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Obama on Clinton: 'She’s Got the Kitchen Sink Flying'

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April 19, 2008 7:42 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama, trekking across Pennsylvania aboard the Georgia 300 train, used his whistlestops to cast Sen. Hillary Clinton as a typical Washington insider who's throwing the kitchen sink at him.

"She’s resorted to what’s called 'kitchen sink' strategies. She’s got the kitchen sink flying, and the china flying, and the, you know, the buffet is coming at me," Obama said at a stop in Downingtown.

Obama quickly added that he is tough enough to withstand this kind of politics, refuting a criticism that some have made that because of his inability to withstand such attacks he would be a weaker nominee for the party when running against the Republicans.

"I come from Chicago," he said. "I know politics is hard, you know, it's not for the faint of heart. I understand that."

Obama repeatedly tried to make the case that the kitchen sink strategy takes away from a focus on the issues.

"These petty, trivial slash and burn, back and forth, tit for tat politics so that we no longer talk about the things that the American people care about, that may be good for the television ratings, but it's not good for you," he said.

The race in Pennsylvania leading up to the crucial primary on April 22 has not been a smooth one for Obama. The primary is coming in the immediate aftermath of controversial comments he made at a San Francisco fundraiser that small-town Pennsylvanians are "bitter" and "cling" to guns and religion. Senators Clinton and John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee, both jumped on his comments, criticizing him for being elitist and eliciting a nasty back-and-forth for the last week.

"You’ve been watching this campaign for a couple weeks, at least here in Pennsylvania," Obama said. "And let’s face it, it’s not pretty."

Just four days before the primary, Obama rolled though multiple cities and stopped at four stations to plug his message.

"Get on board the change train," he called to Parkesburg residents while pulling the whistle as the train rolled out of their station.

The Georgia 300 train that is carrying Obama across Pennsylvania has also hosted presidents Carter, George H.W. Bush ... and Bill Clinton.

April 19, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (138)

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Oh yeah, Obama has run a "toilet and everything that gets flushed in it" campaign :D

Posted by: Terry | Apr 19, 2008 7:53:39 PM

Hey, heads up both Obama and ABC News -

It's Downington, PA not Downingtown !!

But then, who excpects an Obama report to be correct.

Sieg Heil - Yes we can!!

Posted by: Arkietwo | Apr 19, 2008 7:54:00 PM

I am on the Change Train. Go Georgia 300 Train. I am on it.. People get ready.

Posted by: jt | Apr 19, 2008 7:55:37 PM

Will we ever be rid of the Clintons? They are like a bad rash.

Posted by: DMR | Apr 19, 2008 7:57:49 PM

I think the train is such a cool idea!!!

Great idea Obama!!

Posted by: Debbie | Apr 19, 2008 7:58:28 PM

Hey Terry - Obama and ABC news spelled Downingtown correctly. I live here, I was at the rally, I should know. Who's the idiot now? Obama was fabulous today.

Posted by: Babs | Apr 19, 2008 8:01:00 PM

Clinton supporters

The DNC has ignored your will. McCain stands up for you. Chose McCain. He's real change.

NoObama YesMcCain

Posted by: Republican | Apr 19, 2008 8:02:35 PM

I have to add -- I have all due respects to my comment to Curtis Mayfield for my remark "people get ready" and will add also his words "and thank the Lord".

Posted by: jt | Apr 19, 2008 8:02:51 PM

Ahhhhhhhhh...... Poor baby 'bama

Posted by: KDH55 | Apr 19, 2008 8:06:28 PM

Obama a bully, what a laugh. I don't see any bully other that the Clinton machine.

Posted by: lulu | Apr 19, 2008 8:24:27 PM

Let me guess....the last stop on the "Change Train" puts you on McCain's "Straight Talk Express", right? Hilarious. A vote for Obama is a vote for McCain. Please don't make PA vote for McCain in November.

Posted by: PGHPAVOTER | Apr 19, 2008 8:28:21 PM

When Obama is dripping with sarcasm, brushing himself off, being a hypocrit, stuttering over questions about his relationships, etc., does he remind you of someone else?
I don't find Obama to be presidential material, but then again I never thought Bush would be re-elected.

Posted by: sarnorton | Apr 19, 2008 8:32:08 PM

I wish Obama wouldn't define his campaign by what Sen. Clinton said. Just tell the voters about his plans and ignore Hillary. Don't whine. It's not becoming to such a smart guy. MoveOn.org should butt out and stop trying to influence this election. Voters should decide for themselves and follow no one and no organization blindly. Undecided voter

Posted by: Vivi | Apr 19, 2008 8:32:13 PM

he can get on the train people will come take a look but he is still not going to win PA.

Posted by: Bishop | Apr 19, 2008 8:33:18 PM

obama is a cry baby

Posted by: belly | Apr 19, 2008 8:35:44 PM

Im bored to hear obama all day

Posted by: belly | Apr 19, 2008 8:37:58 PM

not going to happen more women for hillary you will see

Posted by: Bishop | Apr 19, 2008 8:42:22 PM

Obama the most unpatriotic person I have ever
heard on national TV!

Posted by: turkey | Apr 19, 2008 8:43:50 PM

Obama up to is usual tricks

Propaganda and lies, he doesn't seem to know to much else.

Poor Poor Obama

Posted by: sharon | Apr 19, 2008 8:43:53 PM

I think Hillary will win Pa. It's a long shot for Obama. But in the long run Obama will be the nominee. I will vote for either one in the GE. No more republicans for me. They've done enough damage.

Posted by: maryland | Apr 19, 2008 8:44:23 PM

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