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The Obama Show Set To Cancel

(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:

"Appearing with Hollywood celebrities and holding hip-hop and alternative rock concerts does nothing to hide the inexperience and record of no accomplishments that Barack Obama brings to this presidential race.  

"While endorsements from Hollywood elites may appeal to the left-wing fringe groups of the Democrat party, it will do nothing to convince voters in California that a rookie like Obama is qualified to be leader of the free world."

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)

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)

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)

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