CNN - Obama: "Why I don't always hit back"

[quantass]

Sen. Barack Obama used a question during a campaign event Saturday to explain his unusual approach to politics.

“How do we get rid of that huge divisiveness in this country?,” a voter asked Obama in Anderson, Indiana.

“The president sets the tone,” the Illinois senator said before explaining the bipartisan approach he’d take if elected to the White House.

“But, I’m also going to try to show this during the course of the campaign,” he added. “Sometimes you take some hits. Even during this campaign, I’ve been taking some hits.”

“One of the things that I learned in the school yard was: the folks that are talking tough all the time, they’re not always that tough. If you’re really tough, you’re not always looking to try to start a fight. If you’re really tough, sometimes you just walk away. If you’re really tough, you just save it for when you really need it,” Obama said.

“I’m not interested in fighting people just for the sake of scoring political points.” “If I’m going to fight somebody it’s going to be fighting over the American people and what they need.”

Read the full article + video: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/26/obama-ive-been-taking-some-hits/

[H2O Man]

1. Nominated.

Very good.

[Mojambo]

69. Yes, he should be. n/t

[iamthebandfanman]

92. he has been, by the people

we'll hafta wait and see what the party decides.

[Inuca]

2. ANd he is right

being a bully is not the same thing as being a fighter. Unfortunately too many in the media and elsewhere do not bother or care to look beyond the often deceiving appearances.

[noel711]

93. Bully? Why, whatever do you mean?

Why would anyone in politics resort to being a bully?

[simmonsj811]

3. K&R

[boobooday]

4. Lovely

How long have we been waiting for this:

“If I’m going to fight somebody it’s going to be fighting over the American people and what they need.”

[jjr5]

42. nice! n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

109. Edwards spent months and months and months saying the same thing. Fight Corprat America for us.

:shrug:

[phrigndumass]

5. Good read, quantass!

K+R

[CatsDogsBabies]

6. makes perfect sense

[dailykoff]

7. Answer a fool according to her folly.

That's in the Bible somewhere.

[New Earth]

8. why does he rock so much?

[Leftist Agitator]

9. SMACK!

Ms. Clinton, I challenge you to a duel of the ethics (and rhetoric)!

This will not end well for Hillary. However she responds, I'm sure it will fail so hard it'll make New Coke look like a positively good idea.

[quantass]

106. .

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. Saving it for when he needs it - very good point

excellent!

[futureliveshere]

11. This man makes so much sense its astonishing. Can america elect such an intelligent president?

[otohara]

51. Not According to Newsweek

It's Arugula vs Beer - and as we've seen time and time again - beer wins.

Hopefully - Not This Time.

[futureliveshere]

74. Sigh! I sincerely hope not. In fact I am optimistic about it this time based on the track records.

[noel711]

94. Arugla vs. Beer is a nonsensical analogy....

Arugla vs. saurkraut? OK

zinfandel vs. beer? OK

Jamiesons vs. Crown Royale? OK

but a veggie vs. a beverage?

Very poor imagineering...

[otohara]

118. It's Because

Obama was in Iowa (i think) and was asking if a restaurant had arugla and the person didn't know what it was.

[N4457S]

120. Beer Always Wins...

...and this time will be no different.

I read this morning where Howard Dean apparently has concerns about being Vince Fostered if he doesn't give Hillary what she wants.

I still say Pelosi should call someone from the old neighborhood and take care of this once and for all.

[Danieljay]

101. doubtful, cause Dems on my parents side wont vote for a black man and Dems on my inlaws side wont

vote for someone they think is smarter than they are. Sad but true.

[Barb in Atl]

103. I'm so sorry for you...

Conversations must be a laugh riot at family get-togethers!

[Danieljay]

122. we can agree until they start talking about 'the illegals' and the 'n's' and then I have to end the

conversation or leave before I explode.

[polichick]

12. Well, he DOES need to fight back on behalf of PA voters who were robbed...

Where is the campaign on this, I wonder.

[tekisui]

16. It's a tight rope walk there.

If he makes a claim it will look like he's being a sore loser. If it were to affect his Nomination, I am sure he'd fight it. Since he essentially has it, he can move on.

Every instance of shenanigans at the polls should be looked into, though.

[stillcool]

34. He can't do that...

that's a recipe for disaster...a repeat of the "sore-loser", "sour grapes" crap, and to what end? I think the people need to hold their state representatives responsible for the way they run elections, and count their votes.

[Veilex]

60. He's not the only one who can fight back

Do as I have done, send feedback to the news networks asking why they aren’t covering the PA voter issues. This really needs to be brought to light...but we have to demand that the MSM own up to its responsibilities.

Also be sure to pass word along to any democratic radio stations, blogs and other websites so they may help pursue this.

We can’t let another election be stolen...by anyone.



(NBC) use the pull down menu to pick which show you want to provide feedback to (I suggest all the news shows).
http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/


(ABC) There is a drop down menu to select a show or category. Select all the ones you feel are applicable.
http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html?lid=ABCCOMGlobalFooter&lpos=CONTACT


(CBS) same as the above two, there is a menu to allow you to send comments to numerous shows
http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml

*edited for spelling*

[kiteinthewind]

13. YES!

:bounce:

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

14. He's awesome

Excellent statement. Another reason to support and respect this guy.

[blogslut]

15. Yep

It's time America grew up.

[bunkerbuster1]

17. A grown up President?

Please, God, I don't ask for much, but it'd be nice to have one for a change.

[Demeter]

33. And a Grown Up Country To Go With It, While We're At It

It's lonely out here in Stupidland, BushWorld.

[jjr5]

43. I resonate with your statement! n/t

[Muttocracy]

59. seriously, and this proves it's not about age

And I say that as someone whose top too choices were older than him (Biden, Dodd); Hillary is older but her temperament is not like Obama, Biden, Dodd, Richardson, etc.

[Me.]

18. Beautiful

[quantass]

108. kickity

[Avalux]

19. K & R - the leader our country needs!

:kick:

[goclark]

24. Wake Up America and see that this is the CHANGE

that will be critical for all of us.

[ScarletSniper]

20. Dang!

“One of the things that I learned in the school yard was: the folks that are talking tough all the time, they’re not always that tough. If you’re really tough, you’re not always looking to try to start a fight. If you’re really tough, sometimes you just walk away. If you’re really tough, you just save it for when you really need it,” Obama said.

He hit it out the ballpark!!

[yourguide]

21. Exactly! K & R!!!!

[depakid]

22. I sure hope he's not foreshadowing a Dukakis/Kerry style campaign

Because if he is, the superdelegates need to put a stop to it before it starts....

[N4457S]

76. Yeah, That's Exactly...

...what I was just thinking. He sounds like Dukakis.

I wonder if he'll get the shit beaten out of him like Dukakis did.

[Adelante]

23. Thank you, thank you, thank you nt

[BklynChick]

25. great response. she's an out and out bully and he's basically calling her that

[RichardRay]

26. Meta-whack

Senator Clinton can now consider herself whacked back whenever she whacks, and John McCain should know that he's in for more whacking than he might think.

And, Senator Obama doesn't have to actually whack either of them over and over again.

Nice conservation of energy...

[Umbram]

27. K&R (nt)

[Lisa0825]

28. Great reply!

:yourock:

[sellitman]

29. He will lift us all up. Like his predecessor.

[me b zola]

30. Now *that* is real strength

And that is what I want, what we need, in a leader.

[TexanDem]

31. Bravo! There really IS an adult among us! K&R

[Pisces]

32. How mature and Presidential. Maybe we can't recognize true leadership after Bush.

[DemKing]

35. Obama will change the media too..

Finally someone with comon sense!!! WE DONT HAVE a News Media anymore!!



WE have that Pretty Puppet Head in the middle as they put a person Pro & Against (anything) they yell back and forth and the Pretty Person has someone telling them what to say in their ear.

It last for a few minutes.


That is American News in 2008.


Its a JOKE Obama isn't feeding the monster! The Gravytrain Rantings for News Monster.

[YvonneCa]

46. Some of us can...

...and it's time we stood up to say that it's not about the 'bubbas' or who we want to have a beer with. The 'bubbas' made the choice in 2000 that we have been living with since.

It's about who will be a REAL leader. A REAL leader who's not just popular...but respected and listened to. We surely haven't had that since 2000.

[Scurrilous]

36. K & R

:thumbsup:

[quantass]

107. .

[DrFunkenstein]

37. If You Don't Know How to Cook, Stay Out of The Kitchen

Obama makes politics appetizing again!

[IsItJustMe]

38. K&R Choose your battles wisely.

[Muttocracy]

exactly - saving his fight for the fall and the future. nt

[City Lights]

39. Great answer!

Recommending.

[progressoid]

40. That was a pretty good return punch!

[gulliver]

41. "I’ve been taking some hits."

The problem is that all of the big hits against Obama (Rezko, Wright, "bitter") have been self-inflicted. It is not Ghandi-esque to refuse to fight back against oneself.

The lines you are quoting reek of politics. When Obama says he has "been taking some hits" and then ties those hits to "the school yard" he is fudging the record. Obama is implying Clinton is a bully and blaming her for all his problems. That's dishonest, gut wrenching, even Bush-like. Obama conflates his own self-injury with Hillary's attacks. Then he whitewashes the whole bundle, invoking, no less, the principles of Ghandi, MLK, and Christ.

The three main reasons not to fight are fear, the practical knowledge that one is sure to lose, and a principled "Christian" stand. I think all three are in play here. Not just one.

[mcollier]

44. He sees the flaw and respect him for that...

Campaigning of Olds Fundamental Flaw

After a long fought down in the dirt campaign, the winning candidate typically burns the very bridges they need to cross later in order to get things done in
government. This is a significant flaw of the politics as usual. Barack Obama brings a philosophy of building people up not tearing people down. That's who he is, and the American People respect and appreciate him for that. This is fundamental to changing Washington.

Its all in the Blueprint for Change - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsAqxk3XCVM

[KaptBunnyPants]

61. Wright and bitter are bullshit. And Rezko hasn't been proven to be anything significant at all.

Do you honestly believe that Wright is a bad person whom Obama should have condemned and shunned? What am I saying, you probably do.

[gulliver]

72. I have no problem with Wright or the things he said.

It's a free country. If you are pissed off at it, you get to say so. Obama handled Wright as well as he could--better than most would. Unfortunately, Wright is still an issue even if the issue is bullshit.

[quakerboy]

95. "stop hitting yourself"

Of course, "self inflicted". Just like when you are 5 and your older brother makes you punch yourself, its your fault because you own the hands doing it?

Nice try but those are not self inflicted. They are instances that others are trying desperately to use as a bludgeon against him. Unfortunantly Hillary has owned and used all three, when she should have let the right take it to him, and stayed out of the way. And that is shameful.

[grannylib]

115. I would have to respectfully disagree with the "self-inflicted" comment.

"bittergate" IMO was an honest statement spun to be negative by those who don't want the truth examined too closely. It was not a self-inflicted wound - it was a statement worthy of a REAL leader and he has indeed been taking hits for manufactured controversy surrounding that bit of truthiness.
As to Rezko, I don't think there's much "there" there, but Obama's opponents are trying to make it appear that there's a big stink, in order to misdirect us away from real issues or issues in the opponents' campaigns we aren't meant to look at. And as to Rev. Wright...how is is "self-inflicted" when someone ELSE says something controversial, Obama condemns the statements, and the media and the opponents just WON'T LET IT GO?? It's not a story, it's been MADE into a story by the Clinton campaign and the MSM.
I don't believe Obama is blaming Hillary for all his problems; he's pointing out the truth. She and her campaign are throwing everything they can at him, hoping something will stick, because the little upstart DARED to do well in a presidential campaign when it was Hillary's TURN.

I think he's showed great poise, maturity, restraint, leadership and professionalism, which is just what I want to see in a president.

[HughBeaumont]

45. And THESE, folks, are words of LEADERS, not bullies.

Hillary doesn't know what battles to pick and Bewsh & his lackey McClown think everything has to be a battle meant to be won or lost for the benefit of rich pink males.

That's why the world needs Obama.

[JackDragna]

47. What a terrible, terrible answer.

Have we learned NOTHING yet? We looked weak in '04, with Kerry doing nothing as the swift boaters ruined his character. We looked weak in '00, when Gore did nothing as lies were spread about the internet, Love Story and a myriad of other things. And Obama is basically taking the road to defeat we've taken so many times before, listening to the grand strategists who tell him "Oh, if you seem like you don't lose your temper, the American people will see through the smear and respect you for it."

What awful, awful candidates we have for president.

[helderheid]

49. Obama has responded switly to attacks. Did you see how quickly he responded to the 3 am phone ad?

It made my head spin he was so fast!

[JackDragna]

73. He's let other slights go by too lightly.

What Clinton is saying now is nothing like what'll happen when the Republicans go after him after the convention.

[helderheid]

79. I'm sure he can handle it

[stevietheman]

102. Take a chill pill. Obama is a street fighter. n/t

n/t

[helderheid]

48. LOVE IT!

:patriot: President Obama! :patriot:

[frickaline]

50. gold star for Obama

[JackORoses]

52. All Hillary knows how to do is throw Stones

Barack has the ability to turn the other cheek.

Our World is a Glass House.
We do not need another 'Obliterator' at the helm.
We need a Diplomat.
A Man of Peace.

[Evergreen Emerald]

53. What a load of bull. Just like Gore who tried to defend himself

and the media said Gore was being negative while Bush was not hitting back. And the whole time, it was Bush through his surrogates that were so very negative towards Gore. Same thing here: Obama has attacked Clinton from the beginning, and has the never to say, "why I don't hit back." And the media covers for him.

[ClassWarrior]

54. What a class act. He has the temperment to be President.

NGU.

[N4457S]

77. But...

...he doesn't have the temperament to win.

And you gotta win first.

[ClassWarrior]

82. We'll see.

:evilgrin:

NGU.

[N4457S]

84. Sure...

...that's what Dukakis and Kerry said. Mondale too.

Now their pictures are hanging on a wall somewhere. All together.

At least Gore was somewhat of a streetfighter.

[ClassWarrior]

85. And the community organizer from the South Side of Chicago isn't?

:rofl:

NGU.

[N4457S]

86. Then He'd...

...better start acting like it, and soon.

[HardWorkingDem]

55. Should be re-titled, "Why I learned nothing from Dukakis and Kerry"....

Do the Democrats ever learn?!?!??

I know Bill Clinton is deserving of a few pokes in the nose, but his run in 92 should have been the best lesson in the world when it comes to "rapid response."

Evidently Obama is instead paying attention to the Kerry campaign.

[dailykoff]

57. He didn't need to learn not to attack fellow Dems.

Hillary never learned it because she was never really a Dem.

[HardWorkingDem]

62. There is a HUGE difference between "attacking" and "defending"....

I can't get over how many around here continue to mix up "attack" and "defend."

Frankly, if Obama's people were as good as everyone thinks they are, which includes Obama himself, this distinction would have been made clear from the start.

It baffles me how he has allowed himself to be painted in a corner about the belief where him running an above the board campaign means he will not defend himself against attacks, especially with counter punches.

I'm sorry, but in the rough and tumble world of presidential politics, Dukakis and Kerry amply prove that turning the other cheek does not work.

Someday maybe Democrats will learn this (now stay tuned for the "I'm not going to become a rethuglican just to win." Which is not what I'm claiming one needs to do at all).

[SKKY]

63. I'm gonna have to disagree with you on a couple of points...

1. Obama is listening to himself, and showing his judgement. Kerry admittedly listened too much to Mary Beth Cahill in not responding to the Swiftboat ads. Obama made just the kind of response to the Rev. Wright issue that Kerry SHOULD have made.

2. Al Gore, after the first debate, was seen as "mean" for picking on poor, old, illiterate George Bush. (Remember when he walked over to his podium and basically "punked him out"?) Obama walks a very tight rope between defending himself, looking like a thug in his attacks, and not alienating the part of the party that's staunch HRC (a part of the party he CANNOT win without in Nov).

But, you do make a point about not learning from the mistakes of others that I think is very valid and it was something I feared when this whole Rev. Wright thing broke. We simply disagree in that I think Obama has been very astute in his responses and how he addresses them.

[HardWorkingDem]

67. I'm wondering.....

if Obama's "surrogates" are really there for him like they should be. If there is one group of people I've been disappointed in, it has been the traditional "surrogates" that do some of the things Obama can't do.

Also, I'm starting to wonder if the old Pols out there are sort of letting Obama sink or swim a bit to see if he has what it takes.

For example, to me, some of the shit that HRC has been doing has been extremely over the top and no one is really taking her to task for it. To illustrate, her comments about how she now has more votes than Obama due to adding the contested states.

But what do I know. Maybe this is a tactic Obama is using to prevent the future use of Ayers and Wright in the general.

As for Gore - when I was watching that debate and he did that, even though I LOVED his approach to Bush, I said out loud - "What the fuck are you doing!"

Poor Gore. And the lesson that should have been learned from this is as Eric Alterman has said for a long, long time - Dems need to "work the refs" when it comes to the media.

[msanthrope]

123. Exactly. n/t

[SKKY]

56. Please God, for the love of all that is good...

LET THIS MAN BE PRESIDENT!!!!!

[bevoette]

64. amen (nt)

[Bette Noir]

68. Seconded.

May we vote now? Please?

[grace0418]

70. Thirded!

America needs this badly.

[SammyWinstonJack]

110. ...

:eyes: Why not ask "God" to stop bu$hco from killing more and more innocent people while you're at it?

[SKKY]

121. Well, to tell you the truth...

...I was using that as a figure of speech. I'm actually an atheist.

[Nia Zuri]

58. American does not deserve this man.nt

[babylonsister]

87. The ones who recognize what he has to offer do; I wish the others

would wake up!

[Guaranteed]

65. That is wisdom. nt

[TragedyandHope]

66. That's why you're our candidate

and will be our next President.

[jeffrey_X]

71. Exactly!

:toast:

[DemGa]

75. Amazing people buy this load

If you look at the character assault that is a mainstay of the Obama campaign, it paints a far different picture.

But any and all attacks from Dear Obama and his campaign are "justified."

[Diane R]

78. And, with that, he just cleaned her clock.

[samsingh]

80. he could get creamed against the republicans evil

[Cheap_Trick]

81. meanwhile, she challenges him to a schoolyard rumble

:rofl:

[Divine Discontent]

83. Obama you just scored political points with me!

loved his response...
GOBAMA!



pro-Obama and Anti-McSame items added each week!
www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[Ino]

88. Obama was my third ABC choice...

but I'm more & more impressed by him all the time. I beg all that's good in the universe to put him in the White House.

[myrna minx]

89. k&r

[Larkspur]

90. What I want to know from Obama is...

What will he do when the Republicans stick their finger in his eye and threaten filibusters, etc. against his policies?

Will Obama cave into them or fight them?

[Duke Newcombe]

91. He'll break them, Gang of 14 style.

And make them look stupid and ineffective. It's been done before.

Duke

[Yael]

97. Heres hoping for a fillibuster proof majority in both houses

:toast:

[Yael]

96. Ladies and Gentlemen, the next President of the United States

:patriot:

[onehandle]

98. Kerry had a similar attitude and was torn apart at DU for it.

I happen to agree with Obama here for the most part, but I find the double standards at DU pretty funny.

[geiger]

113. there's a time and place--Clinton's attacks have been meant to be tactically diversionary,

but she's losing her unilaterally declared political war for the battles she wants to pick.

I agree that Kerry should have taken the war hero issue straight on; it went to a central issue of character that the opposition was successfully able to underride.

[Swamp Rat]

99. k&r

[marias23]

100. Remarkable Wisdom

He says he is a Christain which I am sure is true. I think he is also a Buddhist.

[crimsonblue]

104. In other news, Obama just lost the bully vote.

Said one bully, "How can i vote for a president who is out of touch with the average bully of today? I mean, if the guy won't even give a swirly, then does he really deserve to be President?

[democracy1st]

105. kick

[Apollo11]

111. How does this justify Obama refusing another televised debate before May 6th?

I guess if walking away from a fight proves how tough you are ...

Maybe refusing to take part in a debate proves how smart you are ???

[NatBurner]

119. yes, bucuz america really wants to know about his flag pin.

screw all that economy talk and wars and stuff-

WHY WON'T OBAMA WEAR A FLAG PIN?!?!?!?!?

[geiger]

112. Good. Anyone that knows anything about bullying knows this is true. eom.

[mainer]

114. Hitting a woman would only hurt him

Poor Obama really can't beat up on Hillary because then she'll cry about how the men are always picking on her. He really is fighting this primary with his hands tied behind his back.

[LTR]

116. Shame on him!

Why does he always have to say the things that make the most sense?

[The Doctor.]

117. "Error. You can only recommend threads started in the last 24 hours."

Very nice.