Obama is taking issue with comments Clinton made at a recent Democratic debate. (Photo Credit: AP)
(CNN) - With only a day until the New Hampshire Democratic Primary, Barack Obama says the manner in which rival Hillary Clinton's campaign is being run is getting 'depressing."
In an interview that aired on ABC Monday morning, Obama said Clinton does not make him angry, but the Illinois senator took issue with how her campaign is being run.
"I find the manner in which they’ve been running their campaign sort of depressing lately," he said.
Obama specifically took issue with a comment Clinton made at a debate Saturday, when she suggested Obama and John Edwards were raising "false hopes."
"We don't need to be raising the false hopes of our country about what can be delivered," she said. "The best way to know what change I will produce is to look at the changes that I've already made."
Obama has derided Clinton on the campaign trail for the statement, and in the ABC interview, suggested it runs against the American "tradition."
"Sen. Clinton saying, 'don’t feed the American people false hopes. Get a reality check.' You know? I mean, you can picture JFK saying, 'We can’t go to the moon. It’s a false hope. Let’s get a reality check.' It’s not, sort of, I think what our tradition has been," he said.
Meanwhile, Clinton maintains she has a record of change, and said repeatedly over the weekend that she is a "doer" compared to Obama and Edwards who are "talkers."
The back and forth comes as several recent polls indicate Obama's win in the Iowa caucuses last Thursday has given him a bounce in the Granite State. A new CNN/WMUR poll released Sunday night shows Obama 10 points ahead of Clinton, 39 percent to 29 percent.
Related video: Clinton: 'I am a change agent'
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Filed under: Candidate Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John Edwards • New Hampshire |
I have never voted party lines. I have voted for who I thought could make improvements overall. Republicans and Democrats have swapped agendas numerous times over the past years to where there is no party consistency and in many cases, no differences in beliefs. While they speak differences during campaigns, at the end of the day it's always about who they needed to return favors to because of campaign backing. So to me, it's really whose backing them that determines what changes will impact America. For the past few years I've had a difficult time voting because like another person stated, "it's been a popularity contest". My main concerns right now are how vulnerable America has become to attack, the economy – specifically housing and mortgages, and healthcare since many plans now require employees pretty much foot the bill for everything. I think most of the candidates have displayed some form of intelligence and understanding of the big picture but the next president is going to have to have a firm presence in order to convince the rest of the world we are still strong and united. I would LOVE to see a woman finally have this opportunity but the timing is not right. I believe Hilary Clinton is quite knowledgeable and has some experience but not the presidential presence this country needs because of most recent events in the world. I do not think a woman's face on America could pull us out of the ditches that the last three presidents created – although she may not do any worse. Traditionally it has been a man and I do not believe now is a good time to test the waters. Obama does have somewhat a presidential appearance, but no real experience which could also hinder us. However, didn't we elect an actor (Reagan) years ago and at that time our army was at one of its strongest peaks. Other countries respected us. So experience can be lacking but if you have the desire and presence to engage the right people and apply good practices, you can still succeed. I do not hear much talk about Guiliani, but at a time when America was under attack, he somehow managed to draw much support from different races, party lines, and professions to aid in one of our nations largest disasters. I have seen many flaws in his record, but he stepped up when needed most. I had not heard much about Romney until this election but both Guliani and Romney share similar backgrounds – business. Perhaps it's time a successful business man got in there and ran this country instead of an everyday politician. As far as McCain and Edwards, I'm tired of hearing these names. From the years of not making much more progress in politics, perhaps it's time to seek new professions. I'm still reading through many of the posts but none seem to have enough information to convince me on which way to vote; and that's what I'm looking for. So for the Democratic side, I'd have to say Obama over Hillary. But he would need a strong cabinet and advisors since that is who typically contributes to the decision making anyway. For the Republican side, I'd have to say Guiliani over Romney only because Romney's religious convictions may prevent him from making some critical decisions as it relates to war and saftey. Just my thoughts.
Senator Clinton keeps on hinting on the experience that she has over Obama. But lets not forget that it was the same experienced Clinton that voted for the war in Iraq, that has left thousand of Americans dead and also wasted billions of dollars. Somebody please explain to me is it this same "experienced leader " that we want to be President?
I don't like the manner that Hillary is using to bring
down Obama ,they should not be spending this time to
tear down eachother. I'm trying to figure out who is going
to follow through with making this Country a better place
for all of us ,not just the rich and the lobbist, after one does
become President, this time.The stakes are high and I don't
want to be a victim for another four years.
honestly speaking, if ron paul would win the repulican nomination, i would vote for him witout blinking, but Mr. Obama presents me with the best alternate. follow the money before you vote for anyone. if the same multinational conglamorates are funding your candidate then your candidate will legislate according to the standards of their constituancy. be informed and dont allow bankers and oil barrons to continue placing our country in peril and our communities in slavery. study your history and the names of the people involved. if you get a trail of destruction behind someone or their family members or the gang they run with then you can get a pretty good idea of what they stand for....... by the way, did anyone notice how cozy the clinton and bush families are with one another? i believe they both belong to the carlislie group......hmmmmm........
Our country is in great great distress due to eight years that have brought us to this point. We should listen to Hillary Clinton and her views on what can be done to bring us up again. Talk itself is cheap. Listen to the voice of experience that is based on what can be done, instead of emotional outburst like TV evangelists use.
The Clintons are the only administration in twenty seven years that has left us solvent and respected in the world. She has been a terrific Senator for New York. Now is not the time to throw everything up for grabs.
Think, America, think!
Bruce, experience is being able to give factual answers to questions.......not changing the questions or giving a stump speech or taking words from previous leaders like the Kennedy boys, King, Clinton, etc.
There are few to none that can say that they were better their first day on the job, than they are today. I don't care if it is a week or years. But that first day on any job is always easier if one has had the proper training and education.
Experience is something Obama doesn't have to be president. Especially when it comes to working with the members of our federal government.
To those of you above who put down Pres. Clinton for what happened when he was in office. Well we weren't trillions of dollars in the hole and owned by China, AND THOUSANDS OR OUR AMERICANS WEREN'T KILLED IN A NONSENSE WAR!!
I would vote for Hillary, but only if she was running against George W. Bush. Come to think of it, though, I would vote for Benito Mousolini if he was running against Bush. At least that fascist had a little style. Just one of the endless qualities sadly missing from W.
How come the media doesn't talk about the current delegate count. Based on CNN's projections, Sen Clinton has at least a 100 delegate lead right now. Even if Sen Obama were to get all 22 delegates from NH (he would need to get 100% of the vote to do this so the best he will do is about 9), he would still be about 78 delegates behind. No one seems to report this. Plus in Iowa, the final delegate tally was Obama 18, Clinton 17 and Edwards 16. Not a runaway victory for Obama.
someone needs to explain to Dianefrom NY that the party nomination process does not work like the electoral college and each state is not winner take all... nor does Hillary only need 270 delegates to win, nor did the Democrats even hold a caucus/primary in Wyoming (only the Republicans did). Do your research people before you post.
obama 08
Sen. Clinton has done well in the debates. She has a solid record of accomplishments. I was particularly pleased when she called for a "reality check". It seems that the press has given wall to wall coverage to Sen Obama and has nearly crowned him the winner. Sen. Obama has nothing but good press and Sen Clinton hasnothing but negative press. Why does the press not simply ask "Sen. Obama what are your accoplishments exactly?" Sen. Obama exactly what are you going to change and how are you going to do it.?" I haven't heard these questions from the press. If someone sets off a dirty bomb 100 days into the next presidency I want Hillary Clinton sitting in the oval office, not someone who has no qualifications for the job.
What experience does Hillary have?
Being a first lady doesn't count.
Does experience include breaking down and crying, or saying unfair, or using other infantile tactics when somebody is running for President????
Do special exceptions need to be made for Hillary???? Will the rest of the modern world also treat her as the fragile person she pretends to be when she is questioned....while she then turns around and bites them, since she has proven to be very vindictive and not balanced....perhaps this is her version of uniter or decider, according to Bush's definition....
Do evangelical right wing nuts support her so they run one of their religious fanatics against her....what great choices....maybe we should all just start warming up our horse and buggies while these nutjobs destroy the whole notion of democracy.......
Sure, things aren't political and an evangelical right wing or mormon president wouldnt only base all decisions on faith, and bush still says there are wmds!!!! and like he (and cheney) haven't already distorted and outright changed the entire consitution....is anybody else who doesn't advocate for our current right wing crusade paying attention?????
If you are supporting it, why aren't you somewhere else fighting either for the military or one of the many taxpayer funded private mercenaries instead of being still here with open-minded folks who actually came to this country to avoid religious persection....
This is another effect of Bush's mindless wars, he cuts the domestic budget so that there are no history or science classes so we forget our own history, our Constitution, natural selection...etc......
Bush's isolationist, xenophobic policies make it too expensive and difficult to go anywhere so we become stupid....His polarization makes people angry and bitter, leading to writer's strikes and ncreased crime.....
STDs and teen pregnancies are at 20 yr highs because of his "faith based" propaganda and denial of reality.
Pretty soon we can all just stare at the walls.....so you don't think about running down people in your SUV when you are paying $5 a gallon for gas.....
Try to avoid thinking independenty or risk getting arrested and taken away without trial by jury, or notifying your family, this is all entirely legal according to Patriot Act II....look it up....
Does anybody else besides myself actually live in NYS and seen the lack of help from Hillary and her supposed "experience" for any upstate NY communities or do you just become hypnotized by the national corporate-sponsored media????
Why aren't Bush and Cheney impeached yet?????
I believe that Hillary Clinton is the best candidate for the job. It makes me very nervous that the citizens of the USA may elect Obama Barrack for president. There is more to being president than a 'talker'. He does lack experience and I believe he does not have the qualifications required to run the country. Hilary Clinton has been in the White house before and knows what it takes to make a country run. She is very smart, strong and well spoken and actually makes sense when she talks.
I think it has to be very tough for her. The USA may not be ready for a woman president yet. She has taken a stand for all and is running for president and you have to give her credit jumping in to the 'boys club'.
I have spoken to a group of women and there is one thing that really irritates us. Oprah Winfrey. You got it, Oprah. She is a talk show host with a lot of power. I don't agree with her for stepping in to help Obamma. I watched her on Larry King and she says America is ready for a Black man to run the USA. Is she backing him because he is black or because she believes he is the candidate for the job?
Obama is one of America's great con men, nothing more. Obama might inspire, but he inspires in the model of Jimmy Carter, who accomplished nothing and left the country in far worse shape after four years.
Obama simply pontificates too much in generalities. Where is the meat in his words? The country has problems that need specific, practical solutions, not puffy rhetoric. I can get that in a church.
We need someone in the White House who is shrewd enough to actually get something done in Washington.
As our senator in Illinois, Obama has proven that he is much, much more interested in personal gain than public service. Nobama. No way.
One refreshing change about Sen Obama's campaign is the absence of attack adds – Thank you ! Obama 2008
the problem with Obama is that the more people learn about him, the more they become convinced he'll be a great president.
Every single negative item in this entire blog is addressed and turned from a negative to a positive after you get the real story. Go to the Obama campaign site and ask Obama yourself. You'll get an answer.
Salita, SC January 7, 2008 11:46 am ET
I don't understand your question because Electoral votes are allocated during the General Election. Are you thinking of party delegates????
The United States Electoral College is a term used to describe the 538 President Electors who meet every 4 years to cast the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States. The Presidential Electors are elected by the popular vote on the day traditionally called election day.
Other then a couple of states, its winner take all. Therefore whomever wins the state will win their Electoral Votes. Electorial votes are based on a states population.
Just in case you have not noticed we just started the Primary process. Then General Election is the second Tuesday in November.
"I was an American Fighting Man, I am an American Fighting Man, I will always be an American Fighting Man and I support Barack Hussein Obama for President of the United States of America!
AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WORD "HANG" UNDER SEN. OBAMA'S NECK ON THE HOME PAGE? A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED NEWS REPORTING AGENCY SHOULD BE MORE CONSCIENTIOUS OF THE PICURES THEY SELECT.
Hoping that CNN keeps this comment on the board, maybe they want a higher ratio of nice things being said about Hillary.
For those still calling Obama a Muslim or spread lies or innuedo out of your own fear and ignorance, I suggest you read your Bible (assuming that you are calling yourselves Christian).
For those afraid to have Obama as the Democratic nominee because he will be "swift-boated" misses the point that those kind of politics of hate and ignorance are becoming a thing of the past…voters are now starting to see through that thankfully.
For a person to vote Republican (like Rudy or McCain) instead of Obama can expect to see the American troops to stay in Iraq, quagmired in a trillion dollar war that should be fought in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
I wouldn't mind seeing Hillary as the nominee, but I believe that she will polarize the Republican base to vote against her…with Obama as the nominee, he would bring in Republican and Independent votes. (see "Republicans worried about Obama" in the Ticker).
Obama can barely contain his smugness – not a great quality for a supposed “uniter.”
His comment in the debate about Hillary being "likeable enough" was childish. And then coming back to it later in the debate was even worse.
Civil rights icon Andrew Young and so many others are correct - Obama is too immature for the presidency.
I do not want a Clinton back in the White House. Hillary's ball-and-chain, Bill and his baggage, will always be something she has to deal with and the country won't forget.
She's smart, she's a hard worker, but I don't want her to be my president. Her public tears in New Hampshire has further hurt her image. She needs to step back, get some rest and refuel.
Obama is too slick for me, his over-confidence is nauseating. An election win will not be a victory for any of us.
I can't believe that mrs Clinton consider herself like an agent of change, when she's been in washington for the last 15 yrs.I am just sick of them .
hmmmm! I live in california and on ever street corner here you can hear the same old promise about anything ! it seems to me that people who dont see ot hear talk like this it seems so different but in a state like mine we hear it alot! Im latino and I dont liked to be hussled like the rest of the latino community ! we know america black and white dont like us but we know a hussle when we see it ! to bad AMERICANS dont ask for the proof and not just to hear the hussel
"Why has not anyone brought up the fact that Obama is a Muslim (and his Parents back ground) and why are we voting for this guy? Talk about being Anti -American."
Because if you did some actual research, you would learn that he's not a Muslim and that the assumption is only made because his father is Kenyan and his last name happens to sound like "Osama." The only thing un-American here is the spouting of bigoted statements such as your own.
Hillary is absolutely right.
Would you hire your Lawyer or Accountant based on a passionate speech/pitch and no experience.
I am still waiting for the twilight zone to be over and for America to wake up.
Let's get back to basics and demand a resume, isn't that how you and I are hired? Oh I'm sorry, there's also the buddy system, my bad.............