Political Punch

Not 'clear' in any way that the Hillary Clinton campaign sent the photo to Drudge and no such 'confirmation' since Drudge himself said he "obtained" a copy of an email about it.

I've posted about that before but what's "clear" is that not only was it already on the Net for some time but that a new version of the photo was scanned by a member of a conservative forum and uploaded the same day, two days before Drudge got word about it, and Drudge was a member of that forum.

It was much discussed and reposted there for those two days previous to Drudge's statement on his own site.

If interested in the details of who scanned and uploaded it during that time, see

I almost hesitate to leave anything here, among some of the cruft I see above me (not that some don't stand out). But just as a point of order, conceding that Clinton herself knew nothing of the photo and then later saying that her *campaign staff* leaked it is not a flip-flop. He said her staff did it, and she didn't know; and there is nothing in either of those statements that goes against that.

When Obama was elected as President of the Harvard Law review, he told reporters at the time that his father was the "Finance Minister" of Kenya. In fact he was a bureaucrat. He told reporters that his mother was an anthropologist. I guess that sounded better than describing her as a "ditzy woman who abandoned her family to pursue relationships with men all over the Pacific". He was an adult when he invented his background. He has an authenticity problem.

It's not his "heritage". His father's family is from the west of Kenya. Those robes are what nomads on the Somalia border wear, hundreds of miles to the east.

If Obama wanted to "get past" the photo, he would not have brought it up on 3/10 when other news has taken it's place. But since he's in a strong AA voting state, he turns up the fan on racial baiting. Oh yeah, you're soooo above it BO!

The photo is a negative for Obama due to the malicious intent of the person who brought it to light. He's right to want to get past it and concentrate on more important things. Besides- what's he supposed to do; play her game and say "Shame on you, Hillary"? The double standard in this contest is ridiculous.

Why is Obama offended by the picture in question ? Is he not proud of his heritage ?

I don't think Obama could find China, Kosovo, Iraq, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Northern Ireland on the map. These are places that Clinton actually visited and had an impact in causing change.

lets see now Gov Rendell (aka FAST EDDIE) tells america Some in pa still won't vote for a black man . Geraldine Ferraro saying Obama where he is because he is Black???? Both of these people are clinton suppporters and their job is to run interference for the candidate. Throw it out there if it sticks keep using it if it doesn't tha candidate can back away and disavow the comments ... Same old Clinton's Same Old Politics. As a side note Gov Rendell is where he is today for 1 reason and 1 reason only and that is because Frank Rizzo Died because if he hadn't Gov Rendell would have never been the mayor of Phila his stepping stone to the governors job

How difficult is it to find his lie about NAFTA? Also, when you have NO record you don't have much to answer to. I believe that's the point in this race.

He just didn't want to ADMIT what most of us knew, that they were responsible. Are the folks at DRUDGE lying when they say it came from her people? And if her people didn't leak it, then why did two of them get fired?

He either didn't want to admit it so he appears above the frey or he didn't think it was worthy of mentioning. However, I'm sure now he has a change of heart given some of her tactics and the fact that people think he is weak and nieve. It is about time he is showing people he can get just as dirty as that gutter campaign on the other side of the track.

John McCain has infinite patience with the media. He loves them and they love him. Count the number of negative McCain articles on this site over the past four months.

It is somewhat amazing to me how far the media must stretch the definition of a flip flop or lie to pin one on Obama so they can look fair to Hillary for what she is saying outright. No wonder John McCain has no patience with you.

Obama is a liar. The Palm Beach Post reports today that the photo was in the Globe magazine in May of 2007 and has been circulating ever since. God help us if Obama the liar gets anywhere near the red phone.

Tiger,

Florida will be voting for McCain and Gov. Christ so Dems should not spend a dime on the foolish transplanted New Yorkers who think they can carry that State. They should pay the cost of their Egos.

It's obvious the Obama supporters are far smarter than those of Hillary. The two statements are not inconsistent in any way. A number of responses have already highlighted the difference in the two statements. I'm not surprised at the level of stupidity the Obama-haters are displaying in their logic.

Holy cow… flipping on believing in Hillary’s honesty must have been agonizing.

p.s. Aside from the fact that "Hillary not knowing" and "your campaign starts leaking photos" are not mutually exclusive.

"And lastly, Obama is NOT ahead. He has not won any swing state that will be important in an election. He had better not try to "steal" this nomination by continuing to block allowing Michigan and Florida -- which went for Clinton."

Scorb you sound like an idiot. Everyone knows that Obama is ahead and IT is the only reason why Clinton is lobbying to get the results from Michigan and Florida! But she will never get the results because they broke the rules, if anything they may have a new caucus or primary but who knows if that's possible. The way this woman is trying to steal delegates is very sad, she knew the rules and so did the 2 states but now it's an issue because she's behind, how pathetic. Obama is AHEAD and she has the GALL to offer the VP to him, how absurd, talk about the AUDACITY OF HOPE! But I guess she was hoping that the rest of the country was just as delusional as you are.

Likely what changed between those two statements, over the intervening two weeks, is that Sen. Obama has come to realize -- in seeing Sen. Clinton backtrack on earlier agreements on FL & MI voting, obfuscate and qualify Sen. Obama's Christian background, propagate erroneous reporting emanating from a Conservative government in Canada, and promotion of a Republican candidate for President -- Sen. Clinton's word isn't something to be relied-upon.

Another lie from Saint Obama.
He is an opportunistic, egocentric and has the credibity of a used car salesman.

Is it jsut me or does Florida always seem to be messing things up. That state is only good for vacation.

Sen Clinton plays by the Republican book because she knows first hand...she was a republican until she went with Bill. PS She knows Sen Obama is a Christian.

What happened in between those two dates was Hillary's infamous "He's not a Muslim...as far as I know" comment.

It's clear someone within the Clinton campaign emailed the photo, it just wasn't part of the official plan. Things happen. HOWEVER she didn't immediately and strongly denounce, renounce and reject these sorts of slurs and smears.

That's why she's a hypocrite and no domestic OR foreign leader will trust anything she says. Is this the kind of person we want to represent the U.S. in the world today?

Aren't people tired of Obama pontifications yet? These are tired old lines recycled multiple times and that have been proved to be false. The photo was released by Free Republic, and Obama ran the photo himself on his website, before removing it (I guess so he could claim subtle racism of others).

He never says anything fresh, and we know he steals everything from others, especially Clinton's positions, so that he can suggest vote for me, I'm Clinton but without the baggage.

I'd say the person that has thrown the kitchen sink is Obama. Everyone knows he's the one using rightwing talking points.

It is valid to ask if he's ready to answer a call at 3 a.m. That's not rightwing. That's valid.

And no, he is not ready to answer any phone at 3 a.m. much less anytime of day at the White House.

The last thing we need is another Bush surrounded by experienced people but someone who lacks enough knowledge/experience to filter what he's being told.

And lastly, Obama is NOT ahead. He has not won any swing state that will be important in an election. He had better not try to "steal" this nomination by continuing to block allowing Michigan and Florida -- which went for Clinton.

Gee I remember when Clinton said she took Obama AT his word about his relegious belief,as far as she knows and Obama supporters where ready to fry her. So has anyone else seen the latest from the associated press,Obama was a member of the eight member board that Rezko was selling favors too.Sounds like the same old Washington shuffle to me

it isn't a flip, he is taking Sen. Clinton at her word that SHE knew nothing about it, but clearly, her campaign all but admitted to releasing the photo, there has been no denial and her campaign manager danced around the issue. the Drudge report was clear as to where the photo came from.

Nice try Obama...even though you know your own campaign released that photo. If you had proof Hillary's campaign released that photo, you would have exposed it world wide. Come on people, use your common sense, the guy is a sleeper. As for the dream ticket....I think both Hillary and Obama are being very greedy. A dream ticket would put a woman and an african american in the white house. This decision will move the civil rights and women's movement farther than anyone could have imagined. Yet they are showing they are both selfish and motivated by their own greed and personal agendas.

Um... This isn't a flip flop at all. Obama said he took her at her word that SHE didn't know about the leak. He never said - nor did Clinton - that they didn't think the leak came from her campaign.

I'm surprised to see a journalist conflate the two different notions.

He's a very deceitful man!!!

How is that a flip flop? He said he takes Senator Clinton's word that she knew nothing about it, not that he takes Clinton's word that her campaign didn't leak the photo (a word she never gave fyi). In fact, no one in the Clinton campaign has ever categorically denied leaking the photo, because they did leak the photo, and saying so might prompt Drudge to make them look even worse by way of releasing an email. Now, take a look at Obama's statement, "...and you start, your campaign starts leaking photos of me...". He's merely asserted that her campaign leaked the photo- something Clinton herself has never denied.

So, please the court, where's the flip Jake? Care to flip flop on this misbegotten article?

I also like the arguement that because Hillary can get in the gutter as well as the republicans that she is more qualified to run against McCain. And it is true she will fight much dirtier than McCain, but is that what we want.. Winning is the most important.. Morals and truth can be set aside to win... What have we come to, we sound like republicans, accutually worse.

Not so much of a flip flop, but more he is start to understand how manipulative the Clinton campaign is. Hillary could have easily disproved this by tracing the emails back to the source... This is often times fairly easy from an IT perspective. No effort to my knowledge was made. And clearly it is not in Hillary's interest to find the truth. Just as it was in her benefit to continue the false accusations that Barack is a Muslim, as she did on 60 minutes and a staffer came out on national television and accused him of lying. Also, It isn't a question of were these pictures were on the internet prior, it is how they got distributed in conjunction with the campaign and what was the intent. I am still learning how low the staffers in the Clinton staff will go. IS this what we want running our nation.

The timing of the comments is suspicious to me. First, he was oh so gracious about the photo and said it was a non-issue because Senator Clinton didn't know about it. Now, after she surprised him and won Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island (and coincidentally Mississippi is today), he brings it up again. I don't care where the photo came from, although it was already in the public domain a long time ago. Also, since he has chosen to play race as part of his "platform" why is this such a big deal? I've also seen pictures of Hillary Clinton (and many other politicians) wearing garb from other countries when they visit those countries. Talk about divisive! My question is: what happens when he doesn't have her to attack and blame and it's him and McCain (God forbid)? The Republicans are going to tear him to shreds, and we will then have lost our best hope for a stronger, better future.

You people are ridiculous.

This photo was NEVER LEAKED.

It has been on the internet for at least a year.

This is not news. This is a waste of time. Stupid gossip tabloid crap.

The only thing Obama has to be ashamed about is his reaction to this photo. How small minded is he that he's *afraid* of what this might *look* like. Sad.

Obama flip/flopped on the picture. Why is he so ashamed to be seen in his fathers country, clothing? Could it be he is ashamed of his nationality? Half white/ black is this his underlying problem. He uses it to get votes. If he has been a Christian for 20 yrs. what was he before that, atheist.

apologies for my nasty tone but I just continue to be amazed and saddened by the sheer stupidity and blindness of those who fail to see what an awful, filthy campaign Hilary is running. She is insulting your intelligence and is probably off cackling somewhere right now at how gullible you poor saps are!!

Looks like Obama is John Kerry II. Flip Flop, Flip Flop, Flip Flop.

personally, it does not matter to me as long as it is not a republican who is elected into the white house to continue the fast track to bankrupting our country. our people have suffered long enough. sadly we must suffer a while longer until we can get a new leader who truly cares about the american people. however, i do agree with the old quote that if you need something done get a woman to do it and if you need something said get a man to do it. we need a more action and less talk.

I think it came from the Obama campaign, Obama got as much traction as he could about it then at the debate he decided to sset it aside to look like the good guy. The picture had been in the publica domain for ages so it was not a leak like he tries to imply. Also, Drudge says it was signed "The Clinton Campaign," I know a lot of you are young, but when you are doing something covert you don't sign your name to it. Obama is one of the dirtiest politicians out there - he says Hillary talks negative bu so does he, he sent out flyers that lied about her plans, he allows Republican propaganda on his website along with hate speech - the man is no good.

What obama and his minions have done to the democrat party is pitiful. The whole bunch should be kicked out for dividing the party with all these (wink,wink) not racist statements. Campaign workers strong-arming folks at caucuses, threatening black super delegates if you dont switch you will lose your seat in your next election. Somebody, Anybody in the MEDIA please do a report on this stuff. It has go on too long.

BS on the Clinton campaign contacting the Canadian Government. There's been no confirmation of that and yet Obama has admitted that his advisor had a meeting with the Canadian representative after repeatedly denying such a meeting took place. Would you like me to place quotes from various new sources of the confirmation of this information? Get it right. This time your guy was not Mr. Truthful.

He's a do nothing that gets by on his charm. Read the NY Times article about his seemingly less than stellar record as a Senator. Mr. I want to change politics has been glad handing the higher ups in the Democratic party chain for his own political ambitions. Anyone who thinks Ted Kennedy is a paragon of virtue truly needs to get their head checked.

It is not Obama who has ran the nastiest campaign and flip-fop on so many issues. It's the Hillary campaign.

In 2004 Hillary states "NAFTA is a great success for NYC and America", but now that she's running for president, her opinion switches.

Hillary who called Obama a flip-flopper for his advisiors contacting Canada did the same herself.

She herself did not have the right intelligence to read what she was voting for, for the war of Iraq; Lack of judgement.

Her advisiors have continually attack Obama. Comparing him to Carl Rove, Ken Starr and stating if he wasn't black he wouldn't be in this race. While an Obama advisor calls her a monster she is forced to resign.

The recently, She says Obama isn't ready to be president but says she would strongly consider him for V.P If he's not ready ro be a president by is he can better to be next in line.
Wolfman quotes "There is a long time from here to Denver"

These are fact and facts that have occured in the past months. There are more but I too lazy to make an argument.

The question is why is he so upset about the picture? Geez, look at Bush when he was in China or other dignitaries wearing traditional garb. Why is this even an issue?

Mr Obama over the past year, has lead the dirtiest campaign of any.

He has Lied sooooooooo many times.

He has mislead Americans

He continues to do so.

He needs to Educate his followers with the truth.

War - 77 Senators voted on the war, not just 3 people

War Funding - Obama voted for funding the war, which keeps it going.

Rezko - He knew Rezko 18 years as a friend. He knew how Rezko dealt, He knew
having him look and help buy the house was not right. He knew he gave him more than 20k, that is was over 168k that he admits to now. He knew right where to find it. He lied about rezko and the money. he dumped it into charity like a hot potato, why not give it to the courts to get some money those people were swindled out of.

NAFTA - He knows who signed it, who voted on it, and the reason behind it.
His staff, didn't talk to canada then they did. But he knew he was lying to Americans.

Turbin picture - He lied and blamed, like he has since day one. Want to make a bet he knows which African site has had in on their web page.

That was just a few, Most people do not mind Political promises, we know it is a selling point. We do mind being lied to over and over.

Sad to try to win the highest job in the land, by Disrespecting the President, the position of the Office of President, and all offices and positions of government. and leading others to follow to do the same.

Jake,
I think you are spinning what Senator Obama said. He believes that Senator Clinton had no knowledge of this photo leak but that her "campaign" leaked the photo. These campaigns are fought long and hard by regular people and as such, they make mistakes (ie. Powers). This by no means indicates that Senator Clintons campaign hasn'r gone negative but that Senator Clinton doesn't have a person to connect to the photo. He took her word on that. I don't see the flip. Much ado about nothing. Try again later Jake.

I read it Pam. Geraldine is a good Democrat just like you are. Aren't you proud of her?

Much ado about nothing.

Comment 1: I take Hillary at her word that SHE knew nothing about the photo.

Comment 2: HER CAMPAIGN leaked a photo of me.

You all really had to work to manufacture an inconsistency there! Glad it gave everyone (all 2-3 of you with the multiple IDs) something to stew about, though . . .

Well, we haven't heard her reject or denounce that her camp did not distribute the photo.

Hmmmmm.

He knew she did it all along, but was trying to not stir the pot. That is what so brilliant about him. He knows how to pick his battles.

With Hillary, everything is a fight. That is why she never gets anything accomplished.

He tried to give that thang the benefit of the doubt, when he first mentioned that he believes her story about the picture.

However, she was not gracious. She kept throwing, throwing, and throwing.

It's the same premise, when you tell your spouse that you believe that he or sshe will not hit you again. But, if he or she keeps hitting, hitting, and hitting, then...

Please see:
"Clinton backer Ferraro:Only where he is because he is black"

Please see:
"Clinton backer Ferraro:Only where he is because he is black"

Hey Tapper? Is saying he thought Hillary specifically knew nothing of it but someone in her campaign did really a flip? No.

Reality check: neither candidate knows everything everyone does in their campaign.

The only difference this time is Hillary didn't bother to find who it was and fire them. Therefore, it can be assumed she sanctioned it.

That really should have been the question asked of Clinton about the photo had any reporters been on their game. Or why Drudge reported that it came from her camp. Asking if Obama believed Hillary is more like a People Magazine-style gossip question.

I don't think she knew about the photo ...so why talk about it in the debate.
Wolfson on the other hand...

ABCnews.com is a Clinton source. I read several news sights, and I noticed this sight is definitely leaning Clinton. More evidence is the people that frequent the sight and leave feedback. I'm not saying its a good or bad thing, its just what I've noticed.

cmarie, it's a good thing that Hillary and Bill have never contradicted themselves. They've always been honest public servants, as far as I know.

On many occasions, Obama says one thing, only to contradict himself later, such as:

his relationship with Rezko
Nafta Canada
studying at an islamic school when he was a child
Clinton leaking the photo

there are many more. Just checkoutJonathanCifre'sarticles for a more unbiased view of what's really happening.

Wow, I just read your comments about you being a racist and being a diehard Democrat. I'd love to go bowling with you some time.

Pam, are you one of those that can't take a compliment? Cheer up girl. It looks like Hillary is doing well these days.

Hillary Clinton has run a clean campaign and has run on her accomplishments, as far as I know.

Thanks, Enrique. What is the difference between the venomous hatred most of you are directing towards Clinton, and my comments about Obama?

by the way, I am a die-hard democrat, who has NEVER voted republican, and never will. this year I may not vote at all...

Pam, you seem like a bright one.

Hillary could not win this on her merits (which we still don't know what those are), so she's resorted to pure negative campaigning.

Of course I am a racist, we all are whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. The 90 % of blacks who vote for Obama are also racists, voting for the "black man", and no, I do not think most of his black supporters have a clue what his plateform is. The white population voting for Obama are the true liberals, who are "bigger than racism" and can support the black man. You also might want to regroup and look again at the accomplishments of the Clinton years. They were remarkable.

Pam, when you write "He is sailing through by collecting 90% of the black vote--do you REALLY think they care about what he says? He plays it up by doing everything from a position of the "black man". Who is "they"? You write like Black people can't think, that all we care about is the color of his skin. If you really wanna go there, how many people of other races do stupid things that people atribute simply to race? Have you checked the percentage of non-blacks that have voted for him so far? What do you know about being a "black man"? McClain and Clinton talk about experience, look where experience has gotten us. Is this country in good shape? You tried to hide your racism, but it showed very plainly. Be woman enough to admit what you are. As far as talking to Cuba, Iran and all the other countries off limits for so many years, have you ever settled anything without talking to the person you have a problem with? Nothing can be settled without talking, ever!!! So many right wingers put so many lies and half truths out there just to play to peoples fears. I'ts people like that who want to keep things just the way they are, and we really are doing great, Bless you!!

Par for the course of Obama getting catch in his lies, and having to come back and tell the truth.

It is one thing a politician promising you things. Something else,getting catch in a bold face lie and coming back to chamge your story.

How many times is this, not one, two, Is there any end to it.

How often has he told the truth? Not to many.

Since her campaign is responsible for the false email about Obama's religion and patriotism that mysteriously gets sent out to people right before the primary in their state(initiated by Iowa campaign staff), then it's not a stretch that her campaign also had something to do with the picture release. It's not one thing that causes concern, it's all the negative, false, slanderous things they have done that make me realize what an unscrupulous campaign she is "running".

Well, if Hillary didn't know it only further supports the issue that she doesn't know how to manage a group, let alone a country.

Give me a break. Obama is milking everything for all it is worth. He is sailing through by collecting 90% of the black vote--do you REALLY think they care about what he says? He plays it up by doing everything from a position of the "black man". How about his mother's roots? Have we seen him in Kansas garb(I guess that would be overalls?), or talking to his other brothers, the "good old boys"? Of course not!!! That would not be politically expedient. He has no substance, or plan, just the color, as mild as it is. The only thing missing from his speeches are the "amens" in the audience.

he didn't flip. one comment was about HER personal knowledge. the other was about HER campaign's actions.

My understanding was that it had been documented already that a reporter at Free Republic scanned it from the National Enquirer.
The Free Republic guy e-mailed the scanned image to Matt Drudge and others. I thought this was already established!

The whole dust-up about the picture is ridiculous.

The photo was originally posted at Hans-Geeska Afrika Online during Barack Obama's trip home to Kenya in September 2006.

It also carried a caption that fully explained the photo.

"U.S. Senator Barack Obama, right, is dressed as a Somali Elder by Sheikh Mahmed Hassan, left, during his visit to Wajir, a rural area in northeastern Kenya, near the borders with Somalia and Ethiopia. The area is at the epicenter of a severe drought that has hit the Horn of Africa region, after erratic and insufficient rains during the April-June season."

I first saw it while searching a James Brown funk/ hip-hop relationship, on a hip-hop site, early this year or late last year. A blogger on the site was seemingly using it as a source of pride in his blog identity, re "returning to his roots".

I thought nothing of it until all of this came up, in fact I guess I assumed at the time it was an Obama campaign photo, showing pride. To me it was avery benign photo, typical of any celebrity traveling abroad.

By the way, what's wrong with the photo? Why would he be ashamed of it, to the point of calling it a leak. This isn't a leak, it was already in the public domain. I'm starting to get P.O.'d by this deceitful tactic. Besides, he looks kind of refreshing in the photo. Only Schwarzeneggar would have the nerve to stoop to call him a girly man based on that kind of photo, don't you think?

He absolved Hillary during the debate, but NOT her campaign. We already know that she can't keep a tight reign on her people, so there is nothing contradictory in these two statements whatsoever, unless of course, you're trying to fan flames we're there's no fire.

No offense to his supporters but I can't help but think that many of his votes are against Hillary NOT necessarily FOR a candidate that can lead this country.

frankly, i think the bloody photo was put back into circulation by Mr. Teflon himself..... the one and only B O.

and why would anyone think that anything found in the drudge report was
anything resembling "THE TRUTH"?

Clinton is smart; she would hve come up with something less laughable and more to the point.

As others have noted, there is no contradiction here. On February 26 he said he believed that Clinton didn't know that her campaign staff were doing. On March 10 he attributed the leak not to her, but to her campaign staff.

This is all completely consistent with reports that Senator Clinton is having trouble managing her staff. The New York Times actually endorsed Clinton, and on March 10th they ran the following item:

“For all her years on the public stage, Mrs. Clinton has never come close to assembling and running an enterprise like the 700-person, $170 million-and-counting campaign organization that she has created. At times, her aides made assumptions about tactics and voters that turned out to be wrong. They nearly ran out of money at all the wrong times, like just after Mrs. Clinton’s victory in the New Hampshire primary and right before the 22 state nominating contests on Feb. 5.” (New York Times, March 10)

Obama: "But I think it's very important to understand the context of this, and that is that Senator Clinton has, in her campaign at least, has constantly sent out negative attacks on us, e-mail, robo-calls, flyers,
television ads, radio calls, and we haven't whined about it because I understand that's the nature of this campaigns."

- Cleveland debate, February 26, 2008

Obama: "When in the midst of a campaign you decide to throw the kitchen sink at your opponent because you're behind, and you start, your campaign starts leaking photos of me when I'm traveling overseas wearing native clothes of those folks, to make people afraid, then you run an ad talking about who's going to answer the phone at three in the morning, an ad straight out of the Republican playbook, that's not real change. That's not real change. That's the same old thing."

-- Jackson, Mississippi, March 10, 2008

As a few have already pointed out, the two statements are not inconsistent in any way. Can the Obama-haters please take a refresher course in elementary logic and semantics?

LOM, What Obama said is that he will take Hillary's word that she knew nothing about the photos. You should pay attention on how he puts his statement using Hillary's own answer about the leaking of the photo.
His judgement can differ after his own investigation of the "leaked" photo.

MR. OBAMA says only three things of substance:

1) I was against the war from the start (even though he has voted for all continued funding.

2) It's the same old people (even though he's surrounded himself with the same old people: Kerry, Kennedy, Daschle)

3) Saying the same old thing (even though he says the same old thing over and over -- I was against the war from the start)

Hmmmm-does that sound like an agent of change. By the way, I thought he was against attack politics.