11:55 AM: Obama says Clinton in 'business-as-usual business'
MILWAUKEE -- Speaking with reporters in Milwaukee this morning, Sen. Barack Obama responded to Hillary Clinton's newest campaign line that she's in the "solutions business," saying she's part of the "business-as-usual business."
Obama mocked Clinton's promise yesterday to take on lobbyists after she said at a debate in August that they represent "real people."
"But in this campaign she has taken nearly double the amount from lobbyists than any Democrat or Republican running for president," Obama said. "That's not being a part of the solutions business, that's being in the business-as-usual business."
Obama also defended his decision to not debate before the Feb. 19 primary, saying he's already debated 18 times and that he wanted to spend the time directly talking with voters.
"The debate exercise is one that, I think, has become fairly predictable," Obama said. "I could make the arguments on behalf of Sen. Clinton that she will make against me in the debate. I'm sure the same applies on the other side."
Obama also addressed the shootings at Northern Illinois University.
"We hear about heartbreaking acts of violence like this day after day, and week after week," Obama said. "They come in and out of the headlines, and after a while most of the world goes on, but for all the loved ones who are left behind, the pain and sorrow, I can only imagine, remains for a very, very long time."
Obama said he offers his thoughts and prayers but said "we also have to offer them our determination to do what it takes to eradicate this violence from our streets, from our schools, from our neighborhoods and our cities."
Obama said he supports enforcing existing gun laws and also backs measures that allow law enforcement to trace guns and bullets.
Other topics addressed during the roughly 30-minute press conference included the economy, concerns surrounding his support of an energy bill, and his opposition to the possibility of having the previously-barred Florida or Michigan delegates count in a way that could sway the election.
Listen to the audio here
-- By David Wise
Labels: 2008 spring primary