7:57 PM: Obama: I'm a talker and a doer
GREEN BAY -- Barack Obama defended himself Friday against the latest TV ad from rival Hillary Clinton, arguing he has a 20-year track record that proves he is both a talker and a doer.
"That's how change is going to happen," Obama said, referring to discussion and working together to solve problems. "What Senator Clinton doesn't understand is that none of that matters if all we're doing is bickering and engaging in the same old partisan politics."
Clinton began a TV ad this week questioning why Obama had refused to meet her in a Wisconsin debate before Tuesday's primary. She followed it up with a second spot today complaining that he refuses to debate, saying he is instead "hiding behind false attack ads." The spot says Obama's health care plan would leave 15 million people without coverage, that he voted to pass billions in "Bush giveaways" to oil companies and said he has indicated he might raise the retirement age for Social Security and cut benefits.
Speaking on the UW-Green Bay campus, "I'm skinny, but I'm tough" and took a swipe at the Clintons by saying, "The last thing we need is to have the same old folks doing the same old things."
Obama also had harsh words for John McCain, whom Obama said he reveres and should be applauded for his service to the country.
"McCain is wrong on the economy," Obama said. "He is wrong on Iraq when he says that we should stay there for 50 or 60 or 100 years. ... He is looking backwards, and I am looking forwards."
Obama began the speech by asking, "What's up, cheeseheads?" and poked fun at his hometown football team, the Chicago Bears.
Those attending the rally included Gov. Jim Doyle, state Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, state Reps. James Soletski, D-Green Bay, and Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna, and Green Bay Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga.
Obama spoke briefly on a variety of issues including social security, health care, veterans affairs, tax breaks, energy policies, the Iraq war and restoring bipartisan support in Washington. He spent the most time discussing education and the other candidates in the race.
"Hope is not blind optimism," Obama said. "Nothing worthwhile in this country would have ever happened except somebody, somewhere was willing to hope."
-- By Tim Maylander
Labels: 2008 spring primary