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Obama Pushes New Populist Message to NC Voters
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ShareApril 28, 2008 3:28 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Senator Obama, struggling after repeated losses to white, blue collar workers, was singing a different tune today during a town hall in Wilmington, North Carolina, adding lines to his stump speech to make him more appealing to the demographic he has struggled to win over.
Obama's new populist message started with a direct appeal to the people, saying that in this race he is not against running against Hillary Clinton, but rather running against the very things that have made people's lives hard.
Watch the VIDEO HERE.
"I didn't get in this race, to run against Sen. Clinton. I ran to run against unemployment. I ran to run against lack of educational opportunity. I ran to run against lack of health care, and substandard housing and a war that we should not have been fought. That's why I'm running," Obama said and then repeated again, "I'm not running against Sen. Clinton."
Obama said he has gotten wrapped up in negative campaigning recently, which has distracted him from his reason for running, and said he spoke with his campaign team about changing the focus.
"I noticed over the last several weeks, I told this to my team, you know we are starting to sound like other folks - starting to run the same negative stuff. And it shows you that none of us are immune from this kind of politics. But the problem is that it doesn't help you. Having politicians bickering back and forth doesn't help you. Having them worry about superdelegates doesn't help you."
Again, Obama repeated his new focus, not the other candidates, but he says, the American people.
"This election is not about me. It's not about Sen. Clinton. It's not about John McCain. It's about you. It's about your struggles, your hopes, your dreams."
When wrapping up his slightly refigured stump speech, Obama delved deeper into his past than he has before within a stump speech, and criticized those who have publicly questioned if his past has been properly vetted.
He told the story of his grandparents working though the Great Depression, and his mother who was a single mom after his father left when he was two.
Taking heat on the issue of elitism, Obama reminded people that, although he had attended Columbia and Harvard, his family, like them, were still struggling to pay bills, "When my mom came of age, there were student loan programs that she could access so even if she was raising her kids she could go to school and there were scholarships so that she could send her son and her daughter to some of the finest schools in the world, even though there were times when she was on food stamps."
Obama's argument continued saying that his past struggles drove him to run, "When people ask me about why I'm doing this, what my values are, I try to explain to them it's about that history in my own family - how I've seen this country open up opportunity for people who are willing to work hard."
April 28, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (73)
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oh please, why doesn't hillary clinton just go away, far far away! ...Oh yeah thats right she wants to destroy the party for her own selfish gain!
Posted by: Erik | Apr 28, 2008 3:41:39 PM
I HOPE that this is a sign of a return to greater things than what this race has degenerated into. I have been so deeply disappointed in the messages coming from all camps and the press. The cheapness of the debate is understandable, but it is not worthy of voters and America. I hope that all parties involved will begin to live up to the trust that we have placed in them as our leadership (and also the press - we look to you for leadership as well)
Posted by: Happy to hear a change in tone | Apr 28, 2008 3:42:49 PM
As for the super delegates. There were 50 super delegates that wanted to shove for Obama before texas and Ohio, but couldnt when Clinton won.
So instead of going against the will of the voters, Obama has 'bled' them out slowly, like nobody notices.
If they were truley undecided, they certainly wouldnt be endorsing Obama right now. Nothing would justify it.
Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 28, 2008 3:44:41 PM
Obama admitted he went negative. Something he
had to do to prove he could attack and stand
his ground.
The only way he loses is if he self destructs.
Ignoring Hillary and attacking McCain, something
he is doing alot more now is the way to proceed.
Get used to saying it Hill Shrills
President Barack Obama
Posted by: Dann | Apr 28, 2008 3:46:14 PM
Obamas 'uniter' speech doesnt have much effect anymore outside the liberal left wing.
Rev Wright and his own gaffes have taken care of that.
And radical idiot endorsements that paint him as a left wing radical keep pouring in every day.
I have no idea what Obama has really proven in this election besides HYPE.
He is surely NOT the same candidate he was back in february.
He cannot win the general election now.
Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 28, 2008 3:47:02 PM
McCain is toast.
Wait till he gets REALLY VETTED.
2008 style.
Posted by: Dann | Apr 28, 2008 3:47:15 PM
Tomdavie you are entitled to you biased opinion but you are wrong! Obama is a stronger candidate now. Another thing, I would not vote for another lying cheating Clinton if they were the last Democrats on Earth!
Posted by: Erik | Apr 28, 2008 3:51:09 PM
Even after all that we know about Obama and his associations, if DNC nominates him, I will be switching party to vote for McCain.
I would prefer to have someone whom I know rather than vote for Obama.
I do not know how Obama sat in this pastor's church for 20 years.
God save this country.
Posted by: Rick | Apr 28, 2008 3:55:44 PM
Obama WAS raised by his well-to-do white grandparents, Erik.
If you think I'm lying, then do some homework on your candidate. You'll find that his life has been anything but underprivileged. He's been provided with every opportunity possible. With all the benefits he and his wife have received, they still hate America. Obama has NEVER been underprivileged, ever. Currently, he lives in a 1.65 Million dollar home that his nefarious friend Rezko helped him to buy.
Posted by: Emily | Apr 28, 2008 3:55:46 PM
Even after all that we know about Obama and his associations, if DNC nominates him, I will be switching party to vote for McCain.
I would prefer to have someone whom I know rather than vote for Obama.
I do not know how Obama sat in this pastor's church for 20 years.
God save this country.
Posted by: jill | Apr 28, 2008 4:01:50 PM
Bill Clinton has let the gifted politician title and went to gaffe machine.
Thanks god Sen. Obama is now showing-up and taking over him.
Bravo Sen. keep it up!
Posted by: Peace | Apr 28, 2008 4:02:57 PM
I have now permanently lost all
respect and trust for Mr. Obama.
Go Hillary 08 or McCain 08!
Posted by: franklin | Apr 28, 2008 4:03:14 PM
all along Obama and his pastor only care about them and there people, so how can he get a vote of the working class people ? american people will soon wake to these theology speech and cult, please CHANGE both should change your attitude first.
Posted by: CHANGE MAN | Apr 28, 2008 4:05:06 PM
You're right, tomdavie. An Associated Press national poll released today has Hillary beating McCain 50 to 41, whereas Obama merely ties McCain.
GO HILLARY!!
Posted by: Emily | Apr 28, 2008 4:12:05 PM
Nope Tomdavie not convinced at all! I will never be convinced to vote for a candidate that openly lies to the American people. I will never be convinced to vote for a candidate who uses racism and sexism as a means to win. Hillary cares only about herself not the voters. If she did care she and Obama would be working together to build the party not tear it down. Hillary can not win after the Republicans have their way with her. I can guarantee this...Obama supporter will sit back on our couches sipping ice tea as we stay home and watch the doomed Democrats fail with Hillary at the helm.
Posted by: Erik | Apr 28, 2008 4:17:25 PM
I saw Obama's new stump speech on CNN. It's pretty good.
Posted by: Stacey | Apr 28, 2008 4:19:35 PM
No candidate has EVER won the general election after losing California, Mass, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsyvannia and Florida in the primaries.
It has NEVER happened in the entire history of the united states .
The winner of the big primaries wins the nomination and the white house.
Add to that the severe problems Obama has with white americans, his wifes chip on her shoulder, his pastor of 20 years, and his own bittergate flaps, and you have a NON ELECTABLE candidate.
Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 28, 2008 4:28:26 PM
Update:
Obama gains a delegate!
Obama loses the PEOPLE in general election.
Be happy for your small victories, they are all you will be celebrating.
Posted by: Jo | Apr 28, 2008 4:29:59 PM
At the moment the polls are showing he cant beat McCain, and if the race as he said is about McCain well I really don't know what all those super delegates are going to do for him, yeah he is getting delegates and losing voters, great I can see how he is winning this race.
Posted by: SJ | Apr 28, 2008 4:32:38 PM
Obama change "change the tone" "change the subject" etc. etc., all he wants.
But it's too late. People have discovered the REAL Obama. You ARE who you associate with. You could get by with one radical in your closet, but Obama has TOO MANY now to be believed.
Posted by: Jo | Apr 28, 2008 4:32:43 PM
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