Struggling to stay on message
Both presumptive presidential nominees wanted to talk energy today -- Democrat Barack Obama about the promise of "green" jobs, Republican John McCain about the need for action on global warming.
But their campaigns will be hard-pressed to stay on message with controversies lurking.
McCain is trying to get past a gaffe by top adviser Charlie Black, who told Fortune magazine that another terrorist attack on US soil would "be a big advantage" to the Arizona senator, who is touting his national security credentials. Black on Monday issued a statement of regret, and McCain distanced himself from the remarks. But Obama's campaign stoked the furor with a conference call with Sept. 11 Commission member Richard Ben-Veniste.
Obama, meanwhile, faced an assault from evangelical Christian leader James Dobson, who accuses him of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution. The criticism was aired today on Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program. The group provided The Associated Press with an advance copy of the pre-taped radio segment, which highlights a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal. Obama, who is trying to reach out to evangelical voters, mentions Dobson in the speech.
"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology," Dobson says in the radio program, according to the AP. "... He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter."
Robert Gibbs, Obama's communications director, said on MSNBC this morning that Dobson's statement is "odd and curious."
In Las Vegas, Obama promoted his proposal for a $1,000 tax cut that would reach 95 percent of all workers, saying it offers much more relief than McCain's proposal for a gas tax holiday.
Obama also highlighted his alternative energy proposals as a better bet than McCain's call for lifting the ban on offshore oil drilling. Obama says he would raise the fuel efficiency standards for vehicles and invest $150 billion over the next decade in wind power, solar power, and advanced biofuels, creating up to five million new jobs.
In Santa Barbara, Calif., McCain highlighted his support for a "cap-and-trade" system to limit carbon emissions and his backing of energy conservation.
McCain also pledged that if elected, he would push the federal government to change its vehicle fleet and office buildings to be more "green" technologies, and called for a redesign of the national power grid, in part to supply more electric cars.
Obama, however, hit McCain for telling a town hall meeting Monday in Fresno that while offshore drilling wouldn't lower gas prices for years, "the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial."
Replied Obama: "Psychological impact. In case you were wondering, in Washington-speak what that means is, 'It polls well.' "
"It’s an example of how Washington politicians try to convince you that they did something to make your life better when they really didn’t. Well the American people don’t need psychological relief or meaningless gimmicks to get politicians through the next election, they need real relief that will help them fill up their tanks and put food on their table. They need a long-term energy strategy that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in the renewable sources of energy that represent the future."
If James Dobson is criticizing you, then you must be doing something right...
Tell me again why you are covering this right wing evangelical's comments as news?
Dobson, a preacher is criticizing, Obama, a former professor of constitutional law at U Chicago, for his "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution?
What Alan said - DITTO!
You obviously have a much higher regard for Dobson then the rest of us; being attacked by the religious far-right when they are essentially tied to our country being lead in the wrong direction will only help not hurt Obama's position. Unless the Lord has recently told him otherwise, Dobson isn't endorsing McCain either, so I don't see what all the fuss is about.
Unless you are a fruitcase yourself, Dobson's remarks are assailable.
James Dobson is one of the fruitcakes of the religious right who helped bring about this mess that 7 years of republican rule has brought our country. Maybe instead of being a stone throwing pharisee phoney, he should try doing some soul searching and think about all the dead Americans he is directly responsible for in his stupid, unquestioning, blind faith in President Bush and how he promoted support of our aggression on Iraq in Jesus name. How's that for fruitcake theology, "Jesus would support the slaughter of 50,000 people who never attacked us. Thank you Jesus! Hallejujah!"
So James Dobson's ridiculous comments on a 2-year old speech somehow equates to McCain's top advisor hoping for a terrorist attack?
Uh, ok.
Has Dobson said anything about that "born again " idiot we now have in the White House? Seems to me that Bush conned most of the Christians just to win the elections. Not a word from Dobson on that. I wonder why? What has Bush changed as far as abortion, gay marriage, etc. since he took office? NOTHING!
The republicons are running scarred. Obama gives republicons a tremendous feeling of inadequacy. It's only natural for them to lash out at those who threaten their sense of privilege and authority. In classic republicon form, Dobson accuses Obama of distorting the bible while Dobson ignores entire passages to meet his own ends. Kinda like what Bush did with Iraq.
Dobson's world view is like looking out though a pinhole. I agree - this is not news. I didn't know the Boston Globe had entered the entertainment business. How does it feel to be keeping company with Bill O'Reilly?
Who cares what a religious fanatic has to say about anything? They’re the ones who are distorted. According to them anyone who doesn’t believe in their twisted philosophy is as good as dead. Nobody's interpretation of The Bible (A book of fiction that's full of contradiction) has any place in governing a society! There is no democracy without separation of church and state! It could only work to rob us of our freedom, and keep us at war! I’m fine with people believing what they want to believe, but not with anyone forcing another to conform to her beliefs. If these religious fanatics were truly content in their beliefs, they would feel no need to judge or condemn anyone else. Misery certainly loves company!
Women do not bear children out of duty, but out of grace! Think about it, and be grateful!
Dobson/Bush version of the Bible states clearly:
(1) Though shalt not kill - unless we need your oil.
(2) Though shalt not feed the poor - though shalt starve them.
(3) Though shalt covet thy neighbors oil and forsake the good stewardship of the earth.
(4) Though shalt obey our leaders as provided by God - do not question our poor governance. It is written... that we are right and you are wrong.
Praise our intolerant Lord.
Praise Bush - Praise Dobson.
The irony here is that on Judgement Day---his Soul may be the first to be thrown into the cauldron of inequity----who is this man who feels he can Judge others' Souls?
Jesus embraced all people, not just white wing, Republicans supporting John McCain, and their stewed Brains.
Keep it to yourself James---Barack has a religious army as well. Maybe bigger than yours.
Women do not bare children out of duty, but out of grace! Think about it, and be grateful!
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