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Obama Fires Back at Clinton: 'Shame on Her'
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ShareApril 13, 2008 8:19 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Barack Obama launched into a fiery offensive this evening in a speech before the United Steelworkers Union in Steelton, Pa., in responding to criticisms about his "bitter" remarks -- going after Sen. Hillary Clinton in a way rarely seen over the course of this campaign.
"Shame on her," Obama said, echoing one of Clinton's own atacks on him. "Shame on her, she knows better."
Watch the VIDEO HERE.
Obama said he was disappointed with her for her response and then launched into a new criticism of Clinton over her recent admission of being a hunter, and compared her sarcastically to Annie Oakley.
"She’s running around talking about how this is an insult to sportsmen, how she values the Second Amendment, she's talking like she's Annie Oakley! Hillary Clinton's out there like she's on the duck blind every Sunday, she's packin' a six shooter! C'mon! She knows better. That's some politics being played by Hillary Clinton. I want to see that picture of her out there in the duck blinds."
Obama said he is amazed and surprised by this "dust-up" but admitted that his words were chosen badly. He said he deeply regretted ... that his words were misinterpreted.
He also defended himself, bringing up his own devotion to faith and his stance on the Second Amendment -– and he responded to the idea that he is an elitist.
"Now, I am the first to admit that some of the words I chose, I chose badly," he said, "So I’m not a perfect man and the words I chose, I chose badly. They were subject to misinterpretation, they were subject to be twisted and I regret that. I regret that deeply. But when people suggest that somehow I was demeaning religion when I know that I'm a man of deep faith, somebody who in my own life has held on to faith, held on to my confidence in God during times of trial and tribulation, then it sounds like there's some politics being played. When people suggest that I was somehow being elitist and demeaning hunters when I have repeatedly talked about the tradition that people pass on from generation to generation, hunters and sportsmen, and how I have consistently spoken about my respect for the Second Amendment, when people try to suggest that I was demeaning those traditions, then it sounds like there's some politics that's being played."
He reiterated what he said was the intended message of his original comments at the fundraiser in San Francisco.
"And what really burns me up is when people suggest that me saying that folks are mad, they are angry, they are bitter after 25, 30 years of seeing jobs shipped out, pensions not fulfilled, healthcare lost, the notion that people are surprised and are suggesting that I'm out of touch because I spoke honestly about people's frustrations, that tells me there's some politics going on," he said.
While Obama saved most of the feisty criticism for Clinton, he also took a couple swings at John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president.
"John McCain said I was out of touch, he said I was being 'condescending and elitist, people aren’t bitter,'" Obama said. "And I’m thinking to myself, here's a guy it took him three tries before he actually came up with a plan to deal with the millions of people who are about to lose their homes because of foreclosure, who wants to perpetuate the Bush tax cuts."
Obama also reminded the union crowd of Clinton’s position on NAFTA, which many working people blame for allowing companies to outsource manufacturing jobs to Mexico, and Clinton campaign strategist Mark Penn, who was working as a lobbyist for Colombia to help that country get a free trade deal with the United States that Clinton said she opposed.
"Who do you think is out of touch? This is the same person who spent a decade with her husband campaigning for NAFTA and now says she’s against NAFTA," Obama said. "Does that sound like she’s in touch with Pennsylvania? In touch with you? Against trade with Colombia -- turns out her top adviser was working with Colombian government to get the bill passed. Does that sound like it's in touch with you?"
Obama concluded that these are the types of things people are frustrated about, "things haven't changed. And of course you're frustrated about that. Of course you're bitter about that."
April 13, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (831)
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Very good response. I feel so disappointed in Hillary Clinotn. The way she pounces on Sen Obama is really amazing. It is very noticaeable that Sen. Obama never talked about the Mark Penn imbroglio until now: What a difference in character !
Posted by: B Thomas | Apr 13, 2008 8:57:37 PM
Obama's Comeback? probably happened overnight when i was sleeping because i missed it.
Posted by: I am NOT Bitter | Apr 13, 2008 8:58:39 PM
I forgot, does Obama have any stances on issues? It seems he spends all his time clarifying what he says.
Posted by: james | Apr 13, 2008 8:59:19 PM
Shame on clinton? What the heck, this guy says when things go bad in small town america, they run to their churches, guns, and are racist against immigrants..
What a jerk
Posted by: Eddie | Apr 13, 2008 8:59:27 PM
Shame on Obama for his cultural bigtory and shame on his pastor Wright for his anti-american, racist sermons! I guess the master taught the grasshopper well! He is starting to sound just like his master!
Posted by: russell | Apr 13, 2008 9:00:12 PM
Evil always behaves that way when is discovered. When you hang out with so many sects and blame, and resentment, and envy, and excuses, and apologies, and lies, evil always gets unveiled Barck Obama, the perfect of evil.
Posted by: Josephm20 | Apr 13, 2008 9:00:56 PM
Shame on that women Clinton, she is a beautifull, but every time she opens the mouth, she provides no hope for the people. Vote Obama, and let Clinton be what she allawys be: number 2 in Bill's pocket.
Posted by: Bill Kodack | Apr 13, 2008 9:01:25 PM
Jimmy Carter is going over to talk to Hamas too. The saying goes keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
You see, speaking with them, communicating and working to bring peace to both people is in everyones best interest, especially ours. Someday we may not fund wars for Israel or fund her military or her country to the tune of billions a year.
Its just smart world relations to bring peace and reconciliation to the peoples elected governments.
Posted by: Anna | Apr 13, 2008 9:03:35 PM
Why is it always Clinton to go first? Media always gives Obama a pillow.
Shame on Obama, he should have spoken what he spoke in front of PA voters and not behind their back in rich San Francisco.
Posted by: GS | Apr 13, 2008 9:03:54 PM
Why is it when Obama says something wrong it is always Clinton's fault? Just wondering.
Posted by: Chris | Apr 13, 2008 9:04:01 PM
It is the glass ceiling! That is what Obama is attempting to break - Yeah!
Posted by: Ike | Apr 13, 2008 9:04:07 PM
And her doughter is even more beautifull, with that look that kills every one when she comes by, but this is politic, and Bill is the men, not Clinton women, so vote for Obama.
Posted by: Jimba | Apr 13, 2008 9:04:22 PM
Obama IIIIIIIIIIIIgive them and let them die oh my bring on the morph.
Posted by: Bishop | Apr 13, 2008 9:04:49 PM
To: Ted 8:51:44
Dude. You really need to get a life.
Posted by: whataplace | Apr 13, 2008 9:05:31 PM
ted get a life
Posted by: jc | Apr 13, 2008 9:05:34 PM
Oh, "David Star," (a little contrived, no?) why do you let Hamas tell you who to vote for?
Posted by: James | Apr 13, 2008 9:05:47 PM
Obama is a uniter? Who are we kidding? He's the one that is willing to meet with Iranian president, who wants Israel wiped of the map. He's the one that would meet with Venezuelan president too. He's also the one listening to hate sermons for years on. He's the one getting support from Carter who's willing to meet with Hamas. He's the one calling small town americans bitter, clinging to homophobia, anti immigrant feelings and guns to escape hardship. BAD VERY BAD WORDS OBAMA. KEEP EMBARRASSING YOURSELF, YOU ARE DOING A HELL OF A JOB, JUST KNOW YOU WILL NOT BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT. NO TO OBAMA!
Posted by: I am NOT Bitter | Apr 13, 2008 9:05:49 PM
ABC, isn't someone moderating this forum? Some of these posts should not be here. Let's have some real, thoughtful discourse and not hate-filled rants.
Posted by: jimbym | Apr 13, 2008 9:05:58 PM
Barack Obama's aloofness is placing his surrogates in limbo. The lack of discernment, the opposite of what he preaches is the most embarrassing fiasco of any candidate. America wants facts and effectiveness and that is not found in an opportunist like Barack Obama.
Posted by: RossiMas | Apr 13, 2008 9:05:59 PM
Obama claims he was out of touch from his Pastor who gave hateful sermons.
I think he was completely in touch with his Pastor.
Posted by: GS | Apr 13, 2008 9:06:39 PM
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