Blogging with AFRW

BIRMINGHAM-Alabama Republicans welcome liberal Democrat Barack Obama back to the South tonight as the rookie presidential candidate holds his Alabama "kick off" event in Birmingham, AL.

"Republicans are delighted to have Barack Obama visit the great state of Alabama, because the more this rookie politician touts his liberal record, the more likely voters in this state will elect a Republican for president next year," said Alabama Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard.  "Whether he’s raising our taxes, cutting funds for our troops, or disputing a ban on partial birth abortion, Barack Obama is clearly out of touch with the mainstream values here in Alabama."

Obama has won the liberal seal of approval from several left-wing organizations:

*          Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), America’s oldest liberal organization, rated Obama (95) as liberal as California Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer (95) and Massachusetts Democrat Senator John Kerry (95) in 2006.  (Americans For Democratic Action Website, www.adaction.org < https://webmail.rnchq.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.adaction.org/2006Senatevr.htm> , Accessed 2/5/07)

*          In April 2007, "Obama came top of the polls organized by the left wing anti-war group MoveOn.org after what was billed as a virtual town hall meeting held with the top Democratic party candidates …" ("Obama Woos Online Voters With Iraq Policy," Agence France Presse, 4/12/07)

*          In June 2007, "Senator Barack Obama scored a victory among progressive activists… winning the Politico.com straw poll of attendees at the Take Back America Conference in Washington." (Ben Smith, "Barack Obama Wins Politico.com Straw Poll," The Politico, 6/20/07)

*          "The Take Back America Conference is hosted by Campaign For America’s Future…" ("Liberals Party In D.C., Forecast Change," United Press International, 6/20/07) 

*          The Campaign For America’s Future is "working to push the [Democrat] party’s policy-making further to the left." (Donald Lambro, "Liberals In Senate Thrilled By Change," The Washington Times, 5/25/01)

 Should we be surprised that Obama wins among liberal left wing organizations?

*          Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter: "Obama’s a blue state Democrat, all right, and by most standards a liberal one."  (Jonathan Alter, Op-Ed, "The Audacity Of Hope," Newsweek, 12/27/04)

*          National Journal’s Richard E. Cohen: "During his two years in the Senate, Obama has been among its more liberal members." (Richard E. Cohen, "Left To Right," National Journal, 3/2/07)

*          "Obama’s ‘Lifetime Average’ composite score in [National Journal’s] vote ratings is the most liberal of the current presidential candidates who serve in Congress …" (Richard E. Cohen, "Left To Right," National Journal, 3/2/07)

*          "Of the four Democratic Senators who are running for President, Barack Obama of Illinois had the most liberal score in 2006 [From National Journal]." (Richard E. Cohen, "Left To Right," National Journal, 3/2/07)