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Obama Pushes Back Against the 'Democratic Status Quo'

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January 20, 2008 11:08 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow, Susan Kriskey, and Sunlen Miller report:  In his first campaign event in South Carolina, following a loss in Nevada, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., hit the stage and pushed back against the Clintons in a more pointed manner.

Referencing the fallout from his comments on Ronald Reagan to the Reno Gazette, which came under criticism by both Clintons for likening himself to Reagan, Obama responded, “When I see Sen. Clinton or President Clinton distort my words, say somehow, that I was saying Republicans are the only ones who had good ideas since 1980 -– then, that is not a way to move the debate forward. That is not a way to help the American people.”

Obama attempted to clarify his original remarks on Reagan, stating, “What I said was that Ronald Reagan, back in 1980, was able to tap into the discontent of the American people, and he was able to get Democrats to vote Republican –- they were called Reagan Democrats ... so, what I said was, we, as Democrats, right now, should tap into the discontent of Republicans. I want some Obama Republicans! ‘Obamacans!’”Obama said, as the crowd roared in laughter at his new coined phrase.

Getting back to point, Obama added that he didn’t say he liked Reagan’s policies, but that was the kind of working majority, he believes, America needs, in order to move a progressive agenda forward.

“Those are the kind of tricks that politics in Washington is all about,” Obama concluded about the way he believes the Clintons distorted his original remarks.

While taking up issues to clarify, Obama decided to add another one to the pot –- and reminded the Columbia, S.C., crowd to not believe e-mails that had been going around, accusing him of being a Muslim.

“I’ve been at the same church, the same Christian church, for almost 20 years. My wife and I were married in that church. Our children were dedicated in that church. I was sworn in with my hand on the family bible. Whenever I’m in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.”

Calling the e-mails “silly,” Obama told the crowd to not delete, but rather, send the e-mail back, saying, “this is all crazy ... educate, don’t hate.”

Obama said that the status quo in Washington is pushing down on him with these kinds of arguments, “and it’s not just the Republican status quo, it’s the Democratic status quo.”

January 20, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (31)

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Obama, stop whinning...be a man stand strong and stay focused on your campaign. You need to learn how to take the heat.....do you need to explain everything that is said about you?

Posted by: victoria | Jan 20, 2008 11:13:48 PM

We can now see why/how Hillary is better for this game than you are. She is a tough cookie-she does not waste her time explaining what needs no explaination and especially if it is not about changing the cause of things in America. Good luck.

Posted by: Vee | Jan 20, 2008 11:16:30 PM

Bottom line. Clinton is unelectable in a national election. Her negatives are huge and have not gone away. If the dems want to win the presidency, she cannot be on the ticket. All the whining about Barack by Bill cannot change the facts.

Obama is electable. So the choice is to win with the Senator from Illinois or lose with Hillary.

Posted by: Terry | Jan 20, 2008 11:43:41 PM

Obama can't take the the heat, he is getting used to the free ride, overwhelming positive press he get on a daily and 24/7 none stop basis; is also getting used to the lack of scrutiny he is having from the press.
Obame is a divisive figure now, all he is doing is bringing the race card or attacking Bill Clinton just to try to reach out to the wealthy democrats and some of the republicans. He is probably dreaming if he thinks that large amount or republicans will follow him, they are not so silly as many of democrats that just buy into empty slogans. Obama talks about Reagan; but Reagan fought and it took him a while to be the nominee of the republicans, it wasn't easy for him, Reagan had a record as Governor of California and clear vision (agreed of disagreed with him), what is the Obama vision, unite everyone around a table? to do what? Is he going to seat with the lobbyists, big corporations and all the powers that finances his political career in Illinois and now are financing his run for the Presidency? Give me a break! This guy is way to slick and clever to be trusted!

Posted by: Paul | Jan 21, 2008 12:50:01 AM

Yes, Go Obama, Go!!! Keep talking straight and tell it like it is. I love it how you clarify the record without stooping to the low level that the Clintons have. We're sick of the Clinton drama, scandal, and lies.

Obama unites the world!!

Posted by: Jim | Jan 21, 2008 1:57:15 AM

For chrissakes. Democrats and Republicans don't need to hate each other - aren't we supposed to be basically on the same side (making our country awesome), albeit espousing different methods?

As an independent, this is why the idea of another Clinton administration is ludicrous. How can she be the least liberal AND most polarizing Democrat? More dirty campaigning, , whining, and lies...

if Obama is on the Democratic ticket I will vote Democrat for the first time in my life. If it's Clinton, I will be voting for any Republican or third party candidate.

Geez Dems, I know you're attached to losing. But just once, you might nominate the right guy.

Posted by: Rachel | Jan 21, 2008 2:08:37 AM

Did I hear someone say egomaniac? Obamacans? You really need to dispense with the comparisons to former Presidents. It's just not working for you. The ploy on this past election eve was for Obama to "appeal" to the independent voters and Republican discontents. His recent Democratic endorsers hail from red states, so in theory - his pitch on Reagan was supposed to work. WHO in the world is giving you advise to a) vilify Hillary's emotions - risky b) play the race card - stupid c) put down Bill Clinton and praise Reagan - insane d) whine and cry foul over every loss - weak crybaby e) confront Bill Clinton? - C'mon big boy, not a wise thing to do, and f) Cut and run Saturday leaving your organization holding the bag in Nevada - wha, wha, wha, all the way home. Wag the dog enough, and you may deflect the real issue and that's the 800 pound (invisible) gorilla in the room - Obama's shady dealings with Chicago's Rezco looming large and coming to a courtroom soon. Oh, and I'm so glad you set the record straight on the Muslim thing. Please expound on that church of twenty-years' standing that you mentioned. Now let's hear the rest of the story. You know - the Black Values System and all the racism it entails, the part about the non-negotiable contract with Africa (not United States), and what about the story on the long-standing choir director's murder on 12/23/06 that was buried by mainstream media, Chicago PD and Obama camp on the eve of the Iowa caucus? Perhaps you can explain in your "unity" speeches how you square talk of bringing people together when your church promotes "unashamedly Black" and why you've made the conscious decision to affiliate with a church who glorifies Louis Farrakhan, a known racist and hate-monger representing the Nation of Islam? Little hypocritical, don't you think? You're judged by the company you keep. Is is acceptable for churches to have a White Values System, Sen. Obama? We're waiting for the rhetoric on this. It's time you started giving some real answers. "Present" just won't do. Not this time. We're waiting to hear from you on these issues, even if mainstream media has been given their gag orders from above. At least by whining constantly, you don't have to discuss things like important issues. We can outwait you. Yes we can.

Posted by: Obamacans?LOL | Jan 21, 2008 2:19:56 AM

Obama, you just dropped a notch in my book.. Reagan, was a fool that spent money like crazy, just like the current nut case we have in the White House.. You must make up your mind.. Are you a Dem., or a Rep. .. You already have problems making up your mind what color you are.. I want a President that knows who he, or she is, so I will vote for Hillary, she seem to be the best one out there from both sides..

Posted by: J.Murphy, CA. | Jan 21, 2008 2:45:22 AM

Obama should be running in the republican primary. I could not believe my ears when I heard his exact words when he praised Ronald Reagan and didn't stop there. He said Republicans have been the party of ideas the past 10-15 years. Are you kidding me? Ideas that have brought economic and political disaters to our country and the world. These are statements from his mouth this week. I don't need anyone to spin it for me. I heard it with my own ears and it is very clear what he is talking about. He is someone who is proped up by the republicans to dupe us into stopping Hillary because they know they can't stop her in the general election.

Posted by: Mathew | Jan 21, 2008 2:47:43 AM

I am sick and tired of the media's biased reporting. There is no reporting, it is all biased analysis. Bill Clinton did not disrespect anyone. He stated facts. If you have any facts to contradict it, say it. Otherwise, stop complaining. Obama is on the wrong side of these arguments. Since no one in the media wants to play their role and bring out the facts, Bill Clinton had no choice but to state the facts. He has in no way disrespected anyone. You want him to keep quite while you are feeding us all a bunch of misinformation. Go Clinton!

Posted by: Jil_M | Jan 21, 2008 2:54:18 AM

ok u definitely just called Obama a cry baby?!! DIDNT HILLARY ACTUALLy CRY?!! and the question that did it...HER APPEARENCE...not the state of the country, nope, not the war, no certainly not about economic conditions....WHO IS THE CRY BABY AGAIN?

Posted by: Temple21 | Jan 21, 2008 2:57:01 AM

Bill Clinton completed distorted the truth about Obama being against the war, calling it a fairy tale that Obama was not against it. Face the facts, Obama was right and vigorously opposed the war while he was running for Senator, and has been consistent ever since. Hillary voted for the war over and over, and only when it became popular to oppose it, she did so. She claims to have been mislead. It's in the record! All of her 30+ years of experience did no good when she vigorously supported Bush and his war. Obama saw Bushes folly clearly and opposed it from the beginning and has ever since.

Go Obama!!!

Posted by: Jim | Jan 21, 2008 3:16:00 AM

I hate comments because it only reveals the shallow research done about all candidates. Everything I read is based on biased reporting. If it's ok for Hillary to be human, it's ok for Barack to be human. Yes they are leaders, but they are still allowed to make small errors in judgment. They are also great people - successful, intelligent, and inspirational. So, stop hating another candidate because you're choosing to only see their strengths. They will both be great presidents, and a failure to recognize that reveals the ignorance of the American voter.

Posted by: mike | Jan 21, 2008 3:48:03 AM

Let's hear it for the Bill & Hillary Gang! Anyone that supports them is a loser and fraud just like them. There is too much history and too much dirty laundry in that camp. We need fresh blood and fresh ideas from someone we can trust. If Hillary is on the ticket, I'll be voting Republican! Hillary SUCKS!

Posted by: Mike | Jan 21, 2008 5:12:22 AM

It’s a free country and you can vote for whomever you choose. For anyone threatens to vote Republican if Mrs. Clinton is selected as the Democratic nominee, that’s your choice. I think any Republican nominee will be doomed unless the economy recovers or Bush rating goes over 50% by election time, and Mrs. Clinton, if she is the Democratic nominee, will win. After all, she is a very pragmatic politician, and her policies are more centrist than most candidates. All U.S elections have been won with candidates occupying the center, and not on either extreme, right or left. Mrs. Clinton will win because her supporters have always outnumbered her detractors, and she is a proven fighter. She can take anything Republicans throw at her. The same cannot be said about Obama or any Republican candidate who has weaknesses of their own. Obama’s time will come someday but not now. He cannot win the Democratic nomination unless he can pull in more than 15% of the Hispanic votes nationally as compared to 65% for Mrs. Clinton. To do that, he must spend more years working along with Hispanic legislators and people to gain their trust and confidence, rather than just engaging in perpetual running for office, with nothing to show except for some pretty but soon worn-out speeches about hope and change. No one runs for office without espousing these themes in one way or another, including all Republicans. GW Bush did it 8 years ago too. He was to be the ‘uniter’, had success with the Texas Democratic legislature, would reform Washington etc. ad nauseam. "Obamacans" are nothing but a pipe dream by another GW Wannabe.

Posted by: Notasnaive | Jan 21, 2008 5:14:15 AM

The Clinton camp will hardly have any cooperation from any Republican, so just from Day One they will be doomed. They will drag the country again into chaotic political games, lies and scandals. On the other hand, senator Obama has proven to be a unifier and conciliator, that is what America needs. If partisanship comes above common sense, the Democrats deserve what thet choose for, but God save America.

Posted by: carmen | Jan 21, 2008 5:47:40 AM

Notsonaive,
Great change, which incidentally is what America needs right now, is never brought about by pragmatic leaders.

Our politicians have strayed so far from the righteous path that yes it may, from your point of view look and sound like a "pipe dream" or a "fairy tale". It takes foresight and courage to see beyond that.

What we need right now is to make peace with the rest of the world and focus on our own internal problems like health care, education and the economy.

You would be naive to think that someone who was for the war in Iraq and for attacking Iran will have time for anything else.

Posted by: Tak | Jan 21, 2008 5:50:36 AM


Hillary and Bill are throwing SOFTBALLS at Obama. This isnt HARDBALL. The hardball comes in the general election. The Clintons are just exposing to moderates that Obama has a GLASS JAW. He will not win a general election on HYPE alone.

Two weeks ago, Republicans were all saying they would rather face Clinton cause they know where she stands and is a typical democrat. With Obama they got a HOPE candidate which is a blank page .

yesterday they were starting to change their tune and admitted his HYPE OF HOPE image was breaking down into the same message as John Edwards was saying. If the Clintons expose him even futher, he will be easy to beat in the election as an empty suit.

Posted by: tom | Jan 21, 2008 7:07:10 AM

I have been a supporter of Bill Clinton since 1992, but my support has now ended. Based on what I have seen over the past several weeks, I am now convinced that the Clintons will do whatever it takes, by any means necessary to win the White House again. If it means lying on Obama, then they will do it with ease and a straight face. Now I can see how Bill Clinton said with a straight face, " I did not have sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky!" He says whatever he needs to say whether it is truth or fiction and he expects the public to be so gullible that we will believe whatever he says!

Posted by: Gail Evans | Jan 21, 2008 8:28:36 AM

After having witnessed the distorted remarks and outright lies that Bill Clinton and Hillary have said regarding Obama over the last two days, it makes me a more ardent supporter for Obama. Obama has shown himself to be an honorable man who has respect for the truth. Obama is such a fresh breath of air and the Clintons know that if more people start listening to Obama that they will not have a chance. That's why they must stop him in his tracks before he changes a nation. The Clintons play divide and conquer politics. Obama stands for Unite and Conquer politics. A house divided will not stand, and a Democratic Party divided will not win.

Posted by: Gail | Jan 21, 2008 8:34:12 AM

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