WP's Dan Balz: Obama Says He Can Unite U.S. 'More Effectively' Than Clinton

[flpoljunkie]

Obama Says He Can Unite U.S. 'More Effectively' Than Clinton
By Dan Balz

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 15, 2007; A01

MANCHESTER, N.H., Aug. 14 -- Drawing a sharp contrast with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, his main rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama said in an interview that he has the capacity she may lack to unify the country and move it out of what he called "ideological gridlock."

"I think it is fair to say that I believe I can bring the country together more effectively than she can," Obama said. "I will add, by the way, that is not entirely a problem of her making. Some of those battles in the '90s that she went through were the result of some pretty unfair attacks on the Clintons. But that history exists, and so, yes, I believe I can bring the country together in a way she cannot do. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be running."

<>But he also made a broader argument that more than a change in parties is needed to fix the country's problems. At one point, Obama said he was not singling out Clinton in saying that he is better able to pull the nation together than any of his challengers, but over the course of the 40-minute interview he volunteered a number of contrasts between his views and Clinton's.

"Her argument is going to be that 'I'm the experienced Washington hand,' and my argument is going to be that we need to change the ways of Washington," he said. "That's going to be a good choice for the American people."

<>"I think it's very clear what their political strategy is," he said of the Clinton campaign. "They want to project Senator Clinton as the seasoned, experienced hand. I don't fault them for that. That's the strategy they're pursuing, and my response is that what the American people need and what the Oval Office needs right now is good judgment. Experience can be a proxy for good judgment, but it isn't always."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/14/AR2007081401939.html?hpid=artslot

Obama interview clips: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/08/14/VI2007081401202.html?hpid=artslot

[Benhurst]

1. "Bringing us together" is a brilliant campaign strategy.

It worked for Richard Nixon.

It worked for George W. Bush, at least to a certain degree-- he ended up having to steal the election.

Jeez!

I wish Obama would stick with campaigning on his record and his opposition to the Iraq invasion.

I don't want to compromise with or be brought together with the neocons who have ruined this great nation -- not that they are willing to enter into such an alliance in any event.

"Bringing us together" under the present circumstances is naive at best, disingenuous at worst.

Senator Obama has done and can do better.

[CTLawGuy]

4. just becuase "unity" was bullshit with Bush

doesn't mean it is bullshit with Obama. Remember, Bush is a serial liar and incredibly political in all his words and actions.

[Benhurst]

5. And just where is the room for compromise with those who have

shredded our Constitution, stolen us blind, blurred the historic distinction between church and state, and lied this country into an immoral and illegal invasion of a nation which did us no harm?

Every time our leadership compromises with the Bush Crime Family and its followers, they get mugged.

Enough, already!

[CTLawGuy]

10. except they won't be there anymore

once Obama is president.

[msongs]

2. ha ha some of his fans on DU certainly are not so much in favor of unity nt

[mrgorth]

3. His fans on DU

are in favor of winning the 08 general election.

[flpoljunkie]

6. Politics is a contact sport, no less for Obama than any other Dem candidate. Pointing out your

differences and making your case is the reason why we have the primary process.

[flpoljunkie]

11. If you definition of "unity" is uniting behind Hillary's candidacy, no they're absolutely not!

[Bitwit1234]

7. You are 100% correct about the fans on DU

If the posts they are constantly putting up about Hillary Clinton trying to convince people not to vote for her is an example of unity within our party. THEN ALL I CAN SAY THEY DON'T LIKE UNITY. They like complete surrender to their candidate and their candidate alone.

[Karmadillo]

8. Richard M. Nixon: "My friends, America needs to be brought together."

I guess if one is going to model one's campaign on Ronald Reagan's, one might as well start borrowiing from Richard Nixon.

http://pacificaradioarchives.org/projects/transcripts/pdf/nixon_rally.pdf

There were many signs, like those I see here. But one sign held by a
teenager said, “Bring us together again.” My friends, America needs to be brought
together. The American people are ready to be brought together. This is not a nation of
haters. This is a nation that is generous in its spirit. It is great with regard to its idealism.
There is nothing wrong with America, my friends, that a good election won’t cure. Let’s
have one! (APPLAUSE AND CHEERS)

[flpoljunkie]

9. Now that's low--quoting the forever disgraced Richard M. Nixon's deceitful and empty promise!