Obama camp response on debate

Posted: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:55 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
A statement from Obama campaign manager David Plouffe: “Tonight we saw a real choice between the old politics of point-scoring and distraction and a politics that focuses on bringing us together to actually solve the challenges we talk about every single election. Continuing the theme of her campaign, Senator Clinton used every single opportunity she had to launch misleading attack after misleading attack against Barack Obama, which is why polls show that most Americans think she’s running the most negative campaign and don’t believe she’s trustworthy. Barack Obama spoke about the issues that actually matter in people’s lives, like how he plans to end the war in Iraq, cut middle-class taxes, help people stay in their homes, and provide a secure retirement for our seniors. That’s why more Americans are putting their trust in Barack Obama to bring about the change we need in Washington."

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Comments

Amen!

Michael Roland (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:59 PM)

More like we saw a pathetic display of moderators becoming the story.

ABC News feedback:
http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346

Randy E (SC) (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:00 PM)

I think Obama's supporters need to boycott ABC!!! This was a very unfair lopsided debate!!! Hopefully that will be noted by the news media across the country. Who knows maybe the Clintons or their supporters paid of ABC?

Sheri, AZ (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:01 PM)

I thought the Saturday Night Live spoof of the debates 6 weeks ago was a bit over the top. They should run it again and swap out CNN for ABC. Why didn't George just ask Charlie to let him run up and bash Obama on the knees with a tire iron? I will never watch his show again; and I was a steady viewer--every Sunday.

Scott (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:02 PM)

Was he watching the same debate I was?? I saw Sen. Clinton MOP THE STAGE with Sen. Obama. It wasn't lopsided ... it was fair. Finally.

Beth, Orlando, FL (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:03 PM)

The debate just ended, and they already have a spin on it from the Obama camp. I listend to the whole thing and I thought Hillary made a lot of points directly on issues, outlining in more detail than Barack. Or was I imagining things???

Frederick, Woodbury, MN (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:03 PM)

Absolutely. If I wanted Mike Tyson, I would buy a ticket to a club fight. I love Senator Obama, and want a President who will sit, think, and make decisions after careful pondering.

donna (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:03 PM)

David, if HRC insists on negative, bring up HRC's "Screw 'Em" comment in 1995. Also, bring up how ABC was biased toward HRC tonight.

Ismael, Weslaco Tx (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:04 PM)

A very bad debate. What happened to the issues. Are PA voters watching to see who said what and what they meant or wanting to hear practical solution about their problems. Cable debates were a lot better. No more of this joke please.

Alan, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:04 PM)

Absolutely right on the money. This election is not sport or theater. There are many people struggling, and many dying in Iraq and on our streets. Our health care system is a mess, and Barack Obama had the good sense to try and rise above it all, and talk intelligently. His is a movement, not just a campaign. Getting rid of the old-style gotcha politics and tabloid journalism is why many of us are working hard to get him elected.
Think for yourselves, read all you can, avoid the nut-job websites, and discuss issues intelligently.
When you hire someone for the job, their education levels, life experiences, and future vision is what matters. Not who their neighbor is. Americans now have the ability to gather as much information about candidates as we need. We do not need 30-second sound bites anymore. Reject the old style of elections!

David Kolva, MD Oswego/Syracuse, NY (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:05 PM)

Well at least Obama won't selectively whine about the white friends of Bill ganging up on him.

dave (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:05 PM)

Halperin (who is very pro clinton) gave his grades of B+ for Obama and B for Clinton. Even with the biased moderator and the stupid Tabliod questions

TR (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:06 PM)

ABC definately was on the clintons side, but Obama still handled himself well and as a true leader they can't hold him down! Go Barack!!! 08

Leon M. Missouri (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:06 PM)

I am sitting hear laughing about all the comments to each of the First Read segments about the debate. I see the Obama people don't like it when they think their candidate is being treated unfairly. It's funny because they never expressed outrage all these months when it was Clinton who was being unfairly treated.

Also, regarding the Obama campaign's official response to the debate (above), what a crock! In the first part of the debate, Obama continually attacked Hillary. He certainly did not show that he was anything other than politics-as-usual.

Karen, Newtown, CT (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:07 PM)

Ed Rendell just popped on ABC. the first thing he said was how bad ABC did this debate

Devin (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:08 PM)

Was this "The Hillary Show" or a roast of Barack Obama? How dare ABC allow such a ridiculous "debate" right before one of the most pivotal primaries in this election.

I will never vote for Hillary Clinton. Ever.

Susan, State College, PA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:08 PM)

i've never seen a worst,lopsided debate in a long time.i dont know how much these two moderators get paid to do be the hatchet men of the night. i hope fair-minded viewers like me agree with my view.

chris adesanya (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:08 PM)

Waste of time. She is an angry female because she is behind. Let us just get to the issues.

Carmen Colorado (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:08 PM)

That was a total Hit Job... What a shame... I believe is time for the Obama campaign let loose on trying to be to positive.... They are going to gang up on Obama from now on... They cannot accept Obama may be the President.... Not watching more ABC, it showed where they come from... Maybe Fox is better, I will see....

Lino, Euless, TX (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:09 PM)

It was awfully 1 sided. It was what I'd expect if the enquirer held a debate, pandering to one side and sensationalistic. 45 minutes of silly season, then questions high school students would ask. Very disappointing.

A Charles, LA, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:09 PM)

I found the debate hard to watch it seemed like ABC was very unfair to Sen. Obama. It appeared obvious that George and Charlie sat down with people in the Clinton camp and prepared them for this debate. Charlie attacked Obama on his questions and gave Sen. Clinton a free pass. What is up with those guys? Why do they assert their elitist position on everything and then create a three against one debate (Charlie, George and Sen. Clinton against Sen. Obama?) They should quit moderating if they cannot be impartial and let the answers stand on their own. Are they really trying to drag this out because it is good for ratings or are they both strong supporters of Sen. Clinton? I am disgusted by the media, I am frustrated and yes I am bitter because my issues are not being heard.

R.S. (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:10 PM)

i've never seen a worst,lopsided debate in a long time.i dont know how much these two moderators get paid to do be the hatchet men of the night. i hope fair-minded viewers like me agree with my view.

chris (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:10 PM)

Perfectly put. It's too bad the moderators were playing "gotcha" politics, too. Pathetic debate. The moderators should be ashamed of themselves. Flag-pin questions before the economy?

Sean, Philadelphia (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:10 PM)

Obama was asked to answer for his issues -- these are very real questions. This is the first FAIR debate and FAIR reporting -- Obama supports, just swallow it -- this is what 1 millionth of 1 percent of what I we Clinton supporters have dealts with!

Henry, Downingtown, PA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:11 PM)

Chuck Todd I thought you were honest but you are very dishonest. Bill Clinton pardon two of the underground people but because of your bias and want to see Obama fall you focus on underground man of Ombama who did these acts when he was eight years old.

Shame on you Chuck Todd I look at you differently from this day onward.

Trevor

Trevor Adderley Dallas (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:11 PM)

The moderators came across as being petty and interested only in the non-issues. They fell even farther in my estimation and I was especially disappointed in Stephanapolous; I did expect more from him.

Mary St. Louis, MO (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:11 PM)

OMG wearing a flag pin question in such an important debate.....gas prices .. the economy?????

Josie Cooper, GaryIN (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:11 PM)

Get real...there was nothing wrong with this debate. It is intersting to see how Obama supporters feel when the tables are turned. This is the first debate that he has had difficult questions thrown at him. She's had plenty!!! Tough to be the front runner.

JJN, Greenwich, CT (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:12 PM)

Obama sounds pretty good but there isn't much substance to his "policies" and he is consantly making excuses for the company he keeps and has sought out all his life: Ayers, Wright, Rezko, etc.

This can't be just coincidence and I don't want any of THESE types having influnce over the president whether it be past, present or future!

Nancy H, Dallas TX (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:13 PM)

I am disappointed in my favorite two ABC dudes. They just played the same old, same old crap, did not rise above the petty talking points for the two candidates. I am shaking my head at George and Charlie, hey guys, are you no better than that? Bringing up "bitter", "Bosnia", etc. How about we try to raise ourselves up from the nasty mud and gorp that we expect from Republicans? Please, I beg you, can we not be better than them? I have tears...I am 68 years old, and my soul feels shattered by you, my favorite news guys.

I get up in time to see George every Sunday, and tune in to Charlie every weekday at 5:30. That may have to change. I am so disappointed that I am in tears. Where oh where can I go from here for honesty and ethical content, if not these two?

You have just lost a viewer of 40 years! Shame on you!

Linda Polman, Appleton, Wisc. (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:13 PM)

I have always been VERY weary of blaming the press for playing favorites, but the way they spent the first 45 minutes of the Debate unfairly attacking Obama was shocking. Only once did they question Clinton about her lies about being under sniper fire. Amazingly she actually admited to lying and just asked people to overlook it.

Jason, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:13 PM)

i think he showed he can stand up to many more punches then these other two "vetted" candidates. He got some really terrible questions and stayed strong while hillary as always uses the run of the mill manuever to get out of questions. the reason we hear these questions is modtly because some people dont like obama and it seems like they want to not like him. Flag pins? enough said.

lawrence mays landing nj (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:13 PM)

This was not a debate but a witch hunt. ABC should be ashamed. It was 3 against one with ABC setting up for Sen. Clinton to finish. Sen Obama is too much of a gentlemen to add to her Bosnia embarrassment although I wish he had. Then I suppose he would have been accused of beating up on her.

Stephanopolous who has a history with the Clinton administration and that had to have played a part in not holding her feet to the fire.

I dont usually watch ABC and after this rubbish never will.

gmhussein, Jupiter, Fl (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:14 PM)

I've watched every debate in the past year or so (including the Republican debates), and this was simply a travesty. What the hell kind of questions were these? Flag pins? Both moderators seemed unbelievably one-sided in their questioning. The questions were one-sided, as were the follow-ups. I was surprised they weren't both wearing Clinton (or McCain) campaign pins.

chris rand, richmond,va (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:15 PM)

Thanks for the link, Randy E (SC). I'm sure they will hear from many people about this.

Disappointed in Michigan (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:15 PM)

Obama (and his supporters) need to grow some thicker skin. MSNBC and CNN have kissed up to him for months - finally two moderators have the guts to ask some tough questions that the American people need to have answered. Stop the whining - the POTUS is a tough job, if you're crying a river because you can't get your way in a debate, maybe you shouldn't be POTUS.

Nancy, Gaithersburg, MD (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:15 PM)

Obama's camp is out of touch. Their guy got destroyed.

Gary Welks (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:15 PM)

I'd rather watch XYZ than ABC

Angela (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:16 PM)

Unfair? Of course!! One of the so-called "objective" moderators actually used to BE EMPLOYED BY THE CLINTONS. It wasn't the "Good Morning America" guy.

George Robert Stephanopoulos (born February 10, 1961) is an American broadcaster and political adviser. He is currently ABC News's Chief Washington Correspondent and the host of ABC's Sunday morning news show This Week. Prior to joining ABC News, he was a senior political adviser to the 1992 U.S. presidential campaign of Bill Clinton and later became Clinton's communications director.

Myron, Washington, D.C. (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:17 PM)

Shame on Senator Clinton for using Republican tactics to try to score political points using manufactured stories like "bitter", Wright, flag pins & the Weathermen! She should have taken the high road like Obama did when he was asked to comment on her fabricated Bosnia comments. Instead she took the low road to try to score political points. Her choice just lost her two votes in Kentucky. We will NEVER vote for someone whose ambition is more important than her honor. While I most certainly will NOT vote for Clinton I am still deciding whether to vote Obama or write in Edwards name. I still feel Edwards was the BEST candidate.

A special condemnation to ABC for WASTING the first hour of this debate on non-issues.

Signed,

John Edwards supporter in Kentucky

pmorlan, Louisville, KY (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:18 PM)

Score one for Plouffe, he's right on the money. I think there's still room for Obama to take a lot of high road. We know which road Clinton will take and we don't want it, STILL!

Lisa, in New Britain, CT Yes We Can! (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:18 PM)

Hillary spoke well and directly about ending the war in Iraq, as well as cutting middle class taxes, help with the housing crisis, and social security. Why is any mention by Hillary of anything that points a spot light on Obama considered negative, yet he can make pointed comments about Hillary and he is given a pass. How can you back a man who consistently says I didn't say that about Hillary it was my staff? Wake up people. He lets other people do his dirty work. At least Hillary steps up and says it herself.

Jan, Mo (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:18 PM)

Well this debate was not on More Sensible Neutral Balanced Coverage channel...

LP, Maryland (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:18 PM)

I just emailed ABC news to express my concerns about the lack of substantive issues at this debate and the focus on sensationalism. It took 52 minutes to get to a question about Iraq. Took 64 minutes to the economy.
These are the top two issues cited in poll after poll

Please take the time out to let the folks at ABC know they totally dropped the ball on this one.

ABC News feedback:
http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346

Philadelphia Voter, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:19 PM)

I thought that George and Charlie's behavior was deplorable and very bias, if not down right racist. Prior to this, I respected Charlie Gibson and his nightly news, but will not watch in the future. They were in "cahoots" with Hillary in order to help her FAILED attempt to make Obama unelectable, and to dig a ditch form him, which she, Charlie and George FELL IN!!!!!

Joy Aiken, SC (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 12:05 PM)

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