Clinton, Obama Make Pa. Closing Arguments

Both Democrats Try To Lower Expectations Ahead Of Crucial Primary

(CBS/AP)  Hillary Rodham Clinton invoked Pearl Harbor, the Berlin Wall and Osama bin Laden as she reached for a victory in Pennsylvania's Democratic presidential primary to recharge her comeback effort.

Barack Obama said she would probably win but he hoped to keep it close in Tuesday's voting.

Clinton made her closing arguments Monday for the biggest primary left on the election schedule, running an ad with historic images to ask voters whom they would trust most in the White House during a time of trouble. It's the same tactic she used successfully in the "3 a.m." ad she aired in the closing days of the Ohio and Texas contests last month.

It was the first time a Democratic candidate has used bin Laden in a campaign commercial in the 2008 race for the White House. The terrorist appears along with images from the stock market crash, the bombing at Pearl Harbor, the Soviet threat, the collapse of the Berlin Wall and Hurricane Katrina as an announcer tells voters the political contest is for "the most important job in the world."

"You need to be ready for anything, especially now, with two wars, oil prices skyrocketing and an economy in crisis. Harry Truman said it best, `If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.' Who do you think has what it takes?" the announcer says at the end, as Clinton appears on screen.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said the ad "plays the politics of fear." And he said Clinton is to blame for allowing bin Laden to escape by supporting war in Iraq and diverting the U.S. military.

"It's ironic that she would borrow the president's tactics in her own campaign and invoke bin Laden to score political points," Burton said.

Obama has been framing the choice in Pennsylvania in negative contrasts with Clinton on the Iraq war, trade, special interests, and the back-scratching culture of Washington, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds. He has narrowed what was once a double-digit lead, but his momentum has slowed.

Obama tried to end on a positive note after days of escalating accusations against Clinton. He didn't criticize his rival as he spoke with voters at an outdoor plaza in suburban Philadelphia, where tulips and daffodils bloomed and children played in the background.

"I thought this would be a nice change of pace," Obama said. A bank of TV cameras captured the soft images - early enough in the day to ensure that voters would see the images on Philadelphia newscasts the night before the primary.

Facing a nearly insurmountable delegate deficit, Clinton is now focused on the total popular vote in all the Democratic contests to give her a case to make to superdelegates, reports CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod. She currently trails Obama by 827,308 votes.

Pennsylvania's demographics suit Clinton. The state has a higher median age, a higher percentage of whites, a lower median household income and fewer bachelor's degrees than the country overall. These are the voters - working-class whites and voters older than 50 - who have flocked to her in past contests.

Obama suggested in an interview with Pittsburgh radio station KDKA that Clinton probably would come out on top. "I'm not predicting a win. I'm predicting it's going to be close and that we are going to do a lot better than people expect," he said.

Clinton aides tried to keep expectations down, insisting they would be grateful for a win no matter how close. While the New York senator began the race with a hefty 20-point lead in several polls in the state, Obama's extensive campaigning and heavy TV ad purchases significantly cut into her lead.

She told supporters in Scranton, "We really need to bear down in these last few days. The whole world is watching."

Clinton was hoping a big win in Pennsylvania could boost her chance at the nomination. A loss would increase pressure on her to exit the race, with Obama leading in delegates and the popular vote.

The primary comes after a six-week break in voting that allowed Clinton and Obama to spend more time in Pennsylvania than in any state since the primaries and caucuses began at the first of the year.

Pennsylvania is the largest of the 10 contests remaining, with about 4 million registered Democrats and 158 delegates up for grabs in the primary. Polls were to open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. EDT.

[nanging3]

He is thinking white people blow..

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI77cU3jsFs&eurl=http://www.ziggidy.com/index.php
?option=com_content&view=article&id=322:baracks-original-race-speech&catid=1

[speakinup]

`If you can''t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.'' Who do you think has what it takes?"


Hmmmmm, cryin Hillary or no experience Obama. Good question.

[aztecdakota]

Now from all observations, I am 90% sure, if Clinton wins the Presidential nomination, Obama will back her up. One question, If Obama wins the Presidential nomination, will Clinton back him up??? There has never been a female presidential candidate, nor a loser yet, so predicting her reactions, is totally out of my league.

[rowdytexan2]

As usual Obama tries to trick you and keep himself squeaky clean by getting his hit men attack Hillary Clinton from every side!

This man is such a total jerk! Not even to mention he lies and supports anti-American propaganda!

[speakinup]

So, RowdyTexan2, what does that tell you about the half of the Democratic party that supports him ?


Don''t get me wrong - I don''t necessarily disagree with you.

[rowdytexan2]

They''re kids, speakinup, totally vulnerable to the anti-American propaganda Obama spews. We saw it back in the ''60''s with Ayers and his ilk, and he''s channeling it again through Obama...

Obama does not support the democratic agenda. He supports an anti-America agenda! In other words, he''s a whack job!

[rowdytexan2]

Actually, they''re vulnerable kids and black voters, it''s that simple.

[truth--hurts]

Hillary mismanaged a campign from a 30 point lead to certain defeat. She''s squandered a huge superdelegate lead and squandered millions of dollars. She''s turned the Democratic Party into a hornet''s nest of discontent and bickering over immaterial issues.
Pennsylvania can spare us any more of this bug smushed on our windshield. Hit the wipers once and let us focus on how much better off we''ll be with Obama than with McCain. That''s what matters. Hillary had her chance and she blew it big time.

[truth--hurts]

Hillary says she is tough enough for the job? Like how she broke down in tears before the NH primary? Give me a break. Hillary''s a two-faced weasel in pant suits who will do or say anything to get elected.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by truth--hurts at 07:50 PM : Apr 21, 2008

Hahaha! Taken over somebody else nic, AGAIN! You''re such a dufus! When are you going to GROW UP!

[truth--hurts]

PA democrats should put Hillary out of her misery, and our party too.
She had every advantage entering this nominating contest and has fallen behind due to an inept and inefficient campaign, as well as a superb campaign by Obama.
Obama is the underdog who came from behind and deserves to win.
Hillary is NOT a scrappy underdog. She is the latest in a long line of overdog-losers, who took victory for granted, in the history of Presidential politics.
Enough already

[truth--hurts]

Hillarys campaign is in the red. Shes broke but still advertising so she is basically stiffing small business vendors in order to keep paying for media buys.
If she cant balance the books in her campaign the she cant be trusted with the economy. She even spent $88,000 on donuts, no wonder her pant suits are getting bigger and bigger.

[truth--hurts]

Hillary flip flops on everything. She changes her stance depending on which state she is in..... the voters are no longer fooled.

Clinton went into PA with a 22-26% lead. Look at her struggling now to hold 5 points.
Hillary fans: keep repeating your religious mantra %u201COm , superdelegates will save Hillary%u2026 Om Om Om%u201D; over and over and who knows maybe it will come true.......in your dreams !!!!

Anyone with an ounce of political sense can see that Obama will win the nomination. And as for Hillary: stick a fork in her. She''s done.

[speakinup]

"Obama does not support the democratic agenda. He supports an anti-America agenda! In other words, he''s a whack job! Posted by RowdyTexan2


I would tend to agree with you, from what has been surfacing as of late. I suspect the one saving grace is that if elected, even his own party members would probably impeach & convict him, should he go the way he''s been painted as of late.

That would be a sad day for people of color.

[truth--hurts]

Hillary cried on TV when things were tough in NH during the campaign. What is she going to do if there is a crisis at 3am, start blubbering like a baby. The last thing the U.S. needs is a woman in the oval office getting emotional and showing weakness. If we are going to have a woman President we need our own iron lady will who will never show emotion under pressure.

[cfcarlos]

Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell is absolutely right. Hillary Clinton, together with her de facto running mate, husband Bill, is a formidable fighter.

Recall how she retained a private detective to dig up dirt on the women seduced by Bill (so much for her feminism); how she fired long-standing employees in the White House travel office to give the jobs to her supporters; how she put Marines in their place by making them serve as waiters and busboys; how she browbeat and cussed out her staff; how she rebuked any underling who dared to make eye contact with her; how she and Bill ordered IRS audits on their critics; how they backstabbed and betrayed fellow Democrats (small wonder so many are supporting Obama).

Then there are the deaths of Vince Foster and some 50 others by suicide, murder, accidents and sudden illnesses%u2014a body count unmatched by any administration in American history.

Then, last but not least, is the way she has cowed the news media into imposing a gag order on itself. Had a Butler University student not brought up the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and had not the CBS tape of her bullet-dodging story in Bosnia come to light, the news media would have given the Clintons a smooth, free ride to the nomination and, probably, to the White House.

Yes, Hillary Clinton is one hell of a fighter%u2014tough, smart, unyielding, as the Governor says. Precisely the kind of leader our nation needs in these troubled times.

[speakinup]

RowdyTexan2 and truth--hurts, the Dems have been self destructing.

Now, I''m NOT rubbing it in - honestly.

But unless the Dems find a way to stop this picking at each other - they are going to stay away from the polls when they need each other''s help.


My point here is, even though I''m Republican, we all have to remember that when it is said and done, it is time to put away the hatrid and politics. Or, this country ain''t gonna last.

[randynason]

Hang it up, Hillary. You''re yesterday''s news and tomorrow''s "Gee, I almost made it."

[gorgeousm]

This Hussein Obama has already become a tremendous divisive influence in our country. Since he apparently has so many connections with such unsavory, hateful, anti-White, anti-America, Moslems and sympathizers of these individuals'' and organizations'' beliefs, he should be exposed and shunned.

It seems to be getting to the point where Obama will falter and fail in his continuing attempts to explain away the seriousness of his anti-America connections.

How much longer Hussein Obama can continue to dupe the American public by lying and walking between the raindrops, depends on we as Americans being concerned over Hussein Obama''s SECRET AGENDA, AND BY NOW HIS LIKELY PARTICIPATION IN CONSPIRING AGAINST AND ENDANGERING OUR NATION!

THE BOTTOM LINE HERE IS THAT THERE IS JUST TOO MUCH EVIDENCE TO EVER TRUST HUSSEIN OBAMA AND HIS MENTORS AND ASSOCIATES WITH OUR NATION''S SECURITY, OR WITH OUR HIGHEST OFFICE!

[sueb451]

Hillary used Bin Laden in an election ad!?! I don''t believe she went there! That is the lowest of the low!

[cruiser111-2009]

I love watching these two tear each other apart and totally destroy the Democrat party!!! Way to go! They are both morons! I wonder what Mclame will say when he gtes that 3 a.m. phone call in the white house? Maybe bring that pizza around to the door to the west wing! LOL

[pepperp1]

Who%u2019s Bitter Now? (and who%u2019s race-baiting?) ;
By Susan


Barack Obama has cancelled the debate in North Carolina. He is afraid.

Barack Obama has predicted he%u2019ll lose tomorrow. He is afraid.

Barack Obama has gotten notably %u201Cnasty%u201D in his attacks. He is afraid.

Barack Obama has not taken any questions for 10 days from traveling reporters, who are %u201Cstruggling%u201D to speak with him. He is afraid.

Obama%u2019s campaign has set an imaginary 11% as the percentage Hillary Clinton must win by tomorrow. They are afraid.

Obama mouthpiece Ed Schultz %u2014 what a bloviator %u2014 just told Fox News%u2019s Neil Cavuto that Clinton must win by 15% tomorrow. He is afraid.

Obama%u2019s campaign says that Hillary%u2019s new ad is fear-mongering. They are afraid.

But the worst of all their %u201Cspin%u201D %u2014 because they are so afraid that they%u2019re chucking their own dignity, credibility and character %u2014 is to call Hillary%u2019s supporters a bunch of racists. Even a heretofore respected %u201Cprogressive%u201D blogger has strongly inferred that Obama can%u2019t win in parts of Pennsylvania because of %u201Cracial resistance,%u201D a coy phrasing that really means that all of those white voters are really a bunch of racists.
....


Durbin is such a doofus

[gorgeousm]

HUSSEIN OBAMA: MASTER OF WORDS, MASTER OF DECEPTION

The changes that Hussein Obama claims he will make, is only stated to dupe the American voters into thinking that he is not a regular politician.

Hussein Obama''s main objectives are to supplant and replace the interests of Americans with HIS AND HIS MENTORS'' ...
...VERY OWN ANTI-AMERICA, SPECIAL INTERESTS!

After all that has come out about Hussein Obama''s ties to Black racist hatemongers, Moslem ideologies, and Obama''s and his mentors'' underlying hostility toward American values, we can never trust Obama!

[lorinkundert]

Hopefully people will pull their heads out of their back end and look for the information themselves rather than the biased reports from the media and ads.

[lorinkundert]

"Hillary used Bin Laden in an election ad!?! I don''''t believe she went there! That is the lowest of the low!"

Hillary is the lowest of the low, so there shouldn''t be any surprise.

[neonink]

yeah... Obama is such an outstanding guy. Hangs out with Wright and Ayers. And sends his middle finger up. And who''s low?

[rebelscout]

Hill really can work with the repubs. Seems they have taught her every political trick she knows. Vote Hillary, Get more of the same DC cr@p!

[rebelscout]

So Hillary hangs out with Big Bird and Mr. Rogers? She only cares about her own glory or she would drop out. The super delegates AND the popular vote both favor Obama. If she doesnt win by a very large margin in Penn. it''s over. Don''t think about the country Hill, Keep it up and destroy the chance of keeping McLame out.

[andylance1]

A Word to the Wise

The Democrats have done an Uncle Remus on McCain and have thrown him into the briar patch. Roast me, Brer Fox, says he, "But don''t fling me in that briar patch."

The older voter is one voter demographic that appears to be missing from the Democratic lexion this year, and much to their peril.

Every time a Obama supporter suggests that 72 is too old, they lose a dozen older baby boomers, who are beginning to realize that 72 is just not that old anymore.

The more that Obama supporters, in the luxury of their youth, think that Clinton at age 60 or McCain at age 72 - are too old for the job - they lose a bunch of older voters.

Older voters decide elections - they really do go to their precincts and cast ballots, election after election, and they don''t like to take *** from anyone.

[neonink]

I''m so *** glad she''s hanging on.

Bill Clinton made me a Democrat. Obama will make me a Republican.

And that is why she needs to hang on. She''s working hard. That counts!

[realpatriot1]

andylance,

I''m 57 and i can feel myself getting older. There are quite a few older Americans who are quite vibrant. John McCain does not appear to be one of them as he hobbles across the stage hunched over. He won''t release his medical records.

I think his age is a legitimate issue. That doesn''t necessarily mean that it should disqualify him or that he can''t demonstrate a capability to do the job but it is a consideration.

As an Obama supporter I think too much has been made about his supposed lack of experience but I still recognize that it''s a legitimate issue for people to take into consideration and for him to address.

There''s a long campaign still ahead and both of them will run into roadblocks that will raise these issues and they''ll need to be prepared to deal with them.

Both are fair game.

[realpatriot1]

Neonink,

Only you can make yourself a Republican or a Democrat.

[amerecua]

Okay Pennsylvania...end this thing and vote for Barack. It''s the right thing to do. He is the clear winner and the sooner the Dems embrace him the better off we''ll all be. Clinton simply cannot win a general election against McCain. She''s to much like him. Obama is the only agent of change. Obama! Obama! Obama!

[nearl4511]

Go on over and become a Republican, man.

Clinton is close to being one anyway. Wathc her pick Leiberman as VP or someone close.

[tiredofthebs]

Okay Pennsylvania...end this thing and vote for Barack. It''''s the right thing to do. He is the clear winner and the sooner the Dems embrace him the better off we''''ll all be. Clinton simply cannot win a general election against McCain. She''''s to much like him. Obama is the only agent of change. Obama! Obama! Obama!


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

Posted by amerecua at 09:36 PM : Apr 21, 2008


It still amazes me that OBAMA supporters believe that independents will vote for this man in the General Election. I mean ........ And while I''m at it, get a clue folks. No freshman Senator with a gift for gab will shake up Washington.

[neonink]

http://www.amconmag.com/2008/2008_04_07/feature. html

In reality, Obama%u2019s now 85-year-old grandmother, the most level-headed member of his otherwise irresponsible family, became afraid to take the bus to her bank management job after being abused by a pushy panhandler: %u201CHe was very aggressive, Barry. Very aggressive. I gave him a dollar and he kept asking. If the bus hadn%u2019t come, I think he might have hit me over the head.%u201D

The self-absorbed Obama%u2019s response was to be overwhelmed by angst and revulsion not at the potential mugger but at his own grandmother after his leftist grandfather revealed that he didn%u2019t want to give his own wife a ride to work because, %u201CYou know why she%u2019s so scared this time. I%u2019ll tell you why. Before you came in, she told me the fella was black. And I just don%u2019t think that%u2019s right.%u201D

Obama reeled in self-pity:

"The words were like a fist in my stomach. And yet I knew that men who might easily have been my brothers would still inspire [my grandparents%u2019] rawest fear. The earth shook under my feet, ready to crack open at any moment. I stopped, trying to steady myself, and knew for the first time that I was utterly alone."


~~So, grandma was scared, but Obama was mad because she was scared. Interesting little man that needs a lot of therapy!

[nearl4511]

Great thing about catching BIn Laden, fall of the Berlin Wall, Pearl Harbor, etc.

Hillary had absolutely nothing to do with any of these events....so what kind of argument is this?
She is FDR ("a day that will live in infamy"?, She is Reagan? She is personally searching for Bin Laden? Uh no. O wait, I guess she''s Truman- Can''t stand the heat then drop the big one.

What a STUUUUUUUPID comercial.

[neonink]

I especially love how grandma was afraid of being hit over the head and possibly killed, but Obama "felt like he was hit in the stomach" because she was afraid of the man who happened to be black.

What a selfish and self-centered person.

[nearl4511]

The only appropriate image left out of the commercial was Bill chasing an intern around the desk playing slap and tickle with the latest intern.

[tiredofthebs]

It still amazes me that OBAMA supporters believe that independents will vote for this man in the General Election. I mean ........ And while I''''''''m at it, get a clue folks. No freshman Senator with a gift for gab will shake up Washington.

Posted by TiredoftheBS at 09:45 PM : Apr 21, 2008
----
I have from eight friends who are Independent and they are ALL voting for Obama.


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

Posted by Policrypt at 09:49 PM : Apr 21, 2008


Not here in my region. Mosy independents I''ve talked to view OBAMA as a PREACHER lost in POLITICS ..... all talk. And they look at the WRIGHT fiasco with disdain.

[trishab4]

As usual Obama tries to trick you and keep himself squeaky clean by getting his hit men attack Hillary Clinton from every side!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 07:31 PM : Apr 21, 2008

-Isn''t sheeeee attackable? Yes she is! ''cause she''s simply not clean!

[nearl4511]

Hillary invoked Pearl Harbor. Ha HA Ha.

"If I become President we''ll be attacked by the Japanese, DAMMIT!"

[tiredofthebs]

Looks like the OBAMA nation is in full effect in here tonight, so I''ll pose the usual questions. I''ve heard all the hype like the rest of you. What I haven''t heard is how Washington''s most gifted amateur is actually going to CHANGE ANYTHING. Would one of you OBAMA supporters kindly enlighten me ?

[neonink]

Does anybody else here think Obama is wacked when he writes about feeling a "fist in the stomach" because his grandmother was legitimately was very afraid of being "hit over the head" by someone who happened to be black?

I mean, come on... get real. I think he has some very deep psychological issues.

And Michelle probably has helped the situation. For more "fun" reading, check out her Princeton thesis.

Is this the kind of CHANGE Obama stands for?

[nearl4511]

THere is no guarantee that Obama can change the politics in Washington....but it is DAMNED certain that the interned veterans Clinton and McCain who make their bread on the grift have no impetus to even attempt a change. They will only present facade and let the big money interests have their way.

[blackyowe]

Obama is going down big tomorrow for his childish remarks about working Americans, Guns and Faith! Yipeeeeeeeeeee down with the smug and elitist. Obmabots can eat crow!

[neonink]

Obamites cannot respond to anything meaningful... They just have their script to stick to.

Does anybody else here think Obama is wacked when he writes about feeling a "fist in the stomach" because his grandmother was legitimately very afraid of being "hit over the head" by someone who happened to be black?

Come on... Let''s hear it? Does this sound NORMAL TO YOU?

[tiredofthebs]

THere is no guarantee that Obama can change the politics in Washington....but it is DAMNED certain that the interned veterans Clinton and McCain who make their bread on the grift have no impetus to even attempt a change. They will only present facade and let the big money interests have their way.


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

Posted by Nearl4511 at 09:58 PM : Apr 21, 2008


And OBAMA won''t ?! Naive .......

[tiredofthebs]

Obamites cannot respond to anything meaningful... They just have their script to stick to.

Does anybody else here think Obama is wacked when he writes about feeling a "fist in the stomach" because his grandmother was legitimately very afraid of being "hit over the head" by someone who happened to be black?

Come on... Let''''s hear it? Does this sound NORMAL TO YOU?




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

Posted by neonink at 10:01 PM : Apr 21, 2008


It sounds FRIGHTENING !!! This is why the SUPERDELEGATE system exists. To prevent catastrophies like this from happening. The OBAMA nation follows their candidate blindly for no other reason than his brilliant oratory skills(which were lacking in the ABC Debate). Mass murderers like Jim Jones & Adolf Hitler were known for their abilty to move the crowd with words as well. Should we nominate one of them ?

[tiredofthebs]

Not here in my region. Mosy independents I''''''''ve talked to view OBAMA as a PREACHER lost in POLITICS ..... all talk. And they look at the WRIGHT fiasco with disdain.

Posted by TiredoftheBS at 09:52 PM : Apr 21, 2008
-----
I''''m guessing your region is rather "rural" then huh?


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

Posted by Policrypt at 10:01 PM : Apr 21, 2008


Memphis (not born/raised here). And yes, it''s just a BIG COUNTRY TOWN though the residents here feel otherwise.