Obama Warns Against GOP Scare Tactics

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http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07...

Obama On The Britney Ad: They're Painting Me As "Risky"
By Greg Sargent - July 31, 2008, 10:53AM


Did Barack Obama cry racism and xenophobia in responding to the Britney ad? Last night, Obama turned up the volume a notch in response to the spot:

"Since they don't have any new ideas the only strategy they've got in this election is to try to scare you about me. They're going to try to say that I'm a risky guy, they're going to try to say, 'Well, you know, he's got a funny name and he doesn't look like all the presidents on the dollar bills and the five dollar bills and, and they're going to send out nasty emails.

"And, you know, the latest one they've got me in an ad with Paris Hilton," Obama said, referring to a McCain campaign ad launched today. "You know, never met the woman. But, but, you know, what they're gonna try to argue is that somehow I'm too risky."

Some folks are arguing that Obama is accusing the McCain camp of racism. The dollar bill line sounds like it could be an allusion to race, but Obama has said similar stuff before, and this isn't quite conclusive enough to support that claim.

What's more, the "risky" part certainly doesn't have to be an allusion to race. Obama could easily be saying that the ad is painting him as "risky" by portraying him as a lightweight who doesn't have the leadership qualities necessary to be president.

Separately, it should probably be pointed out that the Republicans are not exactly strangers to using race to frighten voters, so it's perfectly reasonable for the Obama camp to expect such tactics to be used against him.