April 23, 2008
WJC: Obama Camp Writing Off Working Class Voters
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. -- Bill Clinton fired up a Tarheel crowd here by recounting facts and figures from his wife's victory in Pennsylvania yesterday. He said that the win was possible because of "people like you," working-class types that he said the Obama camp is now writing off.
"Today her opponent's campaign strategist said, 'Well, we don't really need these working class people to win, half the time they vote for Republicans anyways,'" he said, while speaking from a flatbed truck on a baseball field. "I will tell you something -- America needs you to win, and therefore Hillary wants your support, and I hope you will help her in this primary in North Carolina."
Clinton was referring to comments by Barack Obama strategist David Axelrod, who told NPR today that the "white working class has gone to the Republican nominee for many elections, going back even to the Clinton years," and that the Democratic candidates "haven't solely relied on the demographic."
Clinton told the hundreds on hand, as he told thousands of Pennsylvanians for more than a month, that this was "the biggest state still to vote." And he tweaked the Obama camp for ducking a debate.
"I think I know the answer to the question of why one candidate wants to debate, because I saw the debate in Pennsylvania," he said. "And afterwards, 41 percent of the voters watched it, and by 52 to 22, they said Hillary won."
The rally was chock full of get-out-the-vote tactics meant to bank some votes for Hillary two weeks before the primary. For starters, it was held just outside an early voting location.
"I'm supposed to remind you to vote early," he said. "Unless you haven't made up your mind, in which case, let me talk to you some more."
Clinton also, after his opening remarks, answered some questions submitted by voters through the campaign's "NC Asks" program.
Before Clinton arrived, supporters were asked to phone bank, or text their number to the campaign for a chance to meet the former president.
(NBC/NJ's MIKE MEMOLI)
Posted at 05:08 PM
Comments
The Obama camp is "writing off" working-class voters? Haha. Seriously, I'm SO sick of the Clintons right now. Just give me my primary already so I can vote and get this over with! My level of trust for what the Clintons say these days is on-par with my trust for GW.
Jason Stengren | 04.23.08 06:08 PM
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The Obama camp is "writing off" working-class voters? Haha. Seriously, I'm SO sick of the Clintons right now. Just give me my primary already so I can vote and get this over with! My level of trust for what the Clintons say these days is on-par with my trust for GW.
Jason Stengren | 04.23.08 06:09 PM
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If you don't believe Bill, just ask his and Hillary's new best friends,the Republican Party. I have gone from being a Clinton supporter, defender, loyalist, to now I am at the point when I see them on television I have to shut if off. Superdelegates, could you do the same?
Save out party. Shut the Clintons down.
Carol Blake | 04.23.08 11:08 PM
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If you don't believe Bill, just ask his and Hillary's new best friends,the Republican Party. I have gone from being a Clinton supporter, defender, loyalist, to now I am at the point when I see them on television I have to shut if off. Superdelegates, could you do the same?
Save out party. Shut the Clintons down.
Carol Blake | 04.23.08 11:10 PM
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Ol' workin' class Bill and po' wife are
asking for your vote. They can buy it with their private money....but they'd rather ask for
YOURS to buy it with. Bill needs redemption
and Hillary needs your support....and a new
ThighMaster.
hombre | 04.24.08 01:36 AM
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Obama attracts the young, naive and those that believe everything they read in the press. At least Hillary has some seat of the pants political experience to fall back on. Obama is a Socialist masquerading as a Democrat with a skill at motivating the masses just like Hitler was able to. A vote for Obama is a vote for the eventual demise of America.
dave | 04.24.08 08:17 AM
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David Axelrod is the one who said that the FDR Democrats were already Republicans and therefore they were not needed in order to run. That is the source of this assertion about working class voters.
bio mom | 04.24.08 11:40 AM
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