Obama: NC GOP plays Wright card?

Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:06 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, 2008 Obama

The New York Times writes that Obama appears to be shifting his focus from Clinton to McCain. “A series of endorsements are scheduled to be announced in the coming days, including superdelegates who intend to pledge their support for Mr. Obama. And more campaign workers in the Chicago headquarters will be dedicated to taking on Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee. Mr. Obama only mentioned Mrs. Clinton by name once in his remarks at a rally here late Tuesday night, when he congratulated her on winning the Pennsylvania primary. He referred to Mr. McCain seven times, a pointed reminder to Democrats of the challenge that lies ahead.”

This morning, NBC/NJ’s Carrie Dann reports, the North Carolina GOP will unveil a 30-second ad that attacks Democratic gubernatorial candidates Beverly Perdue and Richard Moore for their endorsements of Obama. The ad, per the party, will reference "controversial figures from Barack Obama's past" and raise the question of the candidates' "judgment" in supporting him.

The ad will be unveiled at an 11:00 am press conference. So far, the Democratic gubernatorial campaigns say that they have not yet seen it and declined to comment before knowing the content. But it's anticipated by Democratic bigs in the state that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright will play a starring role.

It's unclear how extensive the buy will be, because the buy itself has not been made yet. A spokesman says that the party is "still making the decisions" as to where and when the ad will run, but says that a weeklong rotation is planned starting "sometime next week." Of course, releasing it at a press conference tomorrow gives the party time to gauge reaction and pull the plug. But Brent Woodcox, the party's communications director, insists that "the buy is going to be made, because this is a legitimate question."

The ad was not made in coordination with any of Moore and Perdue's Republican rivals. The front-runner for the GOP nomination in the state is Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory, who has a reputation as a pro-business moderate.

As mentioned above, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry is endorsing Obama.

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Comments

Pennsylvania: Another Big State, Another Big Win for Hillary...

Pick Your Poison '08 continues.

We have two major problems here. First, Obama's true colors have started to show these past two months. He is a great speaker but has zero substance. Furthermore, he runs in close circles with some of America's worst (Wright, Ayers, etc...). Does he think (deep-down) the way these people do? If you listen to his off-the-record comments and those of his wife, then you can seriously believe that he does lean towards these extreme points of view. Worst case, you can give him the benefit of the doubt on his thoughts but you have to seriously question his judgement. How can a man of good judgement sit in a church for 20 years and listen to the filth and hate that Wright spewed? I don't trust anything Obama says. As Emerson once noted, "What you are shouts so loud in my ears I cannot hear what you say".

The second problem here is the lack of integrity of the main-stream media. How can they let someone like Obama breeze through the campaign trail without doing a good job of finding out who this guy really is? Is the far-left propping them up so much that they have lost their honor? The issues outlined above have been there for several years, yet we are just learning about these things now... it is too late for these things to be coming out! Democrats... and honest Americans, have been given a huge disservice by the main-stream media.

Six months ago I would have never imagined that I would be voting for John McCain for President. However, I am wise enough to know that I cannot trust the most important job on the face of the earth to either Obama or Hillary. I am 100% certain of that. I am voting my conscience this year.

Concerned and Honest American (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:08 AM)

DONT FORGET how important it is that Indiana is an open primary

Geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:10 AM)

This is what Obama should be doing - focusing less on the nomination and more on the general election. And trickling out a few more superdelegates is a good move, too.

Clinton won Pennsylvania because its a good state for her. All of the media over-analysis is almost reaching the point of being comical.

Go back to David Axelrod's memo from months ago. I know Chuck Todd still has a copy. Months ago, Axelrod told us who would win each state, and to a surprising degree, he was even able to project the percentages.

The media is doing Democratic Party no favors by reporting this like its more fluid and dynamic than it is, and in the process perhaps giving Clinton supporters some false hope. Despite all the gaffes on both sides, all the 'revelations,' all the media coverage of every utterance, its playing out almost exactly as Axelrod could project shortly after Super Tuesday.

These are two candidates who are backed by nearly same-strength coalitions within the party, but because of Clinton's inability to organize or strategic error in failing to try to organize the smaller states, she enabled Obama to build a delegate lead that will prove decisive.

So, I think its time to turn attention to Sen McCain and the general election.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:11 AM)

In America, political office seems to be won not because one has successfully presented oneself to voters as better qualified, but because one has been very successful in digging dirt. In other words, winning political office by dirt, not a demonstrated qualification.

Ron H. Allen (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:12 AM)

instead of focusing on the issues that matter, the republicans want to play six degrees of kevin bacon.

ed g (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:26 AM)

Obama looks kind of silly (I know, so what's new) running against McCain while he's losing to Clinton.

Trent Jones, Omaha NE (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:40 AM)

Obama’s argument that he should get the nominee because sometime after June he will have a minimal lead is that; an argument. No where is in the democrat manifesto that whoever is ahead in a contended election (divided by two winners) the superdelegates have to give it Obama. Let’s get that clear. Neither Obama nor Clinton have enough delegates to rightfully claim the nomination. Since argument is what both have here this development. http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/04/controversial_f.html

Leanza Cornett (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:50 AM)

Sorry, but hiding behind the race card isn't going to work. Obama's association with Pastor Wright and others who have similar attitudes to the US shows bad judgement and there is nothing wrong with saying so. What would the excuse be if Pastor Wright was White just like Barack's bomb throwing buddy. The Obama campaign has about used up that FAKE race card.

Blue Dog (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:52 AM)

God Almighty, they're Swift-Boating already! Didn't take 'em long to crank up the slime machine---and now they're fueling the machine with the race card!

Class Warrior, D.C (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:57 AM)

I thought the American public had gotten smarter after the majority of them gave us Bush for 8 years. Guess I was mistaken. All those people who won't vote for the other candidate because he is black or because they want a woman - any woman - to be President. The Dems are cutting their own throats and will give this election to McCain. The circular firing squad at work again. The country is doomed to 7/8 being service employees and 1/8 owning the rest of us, if the Republicans take us further down this path. We will be owned by the Chinese/or bankrupt. Guess I'd better check out the cost of learning Chinese or figuring out where it would be best to move outside this country. Ireland is a lovely place!

treetracker, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:00 AM)

It is important to note that Hillary won by only 8.6% last night. Not the double digits win everyone was saying she needs.

IE

I. E. (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:05 AM)

Hilary Clinton has no integrity. She will stoop to whatever level to get what she wants. To bad its not happening for her. EVER. I wish some of her supporters could be a fly on the wall and see what she says behind the scenes. She is the mother of all BITCHES.

Bill Clinton SR, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:09 AM)

Hillary Clinton is done. She knows it.

She's in debt and the outpouring of support she touts this morning isn't going to help much. She should pay her bills for health care and expenses dating back to the Iowa primary.

She trails in delegates, popular vote and states won.

She'll spin the PA victory like we've never seen before, but lies and deceit only go so far. Any gains from yesterday will be erased in NC May 6th, and we're right back to where we started.

Her only hope is to go for the jugular, her favorite tactic. She could try something different and run a positive campaign in the remaining contests, but that's just not her style.

No grace, all face.

Sick of HRC (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:10 AM)

"Rinos cross-over" and old white Catholics voting led to the double digit win by Hillary in Penn state. Rush and his boys want to run against the Clintons in November with all the Clinton's negative baggage which the Repubilcans are saving for the national vote. Don't forget Indiana is an open state and Rinos will be out in number to try to help old Hillary again but I don't think she can win there but maybe hold it close. Clinton's continue to run is just a wet dream and the next two weeks will tell the story thank the good Lord!

wlbill, Texas (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:10 AM)

That's it... no more playing nice. Its time to get down to brass tax for Obama and all of his supporters. Its clear that Clinton and the GOP want to focus on distractions such as Rev. Wright rather than on what actually affects the people of this country. I've had it and I'm sure many others have to. Clinton is a side show at this point and she is doing nothing but polarizing the voters, if you look at how many hardcore democrats actually said they would vote for McCain if Hillary is elected... it just goes to show you that she is doing nothing to lift herself up and everything to tear him down. She can't win the pledged delegate lead and people in Denver are going to start a civil war if she takes it from him at the convention. So we will not allow that to happen. The thing we need to focus on now is John McCain. John McCain is dead wrong on most of the issues... but he's not a spindoctor, nor does he like to talk about distracting issues. When its Obama vs. McCain... we can finally have a clear election... less distractions and once people are able to see clearly the differences between Obama and McCain... their bitterness that's been fabricated by Hillary will wash away and they'll see that on the issues... in good consciousness... they could never vote McCain

Blake, Denver, CO (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:11 AM)

McBush hasn't got the backing we Americans need for a Greater America. He will continue to keep GWB's horrible , unthinkable mistakes after mistakes alive for a crumbling world situation. We will continue to hardly make Americans keep our lives and our future generations safe and secure. Who would vote for McCain with a gang like Cheney,Rove and bringing up the rear, GWB with da da as a rooting team. Disaster

lynn parker. Phoenicia,NY 12464 (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:11 AM)

Here is what Michelle Obama said in
Wisconsin. Note the applause when she says
"proud" of my country.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh1TddL9YvQ&feature=related

MrUniteUs (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:12 AM)

It IS time to turn to the general election and return to issues,and i encourage media to try to explore issues instead of spatworthy soundbites.
I notice that Clinton once again won the game of lowerd expectations. media heralds her 10 point lead in PA, (enough to gvive her the 'double digit' ballyhoo) when actually the real percentages indicate 8.5 % . she is also winning the spin game by getting media to latch onto newsbite fodder characterizations of Obama. But if you can get past that and look at substance , Obama is still winning the hearts and minds of people across the nation, who by the way are also tiring of the media coverage, as it panders to Clinton and loses sight of real issues facing citizens.

S. Stephenson (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:12 AM)

Our Greatgrand Nation can not afford Washington establishment of last 16 years. It has cause us recesion, vietnam type cycle, and political policies of personal destruction. To see one polarising democrate attacking another. If this appraoch is allowed to continue It will divide the country for decades to come. It only takes minutes to bring down structure but let us remenber it takes decades build back. The example before us is Iraq our forces won the war in six weeks but it will take decades to settle scores between the Iraq's and we be caught up in the middle if we won't bring our troops home soon.

I hope Clintons will realize and endorse Obama graciouly.

It is critical for Obama stay focused on McCain who does not have Presidential Temperment. The only candidate who has Presidential temperment is Senator Obama. God Bless America and Senator Obama

COL.[retd] A.M.Khajawall (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:13 AM)

Is't it time to start preparing a 3rd party candidate to run in 2012 ??

NOW is the time. 3rd party for 2012 that really cares about the people, not just politics as usual.

USA first (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:14 AM)

OBAMA AND REV. WRIGHT: I get tired of Obama claiming to be Christian, without explaining the theology of his church. Rev. Wright preaches BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY, a very radical form of "Christianity." Here is a quote about black liberation theology from its founder, Rev. James Cone, and you be the judge as to whether Obama's church preaches anything that even remotely resembles Christianity: ***

“Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community … Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love.”

Fred Jones, Los Alamitos, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:14 AM)

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