Obama: Release earmarks! Biden, Clinton, and GOP: NO!

[mckeown1128]

Democrat Barack Obama on Thursday revealed the 113 budget items he has requested in the Senate — known as "pet projects" or "pork" in the language of budget reform — and challenged his fellow presidential candidates to do the same.

Obama's more than $300 million in earmark requests range from $33 million made along with other senators for a nationwide project to promote civics among students to $125,000 to add turn lanes and traffic lights at an intersection in rural Oregon, Ill.

"As a matter of transparency and good government, Obama thinks it's important that voters know who their candidates are, what their sources of income are and whether they have any potential conflicts," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said. "We would hope that other candidates follow suit in disclosing their earmarks as well."

Obama is the first presidential candidate to release his earmark requests. Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., is the only candidate besides Obama to release tax returns.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-06-21-obamaopenpork_N.htm

[illinoisprogressive]

1. As of tonight Clinton still won't respond on this matter.

[mckeown1128]

2. I know... zero transparency.

[madrchsod]

3. finally fixed the dam intersection

it was a dam pain in the ass during the day...course it was a payback to the republican controlled ogle county for voting for him...

[mckeown1128]

4. Are you joking or do you really live there?

[madrchsod]

5. just down the road..

the intersection was`t wide enough for trucks to turn into their own lane.big pain in the ass because it`s a major intersection in this part of northern il. yes obama did better than keyes in ogle county..

[mckeown1128]

6. What did he do to appeal to the rethugs in the first place? nt