Obama: I Am The More Electable Democrat

Also, Gov. Mike Huckabee Defends Faith-Based Campaign Ads

(CBS)  Sen. Barack Obama said today that, regardless of whom the Democratic Party nominates for president, the Republicans will launch a negative attack campaign because, he said, their party has little positive on which to run.

"My suspicion is that the Republican National Committee is going to be targeting any Democratic nominee," the Senator from Illinois told CBS's Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer. "I'm sure that there will be a lot of negative ads out there. They don't have much to run on, given what's happened over the last seven to eight years. So there's no doubt that there will be negativity."

Negativity has become an issue within the Democratic primaries, as frontrunners Obama and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., have jostled for position in the key early states.

In Iowa, Obama told reporters that he is the most "electable" of Democrats, arguing that Republicans would not automatically rally against him in the way that they have rallied against Hillary Clinton and her husband, and consequently he would accomplish more in a bipartisan way.

"The difference, I think, is I attract more Republicans and independents," he said.

"One of the things I'm seeing is that it's not just Democrats, but it's Republicans and independents who have also lost trust in how our government has functioned. They're concerned about profligate spending on things that aren't our priorities. They're concerned about the fact that we have a foreign policy that has diminished our standing around the world. They're concerned about inefficiencies: Katrina didn't just upset Democrats, it upset Republicans as well.

"And so we've got a chance, potentially, to bring in people who have seen the philosophy of George Bush and Dick Cheney not serve the country well and are, I think, willing to consider new approaches."

In fact, his criticism of Clinton was somewhat back-handed, seemingly aimed at Republicans who have targeted both Clintons in the past.

"I actually think that Senator Clinton is a capable, solid senator from New York," he said. "But because of the history of some of the battles that have taken place back in the '90s, it is true that she tends to galvanize the other side."

He also sidestepped commenting on remarks by President Bill Clinton, who earlier this week said that voters would hold Obama's lack of foreign policy experience against him.

“Well, look, I don't begrudge Bill Clinton helping his wife - my wife is helping me," Obama said. "And I understand that he's loyal to her and wants to make sure that she can put the best face forward on the campaign… [but] much of the criticism he's leveling at me is identical to the criticism that was leveled against him when he was running against George H.W. Bush.”

Obama said, despite Bill Clinton’s star power, voters in Iowa will not automatically gravitate toward Hillary Clinton. "They respect her very much, but what people here in Iowa consistently tell me is they're looking for something different. They're looking for something new. They want to turn the page."

"People want to see the next president bring people together, push back the influence of special interests and lobbyists, talk straight with the American people, and get things done. And how we've been running our campaign, I think, is the same way we want to govern.

"I may have disagreements with Republicans, but I don't want to polarize and demonize those folks. I want to see if we can bring them in, into a working majority, to actually deliver on health care and education and the new energy policy, and foreign policy that can repair some of the damage that's been done.

"So the message was really one of what I can bring to the table, as opposed to what others can't."

He also spoke skeptically of the President's Iraq policy, despite White House claims that the "surge" in U.S. troop levels have succeeded.

"George Bush's own premise was that as a consequence of the surge, we would give breathing room to the Iraqis to start negotiating and to stabilize the political situation there," Obama said. "I was skeptical of [that], and continue to be.

"I am glad that the violence has gone down. But keep in mind, Bob, that we have essentially gone full circle. We had intolerable levels of violence and a dysfunctional government back in 2006; we saw a huge spike in violence, to horrific levels. The surge comes in and now we're back to where we were in 2006, with intolerable levels of violence and a dysfunctional Iraqi government.

"If we want to stabilize the situation in Iraq over the long term, then we have to trigger different behavior among the Sunni, Shia and Kurdish factions and get them to come to an agreement on how they're going to govern. And that has not happened.

"The only way, I believe, to trigger that different attitude is going to be if we announce a phased, careful, responsible redeployment. And that's what I've proposed consistently."

Huckabee Defends Faith-Based Campaign Ads

Former Arkansas Governor Michael Huckabee denied accusations that the former Baptist preacher is running a religiously-themed campaign, or is targeting his campaign to a religious audience rather than all American voters.

He told Schieffer that he is running to be president of all America. "That's how I served as governor. People look at my record and they didn't see that I put a tent out on the capitol grounds and had healing services, and I didn't replace the dome with a steeple.

"I governed; we improved education. We rebuilt the road system. We brought health care to children who didn't have it. We reformed the welfare system. Those were the things that I focused on as governor. And when people take a look at that, they're going to see that it was my faith that drove me to care about things like hunger and poverty and the people that didn't have anybody out there, advocating for them. Real faith does that for you. It makes you concerned about everybody with a sense of equality. You don't give preference to the rich or preference to the poor. You give a sense of an unvarnished concern for every single person."

He also denied that there was a hidden message in the recent ad, in which a Christian cross appeared over his shoulder, formed by a partially-obscured bookcase. "Everyone thought that we were so smart and clever. The truth is, it was a book shelf. We hurriedly put the spot together. It wasn't scripted. I ad-libbed the spot. It was done at the end of a long taping day, and really kind of a thought of, well, let's do a Christmas spot just in case we decide to use it maybe on our Web site, maybe for broadcast, but probably just for the Web site."

Huckabee, who is currently leading in many polls against the other leading contenders, former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said his recent rise in the polls may be surprising only to pundits, such as those writing for the Weekly Standard and the National Review, who recently wrote that a Huckabee nomination would be "national suicide" for the Republicans, and that his positions "on every issue save for abortion and gay marriage," he is "dramatically out of step with the Republican Party."

"I think that there is almost a disconnect between what I have called the sort of the chattering class of the East Coast and the real America," he said. "And you see this when you go to places like Iowa, or for that matter take any place in America, and get away from the bubble of the Beltway. And you find that what people are talking about and what they're concerned about is very different than what you see from the talking heads. Maybe I pose a threat to those folks.”

Like Obama, Huckabee described himself as an agent of change for his party. “I am a Republican. And I am out to change the Republican Party. It needs changing. It needs to be inclusive of all those people across America for whom this party should stand.”

Schieffer asked about Huckabee's criticism of George Bush, such as calling his foreign policy "arrogant."

"You know, sometimes we forget that in the middle of the washing machine is the agitator and it shakes the dirt loose," he said.

"I'm not running for George Bush's third term. I love the president. I've been one of his staunchest supporters. I didn't just come around to it recently. But at the same time, Bob, I think our party needs to be honest with the American people. Let's say where we agree, but let's also have the candor to talk about where we would be different and how we would lead this country."

Among the policies Huckabee discussed is tax reform, suggesting that income taxes be replaced with a consumption tax, which would automatically raise the cost of goods, like a new car, an estimated 23 percent.

“First of all, realize that [with no income tax] you go to buy that car with your entire paycheck with no deductions. Secondly, that car no longer will have the 22 percent embedded tax that is built in, with corporate tax and all of the cost of compliance. So the tax rate is 23 percent, but that's 10 percent less than the 33 percent that the average American pays right now.

"The trouble is, the average American doesn't even know how much tax he pays, because it's all hidden,” he said.

[ansoed12]

HILLARY4SOUT,
Have you been following HRC''s position? First, she voted for the war when it was popular to do so; then, she railed against it when it was popular to do so. Pattern: She goes with the flow. She has no core belief. A candle in the wind, perhaps?
Translation: She wants it both ways and has succeeded with mindless people who can''t think for themselves. Dems would foolish to vote for someone like that. Go back to the 90s and the same pattern holds with her.

[realpatriot1]

Hoprtrumps,

There are a lot of polls out and most match the primary contestants against one another. Very few match candidates head-to-head Republican-to-Democrat. Those are the ones that the political professionals look at because they demonstrate who''s stronger for the general election.

I''m not a political prfessional but I''ve been keeping my eyes open for those polls throughout the year and from the very beginning right up to the present Obama has been the only Democrat to beat every single Republican in every single matchup.

Hillary has done the worst of the top tier Dems all year long. Yhe latest Zogby poll has Hillary trailing Huckabee,McCain, & Guliani while Obama wipes the floor with all 3. Obama is over the 50% threshhold against Huckabee who is beating Clinton.

Why do you think next year will be different?

[samthetvcat]

"Evidently another one that has closed ears. Had you listened to what she had to say, instead of closing your mind, you would know EXACTLY what she proposes to do."
Posted by RowdyTexan2

Why don''t you enlighten us Rowdy, as I chose to do in response to MetroDuck''s unfounded claims of ignorance . . .

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by ansoed12 at 01:13 PM : Dec 26, 2007

Evidently another one that has closed ears. Had you listened to what she had to say, instead of closing your mind, you would know EXACTLY what she proposes to do.

[samthetvcat]

"It is not your color that the Republicans will bury you with,
it is your bio--
a white mother, abandoned by an alcoholic husband who was not an American but a Kenyan who abandoned you and your mom when hyou were two., etc., etc.
not, exactly what middle America will embrace"
Posted by hopetrumps

Even without knowing you''ve got a history of never being in tune with the pulse of people I''d be able to tell your prediction was off because competition is relative and Giuliani had a mistress and abandoned his kids for her. As a matter of fact Giuliani''s own daughter was touting Obama on her myspace page.

Also, bringing up the color of his mother and nationality of his father belies your claim that race doesn''t matter to you . . .

[ansoed12]

HILLARY4SOUT,
Have you been following HRC''s position? First, she voted for the war when it was popular to do so; then, she railed against it when it was popular to do so. Pattern: She goes with the flow. She has no core belief. A candle in the wind, perhaps?
Translation: She wants it both ways and has succeeded with mindless people who can''t think for themselves. Dems would foolish to vote for someone like that. Go back to the 90s and the same pattern holds with her.

[bobroy1]

To: HILLARY4SOUT

You are not a black man...you just play one on TV...

OBAMA 08

[bobroy1]

To: permalink078

If it is the will of the American voter to elect Obama. Who are you to say that their vote is wrong? If the American people DON"T want Hillary, it is their choice...period. The hell with what the Republicans want. It all comes down to the voter...just thought I would remind you of something I''m sure you know. But chose to forget.

BARACK OBAMA 08

[bobroy1]

To: permalink078

If it is the will of the American voter to elect Obama. Who are you to say that their vote is wrong? If the American people DON"T want Hillary, it is their choice...period. The hell with what the Republicans want. It all comes down to the voter...just thought I would remind you of something I'' sure you know. But chose to forget.

BARACK OBAMA08

[hillary4sout]

EX VET IM VOTEING 4 HILLARY SHE IS FOR VETS I DID MY TIME IN SERVICE WHILE YOU WHERE MARCHING YOU NUT .. I WAS SURVING MY COUNTRY YOU DO NOTHING BUT BASH THE ONE PERSON THAT CAN ACTUALLY END THIS CONFLICT WE ALL STARTED THIS WAR YOU NUTS...... AMERICA NOW SHE WANT TO HELP END IT SHE VOTED LIKE ALL OF THEM DID TO FUND IT YOU NUTS FUND US TROOPS SO WE COULD HAVE WHAT WE NEEDED TO FIGHT WHATEVER DONT YOU FORGET IT WE WHERE FIGHTING YOU WHERE MARCHING A** . YOU MAKE ME SICK OBAMA VOTED TO FUND IT TO BEFORE YOU POINT FINGERS. POINT AT ALL WHO DID IT HE IS A LIER .. HE VOTED TO FUND OR SUPPORT IT DONT YOU DARE PUT THIS ALL ON HILLARY SHE IS FIGHTING NOW TO HELP US VETS TO GET THE HEALTH CARE WE NEED YOU DONT HAVE A CLUE .. YOU JUST HATER AND FEAR HER SO MUCH THAT YOU WILL LET THE REAL WAR STARTERS GET BACK IN OFFICE SHAME ON YOU IM SO SO ASHAMED AT SOME OF YOU. HILLARY CAN AND WILL END THIS WAR AN HELP GET THE MILITARY BACK WHAT IT NEEDS TO DEFEND THE COUNTRY ASK GEN. WES CLARK.. SHE IS THE ONLY ONE .... VETS FOR HILLARY 08

GOD SAVE AMERICAS DEMS....
HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT

[hillary4sout]

OBAMA''S WIFE IS RACEST NOW YOU JUST FINDING THAT OUT LOL YALL SAD WE BLACKS DONT SUPPORT ANY KINDA RACEST BLACK NOR WHITE NO COLOR THIS IS WHO THEY WANT AS FIRST LADY LOL, " IF SHE LIVED IN OUT THERE SHE WOULD NEED A GUN" READ IT FOR YOUR SELF FOLKS THATS WHAT YOU GET WITH OBAMA DONT LET HATE FESTER SEE WHO IS RUNNING THINK WE DONT SUPPORT OBAMA !! GET IT NOW !! YOU SEE WHY WE HAVE GOT TO LIVE THE DREAM MLK HAD STOMP OUT ALL BIGOTRY EVEN WITH BLACK PEPOLE DONT VOTE FOR OBAMA VOTE FOR THE ONE WITH NO HIDEN AGENDA HILLARY GET OVER YOUR "FEAR" AN VOTE THE RIGHT CHOICE EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION READY ON DAY ONE HILLARY 08 THANKS AN GOD BLESS ALL OF AMERICA LEST NOT MAKE 2 AMERICAS AGAIN UNITY HILLARY O8.

PS YES IM A BLACK MAN NOT AFRAID TO SAY THE TRUTH FOR A CHANGE.

[hillary4sout]

GO HILLARY IT''''S YOUR TIME AMERICA KNOWS IT WE ALL DOWN SOUTH KNOW IT SO LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE GO FIGHT WIN "SHAKE THEM HATERS OFF," HILLARY THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR AMERICA HILLARY 08 THE BEST AN MOST ELECTABLE IN 08 GET BEHIND A WINNER SHE CAN WIN HER STATE AN THE GENERAL ELECTION UNLIKE OBAMA HE IS NOT EVEN WINNING IN HIS HOME STATE DO WE REALLY WANT ANOTHER GORE BETTER HOPE HE CAN EVEN GET HIS SEAT BACK AFTER THIS ELECTION IS OVER GO AN SEE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT HIM IN HIS HOME STATE IF YOU DARE IF YOUR PEPOLE IN YOUR HOME TOWN GOT NO LOVE FOR YOU WHY SHOULD WE IN THE REST OF THE USA HILLARY ALL THE WAY TO VICTORY!!!!!!!HILLARY 08 NEW POLL HILLARY UP 18 POINTS GOD BLESS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE USA HILLARY 08 FOR TRUE CHANGE DAY ONE.....

[colonieny]

PARDONS

Will someone in the media please bring up the issue of the infamous Clinton last minute for pay PARDONS. Hillary''s own brother was in on that one. Where does she stand on that scandal ? If she was so intricately involved in decision making, as she now claims, she has to take ownership of this open corruption that make us all want to puke them out of our political system as fast as we could.

[coolprophet]

NORTH AMERICAN UNION JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Except for Ron Paul, almost all of the globalist candidates on the right and the left are soft on illegal immigration and national sovereignty (as most CFR members are), and most a war-mongers who want to continue lining the pockets of the military-industrial complex which finances their political campaigns. I love my country, and if we continue in the direction we''re currently headed, Old Glory will be coming down soon, and the North American Union flag goes up. They are already minting the "Amero" (the replacement for the Dollar) at the U.S. Mint in Denver, and most people are clueless. Why do you think the thet are leaving our borders wide open. Why do you think The Federal Reserve is tanking our Dollar. It''s the age old "Problem Reaction Solution" dialectic--after the central bankers cause our economy to collapse and repossess our leveraged assets, we''ll be begging them to save us with their new, silver-based NAU currency. Forget about controlling immigration under the NAU scheme. There won''t be any borders anymore, or a free America. Ron Paul is the only candidate who has done anything to protect us from these threats to our sovereignty.

[coolprophet]

COULDN''T VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN? REALLY?
Everytime I hear Democrats say "I hate the Republican Party. Look at what Bush has done.," I can''t help but think about all of Bush''s Democratic enablers in the Congress like Clinton, Obama, Pelosi, et. al. who made all of his dastardly deeds possible. They handed him every bit of legislation with which he has used to make himself the dictator that he now is on a silver platter. The Democrats in Congress don''t even seem to express any interest in investigating Bush for the crimes he and Cheney have surely committed against our country even though a vast majority of Americans think they should. What cowards! In fact, Obama and Clinton even voted in favor of legislation which actually allows Bush to pre-pardon himself and his administration for crimes dating all the way back to 9/11. What''s up with that? Look. Do yourself and your country a favor. Focus on the candidate, and the ideas and positions he or she represents, and then study the candidate''s track record of performance with respect to those positions. That''s all that really matters in the end. Elections are not a contest of two teams. Ultimately, It''s the politician who will either serve your interests or betray them while in office--not their party. Finally, Democrats, I ask you this: Would you have voted for Steven Douglas (a Democrat), who was ardently pro-slavery, against Abraham Lincoln (a Republican) simply because Douglas was a Democrat? I fear most of you would.

[rowdytexan2]

Hilary is so polarizing that the republicans are using her to raise lots of money. LOL
------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Agnim at 10:16 PM : Dec 25, 2007

Polarizing is a myth put out by republicans as they clearly don''t want to run against her.

[agnim]

Bill Clinton wants to be president so bad; because he wants a second chance.

Like a pig that craps where he lives, Bill Clinton had great ''experience'' as President and *** in the Oval Office by bringing disgrace to this own presidency, got himself impeached,
AND DIVERTED THE NATION''S ATTENTION FROM THE MANIAC MUSLIMS, who were out to destroy America and Americans..

[agnim]

Hilary is so polarizing that the republicans are using her to raise lots of money. LOL

[samthetvcat]

PS Hillary''s help with seniors care is for people whose parents live with them, like hers does.

[samthetvcat]

Just a follow up to some of the previous points, I checked out the plans on Hillary and Barack''s websites...

Hillary''s got plans for strengthening the middle class and helping women which includes:
- "making college accessible and affordable"
- "harness the power of innovation to create high wage jobs"
- helping with childcare, improving education
- helping with seniors care

Barack not only has plans for strengthening the economy and improving schools, but also has a plan for "Fighting Poverty" and "Fulfilling Our Covenant to Seniors" which includes:
- "creat[ing] a transitional jobs program to place people with extreme difficulties getting and keeping good jobs into temporary, subsidized wage-paying jobs to gain necessary job skills"
- "directly engage disconnected and disadvantaged youth in energy efficiency and environmental service opportunities to strengthen their communities while also providing them with practical skills and experience in important career fields of expected high-growth employment"
- Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Supports

- Eliminate Income Taxes for Seniors Making Less Than $50,000
- Prevent Age Discrimination
- Protect Seniors During Emergencies

Etc