Barack Obama actually said...

"You know, you really have to work hard to violate Governor Palin's standards on negative campaigning."

"The question isn't going to be, are you better off than you were four years ago, the question is are you better off than you were four weeks ago."

"It's getting so bad that Senators McCain's running mate denounced his tactics last night. You have to work really hard to violate Governor Palin's standards on negative campaigning. That's a hard thin..."

"We were thrilled yesterday when a great American statesman, General Colin Powell, joined our cause."