Obama has choice words for McCain
Senator Barack Obama, besides giving specifics of the change he wants to bring to Washington, went right after Republican rival John McCain in his acceptance speech tonight.
To McCain's solutions for the faltering economy, Obama retorted: "It’s not because John McCain doesn’t care. It’s because John McCain doesn’t get it."
"Why else would he define middle-class as someone making under $5 million a year?" Obama explained. "How else could he propose hundreds of billions in tax breaks for big corporations and oil companies but not one penny of tax relief to more than 100million Americans? How else could he offer a healthcare plan that would actually tax people’s benefits, or an education plan that would do nothing to help families pay for college, or a plan that would privatize Social Security and gamble your retirement?"
To McCain's jibes at him as a celebrity, Obama hit back: "I don’t know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but this has been mine."
"When I listen to another worker tell me that his factory has shut down, I remember all those men and women on the South Side of Chicago who I stood by and fought for two decades ago after the local steel plant closed," Obama recounted. "And when I hear a woman talk about the difficulties of starting her own business, I think about my grandmother, who worked her way up from the secretarial pool to middle-management, despite years of being passed over for promotions because she was a woman. She’s the one who taught me about hard work. She’s the one who put off buying a new car or a new dress for herself so that I could have a better life. She poured everything she had into me. And although she can no longer travel, I know that she’s watching tonight, and that tonight is her night as well."
On the debate over the Iraq war, Obama said: "If John McCain wants to have a debate about who has the temperament, and judgment to serve as the next commander-in-chief, that’s a debate I’m ready to have."
"For while Senator McCain was turning his sights to Iraq just days after 9/11, I stood up and opposed this war, knowing that it would distract us from the real threats we face," Obama added. "When John McCain said we could just 'muddle through' in Afghanistan, I argued for more resources and more troops to finish the fight against the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11, and made clear that we must take out Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants if we have them in our sights. You know, John McCain likes to say that he’ll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell -- but he won’t even follow him to the cave where he lives."
To criticism of his national security credentials, Obama argued: "We need a president who can face the threats of the future, not keep grasping at the ideas of the past."
"You don’t defeat a terrorist network that operates in 80 countries by occupying Iraq," Obama said. "You don’t protect Israel and deter Iran just by talking tough in Washington. You can’t truly stand up for Georgia when you’ve strained our oldest alliances. If John McCain wants to follow George Bush with more tough talk and bad strategy, that is his choice -- but that is not the change America needs."
And to attacks on his patriotism, Obama replied: "I’ve got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first."
"So let us agree that patriotism has no party," Obama added. "I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America -- they have served the United States of America."
The McCain campaign issued this response: "Tonight, Americans witnessed a misleading speech that was so fundamentally at odds with the meager record of Barack Obama. When the temple comes down, the fireworks end, and the words are over, the facts remain: Senator Obama still has no record of bipartisanship, still opposes offshore drilling, still voted to raise taxes on those making just $42,000 per year, and still voted against funds for American troops in harm's way. The fact remains: Barack Obama is still not ready to be President."
UPDATE: Obama's former rival, Hillary Clinton, also weighed in, issuing a statement: "Barack Obama’s speech tonight laid out his specific, bold solutions and optimistic vision for our nation and our children's future. “His speech crystallized the clear choice between he and Senator McCain. Four more years of the same failed policies or a leader who can tackle the great challenges we face: revitalizing our economy and restoring our standing in the world. I am proud to support Senator Obama, our next President of the United States and Joe Biden, our next Vice President of the United States."
So sad. So much promise. Obama had pledged a new frontier for us in politics. One that would unite Republicans, Democrats and Independents. One that would take us to the stratosphere of what we could achieve together.
He has turned out to be yet another same old same old attack attack attack politician. So disheartening.
I don't care if you're a "R" or "D" or "I" reader. We expected more. We wanted more. We got nothing in return.
Same old, same old from "the chosen one". Attack, attack, attack the ones who have achieved and ensure mediocrity for "the workers". American business is evil. Republicans are evil, and socialism is the way. Heard the same thing from Carter, McGovern, Dukakis, Mondale, Clinton, Gore, and Kerry. Hope and change?? I think not.
Oh, please. The big lesson from the Kerry campaign was that the candidate needs to attack and fight back at every opportunity. Kerry took too long to respond to the swift boat attacks (he admitted this) and the idea gained traction.
To the person who posted the first comment, I don't know what speech you watched, but I thought that Obama did a fantastic job and succeeded in outlining his plans for a brighter future for ALL Americans, regardless of party affiliation. Personally, I can't wait to see Barack and Michelle Obama in the White House!
"Still opposes offshore drilling."
I should bloody well hope so, because offshore drilling is an asinine idea squared. I'm no Obama fan, but McCain is a doddering imbecile who clearly has his head right up his ass on this, among many other, issues
But let's, just for a moment, assume that global fossil fuel supply, namely what is in the ground, is not in a terminal state of decline even though the evidence suggests strongly that Peak Oil has passed
Has Senator McCain bothered to ask why for decades the oil industry has not invested in new refining capacity? Has he bothered to investigate how few discoveries of any real substance have been made offshore over the last few years? Has he pondered how long it will take to see one drop of oil were it discovered tomorrow before breakfast? Has he pondered how little we can expect to acquire even with the most pie in the sky estimates? Has it occurred to the decrepit so and so that perhaps the way forward for the planet and those who live on it IS NOT by gouging more holes in the earth and sucking out whatever remaining sludge is still swirling around? The Senator from Aridzona's adherence to the soon to be defunct fossil fuel culture is a perfect metaphor for who he is and what he stands for. There is no place for him except in the past.
I smell trouble.
"Anal leakage may lead to McCain’s departure
Snort! Angry, senile old coot may have much bigger problems...
Sources close to the McCain campaign reported late Friday afternoon that McCain’s days on the campaign trail may be limited due to medical conditions. Doctors are calling the cause an acute case of “anal leakage.”
“Senator McCain has been wrestling with this condition on and off for a little over 4 years now,” said the McCain campaign physician Dr. Earl Phillips. “He usually functions well throughout the winter months, with spring being his trouble season. It’s really quite surprising to see him struggle this much in February,” said Phillips.
"Judith Brown, a volunteer on the McCain campaign, said that the Senator’s condition has gotten to the point to where speech writers are forced to keep his public addresses to less than 12 minutes.
“He just can’t hold up out there any longer than 12 to 15 [minutes],” Judith told reporters. “We’re to the point where we’re ready to try anything.”
McCain is a sadly flawed human being. He leaves his wife and 3 children to cheat with then marry a rich woman 17 younger than him less than six weeks after he secures a divorce from his first wife. He wants to be only the 2nd divorced President in American history.
How can you expect Americans to trust in your judgement and leadership. When you've shown as an adult you didn't have the leadership or judgement to stick with the commitment you made to your wife and children.
Wow! When David Ortiz jacks one out of the park with bases loaded in the 9th, game on the line, series on the line - it's Boston Globe front page, above the fold! Guess who just did the same? That's right - Barack Obama. What a speech! Check your paper box tomorrow - he'll be in the glass.
Let's understand the modern media...
Right now there are a dozen Republican interns who -- after explaining to their doddering, out-of-touch candidate what the internet is -- have been set to task to write negative barbs about a flawless and accurate speech and a historical night in American history.
For once in twelve years, let's ignore right-wing deception and vote for the candidate who restores intelligent discourse and inspires pride in our country.
There's nothing "fake" about Barack Obama. You're blaming Obama for going on the attack? That's hilarious, given that the unsubstantive McCain campaign has done nothing BUT attack. Obama finally has stood up to the lies the McCain campaign has been spreading. For example, the charge that Obama is going to raise taxes. Yes, he certainly is: on those who make more than $250,00 per year.
Ross: Thanks for the straight talk. Offshore drilling won't do a damn thing but get the oil companies' dirty hands on even more natural resources. One of the biggest problems with our educational system is that it does not teach ecology. Even basic knowledge of ecology would allow someone to understand that the earth is a living planet, and you can't just continually suck the lifeblood from a living organism without asking for catastrophe somewhere down the line. Preeminent scientists across the globe have been warning of this for decades. Oil, water, gas: the natural reserves are what keep the planet in balance. Take one drop too many--reach that tipping point--and all hell is going to break loose. The time for oil is OVER. Solar and wind are the future. And, my god, it's a no-brainer. FREE and NATURAL energy. But nooooo--that would interfere with oil company trillions. Forget the greenwashing commercials of the oil companies--they couldn't care less about alternative energies.
American business IS often evil. Watch the documentary "The Corporation," in which you will hear CEOs admit it. In fact, one of them--the CEO of the largest carpet manufacturer in the world--said that until he read Paul Hawken's "Natural Capitalism," he couldn't have cared less about the planet. Now, he says he realizes he was a "plunderer," and that in the future, he hopes "people like me are in jail. I certainly hope so." Or ask John Doerr (watch his speech on Ted.com), one of the most successful venture capitalists in history. He has to stop for a moment near the end of his speech. Why? Because he's crying. Why? Because he's "afraid it might be too late." He, too, had an epiphany. Because business--American or otherwise--better get a clue real fast. There's not much time left, people. Obama is dead-on when he says that we need "a new paradigm." Old ways of doing business, old class systems, old cronyism and old-time capitalism--their time is over. This isn't about partisanship--this is about saving what's left of the planet for future generations. You either "get it," or you don't. And McCain, as Obama knows, really, really, doesn't "get it."
I haven’t a clue what speech some of the posters were watching, but the speech I listened to was nothing short of phenomenal. Obama was fantastic! He didn’t “attack” anyone. He pointed out McCain’s very genuine failings, but was also extremely gracious. Far more gracious than McCain has been. What I heard was both intelligent and inspiring. Frankly, for the first time in eight long years, I felt proud to be an American.
As for him being the "chosen one," don't be foolish. I'm not voting for the chosen one. I'm not voting for the black one. I'm not the white one. I'm voting for the smart one! That would be Obama.
Two of the first 7 posts rip Obama for attacking, complaining that it was same-old-same-old.
You guys are whiners.
McCain put out ads "Celeb" and "The One" and has been attempting to ridicule, with his "JV Press Passes" and "Tire Guage" handouts. This all since Obama went overseas - on a trip McCain baited him to take.
But note this. Obama has not and will not ridicule. He does not imply that anyone should dismissively laugh at his opponent. Never has. Never will. That thing you're being exposed to right there, that is class.
If you're whining that Obama "attacked", then go and buy a dog, and name it class, and then you'll have some.
Obama contrasted, and rightly so, that McCain thinks Bush is correct 90% of the time.
Mission accomplished?
You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie?
I will fire anyone associated with the Plame leak?
Failure to fully commit enough resources to Afghanistan?
Greeted as liberators?
Iraq will pay for itself?
I won't negotiate with Terrorist nations (...and yet, is negotiating with Iran and N Korea)
This Administration does not torture?
Look. If you're a true Republican believer, you're demoralized with Bush. Bush is not the man you thought he was. Biggest spender ever? Uncompassionate? Dumbspoken? Yeah, I know, you didn't deserve this, and you may have had qualms with Bush but unquestioningly thought him better than Gore or Kerry. In fact, I'm from AZ and would have preferred McCain in 2000 over Bush, Kerry or Gore. ****But McCain from 2000-2008 is not sufficiently different from Bush.****
My honest advice to you: Focus on Midterms 2010, or someone dynamic for 2012. Save your whining for someone who wants to hear it. And purchase some intellectual integrity by acknowledging that Bush's damage to the country probably started when he smeared McCain in South Carolina in 2000.
Really...can anyone tell me what Bush accomplished in his life *on his own*, before being elected President? Yale? Daddy. Harvard? Daddy again. Texas Rangers? Daddy's money. George H. W. Bush was a fighter pilot, at least. And don't think Obama hasn't accomplished things in his life - Harvard may admit more poor black kids than normal, but it doesn't elect them head of the Harvard Law Review - his peers did.
You know Obama had to contrast - Kerry didn't, and then all those people in New Orleans died because of Bush Cronyism. A Kerry administration would probably have sucked. But that is little solace to the people who died in the mess that was Katrina.
someone give me a fork....gotta go stick it in mccain.
he's done.
Jose in AZ,
Bravo! Well said! I share your thoughts 100%!
Doug in CA, Republican
Obama is a very good speaker. He clearly communicates a lot of empty promises and lies...a lot like Clinton did and still does.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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