Obama calls for a cool-down!

[cboy4]

As tensions between his campaign and Clinton's continue to mount, the Illinois senator strikes a conciliatory note: 'We're on the same team.' :popcorn:



By Johanna Neuman and Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
9:21 AM PST, February 26, 2008

Democrat Barack Obama, preparing for tonight's last debate with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton before the crucial March 4 primaries in Ohio and Texas, sought today to turn down the heat in their increasingly bitter contest.

"It is important for me as well as Sen. Clinton to communicate to our staffs as well that . . . we're both trying out for quarterback, but we're on the same team," he said in a press conference, where he picked up the endorsement of Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.).


With tensions rising between the two remaining Democratic candidates, Obama was asked about Clinton's mocking comment that he was selling a vision of "celestial choirs" in attempting to persuade voters he could solve problems.


"I think things have gotten a little hotter over the last couple of days, but these things have gone, sort of, in ebbs and flows," Obama said.

One day after allegations that the Clinton campaign had circulated a photo showing Obama in Somali native dress, a reminder to voters of his African ancestry, Obama attempted to move on from the controversy.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-campaign27feb27,1,4234846.story

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

1. Problem Is, She's The Better Quarterback, He Just Has A Nicer Haircut.

[Skip Intro]

4. Yep.

I fear many will come to that conclusion too late.

[CreekDog]

84. so you think the key difference is the haircut too?

:eyes:

[Skip Intro]

105. No, I think she is the better quarterback.

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

[SteppingRazor]

6. She is?

Given the state of the two campaigns, I don't think that's necessarily true.

[Thrill]

8. THe majority of the country disagrees

with you

[Labors of Hercules]

21. to hell with the majority...

I disagree with him. :evilgrin:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

33. So By Your Logic:

The majority of the country in 2004 then thought Bush would make the better president. Do you think they were right? :hi:

[stillrockin]

45. To refresh your memory,

Gore won a majority of the popular vote, there was massive election fraud and Bush was installed by the Supreme Court.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

53. Obviously, You Were Living In A Different Parallel Universe In 2004, Where Gore Ran For President.

In THIS universe, all that happened in 2000. Weird how parallel universes work.

[stillrockin]

60. N'est-ce pas?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._presidential_election,_2000

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

61. Ummm, Your Point? Please Read It.

You're in this universe now, not the one that's 4 years behind ours.

[stillrockin]

74. OK

Nominee:
George W. Bush
Popular vote: 50,460,110

Nominee:
Albert A. Gore
Popular vote: 51,003,926

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

76. AAAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Occam Bandage]

97. Okay, I literally laughed aloud at this point of the "conversation."

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

77. You're talking about 2000 he's talking about 2004. n/t

[stillrockin]

80. Ha! I guess I forgot how Gore ran in 2004?

:smoke:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

98. ROFLMAO He Ran In 2000!!!! Not 2004!!!!!!!

2000

[stillrockin]

107. OMG, talk about a massive brain fart.

Anywhoozle . . . my bad. Getting my rigged elections mixed up!

[Marrah_G]

102. You are off by 4 years.............

[Submariner]

48. No logic involved - The 2004 election was stolen.

Bush is an ignorant idiot. Nothing in the Bush pretzeldency can be equated to Obama.

There was no majority that thought Bush would make a better president. Corrupted computer chips thought Bush would make a better president.

[Independent-Voter]

9. Sorry, but what kind of fucking idiot claims she's a better QB after watching the last 11 primaries?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

36. How Bout One That Can Run Intellectual Circles Around You.

[Political Heretic]

40. Try me.

[Independent-Voter]

71. I'm game. Explain to the unwashed masses how HRC blows $130 million, etc and is still getting her

ass handed to her in each primary.

[CreekDog]

86. All moot if she can't get herself elected

And the first step is to get nominated (elected) by her own party.

How's that going?

[maseman]

73. Do you think that an NFL quarterback

would still be first string if they went 0 for 11? No way. You don't lose 11 "games" and claim to be the best quarterback.

Obama is the change people want. A fresh voice, not another tired old corporate voice.

[cottonseed]

10. She's Drew Bledsoe

He's they guy that's going on to win 4 super bowls.

[DUyellow]

11. 11 - 0 says he has a little more then a "nicer haircut"

[grantcart]

27. Well it sure doesn't show in how she quarterbacked her campaign

HRC campaign for President has simply failed to develop a compelling
message on why she should be President. If you did not immediately buy into the inevitability argument there was never a compelling hook for anybody to join that was not already a fan. Her experience arguement was destroyed by her inability to make a clear statement about the IWR vote, admitting the mistake and moving on.

If she repeat she had not been so interested in packaging a product for consumption but rather fired her pollsters and consultants and just put herself out there she would have been the candidate. It happened for a moment in NH and the people responded. The great irony of this campaign season is, that Sen. McCain's prescription of just leaving all of the packagers behind and doing town meetings would have made her a rock star. Can you imagine the media she would have generated by travelling by herself and just talking to people.

So now she has been hanging on after one landslide after another. Please do not take any one instance and make a morality statement out of that. Sen. Clinton has been defeated. She has no hope of winning the nomination without some nuclear event. So now the Obama campaign and everyone else in the party are going to jump on every little mosquito burp to get this done by Mar 4th.

Sen. Clinton, President Clinton and all of the other paid consultants are guilty of campaign malpractice. Rather than settling out of court we have to wait for another jury. Just like any other civil action don't be surprised if the jury on Mar 4th brings in damages that will have a devestating effect on the Clintons. They could have settled some time ago for pennuies.

After Wisconsin this stopped being about Obama winning it is now simply about packing up the circus with as little damage as possible. The ball is in Clinton's court

[Arugula Latte]

42. The "Inevitability" stuff pissed a lot of people off last year...

including me.

Her attitude that we should just acknowledge that she would be the next president was so off-putting to a lot of us.

[LiberalAndProud]

29. But I like Hillary's haircut.

[Political Heretic]

38. Yeah, she's really shown her QB skills during this campaign.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

51. The Analogy In The OP Flew Over Your Head I Guess.

Based on the same team/quarterback analogy, it is clear what is being discussed is the Presidency, not the Primary. Therefore, my comments would also be based on the Presidency, not the Primary. Try and do a better job at discerning context. :hi:

[cali]

43. lol! the actual facts contradict you

he's a far superior planner and organizer. he's running rings around her. to claim that she's the better quarterback at this time, is laughable. now if she throws a hail mary pass, you might be able to claim that, but every indication is that she can't. and if you read his statement you can see that he planted that knife very neatly indeed.

[WilliamPitt]

52. Hell of a barber

to come up with such a dominant ground-game comeback with a few snips and a delicate touch on the clippers.

You'd think it all just happened by accident, right?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

59. Hmmmmmm. I Expected You To Be A Bit More Accurate Than This.

Like stated above, the analogy is obviously referencing the Presidential contest not the primary. My response of her being the better quarterback is also then in reference to the presidential contest and not the primary.

Now granted, I think Obama is a quite talented candidate and I'm quite proud of him. But I think as it relates to the general election and who would make the better President, I believe Hillary to be the better of the two, and Obama being more of a phenom do to forces beyond even what he's earned. I'm hoping those forces continue to thrust him straight through the GE, of course, but I'm still uncertain sometimes as to how well he will hold up in the GE, and how he will be as President overall. Hopefully, as time rolls on, he allays all of my concerns.

[CreekDog]

87. Experience is not all that great if it teaches you the wrong lessons

that's my take.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

88. "Even A Broken Clock Is Right Twice A Day"

"Love will come your way when you least expect it"

"Life will be changing for you soon"

"That wasn't chicken"

Any other fortune cookie logic you want to throw around?

[CreekDog]

90. I was making one point, not writing a treatise

And it's absolutely relevant.

[Windy]

67. She is an absolutely HORRIBLE candidate. Her IWR politcally motivated vote

should disqualify her from being the commander in chief of the military!

As a veteran, I am totally disgusted with her.

And before you start, I am IN FAVOR of fulling funding our TROOPS while they are in harms way!!!!!

We need a new administration who will get them out and NOT condone another pre-emptive war!!!

That person is NOT Hillary Clinton!!!
Ambition trumps decency with that woman and it cost lives. And yes, I had the same problem with Kerry.

[movonne]

70. Maybe so but she will not win the game...all she is doing is throwing

the ball but no touchdown...

[Beausoir]

79. LOL. You did NOT.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

82. Hehehe.

Hell, I just figured it was a good first liner to put in the thread lol. :rofl:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

81. How inmature.

:evilgrin:

[CreekDog]

83. Thanks for calling everyone who voted for him superficial

thanks a lot.

[Occam Bandage]

93. I absolutely love self-marginalization. It's hilarious.

Every time a minority candidate attacks the supporters of a majority candidate, they only cement their minority status.

[CreekDog]

96. Yes, when smart people point out that I'm stupid, I always do what they say

:eyes:

[anigbrowl]

89. Michellemalkin.com is that way >>>

That seems ot be the website for people who obsess over Dem. candidates' haircuts.

[Occam Bandage]

92. She managed to blow $140MM, a 30-point lead, and 80% Dem favorables. What executive skill!

[ORDem]

94. Really? How is she the better candidate?

She's run a disastrous campaign, strategically, tactically, fiscally. That's who you want for President?
She votes for friggin' cluster bombs? That's who you want for President?

If she's so great then why is she screaming and taunting? That performance of hers in RI about celestial choirs was downright embarrassing.

[Renew Deal]

99. Hillary is Ryan Leaf

A bust.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

100. You Said Bust.

Why do you have to be so sexist? Why'd you have to go there? Does everything has to revolve around her gender?


:rofl:

[northernsoul]

104. With all due respect

If she's such a great quarterback, why is she losing so badly? I think even her most die-hard supporters can agree that her campaign has been horrendously mis-managed.

[jillan]

2. hey Obama - Actions speak louder than words.

[tabatha]

20. Yeah, like winning 11 in a row.

[jillan]

25. We'll see if HE cools down.

[Voice for Peace]

75. LOL this is funny.. how about if all of us cool down?

[katty]

3. nice, but he can afford to say that-he is winning

[samdogmom]

5. Way to go, Barack! You are by far the better player!

[rodeodance]

7. SO, now he wants to cool down---after he BELIEVED Drudge heresay and dissed

Hillary.


What a hypocrit!

[Thrill]

12. Hillary is the only Hyprocrite

[tabatha]

22. Did you hear what he said about it?

He said he was sad to learn about the kerfuffle.

[rodeodance]

31. he was sad to learn about it?? He participated it it!!

[rndmprsn]

13. clintons are boring sore losers...

obama takes the high road again and again...shame on you clintons

[polichick]

14. Maybe msnbc could provide a bucket of water tonight, just in case. nt

[samdogmom]

15. Hmmm! Hillary can't handle this endorsement?

Go figure--just look at the first few responses to this thread! Once again, proof that the cool head is going to prevail!

[bdamomma]

16. cool, calm and collected, what a good response

we are on the same team, but we are pummeling each other very hard.

[DJ13]

17. You guys (and gals) are missing the point

Obama is setting up Hillary to come off looking really bad should she pursue a confrontational stance in tonights debate.

Smart move, politically!

[tekisui]

26. Obama is a shrewd politician.

He continues to impress me with how he plays the game.

[Shine]

44. Hmmm...good analysis

:thumbsup: Makes sense to me.

ah, whatta game...

[tishaLA]

18. I'm away for 12 hours and he gets a Dodd endorsement?!

Wow. Congratulations, Sen Obama.

I think he is wise to play the peacemaker in this. If he appeared to support the divisiveness, voters might think that he didn't really represent a break from the destructive politics of the past (and present).

[tabasco]

28. Absolutely. He is showing good leadership.

That is why he is winning.

People across the Nation see through the transparent attacks and can see this man is a good leader.

[democrattotheend]

19. Good analogy

And good idea, to call for a truce. I am worried about the intensity of the attacks dividing our party and making it harder to come together to beat John McCain. Obama is right - we are all on the same team here.

[cboy4]

39. You should be worried. Maybe your fellow Obama

supporters can learn to chill.

That's what I'm sure Obama would like to see.

[snappyturtle]

23. K&R I guess we'll see tonight if Hillary wants to play nice....we know

she can when she wants that.

[bunnies]

24. Yet again, Obama is the rational one. nt

[democrattotheend]

Good response to the Somali photo question

"At this stage of the campaign, there are going to be dust-ups, particularly at the staff level," Obama said. "Certainly I don't think that photograph was circulated to enhance my candidacy. I think that's fair to say. Do I think it's reflective of Sen. Clinton's approach to campaigning? Probably not. And so at this point, my interest is just moving forward and talking about the issues that are going to be helpful to the people of Ohio."

Way to take the high road!

[debatepro]

30. Ah... reason 500 billion to vote for barrack

well put...

[mtnsnake]

32. Of course he wants a cool down. He knows he's about to get his ass handed to him

"Let's cool things down and be real nice to each other tonight, Hillary old pal. Please don't hurt me."

[cali]

47. pretty blind of you not to notice that he slammed her neatly

in his statement. he's setting her up, and he'll take her down. just like he did in the last debate and the one before that.

[mtnsnake]

58. Yeah I'm sure he's setting her up. Riiiight.

And you think I'm the one who's blind? lol

[cali]

65. he's already taken her down. granted he got a lot of help from her

but it is over. and only the hillies can't see that.

[mtnsnake]

85. You flatter him greatly

Obama hasn't taken anyone down yet. However, if Hillary goes down, you also should give credit where credit is due: to the media who gave him one hell oa a helping hand in the process. Just the same, don't count your chickens until they're hatched. It aint over until the fat lady sings.

[global1]

34. So Tonight Do We See HRC Throw A 'Hail Mary' Pass?.....nt

[NYCGirl]

57. Well, she's already fumbled three or four of them, so why not? NT

[backscatter712]

68. I'll be entertained if she throws an interception... n/t

[Shine]

35. I think it's appropriate for him to say that, quite frankly

it's gotten pretty nasty in the last week and we're all waiting to see if Hillary will continue to go negative at tonite's debate.

I'm dreading that she will because it's been obviously shown it doesn't help her AT ALL....

...but on the other hand, it's her last big chance to convince people, so she's gotta go strong.

:popcorn:

[BigDaddy44]

37. He should re-emphasize that in his opening statement tonight

Talk about how, although there are minor differences, he and his opponent are both united in their determination to change the course of the country, and the debate in Washington. He should even praise Senator Clinton for her experience and service, and say that in spite of the tough campaign, he's still honored to be running against a worthy adversary.

A statesman like opening statement...........and Hillary simply won't be able to attack him without coming off bad. Check and mate.

[stellanoir]

41. Cool down

Holy Toledo Obama is in touch with the weather gods and just invoked a foot of snow for Ohio tonight.

I just heard on the radio they are expecting that much and with both of their tight schedules, I wondered if that might create hassles with the debate tonight for either of them or the moderators or the attendees.

[AtomicKitten]

46. He said we're on the same team. Period.

He's graciously minimizing the absolute assholeishness of the Clinton team and even that isn't good enough for you.

I would email him immediately and demand that he apologize for the nastiness Clinton is spewing.

[cboy4]

63. Are you talking to me? I don't understand

your response.

[cboy4]

103. Why do you have so much trouble writing complete

sentences?

And why won't you answer my question.

You have time to edit your post, but won't address me?

[CyberPieHole]

49. She needs to go after him...

She is lagging in the polls and she has absolutely NOTHING to lose. Barack Obama took his gloves off early in the race when he was not getting traction. He got traction. Hillary needs to attack and go for the jugular. I, for one, will respect her more if she FIGHTS for the presidency. Forget a cool~down. If there is ANY dirt or any oppo research bit left un~aired she should air it out now. May the best woman win.

[ClayZ]

50. 'We're on the same team.''

Five little words that mean so much!

K and R

[COFoothills]

54. If my quarterback lost 11 games in a row...

I would bench him (or her).

[anamandujano]

55. After pulling all the sh*t he has, and Hillary trying to defend, with the

MSM spinning her as a dirty campaigner, the great uniter calls for a time out.

He has accomplished what he wanted, now he plays his phony unity card.

He is truly sickening.

[anigbrowl]

95. And now, for your reading pleasure:

http://karws.gso.uri.edu/JFK/conspiracy_theory/the_paranoid_mentality/The_paranoid_style.html

'The paranoid style in American politics' by Richard Hofstadter, 1964. Should take about 30 minutes to read, but might take 30 years to understand. It's one of the wisest things ever written about politics and power, and as true today as it was in 1964.

[cottonseed]

56. Sweet Dignity! Obama's got it.

When this is all over, Hill needs to sit down and analyze this campaign. She'll learn a few things.

[FrenchieCat]

62. A President with Class and Grace.........

That's exactly what we need....and exactly what we haven't had.

GOBAMA!

[MyNameGoesHere]

64. PWEASE STOP! I am sensitive and i just want to get along!

:crazy:

[PurityOfEssence]

66. Big Mr. Virtue: this is what frontrunners ALWAYS do

That's what Clinton did months ago; the status quo benefits Obama at the moment, so this call for gentleness only benefits him most.

Even though I'm not a fan, the guy's far from being a creep; he's probably worried and a bit embarrassed by the tenor of the adulation these days, as anyone with a scrap of decency should be.

Much as many of his supporters are giddy with inevitability, he and others are well aware that this is a critical juncture and a few false moves could be very dangerous.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

69. Was this statement about Penn and Wolfson?

""It is important for me as well as Sen. Clinton to communicate to our staffs as well that . . . we're both trying out for quarterback, but we're on the same team," he said in a press conference, where he picked up the endorsement of Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.)."

He is telling her to get a grip on her attack staffers.

[NJSecularist]

72. Anybody have a video of Senator Dodd's endorsement?

[SIMPLYB1980]

78. More empty words from Obama.

:freak:

[GumboYaYa]

91. Terrific response, I hope everyone listens. Hillary is getting smaller and smaller

by the day as she is compared to Obama. His stature and intellect make every attack she tries look feeble.

[Beausoir]

101. Back on the high road. For now.

[Baconfoot]

106. Nice. On Monday I'll hype a bogus story about a picture and on Tuesday I'll call for a truce.

That's pretty disgusting.