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Obama Lays Out His Wednesday Plans

June 03, 2008 4:41 PM

In a radio interview this afternoon with Sioux Falls, South Dakota radio station KSOO 1140 AM, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, was asked about his plans for tomorrow after he secures enough delegates to earn the Democratic presidential nomination.

"Well, the first thing I do on Wednesday morning is fly to Washington, DC, where I've got to deliver a speech about the Middle East," Obama said, referring to his speech to the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC. "And I'm going to then make sure that I'm thanking supporters all across the country for the unbelievable work that they've done, and talk to my staff who's done just a great job."

"And then we're going to immediately start focusing on the general election," Obama said. "You know, there's going to be a sharp contrast between myself and John McCain in this election. I think John McCain's a fine public servant and a genuine American hero but he's proposing both economic and foreign policies that are identical to George Bush. And it is critical that we break free…It's going to be a robust debate and I'm really looking forward to it."

Asked about his vice presidential choice, Obama said, "that's something that I'm going to start to have thinking about..once I'm the nominee." He said he would be talking to "people who have integrity, people who are in politics and government for the right reasons...people who are independent, people who are going to speak their minds."

Of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, his praise was effusive. "She's run a magnificent race…I'm sure that we will have ample time to sit down and talk about bringing the party together and make sure that we are focused on November."

- jpt

June 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (22)

User Comments

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Senator Obama should choose Jim Webb as his running mate.

Posted by: Suzanne | Jun 4, 2008 11:34:23 AM

If HRC wanted VP, she shouldn't have said Barack "failed" the commander-in-chief test. Can't have a VP who's statement is already being used by Republicans against Barack.

And location, location - we've got NY, do better in most states we need with others.

I'm listening to a Janis Joplan song right now - guess which one? Yep, Bye-bye, baby, bye-bye, dedicated to both McSame and the Clintons. She can work on health care, she'll do better this time.

Most of her supporters are normal nice folks, so it'll be another Obama Team celebration in five months.

Posted by: Inaru | Jun 4, 2008 8:52:03 AM

Amy, while you petulantly await the return of Hillary, if McCain wins, he'll appoint pro-life, conservative judges to the supreme court, and you can kiss goodbye a woman's right to choose.

Posted by: julie | Jun 4, 2008 2:46:38 AM

Ms. Clinton as the loser is
advised to do an honest
self-evaluation. She's a
"departing" candidate. She
should not put forth her
name as a "Vice Presidential"
prospect.

Posted by: anon | Jun 4, 2008 1:24:41 AM

6-3-08 - Added DNC Maria Chappelle-Nadal (MO) for Obama
- Added DNC Joyce Lalonde (MI)* for Obama
- Added Rep. John Olver (MA) for Obama
- Added Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI)* for Obama
- Added DNC Debbie Dingell (MI)* for Obama
- Added DNC Richard Wiener (MI)* for Obama
- Added DNC Jennifer DeChant (ME) for Obama
- Added DNC Joyce Beatty (OH) for Obama
- Added DNC Kwame Kilpatrick (MI)* for Obama
- Added Rep. John Spratt (SC) for Obama
- Added DNC Debra Kozikowski (MA) for Obama
- Added DNC Jon Ausman (FL)* for Clinton
- Added DNC John Perez (CA) for Obama
- Added Jimmy Carter (GA) for Obama
- Added DNC Tina Abbott (MI)* for Obama
- Switched DNC Ben Johnson (DC) from Clinton to Obama
- Switched DNC Kamil Hasan (CA) from Clinton to Obama
- Added DNC Diane Glasser (FL)* for Obama
- Switched Rep. Maxine Waters (CA) from Clinton to Obama
- Added DNC John Daniello (DE) for Obama
-Added DNC Harriet Smith-Windsor (DE) for Obama
- Switched DNC Rhett Ruggerio (DE) from Clinton to Obama
- Added Rep. Dennis Moore (KS) for Obama
-Added DNC Belkis (Bel) Leong-Hong (MN) for Obama.
-Added LA Rep. William Jefferson (LA) for Obama.
-Added WY DNC Cindy Nunley (WY) for Clinton.
-Added Rep. Bob Brady (PA) for Obama
-Added DNC Mike Tardiff (MI)* for Obama
-Added DNC Ray Buckley (NH) for Obama
-Added DNC Frank Dixon (OR) for Obama
-Added DNC Margaret Campbell (MT) for Obama
- Added DNC Muriel Offerman (NC) for Obama

Posted by: POTUS | Jun 3, 2008 10:35:07 PM

Obama: DON'T DO IT NOT HILLARY FOR VP CHOOSE JOHN EDWARDS!!!!!

OBAMA/EDWARDS

Posted by: blondie | Jun 3, 2008 7:43:27 PM

IF Clinton becomes the VP, then CHANGE WE CAN'T. She would do anything to win the presidency, and being the VP first is fine. He is here for change and it simply does not make sense to try to win by taking on someone with different values.

Posted by: Dan | Jun 3, 2008 6:21:36 PM

Obama is now just 12 delegates shy of the nomination... with the ferocity that so many Clinton supporters and staff and still pushing this thing, even right now at this minute... I honestly don't see how they'll just "let it go" even after Obama wins. Clinton supporters have been told by their leader for the past few months how pledged delegates, rules, and even math itself don't really matter... how are all their minds going to change when Obama is past 2118?

If any Clinton supporters are on here... tell me what you think. Do you consider over once Obama gets the # of delegates need to clinch the nomination?

Posted by: curious | Jun 3, 2008 5:58:46 PM

Notice how he didn't mention he'd do any actual WORK as a senator?

Posted by: beth | Jun 3, 2008 5:49:46 PM

Amy,

When you say "we won't vote.." please speak for yourself. I am a woman who did not vote in my state primary for Hillary Clinton (happily voted for Bill twice, though).

It's sad that women fought for our right to vote only for women like you to honor their struggle by sitting out a presidential election. And an election during war time at that.

Posted by: Megan | Jun 3, 2008 5:34:01 PM

how will it be a robust debate if all Obama says is "..george bush...cowboy diplomacy...failed policies...blah,blah,blah...??

Posted by: Ronnie Wrangler | Jun 3, 2008 5:33:11 PM

The Hillary syndrome cuts two ways: We believe Hillary is the right one and we don't trust Obama to be a competent candidate. So, we will not vote for Obama no matter what. Will be gladly wait for another demo candidate in 2012, if Hillary decides not to run again.

Posted by: Amy | Jun 3, 2008 5:28:15 PM

I think it is time for Obama to sow leadership and unite the party. The best way to do this is to pick Clinton as his VP. Pure and simple. We the Democratic family have spent so much time and energy fighting like fools. We share the same ideology. We need to unite today and end this madness.

Posted by: Kevin | Jun 3, 2008 5:28:02 PM

amy

you are deluding yourself if your friends were for a dem in the first place and you think that 10 of them will vote out of anger instead of the issues because "you convinced" them of such.

People can't be convinced to throw away their vote on someone that they weren't angry at by someone else convincing them they should be angry enough not to vote on the war the economy our future healthcare the burden on the rest of the country of wealthy tax cuts... the message a McCain win sends to congress about how strong the public feels about conservative judges...

get real... America needs an adult vote based on what caniddate is promising to deal with our problems.

continuing the war indefinitely
market handling the housing and healthcare issues as it has for 8 years
continuing the same foreign policy that has left us with less support from the world
a campaign that has old time lobbyists model throughout and on his payroll (why would his administration be different...how could it be different)

too many issues that are overwhelmingly wrong since he had to win the nomination.

Posted by: dl | Jun 3, 2008 5:26:49 PM

Amy,

What if Hillary does not return in 2012? Then what?

Posted by: debbie cho | Jun 3, 2008 5:23:35 PM

Obama will not win without our support. Yes - that is what I meant. I will not support him and have already convinced ten of my friends to not vote and they are doing the same too. Hillary will come back in 2012.

Posted by: Amy | Jun 3, 2008 5:20:12 PM

Actually, people who believe in what Hillary believes in and don't support Barack are just as likely to re-register as independents and vote their conscience based on the campaigns to come. This is after all, an election now where the popular vote matters.

Lou Dobbs had it right all along. :-)

Posted by: len | Jun 3, 2008 5:18:17 PM

geevil
Hillary supporters who actually care about the country are leaving you standing... by yourself (you might get three or four with you)...but even the ones on these blogs are coming over to Obama now...

nobody who is an adult who believed in what Hillary was running on is going to vote for McCain...

Most Hillary supporters are good people first...Hillary supporters after that...they care about the issues and the country.

and would never put their anger in front of that.

Posted by: dl | Jun 3, 2008 5:12:35 PM

I am waiting for Hillary to come back in 2012. I will not vote this time unless she is on the ticket. period.

Posted by: Amy | Jun 3, 2008 5:11:40 PM

A lot of people been called these names by Obama supporters and they aren't about to forgive and forget that. The continuing scandals of his personal associates make it even more galling. Congratulations on winning a "smart" campaign, Chicago-style. Let's see how well that translates in the Big Show.

He's got a bigger problem than the Clintons. Unity isn't assured even if they do help him. Rejecting the party is just as likely today,

Posted by: len | Jun 3, 2008 5:01:33 PM

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