- Sun. Nov 22, 2009
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SUNDAY SNAPSHOT
The Return Of The Race Card
There was a lot of discussion about Barack Obama's reaction to John McCain's "celebrity" ad, and whether Obama is injecting race into the campaign. Obama: "Since they don't have any new ideas, the only strategy they've got in this election is to try to scare you about me. They're going to try to say that I'm a risky guy. They're going to try to say, 'Well, you know, he's got a funny name, and he doesn't look like all the presidents on the dollar bills and the five dollar bills.'"
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and ex-Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) appeared on "Fox News Sunday" to talk about the issue:
Graham, asked if Obama was playing racial politics: "Absolutely, because in June, a month before, he said, 'And did I mention that they're going to say he's black?' ... John McCain doesn't have a racist bone in his body. And there's no doubt in my mind that what Senator Obama is trying to suggest -- that he's a victim of something"
More Graham: "And you also suggest he's going to say the way he's going to get elected is to talk about your name, the way you look, and John McCain doesn't want to get elected on that. So the idea he's not interjecting race, quite frankly, is not credible. We went through this in South Carolina. John has an adopted daughter from Bangladesh. On the right, they said John McCain had an illegitimate black daughter. Now, without John doing one thing, they're suggesting that Obama is a victim of John McCain interjecting, 'He looks funny and sounds funny.' We're not going to put up with this. ... To say that that's not trying to interject the idea that you're a victim of John McCain trying to make fun of your name and your racial background is a lie."
Daschle, on Obama saying he doesn't look like all those presidents on the dollar bills: "Well, he doesn't. He's younger."
Fox's Wallace: "So that's what he was saying, just that he's younger?"
Daschle: "No, no, no. He has never said that he believes that John McCain is a racist. He's never said anything that he was using race in this effort. You can't quote him. You can't find him saying that. What he is saying is that he is a different kind of candidate. ... And where the McCain campaign couldn't get any traction on the issues, they go after him personally. They go after him as a person who really doesn't fit the political mold" (8/3).
Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) discussed it on "Meet the Press":
Kerry, asked if Obama was essentially saying, "They're picking on my because I'm black": "No. What he was saying is they're trying to scare you. They're trying to scare the American people. And, believe me, I'm an expert on how they do that. They are engaged in character assassination, even John McCain's partner in a number of initiatives in the Senate, Russ Feingold, said yesterday, 'They've decided they can't win on the issues, so now they're going to try to destroy his character.' And that is exactly what this ad is calculated to do."
Lieberman: "The McCain campaign is, to use Barack Obama's words, raising the question is he a risky guy? But it has nothing to do with his name or his skin color. It has to do with his lack of experience and bad judgment, his unreadiness to be president. When you use the expressions that Senator Obama did three times this week, you're making a personal insult to John McCain. I know John McCain. I've been with him for 20 years, private and public. This man does not have a bigoted bone in his body. His wife and he adopted a baby from Bangladesh, who they love. It's just wrong for Senator Obama to have done that. It was right for the campaign to call him on it."
More Lieberman: "In 2000, Al Gore gave me the extraordinary honor of being the first Jewish-American to run for national office, and Al Gore said he had confidence in the American people that they would judge me based on my record, not on my religion. And I urge Barack Obama to have the same faith in the American people that they will judge him on his record, or lack of record, certainly not on his name or his race" (NBC, 8/3).
And ex-Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and ex-OH Sec/State Ken Blackwell (R) were asked about Obama's comments on "Late Edition":
Kirk: "Given the tenure of the McCain camp's attacks on Senator Obama, I can understand Senator Obama saying that. ... Senator Obama wants to run as much as he can from a campaign that's focused only on race."
Blackwell: "John McCain has worked over time to keep race out of this campaign and to keep the focus on issues. ... This is not the first time that the race card has been played by the Obama campaign. Bill Clinton even said that the race card was played on him in South Carolina, and now the McCain campaign is saying, look, you introduced the whole notion of race" (CNN, 8/3).
See ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP for more on the race issue.
BY NOW, YOU KNOW THE DRILL
There was also a lot of talk about Obama saying he's ready to compromise and potentially support offshore oil drilling if it's part of a comprehensive package.
Ex-Treasury Sec. Robert Rubin, on Obama: "What he basically said, as I understand it -- and I think this is right -- is that there's a lot in there that he thinks could be constructive. And if it means doing something that he has a lot of reservations about in order to accomplish something much larger that's constructive, then that's the way a legislative process should work, in a democracy. ... [That's] how he would act as a president, which is to move forward and to work with the people who disagree with him to find measures that he thinks makes sense" ("Face the Nation," CBS, 8/3).
Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "What Senator Obama said is what we want a president to say. Let's look at all of the options. Let's compare them" ("This Week," ABC, 8/3).
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO): "There's not a significant shift. What is happening here is the Republican Party, as usual, is taking their marching orders from big oil. ... And what Barack has said is, listen, domestic production is part of this. He was pointing out that we can never drill our way out of this problem. Long term, the only way to get us out from underneath foreign oil is to turn to alternatives, which the Republicans are not interested in unless we're dealing with big oil. ... I think he's going to look very carefully at what that language says. I think he wants to make sure that we do a 'use it or lose it'" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/3).
Daschle, on Obama saying he would now consider offshore drilling as a component of a comprehensive plan: "Barack Obama has always been in favor of offshore drilling. But what he said is, 'Let's use first the 68 million acres that are already out there.' There is absolutely no reason why we can't begin where we've already got an opportunity" ("Fox News Sunday," 8/3).
Ex-PA Gov. Tom Ridge (R): "It's typical -- you know, every once in a while, we see him playing basketball. And he's obviously a pretty good athlete and probably has a pretty good head fake. So the head fake is, well, I'll deal with the compromise, but later on, depending on the audience too, he's saying, 'I don't favor drilling'" ("This Week," ABC, 8/3).
Graham: "I hope that Senator Obama will change his mind about offshore drilling. But this issue of whether or not he's a leader -- this is a good test. ... We're out of session -- we're out of business -- on energy when we should be in session doing the American people's business. Pick up the phone and tell Nancy Pelosi, who says offshore drilling is a hoax, Harry Reid, who says drilling is a red herring -- call the Congress back in session. He's the leader of the party. You're a great guy. You know all these people. Let's get the Congress back in session" ("Fox News Sunday," 8/3).
Obama economic adviser Laura Tyson: "You know, there really isn't a significant shift. What's happened here is that a bipartisan group of senators has come together with a comprehensive paid-for plan on energy, and this plan includes some additional offshore oil drilling. What Senator Obama has said is he welcomes the plan. He welcomes working with the senators. He welcomes their energy summit in September. ... So this is a great opportunity for working together with a bipartisan group" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/3).
McCain economic adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer: "Senator Obama is only in this position now because it became patently obvious over the last weeks, particularly when Nancy Pelosi turned off the lights in the House of Representatives and Republican members refused to leave. She had an insurrection in her own party because Pelosi and Reid at Obama's behest were refusing to move forward on drilling. So he is now trying to get credit for being all of the above energy planner" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/3).
Kerry: "He still believes we should not drill offshore. ... What he's prepared to do is break America's gridlock by honoring a bipartisan effort if that is the only way to move us towards alternative and renewable fuels and an energy policy that's comprehensive. I think what you see in the response on this drilling is really the difference in how they might govern" ("Meet the Press," NBC, 8/3).
Lieberman, on Obama: "I predict to you he'll find reasons not to be for it if this comes to a vote in the Senate" ("Meet the Press," NBC, 8/3).
Speaking of drilling, Pelosi was asked why she has not permitted a straight up-or-down vote on expanding offshore drilling. Pelosi: "Because the misrepresentation has been made that this is going to reduce the price at the pump. This is, again, a decoy; it's not a solution."
Pelosi, asked if she will allow a vote on a comprehensive package that includes offshore drilling: "You never say never to anything. ... People have their parliamentary options available to them" ("This Week," ABC, 8/3).
NOT RETURNING THE FAVOR
Pelosi was also asked about McCain calling her a great American success story.
Pelosi, asked if she cares to return McCain's compliment: "I've enjoyed working with Senator McCain as he serves in the United States Senate and I look forward to continuing to do that."
ABC's Stephanopoulos: "He says when he's president, he can work with you the way that Ronald Reagan worked with Tip O'Neill."
Pelosi: "Well, I look forward to working with Barack Obama, but stand ready to work with any president of the United States."
Pelosi, on McCain's ads: "I'm worried that this approach is not worthy of the office of president that Senator McCain and Senator Obama are running for. For Senator McCain to demean the race for the presidency in this way is, I think, not humorous. I think it's silly" ("This Week," ABC, 8/3).
ALL SMILES
And VP speculation continued. First, the Dems:
Pelosi was asked about the Newsweek report that she has been pushing Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) for VP.
Pelosi: "I support anyone that Senator Obama is comfortable with for vice president. I didn't want to see a
discussion of candidates for vice president without showing the House of Representatives. Chet Edwards -- for years, our colleagues have said to him, why don't you run for president? He is an extraordinarily talented person. He is a champion for veterans in the Congress. Under his leadership, we have passed, including just on Friday, the biggest increase in funding for veterans' health benefits and other benefits in the history of our country. He's a master of needs of our military and their families. He understands the issues of nonproliferation. He has been a champion in the Appropriations Committee and the Congress. He's from South Texas. ... He represents President Bush in the Congress."
Pelosi, asked if Edwards has a good shot: "Well, I would certainly hope so. But, you know what? Senator Dodd, Senator Biden, Senator Hillary Clinton -- there's such a great array of people from whom Senator Obama can choose. So, any one of them, I'm fine with. I just wanted people to be aware of the extraordinary credentials of Chet Edwards. And I hope he will be the nominee" ("This Week," ABC, 8/3).
Meanwhile, McCaskill was asked if the Obama camp has asked for any personal documents.
McCaskill: "They have not. And I'm always honored to be mentioned. I'm proud to be campaigning for this incredibly bright man who is going the change course in this country, but I think that all the speculation is going to come to an end soon, because at least we're going to get choices before too long."
McCaskill, asked when Obama will make his decision: "I don't honestly know. I talked to Barack about it this weekend. You know what he did? He just smiled."
Ex-Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH), who appeared with McCaskill, added: "I'm supporting Senator McCaskill on the Democrats' side after her feisty performance today. I think she'd be great for Senator Obama" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/3).
And the GOPers:
Portman was also asked if the McCain camp has asked for any personal documents.
Portman: "No. ... I think the whole VP thing is a little bit overrated. It's important, but maybe the media is giving it a little bit more importance than it deserves. The key is who's at the top of the ticket" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/3).
And Ridge was asked about his shot at VP.
Stephanopoulos: "You're pro-choice, and [McCain] says, because of that, even though he likes you a lot, it would be difficult to name you as vice president. Take us inside the room. If Senator McCain says, you know, this is the difficulty I have, otherwise I want you, what do you say to him?"
Ridge: "Well, John and I have been friends for 25 years. And I know this issue is very important to John. It's obviously very important to ... probably the majority of the men and women in the Republican Party. And I don't think John would ever make it a litmus test, but when it comes down to a nominee selecting, a vice
presidential running mate, it is their decision exclusively. And I would respect their decision one way or the other."
More Ridge: "John is not judgmental on the issue. He feels very strongly about it. Will always feel strongly about it, as the majority of the party, but I have had that point of view before I got into politics, I had it when I was in politics, and I preserve that point of view now. So inside the room, I listen to my friend and be quite comfortable with any decision he made, because he would make it for the right reason."
Ridge, asked if he would accept the VP spot if it was offered: "I'll have that private conversation with my friend John and then perhaps report back to you" ("This Week," ABC, 8/3).
ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP
The "This Week" roundtable discussed WH '08.
Dem strategist Donna Brazile, asked if Obama is injecting race into the campaign: "The fact is, he is black. And he is injecting race. ... It's a way to make people more comfortable. It's the elephant in the room. ... Perhaps he misspoke a little bit, but I don't think he accused John McCain of being a racist or running a racist campaign. Clearly, he has sought to inject race in a healthy way, and he's done it time and time again" (ABC, 8/3).
The "Fox News Sunday" roundtable discussed WH '08 and energy legislation.
NPR's Williams, asked if Obama played the race card: "If you can define him as the black guy in the race, it's to his detriment. I think Obama is fearful of this. But the way that he put it in McCain's mouth ... I think it was a huge mistake by Barack Obama, because Barack Obama doesn't want to bring up race in that way. He wants to be the unifier. ... He doesn't want to remind them that he's the black guy in the race. So he did play the race card. McCain responded and, I think, responded fairly" (8/3).
The "Late Edition" roundtable discussed WH '08.
CNN's Johns, on Obama playing the race card: "There's a lot of danger in this for Barack Obama. It cuts both ways, but most of the negatives go to him. It's all about his response. He has to have sort of a light touch on this. ... If he comes off looking angry, then that could be to the benefit of other candidates. It sort of happened in Tennessee with Harold Ford, another telegenic African-American candidate who found himself in the position of taking in these racial charges and responding in a slightly angry way. The voters didn't like that and it turned out to be a big problem for him. He lost" (8/3).
The "Face the Nation" roundtable discussed WH '08.
New York Times' Brooks, asked if Obama injected race into this campaign by saying he "doesn't look like all those other presidents on those dollar bills": "I think that was an off-the-cuff remark. I think he was, but I don't think he meant to do it and I don't think it would be helpful for him to do it. The American people don't like being called racist. ... I think they consider race a tough and sacred issue, which they want touched in an intelligent way. They do not want it touched in the heat of a political campaign. In my view, whoever raises the race issue is going to hurt themselves" (CBS, 8/3).
The "Meet the Press" roundtable discussed WH '08 and Veepstakes.
NBC pol. dir. Chuck Todd, on Veepstakes: "This week, expect that we'll see some face-to-faces between Obama and some of these prospective candidates. Joe Biden and Evan Bayh apparently will have some face time at some point this week. ... He'll be out in Indiana, and so we're trying to figure out where Joe Biden is going to be meeting him" (8/3).
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