 |
Posted on 04/18/2008 1:43:28 PM PDT by neverdem
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Sen. Barack Obama, after accusing Sen. Hillary Clinton of "playing gotcha games," declined Thursday to commit to a debate in North Carolina before the state's May 6 primary.
"We're trying to figure out what our schedule looks like, but I'll be honest with you, we've now had 21" debates, Obama said in response to an audience member's question at a rally at the state fairgrounds.
Clinton has agreed to a debate proposed for April 27 in Raleigh. Over the last three days, Gov. Mike Easley, former Gov. Jim Hunt and Democratic leaders of the state legislature have sent letters to Obama urging him to agree to the debate.
But Obama said that by now, he can recite Clinton's lines and Clinton can recite his. And he said that if the two have a debate in North Carolina, then voters in Indiana, which also has a primary on May 6, will say "What about us?"
Obama's comments came the day after he and Clinton debated in Philadelphia, where Obama found himself frequently on the defensive. He was asked questions about his recent remarks about small-town Americans feeling "bitter" and clinging to guns and religion; his connections with William Ayers, who was a member of a radical group who conducted bombings in the 1960s; and his controversial Chicago pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who made anti-American remarks in some of his sermons.
Thursday, Obama attacked Clinton for discussing those topics, saying that they are meant to distract voters from substantive policy issues.
"That's how our politics has been taught to be played. That's the lesson that she learned when the Republicans were doing the same thing to her back in the 1990s," Obama said, then literally brushed off his shoulder to signal his response to her criticisms.
During the debate in Philadelphia, Clinton said that all issues are legitimate for candidates running for president, and she said she would be better able to withstand Republican attacks in the fall.
Responding to Obama's comments yesterday, Carly Lindauer, a spokeswoman for Clinton in North Carolina, again raised the issue of electability.
"If Sen. Obama can't answer tough questions in the Democratic primary, how does he plan to compete in the general election?" she wrote in an e-mail.
Clinton is scheduled to return to North Carolina today for her second campaign stop in Winston-Salem in less than a month. Clinton will talk with poet Maya Angelou at Wake Forest University's Wait Chapel. The talk is free and open to the public. It is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m.
In Raleigh Thursday, Obama gave his speech, then took questions. He also spoke briefly with an overflow crowd, telling them that North Carolina's primary is "critically important" and suggesting that it could be a clincher in the long fight for the Democratic presidential nomination.
"If we can win North Carolina, I think we can wrap up this nomination," he said. "And if we can win this nomination, then I think we can beat John McCain."
The Republican National Committee said that Obama undermined his own promise to reject "gotcha" politics yesterday. Obama said in Raleigh that McCain, the presumed Republican nominee, wants to continue the Iraq war for decades.
But McCain has said that he could accept American troops being in Iraq for decades only if Americans were not experiencing casualties. That would amount not to a continuation of the war, but to a peacetime troop presence in the style of the current U.S. presence in South Korea.
After speaking in Raleigh, Obama flew to Greenville, N.C., where he held a rally at East Carolina University.
Go hide Obambi it was not so nice knowin ya. lol
This guy is a real _____.
Obama is a wimp.
ha ha I love it he’s scared to debate yet he wants to talk to the terror leaders of the world????? lol
In Texas, he avoided debate because he was on top.
Now that he trails, he realizes that when he opens his mouth he shoots himself in the foot. He wants to hold onto the gullible fool vote (and that goes for blind followers of any background).
He’s willing to surrender to Democrat boss leadership but he’s said that the gloves will come off when he takes on McCain in the general election.
Party before country. Everytime.
Prolly won't see him in any more of those.
Can’t beat a girl! Can’t beat a girl!
Seems the magic Negro is also a coward.
Which is a pretty sure sign that he’s not planning on debating them, just kissing their butts like ol’ Peanutboy.
haha.....I always thought of Hillary as a pandering chameleon...but I never thought of it like that.
“debate herself”...LOL
FWIW, Sean Hannity asked George Stephanopoulos(sp?), when George was a guest on his radio show before the debate, to question Obama about his relation with Bill Ayers, the former Weather Underground terrorist. Now, he’s afraid to debate. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Hannity & George did this country a great service, IMHO.
He shouldn’t be afraid of another debate. After the pounding ABC has taken no other MSM reporter will dare to ask him any question that might make him the least bit uncomfortable.
|
GIRLY MAN!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.