Obama maintains he's the underdog

Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:20 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
MILWAUKEE, WI -- Perhaps knowing that there's no more precarious a position than front-runner, Obama opened his speech last night at Wisconsin's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner with the claim that he -- not Clinton -- is the underdog. "I knew I'd be the underdog in every contest from January to June," Obama told the crowd here, saying that creating change and winning the nomination would be "hard."

Yet the attempt to downplay expectations though was somewhat at odds with his introduction by Gov. Jim Doyle (D), an Obama endorser, who touted the Illinois senator's victories to the crowd. "There have been eight-straight states. There have been eight straight elections that he has won," Doyle told the crowd, adding that Obama competed in every state rather than picking and choosing the ones that would have benefited him demographically.

"He has honored us, day after day and town after town in Wisconsin. You should see how hard he works," Doyle added, pointing out that despite expectations that he will win in this state, the Obama campaign has campaigned with a steady intensity here, leaving nothing to chance.

Obama also pushed against charges that he was all promises and not policy, breaking from his prepared remarks to riff that iconic words like "I had a dream" were not "just words."

"It's true that speeches don't solve all problems," he added. "But what is also true is if we cannot inspire the country to believe again then it doesn't matter how many policies and plans we have."

He also said that he wanted to make government "cool" again. But a large part of Obama's remarks focused on addressing attacks that Clinton has made on his record.

Obama's speech, which started slow, built up steam and brought the subdued crowd to its feet. The lack of a teleprompter appeared to help him, allowing him to riff on his own and return to parts of his stump speech that he hasn't really used since Iowa or New Hampshire.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Obama is the underdog as far as experience is concerned, he is right. He is the underdog for what is best for the country, true .I guess he knows what he is talking about but to misconstrue it to these fine people like they are dumb and cannt see???He cannt even be honest with people when he is ahead.Yea Honesty, come to think about it, we havent heard to much about that from him.

Mox (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:35 AM)

Right on !!! Billary was not match last night !

Ans it is true .. their plans are somewhat similar, especially there is still something like Congress. Billary - just like before - will not be able to get ANYTHING through there. Republicans hate Billary, Independents don't like her and yes, even many, many Democrats cannot stand them anymore. And THAT's her winning coalition - admit it, she has no coalition that can move what Obama can.

She promises whatever you want to hear and lies the moon from the sky ... all just for power.

As a nominee she would win the traditional 'blue' states. ALL the red and purple states would go Republican ... and what is worse, the enthusiam of the primaries will turn against her and/or evaporate.

Frank, Kansas City, MO (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:37 AM)

There's a great article by Michael Gerson of The Plain Dealer (an Ohio paper) that discusses some of the slip ups in Hillary’s campaign and what Hillary has to do to win the nomination. Here are a few excerpts.

On Hillary being "vetted":

"...there is Hillary the Tested. "I've been examined one side up and the other side down," argues Clinton, while Obama has not. Well, it is true that the Clintons have been endlessly vetted - but mainly because their shared career has been an endless string of scandals. It is not enough to be vetted. The goal is to be vetted and found clean."

What Hillary has to do the win the nomination:

"Though it is increasingly unlikely, Clinton may still have a path to the nomination. She merely has to puncture the balloon of Democratic idealism; sully the character of a good man; feed racial tensions within her party; then eke out a win with the support of unelected superdelegates, thwarting the hopes of millions of new voters who would see an inspiring young man defeated by back-room arm-twisting.

Unlikely - but it would be a fitting contribution to the Clinton legacy of monumental selfishness."

Well said, Mr. Gerson.

You can read the rest of the article here:

http://www.cleveland.com/editorials/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1203256516254080.xml&coll=2

sue (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:43 AM)

INCREDIBLE speech!

A real, incredible figure...it's time.
GObama '08!

Ron, TX (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:43 AM)

It is nice to see him stand up to the attacks. It was a Clinton rule in '92, "never let an attack go unanswered"... Obama is doing that now as Clinton takes swipe after swipe at him. It shows that he will be able to handle the Republicans in the fall.

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:48 AM)

GIVE ME A BREAK SENATOR OBAMA THE UNDERDOG ? THIS IS JUST A BUNCH OF B.S.. JUST LIKE SENATOR OBAMAS "REFUSAL" TO DEBATE SENATOR CLINTON IN WISCONSIN.

Jason Miller, Madison,Wisconsin (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:51 AM)

HE IS RIGHT AND HE IS ALSO IN DANGER IF YOU WATCH THE CLINTON CHRONICLES.COM [ITS FREE] YOU WILL SEE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT DIED THAT EITHER CROSSED THEM OR THREATENED THEIR POLITICAL DREAMS. THEY HAVE PARDONED CRIMINALS AND DRUG CARTELS WHO WE THEM.

IF I WERE OBAMA I WOULD BE SCARCED TO DEATH

KING OF SMEAR (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:52 AM)

Senator Obama debate Senator Clinton in Wisconsin !

Kathy Hill, Milwaukee, Wi. (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:52 AM)

Obama supporters: please take a step back and ask yourselves whether the message of hope and unity that is so appealing to you offered by someone who, ultimately, can and deserves to be elected President in November? Bush was far too inexperienced to be elected, and look what we got-exactly what we deserved as an electorate. Now her comes a freshman Senator who has only won one congressional election against a last-minute joke of an opponent. John McCain is not going to be such a push-over in the general. We all agree that the partisan politics of Washington has left a bad taste in our mouths. But Bush won saying that he would unite the country, that he had worked successfully across the aisle and that he was an outsider without the baggage of the Clintons. And look what has happened. Now, Obama is no Bush. But Hillary Clinton isn't Bill either. She is smarter and better at getting things done. Those who hate Clinton are either movement conservatives (Republicans) or those who have been convinced of her divisiveness by the media who have been attacking her from day one. She was too divisive to win in NY, but was not only elected, but re-elected with nearly 70% of the vote. Why? Because when it comes down to representing constituents and getting good work done (including working with Republicans), she delivered for NY. She will do that as President as well. And she is so much more knowledgeable about foreign policy and domestic issues than her opponent. Please, don't give us another Dukakis, Gore or Kerry...a nominee who cannot win the general. Let us think hard and nominate someone who can win and who has the experience to be President in these troubled times. Hillary Clinton is
that candidate.

Erik, MD (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:54 AM)

Both Democratic candidates are good public servants, whether you agree with their politics or not. I have not decided whether I am voting for McCain or the Democratic nominee. But the one thing that would make me lean toward McCain is if Obama is nominated. It is not because I think he is a bad person, but I just think experience matters. Obama did well as a community advocate and a State Senator. He is now learning how to succeed on the Federal level, but this is the point I am trying to make. He has just arrived on the Federal stage. Three years just hasn't given him enough time to be a strong candidate on issues. I have read his legislative accomplishments. The bottom line is that Obama has a full shirt with local community and State level accomplishments. But at the Presidential level, and I hesitate to start a fire storm amoung Obama supporters on this blog, but his shirt is not full enough. I think he started one election too early. He should have waiting for the next opportunity, and he would have had a full term plus as a Senator. He would have filled out his shirt. I like the man, and his rhetoric is uplifting. But as a businessman I cannot get caught up in emotions and make decisions based on emotions. Electing a President is very much like making a business decision. It is a serious decision. I have made a conscious choice not to be easily lead by the wave of emotions of the Obama campaign. And I think if voters really sat back and thought about what is going on many would realize this decision is too important to nominate a candidate that will be exposed even more when compared to McCain.

Mark, Gainesville, VA (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:55 AM)

I live in Wisconsin and I support Barack Obama because he is the only one who can truly bring the change we need. Senator Clinton can not bring the change because she is predisposed to doing things the same old way. She keeps talking about her experience but her experience simply means conformity and we need someone who is a little less experienced and therefore less likely to go with the flow.
The right wing conservative talk show hosts don't seem to get this either. The reason McCain is doing so well is because the majority of people in this country are weary of the talk show hosts and so called "representatives of the right" who do nothing but spew messages of hate and judgement with no real solutions and then call themselves Christians. No one religious group (evangelicals) should be allowed to dictate the laws of a society built on religious freedom. McCain is the change that the majority of republicans want and these talk show people don't want to admit it.

Bev Umland Stone Lake WI (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:56 AM)

Go Obama, well Played. I hope Wisconsin and Hawaii will follow suit. If there is any earthly way you can make it, take the flight to Hawaii.

Senator Clinton is digging a hole for herself, trying to seat Fl/MI delegates, telling super delegates to overturn the people's votes, sending low brow attach ads, my goodness!

I hope you will hone your debate prowess and be ready to really clean up in Texas.

Brian, Sarasota, Florida (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:57 AM)

"Don't tell me words don't matter! 'I have a dream' -- just words? 'We hold these truths to be self evident that all me are created equal' -- just words? 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself' -- just words?. Just speeches?"

Of course these are just words. what mattered about those who said them was they backed them up with solutions! Again, Obama's rehetoric shows his shallow intellect to the world. Too bad the Obama-loving media can't see through it. For shame.

Chris Portland, OR (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 10:59 AM)

Obama is right. The main issue is not bright ideas or lack of policy experts, something that Clinton keeps pushing. The main issue in Politics is lack of leadsership skills and a statesman/stateswoman who can actually get policies implemented rather than just be the politician in chief occupying the white house. Barack Obama certainly is a better leader and statesman than Hillary Clinton. That is evident from his caimpaign, his ideas, his vision and his appeal.

Venkat, Sterling, VA (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:08 AM)

Senator Clinton forgets that her campaign promises are words too! The difference between her and Senator Obama is that he actually has the passion to make people become engaged in the political process. He is a statesman--rather than take this as a challenge to improve her own speaking skills, she trys to belittle his. Who benefits from that?

DQuinn (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:08 AM)

The ad lib riffing was the best parts of his speech last night.
But, you made a mistake. Not a Jefferson Jackson dinner.
It was Founders day dinner.

diane (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:09 AM)

So now we're supposed to think that Obama the front runner is MLK, FDR, and Thomas Jefferson rolled into one? Check the ego on this guy! I find nothing inspiring about a man who says he's going to bring change, but lies about taking lobbyist and special interest money.

MLK was talking about equal rights for all people. FDR was talking about getting a country up out of the Depression. The Founding Fathers were creating a new democracy. Barack Obama is talking about getting himself elected on a false marketing campaign of hope and change when he is nothing more than just another lying politician playing the same old games with Excelon, Goldman Sachs, AT&T, and the list goes on. How does he have the audacity to even think about putting his stump speech of lies up against those men? Audacity of hope? Audacity of lies you mean.

Thank you Senator Obama for reminding us exactly why we don't need someone like you in the White House.

Shtuey (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:10 AM)

Hillary claims being ready on day one, is what matters, but also being right is what matters on day one as well. NAFTA and the trade agreement with China is what have blue collar workers in the position they are in today. She first supported her husband policies and now since they have proven to hurt America's economy she is now back tracking. Is this the type of president that we want in the White House?

Her other point is that speeches don't matter! Than I guess all schools, universities, scholars, and media should STOP playing MLK speech or JFK speech on the airwaves or used in print media. These words have brought people to tears and made them believe that anything can be accomplish once a unified direction was taken for change.

All you Clinton supporters, do you really think she represents every democrat in this country? If so, then why did she just now starting to campiagn in all states now that she is beind in the delegate count. I guess the she thought she would have the nomination wrapped up by super tuesday. That type of arrogance doesn't sound like a fighter for the people to me. Think she would just get our votes, because her husband was a former president is absurd! Do we need another president with an arrogant attitude like Bush in the white house again!?

I am 34 years old and have been a democrat all my life, but I feel that its time for a change from the old business as usual in Washington and what better way to make change as with the top spot in government.

Chris, Newark, NJ (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:12 AM)

Of course, you don't mention that Hillary received SEVERAL standing ovations during the course of her speech. But then again, why would the Obamania Network MSNBC or his cohorts here at First Read report ANYTHING objective about Obama??!! I mean really - why start now?

HILLARY '08

Paul, NY, NY (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:13 AM)

I am tired of posting comments and not seeing them!
I watched that event on C-SPAN and I thought Hillary gave a barn-burner speech--yet not mention of it here. What do you expect from MSNBC who is endorsing Obama, who allows Mika to on Morning Joe, knowing both her father and brother are paid advisors to Obama. And it is obvious that MSNBC doesn't read any of these blogs- and post few pro HRC comments--I have yet to see any of mine. Newsweek is much better about posting.

Teresa Proctor (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:18 AM)

Words are cheap?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHAB27nLn6M

Scott (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:21 AM)

Obama is full of it. What a light weight. Of course George Bush was a likable light weight as well and look where it got us.

anton b, st. cloud, mn (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:22 AM)

For those of you following the Texas possibilities, note that editorial boards from the following papers have endorsed Obama: Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and El Paso.

Normally I don't place a lot of stock in such things, but it is telling that ALL the major Texas newspapers have endorsed Obama.

vjs (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:24 AM)

It was a great speech - he was on fire. He really hit back and was strong.

Vik N (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:27 AM)

Since words don't matter, should we just suspend the campaign at this point and leave George Bush in office?

She's a joke. How does she get up every morning, go out in public, and sputter this nonsense?

Scott (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:27 AM)

Words dont matter when it is used for political gains. MLK's "I have a dream" was built on marches and extreme odds and sacrifices for others dreams.

But when Obama uses "I have a dream" , I hear I have a dream to be President. Where is your sacrifice?

Pathetic logic on Obama's part to compare and say words matter.

We are building a culture of no sacrifice and kool aid drinkers are following the same.

Stop disrespecting MLKs words (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:28 AM)

I feel change in the air.Obama for America!
Out with the old divisive politics embraced by the Clintons which results in gridlock in congress.In with Obama and the new politics of building bipartisan coalitions to get things done for the American people.
Mrs Clinton touts 35 questionable years of experience including her 16 years as Arkansas first lady and First lady of the Clinton era.What is 'experience'if you cannot get things done due to deep divisions which she fosters.
She is not electable in November as up to 47% of the country hate her.Her recent gutter politics on Obama will add to that percentage.

I hope more and more people see the light of day
Hillary's claim to "35 years of experience." Subtract her years spent as first lady of Arkansas and in the White House, and her time working as a lawyer in the Rose Law Firm and in other jobs. As Reason Magazine's Steve Chapman reported in November, Hillary Clinton has "just under eight years of experience in elective office -- one more than John Edwards and four fewer than Obama." And, to boot, Hillary the Feminist has her man to fight her battles.
Here's a great quote from a NYTimes column by Gail Collins:

====

Hillary could start by purging her campaign of the lingering sense that the presidency is her due and anyone who stands in her way is a particularly mean chauvinist. You cannot run a campaign with the slogan: “Vote for Hillary — Think of All She’s Been Through.”

=====

philippa,Clinton,NJ (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:30 AM)

I love it. After Bush, we have a pent up desire for a leader for whom words matter, and by extension, telling the truth matters, clarity of purpose matters, discussion and persuasion, matters. To those who think Obama is "just" a compelling orator, consider what being articulate means: to be coherent, able to present well-reasoned, gifted at persuading others. There were triple the usual number of participants in the Maine caucus as usual. I think people are eager for a better kind of leadership.

Amy B Portland, Me (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:30 AM)

It's not the "words" that matter. It is the substance, passion and dedication behind the words that compel, inspire and touch our hearts. Do not compare your speeches with those of Dr. King and Roosevelt.They addressed issues far larger than themselves. The Declaration of Independence--those indeed were just words until slaves were freed and women were allowed the vote. It was years of struggle and sacrifice that made them more than words. Sen. Obama, you are arrogant.You use your speeches to praise yourself and your ambition under the guise of "change" for our country. What passion, what greater good do you inspire? You only inspire those who want change to vote for you. To get you elected. To make you President. I have heard nothing from you that excites the passion and stirs the blood of the citizens to accomplish a greater good--to dedicate themselves to causes that go far beyond what is expected of them.
Your campaign has been based on "hope" and the desire for "change", but Senator, you do not own those concepts or ideals. They resonate in the hearts of everyone, but you claim to hold the key. You do not.

Jo, St. Charles MO (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:33 AM)

Dude. When you're down 20 points in one poll and 8 in another, that makes you the underdog.

The clips of HRC shown yesterday show a scared, wooden candidate, looking over her shoulder. The fact that the remaining candidates (unconvincingly) mouth Obama's words and themes shows them impostors. I would like to see a montage of the morphing Clinton campaign slogans. This is not being 'flexible' in one's campaign; it is arrogance unmasked, running scared. I would not want Mrs. Clinton (or Mr. Clinton for that matter) in the White House, no matter what.

iowan (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:35 AM)

Go OBAMA!!!

Richard Cimatti (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:35 AM)

No he can no longer say that he is the underdog. He is ahead. What is this underdog thing a sympathy ploy used by candidates? And yes they are just words unless you have a past history or the dirty word Experience to back your words up. The MSNBC Obama Cult continues. MSNBC worships at the feet of their newly annoited king Obama.

Vi WI (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:36 AM)

The speech was GREAT - one of his best . . . I think the difference is that Senator Obama really believes what he is saying - and it shows!

P.S. So much for the "he's no good without a teleprompter" argument! :)

Obama '08

Nashville_fan (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:42 AM)

The Clinton Machine is nothing to sneeze at. He's the underdog as long as she's in the race.

DCortez, Houston, Texas (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:43 AM)

I watched both speeches last night... Clinton was her typically boring self-- closing with a strange combination of Emma Lazarus (Give us your tired...) and an odd-orayer like list that was meant to be inspirational but came -- at least to my ears -- as an awkward "rhetorical whoop" that just didn't soar. Like a tired balloon, it drifted slowly to the floor.

Obama's speech delivered on all counts. He was -- as usual, inspiring, detailed (adding even more to counter-punch Clinton) deflated her "solutions" are better (and showed he has some solutions himself) knocked down Bill and McCain on the "speeches" are "platitudes" rap. Even Obama tossed out the "eight straight" line to prove he's electable.

For Wisconsonites who just had to see the candidate's on the same stage, they got it last night. The choice was clear: Clinton is yesterday's reheated beans. Obama is sirloin steak. Both are nourishing, but steak trumps beans.

Jade7243 (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:48 AM)

Go Obama!

loris bay (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:48 AM)

I thought there were two candidates at this function last night. I am so tired of hearing about Obama this and Obama that. Where is the news on what Clinton said. The media is so one-sided with this election. They must all be republican, they really want Obama to win this election on the democratic side. WAKE UP PEOPLE, you are being led.

Janice Bates, Modesto, Ca. (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:51 AM)

Give me a break, Obama. You are the frontrunner

sp (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:54 AM)

Obama isn't the underdog. He's the top dog now.

He's chewing up the opposition.

Taking a bite out of her superdelegates.

While she's barking up the wrong tree and whinning to be let out.

Bill Johnson, Anaconda, Montana (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:56 AM)

It was really an amazing speech. He roused the crowed and brought a unique intensity to his presentation. He skillfully addressed both attacks by Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton, by subtly using the words and phrasings they've used to attack his positions in the past week. Very interesting to see how he has adapted to Bill's attacks; Bill and HIllary may be great politicians, but Obama has show that he can take it to the next level, a level that I think this county will not be able to reach with the same old politicians, fighting the same old battles with the same adversaries. Change, if it means anything this election, has to be more radical, ever different, and embodied thru a select person of admirable talent: Obama is this person.

Corey, St. Petersburg, Florida (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:59 AM)

A loss in Wisconsin would be a disaster for Obama while a win could very well enable him to poach Ohio, Texas or Pennsylvania. Where Hillary is a giant in the Northeast, nobody seems to recognize that Obama is the counterpart of the Great Lakes. If he wants to hobble Hillary (new slogan), he needs to stuff NAFTA down the throats of every blue collar worker he speaks to. It was Bill's bill, but she loves to tout his presidency in her resume.

The union endorsements are big but as we saw in Nevada, they can be fickle. Members who don't vote along union lines shoot themselves in the foot: the union can't be seriously dealt with as a voting bloc. The word is that the unions of Wisconsin voted overwhelmingly for Obama, perhaps signaling a big victory.

patrick, seattle, wash (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:00 PM)

I feel compelled to say something. Those quotes he used are unique instances in our country and they were more then words, but who does he think he is to unilaterally elevate himself to be equal to MLK FDR and Even the founding Fathers. This is completely unbecomming and it continues to irritate me. I will give him that he is a good orator, but you do not raise yourself up to the level of these historic people. Then again I should not be surprised I have seen several post saying he is messianic how can he even let anyone compare him to Jesus. If he is truly a Christian he will tell his supporters to stop that immediately.

Joshua Bradshaw Billings Montana (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:03 PM)

All those calling for a debate in WI, did you really miss all of the EIGHTEEN debates that have already occurred. I watched many debates prior to my state. Rather than complaining about debates, Hillary should have campaigned in WI. And now that she is down, once again, Bill goes NEGATIVE. What sore losers.GL

GO OBAMA (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:12 PM)

Why should he debate Senator Clinton in Wisconsin? And when is he supposed to do this? Because Kathy Senator Clinton has apparently decided to leave Wisconsin earlier than she planned. That little detail is in 1 of your newspapers. I don't live in Wisconsin - but if I did - I would much rather see a candidate face to face than listen to a debate.

I do live in New York - and I can't tell you one thing that Senator Clinton has done to make a positive difference in my life here - (and believe me -many, many people would tell you the same thing) - so I really don't want to here about her "experience" - it means absolutely NOTHING!!!

Obama '08 (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:15 PM)

If you believe he's the underdog, then I have a bridge in the middle of the desert I'd like to sell you.

I thought he wasn't supposed to be another lying politician. I guess he'll say anything to win just like all other politicians. I guess he's not so different, now is he? You Obama supporters are going to be so disappointed with him if he actually wins. In fact, we all will have the worst 4 years we've had in our lifetimes.

Solutions not speeches (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:20 PM)

Go Go Hilliary!!!! We need this win!!! You have the brains to run this big country. Tell Obama to go to Hollywood and just be an actor. He really knows how to act.

Debby James (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:20 PM)

Where is the news on the huge crown Hillary Clinton addressed in Texas. Is her following with the Hispanics NOT IMPORTANT?????????

Janice Bates, Modesto, Ca. (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:21 PM)

I'll be happy when Tuesday gets here, if only to shut up these Wisconsin idiots typing in all CAPS begging for debates.

Billy, Normal, IL (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:21 PM)

Finally, Obama states the obvious.

We can hire people to do the nuts and bolts of government. It's much harder to find someone to inspire and lead us away from misery of the Bush years.

Harry, Los Angeles (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:21 PM)

This debate thing is silly. Its obvious that Hillary wants debates because her campaign feels she wins them, and Obama doesn't feel he is as strong there. In reality he has gained points after every debate, including the California debate where afterwards he went on to win 13 of the Super Tuesday states. There have been a record 18 debates, all of them on major cable networks, there is nothing left to debate, if someone wants to know the difference between the two candidates LOOK IT UP! Also, stop pretending Hillary is somehow on higher ground than Obama because of this, she dodged debates in her New York Senate campaigns because she wasn't the stronger debater, and would do the same if her campaign perceived it wasn't helping her, its politics, live with it and stop idealizing either candidate, they are both worthy of the nomination, and neither one is God.

Jay, St. Louis MO (Sent Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:23 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=672972