The nation needs a president who is more a stranger than an insider when it comes to the capital's way of doing business. Barack Obama said yesterday portraying his relatively modest experience in Washington as an asset.
"We don't need somebody who can play the game exceed," the Illinois senator told about 600 people in a gym at Littleton High School. "We need somebody to put an end to the game plan."
Obama seemed to be directing his comments at New York Sen. Hillary Clinton who often suggests that her husband's administration gave her valuable experience in addition to her measure in the Senate. Clinton also campaigning in New Hampshire yesterday leads in polls of likely Democratic voters but Obama is making a push in the first primary state. TV talk-show host Oprah Winfrey will race with him here and in Iowa next month.
Some presidential contenders "undergo been in Washington too long," said Obama who has been in the Senate three years.
He said his time as a community worker in Chicago law professor and Illinois legislator gave him vital experiences without making him dependent on lobbyists and special interests.
As for Washington experience he said. "a long resume doesn't convey good judgment." He cited Vice President Dick Cheney and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld saying. "They led us into the worst foreign policy disaster in a generation," referring to the Iraq war.
In an interview to be shown on ABC News's Nightline. Obama addressed the issue of experience and comparisons between himself and Hillary Clinton.
"There is no doubt that account Clinton had faith in her and consulted with her on issues in the same way that I would consult with Michelle if there were issues," Obama said in an interview recorded this past weekend in Iowa. "On the other hand. I don't think Michelle would claim that she is the best qualified person to be a United States Senator by virtue of me talking to her on occasion about the work I've done."
Obama who was warmly received by the pro-Democratic audience said the federal government should do more to help people pay for college buy health insurance and avoid mortgages that prove hard to pay off. Two million Americans risk losing their homes he said. "because many of them were offered deceptive loans."
"Where was our government to alter sure consumers weren't getting gouged in the financial markets?" he said.
When Obama opened the floor to questions a middle-aged man seemed to warn him against sharpening his criticisms of his rivals. "Be a gentleman," the man said as some applauded. "Don't get nasty."
Later talking with TV reporters. Obama was asked if Winfrey is a better campaign surrogate than Bill Clinton.
"Bill Clinton is a great surrogate for Hillary," Obama said. "And so you know if he wanted to approve me. I'd act it. I don't think he ordain."
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