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Lobbyists 'In Charge' Of McCain Campaign, Obama Says

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The Associated Press

Published: February 24, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Sen. Barack Obama said Saturday that the Republican presidential nominee in waiting, Sen. John McCain, has lobbyists as top aides and "many of them have been running their business on the campaign bus while they've been helping him."

The Democratic presidential hopeful also said McCain's health care plans reflect "the agenda of the drug and insurance lobbyists, who back his campaign and use money and influence to block real health care reform."

Jill Hazelbaker, a spokeswoman for McCain, said the Arizona senator "has been an agent for change for his entire career - he is the greatest change agent in our party - and we plan to highlight that record in this election."

Obama has criticized McCain increasingly in recent weeks, while running off 11 straight primary and caucus victories over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Primary season polls show that independent voters are drawn in large numbers to both Obama and McCain, suggesting the two men would compete intensively for their support if they wind up opposing each other in the general election this fall.

Obama made his remarks as he campaigned for votes in the March 4 Democratic primary in Ohio.

He made health care a focus, visiting a hospital diabetes unit. During a discussion with doctors and nurses, the talk turned to prevention of the illness in youngsters.

"If we just cut out soda pop," it would make a difference, he said.

Asked at a news conference about the issue, he said he hopes schools will "re-examine how easily they make soda available" with childhood obesity and diabetes on the rise.

Obama singled McCain out for criticism twice during the day, at one point saying the Republican's health care proposals are worse than anything proposed in the race between himself and Clinton.

He characterized them as "more of the same Bush health care policies that have not worked in the past and won't work today."

"It's a tax break that doesn't guarantee coverage and doesn't make sure that health care is affordable for the working families who need it most," he said.

Obama broadened his criticism to McCain's ties to lobbyists, saying, "He takes their money and has put them in charge of his campaign."

In rebuttal, Hazelbaker accused Obama of trying to distract attention from his record and resume. She said he has "no national security experience and plans billions of dollars in tax hikes."

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