Obama On Hardball College Tour: Watch The Highlights

Barack Obama was the special guest on the Hardball College Tour Wednesday. The whole transcript is here. Right off the bat, it was pretty clear who the crowd favorite was. Watch Hillary Clinton get a frosty reception from the Hardball audience:

Obama also joked about his bowling skills with Matthews, who, in light of his recent headlines, asked whether he would be ready from "Day One" to use the White House bowling alley:

Obama also talked about the recent controversy surrounding his former pastor Jeremiah Wright, and whether the Clintons were pushing the issue. Wright's comments, Obama said, were "fair game." Watch as he answers students questions. A member of the audience asked Obama:

I'm interested in how has this campaign and the situation with your pastor affected your spiritual life? And how will that influence your presidency?

He talked about judgment and 3 am phone calls:

And about race and quitting smoking:

Related: Obama Jokes About The Comedic Value Of Cable News

Comments

[Darkbane]

You want specifics on some of the things Obama wants to do.............watch these clips.

Tired of people saying he speaks in platitudes and is never specific

Watch......Learn......agree or disagree come away more educated about his goals.

[jsinclair]

Obama did great. But I wish on Wright that he would quote the pastor of Hillary's former Methodist church.

Dean Snyder had so many wonderful things to say about Rev. Wright. Really, based on those who actually know him, this matter should be put to rest.

[danceswithyids]

Dean Snyder? The lead singer for Twisted Sister?
I didn't know they knew each other.

[danceswithyids]

As long as Senator Obama uses these kind of embarassing statements, about his realtionship to Pastor Wright, he will continue to drop in favorability with blue collar white male voters.

MATTHEWS: But you did say you heard him say controversial things.

OBAMA: But I"ve heard you say controversial things.

Really, thats it, thats how Chris lets it slide.
I am just guessing, but I imagine we aren't even talking in the same ballpark.

Why not say, I disagreed with him, but at the time I lacked the personal courage to confront someone so important in my life and someone so integral in my finding Jesus.
I think that would go over better with the general public.

I could care less about Wright, he isn't running for prez and I don't believe Senator Obama agrees with him on every single thing.

[toosinbeymen]

Absolutely brilliant. The more I hear from Senator Obama, the more I like him. Man Crush.

[northeast73]

THAT INTEVIEW WAS PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE "SOFTBALL" THE MEDIA PLAYS WITH OBAMA.

That was PATHETIC.

Where was the questions about the oil and lobbyist money he has taken?

Or how about hard questions about why he wont allow a revote in MI?


Chris Matthews got his tingle though......

[tipiglen]

I went to CNBC and watched the whole set of sequences, and it was well worth it.
On being brought up multi-racial - "We're a melting pot."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23925015#23925015

God Bless America
ed

[JaneBecker]

Speaking of God, here's a lyrical tribute to OB, set to one of the songs from "Jesus Christ, Superstar":
http://thedamedomain.blogspot.com/2008/04/ode-to-bama.html

[Angelic11]

That's gross and overplayed! You know darn well that "the tingling" was one of spiritual fulfillment and not sexual. I wish you guys would stop with that tingle non-sense.

[gomonkeygo]

As a guy, I have to defend this rather stupid remark - it's the single funniest thing anyone has said this entire campaign season! My wife thinks it's hilarious, too. It's going to haunt Matthews till the day he dies.

[danceswithyids]

Everyone knows that, but you can never pass up such a piece of comedy gold.

[Seaofdreams]

MSNBC race to the whitehouse followed Obama's college tour show. The entire panel agreed saying Obama poorly handled the reverend Wright issue. Comes back to credibility like Obama saying in a previous rermark he was born during Selma when that's a lie as Obama was born in 1961 and Selma was in 1965.Then Obama voting for giving big oil companies tax breaks clearly shows same old politics same old politician tricks.The list goes on Obama saying his father was a proud Freedom Fighter when he was part of one of the most corrupt and violent governments Kenya has ever had. There's a list online that includes 65 lies Obama has told. The more that comes out the more it's clear he'll never make the presidency.Middle aged to seniors are millions upon millions of voters which they won't vote for Obama cause they think he's cool or has a rock star image. We need a serious president and we know what the Clinton years was like we had jobs,the economy was good. So with Hillary we know we'll do better and in the end Hillary will win.

[tipiglen]

Dream on, Sea of dreams, and try and learn your English a little better - "Obama poorly handled..."?

[atila]

a lot of lies seaofdreams......that panel (msnbc)didn't say that and EVERYBODY in the same panel agree that Obama did an amazing job yesterday in this college tour......that's why HE IS WINNING this race.....

[cyndeewi]

The Clintons were not responsible for the economy. If you think that you are crazy. The Clintons is why you dumb butt is suffering now. Remember NAFTA you fool. Look at what the couple has done to us. The lies you are talking about that Obama made are lies. Do you hear him say them? I have followed this man for a long time and you dumb butt is repeating what you have read without checking for yourself.

You talking about lies, hell pull up the Clinton lies and it will shock the hell out of you. Hell, Hillary just told you a bold face lie and said she was sleep deprived. Clinton lied to your face with, He did not have sex with that woman. Don't get me started with the Clinton lies, it will make you cry.

[Fabienne]

Who cares what a bunch of talking heads say? They've been wrong rather consistently all along.

[SaddieMcCall]

Excellent response to the Rev Wright question! Imagine if it was Chelsea receiving a question that she didn't like, "It is none of your business". Yet Obama accepts the questions, even suggests that it is a fair question since it is on people's minds. Christians are taught to forgive, to love one another, to lift up rather than to pull down.

[flyguy14222]

2 very different subjects bonehead.

[GravitonX]

Hillary - Booed by Academia

[flyguy14222]

Hillary - praised by the working class.

[Colonial82]

Only because they are too busy working to find out the truth about the Clintons like everyone else. If only Clinton won't have signed NAFTA and banking regulation, they would not have to work so long and hard. Oh well.,.......

[NYC07]

Not in Wisconsin .

[cyndeewi]

Hillary - praised by the non-college graduates.. that what the media call you guys. Dummies if you ask me.

[jsinclair]

Hey! A lot of working class people are supporting Obama!

Let's not buy into Hillary's spin. Obama is a heart-felt champion of working people. That's why he became a community organizer (while Hillary was sitting on the board of WalMart).

[longislandlol]

Chris has to tone down-- he has confused toughness with mean- spirited bullying-- politicians aren't a low expectations dumbing down the public with red neck wrestlemania--- they can be JFK-like -- intelligent males who tone down their machismo by reading books, being knowledgable, etc.. and not by assuming video-game like gun-toting, violent "I am the tough guy stances"---- time to change the mindset -----

[paciere]

A naive college voter would vote for Barack Obama. An intelligent, open-minded, and well-educated college voter would vote for Hillary Clinton.




Barack Hussein Obama's email lies: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/substance_abuse.html


"OBAMA - the clear choice when you confuse empty platitudes like HOPE and CHANGE with an actual plan"

[ObamaSeeChange]

The Clinton's - The clear choice when ethics, integrity and honesty don't count.

[GravitonX]

Hillary - Drama Queen.

[GravitonX]

"Well-educated" college voters don't believe the Bosnian hype. Ploink!

[indc]

She has been psychologically abused for decades and her response was to do damage control when Clinton's affairs came to light, going after the woman....what can we make of this behavior...lack of self-respect at least, and perhaps an exceptional ability to rationalize away reality and fantasize about alternate stories in which she is a hero instead of the abused wife... sort of like her Bosnia lie...

where are their tax returns, the donor lists, the earmarks, the WH papers... people, countries don't give $500 M for a library for nothing... what more are they hiding... we know he worked of the interest of Dubai against the interest of America and American worker on the port deal, and other deals... what are they hiding through this stonewalling... voters have a right to know who they are in bed with.

[IndieGirl]

Actually, college professors and people with college degrees and graduate degrees are voting for Obama at an overwhelming higher rate than Hillary, so your premise is not true.

Also, common sense trumps a college degree anyday...why would you vote someone who is a liar, mean spirited, unloyal to her party (continously praising McCain and using Republican campaign consultants and tactics), backstabber (threatening and demeaning friends who choose to support Obama), and can not manage her campaign funds or staff. Common sense tells me she can only lead people with using fear or dirty tactics.

Also, youth can also tell a bullshiter from a straight shooter....

[Gma11]

This prof, Hil's age, voted Obama!

[markos]

Well said.

[northeast73]

overwhelming higher rate than Hillary
=-=============

55/45 is not "overwhelming"

[Darkbane]

Keep em coming........... Most Obama supporters are used to everything just said......we have been called names since November........even more reason for us to be happy when Hillary gets exposed as a crook and liar like the bosnia situation.

You can throw out Hussein all you want most americans BELIEVE in being just and fair to all people. Most believe in the ideals of this country and every time you throw out "Hussein" your an american this country could do WITHOUT. You probably would have agreed with locking up all the japanese into internment camps during World War 2 also.

[missette]

I thought one of Obama's best moments was when he answered Matthew's question about whether he was "tough" enough to do what he believes against public opinion, like Cheney has. Obama eloquently answered that it was the role of the president to lead, and thereby to shape public opinion, and to listen to the public. Well, surprise, surprise. Matthew's doing the talk circuit this morning lamenting that "weak" answer, saying we need someone who will be tough like Cheney. Good God! The chest-thumping, warmongering, public be damned attitudes of the Bush administration are the MSM's definition of what it means to be tough. Common experience and wisdom has taught me over the years that the hairy shirts, in this case someone who got 5 deferments when it was his time, are not the tough ones. True leaders don't need to scream and sneer. Instead, they communicate and they perform.

[ObamaSeeChange]

I saw that disparity on Joe Scarborough as well. The MSM is only interested in stirring the pot rather than accurately portraying the news and the Republican anlysts (Scarborough, Carlson, Buchanan) are only interested in bloviating about Hillary while disparaging Obama because they think she is the softer opponent in the general and they are right but disingenuous.

[justwaitandsee]

Joe Scarborough seriously needs a job at FLAKE NOISE.....His jealousy of Senator is so apparent he can no longer hide it...

He is so pathetic and he is completely torture to watch....I am just waiting on CNN to revamp their morning show so this idiot loses many of his viewers......¦¦

[NYC07]

These Republicans like Buchanan, Carlson, and Scarborough, beat down Obama and praise Hillary constantly. This is more proof that the Republicans fear having to go against Obama in the general election. They know Hillary would be easy to beat.

[TekTami78]

Yeah, I've noticed that over the last few days the media has responded again to 'taking it too easy' on Obama. If this interview had been conducted a few weeks ago, Matthews would have had nothing but good things to say about Obama's performance.

[gomonkeygo]

Matthews is just trying to live down the tingle. And he got called out by another talking head the other day who asked if he was endorsing Obama - CM was completely speechless, caught off guard and looked like an idiot. Now he's trying to save face, playing macho, being a dick. As usual. Hiya, Tingles!

[MacTheBlogger]

Dang it, I missed it.

Did Matthews finally just blow him?

[ObamaSeeChange]

You're mixed up, the guest was Senator Obama not Bill Clinton!

[JUSTME]

There are going to be 500, 1,000 posts on here by this afternoon all saying the same thing: "Obama can't win, the sky is falling, Obama can't win!!!!"

Now why did you go ahead and post these clips, HuffPost? You know how it riles the Clintonites. Now they're going to go totally apeshit. Jeez.