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Obama Slams McCain in N.M.

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February 01, 2008 5:05 PM

ABC News' David Wright, Sunlen Miller and Andy Fies Report: At a raucous town hall meeting on the economy in Albuquerque, N.M., Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama today accused Republican presidential contender Sen. John McCain of towing the Bush Administration line on tax cuts out of political opportunism.

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

“There was a time when some Republicans like John McCain agreed with me,” Obama said, of his calls to roll back Bush’s temporary tax cuts for the richest Americans instead of making those tax cuts permanent. 

“There was a time when Senator McCain courageously defied the fiscal madness of massive tax cuts for the wealthy in the midst of a costly war,” Obama said.  “That was before he started running for the Republican nomination and fell in line.”

During last night’s CNN debate in Los Angeles, Obama also looked past the Democratic nomination fight to take aim at McCain.  At one point, he observed that, “Somewhere along the line, the Straight Talk Express lost some wheels.”

The town hall meeting focused on the package of middle class initiatives Obama has framed as “Reclaiming the American Dream.”

Unlike previous forums, the audience for this one was huge.  According to the fire marshal more than 6,000 people were here, including two overflow areas.  Obama addressed the overflow crowds using a megaphone.

This being New Mexico, the event also featured a bit of Southwestern flavor.  One Native American voter greeted the candidate in a tribal language. Others asked his views on illegal immigration.

“I’m not a big fan of vigilante justice,” Obama said, prompting a burst of applause.  “We are a nation of laws AND we are a nation of immigrants.  Those two things are not contradictory.”

Obama lavished praise on New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for his "important work" on the immigration issue.  Obama is openly courting Richardson's endorsement.

"We have no plans on receiving an endorsement but I would love to be pleasantly surprised,” Obama said today.

After Albuquerque, Obama heads on to Santa Fe before ending the day in Boise, Idaho as he criss-crosses the nation days before the Feb.5 Super Tuesday multi-state votes.

February 1, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (79)

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I think you mean to say Sen. Obama accused Sen. McCain of TOEING not TOWING the line on taxes.

Posted by: Bearwife | Feb 1, 2008 5:37:20 PM

..and now the morons at Moveon.org have openly backed Obama. If he ever had a chance that's not what he needed. Bad enough getting his immensness "Teddy" on his side earlier. He's done for 2008.

Posted by: vizorsdn | Feb 1, 2008 5:38:03 PM

Grow up Obama...you have nothing but empty promises. No experience. I would trust McCain to keep our country safe over you in a heartbeat. Please Nader or Perot run...anyone please run that can take votes away from this man.

Posted by: philip | Feb 1, 2008 5:39:55 PM

Ted Kennedy backed Obama. That is good enough for me not to vote for him.

Posted by: philip | Feb 1, 2008 5:41:08 PM

McCain is way too corrupt and way too old to be president. Who in their right mind would vote for someone involved in the S&L scandal (Keating 5) or likewise committed adultery and left his wife for someone much younger? With eyes hafl open, anyone could see this arrogant thug coming from 200 miles away.

About 40% of Americans must be real idiots to go along with the McCain thug, just because the media, and elites that control the media, put his ugly, smirky mug up everywhere, oh, and also parade out a list of fellow thugs as if endorsements matter more than record. Call him Juan, as he fits in much better with the lawless immigrants (the ones he wants to grant amnesty too)that cross the border illegally, and break other laws here with impunity once here. What some gullible dullards--and they will sink our nation this time, if they get McCain in.

Posted by: jd | Feb 1, 2008 5:41:36 PM

Politico said the "control group" thought Huckabee won the Republican Debate -- what's so astonishing is that the control group consisted wholly of CALIFORNIA WOMEN -- that's right those independent-minded strong California Women thought Huckbee won -- now this flies in the face of the Media's Conventional notion that Huckabee only appeals to the Evangelicals -- so why isn't the Main-Stream Media covering this??????????

More importantly, today Politico did a story on Women being a key factor in the election -- so, this makes Huckabee's win even more ASTOUNDING & NEWS WORTHY. So, again, why isn't the MSM covering this?

Oh, and by the way -- Huckabee's press secretary has been trying to get him on Hannity's show tonight -- any success with that??????? Hmmmmm [Just in- they've now said Yes for tonight, Feb 1]

How about a debate between Hannity & Huckabee -- since Huckabee's not only running against the Republican Candidates -- but the Media as well? Perhaps this could be held on another "Fair & Balanced" network -- any suggestions??

Also, Mike is only 1% behind Romney in New National Poll!! So HOW DARE the media ignore and suppress him?

Posted by: liz | Feb 1, 2008 5:47:08 PM

McCain says "we'll stay in Iraq if it takes 100 years." At a billion a month? Not gonna happen. Obama/Hillary or Hillary/Obama will win this election in a landslide never before seen in American politics.

Posted by: eric | Feb 1, 2008 5:49:49 PM

Okay ABC. What is Hillary Clinton saying today? I'm Obama'd out already. I'm not going to vote for him on Tuesday so a little balance in reporting over the weekend would be appreciated.

Posted by: Mary | Feb 1, 2008 5:53:46 PM

All the endorsments are coming out of the closet. Oprah is campaigning. The whole 9 yards. Is is enough for Obama to catch clinton by tuesday?

What a national circus this has turned into.

Posted by: tom | Feb 1, 2008 5:54:16 PM

In all fairness Obama is the only one well positioned to take on McCain. What will Hillary hold against McCain if not on fundamental issues like abortion etc which wont matter in these elections?

War.She voted the same like McCain but changed her mind later
Iran.She voted same way as McCain
So what will she have against McCain?

Posted by: EE | Feb 1, 2008 5:54:29 PM

If a 71 year old Bush clone and another religious freak show are the best Republicans can come up with, why not just concede the election now and save us all the effort. :)

Posted by: eric | Feb 1, 2008 5:56:14 PM

Most comments are full of hate and anger. Relax...we have been dealing with 8 years of the Bush nightmare and i think you have been poisoned a bit. It may take time to get normal again. In the meantime, stop infesting everyone else with your disease and accept the fact that McCain needs to flip flop his positions in order to get the republican vote.

Posted by: Alma | Feb 1, 2008 6:00:05 PM

Robert Marley - If you make 250K then yes, you should probably vote for the Republicans along with the other 1.5% of households in your position. I'm somewhere near the median myself, so repealing Bush's tax cuts is not going to make much difference to me.

Posted by: jock59801 | Feb 1, 2008 6:01:07 PM

McCain is just like Bush, right down to the arrogant smirk, and he will continue to destroy the nation and Constitution, just as surely as Bush has. Just look at his record of corruption, and see how close his corruptions and failures mirror those of Bush.

Posted by: nomas | Feb 1, 2008 6:07:10 PM

I used to be a fan of McCain's. He should have had the nomination 7 years ago. He was the real deal back then. Now he just panders to the conservative base. Just because he is stubborn doesn't mean he is right. He is just like George W. Not willing to listen to anyone.
How in the world do you support an infinite war without any compassion for the soldiers he wants to sacrifice on the alter of ego. Get a grip old man and move out of the way for a new and prosperous America under Obama's leadership.

We have a choice of wanting to be mired in this ugly travesty of governship or move to an America that is respected and illuminates the path for struggling democracies.

Posted by: rkadije | Feb 1, 2008 6:13:14 PM

Clinton vs. Obama = Politcal Machine vs. Grassroots Movement----We all know who eventually wins here. Go Obama!

Posted by: Caty | Feb 1, 2008 6:13:15 PM

To The Powers That Be, Take Care of HOME FIRST,THEN AND ONLY THEN DO WE WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE,I THINK WE GOT THAT INFO WHEN WE WERE KIDS.OK

Posted by: RROMARO | Feb 1, 2008 6:16:59 PM

I like McCain. Crossed party lines to vote in the Republican primary 8 years ago in hopes he would be the nominee, and I would have voted for him for President. I even agree with him on the Surge. But I have to say I don't agree with him to go along with making permanent the Bush tax cut for the rich. No way. So they can correct the economy by giving us working people a few hundred back each Spring? Ridiculous. I'll vote for Obama this time.

Posted by: summitcounty | Feb 1, 2008 6:17:00 PM

someone define "wealthy"..it's not the middle class.

Posted by: p | Feb 1, 2008 6:17:26 PM

Robert Marley,
I am a professional, with multiple degrees and live in a major city on about $35,000 a year, as a senior.
I don't mind devoting more of my income to tax plans that help those less fortunate than I, help improve our schools and make our roads and bridges
safe again. We need leaders that understand mutual responsibility. What are you thinking?
dc

Posted by: deecani | Feb 1, 2008 6:20:26 PM

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