Obama’s real record of ‘change’ has been ‘more of the same’
By Sen. Wayne Allard
Examiner Staff Writer 9/18/08
Senator Obama joined the Senate four years ago, and we voted nearly 1,000 votes before he essentially left to campaign full-time for the presidency. A close examination of Senator Obama’s real record (as short as that may be) is a good indicator of his judgment. When the senator speaks of change, we know specifically what he wants to change.
I was surprised that Senator Obama voted against John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. A distinguished jurist who was widely praised for his abilities and talents throughout his confirmation process, Roberts was supported by many respected Democrats.
When Obama opposed the confirmation of Roberts for purely political reasons, it was an exception to the 97% "party loyalty" score he has been awarded by the non-partisan journal Congressional Quarterly.
This example is a great predictor of how Senator Obama makes decisions; the 97% party loyalty score shows that he’ll check with the Democrat Party - except when he thinks even they are too moderate.
For a candidate who is promising bipartisanship and united efforts, Senator Obama is exceedingly liberal, even among his own party. He was actually the most liberal senator in 2007, according to National Journal's annual vote ratings.
This is hardly a signal of a new style of governing and a stark contrast to the established record of independence his opponent, Sen. John McCain, has demonstrated throughout his tenure in the Senate.
Senator Obama’s votes in the Senate really tell the true story of his convictions. Hostility toward 2nd Amendment rights was clear as he voted against a bill that provided liability protection for manufacturers and dealers of firearms or ammunition products for harm caused by already criminal or unlawful misuse. As a defender of gun rights, this concerns me. Is this country really inclined to weaken our 2nd Amendment protections?
Obama has voted to allow Big Labor to end secret ballots for union votes, abetting their goal of increasing union membership through the desperation tactic of public intimidation. Is a change towards less workplace freedom and more union intimidation really welcome?
He has voted to change the federal mineral royalty payments; a move that costs western states such as Colorado millions of dollars in revenue each year. Do we want more money for federal bureaucracies and less for state initiatives, such as education and transportation projects?
He voted for the last two federal budgets, which increase taxes, increase spending, and increase the deficit. This country obviously wants and could use a change towards more responsible budget practices and balanced budgets. But this is not where Senator Obama’s changes are aimed.
The possibility of an Obama presidency concerns me, but completing a trio of power beholden to the far Left by also having the House of Representatives and the Senate all in the hands of the liberal Democrats would be a catastrophe. The gridlocked and inefficient Congress must be shaken up and forced to produce results, not backed up and perpetuated by an Obama administration.
I respect Senator Obama’s political abilities and I admire his campaign-trail charisma. But when I examine his true record, I become increasingly worried about the outlook of his governing ideology.
Instead of personal attacks, I prefer to stick with the facts. And even the best delivered speeches and grandiose promises don’t change the fact that many of Senator Obama's changes will be for the worst.
Republican Sen. Wayne Allard is the senior senator from Colorado.
16 Comments
Reader Comments:
POSTED Sep 19, 2008
DtheC: "Very true. Once you nail Obama down, he's almost scary."POSTED Sep 19, 2008
Jackie I: "Thank you for the short analysis. It is refreshing to read something not overly ideological and rhetorical but rooted in experience, in this case your four years spent serving alongside Senator Obama. Thank you for being honest and open about your persepctive."POSTED Sep 19, 2008
Dan - Colorado Springs: "Dear Senator Allard, Very critical points to understand about the character and ideology of Obama. My only worry is that Republicans have eroded their base to the point that if changes are not made within the party, and soon, its influence will cause future election worries like this one. Please get back to conservative basics and fast! Sincerely, Dan"POSTED Sep 19, 2008
Dan - Colorado Springs: "Dear Senator Allard, Very critical points to understand about the character and ideology of Obama. My only worry is that Republicans have eroded their base to the point that if changes are not made within the party, and soon, its influence will cause future election worries like this one. Please get back to conservative basics and fast! Sincerely, Dan"POSTED Sep 19, 2008
Mary: "Thank you for using the facts. I have never felt so strong about a candidate being elected president as it being Obama. I am a senior citizen, and I am so concerned about what will happen to the U. S. if Obama is elected."POSTED Sep 19, 2008
Phyllis DeBruine: "Thank you so much for your comments. It is good to hear the TRUTH from someone who has seen Obama in action. I hope and pray he does not become our president."POSTED Sep 19, 2008
Sun: "I appreciate your truthful statements. We have all known Senator McCain for very long time. Today, Donald Trump would Hire John McCain. Senator Barack Obama's voting records and campaign's gratuitous personal attacks on Senator McCain and Governor Palin speaks volumes. Senator Obama, You Are Fired."POSTED Sep 20, 2008
Jackie: "Well, I guess if you are happy with the state our country is in - endless, senseless war; economy in shambles; lack of respect around the world; widening gap between wealthy and middle/working class; healthcare system in shambles and unavailable to many Americans - if you are happy with this, of course you are afraid of Obama!"POSTED Sep 20, 2008
Anne: "More of this voting record of Obama's needs to be made known to the public. Thank you, Senator Allard, for shedding light on these voting records of his. The prospect of his presidency and its adverse effect on our country is frightening!"POSTED Sep 20, 2008
Anne: "More of this voting record of Obama's needs to be made known to the public. Thank you, Senator Allard, for shedding light on these voting records of his. The prospect of his presidency and its adverse effect on our country is frightening!"POSTED Sep 20, 2008
Luckyman: "It's too bad term limits are making the distinguist Senator from Co. have to step down. I'm from the same little town that Allard is from, and have watched him from the time he started politics by riding his bicycle around campaigning. He is right on concerning Osama, oops Obama. Wayne has always been a straight shooter, and we'll miss him. I just hope we can elect another man for his office with as much integrity. That would be Bob Shaffer, another personal aquaintance, who would expouse good judgment for our great state, and country!"POSTED Sep 20, 2008
Luckyman: "It's too bad term limits are making the distinguist Senator from Co. have to step down. I'm from the same little town that Allard is from, and have watched him from the time he started politics by riding his bicycle around campaigning. He is right on concerning Osama, oops Obama. Wayne has always been a straight shooter, and we'll miss him. I just hope we can elect another man for his office with as much integrity. That would be Bob Shaffer, another personal aquaintance, who would expouse good judgment for our great state, and country!"POSTED Sep 22, 2008
Issi-B: "What's wrong with Obama's voting record? That's exactly how I would have voted. I apprectiate Sen. Whiner Mallard's attempt to be a party trooper at a time when the Republican party is in shambles. Sen Allard, go away. Your term limits are up and you've done little for this Coloradan."POSTED Sep 22, 2008
Stephen: "What you are posting here are half-"truths." You site only one source to back up individual claims and you point to McCain's past experience and bi-partisan voting without addressing his switch towards the party line in order to win the nomination (I believing chaing views was referred to as flip-flopping in the last election). Now I would like to say something to the poster who stated "Senator Barack Obama's voting records and campaign's gratuitous personal attacks on Senator McCain and Governor Palin speaks volumes." If I knew what "personal attacks" you refer to, my question would be: What makes this any different from what the Republicans did in the past two Presidential elections or what Bush and Rove did to McCain in SC? The answer is nothing or than party viewpoints. Apparently, what is good for the goose is not good for the gander."POSTED Sep 25, 2008
Elizabeth Rand: "Please know that the information re Obama's voting record is greatly appreciated. This is precisely what voters need to know in order to make a wise decision at the polls. Thank you."POSTED Sep 28, 2008
sherry: "To those of you that state what a mess our country is currently in, Remember We have two parties that must work together in order to run this country. We also, if you look at the facts are dealing with programs and spending from the clinton addmistration such as the start and support of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mack.I you listen you will realize what political party has been their greatest supporters. In return look at where their money has gone. I think that if you want change in Washington then you need to elect the canidate that will bring that change to the table in Washington and then most importantly you better be prepared to make sure the senators and congressmen know how you feel about the issues. Washington will listen, but we must talk to them. My problem is I think we have become a country of complainers, and we want what is good for us,never mind what is good for the Nation."