Posted on 05/18/2008 10:30:13 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker
"We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK," Obama said.
From this story:
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Barack Obama set his sights on November's general election Saturday as he campaigned in Oregon, where he hopes to declare victory in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Obama has said Tuesday's primaries in Oregon and Kentucky could mark the end of his drawn-out battle with rival Hillary Clinton, and his campaign pressed home that message by announcing a symbolic return to Iowa that day.
Iowa was the scene of the Illinois senator's first victory in the 2008 presidential nominating race, and his campaign noted Saturday it is "a critical general election state that Democrats must win in November."
Polls show Obama leading in Oregon, where 52 delegates are up for grabs, while Clinton is ahead in Kentucky, a state with 51 delegates that has a similar demographic to West Virginia, where she won a thumping victory Tuesday.
His campaign says he needs just 17 more pledged delegates won through state votes to reach a majority of 1,627, not counting the "superdelegates," party officials who can vote either way at August's Democratic national convention.
Using a baseball analogy, Obama said May 8 that if after Tuesday's primaries "we have a majority of pledged delegates, which is possible, then I think we can make a pretty strong claim that we have got the most runs and its the ninth inning and we have won."
The official finishing line is 2,025 delegates, including superdelegates.
During a rally in Roseburg, Oregon, Saturday, Obama presented himself as the front-runner almost without question, attacking presumptive Republican nominee John McCain on foreign policy, the environment and healthcare.
Reviving Friday's furious row sparked by President George W. Bush's suggestion that Democrats wanted to appease terrorists, Obama said that not talking to North Korea and Iran had only made those states stronger.
"I want everybody to be absolutely clear about this because George Bush and McCain have suggested that me being willing to sit down with our adversaries is a sign of weakness and sign of appeasement," he said.
He also attacked McCain's plan for a gas tax holiday to cope with rising pump prices, which Clinton supports, as well as his other environmental plans, saying the Republican had consistently opposed fuel efficiency standards.
"For him to come to Oregon as an environmental president, but his big strategy is to do more drilling and to have a gas tax holiday for three months, that's a phony solution," he said.
Pitching his message to Oregon's environmentally-conscious voters, Obama called on the United States to "lead by example" on global warming, and develop new technologies at home which could be exported to developing countries.
"We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK," Obama said.
"That's not leadership. That's not going to happen," he added.
The Illinois senator also argued that the differences between his healthcare plan and that of Clinton "pale in comparison to the differences we have with John McCain," whose proposals would only work "if you're healthy and wealthy."
The escalating rhetoric between Obama and McCain has evoked the kind of campaign battles more common in the immediate run-up to an election -- and emphasized further Obama's pole position in the Democratic race.
But Clinton has vowed to keep fighting until the end of the primary season on June 3, and campaigning in Kentucky Saturday, she defended the plan for the gas tax holiday and accused McCain of having no idea how to fund it.
"Senator McCain said let's give everybody a gas tax holiday but doesn't want to pay for it. I think I've got the best plan. Let the oil companies pay it out of their excess profits," she said.
Jimmah Carter couldn't have said it better.
I’d love to tell (ahem!) Hussein he can KMA!!!!!
Now, that’s a winning platform if I ever heard one. How about Hussein Obama recommending that we can’t have freedoms as in the past; we can’t travel as much as we have in the past; we can’t keep our current standard of living. In fact, he can run on the Liberal DemoRAT platform of Americans living like a “third-world” Muslim country. He and his radical wife, however, will exempt their royal selves from that along with the Liberal elected human waste in DC. Americans living in third-world county standards is the express intent of DC elitist politicians and intended for the American voter (aka peons and serfs).
Time for a second Boston Tea Party where elected morons are thrown out of office or recalled ASAP.
Here's a suggestion -- for you -- Senator Obama.
You should stop -- IMMEDIATELY!! -- using any fossil fuels.
You and your entire entourage can campaign all over the 50 (or is it 57?) states on bicycles and on foot.
When I see that happen, Senator Obama, then I know YOU really believe the nonsense you spout.
Yeah but by choice not government mandate because the gov is not doing it’s job of promoting the general welfare but instead is stealing our money to give to others.
yes--left up to individuals... not for the government to enforce upon individuals...
The concept that we shouldn’t be comfortable in our own homes...that our bellies shouldn’t be full...that we shouldn’t drive the cars that appeal to us...
all so that others will like us (as if they would really appreciate the sacrifice, as if it would ever be enough to gain their approval)...
is nothing more than an adolescent manipulation. Outside approval is important for adolescents, but not for adults.
I refuse to lower my expectations of American’s future well-being and contentment!
American’s = Americans’
Ho Ho withdrawals.
"Arugula - it's a veg-a-ta-ble". What movie? ............ FRegards
hijack this thread ...
Exactly. I am sick and tired of our elected officials telling us what’s good for us; but then only do what they want for themselves. They invent new stuff like global warming only to make themselves and the powers that be backing them to become rich off our backs.
Whenever you hear “It’s for the people” run like hell.
I wish it were that benign.
It is Stalin and Mao writ large, as that is how they slaughtered scores of millions of their countrymen.
Sounds like the old biz school joke about Mushroom Management Technique: Keep them in the dark and feed them manure.
Wish I could photoshop a picture of Barak Hussein addressing a crown with mushrooms for heads.
Ummm....apparently not a movie that I remember.
I am, however, well fixed for arugula for the summer....until it bolts.
“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,”
Three words: “YES, WE CAN!!!!”
Possible President and Co-President - Empty Suit and Nut Job.
This from the leader of "party of choice." Choice, the most fundamental human freedom!
Except in driving your car, eating food, heating your house, and basically every human activity other than killing your fetus.
I hate this bastard for any number of reasons, including making me have to vote for McCain.
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