# What would you have me ask Senator Obama? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 14, 2008, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539 "2008-09-14T06:13:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/1 "2008-09-14T06:13:41Z")
I mean this in all honesty. You have until Monday morning my friends. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/2 "2008-09-14T06:53:51Z")
Ask if he is working on becoming more succinct with his answers. Also, please explain how you are going meet the Senator? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/3 "2008-09-14T07:03:53Z")
Part of the press corps. TV. He’s coming to town on Monday and he’ll be speaking maybe five miles away from my house. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/4 "2008-09-14T07:19:18Z")
Ask him how he feels about censorship, banning, or restricted distribution (i.e. to minors) of various media, whether it be TV, violent/obscene video games, books, movies or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/5 "2008-09-14T07:24:16Z")
I don’t know, I feel like any solid politician would dodge that with the Supreme Court Shuffle. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/6 "2008-09-14T07:24:28Z")
Will you ask him if he is in favor of a re-institution of the Assault Weapons Ban? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/7 "2008-09-14T07:26:01Z")
Great question. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/8 "2008-09-14T07:36:05Z")
For God’s sake, don’t waste a question grinding the axe for single-minded gun nuts. There are far more important problems in the world. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/9 "2008-09-14T07:39:42Z")
We’ve had a rash of car crashes lately and I’m on my way to follow up. Gotta scoot. First powwow is tomorrow night. Don’t know if I’ll even change my skivvies before then let alone reply. Sorry for the short notice. I will check when I can. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/10 "2008-09-14T08:22:12Z")
Is he going to allow more immigration from Europe? ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/11 "2008-09-14T08:30:05Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > For God’s sake, don’t waste a question grinding the axe for single-minded gun nuts. There are far more important problems in the world. Yeah, and everyone else is already asking those questions. _Nobody_ has ever questioned Obama on the specific issue of the AWB, or concealed carry for that matter. He’s laid on the typical lines about hunting and “common sense” like most politicians of both parties do. I think it’s a worthwhile question to ask, and certainly not a waste. Also I think your comment about “single minded gun nuts” is in poor taste, whether or not it was intended to refer to me. It’s an issue I’m curious about. I’d vote for Obama if he would explicitly say that he opposed the AWB. And others might too. Gun owners - especially the younger generation - are a more politically diverse group than you think. I have a lot of shooting friends who are my age or close to it who identify as libertarians and lean much farther to the left than the right on social politics. Obama could secure their vote if he could appeal to these people, but he doesn’t, because of his record on guns and now because of Biden’s as well. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/12 "2008-09-14T12:13:19Z")
That is actually a very pertinent question for this area (Western Colorado). ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/13 "2008-09-14T13:47:07Z")
Q: Why isn’t Joe Biden actively going after McCain and Palin for documented out-right lies they are saying about the Obama Campaign? Or Keeting-5? Or ‘The Lobbyist Shuffle’? Or the Oil Companies “Let us Drill Offshore & Snort 5 lbs of Coke while banging your choice of our executives. sales staff, and or secretaries” government perks program? Or the “Ebay Airplane” that got sold to contributors for well below market value lie? Or “Firing the head chef” meaning keeping them on payroll & just having them cook for the Legislature instead lie? Or Parental Irresponsibility and the logical result of ‘abstinence only birth control’ and the bad example it sets for America? Or the hypocracy of being Pro Life, but hiding your pregnancy for seven months? McCain: Beyond the Palin '08 tout themselves as reform/family values candidates; why isn’t Biden hitting them where they are the weakest: Reform & Family Values??? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/14 "2008-09-14T13:56:11Z")
If know one would ever know, would you do Palin? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/15 "2008-09-14T13:58:56Z")
Why hasn’t his (Obama’s) campaign managers produced a ad showing McCain in one of his hot headed rants? No sound, just video. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/16 "2008-09-14T14:00:27Z")
What will he actually **do** differently? He’s talked about being a different kind of democrat - about not just throwing money at problems, but about cutting programs which aren’t working. What specific programs aren’t working and what does he intend to cut? If he can’t answer with specifics, what information will he need to gather before he can come up with specifics? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/17 "2008-09-14T14:47:34Z")
Why hasn’t he flooded TV with positive ads? He’s got the money! I saw a positive McCain/Palin ad last night for pity’s sake. It was BS IMNSHO, but it was positive. Buy every second of ad time in every swing state, and fill 90% of it with positive ads, and the rest with negative ads. Heck, just run Paris Hilton’s video, with the tag line “The McCain campaign engaged in a battle of wits with Paris Hilton - and lost!” ETA - a real question: How would he have handled the crisis in Georgia. With much follow-up. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/18 "2008-09-14T14:47:36Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Ask him how he feels about censorship, banning, or restricted distribution (i.e. to minors) of various media, whether it be TV, violent/obscene video games, books, movies or whatever. He’s already answered that one. Kotaku interviewed him and John Edwards on that. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/19 "2008-09-14T15:01:53Z")
Ask him to respond to allegations from the McCain campaign that not only did he not serve in Vietnam, but that he has also fathered two black children. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539/20 "2008-09-14T15:07:01Z")
I would be really happy if he laid out his reactions to guns. I’ve gotten nothing but boilerplate from him on that. No waffling. Just, “In your reading of Heller, especially considering how it states that guns in common use can not be banned, can you explain how you feel about gun control and what you would intend to do about it?” Let’s see. He’s stated he feels inner cities need tighter controls on guns but hunter’s longarms are okay. He’s in favor of the AWB, but probably doesn’t know how bad a law it is. From the NRA: Barack Obama’s Ten Point Plan to “Change” the Second Amendment" 1: Ban use of firearms for home defense 2: Pass federal laws eliminating your Right-To-Carry 3: Ban the manufacture, sale, and possession of handguns. 4: Close down 90% of the gun shops in America. (I know where that one comes from, I believe he suggested outlawing gun shops within five miles of a school, once.) 5: Ban rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting. 6: Increase federal taxes on guns and ammunition by 500 percent. 7: Restore voting rights for five million criminals including those who have been convicted of using a gun to commit a violent crime. 8: Expand the Clinton semi-auto ban to include millions more firearms. 9: Mandate a government-issued license to purchase a firearm 10: Appoint judges to the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal judiciary who share his views on the Second Amendment. Source: Tearout card in American Rifleman. I think Sept. '08. More semitruths and cites here. [http://nraila.org/obama](http://nraila.org/obama) Dead seriously, can we write a good question out of this? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-have-me-ask-senator-obama/463539.md?page=2)