Content deleted Content added
Johnpseudo (talk | contribs) |
Kossack4Truth (talk | contribs) I don't understand objections. Ayers was discussed in televised debate. There must be at least one quotation from someone who is criticizing Obama. |
||
Line 109: | Line 109: | ||
With two months remaining before the first electoral contests in [[Iowa]] and [[New Hampshire]], and national opinion polls showing him trailing Sen. [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], Obama began directly charging his top rival with failing to clearly state her political positions.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jay | last=Newton-Small | title=Obama (Sort of) Takes the Gloves Off | date=[[October 28]] [[2007]] | url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1677121,00.html | work=Time | accessdate=2008-01-14}}<br />{{cite news | first=Adam | last=Nagourney | coauthors=Jeff Zeleny | title=Obama Rolls Out Aggressive Approach to Clinton's Campaign | date=[[October 28]] [[2007]] | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/28/america/obama.php | work =International Herald Tribune | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Campaigning in Iowa, he told ''[[The Washington Post]]'' that as the Democratic nominee he would draw more support than Clinton from [[Independent (voter)|independent]] and Republican voters in the general election.<ref>{{cite news | first=Dan | last=Balz | coauthors=Shailagh Murray | title=On Campaign Bus, Obama Opens Up About Challengers | date=[[November 9]] [[2007]] | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/08/AR2007110802459.html | work=The Washington Post | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Among the first four [[Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008#January|DNC-sanctioned]] state contests, Obama won more delegates than Clinton in [[Iowa Democratic caucuses, 2008|Iowa]], [[Nevada Democratic caucuses, 2008|Nevada]] and [[South Carolina Democratic primary, 2008|South Carolina]] while winning an equal number in [[New Hampshire Democratic primary, 2008|New Hampshire]]; Clinton, however, won the popular vote in Nevada and New Hampshire.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#IA | title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for Iowa | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 5]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-02-11}}<br />{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#SC | title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for South Carolina | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 22]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-02-11}}<br />{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#NH | title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for New Hampshire | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 10]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-01-14}}<br />{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#NV | title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for Nevada | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 22]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-02-11}}</ref> His win in Iowa was boosted by majority support from a record turnout of voters under 30 years old, most of them first-time caucus goers, while blacks turned away from Clinton after perceived attempts by Clinton to label Obama as a racial candidate.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-what-wouldnt-clinton-do-to-secure-power-794923.html | title=Johann Hari: What wouldn't Clinton do to secure power? | work=The Independent | author=Johann Hari | date=[[March 13]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}} See also: {{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/epolls/#IADEM | title=Entrance Polls: Iowa | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 3]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}} See also: {{cite news | url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/1447135071.html?dids=1447135071:1447135071&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+16%2C+2008&author=MELANYE+T+PRICE&pub=Hartford+Courant&edition=&startpage=C.1&desc=WHAT+OBAMA+MEANS |format=paid archive | title=What Obama Means | work=Hartford Courant | author=Melanye T. Price | date=[[March 16]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}} See also: {{cite news | first=James | last=Montgomery | coauthors=Kim Stolz | title=Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee's Iowa Caucus Wins Are Largely Thanks To Young Voters | date=[[January 4]] [[2008]] | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579042/20080104/index.jhtml | work=MTV | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Trailing Clinton nationally by 20% heading into the February [[Super Tuesday, 2008|Super Tuesday]], he eliminated that lead and emerged with another 20 more delegates than Clinton.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_delegate_count.html | title=2008 Democratic Delegates | work=RealClearPolitics | accessdate=2008-03-25}}</ref> He broke fundraising records in the first two months of 2008, raising more than $90 million for his primary campaign while Clinton raised $45 million in the same period.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-money7mar07,1,5383518.story | title=Obama sets fundraising record with $55 million | work=Los Angeles Times | author=Dan Morain | date=[[March 7]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> After Super Tuesday, Obama won the eleven remaining February primaries and caucuses.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/make-that-11-for-obama/ |title=Make That 11 for Obama | author=Brian Knowlton | work=The New York Times | date=[[February 21]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> He then won the [[Vermont Democratic primary, 2008|Vermont primary]] and the caucus portion of [[Texas Democratic primary and caucuses, 2008|Texas primary and caucuses]], but lost the [[Ohio Democratic primary, 2008|Ohio]], [[Rhode Island Democratic primary, 2008|Rhode Island]], and Texas primary elections to Clinton.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080304 | title=Results: March 4 - Multi-State Events | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=2008-03-04 | accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> |
With two months remaining before the first electoral contests in [[Iowa]] and [[New Hampshire]], and national opinion polls showing him trailing Sen. [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], Obama began directly charging his top rival with failing to clearly state her political positions.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jay | last=Newton-Small | title=Obama (Sort of) Takes the Gloves Off | date=[[October 28]] [[2007]] | url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1677121,00.html | work=Time | accessdate=2008-01-14}}<br />{{cite news | first=Adam | last=Nagourney | coauthors=Jeff Zeleny | title=Obama Rolls Out Aggressive Approach to Clinton's Campaign | date=[[October 28]] [[2007]] | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/28/america/obama.php | work =International Herald Tribune | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Campaigning in Iowa, he told ''[[The Washington Post]]'' that as the Democratic nominee he would draw more support than Clinton from [[Independent (voter)|independent]] and Republican voters in the general election.<ref>{{cite news | first=Dan | last=Balz | coauthors=Shailagh Murray | title=On Campaign Bus, Obama Opens Up About Challengers | date=[[November 9]] [[2007]] | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/08/AR2007110802459.html | work=The Washington Post | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Among the first four [[Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008#January|DNC-sanctioned]] state contests, Obama won more delegates than Clinton in [[Iowa Democratic caucuses, 2008|Iowa]], [[Nevada Democratic caucuses, 2008|Nevada]] and [[South Carolina Democratic primary, 2008|South Carolina]] while winning an equal number in [[New Hampshire Democratic primary, 2008|New Hampshire]]; Clinton, however, won the popular vote in Nevada and New Hampshire.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#IA | title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for Iowa | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 5]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-02-11}}<br />{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#SC | title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for South Carolina | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 22]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-02-11}}<br />{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#NH | title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for New Hampshire | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 10]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-01-14}}<br />{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#NV | title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for Nevada | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 22]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-02-11}}</ref> His win in Iowa was boosted by majority support from a record turnout of voters under 30 years old, most of them first-time caucus goers, while blacks turned away from Clinton after perceived attempts by Clinton to label Obama as a racial candidate.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-what-wouldnt-clinton-do-to-secure-power-794923.html | title=Johann Hari: What wouldn't Clinton do to secure power? | work=The Independent | author=Johann Hari | date=[[March 13]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}} See also: {{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/epolls/#IADEM | title=Entrance Polls: Iowa | publisher=CNN | date=[[January 3]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}} See also: {{cite news | url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/1447135071.html?dids=1447135071:1447135071&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+16%2C+2008&author=MELANYE+T+PRICE&pub=Hartford+Courant&edition=&startpage=C.1&desc=WHAT+OBAMA+MEANS |format=paid archive | title=What Obama Means | work=Hartford Courant | author=Melanye T. Price | date=[[March 16]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}} See also: {{cite news | first=James | last=Montgomery | coauthors=Kim Stolz | title=Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee's Iowa Caucus Wins Are Largely Thanks To Young Voters | date=[[January 4]] [[2008]] | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579042/20080104/index.jhtml | work=MTV | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Trailing Clinton nationally by 20% heading into the February [[Super Tuesday, 2008|Super Tuesday]], he eliminated that lead and emerged with another 20 more delegates than Clinton.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_delegate_count.html | title=2008 Democratic Delegates | work=RealClearPolitics | accessdate=2008-03-25}}</ref> He broke fundraising records in the first two months of 2008, raising more than $90 million for his primary campaign while Clinton raised $45 million in the same period.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-money7mar07,1,5383518.story | title=Obama sets fundraising record with $55 million | work=Los Angeles Times | author=Dan Morain | date=[[March 7]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> After Super Tuesday, Obama won the eleven remaining February primaries and caucuses.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/make-that-11-for-obama/ |title=Make That 11 for Obama | author=Brian Knowlton | work=The New York Times | date=[[February 21]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> He then won the [[Vermont Democratic primary, 2008|Vermont primary]] and the caucus portion of [[Texas Democratic primary and caucuses, 2008|Texas primary and caucuses]], but lost the [[Ohio Democratic primary, 2008|Ohio]], [[Rhode Island Democratic primary, 2008|Rhode Island]], and Texas primary elections to Clinton.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080304 | title=Results: March 4 - Multi-State Events | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=2008-03-04 | accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> |
||
===Wright and Ayers controversies=== |
|||
In March 2008, a [[Jeremiah Wright controversy|controversy]] broke out concerning Obama's 23-year relationship to his former pastor [[Jeremiah Wright]].<ref name="Obama's Pastor">{{cite news | url=http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=4443788 | title=Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, U.S. to Blame for 9/11 | author=Brian Ross | coauthors=Rehab el-Buri|publisher=''[[ABC News]]'' | date=[[March 13]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-17}} See also: {{cite news | url=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/03/for-the-record.html | title=For The Record | work=The Daily Dish | publisher=''The Atlantic'' |date=[[March 16]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18 | last=Sullivan | first=Andrew}}</ref> ABC News found and excerpted racially and politically charged [[Media clip|clips]] from sermons by Rev. Wright, including his assertion that the United States brought on the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11 attacks]] with its own "state terrorism" and his assertion that, "The government lied about [[AIDS conspiracy theories|inventing the HIV virus]] as a means of genocide against people of color."<ref name="Obama's Pastor" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/14/obamas-spiritual-adviser-questioned-us-role-in-spread-of-hiv-sept-11-attacks/ | title=Obama’s Pastor’s Sermon: ‘God Damn America’ | publisher=FOXNews | author=Jeff Goldblatt | date=[[March 14]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref> Some of Wright's statements were widely criticized as anti-American.<ref name="usatoday">{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Dilanian |title=Defenders say Wright has love, righteous anger for USA |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-03-18-obamawright_N.htm |work=[[USA Today]] |date=2008-03-18 |accessdate=2008-04-02 }}</ref><ref name="adubato-msnbc">{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23745283/|title=Obama's reaction to Wright too little, too late|publisher=MSNBC|date=March 21, 2008|author=Adubato, Steve}}</ref> Following negative media coverage and a drop in the polls,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3591359.ece | title=Polls show Barack Obama damaged by link to Reverend Jeremiah Wright | date=[[March 21]], [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-04-05 | work=Times Online | author=Reid, Tim}}</ref> Obama responded by condemning Wright's remarks, ending his relationship with the campaign,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23634881/ |title=Controversial minister leaves Obama campaign | publisher=[[MSNBC]]|date=2008-03-14|accessdate=2008-04-28|first=Alex|last=Johnson}}</ref> and delivering a speech entitled "[[A More Perfect Union]]" at the Constitution Center in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0319/p25s01-uspo.html | title=Remarks by Barack Obama: 'A More Perfect Union' | author=Barack Obama | work=The Christian Science Monitor | date=[[March 18]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> In the speech, Obama rejected some of Wright's comments, but refused to disown the man himself, noting his lifelong ministry to the poor and past service as a US Marine.<ref name="apracespeech">{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/obama-confronts-racial-di_n_92064.html|title=Obama confronts racial division|date=[[March 18]], [[2008]]|publisher=[[Huffington Post]] |author=Nedra Pickler, Matt Apuzzo | accessdate=2008-04-19}} See also: {{cite news |first=Peggy |last=Noonan |authorlink=Peggy Noonan |title=A Thinking Man's Speech |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120604775960652829.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=2008-03-21 |accessdate=2008-04-11 }}</ref> The speech, which sought to place Wright's anger in a larger historical context, was well-received by many liberals and some conservatives,<ref name="apracespeech" /><ref name="kurtzspeechanalysis">{{cite news |first=Howard |last=Kurtz |authorlink=Howard Kurtz |title=Obama's Speech, Sliced and Diced |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/20/AR2008032000964.html |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2008-03-20 |accessdate=2008-04-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mr. Obama’s Profile in Courage |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/opinion/19wed1.html |publisher=The New York Times |date=2008-03-19 |accessdate=2008-03-19}}</ref> but others, including various supporters of Hillary Clinton, continued to question the implications of Obama's long relationship with Wright.<ref name="kurtzspeechanalysis" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Kristol |authorlink=Bill Kristol |title=Let's Not, and Say We Did |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/opinion/24kristol.html?em&ex=1206504000&en=116b0da3e79179f5&ei=5087%0A |work=New York Times |date=[[2008-03-24]] |accessdate=2008-03-25 }} See also: {{cite news | url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120770107738700007.html | title=Obama's Minister Problem | work=The Wall Street Journal | accessdate=2008-04-12 | last=Davis | first=Lanny J. | date=[[April 9]], [[2008]]}}</ref> |
In March 2008, a [[Jeremiah Wright controversy|controversy]] broke out concerning Obama's 23-year relationship to his former pastor [[Jeremiah Wright]].<ref name="Obama's Pastor">{{cite news | url=http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=4443788 | title=Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, U.S. to Blame for 9/11 | author=Brian Ross | coauthors=Rehab el-Buri|publisher=''[[ABC News]]'' | date=[[March 13]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-17}} See also: {{cite news | url=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/03/for-the-record.html | title=For The Record | work=The Daily Dish | publisher=''The Atlantic'' |date=[[March 16]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18 | last=Sullivan | first=Andrew}}</ref> ABC News found and excerpted racially and politically charged [[Media clip|clips]] from sermons by Rev. Wright, including his assertion that the United States brought on the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11 attacks]] with its own "state terrorism" and his assertion that, "The government lied about [[AIDS conspiracy theories|inventing the HIV virus]] as a means of genocide against people of color."<ref name="Obama's Pastor" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/14/obamas-spiritual-adviser-questioned-us-role-in-spread-of-hiv-sept-11-attacks/ | title=Obama’s Pastor’s Sermon: ‘God Damn America’ | publisher=FOXNews | author=Jeff Goldblatt | date=[[March 14]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref> Some of Wright's statements were widely criticized as anti-American.<ref name="usatoday">{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Dilanian |title=Defenders say Wright has love, righteous anger for USA |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-03-18-obamawright_N.htm |work=[[USA Today]] |date=2008-03-18 |accessdate=2008-04-02 }}</ref><ref name="adubato-msnbc">{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23745283/|title=Obama's reaction to Wright too little, too late|publisher=MSNBC|date=March 21, 2008|author=Adubato, Steve}}</ref> Following negative media coverage and a drop in the polls,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3591359.ece | title=Polls show Barack Obama damaged by link to Reverend Jeremiah Wright | date=[[March 21]], [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-04-05 | work=Times Online | author=Reid, Tim}}</ref> Obama responded by condemning Wright's remarks, ending his relationship with the campaign,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23634881/ |title=Controversial minister leaves Obama campaign | publisher=[[MSNBC]]|date=2008-03-14|accessdate=2008-04-28|first=Alex|last=Johnson}}</ref> and delivering a speech entitled "[[A More Perfect Union]]" at the Constitution Center in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0319/p25s01-uspo.html | title=Remarks by Barack Obama: 'A More Perfect Union' | author=Barack Obama | work=The Christian Science Monitor | date=[[March 18]] [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> In the speech, Obama rejected some of Wright's comments, but refused to disown the man himself, noting his lifelong ministry to the poor and past service as a US Marine.<ref name="apracespeech">{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/obama-confronts-racial-di_n_92064.html|title=Obama confronts racial division|date=[[March 18]], [[2008]]|publisher=[[Huffington Post]] |author=Nedra Pickler, Matt Apuzzo | accessdate=2008-04-19}} See also: {{cite news |first=Peggy |last=Noonan |authorlink=Peggy Noonan |title=A Thinking Man's Speech |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120604775960652829.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=2008-03-21 |accessdate=2008-04-11 }}</ref> The speech, which sought to place Wright's anger in a larger historical context, was well-received by many liberals and some conservatives,<ref name="apracespeech" /><ref name="kurtzspeechanalysis">{{cite news |first=Howard |last=Kurtz |authorlink=Howard Kurtz |title=Obama's Speech, Sliced and Diced |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/20/AR2008032000964.html |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2008-03-20 |accessdate=2008-04-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mr. Obama’s Profile in Courage |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/opinion/19wed1.html |publisher=The New York Times |date=2008-03-19 |accessdate=2008-03-19}}</ref> but others, including various supporters of Hillary Clinton, continued to question the implications of Obama's long relationship with Wright.<ref name="kurtzspeechanalysis" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Kristol |authorlink=Bill Kristol |title=Let's Not, and Say We Did |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/opinion/24kristol.html?em&ex=1206504000&en=116b0da3e79179f5&ei=5087%0A |work=New York Times |date=[[2008-03-24]] |accessdate=2008-03-25 }} See also: {{cite news | url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120770107738700007.html | title=Obama's Minister Problem | work=The Wall Street Journal | accessdate=2008-04-12 | last=Davis | first=Lanny J. | date=[[April 9]], [[2008]]}}</ref> |
||
Obama's relationship with [[Weatherman (organization)|Weatherman]] founder [[Bill Ayers]], who hosted a fundraiser for Obama in 1996 and joined him on the board of the Woods Fund of Chicago in 1999, also drew scrutiny.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24196396/ | title=Ex-radical Ayers in eye of campaign storm | publisher=MSNBC | accessdate=2008-05-05 | last=Curry | first=Tom | date=[[April 18]], [[2008]]}}</ref> |
|||
On [[April 22]], [[2008]] Obama lost the [[Pennsylvania Democratic primary, 2008|Pennsylvania primary]] to Hillary Clinton.<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Steinhauser |coauthors=Chris Welch |title=Clinton wins Pennsylvania |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/22/pa.primary/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=2008-04-23 |accessdate=2008-04-24 }}</ref> On [[May 6]], he won [[North Carolina Democratic primary, 2008|North Carolina's primary]], and lost [[Indiana Democratic primary, 2008|Indiana's primary]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/US_Page_0506_VD.html?SITE=ILCHTELN&SECTION=POLITICS|title=State-by-State Votes 05/06/08 Presidential Primary / Caucus |publisher=Chicago Tribune|year=2008|author=Associated Press|work=Election 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/07/political.analysis/index.html | title= Analysis: As Obama nears finish line, can Clinton rebound in time? | author=Alan Silverleib, Mark Preston | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=2008-05-07 | accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> Obama continues to lead Clinton in the count of pledged delegates (1,584 to 1,413, according to a [[May 6]] count by the [[Associated Press]]).<ref name="delcount">{{cite news | url=http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/delegates/index.html |title=Democratic Delegate Counts | work=The New York Times | accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> By May 11, the two candidates were essentially tied in the superdelegate count with the Associated Press giving Obama a slight lead, and MSNBC giving Clinton a slight lead.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24556427/ |title=Obama takes superdelegate lead | publisher=MSNBC.com | work=The Associated Press | date=[[May 11]], [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> |
On [[April 22]], [[2008]] Obama lost the [[Pennsylvania Democratic primary, 2008|Pennsylvania primary]] to Hillary Clinton.<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Steinhauser |coauthors=Chris Welch |title=Clinton wins Pennsylvania |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/22/pa.primary/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=2008-04-23 |accessdate=2008-04-24 }}</ref> On [[May 6]], he won [[North Carolina Democratic primary, 2008|North Carolina's primary]], and lost [[Indiana Democratic primary, 2008|Indiana's primary]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/US_Page_0506_VD.html?SITE=ILCHTELN&SECTION=POLITICS|title=State-by-State Votes 05/06/08 Presidential Primary / Caucus |publisher=Chicago Tribune|year=2008|author=Associated Press|work=Election 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/07/political.analysis/index.html | title= Analysis: As Obama nears finish line, can Clinton rebound in time? | author=Alan Silverleib, Mark Preston | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=2008-05-07 | accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> Obama continues to lead Clinton in the count of pledged delegates (1,584 to 1,413, according to a [[May 6]] count by the [[Associated Press]]).<ref name="delcount">{{cite news | url=http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/delegates/index.html |title=Democratic Delegate Counts | work=The New York Times | accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> By May 11, the two candidates were essentially tied in the superdelegate count with the Associated Press giving Obama a slight lead, and MSNBC giving Clinton a slight lead.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24556427/ |title=Obama takes superdelegate lead | publisher=MSNBC.com | work=The Associated Press | date=[[May 11]], [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> |
||
Line 145: | Line 149: | ||
Obama has encouraged Democrats to reach out to [[evangelicalism|evangelicals]] and other religious people.<ref>{{cite news | first=Michael | last=Lerner | title=U.S. Senator Barack Obama Critiques Democrats' Religiophobia | date=[[July 3]] [[2006]] | url=http://www.tikkun.org/rabbi_lerner/news_item.2006-07-02.3949597607 | work=Tikkun Magazine | accessdate=2008-01-14}} {{cite web|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/194/story_19473_1.html | title=Sen. Barack Obama: Call to Renewal Keynote Address | date=[[June 28]] [[2006]] | work=Beliefnet | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> In December 2006, he joined Sen. [[Sam Brownback]] (R-KS) at the "Global Summit on [[AIDS]] and the Church" organized by church leaders Kay and [[Rick Warren]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Manda | last=Gibson | title=At Global AIDS Summit, Churches Challenged to Take the Lead | date=[[June 28]] [[2006]] | url=http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/HIVAIDSCommunity/StartingAMinistry/churches_challenged_to_take_the_lead.htm | work=PurposeDriven.com | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Together with Warren and Brownback, Obama took an HIV test, as he had done in Kenya less than four months earlier.<ref>{{cite news | title=Screaming Crowds Welcome U.S. Senator 'Home' | date=[[August 27]], [[2006]] | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/08/26/kenya.obama/index.html | publisher=CNN | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> He encouraged "others in public life to do the same" and not be ashamed of it.<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | title=Race Against Time—World AIDS Day Speech | date=[[December 1]] [[2006]] | url =http://obama.senate.gov/speech/061201-race_against_time_-_world_aids_day_speech/index.html | work=Obama U.S. Senate Office | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Before the conference, 18 pro-life groups published an [[open letter]] stating, in reference to Obama's support for legal abortion: "In the strongest possible terms, we oppose Rick Warren's decision to ignore Senator Obama's clear [[Pro-life#Term controversy|pro-death]] stance and invite him to [[Saddleback Church]] anyway."<ref> {{cite news | title=Rick Warren/Barack Obama AIDS Partnership Must End, Say Pro-Life Groups | date=[[November 28]] [[2006]] | url=http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/791771591.html | work=Christian Newswire Press Release | accessdate=2008-01-14}} See also: {{cite news | first=David | last=Van Biema | title=The Real Losers in the Obama-Warren Controversy | date=[[December 1]] [[2006]] | url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1565076,00.html | work=Time | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Addressing over 8,000 [[United Church of Christ]] members in June 2007, Obama challenged "so-called leaders of the Christian Right" for being "all too eager to exploit what divides us."<ref>{{cite news | title=Barack Obama: Faith Has Been 'Hijacked' | date=[[June 24]] [[2007]] | publisher=CBS News | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/24/politics/main2971556.shtml | work=Associated Press | accessdate = 2008-01-14 | }} See also: {{cite news | first=David | last=Brody | title=Obama to CBN News: We're No Longer Just a Christian Nation | date=[[July 30]] [[2007]] | url=http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/204016.aspx | work=Christian Broadcasting Network | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> |
Obama has encouraged Democrats to reach out to [[evangelicalism|evangelicals]] and other religious people.<ref>{{cite news | first=Michael | last=Lerner | title=U.S. Senator Barack Obama Critiques Democrats' Religiophobia | date=[[July 3]] [[2006]] | url=http://www.tikkun.org/rabbi_lerner/news_item.2006-07-02.3949597607 | work=Tikkun Magazine | accessdate=2008-01-14}} {{cite web|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/194/story_19473_1.html | title=Sen. Barack Obama: Call to Renewal Keynote Address | date=[[June 28]] [[2006]] | work=Beliefnet | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> In December 2006, he joined Sen. [[Sam Brownback]] (R-KS) at the "Global Summit on [[AIDS]] and the Church" organized by church leaders Kay and [[Rick Warren]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Manda | last=Gibson | title=At Global AIDS Summit, Churches Challenged to Take the Lead | date=[[June 28]] [[2006]] | url=http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/HIVAIDSCommunity/StartingAMinistry/churches_challenged_to_take_the_lead.htm | work=PurposeDriven.com | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Together with Warren and Brownback, Obama took an HIV test, as he had done in Kenya less than four months earlier.<ref>{{cite news | title=Screaming Crowds Welcome U.S. Senator 'Home' | date=[[August 27]], [[2006]] | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/08/26/kenya.obama/index.html | publisher=CNN | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> He encouraged "others in public life to do the same" and not be ashamed of it.<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | title=Race Against Time—World AIDS Day Speech | date=[[December 1]] [[2006]] | url =http://obama.senate.gov/speech/061201-race_against_time_-_world_aids_day_speech/index.html | work=Obama U.S. Senate Office | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Before the conference, 18 pro-life groups published an [[open letter]] stating, in reference to Obama's support for legal abortion: "In the strongest possible terms, we oppose Rick Warren's decision to ignore Senator Obama's clear [[Pro-life#Term controversy|pro-death]] stance and invite him to [[Saddleback Church]] anyway."<ref> {{cite news | title=Rick Warren/Barack Obama AIDS Partnership Must End, Say Pro-Life Groups | date=[[November 28]] [[2006]] | url=http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/791771591.html | work=Christian Newswire Press Release | accessdate=2008-01-14}} See also: {{cite news | first=David | last=Van Biema | title=The Real Losers in the Obama-Warren Controversy | date=[[December 1]] [[2006]] | url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1565076,00.html | work=Time | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> Addressing over 8,000 [[United Church of Christ]] members in June 2007, Obama challenged "so-called leaders of the Christian Right" for being "all too eager to exploit what divides us."<ref>{{cite news | title=Barack Obama: Faith Has Been 'Hijacked' | date=[[June 24]] [[2007]] | publisher=CBS News | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/24/politics/main2971556.shtml | work=Associated Press | accessdate = 2008-01-14 | }} See also: {{cite news | first=David | last=Brody | title=Obama to CBN News: We're No Longer Just a Christian Nation | date=[[July 30]] [[2007]] | url=http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/204016.aspx | work=Christian Broadcasting Network | accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> |
||
===Criticism from conservatives=== |
|||
Critics of the Illinois Senator have noted what they argue are contradictions within his positions. [[Fred Siegel]] of ''[[National Review]]'' wrote, <blockquote>"Obama is the [[internationalist]] opposed to [[free trade]]. He is the friend of race baiters who thinks [[Don Imus]] deserved to be fired. He is proponent of courage in the face of powerful interests who lacked the courage to break with Reverend Wright. He is the man who would lead our efforts against terrorism, yet was friendly with Bill Ayres, an unrepentent 1960s terrorist. He is the post-racialist supporter of [[affirmative action]]. He is the enemy of Big Oil who takes money from executives at Exxon-Mobil, Shell, and British Petroleum."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Siegel|first=Fred|date=[[May 5]], [[2008]]|title=The Obama Way|journal=National Review|volume=LX|issue=8|pages=46|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref></blockquote> |
|||
==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |