[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/29/art.obama.nevada.jpg caption="Obama criticized McCain's campaign tactics."]ROLLA, Missouri (CNN) - In the wake of John McCain’s new ad that paints Barack Obama as a global celebrity on par with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, Obama told supporters at a rally Wednesday, “don’t let the other side scare you,” and said McCain is attacking him because Republicans know they don’t have the answers.
“He’s spending an awful lot of time talking about me. You notice that?” Obama asked a crowd of just over one thousand seated in a university gym. “I haven’t seen an ad yet where he talks about what he’s going to do. And the reason is because those folks know they don’t have any good answers, they know they’ve had their turn over the last eight years and made a mess of things."
“They know that you’re not real happy with them and so the only way they figure they’re going to win this election is if they make you scared of me,” Obama continued, repeating an attack from earlier in the day. “What they’re saying is ‘Well, we know we’re not very good but you can’t risk electing Obama. You know, he’s new, he doesn’t look like the other presidents on the currency, he’s a got a funny name.’”
Obama was more serious with a pool reporter at a diner stop on the way to Rolla when asked about McCain’s new ad, saying, “You need to ask John McCain what he’s for and not just what he’s against."
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds responded in an e-mail to reporters entitled “Baseless.”
“This is a typically superfluous response from Barack Obama. Like most celebrities, he reacts to fair criticism with a mix of fussiness and hysteria,” wrote Bounds. “Barack Obama’s plans to raise taxes on energy and opposition to offshore drilling show that he fundamentally lacks judgment and experience, and is not ready to lead.”
After a question-and-answer session with voters at the town hall that included questions about Darfur and Cuba, the Illinois senator concluded by reminding his supporters to ignore McCain’s attacks.
“Don’t let the other side scare you away from what you know in your gut,” Obama said, “You know we have to bring about change. And this is our best chance to fundamentally change America so that Washington is working for you.”
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Filed under: Candidate Barack Obama • John McCain |
The old politics of fear, divide and conquer.
That is what the repubs are doing. But I doubt it will work this time.
Obama 08/12.
Everyone knows that this is all the republicans ever do. They smear and vilify the opposition so that they can hide the fact that all they're out to do is help the upper 1 percent screw the rest of us over just a little bit more. Luckily, Sen. Obama has so far been able to stand up to them. I just hope he's able to fare as well in the coming months when the Republican Attack Machine REALLY kicks it into high gear.
I'm more afraid of Senator McCain than I ever could be of Senator Obama. Senator McCain said at the beginning that he would not run a negative campaign, but of late all you see & hear is negativity. I think that the American people are smart enough to research the ads and know that they are either lying or play really fast and loose with the truth.
Republicans are trying every tactic they can. They need to make a lead so they attack his character. How childish but typical of the Republicans!!!! It really makes me even more geared to vote for Obama.
These attacks are distasteful and ridiculous. Republicans you don't scare me – I thought republicans were suppose to be conservative. This is definitely not conservative – bad, bad, (R).
McSame should be McSHAME...
McCain and the Republicans must be stupid to think Americans are going to continue to put up with the personal attacks.
Just one more reason Obama will have our family's vote. He tells us what we need to hear, not necessarily what we want to hear without attacking his opponents.
The Republicans don't know how to run a clean race. McCain used to say he wouldn't play these games. I guess everyone has their price and he's been bought and paid for by the Republicans, lobbiests and oil companies.
Only someone really insanely stupid would
continue to support McCain/Bush whose failed
policies that have already driven this country
into the ground. America should seriously think about
where they're getting their information from and
go educate themselves on the issues from both
sides (i.e. read Obama's policies on his website
and read McCain's policies on his website) then
make an intelligent, informed decision instead of
listening to the dumbed down media and stupid
lying GOP ads.
MESSIAH OBAMA–we will not fear as we know you will lead us into 10,000 years of peace and socialism...HOSANNA on the highest.
Hysteria ! No, this is Stadard Operating Procedure for Republican politics. Use wedge issues & fear. That's the best sales tactic in the industry Scare em or piss em off, then they'll buy anythihg you're selling
Obama, you're the only one who is scary...well, you Pelosi and Reid all running this country...that is really, really scary!
Once again CNN you didn't post my comment.
all mccain is trying to do is have the voter take a good look at obama. he keeps asking for open question town house meetings which obama refuses to do. he will only debate pre arranged questions on only certain topics. mccain wants open question from the real people not stooges set up in the audiance to ask set up questions with practiced answers. obama's only experience with that type of questipn was in the abc debate were he was asked to explain his answer. he couldn't come up with a credible explanation on what he had just said and later complained he was set up. excuse me if it was your plan to begin with why could you not elaborate that's all mccain wants the public to see the real obama no pre writes no telepromter just two politicians explaning THEIR issue and how THEY are going to implement them
Rachel Maddow said it well:
McCain can refer to himself as President, hold weekly radio addresses like a President, and talk about what the world will think after his first-term, and no one calls him presumptuous or arrogant. Yet Obama does far less than that, and he gets called those things.
No worries here. I have not fears where you are concerned.
He would scare me if he got in the White House. Now that is a scary thought.
Obama scares me. Both he and his friend Ludicris scare me as well. supporters? It's a change that I don't like at all. Why "dis" Hillary when she whipped Obama's butt in all the coasts and in the mid west and New York. Yeah, I know Obama won Idaho, but so did Larry Craig.
I hear the obam is threatening the life of American Hero John McCain? I just read a blog that said obamba was challenging John to a duel. obamba just can't help himself with his mega ego personality can he?
I've heard Barry is related to Wild Bill, George Bush, Dick Cheney and a King of England and a host of others to probably include Osama himself. He just can't help himself. He is risky and I don't trust him.
bam may not be a Muslim, but he is no stranger in the Muslim Church.
He will raise your taxes and "dis" your values.
Don't worry, Barry. The other side doesn't scare me one bit.
YOU SCARE ME!!!
McCain SCARES me with his OLD CRAZY self
I love how Tuck gives the typical whiners response after everything the Obama camp says or does.
Don't let other side scare you????? Only someone named Osoma Barack scares voters.
McCain is attacking him because Republicans know they don’t have the answers...Tucker Bounds McShame and john above- take a One Way ticket to the MOON!
McShame A good test of Character when you do wrong ......Do you accpet the Blame ???
Sorry, john, you're wrong buddy.
Electing our first African American president is an honor I will thoroughly enjoy on election day. Obama is intellingent, has good judgment and is the very embodiment of leadership with good principles.
Campbell Brown is paid by the republicans. So is Louzer Dobbs.
You people that believe the smut desere what you get – your wives will be recruited for the war with IRAN – the rest of us have to suffer because of you.
Time for a rebellion !!!!!!!!!!
It is you Obama who scare the USA, not the other side.
Just show us that you really love this country but not hate USA, show us some evidence you are not muslism......We do not need an empty box with a piece of paper labeled "yes we can"...
History shows the American public can be swayed through fear as that is exactly how you ended up with Beavis & Butt Head for the past 8 years.
When you don't have any sensible policies to put forward to the public you have to cover up your shortcomings with attack ads and slander. That is the Republican way.