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Obama on 'The Daily Show'

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April 21, 2008 10:44 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama said Hillary Clinton has done him a favor with the tough campaign she's waged against him for the Democratic presidential nomination -- but was it a joke? He said it during an interview with "The Daily Show" before a campaign event in Pittsburgh this evening.

Obama called the race in Pennsylvania a "mad dash" and downplayed expectations for the primaryon Tuesday: "We started off 20 down. The polls are now showing us 6 to 8. We're just kinda creeping along."

Jon Stewart asked Obama about Clinton’s assertion that he has not been properly vetted over the course of the campaign, and if he believes that will be a problem for him should he win the nomination and run against John McCain.

"Well, there's no doubt that Sen. Clinton has done me a favor. She's put me through the paces," Obama retorted with a laugh. "This has been like spring training, so should I get the nomination, I think everything is going to be old news by October."

Stewart joked to Obama if he should win the nomination, and then the general election, would he be concerned that Sen. Clinton would still be tying to continue the campaign.

Obama didn’t quite take the bait on that one and answered with a stump-speech line.

"She is a formidable candidate," he said. "She is tough -– she's working hard out there and I respect her for it. I think hopefully I'll be a stronger nominee as a consequence of it."

Touching on the controversies that Obama has faced over the course of the campaign, Stewart asked Obama if Americans should expect a "bait and switch" and if he's really planning to "enslave the white race."

And with one last jab at Wednesday night's debate Obama shot back, "That is not our plan Jon, but I think your paranoia might make you a suitable moderator."

This was Obama’s third appearance on "The Daily Show."

April 21, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (83)

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If by "chickens" you mean he'll have the nomination wrapped up by June, then you're right.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOBAMA!!!!!

Posted by: Easterberg | Apr 21, 2008 11:09:13 PM

PA results will be close enough for the steady trickle of superdelegates to Sen. Obama to become a a full on flood. Expect 20-30 uncommitted superdelegates to endorse Obama on Wednesday.

Posted by: The Trickle Will Gush | Apr 21, 2008 11:14:59 PM

umm..."the black vote"? What's that? Is there a "white vote"? How about a "latino vote"? NIcholas, step into 2008 man. Nobody's cool with that subtle racist stuff anymore.

Let it go, bro.

Posted by: Mike | Apr 21, 2008 11:15:09 PM

Hey Mike
the black vote is when a candidate gets 85-95% of the blacks this is what obama has been getting. This is what dems have historically got that is what the black vote is. their is not white vote, because whites do not come even close to voting in such a block, and as far as the latino vote i do not know if they vote in a large enough blocks to be considered a voting block. just like their is a democrat vote because the dem candidate gets that high percentages.

Posted by: joshua bradshaw | Apr 21, 2008 11:20:33 PM

Mike.
That's true.Without the black vote
and the activists he wouldn't gone
nowhere.
In november it's a different ballgame.

Posted by: NIcholas | Apr 21, 2008 11:20:54 PM

President Obama. Yes we can overcome racist and paranoid people who use fear and xenophobia to motivate. Hillary was just trying to destroy you in order to get mcsame elected and to get a shot in 2012. Too bad t didn't work out for her

Yes we did

Posted by: ash | Apr 21, 2008 11:21:21 PM

Obama knows he's going to get hammered in Pennsylvania. He is desperately trying to lower expectations to prevent PA from being a decisive turning point. But everything is catching up with him now. Pastor Wright, Rezko, the Weather Underground, Bittergate - even the timing of the Pope's visit. And his really poor debate performance showcased his flatness when he's not working off a teleprompter. It didn't help that he gave Hillary the finger and said he wouldn't debate anymore and brushed himself off. PA folk are decent, hardworking and reasonable. They don't like pretension and they have no patience for a would be emperor who has no clothes.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Apr 21, 2008 11:25:14 PM

Isnt that fabulous. Obama avoids the press for ten days but has time to do comedy...LOL.

Posted by: Leanza Cornett | Apr 21, 2008 11:26:21 PM

What fun it will be to have Senator Obama in the White house. Smart and able to hold his own..better than Bill and Hillary the rich hicks flying their dirty underwear on the flag pole again.

Posted by: Brian | Apr 21, 2008 11:28:41 PM

Clinton has made her last pitch effort in PA as if she were asking for the HR for the job.


Speaking from an HR perspective, based on Senator Clinton's actions, she is an HR nightmare....She's a toxic workplace hazard who ---- rather than create harmony, foster team building, and maintain the cohesiveness required for a healthy company----would rather illicit confusion, bullying, mistrust, and would use anyone for her personal gain. She's content with spreading malicious rumors and is happy with displaying disrespectful behavior to her colleagues. That's a dangerous characteristic in any employee. Unfortunately, there are many
Hilliary Clintons in the workplace, and I am sure many of you can attest.


The way she has poorly managed her campaign, and how she is unable to garner the financial base as that of her counterpart whom she continually bashes, is indicative to the poor work ethics that she will use to run the country.

Posted by: Truth | Apr 21, 2008 11:30:53 PM

ROTFLMAO All you Hillary supporters? See ya here in this room tomorrow night at 10:30 and then let's see who's laughing.
Facts are facts. The supers will not over rule the delegates won. That's how the winner is chosen and wait and see if they do not toe the line when the day comes. Obama has earned the nomination. Clinton hasn't BUT tomorrow? LOL See ya back in tomorrow night..same bat time boys and girls and see who's laughing then.

Posted by: Brian | Apr 21, 2008 11:31:30 PM

Joshua and Mike have obviously never been to Iowa.

Posted by: CWMargaret | Apr 21, 2008 11:31:48 PM

Sticking with the softball games, eh Obama?

How about doing a real interview or do you like giving Clinton the free airtime with the likes of Olbermann and Larry King?

Posted by: highly capable women | Apr 21, 2008 11:32:16 PM

Obama's appearance on the daily show was flawless

his comments about remaining optimistic kind of hit home.. especially as ABC news tries to say he gave the finger and the rest of the media uses fear to complete their agenda

Posted by: zack | Apr 21, 2008 11:32:33 PM

Hillary will take Pa but Obama will be the nominee.

Posted by: lisa | Apr 21, 2008 11:32:35 PM

Hillary is out of cash, beholden to special interests and 65% of the country doesn't trust her. All she has left are uneducated whites ---- speaks volumes

Posted by: ash | Apr 21, 2008 11:32:41 PM

highly capable....there have been 21 debates what more do you want

Posted by: lisa | Apr 21, 2008 11:35:43 PM

Let’s see that big smile after tomorrow night. Nothing like setting the bar low to meet low expectations. Hillary put him through the paces? I doubt it. This was kindergarten compared to what the McCain machine would do. She has been held back by the boy press constantly harping when Obama gets a little nip. PA voters love Hillary despite the 3:1 over spending trying to convince them to “change”. He can’t close the deal in PA. He’s won no big state that is necessary for a democratic win in Nov. Let’s "hope" that the super delegates wake up and smell the coffee or it will be 4 more republican years. He needs to drop out and stop dividing the party. Say goodnight, Obama. It’s time to go back to the nursery until you learn to play with the big kids and not whine so much.

Posted by: AmazonTraveler | Apr 21, 2008 11:40:19 PM

ash, I agree. It's our turn to make this country what it should be. These people have screwed it up far too long.

Posted by: lulu | Apr 21, 2008 11:40:36 PM

Hey Lisa: "there have been 21 debates what more do you want"
How about debate number 22? Hillary will keep debating, keep working hard and fighting hard for the American people. Obama will...vacation in the Virgin Islands and order a press blackout, except for friendly comedy shows of course...

Posted by: rs | Apr 21, 2008 11:40:42 PM

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