There's no escaping Obama's message

Barack Obama's presidential campaign showed off its nimbleness -- and, even more so, its overflowing treasury -- with the quickly produced response ad to the "3 a.m. in the morning" spot that the Hillary Clinton team unveiled earlier in the day (here's the Clinton ad; here's the Obama one).

But Obama's cadres of aides also pay attention to the smallest of details. And that was on vivid display tonight at the candidate's rally in San Antonio.

Every urinal in the men's rooms at Verizon amphitheater was outfitted with a door hanger that not only urged support for Obama, but had an explanation of the "Texas two-step" voting procedure -- how those who really want to make a difference on Tuesday first should cast a primary ballot, then show up for local caucuses.

It's unknown whether locales for the hangers were found in the women's rooms; understandably, The Times' Mark Z. Barabak was unable to obtain firsthand knowledge of that.

Barabak does relate that, as has been so often the case of late, Obama ...

proved quite the draw, attracting about 8,000 folks. And the candidate drew a roar from that crowd when, after terming the war with Iraq "the greatest foreign policy decision of a generation," he referenced the ringing phone featured in the new Clinton ad.

Said Obama: "Hillary Clinton picked up the phone and gave the wrong answer. And John McCain picked up the phone and gave the wrong answer. And George Bush picked up the phone and gave the wrong answer."

Perhaps most tellingly, his initial mention of the Clinton ad sparked a chorus of boos.

The tension -- between the two candidates, between their camps and between their partisans -- is growing. And if the race continues past Tuesday, look for more and more of the Democratic leaders who have remained neutral to began expressing concerns about the divisive effects that the battle may start to produce for a party once so giddy about its fall prospects.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[MJ]

Thank you for this article.

I will vote for RON PAUL.

[azespo]

There is no escaping Obamas message. Why ? because it is deeply embedded in the psyche of Americans of all ages and influences, races, and faiths. We finally can vote for someone we like and care about as opposed to someone who is just an alternative. You can hire experience, you cannot hire judgment. Barack Obamas campaign vs Hillary Clintons campaign present a stark reality and statement. The statement being " I can organize, plan, deploy,motivate and successfully win any contest that comes my way"
The relic politicians and those that profess the politics of fear and division are a thing of the past. Barack Obama can lead us into a future of reality, hope and optimism.

[Chris Desouza]

What is this? An Hollywood acting or oratory audition. If I put in my resume of my past cocaine addiction, how many corporations will be willing to hire me in spite of my merits?

Guess, it is easier to run for President than a School principle or for children's services no matter what the past.

Americans will get change for sure.

[Jesus Cabral]

We better have Barack Obama in the White House, no doubt!

This country needs someone to connect with peoples hearts and minds, and be a strong wise leader for the young.

Besides, Clinton doesn't look to me like able to beat McCain.

Obama has impressive qualities, a familly, ethics and also the right kind of experience.

[Carlos Navarro]

Regarding Hillary Clinton’s latest ad: about an emergency phone call to the White House at 3:a.m.; Why must we assume that she is better qualified than Barak Obama to respond to the call? When has she ever had to deal with a national emergency? Where’ the proof?

As I see it, a person with so many faces and mood swings; so strongly disliked by so many of her colleagues and former associates; so boastful of her second-hand experiences as First Lady; so secretive about her finances and official correspondence; so attached to an unprincipled husband; so contemptuous of the military that she used uniformed Marines as waiters --such a person cannot be trusted to protect and lead our nation.

Carlos Navarro
Davidson, NC

[captbilly]

I remember back in 1972 many people wondered how the Democrats could possibly lose to the terribly unpopular Richard Nixon. Well the Democrats found a way to lose big, by picking the wrong man to run. If the Democrats aren't careful they will lose this one, in spite of the entire Republican party being terribly unpopular, and John McCain still believing in the possibility of a victory in Iraq.

Right from the beginnning everyone knew that Hillary Clinton would be the most devisive candidate that the Democrats could pick. I know this must sound naive, but I didn't fully grasp until this election that candidates are not picked for their electability or popularity but rather because of their political and financial backing. If the Democrats don't dump Hillary and stop attacking each other we are going to see a Republican president for another 4 years.

[Jerry Chui]

(Jerry, stop posting the same Farrakhan item. You already got it up several days ago. Think of something new.)

[shirlin]

The problem with Hillary as President is not that she is a fear-monger, which she is, but that in order to prove she can be Commander-in-Chief, she became a war-monger. Everytime one of our men or women is hurt in Iraq, every million dollars spent hourly on the Iraq war reminds feminists and senior citizens like me that she has betrayed everything we have stood for in fighting for our human rights. Women's human rights cannot be gained through the destruction of other people's human rights. Hillary is seeking the presidency through a negative campaign of smear and personal destruction of the Democratic Party's brightest star. That is not the feminist way, nor is it the American way. That is why she is being repudiated by so many of us who had once believed in her. But the Clinton dynasty does not care about the Party or the Republic. The reason why they are not releasing their tax returns now is that this information will demonstrate how they have gained financially from their years of so-called public service. Getting so fabulously weathy as a politician shows how false are all Hillary's claims to her public service being for the good of ordinary working class citizens. The American voters will see the Clintons' fabulous multimillions as the gains ripped off through the means of their so-called service.

[WGK]

Has any one noticed that she picked up a 'white' phone instead of the 'red' phone! Ooops!?

[Mr. Unite Us]

Hillary's biggest problems are her lack of integrity and sound judgment.

Another error in judgment by Hillary Clinton.
The Clintons have a history of not taking sexual harassment seriously
now this.

From NBC's Lisa Myers and Jim Popkin
Sen. Hillary Clinton has declined to return $170,000 in campaign contributions from individuals at a company accused of widespread sexual harassment, and whose CEO is a disbarred lawyer with a criminal record, federal campaign records show.

The federal government has accused the Illinois management consulting firm, International Profit Associates, or IPA, of a brazen pattern of sexual harassment including "sexual assaults," "degrading anti-female language" and "obscene suggestions."

In a 2001 lawsuit full of lurid details, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims that 103 women employees at IPA were victimized for years. The civil case is ongoing, and IPA vigorously denies the allegations.

"This is by far, hands down, the worst case I've ever experienced," said Diane Smason, one of the EEOC lawyers handling the lawsuit. "Every woman there experienced sex harassment, they were part of a hostile work environment of sex harassment. And this occurred from the top down."

(Full Story below)

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/29/718538.aspx

[roger]

Coming March 4, Hilary will be poignant to loose. The Texans will show her a sizable loss; which she will remember rest of her life.

Taking all her experience card, pundits agree, Hilary will make an excellent Senator, she is a policy wonk. Hilary never raised above the foray of petty politics where courage and judgment was a prime requirement. Nothing in her resume as a legislator which shows her achievement and sticks out!

So, stop playing the experience card, stop playing fear card! I would rather go with a hop-monger than a fear-monger.

Why Hilary?

She is a rat tinsed with scandals, with an infidel husband! Shame on you, Hilary!

[patriciad37]

I was delighted that Barack Obama was able to quickly respond to the fear=mongering ad from Hillary.
When Hillary Clinton ran her "phone-y" ad that purposely played on fear she revealed her true nature. She is a slick smooth operator just like her wheeler-dealer Bill. Hillary Clinton is past tense. The Clintons were a team, but Hillary is unwilling to accept shared responsibility, she wants to pick out the plums and leave the pits. History contains the sad, undeniable facts of their many shady deals that have changed our country forever. They had too much power, too many wealthy influential “friends” that would not betray them. The words “I do not recall” were constantly repeated during the Clintons many trials of denials. The "Teflon Team" avoided responsibility for their acts, thanks to friends in high places. Want a repeat performance?? Don’t let them go for Act III. No curtain calls, this time the curtain falls and if the Clintons finally “get smart”, they will leave it at that. The Clintons have some bad history. Don’t believe the Clinton’s myth that Bill is loved and respected throughout the world. The person handing out the “donations” may be greeted with smiles, but the needy do what they have to do (smile for the cameras). What makes you think that the rest of the world is going to develop “Clinton Amnesia”? The power of the Presidency would be reduced; some nations find it beneficial to “know thy enemy”. The Clintons have diminished power today; some nations (either friendly or unfriendly) may regard them with camouflaged contempt. Some dire mistakes made during the Clinton reign changed not just our country, but world history, Acts of terrorism were committed during the Clinton terms, but the focus was elsewhere.
We need a President willing to accept responsibility and act for the good of our country, not for the profits of corporations. We need a president who can command respect, provide transparency, and end partisanship. One who “owes no favors” and will appoint those who truly are the most qualified to fill government posts. Barack Obama is the one qualified Presidential candidate who has the wisdom and ability to get things done.

[EksAyn]

Barack Obama is the man! The country needs someone who can make decisions against the crowd and stand up for what is right! Go Obama!

[Jonny]

No offense to the ladies, and forgetting all of the political arguments:

DO YOU REALIZE WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE TO HAVE TO LISTEN TO THAT SHRILL, DEMANDING VOICE FOR FOUR YEARS? NOT TO MENTION THE MANUFACTURED CACKLE?

This is a woman that cannot laugh naturally. Does the idea of electing a non-humanoid concern any of you?

[dave]

you fail to say what exactly IS his message?
unless you mean to imply that none is needed, or that it is impossible to escape the mysterious void. or is the underlying message that it's not for the public to know, or even care who makes their decisions for them, if obviously not even those they are to elect to 'lead' them (on) are allowed to make any decisions for themselves, let alone for those they deign to 'represent'?

[Arty]

Obama reminds me of a Christian Fundamentalist or Bush. His logic is so distorted. he copies Clinton's ad then takes no responsibility. Instead he changes the subject and says, if he was in the US Sentae, instead of being a Part-Time Illinois Senator at the Time, and Colin Powell and Bush said Saddam had weapons of Mas Destruction he, unlike Hillary and all the other Senators, would have said no way, I'm for peace. Who believes that? Accept he delivers it like a Minister and people get cought in the moment.

Hillary is handling all this underhanded double-talk like a chanp I just can't believe people are buying it and the press is too wowed to complain.

[spring woods]

If Obama can organize a campaign this good (including firing back a missile and obliterating Clinton's fear ad within a few hours), he's good enough to pick up any fucking phone. And give the right answer to the caller.

[Hillary4USA]

I think it's an effective ad.

Do people REALLY think that there will not be a crisis in the world during the next Presidential term??

I think that is very naive, maybe all this dreamy hope talk has made people delusional. There will not be instantaneous world peace, people. We cannot have a naive idealistic President who is selling false hope to people.

Also, are people REALLY as scared about this ad as Obama is? Obama, you need to try to be BRAVE, ok? It's just a realistic ad concentrating on Hillary's experience.

If Obama gets scared from a 30 second TV ad, how the HECK can he be President?

Hillary 08!

[Steve]

Regarding the new "3 a.m." ad, here's what Bill Clinton had to say: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZW0m2nWB_M

[BillForObama]

Senator Hilary Clinton says she has 35 years of leadership and political experience. Wouldn’t you think that in 2000 that her 27 years of experience would have been enough to give the Republicans a run for their money?
Apparently, she didn’t think so, even though former President Clinton would have been in a better position to help her. What about 2004 when a lot of people were dissatisfied with George Bush, the task couldn’t have been easier. She didn’t think so then either.
She set her sights on 2008. However, she didn’t count on Senator Barack Obama to show up and put his bid in as well. Senator Clinton’s campaign got off to a grand start because of name recognition. She intends to ride in on Bill Clinton’s coattail and expects to win because of entitlement. She feels that because of Senator Obama’s youth that she would run rings around him. From the start it seemed so. Senator Clinton expected to claim victory by the February 5th Primaries.
However, Senator Obama is the kind of person who never meets a stranger. Just spending an hour with him, he is instantly liked and trusted. Senator Obama practices Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. This is the reason he has been successful in the Primaries and Caucuses.

Senator Clinton may have lost her “Urgency of Now”, just like Colin Powell and Mario Cuomo. Her time could have been either 2000 or 2004. She would not have conceded the White House as Al Gore did. She was equal to the task as both Al Gore and John Kerry.

THIS IS SENATOR BARACK OBAMA’S “URGENCY OF NOW.” If he stands down, he won’t get the opportunity again.

Senator Clinton realizes that she hasn’t a chance and we have HEARD the DESPARATION in her voice and SEEN that same DESPARATION ON HER FACE. Senator Clinton is very aware that the PRESIDENTIAL ship has PASSED her by. In another 8 years she will be comparable to Senator John McCain (age).

My instincts tell me that Senator Hilary Clinton would probably be a GOOD President. However, I have stronger instincts that Senator Barack Obama will be a GREAT President!

[BillForObama]

Senator Hilary Clinton says she has 35 years of leadership and political experience. Wouldn’t you think that in 2000 that her 27 years of experience would have been enough to give the Republicans a run for their money?
Apparently, she didn’t think so, even though former President Clinton would have been in a better position to help her. What about 2004 when a lot of people were dissatisfied with George Bush, the task couldn’t have been easier. She didn’t think so then either.
She set her sights on 2008. However, she didn’t count on Senator Barack Obama to show up and put his bid in as well. Senator Clinton’s campaign got off to a grand start because of name recognition. She intends to ride in on Bill Clinton’s coattail and expects to win because of entitlement. She feels that because of Senator Obama’s youth that she would run rings around him. From the start it seemed so. Senator Clinton expected to claim victory by the February 5th Primaries.
However, Senator Obama is the kind of person who never meets a stranger. Just spending an hour with him, he is instantly liked and trusted. Senator Obama practices Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. This is the reason he has been successful in the Primaries and Caucuses.

Senator Clinton may have lost her “Urgency of Now”, just like Colin Powell and Mario Cuomo. Her time could have been either 2000 or 2004. She would not have conceded the White House as Al Gore did. She was equal to the task as both Al Gore and John Kerry.

THIS IS SENATOR BARACK OBAMA’S “URGENCY OF NOW.” If he stands down, he won’t get the opportunity again.

Senator Clinton realizes that she hasn’t a chance and we have HEARD the DESPARATION in her voice and SEEN that same DESPARATION ON HER FACE. Senator Clinton is very aware that the PRESIDENTIAL ship has PASSED her by. In another 8 years she will be comparable to Senator John McCain (age).

My instincts tell me that Senator Hilary Clinton would probably be a GOOD President. However, I have stronger instincts that Senator Barack Obama will be a GREAT President!

[OBAMANATION]

The majority of the American Black community claims that they want to live in a society where discrimination doesn't exist, but appears they are not practicing what they are preaching. when Obama continually pulls 90%+ of the black vote, it's obvious that most blacks are voting for a candidate because of skin color. The odd thing is people like John Lewis who marched for equal rights jumps on the prejudice bandwagon, I’m sure he realizes what it does to his credibility. Obama camp have been calling African-American superdelegates to target, harass and threaten,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.), a superdelegate who supports Clinton. Cleaver said black superdelegates are receiving “nasty letters, phone calls, threats, being called an Uncle Tom. Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif., also is receiving several e-mails from individuals saying they won’t vote for her if she doesn’t change her support to Obama, she should vote for him because she, too, is black. Rep. John Lewis, a black civil rights icon, sadly enough has given into the racial threatning politics of the Obama camp and switched his support from Clinton to Obama.

THEN SHOULD ALL WHITES AND WOMAN VOTE FOR CLINTON?

Black men were given the vote a half-century before women of any race were allowed to mark a ballot, and generally have ascended to positions of power, from the military to the boardroom, before any women .Why is the sex barrier not taken as seriously as the racial one? Why is the black candidate given the continued media free pass and coronation and refusing to discuss his record. My family and friends have been following the 2008 Presidential election and feel overwhelming compelled to express our sadness, disgust witnessing the continued unfair disturbing treatment that Senator Clinton continually receives from men in the media. WE were frankly surprised to see how many men are threatened by Senator Clinton’s abilities, just read the articles. The daily gender discrimination and horrible names Senator Clinton is called, forced my family and friends to research candidates like obama ourselves since the media is no longer fair and unbiased. A black man has a better chance in this country than a white woman. It’s a shame that media keeps the race issue going in an attempt to disguise their gender discrimination against smart educated and powerful women. WE are tired of the race card that the media is creating and pushing in the face of voters. The media has dropped the ball. We the viewers and most importantly the VOTERS looked to news stations and newspapers for unbiased FACTS about ALL the presidential candidates to assist voters on making a wise and educated decision on who will run our country. Unfortunately you prove daily/hourly that your biased and often racial tabloid news It’s a disservice to our great country that you attack and discriminate a white female Senator and Former two term First lady who has done a great deal of good in 35 years of political service to our country that is dismissed and ignored for fear of upsetting a black candidate and his racial supporters. You should be ATLEAST reporting the differences and giving obama the same microscopic personal attacks that you continue to do to a white female United States Senator. You have no credibility in reporting the news. If we wanted this type of so-called news, we can buy the National Enquire. Women in this country should stand up and not be bullied by these men who do all they can to keep women underpaid and treated unfairly.

[Gabi]

Its quite clear that Clinton's 'uneducated and poor' voting block is still vociferous enough to be annoying to most smart Democrats and/or non-Democratic Americans.

As an outsider observer, Im relieved to notice that that voting block is shrinking. Americans are wising up, coming to their senses and seeing that their nation's future lies with Obama and only Obama.

The lone voice in the wilderness, therefore, such as Hillary4USA seems all the more desperate, desolate and out of touch with reality and progress.

R.I.P. Hillary. The rest of the world also wants Obama.

As a non-citizen residing outside US borders, can I contribute to Obama's campaign? I wud surely like to.

[ohjeez]

It's not that effective an ad, especially if you were old enough to see the other variations.

Bu not only did she pick up the wrong phone, she let it ring five times before she did pick it up.

Right now, Prince Harry has more experience as Commander in Chief than Hillary does. He has at least called in air strikes.

Watch that NBC debate from last week - the glaring, seething rage when Tim Russert or Brian Williams *dared* to speak to her. How is someone like that going to get any bipartisan support for her proposals? Obama didn't even flinch when she made the pillow comment, nor did he get lured into attacking Hillary when Williams "accidentally" cued up the "wrong" clip.

The second 3am ad to me shows how lightning fast Obama can respond, but in a way that's not negative but reinforcing his own goals.

At 3am, Obama will get that call, calmly discuss the situation, and then call his Joint Chiefs together. That's who I want answering the phone.

[koty]

I am not sure what Obama's message is yet, but then I still have not figured out where Hillary got 35 years of experience.

[Liah]

Just by knowing how Mrs. Clinton run her campaign's finances; the luxury over spending from her staff members, and the 5 million that she had borrowed. This is enough sign that she does not have a good experience in administering the most important thing that the people will trust on her hands.

The budget thing will go to hell with her.

[Sidmore]

"If I put in my resume of my past cocaine addiction, how many corporations will be willing to hire me in spite of my merits?"

Obama did NOT have a cocaine ADDICTION (Cindy McCain on the other hand did have an addition and stole drugs). Obama EXPERIMENTED with drugs like numerous young people -mostly whites. Would you like to throw them away as well? Not only would you have to throw them away but you would also have to throw away a whole GENERATION of CRYSTAL METH HEADS. And you would have to throw away President Clinton (marijuana) and President GW Bush (marijuana, concaine, alcohol). So if I were you, I would drop the whole drug thing.

[girlfriend2]

HRC in the WH the phone rings,"Bill" should we answer the same way that you did with the first WORLD TRADE CENTER bombing ,by not making waves with World leaders that eventually made you celebrity millionairs,and don't forget Bill did'nt even visit the site where 8 people died and 142 injured. Bill hung up the phone and his last day of office pardoned 16 dangerous terrorists after fighting with Congress for months , he ignored them, and even the terrorists them selves refused to write pardon letters denouncing they were guilty. They were not even aware that the were being pardoner ,that wanted credit for the murders of 16 Americans and refused to write one and were released any way.Bill pardoned them anyway. I wonder how much he made on that 11th hour deal. Corruption on levels the little peole can't even comprehend...HRC had full knowledge and participation then and now...

[Kathy]

Also there is the fact that lots of Texas (Bush Sate) strongly dislike the Clintons. They would like nothing more to see that she is not given the nomination and some would enjoy watching her sink. This isn't just my opinion but other pundits have that opinion and other Republicans I know including myself see it that way too.

[venus]

Dear poor Obamanation - what a whiner you are! I can see how you and Hillary connected - number 1 - the news media always report on winners! They don't have to waste their dime and time on losers. Hillary lost 11 primaries. Don't you have a clue about sports and winners? Every one loves winners!!! Also - Hillary and all the others who are talking about Obama lacks skills - read the job requirments - a person need to be 42 years old and a US Citizen. Every one running or have ran to become president didn't have exp- John McCain is a senator - he has not been president yet! You can stop with your race cards - you damn right blacks are supporting Obama - it appears there are more whites supporting him as well -Blacks have given the Clintons 8-years. And, by the way - Obama is black/white and ths is what the term "Change" means! Some thing new! The pass 20 years have been Bush - Clintons for 8-years and Bush again for 8-years. And, just because Hillary was in the white house for 8 years does not mean she has the skills to be president. That would be like me staying I can be a doctor because I am married to a doctor. You need to get on board the Change Train and learn to live the true American Dream - like getting along with people. Take your whinning to the news media - this is a place to blog or are you too stupid-

[Votefor Change]

That is absolutely right. You definitely can't escape Obama's message. There is this video on youtube that was made into a music video and it is awesome. It really makes you think about our country and how we can unite as ONE. Inspiration by all means...

check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb8z8vw4dZ4

[Kay]

WE ARE IN DANGER!! LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS TERRORIST PLOT UNFOLDING BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES. YOU ARE IN SUPPORT OF A MAN THAT THE MIDDLE EAST IS GROOMING AND FUNDING TO TAKE OVER OUR COUNTRY. HOW CAN YOU BE SO BLIND? THE INTERNET IS AT YOUR FINGERS, STOP ARGUING AND DO SOME RESEARCH. LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT BARRACK'S RADICAL MUSLIM UPBRINGING AND HIS TIES TO THE MIDDLE EAST. WE ARE IN DANGER!!!! Ever wonder or maybe Google Obama's ties to the middle east? WHERE DO YOU THINK THIS FIRST YEAR POLITICIAN IS GETTING ALL OF THIS MONEY? From the middle east. His father and step were radical muslims and he was schooled by radicals at a young age. Google Obama and Rezko or Obama and terrorists, it's everywhere, JUST FIND OUT THE TRUTH

WAKE UP AMERICA!