STEELTON, Penn. — Democrat Barack Obama lashed out Sunday at rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, mocking her vocal support for gun rights and saying her record in the Senate and as first lady belied her stated commitment to working class voters and their concerns.Hillary Clinton's Rovian tactics -- accusing her opponent of attacking her character and integrity -- when, in fact, it is she who continually has been attacking Obama's integrity and character -- is as obvious as her insincere, atrociously-bad-actor-emoting on the stump, her attempts to portray herself as eternally victimized by everyone from Obama to the media, her schizo-frenetic campaign, and her inability to tell voters anything resembling the truth, not to mention any factual statement of what she and/or her husband specifically did during their eight years in the White House to substantially improve the lives of the middle and lower classes.
"She knows better. Shame on her. Shame on her," Obama told an audience at a union hall here.
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Obama reiterated his regret for his choice of words at the fundraiser but suggested they had been twisted and mischaracterized. He said he'd expected blowback from GOP nominee-in-waiting John McCain, but had been "a little disappointed" to be criticized by Clinton.
Then, laughing along with the union audience, Obama noted that Clinton seemed much more interested in guns since he made his comments than she had in the past.
"She is running around talking about how this is an insult to sportsmen, how she values the Second Amendment. She's talking like she's Annie Oakley," Obama said, invoking the famed female sharpshooter immortalized in the musical "Annie Get Your Gun."
He continued: "Hillary Clinton is out there like she's on the duck blind every Sunday. She's packing a six-shooter. Come on, she knows better. That's some politics being played by Hillary Clinton."
Clinton has told campaign audiences that she supports the rights of hunters. Saturday, she reminisced about learning to shoot on family vacations in Scranton, where her father grew up. She's also said she once shot a duck in Arkansas, where she served as first lady.
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Fighting back, Obama said Clinton's history proved she was not as sensitive to the concerns of blue collar voters as she tried to project.
"I just have to remind people of the track record," Obama said, noting Clinton accepted campaign contributions from PACs and drug and insurance industry lobbyists, which he does not.
"This is the same person who took money from financial folks on Wall Street and then voted for bankruptcy bill that makes it harder for folks right here in Pennsylvania to get a fair shake. Who do you think is out of touch?" Obama said.
"This is the same person who spent a decade with her husband campaigning for NAFTA, and now goes around saying she's opposed to NAFTA," Obama said, referring to the North American Free Trade Agreement that is widely unpopular in blue collar communities.
The Clinton campaign issued a quick retort to Obama's comments.
"For months, Barack Obama and his campaign have relentlessly attacked Hillary Clinton's character and integrity by using Republican talking points from the 1990s," said spokesman Phil Singer. "The shame is his. Senator Clinton does know better — she knows better than to condescend and talk down to voters like Senator Obama did."
If Hillary was all she cracks herself up to be, these tactics would be unnecessary and her record of achievement would stand for itself. The trouble is, she hasn't got much to show for her "35 years of experience" that would impress the American middle class or the poor. In fact, she has a record filled with scandals, questionable campaign finance practices, ties to lobbyests, and failing her most important responsibility of the Clinton White House -- healthcare reform. Her record is pro-war, pro-free trade, pro-Wall Street (and pro Wal-Mart). In this campaign, she has consistently put her own aspirations for power above the good of the party or the country. If it is change from the status quo you are looking for, or help for those among us who need it most -- think long and hard before you vote for Hillary Clinton.
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