Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama shakes hands before speaking to a crowd at a campaign stop Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, in Independence, Iowa. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
by John McCormick, updated
WATERLOO, Iowa – Democratic president candidate Barack Obama said today that he has been heavily covered by the news media in recent years and suggestions that there might be surprises in his background are off base.
The junior senator from Illinois was responding to statements made Friday by Hillary Clinton, who suggested that there would be "no surprises" about her history if she were picked as the Democratic nominee.
Obama, appearing at a news conference in a blue-bunting adorned middle-school band room here, said he strongly disagrees with Clinton's suggestions.
"I think the argument they're making is that they've been around a long time, and so, whatever negative information is out there, people already know," he said. "The assumption then is that, you know, lurking in another candidate's past who haven't been around for 20 years, there might be something."
After indirectly mentioning a biographical series done earlier this year by the Chicago Tribune, Obama said he himself has written two books about his life.
"I've probably been more reported on than any political figure in the country over the last year," he said. "I hardly think that I've been under exposed during the course of this race."
Obama then went on to contrast such questions with statements that were made by the Clintons when they were in the White House.
"I understand that there is a history of politics being all about slash and burn and taking folks down," he said. "I recall the Clintons themselves calling [it] the politics of personal destruction that they decried. And my suspicion is, that's just not where the country is right now. They are not interested in politics as a blood sport. They're interested in governance and solving problems."
Obama also gave his version of events from an exchange he had Thursday morning on a tarmac in Washington, D.C., where Clinton apologized for statements about his drug use during high school that were made by her national and New Hampshire co-chairman.
Obama said the exchange was likely briefer than the 10 minutes that have been described by his aides.
"She asked my staff if I would come around the plane to speak to her...I said I appreciated the apology. I suggested ... it was important for us as the heads of our campaigns, to make sure that we are sending a clear message, that this is not the kind of tone that we should tolerate. At that point, she got on the plane."
Asked whether he felt the apology was honest, Obama stopped short. "I'm not going to characterize it, beyond what I just said," he said.
With The Des Moines Register expected to issue its endorsements this evening, Obama joked that the importance is hard to measure.
"It depends on whether I get the endorsement," he said. "Look, obviously we would love to have the endorsement of The Des Moines Register and any newspaper here in Iowa, you know, I think it would be disingenuous to pretend we haven't actively sought it. But I don't think it overrides whatever work has been done out in the field, in town hall meetings and in precinct captain organizing and all the stuff that involves direct contact with voters. I think that, ultimately, makes more difference."
Obama was also asked whether his opposition researchers gather "personal" information about his rivals.
"Every campaign is going to be looking at, you know, did they flip flop on a health care issue or, you know, are they consistent on their trade policy," he said. "I have been very clear to my campaign: I do not want to see research that is involved in trying to tear people down, personally. If find out that somebody is doing that, they will be fired."
Obama was then asked why his researchers have spent time at the Clinton presidential library in Arkansas. "That I can't answer because I don't know that for certain, but they would not be looking for personal items," he said.
Obama was also asked about statements by former President Bill Clinton, who in an interview broadcast Friday evening questioned Obama's experience.
In the interview with Charlie Rose, the former president compared Obama to himself in 1988. Clinton said he felt he had enough talent to be elected president then, but knew that he was not ready to be president.
"I knew in my bones I shouldn't run," the former president said. "I was a good enough politician to win, but I didn't think I was ready to be president."
Asked if a vote for Obama is a roll of the dice, he said: "It's less predictable, isn't it? I mean when is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running?"
Obama said he heard nothing new in the interview.
"This is an argument that they have been making during the duration of this campaign," he said. "Here's a quote: 'The same old experience is a problem. You can have the right kind of experience or the wrong kind of experience. Mine is rooted in the real lives of real people and will bring real results if we have the courage change.' That was Bill Clinton in 1992."
Obama said he has plenty of experience.
"I have been involved in government for over a decade, so the notion that there is a particular kind of experience that he has had, or his wife has had, that is more relevant, I would dispute," he said.
Obama said he suspects he is getting more attention from other candidates because of his recent rise in state and national polls.
"Look, I mean, you know, when I was 20 points down, they all thought I was a wonderful guy," he said, laughing. "So, obviously, things have changed here in Iowa and elsewhere in the country and I understand that's the kind of politics we have become accustomed to."
Asked whether Americans are forgiving about past drug use, Obama stressed that his use of marijuana and cocaine were long ago.
"I can't say how Americans think generally about it," he said. "I do think the average American believes that what somebody does when they were a teenager, 30 years ago, is probably not relevant to how they are going to be performing as commander and chief and president of the United States. I think people have pretty good judgment about that."
Obama said his "Midwestern sensibility" has more to do with his doing well in Iowa than the fact that he is from an adjoining state.
"Look, if they're suggesting that I as this callow youth ... somehow had a structural advantage in Iowa relative to the Clinton operation and the former president of the United States, you know that doesn't strike me as a real plausible argument," he said. "But what I do believe is that we have done a great job organizing on the ground and I'm very proud of it. I'm proud of the people who've been out here working for the last nine months, developing relationships, listening to Iowa caucus-goers and that I do think has made a difference. We have done a terrific job organizing on the ground. We've put in a lot of time here. We've taken it very seriously and there probably does, there probably is an advantage to me having a Midwestern sensibility and, you know, a lot of the issues that are of concern to folks here are ones that I've worked on before and I'm familiar with and I care deeply about."
Obama joked that he would have to use "magic carpets" to compete with recent news that Clinton plans to campaign by helicopter in Iowa on Sunday.
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Comments
Once the charade is over and his campaign collapses, our next goal must be to get this hack of our payroll in Illinois. He's done absolutely nothing for the people of Illinois as U.S. senator. He has, however, cut some sweet deals to enrich himself (e.g. Rezko) and his wife (tell me again how she was able to more than triple her salary at the U of Chicago immediately after he was "elected?"). Obama is little more than a novelty candidate of little substance and experience.
Posted by: Derrick | December 15, 2007 2:39 PM
Bill Clinton is TOTALLY deceptive!
All respect i had for the former president is out the window.
Obama has been in elected office for 11 years- 4 more than Hillary!
For Bill Clinton to imply that Obama has only 1 year of experience is intentionally misleading!
I'm sick of dirty old politics.
Posted by: jds | December 15, 2007 2:46 PM
where is Obama firing or atleast not accepting endorsement from Wyoming senator when he takes cheap shots at personal life of Hillary and Bill clinton during endorsement speech? whom is Obama kidding. and regarding the drug use issue,
drug use is an issue, not because of drug use itself. its about consistency of his book. he has already lied about teens, its 20 now. but was it 20? 22? 24? that throws away books assertion of teens. now since one assertion goes flawed, what else will be flawed? how many more inconsistencies? did he lie in his books about facts? one fact a lie.. more facts possible lies. then there is judgement call on talking about it in high school infront of teenage kids. do the teachers unions approve it? do the anti-drug community approve it? what do the youth counseling NGO's think about this issue?
Posted by: chris | December 15, 2007 3:08 PM
Chunkabee Huckabee must have seen recent polls which show Obama kicking his ass.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican Mike Huckabee is questioning the Bush administration's policy on Iraq, criticizing what he calls the White House’s “arrogant bunker mentality.”
“Much like a top high school student, if [the United States] is modest about its abilities and achievements, if it is generous in helping others, it is loved. But if it attempts to dominate others, it is despised,” he writes in the January/February issue of Foreign Affairs.
In the magazine, published by the Council on Foreign Relations, Huckabee says the president did not call for enough troops during the invasion of Iraq, and disregarded the advice of Gen. Eric Shinseki, who said several hundred thousands troops would be needed.
Huckabee also calls recent U.S. policy toward Pakistan a “setback” and a “waste” in the article, released Friday, and says that the United States “might be able to live with a contained Iran.”
The former Arkansas governor has poked fun at his own lack of foreign policy experience, saying earlier this month that while his grasp of foreign policy might be thin, he “did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night."
He faced criticism from campaign rivals last week for not being aware of an intelligence assessment released by the White House that said Iran had effectively ended its effort to create nuclear weapons in 2003 until he was informed of the report by journalists a day later. He told reporters he had been too busy on the trail to keep track of the development.
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 15, 2007 3:20 PM
This is the second time I've heard someone from the Clinton campaign claim Obama has only one year in the U.S. Senate - when he was elected in 2004. This is 2007 - you do the math. Are they truly that clueless, or is this supposed to be some 'clever' subliminal message kind of campaigning? Yet another reason to support Obama.
Posted by: Tom J | December 15, 2007 3:33 PM
"In the interview with Charlie Rose, the former president compared Obama to himself in 1988. Clinton said he felt he had enough talent to be elected president then, but knew that he was not ready to be president."
Mr. Sleazy and Mrs. Cheesy... What else would you expect from the Clintons?
Posted by: Michael J. Weber | December 15, 2007 3:51 PM
Senator Obama is correct to point out that his personal history is well-known and easily accessible. He spoke candidly about the most private aspects of his life in a highly acclaimed memoir he was asked to write after having been elected the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review. He went on to write the Audacity of hope in which he laid out his political views and vision for reviving the American Dream. He has campaigned a number of times for public offices and has won in all but one. He has had countless articles and features done on his life and he appears to have been nothing but honest and candid.
Some of his top opponents have not always been so candid. In fact, some have shown a clear penchant for secrecy.
In my opinion, Obama is not only the most intelligent and accomplished candidate for the Presidency, he is also perhaps the most highly principled candidate we have seen in decades. Thank you and best of luck, Senator Obama!
Posted by: Mo | December 15, 2007 4:04 PM
The Clinton's are running together against Obama and it's sad that they would even consider digging up dirt on anyone, with all the dirt yet to be uncovered in their personal lives. Did everyone forget Monica, Whitewater, Jennifer Flowers and how she stood by her man through it all. That's just the tip of the iceburg I bet.
Could it have been that in order for her to forfill her dream, of becoming the first woman president she needed good old Bill to be the first man?
I can just imagine what they say about about Obama behind closed doors, since he and Michelle have such great family values and not considered typical blacks in their minds.
I am getting tired of hearing what Bill and Hillary have done for black folks, because if they really respected black intellects. They would withdraw Hillary from the race because we don't need anymore underhanded glory seekers in the white house.
Posted by: Jimmie L. | December 15, 2007 4:40 PM
where is Obama firing or atleast not accepting endorsement from Wyoming senator when he takes cheap shots at personal life of Hillary and Bill clinton during endorsement speech? whom is Obama kidding. and regarding the drug use issue,
drug use is an issue, not because of drug use itself. its about consistency of his book. he has already lied about teens, its 20 now. but was it 20? 22? 24? that throws away books assertion of teens. now since one assertion goes flawed, what else will be flawed?
Posted by: chris | December 15, 2007 3:08 PM
Chrissy,
Where exactly did Senator Obama lie in his book? are you going to back up this allegation with some proof?
I didn't think so
If you nutty Wingnuts want to make an issue about past drug use you should have done it when your hero George W Bush was running?
Republicans don't insist on morals when it's one of their own. Their higher standard applies only to other people (Democrats).
But God forgives Republicans and you don't hear the cry for these sinners to step down. That's because the only thing that means anything to the GOP is winning the elections, no matter what they have to do. They'll shut down the government, deny us health care protection, squander out tax money but cutting taxes for the rich. Whatever it takes to win is the Republican platform. Even if it means embracing cocaine.
"There are few clear areas in which we as a society must rise up united and express our intolerance. The most obvious now is drugs. And when that first cocaine was smuggled in on a ship, it may as well have been a deadly bacteria, so much has it hurt the body, the soul of our country. And there is much to be done and to be said, but take my word for it: This scourge will stop." - President Bush in his 1989 Inaugural Address
Full story here:
http://www.sonofbush.com/cocaine.htm
Posted by: John E | December 15, 2007 5:03 PM
It looks like real trouble for Queen and King Clinton and the Princess.
Posted by: Jimmie L. | December 15, 2007 5:40 PM
I used to support Clinton but now I am pro Obama; Their attack on Obama explain while her negative is up their in the poll. Overall, I am going with Obama because he is the tomorrow in this run for white house….also on experience...Let's say you needed open heart surgery and your options were a young cardiologist or the homemaker wife of a former top surgeon; who would you choose? I don’t know about you but as for me and my family our choice will be the young cardiologist…Also, Phil Jackson a great basketball coach won a lot of NBA Championships. Maybe his wife should be in line to be the first female NBA head coach.
This is Bill Clinton on experience vs judgment. Hillary vs Obama if you will.Go figure…
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eMlrSG1xb5k
Posted by: Anonymous | December 15, 2007 5:56 PM
You know so many cheap shots are being put out there, in regards to President Obama , yes i said PRESIDENT because he will prevail and stand for all of us. Once again stop hating because you'll go striaght to hell.
Posted by: Dolores | December 15, 2007 8:38 PM
How do libs like being slimed by the Clinton sleaze machine? and that's being done on one of their own.
Posted by: Terry | December 15, 2007 10:15 PM
If Obama cannot do anything for Illinois in his capacity as senator from Illinois, what can we expect from him as president?
Obama represents change? That's a joke, isn't that?
Posted by: milestone | December 15, 2007 10:35 PM
Please don't be fooled about President Obama not having any experience. How much experience did former President Ronald Reagan have when he ran for governor of California? Better yet, how much experience did Governor Schwaezenegger have before becoming Governor of California? Need I say more. The only experience former President Reagan and Governor Schwaezenegger had was acting in Hollywood. So please stop complaning about Oprah endorsing President Obama.
Posted by: Delores Davis | December 15, 2007 10:48 PM
Tom J., Obama may have been elected in 2004 but he didn't become senator until 2005. And, frankly, for the past year he has not been a senator but a candidate. So, really, he has been a senator for only 2 of the 3 years he's been in office.
Posted by: John D | December 16, 2007 1:01 AM
Tom J., Obama may have been elected in 2004 but he didn't become senator until 2005. And, frankly, for the past year he has not been a senator but a candidate. So, really, he has been a senator for only 2 of the 3 years he's been in office.
Posted by: John D | December 16, 2007 1:01 AM
"If you always tell the truth you don't have to remember what you said." Is my favorite remark regarding politicians.
At this point I believe Obama is living this statement, while Hillary must have an army of stenographers taking notes when she and Bill speak.
Posted by: Reality | December 16, 2007 2:32 AM
Recently free ride for Obama from political press corps, and it feels besieged as it has to bat away incessant questions with Obama's significant shifts, flip flopping on issues such as Patriot Act, Defense of Marriage Act, Fast Track trade authority and benefits for same-sex couples. Given how little experience Obama has, its understandable that his campaign doesnt want any kind of focus on his record, These stories clearly raise questions about Obamas electability and serve as a stark reminder about how little the public knows about his positions. The Illinois chapter of the National Organization for Women, Obama said he would vote to repeal the Patriot Act. In 2006 Obama voted for the redrafted version of the Patriot Act that some critics contended made only minor changes to the original law. On Defense of Marriage Act Obama answered No,to the question: "Do you support repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. On Fast Track authority, which requires Congress to vote yes or no and without amendments on pending trade deals, Obama opposes Fast Track authority because it is a usurpation of Congress' role to ensure that negotiated trade agreements serve the best interests of our country, including protection of the environment, worker rights and human rights.In remarks to the Detroit Economic Club in May, Obama said, I plan to be president, so I actually want Fast Track. But I'm willing to constrain myself in Fast Track to make sure that we’ve got strong labor and environmental protections.On benefits for same-sex couples, Obama said, he would need to evaluate the fiscal impact of extending Social Security benefits to same-sex couples that married couples currently receive. Also Barack Obama (D-IL)involved in a suspicious real estate deal with an indicted political fundraiser, Antoin Tony Rezko. Obama also linked to an alleged influence peddling scandal and was nabbed conducting campaign business in his Senate office, a violation of federal law.
Posted by: Miller | December 16, 2007 10:01 AM
Hillary and Bill have been vetted since at least 1992 -- $50 million investigation by Ken Starr plus everything Drudge and the hate radio people can invent. So far Obama has had nothing but friendly coverage. If he gets the nomination, then the GOP will start sliming him. They're holding off to let him damage Hillary first. The GOP is probably contributing to Obama -- as they did to Nader.
Posted by: 1950democrat | December 16, 2007 9:42 PM