Beltway Snark

I like Obama’s way of dealing with things that could negatively impact him; he simply claims he has no idea what you’re talking about. Back in December Politico did a story about a questionnaire that was given to Barack back in 1996 by a group looking to endorse him in his state Senate run. For those of you not familiar with the process, its pretty common for groups looking to endorse a candidate to give them a questionnaire to see where they stand on certain issues. The answers given on this questionnaire would cause one to label Obama as a hardcore L-word. You know, that word that starts with lib- and ends in -ral. The Obama camp’s response to this was that Obama himself didn’t fill out the questionnaire, an aide who “unintentionally mischaracterized his position” did. Obama must have employed some pretty dumbass aides.

Now Politico has found an amended version of that questionnaire with Obama’s handwriting on it. So much for not knowing anything about it. Don’t worry though, the Obama camp is sticking with the original story:

Through an aide, Obama, who won the group’s endorsement as well as the statehouse seat, did not dispute that the handwriting was his. But he contended it doesn’t prove he completed, approved – or even read – the latter questionnaire.

“Sen. Obama didn’t fill out these state Senate questionnaires – a staffer did – and there are several answers that didn’t reflect his views then or now,” said Tommy Vietor, a spokesman for Obama’s campaign, in an emailed statement. “He may have jotted some notes on the front page of the questionnaire at the meeting, but that doesn’t change the fact that some answers didn’t reflect his views. His eleven years in public office do.”

This kinda sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Something damaging to Obama comes up, and he claims to know nothing about it. Nothing I tell ya! Can’t wait to see what the Clinton camp and the GOP does with this one.