Obama: Hey, Those Democrats Who Are Claiming They Didn't Vote For Me Are Actually Just Saying What They Need to Say to Win the Election

For months, Democrats have been claiming Obama wasn't on the ballot, so there was no opportunity to vote against him, and voters should judge candidates on their personal merits.

But then, on October 2nd, Obama insisted that "my policies are on the ballot."

"I am not on the ballot this fall. Michelle’s pretty happy about that. But make no mistake: these policies are on the ballot. Every single one of them," Obama said.

Well, that was unhelpful for Democrats. Republicans began running ads against Orman (the "independent" in Kansas) and Charlie Crist noting Obama's proclamation that his policies are on the ballot.

And Obama just can't keep from making it All About Him.

On Al Sharpton's radio show:

The president, during a radio interview on Monday, claimed Democratic candidates who are avoiding him on the campaign trail nevertheless are "strong allies" who have "supported my agenda in Congress."

...

"A lot of the states that are contested this time are states that I didn’t win," Obama said. "And so some of the candidates there -- it is difficult for them to have me in the state because the Republicans will use that to try to fan Republican turnout."

He added: "The bottom line is, though -- these are all folks who vote with me, they have supported my agenda in Congress."

...

"This isn't about my feelings being hurt," Obama said. "These are folks who are strong allies and supporters of me."

Obama also implicitly suggested that Democrats are lying about "distancing" themselves from him, in order to win elections.

"These are folks who are strong allies and supporters of me, and I tell them, I said, 'You know what, you do what you need to do to win. I will be responsible for making sure our voters turn out.'"

What he seems to be saying is: You claim you've "distanced" yourself from me, to win your election, but meanwhile I'll put the word out to "our voters" that in fact you are my "strong allies and supporters."

posted by Ace at 02:51 PM

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