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'Shame on You, Barack Obama!'

February 23, 2008 6:05 PM

Call her angry, call her frustrated, call her powerful, call her furious -- call her what you will -- but Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., very aggressively challenged Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in Cincinnati today.

"Shame on you, Barack Obama," she said, per ABC News' Eloise Harper. "It is time you ran a campaign consistent with your messages in public. That’s what I expect from you. Meet me in Ohio. Lets have a debate about your tactics and your behavior on this campaign."

What had aroused Clinton's ire?

Two mailers from the Obama campaign.

One of them is about NAFTA, not exactly the most popular part of Bill Clinton's legacy here in union-friendly Ohio. It misleadingly seems to quote Clinton calling NAFTA "a boon" to the economy, when in fact she never said that, it was New York Newsday's characterization of her position.

We took a look at that mailer HERE.

She also took issue with a health care mailer that inaccurately states that Clinton's health care plan "forces everyone to buy insurance, even if you can't afford it... and you pay a penalty if you don't."

Actually, Clinton has dodged the issue of how those failing to abide by her mandates would be penalized.

The Obama campaign quite speciously quotes from a college newspaper, The Daily Iowan, to back up this quote.

Factcheck.org took a look at the health care mailer HERE -- which to be honest seems to upset her as much for its style as for its substance. It looks a lot like the insurance industry's "Harry & Louise" TV ads that sank her 1993 health care plan.

"Enough about the speeches, and the big rallies, and then using tactics right out of Karl Rove's playbook," Clinton railed. "This is wrong and every Democrat should be outraged."

She said these fliers were not "only wrong but it is undermining core Democratic principles. Since when do Democrats attack one another on universal health care?"

Umm... Sen. Clinton, you've been attacking Obama on the subject for months.

Including in your own misleading health care mailer, which we took a look at HERE.

Obama today stuck to his guns, saying -- per ABC News' Sunlen Miller -- that "Sen. Clinton as part of the Clinton administration supported NAFTA, in her book she called it one of the administration’s successes. And we point that out in a state that has been devastated by trade and has been deeply concerned about the position of candidates on trade."

As for the flier on health insurance, Obama said that Clinton "has been the one who has made this difference about mandates the centerpiece not just of the healthcare debate but practically her campaign. And what this mailer does is point out this difference that she herself surfaced and describes what the mandate that she's calling for would mean, which is that the government would force you to buy healthcare. That’s indisputable. So the notion that somehow we're engaging in nefarious tactics I think is pretty hard to swallow."

It was pointed out that even Newsday disputed his campaign's use of "boon" in quotes. Obama said "that’s fair enough" but "the mailer went out before the newspaper made the correction, right? That’s my understanding and I will need to check with staff on that."

Obama insinuated that this wasn't real outrage by Clinton but rather a new campaign tactic. We'll take a look at this all on World News this evening, live from Akron, Ohio.

- jpt

February 23, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary | Permalink | Share | User Comments (51)

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It is a pity to note that Hillary Cliton with all her experience in the whitehouse as she claims could be involved in a verbal combat with Obama Barack is set to correct the ills that Cliton's and Bush's administrations have infested on the American people and in the middle east.Democrats all over the world should guide their votes.If Hillary ll take my advice,I think she should appreciate God for giving America a LEADER like Obama

Posted by: Fred Itua, Lagos - Nigeria | Feb 25, 2008 10:56:19 AM

Clinton supporters: Please start sending donations directly to Iowa, where cleaning & catering companies are still being unpaid by the Clinton campaign. This money would really go to hard working people instead of to big Washington campaign advisors from HRC's political circle.

Posted by: carmen | Feb 25, 2008 4:23:31 AM

Hillary has been critical of NAFTA long before she started running for President. For example, here's Hillary in March 2000:

What happened to NAFTA I think was we inherited an agreement that we didn’t get everything we should have got out of it in my opinion. I think the NAFTA agreement was flawed. The problem is we have to go back and figure out how we are going to fix that. [Working Families Party, 3/26/00]

Sen. Obama touts his consistent opposition to NAFTA. But speaking in Illinois in 2004 Obama said the United States "benefited enormously" from exports under NAFTA and talked about the need to continue to pursue trade agreement like NAFTA that support "a system of free trade in this nation that allows us to move our products overseas."

Hillary is clearly the better choice!

Posted by: Jim | Feb 25, 2008 2:55:30 AM

TO MAD AS HECK IN TEXAS...

So, is it not true that in order to hear OBAMA speak in Texas, you had to first GO VOTE?!? Check out his REAL positions, and I bet you would be shocked. By the way, that voting thing was not on the cable news, but in a dallas newspaper. Now that seems illegal to me.

Posted by: Catmacdee | Feb 24, 2008 4:46:13 PM

D. Anderson: No, we can't take 4 more years of your saying negative comments and complaining.....

Posted by: Is it Jan. 9, 2009 YET???? | Feb 24, 2008 2:43:59 PM

The truth is, the NAFTA Agreement was signed by Bill Clinton on Sept. 14 1993.

Sen. Clinton has always touted her 35years of experience and this includes her years in the White House. This is Hillary Clinton’s voting record on the NAFTA issue.

1) She voted yes to free trade agreement with Oman, Ref. United States - Oman Free Trade Agreement: Bill S.3569: Vote number 2006-190 on June 29, 2006.

2) She voted yes on establishing Free Trade Agreement between US and Singapore. Ref.: US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. Bill S.1417/HR 2739: Vote number 2003-318 on Jul. 31 2003.

3) She voted yes on establishing Free Trade between the US and Chile. Ref. US-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation. Act. Bill S. 1416/HR 2738. Vote number 2003-319 on July 31 2003.

4) Voted yes on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. Ref: Bill HJRES51: Vote number 2001-291 on October 3, 2001.

5)She also voted for open trade with China, despite China's substantial human rights violations and evidence to show that NAFTA has caused the loss of millions of US jobs to non-industrial countries and hasn't delivered on the promise of widespread prosperity.

Sen. Clinton speaks about NAFTA saying that she never supported it from day one. The truth is in her voting record. Don't believe what anyone says, just look it up, use the internet to see her voting record on NAFTA. Hillary, do you think Americans cannot search for your voting records on line? "Sen. Hillary Clinton Shame on you". People in Ohio please don't vote for Hillary, she's all about lies, lies and more lies.

Posted by: Owen Hill | Feb 24, 2008 12:36:04 PM

Anger and outrage today; another of your "moments" Thursday night. Who are you Hillary? Do you even know what you stand for anymore? Seems America is getting a little confused. I really don't like the scolding...you are one finger pointing episode away from Bill's red faced tyrades.

You can't (or shouldn't) attack Obama for the very things you are doing. You attack his health care; you attacked what you called plagerism. Apparently the crowd in Austin didn't think he had Xeroxed anything.

Hillary, you should know your campaign is in trouble when all the talking heads start poiting out what you need to do to "turn things around".

I am angry too Hillary. Sick and tired of your and Bill's old style dirty political tricks.

Posted by: Mad as Heck in Texas | Feb 24, 2008 12:00:05 PM

Is it just me or is Hillary starting to sound more and more like George w. Bush with her latest RANT.

"MEET ME IN OHIO"
"BRING IT ON"

Different words, same arrogant attitude.

Do we want someone who RANTS on stage as our next president? Can we take 4 more years of the same type of attitude?

D Anderson

Posted by: D Anderson | Feb 24, 2008 9:23:09 AM

Can Americans afford or sacrifice to go "Back in the Past" without their current necessities?

FYI: Following are manufactured in other countries?

Laptop, Computers - iPods - Make in Japan, China
Toys - Made in China
Cosmetics - Made in France
Clothes - Made in China, Phillipine, Pakistan
Toys - Made in China
Beef - Made in Japan and China
Cars - Made in Europe, Korea, Mexico and China

Posted by: Humm | Feb 24, 2008 8:51:26 AM

i think jane fonda was refering to her on the today show.

Posted by: dunlap | Feb 24, 2008 6:05:24 AM

Hillary brags about her 35 years experience and brags about the golden 90's when Bill's was such a great president but she NOW wants to distance herself from NAFTA because it was NOT one of Bill's successes during his administration. It's not right to pick and choose what she wants to take pride in during her husband's administration. THIS COST PEOPLE IN OHIO JOBS! SHAME OH HILL& BILL!

Posted by: factsyoucantrust | Feb 24, 2008 4:44:47 AM

Hillary Clinton should bow her face in shame. I used to have some respect for the Clintons, now i don't know anymore. Obama could have used these nasty words(shame on you) on Hillary and Bill all the time they attacked him including when Hillary said that she was in the business of problem solving while Obama was in the business of talking. Obama behaved maturedly and only drove down his points. The truth is that the Clintons supported NAFTA in the past. Shame on you Hillary.

Posted by: NWOKORIE GAANIHU | Feb 24, 2008 3:02:56 AM

Obama's Law of Commonsense

Law 1: Insire yourself and make voters feel inspired

Law 2: Talk slowly and look Brillaint

Law 3: Give voters whatever they want

Law 4: Play victim when attacked

Law 5: Yell Change and people will follow you

Law 6: If Universal healthcare is not important for every voter give them less important healthcare

Law 7: If you want Blue collar votes yell "NAFTA"

Law 7: Bring Oprah

Posted by: Humm | Feb 24, 2008 2:08:27 AM

I am a little puzzled here:

Hillary Clinton knew about the NAFTA and health care issue and complained about them in Wisconsin. During the debate in Texas she tells Obama that she is honored to be with him. Now she is telling this same Obama, "shame on you". Is this the same Hillary, or is she assuming that our memory is that short?


It is odd that Hillary wants to use her time in the White House as her experience but then does not want to have anything to do with the policies of her husband which were truly destructive to the working people of this Country.

As far as healthcare, she can’t have it both ways. She wants a mandated program and has said that she would garnish wages.

Comparing Obama to Bush and then crying foul is a bit hypocritical. I wish she would decide which “Hillary” she wants to be. Given the way the Clinton campaign is going, she is sounding less credible by the day.


In the end, the Clintons came to power making all kinds of promises the first time only to abandon them in order to join the Gingrich war on the working people of this Country. Promises are cheap. Why should we believe them this time around?

Posted by: nmben | Feb 24, 2008 1:47:54 AM

Obama is the only one I've seen recycling Republican Harry and Louise ads. It's disgusting.

Obama's "change you can believe in" means rolling over for Republicans. No thanks, I'll sit this one out.

Posted by: Aultman | Feb 24, 2008 1:28:30 AM

Newsflash: Patti Solis Doyle is no longer Hillary's campaign manager.

Posted by: kym - seattle, wa | Feb 24, 2008 1:18:15 AM

This seems like a manufactured crisis. These posters have been out for a few weeks now. I don't mind though. Let'em go at it.

Posted by: truvy | Feb 23, 2008 10:50:49 PM

Lets get real No matter what Hillary or Obama says McCain's right those jobs in Ohio are not coming back.

Posted by: al | Feb 23, 2008 10:48:54 PM

If Harry Truman were alive today I beleive that he would tell Obama, "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen", especially before Chef McCain comes in. I have never seen the media so soft on a presidential candiate as they have been with Obama. Kennedy's Don't cry but Obama's do.

Posted by: al | Feb 23, 2008 10:44:17 PM

Don't know why, but Hillary's tirade reminded me of the "Leave Britany Alone" fiasco.

The way I see it, this is just another ploy to get on the front page. She is the one making the distinction about the health care plans. Obama has a right to educate the public on the repercussions of this plan.

Further, Hillary lauded the Nafta mess in her book. Took credit for it when it was deemed a success. Now that it has fallen apart she wants to distance herself from it. Please. Don't insult our intellegence.

I am going to be sooo glad when this is all over.

Posted by: Maverick | Feb 23, 2008 10:01:47 PM

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