No more hugs as Obama tears into McCain

RENO, Nev. — So much for hugging in church. A day after Barack Obama and John McCain exchanged an embrace during a faith forum at a California megachurch, Obama called the U.S. economy a disaster thanks to "John McCain's president, George W. Bush," and chided his Republican rival's campaign team for trying to make him look unpatriotic and weak.

At a town hall meeting with several hundred union members, Obama said he had had a great conversation with McCain at the forum at Saddleback Church sponsored by the popular evangelical pastor Rick Warren. The two candidates shook hands, briefly hugged and stood onstage with Warren, the first time they appeared together in public since the end of the primary season.

But Sunday, after praising the Arizona senator as a "genuine American patriot," the Democratic presidential hopeful got back to business _ methodically tearing into McCain's health care, tax and energy policies and criticizing his advisers.

"McCain says 'Here's my plan, I'm going to drill here, drill now which is something he only came up with two months ago when he started looking at polling," Obama said of McCain's energy policy.

The GOP hopeful has become a vocal proponent of offshore oil drilling as a way to ease U.S. dependence on foreign oil and has criticized Obama for failing to embrace it as a way to help bring down oil prices. Obama noted that McCain had long opposed lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling.

The Illinois senator also criticized McCain's advisers as "the same old folks that brought you George W. Bush. The same team." He noted many had been lobbyists in Washington before McCain asked them to sever all lobbying ties.

Obama added, "They say this other guy is unpatriotic, or this guy likes French people. That's what they said about Kerry," referring to the 2004 Democratic nominee who lost narrowly to Bush. "They try to make it out like Democrats aren't tough enough, aren't macho enough. It's the same strategy."

McCain spokesman Brian Rogers responded, "John McCain has never questioned Sen. Obama's patriotism, but he clearly does question Sen. Obama's experience and judgment, and they do have profound differences of opinion on the best way to reduce our dependence on Mideast oil, bring jobs back to America and keep our nation safe."

Earlier this summer, McCain handed day to day operation of his campaign to Steve Schmidt, a veteran GOP strategist who was a spokesman for Bush during the 2004 campaign. Most of his other top advisers are longtime loyalists who have worked for McCain for years.

Even so, Obama stepped to McCain's defense when a voter criticized his Vietnam era record. A Naval aviator, McCain spent 5- 1/2 years as a prisoner of war there after being shot down and badly wounded.

"Respectfully I'm going to disagree with you on McCain and his service," Obama said. "I think his service was honorable. He deserves respect."

Comments

[BillCarson]

When it comes to experience, it should be noted that Obama has more time in office than Abraham Lincoln did when he became president. As I remember Mr. Lincoln did pretty well.

Obama graduated J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard and was president of the Harvard Law Review

McCain graduated 894 out of 899.

After 8 years of Bush, let's go with the smart guy this time.

[flyfysher]

It is unfortunate but unsurprising that Obama has lost his commanding lead in the space of what, six or eight weeks despite a political climate that strongly disfavors the Republicans. Take a hint Obama.

It's the economy stupid!

Here's the latest news.

Senators Barack Obama and John McCain are heading into their conventions neck and neck in the presidential race, with voters focused overwhelmingly on economic issues but convinced that the candidates are not paying enough attention to their priorities, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/us/politics/21poll.html?hp

In a sharp turnaround, Republican John McCain has opened a 5-point lead on Democrat Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential race and is seen as a stronger manager of the economy, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUKN1948672420080820

Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.

[Faldo]

Obama has completely lost his lead and now better change his strategy quick. He got killed at Saddleback with those professor answers. "That question is above my pay grade" could have been the worst response I have ever heard from Presidential contender. He better do something quick.

[genseric13]

Obama is the classic liberal. He wants to send our money, .7% of US GDP every single year overseas as aid but he won't send his destitute flesh and blood brother a few dollars. Unbelievable but true. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2590614/Barack-Obamas-lost-brother-found-in-Kenya.html

[mady]

The current so-called conservatives put us in debt to communist China...over 400BILLION. Now McCain is proposing the same size tax break to big oil companies without requiring them to sell oil to US. They will still export oil to other countries.

[Fordham03]

When Obama came on the scene, I was thrilled to see a new type of politician. But the Republican attack dogs are doing it again-- raising doubts in the minds of the American people.

They are working hard to destroy him with negativism, to create doubt and turn his positives into negatives: He's a Moslem, he's a Marxist, he flipflops, he's moving too much to the center, he gets the attention of a rock star, he's a lightweight, he's uppity (dog whistle for racism), and my fear is that the uninformed and the prejudiced are succumbing to this trash talk instead of listening to Obama. What you are getting with McCain is the same old mindset of the cold war.

He's two people---the straight shooter that ran for president in 2000, and this guy John McMean, who sold out to the right wing for the candidacy. He knows nothing about the economy. Wake up America. Are you going to be hoodwinked again by talk of flag, country and apple pie--more slogans? I hope we are smarter than that, but Obama's drop in the polls of 5 points just encourages them to continue this smear campaign.

At this stage, I am even for putting Hillary Clinton on the ticket as VP. As one pundit put it, "We need the Clintons' ruthlessness."

[ckfan]

I feel that way, too, from time to time. And believe me, I can't stand Hillary. But if she helps us win, then so what. Also, I think Biden can be ruthless, too.

[flyfysher]

Yeah, Obama's supporters would welcome Clinton's help now. Perhaps Clinton should read some of the comments that Obama's supporters have posted on the Huffington Post.

I'd welcome Clinton on the ticket. Clinton would be the part of the ticket that embodies leadership and experience.

[genseric13]

His birth certificate says Religion: Islam. Don't get huffy, I'm not drawing any conclusions, just stating facts.

[ckfan]

Not to worry Obama voters. Obama is running HUGE GET OUT TO VOTE campaigns in battleground states. McCain will not know what hit him. It's not the national polls that matter. It's the polls in battleground states. This contest will be decided by voters in FL, OH, PA, MI, NV, IN, CO. If Barack can get 3 out of these 7 - he has it locked up. Currently, according to AP, if the election was held today, he would have 264 electoral votes - and he only needs 270.

Let's keep our eye on the ball here folks - no, not McCain's bald head - but the prize. Don't let the McCain side show make you nervous. It's just smoke and mirrors.

[flyfysher]

It is incredible that Obama's supporters would now welcome the assistance of Clinton's supporters to win the general election after all the ungracious and uncharitable crap I've read on the Huffington Post towards Clinton after Obama secured the nomination.

By the way, I live in Colorado. I'll vote for Obama (as a vote against McCain but not a vote for Obama) but he already lost his lead here.

http://www.electoral-vote.com/

[BillCarson]

Also Virginia is currently a swing state, but Indiana has just gone red and Florida is well, Florida.

The problem with the 264 number is that about 4 weeks ago it was 325. It's the trend thats scary.

I figure in the end it'll come down to the rust belt states.

[1birdman8888]

McCain has the energy solution backwords.
John McCain proposes to continue to provide Tax Credits to the oil companies to the tune of $39 billion. Why are tax payers being asked to subsidize a mature oil industry? The whole rational behind subsidizes is to encourage, promote and kick-start emerging industries and promote job growth. The oil industry is a mature entity, that is sufficiently established that it doesn't need any financial incentives to continue it's growth and prosperity. However, renewable energy sources (solar, wind, fuel cell, etc.) require support to develop the technologies for the future. We should use the $39 billion to subsidize these emerging technologies, create jobs for states like Michigan, Pennsyvania and Indiana that have been hit the hardest by the decline in industrial growth and provide tax credits to the consummer to help kick-start the purchase of the new renewable energy systems .

[3dtrix]

Dream on - the entire Republican ethos is to transfer wealth from the public to the private sector - who in turn write campaign donation checks with a portion of the proceeds.

Never was there deeper of more systemic corruption.

The last presidential election cost roughly $500 million - less than 10% of no-bid contracts to Halliburton alone - the donations are just a cost of doing business. Pocket change.

Do the math - and weep for your country.

[1birdman8888]

Obama is too soft on McCain
Enough with the nice stuff. The future of this country is at stake and Omama is too soft on McCain. It's time to take off the gloves and show what McCain is really about. Stop letting MCain dictate the diologue. For example: Obama spoke to the VFW on Tueaday and spent a lot of time defending statements made by McCain and did not mention once McCain's dismal voting record on veterans issues. This was a perfect opportunity to show the true side of McCain's lack of support for vets and their benefits. Stop with the nice and start attacking McBush for what he really stands for.

[andvoodoo2]

I AGREE! Obama needs to slam McCain and slam him good. I'm through playing nice. We have too much at stake.

[NTO08]

Only problem here it is backfiring for him, but not for Mack...it may be very frustrating for Obama to see that people just don't connect with him and even his base are running away...thus this desire to lash out and look a little desperate...

[AlexisAshley]

Oh Messiah Obama, I just want you to know that I chant your mantra daily. In fact, I am chanting it now!! I cannot wait until you are elected and the oceans will part and every one in the world will know that America finally cares because we have elected a president for the entire world—Berlin, in particular, will be so happy!!!

We need to hope for change because change needs to happen in order for hope to happen. Today is different from yesterday which proves that if you have hope, there will be change. We have to continue to hope for change so that today will change into tomorrow. We need to make sure that there will be change for future generations and so we will continue to hope for change because change is good and change is our only hope.

[NTO08]

LOL....hil­arious...t­his is the new age mantra of the Obamabots that is not only absurd on its face but completely untenable...Obama relied too much on the sloganeering and the mass rallies...now that is coming home to roost as his poll numbers are sinking like a lead balloon...why? Because he has been flip flopping and now acting out in frustration that makes him look weak.

[The 13 Colonies]

You are PATHETIC!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

[Darkdonnie]

Oh no bad news!

McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, wiping out Obama's solid 7-point advantage in July and taking his first lead in the monthly Reuters/Zogby poll.

I am ordering busses to get out of the US send me your mony and I will e-mail you where to meet your buss to the Promised Land! Germany! They love O there.
Ps bring your diving gear or you may not survive the trip. I already have enough for 1000 busses.

[rock2casbah]

You didn't think the MSM would use fabricated and slanted "polling" results to help McCain out?. Well come back through the Looking Glass Alice.

[Darkdonnie]

Wait for it! wait! wait! wait! The moan will be louder than the far left Mondale, Ferraro loss. And O is even farther left in comparison. And when he slides to the right to get voted in! That must frost your behinds! When he says "above my paygrade" when you want "All-Abortions all the time" you must be outraged.

[NTO08]

LOL...hilarious...I agree...Obama would be great for Germany or France...
Angela or Sarkozy I am sure would be happy to have him when they are ready to depart.

[kylie]

According to Rupert Murdoch's fabulous and unbiased, "Wall Street Journal".

I am just so impressed-­-Corporate is doing all it can for the man they own--John McCain.
(Big oil just loves 'em).

[Roschelle]

There's been a lot of talk since the Saddleback Forum brought to us by pastor Rick Warren between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain.

I, too have interjected my 5 cents regarding whether McCain breached the sound cone or used some other method to get a heads up on the questions being asked. And I still feel he probably did.

But questioning his remarks about his time spent in the Hanoi Hilton is a whole other ball game. I have never served in the military. My husband is a former Marine and I have family and friends who have served proudly. However, veterans have always been held in the highest regard by me. The selfless service they've provided to this country is invaluable.

Even I know it's almost sacrilege to dispute anything Senator McCain states happened to him while a POW. None of us can imagine what that could have been like unless you were a guest at the infamous hotel. So, if he says he was tied up like a pretzel - he was. If he says a guard drew a cross in the dirt - he did. For me it really doesn't matter. I can respect what he endured for the sake of his country and perhaps even his beliefs.

Obama stepping to his defense stating he deserved respect and appreciation for his service was just another display of how classy a guy Obama is.

[rock2casbah]

I respect your point but never again will we sit idly by and let this country be coopted, divided, and destroyed as it has been over the last 8 years under the auspices of fear of being called unpatriotic. It worked once and look where we are, so let's look beyond McCain's military service and get to the crux of his competency to become the President of the United States please. He's had 72 years of working that angle in trying to get elected now let's just move on.

[NTO08]

Obama's campaign trying to equate Obama's community service with Mack's military service...not going to work...

[kylie]

Military is not a qualification for President.

Intelligence, integrity, concern for one's fellow man, desire to protect democracy and not being owned by Corporate(oil, pharmaceuticals, weapons/defense) , wise judgments--not hot to make a war to profiteer off of it--big factor.

Keating Five needs to be looked into, McCain's oil partnership is Conflict of Interest and he joins the Bush/Cheney group--he is is the thick of it.

McCain's treatment of his current wife is shabby. Something very distasteful going on. McCain gets another free pass--Edwards is being crucifed. Why isn't McCain's flying lobbyist getting grilled(Repubs seem to pay them off or threaten them with something worse),

[rshrink]

Any article which does not point out the difference between how Senator Obama and Senator McCain campaign is missing a huge piece which shows the difference between the characters of the two candidates. McCain attacks the person. Obama attacks the positions on the issues. Continue to watch this and see if that pattern persists. Just as Bush did, McC continues to rely on lies, deceit and other forms of manipulation, cherry picking to leave out anything which won't make the case he wants to make. There is no realistic effort to focus on issues that I have seen so far by McC. McC already knows the special interests he will serve and he isn't about to share that with the public, therefore he really has nothing to say. The only way he can go is to malign Obama and since Obama is an actual candidate for America, McC is left with making things up. It is not a pretty picture. Hopefully, Americans won't get fooled again.

[sf94127]

All this suspense about who the VP is, wow. A nothing job except if the Prez has to leave office.

Really takes the heat off both McCain and Obama talking about stuff that really matters. They count on you to get caught up in all this misdirection, anything which takes the focus on these two very sorry excuses for presumptive candidates.

Obama is worse on this. He wants to keep talking about these vicious rumors. Thats easier then explaining gaps in his tax and energy plans not to mention no significant experience as a CEO of any kind.

[Pleidian]

I really have no interest in a CEO running the country. Hasn't that been, litterally, done to death? It is beyond me how American politics equates the capacity to generate profit with good leadership qualities for a country of 300 million, most of whom have incomes many, many times lower than any CEO. It's a complete myth!

[phender]

The New McCain
He stood 5’9" with the lift in his shoes
Everyone knew which side he’d choose
Exxon John
Now John couldn’t stand being Left in the lurch
Especially at the interview in the Saddleback Church.
Once John was a man who honored ethical compliance,
But he just couldn’t take staying put in that "cone of Silence"
Exxon John
John used to be a Maverick who was shrewd and keen
But now John McCain has gotten just plain mean
The truth has fallen victim with his new-found persona
But nothing he can do will damage Barack Obama
Exxon John

[speedingpullet]

Lovely!
I can hear Johnny Cash singing it now... :-)

[Jezreel]

Beautiful. I can hear it being sung by a famous Country music singer too. If Johnny Cash were still with us, he'd make it into a hit. Marked as favorite.

[Betsy]

Jimmy Dean sang 'Big Bad John," not Johnny Cash.

[BeltwayBette]

McCain morphed from war hero to scum leader. Or has he?
I am a Navy brat/veteran. At Saddleback, Sen. McCain said he was offered early release from the Viet Nam prison camp "because my father was an admiral." He said releases were normally based on priswoners' capture dates. He said he gave up his right to be released early to help the prisoner who was then due to be released.
But is this entirely true?
If Sen McCain chose to accept the early release, what would have been the result -- for him?
Would he have returned a "hero"? Would his acceptance of an early out because father and grandfather were military elitists have dishonored his family? Our nation? And last but not least, as a Naval Academy graduate, would he have been shunned by other NA grads, if he had committed this dishonorable act?
When did he first consider a political career? Running for president?
We need to get our collective heads out of the sand. McCain is expedient " another word for win at any cost.
He is now known to be a liar, a plagiarist, an adulterer, a woman abuser, and a dirty politician.
McCain steals another man's life experience (cross in the sand story) and tries to steal Obama's reputation.
A military vet and woman who knows a closet fascist when I see one.

[SensibleAmerican]

This is called "tearing"?! LOL Bill Ayers, Pastors Flager and Wright, Rezko, the abortion bill in the IL Senate, Michele Obama's comments ... the right wing 527s will be tearing a new one pretty soon!!! THAT will be some serious tearing and ripping very soon to happen!!!

[mccabe49]

You jerk! all of that nonsense has been covered so perhaps you won''t mind if we talk about McCain accepting millions from big oil to make deals and line his pockets or the Rev, Hagee or how about his dealings (shady) with Abramoff how about we talk about Keating Five? Want to talk about those? NO ? Ha! didn't think so rightwinger.

[buster05]

I dont understand the logic of this guilt by association stamp you people give Obama. It aint like the guy that you are defending(­obviously)­has a cabinet full of virgin scholars. I mean lets be for real, its like the pot calling the kettle black.