< Back to Front Page Text size +

Obama: Win a 'rebuke' to attacks

Posted by Scott Helman, Political Reporter November 3, 2008 11:45 AM

objax110308.jpg
(EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

JACKSONVILLE -- One of the many unanswerable questions raised by this near-finished presidential marathon is how it will shape future political campaigns. Surely operatives and candidates on both sides of the aisle will take many lessons from it, but it will be hard to know exactly which ones until the dust settles.

Campaigning in Jacksonville this morning, Barack Obama asserted that a win for his campaign tomorrow would be a stinging indictment of the kind of negative, personal attacks launched at him this year from his political opponents.

"We have a chance to rebuke that kind of politics," he told a partially full arena here. "Not just in the short term. We can end it once and for all."

Obama said he hoped the outcome of the race would prove that negative campaigning is no match for "the will and determination of the American people."

"We can change this country," he said.

Negative campaigning is in the eye of the holder, of course. John McCain's folks argue that Obama has attacked their candidate over and over, and at times unfairly. But voters have generally sided with Obama on this point, telling pollsters they see McCain as the more negative of the two.

Making this case at one point during his speech, Obama momentarily forgot where he was. "Republicans are spending a lot of money here in Ohio," he said, prompting murmurs.

"Uh, Florida," he corrected. "I've been traveling too much. They've been spending a lot of money in Ohio, too."

UPDATE: Obama's campaign said the Jacksonville event drew 9,150 people.

  • CommentComment
  • EmailEmail
.

Hey "Best & Brightest"........I will be so glad on Wed. morning,when your Fuhrer, Jay Severin, has to do what we democrats had to do after election day in 2000 and 2004 -- hold back our disappointment and anger and understand that democracy has spoken and that even if we disagree....that the country will prevail. I hope Jay can do that rather than incite more venom and hatred -- he needs to say, ok, let's see what happens in 2009 as the new administration begins. I'm sure many policy decisions will spark further debate........but vowing to begin on day one to try to "overthrow" the decision is traiterous, cancerous, and below even Severin's low standards. So for you, "Best & Brightest", perhaps you will now realize that positions based on opinions are a house of cards. Work with facts, and the foundation will always support the argument. See y'all in 2016.

Posted by Ready To Party November 3, 08 12:31 PM
.

I think we need campaign reform -- No Internet donations allowed. The Obama campaign is funded by lots of non-voters, aliens and non-existent people. The FBI should launch an investigation into the fund drives that contributed to Obama's campaign, whether those funding sources are legitimate.

Posted by mk November 3, 08 04:40 PM
.

The Obama campaign is not funded by aliens. I contributed money as an American Citizen living in Canada, and apart from having to check a declaration that I was a U.S.citizen and not contributing for anybody else, or contributing money that was not my own, I got a call from the campaign asking me for my passport number. I was glad to provide this information. I hope it does the job tomorrow!

Posted by mignon November 3, 08 05:27 PM
.

I wonder if his fine spiritual leader, Rev. Wright made a donation

Posted by Slats1212 November 3, 08 05:39 PM
.

It's funny how catty the republicans sound about Obama's ability to raise money. Isn't that a quality you would want in a prez especially with the economy in the dismal state it's in. On the other hand, McCain uses tax payers money which is from both demos and repugs for negative ads, clothing for Palin etc. He would probably spend tones of cash on this never-ending war and keep crying it's not over until its over. It is obvious that the way they have campaigned is a real indication of how they would lead. The rest of the world thinks that Obama should win...why can't the repugs see it...

Posted by CanadianforObama November 3, 08 06:21 PM
.

McCain wrote the campaign finance laws. Obama just understood them better. McCain breaks his own law all the time:

McCain has received donations from 6,653 individuals who exceeded the legal $2,300 limit by at least $1,000

McCain sent Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin solicitations. Mustafa Abu Naba raised illegal foreign money for McCain.

Posted by mk is dumb November 3, 08 10:22 PM
add your comment *(If you put a URL in your comment, it must be relevant )
Required
Required (will not be published)

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

About Political Intelligence

Reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors about the transition to the new administration and other national political happenings.

Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com

News from the Washington Bureau

Liberia’s Taylor says US arranged escape

The mystery has lingered for more than two decades, spawning conspiracy theories about the US government’s connection to one of Africa’s most brutal leaders: How did Charles G. Taylor escape from a Massachusetts county jail in 1985, setting him on the road to a bloody reign as Liberia’s president? (Globe Staff, 7/17/09)

Healthcare bill offers workers incentive for healthy lifestyle

Workers who quit smoking, lose weight, and eat right could have their health insurance premiums cut by as much as half, possibly saving them thousands of dollars per year, under a measure inserted with little notice this week into the Senate healthcare overhaul bill. (Globe Staff, 7/15/09)

Pressure grows for Obama to leap into healthcare fray

WASHINGTON - Even while delivering impassioned speeches and trying to light a rhetorical fire under Congress, President Obama has stayed away from the politically treacherous question of how to pay the nearly trillion-dollar cost of healthcare overhaul. (Globe Staff, 7/15/09)

Congress challenged to rethink costly weapons programs

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon’s top weapons buyer, in a prelude to a showdown with Congress over the Obama administration’s plan to halt purchases of the F-22 fighter jet, directly challenged lawmakers yesterday to come up with funding and detailed justifications for any weapons programs they want to rescue from the Defense Department’s chopping block. (Globe Staff, 7/15/09)

Shifting Afghan loyalties test US bid for permanent gains

WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan - During the day, US soldiers and their Afghan allies set up checkpoints here along Highway One, halting traffic for hours to search for explosives and evidence of Taliban connections. (Globe Staff, 7/14/09)

Sotomayor hearing has cordial start, followed by political push-and-pull

WASHINGTON - There was a feeling of good will when Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor entered a filled-to-capacity Senate hearing room yesterday: the loud buzz of conversation fell to a hush, and she grinned at relatives sitting in the crowd as she took her seat at the witness table. (Globe Staff, 7/14/09)

In Sotomayor hearings, GOP seeking to send message to Obama

WASHINGTON - When hearings begin today on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court, Republicans on the Senate committee plan to portray her as apart from the mainstream on racial issues - a strategy intended to send a message to President Obama in deciding future nominations: Think twice before picking a liberal. (Globe Staff, 7/13/09)

Democrats, Obama disagree on F-22 spending

WASHINGTON - From the economic recovery plan to healthcare reform and creating clean-energy jobs, Representative Paul Hodes has been among President Obama’s staunchest supporters in Congress. (Globe Staff, 7/12/09)

Mass. health overhaul offers lessons for US program

WASHINGTON - A fear that employers will drop private coverage and dump their workers onto federally subsidized health plans is a major concern among lawmakers crafting healthcare legislation on Capitol Hill, leading House Democrats to propose stiff financial penalties for businesses that don’t contribute to employee premiums. (Globe Staff, 7/10/09)

Liberian’s war-crimes testimony may shed light on Plymouth jailbreak

WASHINGTON - It has been a mystery for more than two decades how Charles G. Taylor, Liberia’s former president, broke out of Plymouth County Correctional Facility in 1985, starting a journey that ultimately made him one of Africa’s most notorious strongmen. (Globe Staff, 7/10/09)
archives