March 13, 2008
Secrets
Barack Obama's campaign today released the senator's earmark requests for 2005, 2006 and 2007, and issued a call for Hillary Clinton to do the same. The move is significant for two reasons:
1. The GOP is going to make a fuss about earmarks during the general (John McCain has, as we know, called for an end to the practice); and
2. The implication of this demand, and more so should Clinton not comply, is, of course, that she's hiding something. Sound familiar? Add earmarks to the list of items HRC appears unwilling to promptly disclose, including her tax returns (the campaign has said they'll make them public on or before April 15) and White House scheds.
"She’s been a habitual nondiscloser on this and other issues," David Axelrod said during a March 5 call in which he pushed HRC to release her tax returns.
By raising the earmark issue, the campaign is suggesting that Obama is more straightforward and honest than his Dem rival. He already has a strong advantage on that point, as today's WSJ/NBC survey indicates, so why not push it harder?
Obama's release after the jump.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Obama Releases His Earmark Requests; Calls on Clinton to do the Same
Chicago, IL – Senator Barack Obama’s campaign today released his earmark requests for 2005 and 2006 and called on Senator Hillary Clinton to do the same. Last year, Obama’s Senate office released his 2007 earmark requests.
The ’05 and ’06 requests can be seen by clicking HERE. The ’07 requests are available on the official Senate website. To date, Senator Clinton has refused repeated requests to disclose her earmark requests.
“Bringing real change requires changing the way we do business in Washington,” said Obama for America Communications Director Robert Gibbs. “If Senator Clinton will not agree to join Senator Obama in releasing her earmark requests, voters should ask why she doesn’t believe they have the right to know she wants to spend their tax dollars.”
Obama believes that there has been too little transparency in Washington, and he has been a leader in reforming the earmark process so that every American can know how the government spends their tax dollars. Barack Obama teamed up with Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) to pass a law that lifted the veil of secrecy in Washington by creating a Google-like search engine that allows ordinary Americans to track federal grants, contracts, earmarks and loans online. The database – known as “Google for Government” – was launched by the Office of Management and Budget in early December and is available at www.USAspending.gov. As president, Obama will give voters the tools they need to track spending so we can stop letting the special interests set the agenda in Washington.
Posted at 01:18 PM
Comments
The linky dinks don't work. Call me crazy, but don't earmarks get worse as a Senator builds seniority? Hence Big Daddy Byrd, and "Bridge to Nowhere" Stevens? If so it stands to reason that Clinton's going to have a longer list (1) by virtue of being in the Senate longer, and (2) by virtue of senority.
I'm frankly surprised the integrity issues haven't been deployed before now. If he leans heavily on that tax stuff, and she keeps her word about April 15 it'll look like she was forced into releasing them. Which makes him look stronger. The press will start finding "oddities" just about in time for Penn.
Seth | 03.13.08 03:16 PM
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If you really believe that you will see the Clintons' tax returns in this lifetime, have I got a bridge to nowhere for you!
ewwwwwwwwww Hillary | 03.13.08 03:49 PM
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If you really believe that you will see the Clintons' tax returns in this lifetime, have I got a bridge to nowhere for you!
just another dem | 03.13.08 03:50 PM
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If you really believe that you will see the Clintons' tax returns in this lifetime, have I got a bridge to nowhere for you!
just another dem | 03.13.08 03:50 PM
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If you really believe that you will see the Clintons' tax returns in this lifetime, have I got a bridge to nowhere for you!
just me | 03.13.08 03:51 PM
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This is a pretty smart thing to do.
Shaun | 03.13.08 06:22 PM
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Why is it that when Obama and HIS church spews lies and disqusting racially directed remarks about the white people and that he is associates himself with Farah Kahn (sp)the newspapers don't print it, but, on the other side, when the Clintons camapign camp states something even mildly it makes every headline and her campaign people alway step down or resign? I think Obama's camp needs to do the same!
This will never be a fair presidential campaign just like in every other campaign trail the US has had. The news organizations are all corrupt and one-sided.
karen | 03.13.08 09:13 PM
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Why is it that when Obama and HIS church spews lies and disqusting racially directed remarks about the white people and that he is associates himself with Farah Kahn (sp)the newspapers don't print it, but, on the other side, when the Clintons camapign camp states something even mildly it makes every headline and her campaign people alway step down or resign? I think Obama's camp needs to do the same!
This will never be a fair presidential campaign just like in every other campaign trail the US has had. The news organizations are all corrupt and one-sided.
karen | 03.13.08 09:16 PM
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Obama requests millions for donors
(Washington DC) Senator Barack Obama today released his list of FY 2009 Earmark requests, including requesting millions of dollars for defense contractors who's employees have donated thousands of dollars to his presidential campaign.
Request:
Obama Requested $8 Million And Helped Secure $1.3 Million For The High Explosive Air Burst Technology Program. In 2006, Obama requested $8 million and helped secure $1.3 million for High Explosive Air Burst Technology funding. Through General Dynamics, this project supported the 25mm Bushmaster cannon, the primary weapon on the Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) and the US Marines’ Light Armor Vehicle (LAV). Under contract for System Design and Demonstration (SDD), GD-OTS is developing a Family of Ammunition for the Army’s Future Combat System (FCS) to include a High Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) round. This program will upgrade the capability of the current forces BFV and LAV. Additional funding for the 25mm HEAB for the SFV and LAV will ensure this program will run effectively during its planned service until 2051. [House Report 109-676 (109th Congress); Obama Request Letter To The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, 2006]
Donors:
Mike Deadrick
Manager
General Dynamics
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$2,300 8150 E DEL BARQUERO DR
Scottsdale AZ
Kimberly Bachand
Principal Specialist Finance
General Dynamics
Updated
Q1/2008
Barack Obama
$877 12200 MARION LN W
Minnetonka MN
Michel Musy
Systems Architect
General Dynamics
Updated
Q1/2008
Barack Obama
$325 1702 E SHEENA DR
Phoenix AZ
Joseph Francis
Manager: Project/Task
General Dynamics
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$300 12616 GLENBROOKE WOODS DR
Herndon VA
Carol Kulczyk
Program Management
General Dynamics
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$287 PO BOX 15
Ripton VT
Christine Van Sloten
Systems Engineer
General Dynamics
Updated
Q2/2007
Barack Obama
$251 5001 LINCOLN DR
Fairfax VA
Deborah Mostashari
S/W Engineer
General Dynamics
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$250 3423 E ROCKY SLOPE DR
Phoenix AZ
Request:
Obama Requested $3 Million And Helped Secure $1.95 Million For The Compact Tactical Laser Program. In 2006, Obama requested $3 million and helped secure $1.95 million for the Compact Tactical Laser Program. Through Optical Engines, Inc., this program further develops the Direct Diode Electro-Optical Source program funded in the FY05 DOD bill at $900,000. Optical Engines is proposing to create a new program called the Compact Tactical Laser (CTL) program whereby the universal platform technology created in the DDEOS program is expanded to higher power modules, and further expanded into systems for different applications. The objective of the Optical Engines product development is to introduce to the marketplace a design that will enable the scaling and aggregation of a large number of diode lasers so as to increase the optical power and brightness that is delivered by means of fiber optic coupling. [House Report 109-676 (109th Congress); Obama Request Letter To The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, 2006]
Donor:
Donald Sipes
Engineer
Optical Engines Inc
Updated
Q1/2008
Barack Obama
$850 5513 SEQUOIA TRAIL
Crystal Lake IL
Donald Sipes
Democrat
Engineer
Optical Engines Inc
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$800
bob | 03.13.08 09:25 PM
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Obama requests millions for donors
(Washington DC) Senator Barack Obama today released his list of FY 2009 Earmark requests, including requesting millions of dollars for defense contractors who's employees have donated thousands of dollars to his presidential campaign.
Request:
Obama Requested $8 Million And Helped Secure $1.3 Million For The High Explosive Air Burst Technology Program. In 2006, Obama requested $8 million and helped secure $1.3 million for High Explosive Air Burst Technology funding. Through General Dynamics, this project supported the 25mm Bushmaster cannon, the primary weapon on the Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) and the US Marines’ Light Armor Vehicle (LAV). Under contract for System Design and Demonstration (SDD), GD-OTS is developing a Family of Ammunition for the Army’s Future Combat System (FCS) to include a High Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) round. This program will upgrade the capability of the current forces BFV and LAV. Additional funding for the 25mm HEAB for the SFV and LAV will ensure this program will run effectively during its planned service until 2051. [House Report 109-676 (109th Congress); Obama Request Letter To The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, 2006]
Donors:
Mike Deadrick
Manager
General Dynamics
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$2,300 8150 E DEL BARQUERO DR
Scottsdale AZ
Kimberly Bachand
Principal Specialist Finance
General Dynamics
Updated
Q1/2008
Barack Obama
$877 12200 MARION LN W
Minnetonka MN
Michel Musy
Systems Architect
General Dynamics
Updated
Q1/2008
Barack Obama
$325 1702 E SHEENA DR
Phoenix AZ
Joseph Francis
Manager: Project/Task
General Dynamics
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$300 12616 GLENBROOKE WOODS DR
Herndon VA
Carol Kulczyk
Program Management
General Dynamics
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$287 PO BOX 15
Ripton VT
Christine Van Sloten
Systems Engineer
General Dynamics
Updated
Q2/2007
Barack Obama
$251 5001 LINCOLN DR
Fairfax VA
Deborah Mostashari
S/W Engineer
General Dynamics
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$250 3423 E ROCKY SLOPE DR
Phoenix AZ
Request:
Obama Requested $3 Million And Helped Secure $1.95 Million For The Compact Tactical Laser Program. In 2006, Obama requested $3 million and helped secure $1.95 million for the Compact Tactical Laser Program. Through Optical Engines, Inc., this program further develops the Direct Diode Electro-Optical Source program funded in the FY05 DOD bill at $900,000. Optical Engines is proposing to create a new program called the Compact Tactical Laser (CTL) program whereby the universal platform technology created in the DDEOS program is expanded to higher power modules, and further expanded into systems for different applications. The objective of the Optical Engines product development is to introduce to the marketplace a design that will enable the scaling and aggregation of a large number of diode lasers so as to increase the optical power and brightness that is delivered by means of fiber optic coupling. [House Report 109-676 (109th Congress); Obama Request Letter To The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, 2006]
Donor:
Donald Sipes
Engineer
Optical Engines Inc
Updated
Q1/2008
Barack Obama
$850 5513 SEQUOIA TRAIL
Crystal Lake IL
Donald Sipes
Democrat
Engineer
Optical Engines Inc
Updated
Q4/2007
Barack Obama
$800
bob | 03.13.08 09:26 PM
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@bob: Oh my god! Obama only has 7 donors who work for one of the largest defense contractors in the world?! With a million donors that's shocking.
Seth | 03.14.08 12:24 AM
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http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iK-AonJ7KrNoGaEUdj6xsc3_8fmwD8VCTQR00
Public records reveal some of the projects he sponsored as a state senator, from literacy programs and park improvements to drill team uniforms and jazz-appreciation events. They add up to more than $6 million.
But that covers just two of Obama's nearly eight years in the Illinois Senate. State records don't detail his projects from other years, and his presidential campaign has not responded to repeated requests from The Associated Press for information.
Why doesn't Obama come clean about his 6 years in the IL state Senate? Maybe there was an earmark for Tony Rezko?
gomer | 03.14.08 03:20 AM
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