WSAZ EXCLUSIVE: Obama One on One

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WSAZ EXCLUSIVE: Obama One on One

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Posted: 2:04 PM May 12, 2008
Last Updated: 7:30 AM May 13, 2008
Reporter: Michael Wooten
Email Address: michael.wooten@wsaz.com

25 comments

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Update: 3:00pm
Senator Obama just surprised some customers at a bar in South Charleston. The presidential hopeful made a stop at "Schultzies" around 2:40pm Monday afternoon. The Senator is shooting pool with some guests, including Congressman Nick Rahall. We have a crew with him at the bar. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.

CHARLESTON, W. Va. (WSAZ) -- After speaking to a crowd at the Charleston Civic Center, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spent a few minutes to answer questions from WSAZ.

Obama admits he hasn't campaigned in West Virginia as much as opponent Hillary Clinton. He acknowledged her insurmountable lead in the state. Many polls have Clinton up by around thirty points. Obama says if he is the nominee, he will be back to West Virginia to campaign in the fall.

In looking at Clinton's lead, Obama said he's had to do a lot of work to get his message out. He says there are many misconceptions about him. People think he's not Christian. He is. People think he doesn't salute the American flag. He does. He says he has to work hard to make sure people know more about him.

Obama talked with WSAZ about his goal of a tax credit for drivers instead of a gas sales tax holiday this summer. He said we have to start making cars more fuel efficient.

Obama spoke about clean coal technology. He says he believes it is possible to achieve this goal.

Watch Michael Wooten's full interview with Obama in the attached video player. Michael then went to Logan County for an exclusive interview with Obama's opponent Hillary Clinton.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: ashlee on May 13, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Obama your the best and this is from a white girl and I don't care what anybody says i have faith in you and I know that you are going to win don't listen to these racists white people who think they know it all they are just mad because some one from a colored race has stepped forward.. i love you...

Posted by: Ron on May 13, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Lord's name in vain? West "By God" Virginia isn't sacrilege. It was "By God" that West Virginia became a state because Lincoln disregarded the U.S. Constitution entirely to make it happen. I would have posted such a ridiculous statement as "anonymous" as well if I didn't know what I was talking about.

Posted by: Mary on May 13, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Mike, the speech about bible thumping gun toters was right on. They are bitter and you are one of them. Same as those who focus on Obama's middle name, skin color, ancestry, and church.

Posted by: Earl on May 13, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Voting for Hillary Clinton because you think you will live like you did in the 90s is irresponsible.

Posted by: Mike on May 13, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Hey Robert, read his book, hints of hatred toward whites. Remember his speech about bible thumping, gun toters. That was his way of saying "white trash, ignorant, rednecks." This is one Democrat that will not be voting unless Hillary wins the nomination.

Posted by: Robert on May 13, 2008 at 07:12 AM
As a native WVian, I am shocked and disappointed that so many people here have apparently gotten all their information about Barack Obama through FORWARDED EMAILS containing lies and from, apparently, right-wing talk radio. No agenda there, right? The truth is that either Obama or Clinton (or McCain, for that matter) would make a better president than we have now. I have an idea. Why don't those of you who have such negative opinions of Obama turn off Fox News for an hour and go do some reading on the Washington Post's website.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 02:12 AM
Anon So playing pool is bad but HRC drinking shots is good. Thats right we're talking West Virginia. The same place that eveyone thinks its cool to take the lords name in vain by say West by - - - Virginia. WHATEVER. Since when does anyone other than those from WV care what that state does.

Posted by: jill on May 12, 2008 at 11:58 PM
mike, i am 55 years old, and i remember what kind of shape this country was in when bill was president, and i am proud to say that we were doing very well. he would have handled things alot different that george bush has.

Posted by: AJ in KY on May 12, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Maybe you guys in KY and WV should look at the issues we face. No matter who is the nominee we need to come together and vote for the democratic candidate. They are very similar in their views. To say you will vote for McCain- and more war, tax cuts for the rich- he has changed his stance on numerous issues. (taxes, torture, war, abortion) Watch out for pandering dont make uneducated decisions. Have you read any of the national comments on our states? Inbred, racist, hillbillies!! Dont give fuel to those sterotypes by posting nonsense on this board. Lets make informed decisions and support whichever democrat in the fall. NO McBush. We have had enough. We also do not need Bill as a "co president" Hillary needs to get your vote based on her own qualifications and leadership abilities. Not his.

Posted by: Lynn on May 12, 2008 at 11:44 PM
I was wrong Rockefeller was in Charleston with Obama today. I did not vote for him. He needs to retire and live off of his oil and gas holdings. Or better we need to vote him out. He was not thinking of how WV would vote.

Posted by: Lynn on May 12, 2008 at 11:08 PM
I think President Clinton was a great President. Senator Clinton would also make a great President, probably better than Bill. People have short memory of how good the l990's were. Great years for my family and friends. I compared Hillary and Obama videos on your web site and of course Hillary understands the needs of WV. I have already voted for Hillary and did not vote for Rockefeller because he did not go with the people of his state. Did you know he traveled all over Ohio with Obama but where is he in WV. Chicken!!

Posted by: Leigh Anne on May 12, 2008 at 10:36 PM
I do not understand why everyone keeps making a big deal out of Obama's middle name. Um, okay it's Hussien. We get it. But let me ask DID YOU GET TO PICK YOUR NAME? Idiot.

Posted by: Yzetta on May 12, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Sheila, stop telling stuff that is not true. Barack Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ. I'm a member of that denomination too. He does acknowledge the flag, he's not a Muslim, and he is certainly not a goon. I am trying to figure out why anybody who works for a living would vote for the NAFTA loving Clintons. They both promoted that bill that sent jobs right out of this country. Bill plays golf with Bush Sr. They've made 109 million dollars since leaving the WH and people think they have the best interests of poor working people at heart? I also thought my fellow West Virginians valued honesty. Hillary lied about being under sniper fire in Bosnia and told the story 2 more times after that even with video proof of that untruth being shown to the world. I don't understand how anyone could vote for someone who lied to their face. So, Bill was better than Bush, but it doesn't take much to be better than Bush. The 90s weren't that great for most people.

Posted by: Mike on May 12, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Jill, what are you, 15? Bill isn't even in the top 5 of Democratic Presidents, much less Presidents overall. Blind faith like that leads to the type of problem we have now.

Posted by: reader on May 12, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Why do people so dislike Pres. Clinton?? I cannot understand why. Our country was safe. Everyone prospered. My family sent two kids thru state universities for eight years on an income of $50,000. I am 55 years old. Only two presidents impressed me. Reagan and Clinton. Democrat and Republican. Just because Pres. Clinton had a thing with Monica, let it rest. That had nothing to do with making decisions for our country. Spending millions of dollars investigating that was a terrible waste of taxpayers money. Pres Kennedy had a thing for Monroe. That was okay?? Pres. Bush is spending trillions of dollars fighting this war and taking the lives of thousands of young brave soldiers and then tries to cut verteran's benefits. What a joke. GO HILLARY !!!!

Posted by: anon on May 12, 2008 at 08:44 PM
WOW !! Obama and Rahall shooting pool at a bar in Charleston. Is that suppose to impress voters?? That just reminds me what kind of politicans they are. Only one person missing - Rockefeller. Why didn't they come to Charleston Saturday? They could have went bar hopping Saturday night and church on Sunday. Those three stooges are not getting my vote.

Posted by: Blu on May 12, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Bill will go down as one of our greatest presidents? I don't think so. He was a good president. But one of the greatest? Not so much. Senator Obama will secure the Dem nomination. Now the Clinton supporters have to decide if they'll get over their disappointment and/or anger and support him. I know for sure he'll be a better president than McSame.

Posted by: Jason on May 12, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Bill Clinton was the best president we have ever had in this free Country. I can't seem to understand why anyone in their right mind would vote for Barrack "HUSSEIN" Obama. We the people of West Virginia will show our support on Election Day. Hillary-- Your my girl.

Posted by: jill on May 12, 2008 at 06:47 PM
jon, with all do respects, we DO need bill back in office. with him and Hillary in the white house, this country can be a great country again. Bill will go down in history as one of our greatest presidents, george bush won't.

Posted by: Interesting on May 12, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Mike, that would be something to see- Mc Cain break dancing. Can he do this at the Big Sandy Civic Center rather than in Harlem? Remember Senator Obama like many African Americans he has the European DNA too. Jon, Bill will be back possibly acting out in Gov't Housing again.

Posted by: Jon on May 12, 2008 at 04:41 PM
The people of WVa need to remember that if they put Clinton in office then they are putiing Bill back in office to. I do not like any one running on either side but I know we don't need Bill back in office.

Posted by: SHEILA on May 12, 2008 at 03:55 PM
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD VOTE FOR THIS GOON? HE DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAG, THE BIBLE OR APPARENTLY THE USA. A BLACK GUY WITH A MUSLIM NAME - YEP THAT'S JUST WHAT WE NEED IN THE WHITE HOUSE. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

Posted by: Mike on May 12, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Shooting pool with the Europeans? Bowling in Pennslyvania. Give us a break. Thats like Mcain going to Harlem and spinning around on his back on some card board.

Posted by: Doug on May 12, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Obama just goes around saying what he finds out people wants to here. He's an empty suit exept for BS and hot air.. Working the the crowds for his controlling superiors, spreading false hope to the needy for the man. Just get their hope and their vote that's all that matters now..

Posted by: Debbie on May 12, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Here's the questions I'd like to ask, saluting and religous affiliations aside, why does he just vote "present" on so many issues?How is anyone to know where he really stands? Also when asked about illegals and immigration his response was "people are just afraid of the unknown" What's that suppose to mean? He doesn't plan to take any measures to control our borders? And does he just consider WV one of those states where people just vote guns or religion? I know many actually do, but there's all kinds here.

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