WASHINGTON (CNN) – Barack Obama said rival Hillary Clinton must feel like she's "doing him a favor" by attacking him the way she has been in recent weeks because, according to Obama, it will only make him stronger in a general election against Republican John McCain.
"I have tried to figure out how to show restraint and make sure that during this primary contest we're not damaging each other so badly that its hard for us to run in November," Obama said at The Associated Press annual conference.
"Sen. Clinton may not feel that she can afford to be as constrained," he said, "but I’m sure that Sen. Clinton feels like she's doing me a favor because she's been deploying most of the arguments the Republican Party will be using against me in November and so it's toughening me up. I'm getting run through the paces here."
Obama's comments came in response to a question on whether he felt Clinton should drop out. He deflected by saying he suspects Clinton will have her own answer for that when she addresses the same group on Tuesday.
The Illinois senator also included in his response a backhanded compliment, calling Clinton "unique" for having raised $35 million and remaining in the race all while "sustaining 11 straight losses."
From CNN Politics
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Ha, Ha, Ha Obama is an idiot!!
You would think that Hillary would have figured it out by now. Every time she attacks Obama (rightly or wrongly) she ends up taking a beating. She should change her strategy.
I pray that you won't be headed to the general election
If you're not bitter, you're not paying attention … or you've made $109M in the last decade.
Hillary is the most negative and ussually the one who starts first.We do not want her in November...
His arrogance is just getting worse by the day. Hillary still can win and with your loose mouth and the mouth of that wife of yours, who knows what will happen.
Hillary, Hillary
acting like a Republican,
she knows their play book
calling it blow by blow
me thinks, she's been sleeping with Rove!
VP Gore and Senator Kerry thought they were tough, too. They didn't have near the crap Senator Obama has on his back on their backs and they lost. No, Senator Obama, you are tainted and you cannot win in November. Senator Clinton has not said or done anything that rises to the level of your crap.
Senator Obama's recent derogatory jokes about Senator Clinton reveals his true nature, not to mention that it reveals his own desperation.
This man is so gracious ! How refreshing
Tip of the iceberg for what He (Obama) is in for. He needs to go back to the playground.
Exactly...
Thank you for being you and telling it like it is like you promised us you would do. What you feel the truth is, rather than what you think everyone wants to hear.
I am so proud to be a well- researched, well- thought out Obama supporter!
Maybe she's doing the Democrats a favor so they'll still have a viable candidate for when Obama shoots himself in the foot badly enough that the even media can't salvage his candidacy.
IS HILLARY CLINTON RELEVANT TO ANYTHING ? SHE CAN FOOL SOME PEOPLE SOMETIME BUT SHE CAN'T FOOL ALL THE PEOPEL ALL THE TIME.
OBAMA IS PLAYING YOU ALL AND ITS FUNNY. IN BLACK STATES HE HUGS UP TO REV WRIGHT, IN PENNSYLVANIA HE HAS ADS WITH HIS GRANDMA AND MOTHER. THE LONGER THIS GOES ON THE MORE OBAMA WILL SHOW HIS TRUE COLORS. HE GOT MAD BECAUSE HE GOT CAUGHT WHISPERING IN SAN FRANCISCO. HILLARY DOESN'T PROMOTE HAVING GUNS SHE JUST EXPLAINED WHY PEOPLE HAVE GUNS AND ITS NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE BITTER.
It's on now and were ready!!!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just love how you are punching her left and right with TKOs! Go Obama! I loved the fact that she had to speak after you this morning and got BOOED!!!!!!!!!!!! Just look at that photo of her – looking funny! Yeah – finally a group of people let her know they didn't want to hear her bs any longer!
Haha, that's great! I just donated 10 dollars to Obama's campaign and am very excited! Hillary again trying to play politics with Mccain of all people, teaming up on Obama about such trivial comments when such important issues are at stake, motivated me to make my first donation. I plan to donate more in the near future as well!
Dont even think about it,you havent seen republican attacks yet,its uncensored,you are getting a free ride now ,because its liberal to liberal,wait till you put yourself in the HOT waters of Carl ROVE.
Obama may be the first candidate in modern political history who is also a gentleman.
Obama, the rightful leader now? Come on!! Stop your constant rhetoric and focus on issues and policies that you have seldom enlightened us on. Obama knows to talk from up there in the sky, never any specifics. I am tired of this constant nonsense. We already elected one beer guy in the white house for 8 years. Now we are going to elect someone who can make us feel good – is he doc phil? – not someone who is efficient, knowledgeable and has the know how and who has laid out her plans to take America to the next level.
Go Hillary!!!
Obama Go Home or go to your pastor and see how you can desecrate the united states of america.
Only a media darling could loss as much as she did and still be considered a contender!
The Media loves Hillary, because the Clintons create so much news and drama that their ratings go up! No wonder the networks devoted the entire weekend to "bitter" but hardly touched the Mark Penn and Bosnia lies!
Only in America!
Jumping the gun much, Barack?
Brilliant man!
He can make a career out of spinning BS