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Barack Obama Responds To Hillary Clinton’s “Small-Town” Offensive

Posted by JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief in Politics.
Apr 13th, 2008 | Comments

Amid wire service headlines reading “Obama Turns Tables on Clinton,” Senator Barack Obama has responded to Senator Hillary Clinton’s three-day-old offensive against his comments about small town voters being bitter — in a response combining pointed language, humor and lots of energy:

Democrat Barack Obama lashed out Sunday at rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, mocking her vocal support for gun rights and saying her record in the Senate and as first lady belied her stated commitment to working class voters and their concerns.

Watch the response and judge for yourself (your comments are welcome):

If the You Tube embed doesn’t work or show you the entire nine minutes CLICK HERE and watch it on You Tube’s site.

My reaction:

–Obama is showing he won’t wait long after being attacked before he counter attacks.
–He addresses most of the points that have drawn criticism, but clearly in a way that will not satisfy either McCain or Clinton partisans. He’s going after the more-undecided Democrats.
–He seems to ENJOY campaigning. I’ve only seen four candidates who truly seemed to enjoy it so much during my lifetime: the late Senator Hubert Humphrey (D), the late President Ronald Reagan (R), Bill Clinton during his first campaign for President, and Senator Teddy Kennedy anytime he gets in front of a crowd.
–In comedy when you repeat a punch line or phrase its a “call back.” Obama uses Clinton’s “Shame on you Barack Obama!” of a few weeks ago as a callback aimed at her.

Overall reaction: This clip (put on You Tube by the Obama campaign) suggests that although Clinton may be hard to knock out of the campaign, Obama should not be underestimated.

(Via Andrew Sullivan)

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elrod

This is actually a remarkable video. Obama is absolutely reveling in the moment. I don't think I've ever seen him so comfortable fighting up there. How people think he'll get bowled over by McCain in a general election is beyond me. Can anybody imagine Gore or Kerry doing this?

I'll also say this: the point is not to "satisfy" McCain or Clinton partisans. By definition, they will not be "satisfied" until he loses. I felt the same way about HRC and the Tuzla comments. I'm not satisfied with her response until she drops out.

The issue is undecided voters. It should be obvious to anybody who isn't a partisan at this point that:

1) Obama is not a crude Marxist who thinks religion is just a way to dupe the poor
2) He could have explained his remarks better the first time, but any fair-minded reader of his follow-up comments knows that he's saying people come to faith because of their own personal spiritual reasons and traditions, BUT they often "cling to" that faith in times of trouble
3) Republicans have been adept at ginning up votes on culture war issues, knowing that many working class voters hold different economic views than the GOP.

StockBoySF

That is a great response by Obama- and Joe, you make a great point that he seems to enjoy campaigning. He seems to be coming into his own more and more. I guess these "trials and tribulations" are helping him grow into the role of president.

LAgal

Using Annie Oakley to make fun of Hillary, it shows, AGAIN, Obama's ignorance and not been able to relate to the middle class. Annie Oakley was born in OHIO her parents were from PENNSYLVANIA; she overcame poverty and many hardships. She had determination and strength of character, broke barriers for women, and was compassionate and generous to less fortunate individuals, especially orphans and widows.

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