OBAMA'S TEXAS-SIZED TALE

At Texas Debate, Obama Claimed He Has Disclosed All His Earmark Records, Despite Refusing To Release Any Information Prior To 2007
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At this week's Democrat Debate, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) Claimed He Has "Been Consistently In Favor Of More Disclosure Around Earmarks" And Released All Of His Earmarks:

Obama: "We've actually disclosed ... all our earmarks, and so, you know, we'll be happy to provide you with that information, because I believe very strongly in transparency." (Sen. Barack Obama, CNN/Univision Democrat Presidential Debate, Austin, TX, 2/21/08)

Obama: "[I] have been consistently in favor of more disclosure around earmarks. ... [I] want to make sure that they're not done in the dark of night ... And I have consistently supported those efforts." (Sen. Barack Obama, CNN/Univision Democrat Presidential Debate, Austin, TX, 2/21/08)

But Obama Continues To Refuse To Disclose His Earmark Requests For 2005 And 2006:

Obama Has Refused To Disclose His Earmark Requests For 2005 And 2006. "Since last year, he has publicly released the letters he submits to the Appropriations Committee seeking support for the spending items, but has not released those submitted to the committee in 2005 and 2006." (Paul Kane, "Candidates' Earmarks Worth Millions," The Washington Post, 2/14/08)

In 2007, Obama Secured Over $91 Million In Earmarked Funds. "He secured $3.3 million in earmarks through his own sponsorship, and collected $88 million in concert with other Illinois lawmakers." (Paul Kane, "Candidates' Earmarks Worth Millions," The Washington Post, 2/14/08)

And He Requested More Than $300 Million In Earmarks. "Obama's more than $300 million in earmark requests range from $33 million made along with other senators for a nationwide project to promote civics among students to $125,000 to add turn lanes and traffic lights at an intersection in rural Oregon, Ill." (Nedra Pickler, "Obama Details His Requests For Pet Projects, Says Other Candidates Should Do So," The Associated Press, 6/21/07)
The Oregonian's David Reinhard: "What gives? Does he [Obama] preach 'more transparency' but practice selective transparency? Is it full or not-so-full disclosure? His record is already thin. Is it helpful to declare some of it off limits? How will voters evaluate him -- rely on speechifying alone?" (David Reinhard, Op-Ed, "This, That And The Other Thing," The Oregonian, 2/21/08)

Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet: "One might guess that Obama is a model of disclosure. He is not." (Lynn Sweet, Op-Ed, "GOP, McCain Hit Obama On Earmarks," Chicago Sun-Times, 2/15/08)

Obama's Lack Of Disclosure May Be Due To His Poor Record On Pork Barrel Spending And Government Waste:

The Club For Growth Gave Obama A Score Of 33 Percent For His Votes Against Anti-Pork Amendments. "[T]he Club for Growth released its 2007 Senate RePORK Card, compiling a scorecard of all senators' votes on fifteen anti-pork amendments throughout 2007. ... Obama (D-IL) Score: 33% Ratio: 2/6." (Club For Growth, "The Club's 2007 Senate RePORK Card," http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2007/11/the_clubs_2007_senate_repork_c.php, 11/5/07)

Citizens Against Government Waste Gave Obama A Lifetime Rating Of 22 Out Of 100. (Citizens Against Government Waste, "CCAGW Challenges Presidential Candidates On Earmarks," Press Release, 12/27/07)

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