Obama to Respond to Bush Accusation
From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:
CHICAGO -- Barack Obama is expected to respond to President Bush's "appeasement" accusations today while campaigning in South Dakota. Yesterday, Bush likened those who are willing to negotiate with rogue leaders to Nazi appeasers in a speech given at the Israeli Knesset. Although the Bush administration denies that the President was referring specifically to Obama, he and his campaign were quick to interpret it that way.
At a closed fundraiser in Chicago last night, Obama referred to Bush's criticism in the broader context of Republican attacks. "We're going to not only have to fight the Republicans, and all the nonsense that is going to be coming out of them – and I am impressed with the degree with which it has started coming out very quickly," Obama said.
Obama went on to criticize "the kind of politics we just saw today," and said he and his wife, Michelle, have been "battered, bruised and buffeted" on the campaign trail. "Knowing we've got good friends, strong supporters; knowing we've got a city we belong to, makes all the difference in the world," he said.
Today will be Obama's first full day of campaigning in South Dakota, and he'll be joined on the trail by former Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern and former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle. The state's primary is on June 3rd and offers 23 pledged delegates.