Democratic incumbent President; IL Senator (2004-2008):
Click here for 82 full quotes
OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.
- Don't expect government to solve all problems; just some. (Nov 2017)
- Governing cannot work without compromise. (Jan 2016)
- We've got to make it easier to vote, not harder. (Jan 2016)
- Right to vote is sacred & is being denied to too many. (Jan 2015)
- No one should wait more than a half-hour to vote. (Jan 2014)
- Waiting 6 or 7 hours to cast a ballot betrays our ideals. (Feb 2013)
- OpEd: Achieve via regulation what was blocked in legislation. (Feb 2012)
- OpEd: 2010 federal pay freeze was all smoke and mirrors. (Oct 2011)
- Open Government Initiative on first full day in office. (Apr 2011)
- OpEd: Broke promise to pay for every dime of new spending. (Jan 2011)
- Constitution says what states CAN'T do to you. (Nov 2010)
- Transition team ethics statement: "No Ego, No Glory". (May 2010)
- Used signing statements, like Bush, 17 times in 2009. (May 2010)
- OpEd: shunning Fox News is like Nixon's 1960s Enemies List. (Apr 2010)
- We face a deficit of trust, not just a budget deficit. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Yes, set up first reverse-revolving door policy. (Jan 2010)
- Economic agenda builds new foundation for lasting prosperity. (Feb 2009)
- Eliminate government programs that no longer work. (Aug 2008)
- FactCheck: Worked with McCain on ethics, but bill fell apart. (Aug 2008)
- Cabinet members should hold national town hall meetings. (Jul 2008)
- Need a government that listens to the people again. (Feb 2008)
- Give D.C. the opportunity to elect its own representatives. (Feb 2008)
- Bad idea to over-classify information. (Dec 2007)
- Bush’s signing statements are a clear abuse of prerogative. (Dec 2007)
- Public submits policy ideas on Obama’s “My Policy” website. (Oct 2007)
- Prayer can’t prevent disasters; good policy can handle them. (Aug 2007)
- Registered 150,000 new minority voters in Chicago in 1992. (Jul 2007)
- Half of us don’t vote; time for taking it back. (Jun 2007)
- Bush administration has done “great damage” to U.S. (Mar 2007)
- Filibuster has long tradition, but used to harm civil rights. (Oct 2006)
- Electing US Senators empowers people: keep 17th Amendment. (Oct 2004)
- People are really ready for a message for change. (Jul 2004)
- Campaign race baiting works in both directions. (Aug 1996)
Campaign Finance Reform
- Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United. (Aug 2012)
- Ban insider trading by members of Congress. (Jan 2012)
- Citizens United decision: major victory for Big Oil. (Sep 2010)
- Only a few waivers on lobbyists in senior positions. (Jan 2010)
- Post all earmark request online before each vote. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Yes, agreed to public financing, then declined it. (Oct 2008)
- GovWatch: Promised public financing, and then retreated. (Jun 2008)
- AdWatch: I opt out of broken public campaign finance system. (Jun 2008)
- GovWatch: No, McCain & RNC don’t get much money from PACs. (Jun 2008)
- Lobbyists & special interests have strangle-hold on agenda. (Feb 2008)
- Ended corporate jet travel subsidized by lobbyists. (Feb 2008)
- Never took money from federal lobbyists or their companies. (Jan 2008)
- No lobbyist money; no PAC money; fund campaigns instead. (Jan 2008)
- Money is the original sin in politics and I am not sinless. (Nov 2007)
- Reduced cost TV ads for candidates; $85M presidential limit. (Oct 2007)
- Ok to take $5 donations from drug company employees. (Sep 2007)
- Public campaign financing with free television & radio time. (Aug 2007)
- 1998: First law passed, 52-4, stripping legislator perks. (Aug 2007)
- 2004: Used state money for seemingly political mailing. (Aug 2007)
- No “bundled” money from federal-registered lobbyists. (Aug 2007)
- Campaigns last too long & cost too much. (Aug 2007)
- Doesn’t take PAC money or federal lobbyists’ money. (Jul 2007)
- People know his “bundlers” because he pushed disclosure law. (Jul 2007)
- FactCheck: no lobbyist money; yes from bundlers who lobby. (Jul 2007)
- First bill ever passed was campaign finance reform. (Apr 2007)
- FactCheck: no lobbyist money, yes from lobbyist spouses. (Apr 2007)
- Hopefund PAC pushes government to honor sacred commitments. (Nov 2006)
- Lobbyist influence comes from access, not money. (Oct 2006)
Earmark Reform
- Would love line-item veto, but start with earmark reform. (Jan 2010)
- Freeze discretionary government spending for 3 years. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Yes, earmarks total $18B in this year’s budget. (Oct 2008)
- Eliminating earmarks isn’t enough; but I’ll check every line. (Sep 2008)
- Google for Government: let public track federal grants. (Jul 2008)
- Use technology to shine a light on spending. (Jun 2008)
- Consistently in favor of more disclosure around earmarks. (Feb 2008)
- Created a publicly searchable database on earmarks spending. (Feb 2008)
- Shine light on federal contracts, earmarks, & proposed bills. (Feb 2008)
- Create “Google for Government” to track government spending. (Aug 2007)
- Sponsored bill to disclose earmarks on Internet. (Oct 2006)
Voting Record
- FactCheck: Yes, Obama cast 130 “present” votes in IL Senate. (Jan 2008)
- Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
- Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
- Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
- Election reform is #1 priority to prevent disenfranchisement. (Jan 2001)
- Sponsored bill criminalizing deceptive info about elections. (Nov 2005)
- Sponsored resolution rejecting photo ID for voting. (Sep 2005)
- Sponsored bill to post earmarks on the Internet. (Jan 2006)
- Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)
- Prohibit 'voter caging' which intimidates minority voting. (Nov 2007)
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Written by
Daniel Biss on Government Reform
Jeanne Ives on Government Reform
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