Obama (Ironically) Accuses McCain/Palin Of "Dishonesty"

In a new Obama ad today, an announcer accuses McCain and Palin of "lying about their records." In a speech today, Obama criticized the Republican candidates as attempting to "reinvent themselves." It's ironic that Obama is accusing the duo of lying about their record when he himself has frequently flip flopped and changed opinions on a variety of issues. Since most won't accept such a comment without proof, here ya go:

1.) Public Financing of Elections

In September 2007, BO pledged to accept public financing should he become his party's nominee "if his major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign." (Newsweek 2007). McCain, in March, said he would accept public funds. Obama stated "If I am the Democratic Nominee, I will agressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election." (February 2007, Newsweek). Obama has since renegued on his pledge and has foregone public funding. Obama is the first presidential candidate since Nixon (1972) to state that his campaign will be financed totally and completely by private donations with no limits on spending. In 2004, Democratic 527s spent three times as much as Republican 527s. Obama, however, claimed he did it because "John McCain’s campaign and the Republican National Committee are fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs," he said. "And we’ve already seen that he’s not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups, who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations." (Newsweek). Too bad he's outspent McCain thus far, as have Democratic-leaning 527s (The Washington Post).

2) The Cuban Embargo

In January of 2004, Obama stated that he thought it was time to end the Cuban Embargo because "it [had] utterly failed in the effort to overthrow Castro." However, 3 years later, when speaking to a Cuban-American audience in Miami, Obama said he "would not take off the embargo" if were elected President because "it is an important inducement to change." (Reason.com)

3) Illegal Immigration

In a questionnaire he filled out in March 2004, Obama was asked should "[the U.S. government] crack down on business that hire illegal immigrants." Obama answered "oppose." In January 2008 (televised debate) Obama remarked that "we do have to crack down on those employeres that are taking advantage of the situation." (The Washington Post)

4) Special Interests

In January 2008, Obama described the union members contributing to the campaings of Clinton and Edwads as "special interests." However, once he began collecting his own union endorsements, he referred to the money as coming from "working people" and said he was "thrilled" by their support. (Washington Post)

5) Marijuana

While campaigning for the U.S. Senate in Illinois in 2004, Obama spoke before a college-aged audience and told them that he supported eliminiating "criminal penalties" for marijuana use. However, on October 30, 2007 (presidential debate) he tagged along with the other Democratic candidates and stated he did not support the decriminalization of marijuana.

6) Running For President

On Meet the Press (1/22/06) Obama was asked wether he would serve his 6-year term as U.S.

Senator from Illinois. Obama responded "I will serve out my 6-year term. You know, Tim, if you get

asked enough, sooner or later, you get weary and you start looking for new ways of saying things. But

My thinking has not changed." Russert said, "So you will not run for President or Vice President in

2008?" Obama: "I will not."

7) Iran

Prior to clinching the nomination, Obama pledged that he would meet with various heads of

terror states (most notably Ahmadinejad of Iran) "without preconditions." Then, soon after, Obama

rescinded earlier statements and said "There's no reason why we would necessarily meet with

Ahmadinejad. He's not the most powerful person in Iran."

8) NAFTA

In October 2007, Obama stated he supported NAFTA expansion. In March 2008 (while

campaigning in Ohio) he expressed a desire for a "reopening" of the trade pact's terms. In June

2008, in describing his own rhetoric, he used the word "overheated." He said NAFTA has had a

positive effect on the U.S. economy.

In other news...Obama, on O'Reilly Factor tonight stated 1) That he supports income/wealth

redistribution (he claimed, however, that that is not a socialist policy.) Dick Morris (on Hannity

and Colmes after the interview) revealed the following tax figures:

In 1986 the top 1% pays 20% of taxes

In 1993 the top 1% pays 36% of taxes

In 2008 the top 1% pays 40% of taxes

The bottom 10% of taxpayers consistently pays just 2% of taxes.

Obama stated that he will raise taxes on those making $250,000+ in the U.S. These taxpayers

will see their taxes go up in excess of $50,000. Morris also made the point that Obama has yet

to elucidate how he is going to pay for the programs he's proposing. He will raise payroll, capital

gains and income taxes, which will amount to about $80 billion. However, Obama (in the interview)

stated that his programs will add about $1 trillion to the budget. Where's the extra $920 billion

coming from?