by Mark Silva
Sen. Barack Obama has an answer for Sen. Hillary Clinton’s TV ad quoting people in Pennsyvlania – at least one of whom, it turns out, isn’t registered to vote in Pennsylvania, as you may read below in the Swamp -- asserting that Obama is out of touch with the mainstream.
Obama’s campaign ad starts with Clinton’s own words: “I know that many of you, like me… were disappointed by recent remarks that he made.’’
Then the announcer’s words: “There’s a reason people are rejecting Hillary Clinton’s attacks. Because the same old Washington politics won’t lower the price of gas or help our struggling economy. Barack Obama will represent all Americans. He offers a new approach.
Then Obama’s: “When we get past the politics of division and distraction and we start actually focusing on what we have in common, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish…’’
Now it’s a good bet that the announcer of this ad isn’t a voter in Pennsylvania, either -- though he does quote a couple of Pennsylvania newspaper editorials at the end of his commentary.
But the potential impact on Pennsylvania voters from the ad which Clinton has aired – reminding them of Obama’s reported remarks about the bitterness of working-class voters – is what Obama is attempting to manage with his own new ad. This is called damage control, which could mean everything in a state where the newest opinion polls portray Clinton holding a narrow advantage over Obama one week before Tuesday’s primary election and heading into tonight’s televised debate between the two candidates in Pennsylvania.







Comments
Good point--damage control is exactly what he's attempting.
I don't think attacking Hilary when his own problem came from--his own comments, his lack of transparency re: where his money came from (where's the 30 years of tax returns they screamed about re: Hilary?), his true relationship with Rezko (looks like he coulda been more forthcoming with us before getting us involved in getting him elected.
and then there's his fake opposition to the iraq war.
Attacking HIlary's AD shows how superficial this campaign is.
That woman in the ad--she'll be registered for the Fall. Don't worry. HIlary's ground game has arrived. Where's Barack's? Oh, that's right-he wants NEW people to get him elected.
Hint: They're still sleeping as I write this.
Gotta go earn my 59 cents now.
Posted by: Maude | April 16, 2008 7:50 AM
"Past politics of division?"
This guy and his ad men have done nothing but create political division.
Nobody's paying attention to young white men 20 something--they're headed to Ron Paul right now. Now, that wouldn't have happened had Obama become John Edwards' veep, and then 8 years from now prez for 8 years.
What a hypocrite.
Bow out, join with Hilary, stop hurting america.
Posted by: Julia | April 16, 2008 8:01 AM
Scranton Times endorsed Obama...hey--did you know Scranton is called "Little Chicago" for its corruption? And big media is part of the deal. So is Bob Casey's sister's printing biz in Scranton--she got $3 million dollar print job from the Obama campaign's "clean" campaign contributions fund.
Gotta go spin in my grave now.
Posted by: Annie Oakley | April 16, 2008 8:04 AM
USA Today has the most comprehensive investigation to date today on Obama's blatant lie that he doesn't take federal lobbyist money. Quick Frank, make things nice for Obama!
Speaking of lies that matter, USA Today drew blood today on Obama and the FICTION THAT FRANK JAMES AND THE SWAMP REPEAT, the worst lie of the campaign season, that he doesn't take lobbyist money. Print it, Rank.
But by all means let's have more posts about the very important stolen recipes. Give it to 'em USA Today:
Barack Obama often boasts he is "the only candidate who isn't taking a dime from Washington lobbyists," yet his fundraising team includes 38 members of law firms that were paid $138 million last year to lobby the federal government, records show.
Those lawyers, including 10 former federal lobbyists, have pledged to raise at least $3.5 million for the Illinois senator's presidential race. Employees of their firms have given Obama's campaign $2.26 million, a USA TODAY analysis of campaign-finance data shows.
Thirty-one of the 38 are law firm partners, who typically receive a share of their firms' lobbying fees. At least six of them have some managerial authority over lobbyists.
"It makes no difference whether the person is a registered lobbyist or the partner of a registered lobbyist, if the person is raising money to get access or curry favor," said Michael Malbin, director of the Campaign Finance Institute, a non-partisan think tank.
Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said that while Obama's refusal to take money from lobbyists "isn't a perfect solution … it does reflect Obama's record of trying to change the way that Washington does business." He declined to elaborate.
I thought Obama was as pure as the driven snow. I thought Obama, when he used the bathroom, left behind him the aroma of cinnamon and flowers. I thought Obama was driven by a passion for this country's better days and a love for dew covered fresh grass on a cool spring day.
Read it all: http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=USATODAY.com&expire=&urlID=27886964&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fprintedition%2Fnews%2F20080416%2F1a___bottomstrip16.art.htm&partnerID=1660
Some highlights: his fundraising team includes 38 members of law firms that were paid $138 million last year to lobby the federal government, records show.
Posted by: Jeff | April 16, 2008 8:16 AM
Obama is a good politician and may be can do better. There is no resemblence between any political man. It all depends on the things what they do. But politics and health should not be inter related.
Posted by: Alex | April 16, 2008 8:42 AM
There are people you either have them under your shoe or at your neck then.
Posted by: maz hess | April 16, 2008 8:56 AM
Obama’s campaign ad starts with Clinton’s own words: “I know that many of you, like me… were disappointed by recent remarks that he made.’’
Her answer, to make a fool of herself choking on a small portion of a Royal Crown shot.
Let us not forget her early years crouched down in a DUCK-BLIND in Park Ridge, Illinois. Card carrying memeber of the NRA and lifelong hunter, just like Mitt Romney!!!
Hillary Clinton: I'm More American Than He Is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-hbPmcMFxU
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | April 16, 2008 9:28 AM
Jeff,
How much does McCain raise from the law partners of the 59 lobbyists who run his campaign? How about their wives? Children? Nannies?
Posted by: Michael | April 16, 2008 10:40 AM
Damage control? What damage? The only damage is to the Clinton campaign, and she's doing it. Again.
And pure as the driven snow? Heck, compared to Hillary, I'm pure as the driven snow. It's a nice feeling.
Posted by: AWest | April 17, 2008 12:36 AM