Friday, April 18, 2008

Kaylen May Gerkey

Obama: Let's campaign, not have more debates
Summary
Sen. Barack Obama expresses frustration with additional debates. Clinton asked Obama for another debate but Obama has not yet accepted. Obama says that he asked Clinton earlier and she declined. It is not like they have not done this before. They have had 21 previous debates, Obama said and right now he has to check his schedule. In the meantime the Birtish Prime minister, during his stay in DC, visited with each of the presidential candidates. He sat down with each for 45 minutes and had a good laugh with McCain during a photo op. With Obama the two talked about strengthening the British Alliance.

Opinion:
I would have to agree with him. They debate all the time and what effect is another debate going to have on the public. If no one payed attention to the first 21 what would make the next one any different? Plus, Obama has facd a lot of scrutiny lately and he would probably prefer a rest form the public eye, but who knows. I aslo think if Clinton can decline his request for another debate that he has the right to do the same as well.

Obama Pledges no earmarks in 2009
Summary
Last year Sen. Barack Obama, submitted a laundry list of federal funding requests, known as earmarks, to the Senate Appropriations Committee: 112 earmarks totaling more than $330 million in taxpayer funds. But this year Obama told CNN he will request no earmarks for fiscal year 2009. The dramatic change is in line with what Obama issued last month in connection with an amendment calling for a one-year moratorium on earmarks in the Senate.
The amendment, sponsored by federal earmark foe Sen. Jim DeMint was shot down by a vote of 79-21. Obama signed on as a co-sponsor of the amendment, as did his rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and the Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain of Arizona. Obama says, "The entire earmark process needs to be re-examined and reformed.”

Opinion
I agree with Obama and all the co sponsors, McCain and Clinton. Critics even say that earmarks should be taken out of the legislative appropriations process altogether. It should be applied by Federal agencies according to objective findings of need and carefully constructed requests rather than being earmarked by elected officials. After hearing how much Obama got taxpayers to put out last year, $330 Million, I am more than happy to hear he wants to have none on 2009. But is that even possible? How many presidents or presidential candidates promise big changes or whatever and then get into office and do nothing they promised? If he were to come to office and keep this promise how much of a difference would it make?