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Bill: I Never Attacked Obama
February 08, 2008 1:43 PM
In an interview with WCSH Channel 6 at Becky's Diner in Portland, Maine, former President Bill Clinton said that he never attacked Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois.
Watch HERE.
Former President Clinton was asked, "Do you have any regrets about the way you have conducted yourself on the campaign trail in the past months...about anything you've said or done?"
"Well, everything I have said has been factually accurate," Clinton said. "But I think the mistake that I made is to think that I was a spouse like any other spouse who could defend his candidate.
"I think I can promote Hillary but not defend her because I was president. I have to let her defend herself or have someone else defend her.
"But, lot of things that were said were factually inaccurate. I did not ever criticize Senator Obama personally in South Carolina. I never criticized him personally...and it was just this myth grew up.
"And I had two African-American members of Congress who were supporting Hillary who were with me the whole time I was there. And they were bewildered, they went on every cable show that would take them to tell they didn't know what the people were talking about.
"But I think whenever I defend her I (a) risk being misquoted and (b) risk being the story....I learned a very valuable lesson from all that dust-up."
The former president also said that he's "not surprised" that the election is so close. "About a year ago I told Hillary…'I think you'll have a difficult time winning the nomination,'" but if she does, she'll go on to win in November.
The Obama campaign disputes the notion that he never attacked Obama, or that his comments were all factually accurate.
Said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton, "I think that the former President's words and the results in South Carolina speak for themselves."
- jpt
February 8, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (137)
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It's good Bill is so supportive of Obama despite his wife running against him. It' shows neutrality and a very deep sense of maturity in Clintons' marriage. I'd thought after S.C., Bill will be placed in some safe house and would have demanded not to have any of Hillary's secret service detail protecting him. Good on you Bill. You are brave if not an idiot.
Posted by: ctom2008 | Feb 16, 2008 9:47:53 AM
"....and it was just this myth grew up."
Something a child would say to deflect responsibility. Grotesque from a grown man of his supposed stature. Turn the page and quick.
Posted by: SE Croft | Feb 16, 2008 9:28:21 AM
wahs2008
You think Obama is so perfect? Boy are you in for a rude awakening. And if you fell for Obamas race baiting you were never going to support Senator Clinton is the first place.
Case filed in the Minnesota District
Court (Sinclair vs. Obama)
Plaintiff: Larry Sinclair
Defendant: Barack Obama, David Axelrod and Democratic National Committee
Case Number: 0:2008cv00360
Filed: February 11, 2008
Court: Minnesota District Court
Office: DMN Office [ Court Info ]
County: St. Louis
Judge: Rosenbaum
Larry Sinclair says he had drugs and sex with Obama in 1999. He has tried to get the MSM to tell the story, they won't. So he made a Youtube video. Obama's goons apparently have been turning his life upside down since, and he has filed suit against Obama, his manager Axelrod and the DNC for violation of his civil rights.
Posted by: C DEPP | Feb 16, 2008 4:21:51 AM
President Clinton never said anything racial about Obama. Obama is the one that pulled the race card after he got his backside handed to him in NH. Obama was stunned. Every word the Clitons said Obama and his people jumped on. Shame on him and all that work with him.
Posted by: C DEPP | Feb 15, 2008 9:25:51 PM
People just need to go to the local library and check out just ONE of the MANY books detailing both Clintons! Talk about an eye opener! and they must be true or they would have sued!
Posted by: Deanna G. | Feb 15, 2008 8:45:42 PM
Guess what... your some DID volunteer to go, and he is doing what he is PAID to do! stop complaining that he actually had to go and do his job!
Posted by: Think Again Mom | Feb 11, 2008 6:38:56 PM
My Son is, Active Duty Military, and he has lost so many friends in Iraq.Hillary or McCain will not pull us out of Iraq.Hillary Voted for the War In Iraq and when she decided to run for Office, then she said she was against it!I worry about my Son all the time, and you Hillary Supporters Discuss Me!Why dont you go Volunteer in Iraq so all the Hero's can come home! Just this morn on the Matthews Show a top News paper lady said, that McCain and Hillary are friends and travel together all the time!So you think either one of this 2 will bring our Soldiers Home, I think not!I Believe in Obama he will usher in a change to this country which we all need! Hillary is the Old Politics and Obama is the New
Posted by: Mom First | Feb 10, 2008 11:09:19 AM
Face it, all. Hillary is slowly, but surely getting toasted by Obama. Bill and Hillary as a sleazy as the day is long and Obama is a totally unknown quantity in many ways. McCain is tempermental and some times out of control. And Huckabee is a religious nut job. Well, if we survived Bush and Cheney, I suppose we can survive the next Rogue's Gallery too.
Posted by: Jack The Ripper | Feb 10, 2008 9:34:23 AM
Yeah Bill....we all heard it before.....you didn't attack Obama....you smoked but you didn't inhale.....you never had sex with that woman......etc ...etc...etc......
I think we got a dead heat here....I really don't know who the biggest liars are anymore.....The Clintons or The Bushs!
Either way it goes, we don't need you kind around any longer.....C-Ya!
Posted by: Dave Peck | Feb 10, 2008 3:25:43 AM
MICHELLE OBAMA BLATANTLY ATTACKED HILLARY CLINTON FOR SUPPOSEDLY NOT BEING ABLE TO MANAGE HER FAMILY PROPERLY. THIS WAS RUDE AND INAPPROPRIATE - IT WAS A PERSONAL ATTACK. OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN IS FUELLED BY NEGATIVITY, AND OBAMA IS WINNING BY FANNING THE FLAMES OF HATRED AGAINST CLINTON. I LIKE BOTH CLINTON AND OBAMA ENOUGH TO SUPPORT EITHER OF THEM, BUT ITS TIME TO REALIZE THAT OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN IS PRETTY MUCH JUST AS NEGATIVE AS CLINTON'S. OBAMA IS NOT 'ABOVE' NEGATIVE POLITICS. NONE OF THESE CHARACTERS ARE.
Posted by: jack jackson | Feb 9, 2008 11:58:00 PM
Bill, Bill, you did convince that your relations with Monica had nothing to do wtih running the country, which is quite true. However to turn around and deny the inflamatory statements made in South Carolina is just ludicrious. I think the results tonight with Obama crushing Clinton in three states and one territory is showing that Pres. Clinton's attacks are not showing fruit, and he should give it up if he wants his wife to have any chance at all at winning the nomination.
Posted by: SNS | Feb 9, 2008 11:13:42 PM
Bill: "I Never Attacked Obama."
That's like: "I never had you-know-what with that woman, Ms. you-know-who and it depends on what your meaning of the word 'is' is."
: - )
Posted by: Robert Campbell | Feb 9, 2008 9:31:23 PM
LISTEN! THINK!
Geo
Posted by: georgia | Feb 9, 2008 8:45:08 PM
Some of you are so bent on the word CHANGE that you do not even know what it means. The better word is THINK! You are so hypnotized by the word "change" that you do not even listen. "You can listen, as well as you hear...". Stop taking words out of context, and don't HATE so hard!
Geo
Posted by: georgia | Feb 9, 2008 8:43:38 PM
Some of you are so bent on the word CHANGE that you do not even know what it means. The better word is THINK! You are so hypnotized by the word "change" that you do not even listen. "You can listen, as well as you hear...". Stop taking words out of context, and don't HATE so hard!
Geo
Posted by: georgia | Feb 9, 2008 8:34:41 PM
Ok...does anyone really believe this?
Of course Bill attacked Obama. We all know that. Pure and simple...he attached the man.
Posted by: Bill Doesn't Know Truth | Feb 9, 2008 8:26:05 PM
I get sick to my stomach to hear Bill say "I never..." and see him wag that finger! Why would anyone believe him. Billary will do what it takes to get elected and have a proven record of bringing controversy, disgust, disrespect to the White House. I can't believe anyone wants more of that!
I'd love to vote for a woman, but it has to be the RIGHT woman! Hillary brings too much trash and lack of integrity with her.
Posted by: Diane | Feb 9, 2008 5:04:59 PM
If Obama wins the primary he has my vote. If Clinton gets the primary, Mccain has my vote.
Posted by: tk | Feb 9, 2008 3:17:19 PM
Hey, Bill, doesn't that depend on what your definition of 'is', oops, I mean 'attack' is?
Posted by: dream on | Feb 9, 2008 2:47:21 PM
What are the Clintons hiding in the White House papers that will not be released?
What about your income tax form that the Clintons are hiding?
Posted by: Matt | Feb 9, 2008 1:34:27 PM
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