Obama camp hits McCain on Everglades

Posted: Friday, June 06, 2008 4:09 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Caroline Gransee
McCain might have the edge in Florida, but the Obama campaign doesn't seem ready to cede the state just yet.

This morning and yesterday, the Obama camp held conference calls while McCain was campaigning in the Sunshine State to highlight McCain’s lack of support for two issues that many Floridians dear -- the Everglades restoration and the National Catastrophic Fund.

On today’s call -- which was led by former Florida Sen. Bob Graham and state House Minority Leader Dan Gelber -- Graham noted that not only did McCain oppose legislation that would restore the Everglades, but he also mistakenly asked if it was part of an omnibus appropriations bill, which it was not. The former senator argued that this shows McCain as either being “out of touch” or not knowing any better.

Graham and Gelber argued that the restoration of the Everglades would be a key issue for Florida voters in November. And Graham felt confident that McCain’s lack of support for this issue and other issues, such as the National Catastrophic Fund, would allow Obama to carry the state in the general election.

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Comments

I hope the Clinton/Obama rally tomorrow is in Arkansas. Wouldn't that tweak Huckabee and the Repubs?

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:13 PM)

Well said Jodie Weiss. I don't mean to look down on the people doing the local community organizing service but running the country is entirely a different ballgame. Mr. O is flying way off his league... but I can anticipate 4 years down the road if he ever is made POTUS and all his plan fails: He will set blame on the previous administration (Bush et al) for setting him up to fail during his tenure in 2009.

Pitiful!!!

Boboy, WI (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:15 PM)

People who b*tch about McCain are mostly the ones who were so naive in relecting\reelecting Bush. Remember 8 years ago, Bush was the "smooth talker" who can "connect" to the every day Joe/Jane in America. It's dejavu all over again with BO --- so be careful not to fall into this big bear trap all over again. IT'S NOT SO MUCH OF THE PARTY BUT MORE OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

With the smear campaign going back and forth, do not let it become a distraction that prevents all of us Americans from using our common sense. In short,
NO EXPERIENCE/SPOTLESS RECORD equates INEXPERIENCE.
Worst of all, BO will just be a figure head driven by impotent mentors that will shape the future failed policies of this great nation. This can cause more harm than good esp. when factored with total change. The only change needed are the ones causing our problem NOW. Mr. McCain is the only one qualified to provide a solution oto these issues. He is not Bush and is not afraid to speak his mind ---not sugar coat it like a snake-oil salesman. The so-called "..bomb, bomb Iran" fiasco even if it was in jest but when if placed in a positive note means that he does not want any upstart rogue state take a jab at our nation. The sad part is that the BO team wants to make a mountain out of the molehill of this so-called tragic incident. Pitiful... esp. if they have an ambiguous plan for change in DC.

Joel Vidden (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:15 PM)

McCain is a hypocrite. This Floridian will not be supporting the Republicans this time.

Florida Republicans for Obama (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:16 PM)

ha ha. Mccain's funny when he's senile!

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:16 PM)

An objective thought:
Even if Barak becomes the presidential candidate, what can he accomplish? He's an eloquent speaker I give him that but I wish he's smart enough to know that if ever he becomes commander-in-chief, he will be dependent on the old-politics Democrats for his ability to make big decisions. Is this the change that we want in DC after all? THIS IS THE SAME OLD SH*TTY POLITICS ALL OVER AGAIN and I do not think he's worth it. With his so-called speaking abilities, he'd be better off right now if he use his time to volunteer as a diplomat and mediate/help resolve the conflicts in ME before running for president --- if ever this happens and he has this credentials, then maybe...just maybe that's the moment I will spend time and think over if ever I would vote for him. For now, it's a no-brainer. What he has right now is loose change and he needs more brownie points to pull things together. He's lucky that his blind followers are creating a hype to the naive and disillusioned Americans but truthfully, it's difficult to put a person with no experience to fill in a large pair of shoes because that means DISASTER!

No matter how much dirt is thrown by his blind followers to the other camp or party, he's not that outstanding at all except for the fact that he is a fresh meat to DC politics.

Please vote with your head, not with your feelings...just because you hated what Bush/Cheney had done to our nation.

Kevin, a thoroughbred black American in NY (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:17 PM)

Campaign Diaries just released its new batch of House ratings, with the field shifting dramatically towards Democrats: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2008/06/may-ratings-field-continues-to-shift.html

Daniel, NY (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:17 PM)

Like Obama, who wants to be the second term of Jimmy Carter, knows anything about the Everglades. I guess Barack will meet with the alligators to see if he can have them stop eating all the ducks.

Drender Rogers, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:21 PM)

McCain is for privatizing social security (personal accounts). This should sound alarms for many of Florida's seniors and retirees.

mark, Salem, CT (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:22 PM)

McSame pretends to be "green"... or is that just his backdrop?

http://midwestmoms.blogspot.com

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:22 PM)

"The former senator argued that this shows McCain as either being “out of touch” or not knowing any better."

He's over 60 - he just forgot. Send him some ginko ASAP! :-)

For previous poster who thought McCain was 'in touch' with Americans - HA! "I was for Katrina relief after I voted against it." "I was against Florida before I needed your votes!"

I'm sorry - tell me how he's an average American again, with his rich wife and 8 houses?

MI Chick (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:23 PM)

MCCAIN DIDN'T READ THE INTELLIGENCE REPORT BEFORE THE INVASION (NOR DID CLINTON); A TINY MINORITY OF PEOPLE WHO TOOK TIME TO READ IT. REMEMBER 4100 AMERICAN TROOPS DIED FOR NOTHING! BECUASE OF MCCAIN AND BUSH’s WAR! THE BIGGEST CRIME EVER THIS COUNTRY
HAS HAD TO ENDURE!

Bush invaded a country that has not only hurt or economy and our standing around the world it did not even have WMD’s. Go figure! Oil was 25.00 dollars a barrel pre-invasion today it is 139.00 a barrel. We had a budget surplus before Mr. Bush was sworn in and now we have a deficit. He has hurt this country in so many ways by not listening and by not thinking. He is a know it all and did not listen to the good judgment of staff he had around him. So why in the hell would history reward GWB, trust me he will go down as one of the worst presidents this country has ever had!

One important thing about Senator Obama I have come to recognize during this long Campaign. He will listen to those around him, he takes his time before he makes critical decisions he thinks before he acts. Now do not get wrong he is far from perfect but when push comes to shove I will go with someone who thinks before he acts!

Obama 08/12

Capt. Smash, salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:24 PM)

It seems Sen McCain's Opposition to most bills, are always explained that there is unnecessary attachments which he cannot support.

If he was truly interested in helping people, thru the Katrina, GI and the Everglades Bills as examples, he would have found away to vote for them. After all, isn't politics the art of comprise or is that only when there is something in it for you Senator?

Please try another excuse or reason. Or better yet, do the right thing.

Obama/Richardson 08

gmhussein, Jupiter, Fl (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:24 PM)

After today, simply point out that McCain has said he'll continue the Bush economic policy.

4 more years of Bush economics and no one will be able to afford to visit Florida.

Dan, WI (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:25 PM)

Hit him Obama! Make it known that his guy is only going to say whatever can garner votes.

Next, we need to expose Phil Gramm for exactly who he is!!

http://www.politivine.com

Politivine (SC) (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:25 PM)

Barely into June, and Obama is alredy conceding Florida. He might as well pull his staff out of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virgina, Kentucky, and Indiana too. Montana is up for grabs I hear. Yipee I Yahhh Barack. Those big four leg beasts you see while you're in Montana Barack, those are horses.

Frankie Wheeler, Fargo ND (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:25 PM)

REMEMBER THE TROOPS!

MCCAIN DIDN'T READ THE INTELLIGENCE REPORT BEFORE THE INVASION (NOR DID CLINTON); A TINY MINORITY OF PEOPLE WHO TOOK TIME TO READ IT. REMEMBER 4100 AMERICAN TROOPS DIED FOR NOTHING! BECUASE OF MCCAIN AND BUSH’s WAR! THE BIGGEST CRIME EVER THIS COUNTRY
HAS HAD TO ENDURE!

Bush invaded a country that has not only hurt or economy and our standing around the world it did not even have WMD’s. Go figure! Oil was 25.00 dollars a barrel pre-invasion today it is 139.00 a barrel. We had a budget surplus before Mr. Bush was sworn in and now we have a deficit. He has hurt this country in so many ways by not listening and by not thinking. He is a know it all and did not listen to the good judgment of staff he had around him. So why in the hell would history reward GWB, trust me he will go down as one of the worst presidents this country has ever had!

One important thing about Senator Obama I have come to recognize during this long Campaign. He will listen to those around him, he takes his time before he makes critical decisions he thinks before he acts. Now do not get wrong he is far from perfect but when push comes to shove I will go with someone who thinks before he acts!

Obama 08/12

Capt. Smash, salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:25 PM)

Might as well give it a try. obama can't win Florida though.

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:27 PM)

Barack gets out of his concrete jungle in Chicago, and he gets really nervous because of all the bugs and things. Stepping on grass gets his allergies going.

Temmpy Masters, Granger, Ohio (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:27 PM)

"6 Other Things that Aren't 'Change We Can Believe In'"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-grahamesmith/6-other-things-that-arent_b_105505.html

If we're going to call Tuesday night the start of the General Election I'd say Uncle Fluffy's in deep doo-doo come November.

"Rahm Emanuel: McCain Is In For A Thumpin'"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/06/rahm-emanuel-mccain-prote_n_105706.html

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:27 PM)

Good for Senator Obama! He has a team keeping these individuals accountable. I like the way Senator Obama operates!

Senator Obama demonstrates true leadership (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:28 PM)

Article today says it will cost $46 Trillion to combat "Global Warming". I guess our gas taxes will be going up at least a nickel, and probably a dime, a gallon if Barack gets in office. I feel cooler already.

Manny G. (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:30 PM)

McCain is to panderer, what water is to wet!

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

Anne of Pa,

This is in reference to your earlier post, taking IH to task, in the 'secret meeting' article.

IH is a repub. He was mocking both Senators Clinton, and Obama.

We have cave dwellers among us.

Peace.

donna (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:32 PM)

Imagine the amount of money from contributions that Obama already have and will be spending this coming November --- and eventualy he LOSES! What a lot of waste...

If he really wants to do something GENUINE and FROM THE HEART, he might as well give that money right now to the poor people in the US esp. to the Appalachian communities and Indian reserves. Only then the message of hope he is preaching will be galvanized. For now, he is just hot air and flavor of the month...

Sorry, his words cannot move mountains...

Boboy, WI (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:32 PM)

I heard that there where Iranian Shias training Al Qaeda Sunnis in the Everglades as we speak. McCain had better get on that "appropriations bill" immediately.

Heidi in Houston (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:32 PM)

Obama is getting just like Hillary. There is not a cause out there that he won't pander to, nor one that he can figure out how to pay for. Save the whales. Save the condors. Save the buffalo. Here's one for you Barack: Save the taxpayers!!

Jimmy K., Sarasota FL (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:33 PM)

Unlike Obama, McCain has a head on his shoulders that contains a brain. McCain believes you shouldn't start a program without first funding it. Obama just wants to throw the cost of every silly little program he can come up with on the national tab. Barack, think of the children before you spent their money!

Wallet is Empty (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:36 PM)

McCain works on thousands of different bills, and he asks a question about whether a program is double funded or not before he approves it. To most Americans, that is a logical and thoughtful approach to government. To Barack Obama though, it's reckless. Why not double, triple, or quadruple fund a program, right Barack? Hey it's not your money, so who really cares?

Ted Greene, Lincoln, NE (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:40 PM)

Love that Bob Graham!

McTeleprompter will not win Florida in the GE. We, Floridians, just like other states, have many key issues to be resolved and the Dems will take back Florida.

Come on Florida Dems, we can do this!

Michelle Zee (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:41 PM)

Sick of Corruption,

Please stop. Please.

We need Hillary's supporters, or we all lose. The country loses. People will continue to die needlessly in Iraq, the economy will remain ,weak, and on, and on, and on........

Please change your message to McCain has no integrity, and your signature to 'tired of corruption, tired of McCain'?

Thanks for your consideration.

your dem family (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:42 PM)

Look like Barack is cheery picking again. Seeing he barely has done anything as a Senator, I guess he has time to do so.

Elmont, Chic Morristown, NJ (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:42 PM)

Go ahead!! We'll make Mr Magoo's head spin!
He blow his top! Yelling at the clouds, McCain doesn't get you votes.

Pass this on:

Old Man Yells at Cloud!!

Matthew (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:42 PM)

another flip flop moment from McCain. That is two for today. the second one is his support for wire tapping. He was aganist it, now for it. He was aganist torture, now for it. He was aganist the bush tax cuts, now for it. He disliked the right-wing evangelicals, now he panders to them. he is aganist the war, but voted for the iraq war and wants to remain in iraq for 100 years. Oh no, it is now 5 years. he was aganist lobbiest, now they run his campaign. Please, McCain you are a walking contradiction. I don't know what you stand for other than war. If you want to protect the country, find bin laden. he is responsible for the 3,000 people who died in 911, not iraq. so why are we in iraq?

voter (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:44 PM)

nuanced: The VP choice should be someone who is most likely to carry through on the president's plans and policies.

That would create a slight problem because Obama has no plans or policies.

Gov. James Webster, NC (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:45 PM)

From Reuters, February 21, 2008:

"Sen. McCain of Arizona, the likely Republican nominee, rated a zero out of 100 for his votes on environmental issues last year [2007], the League of Conservation Voters said in the group's national environmental scorecard.

Over the course of his Senate career, his score was a 24 percent, compared to lifetime scores of 87 percent for Clinton and 86 percent for Obama, both Democrats.

McCain has sponsored legislation to combat climate change, and is described on his campaign Web site, www.johnmccain.com, as having a "record of common sense stewardship" of the environment.

However, he missed all 15 environmental votes for 2007 that were tallied in the report, including a vote on repealing billions of dollars in tax breaks for big oil companies, a measure that failed by one vote, the report said."

So...it seem that Sen. McCain's trip to the Everglades was just a publicity stunt. He has demonstrated time and time again that he does not care about the environment.

Gail, TN (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 4:58 PM)

Wy to go Senator Obama! Hit McCain hard and keep hitting! Keep the repugs on the defensive, and, DO NOT LET THEM SWIFT BOAT YOU!

Bill,Rochester,NY (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 5:00 PM)

Not to mention the Everglades are home to the Seminole Indian tribe- the only ones not to concede to the US gov't.

Kim M--AZ (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 5:04 PM)

Bob Graham is beloved in Florida. If he has the energy and willingness to campaign with Obama across the state, Obama can eat into McCain's margins in north Fla. and the panhandle.

Joe S. , Panama City, Fla. (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 5:05 PM)

It's time to start shining some sunlight on the Republican mold - Marxism??!!?? You guys are really desperate!

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/6/14567/41360/691/531194

Sharon (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 5:05 PM)

I hope that while he is there, McCain changes his mind on restoring the Everglades.

That way, when he returns to the Senate, he can start his new "fresh start" on environmentalism by undoing the damage he has helped to create over the years.

lizzy in seattle (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 5:12 PM)

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