Clinton Challenges McCain on New Orleans and Obama on North Carolina

By: John Bentley
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Saying he has the "wrong ideas for America," Hillary Clinton criticized John McCain today for comments he made about New Orleans. "What we need is to have a conversation about what to do – rebuild it, tear it down, you know, whatever it is," McCain said about the lower ninth ward in New Orleans. "The difference between Senator McCain and myself is that I have a long record of fighting to rebuild the Gulf," Clinton said. "Senator McCain said he might want to tear down the ninth ward instead of rebuilding it, but I went to the ninth ward after Katrina and met with people there and saw the destruction and I saw the resilience in their eyes and they deserve our help to rebuild."

McCain later said he was committed to rebuilding in New Orleans. "I want every one of us to be able in the near future to walk through the ninth ward and see every one of those homes restored with people living in them."

She also challenged Barack Obama to debate her in North Carolina. "I've said I'll debate anytime, anywhere – I'm so sleep deprived, I'll show up," she said, to applause from the crowd. "I hope we will, because I think you deserve your own debate."

Obama has not entirely ruled out a debate with Clinton in North Carolina, but his campaign has so far refused to commit to a firm date.

The main topic of Clinton's campaign stops today is her commitment to the military. Arguing that a strong economy is an essential part of having a strong national defense, she outlined her plan for strengthening the military by taking care of veterans, ending the war in Iraq, and pulling most U.S. soldiers out. "Our young men and women have done a magnificent job. They have given the Iraqi people the most precious gift you can give another human being – the gift of freedom," she said. "Now it's up to the Iraqis to govern themselves, and we must bring our troops home."

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by pepperwood2 April 26, 2008 3:52 PM EDT: This preposterous story about Reverend Wright Story was Spun by the Mainstream News Media, Clinton Campaign & now the McCain Campaign for the sole purpose during this election year to discredit Senator Obama.

The Reverend Wright Story is remarkable. Check it out at wikipedia.org, you''''re talking about an individual When President Kennedy gave the challenge "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". Wright gave up his college deferment in 1961 to enlist in the USMC, After two years he transferred to the USN and entered the Corpsman School at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he graduated valedictorian. He went on to serve his beloved country at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. receving many letters of commendation before being discharge in 1967.

Reverend Wright suggests to me to be a very dedicated, devoted & honorable American. I think the News Media, & the Clintons owe Jeremiah Wright Jr. a debt of graditute for being there to serve his country when the call was made. Reverend Wright and many other Patriotic Americans came forward to serve their beloved Country during a very challenging time as some of us can recall. A lot of them gave all they had. During this time the scheming Clintons were finding ways to protest. Bill lied about his obligations and then Cut & Run to England to try to extablish an alibi. Its become their way of life now.

May God Bless All Americans, Including Reverend Wright.; Reply to this comment


by lordmi April 25, 2008 9:30 PM EDT: Why do NOT you all see: He acted as a gentleman. But she is like a street-with: no manners. Who would like to talk to her?
Try to imagine this witch in Your house. Would You talk?

Clintons - Disgrace of US; Reply to this comment


by lordmi April 25, 2008 9:29 PM EDT: to fjstratford - You are complete Idiot.; Reply to this comment


by lordmi April 25, 2008 9:28 PM EDT: Clintons have NO Manners to debate with them
Enough.; Reply to this comment


by memekiller April 25, 2008 6:41 PM EDT: At the risk of not being PC... I get the impression Truth-Hurts doesn''t like black people.; Reply to this comment


by truth-hurts April 25, 2008 5:25 PM EDT: I hate what Black Arrogance and Black Selfishness has done to the Democratic Party.

I hate what Black Arrogance and Black Selfishness is doing to this country.

Somebody clue in Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi that ITS TOO LATE!!

It Obama is nominated, Millions of Democrates WILL vote for McCain. Trying to cut the Democratic Process short will only give us more time before the election to prove that Obama is not fit to be President.

This is the bed the Democratic Party Leaders have made for themselves....now they can sleep in it!!; Reply to this comment


by truth-hurts April 25, 2008 5:11 PM EDT: Black America is proving that they will destroy their own country just so they can be the big "IT".

In Detroit (1967), They set fire to the city and burned their own
homes down....Because they wanted
to be the big "IT" (whatever the F that is!); Reply to this comment


by seanwhit April 25, 2008 3:52 PM EDT: Why are you not covering Paul v. Clinton beginning today. If this was a trial for a crime committed two hundred years ago and Obama''s name was mentioned as someone living in the neighborhood you would be all over it!; Reply to this comment


by blkpresident April 25, 2008 3:09 PM EDT: If lil'' missy truly cared about New Orleans as much as she wants us to believe why not don an apron and bake a batch of cookies and brownies for the people directly affected by this tragedy? Show some good faith lil'' Hillary and put your apron where your mouth is.; Reply to this comment


by balto_babs April 25, 2008 1:24 PM EDT: Obama should Clinton ONLY if this time the moderators are Obama supports, say possibly Ted Kennedy and Bill Richardson. It was outrageous that the last debate was run by Clinton''s posse, ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson and fellow moderator George Stephanopoulos. They wasted 45 minutes on BS.; Reply to this comment