Statements

Statement By California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring On Sen. Barack Obama's Lack Of Experience Or Record Of Accomplishment

Posted: Wednesday, August 8, 2007

(SACRAMENTO) - Republican Party of California Chairman Ron Nehring released the following statement today in anticipation of Barack Obama's scheduled fundraising trip to California today:

"With only two years as a senator and a spotty record of little accomplishment, candidate Obama's charisma can only take him so far. He's has shown himself to be a policy novice in his unprepared remarks - especially in the affairs of state," said California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring. "It seems Obama is spending half of his time making statements, and the other half retreating from them."

"Californians need a president who is experienced to lead, not some political rookie who places higher value on spin than actually understanding the issues critical to being commander-in-chief."

Obama's Lack Of Experience Has Shown Through In Numerous Statements, Saying He Would Not Use Nuclear Weapons "In Any Circumstance"

"Democratic Presidential Hopeful Barack Obama Said Thursday He Would Not Use Nuclear Weapons 'In Any Circumstance.'" (Dennis Conrad, "Use Of Nuclear Weapons To Fight Al-Qaida 'Not On The Table,' Says Obama," The Associated Press, 8/2/07)

But Obama Had To Quickly Backtrack And Clarify His Position

"'I Think It Would Be A Profound Mistake For Us To Use Nuclear Weapons In Any Circumstance,' Obama Said, With A Pause, 'Involving Civilians.' Then He Quickly Added, 'Let Me Scratch That. There's Been No Discussion Of Nuclear Weapons. That's Not On The Table.'" (Dennis Conrad, "Use Of Nuclear Weapons To Fight Al-Qaida 'Not On The Table,' Says Obama," The Associated Press, 8/2/07)

Obama Said He Would Meet With The Leaders Of North Korea, Iran, Syria, Venezuela, And Others...Without Preconditions

In Recent Debate, Obama Didn't Hesitate To Announce He Would Personally Meet With Leaders Of Iran, North Korea, Syria And Others. Question: "[W]ould you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?" Obama: "I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them -- which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration - is ridiculous." (Sen. Obama, CNN/YouTube Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

Only Three Days Later Obama Changed His Position In A Newspaper Interview Saying He Would Meet Under "Certain Conditions"

"In our interview, the senator from Illinois had been a bit more cautious. When I asked him whether he would meet with [Venezuelan President Hugo] Chávez, he had said, ‘Under certain conditions, I always believe in talking.' (Andrew Oppenheimer, "Obama Goofed By Not Including Caveat," Miami Herald, 7/26/07)

Political Rookie Obama Delivers Speech On How To Fight The War On Terror:

"Aug. 1, 2007: Barack Obama Delivers A Speech On Counter-Terrorism, 'The War We Need To Win' In Washington, DC..." (ABC News Website, http://abcnews.go.com/, Accessed 7/31/07)

But, In The U.S. Senate, Obama Has Not Led On National Security Issues:

Obama Has Been The Lead Sponsor Of Only One Bill That Has Become Law: Promoting Security ... In The Congo. S. 2125, a bill to "promote relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo" became law in December 2006. (S. 2125, Became Law 12/22/06)

The Washington Times' Donald Lambro: "But The Harvard-Educated Obama Has Problems, Too, Specifically His Tissue-Paper-Thin Experience And A Record Of Virtually No Accomplishment." (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, "The Obama Factor," The Washington Times, 12/14/06)

Lambro: "He has led no causes, fought no major legislative battles in the past two years he has been in the Senate, and seems to be deeply risk-adverse to getting into a principled fight about anything larger than himself." (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, "The Obama Factor," The Washington Times, 12/14/06)

Obama Claims He Will "Go After Those Terrorists Who Will Do The American People Harm" ... Unless They're In Iraq:

Obama: "When I am President of the United States I will make this pledge: Nobody will work harder to go after those terrorists who will do the American people harm..." (Mike Glover, "Obama: Shift Troops To Fight Al-Qaida," The Associated Press, 7/14/07)

Gen. David Petraeus, The Top Military Commander In Iraq, Said It Is The "Central Front Of Al Qaeda's Global Campaign." Gen. Petraeus: "Iraq is, in fact, the central front of al Qaeda's global campaign and we devote considerable resources to the fight against al Qaeda Iraq." (Gen. David Petraeus, Press Conference, 4/26/07)

And The National Intelligence Estimate Stated That Al-Qaeda "Will Likely Leverage Its Contacts And Capabilities In Iraq To Mount An Attack On U.S. Soil." "The terrorist network Al Qaida will likely leverage its contacts and capabilities in Iraq to mount an attack on U.S. soil, according to a new National Intelligence Estimate on threats to the United States." (Katherine Shrader, "New Intelligence Report: Al-Qaida May Use Iraqi Network To Attack Homeland," The Associated Press, 7/17/07)

Even Democrat Presidential Candidate John Edwards Says Al-Qaeda Is In Iraq. CNN's Wolf Blitzer: "But do you dispute that al Qaeda has a presence in the al-Anbar province, in other provinces in Iraq, that they're trying to establish a base there from which to do their evil deeds?" Edwards: "No, of course I don't dispute that. That's obvious." (CNN's "The Situation Room," 5/2/07)

But, Despite Al Qaeda's Presence, Obama Says We Have To Withdraw From Iraq. Obama: "It is time to end this war so we can bring our troops home..." (Obama For America, "Obama Statement On President's Veto Of Iraq Funding Bill," Press Release, 5/1/07)

Obama Said That Congress Would Provide Funding For Troops Fighting Terrorists In Iraq, Then Voted Against It:

"'I Think That Nobody Wants To Play Chicken With Our Troops On The Ground,' Said Obama." (Mike Glover, "Obama Says Congress Will Fund Iraq War After Expected Bush Veto," The Associated Press, 4/1/07)

Obama: "[W]hat you don't want to do is to play chicken with the President, and create a situation in which, potentially, you don't have body armor, you don't have reinforced Humvees, you don't have night-vision goggles." (CNN's "Late Edition," 4/1/07)

But Obama Voted Against Providing Funds For Troops Fighting Terrorists In Iraq. (H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay)

At The First Democrat Debate, Obama Did Not Initially Say How He Would Go After Terrorists If They Attacked The U.S.:

"When Asked How He Would Respond To A Major Terrorist Attack On An American City, Mr. Obama's Answer Did Not Include How He Would Go After The Terrorists." (Adam Nagourney and Jeff Zeleny, "In Mostly Sedate Debate, Democrats Show More Unity Than Strife," The New York Times, 4/27/07)

"[O]bama ... Never Said Anything About Retaliation." (Nedra Pickler, "Democrats Prod Rivals On War, Health Care As They Court Voters," The Associated Press, 4/27/07)

FLASHBACK: Obama Criticized Safety Precautions Taken In Chicago As Result Of 9/11:

Just Over A Month After 9/11, Obama Bemoaned Security Barriers Placed Around Major Landmarks As "Ugly" And "Sad, Symbols Of Fear." "The 'ugly' barriers that have been erected outside of the Sears Tower, the Federal Building, the Daley Plaza and other city buildings in downtown Chicago following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are 'sad, symbols of fear' and constant reminders of just how vulnerable America is, Sen. Barack Obama (D-13th) said ..." (Chinta Strausberg, "Sen. Obama: Barriers 'Sad, Symbols Of Fear,'" Chicago Defender, 10/17/01)

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