Barack Obama Attacks Trial Lawyers

I agree with Duncan Black. Barack Obama's running to the right is getting increasingly annoying. Demonizing attorneys and Social Security was part of George W. Bush's 2000 campaign. Obama is either an opportunist or believes in bad policy. I'm leaning towards the latter. His Social Security boogie man talk does more flips and flops than Mitt Romney on hot button social issues.

"I absolutely agree that Social Security is not in crisis."

Barack Obama - Oct. 30, 2007

"You know, Senator Clinton says that she's concerned about Social Security but is not willing to say how she would solve the Social Security crisis, then I think voters aren't going to feel real confident that this is a priority for her."

Barack Obama - Nov. 6, 2007

Obama's shot at trial lawyers was aimed at John Edwards.

In one of his standard riffs, Obama asserts that his career choices -- community organizer, civil rights lawyer, elected official -- underscores his commitment to public service and to bringing about political and social change. He always mentions the lucrative job offers he turned down, but today he added a new line.

"That's why I didn't become a trial lawyer," Obama told the Newton audience -- a clear dig at Edwards, who made millions in the courtroom.

The Edwards campaign has a video of Sandy Lakey, the mother of Valerie, whom was disemboweled by a swimming pool drain. Edwards sued the company to pay for the girl's medical expenses.



Besides Valerie, Edwards represented a six year-old whom suffered brain damage and a baby deprieved of oxygen during labor. Edwards got very rich from these cases. Republicans loved to demonize trial layers because their corporate interests are terrified about being sued for negligence. The Bush administration has made it impossible for any American to be convicted of a crime in Iraq and that policy led to the rape of Jamie Leigh Jones. Trial laywers are the only avenue for people to hold high-powered corporations responsible.