Does Senator Obama stand up to bullies?

I keep on hearing about how Senator Obama is the hope for America and how his campaign “is what there is out there if you’re in the party of hope”. I’m not looking for hope, but for a man with a proven record of standing up to bullies. Where was Senator Obama when people in Maytag employees from Galesburg, Illinois got laid off? Collecting campaign contributions from Lester Brown, who was also on the Maytag board of directors, perhaps?

The Register-Mail of Galesburg has an interesting article with remarks from the President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

http://www.galesburg.com/news/x1295924892

Here is a recent publication by that union on why it isn’t endorsing Senator Obama for the time being.

http://www.goiam.org/publications/imail/pdfs/06_26_2008_IPBuffenbarger.pdf

Oh yes, Senator Obama is supposed to be a man who lights up a room as soon as he steps into it. And yet, I am skeptical.

Yes, I think it is possible to share an ideal with another person who disagrees with me on how to achieve it. I do recognize that people who share many of my views do support Obama, but their support does not translate into my support. I am increasingly opposed to Obama’s candidacy, and yet it is people like me who are important to a democratic system of government because I will insist on holding him (and all other politicians) accountable if he does get elected. Professor Goodwyn may be an authority on late nineteenth century Populism, but he isn’t an authority on everything, and his endorsement of Obama doesn’t convince me.

If, as a Democrat, Senator Obama won’t go to bat for workers in Galesburg when it really counts, how can I trust him to defend America from men who are worse bullies than Tony Rezko and Lester Brown? Remember, as a Republican, Ronald Reagan broke PATCO and this gained him critical credibility as a tough international statesman. Do men from the Left really expect a PATCO moment from Obama?

Given what I know about Senator Obama, and I am learning more as time passes, I would vote against him if he were the only man left on the ballot. I think America needs a tough, courageous person who stands up to bullies and who also has a big heart. I don’t think Senator Obama is that person. And yes, I do feel something about Senator Obama in my bones – danger.