RICHMOND
Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, locked in a delegate-by-delegate struggle for the Democratic presidential nomination, turned their attention to a common foe – Republican John McCain – before about 6,000 raucous Democrats here Saturday night.
At a four-hour party dinner that was part political convention and part revival, the pair assailed the Arizona senator as little more than President Bush with an impressive military background.
McCain is “a genuine American hero. We honor his half-century of service,” Obama said. But “in this campaign, this year, he has made the decision to embrace the failed policies of George Bush and his administration.”
Clinton was equally critical. Bush has delivered “seven years of government of the few, by the few, for the few,” and now is vouching for McCain’s conservative credentials, she said amid groans from the crowd.
“I’m sure that will help,” she added.
The back-to-back speeches came as Virginians prepare to go to the polls Tuesday for an important primary in the Clinton-Obama contest. Published polls give Obama an edge not only in the Old Dominion but in Maryland and Washington, D.C., the other jurisdictions voting that day.
Obama, who spoke after Clinton Saturday night, seemed the clear crowd favorite, as his speech repeatedly was interrupted with passionate chants of “Yes We Can,” his campaign slogan.
But his apparent advantage did not keep the Illinois senator from sharpening his differences with Clinton, who mentioned him only briefly in her remarks.
“We owe the American people a real choice, a choice between debates with John McCain over who has the most experience in Washington or who has the best chance to change Washington,” he said.
` Clinton, he said, has taken more money from lobbyists than McCain, while he hasn’t taken a dime. And her candidacy will alienate crucial independent voters, he claimed, while he can win them.
Obama also hammered home his early opposition to the war in Iraq, while Clinton voted in the Senate to authorize Bush’s use of military force. “John McCain will not be able to say I supported going to war in Iraq,” he said.
Clinton, whose campaign is built largely on her claims that she has the government experience needed to be a successful president “from day one,” touched on a familiar list of policy proposals. She reminded the crowd of her support of health care reform, pre-kindergarten programs for young children and low-interest loans for college students, among others.
“For me politics is not a game,” she said. “It’s not about who’s up or who’s down, it’s about your life, your family, your future. Isn’t it about time you had a president who brought your voice and your values to the White House?”
Clinton also touched on the history in her candidacy, and Obama’s, recalling the civil rights and women’s rights struggles of the 1960s. Because of sacrifices made then, “children of future generations will take it for granted that a woman or an African-American can be president of the United States,” she said.
Obama, often criticized for being short on policy specifics, had his own list of priorities, promising universal health care in his first year as president, better early childhood education, annual increases in the minimum wage and tax cuts for middle class wage-earners.
Obama also offered a heavy dose of the inspirational rhetoric that has become his trademark.
“I know how hard change is, but I also know this: Nothing worthwhile has ever happened in this country unless someone, somewhere was willing to hope.”
Saturday’s faceoff capped four days of frenetic campaigning for Tuesday’s “Chesapeake Primary.”
Clinton has been in the state three times since Tuesday and on Saturday she brought in her highest-profile ally, her husband. Bill Clinton, to rev up Democrats during stops in Chesapeake and Richmond.
Obama’s appearance at the Jefferson-Jackson event was his first in the state but he and Clinton were scheduled for multiple stops today and on Monday.
On the arena floor, where corporate sponsors bought up dinner tables at $1,000 each, the scene resembled giant wedding party, with tuxedoed men and women in formal dresses savoring a meal of sirloin steak and pan-seared salmon, washed down by an assortment of Virginia wines at $30 per bottle.
But in the stands, where tickets sold for as little as $25, many were tieless and informal, and wolfed down hot dogs and popcorn from VCU’s basketball game menus.
In a drab auxiliary gym downstairs before the dinner, hundreds of Obama and Clinton partisans sipped drinks and talked politics.
Virginia R. Armstrong, a former assistant principal at Granby HIgh School in Norfolk, was savoring the opportunity to make history by putting Clinton in the oval office.
“I like the idea of a woman being president,” she said. “I’ve been very involved in women’s political concerns and I’m so impressed with her story and her intelligence and her leadership abilities.
Armstrong admitted to worries that Clinton may be losing momentum in the race. “She apparently doesn’t have that quick likeability on TV,” she said.
Scott Robinson, 24, a Fairfax County resident transplanted from New York, grew up in a staunchly Republican family that became Clinton supporters when the former first lady won a Senate seat there in 2000, he said.
They were won over by Clinton’s advocacy for better health care, particularly for seniors, Robinson said. And she didn’t just talk policy, she worked on practical improvements such as a widely-distributed pamphlet that explains health care and health insurance options for seniors in simple language.
Yet lately Robinson finds himself leaning to Obama – “he is bringing every group together.”
Rose Winston of Richmond, a paralegal and real estate agent, described herself as still undecided. She said she is thrilled at the prospect that a black or a woman could be elected president, but fears that the enthusiasm she sees among her fellow African-Americans this year will evaporate unless Obama is the nominee.
She added that she hasn’t forgotten the work the Clintons did for blacks during Bill Clinton’s eight years in the White House, and she worries that Obama is “still trying to find himself”
Obama supporter Pam Kovacs of Richmond, a VCU professor of social work, said, “It hurts me that I’m not supporting a woman.” But she worries that Clinton, if nominated, “will mobilize a lot of people just to come out and vote against her.”
Jane Rosecrans of Henrico County, who teaches at a community college, said she’s concerned that Clinton makes important decisions based on political calculations rather than conviction.
Rosecrans said she’s unpersuaded by complaints that Obama’s relatively short tenure in office isn’t sufficient preparation for the burdens of the presidency.
The Illinois senator “doesn’t just give speeches,” she said. “He gives great speeches that motivate people to act.”
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John
In my opinion I honestly feel Hillary is the only one that can clean up the Bush mess. Are there flaws in the Clinton's? Yes! Obama sings a good song, but his lack of experience really scares me. He makes this "change" sould all to easy, and it simply doesn't work that way. McCain is an arm of Bush, and I certainly don't want anymore of that mentality. Huckabee, cannot clean up the Bush mess nor can an evangelical chirstian unite this country. Votng for Hillary we also get Bill. Some see that as a negative, I see it as a posituve. Bill Clinton is the best diplomat we've seen in many years. With Hillary as President and Bill as a US Ambassador, I feel that's the only winning choice to unite this country and clear up the Bush mess. I hope you think about it and VOTE!
I respect your opinion, george
I hear what you're saying (have even heard it from my wife), but I have NO FAITH in the choices. You said it yourself - Bush is the worst president we've ever had, voted in by a bunch of fools. Or possibly, voted in by a bunch of people who disliked him the least.
Think about it George - which one of the people on the current list has any chance at all of cleaning up the mess that Bush created - we don't need posturing, we need a positive outcome, or the country is doomed...
John Wilburn
In my opinion people who don't vote don't have any right to complain about who's running or how our government is being run. There is no such thing as a perfect president. We have the worst one this country has ever seen in the WH now serving his 8th years. God knows he isn't perfect, but a lot of fools voted for him, and if they vote for McCain, the Bush wannabe, then we will have 4 more years of the same insane mentality.
"this stimulus package is a sign of things to come"
Thanks to Bush so desperately trying to fix the economy. Both parties are complicit in this device. If the repubs had integrity, they would not have lost in 2006. Dems won't be any better or worse.
Keithb..
I agree with your post. The budget plus the interest we have to pay and we will always be paying goes to the next generation. What I find so disgusting is that none of the candidates had anything new to say about oweing China 1.4 trillion dollars plus the other 5-7 trillion dollars. Add to this is China is a major player in the Lazaro Cardenas-Kansas City Corridor. Chinese goods with Mexican labor. Would that be a death blow to Longshoreman? Sorry, only candidate that really struck me is the man who probably will not get the nomination. Ron Paul! Maybe he wants to "gut" the Federal Reserve and go back to "Constitutional Law"? I always thought that "We The People" should own our ports. They are major economic engines, but that too was brushed aside! I always thought that the U.S. Treasury should coin and issue money but that was taken away years ago. In closing, someone mentioned drinking and a hangover? Enjoy this "new political drink", the hangover "after" is going to hurt and shock all of us. No matter who gets to be President!
keithb
This is the closest we've ever come to agreement but the hangover that a democrat controlled congress and ultra liberal president will make the republican expenditures seem like chump change - even with the war. SCHIP for millions more, money for having kids, college money for everyone, mandatory universal health care, programs for illegals, heating grants, extended unemployment benefits, etc, etc, etc. The democrats have been in control of the money for over a year and the debt hasn't gotten any better - this stimulus package is a sign of things to come.
We need a constitutional amendment that forces a balanced budget without unlimited tax increases. Interest on our current debt is $500B per year and will eventually surpass the DOD budget as the second largest expenditure behind......entitlements.
the hangover is coming?
We've already had the same hangover with Bush in the WH and a repub majority in both Houses of Congress. I agree with the idea of the three segments split between the parties.
OH - MY - GOD
I pulled up this Website this morning and I saw, "Which of the remaining presidential contenders would you vote for?"
Prepare yourselves, "patriots" - I have never voted, because I have never liked ANY of the choices that have been presented to me, since 1975, when I turned 21. That's sad.
Yes, I'm, "too picky" in some ways. When it comes to the welfare of my country, which I love, I'm picky. I refuse to waste my vote, which is precious to me, on someone I simply DO NOT BELIEVE IN.
There is something fundamentally wrong with a process that FORCES us to vote for the one we dislike the least, rather than the one we believe in.
I'm not even willing to waste the vote that the Pilot afforded me, on these clowns...
Brainless voters
It’s funny and sad to see just how many idiots are voting. People who vote for Hillary because she’s a woman; Obama because he’s black; McCain because...who knows; people who think universal health care will be free; people who are oblivious to the costs associated with the proposed social programs being touted by the candidates and that there are only two ways to meet those promises – increased taxes or reductions in other expenditures. And worse – people who think it's a good idea for one party to be in control of the White House and both houses of congress. Bill Clinton gets credit for a balanced budget but the house controls spending and the only time the budget was balanced was with a split government. The euphoria of an Obama or Clinton presidency coupled with a democratic congress will hit hard reality not long after the ticker tape is cleaned up. Enjoy the drinks, the hangover is coming.
DonVabeach
Actually, I did read about this two weeks prior while waitingto see my dentist. It was an article in Newsweek or something similiar. The Clintons have been in Gov't so long I wonder what dirt or made -up lies they have on people. Truth be told running for President is nothing more than a drama series. Honestly they need to cut back this process, it is like the malls putting up Christmas items in October. Enough is enough. Who ever is President, Good Luck.
Democrats are in a box now.
The democrat choices are both a disaster to themselves if one of the remaining candidates chooses the other to be their running mate. A Senator Clinton and Obama ticket means that people will vote against her if she’s the party nomination. An Obama and Senator Clinton would not pull enough votes because Senator Clinton is on the ticket. Both democrat candidates must choose a VP candidate that will be likable, not a far out left wing loon and would help pull in votes because the two choices here now will not be able to pull enough voters across the isle for a democrat to be come president.
Senator McCain has more “actual” working in the federal government experience than the 2 democrat candidates combined, no sitting in the W.H.for 8 years does not qualify as government service. Senator McCain must cross back over to the republican isle and support the Fair Tax.
Governor Mike Huckabee is the best candidate to date. He is not a beltway insider or capital hill dinosaur like the other 3 candidates running now. He supports tax reform, he’s answered the questions asked and has not ran on solutions or change slogans with no substance to back it up other than elect
I bet you didn't know this.
I think that most people don't understand the blot on democracy called "superdelegates". By definition, Superdelegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention include all Democratic members of the United States Congress, Democratic governors, other elected officials, members of the DMC, as well as many former office holders. With 796 superdelegates, they make up nearly 40% of the 2025 delegates needed to win the nomination. They can vote for whoever they want, regardless of the votes of the people! The only reason that you see Hillary leading Barack Obama in the delegate counts is because of the superdelegates already pledged to her, at 223 versus 131 for Barack. If there were no superdelegates, Barack Obama would be ahead in delegate count 908 to 877. With superdelegates added, Hillary's ahead 1100 to 1039. That's the number you see on TV, folks. It's possible that Barack will win the most delegates as voted by the people, but still lose because of the independent superdelegates! Nobody tells you that....huh?
Candidates?
I'm an independent voter, and none of the candidates thrill me.
I do know though that I don't want to see the Clintons back in the White House.
Yet again, we choose from the best of the worst.
You hope it’s over. I have my doubts. Let's see what we have for candidates. Consider these brief examples. A first term Senator with limited state legislature experience. Kind of like voting to make a second year resident in pediatric medicine the Chief of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. A carpet bagging Senator who already left her mark on the White House under the guise of her impeached philandering husband. Different car, same track, same wrecked train. A liberal Senator in conservative clothing who works both sides of the aisle equally well since he apparently can't make up his mind which side he is on. A wacky Constitutionalist Senator who's primary objective is to surgically gut the government by using a bulldozer. I urge you all to vote but please, please, place your vote only after ensuring you do your research on all the candidates. Good luck America, we really need it.
RE: Kirk"s "Long Nightmare" Comment
If you think this admin has been a nightmare (which it has), just wait till any one of the three running, actually make it to the white house. He or she will be tested and we will get to watch the "false flag" get run up the pole again. Really looking forward to see the next 5 years and the next "Broadway" hit. Still going to vote for Paul-even if he's not on the ballot.
Wake Up Republicans...McCain Is A Fraud!!!
What are you Republicans thinking by voting for John McCain?
How soon we forget that John McCain was nearly JOHN KERRY's vice presidential candidate in the last election.
Unless we want the Democrats to control our party too...
Let's vote Huckabee!!!!!!!!!!!!
Washington Players and Washington Game
Senator Barack Hussein Obama said,''the same old Washington game with the same old Washington players.'' Interesting...Both Senator Barack Hussein Obama and Senator Hiliary Rodham Clinton have Washington as a work address. So arent't they also the "same old Washington players" playing the "same old Washington game'? Where's the change in the air?
Will win in Virginia
Obama is on a roll!!! If the landslide wins in Washington Nebraska and Louisiana are any indication Barack will win Virginia Washington and Maryland. I have been going door to door in Virginia Beach and Norfolk and have gotten a great response from all kinds of people and even found some Republicans who are switching to the Obama camp. Did not find a single person who strongly supported Clinton, just a few undecideds who after a few minutes of explaining to them that Obama is the only candidate who can bring the country together (Hillary has way too much baggage) were convinced that Obama should be our next president. Virginia, this is our moment, this is our time, Vote on Tuesday!!!
Huckabee Defies the Odds
The true story of intrigue here is Huckabee's win over McCain on the GOP side. Huckabee has the potential to galvanize the base of party and yet establish himself as the rightful man to lead the GOP forward.
Bush leaving
Our long national nightmare will soon be over.