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Re: Hillary vs Obama Senate record

"In her six years in the senate she has done ONLY 20 things."

That's your assessment? Do you really think she would have been re-elected to the Senate by a 67% vote if that were the case?

Also, note, that although her attempt as First Lady to champion the a universal healthcare bill failed, she learned from her mistake of not pulling together all sides, and instead went on to champion support of Senator Kennedy's bill that brought the highly touted S-CHIP program to fruition.

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According to Wikipedia:

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a United States federal government program that gives funds to states in order to provide health insurance to families with children. The program was designed to cover uninsured children in families with incomes that are modest but too high to qualify for Medicaid. At its creation in 1997, SCHIP was the largest expansion of health insurance coverage for children in the U.S. since Medicaid began in the 1960s. The statutory authority for SCHIP is under title XXI of the Social Security Act. It was initially sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy in a partnership with Senator Orrin Hatch in concert with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton during the Clinton administration.

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I've seen that "legislative record" post on SO many sites (with varying introductory statements) ... totally slanted towards Obama, of course. Well, I did my own research and posting replies to those posts.

Please note the bias of listing Clinton's "more substantive" bills at the bottom of the list. And whether the Republicans or Democrats have the majority is a definite factor in whose bills finally pass, especially in attempting to override Bush's veto.

Some versions of the post circulating first say Obama has authored 820 bills in his first 8 yrs of elected service, and then end it with "since enter the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096."

Obama's Senate record:

110th Congress sponsored 113; co-sponsored 375

109th Congress sponsored 152; co-sponsored 427

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Although the post says, "to save you the time," I was curious, so I decided to go to the trouble of looking up bills sponsored/co-sponsored by Senator Clinton on the Thomas site.

Here's the search tool - you can do the math yourselves:

http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d108query.html

107th Congress 2001-2002

sponsored 161 bills co-sponsored 495

108th Congress 2003-2004

sponsored 138 bills co-sponsored 688

109th Congress 2005-2006

sponsored 177 bills co-sponsored 720

110th Congress 2007 -

sponsored 150 bills co-sponsored 477

A few of the bills passed into law

S.1422 : A bill to provide for the expedited payment of certain benefits for a public safety officer who was killed or suffered a catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty in connection with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Note: For further action, see H.R. 2882, which became Public Law 107-37 on 9/18/2001.

S.1622 : A bill to extend the period of availability of unemployment assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in the case of victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Note: For further action, see H.R. 3986, which became Public Law 107-154 on 3/25/2002.

S.2496 : A bill to provide for the establishment of investigative teams to assess building performance and emergency response and evacuation procedures in the wake of any building failure that has resulted in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential of substantial loss of life, and for other purposes.

Note: For further action, see H.R. 4687, which became Public Law 107-231 on 10/1/2002.

S.1425 : A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize the New York City Watershed Protection Program.

Note: For further action, see H.R.2771, which became Public Law 108-328 on 10/16/2004.

S.272 : A bill to designate certain National Forest System land in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Note: For further action, see H.R.539, which became Public Law 109-118 on 12/1/2005.

S.1283 : A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to assist family caregivers in accessing affordable and high-quality respite care, and for other purposes.

Note: For further action, see H.R.3248, which became Public Law 109-442 on 12/21/2006.

Rather than trivializing her record by clumping resolutions honoring deceased Americans into the same category as bills passed into "law" maybe we should add some of the amendments she sponsored that were agreed to by the Senate, for example:

S.AMDT.2066 to H.R.3061 To provide funding for services for children relating to crises.

S.AMDT.2082 to H.R.3061 To make funding available under title V of the Public Health Service Act for mental health providers serving public safety workers affected by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

S.AMDT.155 to S.CON.RES.18 To establish a deficit neutral reserve fund for influenza vaccine shortage prevention.

S.AMDT.3147 to S.CON.RES.83 To restore funding for the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Contact Center

S.AMDT.4361 to S.2766 To require that Congress be apprised periodically on the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement.

S.AMDT.4868 to H.R.5631 To make available from Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, certain funds may be used for community-based programs that provide mental health and readjustment assistance to members of the National Guard and Reserve and their families on their return from deployment.

S.AMDT.1106 to H.R.2360 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress regarding the vulnerability of certain facilities and measures to provide greater security, and for other purposes.

S.AMDT.328 to H.CON.RES.83 To strengthen our national food safety infrastructure by increasing the number of inspectors within the Food and Drug Administration to enable the Food and Drug Administration to inspect high-risk sites at least annually, supporting research that enables us to meet emerging threats, improving surveillance to identify and trace the sources and incidence of food-borne illness, and otherwise maintaining at least current funding levels for food safety initiatives at the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture.

S.AMDT.516 to S.1 To provide for the conduct of a study concerning the health and learning impacts of sick and dilapidated public school buildings on children and to establish the Healthy and High Performance Schools Program.

Kathy of NH @ Feb 15, 2008 06:37:31 AM

Ready to change

After years of the Bush-Clinton era, America is ready to change. Barack Obama is consistently scrutinized for his "poetic" words without any substance to them.

In 2 minutes of response time in a debate, how much credit can you give to someone for explaining the intricacies of an energy policy for god's sake?

If you really want to know where he stands, do some research everyone out there who is too lazy to do so. The link for his complete plan for America is this:

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaBlueprintForChange.pdf

Josh Winters of SD @ Feb 13, 2008 17:32:14 PM

YES to Obama

Barack Obama has the grace and bright energy of a truly great spirit.

We are so fortunate to have him as a candidate. Let's not miss this

wonderful opportunity for our country and for all of us.

Hillary represents narrow selfishness. I hope she will prove me wrong

and withdraw from the race. She would earn our gratitude and go down

in American history as a wise and generous person. Her time is past.

Obama's time is the future. Our local caucus in Maine was a celebration

of our great good fortunate to have Barack Obama as a candidate for president. Let's open a door to a wonderful future

for America.

Susan C. Larsen of ME @ Feb 13, 2008 12:00:31 PM

Folly of Youth?

An earlier poster commented that she didn't want a leader that inspires...she wants "someone who can run this country and fix it... we need a Jefferson or a Roosevelt." Jefferson and Roosevelt weren't inspiring? "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" wasn't inspirational? "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" wasn't inspirational? You're right. We do need a Jefferson or a Roosevelt. Leaders that are able to lead by uniting the American people together for common causes. And sometimes a little inspiration is just the thing to get the job done.

ms.marsh of MA @ Feb 13, 2008 01:06:52 AM

Thank you Scott Andrews.

You have so equivalently described the reality.

I would also like to add that I think that Mr. Obama sees the inherent goodness in all people. He is able to focus on that goodness and help others to reach within and see the goodness within themselves and therefore see the goodness in others. This ability to unify people around good causes is a mark of all the great leaders throughout history.

A high tide raises all boats.

Paul Morneault of NC @ Feb 13, 2008 00:26:20 AM

Obama

My name is middle name is Andrew. I don't even use my middle name in my signature.

When I introduce myself, I don't use my middle name. In fact, most people who are known by their first name don't use there middle name when introducing themselves )just like people known by their middle names don't use their first names when introducing themselves.

Why would Barack Obama ever feel the need to use his middle name "Hussein"?

For that matter, shouldn't Mitt Romney go by "Willard Milton Romney III" in the name of honesty?

You people are just plain stupid. There's no sugar-coating it.

Martin M. of NC @ Feb 13, 2008 00:01:51 AM

Difference Between Leadership and Management

Most people confuse leadership and management. They see someone with great experience and figure that that gives them the credentials for leadership.

Look at the great leaders in history. Most of them were actually rather young, and probably not awfully experience, or truly great managers. BUT..they knew where to go, and how to get everyone else to want to go there too. Alexander the Great ruled most of the known world and died in his twenties. Tokugawa, while a bit older, converged the nearly tribal politics of early Japan, and wrought a nation out of a back stabbing inbred mess. These men did not spend their time worrying over the books, or trying to personally invent the right answer. They inspired people; They caused great managers and great thinkers to flock to them, and then they sifted through the chaff to find the wheat. Armed with that they set about enrolling everyone in a common vision. A the Great didn't conquer people as much as he absorbed them, and made them part of his "nation". Had he not, he would have been decimated by naysayers and antagonists from within, fighting him to regain their place..they didn't because their place with him was better. That's how you conquer the world.

Good examples of managers who could not lead are "W" (well, he may actually not be smart enough to even be a good manager); Carter. Brilliant man, impoverished leader. Ford.. who? Was he even president? Reagan was actually OK, although he opened the door for what became the horrific neo conservative (my morals are better than your morals crap we have been living with for 30 years), so he gets and A for leadership and a D- for managment for an overall C-.

Sure you need to know the political ropes to get by in DC, so your average steel worker who leads a work team every day and gets them home safe probably isn't president material, but given that, the real test of a president is "can he LEAD? ". I am sure Hillary would make a fine CEO (with her skill at cattle futures, she might even make a great one). But she is polarizing. She fails to enroll people, and in the end it comes down to Hillary's way or the highway. Obama on the other hand, is all about enrollment. People WANT to follow him because he makes good decisions and treats everyone as if they make a difference..because they DO!!. That's a fresh approach in the hackneyed world of special interests and back room politics, and one I welcome. and, as an old guy, I don't even know what the will.i.am video is..

It's time we got back to electing leaders instead of managers.

Hillary has spent most of her career kibbitzing form the presidential residence. Her actual experience as a manager is minimal, and here experience as a leader is nonexistent

Scott Andrews of CA @ Feb 12, 2008 22:22:39 PM

Do your homework

"Who is Obama? What is he about? Where did he come form and what does he stand for?" Posted by Samantha of MN

Samantha,

Read one (or all) of his books. See him in person. Check out his website. Your questions are all answered. Yes, you may have to do a little work. It's all out there for you and everyone else.

Robert Cochrane of NV @ Feb 12, 2008 21:45:38 PM

I am neither young nor black but I don't want the Clintons speaking for me overseas nor do I believe in McCain's Iraq policy...and I am not particularly enthused about a Clinton Restoration co-presidency or a Bush/Clinton dynasty.

Obama is not only inspiring...he is very bright...he knows what he doesn't know, has good judgment and will cross examine a wide range of experts as issues present themselves.

After 8 shameful years of Bush/Cheney, God is smiling on the USA.

Truesdell of OH @ Feb 12, 2008 21:38:51 PM

Voting Records

There are many things that Obama and Clinton have in common, and a few where they differ (in my opinion, mostly in the categories of diplomacy, rhetorical skill, and personal appeal). However, if we must stretch so far for differences that we paint Senator Clinton as an emotional (read manipulative) campaigner, let's just have a look at her voting record and look at Senator Obama's as well:

"Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term (6yrs.), and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law, (20) twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years.

These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress (www.thomas.loc.gov), but to save you trouble, I’ll post them here for you.

1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.

2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.

3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Hon

4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.

5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.

6. Name post office after Jonn A. O’Shea.

7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.

8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.

9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.

10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men’s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.

11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men’s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.

12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.

13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.

14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.

15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty.

Only five of Clinton’s bills are more substantive:

16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.

17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11

18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.

19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.

20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.

There you have it–the facts straight from the Senate Record.

Now, I would post those of Obama’s, but the list is too substantive, so I’ll mainly categorize.

During the first (8) eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced:

233 regarding healthcare reform,

125 on poverty and public assistance,

112 crime fighting bills,

97 economic bills,

60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,

21 ethics reform bills,

15 gun control,

6 veterans affairs and many others.

His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These inculded:

**the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (became law),

**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, (became law),

**The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,

**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, (became law),

**The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, (In committee), and many more."

[stats quoted from comments section of http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/02/04/obama-campaign-memo-re-february-5th/]

Analu of TX @ Feb 12, 2008 21:35:17 PM

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