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Barack Obama sought to confront growing doubts about his electability yesterday by declaring that white, working-class voters would rally behind him if he became the Democratic presidential nominee.
Mr Obama appeared for a televised grilling to answer questions about his inability to attract blue-collar households in the heartland of America. It followed another damaging loss to Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania last week, which increased concerns among Democrats about whether he is the best candidate to take on the Republican John McCain in November.
Mr Obama’s loss by almost ten points to Mrs Clinton in Pennsylvania, where she again won overwhelmingly among the white working class, bolstered the argument of the former First Lady that the Illinois senator cannot put together a broad enough Democratic coalition in key states to win a presidential election. He lost by the same margin in Ohio in March – a critical election marker – where blue-collar households turned their backs on him.
Mr Obama’s defeat in Pennsylvania came after controversies about anti-American remarks by his former pastor and his own comment that blue-collar voters cling to guns and religion. It has significantly altered the narrative and perceptions of the Democratic battle nine days before the next showdown in Indiana.
Mrs Clinton still has an uphill battle to wrench the nomination from the grasp of Mr Obama because of his insurmountable lead among elected delegates.
Until the Pennsylvania result the main question in the race was whether Mrs Clinton would quit. Now she is being praised for her doggedness and Mr Obama is enduring comparisons to George McGovern, who lost to Richard Nixon in 1972 and who has become known as a candidate who appealed exclusively to the secular, educated wing of the Democratic Party.
Mrs Clinton’s only hope of winning the nomination is to convince a majority of uncommitted super-delegates – the party leaders who will likely determine the race – that her rival is too big a presidential election risk. “The main question is, why can’t he close the deal?”, Mrs Clinton said. “Why can’t he win a big state like this one?”
Appearing on Fox News Sunday Mr Obama was asked why he was having trouble attracting white, working-class support. In an election battle against Mr McCain, Mr Obama said: “Most of those voters will vote for me. I am confident that when you come to a general election and we are having a debate about the future of this country . . . those are voters I will be able to appeal to.”
He conceded that he had to work harder to attract them but highlighted his victories in conservative states such as Idaho. “Look, it’s not like I’ve been winning in states where all they have are black voters or chablis-drink-ing limousine liberals,” he said.
He said that his victories in Virginia and Colorado showed that he could be competitive in Republican-leaning states. He added: “When this started off nobody thought I’d be where we are today. I am relatively new . . . and I am running against the best brand in Democratic politics.”
On Saturday Mrs Clinton challenged Mr Obama to a debate in Indiana with no moderators. The Illinois senator ruled that out. “I’m not ducking,” he said. “We’ve had 21 [debates].”
The Rev Jeremiah Wright, the former pastor to Mr Obama, has reappeared in recent days, granting several interviews.
In one he said that the attacks on him had been unfair and launched for devious reasons. He said that Mr Obama had denounced his remarks “because he’s a politician . . . he does what politicians do”. He is already the subject of a Republican attack advertisement.
Mr Obama said that he had not spoken to Mr Wright to dissuade him from making the appearances.
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It's not that Obama cannot convince blue collar White voters. The problem is not with Obama, the problem is with the people who he is trying to reach. The bible refers to this when it states: "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds" The real change that is needed in America is inward
Prince Kaywood, New Orleans, United States
"In Colorado, In Idaho, in Iowa..."
Colorado: caucus
Idaho: open primary
Iowa: caucus
Caucuses tend to draw (and thus over-represent) the far wing and activist elements of a party and aren't necessarily a good reflection on how a candidate will fare on the electoral college map.
James Carter, Washington, DC, USA
Senator Obama do not need to debate with Hilary, the PA debate was nonsense and boring. That was Hilary's interview in front of Obama. Obama needs to talk directly to all voters that he can be a perfect commander and chief. We need change. Go Senator Obama!
DDollard, District Columbia,
Obama is running on the 'what choice do they have' strategy for November. Plenty! For one thing the Republican South withdrew from this race some time ago and decided to support a Western conservative. It gives those blue collar workers and waitresses the opportunity to vote for McCain.
Daedalus, Boston, Ma., USA
Blue Collar in to the Democrates means Unions.
Unions are very liberal. Of course he will get their vote.
The fact that a black man can make it this far, that there arnt white riots shows Ethiopia we changed. Interesting its our liberals and not the conservatives who are racists and anti-semetic
William, Atlanta, USA
If the American people were not so self centred, and refuse to see the truth, Rev Wright would not be an issue, the man is a man og god honest. Check the internet on all the topics Rev Wright raised and see if 90% of it is not true, White elete America is run by KKK, I live in Britain and know that.
Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK
Moderate America sees where change is required, the justice system is designed to discriminate against Blacks. For every 1 Opra there is 2 million Blacks living in poverty. I have been to America I have seen the wooden shacks that is worse than in any third world country in the world, accept it.
Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK
Obama's race problem is not that he is black. The problem people have with him is that he has surrounded himself with people who are perceived to be anti-white.
KC Clark, North Conway, USA
Obama is an empty suit, having done nothing for blacks in his short time nor advanced ANY progressive agenda. He has MAJOR problems with his past and questions of clear thinking in his long term relationship with Resko and Wright . . . the press has for too long been giving this light weight a pass.
Jess Wonderin, Modesto, CA, USA
I liked Rev. Wright's factual comment; 'I was not the most divisive, but the most descriptive'!!! The most divisive comments I hear are coming from Mrs. Hillary's supporters including her husband. It really amazes me and leaves me wondering if America will ever change!!!
gebriye alemie, Nazreth, Ethiopia
Hillary Clinto does not debate, she snipes to insult and parade her contempt before the camera. Mr Obama has done the right thing and gave the correct answer in refusing to take part in another media circus with Hillary as the ringleader. As a long time democrat I am disgusted by her obsession.
Sandra F. Page, San Francisco, United States
Obama is bright, eloquent and has a welcome touch of idealism. He would restore America's tarnished image immediately - in the manner of JFK. And the democrats who can't vote for a person of mixed race will merely align themselves with bigotry and prejudice. What a farce!
Phil, Hong Kong,
Can he win working class whites? No. HE ALREADY DID. In Colorado, In Idaho, in Iowa, and all over the country. So Penn's working class whites didn't warm to him., big deal. Just because they didn't like him doesn't mean he's suddenly lost the whole demographic.
This is just more media poppycock.
Sam, Colorado, USA
An "act of dishonor for [Obama or Clinton] to be Commander in Chief"? Why? Because they aren't Pro-War or because they didn't blindly follow Bush when he started a war that two-thirds of this nation opposes? Just because McCain fought in a war doesn't make him worthy of being our next President.
Tim Janas, East Hills, USA
Senator Obama won mostly caucus which don't let everyone vote. Shift people don't get to vote. If the Party doesn't provide a way for a disabled person to get to the caucus, it is discrimination. This Texas caucus was a joke and just to many ways to cheat. Hillary won the primary but lost caucus??
Jeffery Marshall, Dallas, usa
Hillery prime reason for a debate is to damage Obama as much as she can. She knows she cannot be nominated so she goes about attacking Obama. There was a wisdom of not considering a women for leadership doring the last 200 years of American piolitics.
Obama should never accept the invitation.
Syed Ahmed, Dallas, Texas- USA
The winner of this Democratic Primary will be John McCain.
Thank godness that American can always depend on the Democrat Party to nominate unelectable Leftists.
I do not support McCain at all but it would be an act of dishonor to our troops for one of the other two to be Cmdr-In-Chief.
Vince P, Chicago, USA