Building The Washington Grassroots Organization

Difficult Questions And Answers

During the course of your canvassing, you’ll undoubtedly hear many questions — some of which might be difficult to answer. We’ll cover some of the most common questions and offer you ideas for a reasonable answer to those questions.

Is America Ready For an African–American To Be President?

Some people will vote for him simply because he is black; some will not vote for him for the same reason. People don’t always make decisions for intelligent reasons. But, I think the American people are ready to have a President they can believe in, someone who is a consensus–builder, someone who is honest, authentic and consistent in his positions.

Intelligent, informed and involved people care more about what he’s going to do, what his policies are, what his character is, and can he really unite the country. As Obama himself has said, if people don’t vote for him, the primary reason will be that he didn’t convince these people that he was the best leader possible.

Isn’t Senator Obama Short On Experience?

Politics depends on one’s ability to persuade others of common aims based on a common reality. Success in a job does not depend on how long you’ve been in the job, but on how hard you work and what you accomplish. Senator Obama has the ability to get people to see beyond the divisions that plague our society and focus on common sense and reason to find solutions.

He has real–world experience and commitment to practical policymaking — he was President of the Harvard Law Review (steering its 80 editors through contentious debates and moving them beyond petty power struggles). He was a community organizer in South Chicago, creating consensus to improve the lives of impoverished citizens. He was a civil rights lawyer. He spent eight years in the Illinois State Senate and was successful in getting bi–partisan agreement on legislation even though his party was in the minority position for most of his tenure.

Since becoming a US Senator he has proposed a comprehensive plan to extract our troops from Iraq (with benchmarks and oversight of the Iraqi’s progress); he has succinct plans to restore our international credibility.

His record in Washington is impressive: among other things he has spearheaded legislation for common–sense ethics in Washington — allowing us to see exactly how our money is being spent and opening up earmarks (pork–barrel amendments) to the light of day; preventing members of Congress from accepting gifts from lobbyists and restricting the revolving door between lobbying firms and Capitol Hill.

Note: In his campaign Obama does not accept any campaign contributions from lobbyists or interest groups. Obama remains committed to serving the entire nation.

I’ve Heard Obama Is a Muslim

He is a Christian, a member of the United Church of Christ in South Chicago. He does have an understanding of Islam and other faiths. As a young child he spent several years living in Indonesia (a predominantly Muslim country) and attended local schools (public and Catholic).

As a Woman, Why Don’t You Support Hillary?

I want to vote for the best candidate — one who can unite the country. When I go to the polls I want to vote for a candidate I believe in — one I can vote FOR, rather than voting for the “least worst.”

I Thought His Answers Seemed A Little Weak In the Debate Last Month

Often Obama tends to talk in paragraphs rather than sound bites. The format of that program was much more geared toward glib, scripted answers. Also, other candidates answered according to their talking points, as opposed to directly answering the questions posed to them.

It’s Too Early In the Election Process To Be Concerned

While it’s true that the General election is over a year away, the primaries are closer than you think. By February of 2008 (8–months from now) the nominations will have been decided. The Democratic Party Convention will only confirm the decisions made in February of 2008.

Because the important nomination decisions are so close to being made, we feel it is important to get people thinking about their next president now. Those that are convinced of a particular candidate’s greatness as a leader should start preparing to ensure the nomination of that candidate.

This is why we’re out here today, and this is why we hope you’ll join us in our support for Senator Obama and a change in our nation’s direction.

Senator Obama Doesn’t Seem to Have a Definite
Plan For Solving Our Nation’s Problems

During the course of his political career, Senator Obama has successfully caused many bills to be passed that address and begin to resolve our nation’s problems. The list includes such things as ending the Iraq War, creating a self–sufficient energy policy, and giving greater benefits and care to our veterans.

A lot of people felt that Senator Obama really didn’t have a good Health Care policy because it was taking him a long time to develop one. The reason for this was due to the fact that Senator Obama was seeking ideas from many people around the nation as to what would be a viable Health Care Plan for all citizens.

Obama’s Health Care Plan was released during the last week of May, 2007, and was the result of this widespread dialog and consensus. His Health Care Plan is available on the official campaign website. If you’d like, we can also get a copy of the plan for you to see for yourself.

Keep in mind that, since his days in the Illinois Senate, Senator Obama has been an advocate of universal health care, and successfully worked to increase health care coverage for many children that previously had no access to health care.

Senator Obama Has Said That He Would Use Force or
Nuclear Weapons When Necessary

A large part of this misconception about Senator Obama has occurred due to the fact that his statements were taken out of context.

If the United States were attacked, would Senator Obama respond with appropriate military action? Yes, he would. But, he would first seek the backing and support of the international community. Senator Obama is realistic enough to understand that it takes a global effort based upon mutual alliances to overcome the difficulties faced by the world.

Senator Obama believes that diplomatic initiatives will be far more effective than unilateral military actions, unlike our present president.

Senator Obama recognized the fallacy of the Iraq War and accurately predicted its outcome way back in 2002. With this type of awareness, Senator Obama would not launch an unjustified military action as our current president has done.

On the issue of nuclear weapons, Senator Obama believes it is important to end the buildup of nuclear weapons and to stop other countries from creating their own enrichment programs. Many nations state that they are undergoing such programs for the purpose of creating new energy sources. However, Senator Obama is working toward a worldwide program that ensures all nations have enough energy so that the development of nuclear energy facilities becomes unnecessary.

At the same time, Senator Obama believes that not only must the United States stop producing new nuclear weapons, but that we should begin reducing our current nuclear weapons inventory. Our current president made the same promises, yet never acted upon his promise. Senator Obama vows to follow through on his words.

If we expect other nations not to pursue nuclear weapons, we have to lead the way with our own actions. In all cases, Senator Obama places diplomatic initiatives and leadership through example as his primary means of accomplishing a safer world in which to live.