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Obama Says McCain Better than Bush, Clinton Responds
April 20, 2008 7:08 PM
ABC News' Eloise Harper and Sunlen Miller report: Sen. Barack Obama, speaking in Reading, Pa., said that John McCain would be better than President Bush, and Hillary Clinton used the line as an opening to attack both Obama and McCain.
"You have a real choice in this election. You know, either Democrat would be better than John McCain, but, and all three of us would be better than George Bush," Obama said. "What you have to ask yourself is who has the chance to actually really change things in a fundamental way? So that 10 years from now or 20 years from now you can look back say, 'Boy, we really moved in a new direction and we've put the country on a better path.'"
Clinton pounced on the comments immediately in Johnstown, Pa.
"Sen. Obama said today that John McCain would be better for the country than George Bush. Now Sen. McCain is a real American patriot who has served our country with distinction. Sen. McCain would follow the same fatal policies that have been so wrong for our country the last seven years. Sen. McCain thinks its OK to keep our troops in Iraq for the next 100 years. Is that better than George Bush?"
But Clinton didn't stop there. She continued the line of questioning.
"Sen. McCain will continue the failed economic policies of George Bush that have brought us deficit and increasing debt. Is that better than George Bush? Sen. McCain does not have a health care plan that will cover every American. In fact, we will have more and more uninsured Americans. Is that better than George Bush? Sen. McCain has no plans to end the housing foreclosure crisis or cut the cost of gas at the pump. Is that better than George Bush? We need a nominee who will take on John McCain, not cheer on John McCain, and I will be that nominee," Clinton said.
This is the latest in the back and forth between the two candidates leading up to the Pennsylvania primary. Clinton and Obama have been trading barbs over a range of issues including health care and the oil companies.
April 20, 2008 in Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (78)
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Polls indicate that 1/4 to 1/3 of the democrats will switch to McCain if their candidate looses. Those numbers are probably too big. The bottom line is that through and through democrats will vote the party. So what is the fuss?
Posted by: Aston | Apr 20, 2008 8:33:02 PM
As Teejay commented, this is a standard set of logical statements - standard academic comparisons. True statement.
For Clinton to give an "answer" or "explanation" just makes her look like a fool.
Good going Sen. Obama
Obama 2008
Posted by: Sara | Apr 20, 2008 8:33:56 PM
This from the woman who said that she had passed the test for commander in chief and John McCain had passed the test for commander in chief but Obama . . .
Obama said McCain might not be as bad as Bush. Clinton said McCain would be better then a democrat. I wonder if she even remembers all the different spins she's tried. One would think not when she leaves herself so wide open.Incoming Hill!
Posted by: karela | Apr 20, 2008 8:34:29 PM
Anyone would be better than Bush -- but Obama is making a mistake by ceasing to make the point that a McCain administration would be a third Bush term. Obama, whom I support, is going to have a tough fight against McCain, and he must capitalize on Americans' frustration with the war and McCain's intention to remain in Iraq. Obama must make sure that voters understand that McCain is McSame.
Posted by: Katya | Apr 20, 2008 8:34:40 PM
Go back and check on the 1980 race when Regan had a landslide thier were more than 1/3 who won't vote for the other so this is about done.
Posted by: Bishop | Apr 20, 2008 8:37:18 PM
Anyone see mccain this morning on tv. He looks and sounds terrible. He's already been dubbed a flip-flopper for his stance on taxes. I thought this election might be close but it's looking more and more like Obama will win in the fall by a landslide.
Posted by: pt | Apr 20, 2008 8:38:25 PM
Oh Bishop this is old news. I am gonna Change my mind because you won't play with me unless I Do?
I haven't heard that since I was a kid.
Obama08
Posted by: Thinking | Apr 20, 2008 8:40:26 PM
In your dreams no landslide for Obama
Posted by: Bishop | Apr 20, 2008 8:40:26 PM
Katya
Like to generalize, huh?
Posted by: Aston | Apr 20, 2008 8:41:10 PM
About a month or two ago, didn't Hillary try to paint McCain as a better candidate than Obama? Or at least a better commander-in-chief. And now she's worked up because Obama said that McCain is better than Bush? Something doesn't seem right here.
Posted by: jbdsm | Apr 20, 2008 8:43:09 PM
So Hillary says both her and John McCain will bring a wealth of experience to the White House and Obama will bring nothing. That's not cheering on McCain?
Posted by: NotStupid | Apr 20, 2008 8:44:22 PM
I'm not going to change I'm just going to write Hillary in
Posted by: Bishop | Apr 20, 2008 8:50:41 PM
Obama stated the obvious once more and people want to make a big issue about it. Same as his comment about bitter workers who embrace religion when things go bad--most of us do.
Posted by: Pablo | Apr 20, 2008 8:56:29 PM
She is amazing isn't she , this woman keeps doing herself in, she said better things about McCin , she just fell rightinto his trap, now she looks like a liar, b/c on monday all the shows wll show her pouncing on him for this , and then bring back how she said mccain bring a lot experience and senator Obama brings a speech, and th commander in chief test she has passed and so has senator mccain. She really is a piece of work isn't she, will say and do any thing especially when the oppurtunity seems to be in her favor, but they miscalculated this time. CHECKMATE...GoTCHA HILLARY you look like a putts!!!
Posted by: Edwina | Apr 20, 2008 8:58:24 PM
Duh. Mr. Ed would be a better president than George Bush. The bar is so low, even a donkey could jump over it. Ms. Hillary's got that trigger finger at the ready. God help us. Yes, Hillary has been campaigning for months about how McCain is a better candidate than Obama. Her tactics are beyond disgraceful.
Posted by: Annie | Apr 20, 2008 8:59:49 PM
Oh I'm sorry Hillary weren't you the one that said that John McCain was ready to be commander in chief in Texas. Didn't she say that both her and him had the experience and Obama didn't. How, tell me how is this different? Obama respects McCain and he is obviously trying to set up a clean tone for the general election after you decided to go nuclear on your fellow Democrat Hillary.
Posted by: Gonzalo | Apr 20, 2008 9:02:05 PM
She has told so many stories now she can't remember where she stands. Soon she will be saying if you don't vote for me I'll vote for McCain
Posted by: Thinking | Apr 20, 2008 9:03:24 PM
We all know that if McCain had been president for the past 8 years we would be better off than having the monkey in office we have now. That said, McCain is now too old, too angry, and too demented--which ironically makes him still better that W. Oh, what a sad state we are in. Obama spoke the truth. Heavens alive! No truth speaking allowed. Arrest that man!!
Posted by: Earl | Apr 20, 2008 9:04:38 PM
You know what. As a Hillary supporter I like this Obama better. He finally realized he couldn’t sell the Koolaid anymore and has gone full into the political machinery. I like him better now. No more Kumbaya BS. He is part of the brothel; just like Hillary, Bill & McCain.
Posted by: Leanza Cornett | Apr 20, 2008 9:04:48 PM
This is getting so ridiculous. It is really tiresome to keep reading about this silliness.
Hillary herself praised McCain so I think she should pick another avenue to fight or just focus on her qualifications.
Posted by: MovieWatcher | Apr 20, 2008 9:08:03 PM
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