Obama Says Republicans Are Trying to Scare Americans

By: Allison O'Keefe
Topics: Barack Obama

From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe

(ROLLA, MO) – During two town hall meetings in Missouri today, Barack Obama accused John McCain of scaring the American public.

"They know that you're not real happy with them. And so the only way they figure they're going to win this election is if they make you scared of me," Obama told a crowd of about 1,000. Obama has referenced this theme before but today it was with significantly more energy.

"So what they're saying is 'well, we know we're not very good but you can't risk electing Obama. You know, he's new, he's… doesn't look like the other presidents on the currency."

From the beginning of the campaign, Obama refers to his "funny name" when speaking about hope and opportunity for everyone.

The McCain campaign was quick to weigh in calling Obama's comments a "typically superflous" response to criticism.

"Like most celebrities, he reacts to fair criticism with a mix of fussiness and hysteria," McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said in a written statement

There was a lot of buzz today about McCain's new ad titled "Celebrity," which mocked the hype surrounding Obama's candidacy. And in response, the Obama campaign released a new ad of their own titled, "Low Blow."

The 30-second ad criticizes McCain for "practicing the politics of the past" and goes on to highlight Obama's ideas for the future.

29 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 29 Comments


by american1000 August 2, 2008 2:13 PM EDT: It seems that ONE MONTH AGO, it was John McCain who played the race card against Obama!

It was John McCain who put Obama''s face on a dollar bill in one of the attack ads John McCain made called: SEAL

You can find the attack ad John McCain made ONE MONTH AGO, where it was John McCain who put Obama''s face on a dollar bill. The campaign ad by John McCain is on YOUTUBE, it is called: SEAL

(Just go to YOUTUBE, and type in the two words: SEAL McCAIN); Reply to this comment


by american1000 August 2, 2008 2:12 PM EDT: It seems that ONE MONTH AGO, it was John McCain who played the race card against Obama!

It was John McCain who put Obama''s face on a dollar bill in one of the attack ads John McCain made called: SEAL

You can find the attack ad John McCain made ONE MONTH AGO, where it was John McCain who put Obama''s face on a dollar bill. The campaign ad by John McCain is on YOUTUBE, it is called: SEAL

(Just go to YOUTUBE, and type in the two words: SEAL McCAIN); Reply to this comment


by american1000 August 2, 2008 2:11 PM EDT: It seems that ONE MONTH AGO, it was John McCain who played the race card against Obama!

It was John McCain who put Obama''s face on a dollar bill in one of the attack ads John McCain made called: SEAL

You can find the attack ad John McCain made ONE MONTH AGO, where it was John McCain who put Obama''s face on a dollar bill. The campaign ad by John McCain is on YOUTUBE, it is called: SEAL

(Just go to YOUTUBE, and type in the two words: SEAL McCAIN); Reply to this comment


by johnbush2-2009 August 1, 2008 2:58 AM EDT: Obama must be getting desperate to play the race card again. Sorry Mr Hussein but it is not going to work this time. You have played the race card just once too often.; Reply to this comment


by antoniof123 July 31, 2008 7:21 PM EDT: As I read these comments I am laughing so hard.

First of all most people will vote party line and even indi''s will vote party line that leaves the swing voter. The middle of the road voters.

Now of course we really don''t have a party but we do control the country. If you think not think about 1994 and then 2006, we changed who controled congress. Most of the polls really don''t include us so now I wonder how the election will go.; Reply to this comment


by misha128-2009 July 31, 2008 7:15 PM EDT: There is a way to end scare tactics and negative campaigning. Do not just vote against the candidate employing the tactics, consider voting against his fellow party members that do not or will not denounce such tactics.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 July 31, 2008 5:51 PM EDT: OH, please, those who love to hide behind someone who offers you nothing but pie in the sky dreams of delusionary fantasy will choose a Democrat just for the word : "Change" Not that Obama has ever changed anything but his own views, one day to the next.
Posted by Peterp111

When the bus is headed over the cliff would be a good time to consider change.
The last 8 years of the Conservative Agenda has been nothing but detrimental to the Average Working American. If you Peterp111 are hopeful that the majority of Americans will agree to ride off the cliff with you, then you are the one offering visions of delusion, fantasy, and pie falling out of the sky.; Reply to this comment


by peterp111 July 31, 2008 4:37 PM EDT: OH, please, those who love to hide behind someone who offers you nothing but pie in the sky dreams of delusionary fantasy will choose a Democrat just for the word : "Change" Not that Obama has ever changed anything but his own views, one day to the next. The hypocrites are amazing, they point the finger at another when in fact they forget to look in the mirror while doing so. If you also forget to look at someone%u2019s resume for "experience" before hiring them it is no ones fault but your own. Obama is scary- why? He claims to have what he thinks you need. I don''t need someone telling me what you think I need.; Reply to this comment


by memekiller July 31, 2008 4:29 PM EDT: Every time you burn a cross on someone''s lawn, they play the race card.; Reply to this comment


by aldon61 July 31, 2008 3:00 PM EDT: He was taught Marxism by his father, socialism by his mother and liberalism at Harvard. Rev. Wright finished off his education by tutoring him for 20 years on how to hate white folks.

His election would be the end of the country as we know it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Peterp111 at 11:45 AM : Jul 31, 2008

When people start passing along "fear" as their rebuttal to civil discourse, they are beat. The same thing goes for lying, distorting, name-calling and yelling/cussing. The basic problem McCain supporters have is they can''t argue on the issues. Given this fact, they must resort to fear and hatred and prey on the emotions of the undecided voters that will decide this election. On the issues alone, Obama will win in a landside.Obama "08"!; Reply to this comment