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Clinton Camp Compares Obama to Ken Starr
March 06, 2008 11:00 AM
On Sen. Barack Obama's new pledge to run a more aggressive campaign against Sen. Hillary Clinton -- asking what her national security credentials are, pushing her to release her tax returns -- Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson just said on a conference call with reporters: "I for one do not find that imitating Ken Starr is a way to win a Democratic primary election for president."
- jpt
UPDATE: I asked both campaigns for comment on Wolfson's remarks.
Wolfson said that by making attacks on Sen. Clinton's openness (or lack thereof), her failure to release her tax returns even after loaning her campaign $5 million, and Whitewater, the Obama campaign is employing Ken Starr-like tactics
The Clinton campaign's evidence includes:
1) An Obama campaign memo which noted that when the Clintons in the past didn't release tax returns, there was interesting material in the unreleased returns, per the Wall Street Journal editorial: "During the 1992 campaign, the Clintons claimed to be coming clean by releasing their tax returns from 1980 forward. But they steadfastly refused to release their returns for prior years, and only later did we learn that 1978 and 1979 were the tax years when Mrs. Clinton reported her 10,000% cattle-futures trading profit."
2) The same Obama memo pointing out that "here are eight pieces of information that could be learned from her tax returns, the accompanying schedules, and attachments:
"Effective tax rate – including whether or not any tax shelters were used to reduce it
"Amount of income for spouses by source
"Amount of stock gains and losses
"Gross income for the couple
"Amount earned from stock dividends
"Amount of household employment taxes paid
"Personal exemptions taken
"Charitable contributions made."
3) Obama senior campaign strategist David Axelrod, appearing on This Week with George Stephanopoulos last Sunday, saying, "with all due respect, I would think that the Clinton campaign would be the last person to be wanting to characterize any real estate transaction as unusual," an oblique reference to Whitewater.
4) Axelrod pointing out that the Clintons have not released many materials from the Clinton library, as quoted in Time.
The Obama campaign, noting that Obama has released his tax returns, responded to the Clinton charge, spox Bill Burton saying, “It is absurd that after weeks of badgering the media to ‘vet’ Senator Obama, the Clinton campaign believes that they should be held to an entirely different standard. We don’t believe that expecting candidates for the presidency to disclose their tax returns somehow constitutes Ken Starr-tactics, but the kind of transparency and accountability that Americans are looking for and that’s been missing in Washington for far too long. And if Senator Clinton doesn’t think that the Republicans will ask these very same questions, then she’s not as ready to go toe-to-toe with John McCain as she claims."
Why the Clinton campaign would want to engage in this fight is a question -- Sen. Clinton and her allies have not disclosed a lot of information, that's just a fact.
A bigger question may be why Camp Clinton would want to invoke Ken Starr, conjuring forth memories of grand jury testimony and images of certain presidential mistresses. Will voters really think of Obama as part of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy? I'm not a well-paid political consultant, maybe there's an upside to this that I'm not immediately grasping.
March 6, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (483)
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Mr. Obama is definitely lot more shrewd and smart than i had ever imagined. We the common citizens really need to be cautious more so now as he has this amazing capability to hypnotise us for his own ambitions and pride!!
I wish he had little bit of innocence and his heart would have been for all the americans(white or black or brown or yellow), but unfortunately as much as he tries he does have a deep hidden anger against the "typical white americans", and that is scary. If he'd have been one running for senate or congress than i'd have been ok, but he is running for PRESIDENT, for God's sake!! His anger which i'm sure he discusses in private with his own wife sometimes unwillingly comes out through his wife's mouth, when she unwittingly said that she was proud of this country for the first time after realising the wins and support during last super-tuesday. If she didn't mean the way the regular American perceived it, tha why doesn't she say it again??
Politics, and Obama says he is not playing it. What a hipocrisy, and how long should we keep getting fooled? We got fooled 8yrs and even 4yrs back by the same kind of hypocrisy, and we good-hearted people keep repeating ur mistakes time and again!
Posted by: jamel | Mar 23, 2008 3:23:01 AM
Obama said that his pastor was never his political advisor… and he is correct…. but, he was his religious advisor… and personally I think that is much much worse… it is a lot easier to go against something that a political advisor says rather than a religious advisor… and it is a lot easier to not listen to a political advisor rather than a religious one.
Posted by: greg | Mar 23, 2008 3:19:08 AM
Look like Another Tony Rezko story
First $160,000 then 250,000 that is close to $300,000 less than house value
Obama we watching every thing
you are under our Microscope
Posted by: patterson | Mar 23, 2008 3:15:31 AM
I just figured it out!
Obama has ALREADY ADMITTED being "SHOOK UP" by the Pastor incident. Hmmmmm. If his nerves are THAT FRAGILE, THAT SHAKY…
what would he do if there was another 9/11? Huh?
Or if that RED PHONE rang at 3AM.
All we need is for him to come UNGLUED - his mind to fog up under pressure, and sending him over the edge.
That's the MESSAGE I got!
Posted by: kerry | Mar 23, 2008 3:12:32 AM
People open your eyes Obama is not what he has been claiming to be. Stop being so idealistic for a moment, just a moment and take a good look.
He is more business than usual than anyone else simply because he claims not to be.
And, while Hillary is a Clinton and the Clintons are the Clintons, we know what the results can be. And, don't be silly any trips made abroad by the Clintons, McCain and Obama since they have been public official have been through diplomatic channels.
This would have a lot more validity if Obama would not have ties to the CEO of the company that has been doing the snooping.
I am so sick of Obama's whining I can't take another four years of this. even Bush is willing to take on more responsibilty than Obama.
Or maybe he just has no judgement.. But he did get it right on the war although we really don't know since he did not vote on it.
Posted by: kerry | Mar 23, 2008 3:10:13 AM
Equal Opportunity schedules seem to be the only cure for determining if either Obama or Hillary are qualified. Or, better yet, why not videos?
Unless, people think Commander in Chief material runs in the blood.
Posted by: Pat | Mar 19, 2008 4:39:04 PM
I believe it's time the DNC take's note of Clinton's statements and question her allegiance to the Democratic party. Stating that only herself and John McCain are qualified to be commander and chief leads me to believe she wouldn't support Barack if he were to win the nomination. Would she support McCain instead? Someone needs to ask her this question. Also her recent statements insisting the MI. and FL. contests remain as is, and be accepted , and if the DNC reversed their own rules to proceed with another primary or caucus, her statement that she "would not accept the results", indicates only one thing to me. Hillary is out for one thing and one thing only. To win at all cost, no matter what the fallout would be. This stance and dictatorial attitude to the DNC, is extremely damaging to the Democratic party and playing right into the hands of the Republicans. I also question her wisdom in stating McCain is ready to be CIC when he was the one that was instrumental in the delivery of a large part of our national defense capability into the hands of the French government, and the loss of over 9,000 American jobs. McCain was instrumental in the demise of the Boeing contract to renew our KC135 air re-fueling fleet, and the eventual award to the French consortium Airbus. Do you think it's a good idea to have a foreign government having such a control over such a large part of our national defense?
Posted by: GC | Mar 9, 2008 10:23:53 AM
Does the word 'integrity' have any meaning anymore?
Posted by: tom | Mar 9, 2008 9:40:56 AM
Attention Delegates/Super Delegates; Hillary made her mistake by Praising John McCain on National T.V. To back Hillary now will show, you to are not True Democrats
Posted by: Demo Rules | Mar 9, 2008 7:44:27 AM
To read Obama supporter's remarks, one would think that the whole US population was against the war in Iraq. When I stood week after week getting pelted by cans from passers-by as I protested before this war started, where were those Obama supporters and anti-war people?? As firemen spat at us, and fundamentalists railed against us, and soldiers and their families flipped us off, where were all of you?? EVERYONE was for this war. The few of us who actually protested it, were mocked and decried as terrorists. All I can say is "WHERE WERE YOU???"
Posted by: sl | Mar 8, 2008 1:32:56 AM
Hilary obviously has something to hide, that is why they can't seem to release those records...but, they still expect us to vote for her....
Such Arrogance...
She said she was the INEVITABLE NOMINEE...
Such Arrogance...
She has soooo much experience, but no one can say specifically what foreign policy experience she has....
Such Arrogance......
Even though Obama has the lead in delegates and she has no chance of winning the democratic nominee unless she breaks the rules, or override the will of the people, she's saying there maybe a Clinton/Obama ticket....(shouldn't it be a Obama/[whomever he chooses] ticket?
Such arrogance....
Posted by: e.a. | Mar 7, 2008 9:57:29 PM
Omama all the word. The true American has spoken. Release those tax papers Hillary
Posted by: martha myers | Mar 7, 2008 9:55:47 PM
hilary's husband was once the ptreident doesnt make her a better candidate to obama ,if america can be truthful and patriotic they will vote for obama this time cause he has the ability to represent Americans be wise in ur choice,,,and hey hillary go and seat down is not a family business,,,,,xoxoxoxo
Posted by: kingsley | Mar 7, 2008 9:27:49 PM
Clinton uses her Civil Rights experience as a focal point duing her campaigns. I admire that, however, who would be more qualified on that level than one who had lived the discrimination and earned their way to the top. Besides, Obama obviously has the interpersonal skills to present common sense arguments that get the RIGHT things done.
Posted by: JD | Mar 7, 2008 7:45:36 PM
I am sorry folks Hilary's actions remind me of Eddie Armean. Lets be for real her actions are far more than the acts of a monster.....
Posted by: Henry | Mar 7, 2008 7:38:19 PM
Lets get back to the real issue at hand. If Mrs.Clinton release her tax statement will it solve the war in Irag, will it help with the health care for the American people.I doubt it and does it matter to the person who is looking for a job.
Once again the answer is no...
Posted by: Laurence | Mar 7, 2008 4:46:27 PM
I thought Hillary was the GOP Nominee ? Hmmm ....my bad ....NOT !
It wont matter, what she will release will be doctored by an accountant - then if she through some miracle were to be the nominee would be going through Scandal Hell as the REAL Kitchen sink would over flow to her . Live and learn people , live and learn.
Posted by: SoFlIndie | Mar 7, 2008 3:43:33 PM
Obama Supporters --- If you are going to post anything on these boards. Make it one thing and one thing only until it happens......................................... >>> Release your records Hillary. What are you hiding? <<<
Posted by: rocko273 | Mar 7, 2008 2:27:17 PM
This is not the time to take a chance, to roll the dice. Obama has proven that he can make important changes within our government. He passed the Lugar-Obama bill that works toward nuclear and conventional weapons disarmament. He pased the Coburn-Obama bill to give us federal spending transparency, for the first time ever. In both the Illinois and US Senate, he passed government ethics legislation called the Golden Standard. In Illinois, he created a working, affordable health care plan in Illinois, that covers 70,000 kids and 84,000 adults, where all kids qualify for $40 per child.
Some of these programs were tough to pass, he worked hard with Republicans and others. These programs show that he can pass great legislation, even with Republicans in office.
For more, go to:
http://obamarecord.blogspot.com
Posted by: Kiku | Mar 7, 2008 2:22:21 PM
Hillary cosponsored Obama's government transparency act, so she is supports the idea of transparency.
The White House papers will tell us what kind of experience Hillary really had.
Bill's list of foundation donor will tell a bit about how he uses his influence. We already know that he profited with $51 million dollars for propping up the Kazakhstan president, against US foreign policy, and was pledged another $100 million more.
Their income tax is the same thing.
We should not be electing people blindly. We've already seen how secrecy plays itself out with Bush. It's time that we demand more.
Posted by: KarenZZ | Mar 7, 2008 2:07:30 PM
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