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Public Opinion: Barack Obama and Offshore Drilling—a Flip-Flop or Real Leadership?

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Obama and hitler both promised change when there country was in dire need of it, But hitler atleast gave the change he promised, Obama has not.
Obama calls the United State citizens that do not agree with his word a Social Terrorist, Hitler Treated Jewish people as if a grain a sand was worth more then them.
Everything obama has changed so far in this country is the oposite of what he has promised this country, and after Hitler made change in germany he used his power to take control of the german army and kill a lot of people.
Obama has over 30 Zars at his hand, just like how hitler had his secret service, and obama is using these zars of his to pass laws and other things in our country that go against our Amendments and the constitution.
Obama may have promised us change, but this change is turning out to be a change of hatred. Obama has simply a Hitler in descize, and does not want to show his true face until we have become his Natzies which is exactly what he has called us already, pay atention people Obama is nothing but a Dictator, so lets give him something to dick about people, and lets make a change as a nation, not by what he says.
Obama is not my president , but he is something to me, Obama is the wolf hiding within the red hood until he wants to show his true fur, and what he does not realize, is that his tail is sticking out and we all know what he is up to.

Patrick Spaulding of ME 10:55PM September 04, 2009

I'm glad to know that Obama was elected to become president!
I listened to a lot of Mac cain's and sarah's speeches on television and i drew the conclution that most of the things they said were complete nonsense! Specially Sarah's speeches! I don't know what is wrong with that woman, but her speeches were stupid, let's face it!
Although there is something that worries me about Obama, I heard that he is going to make taxes higher on the rich to help the poor. I'm sorry to say this but that's communism!
the so called "rich people" give jobs to our people! to our middle and lower class.
well I just hope that everything works out well

German E Cubero of FL 12:37AM December 24, 2008

Obama's comment and position on off-shore drilling have been reduced to the point of being simplistic. Effectively, he said that implementing a comprehensive energy program is critical to the country. Such a plan has many elements - conservations, alternate energy particularly wind and solar, more domestic production of natural gas. He then noted that if others [Republicans] would block these components if the plan did not include more off-shore drilling, he agreed to consider it. He also noted the off-shore drilling should be limited and subject to careful protection of the environment.
This approach embodies the constructive and inclusive vision that Obama continues to encourage for America. His inclination, indeed passion, for being thoughtful, respectful and focused on results makes it tough for those on either extreme. But that passion also makes it possible that our country can restore its promise to its people and in the world. Sound bites and attacks on individuals and their character [like some of the notes above] probably won't generate the change we need.
Einstein said it well: "things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler".

DJ Crane of KY 2:39PM September 01, 2008

It is imperative for the "President" to have accurate information and with that the maturity to change his/her perspective in a given situation, if the original information is proven wrong or changed. That is not flip-flopping.
My issue with Obama, is that he voiced his policy on not drilling offshore BEFORE doing sufficient homework. This appears to be a re-occurring trend, to his detriment and credibility. Many may argue with my comment that he didn't do sufficient homework but.....
Over the past months, I have seen him pandering to many issues where or when there are votes OR contributions to be had.
He acknowledged that Rev Wright was a potential problem when he told him that he had decided not to have him on the podium with him when he announced his candidacy back in Fall 2007.
When the tapes of Rev Wright finally came out, Obama stood by him..... My feeling is, he probably did say to him that it was only politics.. It was only when Rev Wright spoke out for himself, did he distance himself. Flip flopping or hypocrisy.
Standing in front of an audience at an AIPAC event, he talked about an undivided Jerusalem, capital of Israel. After quite a backlash by the Arab countries, had to retract it the next day.
The faux pas in Chicago pertaining to NAFTA wasn't flip flopping. Was it politics or naivitee?
Public financing versus private...
All of the above makes me very uncomfortable, but ironically enough, what bothered me the most was how he acted towards Hillary, when she tried to shake his hand, after shaking Teddy Kennedy's at the State of the Union address. She was a class act. It must have been so incredibly uncomfortable for her to turn and shake Kennedy's hand, just after he endorsed Obama. When she went to shake Obama's hand, he turned away... emotionally immature.
Perhaps it is a good thing that my Canadian vote does not count. If it did, I would vote for Mc Cain and I am a liberal

Ms Montreal 10:02PM August 06, 2008

I like the first poster's comments. He's not being rigid like Bush but using common sense. Flipflopping is what people always accuse the other candidate of doing - the candidate they don't like. I believe Obama's freshness is important. It's the Presidents' advisors that count anyway. He/she doesn't make decisions alone. Look at Bush - Cheney and Rove made his decisions. Check out the advisors and you'll have a better understanding of the candidate. Obama wanted dialogue with our enemies - now Bush is doing it. Obama wanted a withdrawal timetable and Bush didn't. Now he's acquiescing to the Iraqis who have requested it. Bush was against offshore drilling till the last minute of his tenure (and so was McCain) now they're pressing for it. Who's flipflopping? They're all starting to come to there senses. Keep those calls, e-mails and faxes coming, America!

Penny Grayson of UT 3:06PM August 06, 2008

It's neither. It's just politics as usual. Bush has proven that closed minded, "I won't talk to you" politics gets nowhere and is, in fact, counterproductive and is the product of a dictatorship. A dialogue must be started, after which productive compromises are reached. I believe, and hope, that Obama would never allow offshore drilling, but with open dialog, alternative energy will benefit and rather than off shore drilling, the reserve will be tapped. He needs to be given a chance.

of OR 11:52AM August 06, 2008

Every thing coming from Obama mouth are: flip flaps, regards, misspoken, poor choose word, now is ok that florida and michigan delegates get sit and vote, when Hilary was that she want change rules in midle of the game.
what a joke . He never take a position, dont forget inIllinois how many times he vote present.

socorro of FL 3:04PM August 05, 2008

A group of us in West Virginia were talking about Mr. Obama and we had to discuss our own State Senators. These folks have a very limited experience during their tenure as State Senators, even though at least one of them has had extensive world exposure, including working directly with Mother Theresa. In addition, he is s Rhodes Scholar, similar in education to former President Bill Clinton. Even with these credentials, we could not imagine this individual, who appears to be doing well at the state level, ever dreaming of doing well as President of the United States, the most powerful person in the free world.
So, focusing again on Barack Obama (who is very fresh to the U.S. Senate), he appears to have spent his life punching the right tickets, marrying another Harvard Law graduate, and, like Bill Clinton, making a career of politics. Neither actually worked any job or profession for any extended period of time so they could truly relate to the plight of the common man.
We are not sold he is our best candidate.

of WV 12:17PM August 05, 2008

It cannot be interpreted as anything but a 180, done over the weekend. It's not like he has any new information that made him change his position. I am not a big McCain fan as I have seen him as loving regulations over his Senate career, but he has at least been consistent. Obama = political opportunist.

Black on Green of OH 11:27AM August 05, 2008

Come on people, McCain and Obama are going to say whatever they need to to get the undecided's to sway their way. And the campaigns of each will try to catch the other in a lie, flip-flop, or mistake to paint them as pandering or ignorant. Politics as usual.
If you are serious about selecting the best man for the job and not just electing someone from your party then take a close look at their records before the candidate began their run for the party nomination.
Anything after that is of less value in judging who these men are. I will make one exception. It is important to see how they respond to the pressure and stress of the campaign. McCain for his age (health) and Barack for his inexperience.

Doug of FL 5:17AM August 05, 2008