Obama: More Issues in Indiana, Less Distractions

(CBS)

MARION, IND. -- Barack Obama made a pledge today not to talk about what he calls "distractions" in the election, but rather to focus on issues.

"Over the next nine days, I'm not going to talk about the distractions and game playing – we're going to talk about what matters with the working people," Obama said. "Good jobs that pay a decent wage, health care that's affordable and accessible, a first class education for every child in America."

Both Obama and Hillary Clinton have come under fire recently for their increasingly negative rhetoric. While on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, Obama defended his tone by saying, "there have been times where if you get elbowed enough, eventually you start elbowing back." Obama said those distractions are good for television ratings but not good for voters.

"All of the reporting is about the latest negative ad, the latest gaffe, who's saying what about whom, that's not helpful. That's not making your lives better," he said. "It may be giving the chattering class something to chatter about, but it's not moving things forward."