Obama: ‘Don’t Buy Into This Electability Argument’
DURHAM — Making his final pitch to North Carolinians, Barack Obama told a small group of voters this afternoon that they should vote based on their conscience, not based on a strategic calculation of who would be most likely to win in November.
Hillary Clinton has repeatedly argued that she is more electable than Obama against John McCain, citing polls that show Clinton performing better in key November battleground states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.
Obama responded directly to that argument today, after being asked about it by a voter at Durham’s Cree, Inc. manufacturing plant.
First he said that he could do well against McCain because of their sharp policy differences, and he said that polls show him doing well in states like New York and California and “potentially winning” in states like Pennsylvania.
But then Obama closed by saying, “Don’t buy into this electability argument. Go with who you think best represents your vision of where America needs to go. And if you do that, I’m absolutely confident that that person will win. This is our opportunity to make a clean break from the past.”
Obama also addressed concerns that his candidacy has been weakened by some of the negative press attention he has received over the past few weeks. “There’s no doubt we took a hit” on the controversy over Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama said, adding that he believes he is still progressing toward the nomination despite attacks that Obama described as “reaching.”
“You know that folks are reaching when the big attack on me is that I’m not wearing a flag pin, or that I served on a board with a guy who was a member of the Weathermen back in the 1960s. They’re reaching.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if the most electable candidate was also the most qualified? Let’s not forget that this primary is our chance to select who will repair the intensive damage done by the Neocon Republicans in office. Since Obama’s CHANGE is abstract and directionless, I am voting for the most qualified and experienced candidate who has some old-fashioned “plans.”
Hillary has the skills and know-how to help the working class. She is not a lot of pretty words and vague ideas. Her resume shows that she has a vast amount of experience in solving problems of regular people. Hillary cares. Vote for Hillary.
betsy on 05/06/2008 (5:57 pm)
Obama said “There’s no doubt we took a hit” and that his candidacy has been weakened by some of the negative press he has received by what he described as “reaching” ie: flag pin, hand over heart, Rev.Wright. Then please explain, with clarity why (1)you continue membership in a racist church that preaches ant-white, anti-American, Black Liberation Theology. (2)Flag-pin a respectful jesture for the country you wish to serve. (3)Hand-over heart.Shown in photo are presidential candidates standing at attention while the national anthem is being played. Guess which candidate does not have his hand over his heart? Your correct ..OBAMA. Does he not have any respect for the USA? http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1662530_1446035,00.html..
Voters… CAVEAT EMPTOR!
07001 on 05/05/2008 (5:03 pm)