It was my turn to interview Barack Obama today, and ask something that’s been on my mind: He talks about changing the culture in Washington, and running a positive campaign, and while his public statements and ads have taken the high road, his campaign staff has consistently urged reporters to write negative stories about Clinton and sent releases about things like her “legacy of misleading voters.” I asked if that’s consistent with his principles.Obama began nodding his head halfway through my question. His response:
“This is a tension that we have at this stage in the campaign. Once Senator Clinton employed what her own staff called her kitchen sink strategy, they were having a morning call, every morning, in which they were driving the media to negative stories, and at a certain point I think my staff felt concerned that if that’s all everybody was hearing every morning, we weren’t going to be able to get our message out. As you said, what I’ve tried to do is be consistent in terms of my statements and television commercials, and I don’t think that we have crossed the line, but I think that there’s no doubt that I prefer to have a debate about policy.”
“When your staff saw the need to do that, did you personally say, go ahead?” I asked.
Obama shook his head and waved his hand. “Look, I think that national politics, as a I was aware of, and discovered even more, can be a contact sport. We’ve definitely been absorbing a lot more blows than we’ve been giving. We’ve shown great restraint during the course of this campaign. So much so that as you will recall, there were constant cries from columnists and pundits all across the country suggesting that, you know, I might be too nice to be able to win this. So we try to strike that balance. My criteria is making sure that whatever it is that say is truthful and honest and is related to policy.”
Eisenhower, Washington: They're greatest skill was balancing egos at times of crisis: Who has run the best campaign?— Tanksleyd
he has no choice he had to fight back just a little to let her know they were no push over— dru- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/02/obamas-run-in-with-a-pers_n_94694.html if obama can't give 5 seconds for a picture, what will he give time for??— flavious27
- Oh, he's so clean himself? A lyrical spoof on the messianic candidacy of Barack Obama, set to one of the songs from "Jesus Christ, Superstar". http://thedamedomain.blogspot.com/2008/04/ode-to-bama.html— JaneBecker
- No way could the Obama campaign survive to now without some push back on the Clinton skillful attacks, fair and foul, beginning in South Carolina: spouse Bill leading the pack! No, Obama's not a wimp but Clinton wrecking crew thought he was and wishes him one.— CA Hope
- For him to say they have absorbed more then they have given out is just another one of his bold face lies. This guy doesn't know how to tell the truth. He and his camp have been slinging mud at Senator Clinton since before last December. He continues to lie about everything from his parents, to his father's connection with JFK, to Rezko, to the preacher and he continues to sling mud and then he claims the high road? This guy is a hypocrit and shouldn't even be in the race.— Toni
- True to the fact, Obama have to fight back, with that liar Hillary and that Bill, lieing on right wing, running with head, under sniper fire, first lady who? SHOW PHILLY THE TAX PAPER AND STOP THE JOKES AND FAIRY TALES. DENOUNCE HILLARY AT THE POLL— glue
- I'm frustrated that it's never front page news when Obama misspeaks. e.g. When he used the phrase “typical white person” last month. But as usual, Obama continues to get a free pass by the media. Honestly, if Hillary ever said “typical black person”, she would be ripped to shreds by the media. Oh wait, she already is.— Alex
- If you want Bill back in the white house to disgrace us again like he did with Monica, then vote for Hillary. If you want a change with someone whom is fresh and different then vote for Obama, its your choice PA.— lexus817
- Wow Obama was supposed to be all for honesty and cleanness!! What happened to his honesty ? Newsweek and WashingtonPost are the only news media reporting his mistakes and the stories he is spinning out on behalf of his parents and the Kennedys .— ashukti
- Who is Obama kidding? The media is consistently biased in favor of him, and slanted against Clinton. And the race card - his campaign aided by the media were the first to play it, the "bradley effect" was MSNBC's discussion right after NH, Jesse Jackson Jr who is one of Obama's campaign chairs, comparing Clinton tears - to "where were her tears for Katrina." C'mon - the media has given Obama a FREE PASS, and he still complains.— tripvi
- Interesting... Can we truly trust HRC to run this country... read more.... "Hillary Clinton's chief campaign strategist met with Colombia's ambassador to the U.S. on Monday to discuss a bilateral free-trade agreement, a pact the presidential candidate opposes. " http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120726769569388303.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news— tomoguara
- OBAMA misspeaks and the media is in the tank for NOW. NO NEWS on the kiss he offered a HILLARY SUPPORTER IN SCRANTON. Stop not reporting what we should know. http://thepage.time.com/obama-pool-r...-pennsylvania/ the time has come http://youtube.com/watch?v=6xt-uQE4ZA8— stev
- It's testament to Sen. Obama's charm that he can admit to using the same (proven) campaign tactics as other politicians while simultaneously running as a Washington outsider. Hillary isn't perfect, but she's still my candidate!— bacbank
- As I read this post the scene of Obama standing on stage while MCPeak accused Bill Clinton of McCarthyism comes to mind. He even hugged the former general. Hmmm! I think this is telling. Obama supports everything his surrogates say. Now we even hear of a leaked memo from his campaign saying we will have to keep 60,000 - 80,000 troops in Iraq once we withdraw from there. It is no wonder he never gave any numbers for troops post Iraq. Interesting take.— navyvet48
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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