Basic Talking Points

1. Obama Recognized As Capable of Being Commander–in–Chief
 
1. On March 12, Senator Obama was endorsed by flag officers of the US Military as the best choice for Commander–in–Chief
 
2. The endorsement by these distinguished officers stated that Obama had the judgement and experience which make him best qualified for the Presidency.
 
2. Senator Obama Is An Experienced Leader.
 
1. As a community organizer, Senator Obama worked to bring real solutions to the lives of those living in Chicago’s impoverished South Side. At the same time he manged a voter registration drive, registering 150,000 new voters.
 
2. He has served ten highly effective years in the Senate - eight years at the State level and two years at the Federal level.
 
1. During his 10–years of Senatorial experience, Obama has worked respectfully across the aisle to find solutions for all citizens, not just a select group of individuals. Examples of this include:
 
1. Death penalty reform requiring confessions to be videotaped. This measure was passed unanimously in the Illinois State Senate and signed into law by a governor who had originally opposed the bill. Obama’s success was based on his work to include the concerns of both sides of the aisle.
 
2. As a State Senator, Obama sponsored bills that increased access to basic health care for 20,000 children who had no insurance (Kidcare).
 
3. In The U.S. Senate, Obama worked with Republican Senator Lugar, passing legislation to locate and destroy stray WMD’s in the former USSR, including shoulder fired anti–aircraft weapons.
 
4. As the Democrat’s point–person in the U.S. Senate, Obama was instrumental in the adoption of the toughest ethics bill ever. The new laws ban gifts and flights, as well as prohibit Congressmen from retiring to cushy lobbying jobs.
 
2. Work Ethic In The Senate:
 
1. During his two majority years in the Illinois State senate he sponsored 780 bills, 280 of which were signed into law. (During his first six years in the Illinois Senate, Obama was a member of the minority party.)
 
2. In his first year as U.S. Senator, Obama held 39 town hall meetings throughout Illinois, sponsored 152 senate bills and resolutions, and cosponsored 427 more.
 
3. International Experience:
 
1. Obama had the foresight to recognize the errors of the Iraq War in 2002, and accurately predicted where the war would go. This is despite the fact that he didn’t have access to the same classified documents as did many Senators who originally supported the war.
 
2. As a child, Obama spent several years in Indonesia attending public school. His mother also ensured that he had an understanding the world’s major religions. Obama can readily work in a cooperative manner with the leaders of other countries on the basis of his first–hand experiences in life.
 
3. U.S. citizens who travel globally have reported that many people from other countries routinely ask about Obama and his chances at being elected to the presidency. Not only do people from our nation recognize Obama’s potential contributions to world politics, but so do people from other countries.
 
3. Electibility
 
1. Polls can be often be deceptive if not inaccurate representations of the popular will. One thing that is a very accurate representation of the popular will is the first–quarter Campaign Contributions Report. The numbers clearly show how people are voting with their pocketbooks.
 
1. During the first–quarter of 2007, Barack Obama raised $25,665,688 from 104,000 contributions, while Hillary Clinton raised $26,041,109 from 70,300 contributions.
 
2. 22% of Obama’s contributions came in increments of $200 or less, compared with 9% for Clinton.
 
3. Obama raised $6.9–Million through the Internet compared with $4.2–Million for Clinton
 
4. Of the $25.6–Million raised by Obama $24.8–Million was eligible for use in the primaries. Clinton had only $19.1–Million of her $26–Million first quarter contributions available for the primary.
 
5. Obama didn’t accept any money from PACs or lobbyists, while Clinton did.
 
2. To win the nomination, one must depend upon more than their own party base. Obama is attracting many people — independents, Republicans and those fed up with traditional politics are flocking to the Obama campaign because it represents an opportunity to change the divisive nature of politics. The first–quarter campaign contribution reports point to this fact.
 
3. Most traditional polls of Democratic voters show that Hillary Clinton only has a single–digit lead over Obama. When one starts to view polls that are not made up of the traditional Democratic Party base, then the Obama lead is often over 15%.
 
4. One thing generally not commented upon is a candidates unfavorable rating. Obama has an unfavorable rating significantly less than Clinton’s across the board. This is due to the fact that many people are looking for a new direction in this country, not a continuation of divisive politics.
 
4. Integrity and Sense Of Fairness
 
1. Obama’s track record of honesty and listening to all sides to build consensus has attracted independents, and Republicans who no longer give Bush their approval rating. To win the general election, you need more than just a party base.
 
2. Obama has a good marriage, no scandals, nor ties or obligations to big money. After Obama graduated from Columbia University, he worked for a mere $13,000 a year helping inner city Chicago residents. After graduating from Harvard Law School (where he was President of the Harvard Review), he turned down opportunities at over 600 high paying law firms to work for a civil rights practice at a fraction of the pay.
 
3. Obama has taught constitutional law. Bear in mind that the president raises his hand and swears to uphold the constitution — something that appeals to most Americans given the current administration.
 
4. Due to his unquestionable ethics and honesty, Obama was appointed the point–person in the Democrat's efforts at Congressional Ethics Reform.