RIVERSIDE, Ohio (CNN) – Senator Barack Obama told reporters he is not concerned about the spike in enthusiasm among Republicans since Governor Sarah Palin joined the GOP ticket, or recent polls showing a dead-even race.
“My general approach throughout this process has been not to worry about today’s news or yesterday’s polls but worry about what is it where is it that I want to see the country what is it that I’m trying to accomplish,” said Obama at a press conference in Riverside, Ohio. “I know that after our convention we had a bump, after theirs they get a bump. I think that what you’re going to see settling in, is that the race is going to be very close.”
The Democratic nominee, asked whether he wished he had picked a female running mate given some polling data that indicates women are flocking to the McCain-Palin ticket, said he had no regrets.
Earlier: New CNN poll shows Obama-McCain dead even
“The notion that people are swinging back and forth in a span of a few weeks or a few days this wildly generally isn’t borne out,” said Obama. “These are the same polls that had me 20 down last summer that have swung wildly throughout this process. There is no doubt that Governor Palin has attracted a lot of attention.
“There’s no doubt the Republicans are excited, particularly the right wing of the Republican party, is excited by Governor Palin’s choice. I think that has less to do with gender than it has to do with her ideological predispositions.”
Palin, who has become a hot topic on the trail Monday, appears to be a rallying point for Democrats as well. Before Obama’s Riverside speech, the crowd chanted “no pit bulls!” - a reference to Palin’s joke at the GOP convention that the only difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull was lipstick.
Obama came to Riverside to talk education, laying out $1 billion worth of new proposals to make students in the U.S. more prepared to compete in a global economy. Some of the initiatives include more funding for charter schools, and greater investments and access to new classroom technology. The Illinois senator said the money to cover the spending would come in part from “carefully winding down the war in Iraq.”
In his remarks, Obama also hit Senator John McCain for what he said was a lack of commitment to education reform.
“He has not done one thing to truly improve the quality of public education in our country. Not one real proposal or law or initiative. Nothing,” Obama said. “Do you really believe that John McCain is going to suddenly make a difference now?”
From CNN Politics
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What me worry?
He should be.
Who cares what Palin surge is she is a big lier and American is not going to elect a lier in the office I bet her kids are rich with our tax money...Palin stay in Alaska I do not want you to be our VP if you are I moving to Europe.
Obama/Biden 08
Hillary/Michelle 16
I love when the Obama camp speaks on "issues."
CHANGE education: Let's take a look at Chicago, where our illustrious candidate spent some time "in the trenches" of the community. Their inner-city schools are so bad, that the Harvard graduates send the little O's to private school. I guess Obama's solution is trick the American people into dumping more money into a failing system? Sounds like More of the Same, to use some Harvard rhetoric.
CHANGE the economy: His administration promises to be More of the Same of his campaign, except instead of asking for our money they'll just take more of it.
CHANGE healthcare: By adopting Hillary Clinton's plan, because she's smart with ideas, and Obama's good with words.
The country will be a joke if we vote for this ticket.
It is apart of politics. He knows that they are putting out made up statistics. This race is not close as the media is trying to make it out to be. I am a campaign worker and I am out there talking to the people everyday. Hard working Americans and I was just told today that we want answers not slogans. From the rust belt no less. People are not falling for this mess.
Oh yes you are!
the only thing you need to worry about Hosanna is your inexperience and lack of debate skills without a teleprompter.
People, you can't honestly fall for this gun-toting, moose-killing, hockey mom ??!!!! Please, get a grip on reality. She is a fad... she is not a Commander-In-Chief for god's sakes!! OMG, I hope McCain stays healthy for 4 years.
Wait, which is the candidate who advocates for school choice?
Oh, that's right, it's John McCain.
Hit em Obama.
I was a product of the British education system in a former commonwealth country. As a result when I came to university in the US to do an electrical engineering degree I didn't see anything new that I didn't already see in high school.
America can be so much more but the 'uneducated' vote needs to be eliminated. They need better opportunities to become informed and not disenchanted and drop out.
The voice of reason! Obama's supporters need to fight to the end. There is no room for complancy because there is only one chance, one day to win!!
That right Obama because whatever Ms Palin has done in the Dark will come to light!
He should be worried about the lies his surrogates are spreading around. The truth comes out and bites him in the ........
What's the difference between Dick Cheny and Sarah Palin? Lipstick.
What's the difference between George Bush and John McCain? Sunscreen.
Great response Obama!!! I think Biden is a great choice.
After the debates...the pitbull and johnny boy will be worried.
Exactly how it is. All far right wing and strong conservatives celebrate Palin as one of them. They expect old McCain not being strong enough to have control of her in case they get elected. Finally the Bush way will succeed again.
Worried about what - she'll shoot her ownself in the foot as soon are she starts talking to the press!!!!
He needs to be more worried.
I can't help thinking about the comparison that was made between Obama and McCain because of their polciies and/or lack of policies.
Almost everyone in America that doesn't own 7 houses or makes less than 5 million a year are finding themselves in a rather large hole that keeps getting deeper by the day.
The John McCain campaign is offering everyone in this hole a shovel to help get themselves out while the Obama campaign is offering everyone a ladder to help get themselves out.
That is just about the most logical and honest view of this entire election process and you would think more Americans would be able to relate to this scenario.
Obama is very worried. He is now loosing in all polls, lost almost all support from independents, and women. He is scared, out of money, out of socialist ideas and his idea of change is the senator that came to DC over 30 years ago.
McCain will win huge this fall.
The polls are changing everyday. Palin has energized the evangelical base that had been lukewarm at best for McCain. The polls after the debates should give a much clearer snapshot of voting trends. Governor Palin is certainly a lightning rod for each party. Her views tend toward extremist and most Americans are unaware of her positions. When she starts giving regular news conferences and we have a clear picture of what she actually thinks, the polls could swing in any direction. If we have learned anything in this historic political season, it is that the polls are unreliable.
Obama has done nothing, has a very thing record of doing anything for the American people. Both John McCain and Sarah Palin has the record the prove it. I'm just really surprise that Obama can poll this high on just rhetoric alone. Only in America can this happen. A hope and change rhetoric means nothing if you do not have the record to prove it. Go with the real Mavericks!
McCain-Palin 08
Obama shouldn't be worried about the polls. It's all smoke and mirrors. I heard they aren't even calling cell phones. Um Hello, it's 2008 some people only have cell phones. But that's okay, cuz the truth will be known in November.
CNN you had better put the smackdown on these liars and do your job!
Stop acting like lightweights, don't let the republicans scare you away from doing your job. I want to hear more about the issues.
OBAMA 08!
He dang well BETTER be worried!!
He's losing now, and if he doesn't do something to reverse the trend soon McCain is going to win in a landslide.