Obama is "Fired Up" and Ready to Attack McCain

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) For the second day in a row, Barack Obama has demonstrated a change in attitude.

At a town hall meeting today, he was fiercer, his attacks on John McCain were sharper, and he seemed to be, as he likes to say, "fired up."

"Mr. McCain let me explain to you - the economic disaster is happening right now – maybe you haven't noticed," Obama shouted.

This morning, he was noticeably tired, sniffling through much of his first town hall meeting on women and the economy.

"I just want to point out that the only thing about daughters – is that when you hang out with them a lot and they get a cold somehow they end up passing it off to you," he explained.

But only a few hours later, his energy was back up to par with his performance at last night's San Francisco fundraiser. He tested out the new, punchier stump speech on the high dollar donors first, and then incorporated into today's event.

"We shouldn't be surprised," Obama said today referring to negative ads by the Republicans, "They have been doing this every election."

"They did it to John Kerry – Gore – they tried to do it to Clinton – they did it to Dukakis – that is what they do. That is their politics. They don't know how to govern – but they know how to run a negative campaign."

Noticeably absent from Obama's jabs at McCain was an acknowledgement of his military service. In the past, Obama usually prefaces his criticisms with a "I respect McCain's service but..."

However, today, Obama dove right in, telling his crowd of supporters, "The same guys who brought you George Bush are now trying to package John McCain."

21 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 21 Comments


by mattcat25 August 19, 2008 5:10 PM EDT: Was John a hero?
Misguiding his aircraft, then surrendering to enemy combatants and turning over sensitive information under duress (it%u2019s not %u201Ctorture%u201D you know..) is that considered a war hero? Besides, it%u2019s been a long, long time since Grampy was in World War I.

Why does McCain support Bush''s stance on taking away benefits from our troops?; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 August 19, 2008 12:51 PM EDT: There is a mountain of actions and results evident and factual from the Conservative Agenda.
Americans need to look at the issues and the program set forth by the Republican Party and their Presidential nominee John %u201Cthe war monger%u201D McCain.

Perpetual War, Mismanaging of Federal Treasury Funds, and Fear Mongering.
Increased Governmental $pending while cutting Taxes to the Wealthy.
Unfair Taxation of the Middle Class.
High prices for GASOLINE, Electricity, and Everything Else!
High Medical Costs and Prescription Drugs.
Pollution.
Invasion of Privacy, and disregard for our Constitution.
Corruption! Corruption! Corruption!
Religious Hypocrisy and Abuse of Tax Laws.
Politicalization of the Justice Department.
Degradation of our Infrastructure.
Continued export of American Jobs to overseas Slave Labor.
Decline in US stature and respect of the World Community.

Just to list a few%u2026

(not to mention 35 impeachable offenses committed by George Bush and supported by Senator John %u201Cthe war monger%u201D McCain).; Reply to this comment


by xrepublican8 August 19, 2008 8:40 AM EDT: I think Obama should attack Mccain on the fact that he not only lied to christian america but he also got one of the coutries most respected preachers to lie with him. There is no way at the forum he could have answered all 3 parts of the 3 part question one education before it was even asked. Then he lied about it. It is shamefull to think this is what america expects of a future president.; Reply to this comment


by jamwao August 19, 2008 7:53 AM EDT: As for Obama being fired up, I just think he aught to be fired. He has very little experience and even less common sense it seems. It would have been much better for the DNC if Hillary would have been our nominee.; Reply to this comment


by aj4321-2009 August 19, 2008 5:02 AM EDT: McCain ''''08 experience and vision for the best America we can possibly have today, tomorrow and for our children''''s future.

Posted by bswalker12 at 09:50 PM : Aug 18, 2008
------------------------

If experience was the best measure of how good a presidential candidate will be, we should be electing my grandfather - he is 87 years old and a man of great experience.

McBush has the wrong kind of experience!!; Reply to this comment


by aj4321-2009 August 19, 2008 5:01 AM EDT: McCain ''''08 experience and vision for the best America we can possibly have today, tomorrow and for our children''''s future.

Posted by bswalker12 at 09:50 PM : Aug 18, 2008
------------------------

If McBush is elected, there won''t be a future for our children - America will be sold to foreign entities and our jobs will be in India and China.; Reply to this comment


by aj4321-2009 August 19, 2008 5:01 AM EDT: McCain ''''08 experience and vision for the best America we can possibly have today, tomorrow and for our children''''s future.

Posted by bswalker12 at 09:50 PM : Aug 18, 2008
------------------------

If McBush is elected, there won''t be a future for our children - America will be sold to foreign entities and our jobs will be in India and China.; Reply to this comment


by aj4321-2009 August 19, 2008 5:01 AM EDT: McCain ''''08 experience and vision for the best America we can possibly have today, tomorrow and for our children''''s future.

Posted by bswalker12 at 09:50 PM : Aug 18, 2008
------------------------

If McBush is elected, there won''t be a future for our children - America will be sold to foreign entities and our jobs will be in India and China.; Reply to this comment


by aj4321-2009 August 19, 2008 5:00 AM EDT: McCain ''''08 experience and vision for the best America we can possibly have today, tomorrow and for our children''''s future.

Posted by bswalker12 at 09:50 PM : Aug 18, 2008
------------------------

If McBush is elected, there won''t be a future for our children - America will be sold to foreign entities and our jobs will be in India and China.; Reply to this comment


by dinslc August 19, 2008 4:56 AM EDT: This is so stupid.

Hey folks, there is a difference between pointing out the disagreements you have with your opponent''s policy, or even calling their record into question (what Obama has done), and launching totally vapid, baseless attacks- such as the Paris Hilton ads, and the ridiculous tripe brought to us by John McCain.

McCain''s been negative in irrelevant, non-political rhetoric, whereas Obama has stuck to McCain''s politics, things McCain has said on the campaign trail, and issues that actually matter to America.

Obama has handled himself with class.

McCain has shown what a partisan, dishonest, Karl-Rove-embracing, typical republican he is.

Point is, negativity toward someone''s policies or political ideology, is completely different than attacking someone personally, because you are mad that they''re more popular than you.; Reply to this comment