Obama Warns of Clinton 'Smear' Tactics

Jan 31, 04:23 AM

Jan. 31--PHOENIX -- With just days left until he faces rival Hillary Clinton in Arizona's presidential preference election, Democrat Barack Obama warned a crowd here Wednesday night not to buy into the "classic smear campaign" he claimed has been launched at him by his opponent.

Flanked by Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, Obama told the 13,000 in attendance that keeping the same players in Washington is "a gamble we cannot afford." And challenging Clinton's argument that she's an "agent of change" ready to take over on "Day One," Obama countered, "We don't need someone who's just ready on Day One -- we need someone who's right on Day One."

The event, held at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum near downtown Phoenix, followed another rally in Denver, where Obama also made comments tailored to criticize Clinton. Anticipating a similar tone in Phoenix, the Clinton campaign organized a press conference to "call on Sen. Obama to stop distorting" Clinton's record. Clinton criticized the Denver comments in an interview after his speech.

It's the latest in what has become an intense battle between Clinton and Obama for the Democratic nomination, the likes of which the party has not seen in years. Both have outlined universal health care proposals and promised to rebuild the economy and invest more in education and alternative energy. So the race has centered on messaging, tone and electability.

On the notion that he lacks experience, Obama said of himself, "They say, 'He has not been in Washington long enough.' ... The argument is that we need to stew him and season him a bit longer."

Outlining his agenda -- largely similar to that of Clinton -- Obama said he knows delivering on his message will not be an easy road.

"Hope is not blind optimism," he said. "I know how hard change is, but I also know this, that nothing worthwhile in this county has ever happened unless somebody, somewhere was willing to hope."

Before Obama took the stage, U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, who endorsed Obama the day prior, called the election a "transcendent moment in history."

"This is not about old-school politics and moving the pieces around," the Southern Arizona Democrat said. "This is about you, this is about the future and this is about hope."

The latest poll of Democratic voters in Arizona found Clinton is leading Obama by 10 points. But Obama has closed that gap, and many Democrats polled said they are open to changing their vote. A total of 47 percent of Democratic voters polled remained up for grabs, the poll found.

Nationally, Clinton also continues to lead. The latest Gallup Poll showed her with a six-point lead, down from 16 points just days earlier.

But those polls were taken before former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards' exit from the race Wednesday afternoon.

And the more important battle will be waged state-by-state Feb. 5 -- Super Tuesday -- when Arizona and 23 other states participate in the nomination process. Democrats allocate their delegates on a proportionate basis. So a candidate winning the popular vote in a state doesn't win all the state's delegates, and may not even win the majority.

In addition to changing the tone in Washington, a key part of the debate in this race has been experience, with Clinton arguing she has a deeper background in government and policy.

Napolitano addressed that notion earlier in the day, defending Obama and saying, "You can hire economists and experts."

"What you need in a president is, No. 1, the ability to lead and to bring people together, the ability to instill confidence in your character and your integrity and your vision for the future," she said.

Obama and Clinton will debate in Los Angeles tonight.

--Contact reporter Daniel Scarpinato at 307-4339 or dscarpinato@azstarnet.com.

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