Obama Criticizes Debate, Attacks Clinton For Being "In Her Element"

RALEIGH, N.C. — Democratic Sen. Barack Obama dismissively talked about his debate with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and the line of questioning from ABC News' moderators, arguing that it focused on political trivia at the expense of the problems facing average voters.

At a rally in the May 6 primary state of North Carolina, Obama drew roars of approval Thursday when he mocked aspects of the presidential debate that had him on the defensive Wednesday night. He faced tough questions about his controversial pastor, his comments about bitter voters in small towns and his relationship with a 1960s radical.

Deadpanning, the Illinois senator said, "It does not get much more fun than these debates. They are inspiring events."

In criticism of his rival, he called the debate "the rollout of the Republican campaign against me in November" and said it represented textbook Washington politics that Clinton was very comfortable playing.

"They like stirring up controversy and they like playing gotcha games, getting us to attack each other," he said. "Senator Clinton looked in her element. She was taking every opportunity to get a dig in there. That's her right to kind of twist the knife a little bit ... that's the lesson she learned when Republicans did it to her in the 1990s."

The Obama campaign also sought to capitalize on the debate, sending out a fundraising appeal titled, "Gotcha," and soliciting $25 donations.

"Last night I think we set a new record because it took us 45 minutes before we even started talking about a single issue that matters to the American people," Obama told the North Carolina crowd. "Forty-five minutes before we heard about health care, 45 minutes before we heard about Iraq, 45 minutes before we heard about jobs, 45 minutes before we heard about gas prices."

ABC News' Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos pointedly questioned Obama, and Clinton politely challenged her rival.

Story continues below

"When you're running for the presidency, you've just got to kind of let it ..." Obama said, pretending to flick lint off his pants and jacket.

Another debate between the two candidates seems unlikely. Obama had agreed to a debate in North Carolina on Saturday, Clinton has agreed to a debate April 27 in Raleigh, sponsored and televised by CBS News. The two camps have not agreed on a date.

"I'll be honest with you. We've now had 21," Obama said of the debates. "It's not as if we don't know how to do these things. I could deliver Senator Clinton's lines. I'm sure she could deliver mine."

Later, taking a question from a fourth-grade boy who said he had been elected his class representative at school, Obama asked, "How many debates did you have to have?"

"None," the boy replied.

"None! That sounds good!" Obama said.

[WATCH]

Comments

[HumeSkeptic]

This hit job on Obama is nothing. This is just the beginning.

If any of his supporters think that corporations would just let this happen, think again. If you think it is anything less than extraordinary that a candidate of the people has survived and is standing tall at this point of the election cycle, you are naïve. And Obama knows that. And he has said that.

But the attacks will come not just from the corporations and corporatists, they will come from the entire military industrial complex, from all their lobbyists, and all their stooges in the media, TV and radio, who would fan the flames of bigotry and racism and hatred, hoping that the flames would engulf him and burn him down before he even gets the chance to confront McCain in the general election.

And, right now, those forces have an ally in the mighty Clinton political machinery.

If you want a candidate of the people to win, if you want your country back, it is not going to come easily. You are going to have to fight for it. You will have to support Obama like you have never supported a candidate before – with money, by fund raising, by educating neighbors, by organizing support groups.

This is an opportunity of a lifetime. You miss it this time, who knows when you would ever come this close.

It is not about Obama the man. It is about taking our country back. Let’s go do it.

[mephjeff]

Best comment I've reading in days.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Ditto.

[TN]

You are right. I will. We all will need some paperwork, maybe he could put something on his web-site so we can show where he came from, what he has been through, as a 1/2 black 1/2 white human being, and at least explain him to our neighbors and our friends and family. There is soo much garbage out there. A woman called into C-span today and said he was muslum. Then, when she was corrected she said, I know now he is a catholic.

[ohmercy]

Even though he believes in God?
Wow, you are just full of surprises.

lets cross our fingers and let freedom ring.

Though it isn't just about supporting Obama to get IN the White House.

what good will it do if after he is President voters sit back and think their part is done? I just had this thought, not sure I can articulate it though... that citizens think they are voters, not citizens. hmmm, does that make sense?
If you are a voter your obligation stops after you pull the lever. As a citizen your job never stops. If you want a candidate of the people to succeed you have to do more than vote for them and give him or her victory, you have to be a full time citizen which is pretty hard work. Most people are working too hard to eat, sleep and enjoy a little entertainment now and then to get as involved in being "the people" as is necessary to keep "them" in line. Unfortunately we have enough time to vote, sort of, pick out our representative and then leave it to them.

Maybe we need a lot more representatives?
Whatever. If we don't be "the people" though there will be no change.
It really isn't about "them."

[SadButWiser]

You are 100% right. I am not even American, but I see it written on the wall all the time, to the extent the ultimate attack would be assassinating him. And I am not even the cynical type.

[SophieL]

If what you say is true (and it might be), we may as well ask everyone to support Hillary right now and ask Obama to step down.

Face it, if the military industrial complex wants a hawk (and they do), I'd rather that hawk be Hillary than McCain. At least we will get health care and the economy fixed. If Obama manages to win the primary, they will do everything in their power (and they have a lot of it) to keep him from winning the general--in which case we get McCain. If he somehow manages to win the general (which is highly unlikely), that same military industrial complex will not let him get to first base with his Presidential agenda.

Bottom line for Democrats: Go with Hillary or lose another four years.

[boston2008]

BRUSH YOUR SHOULDERS BARRY!!!!!... LOL

[IntelligentDesign]

Every time you mock Barack Obama you bring shame to yourself and lose votes for your candidate.

[democraticjack]

Oh OK, Annie Oakley.

[indieminded]

I didn't have to wait for the Gotcha e-mail- I logged on first thing this morning and donated to his campaign- again. Thinking about travelling down to NC to help the campaign there- again. Thanks ABC and HRC for reminding me to do more to support my candidate- again.

[flyguy14222]

you'd be better off dumping your money in a slot machine. at least you know what to expect and it won't lie to you! lol

[RThM]

No. Read it again. Indieminded said she was donating to Obama, not Clinton.

[ohmercy]

Good, that is precisely what is needed.
More money.
Save the money and drive down and help the campaign.
They have tons of money.

This campaign has become so much "consumer nation"
We think we're buying a new President... well, I mean it is like we are being sold a new president by the corporate owners... some days they are pushing one candidate, some days they push the other, they have sponsors, sponsors have product to sell and want to see the numbers so the corporate owners push which story lines to go with.

I firmly believe that if the HuffPo stories on the whole stupid bitter thing hadn't been reacted to so virulently it would have been gone in a day.

I don't blame Fowler or Clinton, I think it was all the outrage that the media fed on. They kept citing how many people are talking about it on the blogs as their justification for keeping it going.

So, that is my 2 cents.

Don't give money, give time. Politics are far too much involved with money already. After he or whoever is President momney isn't going to change anything, only time will. Might as well get used to it now.

[flyguy14222]

What a jack a**. Barry always reverts to "well she said this and that." He's like the annoying jerk on the playground.

[Kalima]

Talking about playgrounds.............

[benwha]

Some advice for HRC, she should stop saying this and that that Barack's complaining. Maybe if she had earlier she wouldn't have lost the huge lead she had on Barrack.

[IntelligentDesign]

Every time you mock Barack Obama you diminish yourself and lose votes for your candidate.

[flyguy14222]

On the contrary. I give to her campaign each time.

[julescator]

Who does this remind you of?

Sniff Sniff - I wanted so much for this country - it's just hard sniff sniff.

There is a double standard, I always get the first questions waaaaa waaaaa

The boys are picking on me again waaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaa

They said we "pimped out" Chelsea - I am calling NBC and telling them to fire David Schuster! They hurt my little darlin's feelings. David Schuster was suspended from MSNBC for 6 weeks. Now THAT'S A CRYBABY. Obama not only ignores Clinton he realizes that she is not worth the effort to slap her back - she is losing all by herself.

[marc1antony]

have you seen this?

this is going to be a real problem.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1119319130868761649

[Sparklez]

Oh yea

Her trial is next week isnt it

[pupbayer]

And all of those investigations (and waste of my tax money) showed there was nothing to any of the allegations...or did YOU forget THAT part?

Talk about someone who has been treated unfairly for decades (not one debate) AND she NEVER whined about it!

[Sparklez]

And thats the sad thing about it

She is doing it all on her own

With the help of Bill of course

[doc1400]

ok JULESCATOR do you really think that calling Barak Obama names or making noises like a baby, which you do well by the way :) is going to make your life better. Wise up. Unfortunately there is no cure for stupid.

[TN]

He proved that he is above the fray. He had the first opportunity to get her on Bosnia, and he took the high road. Then, the first chance she had to get him, she did. He did prove that he is not the old style like her. I hope the uninformed have enough upstairs to figure this out.

[Sparklez]

You know what

All in all, im not even mad at the debate

Because Obama came out on top if you really want to be truthful

Im just mad ABC would stoop so low

I think Hillary should have said something. A flag pin is not making this gas any cheaper

[SophieL]

Actions speak louder than words. She wasn't wearing a flag pin either. Probably, the sexist "journalists" think it's bad form to criticize how a woman accessorizes, or doesn't.

[ohmercy]

Right!
She should have said something.
Hillary should have said something when they were treating her as inevitable wayyyyyyyyyy back. When Matthews was drooling praise she should have said how unfair they were being to Obama. She should have kept saying it till it stopped. And when they turned the tables on her and took every opportunity to tear her apart she should have said something. When they started treating Barack like the anointed one she should have said something dammit!

But that would be whining.
hmmmmm.

Oh, I know.

HE should have said something about how unfair they treated her.

But didn't he say she was whining?
Didn't his supporters say the media was fair?

Now the media are "attacking" him!
He isn't whining.

No. He is "just saying". Telling the truth. Telling it like it is.
Hillary Clinton should back him up!
Damn Her.
Her supporters should send flowers and chocolates in sympathy and solidarity for how badly he feels. They have been there.

Oh, well, no, they haven't. My bad.

I forgot the media was completely fair then.

Wait till the GE and they resume their love affair with McCain.
Well, from what I know of Hillary supporters they really despise hypocrisy and injustice so I am sure they will stand up for Obama just as Obama supporters would do for Clinton.
That is what I call the politics of hope and unity.

See how Obama brought us all together?

Told Ya

[noamjunior]

OBAMA'S
brushing off the haters
LIKE DIRT OFF HIS SHOULDA

[Sparklez]

Oh i loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mojomagic]

He's got his black voice in use there................good politics......."shoulda" But oh so phony,

[flyguy14222]

As a biracial American. I can see right through Barry doing his white/lack voice. So transparent it's not even comical anymore.

[flyguy14222]

Oh, Barry was forced to actually answer questions and he's pisses? Grow up Barry.

[Kalima]

You first flyguy. His name is Barack.

[flyguy14222]

When he was courting the white folk he was Barry. Do your homework.

[benwha]

If becoming president means you have to answer lapel pin questions and whether or not someone else likes america more than you, then YAWN, let someone else be president. the first hour of that debate last night was like getting a lobotomy.

[benwha]

what did I hear 52 minutes of actual debate, 68 minutes of commercials. and with the debate being half bs questions about lapel pins etc. pretty hard to argue that this debate had any point at all. fortunately the NHL playoffs were on. Go Rangers!!!

[flyguy14222]

I meant pissed there. Sorry

[Kalima]

Made no difference anyway, still bs.

[RIPHRC]

Is this a shocker to anyone? This sickens me and its the same reason why she is losing across the board. These are the same people giving her advice and running her campaign(if you want to call it that)

[Gizmo1125]

Losing across the board? She has won in about every big state that we need in November to win. California, Texas, Ohio, New York, Flordia and most likely she will win Pennslyvannia. He out spent 4-1 in Texas and Ohio and he had the big MO and still could not close the deal. All the money he is spending in Pennslyvannia he should be able to win easily. If you can not close the deal in the big states and give pitiful debate performances then that should be a big concern to democratic voters.

[TinaFreeman]

Rasmussen today: CA: Obama 50, McCain 43.

Obama wasn't as well known on Super Tuesday...Clinton benefitted from 15 years of name recognition.

Obama will have no problem in the blue states. No problem at all.

[lizr]

I believe when all was said and done he won in Texas, Dude...

[cct1984]

Someone needs to remind Obama and his campaign staff that he is running for the Presidency of the United States, not for student body president. Tough questions are par for the course, so are dumb ones. It's a gauntlet that Obama will have to run, just as every Presidential candidate before him has. Heck, if Chelsea can handle tough questions about Monica Lewinsky, Barack has nothing to complain about--cowboy up. The real issue is that up until now, the press has given Obama a free ride and now the honeymoon is over--get used to it, it'll get worse before November.

[IntelligentDesign]

You are melding tough questions and below-the-belt gutter politics; they are not the same thing - being highly skilled in the art of wallowing in the mud is simply not a requirement to being POTUS.

[Sparklez]

But as the presidential hopeful, he wants questions about the issues...Because thats what he will be solving in the oval office you know

Not gossip and more media mess. He has to get these gas prices, food prices, and home foreclosures taken care of

[Dahveed]

Huh? Those questions weren't "tough", they were fluff!! Wake the frick up! Questions about policy and leadership are what voters need to hear, not the gossipy BS meant for entertainment. Just embarassing for America.

[Titonwan]

First of all, Chelsea doesn't handle questions worth a hoot. Second of all, it is a bunch of baloney and only a dumbass needs to have all the drama. This isn't pro wrestling- this is REAL.

[Sparklez]

Thank you

Gonna tell someone its not your business


Ummmmmmmm, Your families business has been aired out in the streets

I dont think that was a very nice answer from her anyway

[flyguy14222]

Phuleez. Imagine if Barry's girls or even Shelly were questioned the way Chelsea was.

[kevenseven]

2/3rds BS, 1/3rd issues that Americans may actually care about?

Some democracy we go going here. Very Athenian.

[DavidJohnston]

Saint Obama can dish it, but he sure can't take it!

I guess he figures that he is so lovable that the Republican slime machine that viciously went after Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Gore, and John Kerry will make an exception for him. Everyone is in love with him after all. The general election is a piece of cake.

[IntelligentDesign]

Every time you mock Obama and those who support him you lose credibility and support for your candidate.

[MoreCowBellNowPlease]

The disgusting things I have read that some Obama supporters have thrown again again to Clinton supporters on this very site is incredibly un-Obamalike and pales in comparison to what most Clinton supporters have written on this site.

So basically anyone that doesn't agree with you is not credible? Live up to your moniker.

[julescator]

the Repulicans are just slime. They sold their machine for gas money. No one with a modicum of common sense thinks these old fools with their even older fool running - er walking slowy - for the Presidency is a threat. McCain will be swift-boated in the first week after the Dem nominee is named. There is a reason he is begging for "polite" campaign. YOu mean we can't mention that he called his wife a C*&T? And what about the Keating 5. Remember them. Not to mention what his fellow military folks think of him:

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_hacker_2.htm

So much for the Republican Machine. That machine is now old and broken down! Look at the candidate. There is a reason McCain didn't get elected TWICE already.

[kevenseven]

Kiss my grits.

Like the Rethugs (you are one, certainly) would not be pleased as punch to run tape of Bill Clinton wagging his finger and declaring "I did not have sex with that woman!"

Oh, freaking, please.

[democraticjack]

And that reflects poorly on Hillary how?

[DavidJohnston]

As a grits lover, I'm sure you will understand me when I tell you that I am a "yellow dog Democrat". I have never voted for a Republican candidate in my life, and I have been active in the Democratic party since I was 15 years old (I am 41).

Your comment indicates that you have little political experience or insight. It is not always a bad idea to pay attention to what more experienced people are saying to you. Pass the grits!

[mojomagic]

I wonder how the GOP will respond to accusations of racism. Somehow I don't think it will bother them.

[Mattie]

He trashes her with a smirk on his face, he mocks her, he ridicules her, yet he is the candidate of hope and change. He is above it all, what a joke, he looked like a spoiled little boy. Why do his actions never match his words, he is just slimy!

[ProfessorDuh]

Maybe Clinton should turn on the waterworks again, eh? Or duck some more sniper fire.

[democraticjack]

Get some new material. Boring.

[Kalima]

Would you prefer it, if he lost it, like she always does, and maybe smack her in her
mouth?
Would that satisfy you better?
It really must upset you, that he obviously knows women very well and by the
way, with her bulldozer attitude, she deserves to be mocked.

[Sparklez]

And Hillary doesnt?

You people are misinformed

Acting like a little child is putting your wants before those of America

Her acting like a child can mean that our troops are still in IRAQ for the next 100 years

Jibblets

[batnib]

Jibblets, Hillary said unequivocally last night that she would be the withdrawal immediately. If you want to talk about putting wants ahead of America, let's talk about the fact that Obama's ambition of becoming president trumped his responsibility as chair of the NATO subcommittee--and as a consequence there's been an inusfficient amount of congressional oversight over our engagement in Afghanistan, which is actually an important war for America to win since Afghanistan harbored al Quaeda, the Taliban and those who would bring harm to our country. So let's not talk about whose ambition is trumping America's needs....

[DavidJohnston]

Bravo Mattie! The thing that these disiples of St. Obama all seem to ignore, is that when the debate moderators turned to substantive questions, Senator Clinton's command of the issues , her insight, and her real leadership made her the winner - as in every single Democratic debate this year - hands down.

[kevenseven]

Get a room, you fools.

[Kalima]

"desiples (sic) of St. Obama........" Do you know how ridiculous people like
you sound to sane people?

[lizr]

she will never ever win, it's so obvious because she is hated on the right AND on the left. Duh. Why is this simple fact so hard to face?

I'm a feminist too. I'd love to vote for a woman. But not this fraud. She makes women look bad.

[julescator]

He shows tremendous restraint - I would belt her once or twice, knock out the two front rabbit teeth and then tell her pick herself up and get back in her corner! But that's just me - guess I won't be running for President. That could be a show-stopper, but it would sure feel good.

BTW - NO ONE HAS EVER NOR WILL THEY EVER BECOME PRESIDENT OF THIS COUNTRY WITH THE HIGH NEGATIVES HILLARY CLINTON HAS. SORRY 58% of the American people say she is dishonest and untrustworthy. We just had one of those, remember!

[noneIn2008]

Good thing he is living up to his promise to not throw mud at Hillary. If Obama can't hold his word on even this simple point, how do you think he will hold his promises on anything. The direction the opportunistic winds blow.

[TinaFreeman]

Oh yes, Hillary never slings mud or behaves opportuntistically.

Is it opposite day again? Why didn't you guys tell me???

[servatius]

Hillary is "in her element" and Barack is just a poor picked on saint. That is hysterical.

After watching that clip from North Carolina Barack reminded me of those kids who would go running to their mommy when a sibling squabble didn't go their way.

Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! Hillary was mean to me! She called me names when we were racing in the backyard.

Well, did you saying anything to her? "No, not at all. I said she was likeable enough and that she used to be able to run a race but her days are in the past. I also reminded her that her boyfriend cheated on her and laughed about it. I only said that she is a liar, and that she will do and say anything to win. I said she played the race card for suggesting that Nike had something to do with making my shoes that I wear when running. My Nikes. I also said that she is cheating because she wouldn't quit and let me win before we got to the finish line when I was ahead.I'm tired and want to watch TV. Why should I have to run until the race is over when I have a lead? See Mommy! See how mean Hillary is?

[SignifyingMonkey]

So when does this high school civics class go to bed? I'll come back at 10:00 PM and if you all are still online I'll call your mommies and daddies and have them cancel your Visa Card, take away your condoms and put you on a Prozac and Dilantin protocol for copralogia.

[kevenseven]

I'll see you then.

[servatius]

Someone learned a new word. God bless Wikipedia.

Just when you are getting discouraged, there it is, the ray of hope that says that 3.5 billion years of organic evolution is getting somewhere. lol

[sklfcats]

ObombEm, you are a big cry baby.

[Kalima]

That was Hillary, sorry.

[kevenseven]

The winged monkey a**holes are think as molasses this evening.