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McCain Rips 'Eloquent But Empty' Obama
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ShareFebruary 19, 2008 9:51 PM
ABC News' Ron Claiborne and Teddy Davis Report: Arizona Sen. John McCain unveiled a new line of attack against Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., following his Tuesday win in Wisconsin's Republican primary.
"I will work hard to make sure Americans aren't deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change," said McCain.
The presumed Republican nominee also knocked his likely Democratic opponent by taking a shot at the "confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate."
The Obama camp -- fresh off a big win of their own in Wisconsin -- quickly responded.
"John McCain's remarks tonight shows why he's offering nothing more than a third term of George Bush's policies -– more fear-mongering, more than a century of war in Iraq, and more budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthiest few at the expense of hardworking Americans," said Obama campaign spokesperson Bill Burton.
A week ago, after winning the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. primaries, McCain suggested without ever using Obama's name that the Illinois Democrat's theme of hope was nothing more than "a platitude."
But Tuesday was the first time that he painted his rival as "eloquent but empty."
Obama spokesman Bill Burton responded to McCain's barb by accusing the Arizona senator of offering "nothing more than a third term of George Bush's policies: more fear-mongering, more than a century of war in Iraq, and more budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthiest few at the expense of hardworking Americans."
McCain also used his victory speech to take what some might interpret as a subtle dig at Obama's wife.
"I have never lived a day, in good times or bad, that I haven’t been proud of the privilege" of being an American, said McCain. "Don't tell me what we can't do. Don't tell me we can’t make our country stronger and the world safer. We can. We must. And when I'm President we will."
Speaking Monday in Milwaukee, Wisc., Michelle Obama said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country . . . not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change."
Asked about McCain's new "eloquent but empty" line of attack, McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker called it, "A preview of things to come."
For the latest from the campaign trail -- all the barbs, battles and breaking news -- read The Note every morning only on abcnews.com/politics
February 19, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (314)
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guevera - yeah - they are.
Posted by: Jeffrey Feldman | Feb 19, 2008 10:00:12 PM
Right, senator. Let's stick to "straight talk" like how U.S. forces will be in Iraq for 100 years.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 19, 2008 10:02:59 PM
I enjoy when Obambi fans are asked to name one of his achievements. In addition to deer in headlight stares, "he gave a nice speech."
Posted by: Captain America | Feb 19, 2008 10:04:33 PM
Captain America - name one of McCain's?
Posted by: Paul | Feb 19, 2008 10:05:38 PM
My Vote is for Hillary ! Never Obama, McCain if I must.
Posted by: georgie | Feb 19, 2008 10:06:36 PM
If you don't support Obama you are uneducated? typical leftist arrogance.
Here's some usefule decriptions of Obama: "form without substance", "an empty suit," and my particular favorite, "Dan Quayle Lite."
Posted by: Tom Faranda | Feb 19, 2008 10:06:58 PM
I suspect the country hasn't had a presidential candidate who really achieved anything noteworthy before running for office since Eisenhower.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 19, 2008 10:10:35 PM
It s unbelievable to me how people are following Obama's speeches. Sure everyone wants what he promises. But is he selling snake oil? Use your brains!! This guy is an eloquent speaker and is pandering to your desires. But, come back down to reality folks. The emperor doesn't have new clothes. This is a dangerous world that we live in. it takes someone with experience and good judgement to protect us and to prosper. Ombama is barely qulaified to be a senator. He was a community activist before this! Wake up and stop being mesmerized by this guy. Do any of you know what he will do when the time comes to show leadership, strength, courage, etc. NO, he has no historical record!! McCain is the logical choice for level headed Americans.
Posted by: Joe | Feb 19, 2008 10:12:30 PM
Yeah, but Joe, I noticed no one yet has answered what significant accomplishments McCain has achieved. Deer in the headlights?
Posted by: Paul | Feb 19, 2008 10:15:08 PM
Senator McNasty, McAmnesty, McTooOld has his own problems to deal with. Like reaching out to the Conservative base he has dissed for the last 20 years.
Posted by: Darrel | Feb 19, 2008 10:15:52 PM
McCain is obnoxious, and his groveling, holier-than-thou attitude is getting mighty OLD.
His "Forked-Tongue Express" is about to hit a brick wall.
Game on, McCain. En garde!
Posted by: Mark | Feb 19, 2008 10:16:46 PM
100 More Years in Iraq? Continuing Bush's failed economic policies?
Now that's snake oil, and we ain't buying it!!!
Obama 08 YES, WE CAN!!!
Posted by: Jackt51 | Feb 19, 2008 10:16:59 PM
And think of it this way. Obama only has a few years in Washington of accomplishing nothing. Its really embarrassing to be in Washington as long as McCain has been there, and still have accomplished nothing.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 19, 2008 10:19:05 PM
Amen, Paul!
Posted by: lrn | Feb 19, 2008 10:21:51 PM
Want a McCain accomplishment that Obama cannot seem to match...
When he goes to work to vote on a bill - he actually VOTES instead of saying 'present'. Now can I have an apple?
Posted by: Robert, New York City, NY | Feb 19, 2008 10:21:57 PM
Amen, Paul,
And for that matter, what has Hillary accomplished? What is this wonderful "experience" of hers we keep hearing mentioned by her and her supporters?
No one seems capable of answering that....
Posted by: Mark | Feb 19, 2008 10:22:12 PM
Pretty weak, Robert. Maybe a fig newton for that one.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 19, 2008 10:22:55 PM
Like I said Mark. If we want a candidate who accomplished anything noteworthy before running for the presidency, we'd better start digging Eisenhower back up.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 19, 2008 10:24:11 PM
The only humans technically qualified to be president are those who have already served as president.
ANYONE -- I repeat, ANYONE -- who claims to be "prepared" is either a fool or a liar.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 19, 2008 10:24:59 PM
Voting 'present' does not mean he is walking out or protesting.
It means he is sitting there without an opinion.
If he does not like the bill he votes 'no', if he likes it he votes 'yes'. Its pretty simple - even the other lefty dem's understand the principle.
Now - if you dont want to take a stand on anything so you can continually run for office and not get pegged down as having any beliefs - you vote 'present' 67% of the time.
And think about it - if he is protesting 67% of the time - what is he actually doing? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
Part of the problem of part of the solution. Think about it.
Posted by: Robert, New York City, NY | Feb 19, 2008 10:25:52 PM
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