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Obama: "He Wasn't Willing to Say It to My Face."
Sounds like Obama is calling a coward a coward! More from the ABC interview with Charles Gibson:
GIBSON: Change the subject for a moment. John McCain has unloaded on you in the last 72, 96 hours as has Sarah Palin. McCain is saying, essentially, we don’t know who Barack Obama is, where he came from. I’m an open book, he’s not.
OBAMA: Right.
GIBSON: Were you surprised, A, that he didn’t bring it up last night at the debate and use that line of attack? And, B, since you must have prepared for it, what were you going to say?
OBAMA: Well, I am surprised that, you know, we’ve been seeing some pretty over-the-top attacks coming out of the McCain campaign over the last several days that he wasn’t willing to say it to my face.
But I guess we’ve got one last debate. So presumably, if he ends up feeling that — that he needs to, he will raise it during the debate.
The notion that people don’t know who I am is a little hard to swallow. I’ve been running for president for the last two years. I’ve campaigned in 49 states. Millions of people have heard me speak at length on every topic under the sun. I’ve been involved now in 25 debates, going on my 26th. And I’ve written two books which any — everybody who reads them will say are about as honest a set of reflections by, at least, a politician as are out there.
So, you know, I think that, you know, Senator McCain’s campaign has been focusing on me primarily because they don’t want to focus on the economy. And they’ve said as much. I mean, you’ve had their spokespeople over the last couple of days say if we talk about the economic crisis, we lose.
I mean, you can’t be much more blatant than that. They want to change the subject. And I understand it because the fact is that John McCain has subscribed, for the most part, to the same economic philosophy as George Bush, the same economic philosophy that has governed over the last eight years and has helped to get us in this mess.
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http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/10/08/obama-he-wasnt-willing-to-say-it-to-my-face/
October 8, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain was in the military and served his country admirably, sacrificing more than anyone could think of. However, in this instance, he looks like a straight up pussy.
October 8, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have you read that Rolling Stone article yet? When you see what they did to Kerry over his service, McCain should be thankful that the Swiftboaters are on his side.
October 8, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
In case someone missed it, here's a link to the Rolling Stone article about McCain, which should be required reading for anyone trying to form an opinion on him. It is looonng but it's worth reading all of it.
October 9, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
It bothers me that so many of the accusations in that article are unsourced, and that's the reason that I have not been willing to cite that article as proof of anything.
That said, though, there is a ring of truth to its content; it all fits with what I have observed of John McCain over the last year.
October 9, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
McSlime whouldn't know how to spell "admirably" or "honorably".
The US was ILLEGALLY in Vietnam. McShameful supported and endeavored to advance that illegality.
There is nothing "admirable" or "honorable" about him.
He was a POW!? Oh, well, I guess that changes everything. He failed in his mission, got captured by the enemy, and therefore is a "hero". Sure thing. Yep. I'm good with that. Certainly. Uh-huh.
October 9, 2008 12:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
"The US was ILLEGALLY in Vietnam. McShameful supported and endeavored to advance that illegality."
I also fought off the coast of N. Vietnam. How was that illegal?
Iraq is a different story, but criticizing people who fought in either case by suggesting that it was illegal somehow is ignorant.
The political decision might have been wrong but that has absolutely nothing to do with the soldiers who volunteered and fought there.
McCain and I both fought to defend our country because that was our duty. To suggest otherwise is complete nonsense.
October 9, 2008 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Because Congress never declared war. And Johnson lied about the Gulf of Tonkin incident. We invaded and occupied a sovereign nation. If you fought in Nam, you probably know this history.
October 9, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
"he looks like a straight up ..."
Actually it is even more pathetic than that to me.
He has HIS WIFE making attacks on Obama. Which makes him look chicken.
Does anyone remember ANY potential "First Lady" who was used as an attack dog? Especially one who is a known drug addict who ripped off a charity to feed her habit?
OK, maybe Elizabeth Dole. LOL
October 9, 2008 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Which state has Obama not campaigned in? Utah or Alaska?
October 9, 2008 12:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Alaska, which he really should come here. It would make a big difference!
October 9, 2008 3:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't ever remember Obama being in Arkansas.
October 9, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Calling McCain a pussy is just not fair!
Not fair to all the beautiful pussies out there! He's just to vile to be a pussy. Maybe there's some other body part that would better suit his persona?
October 9, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sen McNasty lost the 2000 campaign because of the same swiftboat tactics used against him and his wife about her drug bust. Ironically, he is using the same tactic against his opponent.
Using Cindy McDruggie, and Sarah McLiar to be his attack dogs is so shameful. Those 3-some are fearsome.
This man is a weasel. So snctimonious, proper, deft, polished, supercillious! He is a complete fraud. The folks in PA should know better to listen to this Keating 5 trickster.
We don't want them in the White HOuse. Can you imagine how they would cover-up and LIE to Americans should they get there.
Dishonarable,liar. In sort, these 3 LIARS are cretins!!!
October 9, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
How can we believe that McCain 'ever' started Putin in the eyes when he can't look at Senator Obama and confront him to his face?? Senator Biden said this is 'John's way' that he doesn't look you in the eyes when he is on the attack. He disassociates like using the phrase 'that one'. It seems like it could stem from his years as a POW. I imagine he couldn't look his captors in the eyes. I imagine he would not confront them directly.
So yesterday he calls us all his 'fellow prisoners'...really sad. John I don't want to be a prisoner with you.
I look at the pictures where he stretches his arms out to the crowd and I see this immense need to be loved...
I can' t help but imagine John's psyche trying to heal itself through the use of our country... we can't afford to be his therapy.
October 9, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
that's 'stared Putin in the eyes' of course
October 9, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Had enough?
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/ThatOne
October 9, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right, well honor is not something with which John McCain behaves. Honor is what the world owes John McCain because he is a POW POW POW!
October 9, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
start from here- this morning McCain said that there is no proof of the letter that Obama wrote to Paulson and Bernanke about the mortgage crisis last year. Well, I Googled it in less time than contestants get on "Millionaire", and still had time to read the letter. Then he talks about honor in regards to the soldiers and that they want to come home winning so that they can feel honorable. They are honorable because they signed a contract to go and fight and they are honoring that contract and they are doing a great job in an war that can't be "won". Bush signed a contract with us when he took the oath of office and he reneged when he got us into a war without any hope of honor for this country. The kids over there are doing everything honorable that they can- leave them out of this. Frightening people are trying to continue this frightening time. I look at the faces of the people at McCain's rallies and I can't for the life of me understand what they must be thinking- maybe that's the operative word. Even David Brooks praised Barack Obama for his extraordinary intellect. I can't think of anything more comforting than knowing the President of the United States is smarter than me! After the last 8 years won't that be like a breathe of fresh air. Let this time be over soon, please.
October 9, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I stated it here:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/10/i-dont-agree-with-obamas-and-v.php
But once more here... this is not a good move. Like it or not, suggesting McCain is in any way a coward cannot be helpful. Obama does not need to do this. And he shouldn't want to.
October 9, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a tricky position to be in. The McCain camp's attacks can not go unanswered. Look what happened to Kerry when he waited too long to respond to the Swiftboat attacks that he initially tried to ignore. Kerry knew they weren't true, but by not responding and defending himself immediately, he looked weak. And he lost the election.
It has been the Obama campaign's policy throughout to respond immediately and decisively to any attacks. McCain has been trying to do this "attacking without directly attacking" maneuver for a few days now, and the Obama/Biden ticket is taking it on in the best manner that they can: "If you want to say this bullshit about me, look in my eyes and say it to my face."
This is a message that any "Joe Sixpack" can recognize, and it's making McCain look like the liar and coward that he is.
Just in:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/10/mccain-goes-there-almost-biden.php
October 9, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. It is tricky. And I doubt the Kerry approach is the only other alternative.
But suggesting the war hero is a coward is the wrong way. Most of us know better by now, but for years McCain was lionized, worshipped even. It's becoming clearer and clearer that most Americans don't want him to be President. But I suspect they also do not have the stomach for watching him get torn down gratuitously.
High school taunts are beneath Obama. Well, at least they should be.
October 9, 2008 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
How would it play if given the right opening, Obama challenged McCain at the next debate to say some of his trash talk to his face?
"You've been willing to say these things about me when I'm not around, but are you willing to say them to me to my face, right here and now?"
Good move, or too confrontational?
October 9, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I read Obama as a trying to provoke McCain into bringing up Ayres on Wednesday (more in the line of his addressing the audience saying McCain runs these ads, says things at rallies but will not say them in front of America. Either McCain goes bananas or not, but he has to respond. And then obama goes with whatever reply he has prepared in front of the national audience.
October 9, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink