Sunday Roundup: Dueling Candidates Edition
(CNN) - Presidential contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have not been on the Sunday circuit simultaneously since February 3, two days before the Super Tuesday primaries. Fittingly, today they chose to sit down with two Sunday morning talk show hosts just two days before yet another major big day in the Democratic presidential nomination process, the Indiana and North Carolina primaries.
The rest of the Sunday circuit featured surrogates of the two campaigns to make a final push for their candidate before Tuesday’s vote.
(Full roundup after the jump)
On NBC’s “Meet the Press” Obama was forced to clarify why he didn’t immediately end his relationship with Reverend Wright when the controversy first broke in March. “What really changed was a sense that he was going to double down on the statements that he had made before,” Obama said. “That indicated to me that…he did not share my fundamental belief and my fundamental values.”
He also took the opportunity to attack Clinton on her recent comments that the US could “obliterate” Iran should they obtain a nuclear weapon and attack Israel. “It's not the language we need right now, and I think it's reflective of George W. Bush," Obama told host Tim Russert.
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Senator Clinton was asked to respond to Obama’s comments and if she had any regrets. “No, why would I have any regrets?” she said during her town hall meeting with George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week”. “Yes, we would have massive retaliation against Iran” should they attack Israel, Clinton said. I don't think they will do that, but I sure want to make it abundantly clear to them that they would face a tremendous cost.”
Also during the interview, Clinton admitted that it was “troubling” that a recent poll showed that 60 percent of Americans didn’t find her trustworthy. “I know you hear a lot about me. There is a lot out there that…I have no control over.”
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On the surrogate front, CNN’s “Late Edition” featured North Carolina governor Mike Easley, who endorsed Clinton on Tuesday, as well as former presidential candidate and Obama supporter Gov. Bill Richardson. Easley called a recent North Carolina poll which shows Clinton down eight points “very encouraging when you look at just a couple weeks ago she was down 34 points.” The New Mexico governor countered with Obama’s lead in contests won. “He's won Guam, it's now 31 states to 15 in caucuses.”
Easley retorted, “We're not going to win White House by winning Guam.”
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“Fox News Sunday” had interviews with DNC Chairman Howard Dean, former DNC Chairman and Clinton-turned-Obama supporter Joe Andrew, and Clinton strategist Terry McAuliffe, who also chaired the DNC.
I will keep praying that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the first woman President of the United States 2009 – two (2) terms.
The 08 election breaks down to this: The Dems cant afford to lose the "Black" vote so they have to nominate Obama knowing he will lose in the general election. The act of "superdelegates" nominating a more electable Hillary Clinton would enrage the black community and destroy the democrat party (if not worse like starting a "race war".
Obama's a wind bag. Let's have a real solution to the high gas price. Not only should we get a federal holiday, but the states could do the same. Now that would be a pocketful for us gas users Why is Obama so negative?
Hey delegates, I know Obama has the most popular vote, I know he has more delegates, I know he won more states. BUT PICK ME I'M BETTER
Last week when Obama slipped barely in the polls, you would of thought he slipped about 5-10 points. Now he has taken back the lead to 4 points over your golden girl, I haven't heard it mentioned at all. Thanks CNN for your balanced reporting.
WHEN OBAMA CUT INTO HILLARY'S DOUBLE DIGIT LEAD IN PA IT WAS DOWNPLAYED....BUT HILLARY CUTS INTO OBAMAS LEAD IN NC AND IT'S HOT TOPIC NEWS....I'M STARTING TO THINK CNN YOU'RE PART OF THIS RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY TO BRING OBAMA DOWN....SAY IT AINT SO.....
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Please CNN do a fact check, Hillary just said in live campaign stop that she went with a guy in Indiana to go with him to fill up his truck and it cost $63.00 for half tank....CNN YOU DID A SPECIAL ON PHOTO OPS WITH THESE CANDIDATES AND "YOU" STATED THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN ASK THIS GUY 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE TO DO THE PHOTO OP AND WHEN HE TRUCK WAS TWO DOOR AND SHE REQUIRED A FOUR DOOR, THEY BORROWED THE TRUCK FROM THE GUYS BOSS.....the lies and exageration continue, but yet it's never reported.....DO A FACT CHECK AND STOP SLAMMING OBAMA ON EVERY LITTLE THING HE DOES AND SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jimmy Carter set the record straight when asked if the superdelegates
would go against the will of the voters. He said its highly unlikely that it would happen. And why should they? They have a stake in the winner, not loser.
In Hilery's speach she said That it upset the man filling his pickup truck. But it didn't upset her.She said she going too get the country in Check. She couldn't even keep Her Husben in Check.. She is Just repeten the republicans, John McCain. I thought she was a Democrate How can she run Bush down when she Sounds Just like Bush. People really need to read between the lines. She would put Mc Cain on Her Ticker,John McCain on his Ticket .
Thank You
Harold
So Wright's statements were OK so long as he didn't "double on" on them. Just where does Obama draw the line on racism and hate speech.
o'bama all the way, let'S STAY FOCUS AN SEAL THIS DEAL THE WORLD IS WATCHING , JUST LIKE THEY WERE WATCHING ELECTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA, IF SOUTH AFRICA CAN DO IT SO CAN WE.>>>>>>>DONT FORGET FELOW COUNTRYMEN THE WORLD IS WATCHING THIS ELECTIONS......... LET FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SOUTH AFRICA PLEASE.
If she lies, panders, and twists arms to win the nomination, I will return to the hopeless political cynic I was before Barack entered the race. How can anyone want her for our leader?
Dave,, you weren't listening.. how many times does he have to explain himself to people who are not going to vote for him anyways.. They just keep it up to make excuses to justify themselves..
Get Over it ...
Concerning Obama's criticism on Clinton's Iran comments:
"If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will," Obama said
That was Obama also being a cowboy except with Pakistan. This guy can't even remember the things HE said nevermind his spiritual advisor.
I love this talk about the will of the voters...Which will. The half that voted for Obama, or the half that voted for Clinton. We got a tie here. Obama is not in the lead...of course I would not expect his supporters to get that, especially after yesterday when they could not comprehend the results from Guam..( its 7 points..not 7 votes..whine..whine..whine). Looked really foolish to me.
Hillary Clinton is talking about solutions. Obama is complaining about how unfair things are. Obama is negative, his supporters are hateful and Hillary might not win NC, but he will not get that 30 point lead he had two weeks ago.
If you want unknown change...Obama is your man.
If you want some real solutions..Clinton is you women.
This week Senator Hillary Clinton spoke on multiple occasions responded to questions regarding Barack Obama’s former minister. She said, “You cannot choose your family members but you can your minister, pastor or rabbi. If the decision was left to me I have made it clear what I would do. I would have left the church.” It is apparent she believes that a person should be judged solely on a few unfortunate comments or actions. And if you vehemently disagree with those actions a person should reject, denounce, and disown that person from your life indefinitely. To my understanding a person still does choose their spouse. By not leaving her husband Bill Clinton for having an extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky and others, lying under oath to the Supreme Court and the American people, and being impeached by the House of Representatives, suggests that she endorses that type of behavior by grounds of her own statement by not leaving Bill. What sort of precedent is she setting? She can’t have your cake and eat it too!
ELECT JOHN EDWARDS! Bring back John Edwards!
Hillary is a fighter while Obama is a unconscious objector. While Hillary will fight for us, I don't think Obama will fight for anyone.
CNN. I don't know who's paying you off, but it certainly is obvious that you are for the Clinton machine. Disgusting. You've lost a fan of this website. I prefer balanced reporting.
I also seen Obama on Meet the Press and he never said anything, typical politician I think he is ready to be President and also face Bill "O"
Get er done Hillary. I pray every night that you will win. America is finally listening to the overall plans you bring to the table. Hillary is the President America has been waiting for.
Excuse me Robert, Obama is in the lead, by popular vote, delegates won and states won. Delegates are the only thing that counts in picking a nominee. But facts don't sit right with you do they? And Obama won by 7 votes in Guam..They split the 4 delegates down the middle.
I saw Obama on Meet the Press today. He was poised, informative, knowledgable and very presidential. He didn't pander and made me feel like I'm a dufus like that other candidate who was on with Stephanopolas. I think Obama can not only bring Americans together, he can also work well with both sides of the isle in Washington. I'm convienced that he is the person for this job and I'm willing to give him a chance. The Clinton's have already had theirs, the Bushs have already had theirs, twice! Time for a change and I hope many Americans are not afraid of change. America, we have to stop putting the same families in the White House.
Ms. Clinton is rattling her saber for the American Jewish vote. Israel's supporters love this kind of military jingoism. Ms. Clinton will do anything to court their favor, regardless of whether it is appropriate statesmanship.
Take note that Israels stance to remain quiet as to whether they hold a nuclear arsenal in their hand is a much more subtle and effective deterrant than running off the mouth that you'll blow them all to kingdom come.
She denounces George W. Bush on one hand, but acts as his political surrogate on the other hand. Lets be honest here, she supported the war in Iraq and she agrees with his posture on Iran.
We need to stop the cycle of arrogant stupidity in Washington with respect to our foreign interventions.
Good comment MB. The media are not attacking Hillary like Obama has been attacked. Republicans wants Hillary because they know she can be easily deafeated with her baggages; that's why they want Obama out of the way. Wake up Democrats. Obama is perfect for you. Even with the issues at hand, he can still win against McCain. We are tired of the negative attacks on Obama. He does not share his pastor's view. I do agree that Wright is working for the Clintons because he is also their spiritual run to when in trouble. The media has been one way and it's very unfair to Obama. Why can't we all just get along? Here is a little song for all the Obama haters: Live him aloneeee, why don't you just stop talking him around!!! leave him aloneee, leave Obama aloneeeeee!!!! Obama08.