Obama camp's quiet offensive

Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:30 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
The Obama campaign has launched a quiet offensive against Farrakhan and his endorsement. Obama held a private meeting with Jewish community leaders in Toledo, Ohio this past weekend, where he addressed concerns that he wasn't tough enough on Israel, on comments made by people like Farrakhan and his own pastor Jeremiah Wright praising Farrakhan. But this appears to be a thorn in the campaign's side that they are having trouble getting rid of.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

boring

michael,ca (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:36 PM)

HILLARY WINS DEBATE !!! HANDS DOWN !!!

T.J. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:36 PM)

Discretion is the better part of valor. Oh, I forget where I heard that one.

T Terry (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:37 PM)

If so, he should not have quoted Malcolm X in South Carolina. Yeah--it's hard to find--but he did (YouTube-"There will be bamboozling"). Obama says one think with a nudge and a wink to the black community and then is starry eyed innocence to Jewish supporters. This has been going on so long, I'm amazed if it's finally getting nailed on it.

John S. D.C. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:37 PM)

A quiet offensive? This makes me ill. Reject hatred off all kinds or don't even bother.

Obama shows his real colors by being quiet in the face of hate.

Jackie Spenser (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:37 PM)

To make a big noise about the guy only gives him more air time and a legitimate force. Do it quitely and he is defused without giving him the publicity he wants.

Good tactic.

T Terry (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:38 PM)

Unfortunately Clinton's fighting spirit has kept her from achieving results. We need someone who can see both sides and reach a compromise so we can get something done in this country. We have just had a stubborn, my-way or the-highway leader for the past seven years and we've gotten nowhere fast. It's time for Barack Obama.

Claire Walker Proctorsville, VT (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:39 PM)

Sometimes, you need to forget the politics and call out Farakahn for what he is (a hate-monger). Don't be quite about it. Hillary really won this debate. I am suprised how easy it was. Obama had really gotten better up until tonight.

Trev (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:40 PM)

ONCE AGAIN, IT'S OBAMA WITH THE SUPERIOR DEBATING SKILLS!!! GO OBAMA!!! YES WE CAN!!!

Ernest C. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:41 PM)

Obama with the superior debating skills? He doesn't call out a hatemonger, and he scored points with that? If the situation were reversed, the press would crucify her.

Jo, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:22 PM)

Obama was great, just made a donation to his camp

Janet, Kansas City, Kansas (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:22 PM)

I am absolutely amazed that Obama gets away with the crap he does. If Hillary would have gotten such support the media would have had a field day but NO!!!!! Obama got the Support from Farrakhan and not much got written about it. Media, you keep showing your true colors. Hopefully America can overcome such shameful regretful outright coronation of Obama. He is just another politician.

austin,texas (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:22 PM)

Hillary started the debate angry, agressive, and bullied her way into monopolizing the time. I was very put off. I like Hillary, but this debate made me realize that she has a sense of entitlement and will stop at nothing to win.

My overall impression is that when I was watching Barack, I was looking at the next president of the United States. He was calm, intelligent and very magnanimous. He rose above the sarcastic comments from Hillary and I was very impressed by how he was able to speak well of Hillary in spite of the Clinton campaign tactics of the past week.

I wish Hillary had run a more clean and fair campaign. Her anger and sarcasm has not served our party well. Yes, she is brilliant and capable, but she's running her campaign the "old" rovian way whereas Barack is running his campaign the way America wants a campaign to be; the way we want our government to interact with the people.

The new reality:

President Barack Obama

Francesca, Sacramento, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:22 PM)

T Terry...To make a big noise about the guy only gives him more air time and a legitimate force.

I agree with you 100% less said, less time for him to be seen and or heard.

B from GA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:25 PM)

OBAMA WINS DEBATE !!! HANDS DOWN !!!

Ben (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:26 PM)

I knew this man would endorse him and this is why this jewish woman will not vote for him. Look at his minister he may have denounced Farrakhan but, his minister backs him.

no vote for obama (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:28 PM)

Quote: "HILLARY WINS DEBATE !!! HANDS DOWN !!!"

Come on, T.J. How many other blogs have you said the exact same thing? The fact is, Hillary didn't win anything, and neither did, Barack.

The longer this drags on, there will only be losers in the Democratic Party.

It's all over for Hillary. She knows it, and so does everyone working for her campaign. Will they tell her that, and encourage her to get out, before she loses what little respect she still has from Americans? No, because they will continue taking her money.

If Democrats want to win in November, they will put their full support behind Barack Obama. Just because Americans are tired of George Bush, and Repubicans in general, that doesn't guarantee a free ticket to the White House.

Democrats need unity, and the same enthusiasm that they have demonstrated throughout these primaries.

Stanley, Cartagena, Colombia (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:28 PM)

I'm glad that people were able to see what I always see about Obama. He fumbled for words. He heard what Hillary had to say about foreign policy and he agreed with everything she said. Clearly, Hillary won this debate also. VOTE HILLARY!

Elsa Garcia, Brownsville, TX. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:29 PM)

OBAMA WINS DEBATE !!! HANDS DOWN !!!

Ben (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:29 PM)

Obama denounced and rejected hate. What more do you folks want?

Bill Johnson, Anaconda, Montana (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:29 PM)

How can Obama even attend a church, let alone been a member for 20 years, with a Pastor who admires Farrakhan??
Check the church people and see what they believe!

John Doe (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:30 PM)

Go Hillary! She gave examples of her experience. She is not trying to attack Obama, she simply is stating what she will do, believes in, and how difficult it an be to make peace w/private companies and insurance companies and programs without knowing someone and having the experience regarding them.

Jantha Marne, Denver, Colorado (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:30 PM)

Obama is clearly someone who can bring people together and is not polarizing like Hillary - she can't get her ideas accomplished because even her own party doesn't like her - she lacks the skill to execute because she wants to fight instead of progess!!! OBAMA WINS.

Terri (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:31 PM)

I think Obama was very effective scoring point against Hillary, and poking holes in her attempts at discrediting him and his campaign. He has my vote!

Wayne, Nashville, TN. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:32 PM)

During every debate I've seen, Obama has been very deliberate in his support for Isreal and strong repudiation of antisemitism in any form.

It seems incredibly desperate on the part of the Clinton campaign and it's supporters to try an create and issue where, very obviously, none exists.

I infer that such lunacy is a signal of the end of 'say anything' divisive politics in this democratic primary - and of the Clinton campaign.

For the country's sake, let us hope so.

wsparis (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:33 PM)

I am an African American and I do not agree with Mr Farakahn views. Having said that, one of the CNN contributers made and interesting point about the Farakhan question. I'm not sure of the direct quote, but what he was basically saying was this. Why is it that whenever Louis Farakhan goes off on some crazy rant that it's always the task of the African American candidate dejour to denouce/reject Louis Farakhan? It's like the whole OJ Simpson thing...
Not every Person on the African American community support Louis Farakhan or the Nation of Islam's views. Not every African American think that the OJ Simpson trial verdict was just. So why does Barack Obama have to "forcefully" reject Farakhan's endorsement. The CNN contributer used the example of Trent Lott of Mississippi, who said of Strom Thurman (an avid defender of the segregationist movement), that if he was elected president "we wouldn't have the problems today". No one asked Trent Lott to forcefully "denounce/reject" Strom.

lh (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:34 PM)

Tired!!! Hillary was desperate and it showed because she always had to top whatever Barack said. Obama won the debate, he was very cool, calm and presidential

Rozanne, Sacramento, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:35 PM)

There is no way Hillary won this debate. Obama beat her on national security and foreign relations (Iraq and Pakistan). She looked silly and petty when she said "she gets all the first questions". She sounds like a commercial when she tells people to go to her website and donate. She couldn't come up with an answer for why Obama shouldn't be the nominee. Obama diffused her healthcare debate. Obama looks Presidential and acts Presidential. Clinton just doesn't. Even Pat Buchanan said that Obama was outstanding and Presidential - now that's saying something!

Janet, Manchester, NH (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:38 PM)

Great job Hillary! Obama is breaking. He looked annoyed, somewhat upset over something. MSNBC finally gave Hillary some strategists who saw a strong, brilliant woman with great answers. Obama tries to demeanor and at times be condescending to Hillary. However, he stops himself. Watch out America when he does break! Go Hillary!

Elsa Garcia, Brownsville, Tx (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:38 PM)

Geez, it's about time Hillary called out the moderators on questioning her first all the time. Obama gets to agree/repeat what Hillary says and then slam her and she is expected to just sit there and take it without a chance for a rebuttal. You guys are really pathetic! Why couldn't Obama just say I reject Farakhan initially instead of trying to beat around the bush with his fancy words? Why would Farakhan support somebody that he knows would denounce him? Something is afoot and you all need to wake up and smell the coffee. Be careful what you wish for if Obama is elected, I can see it now, Vice President Al Sharpton, Sec. of State Jesse Jackson etc..etc. are in your future.

Ron (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:27 AM)

The Clinton campaign is in dire straits and it is showing. Even if by some miracle that Hillary wins the nomination she will have a long way to go rebuilding the bridges she has burned with the African-American community.

KC, West Virginia (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:33 AM)

Great job MSNBC. Loved the debate.
Love you Hillary. You did great!! You showed Obama that nice suite and charming words cannot count when it comes to running our great country. He needs to wait for another 8 years and gain more experience before running for the office.

Nilu (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:34 AM)

Clinton is a fighter and she fights for her donors. She can win debates but cannot inspire. She will work very hard and will be the only one working very hard. On the other hand Obama may not be a good debater but he understands that he alone cannot bring change, he will use his skills to get people together just like Reagan did to get things done. Obama will use other people to get things done. Who is smater? We need smart people to solve problems not people with encyclopedias.

Ravi, Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:34 AM)

Obama clearly looks uncomfortable when speaking about international issues. He basically copied everything Hillary said about Putin and his successor and NAFTA. Hillary is very confident in her answers and appears to be more knowledgable. I have decided to vote for Hillary.

Ronald, Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:35 AM)

I try to be very objective when I listen/watch a debate. Hillary was very aggressive and wanted to control the debate. Obama did a very good job. Hillary is smart and experienced but she has relationship issues. We need someone who will defend our Nation, do what is right not popular and someone who can reach out to other parties. Hillary has a lot of old baggage. We need a Change. We need to Believe. We need Barack Obama. He has my VOTE.

Wayne - Fort Worth TX (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:37 AM)

If Obama thinks the republicans that are voting for him now, are voting because they like him and his policies he is badly mistaken. So in the general, if you take away, 10% Republican support away from him, then another 47% of the democrats that voted for Hillary. I say McCain wins by substantial margin in general election. Probably by 10% in each state if not more, that is assuming that Hillary does not win the nomination. I believe she has to win in order for the democrat to be president.

Tom (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:49 AM)

I think Hillary is right REJECTED and denounce have difference meaning.Your polls are very deficiency What is this? polls on text messages!Plese get real!!We are tired of Pat Buchanan,Mr.Robinson and the lady with their weird opinions.Get other intellectual people.

roberta miami,fl (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:51 AM)

OK - here's an interesting problem: suppose the KKK endorses Hillary? What does anyone do when crazy people coming knocking on your door bearing endorsements? Obama did what he only could. Can't blame him.

NotShrillary, Bryn Athyn, Pa (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:51 AM)

Barack would need to withdraw membership from his black liberation church that supports Farrakhan to be authentic. He is a phony and a media myth. The Dems are not very bright. They are handing the white house back to the Republicans by anointing this neophyte.

If not Hillary 08 then McCain 08 :)

aware (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:53 AM)

Hillary is a deceptive person, she has always been a deceptive person. Of all the candidates she is the only one not releasing her tax records, why is that? The worst negative, racial attacks during this campaign have come from her, her husband, and her campaign. Add to that, she is a hypocrite, lecturing about borrowing speech, only to do exactly that minutes later, using someone elses words as if they were her own. Who would vote for this mess! No one wants to spend the next 8 years enduring investigations, into the Clintons, like we had to 8 years ago. It's time to move on... To bring the type of transparency Obama wants, in our government.

Sarah (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:56 AM)

Obama killed her softly. I like Hillary as much as most of her supporters here but some times you have to be honest to yourself and respect the way he acted and the way he handled himself.

To those who say Hillary won, my god you must have been watching another debate or you must not want to open up your heart and ears. Give the guy a chance and listen, you will hear something different.

Dan P, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:36 AM)

Obama's "quiet offensive" started last weekend, not just because it was brought up tonight.

To me it shows leadership that he did not announce at a media event that he was reaching out the the Jewish community, he just went and started talking. Obama didn't care if the public saw this.

Boz (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:38 AM)

When Hillary took on healthcare reform in 1993 she worked very hard to create change and then failed. I am sure she was hopeful and starry eyed at the possabilities to make change in Washington.I am impressed that she continues to work hard and improve policies that could make healthcare affordable and available for all of us. She keeps coming back to the table and I respect that. Her 7+ years in the senate have shown that she can negotiate and pass meaningful legislation. With all of the media bias and you Obama supporters having such little respect for the Clintons, I have to wonder how you could ever win the Hillary supporters over to vote for Obama? I have never had a candidate take my vote for granted like this.

Terra, Austin TX (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:49 AM)

I don't think the voters even care about this stupid issue.

Jim , Oregon (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:49 AM)

The same thing as before...trying to paint Obama into a corner while soft-balling questions to Hillary. Is he anti-black, or is he anti-Jewish? That was the only point to the off-topic six minutes on Louis Farakahn. Tavis Smiley didn't manage to significantly split up the African American vote to make up for Hillary's shortfalls with Latinos, whom she thought she could arrogantly shore up, so how about a Farakahn diversion? Sorry, establishment. The Minister does not speak for all African Americans. To paint African Americans with the same brush is to say that all women are alike as well. There are some women for abortion, and some against. The media have been helping Hillary all along, and frankly, I'm surprised that they gave the last comment to Obama. It's usually reserved for Hillary. By the way, why didn't Russert mention that Obama DID release his tax records? I thought that was coming for Obama after Hillary, but no, we get another potentially racially divisive question thrown his way.

Nadia Orton, Richmond, VA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:53 AM)

I made up my mind tonight because I just saw my next President: Mr. PRESIDENT BARAK OBAMA!!!!!

Michael, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:55 AM)

Obama is a gentleman and a true leader. He deserves to win the election. He just got everyone I know votes tonight. Hillary's desperate smear campaign will not work and neither will John Mccain's. Obama has been attacked by Clinton and Mccain for weeks because they know he can beat both of them. He does not whine or complain, he simply states his views. He will unite our country. Go Barack go!

marjorie burnett,monteagle tn. (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:57 AM)

Why does OB have to answer to Farrakan's "look at me" rant for press? Farrakahn was bound to come out of his hole to make his self "relevant" to the American political scene with an in the lead AA Presidential Candidate, otherwise he gets no press. No great tears or crying for Farrakahn to make public stances, publicly support or even breathe in public during this election in the Black Media/Press or even in day to day AA political/family conversations. Farrackhan is only as relevant as he thinks he is. Playing Farrakahn in the press is expected, and plays right into his la,e game plan, but this holding all AA candiates hostage for his rants, speeches or press snatching headlines is nonsense. Instead of quoting Farrakahn's anti-Jewish stance, post questions on his action plan since the widely covered Million Man March. You will have no Farrakhan questions or public statements or quotes to throw at AA Presidential Candidates--NADA!
AA Women-denounces/rejects the AA Presidential Candidate Farrakhan Hostage Crisis

Red Tokyo Japan (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:58 AM)

I wonder if Hillary has any idea how divisive she looks to the average voter? She is rude and pushy and she comes off looking like an angry PTA mother who's kid did not make the cheerleading team. How does she think she would be if she had a world leader hit her with the type of insults she is laying on Senator Omaba? The more she opens her mouth the more chances she has to put her foot in it. The SNL comment was again, sophmoric and coached. She looks so completely out of it and I wonder if she will ever realize (maybe years from now) how she totally blew this primary? This was a campaign that had deep pockets, a seasoned organization, a huge brand name, a former president as her biggest supporter and an almost at one time 30 to 40 percent lead in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nation Wide. Hiring Mark Penn was her first mistake. Being cocky to the point of stupidity was her second and mostly since she never played sports she broke the cardinal rule: Never underestimate your opponet! When the book is written about this election years from now she still will be the only one who will not get it. I feel sorry for Chelse. She is going to have to be the one trying to get her mother over this after Bill finally moves on and Hillary still replaying that Katie Kuric interview over and over again in her head or on her i pod. Either way she just about is done in this campaign and is one step away from distroying her Senate Career too.

John, Portland, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 3:18 AM)

Why was that question asked to Obama? Gloria Steinman endorsed Hillary and Trent Lott endorsed John Mccain and they were not asked that question. The press is not playing favorites. With all the skeletons in the Clinton's closet there is much more on Hillary. Onama has been attacked by both sides. Notice John Mccain is not targeting Hillary. I read Mccain and Clinton were working together to get Obama and he still comes out head and shoulders above both. Go Barack go and rise above our racist nation. You will unite our country. By the way, I am 50, white and a woman.

M. Burnett (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 3:24 AM)

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=706236