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Celebratory Obama Serves Media Sassiness and Birthday Cake
August 04, 2008 10:36 PM
As his 47th birthday came to a close and he flew from Boston to Youngstown, Ohio, this evening, a celebratory Sen. Barack Obama came back to the cheap seats and talked to reporters on his plane.
He compared Sen. John McCain's tactics last week to a "squid" squirting ink, discussed all sorts of issues ranging from energy to the new dark blue tie his daughters bought him -- "one guarantee, this tie cost less than John McCain's shoes," he told me, joking about his opponent's pricey Ferragamo loafers -- and served the press corps birthday cake.
Asked by ABC News if McCain's attacks last week hurt him -- Obama went from being up eight points in the Gallup daily tracking poll to being tied -- Obama demurred.
"You know, I mean, Jake, I will leave that up to you to make your analysis," Obama said. "One thing I’ve learned is to not read daily tracking polls. If I had been reading daily tracking polls I think I would have quit right around August of last year, wouldn’t I?"
Obama said attacks were not a problem. "I’m not one to suggest that there’s anything wrong with them hitting us hard on things that they fundamentally disagree with me on," he said. "I mean I think there is a very real difference in our tax policies, there is a very real difference in our energy politics, there is a very real difference in our health care policies, and they have a right to make their arguments.
"My sense was last week wasn’t about any of that stuff," he said. "It was all about seeing if they can slap onto me a certain caricature that will help carry them though the election.
"Last week I think was just a series of distractions," he said. "It felt like, you know, I guess it's a squid that sends out ink..."
When a reporter turned down his offer of birthday cake (not this reporter), Obama joked, "No cake? Maureen Dowd will write a story about you not eating cake! Don't want to be an elitist now!"
- jpt
August 4, 2008 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | Share | User Comments (48)
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McCain stiffed us, the American People by making us pay for him and Neil Bush (Silverado Savings and Loan)theft. He was one of the Keating Five...Crook, crook, crook. No more oil mongorers. We need a real and educated President. One that has taught consitutional law and understands policies that work. OBAMA for President
Posted by: Rufus | Aug 5, 2008 12:46:28 AM
Let them eat cake . . .
Posted by: Belle Starr | Aug 5, 2008 12:37:16 AM
I love the idea that the McCain campaign is trying to create a caricature of Obama, when Obama includes a picture of Bush in every ad in which he discusses McCain.
I am happy to see he was able to work in the word "distraction" on his birthday. Not that he's one to care about such things.
Posted by: MayBee | Aug 5, 2008 12:31:12 AM
if 'you eat too much cake' you will need to inflate your tires.
Posted by: sonia trevino | Aug 5, 2008 12:06:57 AM
"I guess it's a squid that sends out ink..."
-----
Takes one to know one.
A couple of years ago, Kerry was crazy about McCain, now he's crazy about The CHANGEling. With any luck, the Democratic delegates give this slippery guy the hook.
Posted by: Belle Starr | Aug 4, 2008 11:58:11 PM
Isn't Obama the president already? He and the media sure act like it.
The more the media pushes him on us with their pathetic love fest the more america will walk away. Americans trust the media almost as much as they trust lawyers.
Posted by: reason | Aug 4, 2008 11:55:56 PM
Just like McCain, all theatrics and band aids, and no real get well plan. If he would have spent a fraction of his previous 27 years in DC working on an energy policy, we wouldn't be in this mess. More of the same... Too little, too late, We need a change!
Posted by: Don Smith | Aug 4, 2008 11:51:03 PM
Once Obama's national security plans were endorsed by the leaders of Iraq, Afghanistan, France, and Great Britain... McCain needed to do something- anything- to distract us from the real issues. Of course, nothing will change the fact that Obama leads by landslide margins in the electoral college.
Posted by: ElodieStClair | Aug 4, 2008 11:50:46 PM
"Last week I think was just a series of distractions,"
Anything that shows Obama up for the tool he is, he labels a "distraction". He overuses that word a bit, don't ya think?
Posted by: Buford Gooch | Aug 4, 2008 11:49:46 PM
Is that Rove cheerleader still in charge at AP in DC?????
Posted by: Richard McDonough | Aug 4, 2008 11:36:50 PM
I wouldn't think the Obamas would even qualify for a rebate. Wasn't it families making %150,000 net adjusted (or less)?
Posted by: beth | Aug 4, 2008 11:35:13 PM
Obama,
Happy birthday.....Florida/seminole cnty will be yours...my daughter & assocaites will make history for you here. As a naturalized citizen, I am an American looking "IN"....sorry I missed you at the Urban League convention!..
keep up the good work....I am waiting for your daughters to be on the white house lawn with their dog!
Posted by: shirley | Aug 4, 2008 11:30:39 PM
By the way, JT does a good job, don't readers agree??
Posted by: Richard McDonough | Aug 4, 2008 11:30:33 PM
Obama is such a smart and class guy. Squid, indeed.
And as to second by second polling, let them eat cake.
George Trow said a long time ago that the guy who popularized "demographics" was putting a nail in the social coffin. Not his words but my interpretation. Spot-on.
Posted by: Richard McDonough | Aug 4, 2008 11:29:43 PM
I definitely prefer Obama's sense of humor.
He really is someone people can relate to. Like my husband, Obama has pants he's worn for at least 10 years.
Posted by: cincyr | Aug 4, 2008 11:22:52 PM
Obama is becoming a master showman.
Posted by: young_voter | Aug 4, 2008 11:20:42 PM
I have to say that I am proud of Obama here. He is taking the Jackie Robinson route, and it is obvious that he IS the better man.
However, the realist in me says he's got to start hitting back if he wants to win.
Posted by: Mike | Aug 4, 2008 11:15:15 PM
Earth to katmandu
I must remind you that this is a STATE-BY-STATE ELECTORAL COLLEGE ELECTION.
Note a popular opinion poll
But if you do want to get a clear snapshot of the present presidential electoral college race polls please visit
http://www.electoral-vote.com/
There you will find
Dem pickups (vs. 2004): CO FL IN IA NV NM GOP pickups (vs. 2004): (None)
More than enough pickups there to trounce McCain.
Posted by: Omentum | Aug 4, 2008 11:09:50 PM
McCain took a humors jab and hit a nerve.
Seems Obama knows his marketing team and PR department sold him off as a Super Star, that is all they had to work with.
Obama proved it with his Germany Escapades.
Obama wants to be loved by you and wants to win the popularity contest.
Besides a pretty speech and empty campaign promises Obama is nothing.
Constant Change is what obama believes in.
Obama refuses to take responsibility or commit to anything.
No one knows what Obama stands for anymore he has changed his mind on so many things he has the world confused.
Posted by: seah | Aug 4, 2008 11:07:43 PM
"There is no way in the world McCain will win."
I said that myself two months ago. But look at what Zogby said today--
McCain made significant gains at Obama’s expense among some of what had been Obama’s strongest demographic groups. For example:
* McCain gained 20% and Obama lost 16% among voters ages 18-29. Obama still leads that group, 49%-38%.
* Among women, McCain closed 10 points on Obama, who still leads by a 43%-38% margin.
* Obama has lost what was an 11% lead among Independents. He and McCain are now tied.
* Obama had some slippage among Democrats, dropping from 83% to 74%.
If the Democratic delegates were smart, they'd switch back to Hillary.
Posted by: katmandu | Aug 4, 2008 11:03:11 PM
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