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Obama: Win a 'rebuke' to attacks

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

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(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.

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

Posted by Slats1212 November 3, 08 05:39 PM
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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
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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
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