- Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20
- Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
- Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan
- Hillary Clinton the Tomboy and Her "Ah-Ha" Moment
- Obama Administration Sudan Envoy Headed to Region
- Daily Photo: Potential Flashpoint in Iraq
- Clinton Says New Afghanistan-Pakistan Plan Depends on Diplomacy
- Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan
- Additional 4,000 Troops to Be Ordered to Afghanistan
- Daily Photo: Navy Submarine Trains in the Arctic
- Alarm Over North Korea Missile Prep
- Anti-Terror Stimulus? US Offers Rewards for Top Terrorists
- Daily Photo: Pakistani Women in Refugee Camp
- Condoleezza Rice Appears on "The Tonight Show"
- Diplomat and Aid Group Sound the Alarm on Darfur Camp Situation
- auto industry rescue
- Ballotwatch
- Biden, Joe
- Bush, George W.
- Clinton, Bill
- Clinton, Hillary
- Dodd, Chris
- Edwards, John
- Giuliani, Rudy
- Gravel, Mike
- Huckabee, Mike
- Hunter, Duncan
- Inauguration
- Iraq
- Kucinich, Dennis
- McCain, John
- Obama, Barack
- Palin, Sarah
- Paul, Ron
- Romney, Mitt
- Tancredo, Tom
- Thompson, Fred
- Veepstakes
- Vote 2008: Democrats
- Vote 2008: Republicans
- Washington
- White House
« Previous | Main | Next »
Obama Fires Back at Clinton
February 15, 2008 11:40 AM
ABC News' David Wright, Sunlen Miller and Ursula Fahy Report: Sen. Barack Obama was especially harsh and dismissive today of rival Sen. Hillary Clinton’s latest round of attacks.
“I understand that Sen. Clinton periodically, when she’s feeling down, launches attacks as a way of boosting her appeal,” Obama said in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “But this kind of gamesmanship is not what the American people are looking for.”
In Ohio yesterday, Clinton essentially accused Obama of being all talk, no action.
“Let me tell you,” she told an audience in Columbus, Ohio, “there is a big difference between speeches and solutions.”
At a news conference today Obama shot back: “She has taken double the amount from lobbyists than any other Democrat or Republican. That’s not being in the solution business that’s being part of the business as usual business.”
Obama laughed off the attack ad Clinton is running here in Wisconsin, accusing Obama of trying to dodge debates.
“There’s a debate coming up next Thursday in Ohio -- after the 18 that we’ve already had,” he said, smiling broadly. “This is a distraction and I think people know that.”
The Obama campaign has mounted a response ad to Clinton’s ad.
He said: “Our general attitude is: anytime someone goes up with something negative we respond.”
February 15, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (133)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Nice job - just dismiss the attacks that can be easily dismissed. Never want to get caught in a long explanation, even when you're right, because the very need to explain is something of a loss.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 15, 2008 11:45:35 AM
Yes Mr. Obama, and you have give triple what Hillary has taken to buy your way into the White House with the Super Delegate vote. Why didn't you mention or try to explain that.
Mr. Obama is a crooked Chicago Politician, and he can BS with the best of them. People are now becoming aware of how much he is a player.
Posted by: Jordan Clinton | Feb 15, 2008 11:52:17 AM
Talking about lobbyists, Mr. Obama, the house which you are staying in was purchased after collaborating with Mr. Rezko and the deal which now you are trying to wash off by calling it a "bone headed mistake". That's some judgement on day one.
Posted by: ES | Feb 15, 2008 12:01:19 PM
Arrogance will backfire. Thanks for describing him as dismissive. That always works for a candidate!
ps: change does not include buying superdelegates. they are both the same.
Posted by: Tony | Feb 15, 2008 12:02:32 PM
I think some internal polls might be showing Obama's support slipping in Wisconsin. Even Rasmussen that always under polls Clinton on Obama's best polling day ever, the 13th only showed him 4% ahead, within the margin of error. Mr. Obama's refusal to debate Clinton is resonating. 75% of Wisconsin's say he should debate her there. That's a lot!
Posted by: s.b. | Feb 15, 2008 12:04:03 PM
Yes I agree Tony, Almighty King OBama slapping little Hillary's bottom with a nice spanking and telling her to go sit in a corner for being bad.
What utter arrogance. This guy's days are numbered . He talks a good game, but his words and his heart are speaking different languages.
Posted by: Jordan Clinton | Feb 15, 2008 12:05:39 PM
Clinton won't release her tax returns. Clinton got more than 4 times as many (over $400 million worth) earmarks for NY. Clinton takes money from PACs and lobbyists. She wants delegates from states that were told they wouldn't count. How do you spell "unethical"? H-I-L-L-A-R-Y!
Posted by: Janet | Feb 15, 2008 12:05:47 PM
And of course Janet, Mr. Obama is squeaky clean. He is a saint among politicians.
Posted by: Jordan Clinton | Feb 15, 2008 12:08:13 PM
Mrs. Clinton has to go 'negative' at this time. . .what else can she do.
She has been out-spent; and out-classed by someone she ignored for too long !!
He'll continue to talk about issues and answer questions. .same as her !!!
What matters are the voters. .and the final chapter will be written in Texas and Ohio. . .stay tuned.
Posted by: BJ | Feb 15, 2008 12:08:26 PM
To be fair BJ Mr. OBama has been slamming Mrs. Clinton in every speech for weeks. No ones says anything is wrong with that. He can do no wrong.
He has been given a complete pass and has been the media darling since the beginning. It is about time Hillary took off the gloves and came out fighting. She is going to throttle him at the next debate.
Posted by: Jordan Clinton | Feb 15, 2008 12:10:58 PM
Dennis: I don't hate Mr. Obama at all. I just think right now, voting for him to become President would be a huge, terrible and costly mistake. Don't I have a right to support the candidate of my choice and speak out for him/her anymore? Is this still the USA and a free country right?
I see a terrible amount of hate and sexism for Hillary coming from Obama supporters constantly, but I suppose you think that is acceptable.
Posted by: Jordan Clinton | Feb 15, 2008 12:21:54 PM
$400,000,000 for NY? I thought you all said she has done nothing for NY?
Just bend the news to suit your tastes, and ignore anything that darkens the door step of your candidate.
Bravery in the upcoming New World. Can't wait.
Posted by: 2009 Where Are You? | Feb 15, 2008 12:28:30 PM
If obama thinks this is an attack, he need to buckle up for McCain, should he continue to get the free pass from the media. The gloves will come off with the Republicans and a smirk and put down won't get him very far with the right wing pit bulls. He can't debate because he can't win on the facts. It always looks bad for him when "a girl" beats him up on national tv. Wis. isn't going to like the "assumption" that he will win their vote.
Posted by: AmazonTraveler | Feb 15, 2008 12:28:46 PM
Jordan..no one is saying that Obama is a saint. It's interesting though that all the Clinton campaign can throw at Obama is that he won't debate in WI and his speeches aren't specific enough for them. If they actually had dirt on him they would be using it. So Obama may not be "squeaky clean" but he sure has less to hide than Hillary.
Posted by: Janet | Feb 15, 2008 12:28:49 PM
Mark, Mr. OBama's plan is not any better. At least 15 million or more Americans will suffer without any health insurance under his plan. I have been examining Hillary's plan, and the poorest people will still have health insurance and even thought it will be mandated, the poorest sector of the country will receive subsidies and tax credits and other help so they will be able to afford excellent coverage, the same as congress receives. That is Hillary's plan, and I support it.
Posted by: Jordan Clinton | Feb 15, 2008 12:30:18 PM
The Clinton's had their shot in the White House. Remember you got "two for the price of one" under Bill's eight years. Now is the time for a new voice, new perspective, and new fresh ideas. Hillary's tit-for-tat negative attacks when she's perceived as not being the current front runner or lost the momementum are doing no favors for ANY democrats chance in November. Demos: remember the big picture. Losing the Whitehouse for another four years to more failed Bush policies- foreign and domestic would sink this country into further abyss. Obama has to repond to them. He can't let the spin doctors of the Clinton political machine taint the facts.
Posted by: Obama fan | Feb 15, 2008 12:30:26 PM
Sen. Clinton has said she has 35 years of experience. Last time I checked she was first lady for eight years. What experience are we talking about "Planning State Dinners". She has been a Senator for less than 6 years. I did take math and that adds up to about 14 years. I ask where is the 35 years??? DO we really want another LYING CLINTON IN THE WHITE HOUSE???
When the tough gets going Sen. Clinton starts to lie and distort. That's a great quality for our leaders to have.
Posted by: Memphis Red | Feb 15, 2008 12:32:36 PM
Here's a running list of Obama's lobbyists and PAC people
As if he is pure, WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
Donald Alexander (Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld)
John Buscher (Holland & Knight)
Kevin Chavous (Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal)
Tom Daschle (Alston & Bird)
Stan Fendley (Corning)
Elizabeth Fox (Jolly/Rissler)
Francis Grab (Washington Council Ernst & Young)
Tim Hannegan (Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates)
Tom Jensen (Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal)
Broderick Johnson (Bryan Cave Strategies)
Mark Keam (Verizon)
Bob Maloney (Maloney Government Relations)
Marcus Mason (The Madison Group)
Andy Rosenberg (Ogilvy Government Relations)
Bobby Sepucha (Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal)
Jarvis Stewart (Stewart Partners)
Tom Walls (McGuireWoods)
Michael Williams (Credit Suisse)
Posted by: 2009 Where Are You? | Feb 15, 2008 12:33:00 PM
Interesting comments - but I think it's time to talk issues that affect Americans and to be fair to both Obama and Hillary, they both have been talking substance recently. I am an independent, but I might be shifting towards Obama now that he is talking more of substance... Good speech is vital and inspirational, but a good combination will be good speech and substance. I will be watching...
Posted by: Ton Oguara | Feb 15, 2008 12:33:18 PM
and before everyone cries foul,
Check the data against the truth and see, for a change, that all is not as the media has put it. Before you attack and say it is lame, check to see if it is true first. Then attack if you can prove it wrong.
PAC and lobbyists work heavily for both candidates, not just one. Sorry to disappoint with facts. They are like that sometimes. Aggrevating and inescapable.
Posted by: 2009 Where Are You? | Feb 15, 2008 12:35:30 PM
Post a comment



