By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press WriterROCHESTER, N.H. - Democrat Barack Obama on Thursday lamented the sour tone of the presidential campaign, but insisted he and his wife have created a protective bubble around their two young daughters.
In recent weeks, Obama has been criticized by his chief rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, as being too inexperienced to be elected president. One of her top advisers resigned after suggesting Obama would be vulnerable to questions about his use of illegal drugs as a teenager. A Clinton surrogate raised Obama's Muslim heritage roots in what some viewed as an unflattering way. And he and Clinton have engaged in debate about their health care plans.
"So far, I think, attempts to go negative in a way that's not policy-based have backfired on the people who have gone in that direction," Obama said during a brief interview with The Associated Press after a town hall-style meeting at an American Legion hall.
"If people are arguing about policy, that's part of politics and that's fair," said Obama, an Illinois senator.
Obama said campaign ads focused on policy, such as his spot criticizing Clinton's universal health care plan, are fair game and he will be aggressive about making such comparisons. While not pleasant, he said he can't fault his rivals for them.
"I would distinguish between ads that I would say maybe mischaracterize my positions but had to do with policy, versus personal attacks or attempts to go at my character or those things. In which case, I will answer them swiftly and truthfully if they're false and trust in the voters," Obama said.
No comments:
Post a Comment