties. (Oct 2004)
• Death penalty should be enforced fairly and with caution. (Oct 2004)
• Death penalty should not discriminate by gang membership. (Oct 2004)
• Battles legislatively against the death penalty. (Jul 2004)
• Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
• Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program. (Jan 2007)
• Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance. (Mar 2007)

Barack Obama on Drugs

• Look at needle exchange; and expand treatment. (Feb 2008)
• Fight to rid our communities of meth. (Feb 2008)
• Expand drug courts; help prisoners with substance abuse. (Feb 2008)
• 2001: questions harsh penalties for drug dealing. (Oct 2007)
• Not first candidate to use drugs, but first honest about it. (Oct 2007)
• Do not lower drinking age from 21 to 18. (Sep 2007)
• Experimented with cocaine but turned down heroin. (Aug 2007)
• A “secret smoker”, especially around reporters. (Aug 2007)
• Smokes cigarettes now; smoked some pot in high school. (Feb 2007)
• Admitted marijuana use in high school & college. (Jan 2007)
• Deal with street-level drug dealing as minimum-wage affair. (Oct 2006)
• Understand why youngsters want to use drugs. (Aug 1996)
• End harsher sentencing for crack vs. powder cocaine. (Jun 2007)
• Require chemical resellers to certify against meth use. (Sep 2007)

Barack Obama on Education

• Invest in early childhood education and higher education. (Aug 2008)
• Fight for social & economic justice begins in the classroom. (Jul 2008)
• To compete, students need at least H.S. & college degree. (Jun 2008)
• Pay for college education for those who commit to teaching. (Jun 2008)
• We need real commitment to education; instead we got NCLB. (Jun 2008)
• $10 billion to guarantee early childhood education for all. (Jun 2008)
• Merit pay ok if based on career instead of a single test. (Apr 2008)
• Evolution & science aren’t incompatible with Christian faith. (Apr 2008)
• Children’s First Agenda: zero to five early education. (Feb 2008)
• $4,000 college tuition for 100 hours’ public service a year. (Feb 2008)
• Put billions of dollars into early childhood education. (Jan 2008)
• Need after-school and summer programs with good parenting. (Jan 2008)
• Get parents re-engaged in educating the children. (Dec 2007)
• Nationwide program to reconstruct crumbling school buildings. (Sep 2007)
• STEP UP: summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged. (Aug 2007)
• We left the money behind for No Child Left Behind. (Aug 2007)
• Pay “master teachers” extra, but with buy-in from teachers. (Aug 2007)
• Supreme Court was wrong on school anti-integration ruling. (Jul 2007)
• Incentives to hire a million teachers over next decade. (Jun 2007)
• Pay teachers more money & treat them like professionals. (Jun 2007)
• Cut banks out and add $4.5 Billion to college loans. (Mar 2007)
• More teacher pay in exchange for more teacher accountability. (Oct 2006)
• Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education. (Jun 2006)
• Sex education needed to help children discuss molestation. (Oct 2004)
• Provide decent funding and get rid of anti-intellectualism. (Jul 2004)
• Address the growing achievement gap between students. (May 2004)
• Will add 25,000 teachers in high-need areas. (May 2004)
• Free public college for any student with B-average. (Jul 1998)

  School Choice

• I doubled charter schools in Illinois; but no vouchers. (Oct 2008)
• Vouchers don’t solve the problems of our schools. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: McCain for national reforms & also DC vouchers. (Oct 2008)
• Supports charter schools; it’s important to experiment. (Feb 2008)
• We need a sense of urgency about improving education system. (Sep 2007)
• Sends kids to private school; but wants good schools for all. (Jul 2007)
• Public school system status quo is indefensible. (Oct 2006)
• Supports charter schools and private investment in schools. (Jul 1998)

  Voting Record

• First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100. (Aug 2007)
• Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)

Barack Obama on Energy & Oil

• Let’s build a fuel-efficient car in America, not abroad. (Oct 2008)
• Ten years to eliminate dependence on foreign oil. (Oct 2008)
• $15B to free us from foreign oil in 10 years. (Oct 2008)
• Nuclear power ok, as one component of energy mix. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: McCain rejected alternatives 11 times, not 23. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Reluctant on nuclear power in past; now favors it. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Both McCain & Obama plans kill oil tax loopholes. (Sep 2008)
• Drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. (Aug 2008)
• More Alaska oil & gas leases, plus new gas pipeline. (Aug 2008)
• GovWatch: $150B for electric car batteries & new technology. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Supports nuclear power if it’s clean & safe. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Opposes Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste storage. (Jun 2008)
• Rebate checks instead of gas tax holiday. (May 2008)
• Gas tax holiday is a classic Washington gimmick. (May 2008)
• Voted for failed IL gas tax holiday & learned from mistake. (May 2008)
• Raise fuel efficiency standards to reduce long-term demand. (Apr 2008)
• FactCheck: Self-contradictory on Bush’s clean-energy plan. (Jan 2008)
• Reduce the consumption of energy and be more efficient. (Jan 2008)
• Fuel efficiency and Middle East stability help on fuel costs. (Oct 2007)
• Nuclear power ok if we safeguard against waste & terrorism. (Sep 2007)
• Explore nuclear power as part of alternative energy mix. (Jul 2007)
• Cheney met environmentalists once; but Big Oil 40 times. (Jul 2007)
• Stop sending $800M a day to Mideast dictators for oil. (Mar 2007)
• Harness homegrown, alternative fuels like ethanol. (Feb 2007)
• Wants Detroit to build more hybrids & use more ethanol. (Oct 2006)
• We cannot drill our way out of our addiction to oil. (Oct 2006)
• 3-way win: economy, environment, & stop funding terror. (Jun 2006)
• Conserve, develop alternative fuels, increase efficiencies. (Oct 2004)
• Invest in alternative energy sources. (Jun 2004)
• Increase CAFE to 40 mpg. (Jun 2004)
• Tradable credits for renewable energy. (Jun 2004)
• Renewable Fuels Standard: require ethanol in fuel supply. (May 2004)
• Free America from its dependence on foreign oil. (Jul 2004)

  Global Warming

• All nations must act to reduce carbon emissions. (Jul 2008)
• $150B over 10 years to establish a green energy sector. (Jun 2008)
• $150B investment over 10 years to reduce oil usage by 35%. (May 2008)
• Figure out how to sequester carbon and burn clean coal. (May 2008)
• GOP right on cap-&-trade: guidelines instead of bureaucracy. (Apr 2008)
• Reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. (Feb 2008)
• Aggressively address accelerating climate change. (Dec 2007)
• Cap-and-trade carbon emissions; raise CAFE standard. (Jun 2007)
• Cap-and-trade is more specific on reducing greenhouse gases. (Jan 2006)
• 20% nation’s power supply from renewable sources by 2020. (Sep 2004)

  Voting Record

• Passed tax credit for installing E85 ethanol at gas stations. (Feb 2008)
• Sponsored legislations that improve energy efficiency. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
• Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
• Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill for tax credit for providing 85% ethanol gas. (Apr 2005)
• Sponsored bill to notify public when nuclear releases occur. (Mar 2006)
• Sponsored bill raising CAFE by a 4% per year until 2018. (Jul 2006)
• Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Jan 2007)
• Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness. (Nov 2007)
• Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025. (Jan 2007)
• Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards. (Jan 2008)

Barack Obama on Environment

• Government should invest in clean energy & green jobs. (Oct 2008)
• Willing to suspend ethanol subsidy to keep food prices down. (May 2008)
• Genesis teaches stewardship of earth: sacrifice for future. (Apr 2008)
• Regulate animal feeding operations for pollution. (Feb 2008)
• Will end the notion of Yucca Mountain nuclear storage. (Jan 2008)
• Promote green technologies and fuel efficiency standards. (Dec 2007)
• Organized inner-city recycling; fought environmental racism. (Oct 2007)
• Reduce mercury and lead to protect community health. (Aug 2007)
• Protect the Great Lakes & our National Parks and Forests. (Aug 2007)
• 1985: Organized asbestos removal in Chicago housing project. (Aug 2007)
• Passed lead abatement & 24 other laws in IL Senate. (Aug 2007)
• Give Katrina contracts to locals, not to Halliburton. (Jun 2007)
• Health Care for Hybrids proposal for fuel efficiency. (Mar 2007)
• Scored 60% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection. (Jan 2007)
• Three months working on minority students recycling. (Aug 1996)
• Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
• Tax credit to remove lead-based housepaint. (Nov 2005)
• Establish commission to examine Katrina response. (Sep 2005)
• Sponsored health impact bill for environmental health. (Apr 2006)
• Inter-state compact for Great Lakes water resources. (Jul 2008)
• Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)

Barack Obama on Families & Children

• Help families with paid sick days and better family leave. (Aug 2008)
• Parents provide guidance by turning off TV & video games. (Jul 2008)
• Admit that too many fathers are missing from too many homes. (Jun 2008)
• I know what it means to have an absent father. (Jun 2008)
• Reward fathers who pay child support with larger EITC. (Jun 2008)
• Teach both abstinence and contraception to teens. (Apr 2008)
• Expand flex-work & Family and Medical Leave Act. (Feb 2008)
• Parents should control what’s coming over the airwaves. (Jan 2008)
• Restore dream of making children’s lives better than parents. (Dec 2007)
• All kids should learn about sexual abuse. (Jul 2007)
• FactCheck: ‘Sex Ed for Kindergarten’ means ‘age-appropriate’. (Jul 2007)
• Listening to evangelicals bridges major political fault line. (Oct 2006)
• Sponsored bill banning high lead levels in children's toys. (Nov 2005)
• Call for a White House Conference on Children and Youth. (Mar 2008)

Barack Obama on Foreign Policy

• FactCheck: Campaign prevented committee meetings, not rules. (Sep 2008)
• In Cold War, we won hearts & minds; now do same to world. (Jul 2008)
• Dangers of intertwined world can’t be contained in borders. (Jul 2008)
• Important to undo the damage of the last seven years. (Feb 2008)
• Never negotiate out of fear, and never fear to negotiate. (Jan 2008)
• President must abide by international human rights treaties. (Dec 2007)
• Obama Doctrine: ideology has overridden facts and reality. (Dec 2007)
• No Obama Doctrine; just democracy, security, liberty. (Oct 2007)
• $50B annually to strengthen weak states at risk of collapse. (Aug 2007)
• No “strategic ambiguity” on foreign policy issues. (Aug 2007)
• My critics engineered our biggest foreign policy disaster. (Aug 2007)
• Meet with enemy leaders; it’s a disgrace that we have not. (Jul 2007)
• We cannot afford isolationism. (Mar 2007)
• Never has US had so much power & so little influence to lead. (Jul 2004)
• US policy should promote democracy and human rights. (Jul 2004)

  Africa

• Majored in international affairs based on living abroad. (Jul 2008)
• Moral obligation to intervene in Darfur to avoid spillover. (Jul 2008)
• Wrote 2006 law stabilizing Congo with $52M. (Oct 2007)
• Increased aid to Republic of Congo. (Aug 2007)
• Visited largest slum in Africa, to publicize its plight. (Aug 2007)
• No-fly zone in Darfur; but pay attention more in Africa. (Jun 2007)
• U.S. funds for humanitarian aid to Darfur. (Mar 2007)
• Protested South African apartheid while at college. (Feb 2007)
• Focus on corruption to improve African development. (Oct 2006)
• Visited Africa in 2006; encouraged HIV testing & research. (Oct 2006)

  Americas

• Meet with Cuban leaders only with agenda of US interests. (Feb 2008)
• Cuba: Loosen restrictions now; normalization later. (Feb 2008)
• Willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Kim Jung Il & Hugo Chavez. (Nov 2007)
• Invest in our relationship with Mexico. (Sep 2007)

  Asia

• We must be tough with Pakistan & stop coddling Musharraf. (Sep 2008)
• Must be tough on Iran, but talk to them too. (Sep 2008)
• Learned privilege of being American by living in Indonesia. (Jul 2008)
• China is a competitor but not an enemy. (Dec 2007)
• U.S. needs to ameliorate trade relations with China. (Mar 2007)

  Europe

• We’ve been reactive for 8 years; be proactive with Russia. (Oct 2008)
• Recent Russian actions in Georgia are unacceptable. (Sep 2008)
• In Berlin: proud citizen of US; fellow citizen of the world. (Jul 2008)
• Cooperation among nations is not a choice; it’s the only way. (Jul 2008)
• Chairs European subcommittee; could hold Afghanistan hearing. (Jul 2008)
• Engage Russia regarding nuclear proliferation. (Jul 2008)
• Strengthen NATO to face 21st-century threats. (Aug 2007)

  Mideast

• Kissinger agrees with me on meeting with enemy leaders. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Kissinger opposes presidential meetings with Iran. (Sep 2008)
• My record on Israel is same as McCain’s. (Jul 2008)
• Appropriate for Israel to take out Syrian nuclear reactor. (Jul 2008)
• Jerusalem should be capital of Israel, pending final status. (Jul 2008)
• Jerusalem as joint Palestinian-Israeli capital is ok. (Jul 2008)
• Palestinian people suffer-but from not recognizing Israel. (Apr 2007)
• FactCheck: Palestinian suffering from stalled peace effort. (Apr 2007)
• Supports Israel’s self-defense; but distrusted by Israelis. (Oct 2006)

  Resolutions

• At college, protested for divestment from South Africa. (Aug 2007)
• Sponsored aid bill to avert humanitarian crisis in Congo. (Dec 2005)
• Implement Darfur Peace Agreement with UN peacekeeping force. (Feb 2008)
• Urge Venezuela to re-open dissident radio & TV stations. (May 2007)
• Let Ukraine & Georgia enter NATO. (Jan 2008)
• Condemn violence by Chinese government in Tibet. (Apr 2008)
• Sanction Mugabe until Zimbabwe transitions to democracy. (Apr 2008)

Barack Obama on Free Trade

• We export only 4,000 cars to Korea; that’s not free trade!. (Oct 2008)
• Global trade is unsustainable if it favors only the few. (Jul 2008)
• Impossible to turn back globalization; we’d be worse off. (Jun 2008)
• Don’t let trade policy be dictated by special interests. (Jun 2008)
• Strong labor, safety, and environmental standards on trade. (Feb 2008)
• More Transition Assistance for displaced workers. (Feb 2008)
• Enforce environmental & labor provisions in trade agreements. (Jan 2008)
• Enforce existing safety laws against Chinese products. (Dec 2007)
• NAFTA needs to be amended. (Dec 2007)
• Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards. (Aug 2007)
• Congress subsidizes megafarms & hurts family farmers. (Aug 2007)
• People don’t want cheaper T-shirts if it costs their job. (Aug 2007)
• Amend NAFTA to add labor agreements. (Aug 2007)
• Reinvest in communities that are burdened by globalization. (Jun 2007)
• Insist on labor and human rights standards for China trade. (Jul 2004)
• Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
• Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)

Barack Obama on Government Reform

• FactCheck: Yes, earmarks total $18B in this year’s budget. (Oct 2008)
• Eliminating earmarks isn’t enough; but I’ll check every line. (Sep 2008)
• Eliminate government programs that no longer work. (Aug 2008)
• FactCheck: Worked with McCain on ethics, but bill fell apart. (Aug 2008)
• Use technology to shine a light on spending. (Jun 2008)
• Lobbyists & special interests have strangle-hold on agenda. (Feb 2008)
• Consistently in favor of more disclosure around earmarks. (Feb 2008)
• Created a publicly searchable database on earmarks spending. (Feb 2008)
• Need a government that listens to the people again. (Feb 2008)
• Give D.C. the opportunity to elect its own representatives. (Feb 2008)
• Shine light on federal contracts, earmarks, & proposed bills. (Feb 2008)
• Bad idea to over-classify information. (Dec 2007)
• Bush’s signing statements are a clear abuse of prerogative. (Dec 2007)
• Public submits policy ideas on Obama’s “My Policy” website. (Oct 2007)
• Create “Google for Government” to track government spending. (Aug 2007)
• Prayer can’t prevent disasters; good policy can handle them. (Aug 2007)
• Registered 150,000 new minority voters in Chicago in 1992. (Jul 2007)
• Half of us don’t vote; time for taking it back. (Jun 2007)
• Bush administration has done “great damage” to U.S. (Mar 2007)
• Sponsored bill to disclose earmarks on Internet. (Oct 2006)
• Filibuster has long tradition, but used to harm civil rights. (Oct 2006)
• Electing US Senators empowers people: keep 17th Amendment. (Oct 2004)
• People are really ready for a message for change. (Jul 2004)
• Campaign race baiting works in both directions. (Aug 1996)

  Campaign Finance Reform

• FactCheck: Yes, agreed to public financing, then declined it. (Oct 2008)
• GovWatch: Promised public financing, and then retreated. (Jun 2008)
• AdWatch: I opt out of broken public campaign finance system. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: No, McCain & RNC don’t get much money from PACs. (Jun 2008)
• Ended corporate jet travel subsidized by lobbyists. (Feb 2008)
• Never took money from federal lobbyists or their companies. (Jan 2008)
• No lobbyist money; no PAC money; fund campaigns instead. (Jan 2008)
• Money is the original sin in politics and I am not sinless. (Nov 2007)
• Reduced cost TV ads for candidates; $85M presidential limit. (Oct 2007)
• Ok to take $5 donations from drug company employees. (Sep 2007)
• Public campaign financing with free television & radio time. (Aug 2007)
• 1998: First law passed, 52-4, stripping legislator perks. (Aug 2007)
• 2004: Used state money for seemingly political mailing. (Aug 2007)
• No “bundled” money from federal-registered lobbyists. (Aug 2007)
• Campaigns last too long & cost too much. (Aug 2007)
• Doesn’t take PAC money or federal lobbyists’ money. (Jul 2007)
• People know his “bundlers” because he pushed disclosure law. (Jul 2007)
• FactCheck: no lobbyist money; yes from bundlers who lobby. (Jul 2007)
• First bill ever passed was campaign finance reform. (Apr 2007)
• FactCheck: no lobbyist money, yes from lobbyist spouses. (Apr 2007)
• Hopefund PAC pushes government to honor sacred commitments. (Nov 2006)
• Lobbyist influence comes from access, not money. (Oct 2006)

  Voting Record

• FactCheck: Yes, Obama cast 130 “present” votes in IL Senate. (Jan 2008)
• Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
• Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
• Election reform is #1 priority to prevent disenfranchisement. (Jan 2001)
• Sponsored bill criminalizing deceptive info about elections. (Nov 2005)
• Sponsored resolution rejecting photo ID for voting. (Sep 2005)
• Sponsored bill to post earmarks on the Internet. (Jan 2006)
• Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)
• Prohibit 'voter caging' which intimidates minority voting. (Nov 2007)

Barack Obama on Gun Control

• Ok for states & cities to determine local gun laws. (Apr 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, Obama endorsed Illinois handgun ban. (Apr 2008)
• April 2008: "Bittergate" labeled Obama elitist. (Apr 2008)
• Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok. (Feb 2008)
• Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. (Jan 2008)
• 2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month. (Oct 2007)
• Concealed carry OK for retired police officers. (Aug 2007)
• Stop unscrupulous gun dealers dumping guns in cities. (Jul 2007)
• Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality. (Oct 2006)
• Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban. (Oct 2004)
• Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998)
• Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)

Barack Obama on Health Care

• Health care is a right: something’s fundamentally wrong now. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Exempts small business, but no $2,500/yr savings. (Oct 2008)
• Health tax credit is bad idea; it will cost taxpayers more. (Sep 2008)
• $15B subsidies to private insurers was a lobbyist giveaway. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: McCain’s plan taxes employees, not employers. (Sep 2008)
• Give more help to those denied a life of dignity & respect. (Jul 2008)
• Guaranteed health care for anyone who needs it. (Jul 2008)
• End-of-life self-medication ok; euthanasia by others not ok. (Apr 2008)
• Hillary’s plan must either be enforced, or leave out people. (Feb 2008)
• The problem with health care is about affordability. (Jan 2008)
• Subsidies to people who can’t afford care--not single payer. (Jan 2008)
• Bring GOP & Dems together to make haelthcare affordable. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Reducing obesity would save $18B, not $1T. (Dec 2007)
• Reforms in prevention and drug price negotiation save money. (Dec 2007)
• Tackle insurance companies on reimbursement system. (Oct 2007)
• Help young people deal with the cost of medical education. (Oct 2007)
• Morally wrong that terminally ill must consider money. (Sep 2007)
• FactCheck: Correct that insurance lobbying cost $1B. (Sep 2007)
• National smoking bans only after trying local bans. (Sep 2007)
• Reform failed in ‘90s because of drug company lobbying. (Jul 2007)
• Take on insurance companies; drive down health care costs. (Jun 2007)
• Address minority health needs by more coverage & targeting. (Mar 2007)
• Health care tied to balancing costs and taxes nation wide. (Jun 2006)
• Allowing seniors to bulk purchase will save taxpayers’ money. (Oct 2004)
• Allow prescription drug re-importation. (May 2004)

  AIDS

• Use whatever works with AIDS, including teaching abstinence. (Apr 2008)
• We need condom distribution to deal with the scourge of AIDS. (Aug 2007)
• Homophobia prevents talking about HIV/AIDS. (Jun 2007)
• Got tested for AIDS, with wife, in public, in Kenya. (Jun 2007)
• Curing AIDS must be all-hands-on-deck effort. (Mar 2007)
• Lead global fight against AIDS. (Jul 2004)

  Universal Coverage

• Zero fines & no mandate for small business. (Oct 2008)
• Reduce premiums and uninsured get same coverage as Congress. (Oct 2008)
• No exclusions for pre-existing conditions. (Oct 2008)
• Ban insurance companies from discriminating against the sick. (Aug 2008)
• I’ve got a health plan and a plan to get it implemented. (Jun 2008)
• AdWatch: My plan costs $2,500 less per family than Clinton’s. (Apr 2008)
• FactCheck: Unclear if Obama’s plan costs less than Clinton’s. (Apr 2008)
• Universal health care means anyone who wants it can get it. (Feb 2008)
• Insurers are happy to have a mandate; issue is affordability. (Feb 2008)
• Voluntary universal participation, like in Medicare Part B. (Feb 2008)
• Mandating kids’ insurance ok; mandating adults has problems. (Feb 2008)
• Young adults up to age 25 can be covered under parents’ plan. (Feb 2008)
• My plan does more than anybody to reduce costs. (Feb 2008)
• My health plan does not leave 15 million people uncovered. (Feb 2008)
• Adults will get health care as they can afford it. (Feb 2008)
• AdWatch: punishing uninsured families doesn’t make sense. (Feb 2008)
• FactCheck: Hillary’s plan does mandate; but so does Obama’s. (Feb 2008)
• No one turned away due to illness or pre-existing condition. (Feb 2008)
• Buy private insurance via National Health Insurance Exchange. (Feb 2008)
• Against enforcement mechanism for mandating insurance. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, Obama favored single-payer, despite denial. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: No, US costs are not twice as much as others. (Jan 2008)
• AdWatch: Pressure insurance & drug companies to change. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: OPPORTUNITY to insure all, but no GUARANTEE. (Jan 2008)
• AdWatch: Don’t make it illegal not to have health care. (Jan 2008)
• Being poor in this country is hazardous to your health. (Dec 2007)
• Problem isn’t mandating coverage, but affording it. (Nov 2007)
• FactCheck: Coverage plan might leave 8.5 million uninsured. (Nov 2007)
• Cautious incremental plan offers choice & subsidy. (Nov 2007)
• Added 20,000 children to Illinois healthcare. (Oct 2007)
• Government healthcare like members of Congress have. (Sep 2007)
• Increase competition in the insurance and drug markets. (Aug 2007)
• National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage. (Aug 2007)
• Health plan cuts typical family’s premium by $2,500 a year. (Jun 2007)
• Give people the choice to buy affordable health care. (Jun 2007)
• National insurance pool & catastrophic insurance. (Apr 2007)
• Employers are going to have to pay or play. (Mar 2007)
• Need political will to accomplish universal coverage. (Mar 2007)
• Universal health care by of first term. (Feb 2007)
• Healthcare system is broken without lifetime employment. (Oct 2006)
• The market alone can’t solve our health-care woes. (Oct 2006)
• Focus on the affordability of a broad healthcare plan. (Jan 2006)
• Crises happen in our lives and healthcare is necessary. (Oct 2004)
• Believes health care is a right, not a privilege for the few. (Sep 2004)
• Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported. (May 2004)
• Ensure access to basic care. (Jul 1998)

  Voting Record

• No need to mandate coverage; just let people afford it. (Jul 2007)
• Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
• Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
• Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
• Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
• Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention. (Jan 2001)
• More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs. (Jan 2001)
• Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
• Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
• Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn. (Apr 2008)

Barack Obama on Homeland Security

• Obama Doctrine: moral interest as well as national interest. (Oct 2008)
• Strategic issue is where to send & how to fund our troops. (Sep 2008)
• Inappropriate to lie to public; just don’t answer questions. (Sep 2008)
• Disrupting Al Qaeda in Afghanistan prevented another 9/11. (Sep 2008)
• Islam in 1970s was not opposed to West & rule of law. (Jul 2008)
• Go after al Qaeda but also shrink pool of potential recruits. (Jul 2008)
• No torture; no renditions; no operating out of fear. (Apr 2008)
• Al Qaida is stronger now than in 2001 as Iraq distracted us. (Jan 2008)
• Colleges must allow military recruiters for ROTC on campus. (Jan 2008)
• No presidential power for secret surveillance. (Dec 2007)
• No holding US citizens as unlawful enemy combatants. (Dec 2007)
• Congress decides what constitutes torture, not president. (Dec 2007)
• No torture; defiance of FISA; no military commissions. (Dec 2007)
• Restore habeas corpus to reach Muslims abroad. (Dec 2007)
• Human rights and national security are complementary. (Nov 2007)
• Don’t allow our politics to be driven by fear of terrorism. (Nov 2007)
• 2006: Obama-Lugar bill restricted conventional weapons. (Oct 2007)
• Judgment is as important as experience. (Oct 2007)
• If attacked, first help victims then prevent further attacks. (Oct 2007)
• America cannot sanction torture; no loopholes or exceptions. (Sep 2007)
• Repeal Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell. (Aug 2007)
• 2005: Passed bill to reduce conventional weapon stockpiles. (Aug 2007)
• We are no safer now than we were after 9/11. (Aug 2007)
• Close Guantanamo and restore the right of habeas corpus. (Jun 2007)
• Homeland security must protect citizens, not intrude on them. (Mar 2007)
• America must practice the patriotism it preaches. (Mar 2007)
• Personal privacy must be protected even in terrorism age. (Mar 2007)
• Get first responders the healthcare and equipment they need. (Mar 2007)
• Need to be both strong and smart on national defense. (Oct 2006)
• Grow size of military to maintain rotation schedules. (Oct 2006)
• Battling terrorism must go beyond belligerence vs. isolation. (Oct 2006)
• Going after Al Qaeda in Pakistan is not Bush-style invasion. (Jan 2006)
• We are currently inspecting 3% of all incoming cargo. (Oct 2004)
• Balance domestic intelligence reform with civil liberty risk. (Jul 2004)
• Give our soldiers the best equipment and training available. (Jul 2004)

  National Service

• Serving America doesn’t mean going out shopping. (Oct 2008)
• $4,000 tuition tax credit in exchange for community service. (Jun 2008)
• Expand Peace Corps and AmeriCorps to 266,000 slots. (Feb 2008)
• Put forward a national service program. (Jan 2008)
• Give 18-year-old women opportunity to serve. (Dec 2007)
• Register women for draft, but not for combat. (Jul 2007)

  Nuclear Weapons

• Seek the peace of a world without nuclear weapons. (Jul 2008)
• 2007: With Hagel, introduced nuclear nonproliferation bill. (Mar 2008)
• Pursue goal of a world without nuclear weapons. (Feb 2008)
• Rebuild a nuclear nonproliferation strategy. (Jan 2008)
• Protecting nuclear power plants is of utmost importance. (Mar 2007)
• Rebuild the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. (Jan 2006)
• Increase funding to decommission Russian nukes. (Jul 2004)

  Veterans

• Unacceptable to have veterans drive 250 miles to a hospital. (Feb 2008)
• Improve veterans’ mental health treatment & PTSD benefits. (Feb 2008)
• Support veterans via the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act. (Aug 2007)
• Address the deficiencies in the VA system. (Jun 2007)
• The cost of the Iraq war should not shortchange VA benefits. (Jun 2007)
• Make sure the outpatient facilities work for veterans. (Jun 2007)
• Comprehensive plan for our veterans healthcare. (Mar 2007)

  Voting Record

• FactCheck: Promised to repeal Patriot Act, then voted for it. (Jan 2008)
• Wrote law to secure & destroy world’s deadliest weapons. (Feb 2007)
• Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
• Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
• Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
• Voted YES on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of defense budget. (Jun 2006)
• Improve mental health care benefits for returning veterans. (Jun 2008)
• Study & address suicides among veterans. (Apr 2008)
• Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror. (Jun 2007)
• Establish global strategy to defeat al Qaeda. (Feb 2008)

Barack Obama on Immigration

• America has nothing to fear from today’s immigrants. (Jun 2008)
• We need comprehensive reform, like McCain used to support. (Jun 2008)
• Recognize the humanity of immigrants: Todos somos Americanos. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Anti-immigrants fuel xenophobia, but 45% increase. (Jun 2008)
• Encourage every student to learn a second language. (Feb 2008)
• Need to look at different aspects of immigration reform. (Feb 2008)
• Have border patrolled, surveillance, and deploy technology. (Feb 2008)
• Increasing the legal fees on immigrants is not helping. (Feb 2008)
• Deporting 12 million people is ridiculous and impractical. (Feb 2008)
• Immigration raids are ineffective. (Feb 2008)
• Solve the driver’s license issue with immigration reform. (Jan 2008)
• Immigrants are scapegoats for high unemployment rates. (Jan 2008)
• Health plan: not enough resources for illegal immigrants. (Jan 2008)
• Illegals shouldn’t work; but should have path to citizenship. (Dec 2007)
• Don’t deputize Americans to turn in illegal immigrants. (Dec 2007)
• OK to provide government services in Spanish. (Dec 2007)
• Comprehensive solution includes employers & borders. (Nov 2007)
• Undocumented workers come here to work, not to drive. (Nov 2007)
• Support granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
• FactCheck: Lightning IS likelier than employer prosecution. (Nov 2007)
• Illegal immigrants’ lack of ID is a public safety concern. (Oct 2007)
• Immigration system is broken for legal immigrants. (Sep 2007)
• Reform must include more border security, and border wall. (Sep 2007)
• Sanctuary cities show that feds are not enforcing law. (Sep 2007)
• Pathway to citizenship, but people have to earn it. (Aug 2007)
• Let’s be a nation of laws AND a nation of immigrants. (Aug 2007)
• Do a better job patrolling the Canadian and Mexican borders. (Jun 2007)
• Give immigrants who are here a rigorous path to citizenship. (Jun 2007)
• Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants. (Jul 1998)
• Support the DREAM Act for the children of illegal immigrants. (Jan 2008)
• Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
• Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
• Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
• Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
• Comprehensive immigration reform without amnesty. (May 2005)
• Sponsored bill paying fair prevailing wage to guest workers. (May 2006)
• Provide funding for social services for noncitizens. (May 2006)
• Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

Barack Obama on Jobs

• Solution to financial crisis is more job creation. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, wants to limit secret balloting for unions. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, McCain voted for overseas tax deferral, but. (Oct 2008)
• End incentives that move jobs overseas. (Sep 2008)
• Fight attacks on workers’ right to organize & strike. (Feb 2008)
• Focus farm programs on family farms, not giant corporations. (Feb 2008)
• Paying more at Wal-Mart is worth it for having US jobs. (Dec 2007)
• Give public safety officers collective bargaining rights. (Aug 2007)
• Chief co-sponsor of IL ENDA, against gay job discrimination. (Aug 2007)
• Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium construction created jobs. (Aug 2007)
• Pres. candidates can afford minimum wage; most folks can’t. (Jul 2007)
• Make the minimum wage a living wage. (Jun 2007)
• Burdens of globalization are placed on the backs of workers. (Mar 2007)
• Owes unions who endorsed him; that’s why he’s in politics. (Oct 2006)
• Working full-time should mean enough to support a family. (Oct 2006)
• Overrode federal overtime rules and raised the minimum wage. (Sep 2004)
• Make sure that African-American men have access to jobs. (Jul 2004)
• Fund Trade Adjustment Assistance for service workers too. (Jun 2004)
• Increase IL minimum wage to $6.50 an hour. (Jun 2004)
• Tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs. (May 2004)
• Obama will strengthen unions and workers’ rights. (May 2004)
• Voted NO on terminating legal challenges to English-only job rules. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
• Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill allowing an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
• Match minimum wage increases to Congressional pay raises. (May 2006)
• Extend unemployment compensation during recession. (Jan 2008)

Barack Obama on Principles & Values

• Bill Ayers is not & will not be involved with my campaign. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Spoke at ACORN events, as well as court case. (Oct 2008)
• My associates are Warren Buffet, Paul Volcker, & Sen. Lugar. (Oct 2008)
• Biden has knowledge, long career, and cares. (Oct 2008)
• Ordinary people found the courage to keep the promise alive. (Aug 2008)
• The Ownership Society really means “you’re on your own”. (Aug 2008)
• Measure progress by observing how ordinary people are doing. (Aug 2008)
• Our government must keep the promise of America. (Aug 2008)
• Fulfilling America’s promise means individual participation. (Aug 2008)
• To John McCain: We all put our country first. (Aug 2008)
• The Republicans make a big election about small things. (Aug 2008)
• The American promise is our greatest inheritance. (Aug 2008)
• Ally Tony Rezko indicted for kickbacks from Gov. Blagojevich. (Aug 2008)
• We have to demand more from ourselves. (Jul 2008)
• I revere the American flag; I don’t refuse to wear flag pins. (Apr 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, refused to wear a flag pin, last year. (Apr 2008)
• Actions can be seen in 20 years of my public service. (Feb 2008)
• Wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think I was prepared. (Feb 2008)
• FactCheck: Ranked most liberal in Senate, based on 99 votes. (Feb 2008)
• The Clinton years were undeniably better than the Bush years. (Jan 2008)
• Turn the page on the failed politics & policies of the past. (Jan 2008)
• Made the right decisions that were not politically popular. (Jan 2008)
• Gave away all Rezko “boneheaded” donations to charity. (Nov 2007)
• 2 years older than JFK when JFK ran for president. (Nov 2007)
• On “inexperience”: he wrote policy books that media ignores. (Oct 2007)
• Don’t know if life beyond earth; focus on life here on earth. (Oct 2007)
• Criticizes voter cynicism from decades of disappointment. (Oct 2007)
• Voted with Democratic Party 96.0% of 251 votes. (Sep 2007)
• The Plan: Raise Obama’s profile, including African adventure. (Aug 2007)
• Assigned RFK’s Senate desk; invokes RFK regularly. (Feb 2007)
• Convention speech understood country yearns for unity. (Oct 2006)
• Post-1960s politics more about moral attitude than issues. (Oct 2006)
• Americans dislike partisanship--not solution like Dems think. (Oct 2006)
• Enlist the American people in the process of self-government. (Jan 2006)
• Be strong or be clever and make peace. (Aug 1996)
• Guilt is a luxury that not everyone can afford. (Aug 1996)

  Campaign Themes

• We’re more decent & compassionate than last 8 years. (Aug 2008)
• The destiny of all Americans is inextricably linked. (Aug 2008)
• OpEd: Behind "hope & change" rhetoric lays radical views. (Aug 2008)
• ¡Sí, se puede! Yes, we can!. (Jun 2008)
• Key issue is McCain following Bush on war & economy. (Jun 2008)
• This union may never be perfect, but can always be perfected. (Mar 2008)
• Go beyond the divisions so that the government can work. (Feb 2008)
• Life experiences taught me how to bring people together. (Feb 2008)
• People understand we must bring the country together. (Feb 2008)
• I have shown the right judgment to lead. (Feb 2008)
• Labels like “most liberal” prevent problem-solving. (Feb 2008)
• Overcome politics of demonizing opponents. (Jan 2008)
• End politics of division; make it about addition. (Jan 2008)
• We are choosing hope over fear. (Jan 2008)
• Hope is the bedrock of this nation. (Jan 2008)
• If you join me I promise you we can change America. (Dec 2007)
• Resounds with American theme of overcoming burden of history. (Nov 2007)
• Cultivates comparison to Jack Kennedy. (Nov 2007)
• Campaigns assiduously in black churches. (Nov 2007)
• Viral video “I Got a Crush on Obama” by Obama Girl. (Nov 2007)
• Community politics: merges Alinsky & political activism. (Oct 2007)
• Apply lessons from both Goldwater and McGovern. (Oct 2007)
• Invites supporters to join him on “This Improbable Quest”. (Oct 2007)
• Resolve “most electable” vs.“most progressive” by being both. (Oct 2007)
• Turn the page: invite GOP & independents to join in agenda. (Sep 2007)
• Seen as both critical outsider and establishment insider. (Aug 2007)
• People have an urgent desire for change in Washington. (Jul 2007)
• A “hopemonger”, having seen the power of hope. (Jun 2007)
• Washington can change if we say: Yes we can. (Mar 2007)
• Replace partisan bickering with politics of hope. (Feb 2007)
• I’ve been in DC long enough to know that it must change. (Feb 2007)
• Portrayed as a multiplier instead of a divider. (Oct 2006)
• Progressives should recognize common morality with religion. (Oct 2006)
• “Audacity of Hope” to change politics to reflect common good. (Oct 2006)
• Seek common ground, not a moral crusade. (Oct 2004)
• Offer real hope-not blind optimism-to the American people. (Jul 2004)
• I’m living my parents’ dreams and the American dream. (Jul 2004)
• Greatness based on Declaration of Independence, not military. (Jul 2004)
• We are one people all defending the United States of America. (Jul 2004)
• Want common-sense solutions, not liberal-conservative labels. (Jul 2004)

  Past Campaigns

• Borrowed "Just Words" speech from Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick. (Aug 2008)
• Campaigning on change from the bottom up that King stood for. (Jan 2008)
• Ran for Congress in 2000 & lost. (Nov 2007)
• 1990: Elected Law Review president with conservative support. (Aug 2007)
• State Senate opponents disqualified on technicality. (Aug 2007)
• Senate 2004 campaign theme: “Yes we can”. (Aug 2007)
• 2004: Won Senate seat against Alan Keyes, 70%-29%. (Aug 2007)
• Lost Congressional primary in 1999 to Bobby Rush. (Feb 2007)

  Personal History

• Favorite movie: “The Godfather”, for respect & family. (Sep 2008)
• Father's car crash death may have included alcohol. (Aug 2008)
• Father had wife in Africa when he met and married Ann Dunham. (Aug 2008)
• Father left family for Harvard education. (Aug 2008)
• Father's upbringing was Muslim, although never religious. (Aug 2008)
• Visited Africa 3 times; 1986, then 1992 & 2006 with Michelle. (Aug 2008)
• Father had 3 or 4 wives; Barack has at least 5 half-siblings. (Aug 2008)
• Father came to US on student airlift; JFK funded 2nd airlift. (Aug 2008)
• GovWatch: “Worked his way thru college” meant 2 summer jobs. (Jul 2008)
• In no other country is my story even possible. (Mar 2008)
• FactCheck: Took Rezko’s donations, but never represented him. (Jan 2008)
• “Dreams From My Father” is an archetypal search. (Dec 2007)
• Obama REPRESENTS something; doesn’t have to DO anything. (Dec 2007)
• Won Grammy for recording “Dreams from My Father”. (Nov 2007)
• Real estate deal with felon was “boneheaded” but ethical. (Oct 2007)
• First major politician of the post-Baby Boom generation. (Oct 2007)
• Most decisive moment: transition from high school to college. (Aug 2007)
• High school jock--played football as defensive lineman. (Aug 2007)
• Goal as youth: Leave the world a better place. (Aug 2007)
• Planned on presidency since well before 2004 Convention. (Aug 2007)
• Dreams from My Father originally about Harvard Law Review. (Aug 2007)
• Favorite authors: E. L. Doctorow & Shakespeare. (Aug 2007)
• To understand Obama, understand Hawaii’s cultural mix. (Aug 2007)
• Father was first African exchange student at U. Hawaii. (Aug 2007)
• Met Michelle Robinson at law firm; married in 1990. (Aug 2007)
• A reformed smoker but occasionally burns one. (Mar 2007)
• Traces ancestry to Jefferson Davis, President of Confederacy. (Feb 2007)
• Personal story is basis of political desire to unite. (Feb 2007)
• Greeted as hero on visit to ancestral Kenya. (Feb 2007)
• Father died in car crash before Barack got to know him. (Feb 2007)
• Moved to Illinois as community organizer, for $13,000 a year. (Feb 2007)
• Born in Hawaii; lives on Chicago’s South Side. (Nov 2006)
• Full name: Barack Hussein Obama; family calls him “Barry”. (Oct 2006)
• First black president of the Harvard Law Review. (Jul 2004)
• Poverty of political organizers was proof of their integrity. (Aug 1996)

  Racism & Race

• Taking a black candidate for granted is measure of progress. (Jun 2008)
• Rev. Wright and flag pins re distractions from real issues. (Apr 2008)
• FactCheck: William Ayres never killed anyone with bombs. (Apr 2008)
• Epiphany at age 21 settled his racial identity. (Apr 2008)
• This candidacy is not just an exercise in affirmative action. (Mar 2008)
• We’ve never really worked through complexities of race. (Mar 2008)
• Working together we can move beyond some old racial wounds. (Mar 2008)
• Intertwined search for father and racial identity. (Dec 2007)
• A Bound Man: inner turmoil of 1960s black nationalism. (Dec 2007)
• Rooted in African-American community but also more than that. (Dec 2007)
• Embodies smothering racial power in individual democracy. (Dec 2007)
• More influenced by his race than public perceives. (Dec 2007)
• In college, rejected multiracialism for black identity. (Dec 2007)
• Whites sense that Barack grants them “benefit of the doubt”. (Dec 2007)
• Fans see Obama as opportunity to vote for redemption. (Dec 2007)
• Bradley effect: black candidates poll above actual votes. (Oct 2007)
• Veiled racism in dismissing Obama as “unqualified”. (Oct 2007)
• Catching a cab, no one questions he’s “authentically black”. (Jul 2007)
• Issue of race has given Senate a black eye. (Mar 2007)
• Convention keynote speech highlights party’s black targeting. (Jul 2004)
• America’s race and class problems are intertwined. (Aug 1996)
• There is some hope of eventual reconciliation between races. (Aug 1996)
• Racism wasn’t merely the cruelty involved, but arrogance too. (Aug 1996)

  Religion

• FactCheck: Did not say “I will stand with the Muslims”. (Aug 2008)
• Obama's Trinity Church is based on black-liberation theology. (Aug 2008)
• Moved to & attended church in neighborhood he was organizing. (Aug 2008)
• GovWatch: never a Muslim, but school listed him as Muslim. (Jun 2008)
• I joined church to commit to Christ, not to Rev. Wright. (May 2008)
• In hard times, people take refuge in traditions, God & guns. (Apr 2008)
• I am a person of faith; and I reach out to people of faith. (Apr 2008)
• Blacks are angry; but I dissociate myself from Rev. Wright. (Apr 2008)
• Religion is foundational; not clinging nor elitist. (Apr 2008)
• Rev. Jeremiah Wright helped bring me to Christianity. (Apr 2008)
• Exposure to Islam taught me that Muslims can partner with us. (Apr 2008)
• Kenyan grandfather converted to Christianity & then to Islam. (Apr 2008)
• Barack's UCC church motto: Unabashedly Black & Christian. (Apr 2008)
• I am a proud Christian who believes deeply in Jesus Christ. (Jan 2008)
• Despite attack email, pledges Allegiance & uses Bible. (Jan 2008)
• Attends church with press, to dispel rumors that he’s Muslim. (Dec 2007)
• Joined church that emphasized a “Black Value System”. (Dec 2007)
• Madrassa myth perpetuated by false email & fabricated story. (Oct 2007)
• Uses prayer to take stock of his moral compass. (Oct 2007)
• Reach out to faith community;faith has role in public square. (Sep 2007)
• Active in the Trinity faith community. (Aug 2007)
• Carries Bible on campaign trail, & refers to it weekly. (Aug 2007)
• Embrace Christ as an ally. (Mar 2007)
• Source of his book title “Audacity of Hope” was a sermon. (Feb 2007)
• Raised secular, but with working knowledge of world religion. (Oct 2006)
• Baptized as an adult in the Trinity United Church of Christ. (Oct 2006)
• Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values. (Oct 2006)
• There’s a call to evangelize in politics. (Apr 2004)
• I’m a big believer in the separation of church and state. (Apr 2004)
• Spent time in both Muslim and Catholic schools. (Aug 1996)

  Voting Record

• Biggest mistake was intruding in Terri Schiavo case. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
• Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
• Member of Congressional Black Caucus. (Jan 2001)
• Reject Bush's Florida electors due to election fraud. (Jan 2001)
• Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)

Barack Obama on Social Security

• Good health care and tax reform will save entitlements. (Oct 2008)
• Raise cap on payroll tax for 3% of earners over $102,000. (Apr 2008)
• Raise $97K cap on payroll tax exempting earnings under $250K. (Apr 2008)
• Must capture new revenue; no new Social Security Comission. (Apr 2008)
• Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security. (Feb 2008)
• FactCheck: Removing $97,500 cap would be $1.3T tax increase. (Nov 2007)
• Cutting benefits & raising retirement age are wrong answers. (Nov 2007)
• The wealthy should pay a bit more on the payroll tax. (Oct 2007)
• Privatization puts retirement at whim of stock market. (Sep 2007)
• Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security. (Aug 2007)
• No privatization; but consider earning cap over $97,500. (Jul 2007)
• Stock market risk is ok, but not for Social Security. (Oct 2006)
• Raise the cap on the payroll tax on wealthy individuals. (Jan 2006)
• $2000 tax credit for Working Families Savings Accounts. (Jul 2004)
• Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)

Barack Obama on Tax Reform

• FactCheck: Yes, McCain wants Bush cuts in place after 2011. (Oct 2008)
• My plan cuts taxes for most small businesses & 95% of people. (Oct 2008)
• Yes, earmarks are abused, but small compared to tax cuts. (Sep 2008)
• No $300 billion on tax cuts for those who don’t need them. (Sep 2008)
• Tax cut for 95% of all working families, not corporations. (Aug 2008)
• Tax cut for middle class and relief to struggling homeowners. (Jul 2008)
• Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jul 2008)
• Middle class tax cut helps offset rising cost of gas & food. (Jun 2008)
• I’m running against failed policy of profligate GOP spending. (May 2008)
• I will raise CEO taxes, no doubt about it. (May 2008)
• Under Bill Clinton, rich people didn’t feel oppressed. (Apr 2008)
• No tax increase if earning under $250K; tax cuts under $75K. (Apr 2008)
• Raise capital gains tax for fairness, not for revenue. (Apr 2008)
• Tax cut for seniors and those making $75,000 a year or less. (Feb 2008)
• I’m not bashful about it: wealthy will pay more taxes. (Jan 2008)
• Stimulus package: $500 tax cut, & Social Security supplement. (Jan 2008)
• Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors. (Oct 2007)
• Trillion dollar giveaway: the Paris Hilton Tax Break. (Oct 2007)
• Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs. (Jun 2007)
• Estate tax only affects the wealthiest 1/2 of 1%. (Oct 2006)
• Specific tax relief for families making $75,000 or less now. (Jan 2006)
• Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class. (Jun 2004)
• Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore. (Jun 2004)
• Last thing we need now is a permanent tax cut. (Jan 2008)

  Voting Record

• FactCheck: Voted for non-binding tax increase on $42K income. (Sep 2008)
• GovWatch: didn’t vote to raise taxes 94 times; at most 54. (Jul 2008)
• Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
• Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
• Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
• Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
• Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
• Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Barack Obama on War & Peace

• FactCheck: Iraqis have $29B surplus, not $79B. (Oct 2008)

  Iraq War

• FactCheck: Opposes surge--hasn’t produced political solution. (Sep 2008)
• Unwise war in Iraq distracted us from catching Bin Laden. (Sep 2008)
• The surge is a tactic to contain 4 years of mismanaged war. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Iraq has at most $59B surplus, not $79B surplus. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Promised 16-month exit; now 16-month reduction. (Sep 2008)
• You don’t defeat a terrorist network by occupying Iraq. (Aug 2008)
• I will only send our troops into harm’s way when necessary. (Aug 2008)
• Situation has improved in Iraq; but it’s still fragile. (Jul 2008)
• Surge reduced violence; but distracts us from long-term goal. (Jul 2008)
• $10 billion a month spent in Iraq should be spent in the US. (Jul 2008)
• President sets Iraq mission; Generals then implement tactics. (Apr 2008)
• President sets Iraq mission; give generals a new mission. (Apr 2008)
• $2.7 billion each week of Iraq spending is unsustainable. (Feb 2008)
• Humanitarian aid now for displaced Iraqis. (Feb 2008)
• FactCheck: Overstated displaced Iraqis; actually 4.2 million. (Feb 2008)
• The Iraq war has undermined our security. (Jan 2008)
• Iraq is distracting us from a host of global threats. (Jan 2008)
• End the war, and end the mindset that got us into war. (Jan 2008)
• The Iraq war was conceptually flawed from the start. (Jan 2008)
• Title of Iraq war authorization bill stated its intent. (Jan 2008)
• Get our troops out by the end of 2009. (Jan 2008)
• No permanent bases in Iraq. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: No, violence in Iraq is LOWER than 2 years ago. (Jan 2008)
• Congress decides deployment level & duration, not president. (Dec 2007)
• Surge strategy has made a difference in Iraq but failed. (Nov 2007)
• Leave troops for protection of Americans & counterterrorism. (Sep 2007)
• Hopes to remove all troops from Iraq by 2013, but no pledge. (Sep 2007)
• Tell people the truth: quickest is 1-2 brigades per month. (Sep 2007)
• No good options in Iraq--just bad options & worse options. (Aug 2007)
• Be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. (Jul 2007)
• We live in a more dangerous world because of Bush’s actions. (Jun 2007)
• Case for war was weak, but people voted their best judgment. (Jun 2007)
• War in Iraq is “dumb” but troops still need equipment. (Apr 2007)
• Open-ended Iraq occupation must end: no military solution. (Apr 2007)
• Saddam is a tyrant but not a national security threat. (Mar 2007)
• Iraq 2002: ill-conceived venture; 2007: waste of resources. (Feb 2007)
• Saddam did not own and was not providing WMD to terrorists. (Oct 2004)
• Iraq War has made US less safe from terrorism. (Oct 2004)
• Invading Iraq was a bad strategic blunder. (Oct 2004)
• Democratizing Iraq will be more difficult than Afghanistan. (Oct 2004)
• Never fudge numbers or shade the truth about war. (Jul 2004)
• Set a new tone to internationalize the Iraqi reconstruction. (Jul 2004)
• Iraq war was sincere but misguided, ideologically driven. (Jul 2004)
• Not opposed to all wars, but opposed to the war in Iraq. (Jul 2004)
• International voice in Iraq in exchange for debt forgiveness. (Jul 2004)

  Trouble Spots

• More aid to Pakistan; but pursue bin Laden over their border. (Oct 2008)
• Prevent Iran from attacking Israel, but keep military option. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Pakistan has lost 1,200 troops fighting Al Qaeda. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Kissinger says Iran meet ok; but only lower level. (Sep 2008)
• Afghanistan needs more troops and resources. (Sep 2008)
• McCain says he’d follow Laden to hell; but not to his cave? (Aug 2008)
• Engaging in tough diplomacy with Iran is a sign of strength. (Jul 2008)
• Iran is biggest strategic beneficiary of invasion of Iraq. (May 2008)
• Military surge in Afghanistan to eliminate the Taliban. (May 2008)
• Take no options off the table if Iran attacks Israel. (Apr 2008)
• Two-state solution: Israel & Palestine side-by-side in peace. (Feb 2008)
• Al Qaida is based in northwest Pakistan; strike if needed. (Jan 2008)
• No action against Iran without Congressional authorization. (Dec 2007)
• Iran: Bush does not let facts get in the way of ideology. (Dec 2007)
• Meet directly for diplomacy with the leadership in Iran. (Nov 2007)
• Committed to Iran not having nuclear weapons. (Oct 2007)
• Iran military resolution sends the region a wrong signal. (Oct 2007)
• Deal with al Qaeda on Pakistan border, but not with nukes. (Aug 2007)
• Military action in Pakistan if we have actionable intel. (Aug 2007)
• FactCheck: Yes, Obama said invade Pakistan to get al Qaeda. (Aug 2007)
• Focus on battle in Afghanistan and root out al Qaeda. (Jun 2007)
• Bush cracked down on some terrorists’ financial networks. (Jun 2007)
• Iraq has distracted us from Taliban in Afghanistan. (Apr 2007)
• Iran with nuclear weapons is a profound security threat. (Apr 2007)
• We did the right thing in Afghanistan. (Mar 2007)
• We are playing to Osama’s plan for winning a war from a cave. (Oct 2006)
• Al Qaida is stronger than before thanks to the Bush doctrine. (Jan 2006)
• Terrorists are in Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran. (Oct 2004)
• Problems with current Israeli policy. (Jul 2004)
• Engage North Korea in 6-party talks. (Jul 2004)
• Use moral authority to work towards Middle East peace. (Jul 2004)

  Voting Record

• Voted to fund war until 2006; now wants no blank check. (Nov 2007)
• Late to vote against war is not late to oppose war. (Jun 2007)
• Spending on the Cold War relics should be for the veterans. (Jun 2007)
• Would have voted no to authorize the President to go to war. (Jul 2004)
• Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)

Barack Obama on Welfare & Poverty

• Still denying decent wages, good benefits, & fair treatment. (Jul 2008)
• AdWatch: Fought for workers from college thru Senate. (Jul 2008)
• GovWatch: Welfare laws he “passed” were federally mandated. (Jul 2008)
• Cut poverty in half in 10 years, with faith-based help. (Apr 2008)
• Welfare policies contributed to erosion of black families. (Mar 2008)
• Create 20 Promise Neighborhoods in high-poverty cities. (Feb 2008)
• 1980s: Director of the Developing Communities Project. (Oct 2007)
• Stop Fraud Act: full disclosure in subprime lending. (Sep 2007)
• Engages people of faith on all aspects of his public service. (Aug 2007)
• Saw dire poverty as a child in Indonesia. (Aug 2007)
• 1985: Launched project to give voice to disempowered. (Aug 2007)
• Ownership Society is another term for “Social Darwinism”. (Aug 2007)
• Community organizer on Chicago’s South Side. (Feb 2007)
• Black churches minister to social needs out of necessity. (Oct 2006)
• Welfare receipts know how to become successful but need help. (Jul 2004)
• $100M increase in IL Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jun 2004)
• Inner city problems are the painful truths. (Aug 1996)
• Exorcise the ghostly figure that haunts black dreams. (Aug 1996)
• Develop a strategy to eliminate extreme global poverty. (Dec 2007)