The Democratic nominee spoke to Palin for several minutes this afternoon from his campaign bus. According to senior campaign aide Robert Gibbs, Obama told Palin she would be a terrific candidate and that he looked forward to seeing her on the campaign trail. "He also wished her good luck, but not too much luck," Gibbs said.
Obama spoke about Palin while touring a biodiesel plant on the inaugural stop of a Rust Belt bus tour with his own No. 2, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.).
"I'm sure that she will help make the case for Republicans, unfortunately the case is more of the same, and so ultimately John McCain is at the top of the ticket," Obama said. "He wants to take the country in the wrong direction, I'm assuming Gov. Palin agrees with him and his policies."
But he recognized her historic ascent as the first woman on a Republican presidential ticket.
"The fact that she . . . will soon be nominated . . . is one more indicator of this country moving forward . . . one more hit against that glass ceiling," Obama said. "I congratulate her and look forward to a vigorous debate."
Of course, he prefers his own running mate.
"I'm pleased with my choice for vice president, Joe Biden. I think he's the man who can help me guide this country in a better direction and help working families," Obama said.
He also dismissed his campaign's initial statement about Palin that criticized her inexperience.
"I think that, uh, you know campaigns start getting these uh, hair triggers and, uh, the statement that Joe and I put out reflects our sentiments," Obama said, referring to the congratulatory statement that the two candidates issued later this morning.
Biden added that he didn't know Palin either. "I'm looking forward to meeting her," he said.
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