Press Release

"As Senator Barack Obama makes his way to the city of Oakland for a presidential rally this weekend, he brings with him a record that could be characterized as inexperienced and 'soft on crime.' How will Obama address the tough on crime needs of a city that continues to grapple with gang violence and increasing homicide rates?  With limited experience and a 'soft on crime record, Obama just isn't the right fit for the Bay Area."

Hector M. Barajas, Communications Director, California Republican Party

Top Democrats Note Obama's Inexperience:
"[W]hile Not Mentioning Obama The Field's Charismatic Newcomer By Name, [Sen. Chris] Dodd (D-CT) Said, 'The Idea That Someone Could Come To This Race And Bring Little Or No Experience And Still Connect Is Going To Be Hard.'"(Beth Fouhy, "Sen. Dodd To Decide On Joining 2008 Race," The Associated Press, 12/13/06)

Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) Attacked Obama's Experience In Response To Iraq Question. Former Sen. John Edwards: "... I think that Barack Obama, because he is relatively new to national politics, it's, it's not as clear to me where he stands on, on, on issues. And, and no, I'm not faulting him for that, I just-I think he just hasn't been around as long, so he doesn't have as long a track record, so." (NBC's "Meet the Press," 2/4/07)

• Edwards Attacks Again On Iraq Inexperience. Edwards: "...[Obama] wasn't burdened, like a lot of us, with the information that we were receiving on the Intelligence Committee and as members of the United States Senate. We were getting very intimate detailed information about what was actually happening in Iraq. Senator Obama, I think, what did you say? He was a state senator. So he obviously wasn't in the Congress and wasn't part of the decision-making." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 2/4/07)

"Hawaii Sen. Daniel K. Inouye Says It's Too Soon For Illinois Sen. Barack Obama To Run For President In 2008."("Hawaii Senator Says Too Soon For Obama To Run," The Associated Press, 1/8/07)

Barack Obama:  Soft On Crime?
"A review by The Hill found a number of votes by Obama on bills dealing with drug, gang and gun-control issues..."  (Obama's crime votes are fodder for rivals, The Hill, Sam Youngman & Aaron Blake, 3/14/07).

• "In 1998, Obama was one of only three senators to vote against a proposal making it a criminal offense for convicts on probation or on bail to have contact with a street gang."  (Obama's crime votes are fodder for rivals, The Hill, Sam Youngman & Aaron Blake, 3/14/07)
• "And in 2001, Obama voted "present" on a bill that would increase penalties for trafficking in Ecstasy and other designer drugs."  (Obama's crime votes are fodder for rivals, The Hill, Sam Youngman & Aaron Blake, 3/14/07)

In The Illinois Senate, Obama Passed On Tackling Tough Issues:

Obama Had A Habit Of Voting Present "Even On Some Of The Most Controversial And Politically Explosive Issues Of The Day.""[O]bama's history of voting 'present' in Springfield - even on some of the most controversial and politically explosive issues of the day - that raises questions that he will need to answer." (Nathan Gonzales, Op-Ed, "The Ever-'Present' Obama," The Rothenberg Political Report, 2/13/07)

• In 1999, Obama Voted "Present" On A Bill Requiring Mandatory Adult Prosecution For Aggravated Discharge Of Firearms On Or Near School Property.(S.B. 759:  Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed 52-1-5, 3/25/99, Obama Voted Present)
  
• In 1999, Obama Was The Only Senator Who Refused To Support Legislation To Protect The Privacy Of Sex-Abuse Victims By Allowing Petitions To Have The Trial Records Sealed.(H.B. 854: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 58-0-1, 5/11/99, Obama Voted Present)
  
• In 2000, Obama Failed To Vote In Committee On A Bill To Prohibit Child Sex Offenders From Residing Within 500 Feet Of An Elementary School, Secondary School, Playground, Or Day Care Facility.(H.B. 4045: Senate Judiciary Committee, Do Pass 9-0-0, 3/28/00, Obama Did Not Vote)
  

• "The Gunmen Apparently Drove By And Opened Fire On A Group Of People On The Street. Police Said There Were No Arrests And No Motive In The Shooting Incident." (Jason B. Johnson, "2 Women - One Riding Her Bicycle - Are Slain In Drive-By Shooting," San Francisco Chronicle, 9/27/06)
• Victim "Would Often Yank Local Children Off The Street And Into Her Home If She Felt They Were Hanging Out At The Wrong Time Of Night Or With The Wrong People." "Family friend Ellen Wingate said Breda would often yank local children off the street and into her home if she felt they were hanging out at the wrong time of night or with the wrong people. 'She'd tell kids late at night if it wasn't safe,' Wingate said." (Jason B. Johnson, "2 Women - One Riding Her Bicycle - Are Slain In Drive-By Shooting," San Francisco Chronicle, 9/27/06)
• "The Two Killings Bring The Year's Total Number Of Homicide Victims To 111, Compared To 94 For All Of Last Year."(Jason B. Johnson, "2 Women - One Riding Her Bicycle - Are Slain In Drive-By Shooting," San Francisco Chronicle, 9/27/06)

"Oakland Murder Rate Surpasses Last Year's Total." "Oakland has reached a grim milestone as it passed last year's total for the number of murders and there are several more months to go." ("Oakland Murder Rate Surpasses Last Year's Total," KCBS, 8/29/06)

"Homicide Rate Already Tops '05." "Late last month, Nicole Tucker, 29, and Corey Keyes, 36, were shot to death in East Oakland neighborhood, becoming victims 94 and 95 in Oakland's escalating homicide count...Their slayings, happening with only eight months of the year gone, brought Oakland killings to a number that surpasses the total in all of 2005." (Chris Metinko, "Homicide Rate Already Tops '05," Contra Costa Times, 9/11/05)

"Violent Weekend In Oakland Had Deadly Toll."  "Oakland's murder rate continued its shocking escalation over the weekend as shootings left four people dead and two other wounded.  The city has now had 106 homicides in 2006 and is on pace to almost double last year's toll of 94." ("Violent Weekend In Oakland Had Deadly Toll," KTVU, 9/18/06)