"Collective punching bag": Obama draws fire from Democratic contenders

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: August 2, 2007
Obama draws fire from Democratic contenders

WASHINGTON (CNN) — After Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, unveiled his comprehensive plans to deal with terrorism this week, he became his Democratic presidential rivals’ collective punching bag.

In an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday, Obama was asked if he would use nuclear weapons to defeat terrorism and Osama bin Laden. “I think it would be a profound mistake for us to use nuclear weapons in any circumstance, involving civilians,” Obama said to the Associate Press. “Let me scratch that. There’s been no discussion of nuclear weapons. That’s not on the table.”

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton criticized his comments at a press conference. “I don’t believe any president should make any blanket statements in respect to the use or non-use of nuclear weapons,” she said. She and Obama had an ongoing fight last week over how to handle diplomacy with rogue countries like North Korea, Iran and Venezuela.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd sent out a statement attacking Obama. “Over the past several days, Senator Obama’s assertions about foreign and military affairs have been, frankly, confusing and confused. He has made threats he should not make and made unwise categorical statements about military options,” Dodd said. Across the board, most of his opponents came out swinging against his major counter-terrorism speech on Wednesday.

“It is dangerous and irresponsible to leave even the impression the United States would needlessly and publicly provoke a nuclear power,” Dodd said in a statement. “I disagree with his plan to leave troops in Iraq indefinitely. We still would be militarily overextended,” New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said in a statement. And Delaware Sen. Joe Biden called Obama’s talking points a “Johnny-come-lately position.”...

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/08/02/obama-draws-fire-from-08-dems/

[Colobo]

1. The 2nd tier candidates wanna win points with Hillary to see if they get the VP spot.

[maximusveritas]

2. Funny how all these guys criticizing him supported the War in Iraq

and then they have the nerve to use the words "unwise" "dangerous" and "irresponsible" about someone else?

You gotta give credit to Edwards for not jumping onto this. He, like most sensible Americans, agreed with Obama and decided not to make some ridiculous criticism just for political gain.

[cyberpj]

3. This is how any honest candidate gets trained to learn to speak Politico. After that they learn

to make the deals and take the bribes if they want to play in the game.

The system is broken and, in my opinion, beyond repair now.