This makes my day.

No, my week.

Well he tied them up into a nice little bow. If the media doesn't beat the Clintons' over the head with their schizophrenic comments from the last two weeks, can we agree that this notion of media bias AGAINST the Clintons is overblown?

Thank you. That is the sort of forceful argument that he should make, not going negative, just pointing out the hypocrisy of their logic. I'm not sure "okey-doke" "bamboozle" and "hoodwink" are the hippest terms to use, but I suppose he is speaking to a diverse audience, and Clinton has been claiming the senior vote, so, sure why not. I'm just glad that he didn't get into name calling and negativity. Obama has the strongest hand, keep playing the end-game.

Such a precise and powerful rebuke to the Clinton spin of late just makes me more confident in Senator Obama.

Perfect. Love his use of "the Clintons" especially. The "hoodwink" language makes a clear inference that they are dispespectful of the electorate (which is clearly true). People tend not to like that.

It's about time...

Ya damn right!

Shorter Obama to Clinton:

I. Drink. Your. MILKSHAKE!

Rhetoric doesn't matter.

Why did the Clintons start talking about Obama as a VP candidate? That completely opened the door to this kind of argument. More importantly, it let Obama off the hook in regards to the C-I-C threshold question. If they had kept him on the defensive on that one, I could have angled my way in for a possible VP spot. Ah well, I'm not giving up yet.

Clinton/Sinbad '08 - An unstoppable ticket of C-I-C threshold-crossing unstoppability!

Zang!

Taking the high-road indeed.

The Clinton campaign is full of enough contradictions and faulty logic that Obama doesn't need to resort to mudslinging--he just needs to call bullshit, thereby tossing the single, solitary stone that strikes the argument in the head and sends it crashing to the ground.

Truth

This will dominate the news cycle

Only if reporters can get out of those conference calls from the Clinton campaign. How many a day are we up to, at this point?

Man alive do I agree with this!!

Now if this doesn't dominate we'll know for sure.

Yep. Very forceful. Couple news cycles late, but still, a reminder that no one can hit back hard and still manage to look thoughtful and agreeable like Obama can.

Hillary's camp wanted to give the PERCEPTION to voters that it was SHE in fact that was AHEAD, not Obama. Most voters don't pay attention to the DETAILS, they just read Headlines.

Giving them the PERCEPTION that's she was AHEAD all along -- it will be less painfull to those voters supporting Obama when the Supers override their votes.

anyone here know why nobody from the obama camp is using "bush-clinton-bush-clinton" as a talking point? seems odd to me that they haven't really ever suggested that there's something unseemly about the world's greatest democracy being run by 2 families for decades...

seems to me that if a relative-outsider candidate like barrack gets pushed out by the clinton dynasty via a confusing, brokered convention, nobody's going to have much faith in democracy working. already, the process seems sloppy and baffling. seems like it would be worse if it was sloppy, baffling, and gave the appearance of being rigged toward the benefit of a few powerful families.

Obama: Hillary = (same) old thing.

I like Obama because he uses words like "hoodwink" and "bamboozle" in political speeches. It's like a throwback to the campaigns of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Thankfully I had the day off and was able to watch this speech live. Your transcript is good, but actually seeing him respond "visually" was even better. He looked relaxed and confident.

Now I'm hoping that the MSM picks up on the fact that BO is running for PRESIDENT (AND WINNING). The VP slot being offered up by the Clinton's shouldn't be taken seriously and is just another campaign strategy.

Can I ask an off-topic question? As someone who is completely clueless wrt to pop culture, what is the "I drink your milkshake" reference?

also, this doesn't seem so effective to me. another day spent parrying criticisms is another day he's off message.

A 2 for 1 here!

Dismisses HRC's VP game overall AND takes down the 3AM not ready inference at the same time.

Obama wouldn't take VP slot even if offered. Why the fuck would he want to be part of what would undoubtedly be a corrupt, scandal-plagued HRC administration only to have it taint him an eventual run at the end of that term?

He wouldn't.

Between this and the fact that Gallup and Rasmussen have BOTH swung back towards Obama now, which happened prior to Wyoming - the people seem to be waking up and thinking again.

Perhaps the praising McCain to get at Obama was the turning point?

Perhaps Obama just letting her harp day-in and day-out without really responding in kind WAS the right thing to do (she reminded people exactly why they don't like her)?

Or perhaps, just perhaps, it took a little longer for the fear-mongering of that 3AM to to give way to the rational side of the brain and now won't have the same effect going forward?

Either way, good news on all fronts today.

I'd like to see it live, but the way the transcript reads, that was one hell of an "answer" to the specious VP talk coming from the clinton camp.

Lets see how the media ignores THIS statement and goes right into REPEATING the last two weeks statements by Hillary -- giving HER once again the bulk of the prime time tonight.

Yes, most of the quotes were in the AP wire by Charles Babbington. Reuters mussed most of it, perhaps they'll elaborate the article.

Hillary's attack didn't land on Barack, Barack's landed on her.

Next line of attack: Hillary likes to tout her foreign policy experience. What experience? As far as I can tell, her biggest moment on the foreign policy stage came when she gave a speech. That's right. She gave a speech.

This is a perfect response, by Obama. It shows why he is so much better as a candidate.
Unlike Kerry's weakness and perception of lacking any fortitude to stand up and fight.

I think Obama should send another shot azcross the bow of the DNC. DON'T EVEN TRY IT. DON'T TREAD ON ME.

The only reason there's still talk of the dream ticket, is this becomes the easy out for the DNC.

If Obama were to announce an Independant Run,if the DNC decides to throw him under the bus "For the good of the party"

They do this because there is no consequence at this time, because they believe Obama is weak and will capitulate
It is only when the DNC realizes that they will suffer greatly, they'll force the Clintons to back off or destroy the parties best effort of taking the Congress.

If Obama were to suggest a new slate of candidates from the Naderites and Progressive Coalition, taking Obamas enthusiastic and charasmatic appeal, in another direction, then the DNC would be forced to respond or lose. The DNC has not been forced to this realization as of yet.

They probably hope it will be too late for Obama to launch this new coalition before November, so are attempting to minimize the effect, by running the clock out.

The Clintons with nothing to lose, since it appears they have lost anyway, will be the diversion for the DNC, as of yet they have not had to get off the fence.

The time is now, no more fence straddling.
The TES WE CAN, has a time restraint.

excellent verbal jiu-jitsu, Barack!

BTW, he has been using "okey-doke" for months all over the country, including at American University in Washington, D.C. when the Kennedys endorsed him.

I agree the timing was perfect, mid-day, first day of the week, 18 hours before voting starts in his next victorious primary. After he wins MS tomorrow, this clip will go on non-stop rotation for another 24 hours, at least on MSNBC! Or, at the very least, KO will run it five or six times this week!

I don't think Barack needs to fire anybody, Axelrod has complete and skilled control of the message. They DID pay out rope all weekend to make damn sure Penn and Wolfson and all Hillary's surrogates wrapped the rope around their necks securely, then YANKED it today!

Rendell was starting to wriggle and squirm already yesterday morning on Timmeh, so the Obama crew just waited to make sure all the other surrogates fell in the same trap on all the Sunday talk shows before snapping it shut today. So beautiful.

Well lookie here. Gallup Tracking Poll has Obama back up by 5 points: 49-44. Not that it matters. But given the breathless coverage by TPM a few days ago when Clinton took the lead, I say it's fitting to note that just like Super Tuesday, it took a couple of days for the MSM to focus on the fact that it was another split decision.

I am not sure... but would anyone suggest that he use the phrase "go to the back of Clinton's bus" as VP on the Clinton Presidential ticket? Too much?

THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR HILLARY!!!

(Note: I'm not the real "Idiotic - that's a a lower case L). I just miss the posts :-)

Helluva response from Obama, fwiw. Not sure if there's anyway to counter it, which is going to make things tough on the Clintons.

So Obama takes the 'olive branch' offered by Clinton and steps all over it.

As someone who touts themselves as a Uniter, he sure has a strange way of going about the business of uniting.

The 13 million plus Democrats voted for Hillary, and Obama is basically saying, "Screw You. I wouldn't even consider her for VP."

Is this part of his strategy of wooing Party Super Delegates.

Nutz... looks like the news cycle is going to be dominated by Spitzer today. Hopefully, the story wont' matter so much in MS local media markets. But the national media will go bananas.

Apologies from several of us here in NY for the upstaging of circumstances. I'd rather see BHO knock the socks off HRC for a few news cycles.

Is he saying he wouldn't consider her for VP? I'll have to read again...I didn't see that part. I thought he was saying he wouldn't be considered for VP himself. Big difference.

I also don't think it's quite the olive branch it might seem to be. An olive branch would be suggesting a joint ticket without putting Obama on the BOTTOM when he is winning the election. That's a bit patronizing and underhanded. But a good political strategy, granted.

I agree a bit more with those who see it as her subtly eroding the vision of him as president. But honestly, I'd love to see more olive branches that what we're seeing.

Mark Penn just shat himself.

The word "hood" has a special meaning in Mississippi.

Sounds like Obama might be saying yes to me. I think he'd be an attractive vp candidate. I was going to write cute but I did not want to sound sexist.

Re: Spitzer.

Looks like Hillary may have just lost another superdelegate.

Not to fear, folks, Jeff Zeleny over at NYT has a post in their blog The Caucus exactly about Barack's hitback today, and the link for it is currently directly underneath the photo of Spitzer.

P.S. TPM should just move the Spitzer story over to TPM Muckraker, it's just some poor zhleb's personal screwup, it'll all blow over in a few hours, no big deal . . . uh, wrong. ("Holy Shit Batman! The Governor Was Caught With Hookers! He Must Have Been Set Up by The Riddler!")

I get what the deal is: Spitzer, who supports Hillary, knows she's going to lose. Spitzer, who has known for a while that he is about to lose his job, decides to go out in a blazing inferno to knock Obama off television. Then, Spitzer will resign and arrange a special election so Hillary can become Governor of New York, wait a few years, and run again for Preznit if Obama can't beat McSame. Right?

It's about time, Buster!!

Now to retire this username, and let you continue the HILL-MENTUM!!

RIPOSTE, Obama! We're proud of you! Applause!

That's the spirit we need. It's tough, it's accurate, it doesn't pander, it doesn't demean. It just calls out the tactic for what it is-- disingenuous, misleading, and logically incoherant-- and reminds you that that's the old and this is the new.

Idiotic, you really need to get on the ball. Most of us only still come to TPM because of your insightful commentary, and we can't be waiting two hours for it.

Thanks for stepping on Obama's newscycle, Spitzer.

Nicely played, Barack.

Keep your cool and keep scoring points when they leave you openings.

You ain't no okey-doke!

and POOF Obama's news cycle goes out the window with the Spitzer news.

nothing beats sex.

sucks for us Obama people.

At the risk of sounding contentious, since when is ignoring the wishes of (whatever the count is at the moment) roughly 49% of the democratic primaucaus voters uniting the party? Granted HRC's 'offer' or 'olive branch' was a left handed compliment at best, but it still (oh my gosh, you're all going to jump on me for this) had the advantage of recognising the popularity of her opponent. The BHO supporters on this page and elsewhere seem to be personally affronted at the idea that people could be passionately, fiercely supportive of HRC (i know several of all different ages, genders and races who fit that bill). To my ears this response smacks of personal ambition (a sin when it's HRC you're talking about) and arrogance. I've said elsewhere i'm disappointed in the field and prefer neither candidate, but remarks like these, embodying as they do such a huge disregard for half of those who've voted dem, make Nader a more and more attractive prospect.

er, all these people taking me to task for connecting Obama's comments with Malcom X's famous comments about "hoodwinked" and "bamboozled....who cares that he has been saying it for all the entire campaign, in Kansas, whatever....THAT DOESN'T CHANGE the fact this he is subtly communicating with his African-American supporters with the use of this language. I'm not sure it is a good thing or a bad thing, but let us at least be open and honest about what he is doing....

NYT has this blog post:

Obama Hits Back on VP Chatter.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/obama-hits-back-on-vp-chatter/index.html?hp

They left out the great "okey-doke" and "hoodwink" lines. NYT home page claims they have video, too.

Also up at the WaPo blog, The Trail:

It's a REALLY good post by Peter Slevin, he includes all the "okey-doke" and "hoodwink" lines and then reprises the best parts of the speech:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/10/obama_im_no_vp.html

If i am the governor of NY and i am involved in a prostitution ring, those women better be dam hot. The club that he was involved in has a website, and the women arent that pretty!!
www.emperorsclubvip.com

There he goes again with his "judgment". Enough already. That speech was six years ago. According to the Faire Lady Samantha, he's been bamboozling us about his Iraq exit plan all during the campaign. Okey doke?

Oh, look! This article is once again headlined on the TPM homepage...but clearly a sex scandal trumps yet again, as the Spitzer story is top.

This was a great post. This will show that Senator Obama doesn't have a Glass Jaw. The Clinton's are doing several things to destroy the most promising young leader since Kennedy, and if they do it not on the strength of their arguments, but by the kind of politics we have seen them deploy, the results will be devastating to the democratic party for a decade. Just please take the time to look at the tactics the Clinton's are using: fear and mud, a barrage of petty attacks, by toying with questions about him being a "Muslim", by saying that together on the same ticket they would be an unstoppable force but Obama would be the Vice President, by subtle invocation of the race card, by intermittent reliance on gender identity politics, by taking faux offense to keep the news cycle busy ("shame on you, Barack Obama!") and so on. CAN YOU SEE IT?

Truth hurts...

Obama can't win (just look at the states he's lost)
Clinton can't beat the Republican election machine (without help)
Obama/Clinton would never happen
Clinton/Obama - Unbeatable!

Time for the Super Delegates to step up.

Facts trump hope, everytime.

Hillary the Hoodwinker.
Don't be hoodwinked by Hillary!
Hillary=Hoodwinked
Hill + Bill = Hoodwinked

I assume she can run for governor once she accepts reality and drops out.

By any and all counts she is losing and will not be able to secure a lead in either pledged delegates or the popular vote.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/03/obamas-popular.html

The only hope she has is to destroy Barack in the primary and go to the convention with bloody hands and say she is the only electable candidate.

Just when I think I cannot detest her any more she sinks to new depths.

At least Spitzer will lose his Super Delegate status so maybe that will cost her support.

Seriously, the timing of this Spitzer thing is too weird. But then, I've never met a conspiracy theory I didn't like.

The mass media will, sheeplike, go wandering off to chase this ("Ooooh politcs ... ooooh, sex .... oooh, shiny!")

I think it is important to move the OBama speech link around to any blogs you can think of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSMQqxPYYNY

Non-mainstream media will keep the story alive.

Man, you guys are easily impressed. This was BRILLIANT? There was nothing wrong with it, but do you really think that Obama's fondest wish was to be talking about this today? This is Hillary's subject, and he's talking about. I doubt very much the Clinton campaign thought they wwould just talk about it and he would never respond.

He basically came out and said he wasn't running for vice president, then talked about how Hillary says he isn't ready. Do you really think that's his preferred topic of conversation? The Clinton camp got several news cycles out of this. Obama saying he's not running for VP will be in the news tomorrow, then be forgotten about, because it's what he was expected to say.

And you may all be pleased with the "why would she pick me if she thinks I'm not ready?" routine, but I really don't think the voting public is going to be so impressed. Why would you want to be in an argument where you're comeback is "I thought you said I'm not ready?"

Good lord...go to http://www.smokinggun.com

They have all the gory details about what Spitzer aka "Client 9" liked to do with the hired girl. Juicy reading.

You posters who are worried about the Sptizer thing need to cease and desist.

Barack's words will be uttered again. He has been choosing and polishing them for days. Expect to hear this speech at least two more times with much greater ease, precision, and humor.

Here is the real deal:

When you hit back: You've got to think about the response and the counter-response and the counter-counter-response.

Team Barack has been thinking about all of that. For days now. They are now hitting back. Expect more. And expect mo' betta.

Here it comes.
Enjoy it.

I do hope that Obama ties this to a large message of Hillary's dishonesty.

"Say anything do anything" cheating etc.

haha it's quite funny when on CNN video 'Wyoming was a good start', Sen. Barack Obama's campaign communications director talks to CNN's John Roberts, J. Roberts giggles when the campaign director explains the non-logic of first claiming Obama to be 'not ready' and then suggest him to be vice president. Very funny… everybody giggles when hillary makes arguments. haha

Ouch.

That was one heavy bodycheck.

I'd like to echo Liberal Historian here. Don't worry about the speech being overshadowed by the New York scandal.

Clinton can't keep bringing up the "Obama as VP" idea without this being referenced. Obama just put those worms back in the can. And he's likely to repeat it as well.

There's another subtext here as well. There will be some more attempts to hoodwink voters later on in the year, courtesy of a straight-talking maverick who has a history of disowning his own bills.

This is a preview of Obama's response and I'd give anything to have seen the look on John McCain's face when he saw it.

Clinton Bamboozles
Failing to release her tax returns showing where the $5 million loan funds were garnered.
Failing to accurately describe her role in Northern Ireland negotiations
Claiming to be a Democrat while facilitating McCain's campaign talking-points
Taking claim for Family Leave Act which was completed before Clinton took office
Failing to release WH appointment lists so we know what activities she had while in the WH.

To HRC: BOO YAH, BITCH!!!!! GET 'EM OBAMA!! YOU DA MAN!!!!!!

I think okey doke, bamboozle, and hoodwink, are terms that Harvard educated attorneys use when they are trying to disarm listeners so they can sway them to their point of view, and they'll never realize what hit them. Oops, sorry, I caught on. Yalies have their own language.

In the vernacular of the place:

"He sure fixed *her* wagon!"

Obama actually gained 7 more delegates that Hillary last week:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/10/11748/6707

!!

So now Obama is making the mistake of running against Bill Clinton and not Hillary.

I think Obama is scared and on the defensive. He is constantly having to respond to Clinton rather than own the dialog.

At some point he will have to face the lie that he was against the war. In fact what he was against was giving the President the authority to go to war and that is irresponsible and poor judgment. If he's the nominee McCain will make mincemeat of him on this point.

This is going to be a convention floor fight which means all bets are off. The nomination process has been so botched with the FL and MI primaries that the candidates will be seen as essentially starting over as equals. They will have to win based on what goes on at the convention, not what happened prior to it.

(Watch for Edwards to be one of the deciding factors.)

With all the big news today, he's got to repeat, repeat, repeat. And with as great timing and energy as in this clip. Use the same words, this is exactly how to say it. No one will have heard it today, with today's big news. So please, Obama, repeat this!!!
Elliot Spitzer story is one distraction today, but a much more important big story is the Wall Street Journal scoop on the government having a TIA-type unauthorized evesdropping and data gathering operation).

That's funny and interesting enough to merit commenting on.

Yes and no. Yes Miss uses such slang, but no it's hardly exclusive. In fact it's wide spread especially among Gen X and Y in northern urban areas.

I use hoodwink and bamboozle all the time, and am a mixed race (white/asian) San Franciscan. They're great words. Folksy retro slang, from Jazz to Country slang, was widely re-popularized during the 80's and 90's by think'n fellers and literary hipsters reading Beat poets and listening to older Jazz, Country, and Folk recordings.

They have a musicality and cool that 80's slang like "RAD!" "DEF!" "bitchin!" just don't.

I actually used "hoodwink" here on TPM the other day, specifically to describe what Hillary is doing. I use "bamboozle" all the time, because no other word really captures the essence of a snake-oil con-job quite as perfectly. Even my spellchecker's default English library recognized both.