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McCain hits Obama hard on earmarks, lack of specifics

Burlington, VT — Calling on Sen. Barack Obama to live up to his call for more transparency in government, Sen. John McCain chided the Illinois Senator for failing to release some of his personal earmark requests.

While Obama has publicly released his 2007 earmark requests to the Senate Appropriations Committee, he has not released his letters to the committee from 2005 and 2006, according to a Thursday Washington Post story. The Post reported that Obama helped secure $91 million for the projects in the Land of Lincoln in 2007, which McCain said “isn’t chump change.”

“The Senator from Illinois, who says that he wants transparency in government, will not reveal the number of earmarks that he received in 2006 and 2005. Is that transparency in government? I don’t think so. I don’t think so,” McCain said during rally in Vermont–a March 4th primary state. “So I call on the Senator, Senator Obama from Illinois, to go ahead and tell people how much money in earmarked projects and pork barrel projects that he got for his state and what they were for.”

“One of the reasons the American people have lost trust and confidence in us. One of the reasons is because of earmark projects, the pork barrel spending,” McCain added. “My friends, examine my record on pork barrel projects and you will see a big fat zero.”

While Sen. Hillary Clinton secured $340 million for her home state, placing her in the top 10 in the Senate for 2007, McCain spent more time going after Obama Thursday.

During a media availability on his plane en route to Rhode Island, McCain said he is more directly focussed on the Illinois Senator because of what he feels is Obama’s “non-specificity.” In contrast, he noted Clinton has even been criticized, “for talking too much about specific programs.”

Additionally, he said he still believes he has an equal chance of facing either Democrat, and is not counting Clinton out.

“I (don’t) underestimate the challenge of Senator Clinton, and again in all due respect to the experts and the pundits that I read and see, I remember the night before New Hampshire she was going to lose, I mean that was just a fact and everybody accepted it. I even drank that Kool Aid,” McCain said. “I thought that Senator Obama was going to win (New Hampshire). He didn’t. She out-worked and out-campaigned and won that. So I think it would be really a mistake to sort of discount the vitality of her candidacy. I am not an expert on this. I know she’s very, very smart, very, very tough campaigner, and I think she’s proven.”

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30 Responses to “McCain hits Obama hard on earmarks, lack of specifics”

Comment by Angel

I agree with Hillary, and McCain. Obama has been talking, and preaching for quite awhile. However, I am still waiting to hear how he is going to accomplish what he is just talking and preaching about it.

 
Comment by Jackie

He runs his campaign like a concert which arouses the young most. Ask yourself, after the concert ends, what’s next. When reality sets in, you have to cry for next 4 years!!!

Haven’t you people learn from George Bush? Wake Up!

Hillary is not a saint, but with her, we know her goods and bads. And, there are many poor out there who is grateful to her for what she’s done for them. Be fair to her.

She has been getting all the critics no matter what she does, Obama has been on a swift boat so far, it’s time he faces the reality himself. When asked for substance, he just picks from Hillary and call it his own plan? Any shame for our next President-to-be?

God bless America!

 
Comment by KING OF SMEAR

JACKIE SHAME ON YOU HILLARY IS A SAINT;;;; A SAINT BERNARD LMAO

 
Comment by Debra

Mr. Obama, is a very captivating speaker. It’s hard to look away when he is speaking. His speeches are eloquent. However, I too am waiting for the details on how he plans to accomplish these goals.

 
Comment by shana

Obama has run a smart, well thought out campaign. what exactly would be the point for him of quibbling over minute details with HRC on the issues? the minute details would be irrelevant when she started with name recognition, which was why she was the inevitable nominee in the beginning. not much difference between candidates? vote for the name you know and are comfortable with. his inspirational speeches established him as a name to know and name to believe in. his speeches almost single-handedly brought him into the same frame as Clinton and her instant name recognition.

now, as the media-designated front-runner, he is rolling out his plans on a larger scale, as they relate to the Republican nominee, where distinctions matter.

from the beginning, his campaign has had an effective long-term strategy. he has run a smart and fiscally responsible campaign.

 
Comment by kim

HAHAHAHA. Give Mitt a couple of weeks away and he has already FLIPPED. But that should be nothing new :)

 

[...] no there was no card or chocolate for his other Democratic rival. McCain repeatedly took Sen. Barack Obama to task at multiple campaign appearances Thursday for his alleged lack of transparency in the U.S. Senate regarding congressional “pork [...]

 

[...] Say’s Obama publicity release lacks specifics [...]

 
Comment by Florida gal

Could you also ask Obama to hand over his list of personal campaign donors?

 
Comment by John David

Holy molly! This forum is filled with rumor-mongers and fear-mongers. I, on the other hand, will root for the one and only hope-monger!! GO OBAMA GO!! KICK THEIR SORRY PINK BOTTOMS!

 
Comment by Cathy

Obama The Pied Piper, sounds good to me, He has dreams, he has hope and he wants change. Well that sounds just great (but I am not one of his little followers falling at his feet). He uses the word hope like it’s something new to talk about. Think about it, we hope that we have a job, we hope the cars starts tomorrow, we hope that our sick neighbor gets well, and we hope and pray for those who just lost a loved one. We Hope everyday of our lives Obama, so please find another word, you have warn this one out. Obama, you want change from the old to the new, well good for you but you have one problem, you need to old to get you to where you are trying to get. Your supporters (Kennedy-old) (Kerry-old) (Carter-old) I can go on, when you get what you want then you won’t need them, correct? Then it will be that smilling face saying thanks but no thanks, I got what I wanted, see ya!!!
Check out his background, and find out what he really wants to do. he will destroy our wonderful country.

 
Comment by Tony

Mccain would just love to see Hillary win the Democratic nomination so that he could put the finest “licking” on her. He can’t do that to Obama.

 
Comment by rusty

Sounds like a fair trade to me Mr. Mccain, if you and Hillary will agree to let the American people know just how much of your campaign has been financed by the lobbyists, and the special interests. Could you please “earmark” those for us? And, by the way, is Hillary on your “short list” for Vice President?

 
Comment by Jay4Obama

I listened to McCain give a speech the other day and it seemed like he was tired - he stumbled when speaking quite a bit. I wonder, does he have the energy to be the President?

 

mccain,you my friend have more hidden agendas, hidden backers,special interest than any and all the canidates combined, your a threat to the county in your positions on almost every account, your a war monger that is so far behind the attitude of todays younger society and you just dont get it, and anyone that can even back bush in any capacity is an idiot,and i think thats in your agenda isnt it sir? perhaps rather than bellow out wind of no concern,which is defintly your old school mentality you should move on to more current issues, of which you cant, because your are part of the problom rather than the soulution, you want to be the tough guy just as your obvious menter and total reject, you dont have a snowballs chance, the people will speak in the election, you and your party are on the way out! your not change because you dont understand the concept,and thats apparent in your character,and your speaches, your on a limited wave,enjoy it now, and after the election you can try and get up to datewith the 21st century,

 

and further my friend, earmarks? if you were half as honest about your concern on earmarks then perhaps you could let the people know how your going to do away with the many that you have!! your old school mccain,mud slinging and questions about things you do yourself? my god man wake up, you think we dont know about you and yours? this is a new era john, the sad thing is you wont get it until after the election, change for this country does not happen with old ideas from your time, things have gone on and you havent, as i said before you should have put that money you spent into going fishing,

 
Comment by SONIA

OH,,,,,,,,,,I CAN FEEL THE CHANGE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,U SEE IT ALREADY HAPPENED,,,,,

OBAMA SAID IN IDAHO,,,HE WAS FOR THE RIGHTS OF GUN KEEPERS,,,,,,

AND NOW,,,,,,3 SHOOTINGS SINCE THEN,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WOW I FEEL THE CHANGE,,,,

I CAN SEE THE WHOLE AMERICA TURNING INTO HIPPIES WHEN OBAMA TAKES OVER,,,,,,I M LOOKING FOR A HOUSE IN AFRICA,,,,,

 
Comment by JILL

MICHELLE OBAMA ,,,,,,,,,,,IMAGINE OUR FUTURE FIRST LADY GIVING SPEECHES IN FORIEGN COUNTRIES,,,,,,,,WOW,,,SHE DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT TO WEAR AS A FIRST LADY,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,SHE WILL ORDER,,,CHICKEN AND WATERMELON

 
Comment by JILL

MICHELLE OBAMA ,,,,,,,,,,,IMAGINE OUR FUTURE FIRST LADY GIVING SPEECHES IN FORIEGN COUNTRIES,,,,,,,,WOW,,,SHE DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT TO WEAR AS A FIRST LADY,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,SHE WILL ORDER,,,CHICKEN AND WATERMELON,,,,,

OH NO ,,,,THERE COMES MCCAIN,,,,,,EATING HOT DOGS,

 
Comment by JILL

MY BOYS—-SONS—-WANT TO GO TO DISNEYLAND,,,,,,

SO I TOLD THEM,,,TO WAIT,,,,,FOR OBAMA SPEECH,,,,,

 
Comment by Barbara T Long Beach Ca

before I decided to cast my vote during the California elections, I researched both democratic candidates very thoroughly - Obama- is an excellent modivational speaker and preacher how ever, he lacks substance and his record speaks of hypocracy- check out his voting record and see how many votes he just decided to “not vote” - almost 40% while he collects a salary. That is not to say the Hillary did not miss votes as well - she too did. Read both passionate speeches from both candidates regarding the Iraq vote to war - Obama was dead right- we should not have gone to war but did they hit the Chicago Sears Towers and thousands of his people die - Clinton supported her people; she also wrote in her speech ONLY AS A LAST RESORT when all other methods have failed did she advocate invasion. Bush lied to all of us; including the senators!
Check out Obama’s church web site: TUCC.org and tell me he is for a one america for all americans to be treated the same after reading what his church supports…
All I ask is please do the research on each candidate and do not buy the hype- this nation has never been in such turmoil in all of my nearly 50yrs on this planet … we have never had so many heartbreaking and devastating issues to contend with as today - our country is dying of cancer … can we afford to gamble on just hope or do we seek a specialist with years of documented experience to cure it… think before you vote!!!

 
Comment by SONIA

MY BROTHER BUSSINESS GOING DOWNHILL,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

SO I TOLD HIM,,,,,LISTEN TO OBAMA SPEECH,,,,,,,AND SIT AND EAT CHICKEN AND WATERMELON,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,AND HOPE,,,,,GOD WILL COME TO EARTH AND FIX THINGS BY ITSELF,,,,,,,,,WE DONT HAVE TO LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS,,,,,OBAMA CAN DO EVERYTHING WITH HIS HOPE

 
Comment by SONIA

OBAMA FOR,,,RIGHTS TO KEEP GUNS,,,,,,,WOW CHANGE IS COMING,,,,,,

 
Comment by SONIA

OBAMA,,,,,HALF WHITE,,,,HALF BLACK,,,,,,SO WHY NOT A WHITE WIFE,,,,,,

AND TESTING DANCING SKILLS OF BILL BROTHER,,,,,,

I CAN SEE NEW MENU OF WHITE HOUSE,,,,,CHICKEN,,,WATERMELON

 
Comment by Barbara T Long Beach Ca

sonia give it a rest - you are angry and rightfully so but direct it correctly… not racially- two wrongs do not make it right….

I have never voted for a republican; but after I have researched information on Mr. Obama - I will NEVER vote for him… it’s either Hillary or no vote or Mr. Mc Cain (God help us all).

again people…. PLEASE research and learn everything you can on the candidates before you support them… Clinton is NO Saint and has Bill’s baggage but she IS the best qualified to get us out of the mess we are in - I can’t take a chance on hope of changing I need substance and garantees. Politicians lie- ALL of them- we need to read between the lines to determine the best course to take.

 
Comment by SONIA

THX BARBARA,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,U ,,R ,,,RIGHT,,,,,,

BUT HE DID FLIP ON GUN POSITIONS,,,,,,

AND HE IS TRUE BLACK INSIDE,,,,,MORE THAN BEING JUST AMERICAN,,,,AND

HE IS PHONY,,,,,,HOPE,,,HOPE,,,HOPE,,,,MY,,ASS,,,,,,,,,,NO SOLUTIONS,,,,

ITS EITHER HILLARY OR MCCAIN

 
Comment by angie

As a woman, I don’t think Hillary should go back into the white house, even if she wins the election, I think she should not set foot in the oval office, because it will bring back terrible memories of what happened there a number of years ago. I do not think she will be in the proper frame of mind to make very important national decisions from the oval office. My advice to my sister will be to be happy about the fact that she was once a first lady, a noble thing that not many people can boast of, I am not against a woman president, I just don’t think she is the one. But she should not go to the oval office even if she wins, she can make her decisions from the lincon bedroom, they will turn out to be better decisions for the nation.

 
Comment by SONIA

GO ANGIE,,,,,I AGREE,,,,,,,NO HILLARY,,,,,

MY DAD BUSSINESS GOING DOWN SO I TELL HIM TO LISTEN TO OBAMA SPEECHES AND FEEL GOOD,,,,,,HAVE FAITH ,,,JESUS IS COMING TO FIX ALL THE THINGS FOR US,,,,,,OBAMA IS COMING,,,,,,,WOW,,,,,,HELL NO,,,I CAN,T WAIT FOR JESUS,,,,I NEED SOLUTIONS NOW,,,,,,SO I M GOING BACK TO HILLARYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

 
Comment by T for a united america

Sonia,

all i can say is l feel so sorry for you. You sound like a lonely person just using this to express your anger. Hope you feel better now.
My vote is not about race, religion or sex. My vote will be given to the candidate l believe has the best potential.
Also how in the world can any candidate give in details what they are going to do when they get into office.They really don’t have a clue of what is going to be left in the nation’s purse. If they give details now and cannot deliver when they get into office due to financial constraints (take for example hillary promising $10,000/year per undergrad student), i am sure you will be one of the first people to air an opnion about he/she backing up on their promises.It’s easier to sit and judge people but you wait till you end up in their shoes. It is not easy what they do.They sacrifice a lot to do this and none of the candidates needs your dis-respect.
Your dad’s business going down has nothing to do with these candidates. Re-focus your anger on george buush jr. Thanks to him the economy is where it is today.

 

[...] of wealthy political donors all looking for a little quid pro quo in the form of kickbacks earmarks money bravely brought back home to a Senator’s wife’s employerl donor’s company home [...]

 

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