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Obama Takes the Pillow, Not the Bait

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February 27, 2008 11:03 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Barack Obama came to the press part of the plane for the first time since the airing of the now infamous "Saturday Night Live" last weekend featuring a parody of himself and Sen. Hillary Clinton. In the skit, members of the press corps ask Obama if he's comfortable, a joke touching on the criticisms that the press is too easy on him.

Hillary Clinton herself brought up the skit during Tuesday night’s debate. "If anybody saw ‘Saturday Night Live,’ you know, maybe we should ask Barack if he's comfortable and needs another pillow," she said.

The pillow talk made a reemergence during Obama’s trip to the back of the press plane on the flight from Dallas to Austin, Texas.

Obama, greeting reporters, was handed a small white airline pillow by The Washington Times' Christina Bellantoni. "Would you like a pillow?" she asked.

Obama’s reaction was zilch, nada, nothing. He took the pillow -- but not the bait. He handed the pillow back discreetly with no reaction.

The senator shook a few print reporters' hands -– told a few bloggers he doesn’t read blogs –- and then headed to the back of the plane -– a part he dubbed "the fun part of the plane" -– where the photographers sit.

An Obama staffer quickly ushered the candidate back to his portion of the plane as it was time to land –- and before any more questions, or pillows, came his way.

February 27, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (49)

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It really makes you wonder what goes on under the facade that is Obama. That is one of the things I like about Hillary, she is passionate and it shows. You just know she is going to fight for you. In Obama I see indifference, almost as if he is robotic, going though the motions. I wonder if he is on anti-depressents?

Posted by: Firefighter | Feb 27, 2008 11:46:02 PM

I have no doubt that Obama cares, but he's not willing to give someone an opportunity to use his emotions against him. There's a time and place for emotions.

Posted by: jeremy | Feb 27, 2008 11:50:44 PM

Perhaps he does not like facing facts about the bias contributing to his support base instead of really earning the support he has outright?

Posted by: DCVoter | Feb 27, 2008 11:54:46 PM

I think what Hillary really resents about the press is that they report stuff like "Obama has won the past 11 states" and "some superdelegates are shifting support from Clinton to Obama". Maybe Clinton should hate the message, not the messengers.

Posted by: hRC didn't help NY | Feb 27, 2008 11:58:45 PM

I might also add that Hillary Clinton was not complaining about bias back when the media were busy painting her as the INEVITABLE candidate.

Posted by: hRC didn't help NY | Feb 28, 2008 12:03:07 AM

No Clinton supporters wonder why the press airs any items that are not complentary to Obama after 11 at night.Why only one news program looked into his voting record in the senate and his nuclear bill he was proud of that had no teeth and gave nuclear energy producers a choice to notify or not notify civil and federal authorities.Wonder if he will bring his family to Godly Illinois to live and drink the water thats contaminated.But hey he can always find something or someone to blame.

Posted by: girlinvt | Feb 28, 2008 12:44:11 AM

He has class, it has been so long since we have seen it in a politician we don't recognize it anymore. He's an adult and he acts like one. He treats people like adults until they show they don't know how to behave. he is a statesman an a scholar and he doesn't have time for the foolishness. he won't provide you one-liners, he will give you answers.

Posted by: Louis | Feb 28, 2008 1:45:05 AM

He will work with everybody and anybody to provide health care to millions of Americans. Louis is right. He is a mature adult. I definitely see him as someone even Republican would like to work with. Hillary is a good candidate too. She may have little bit of trouble working with even some democrat (let alone Republican).

Posted by: Al, San Francisco | Feb 28, 2008 2:37:37 AM

Obama is a load of bs. He has zero foreign policy experience and is just going to be another Bush if elected. This is the begining of the end for America. Its economy is bound to collapse very shortly followed by general unemployment and increased poverty.

Posted by: Nostradamus | Feb 28, 2008 2:49:36 AM

This is a worthy news story?? Whatever!

Posted by: Rialb58 | Feb 28, 2008 4:05:48 AM

I would like to hear Obama say exactly how he plans to achieve all his dreams, I mean, goals - including his "I can change the world in 3 days". His worshippers need to wake up.

Posted by: Anne, Texas | Feb 28, 2008 4:07:15 AM

Sourpuss Obama... He is no fun....lol

Posted by: Jay | Feb 28, 2008 5:12:01 AM

Why do Obama supporters continue to believe his lies? Look at this headline from CTA.ca...

Obama staffer gave warning of NAFTA rhetoric

Barack Obama has ratcheted up his attacks on NAFTA, but a senior member of his campaign team told a Canadian official not to take his criticisms seriously, CTV News has learned.

Within the last month, a top staff member for Obama's campaign telephoned Michael Wilson, Canada's ambassador to the United States, and warned him that Obama would speak out against NAFTA, according to Canadian sources.

The staff member reassured Wilson that the criticisms would only be campaign rhetoric, and should not be taken at face value.

Posted by: cmarie83 | Feb 28, 2008 5:50:16 AM

Hey Christina? D'ya know how to tell when a joke's gone too far?

When Hillary tells it.

Obviously, he sets his own agenda. This is what would be known as having a backbone. It is an essential part of being authentic. That others fail to engage him in their pratfalls is proof of it.

And if I were him, there'd be days I would vehemently wish for the tired jokes and not so subtle baiting to ease up too.

Posted by: SE Croft | Feb 28, 2008 6:58:28 AM

She is passionate??? The word is desperate.. I urge you to pay attention. she has missed judged everyone and everything. those who think he is not ready to lead need to tlk to some state representitives who worked with his campaign on the ground. Never before has a so well organized team seamlessly integrated with local forces to achiev their goals. Her team cant tell up from down and theare always left scrambling to catch up. she says she will be ready on day one.. I say for what.. Hillary is every kids worst english teacher pointing her finger and scolding when the class does not comply. she is out of touch and mean spirited. these are not the leadership skills this republican converted obaman wants. she needs to bow out ,,, her arrogance and greed will never allow that

Posted by: Brian | Feb 28, 2008 7:21:03 AM

ah, he should have made fun of the reporter. the washington times is a rag.

Posted by: TONY | Feb 28, 2008 7:21:33 AM

Posted by: Nostradamus | Feb 28, 2008 2:49:36 AM


Nostradamus, in case you haven't noticed, it's those guys we put in office who had all this experience your talking about that has gotten us where we are today. It's those guys who are lining their pockets along with the oil companies as Americans struggle to make ends meet. There is an old saying that says.... If you always do what you have always done, You will always get what you have always got! We need change in Washington. This is a different America than it was fifty years ago and they are changing with the times. We cannot be surprised that we find ourselves i this situation when we sat back and allowed it to happen.


Posted by: JustTired | Feb 28, 2008 7:37:47 AM

I don't understand something, so all of you people in Hillaryland help me out here. I've read a dozen stories about how Obama is remote and reserved with the traveling press, doesn't suck up to the or banter with them, seems to be stiff and humorless around them, etc., etc. So why, then, are the media these journalists represent supposedly fawning over Obama, "giving him a pass," hammering Hillary, and so on? Am I the only one who thinks this is counter-intuitive?

Bottom line: the media bias accusation is crap. Just look at RealClearPolitics on any given day, and see how many stories and columns there are that are strongly critical of Obama.

Fact is, Hillary has run a lousy campaign and Obama has run a good one. Period.

Voters are not making p their minds based on news reports national tv coverage. The proof of this is what has happened Hillary's numbers as soon as she sets foot in a state, as opposed to what happens to his. Opposite directions. This is retail politics, and when the voters focus on these two candidates and get to see them up close, Obama always comes out on top.

Posted by: jac13 | Feb 28, 2008 7:37:54 AM

Obama is taking on the Billarys plus McCain and more than holding his own thats quiet impresive,If thats not leadership materal I dont know what is.

McCain can have a big mouth now because Obama is still involve in a primary race , In November Obama will eat him alive. In the republican debate outside of taling about Iraq which he is losing that arguement,

McCain is a dummy on all the other subjects , you talk about a guy that IS NOT even Oualify to run a company much less a Country .

Obama holds all the credentials including a fine law degree from Harvard, which had him head of the law Review.

You need someone in that OVAL office that can comprehend and come out in making the wise decision,McCain a nice man and means well, And at times does goes off the deep end with MOOD SWINGS , Which is understood with his age and what he been true in capture in vietnam.Thats not someone you let anywhere near the Oval office.

Now if we talking a Colin Powell or even a Wesley Clarke thats different.

Posted by: simon warner | Feb 28, 2008 7:38:50 AM

My views come from a UK citizen with no direct US connections. I know what Hillary Clinton stands for, warts and all. Despite a lot of coverage of the contest in the British press and on television, as well as the on-line news i have no idea what Mr Obama stands for except that 'everything should be better'! I think that is something which drives most who seek election but they normally seem to have some policy ideas behind them. Has the US democrat population fallen into some sort of a daze? What does he stand for in real, actionable terms? Please beware of the Emperors new clothes. We in the UK are now reaping the results of Tony Blair's legacy. A great smile and firm hanshake do not policy make.

Posted by: Jonti | Feb 28, 2008 10:03:20 AM

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