Obama strikes back

Posted: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 5:18 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
Obama may be battling a cold in Texas, but while campaigning in Dallas this afternoon he also fought a battle against both Clinton and McCain. After introductions from former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and ex-Cowboys running back Emmit Smith, Obama entered to thunderous applause and he came out swinging.

"Today Sen. Clinton told us that there's a choice in this race, and you know I couldn't agree with her more," Obama said to a packed Reunion Arena. "But contrary to what she's been saying, it's not a choice between speeches and solutions; it's a choice between a politics that offers more of the same divisions and distractions that didn't work in South Carolina, and didn't work in Wisconsin. And will not work in Texas! Or a new politics of common sense, of common purpose, of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity."

He continued, "It's a choice between having a debate with John McCain about who has the most experience in Washington, or having a debate about who's most likely to change Washington -- because that's a debate we can win!. It's a choice between going into the general election with Republicans and independents already united against us, or running with a campaign that has already united Americans of all parties around the agenda for change. That's the choice!"

Regarding McCain, Obama repeated his claim that the Arizona senator would be a continuation of Bush's economic and military policies. "I respect John McCain for his service to this country," Obama said. "He is a genuine American hero, but let me tell you: His policies are not the policies of change, and that's the choice in this election. It's time to move beyond the politics of yesterday because we are the party of tomorrow. We are going forward."

Feeling the effects of the long campaign season, Obama warned the crowd before he began speaking he may have a hoarse voice. "If my voice starts faltering, just know that my spirit is still strong," he said. Halfway through his speech, Obama stopped to blow his nose, and the crowd cheered him on, encouraging him to continue his speech. "I'm going to be all right," he assured them.

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Comments

500,000+ donors who are not affiliated with a lobby == $$ of and by the people, and fundamentally, a raison d'etre for being a President of the people. Imagine this:

"My fellow Americans, I come to you tonight from a White House that is a stones throw from a House of Representatives who continue to thwart your will and best interests. You've voted with your pockets to put me in office to champion your needs. You have the power to put those out of office who continue to be roadblocks"

that's a much easier phrase to roll out when your re-election money and those of your politician supporters are tied to $50.00 checks from Mary Jones and Thomas Franks, not William "Enron" Jehosephats.

Sunjay (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:29 PM)

If Hillary Clinton is not able to effectively run her campaign on Day 350 or so, why would we think she could run the executive branch of our government - a much more daunting job - on Day One?

Jim Nickel, Northfield, MN (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:31 PM)

There is a palpable change sweeping the face of the Globe right now. People are tired of wars, tired of empty promises and tired of perpetual conflict and corruption in either high or low places, and they are aboslutely fed up with top down governance and adminstration. Via the Internet and elsewhere, people are realizing in increasing numbers that they themselves can be the agents of their own social transformation and progress. Obama has caught the scent of this aroma of new hope amongst men and women everywhere, and bottled it in his message and embodied in his drive to be the first minority US president.

James, London, UK (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:34 PM)

I keep asking. Why are Clinton and McCain attacking ONE person (obama)? This simply means obama is the right choice. he has shaken the old politics, and he has the best chance to lead america forward.

Sem, VA (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:34 PM)

Very interesting, read this piece on Obama. Seems all us non-Obama supporters are not alone in our thoughts.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/113672

Janice Bates, Modesto, Ca. (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:40 PM)

Barack Obama consistently hits the nail on the head: If you hate the way things are today, continuing to maintain the status quo is an idiotic way to expect the future to be different.

Even looking back at the Clinton years - which are remembered so 'fondly' by many people - reveals we've done a terrible job of eliminating poverty, improving our overall education system and providing health care for the average American. Sure, many of the 'haves' have so more today, but we should be ashamed of the fact that America ranks 39th in life expectancy (right behind Cuba) and 21st in literacy (following Ukraine, Hungary and Uzbekistan).

Obama brings hope; hope that he can mobilize the citizens of this great nation to make truly sweeping changes to our government process. Changes that will benefit everyone, not just the priviledged few.

Am I naive? Maybe so, but as he said in one of his speeches, "We are the ones we've been waiting for".

Tom Schlessinger, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:41 PM)

Beware people. The empire builders in Washington do their best to keep the status quo, to keep things just the way they are, to keep the raw power right where it is, in Washington This is John McCain, one of the power brokers, one of the old men who want to continue rule over the rest of us like WE just don't what's good for us and our future. That choice leads to more of the same, a very dismal future. Not my choice. I opt for a new direction, a different and brighter future for the United States. There's only one person running that offers that choice, and that's Barack Obama.

frank, Kingman,AZ (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:41 PM)

Hey Patty--take it easy with the racism. That "boy" is really not appropriate for anyone, and particularly when discussing the president of the United States. Oh, I just noticed you're from San Diego....my fault...good luck in November with McCain, all that Budweiser, chain smoking, and the redneck party....

Chris, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:41 PM)

Obama is like the seasoned car salesman at a nice Audi, Lexus or Cadillac dealership... he can talk a good talk, but ultimately empty and a huge ego.

The mindless sheeple that are bowing down at his alter will soon wake up, but not before they nominate him... and definately after McCain crushes him in November. Dean was a good talker, Perot was a good talker, Mondale was a good talker, Huckabee is a good talker...

...but we're not electing a Talker of the United States, we're electing a President!

Dan (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:43 PM)

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