Expecting McCain, Obama cites Iraq, electability
LOS ANGELES -- Fresh off a civil, policy-heavy debate with Hillary Clinton last night, Barack Obama argued today that his early opposition to the Iraq war and his appeal among independent voters make him a far stronger challenger to John McCain, whom he increasingly believes will be the GOP nominee.
Obama, picking up a thread from last night, said that Clinton had still not "adequately explained" her 2002 vote authorizing the war.
"That's important, because it speaks to the judgment that's going to be applied in future conflicts and how either of us would operate as commander in chief," he told reporters this morning at a press conference at a Los Angeles hotel. But Obama also suggested that if Clinton were the nominee, McCain would be able to make the Iraq debate about the execution of the war, not the fundamental question of whether the United States should have ever waged it.
"The problem with the war in Iraq was a problem of conception," Obama said.
Obama was even more pointed in his comments about Clinton's inability to attract new voters, which he said would severely inhibit Democrats if McCain, who has a proven ability to attract independent voters, were atop the Republican ticket.
"We can't start off just with the same playing field and expect to win," he said. "We've got to broaden the playing field. We've got to expand the electoral map."
Obama went on to cite the tremendous surge in Democratic voter participation in the primaries and caucuses to date. He won't take all the credit for that, he said, but he'll take a lot.
"I'm confident I will get her voters if I'm the nominee," Obama said. "It's not clear that she would get the voters I got if she were the nominee."
Good point. I would not vote for Clinton if she were the nominee - I would simply stay home. It's Obama or nothing.
Senator Obama is correct - It will be a cold day in hell before Billary gets my vote.
I think progressives like me who support Obama would be very comfortable voting for McCain in the fall if it came down to a battle between Clinton and McCain. If that were the case, it would be a vote based on character.
McCain would appoint very reasonable judges (a republican president appointed Warren, who oversaw the most liberal and finest court of our time). He would have an impeccable record on civil and human rights. He has a better record than Clinton on Pentagon spending and campaign reform. His temperament is a problem, but he's real and won't take cheap shots. He has honor and integrity.
Although many of us opposed going to war, we feel uncomfortable about fleeing the country after wreaking havoc here.
I do think that Obama is more electible. Not only has he attracted new Democratic voters particularly among the young voters but he is very attractive to many independents and even many Republicans. I don't think that Hillary would get those same votes. We need to win this next election and Barack Obama is in my view the person who can assure that!
While Obama raised an unbeliable $32 million last month, he goes into Super Tuesday the underdog. The Wall Street Journal says Obama trails Clinton by large margins in polls in most of the big states.
But as history shows, no amount of polls can predict what voters will do once they enter the voting booth. And both canidates seem very unlikely to give up the fight anytime soon.
http://emilyannecarlson.tblog.com/
http://emilyacarlson.wordpress.com/
http://www.zimbio.com/Emily+Carlson's+All+Things+Political
http://eacarlson3.bravejournal.com/
http://emily-carlson.com
http://emilycarlson.org
http://emilycarlson.info
Global warming and a man from the East , think i will stick to Clinton .
Senator Obama is correct. He is the one with new ideas. America needs someone with new ideas. Senator Obama is a far stronger candidate then both Hillary and McCain. We have to think of the future and the people of America and Senator Obama is true to the Americans.
Well I know that its not exactly accurate but on Facebook Obama is leading McCain by almost 300,000 supporters!!!! College age, 30 and under like myself.
If Hillary does get the nomination I will vote for her. I like Obama so much more but too not vote and let McCain, Romney, or Huckabee have a chance to win would be terrible.
PLEASE VOTE !!!!!
Well I know that its not exactly accurate but on Facebook Obama is leading McCain by almost 300,000 supporters!!!! College age, 30 and under like myself.
If Hillary does get the nomination I will vote for her. I like Obama so much more but too not vote and let McCain, Romney, or Huckabee have a chance to win would be terrible.
PLEASE VOTE !!!!!
I agree, Obama is far more electable than Clinton. I'm an independent and I right now support McCain. If Clinton became the democratic nominee I would definitely vote for McCain over her even if Obama (which still seems unlikely to me) was her running mate. If Obama wins the democratic nomination, however, it'll will be a tough call for me.....I will follow the race and current events that affect the race carefully. I'll probably still end up voting for McCain, I may vote Obama, but I will be a whole lot happier if Obama is the president than Hillary. Both Obama and McCain seem to be a lot more willing to work with the other side to get real results rather than just polarizing and paralyzing our country.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com
browse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com