Obama responds to Clinton charges

Posted: Monday, March 10, 2008 4:12 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ’s Aswini Anburajan and NBC’s Ben Weltman and Domenico Montanaro
COLUMBUS, Miss. -- In a fiery speech, Obama pushed back hard against charges by Hillary Clinton and her campaign that he is not suited to be Commander-In-Chief, and expressed disbelief at the Clintons’ suggestions that he be vice president.

“Now first of all, with all due respect, with all due respect,” Obama began, “I have won twice as many states as Sen. Clinton. I have won more of the popular vote than Senator Clinton. I have more delegates than Senator Clinton. So I don't know how somebody who is in second place, is offering the vice presidency to the person who is in first place.

“I mean, I am just wondering, because if I was in second place I could understand it. But I am in first place right now. So that's point number one.”

He went on to point out how Clinton could consider him as his VP when she and the campaign have been saying that he is not ready to be Commander-In-Chief.

“But there's a second point,” he said. “This is an interesting point. I want you guys to follow me on this. President Bill Clinton, back in 1992 when he was being asked about his selection for Vice President, he said that the only criteria, the most important criteria for a Vice President, is that that person is ready, if I fell out, in the first week, that he or she will be ready to be the Commander-In-Chief.

“That was his criteria. Now they have been spending the last two, three weeks, you remember with that advertisement with the phone call, getting all the Generals to say, ‘Well, he is not ready. I am ready on Day One; he may not be ready yet.’ But I don't understand, if I am not ready, how is it that you think I should be such a great Vice President.”

He added to loud cheers, "I'm not running for vice president… I'm running for president of the United States of America. I'm running to be Commander-in-Chief.”

He warned that voters would have to make a "choice," between himself and Clinton that had dominated the news over the weekend.

"So I don't want to anybody here thinking that I, somehow well I can get both,” Obama said. “Don't think that way. You have to make a choice in this election. Are you going to go along with the past or are you going to go towards the future?"

Over the weekend both Sen. Clinton and President Clinton suggested they would be open to having Obama be a vice presidential pick if Clinton secured the nomination. President Clinton in Mississippi said a joint ticket would be "unstoppable."

Obama warned to not be fooled, that the Clintons were trying to "hoodwink" and "bamboozle" Democrats into thinking they wouldn't have to make a choice between the two.

Obama accused Clinton of "gamesmanship" in talking about him as a possible vice president.

"That's exactly the kind of doublespeak, doubletalk that Washington is very good at,” he added, “that people who spend a lot of time in Washington have a lot of experience but is not going to solve the problems of the country.”

To underscore his point, Obama told the crowd that both Clinton and McCain went along with conventional Washington thinking and that Clinton had "gone along" with President Bush on his foreign policy decisions.

The crowd ate it up, booing Clinton loudly and jumping to their feet to cheer Obama as he adamantly declared that he was running for president, not vice president. Obama is expected to win Mississippi's primary tomorrow. He will hold a rally in Jackson later this evening.

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Comments

Don't matter anybody with a brain knows Mc Cain is gonna win

SM Mpls, MN (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:43 PM)

HE ATE HER LUNCH TODAY! GO OBAMA!

AG (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:43 PM)

Well, it didn't take long for the sick Contessa Brewer to link Hillary Clinton and Spitzer.

MSNBC - the most biased place in town.

And the sick posts here - disgusting! MSNBC ought to do a better job of policing its web site!

Oh, lets not forget the great photo of Obama on the web site!

Fred C Dobbs Sierra Madre, CA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:44 PM)

Good for Senator Obama. It's about time he fought back against the Clinton's. Remember the Clinton Whitehouse? I do. Whitewater they refused to release documents. Then they had to settle with Paula Jones. Then Bill Clinton lost his law license for lying to a grand jury then he was impeached.Quite a rap sheet and that is only the beginning of the scandals. If Senator Clinton becomes President of the United States. God help us.Don't forget Monica Lewinsky

Dottie, Swarthmore, PA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:45 PM)

Or....maybe Clinton is floating this idea so she will get asked to be Obama's VP....but no, thats crazy!
"So crazy" says Bill, "it....just...might....work"
Although I dont disagree with Rush, I dont thing the racist sexist white power structure can take a black man and a white woman all in one year.

Pooka (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:45 PM)

Obama rocks!!!

Kym (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:45 PM)

Barack Obama outright deserves to have the nomination representing the Democratic Party. He has earned it based on the numbers. He has won more states, more pledged delegates, more of the popular vote!

He can and will win the election in November without having to be on a "dream ticket".

The statements that say "He didn't win the big states" will not wash because if he were to be declared the Democratic nominee, those that initially placed their vote for Hillary Clinton will not automatically jump over to the Republican side. They will most likely be excited to cast their vote for Sen. Obama.

As for Hillary Clinton, it is funny that when she sees she does not have the numbers to outright win she is quick to run with the idea that there will be a dream ticket. And funnier yet is the notion that it will be her name on top. Ahem, excuse me... let's not get dillusional here Sen. Clinton.

Barack Obama does not need to have Hillary on his ticket to win, but Hillary definately would need Barack on hers.

Let's not have a repeat of 2000. Let's declare Barack Obama the Democratic nominee and start focusing our attention on the election against Sen. McCain.

It is time for a change and it is time that we have a President that has good sound judgment who can reach out to all... worldwide!

Paula, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:45 PM)

Hillary's experience? Vicarious. If Mrs. Clinton eats gourmet meals everyday then of course she could be a gourmet chef...right? We know she doesn't bake, but run the country, command millions of soldiers in the field - been there done that. Or...has she been watching the History Channel again? Vote for Barack Obama a truthful, candidate of real hope.

bill, okla (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:46 PM)

The Clintons are ridiculous. The logic (or lack there of) is astounding.
They think caucuses are "undemocratic". I crunched the numbers: Clinton has only won 13 primary states, while Obama has won 16. The PRIMARY votes in these contest still in favor of Obama by over 400,000 votes (12,665,941 to 12,263,089). And for J. Merle Stanley from Westchester, NY, this is NOT from any contest that has had both a primary and a caucus; those are pure primary votes. Obama has also won more pledged delegates in primaries than Clinton has.
Continuing to respond to J. Merle, who has contended that Obama isn't the true Democratic nominee since many states had Independents and Republicans vote in the Democratic contests, would you like to switch Ohio in Obama's column since Rush Limbaugh asked that Republicans vote for Clinton?

Anne, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:46 PM)

I would like to know when the presidency became a popularity contest, instead of being about the issues and the candidates stand on them.We all(except all you twenty-somethings)know what baggage "Billary" brings with her. We don't know much about Obama except for the fact he gives a good speech. The fact is he hasn't done much as a freshman senator. I still don't understand his ties with a prejudiced church, maybe as time goes on, we will actually find out who he really is.

FREE AND THE BRAVE USA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:47 PM)

scorbs, nyc:

You fail to recognize that Obama is not looking to just win those few Blue states that Hillary is counting on only in a general election. Obama is looking to re-write the map my man for the Dem party. He will maintain those States that have been Blue and will bring States back into the Blue that have been Red for some time now. He is not just going to rewrite history, he is going to rewrite the political map in this country. So scorbs, nyc, if you want to live in the past have at it. We are moving into the future.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:47 PM)

She needs him more than he needs her. I appreciate that he is holding his ground. He is running for President for heavens sake...

Bonheur (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:48 PM)

Hillary is not a joke, she is a "monster" Joke. Obama has no option other than mock her.... she just asks for that...

Lino, Euless, TX (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:48 PM)

Go, Obama, Go! I think he should make this same speech every day for the next six weeks, and show people he can be "fierce." Roar!

Chattanooga Democrat (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:49 PM)

Obama can win in November! NY, CA, NJ, ETC.., are blue states. It is quite silly to say he will not carry those in Novemeber. That is the truth. But, he has also won in red states. In some of those red states with more votes, than all the republican candidates. Now we don't know if, their turnout will get better, but right now HE is the front-runner, and person better qualified to beat Mccain. People who refuse to vote for Hillary, does so out of ethics. WE despise her and her historically corrupt past. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, DO THE RESEARCH, FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT HILLARY!

DeniseGA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:49 PM)

Hillary stop the gabage and don't destroy the DNC. Go in peace. We are tired of the Clintons.

banko (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:49 PM)

IT IS ABOUT TIME HE RESPONDS - I LIKE IT... HILLARY IS LITERALLY INSANE!

GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHAD, GRAND RAPIDS MI (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:49 PM)

Hillary was asked about the "dream ticket." It wasn't like she just came out and said, hey, I want him to be my VP. The fact that she is willing to have him as VP shows that she's thinking in the future against McCain. She knows what's best for the party, and what it takes to win against McCain. Obama is naive and arrogant and thinks he'll win it all against McCain. He doesn't realize that Hillary is a very strong, if not strongest democratic senator to run with him. No governor will have what she has since she's done a lot more than the typical US senator having a much more broad and wide range of skills like advisory board for the Pentagon and the senate armed services committeee.

Bil Jergens, San Antonio TX (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:49 PM)

The trouble with your post Elliott is that Hillary is not going to get the nomination. There goes your theory on her strategy.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:50 PM)

I'll give it to all you Hillary supporters. Hillary is intelligent, experienced and has played her cards very strategically. However, in my heart of hearts, that is not what this country needs right now. Hillary is a fighter, no doubt about that, but we need someone who is willing to heal at this point. Our country is turmoil right now as it has been in the past. But before we reach the point of breaking, God sends us someone who is different, someone who inspires us, motivates us and unites the country around a common purpose. I strongly believe that Barack is that person. I am not trying to declare that he is perfect, nonetheless, I do believe that he is a uniter and has done a lot to show all of America that there is more that unites us than divides us. Most people are not voting specifically for Barack, they are voting for what he stands for, the message of hope and change is the movement that has been created and why it is so powerful. So stop and take a look at the possibly of what could be instead of picking a side and being on the defensive about your chosen candidate. The media is having a frenzy as well to see so many so divided. I say everyone should have a caucus in their mind and go with their hearts and who ever that turns out to be, God bless.

Pamela, Bronx, NY (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:52 PM)

what a nicompoop. He's practivally telling the supers how to make their judgment. Is he not doing exactly what he's speaking against?

Get real, assholes. You'll never catch Obama's the delegate lead. The most she will get from Pennsylvania is 8-10 more delegates and that will be the highest she'll get to the end of the primaries.
patty,sd,ca (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 11:01 AM)

Patty what gives with this post? Seems like you're putting down Hillary and her Supporter (Former DNC Chairman)

and then:

Don't worry Obama won't be President of VP.

He is a rookie.He should go get a back bone and then try again.

Clinton 08
Patty,sd,ca (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:24 PM)

"That's exactly the kind of doublespeak, doubletalk that Washington is very good at,” he added, “that people who spend a lot of time in Washington have a lot of experience but is not going to solve the problems of the country.”

*************************

Obama is the last person that should be talking about "doblespeak""doubletalk".
patty,sd,ca (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:29 PM)

Talk about double talk Patty. This should be the last we hear from you. You're busted!

Marlon, Stamford CT (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:53 PM)

What is Hillarys experience? Obama has held an elected postion since 1996. He was a state senator. She was first lady. He experience has been found to be grossly exaggerated. SHE IS 60, SHE SAYS SHE HAS 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. So she is claiming experience since she was 25. Come on people. You have a computer, do the research!

DeniseGA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:53 PM)

Paddy, do they allow you to have magazines or newspapers where you are being kept? Do they allow you to watch any channel besides FOX? Recap this: Obama has won twice as many states, has the most popular votes, has the majority of delegates, is so close to becoming the Democratic candidate to become the POTUS. And you are dumb enough to make moronic statements about Obama. You, Paddy, are a complete idiot. Oh, Paddy, you never mentioned anything about Hillary and the NAFTA mess she created.

A.Brocco, Albuquerque,NM (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:54 PM)

Patty from CA seems to be an uneducated Clinton Supporter who blindly follows and drink the Clinton Kool-Aid. What she and the many other legions of sheep fail to realize is that the vast majority of Obama supporters will not just toe the line if billary steals the nomination. A majority of them will not vote for her.

Albany, NY (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:55 PM)

Obama - you won't be VP, and you won't be president, beause any ticket with you on it is doomed! You are as qualified to be president as Dan Quayle, and trust me, one of the things I prayed for at night was Bush I's good health while in office.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:55 PM)

Obama can not figure out how to play the game. Hillary is bating him. Also, the Democratic Party wants them to make nice so the voters will support either of them. Obama is way off on this one. He should have just said it is something to consider at a later date and then gone back to his message. This is the meaning of experience. Remember this moment folks - this is the point at which he looses the nomination.
BionicWoman, Tucson, AZ (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:37 PM)
_____________

The Idiot has risen

PLB (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:55 PM)

Get a back bone Obama.He needs to learn how to deliver a punch. patty,sd,ca:

And you need to learn how to spell, or to express an opinion that one can make sense of. But stay the true blue Hillary supporter that you are Patty. It makes our case for supporting Obama that much easier.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:56 PM)

This seemingly innocent offer is pure Clintonian. What it really says is, if you dont concede and accept my offer, then I will destroy you and any hopes you have on being President. The Clintons are sprearheading the downfall of the party. And it's being televised too!

In Phoenix (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:56 PM)

Obama can win in November! NY, CA, NJ, ETC.., are blue states. It is quite silly to say he will not carry those in November. That is the truth. But, he has also won in red states. In some of those red states with more votes, than all the republican candidates. Now we don't know if, their turnout will get better, but right now HE is the front-runner, and person better qualified to beat Mccain. People who refuse to vote for Hillary, does so out of ethics. WE despise her and her historically corrupt past. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, DO THE RESEARCH, FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT HILLARY!

DeniseGA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:57 PM)

Poor Obama: He is so naive. The Hillary campaign floated this VP idea so that could get exactly the reaction Obama is giving them. "No I will not take the VP slot" So when Hillary does get the nomination she can say I would pick Obama...but as you know he has turned down the offer" These people are brilliant and that is why she will win.
Elliott, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:27 PM)

****************************************

Isn't it funny how he ALWAYS bites.He is such a rookie.

Get a back bone Obama.He needs to learn how to deliver a punch.
patty,sd,ca (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:39 PM)

WOW PATTY! YOU FIGURED IT OUT! Why didn't Hillary select you as her Campaign Manager? Maybe your lack of spelling in you recent posts? Or maybe your inability to see to light in front of you is attached to a train. Unbelievable! You might possibly be the only American who thinks that if, and I stress if, Hillary gets the nomination, she can win the White House without Barack Obama. If you honestly think that, then you are the naive one. Young voters such as myself are totally turned off by Hillary Clinton and will not vote for her in a General Election matchup with anyone. Run the numbers Patty. It just doesn't add up!

Jonathan, Raleigh, NC (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:57 PM)

I'm married to an engineer so, based on Hillary's way of thinking, I'm qualified to be an engineer. She has precious little experience as an elected official. Also, if she can't manage her campaign, how in the world can she manage the government? Save us from more years of the Clintons!

Snowbird, Akron Ohio (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:57 PM)

Hey, why does Hillary think she is ready.....because she has already been in the whitehouse for 8 years? If that is the case, then we should elect the baker, or some of the grounds crew, they have been there for 15-20 years! The ONLY candidate worth voting for is Obama, at least he actually does what he says he will do, there is no name calling, and the fact that he owned up to a little drug use years ago, shows me he is more "normal" than Clinton and at least lies and said he didn't inhale. I like what he says and the way he says it. Go OBAMA!!!!!!

Jim McGuire Tx (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:58 PM)

Obama won't be President or VP of the United States. The only thing he will be president of is farrakhan's church.

patty,sd,ca (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:58 PM)

Amazing, how did the Hilary camp walk into this one? Desperation that's how. Fold 'em Hilary. You're destroying the Party and will serve up the Whitehouse on a silver platter to McCain. Kudos.

Que, Crested Butte, CO (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:59 PM)

I hope all of the people commenting here are actual voters. If you don't vote, you can't complain. As I go to fill up my car with gas (after taking out a bank loan to do it)...I hope the party can unite behind a candidate and get the stinkin' Republicans out of the White House.

Sam, PA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:59 PM)

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