Obama Says Clinton's Advantage Is Name Recognition

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

CHICAGO -- Barack Obama is back to business as usual today, after yesterday's heated press conference in which he denounced his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. He and his wife Michelle have campaign stops scheduled in Indiana, as they continue to court working class voters in the state.

Yesterday, Obama attributed Hillary Clinton's success with working class Democrats in Pennsylvania and Ohio to her name recognition. "Many of them view me favorably, it's just that they've known her longer and feel loyal to her," Obama said.

He argued that as working class voters get to know him, they will side with him, as they did in Iowa, Colorado, and Wisconsin. However, Obama said he does not want to direct his overall message to just one group. "I don't want to tailor my message to one group or another group, I want the same message to all of America," he said. "We've got to change our politics so that we can deliver concrete benefits."

The finance wing of the campaign is also trying to raise more money today for the upcoming primaries and the general election. "Senator Clinton just launched another round of false attack ads in Indiana and North Carolina, and she's determined to continue her negative campaign until we close out the primary season," the campaign said in an e-mail to supporters. "In the meantime, we need to prepare ourselves to face similar tactics from Senator McCain. Make a donation of $25 today to help us fight this two-front battle and show our strength before tonight's deadline"

The campaign is appealing for last minute donations now because the April financial reporting deadline is at midnight tonight.

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by truthyness May 1, 2008 8:58 AM EDT: Obama doesn''t deserve to be the first Black President..never did.; Reply to this comment


by b-easy63 May 1, 2008 12:59 AM EDT: Hillary still has one big plus: most Obama supporters would still vote for her, even if she cheats to win. THIS little fact means she can do what she likes and still at least get their votes. Obama on the other hand, is shown to lose her crowd. If electability is the issue--Obama supporters hurt him every time they say they will vote for Hillary no matter what.

If the contest is 50/50 then if Obama supporters will still support Hillary but more of hers won''''t support Obama--and either can get the Independents--who would lose? Obama supporters don''''t see the game.

In the final analysis, the superdelegates will go with the best risk, if HRC can pull the Independents, it COULD be her. Obama''''s supporters and their loyalty to the Dem party are being used against him and them. Funny how so many can''''t see that.; Reply to this comment


by ladyesq1 April 30, 2008 5:46 PM EDT: Oh please!! What a crock. If people don''t know the name "Obama" by now, they aren''t alive in the United States.; Reply to this comment


by msswin April 30, 2008 5:36 PM EDT: Comments directed to Obama from Roland S. Martin: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/30/roland.martin/?iref=mpstoryview

Tell them flat out that Wright will not keep their homes from foreclosure.

Make the case that he (McCain)might be a good guy, but he''s more concerned about the tax bracket of his wife (she''s worth in excess of $100 million) than the middle- class voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

What Obama has to tell those women, who are supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton in huge numbers, and will be disappointed if she''s not the nominee, is that sitting at home on Election Day, or crossing the aisle and voting for McCain, virtually assures that a woman''s right to choose what to do with her body will be taken from her.

Make college tuition a cornerstone of your campaign. . .There isn''t a parent, aunt or uncle who isn''t concerned with that issue.

...say that the judgment of Clinton and McCain has led to a war that has cost us 4,000 lives and billions of dollars.

Don''t let voters forget for a second that the wrong choice was made by your opponents.%u201D

Karl Rove has to be laughing his head off at Democrats using the same strategy of fear and division against ourselves that he first used against us. We all need to do our share. Please post your support in as many of the news blogs in Indiana and NC as possible.

Indiana Newspapers: http://www.usnpl.com/innews.php
North Carolina Newspapers: http://www.usnpl.com/ncnews.php; Reply to this comment


by jaybs3 April 30, 2008 5:24 PM EDT: Yes The Clinton name is recognisable but it also says so much about "The Dynasty" what so many Voters are tired of and want "Change" from.

But why does the Clinton name not say more about Bill and the Shame he brought to High Office, but waltzes around as if nothing ever happened?

Why does The Clinton name not identify with the LA Court case with Hillary and the organizers of "The Cher Grand Fund-Raiser" for Hillary''s first attempt at the Senate and the still allegations of the same campaigns financial reports, where did $2 Million donated disappear to?

Everything has been thrown at Barack Obama but he has remained Dignified, why has Hillary and The Clinton BRAND not had the same treatment????; Reply to this comment


by pepperwood2 April 30, 2008 4:42 PM EDT: HELP... Bill O''Reilly... Hillary & McCain are playing us for suckers and they''re winning. Why is that???

Many of us, & I or one, just look at the math. Sure Obama has the edge but you wonder why it is that Hillary is always implying that his victories don''t hold a candle to hers.

It comes down to, what winning over the Superdelegates, as she has been scheming behind the scenes. Unfair as it is, Obama has always been behind in the Superdelegates. He still is!

She was livid When superdelegate Richardson endorsed Obama as he is also a minority Hispanic, so to speak. That could influence the other Superdelegates in going for Obama. Hillary has been counting on playing this trump card.

That is why it is very important for Obama to win the popular vote along with the State''''s Delegates to EVEN the playing field. There''''s no doubt that it had been planned for years that Hillary was going to be the presidential candidate. This year was her time, to go about the country on her coronation tour, to be showcased. While the real underdog has been mocked, ridiculed, and attacked by both Hillary & McCain for the simple reason that they & the superdelegates do not want to see Obama in the Whitehouse. That''s the Inconvenient Truth.; Reply to this comment


by blkpresident April 30, 2008 4:38 PM EDT: Somewhere in NY a neglected kitchen stove needs cleaning. Where''s lil'' Hillary? Still criss-crossing the nation pipe dreaming about a woman becoming president, smirk, smirk.; Reply to this comment


by Lai K W April 30, 2008 4:26 PM EDT: No news have received so much coverage as OBAMA and Mr. Wright.

As a result, OBAMA''s name recognition is no less but more than Hillary.

OBAMA the whinner!!!; Reply to this comment


by greenfun April 30, 2008 4:09 PM EDT: Clinton''s advantage is that she didn''t first say Wright was like a family member, and then call him a spectacle when media and pundits put some pressure on him-ouch. What a hypocrite. Can''t he think for himself. I would have had more respect for Obama if he had stuck to his guns. Now he looks like a spineless, gutless political maneuvering politician, that just rolled over on the man who presided over his marriage and prayed with him before his run for the Presidency.
Now Russert wants to bail him out again. Russert can no longer call himself a respectable member of the media. Tubby Tim-what a joke.; Reply to this comment


by blkpresident April 30, 2008 3:45 PM EDT: Jane Fonda, Patty Hearst and Hillary Clinton. Birds of a feather flock together...; Reply to this comment