OSKALOOSA, Iowa (AP) -- Democrat Barack Obama declared that ''change can't just be a slogan'' as he voiced admiration for former President Clinton, while arguing that voters are looking for a newface that moves past the bitter wrangling of past campaigns.
''I think I'm in a position to bring about the changes that people want,'' Obama said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Obama said the dominant theme he is hearing from voters is weariness with Washington-style wrangling. ...
As Obama was speaking,... the Clintons were campaigning with a slogan arguing they were best prepared to bring change to the country....
Obama said he thinks voters are looking to turn the page and not return to an earlier era.
''I admire Bill Clinton, I think he did a lot of fine things as president and he's a terrific political strategist,'' the Illinois senator said. ''What we're more interested in is in looking forward, not looking backward. I think the American people feel the same way. They are looking for a way to break out of the harsh partisanship and the old arguments and solve problems.''
In the interview, Obama said his campaign is based on change and his history shows he can be an agent of change.
''Change can't just be a slogan,'' Obama said. ''Change has to mean that we're not doing the same old thing that we've been doing.''...
''What I know is the kind of experience I have outside of Washington as a community organizer working with families that are struggling, as a constitutional law professor, as a state legislator dealing with the very issues that affect people, people find that experience at least as relevant, maybe more relevant, than experience in Washington.''...
''Hillary Clinton is a capable person and an experienced person and she's got a good track record as a senator from New York,'' said Obama, who said his history is one of pushing for change, not building a resume.
''I would not be in this race if I didn't think I had the capacity to bridge divisions along partisan lines, racial lines, religious lines, that was unequaled in the field,'' he said....
''What I'm confident about is, we're going to be able to run a very competitive campaign, we've got the resources to do it, we've got the volunteer base to do it, and we've got the right message,'' he said. ...
''Obviously it's going to be hard-fought race,'' said Obama. ''It's not going to be just one or two candidates who are competitive. I think you still have a very strong field and it's still very early.''...
''We've got the kind of support that can be sustained over a long period of time,'' said Obama. ''We are a change-based campaign, we are a grassroots based campaign. That kind of energy and excitement on the ground, I think that translates into votes in what I think could be a close race.''
''This is the family weekend for us,'' Mrs. Obama said, as the family loaded up into a recreational vehicle heading for another campaign stop. ''Family is first.''
''The president has stubbornly denied the facts on the ground there for a long time,'' said Obama. ''That's not what that the American people are looking for.''
I support the guy. I guess it goes with the territory.
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