CHILLICOTHE — Presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday accused Republican John McCain of trying to divide the country, but he let fellow Democrats handle harsher attacks while he kept his message mostly upbeat.
Speaking to an outdoor audience, Obama said "it's not hard to rile up a crowd by stoking anger and division." He said Americans want "someone who can lead this country" with a steady hand in a time of economic crisis, not divide it.
Echoing McCain's "country first" motto, Obama said, "Now more than ever it is time to put country ahead of politics."
Polls show Obama leading McCain in Ohio and several other battleground states, and he seems eager to keep his campaign on a steady, non-controversial course. As he has done for days, Obama criticized McCain's economic plans and urged Americans to stay calm and confident amid the dramatic drop in the stock market.
The Illinois senator again did not mention McCain's attacks for associating with a former 1960s radical, William Ayers. When asked on a radio talk show, however, Obama said he thought Ayers, now a college professor and neighbor in Chicago with whom he worked on community projects several years ago, was rehabilitated.
Two high-profile supporters took sharper jabs at McCain before Obama came on stage on a sunny, cool day in front of the Ross County Courthouse.
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland told the crowd, "The McCain-Palin campaign and some of their followers unfortunately want you to be afraid of Barack Obama."
Ohio's gun owners, Strickland said, "have nothing to fear from Barack Obama." Nor do people who revere "family and faith," he said, calling Obama "a strong Christian, family man."
Internet rumors have falsely claimed that Obama is a Muslim.
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, also criticized McCain by name, saying the GOP nominee learned his economic lessons from The Wall Street Journal's conservative editorial pages.
Obama, noting the problems that small businesses face when credit is unavailable, said his administration would provide "affordable, fixed-rate loans to small businesses," much as the government did shortly after the 2001 terrorist attacks. The plan would temporarily waive fees for borrowers and lenders, he said, so "we can unlock the credit that small firms need to move forward, pay their workers, and grow their business."
Obama planned a rally in Columbus later Friday, his fifth Ohio event in two days.
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On the Net:
McCain campaign: http://www.johnmccain.com/
Obama campaign: http://www.barackobama.com/index.php
And it's working, the next person who tells me or insinuates that I am a terrorist enabler is getting his head in his @$$.
McCain is a sad human.
Pica, I am not so sure that Mr McCain qualifies for the category of 'humanity' any more. He has descended into a chilling sub-category.
The greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another.-Barack Obama
Now go to Obama/Odinga utube and watch the video with the oragne flames...lets see how Obama plans on healing the country if he is not elected....Raila Odinga is a distant cousin of Obama's..please watch it.
I tried to get it on the site but I must not be transferring it right...can anyone tell me how to transfer the video's?
Race baiting like the idiots who engage in it, is more than ugly it is down right destructive, and I caution all the poor people who have to live and work together in Ohio and the rest of America, who dont live in gated communities in Arizona or in the wilderness of Alaska that the stoking up of racial hatred and animosity more often plays out in our homes than in John McCain and Sarah Palins homes
Beverly, Next time watch the video with the sound on. Alleged distant cousin and Mr Obama wants to find a peaceful resolution. There is no story here. Does not it shame you with all of the well wishes and fears for this country (from both parties) that you post this Armageddon trash here?
More non-news from the campaign that has brought you the last non-news. Barbara in Houston and I approve this comment ;>)
SH-
A wonderful quote from Sen. Obama. Fits perfectly.
That's why so many of us admire him so, and what the right is sadly missing out on; their loss. I LOVED during the debate when Sen. Obama said, yes there are something he doesn't understand, like why we went to war with Iraq. That couldn't be anymore honest or real. Well, for me I want Obama to win more than anything, but if he doesn't (God forbid), he will still do great things for this world and I'll be proud to let my children and grandchildren know that I was on the right side of history. That's something the republicans can't touch.
Yes Obama is so wonderful, He has the best interest for us all, he would never put his political agenda above the freedoms of America, he just wants Peace and love for all Americans...God he's just so like the messiah and I can hardly hold myself back to praise him and bow to his feet...GOD BLESS OBAMA...He will fight for capitolism and protect our freedoms and raise us up above all other nations...I am so in love with him, all those associations he has had are just platonic,casual associations, Obama would never think to communize our country or use socialism, all he has is love......
Republicans WISH they had a candidate like Obama. Their support was luke warm (at best) for him until he put "harpoon Hanna" on his ticket. Now it's only energized his base, but has left out the so needed swing voters. They're leaning Democrat more and more.
You're right "GOD BLESS OBAMA". I couldn't have said it better.
Thanks!
Wow Bev! I'm an Obama supporter too, and I agree with you that there's a lot to admire about him. I wouldn't go so far to say I'm in love with him tho.. He's Michelle's hubby (yea she's lucky to have him.. and he's lucky to have her). I sure as hell wouldn't bow at his, or anybody's feet.. and I'm sure he wouldn't want you to either. But I think I know what you mean that he's more Christian than Palin and McCain and all those so-called christians at their rallies who would attack journalists and a black reporter with racist remarks. I support Obama because he's the better choice based on the issues. Plus, he strikes me as a much more honest, gentlemanly and respectable person that McCain, not to mention better educated. Besides those issues, as one of my friends said about McCain, I quote: " Do we really want to be looking at someone for four years who has more neck flab than hair?" lol.. very fickle I know, but his looks are a constant reminder of his age and that he should be retired already.
So I support Obama, but he is no messiah.. and he doesn't want to be. He's running for President, and I think he'll make a great one.
You know what Beverly, some of us are NOT waiting for the messiah, not day dreaming. We do not waste our time on this planet, waiting for redemption, we KNOW that we must do the work OURSELVES. We must walk the walk, and elect the best person who we believe will not just help ourselves but help improve our country, and together improve the world. AND THATS WHY WE SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA. Now I give you the Obama quote once more. Please open your mind, read it and for a moment forget who said it, think about the content of the statement.
The greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another.-Barack Obama
If you have a quote about unity from Mccain or Palin, please share it.
SH, I applaud your willingness to sincerely and logically engage a blogger who has such preformed ideas. To do so without sarcasm or malice, as you and others have done is truly admirable. Good on you.
Thanks Barbara!
McCain is hoping that one of his crazier followers takes Barack out. That's it.
R Don, Please don't say that. Whatever truth there may be in your statement I am so worried about the invocation of it.
I mean no disrespect. I have read many of your posts on other threads and hold you in good regard.
R Don, I really hope & pray that doesn't happen.....
although I got a pic of a man in Florida on a bike and the back of his T-shirt said "@!$%# please, it's the white house"! In this world, hard to tell.
All McCain has is the politics of divisiveness, hatred and fear. In the face of that, I will not be afraid.
Just don't ease up its what Bush did with the open hatred make the voter scared. Republicans generate fear.
I agree with Senator Obama- division is all that McCain has left in his bag of dirty political tricks.
While it's a sad thing that this is the state of things, this is typical of Republican politics. It's about winning at all costs, and the easiest way to do that is to make your opponent look like a monster.
You forgot the part after that.
#2 The cost of his/her life.
Split America? Yes...there's the rich then there's 'That one'.....the poor.
God, I got such a good laugh from that ! Thank you!
He's suceeding. I have already lost on friend over the ignorance and luckily she is too far away because if she said even 1/3 of the things she said to my face she probably would have ended up in the hospital because she was totally disrespectful and acted as though every thing I ever heard (while being thoroughly informed on the issues and tracking both canidates movements constantly) was naive brainwashing and that Obama had a horrible past he is lying about and the media is in love with him then refused to listen to the issues. I hate republicans sometimes.
HMMMM sounds like the Palin and McCain are using the "the red herring" affect and the "guilty by association" fallacy to put Obama down. Saying he “pals around” with controversial figures is actually Hypocrisy (a lot of politicians, even McCain have in the past “palled” around with controversial figures, Keating 5, Nicaragua in the Iran-Contra affair oh wait, McCain has connections to Ayres too .hmm look that up ) so saying Obama “pals around” with controversial figures because “ he doesn’t see America the way you and I do” (Palin) is ridiculous!! Lately, there have been serious and intolerant concerns with rage arising from The Campaign that McCain and Palin are running, especially at their latest rallies. Has anyone tried to decode exactly what kind of decisive and dangerous campaign Palin and McCain are running using these types of arguments to appeal angry voters? It’s called "Guilt by association as an ad hominem fallacy" look it up!! fThis happens all the time in Politics, but it is unacceptable in America to use it to feed anger, resentment even racism into these rallies and the American People. This Great Nation that has gone through so much to overcome these types of prejudices. These derogatory comments by individuals that are being played over and over at McCain/ and Palin's (which neither has tried to stop) rallies is horrific and deplorable!
In this day and age the anger being spread at these rallies is Dangerous, especially guilt by association when it is used to feed anger into people’s emotions toward another person, such as Obama. Look up:
"The red herring" affect
Guilt by association
“Reductio ad Hitlerum”
Sarah Palin and McCain better tone down their rallies NOW
I'm not sure what is more divisive than running on a class warfare platform but I guess it's all in the perspective. I certainly feel Senator Obama's policy positions, those he has voted on and proposed both, seek to alienate and divide American's against one another. This is true of shifting the tax burden to fewer people, creating a sub class of American's on government health care while the rest pay more taxes due to it, and on.
You would not hire a baby sitter with bad references would you? Perhaps a bad past? I feel Mc Cain is a good man. Someone we can count on. We know him. He would rule with a steady hand, has good morals, & values. Mc Cain has the experience we need in a leader. He is strong in his opinion on the finance issue, health care, education, the war, and the economy. There is no question about his loyalty he has a good background. Did not hang around with terrorists. Mc Cain has good references. Wears courage on his sleeve and puts his , OUR Country first. I will vote Mc Cain as will many here in Wisconsin!!
Ruby...I have plenty of family in Wisconsin that will cancel out your vote. I'm glad you're voting McCain...the state will go blue anyway. The ones that are voting Republican in this election are the base only. Those that truly CARE about the country, our current state of affairs and our image around the world (now the global market is in trouble) will vote for change. When that man stood up at that Wisconsin rally I was dumb founded. Do those peope even have a clue that their (your) party led us like sheep right over the cliff??!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
I'm sorry to correct you, but McCain is all about the 'I'. The entire 2nd debate he says 'I will do this, I will do that'. Obama says 'we' the whole time. Is it OUR country or is it HIS country? If McCain gets office, it can be HIS cause no one will want it anymore. He can have it all to himself.
Ruby_007
""
Ruby you need to stop for a minute please. I wish you would go to veterans for common sense.com These are veterans who will tell you the voting record of your candidate and the others. I am a white retired military member and really care about our country. Soundbites unfortunately tell only part of the story. Get to know your candidate before you compare his evaluation of others. There are a lot of politicians in Washington who should go home Republican and Democrat. Thanks for reading this and may god bless you. If you are a multi millionaire and had your money out of country maybe an Arab country you are probably ok financially. No hatred just calm and do some easy research. Thank you
Obama accuses McCain of trying to divide Americans
Okay, Senator O...I finally have something to disagree with you on! I don't believe for a minute that McCain is "trying" to divide Americans.
I believe, instead, that McCain "has" divided Americans. Everytime I watch one of those videos of the McShame "hate" rallies, I realize the old man has become bitter, more angry than ever and completely without honor or humanity!
Obama's point is well-taken. We need a positive thinker and an inclusive leader, not a natttering naybob of negativity like Palin-McCain.
Does John McCain go to church or practice religion? With who, when?
McCain isn't just trying to generate hatred he is doing it. He is trying to bring to the surface feelings our ancestors had that Americans have worked hard to try to eliminate. Unfortunately after the election there will not be the simple speech to ge the loosing party to forgive and forget. This has taken politics to the depth of hatred seen in Nazi Germany. McCain's 5 years under mind control in North Vietnam which he gave into he did not fight as the other captives did. John McCain has no conscious he lost it in captivity. He never feels guilty about anything he over reacts first in one direction then the other to put forth a false look of feeling of caring.
This is undeniable as long as he allows his medis people do what they are doing.
Obama is the ultimate weapon created by the weathermen, liberation theology, marxists, malcolm x, palestinian terrorists, and nation of islam, with a twist of rezko slum lord corruption.
He is far more dangerous than any of them as they can reach and corrupt a relatively small portion of America.
Obama is a trojan horse designed to destroy all that makes America successful and set apart from the rest of the world, like Israel.
There are no associations from his past that he does not need now to distance himself from, as there are no moderate or even clean liberal connections from the past.
Americans need to vote NOBAMA!
Brian
Alaska
I bet your wearing a aluminum hat.
Brian, Can you really be as cynical and insular as you portray? You are adamant about your candidate and while that is admirable, you would do your self and your candidate better service by being realistic. The text that you wrote is a venom filled, hate missive that will sway no one to your point of view. Rather it reinforces the vitriol and negativity of your candidate's campaign.
If you have children, is this what you wish to teach them: hate and suspicion for any one out side your small circle? The world is getting smaller and cannot last long if views such as yours pervade.
Regards
I can only laugh at this.
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