WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Slipping in the polls before Tuesday’s elections in North Carolina and Indiana, Barack Obama criticized Hillary Clinton on Sunday for vowing to “totally obliterate” Iran if it attacks Israel.

“This kind of language is not helpful,” Obama said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “And yet, a few days before an election, she’s willing to use that language.”

When told of Obama’s criticism, Clinton refused to back down and reiterated her concern about Iran making good on its threat to develop nuclear weapons for the purpose of destroying Israel.

“I don’t think it’s time to equivocate about what we would do,” Clinton said on ABC’s “This Week.”  “They have to know that they would face massive retaliation. That is the only way to rein them in.”

Obama has been losing the support of white blue-collar workers who were appalled by the anti-white and anti-American rhetoric of the candidate’s ex-pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. But Obama might be able to offset those losses by racking up black votes.

The Illinois senator acknowledged Sunday that the Wright controversy, which has been raging for weeks, is taking a toll on his campaign.

“It’s distracted us,” he said, later adding, “Hopefully, we’ve been able to put it behind us.”  

Meanwhile, Clinton said the possibility of Iran invading Iraq does not justify keeping U.S. troops in Iraq. During a town hall meeting in North Carolina, a voter asked Clinton what would happen if her plan to rapidly withdraw American forces from Iraq prompted Iran to rush in and fill the void.

“I do not believe Iran will go into Iraq,” Clinton replied. “It is something that I am not anticipating, and we are not going to have permanent bases and permanently occupy Iraq because of some contingency that may or may not happen.”

bsammon@dcexaminer.com 

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:05 PM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Clinton stirs racial pot claiming Obama is losing white support"

Examiner Reader said:
12:50- "Eggheads" is a referrel to college educated individuals whom Obama has done well with in recent primarys.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

12:50 PM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Clinton stirs racial pot claiming Obama is losing white support"

Examiner Reader said:
What exactly was meant when the staement was made "we can't win with eggheads and african americans? Who is the egghead? It's statements like that that keeps all of us from going forward. whether republican, democrat, black white brown, it doesn't matter, we are in this thing together. We may have come over here on different ships, but we are in the same boat now. If we are one nation under GOD, lets act like we know that we are under HIM, and HE is over us ALL.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:39 AM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Clinton stirs racial pot claiming Obama is losing white support"

Bemused said:
So, Obama was elitist when he openly stated, albeit with an ill-advised choice of words, what sociologist have documented for years: that, in times of economic stress, more people turn to religion for comfort? What, then, is Clinton when she implies that: A) only whites are hard-working, and B) those whites who are not as well educated as she are racist.

1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:55 PM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008 re: "Obama looks to November; Clinton hopes for a miracle"

Examiner Reader said:
We got to stop with the "group think". The majority voted for Bush, twice. Does it mean that it was the best choice for the country? Clearly not! When you match up one with very little experience, Obama, against someone who has been around for a while, Hillary, you will have more "dirt" to dig on the one that has been around for a while. But does it mean that he is a more attractive candidate? Many people got on the Obama's band wagon just like joining a cult or a fad because people around them do so. Peer pressure is still a great force no matter our ages. And if you listen to Obama without the hype, you will realize that he sounds just like Bush (not the content of the speech but the way he talks). He could not finish a sentence with these pauses in between as if he had to concentrate hard to get his thought out. He actually sounded retarded if you really listen. And the saddest thing is, if Obama is nominated, people like myself won't vote and McCain just may wi

1 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:27 PM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008 re: "Obama gains two more Md. delegates"

Examiner Reader said:
My respect goes to Obama...He will inherit the sins of the Government who took the Baby boomers Social Security and then is trying to blame them for it. They will , no doubt blame Obama...The stage is already being set. One can only hope that the idiots see the GiG is up,, Who knows maybe the high officials may be forced to pay social security just like us, and get their retirements slashed ,just like ours. GO Obama Go !

1 agree | 0 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:23 PM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008 re: "Obama looks to November; Clinton hopes for a miracle"

Examiner Reader said:
How about another example of circle logic from the Clinton camp: She is arguing that not just the delegates but the votes should count from both FL and MI because it absurd that we would not give these voters a voice, but her only real hope is that superdelegates decide to overrule the majority of the people who voted for Obama and make her the nominee. And for those of you who think that counting the votes may make it easy for her to take a lead in the popular vote, think again there are many caucus state votes that Obama does not get to add to his popular vote totals because those states do not release that data. Superdelegates should take that into consideration. And for those of you saying we should stop punishing FL an MI, get real, if we stop punishing them then they have'nt been punished at all.

1 agree | 0 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:44 AM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008 re: "Clinton aides alerted by supporters before Pelosi threat letter was sent"

Examiner Reader said:
Who the hell "runs" this party..any way? I would suggest that the "peoples" party needs to be cleansed, exorcized of bad spirits..we've got a dammned party and a government telling "we the people" what we can and can't do...when the Constitution clearly states that "we the people" are the government, and have the right to throw this bunch out and start all over if we want...why are these little despots running our lifes, our Judicial system, our parties and then sticking us with the bills when they come due. We need a nuclear option our selves...

1 agree | 0 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:03 AM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008 re: "Obama looks to November; Clinton hopes for a miracle"

Examiner Reader said:
I personally feel Clinton should continue and hopefully supporters will continue to fund her campaign. Winning reliable large dem states (California, MA, NY, NJ, etc) has got to count for something. She seems to be doing well against McCain as well (I don't doubt dems will back the dem nominee, in the end, no matter what). Also, the issue with FL, Michigan needs to be resolved - seems crazy to me that they would be discounted (I think we're well beyond still trying to punish those states, esp since we're so late in the game). Time to move forward.

3 agree | 4 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:09 PM MST on Wed., May. 7, 2008 re: "Clinton wins big in Pa. but gains little ground"

Liam said:
IT'S OVER!! You are done babe. Now GO AWAY! And don't forget to take Bill with you.

2 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:55 PM MST on Wed., May. 7, 2008 re: "Obama soars in North Carolina; Clinton clings to lead in Indiana"

Examiner Reader said:
OBAMA rules!!!!!

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:33 AM MST on Wed., May. 7, 2008 re: "Economic growth could help McCain"

Examiner Reader said:
in order to win in nov. the two candidates have to lick and kiss wall street.thats who appoints the pres. not the single mother with two jobs and four kids. the REAL people dont mean squat in america,except for how much the govt can bleed out of them. so how come hillary keeps on ohpraizing the poor and lower middle class. her and billy never did squat while in office for eight years for the little guy,except send jobs out of the country.and set it up for the repubs to plunder for two terms.remember over nine trillion in debt owed to other countries will keep your kids and grandkids busy paying back for their lifetimes

0 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:52 AM MST on Wed., May. 7, 2008 re: "Obama soars in North Carolina; Clinton clings to lead in Indiana"

Examiner Reader said:
Time for Clinton to bow out. The people have spoken and they don't want to listen to her lies anymore. Sure some Democrats are still stupid enough to vote for her but they will vote for Obama in the big race this November.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:28 PM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008 re: "Obama blasts Clinton over comment on Iran"

Tim said:
Even Hillary Clinton is more of a man than Obama. I hope the Obama supporters will take a few minutes to check some facts before they blindly rush to the polls in November. After the Obama scandals of Jerimiah Wright, and Tony Rezco, and an obvious ignorance of economics and foreign affairs, (Clinton is not much better),this guy is the most unqualified and inept presidential candidate I have ever seen...yes, worse that jimmy Carter. I only hope that people wake up before november. The media could wake up too and start reporting the facts on Obama instead of playing this make belive "we know nothing" game that they like to call "reporting". If people think Obama is so wonderful, they will find out who he really is if he becomes President, then it will be too late.

1 agree | 4 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

3:58 PM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008 re: "Obama�s lead over Clinton shrinks"

Liam said:
What will this guy do when the Clinton machine shows up in Denver and steals the nomination? Not much he can do but sit down and shut up. Ahh The Clinton circus and all their clowns. It would be funny if it wasn't so real. They are a very corrupt bunch and will stop at nothing for power.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:50 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008 re: "Dems brace to fight until June, maybe to convention"

AMERICA CALLING said:
look at the dems do you people want them to run the country look at omalley these people are just like him do you want that its not just gas its eletric food heating oil food and everything its the dems who hold up drilling for new gas supplies in our own country wake up people

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:17 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008 re: "Obama gains two more Md. delegates"

Examiner Reader Wake up Baltimore said:
Baltimore is in danger of becoming the next sanctuary city.

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:13 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008 re: "Obama denounces pastor�s �rants�"

Examiner Reader We're in deep trouble said:
Like an abusive, agressive, bully,Iran will walk right through Obama's restraining order and put this country in intensive care.We,the American taxpayers, can't afford to fund massive illegal alien citizenship initiatives and defiant sanctuary city social service smorgasbords.We cannot afford a universal health care program here at home that rewards parents with anchor babies with the right to bring the rest of the family in to the country and into our social service network. We estimate the illegal alien access to our social services and educational services in this country to be between 12 and 18 million people- Growing. We absolutely can't afford to spread "protection " money around the world in the guise of foreign aid to try to keep Muslim terrorists away from our open borders. People are losing their homes, can't afford to drive to their jobs if they haven't been downsized, and neither party will close the borders for fear of losing the Hispanic vote. We're in deep trouble.

4 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

3:41 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008 re: "Obama blasts Clinton over comment on Iran"

Examiner Reader-- Obama's Iranian plan said:
Barack Obama has FINALLY told us what his approach to potential Iranian aggression toward her neighbors (and especially toward Israel) would be, which is really a glimpse into his approach to deterring and confronting radical Muslim terrorism. He says he would begin with sanctions, and we all know how effective sanctions have been when the international community through the UN has tried this tactic in the middle east. Then he'd try diplomacy and "carrots" which have in the past meant that we'd send diplomats with briefcases full of money to pay them to back off(with our tax dollars) which might work if the money is substantial and it keeps coming. After all the money can be used to build their army and fund nuclear development, at our expense. We need to be very afraid because this man's policy will bankrupt us, fund the expansion of terrorism and render us as ineffective as the UN. We can't be trigger happy, but we can't fight terrorists with carrots either.

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

6:16 PM MST on Mon., May. 5, 2008 re: "Obama blasts Clinton over comment on Iran"

Examiner Reader said:
Look at the Process, get a tax waiver for the fuel over summer, Hillary wants the "Big Oil" to pay for it. That will be the cost of doing business for the oil companies. Guess what Hillary, business 101, pass along to the consumer. But Of Course, YOU would not understand that. Your business accumend is non existant. Oh, and the Dems have been in power for 3 years now. When did the fuel prices really start going up? About 2 years ago. Amazing the correlation of these Bush haters saying they are in the pockets of Big Oil, Just who is? Hey people, follow the money trail. Bush is not running this election.

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:22 PM MST on Mon., May. 5, 2008 re: "Pennsylvania swamped by candidate ads"

Fred Strickland said:
I wish to comment on an article I have't seen in print, seen or heard on TV or heard on radio; anywhere! The article of which I speak is contained in an e-mail being forwarded with subject: Hillary's Resume. And it speaks of her telling the American people of her 'record' as First Lady, co-president and 7 years in the Senate, followed by disclaimers by the writer of the original e-mail. Since Senator Clinton makes comments often that the public has a right to know the record of her opponents, I think this should be published for distribution in your fine state. Fred Strickland

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:22 PM MST on Sun., May. 4, 2008 re: "Obama�s controversial former pastor stands by �God damn America� comment"

Examiner Reader said:
Keep up your excellent reporting on Oboma and his minister.

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:07 PM MST on Sun., May. 4, 2008 re: "Obama�s controversial former pastor stands by �God damn America� comment"

Examiner Reader said:
Barach wants to be our president and lead our country through the pitfalls of aggressive actions of foreign countries.He has assured us that he is up to the challanges and rough decision-making a commander and chief must perform to safeguard our country in these difficult times.All of these tasks requiry intense scrutny and constant attention to the most minute detail and of course prompt action. In light of Barach's latest statement concerning his denial that he knew nothing about his ministers anti-american views until recently it seems improbable that he didn't suspect anything was fishy when video cassetes of Wright's Hate America views were sold at the Churches front door every day of worship. Hpoefully Barach H. Oboma will have a good excuse for his ignorance concerning this matter.

8 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:28 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama captures Clinton superdelegate, keeps momentum despite rocky month"

Examiner Reader said:
why dont they just callum riggers instead of super delagates,they just use them to push the one they want over the top anyway,they already know who is going to be the nominee,think ill just vote for MCcain then the riggers lose no matter who they put over the top,prove my point they say super delagates look at the way the people of there states vote mostly then back the one the people voted the most for,hillary won in ted kennedys state but ol teddy backed obama,super delagates are a rigg.

2 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:15 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama captures Clinton superdelegate, keeps momentum despite rocky month"

Examiner Reader said:
Contemplated thoughts of wisdom have caused reason to wane childlike innocents of self-fulfillment. As ignorance and bliss dissolve by truth within tempered experience a foundation of substance stands the Lady of battles Hillary Rodham Clinton.

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:53 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama captures Clinton superdelegate, keeps momentum despite rocky month"

Examiner Reader said:
Rev Wright MR Farakhan a question do Obamas white voters have human potential now ? or are their tiny brains incapable of achieving the desired effect. They should be feeling empathy for obama due to the controversial speeches giving by you. And upon completion of Obamas denunciation of all your speeches MR wright the phycological effect will have Obamas white voters believing he is truthful again. thereby the deception is reinstated alive and well. I only hope their are enough tiny brains to make a difference. Don't forget you still have Bill Ayers to deal with

1 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

6:24 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama captures Clinton superdelegate, keeps momentum despite rocky month"

Examiner Reader said:
What's the difference then? Sounds like will all be dead soon anyway.

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:03 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama denounces pastor�s �rants�"

Examiner Reader said:
1:38 is a good example of Democrat brainwashing and hate baiting that is common among gullable Liberals. If anyone is going to start a war with Iran, it will be Iran. 1:38 is so blinded by Bush-hate, that he/she hasn't noticed that Iran is preparing for nuclear attacks against Israel and other parts of the world, including here. Better wake up, 1:38. The world is changing all around you, but you're too busy ranting and hating to notice and the now flawed and exposed Obama will not protect us or you. That's "change" we can live without.

1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:58 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama captures Clinton superdelegate, keeps momentum despite rocky month"

Examiner Reader said:
Hey 3:42, Do you read the news? Do you know just how bad things are in the world, in this country, in this state, in Baltimore City? I, for one, do not think it's healthy for America to launch a war with no plan in mind, nor do I think it's healthy for middle school students to beat up their teachers. I don't hate, I'm just afraid things will get much worse with the wrong people in powerful positions. And I only speak the truth like Obama did when he said small-town people are bitter, or when he recently said McCain-proposed summer gas-tax relief would not help us that much.

1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

3:42 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama captures Clinton superdelegate, keeps momentum despite rocky month"

Examiner Reader re: 1:38 said:
Hey 1:38 any chance we can get a camera on you and launch your msg. across the country? You'll be every bit as big a help to Obama's campaign as Rev. Wright. B-R-E-A-T-H-E. Let go of the hate.

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:38 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama captures Clinton superdelegate, keeps momentum despite rocky month"

Examiner Reader said:
Bush is the one killing our military - one by one as they die is this stupid war that should never have been launched. The same guy that is going to start a war with Iran right around election time so that they can fear Americans into voting Republican again. That is a sick, twisted version of Democracy that needs to change. VOTE FOR CHANGE, VOTE OBAMA!!!

3 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:04 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama denounces pastor�s �rants�"

Demsaredumb said:
Obama and the Clintons: all Socialists who are bent on destroying capitalism, our military and U.S. sovereignty . They've all been steeped in Marxism through their college years and now find themselves anxious to join forces with an equally detestable, anti-American Democrat Congress to complete this evil circle. A vote for either Democrat candidate is a vote, knowingly or unknowingly, to destroy traditional Constitutional American values, and to usher in European style Socialism. Obama and the Clintons seem sincere on the surface, but under a closer look, their motives are clear. One only needs to look at the appalling failure of the Democrat congress and the mess they've caused to visualize the disaster that looms with either Democrat(s) as President.

1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:30 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama captures Clinton superdelegate, keeps momentum despite rocky month"

Examiner Reader said:
Glad to see some superdelegates are aligning with Obama based on their own principles regardless of their past relationships with the Clintons. Hilary will continue to drag this country down because she is no better than Bush. I don't understand why people support this evil woman.

1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:55 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama�s controversial former pastor stands by �God damn America� comment"

Examiner Reader said:
I think the concept of super delegates is valid. These are the people who actually work in the Democratic Party. They give their time, regularly. They provide the organizational and administrative necessary leadership. In many cases, their personal political careers hang on the who is or is not the nominee for president. They have, individually, a lot more at stake and have also paid their dues a lot more than some casual, maybe even an independent, strolling into a polling booth and casting a ballot on a whim.

1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:38 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama denounces pastor�s �rants�"

Examiner Reader said:
Why didn't Obama denounce the pastor's rants for the many years he attended the church? Why didn't he change churches? Seems hypocritical.

2 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:34 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Obama captures Clinton superdelegate, keeps momentum despite rocky month"

Examiner Reader said:
It's time to take your pen to the voting booth and write-in vote opposite the super-delegates nominee to show the Democrats that we're fed up with a lack of representation.

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:15 PM MST on Thu., May. 1, 2008 re: "Math not promising for Clinton campaign"

Examiner Reader said:
The whole "Super Delegate" concept needs to be abolished. We need a "real" democracy where votes of the people count.......not a specially annointed few.

2 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:48 AM MST on Thu., May. 1, 2008 re: "Economic growth could help McCain"

Examiner Reader said:
boy o boy, is mccain ever a clone of bush.do you even know what state your are in today.better go ask LIEberman!

1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

6:16 AM MST on Thu., May. 1, 2008 re: "Obama denounces pastor�s �rants�"

Examiner Reader re 7:31 said:
7:31 Making generalized statements about any group of people will always serve as a potential lightening rod for the one making the statement. Obama could not have been less personally qualified to comment on the psychology of what you refer to as "poor whites" having himself been born into a biracial family, turned single mom and grandparents with absent dad, privately educated and some time spent abroad with relatives. No commonality at all. Would you care to have Obama generalize about the psychology of whatever demographic group he'd care to lump you into? How could you possibly know if he was correct or not about these people? Not politically smart but VERY telling about the psychological makeup of Obama himself I think.

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:12 AM MST on Thu., May. 1, 2008 re: "Obama denounces pastor�s �rants�"

Examiner Reader said:
7:36, I don't know if it's fair to call a man with with a white mother black. The word racist has a very negative connotation and there is no negative implication to biracial parentage. Despite his upperclass upbringing and education,Obama, began to skew the public perception of his racial identity toward African American culture when he found the best hope of building a political base in the black community. Enter Rev. Wright. I don't think Obama seems comfortable talking about his absentee father, maybe because it might lead to the stereotype being applied to absentee fathers disproportionately represented in the black community. Obama has self directed his own image and like all politicians and must continue to fine tune it as necessary as he seems to be doing now.

3 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:37 AM MST on Thu., May. 1, 2008 re: "Obama�s controversial former pastor stands by �God damn America� comment"

Examiner Reader said:
Obama claims to have had alot of antipathy towards "whites" as he called them when he was growing up. His admission not my speculation. As for Michelle Obama, I've owned toaster ovens with more personality and warmth. I can't imagine her developing any relationship with foreign heads of state.

1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:36 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 30, 2008 re: "Obama denounces pastor�s �rants�"

Examiner Reader said:
We keep calling Obama "black." Let's not forget his mother was "white." Surely, his genes and inheritance are from both. It is racist, I think, to call a man with a white mother "black", is it not. Add to that he was raised by a white woman, his grand-mother, so how much "black culture" did he really assimilate in those important, formative years before, say 16 or so?

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:33 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 30, 2008 re: "Obama denounces pastor�s �rants�"

Exami