NPR: Obama: "Any One of the 3 of Us Better Than Bush"

Obama: "Any One of the 3 of Us Better Than Bush"

It's spinning season in Pennsylvania.

The Allentown Morning Call reports that Sunday Sen. Barack Obama told a "rowdy" crowd in central Pennsylvania, "You have a real choice in this election. Either Democrat would be better than John McCain. And all three of us would be better than George Bush. But you have to ask yourself who has the chance to really change things in a fundamental way.''

Sen. Hillary Clinton jumped on this remark: 'We need a nominee who will take on John McCain, not cheer on John McCain."

Clinton campaign organizers said Obama's remarks undercut Democratic efforts to tie McCain to Bush.

But Obama is not actually the first person to voice this sentiment. As the News Blog reported last week, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, speaking at a meeting of the city's business leaders, noted one good thing about next year was "at least there will be an adult in the White House" -both a whack at Bush and a compliment to all three remaining presidential candidates.
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UPDATE: Marc Ambinder at theAtlantic.com likes what Obama had to say.

"I like when politicians show nuance. From a guy who regularly says that President John McCain would be tantamount to a third President George W. Bush, this is one of those civil concessions that make the patriot in me all proud."

8:50 AM ET | 04-21-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

It would be nice if Hillary would talk about actual issues, but, if I were as weak on substance as she is, maybe I would rather talk about who said or did what on the playground at recess. I really do not need or want a whiner in the White House. She needs to find something substantial to talk about because all I hear from her side is "yap, yap, yap" echoing through the house at 3am..

Sent by Daryn Guarino | 9:10 AM ET | 04-21-2008

Someone tell these hacks that Bush isn't running. This is the cheap trick of a true hack, like a band that inserts the name of the city they are playing in into one of their songs; cheap applause.

Like a stand-up comedian saying "Hey I love Cleveland, this is one great town" to get quick cheap applause.

Lame.

Sent by deek | 10:02 AM ET | 04-21-2008

I think that if the next President sat in the Oval Office twiddling his/her thumbs we would have a better President than George Bush.

Sent by jen | 10:02 AM ET | 04-21-2008

"I have a lifetime of experience. Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience. Senator Obama has a speech he gave 5 years ago." - Hillary Clinton. Now: who's cheering on McCain again? I guess I forgot.

Sent by John Theodorsen | 10:22 AM ET | 04-21-2008

Does the Clinton campaign sit around and parse through every single sentence that Obama utters and discuss how they can use it against him? She has gone crazy. She sounds like a child.

Sent by anonymous | 11:25 AM ET | 04-21-2008

Did everyone suddenly forget that Hillary and Bill have been touting McCain over Obama for weeks, based on his experience and "patriotism"? Was she tired?

Sent by Sweetie | 11:36 AM ET | 04-21-2008

These kind of comments are an insult to our intelligence. Worse them Obama's so called "elitist" remarks, which is something I say in every election season because its true. People don't see policticians solving major issues so they resort to smaller issues to make their vote.

Sent by Justin F | 11:37 AM ET | 04-21-2008

In 2000, there was a cheap hack named George W. Bush who didn't hesitate to run against Bill Clinton, who wasn't running. Whoever is elected will have to clean up the huge messes that w has left behind. That certainly makes discussion of w relevant.

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 11:51 AM ET | 04-21-2008

Deek:
Carl Rove has been very busy working for McCain, for fear that if Obama should get into the White house it might bring to light things they do not want the American people to know. And you say Bush is not running, who are you kidding?

Sent by Christy | 12:03 PM ET | 04-21-2008

This is just plain silly. Surely even Sen. Clinton can see the truth in what he said. I don't want McCain either, but he would be better than the incumbent. (Who wouldn't?). We need to get out of this highly polarizing mentality. I think Sen. Clinton's high negativity works against her.

Sent by Gary | 12:44 PM ET | 04-21-2008

Calm down, deek. Obama is just saying what we're all thinking.

Sent by SB | 1:23 PM ET | 04-21-2008

Oooh I forgot, Karl Rove is evvvvrywhere. Look out, Karls gonna getcha!

He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good. So be good for goodness sake...

Sent by deek | 1:26 PM ET | 04-21-2008

Regarding Hillary Clinton's statement about McCain's experience...though we may all look to the candidate we passionately support, we need to show prudency by taking a honest look at the candidates opponent...what Clinton said was NOT subjective...it was a truthful statement...all the wonderful accolades Obama's supporters give him will do little to combat his "lack of experience" on the global front if he has to stand against McCain...sounds like it's time for a reality check!

Sent by ard | 1:26 PM ET | 04-21-2008

I think Obama's right. McCain is better than w. He might even have the integrity to uncover all of w's abuses of power. The good thing about McCain is that he'll be able to tell rush and his ilk to kiss his fanny.

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 2:11 PM ET | 04-21-2008

"Lack of experience on the global front"? Bush admitted he knew nothing, said he was bringing on foreign affairs advisors, that worked out really swell. McCain can't tell Sunni from Shia, after many trips in country, and is spouting the same campaign rhetoric Bush did. Hillary can't tell when she's under sniper fire or maybe she can tell but felt the need to boost the image for the CnC portion of her resume. And Obama, yeah, he voted against the AUMF in Iraq. Obama can bring in the B team in foreign affairs and do better than the Vulcans. The reality check has been in 130 degree heat of Mesopatamia where this country has been hemorageing blood and money for the hubris of serial liars.

Sent by Chester | 2:13 PM ET | 04-21-2008

Ard is right. We do need to take an honest look at experience. None of the top three candidates have been US president before. (Although one did live in the White House for 8 years.) All three have been successful US Senators. Experience seems somewhat equivalent, because the truth is that there really isn't anything that can prepare a person for this job, other than doing it. Abraham Lincoln had almost exactly the same experience as Sen. Obama. Most would agree he was able to manage the job.

Sent by Gary | 2:15 PM ET | 04-21-2008

I guess experience is great. We had Rumsfeld, Cheney.......... Blackwater,Haliburton, Wolfowitz (kicked out of even the world bank, boondogle of all jobs), and coming soon John McCain if we allow it.

Sent by Ty | 3:34 PM ET | 04-21-2008

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