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Obama Camp Plays the "Angry" Card

July 25, 2008 5:49 PM

GOP Sen. John McCain's temper has long been the subject of criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, but until today the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, does not appear to have referred to it in any way.

On June 11, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev, flatly told MSNBC's Norah O’Donnell that the presumptive GOP presidential nominee “doesn’t have the temperament to be the president of the United States. Everyone who’s ever worked with John McCain knows of his temper. It’s explosive to say the least.”

Today before the American GI Forum, McCain criticized Obama on the war in Iraq. McCain said Obama told Americans "what they wanted to hear" on Iraq, whereas he "told you the truth."

In response, Obama spox Bill Burton said “The American people are looking for a serious debate about the way forward in Iraq and Afghanistan, and angry, false accusations will do nothing to accomplish that goal."

Burton says he wasn't calling McCain "angry," but rather his accusation. What say you?

- jpt

July 25, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (113)

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McCain is an ANGRY OLD LIAR, it has become very obvious....I hear people say it all the time now

Posted by: mccain=BUSH | Jul 26, 2008 7:02:49 AM

pt: Your summation is on point! I could not have said it better.

Posted by: Stanley | Jul 26, 2008 6:59:45 AM

It all comes down to whether or not you think we should continue the bush policies. If you think the war should continue indefinitely, while we spend $10,000,000,000 a month, and you think that bush has done well with the economy then mc-more-war is your man. If you think that it's time we start to get out of iraq and do some positive things for the average American instead of just the top 1% then vote for Obama.

Posted by: pt | Jul 26, 2008 6:19:49 AM

NotoObama..Yes to McCain..Lets get some wars going..that will help us to feel great. We are a great nation because we can fight war and have "the best Army in the World" Ha Ha what a joke. A great nation is one that takes care of its people and work on economic strength. The Japanese use to think that strength was having military power but they shifted their focus after you know what..and now they are an economic power. While Japan, China and India are growing economically..America's economy is going down the drain "thanks to the Republicans and their "No economic policy" but War,War,and more War. The war is draining us and the dollar is getting weaker and weaker..The pound and Euro are stronger than the dollar. Thousands of Americans have lost jobs,because jobs are shipped overseas. Thousands of home foreclosures..50 million Americans do not have health insurance..In America healthcare is a privilege and not a right..In Canada, England and the Scandinavian Countries..healthcare is a right not a privilege..All of this mess going on because of the Republicans and their war policy which is draining the nation..and people are actually contemplating voting for McCain who would continue to perpetuate the Republican nonsense that is draining our economy with no upswing in sight. Heaven help us if McCain gets in there. War, War, War,equals to most Americans strength,strength, strength. For me a good economy is strenght not my country's ability to fight war. Oh My! Here comes McCain and war more war again.

Posted by: Stanley | Jul 26, 2008 6:13:08 AM

HopingForaBetterWorld:I could not have said it better. Americans I believe the most unsophisticated voters who can be easily fooled by the talking heads on Radio and TV. Most of these people believe that Iraq was responsible for 911 because Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and the little lady on the View said so. All the committees concluded that there was no relationship between Iraq and Alqueda..or Iraq and 911..Yet the Republican talking heads with their talking points of lies and propoganda were able to bamboozle most Americans into giving Bush a second term for more unjustified war. Afghanistan is where focus should have occurred not Iraq..but the few wise Americans know exactly why we went into Iraq. Americans are going to put McCain into Office this coming November because he has more experience in war(ha!ha!) War,War, War. Okay Iran here we come..okay North Korea here we come..most of Americans love war so we need McCain in there..It makes us feel great..we are kicking butts over there..we are great..lets fight some war. I tell people that Obama don't stand a chance in November..he does'nt like war enough..so he's weak..when you like war then you are strong...Bush is strong and so is McCain...Vote McCain lets stick our chest out and tell the world that we are bad and have the best army in the world..while the economy is going down the drain because we have to spend billions on a stupid war based on lies and no money to deal with economic situations at home..You wise,smart Americans vote McCain. So Smart are Ye!

Posted by: Stanley | Jul 26, 2008 5:58:02 AM

Please vote for McCain in November so I can have a good laugh. McCain is a joke like Bush. It seem as though lately, we love to vote jokers as President..McCain as President! Are you serious America? The Republicans have messed up the economy and while Americans are complaining they are planning on putting another Republican to further damage the economy..How smart can people be! I need a good laugh in November..I'm sorry for the people who have lost their jobs and homes and have to pay an arm and a leg for gas..but should I feel sorry! These are the same people who are bamboozled by fox, Limbaugh and Hannity into believing that the economy is great and we need to fight wars around the world..On second thought I'm not sorry for you..you get what you deserve..Vote McCain feel the pain and don't complain. You wise American Voter..Bush now McCain. America is the laughing stock around the world..people wonder how we keep on electing these kinds of people for President...McCain! Please! give me a break!

Posted by: Stanley | Jul 26, 2008 5:44:24 AM

Osama doesn't have a temper. He resorts to Ummmm Ummmmmm whenever he's stuck or upset. Besides how well do we know him? He doesn't want to debate, all he want to do is give speeches already written. What is Obama hiding?

Posted by: NoToObama | Jul 26, 2008 5:06:15 AM

The only campaign playing any kind of card is the Obama campaign. They are trying to paint McCain as angry, crazy and senile. It's only a matter of time before they call him racist. Trust me when I say they are working very, very hard to find a way to slip in the "McCain is racist card." They have a team dedicated just to that.

Posted by: coolrepublica | Jul 26, 2008 1:44:24 AM

McCain was clearly showing his temperament while Obama was having his successful trip abroad this week. He was jumping to accusations at every perceived opportunity. I think the contrast between McCain's most recent trip abroad, which didn't receive near the attention, and Obama's really activated the green eyed monster.

Posted by: kat | Jul 26, 2008 12:37:57 AM

Now that Obama has impressed the 200,000 Berliners, got his dream foreign affairs photo ops with world leaders, and enjoyed his upscale workout at the Ritz-Carlton rather than visit wounded troops in Germany, it's time for him to come on back to America and impress the folks down at the County Courthouses across this country. And oh, by the way, he should bring all those fancy press people with him to hear what our proud, hard-working American citizens have to say about the price of milk and gas and what it's like to work three jobs at minimum wage. Like millions of others who live and work in THIS country -- they also vote. And contrary to his carefully crafted and staged World Tour, Obama and his campaign cannot control how Americans will vote this November. Are you listening Senator Obama?

Posted by: mpwynn | Jul 26, 2008 12:25:26 AM

Vanessa claims: "His entire campaign and this trip - at our expense is staged to perfection - just like a movie. This guy is a FAKE and not qualified to lead our country."

So what do you think is the probability that with all of the foreign trips McCain has made, and cited as the basis of his expertise on Iraq and Afghanistan, that so much as a dime of the cost came out of his pocket or his campaign funds? I would take a bet on zero.

It is truly unfortunate that all too much of the political discourse in blogs like this is indicative of people who talk first and possibly think sometime later. There are legitimate differenced in Obama and McCain and where we as a nation are likely to be 10 years from now.

For starters, Bush and McCain are nationalists, which is quite different than being a patriot; while Obama is much more of a patriot than a nationalist. If you do not understand the difference or the implications for use of power, go back to a basic civics class.

Posted by: George | Jul 25, 2008 11:10:20 PM

Read all you can about the new world order. Listen to Obama's speech in Berlin too!

Posted by: carolyn | Jul 25, 2008 11:04:49 PM

We need a list of McCain's top five faults.
1. Member of the Keating Five, took $112,000 from Charles Keating and was investigated on ethics charges.
2. Anger management issues
3. Philanderer, numerous affairs while his wife recovered from an auto accident, then dumped her.
4. Religious shopper (life long Epispocal, now Baptist)
5. Apparent confusion and disorientation involving time, place, and geography.


Posted by: Saxxon Domela | Jul 25, 2008 11:00:10 PM

Obama's arrogant European/MidEast tour is ridiculus and nauseating to watch. World leaders who are now drooling at his feet are going to feel foolish come November.

Posted by: leigh | Jul 25, 2008 10:53:26 PM

am i the only one who wishes al gore could be obamas running mate?!

Posted by: tim | Jul 25, 2008 8:51:11 PM
****************************************

Yes, you are....

Posted by: Brook | Jul 25, 2008 10:42:29 PM

[Burton says he wasn't calling McCain "angry," but rather his accusation. What say you?]

I say that absolutely McCain's camp was lashing out this week, obviously jealous over the attention that Obama was getting and how well he was doing on his foreign tour. Even former President Bush said to reporters this week that McCain was jealous - but that was plain for all to see. This kind of insecurity and behavior is not exactly mature, let alone Presidential.

Posted by: Dave | Jul 25, 2008 9:51:20 PM

I heard McCain say this on CNN, and there was NO anger in his voice....just clear, honest truth and confidence. He calls it as he sees it.....OBAMA SAYS AND DOES WHATEVER HE HAS TO AS A POLITICIAN, just like the Rev. Wright says he does.
NEVER OBAMA!!!
Thank God McCain doesn't pander to whatever crowd he talks to and has enough confidence in himself (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH ARROGANCE, B.O.)

Posted by: b.s.meter | Jul 25, 2008 9:05:47 PM

but i do have to say, i do see alot more obama bumper stickers and posters in windows... guess that means more people like him.. damn...

Posted by: tim | Jul 25, 2008 9:02:17 PM

barack obama world tour 2008... comming to a country near you! but just as a "citizen of the world" not as a canidate as he said in berlin... lol this huy is such a joke.. lol

Posted by: tim | Jul 25, 2008 9:00:58 PM

It was Wall Street Journal reporter Elizabeth Holmes that McCain blew off today.

... unless there's more ...

Angry is as angry does ...

Posted by: Snarxon | Jul 25, 2008 8:55:06 PM

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