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After Debate Fireworks, Obama Slams Clinton on Economy

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January 22, 2008 2:07 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Sen. Barack Obama was anticipated to deliver what the campaign billed as an "economic speech" Tuesday, but one day after a combative Democratic debate in South Carolina, Obama spent most of his time criticizing Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Obama began by criticizing President Bush's stimulus plan, arguing it will neglect 50 million workers and seniors.

"George Bush's economic plans haven't worked so far and they're not going to start working now," he said.

Obama then criticized the economic plan proposed by Clinton, referencing the debate last night, suggesting Clinton adopted part of his plan.

"[When] Senator Clinton first released her economic stimulus plan, she didn't think that workers or seniors needed immediate tax relief. She thought it could wait until things got worse. Five days later, the economy didn’t really change, but the politics apparently did," Obama said, "because she changed her plan to look just like mine."

Obama criticized Clinton's position on the bankruptcy bill, NAFTA, and special interests.

Referring to Clinton's answer about the bankruptcy bill, he said, "Believe it or not, Senator Clinton said again last night that even though she voted for the bill, she was glad it didn’t pass ...I know you can get away with this in Washington, but most of us know that if you don’t want to see a bill pass, there’s a pretty easy option available – you can vote against the bill."

The crowd roared in laughter.

Obama then accused Clinton of changing her position on NAFTA to fit her presidential run, and questioned whether she'd flip-flop if elected.

"We've heard her say the same kind of thing about NAFTA and China trade agreements that sent millions of American jobs –- thousands from this very state -– overseas. Because only in Washington could Senator Clinton say that NAFTA led to economic improvement up until she started running for president. Now she says we need a time-out on trade. No one knows when this time-out will end. Maybe after the election."

Echoing his criticism at Monday's debate, Obama accused Clinton of defending special interests in Washington.

"Last night Senator Clinton defended lobbyists again, who she has said, according to her, she represent real Americans. Well let me tell you – if you really believe that lobbyists represent real Americans, then you don't."

January 22, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (28)

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If we fail to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.

Posted by: cjvwise1 | Jan 22, 2008 2:18:28 PM

I hope and pray Sen.Obama will hold her feet to the fire. The clintons treat all our black Americans with such a patronizing and condescending additudes to use and absuse them.They might not take time to notice but our America black community are very educated,intelligent, and will not be treated with such blanten disregard. Ask her about the 10 million hilly-billy took from the muslem.arab country of sadi arabia, how much she took from a deal with dubi. there's no way she and billy can talk to these countries objectively with America as top priority. please someone get this issues out to the public.

Posted by: del | Jan 22, 2008 2:41:28 PM

The real Barack Obama is coming to the surface. And it doesn't look good.

Tony Rezko, Tony Rezko, Tony Rezko.

Posted by: Brian | Jan 22, 2008 2:56:17 PM

The real Barack Obama is coming to the surface and he looks terrific! Finally we have someone with backbone to stand up against the Clintons... and Hillary must be livid. Keep it up, Barack! The whole world is watching...

Posted by: Gorgon '08 | Jan 22, 2008 3:11:49 PM

what has the clintons done for the black community can someone please explain in detail that to me.

Posted by: mary | Jan 22, 2008 3:18:58 PM

I am just one of those old white women who are suppose to be voting for Hillary because she is a woman. Since I have not lost my common sense to the Hollywood marketing manipulations, I cannot justify support for a woman who is so flawed. Billary are a dishonest pair and should be scrutinized closely before granting them another term in the WH.

Posted by: cjvwise1 | Jan 22, 2008 3:34:31 PM

More and more emphasists needs to be applied for the NAFTA legacy that Clinton inflicted on US workers to increase his own personal wealth.
Billary has to accept personal responsibility for the loss of jobs and a failing economy and for subjecting us to the harm of China imports. They have been paid well for their support of foreign countries, it is time to revoke their power, not give them another bite of the apple

Posted by: cjvwise1 | Jan 22, 2008 3:44:17 PM

Obama talking about lobbysts, corporations and big interest groups?????? Well he should start explaining to the American people who were and still are his big supporters in his political career, the Illinois lobbyist, the big corporations, PAc money and big interest groups. He has lobbyist running his campaign also in South Carolina and NH!!
He is very good with words and likes to play with then to twist the facts. He is now complaining about HIilary copying his plan; what about he copying Edwards plans!!
Obama whine and whine and whine...take it like a man and instead of crying of being shouting back, be presidential and start explaining your real goals and agenda and start giving real answer when questioned about your failed record.

Posted by: John_Chgo | Jan 22, 2008 3:51:15 PM

As as undecided voter I watched last night's debate with great interest. Sen Obama's denial that he, at the very least implicitly, praised the Republican party as "being, for the last 10 or 15 years, the party of ideas", in his Reno Gazette interview was a glaring and intentional misstatement of fact. We last saw this with both Cheney and Bush in the 2004 debates. It bothered me then and it bothers me now.

Posted by: RMH | Jan 22, 2008 3:55:07 PM

John, The Obama plan took into consideration the Massachusetts flaws. My son lives there and his monthly premium for "mandatory health plan" jumped from $600 to $1000 per month for a family of four. I believe Obama raised some very "real" issues. Further, the Hillary plan is activated by Romney in Massachusetts. Plans very similar and very flawed.

Posted by: cjvwise1 | Jan 22, 2008 4:18:04 PM

Do you think someone who left Harvard Law School to work in the streets of chicago organizing a community is living the Republican ideals? Or someone who gave up lucrative attorney jobs to work as a civil right lawyer? Meanwhile, Hillary has Reagan listed as one of her favorite presidents on her website. Then she attacks Obama for praising Reagan. Who is a hypocrite?

Posted by: ERizin | Jan 22, 2008 4:41:11 PM

Dubai markets drop. May have something to do with Bill Clinton dumping his "unholy" investments and "partnerships" with foreign countries . Is this a sign of vulnerability? They must be feeling threatened. More needs to be done to remove the veil of a corrupt history. We as a nation should insist that full disclosure of incomes and investments be released to the public. With any job interview, there is a requirement of disclosure. How can we consider a candidate like Hillary, when so much of her personal and financial history remains hidden?

Posted by: cjvwise1 | Jan 22, 2008 4:45:49 PM

If the Democrats choose Hillary, they will lose independents such as myself, who will not vote for more of the same nonsense.

I'll take anyone but her, and all the partisan hacks can keep tearing each other's hair out. I want a new direction for our country.

Posted by: Sioen | Jan 22, 2008 4:46:16 PM

We need to be aware of "snake charmers" and "slight of hand artists". The Billary team are professionals at both. They have Hollywood market specialists working to manipulate image.

Posted by: cjvwise1 | Jan 22, 2008 4:53:50 PM

Are people seeing what she is doing? She is using Obama as a punching bag. Trying to show the American people she is tough and she can handle other on a political scale. I feel sorry for her her being a victum of an adulterous past. Scorn is clearly showing. below is from an interview earlier....

"He clearly came - he telegraphed it, he talked about it - he clearly came last night looking for a fight. He was determined and launched right in," Hillary Clinton said. "And I thought it was important to set the record straight."

Posted by: Ed | Jan 22, 2008 5:06:08 PM

Obama Supporters, Don't allow the Clinton's to distract our positive energy with their lying and cheating schemes. They are trying to immobilize our efforts by playing the race and gender cards! Don't Be Swayed! We are Black, White, Asian, Latino, Male, Female, Young, and Old! Most importantly, we are intelligent, positive, and progressive! We Demand A Change In American Politics! And We Will Make It Happen! Obama 2008!

Posted by: CC | Jan 22, 2008 5:17:18 PM

Obama has NEVER taken money from Lobbyist or PAC's. As much as you Billary people want that to be false it is not...a FACT is a FACT...someone needs to explain that to Billary and her supporters...enough of the Lies, I've dealt with that for 8 years, NO MORE LIES

Posted by: AmericaLikestoLie | Jan 22, 2008 5:21:03 PM

I have always said, politicians are expert at dividing with bias to achieve their personal goals. I am a white, over 55 woman with blood of many races, including Indian. My Puritan roots were chased out of Amsterdam in the sixteen hundreds by aristocrats. My Indian roots were massacred and forced off their land and faced genecide by greedy politicians. We are one, if only we allow ourselves to be strong and stand as one to remove representatives that prosper from the blood and sweat of the poor. It is a time for change. It is long over due. We all have to make our come out and make our votes count.

Posted by: cjvwise1 | Jan 22, 2008 5:24:53 PM

I am utterly amazed that people attempt to imply or accuse Obama of being anywhere near as corrupt or scandalous as Bill OR Hillary Clinton. The more comments I read from those defending them leads me to believe a vast many are suffering from amnesia. Hopefully, their amnesia will kick in on election day, and they'll forget to vote. I am glad this man is finally calling them out for what they are- career politicians bordering on criminals.

Posted by: Sally | Jan 22, 2008 5:40:52 PM

Senator Obama appears to be quite desperate by recklessly attacking the Clinton's for his woes rather than offer the platform, programs, and ideals by which he would "lead" this nation. As measured by his childish behavior of late, it's quite apparent that Mr. Obama really has nothing to offer. Hot tempered rages and questionable "jokes" regarding former President Clinton are not the attributes America requires in a President.

Posted by: mongo100 | Jan 22, 2008 5:49:03 PM

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