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MONTHLY ARCHIVES
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Clinton: 'I'm Doing Everything I Can'
March 03, 2008 5:44 PM
BY JAKE TAPPER
HOUSTON, TX -- Sen. Hillary Clinton Monday afternoon rejected Sen. Barack Obama’s characterization of her campaign as “desperate” for running a television ad that suggested Obama is not prepared to handle crises as President. Clinton today said Obama's resentment of her tactics indicated he was trying to avoid the debate altogether.
“National security is one of the most important issues in a presidential election,” Clinton told ABC News, “and it certainly will be against Sen. (John) McCain. If Senator Obama doesn't want to debate national security with me, I don't know how he'd debate it with Senator McCain.”’
Clinton last week began running a TV ad in Texas that showed images of slumbering children, suggesting Obama could not ensure their security. "It's 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep," a narrator intoned. "But there's a phone in the White House, and it's ringing. Something's happened in the world. Your vote will decide who answers the call."
In an interview with ABC News' Terry Moran that first aired Monday morning, Obama said of the ad, "I think she has got a little desperate toward the end of this campaign." Obama said Clinton "has been a lot more aggressive in her negative attacks."
During an interview in Beaumont, Texas, Monday evening, Clinton responded in an interview to run on Nightline Monday evening, in a piece looking at the intense battle to win the Texas contest tomorrow.
The junior senator from New York first cut her teeth in politics in the Lone Star State, working as a law student to register Latino and young voters for the 1972 presidential campaign of Sen. George McGovern, D-SD.
Clinton did not see any irony or symmetry in the notion that he presidential political career could end here, back where it all started for her almost two generations ago.
“It feels really good,” Clinton said of her return to Texas. “Thirty-six years ago I came to South Texas to register voters and I made some of the best friends I've ever made in my life. And these are people who are working for me now.” Some are famous, she said, “and others, you know, are just wonderful people who are walking streets for me, making phone calls for me. Sometimes it's the children of people I worked with 36 years ago,” she said, chuckling.
“I was committed then to giving people a voice and making sure their vote counted and that’s what I'm committed to now," she added.
Clinton is just as focused today as she was back then on South Texas, where her husband spent the day campaigning and where she must turn out the Latino vote if she has any hopes of combating Obama’s advantage with liberal white voters in cities like Austin, and African-Americans in Dallas and Houston.
“I'm doing everything I can to reach out to the people in South Texas and across Texas,” she said, “to let them know I understand their concerns and I will be a fighter a doer and a champion for them in the White House.”
And did Clinton learn any lessons from that 1972 race, which ended with a historic loss for McGovern not only in Texas but across the country?
“You have to be able to be able and ready to withstand whatever Republicans send your way,” Clinton said. “I've proved I can do that, I think I learned that lesson all those years ago.”
ABC News' Eloise Harper contributed to this report.
March 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (96)
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If elected Hiliary will also bring Bill back into the Whiter House where he will be able to demonstrate his cool and dedicated personality of an elder statesman all perfected in his last 8 years in office. Unfortunately he will also bring back an affinity for young female aids and baggage accumulated during his money gathering phase (30 million contrib. made by a Canadian Billionaire for his foundation, N.Y.Times refered to this deal as the world largest uranium deal), the worst of which is the inference that any future Clinton admin. would be favorable to his foundations contributors and not necessarily in
the best interest of the United States of America.
Posted by: Jack A | Mar 5, 2008 2:57:12 PM
Hillary knows Reskco. There was a picture of Hillary, Reskco & Bill Clinton on The Chris Matthews Show.
Posted by: Hillary | Mar 5, 2008 12:54:34 PM
Kaj, the first definition for communism given in many dictionaries is as follows: "A: a theory advocating elimination of private property; B: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed."
So when Sen. Clinton implied that we should reject the idea of an 'ownership society' (part A of the above definition) and "replace it with shared responsibility for shared prosperity" (part B of the above definition), according to the definition, she clearly IS ADVOCATING that we become a communist society.
Posted by: James Danley | Mar 4, 2008 2:21:32 PM
It's funny how when it comes to discussing tangible items like National Security, Obama runs away. When it comes to talking about less tangible issues, like "hope," he's more than happy to speak endlessly about it.
Get real, Obama.
Posted by: jose | Mar 4, 2008 12:32:47 PM
Mr. Danley,
You have *NO* clue whatsoever about what communism is.
Posted by: Kaj | Mar 4, 2008 11:42:16 AM
Obama has a meltdown when asked REAL questions by local reporters in Texas
"An exasperated Barack Obama scurried away Monday from the toughest news conference of his campaign, telling reporters who kept shouting questions that he'd spent enough time on the grill.
"Come on! I just answered, like, eight questions," Obama, looking surprised, told shouting reporters as he fled the room. "We're running late."
Posted by: geevill | Mar 4, 2008 9:47:55 AM
Dan, Sen. Clinton is every bit as liberal as Sen. Obama. In fact, she is even more bold about her intentions.
Back in May 2007, Sen. Clinton said that what the Bush administration touts as an "ownership society" really is an "on your own" society that has widened the gap between rich and poor. She also said: "It's time for a new beginning, for an end to government of the few, by the few and for the few, time to reject the idea of an 'on your own' society and to replace it with shared responsibility for shared prosperity. I prefer a 'we're all in it together' society."
First she said that an "ownership society" is really an "on your own" society. Then she says it's time to reject an "on your own" society. Thus she says we should reject an "ownership society" and "replace it with shared responsibility for shared prosperity."
That is definitely the pathway to Communism.
Posted by: James Danley | Mar 4, 2008 9:10:03 AM
So, let me get this straight -
Hillary runs an ad that causes people to think about who they want to answer the phone in the White House at 3 am when there's a crisis.
Barack says it's fear mongering, and then runs almost the exact same ad for himself.
Barack is running on his judgement, the same judgement he used to have Rezko help him buy the land next to his house while he knew Rezko was under investigation for fraud. The same judgement he calls bone-headed.
He whines about being asked about it. He whines about being asked about anything he doesn't want to be asked about.
If he is the nominee, he will be just as whiney about McCain, and the Republicans, and then he won't be able to blame it on Hillary anymore.
Posted by: Lauren | Mar 4, 2008 8:59:53 AM
McCains numbers are going up Nationally. The Dems will lose the General if this doesn't stop.
Posted by: mark | Mar 4, 2008 8:29:24 AM
Hillary should fight on till the convention for all her supporters, I for one will never vote OBAMA.
And as for the republicans hating her, well she has done more bipartisian work than Obama has. He is all talk and as many republicans blog he is the one least likely to accomplish anything while in office.
People are who vote for OBama and the liberal dems are voting to erase america's individuality. The liberals want to make us all generic as people and this would solve all the worlds problems. They will waste time on stupid issues like "should obese people be allowed to eat in restaurant' or kids should be seperate in to same sex classes, and wear uniforms, they want to take god out of everything. They will eentually want to rewrite the constitiution and what our founding fathers have built this country on.
Just don't vote Obama and the liberal dems into office.
Posted by: Dan | Mar 4, 2008 8:23:37 AM
Bacalove...you are BANG ON!!
Posted by: sue | Mar 4, 2008 8:15:12 AM
Ignore the Spin: Clinton Done After Texas
by Randy Shaw‚ Mar. 04‚ 2008
Absent a hurricane or some other unforeseeable event, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign ends tonight in Texas. The media has covered so many angles to the Texas campaign -- the Latino vote, the generation gap, Californians arriving en masse to help, the bizarre “two step” voting system (people vote first in the primary and then in the caucus) -- that the essential piece of information has been obscured: the most delegate-rich districts are heavily African-American, and will go overwhelmingly for Barack Obama. While the Latino vote gets far more attention, low turnout in past elections has left Latino districts with fewer delegates. Meanwhile, African-American refugees from Hurricane Katrina are now concentrated in Houston, adding to Obama’s likely victory margin in that delegate-rich area. Republicans’ strategy to change the political make-up of Louisiana by displacing blacks from New Orleans will help nominate the presidential candidate they fear most.
Posted by: sue | Mar 4, 2008 8:11:37 AM
The Republican's New Agenda is to Stop Obama, they want to run against Hillary. They have so much dirt in their Arsenal on the Clintons just waiting to be Unleashed (movies, scandals, lawsuits, books) -- that is why Rush Limbaugh is Begging, Begging his listeners to vote for Hillary. Limbaugh declared: “I want the funeral music to play at some point to the Clintons, but not this early.” America, if Hillary becomes the nominee, we haven't seen nothing yet!
Who released the Canadian Memo and distorted its contents--, where did that come from and who called Goolsbee to a meeting and conveniently set him up? Who pushed up Rezko's trial which, was to start much later this year? Why did the Somali picture come out, along with Farrakahn endoresement and a radio jock mocking of Obama's middle name? Which was allowed to be played over and over again by the Main-stream media. We have to ask these things? Who wants to Kill unity and hope? Was this part of the Kitchen Sink or may be the Basement (Swiftboating)? I do know its dirty politics and until we reject this kind of politicking in America we will be a pawn in their hands, the people of power, and never find our true Independence and Voice which Obama is offering. The Evil Ones are just getting started, warmed up. Someone is trying to pull our strings. The Truth will come out, however. Hopefully, America we can see through this Rouse this time and elect CHANGE!
Posted by: bacalove | Mar 4, 2008 8:09:33 AM
Hillary may be your favorite, but remember she is really hated by Republicans making it much harder to get elected in the general election.
Obama is actually getting republicans that cant stand McCain and independents. Like it or not I dont think Hillary can convert these people like he can.
Posted by: Marilyn | Mar 4, 2008 5:11:13 AM
I'm hoping Hillary does win in Texas and Ohio, but even if it's close I support her decision to continue on through Philadelphia or longer.
The sad truth is coming out about Obama, showing that he is a FRAUD and has lied to the American public on countless ronts.
He has lied about being a muslim and practicing Islam as a child.
He has lied about his relationships with shady slumlords.
He has lied about his plans for Nafta. He has lied about his support for Louis Farrakhan.
The list goes on and on.
Hillary is a survivor, a true inspiration and excellent role model for all of us to NEVER give up.
Obama has no substance - has not united anyone - but rather split the democratic party down the center.
If he thinks people will roll over and vote for him because he thinks they're desperate to elect a democrat to the White House. He needs to think again!
As a moderate democrat from Missouri, that's reasonable and rational, one who cares more about the safety of our country, I will vote, WITHOUT REGRETS, for McCain in November if Obama's on the dem ticket. I'm not alone!
Posted by: cmarie83 | Mar 4, 2008 4:49:20 AM
Why is CLINTON eager to become president??? They have history that will never be forgotten in WHITE HOUSE.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Not need them in White House again.
Posted by: I.A.T Smith | Mar 4, 2008 2:23:57 AM
When will you 'sheep' figure it out? Barack, Hillary or John??? Just the same as 'Abraham, Martin & John'. John and Bobby died over 40 years ago. Watergate was 34 years ago. When have we ever felt comfortable with elected officials. Figure it out. They are all Mr. Potato Heads. Just change the sex organs and skin color. Work locally. Our founding fathers never intended to have this strong federal government.....State by State!!! County by County!!!! Do you want the feds running your life???
Posted by: swp | Mar 4, 2008 1:41:04 AM
What a coincidence that Oparah's Big Give just appeared before the make-or-die primaries? Bribery can reap benefits from the small and ignorant people.
Posted by: ciincidence | Mar 4, 2008 1:00:59 AM
Nice words, Maria, for their indeed are other feelings and thoughts involved in any vision of 21st century America than discussions about health care, Iraq or NAFTA.
I'm aware of that very strongly as a father who watches his two little boys playing soccer in the garden.
And yes, Obama is a name to whisper, for its strong content.
It is shocking to see how low Hillary Clinton has fallen with her lies, spins, betrayals, kitchen sink and more, but it is wonderful to know that Obama is still out there, plus the millions of young Americans determined to change this country. Mark wy words that Hillary's dirty tactics are a boomerang that will hit herself within two weeks from now. She will have lost her appeal to many who supported her.
Posted by: Gerald | Mar 4, 2008 12:35:31 AM
Obama is a empty bubble, that will blow away after tomorrow, and Hillary will take the lead, and win the Nomination, and then the Election.. Vote for Hillary!!! She's a winner, and will make a great President..
Posted by: J.Murphy, CA. | Mar 4, 2008 12:28:03 AM
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