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Podcasts

Audio reports on issues affecting Illinois, the nation and the U.S. Senate.

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What is a podcast?
A podcast is an audio file that you download and listen to on your computer or a portable MP3 player such as an iPod. The word itself comes from the combination of two other words: iPod and broadcast.

How do I listen to a podcast?
Just use the "Click here to listen" link or subscribe to get new podcasts automically. You can listen to the programs immediately on your computer or transfer them to your audio player and listen to them later.

How do I subscribe to a podcast?
All you need is a podcasting application. The most popular is Apple iTunes, but there are many out there that work just as well.

Apple ITunes (PC and Mac)
Odeo (PC and Mac)
Juice (Mac, PC, Linux)
Doppler (PC)
NetNewsWire (Mac)

Further Reading

Chicago Tribune: Navigating the podcast concept

Wikipedia: Podcasting

Apple: iTunes and Podcasting

September 26, 2006

09.26.06 Transparency Act and Chemical Plant Security

Senator Obama discusses the "Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act" being signed in to law today, as well as the chemical plant security legislation agreed upon by House and Senate negotiators last week that is far too weak and fails to adequately protect American lives.


Click here to listen to the podcast

Posted at 04:29 PM

September 20, 2006

09.20.06 Energy Independence Speech - MoveOn Progressive Vision Series

Senator Obama delivered this speech to 700 students of Georgetown University today as part of the MoveOn Progressive Vision series.

"In the middle of the Cold War, we built a national highway system so we had a quick way to transport military equipment across the country. When we wanted to beat the Russians into space, we poured millions into a national education initiative that graduated thousands of new scientists and engineers. If we hope to strengthen our security and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, we can offer no less of a commitment to energy independence."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Posted at 04:45 PM

September 14, 2006

09.14.06 Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill

Senator Obama discusses the Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill, which creates a public searchable website of all federal spending. This will allow the American people to find out where their tax dollars are going. It's been passed by both the House and the Senate and the President has indicated he'll sign it in to law, possibly next week.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Posted at 08:43 AM

September 06, 2006

09.06.06 Africa Trip Recap

Senator Obama just returned from a 15-day trip to Africa where he visited South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Chad. He discusses his tour of Robben Island prison, meeting with U.S. troops, visiting refugee camps of those fleeing the genocide in Darfur and the need for addressing Africa's growing AIDS epidemic.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Posted at 04:45 PM

July 27, 2006

Partnership for Public Service: Q and A with Tim Russert

Yesterday, Senator Obama took part in a question and answer session hosted by Meet the Press host Tim Russert at the Warner Theatre in downtown Washington. It was part of the fourth annual summer intern event sponsored by the Partnership for Public Service.

Senator Obama talks about how he got his start in public service and the need for young people to get involved with their government.

For more information on the Partnership for Public Service, please visit www.ourpublicservice.org.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Posted at 03:00 PM

July 20, 2006

Fuel Economy Reform Act

The Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006 seeks to break the decades-long logjam on increasing fuel economy standards by taking a new, more flexible approach. Learn more about the bill.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Posted at 03:44 PM

July 13, 2006

Homeland Security Appropriations

Senator Obama discusses the Homeland Security Appropriations bill.

"Common sense dictates that the areas at greatest risk deserve our greatest attention, but unfortunately, too many in Congress are focused more on political handouts than strategic funding. The Senate will likely again vote down legislation I cosponsored to make homeland security funding more risk based."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Posted at 11:02 AM

June 28, 2006

Call to Renewal Keynote

Senator Obama spoke at the Call to Renewal Conference sponsored by Sojourners earlier to day. He spoke of the role of religion in politics.

"This is why, if we truly hope to speak to people where they're at - to communicate our hopes and values in a way that's relevant to their own - we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse.

Because when we ignore the debate about what it means to be a good Christian or Muslim or Jew; when we discuss religion only in the negative sense of where or how it should not be practiced, rather than in the positive sense of what it tells us about our obligations towards one another; when we shy away from religious venues and religious broadcasts because we assume that we will be unwelcome - others will fill the vacuum, those with the most insular views of faith, or those who cynically use religion to justify partisan ends.

In other words, if we don't reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, Jerry Falwell's and Pat Robertson's will continue to hold sway."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 01:04 PM

June 22, 2006

Senate Iraq Resolutions

The Senate is debating two resolutions on Iraq this week. Senator Obama discusses his support for the Levin amendment.

"Despite the fact that there have been some differences within the Democratic party, there is unity at this point that we need to bring our troops home as quickly as possible and that the Bush administration's simple-minded refrains of "we know best" and "stay the course" are simply not acceptable. It's not acceptable to conduct a war where our goals and strategies drift aimlessly regardless of the cost in lives or dollars spent. And that is where the Democrats are absolutely unified. That the Administration has not only poorly conceived this war but also poorly managed this war."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Posted at 06:18 PM

June 15, 2006

Katrina Reconstruction Contracts/US toll in Iraq at 2,500

Senator Obama discusses the amendment he and Senator Coburn will offer to the Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization bill which would require that all Federal contracts in excess of $500,000 for Katrina reconstruction be competitively bid. Also, the Senate takes a moment of silence to mark the passing of 2,500 American service men and women in Iraq.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 02:43 PM

June 08, 2006

Network Neutrality

Senator Obama discusses Senators Snowe and Dorgan's legislation to protect network neutrality on the internet.

"It is because the Internet is a neutral platform that I can put out this podcast and transmit it over the Internet without having to go through any corporate media middleman. I can say what I want without censorship or without having to pay a special charge.

But the big telephone and cable companies want to change the Internet as we know it. They say that they want to create high speed lanes on the Internet and strike exclusive contractual agreements with Internet content providers for access to those high speed lanes.

Everyone who cannot pony up the cash will be relegated to the slow lanes."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Read More

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 03:21 PM

May 18, 2006

Honoring Our Commitment to Veterans

Senator Obama discusses the steps he's taken to make sure veterans get the support they've earned for serving their country.

"For decades, Illinois veterans have received less disability pay than they earned simply because of where they live," said Senator Obama. "I strongly encourage veterans who feel like the VA made a mistake in their claim to call 1-800-827-1000 or visit a special website the VA set up at Senator Durbin and my request at: www.vba.va.gov/SpecialOutreach."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Read More


Podcast Transcript
Posted at 07:18 PM

May 11, 2006

A Real Solution for High Gas Prices

Senator Obama discusses the high price of gasoline and offers steps designed to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and bring down prices for good.

"By now, the only thing as predictable as rising gas prices are the short-term political solutions that come along with them. It seems like every year, as soon as headlines start announcing “Pain at the Pump” and Americans start emptying their wallets to fill up their tanks, politicians revert to their Rolodex of responses, from tax rebates and tax holidays to investigations into price gouging by oil companies."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 04:45 PM

May 04, 2006

Immigration Rallies

On Monday, all across the United States, thousands of people attended immigration rallies. Senator Obama talks about the Chicago rally and the status of immigration reform in Congress.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 12:33 PM

April 27, 2006

Updates on Darfur, Immigration, Gas Prices

Senator Obama talks about the current situation in Darfur and the upcoming Save Darfur rallies, his meeting with President Bush on immigration reform, and finally, the high price of gasoline and the Senate's reaction.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 01:44 PM

April 20, 2006

Loyola University Town Hall Meeting

During the Senate recess, Senator Obama has been using his time to meet with constituents in Illinois. So far he's held 49 town hall meetings since he took office 16 months ago.

Loyola University Town Hall crowd

Today's podcast is the audio from the April 10th town hall meeting at Loyola University. Topics include Iraq, energy policy, education, Darfur, and immigration reform. If you're interested in additional information on any of the topics discussed, please use the links below.

Note: Total run time: 65 minutes.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Related information

Energy
Speech:Energy Independence and the Safety of Our Planet

Speech: Energy Security is National Security

Veterans
Issue Paper: Honoring Our Veterans

Darfur
Podcast: Darfur: Current Policy Not Enough

Iraq
Speech: Moving Forward in Iraq

Immigration
Podcast: Immigration Reform

Education
Speech: 21st Century Schools for a 21st Century Economy

Posted at 11:19 AM

April 05, 2006

Immigration Reform

Senator Obama discusses the debate currently going on in the Senate over comprehensive immigration reform.

"It behooves us to remember that not every single immigrant who came into the United States through Ellis Island had proper documentation. Not every one of our grandparents or great-grandparents would have necessarily qualified for legal immigration. But they came here in search of a dream, in search of hope. Americans understand that, and they are willing to give an opportunity to those who are already here, as long as we get serious about making sure that our borders actually mean something."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 04:40 PM

March 29, 2006

Improving Chemical Plant Security

Senator Barack Obama will introduce legislation to drastically improve security at our nation’s chemical plants.

"There may be no greater failure of our government than the fact that we have done almost nothing to secure one of America's most vulnerable targets - the 15,000 chemical plants in America," said Obama. "These chemical plants represent some of the most attractive targets for terrorists looking to cause widespread death and destruction."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 04:36 PM

March 16, 2006

21st Century Schools for a 21st Century Economy

Senator Obama discusses the need for both additional resources and reform in American schools if students are to compete in the 21st century economy. You can read about the legislation he's introduced to create 20 Innovation Districts across the country.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 03:24 PM

March 01, 2006

Energy Security is National Security

"Our enemies are fully aware that they can use oil as a weapon against America. And if we don't take this threat as seriously as the bombs they build or the guns they buy, we will be fighting the War on Terror for a long long time."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 04:57 PM

February 15, 2006

Darfur: Current Policy Not Enough

Security and political conditions continue to deteriorate in Darfur. If the United States does not change its approach, an already grim situation is likely to spiral out of control. Senator Obama discusses why this is not only a humanitarian crisis, but also an issue of national security.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Resources

Information and Analysis:
The International Crisis Group's Darfur page brings together their careful analysis, photographs and recommendations for individual action.

Nick Kristof's excellent coverage of the situation in Darfur is archived on his New York Times columnist page.
(NOTE: You need to subscribe to TimesSelect to access these articles.)

Get Involved:
The Genocide Intervention Network and Save Darfur are two (of several) groups that are working to build constituencies in support of action in Darfur.

The International Rescue Committee is just one of the many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with the people of Darfur both within the province and just across the border in Chad

Daily News:
The website of the Sudan Tribune provides daily news and opinion coverage of Darfur from sources around the world.

ReliefWeb is an on-line repository of documentation and information on current humanitarian emergencies and disasters maintained by the UN's Office of the Coordinator of Humanitarian Assistance and designed to assist the international humantiarian community in effective delivery of emergency assistance. The Sudan pages contain detailed maps, daily wire news stories, UN and NGO reports, and other useful Darfur-related material.

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 07:07 PM

February 09, 2006

Lobbying and Ethics Reform

Senator Obama discusses legislation he has introduced to help increase transparency and accountability in government and help clean up Washington.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 04:59 PM

January 31, 2006

Supreme Court Nomination of Samuel Alito

Later this morning the Senate will vote on the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. Senator Obama discusses his decision to vote against the confirmation.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Related: Obama to Vote No on the Nomination of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 09:13 AM

January 25, 2006

Today's Meeting on Iraq with President Bush

Earlier today, Senator Obama met with President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretary Rice and Secretary Rumsfeld, as well as other members of Congress to discuss Iraq.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 04:02 PM

January 18, 2006

Remarks: Honest Leadership and Open Government

Senator Obama's remarks at today's event in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress. House and Senate Democrats came together to shine a spotlight on the Republican culture of corruption and highlight efforts to clean up Washington and get back to the people’s business.

Visit Democrats.gov to learn more.

"We're here today to answer that call because let's face it - for the last few years, the people running Washington simply haven't. And while only some are to blame for the corruption that has plagued this city, all are responsible for fixing it.

That's why we're asking Republicans to put an end to the pay-to-play schemes and join us in passing the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, which should go a long way toward correcting some of the most egregious offenses of the last few years."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 02:37 PM

January 14, 2006

From the Road: Israel and the Palestinian territories

At the end of his Middle East trip, Senator Obama podcasts from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. He talks about his meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials, as well as what he saw while he toured the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Note: The ending of the podcast is a bit abrupt as the cell phone connection was dropped. The Senator didn't get a chance to say goodbye and thanks for listening.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 12:33 PM

January 09, 2006

From the Road: Speaking with American Troops in Iraq

Direct from Amman, Jordan, Senator Obama discusses his trip to Iraq and Kuwait. He spoke with Iraqi officials and U.S. military commanders to better understand what is happening on the ground.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 11:54 AM

December 16, 2005

The PATRIOT Act

Senator Obama discusses the reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act.

From today's statement:

"Giving law enforcement the tools they need to investigate suspicious activity is the right thing, and the Senate showed earlier this year that it can be done with the oversight of our judicial system so we do not jeopardize the rights of all Americans and the ideals America stands for. We should not let the PATRIOT Act expire at the end of this year, but instead extend the current law for three months so that we can come to an agreement on these critical issues in Congress."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Podcast Transcript
Posted at 06:49 PM

December 09, 2005

The Al Franken Show

While the Senate is in recess, Senator Obama sat down with Al Franken at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre on Friday. Topics include the Senator's upcoming trip to Iraq and their competing Grammy nominations.


Click here to listen to the podcast

Posted at 07:42 PM

November 30, 2005

Speech: Moving Forward in Iraq

Audio from Senator Obama's speech to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations last week.

"...This political war - a war of talking points and Sunday news shows and spin - is not one I'm interested in joining. It's a divisive approach that only pushes us further from what the American people actually want - a pragmatic solution to the real war we're facing in Iraq."

Click here to listen to the podcast

Speech Transcript

Posted at 10:23 AM