RALEIGH, N.C. — And on it goes. Sen. Barack Obama is up with another response ad to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's gas tax "holiday" push.
Team Clinton says the ad is deliberately misrepresenting a quote from a Paul Krugman column that went after Sen. John McCain's plan as offering a "boost" for oil industry profits.
"Their citation is an April 28 column by Paul Krugman, which discusses Sen. McCain's plan, not Hillary's plan: 'The impression that Mr. McCain's tax talk is all about pandering is reinforced by his proposal for a summer gas tax holiday - a measure that would, in fact, do little to help consumers, although it would boost oil industry profits,'" the campaign wrote in a release.
Though Clinton aides said on a conference call today the former first lady would keep campaigning on the "holiday" proposal through the remaining contests, Team Obama noted that she so far isn't pushing the issue in Oregon, sending around links to news outlets that oppose the idea in the Beaver State. Obama aides also noted her ads in Oregon don't mention the gas tax.
Speaking of newspapers, Obama was endorsed today by the Charlotte Observer, which says it's "time for a change," and three Indiana papers. (Clinton won over the Indianapolis Star editorial board earlier this week.)
UPDATE: I forgot to mention Obama aides also sent reporters this clip from an Indiana news station blasting the gas tax holiday idea this week:
Also, Obama is running this online ad that sends voters to a "find your polling place" link and includes his earlier gas tax holiday ad.
— Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (6)
Obama has my vote. The old pander politics are dead.
Posted by Deward Bowles | May 4, 2008 4:39 PM
I hope the so-called 'uneducated' and 'blue collar' voters who are supposedly leaning toward Hillary aren't falling for the misrepresentation of Barack Obama as someone who is 'out of touch' with ordinary Americans. You have only to read a chapter or two of either of his books to understand who this man is and what he's committed to.
Despite the media's attempt to make him into a cartoon character, this is the 'real deal' for average Americans. He will truly represent the average person in this country; his own life is the testament of someone who comes from humble beginnings and benefited from opportunities that he now wants others to enjoy as well, regardless of race, region or party.
Posted by rosie | May 4, 2008 8:58 PM
Obama has my vote too. I could almost go for McCain on everything except his foreign policy. Every statement like the one Clinton makes about Iran just strengthens the hand of Iranian hardliners against others in Iran with whom we might be willing to deal. We share a lot of strategic interests with Iran, and, unlike the Arabs, the Iranians might actually be willing to help us in combat on the ground in places like Afghanistan to bring the country under control and serve as a counter-weight against radicals in Pakistan.
Posted by George Robertson | May 4, 2008 10:32 PM
When will Americans learn that Obama is just as bad as your normal politicians. What change did he bring to the primaries across the country other than the same old politics. As he slides down the polls, he is using far more negative ads than Clinton and McCain combined. I understand the blacks voting for Obama but why are some of the white Americans are fooled by this guy. That should be a topic in one of the segment in the 60-minute show. Are some of the Americans gullible for a slick oil salesman.
Posted by Jim Richmond | May 4, 2008 11:28 PM
The rise in gas prices is caused by a constant global supply and a increasing global demand. When the supply exceeds the demand the price goes down. When Congress forces emission caps on vehicles, they are affecting the demand because the additional filters require more horsepower which increases demand. Ehtanol in the current engines is not as efficient as gasoline so it also reduces efficiency which requires more consumption for equal horsepower. The damage has already been done with regard to gas prices. All Clinton, Obama and McCain are proposing is damage control until they can get elected.
Posted by Larry Stone | May 5, 2008 6:25 AM
I simply cannot understand why anyone listens to anything that comes out of Hillary Clinton's mouth.
This has moved beyond sniper fire to outright lies for votes. Next, she'll just tap into her fortune and hand Indiana voters $30 for their votes. At least that way they would actually see the money.
The world is watching, and I for one, am embarassed.
Posted by Susan | May 5, 2008 12:00 PM