Obama Says McCain is Trying to Fuel Anger and Division

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Obama Says McCain is Trying to Fuel Anger and Division

October 10, 2008 12:19 PM

ABC News’ Sunlen Miller, John Berman, and Ursula Fahy Report: Senator Obama, in his first visit to the highly Republican county of Chillicothe suggested that Senator John McCain is trying to fuel anger and division by focusing on negative attacks rather than the issues.

“Nothings easier than railing up a crowd by stoking anger and division,” Obama told the Ohio crowd, “But that’s not what we need right now in the United States. The times are too serious.”

Obama’s comments come on a week that Senator McCain’s campaign has gone on the offensive about Obama’s relationship with the ‘70’s domestic terrorist, William Ayers.

Obama tried to deflect those charges.

“In the last couple of days we’ve seen a barrage of nasty insinuations and attacks – and I’m sure we’re going to see more of that in the next 25 days. We know what’s coming, we know what they’re doing to do,” Obama said, “They can run misleading ads, they can pursue the politics of anything goes. It will not work. Not this time.”

While Obama tried to take an above-the-fray approach to the attacks, he still spends a significant amount of time in his speeches attacking John McCain. – painting McCain as a candidate who has been running a game of distraction and who often has “erratic” and “unsteady” leadership decisions – especially in response to the economy’s downturn.

Standing on the steps of the state courthouse, in front of many of the town’s own small businesses Obama made a direct pitch to small business owners in Ohio – and unveiled a short term proposal for those small businesses to get direct and immediate access to capitol.

“We need a Small Business Rescue Plan – so that we’re extending our hand to the shops and restaurants; the start-ups the small firms that create jobs and make our economy grow. Main Street needs relief and you need it now,” Obama told the crowd, “It starts with a nation-wide program to provide affordable, fixed-rate loans to small businesses across the country.”

The Obama campaign says that by working with the Small Business Administration – the plan will extend credit to struggling firms, while providing tax cuts for small business to encourage job creation.

“Today I’m gonna propose an additional temporary business tax incentive through next year to encourage new investments. Because it’s time to protect the jobs we have and to create the jobs of tomorrow by unlocking the drive, and ingenuity, and innovation of the American people.”

As the stock markets continued to decline – Senator Obama told the crowd to not fear – even with the bleak economic situation and summoned up the words of FDR.

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Obama is wrapping up a two-day bus our throughout Ohio – a red state which the Obama campaign has high hopes to flip come election day. With polls putting Obama just slightly ahead of McCain in the state, the Obama campaign is investing much time this week in the Buckeye state – with Obama spending 5 out of 6 days in the state.

In response to Obama's comments, McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds issued the following statement:

“Instead of acknowledging the real differences that exist in this election, Barack Obama is using America's economic crisis to deflect legitimate criticisms of himself and his record. Now, more than ever, Americans should be scrutinizing Barack Obama’s role in shielding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from increased regulation. Voters deserve a real debate about Barack Obama’s proposals for one trillion dollars in new government spending and tax increases on small businesses – when Americans can afford neither. At a time when hardworking families face uncertainty and a historic decision in November, they expect more than Barack Obama’s self-interested calls to stifle any inquiry into his record or his past.”

October 10, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (403)

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Sure but Obama is trying to do the same over Bush. Weak comment Barack.

Posted by: hmn | Oct 10, 2008 12:20:30 PM

Obama is using America's economic crisis to 'deflect' legitimate criticisms?

Wow that comes from a campaign that said: "If we talk about the economy, we'll lose"

Tucker Bounds is an idiot, remember this babbling fool trying to defend Palins 'foreign policy experience' with some retard rethorics about Alaskas national guard? I wish the fool would shut up. He should be arrested for beeing so stupid.

Posted by: JoeShmoe | Oct 10, 2008 12:28:13 PM

TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK....

The clock ticks down waiting for the TROOPERGATE BOMBS TO FALL!!!!

This is going to make Ayers look like "childs play!"

CAN YOU SAY OCTOBER SURPRISE REPUBLICANS?? Today the Palin/McCain campaign come to and end!!

http://www.adn.com/troopergate/story/551531.html

Posted by: Davis | Oct 10, 2008 12:29:06 PM

"God Bless America...nah..nah..nah..God Damm America"
"Guilty as hell and free as a bird, America is a great country!"

Posted by: Mack | Oct 10, 2008 12:36:13 PM

I was a McCain democrat in 2000 but watching McCain devolve into a race baiting George Wallace makes me sick to my stomach.

Posted by: bobc | Oct 10, 2008 12:37:30 PM

On this earth, there are still remote paranoid cultures where the death of a tribesman by any cause, means that the universe must be rebalanced, and to do so the tribesmen will go out and hunt down someone at random of another tribe to sacrifice and then to cook and eat in a very serious religious ceremony which brings closure and makes the tribe feel safe and resets the world to its normal harmony.

I used to think that this bizarre ritual only existed in the remotest areas of our planet, where the people were not exposed to western civilization.

Observing the unreasoned, irrational, hysterical need of the mobs at the McCain and Palin rallies to pull down and destroy, I understand now that this dark, paranoid and irrational urge is just a potential behaviour that we all share and given the right circumstances, and encouraged by power obsessed leaders it has emerged in 21st America.

There is no doubt in my mind, that McCAin and Palin are purposely arousing these dark fears, and that they want to sacrifice a black man on the alter of their own political ambitions. Their followers have been sent on a mission to rebalance the universe that is out of order if the Democratic Party is ahead in the poles, (how dare they win?) and so they must hunt out and destroy and eat one of the opposition to give them peace of mind and a sense of security.

I am truly worried that this reckless and irresponsible rabble raising of the McCain and Palin could percipitate an assasination attempt on Obama.

Posted by: Madeleine D., NYC | Oct 10, 2008 12:38:21 PM

Man up McCain. You need to have the guts to look at your opponent and say whatever you believe to his face. Otherwise, we will all continue to laugh at you.

What a wimp. Man up McCain.

Posted by: billy smith | Oct 10, 2008 12:38:29 PM

Mccain is just a loser, when the chips are down he shows his true colors. So much for the issues.

Posted by: pablo | Oct 10, 2008 12:38:35 PM

I just donated $100 to the Obama campaign in honor of John McCain's recent campaign rallies.

Posted by: Issues Not Smears | Oct 10, 2008 12:40:36 PM

What happened to John McCain? I used to think he was an honorable man. Is his desire for the White House so all consuming that he's willing to completely destroy his legacy? It sure is starting to look like it. Get rid of the Rove and Bush advisors and start to run a real campaign again, it's late but it's the only shot he's got. At least then when it's over he'll have his honor intact.

Posted by: Peter Jackson | Oct 10, 2008 12:42:23 PM

The first thing that comes through my mind is, OBAMA BASHES ALL THE TIME, so that's hypocrosy in his part.

Posted by: Ann | Oct 10, 2008 12:43:44 PM

OBAMA IS CORRECT - AGAIN:

From AP

The situation in Afghanistan now is the worst since the U.S.-led invasion of 2001 and the country is in danger of a "downward spiral" into violence and chaos, according to an intelligence report draft.

The nearly completed National Intelligence Estimate, the work of 16 intelligence agencies, says Afghanistan's deterioration has accelerated alarmingly in past two months. Bush administration officials say privately that Afghanistan is now the single most pressing security threat in the fight against terrorism.

Posted by: OBAMA/BODEN - The Only Positice Choice | Oct 10, 2008 12:44:14 PM

OBAMA BY HIS VERY NATURE IS DIVISION AND HATRED..
OBAMA IS A BORN AGAIN AMERICAN. GOT CONVERTED ONCE HE BECAME RICH
HE WAS BURIED WITH JEREMIAH WRIGHT FOR 20 YRS PREACHING HATE..
NO, I UNDERSTAND!
OBAMA DOESNT KNOW AYERS
OBAMA DOESNT KNOW JEREMIAH WRIGHT
EVERY BODY HE EVER KNEW IS UNDER THE BUS..
OBAMA IS A RACIST AND YOU DONT GET BORN AGAIN. HIS WIFE TOO IS A A RACIST..A RACIST IS AWAYS A RACIST

Posted by: THE CLINTONITE | Oct 10, 2008 12:44:41 PM

Posted by: THE CLINTONITE | Oct 10, 2008 12:44:44 PM

McCain Campaign Strategy Meeting

Can’t win on domestic policy
Can’t win on international policy
Can’t win on tax policy
Can’t win on medical care policy
Can’t win on financial policy
Can’t win on education policy
Can’t win on credibility (thanks Palin!)
Can’t win on judgment
Can’t win on personality
Can’t win with old war stories
Can’t win with a sarcastic pageant princess
Can’t even win getting mavericky

“Uh, John, lets try name calling. That’s change right? Let’s do something really different and start smearing. That’s what Americans want. That’s what our country needs. I’m good at sarcastic insults as long as they’re written down. And besides, I won’t have to know what I’m talking about if you’ll let me just make accusations!”

“Sarah, I would rather sell my integrity than lose an election. We’re mavericks. Let’s do it!”

Posted by: Only Lemmings Follow a Parrot | Oct 10, 2008 12:45:48 PM

McCain didn't have the guts to attack Obama during the debates on any of the issues he is talking about now. He has left his fighting to two women( Sarah and Cindy). What a sad case he is.
Will he call on Cindy and Sarah when he has to fight for freedom in the world?

Posted by: cindyct | Oct 10, 2008 12:45:53 PM

Hate to burst all the idiotic bubbles wout there, But those of you that hate McCain and vote for Obama are turning the country over to mid east terrorism.
WAKE UP STUPID!!!

Posted by: DAVID | Oct 10, 2008 12:46:55 PM

McCain for me was originally a protest vote but I have grown to genuinely appreciate the man. Save HRC I can think of no one I would rather have lead our country during these tumultuous times. I don’t want a great speaker. I want a patriot and a person with integrity.
And damn Governor Palin is just beginning to bloom.

Posted by: HP Boston | Oct 10, 2008 12:47:37 PM

Well Obama should know he's been race baiting since he started running! I've never seen a more negative and devisive run campaign than Obama's. I guess I've got to consider the source BS CHICAGO POLITICS!!!

Posted by: lovingpolitics | Oct 10, 2008 12:48:13 PM

Obama criticizes McCain on his policy issues. McCain is using out and out fear tactics. We need a positive leader, not someone who whips us into a frenzy. McCain is not leading.

Posted by: when you are desparate | Oct 10, 2008 12:48:43 PM

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