Reply #76: I'll answer....

[tpsbmam]

since I do think it'll come up and I think it's a fair question. I'll add my voice to those who feel that constant baiting about Obama has to stop, but I do think this is fair.

1. I think Obama did what most young, ambitious people would do. I've had mentors who others might criticize, too. I had one, a lovely man who was incredibly kind and helpful to me when I was very young (like 20), floundering, and desperately needed that. There was nothing wrong with him or unethical about him as far as I know, but he was old school -- when we went out to lunch, he swilled about 3 martinis every time. He was constantly networking and climbing business & social ladders. Some of the people he introduced me to weren't people I really wanted to know and didn't really respect. I was VERY young and went eagerly along as he helped me establish my adult footing, though I didn't follow through with the people I didn't respect and discussed my reasons with him. He always challenged me when he thought I was wrong but treated me with great respect, including respecting my decisions. I moved on in life to a whole different field but I never forgot his kindnesses to me and the fact that he saw something in me and was willing to take chance on me. And I kept in touch with him and considered him a fried to his dying day. Had he been a politician, I have no doubt that he'd have been an old school wheeling & dealing politician and I have no doubt I'd feel the same about him. Would I challenge him on some of his actions? Yup, as I did with my friend. But he'd have given me my start, the boost I needed.

2. I'd already read at least one of the articles you posted -- read it when I was trying to decide who to support. I DO think that people who've claimed Clinton has also done most of the same is fair -- some of it is just plain politics and playing the game and she has done the same. Was I happy with everything I read? Nope. I noted, though, that some of the people who criticize his time as an IL legislator now support him, some reluctantly and some enthusiastically. And for some of them, like me, it's comparative. I've made pretty clear since I've been here that Obama wasn't my first or even second choice. When I finally had to decide between him and Clinton, I read everything I could find about him -- already knew all I needed to about Clinton. Some of what I read I liked, some I didn't. But what it ultimately comes down to for me is there was more I liked about him than there was about Clinton. The comparison is fair since that's how many of us have reached our decisions about who to support in this manner. It goes without saying that I find zillions of things I like better about both of them than I do McCain.

3. The bit about his legislative successes coming in the last year is patently unfair. I point you to our Democrats in Washington today -- how many got worthwhile bills passed that they sponsored under the Republican majority? Hell, how many are getting worthwhile bills passed now? As for the last year, it's possible that Jones saw something in Obama that he didn't see in the others who'd been there for 100 years. I understand their pique, but it's just possible that he was the better person to get the job done.

4. I know LOTS of politicians and have my whole life (political family). I don't know a single one of them who wasn't ambitious and trying to meet his or her next goal....Hillary Clinton & John McCain included.

5. Any politician will have people who denounce him or her. Any politician has made enemies along the way and they can be counted on to be vocal during an election. Are some of the criticisms valid? I'm sure some are. But do I leave my understanding of that politician at the words of their critics? Of course not. For me, elections are a process and a significant part of the process is vetting the candidate myself. As I said above, I simply found more things I liked about him (as a candidate) then I did about Clinton. I note that a slew of Illinois politicians (including folks like the IL attorney general) endorsed Obama. Doesn't matter that they're from the same state -- there are also those who didn't. He got the endorsement of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Defender, Chicago Tribune, Belleville News-Democrat, Peoria Journal Star, Rockford Register Star and other Illinois papers. They'd have endorsed Clinton if they thought he was truly shady, too inexperienced, to whatever the opposition would have us believe about him.

6. For me Jones is a non-issue. Wright was an issue, though it was blown way out of proportion. Rezko is an issue and it'll be used (though McCain has such dirty hands he and the Rethugs have to be careful with this one). Jones, not so much.

7. I add that I'm not a Jones constituent. They've reelected him for 30+ years -- perhaps someone should ask them why.