During a press conference in Chicago yesterday, Barack Obama was asked by Crain's Greg Hinz to explain what it means to be a politician from Chicago. Another reporter later questioned the Obama campaign's decision to bring much of the Democratic Party apparatus to Chicago, considering the inevitable increase in national attention on the city's politics.
As the general election drags on, Obama is sure to face more questions like this. It's quite likely that more uncomfortable headlines will emanate from city hall and the state capitol prior to November 4 and he'll be asked to account for them.
Judge for yourself how he did this time around:
Also of interest is an AP article published yesterday appraising Obama's tenure in the Illinois Senate. The reporter backs up Obama's statement during the presser that "my reputation here was somebody who would try to work with everybody":
Just how liberal was he?
In all, Obama's record from nearly eight years in the Illinois Senate suggests someone who believes strongly that government can make life better for people, whether by offering financial help, banning dangerous guns or providing health care.
But Obama, now the Democratic candidate for president, was no ideologue. He often cooperated with Republican lawmakers, co-sponsoring their legislation and working with them on compromises.
"People on both sides of the aisle would find him to be someone who would reach across to find out why people think the way they do," said William Mahar, a former Republican state senator. "He wouldn't talk just to people who agreed with him."
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