Obama Calls Clinton Allegations “Ludicrous”
Senator Barack Obama told reporters on a conference call today that Hillary Clinton’s accusations that his campaign was trying to “deliberately” mislead the public about her comments on Martin Luther King, Jr. were “ludicrous.”The conference call was set up to showcase new endorser, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), but when the call was opened to questions, Obama was asked by a reporter about Clinton’s comments on Meet the Press this morning, during which she spoke further about the Obama camp’s attempt to distort her comments.
Obama responded incredulously, “This is fascinating to me. I mean, I think what we saw this morning is why the American people are tired of Washington politicians and the games they play. But Senator Clinton made an unfortunate remark, an ill-advised remark, about King and Lyndon Johnson. I didn’t make the statement. I haven’t remarked on it and she, I think, offended some folks who felt that somehow diminished King’s role in bringing about the Civil Rights Act. She is free to explain that, but the notion that somehow this is our doing is ludicrous. I have to point out that instead of telling the American people about her positive vision for America, Senator Clinton spent an hour talking about me and my record in a way that was flat out wrong.”
Obama Press Secretary, Bill Burton also sent out an email to reporters that said the criticism of Clinton’s remarks actually came from her own supporters and Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC), which you can read after the jump.
From: Bill Burton Sent: Sun 1/13/2008 10:04 AM
Subject: MTP: Criticism of Clinton’s remarks came from Clyburn and her own supporters
“People were offended at her words and she can explain them however she’d like. However, I think that Congressman Clyburn and other leaders across the country would take great offense at the suggestion that their response was somehow engineered by this campaign,” said Obama spokesman Bill Burton.
Clinton Supporter, Darrell Jackson Calls Clinton Remarks Painful. “Sharp criticism of Barack Obama and other comments about Martin Luther King Jr. — all from people associated with Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign — have generated resentment among some black S.C. voters. The furor comes just two weeks before those voters will have a significant say in who wins the Jan. 26 primary here. The Clinton-Obama battle has the potential to become a wrenching divide for black voters. Historically those voters have been strong backers of Bill and Hillary Clinton. But many black voters now are drawn to the prospect of a black man winning the presidency. Those on both sides say watching the battle unfold in the Palmetto State, where black voters could cast half of the votes in the Democratic primary, won’t be pretty. ‘To some of us, it is painful,’ said state Sen. Darrell Jackson, a Clinton supporter.” [The State, 1/12/08]
Clinton Advisor, Bill Lynch Calls Comments a “Mistake.” A Harlem-based consultant to the Clinton campaign, Bill Lynch, called the former president’s comments “a mistake,” and said his own phone had been ringing with friends around the country voicing their concern. “I’ve been concerned about some of those comments - and that there might be a backlash,” he said. [Politico, 1/11/07]
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) Concerned By Clinton Remarks. “We have to be very, very careful about how we speak about that era in American politics,” said Mr. Clyburn, who was shaped by his searing experiences as a youth in the segregated South and his own activism in those days. “It is one thing to run a campaign and be respectful of everyone’s motives and actions, and it is something else to denigrate those. That bothered me a great deal.” [NY Times, 1/11/08]
Donna Brazile Lashed Into Bill Clinton For Comparing Obama To A “Fairy Tale” And Said “It’s An Insult… As An African-American” And That His Tone And Words Are “Very Depressing.” “Donna Brazile lit into Bill Clinton over his insulting comments of Obama, where he called him a “fairy tale” and said “I could understand his frustration at this moment. But, look, he shouldn’t take out all his pain on Barack Obama. It’s time that they regroup. Figure out what Hillary needs to do to get her campaign back on track. It sounds like sour grapes coming from the former commander in chief. Someone that many Democrats hold in high esteem. For him to go after Obama, using a fairy tale, calling him as he did last week. It’s an insult. And I will tell you, as an African-American, I find his tone and his words to be very depressing. … I think his tone, I think calling Barack Obama a kid, he is a United States senator.” [Politico, 1/8/08]
New York Times Editorial: Hillary Clinton “Came Perilously Close To Injecting Racial Tension.” “Mrs. Clinton ran an angry campaign in New Hampshire, and polls showed that voters noticed. She won narrowly, but came perilously close to injecting racial tension into what should have been — and still should be — an uplifting contest between the first major woman candidate and the first major African-American candidate. […] In Mrs. Clinton’s zeal to make the case that experience (hers) is more important than inspirational leadership (Mr. Obama’s), she made some peculiar comments about the relative importance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Lyndon Johnson to the civil rights cause. She complimented Dr. King’s soaring rhetoric, but said: “Dr. King’s dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. … It took a president to get it done. ” Why Mrs. Clinton would compare herself to Mr. Johnson, who escalated the war in Vietnam into a generational disaster, was baffling enough. It was hard to escape the distasteful implication that a black man needed the help of a white man to effect change. She pulled herself back from the brink by later talking about the mistreatment and danger Dr. King faced. Former President Bill Clinton, who seems to forget he is not the one running, hurled himself over the edge on Monday with a bizarre and rambling attack on Mr. Obama. […] We understand, and usually admire, Mrs. Clinton’s determination. Allowing her team’s wearyingly familiar strong-arm instincts to take over would be damaging for the Democrats in the fall, no matter who gets the nomination. Polls in Iowa and New Hampshire show that Democratic voters liked all of their candidates — they simply chose one. It would be a mistake for a politician whose unfavorable ratings across the nation have long been stuck in the 40 percent range to erase that good feeling about her party.” [New York Times Editorial, 1/9/08]
Tags: clinton, ludicrous, Martin Luther King, obama
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Restoring the Middle Class, Prosperity and Quality Jobs in the United States
You must have a viable strategy that will be inherently financially supported and carried forward by the “invisible hand of economic globalization”.
The US is declining as the global economic leader, only because the Fed Gov does not have a viable strategy. The US became the Economic Leader of the World only by the supported hard work of technically creative individuals, engineers and scientists, inventors, who led the world in INNOVATION (Greenspan has listed INNOVATION as the missing ingredient in the current US strategy, that previously was in place, and the Intellectual Property and Patents, built this country to be the world leader).
As a graduate engineer and small entity inventor, I have started ventures and provided quality jobs, however, the large entities, like the old “robber barons” have managed to rob me of my money and Intellectual Property. I need to retrieve my Intellectual Property to benefit US quality jobs.
The current laws, gov, large entities, venture capitalists, and powers of influence, consider what actually built this US, now equals high risk, and strongly discourage and make unpopular, any financial support for qualified individual technologists, inventors, scientists, and engineers. Studies at MIT have proven that these qualified individuals working independently have, always created the most significant inventions and new manufacturing with quality jobs.
Restoring the Middle Class, prosperity and quality jobs in the US will only happen when you create Support Programs and restore tax shelters for financial support for individual qualified engineers, technologists, inventors, and start-ups. In this way, the current 80% employment that is provided by small entities would generate a wealthy middle class, instead of a group of “hamburger flippers”. This will also solve the problem of math and science leadership of young people, and encourage the neglected 40% of high IQ students to pursue math and science.
David A. Estabrooks, ScM
estabrooksdavid@yahoo.com
617-240-2968
As democrate I feel it may be time to look at changing parties. How can we let the Clintons take us down? We know that the Clintons lie and cheat, but why when they make a statement that they should have never made goes south, they must blame some one else. Just moe on Clintons get out of our life.
Obama is being the adult of the two in the race. Hillary, the Clinton she is, makes a mistake and the first person she seeks to cast blame on is her enemy. What will she do if her Hillcare Health Care doesn’t go as planned? Blame the Republicans! Now do a quick rewind with Obama in the White House…..imagine how much faster and how much more peaceful America will be on the road to Universal Health Care? If this poor showing of character is any indicator of how Hillary Clinton will conduct herself in the White House if she should win, the prospect of change looks dim.
As an African-American, I find her comment very pathetic, It had me boiling. The Clintons are power drunk, loose lips and just degraded black people.
The Clintons are pathetic liars. Hilary’s campaign is based on lies and cries. It makes me wonder about the Base of the Democratic party. Is the Democratic base racist.
I urge every African-American to really think about Martin Luther King and what he did for us all and not to vote for this lady that doesn’t respect him.
She called MLK a talker. She makes me sick.
Obama ought to choose his word carefully, he hasn’t acted like a very intelligent person, but rather a pop star. He repeatly mentioned King in his speech, playing race card and taking advantage of that, which I found inappropriate.
perhaps he could talk a little bit on his economic plan (is it supposed to come out now?), rather than spending time arguing?
What about his quick withdraw from Iraq war? bombing Pakistan?
People says that we can go to his website to see all his great plans for America people. Oh, yes, of course, but maybe he could remember these plans in debate so we don’t have to resort to his website? Maybe he could just give us a little bit outline here so we can see where the hopes and changes are and how realistic they are?
If you don’t think it’s a fair tale, give me some proof that it’s not.
I saw today’s Meet the Press and I also read about Obama’s response. I checkers with two Fact Checking web sites and both found Clinton’s statements accurate. This moron is lying through the other end. I hope more people got to examine this objectively. Don’t the press have an obligation to say this to him?
Question to those bashing Obama for voting to fund the troops once they were sent to war even though he was opposed to it: So your son or daughter is in Iraq, and even though you oppose the war, you’d be ok with his or her funding being cut while he or she is still in harm’s way? You clowns are really stupid.
Nether Clinton(s) nor Obama have distinguished themselves in this matter which has been largely fueled by the press trying to make a mountain out of molehill. Sloppy political hot air? Yes. Racial overtones? A stretch at best.
I can perfectly understand why young people like Obama. Obama represents youth, inexperienced, but ambitious people. If he can be the president, it feels like young people will prevail and change this country? He won’t be worse than bush anyway, so why not him?
But maybe everyone need to think twice about it. It’s not just about us, you, or a group of people, this election means a lot for everyone in this country. If you put someone inexperienced like Obama as President, he will be worse than bush. He will do a lot of damage to this country, because this is A COUNTRY, and this is a country that faces so many choices ahead and mistakes will cost big.
So maybe we should forget about adrenaline feeling about him for minute, cool our head and think about what is best for the country.
Greetings,
I think this is very sad indeed. Will we as a collective people get to a point where we are not trying to run a hurtful race for office. It is almost like looking in a barrel of snakes and trying to figure out which one will not bite you.
Mr. Clinton had his time and I think he need to sit back and let his wife run her race without him sticking his foot in his mouth every time. Mrs. Clinton need to put her focus where it needs to be, thats on this race & if she has nothing good to say about Mr. Barack, then as the old saying goes, just do not say nothing.
If Mrs. Clinton feel that Mr. Barack is trying to mislead the people in reference to something that came out of her own mouth, then she should produce her cause. State the facts, the proof or be silent on the matter and she should just explain what she meant by her own term statement.
She fired the bullet from her own mouth and caused casualties but I find it funny now she wants to play doctor trying to patch up the wounds that she personally caused. Mr. Clinton, a finally note, stop the character assignation, like you, Mr. Barack holds a position of trust in this government. He is a Senator, a grown man and not a little boy. I do not think they elect children to the senate do they? Not. Maybe Mr. Clinton wants people to dig into his personal affairs and his poor choices while in office, in which Mrs. Clinton had to bear. Lets get it together people and run this race the right way.
The last time I checked I thought we were all americans, black white or want every color all one. So why do the Clintons want to destory this? because they are power hungry. People wise up, the Clintons will divide the country by using the race card. And blame some one else for their comments. We as americans need to stand up, what every color we are, and tell the Clintons to leave us along just get lost, we dont need your crime and corruption.
Well, some black folks will let the Clinton get away with this. especially al sharton. If those remarks were made by someone order than the Clintons . Al will be the first to be on TV all over the country. Now it’s the Clintons he wants to hear from both side before commenting. It’s a complete shame to the black civil right leaders that are living today.
I’m not a Jews but, if this was remarks against the Jews, all hell will roll. That’s what you call unity. I just like then. frankly speaking. So-called black leaders sold their lives to the Clintons. for example BET founder just critisize Obama today. after hearing the comments made by the Clintons. shmane on him.
if you look back to the health care plan during her husbands first term you will get a fair idea of just how much she really cares for middle class Americans. hillary has always been anti-military and anti-war just look at her history during the viet nam era. now is this the kind of person you want in the white house while this country is at war on three fronts with a fourth in the very near future if we are not carefull.
ABO! Anybody but obama. I’ve never before voted for a republican but if obama wins the nomination I will vote for a republican this year unless it’s giuliani. Then I’ll write in a candidate’s name
HRC is doing anything she can think of to destroy Senator Obama. I won’t vote Democrat if she win the nomination. As an African-American I’ve seen the light. Obama is being destroyed just like Monica, Jennifer Flowers, and all the rest of the Clinton’s opposition was. Obama is a fine person, but the Clinton’s are going to throw smear everywhere until she can drive up his negatives. I hope it doesn’t work but the Clinton’s are just crazy about power. Obama ‘08.
I’m sorry for my previous comments….I’ve carefuly examined Obama records…..He is the MAN to lead this country.
Why is Hillary blaming Obama?
Obama had nothing to do with it.
I find her political strategy baffling, and potentially harmful to all americans, black white, and every shade in between.
Shame on Hillary for turning her own flub into an issue of race.
Hillary is divisive in her own party- how could she ever unite a divided America?
“She makes a mistake and the first person she seeks to cast blame on is her enemy. What will she do if her Hillcare Health Care doesn’t go as planned? Blame the Republicans!”
This is not the president we need now.What do u think?
I have been a Bill Clinton supporter for many years as head of the Democratic Machine in politics. What I see now is a man desperate for his wife to become president. Both of them are playing the old “games” of Washington propaganda and if they truly were politicians they would respect Obama for being an incredible force for the Democratic party. Please remember the quote “I did NOT have sex with that woman!” LOL The 90’s are over and to move forward we need new attitudes. Obama will reconnect us to the global community as well as pride for the US citizens. PLEASE VOTE OBAMA!
I don’t know what that Liz is, but certainly not me who wrote the comments earlier.
People, don’t be this ugly.
Mr. Obama is flat out lying.
Sorry, I like the guy but come on man, you act so holy and way to smug… Sir, you in fact do not have the experience to govern my country at this time… Please stop acting as if you are a legend. This title needs to be earned.
Lost my vote…
I don’t know what that Liz is, but certainly not me who wrote the comments earlier.
People, don’t be this ugly.
sorry, I mean to respond to this post.
You are such coward. but I am glad you again prove that I am right.
Comment by Liz
January 13th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I’m sorry for my previous comments….I’ve carefuly examined Obama records…..He is the MAN to lead this country.
Really, it’s sad. As a Canadian, I have followed your Politics and was VERY happy for your Country. It seemed like a New Day was dawning…
Well, has THAT changed! The double-talk of Mrs. Clinton is like a flashback to the meaning of “is”. Good old-fashioned American Politics!
She seems so obviously transparent in her willingness to give or say ANYTHING to ANYONE for a vote.
I pray for my Neighbors…
I wonder how long the media is going to continue to give Hillary a free pass on this. Since losing Iowa she and her husband have consistently employed dirty tactics to attack Sen. Obama while his camp has taken the high road and generally refused to respond in kind. He has repeatedly stated that all the candidates are patriots while Hillary has invoked the failed terrorist attack in France to imply that the nation may be more vulnerable to terrorist attack if Obama is elected. These are Rovian tactics.
We saw it again today on Meet The Press. Rather than simply respond directly to or apologize for the alarming pattern of subtle racially motivated attacks hurled at Sen. Obama (speculating an implied drug dealing past may be exploited by the Republicans, Andrew Cuomo’s Shuckin’& Jivin’ remark, Pres. Clinton referring to Sen. Obama as a ‘kid’, Clinton folks stating that voting for Obama would be akin to supporting a ‘hip Black friend’, condescendingly referring to Sen. Obama as a good speaker), she instead decided to insist that the Obama campaign is responsible for all of this.
Hillary’s implication that the outrage the African American community has voiced regarding the racially charged remarks of her campaign is some sort of manifestation of an Obama campaign strategy is almost just as insulting as her recent comments. It is as if the Clinton campaign believes African Americans are not able to think for themselves and can only take cues and do what they’re told rather than think independently.
Whatever happened to personal accountability? Just apologize for the gaffs and move forward. No matter who you prefer in this race I think we can all agree that Americans are tired of leaders who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. Hillary’s recent posturing and stubbornness to admit wrongdoing is eerily similar to that of George W. Bush. No wonder Karl Rove seems to be endorsing her candidacy.
There are the ones from the south who say it to your face. There are the ones from the north that say it in code. We know what Hillary means.
“She makes a mistake and the first person she seeks to cast blame on is her enemy. What will she do if her Hillcare Health Care doesn’t go as planned? Blame the Republicans!” you r right man…
GO OBAMA!
About Clinton’s Comments:
SOME people believe what they want to believe. So be it.
I THINK Mr, Clinton presidency was a fairy tale (Monica). Far as Mrs. Clinton, why did it take so long for a president to passed a civil right bill when so people lost their life.
Right on Penny! You see through them too and you live in Canada. Bill Clinton should stay out of the campaign. He is losing respect as one of the great presidents of the US. It’ll be more of the same dirty politics with them I’m afraid. I’ve read all the books written on the Clintons and it is truly frightening what went on during his years in office. Thanks for your post Penny!
You are really naive. So all Obama supporters are like this or not? I am out of here cause this is purely a waste of time.
Comment by Liz-the real one
January 13th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
“She makes a mistake and the first person she seeks to cast blame on is her enemy. What will she do if her Hillcare Health Care doesn’t go as planned? Blame the Republicans!” you r right man…
GO OBAMA!
I like Obama. I think it is time for a black president. They deserve it.
She said:
“Dr. [Martin Luther] King’s dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It took a president to get it done.”
This is absolutely true and does not disparage MLK or other activists in anyway. Regardless of MLKs achievements, he could never change the constitution on his own.
I do not like Hillary or Obama, but it seems that anything that black voters disagree with in this campaign will be construed as racism by people who have something to gain by it.
After Obama gets boosted into the democratic nominee position, will FOX begin working on Obama racially? Republicans are known for their racist under-tones. You people couldn’t handle having a black liberal as your president, but it will be hilarious when it happens.
Hilary thinks she know alot come on now?often act, be real since she has been in public has any one seen her acts that way? she never acted human but arobot like, why is she this way? is it that she cant act on her own self, like emotion she demonstrated in NH was a well crafted act the way she does it!, is she being coached up to the point she become robott like. if she continue like this she might as well hand the preso seat to the republicans, for anothe 4 four years.
mugogo
pennsylvania
The only thing “ludicrous” is Obama’s idea that he’s in any way qualified to be president of the United States. Obama’s like a freshly carved ice sculpture–shiny and sparkly. But you know how that is, as the evening wears on it starts to look worse and worse… and ever more pointless.
Why does everyone bring up color? Senator Obama transcends color. He is black and he is white. He is all of us. The true meaning of a leader should be the ability to move people…to make them think and act! I personally want a President that I respect and certainly one that I look forward to hearing speak! He makes me want to be socially conscious.
My response to HRC’s comment about it taking a President to enact civil rights legislation: Well, DUH. Absent a Congressional override of a veto, bills become laws when the President signs them.
If civil rights activists had not called for change, had not suffered beatings, arrests, and in MLK”s case, murder, would the legislation EVER have become law?
HRC does not seem to know how to unite people (really look at her statements. Do you think she means to include you?); how can she possibly unite a nation?
If you want to maintain the status quo, by all means vote for HRC.
I still do not understand why Obama is called the first african american candidate. Isn’t he only half african american. From what I know, his father is a black man from Kenya and his mother is a white woman from the USA.
So doesn’t this make Obama the first half african american and half white presidential candidate ?
This whole negative politics thing is so yesterday…. when will we as a people grow up and realize we have so much work in front of us if we are to survive? We have created this monster with the planet and a bigger one with our fiat based economy. The Obama’s and the Clintons of the world are out for power and greed. Bush proved that the only people he cares about are his pals and Family who are all about the OIL. Duh no brain er they’re OIL People! The Clintons hang out with the Bush’s… (PUBLIC RECORD) In the left way or the right way if you vote them in office again your not looking out for the country your looking out for The Oil people again…. Ahhh! What will it take? Let’s move away from the gossip column and bring some real honest to god states men back into the process.
Think before it’s to late, vote the way this country was founded with brains and the courage to change the outcome of a bad choice.
I’m the REAL liz (who posted the first comment supporting Clinton).I changed my mind.OBAMA is the MAN to lead this country.
I used to respect Hillary Clinton a great deal, but she has disappointed me profoundly over the course of this campaign. I believe she and her husband have been simply and blatantly dishonest. There has been no consistency of purpose to her campaign. She seems willing to say whatever is necessary to whoever she is speaking to in order to win their vote. That is dishonest. It is dishonest to me for her to sully the memory of Dr. King, and then turn around and declare pride in Senator Obama before a black audience.
I am so disappointed that the democratic party is split in its support between Senator Obama and Senator Clinton. I gave Hillary a fair hearing, but how she has run this campaign is self interested. Shes put herself before the party, before the country, and before the truth. Senator Obama purity of purpose is clear. We saw what he stands for after he won Iowa. Thats the America I’m proud of. Hillary’s attack on that vision has left me so disappointed in her that I cannot vote for her in any general election. I don’t think it would be good for the democratic party, nor for the country as a whole.
Remark: This FAKE Liz is trying to tell people that I’m still supporting Clinton…
Comment by Liz - the real one
January 13th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
You are really naive. So all Obama supporters are like this or not? I am out of here cause this is purely a waste of time.
To Michael…Ludicrous to think he could lead a country??? JFK was younger than Obama wasn’t he? Where was his experience??
What HRC said was historically innacurate and said in a desperate attempt to highlight her “experience.” Forget race, what she was implying (that LBJ was an integral driving force for making the Civil Rights Act a reality) is just wrong. WHOEVER was President was going to have to pass a Civil Rights Act because the country (led by Dr. King) was demanding it. What she said is just incorrect, but facts don’t matter when it would make her look better.
And what did every story about this say with regard to the Obama camp? “Obama has declined to comment on this story.” If Obama had said anything HALF as asinine as this LBJ comment, a dozen staffers would have shot their mouth off “without the campaign’s authorization” and had to resign per the Clinton M.O. One news cycle for the terrible comment made by the staffer, then get in the next news cycle with the staffer’s apology/resignation. It’s so sad and transparent I don’t know how some on this board refuse to see that.
I’m Black and a life-long Democrat. This is the dumbest discussion I have ever heard in my life. Barack Obama has compared himself to Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, and JFK for the last month and half. Hillary simply noted that Dr. King’s words alone did not bring about change, but the actions of President Johnson also brought about change. That’s the truth. Dr. King was the inspiration and voice of the Civil Rights Movement. I love and respect him. However, blacks and white WORKED together to change America. Without the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act, Dr. Kings words would have been lost in history. Barack is all fluff and no action.
Making this a racial issue was a low blow. The Clintons have always been advocates of African Americans and our issues. For some one who wants to unite America, he is tearing up the Democratic Party with these childish games.
What the Obama campaign won’t tell you about Donna Brazile is that (a.) she’s not a Clinton supporter (despite their listing her as a member of their “camp” that objected to the “fairy tale” remark), and (b.) when Bill Clinton clarified his statement she said she admires him and takes him at his word. In the meantime, although they claim not to be playing the race card, their bulleted press release is doing exactly that, trying to keep it whipped up.
Liz in blue—cut it out. You make Obama supporters look stupid.
I cannot vote for Hillary and here is why… She is just like Bush—She cannot admit she might have made a mistake. I am a white, female, republican leaning moderate. I cannot vote for another republican, but I cannot vote for her either.
What Mrs. Clinton said, exactly is… “Dr. (Martin Luther) King’s dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It took a president to get it done.”
People… It did in fact take a President to get it done. Mr. Obama had the nerve to compare himself to Dr. King, does that that piss you off?
Rock star? Yes he is. Cool? Sure. Experienced enough to govern our country? Has never even owned his own business. Can I picture him (and wife) in diplomatic relations on foreign soil? Not a chance.
Yes, we need change, his message is a cool one but reality people… We are in deep debt, we are in needless war and we need experience at this time. He does not have it at all…
This exchange reminds me of a comment made by a Democratic pundit earlier in the campaigning. I paraphrase, ‘Republicans can take heart in the fact that you can never underestimate the amount of damage the Democrats can do to themselves’. This last Clinton-Obama exchange is a example. All the Democrats had to do was campaign against Bush and be civil to each other and they had the Presidency and more seats in both chambers of the legislative branch, but egos always get in the way.
I think everything Obama says is “politics as usual”. I’d rather vote for someone with experience to fix the economy and handle the war instead of joining this mass guilt trip of electing the first half-black president. If I wanted someone who’s truely different I’d pick Ron Paul or Mike Gravel. Such a wave of support for someone with hardly any experience or a unique platform sickens me enough to vote republican for the first time in my life. I’d rather vote for John Wayne McCain if it mean undermining unprincipled voters.
“What HRC said was historically innacurate and said in a desperate attempt to highlight her “experience.” Forget race, what she was implying (that LBJ was an integral driving force for making the Civil Rights Act a reality) is just wrong. WHOEVER was President was going to have to pass a Civil Rights Act because the country (led by Dr. King) was demanding it. What she said is just incorrect, but facts don’t matter when it would make her look better.”
False. John F. Kennedy couldn’t pass it, and the Republican nominee voted against both the Civil Rights Bill and the Voting Rights Act. Johnson, with his commitment to civil rights and his deep understanding of how to manipulate Congress (no President in history ever did it equally well) was chiefly responsible. Also responsible were Hubert Humphrey (whose commitment to civil rights had made him a celebrity as far back as 194
and Minority Leader Everett Dirkesn. It’s sad to me that anybody should fail to give these men their due. Martin Luther King did a lot of the inspiring, but these men did a lot of the heavy lifting. Hillary’s comparison is apt. Obama inveighs against Busines as Usual and the Establisment and Washington Hacks — but in 1964 it was the Washington Hacks of the Establishment who used the usual means of legislative action to enact civil rights into law. It didn’t happen by itself. Civil rights wasn’t a little bird that flew into the capital dome and nested there.
In the bipartisan battle of “experience” vs. “change,” one thing seems clear: There is no shortage of experience in Washington. If Washington experience came by the dozen, it would be a dime a dozen. Washington experience is rarely what brings change, but is all too often precisely what prevents it. Washington experience fills our hearts and minds not with courage or hope but with fear. Washington experience does not say “Yes We Can” but “No We Can’t.” Washington experience is what has led us into the foreign and domestic mess we’re in today. What we are short of in Washington is not experience but fresh ideas and unifying vision. Put a president with these in the White House, and all that Washington experience can be put to work taking America in a new direction. This is why I support Barack Obama for president.
You all are way too sensitive! Get a thicker skin and lets get back to the issue. It just showed me the Republicans will eat him up.
Couldn’t see Senator OBAMA on foreign soil??? Are you kidding me? That is his strength. Read some of the blogs on other countries around the world who are pulling for Obama to win. The people of Germany, Denmark, France all love him. My son went to Harvards Kennedy School of Government. He dropped out after 9/11 and moved to China. He’s been there ever since and says the people of China find Obama awesome. My son is sending in an absentee bid for Obama and has never voted before.
I am comparing Obama and then the Clintons. Obama seems to be giving people a dream to strive for. The Clintons worry me with there weeping and wine when they think they are behind. emm Not a hard one to figure out.
Obama comes across as this humble self made man, but most people don’t get to Harvard law (who payed?), never mind a million dollar house and more than a million in savings. I guess two lawyers,
his wife and him really bring in the bucks…
As for his experience most of his senate bill’s are co-sponsored by senators who are senior to him.
Never mind the notion that you can have a ration discussion with the likes of the leader of Iran,
the Soviet Union or Hugo Chavez….
I really can’t trust that kid to be A President, and he is originally African From Kenya and muslim too.
So, I think we are not ready to have A “Kid President ” yet
I thought that this article was news, not a blog which it clearly was. News would have been an accurate reporting of exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Clinton said and likewise what Mr. Obama said in response. Instead it was a rambling mix of emotionally tainted statements about what other news sources had editorialized and the authors own opinion. I never recieved exactly what “they’ said so that I could make up my own mind.
Regards,
Walter Wrobleski, MD
I found her performance on Meet the Press mesmerizing. I actually heard her channeling her campaign manager Mark Penn. I understand she has been preparing for the role for quite some time, but her tactics in this campaign will lay bare the compromises and ‘fairy tales’ she’s made herself.
I loved when Tim Russert juxtaposed the different speeches in 2002 and asked her to ’splain!
Kudos to Barack Obama for his integrity and thanks for being against this ‘dumb war’ in the first place.
I am a Canadian and we as North Americans across the border follow lot of American Politics in general.It is quite obvious that when you see Obama speak to his fellow countryman he truly has deep love for his people and his country. He means everything from his heart. He is a true American. It is clear he wants to keep America United not racially divided. When he becomes the next president of USA, he will make sure he will do everything in the best interest of Americans…and there is lots of work left whoever becomes the next president…
There has been a Bush or Clinton at the helm of our country since the late eighties. I believe it’s time for someone else to take control for a while. There is a reason we don’t have a monarchy, so let’s end the dynasty in 2008.
To Mint William…My family has NO money and my son got into Harvard on his own merits. It is possible.
If you listen to Senator Obama he just got through paying off his student loan.
Dani Dylon, a little political lesson
If Obama was “originally from Kenya” he would not be able to run for pres. Also he is not Muslim
Everyone knows the contribution Bob Johnson has made to the ‘growth’ of the ordinary in any African American community. Take a look across any neighborhood in the projects and see what the African American & other American women ( ‘bitches’, ‘hoes’) goes through due to the portrayals by his BET Channel.
Hillary would do anything to win the election and it has been proven by the many slanderous remarks & mud slinging seen throughout her campaign machinery. For them its all about power, control and dominion. The greater the dynasty the better the politics. They really don’t have the American interests at heart.
Why whine anyway? If African American ( and majority of the American women …and men!) don’t give a damn about how BET & other like minded machinations put down their women & children, why should they when Hillary says something about their history? Its pretext at its best. The American women love it! So does Hillary and others beside Bob Johnson.
This is not about race, hate or mud slinging but about honesty, truth & the future of America in the next 50 or so years. Recycling the same old notion will only give u the same results everyday. Sometimes its good to try new ideas. A breather. Fresh air. Change, openness & genuineness.
Laura,
Just reinforces where is all his money coming from, must have quite a mentor.
Hillary gets to have it both ways…she gets to appeal to racists while at the same time decrying people for calling her one. I firmly suspect that a “Stop Obama” campaign was waged in New Hamsphire by H. Clinton playing an implicit race card and “calling all whites” to come out and keep Obama down.
Is she a racist? Only she knows for sure…but, it really doesn’t matter…what matters is whether she can call upon racist sentiment to help her get elected. Unfortunately, it’s more a comment on the hidden racism deep inside the Democratic Party. Hillary is just being opportunistic and using it to her advantage.
Hillary once again is a Know it all that really knows nothing…she and Bill both talk ought of the wrong orifice and they now stink…
Here is a point of view from someone outside North America.
Im an Aussie and have been following your coming election for some time, considering what happens in the US will directly affect us down here in many ways. And considering i don’t have an allegance to any particular party in the US i think my point of view is unique.
I think the best person to lead your country is going to be Obama, after researching his and Hillary’s plans, and seeing their tatics in the recent public speeches and debates definatly Obama. Change is what the US needs, but also stability. That is a fine line because change means chance and taking chances will affect stability of the nation. But with Obama i think the US can be the vision of democracy and chance as it once was, he will be the inspiration that Americans need to move forward, take that extra step and chance to show the world once again why so many people from differen’t nations wanted to be in America, because let’s face it, the world now hate’s the US and what it stands for. That needs to change.
A note on Hillary’s tatics. From what i have seen (media inflated events) she seems to be doing quite alot of gas bagging and dissing of Obama, pointing out he is inexperienced over and over, calling him a liar etc etc over and over. It seems to me Barack takes it on the chin and moves along. Do you really want someone like that leading your country? Someone who when challanged is going to metaphorically speaking call you names and poke you until you give up or cry?? While she may have more experience she is definatly not quite as mature. Seriously do you want/need a leader who gained the position not by telling you how she was going to change the country and make it better but by telling you how her rivals aren’t worthy??
Anyhow, from down here i hope Barack wins. I really do think he will once again make the US image a globally positive one and reinforce it.
Cheers
=)
Obama has the vision, ambition and determination to lead this country out of the recession.
The clintons and power drunk and selfish!
For every young person in America, GO OBAMA!!!
To David Wayne…Wow I didn’t even realize that…You’re right… scary fact!
Another scary fact is that G.W. Bush was able to become president. Him and his father are on the bottom of the list of dumbest presidents in US history!
Being a good lawyer means you can run the country?
We need a record of strength and government experience. Whoever we elect this time will be correcting the biggest mess we have ever had and first and foremost we need to get out of this mess.
We are headed into a huge recession people. We need change, no doubt, but we need serious experience!
If this race comes down to a battle between feminism and multiculturalism than it is a shame. Personally I believe that plurality demands support and promotion of diversity of culture. I understand the struggles that women have had and the last thing I would ever seek is to diminish their struggle but if you look at the history of that struggle it was middle classed white women who sought equality for other middle classed white women. That struggle was never about minority women or especially disenfranchised minorities. They wanted access to the country club but not for their black, latino and Jewish sisters. Look at their history and Goldwater Girls such as Hillary Clinton who fought against the 1964 civil rights legislation which makes me wonder how she could even have the nerve to go to Selma and speak about how that legislation helped her too. In fact Goldwater himself was much bigger than that. While racist organizations such as the KKK supported him for his states rights libertarian stance even King said he was not a racist. Goldwater simple believed in something that Obama did which was giving people the freedom and opportunity to make a better life for themselves without having someone else take credit for their success as Hillary took from King on behalf of Johnson. Obama has never invoked race. Yes he has spoke of the struggles of many Americans and the virtues of MLK but that is msg of King was a universal one that was for black men and white men , jews and gentiles. Now I could have forgiven Hillary for these comments but to say that Obama, who has ran the cleanest campaign in modern history, pulled the race card upsets me to no end when it was her own supporters who stirred the race pot, upsets me to no end. Just like Bush if you question her you are against her. especially if you a questioner of color. I can not support this woman in any event what-so-ever. I would rather have any Republican than this sorry excuse for a democrat. Well I guess those Goldwater Girl roots have finally shown through. To bad she couldn’t even grasp the true spirit of what Goldwater and Obama seek by allowing people to take spirit and pride in their own achievements and create a world where that is possible by not mandating and over socializing peoples lives.
What is wrong with you people?????
Obama will not pledge alligence to the flag of YOUR country. Turns his back when it is said or does not acknowledge it by not putting his hand ovet his heart. When he was sworn in, he did so on the Koran. He is a practing Muslum. You know the folks that are blowing up, people, buildings etc.
Now honestly… do you think he will lean to all blacks or call it down the middle for all Americans.
Notice I said AMERICANS not blacks ,poles,french,spanish,native americans or anyother faction.
We are all Americans. This BS about Afro, Polish,Italian, Japanese, swedeish etc Americans is just what it is. A bunch of crap. When you call yourself a XXX American, too me you are not a true American. Be pround of your heritage. Be American or Be what country you came from or your relitives came from.
To Daniel from Austr