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Obama's 'View'
March 28, 2008 12:33 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Barack Obama cozied up on the couch with the women of ABC's "The View".
"I am surrounded by women, well you guys always surprise me, always something up your sleeve," the Senator remarked.
When questioned by co-host Joy Behar if he was tough enough to survive the attack machine in this race, Obama responded, "I'm skinny but I'm tough."
"There (have) been some tough punches thrown in this primary, it's not like I've been taking a cake walk though this primary," Obama said.
Obama said the best way to withstand the negative criticism is the let it roll off your sleeve, and realize that not everyone he says is going to make everybody happy. But the presidential candidate said not to expect him to be swiftboated, a la John Kerry in the 2004 election, saying he will respond faster if under a similar attack.
"I don't think it's gotten dirty," Obama said, in reference to his tight contest with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
Race was the predominant issue of the interview.
"I never heard him say some of the things that have people upset," Obama said in reference to the controversial remarks of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's pastor of 20 years.
Rev. Wright, the retired pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, has a long history of what even Obama's campaign aides concede is "inflammatory rhetoric," including the assertion that the United States brought on the 9/11 attacks with its own "terrorism."
An ABC News review of dozens of the Rev. Wright's sermons, offered for sale by the church, found repeated denunciations of the United States based on what he described as his reading of the Gospels and the treatment of black Americans.
"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon. "God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme."
In addition to damning America, he told his congregation on the Sunday after Sept. 11, 2001, that the United States had brought on al Qaeda's attacks because of its own terrorism.
"I'm not vetting my pastor," Obama told "The View", "I didn't have a research team during the course of 20 years to go pull every sermon he's given and see if there's something offensive that he's said."
The senator agreed Wright's remarks are "rightly offensive" but described the Reverend who baptized his children and married he and his wife as a "brilliant man who was still stuck in a time warp."
"View" co-host Elisabeth Hasslebeck expressed concern that Obama's choice of pastor may show a lack of judgment.
The candidate explained, "Part of what my role in my politics is to get people who don't normally listen to each other to talk to each other, who [say] crazy things, who are offended by each other, for me to understand them and to maybe help them understand each other."
Obama said he talked to Wright after the controversy erupted.
"I think he's saddened by what's happened, and I told him I feel badly that he has been characterized just in this one way, and people haven't seen this broader aspect of him," Obama said.
On another subject, when asked for specifics by co-host and frequent critical Elisabeth Hasslebeck on his plan for the economy, Obama spoke about the need to roll back President Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
"You're in trouble, Barbara," co-host Sherri Shepherd interrupted, warning the renounced journalist as the audience rolled in laughter, "You're gonna be in trouble when he rolls back tax cuts!"
The Senator arrived about 20 minutes late from a lunch fundraiser at the Credit Suisse building in Manhatten to the Thursday taping of the episode which aired nationwide on Friday.
During the brief breaks for commercials, Obama whispered to Barbara Walters, each with their hand over their microphone to protect their conversation from being shared with the studio audience.
Obama greeted co-host Whoopi Goldberg's daughter and granddaughter, who sat front row in the audience.
"I want your vote," Obama said to the eighteen-year-old high school senior.
Actress Angela Bassett was also in the audience, prompting Obama to comment, "You got some fancy folks in the audience."
Barbara Walters, seen carrying Obama's book "Dreams of My Father" introduced the candidate to her two longtime friends who were also in the front row.
"They've never come before," Walters commented beforehand.
Joy Behar carried four books out to be signed by the Senator after the show, passing them off for to the staff.
Sherri Shepherd, who said she dressed up in there church outfit and "Obama-fit" before the show, was clad in a skinny black dress and white sweater overtop, and said the picture her and Obama took together during the commercial break was her prom picture.
Shepherd told Obama during the show that she was planning on voting for Hillary Clinton, but after his speech on race last Tuesday she switched and will be voting for him.
"I want to be leave "The View" to campaign for you," she joked.
Before the taping started, the predominantly female crowd, many sporting Obama buttons or shirts, were entertained by Maura McGinnis reading her poem entiteld "Obama for Rainbows", about the bridging of racial divides.
Walters graced the crowd before the taping, saying that it was a "historic day" for the show and assured the crowd they will also have Sen. Hillary Clinton on the show soon.
March 28, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (108)
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dl-Still trying to explain the Obama moments away, huh? Give it a break and deal with it like a man. Heck, I said Hillary's sniper crap was one dumb piece of lunacy only an idiot can say. That's the difference you people and us, we deal with our stupid moments while you try and try and try to explain them away. Be a man. Deal with it.
Posted by: Dogsoldier | Mar 28, 2008 2:06:30 PM
Well I guess that said it all if Obama said it it must be true if Hillary were to drop out the republicans would have his head on a tray by the time she got the words out. Talk about a spin he sat for twenty years in a hate filled church and did nothing didn't even hear a word BULL this makes me so mad what a load
Posted by: Bishop | Mar 28, 2008 2:06:48 PM
The problem is that the average American is too grounded in his ignorance to pursue truth or accuracy when making judgments. The average American takes sound bites from talk radio and the nightly news and runs with them. If you ask these individuals to comment on the context of these sound bites, or to use their judgment based in a factual analysis, they can't. These are the people who are in large part going to determine this election. We have too many of them in PA, unfortunately. Obama is an upstanding, thoughtful man with integrity. Do you really believe he did not consider what he'd said in his book before deciding to run for office? Do you really believe he did not consider the fact that he'd have to address Rev. Wright at some point? Dear God people. Think! This gotcha nonsense is absurd. Read the candidates' voting records before you comment. Read Obama's book before you talk about what he hasn't addressed. Do some research before you judge and condemn. For your own sake.
Posted by: Stunned | Mar 28, 2008 2:12:25 PM
Can't any Obama supporters learn some grown-up political discourse other than calling people "haters" when they find fault with Obama?
I'm guessing most of them are under the age of 25.
Posted by: Kerri | Mar 28, 2008 2:13:28 PM
For those that are spouting the lie about Obama NOT being a professor....the Univ of Chicago cleared that up today. Obama WAS a professor at the law school from 1992 to 1996, and served as a senior lecturer from 1996 to 2004 teaching three classes per year. He was offered a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined.
So hillary can stop saying, again, that Obama is a liar regarding his professor status.
Posted by: LA in Indiana | Mar 28, 2008 2:14:15 PM
Ok, I thought his appearance was nice. He's a down to earth guy. Having said that, I don't understand why people keep saying that don't know anything about Barak Obama, he's written two books, best sellers I might add. So, the only thing I can assume is that people don't read. Reading is fundamental.
This why I honestly, believe Obama will never capture the interest of the white blue collar worker...why do you ask? Becasue they don't read and are ignorant.
I had a Professor who once said if you ever want to hide information from most folks put it in a book. He was right.
As far as Rev. Wright...who cares. A person is a lot more that a few sermons you heard 30 sec of. Be for real. Read!!! Read!!! Read!!! Get an education. Most of American's are stuck on being stupid.
Lastly, I think that everyone should be ashamed that this is the first time they even heard of Rev. Wright..The US government has needed his help a few times. Please just pick up a book and read.
Obama 08...
Posted by: TME | Mar 28, 2008 2:15:20 PM
I hate when educated people call ladies "you guys". Now that I got that off my chest, I feel that Obama left a few questions unanswered today on the View. He also contradicted himself but I guess he is allowed to because the media is totally in love with this guy. Reminds me of the same love they had for Bush. Wake up America! Obama is a typical politician like the rest except he is unqualified and inexperienced. Hillary is the best of the 3 .
Posted by: tiffany | Mar 28, 2008 2:15:36 PM
Dogsoldier
I don't know what you all wre watching but I definitely thought what he said was true...you remember I was outraged when I saw the rev. Wrights speeches but I keep going back to if the Rev. was a white vet...a vietnam vet who watched his fellow soldiers addicted to drugs and dissed by the government... and on occasions said some really nasty angry things...and if I didn't go to church every week (which I don't) I could know he has anger but not know he was screaming stuff...
I think I would not leave the church in that case...and if my Pastor was a vet who fought for fellow vets because they were done wrong I would still say he was my mentor...but that doesn't mean he was my only mentor.
I don't want someone like george Bush who had family priviledge help them get there...and someone who has not sat through angry words from people they care about...
I want the person who has heard that and then goes preaching the opposite because they know what is right.
I really think you all are just so angry defending this "character" of this fighting, rightwing-conspiracy-surviving, firstladyaschiefofstaff-pseudo-experienced candidate you have created in your heads...and then you blame the Obama supporters for doing that.
I am telling you I said it before and I will say it again...he is the guy he says he is or he's better than Olivier,Penn, Streep, Deniro, and Malkovich all rolled up into one. ...and he's not even as good as Hillary on SNL.
Posted by: dl | Mar 28, 2008 2:17:43 PM
ABC, MSNBC,CNN, ESPECIALLY FOXNEXS
AFTER GETTING INVOLVED WITH NEWS SINCE THE BILL CLINTON SCANDAL I THOUGHT CABLE NEWS SHOWS WERE GOOD. TODAY THE ONLY CABLE NEWS THAT I'VE SEEN THAT REALLY TELLS THE NEWS IS MSNBC KEITH OLBERMAN. WATCHING ANDREA MITCHELL TODAY ON MSNBC AND OTHER SHOWS MADE REALIZE THAT ALL I'M DOING IS WATCHING A CABLE NEWS SHOW. A SHOW WITH PEOPLE LIKE PAT BUCHANAN WHO ONLY WANTS JOHN MCCAIN TO WIN AND NEVER REALLYS HAS ANYTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT OBAMA. THESE ARE ALL SHOWS, SHOWS LIKE AMERICAN IDOL, SHOWS WITH JUST PEOPLES OPINION NOT REALLY THE FACTS. EVEN MY PREVIOUS FAVORITE SHOW HARDBALL ONLY A SHOW. I'M SO DISAPPOINTED TO FINALLY REALIZE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS SHOWS LIKE HARDBALL, THE SITUATION ROOM ARE JUST PEOPLE TRYING TO SWAY YOUR OPINION. THESE SHOWS IS WHAT HAS HURT OBAMA. THEY NEVER REALLY FOCUS ON HILLARY CLINTON BAD NEWS.. AKA BOSNIA..STORY LASTED A FEW DAYS JOHN MCCAIN WELL DON'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT HIM, BUT OBAMA WHEN A STORY BREAKS ALL OF THESE NEWS CHANNEL STAY ON HIM LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. WHAT EXCITING PERSON OBAMA IS.I ACCUSED FOXNEWS ON ANOTHER BLOG OF TALKING ABOUT OBAMA ALL THE TIME,..ITS ALL OF THEM..I GUESS OBAMA IS THE MAN..YOU KNOW EVERYBODY ELSE NEWS DOESN'T GET THE VIEWERS. ONLY OBAMA NEWS HAS KEPT NEWS SHOWS LIKE HARDBALL, THE SITUATION ROOM, ABC, OH MY GOODNESS AND FOXNEWS SHOW WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO IF OBAMA WASN'T IN THIS RACE. OBAMA IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF EVERYONE SHOWS. NONE OF THESE CHANNELS EXCEPT KEITH'S SHOW IS FAIR AND BALANCE MAYBE NOW THE NEW SHOW ON MSNBC THE VERDICT WITH DAN HE IS TRYING, BUT SPREAD THE NEWS OUT..WELL I GUEST IF THESE PEOPLE ARE BORING MEANING HILLARY AND JOHN WHAT CAN YOU DO AS NEWS PEOPLE GO WITH THE MORE INTERESTING STORY..
OBAMA
Posted by: betty` | Mar 28, 2008 2:18:12 PM
Wouldn't it be nice, since her supporters constantly claim she's all about the issues....if hillary would build on herself and THE issues, and not try to tear Obama down every day with some false allegation?
Its becoming extremely tiring, and besides, her campaign surrogates are always stating that she's always trying to discuss the issues. No she's not, and this proves it.
Stick to the issues hillary.
Posted by: LA in Indiana | Mar 28, 2008 2:19:01 PM
"Most of American's are stuck on being stupid."
Reading is fundamental, huh? How about reading a book on the correct use of the English language?
Posted by: Kerri | Mar 28, 2008 2:24:25 PM
and Dogsoldier
it is all over the news...the University of Chicago has said he was a "law professor"... that is what they call senior lecturers...and Ithat i might add is the only thing I have ever heard him call himself...I have heard papers call hima lwaw professor (which now we see is correct) but he as far as I have heard at lectures and other places...has always referred to himself as a lecturer...
Posted by: dl | Mar 28, 2008 2:24:29 PM
It is funny that when attacks come out and people slowly get to digest them and someone answers full front and directly back to the issue...and the public learns more and more...
the candidate ends up looking better when they see all the spin settle...I think that is why we are seeing more and more jumps in his numbers again...
Unfortunately for Hillary when the dust settles it usually after she's cleared out of town and people forget where the dust came from.
Posted by: dl | Mar 28, 2008 2:28:03 PM
He never said wright was his spiritual advisor. One of the mis truths out there was he worked for his campaign as a spiritual advisor, which is false.
Posted by: JJ | Mar 28, 2008 2:31:17 PM
"just another smooth talking politician. cozied up to rezko. said he was a professor of constitutional law. said he spoke fluent indonesian. said his parents met at the selma march. all lies. like i said....just another politician."
More mis-truths. University of Chicago confirmed today he was a professor. The Rezco story has been put to rest by the Tribune and he said his parents met at an event LIKE Selma. Indonesian isn't true either. This is disturbing. Where do you get your information?
Posted by: JJ | Mar 28, 2008 2:35:28 PM
dl-Sen. Obama consistently and falsely claims that he was a law professor. The Sun-Times reported that, “Several direct-mail pieces issued for Obama’s primary [Senate] campaign said he was a law professor at the University of Chicago. He is not. He is a senior lecturer (now on leave) at the school. In academia, there is a vast difference between the two titles. Details matter.” In academia, there’s a significant difference: professors have tenure while lecturers do not. [Hotline Blog, 4/9/07; Chicago Sun-Times, 8/8/04]
Does Obama have tenure? No, Obama turned it down himself. Period. Deal with it man. That's the academia position which applies across NORTH AMERICA despite UC claim to the contrary. Check it out from other academia institutions.
Posted by: Dogsoldier | Mar 28, 2008 2:36:29 PM
THIS IS WHAT ANOTHER BLOGGER WROTE ON ANOTHER BLOG ON ABC OF COURSE I ADDED SOME MORE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT HILLARY CLINTON IS ALL ABOUT THIS IS WHAT SUPER DELEGATES SHOULD BE LOOKING AT. AGAIN ANOTHER BLOGGER BROUGHT THIS MY
ATTENTION AND ITS GOOD. IT TELLS THE TRUTH ABOUT HILLARY.
This is why Hillary Clinton should not be the democratic nominee
Her arrogance (Remember this contest was going to be over by 2/5/2008)
She's cried on TV.
(Bill Clinton) big mouth (pissing off black voters) helped get her in this situation.
B
ill Clinton trying to paint Obama as the Black Candiadate (comparing to Jesse Jackson)
She's the one who turned a pretty civil campaign nasty. There is nothing she wont do to win this nomination.
She's told the world how hard it is out here for White woman of America.
She accused the media of being hard on her.
She told the world that anyone that didn't vote for her is small and insignificant.
She told Obama on one the Debates she was happy to be there with him (all smiles)
S
he than turnover and told Obama you should be ashamed of himself and to meet her in Ohio
She said earlier the votes and Michigan and Florida didn’t count (her own words) when she was the presume winner
She didn't become the voice of Michigan and Florida voters until after she got behind in delegates.
S
he's told the world she was duped into supporting this war that has led to 4000 deaths, and countless ecomonmic issues.
T
he reason why she lied about Bosnia was because she was sleep deprived.
She said nothing about Obama Pastor who in Obama on words said he did not share his pastor’s views
When her story of Bosnia was found to be false she brought up Obama Pastor to distract from her own
She threaten to keep the race going until the convention even when Obama is in the delegate count lead
She truly has character flaws. One minute she paints herself as this strong confident woman,
The her and Bill paint her as the victim.
She's a mess.
And I agree with everything here of course the list will get longer as Hillary loses
Posted by: betty` | Mar 28, 2008 2:38:50 PM
Obama is a slick salesmen, willing to try to pull the wool over the eyes of women. Any women that fail to see they have a once in a lifetime opportunity to vote for a person for the most powerful position in the world, who happens to be a woman, versus voting for the 45th man in a row, needs to wake up.
========================================
Obama has not lifted a finger to help resolve the Florida and Michigan problem
========================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 28, 2008 2:44:52 PM
Sam-From UC: The Law School has received many media requests about Barack Obama, especially about his status as "Senior Lecturer."
From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a professor in the Law School. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, during which time he taught three courses per year.
Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track. The title of Senior Lecturer is distinct from the title of Lecturer, which signifies ADJUNCT STATUS. Like Obama, each of the Law School's Senior Lecturers have high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevent full-time teaching.
Posted by: Dogsoldier | Mar 28, 2008 2:47:04 PM
Obama supporters, ask yourself--are you drawn to him because you want to feel good about your President again? The economy is down, Iraq war has hurt our standing in the world and Bush is a joke. He makes you feel good. He may not have what it takes to run and lead a country but he makes you feel good when you see his name or hear him speak.
Posted by: Jim | Mar 28, 2008 2:51:30 PM
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