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Obama to Unions: I'm Ready To Play Offense

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April 02, 2008 10:36 AM

ABC News' David Wright, Sunlen Miller and Alyssa Litoff Report: Speaking before the AFL-CIO Constitution Convention in Philadelphia, Sen. Barack Obama continued the Rocky analogies of Sen. Hillary Clinton yesterday – and said it is he that is the true underdog in Pennsylvania.

"I know there's been some talk about Rocky Balboa over the last couple of days," Obama said, "Last time I checked, I was the underdog in this state."

Obama said he liked the Rocky story but, "we got to remember that 'Rocky' was a movie and so is the idea that somebody can fight for working people and at the same time embrace the broken system in Washington, where corporate lobbyists use their clout to shape laws, to their likening?"

It was one of several obvious slams at his Democratic opponent within his speech without mentioning her by name once.

The Senator from Illinois also made a brief comment at the top about bowling, not in direct response to Clinton's bowl-off challenge made yesterday in jest, but was indicative of his feelings on the invitation.

"My poll numbers dropped a little bit after bowling, which is why I'm going to tear out the bowling alley in the White House, we're putting up a basketball court," Obama joked but then added of the bowling alley, "maybe I should leave it in there to get some practice."

Within his remarks to the labor unions, Obama continued on to talk about policy with a sport-like analogy: being on the offense.

"I said it before and I will say it again. I'm tried of playing defense, and I know the AFL-CIO is tired of playing defense. We're ready to play some offense. We're ready to play some offense for a decent wage. We're ready to play offense for retirement security. We're ready to play offense for universal health care," he said in a cadence that came up throughout his speech.

Obama told the union members that he is one of them as someone who knows how hard it can be to take care of your family. 

"Imagine a president whose life's story is like so many of your own, who knows what it's like to go to college on student loans or see his mother sick and worry that maybe she can't pay the medical bills," he said, referencing his mother who died of cancer.

"We're ready to play offense for organized labor," Obama shouted, "It's time we had a president who didn't choke saying the word 'union'.

"It's time we have a Democratic nominee who doesn't just talk about unions during the primary," he concluded, in another obvious stab at Clinton who spoke before the AFL-CIO just one day before.

April 2, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (58)

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This is a double game that the HRC has going on now.

Hillary can't win honestly due to the MATH. Everybody knows this. But if she admits it in public the donor base will go elsewhere. Cash dries up. SupaDelegates will go over to O.

So she has to at least pretend the can win the nomination legitimately.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | Apr 2, 2008 10:53:13 AM

I'll bet Obama is watching it, he needs some new ideas to copy.

Posted by: Jacko | Apr 2, 2008 11:10:10 AM

"Imagine a president whose life's story is like so many of your own, who knows what it's like to go to college on student loans or see his mother sick and worry that maybe she can't pay the medical bills,"

That IS a life like my own. Now am I qualified to the be the president and commander and chief?

I don't think so.

Specifics, Obama. Just how will you improve the positions of the unions? Will you change the laws regarding at-will rights to work to stop the bleeding of computer science jobs overseas? Will you support unionization of the software industry?

Or is this speech only for blue collar workers? I've been both. So fine, what will you do about the rising cost of fuel for the nation's truckers?

As Vice President, you would preside over the Senate and that means you would have the power to get some real legislation passed.

Specifics, Obama. I don't give a flying frik that you play a good game of hoops or that you embarassed yourself because a bowling ball can't be dribbled.

Posted by: len | Apr 2, 2008 11:13:02 AM

len, Obama has a magic wand! And lots of pretty speeches! That's all he needs.

Posted by: Jo | Apr 2, 2008 11:16:23 AM

Obama told the union members that he is one of them just like he told a group of Irish people on St. Patrick's Day, that he is Irish, and he keeps pushing his mother was white, his father was black, or when he was in Hawaii, he spoke of them as brothers and on and on. He is everyone's candidate and the last time this was tried was Hitler who told all of the MANY enthusiastic followers that he was just one of them too. How quickly we forget. His church ties and their philosophy that has enthralled him for some 20 years to make the black race superior by destroying the white race is a pretty similar analogy too.

Posted by: Anne | Apr 2, 2008 11:19:22 AM

I don't think the media would characterize him as the "Underdog" but voters know he's not the "Front Runner" either. If he was the front runner, he wouldn't be making the gratuiitous attacks that his campaign is making against Clinton daily.

Remember the italian saying "Fish rot from the head."

Posted by: s. valenti | Apr 2, 2008 11:34:06 AM

Tell me what part of the Obama life story (the one that he's willing to share that is) that resonates with working class people in Pennsylvania or elsewhere. The part that has maintained a 20 year relationship with an anti-american, racist minister? The part that has his wife only recently proud to be an american - and only when her inexperienced, untested husband is on the national stage? The part that is willing to destroy the Democratic Party with the complicity of the far left wing of the DNC? Tell me, Mr. Obama,which of your many faces would the public see if - God forbid - you won the election?

Posted by: s. valenti | Apr 2, 2008 11:42:10 AM

If Senator Clinton and her gang of highly-paid political goons continue to bash Senator Obama, her polls numbers will continue to drop and she does not have a chance of getting the nomination with this style of 'same-old,same-old politics'. The public has had enough of 'Clinton politics' of negative campaigning. She may win PA., but she will never get the nomination. The public is on to her 'win at any cost' game and fed up with this style . Sen. Obama will be a refreshing change for DC, the White House, and our country.

Posted by: Derek | Apr 2, 2008 11:55:59 AM

Hilly is fighting for her life....She is for herself and her self only If you think for one minute she gives a hoot for the middle class and poor people you are sadly mistakened...She will do and say ANYTHING to get in the White House.So if you are nuts enough to vote for her go for it.Later in her term I will be the one saying I told you so......Then it is to late.....

Posted by: h | Apr 2, 2008 12:02:34 PM

I don't think Obama will be traveling with one of his earlier surrogates, Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts. He's going down the tubes fast. Even the Boston Globe, so in the tank for Obama and Patrick until recently have lost patience with the guy who promised "hope", "change" and "Yes, we can. WELL, NO HE CAN'T!

Read the coverage in the Boston Globe and comments on the blog: Blue Mass Group.

Posted by: s. valenti | Apr 2, 2008 12:09:01 PM

TCG,
The only people that know Hillary can't win are you and Obama, you guys are way smarter than us working class Democrats who haven't figured that out yet, so we keep voting for her. Otherwise, why hasn't Obama been able to close the deal? Check out Michael Barone's projections, which are just basic projections, which shows Hillary prevails in the popular vote nationally by the end game. (That's without Michigan and Florida). There will be plenty of spin basis to get the supers moved in her corner. I can see the county level maps coming out now showing gray territory for Obama and blue territory for Clinton, showing that she took 90 per cent of the county geography. We shall see, we shall see.

As a well-committed rabbit, you have plenty of time to take a nap between now and August. Don't worry about Hillary, nothing to worry about. Feel free to take that nap.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 2, 2008 12:09:07 PM

Hillary is campaigning on the fact that she is campaigning. Vote for Hillary because she is still campaigning. Vote for Hillary because Richardson failed to indorse her, Vote for Hillary because other Democrates are telling her to give it up. Vote for Hillary because she is loosing. Vote for Hillary because her campaign is broke.
Vote for Hillary because she doesn't like Obama. Voyte for Hillary cuz if you don't she is going to vote for McCain.

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 2, 2008 12:14:43 PM

Barack has started out as the under dog .. But his message will carry through til april 22 .

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 2, 2008 12:22:07 PM

Thinking (well obviously not),
Try this:
Vote for Hillary because she is the ONLY candidate to stand up for all voters.
===============================
Obama got $250,000
Rezko gets jail
================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 2, 2008 12:24:40 PM

Obama always speaks in the name of every American by using the word we. He doesn't say I CAN but WE CAN. That is one of the most amazing thing I like about him. Whereas Hillary says I CAN.

Posted by: I.A.T Smith | Apr 2, 2008 12:30:29 PM

When ever the numbers change Hillary
throws in the Kitchen sink.
so all duck and run for cover to our awaiting cars.
Hillary Pay all those companies you owe money to. They need to pay their mortgages . They don't want to lose their homes and just be another statistic.
vote for Obama

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 2, 2008 12:31:03 PM

The real Obama DID stand up when in '95 he helped organize the Million Man March with his best pal Louis Farrakhan.

America says No Thanks!

Posted by: Jo | Apr 2, 2008 12:32:50 PM

Barack when your in the white house keep practicing your bowling you might get better.
Plus I think your girls will enjoy it .

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 2, 2008 12:33:40 PM

Did he mean corporate lobbyists as in the NUCLEAR/ENERGY areas? He has a telling record on that. Look it up! Did he mean UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE as in his plan that does not cover everyone? Look at how the experts compared his plan with Hillary's plan and John Edwards' plan. Does he mean that only he had to obtain student loans? He tries to scoot Hillary out of the way on the issues, and he just can't do it. She is the one who has fought for workers' rights and labor laws, childcare, education, and healthcare for families. He is a spinner with rhetorical generalities. Look at their records and compare them. Hillary wins, hands down.

Posted by: georgia | Apr 2, 2008 12:34:15 PM

IAT Smith,
So you think Obama is including you and me when he says "We".

I don't think so. I think he means, he, Wright, Farrakhan, and all their cronies.

Also, the guy has received the most money from big oil. Do you think those guys are really interested in alternative energy, when their profits are at an all-time high and growing? Think again.
========================================
Obama got $250,000!
Rezko gets jail!
Obama doesn't stand up for ALL voters!

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 2, 2008 12:38:51 PM

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