Political Punch
Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper
Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior White House Correspondent based in the network's Washington bureau. He writes about politics and popular culture and covers a range of national stories.
RECENT POSTS
- Obama Attempts to Ease Governors' Economic Worries
- Charlie's Interview with President Bush
- Oh, That Joe! (No. 45 in a Series): The Loquacious Blue Hen is Gracious to the Spunky Maverick
- Louis Caldera to be Director of White House Military Office
- Obama Sits Down with State Guvs to Stem Economic Slowdown
- The Spectre of a Senator Chris Matthews (D-Penn.)
- Clinton On the Case
- The Unit
- Obama's National Security Team
- The Handmaid's Employer's Tale
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Hillary Clinton's Samsonite Argument
April 17, 2008 8:54 AM
To me what was most interesting about the debate was that Sen. Hillary Clinton was so directly making her argument to superdelegates.
More so than to voters, quite often.
Call it the Samsonite argument.
"I've been in this arena for a long time. I have a lot of baggage, and everybody has rummaged through it for years," she said. Therefore, she argued, "I will be able to withstand whatever the Republican sends our way."
But it wasn't enough for her to say that -- Clinton pointed out all of Sen. Barack Obama's relatively unrummaged-through luggage. Including some misrepresentations of that baggage.
Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos brought up a number of issues that Obama's opponents have been making hay over -- and Clinton consistently added and elaborated about them.
Polls indicate that 72% of Democrats believe Obama has successfully distanced himself from Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but Clinton is apparently not among them.
"It is something that I think deserves further exploration," she said of the controversy. "For Pastor Wright to have given his first sermon after 9/11 and to have blamed the United States for the attack, which happened in my city of New York, would have been intolerable for me. ….. And I think that it wasn't only the specific remarks, but some of the relationships with Reverend Farrakhan, with giving the church bulletin over to the leader of Hamas to put a message in. You know, these are problems, and they raise questions in people's minds. And so this is a legitimate area, as everything is when we run for office, for people to be exploring and trying to find answers."
(For the record, "giving the church bulletin over to the leader of Hamas" is a reference to the church bulletin running an oped by the deputy of the political bureau of Hamas that had appeared in the Los Angeles Times.)
After Stephanopoulos asked Obama about his relationship with William Ayres, a former member of the Weather Underground with whom he is, according to his campaign, "friendly," Obama said "this kind of game, in which anybody who I know, regardless of how flimsy the relationship is, is somehow -- somehow their ideas could be attributed to me -- I think the American people are smarter than that. They're not going to suggest somehow that that is reflective of my views, because it obviously isn't."
Clinton immediately jumped in to point out that it wasn't just that Obama and Ayres were friendly, but that "Senator Obama served on a board with Mr. Ayers for a period of time, the Woods Foundation, which was a paid directorship position."
She then made quite a leap, tying a quote of Ayres that appeared in the New York Times Arts section on 9/11 with 9/11.
"If I'm not mistaken, that relationship with Mr. Ayers on this board continued after 9/11 and after his reported comments, which were deeply hurtful to people in New York, and I would hope to every American, because they were published on 9/11 and he said that he was just sorry they hadn't done more. And what they did was set bombs and in some instances people died."
Obama said that "by Senator Clinton's own vetting standards, I don't think she would make it, since President Clinton pardoned or commuted the sentences of two members of the Weather Underground, which I think is a slightly more significant act than me serving on a board with somebody."
His general reaction was to reject this kind of politics.
"I recall when back in 1992, when she made a statement about how, what do you expect, should I be at home baking cookies?" he said. "And people attacked her for being elitist and this and that. And I remember watching that on TV and saying, well, that's not who she is; that's not what she believes; that's not what she meant. And I'm sure that that's how she felt as well. But the problem is that that's the kind of politics that we've been accustomed to. And I think Senator Clinton learned the wrong lesson from it, because she's adopting the same tactics."
And, the Obama campaign says, this is why Clinton's disapproval ratings are so high.
- jpt
April 17, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (310)
Considering the lies, war, treason, torture and the broken oath to uphold the constitution so help me god, makes me wish you republicans had looked into Bush's pastor before he was elected.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 18, 2008 2:30:56 PM
Obama has turned from "Hope" to "Bitter"
Hillary has him right where she wants him now. He is blaming the media for his downfalls and as you can tell....they don't care for that.
Posted by: Harley. | Apr 18, 2008 10:08:19 AM
60% of Americansaid that Hillary is not trust worthy. I think that this speak for itself. who is she going to defend? the 60% that dont truisth her. People can gamble on Obama but not her.
Posted by: leche | Apr 18, 2008 1:28:43 AM
face it!
Obama came across like a school kid last night!
He stumbled over his thoughts and mangled his words and gave no indication that he can function in the absence of a speech writer.
And he didn't lose because he was black.
Or because he was blue.
He lost because he showed that he would come to the table WITH the support of enemies of our country but WITHOUT a plan to to keep us safe, or bring home the bacon or provide healthcare for EVERYONE!
He was lucky that he wasn't asked any deep questions because he sure didn't seem to have any deep answers.
and DL:
the two members of the "terrorist group" pardoned by Clinton had been jailed for many years and were "remorseful".
Obama's friends and/or neighbors ... NEVER were punished and publicly stated that they hadn't done enough (bombings).
In fact they sound a tad like his beloved pastor!
and however you pad the polls, your buddy L O S T!!!! big time!
Posted by: eyes open | Apr 18, 2008 12:40:18 AM
I just want to know who will be Senator Obama's pastor if he should be elected President?
Jim
Posted by: Jim Valentine | Apr 18, 2008 12:39:46 AM
This is in response to a couple previous comments
The media has had no trouble in vetting Hillary, I've already heard about Nafta and ton of other issues when it comes to Hillary, but I have not heard hardly anything when it comes to Obama other than Reverend Wright.I have already heard people asking, who is William Ayers? Why, because none of this is hardly mentioned in MSM if even at all.
As for Nafta, do the words Obama and Canada ring a bell? As for his friend Ayers, along with the fact they were neighbors and served together on the Woods Fund Board, Obama also had his political "coming out party" in 1995 at the Ayers home, At a University Chicago Panel in 1997 which was orchestrated by Michelle Obama, Ayers was invited by the Obama's to make a joint appearance with him. So I think it's safe to say they weren't just casual acquaintances. I'll go one step further than that though,top Pentagon Officials and a former CIA intelligence officer have maintained that Ayers along with Obama funneled money that went towards funding the PLO
Posted by: DianePA | Apr 17, 2008 10:02:26 PM
"Obama supporters complaining about ABC debate moderators sound like baseball fans blaming the Umpires after their teams got beaten."
Obama loses the debate (because he is not EVEN qualified to run for Presidency) and then blames Hillary!!
What's going on folks???
Just vote for Mccain.
Obama is making a fog of nonsense all the time.
Posted by: Jkan | Apr 17, 2008 9:58:49 PM
Why didn't Gibson or George go after Hillary on NAFTA, COLOBIA TRADE and MARK PENN/BILL CLINTON, HER NOT RELEASING HER TAX RETURNS FOR 2007 and THE CLINTON LIBRARY DONOR LIST!
WHO IS ABC ENDORSING HERE?
That debate was a joke! And ABC should be ashamed of themselve!
Posted by: jonathan | Apr 17, 2008 9:19:07 PM
Hillary proved last night why her negative numbers are very high!
Hillary proved to be the elitist, making her case to the Superdelegates, instead of the American people.
It's clear that Hillary is not the candidate that will bring about the kind of change that the American people are seeking from Washington.
Hillary Clinton feels that Obama's contraversies deserve exploration because she feels SHE will benefit from them, but isn't thinking about the American people, including those in PA.
I don't see how exploring these contraveries will benefit us in the least bit.
Posted by: stacy | Apr 17, 2008 9:11:43 PM
judi:
on that note let me ask who paid for it when they went after Hillary in previous debate? Did you assume Obama was suppose to just be able to skip through this Election like a skip through the daisies? And more importantly, do you think the republicans wouldn't go after him on the same issues? They'll go after him on the same things and much, much more. This is nothing compared to what he would face with then. Are you gonna accuse everyone of being paid then too?
Posted by: Geoff | Apr 17, 2008 7:59:29 PM
judi: Eveyone who loves america!
Posted by: russell | Apr 17, 2008 7:19:30 PM
Who paid ABC to go after Obama? It was clear to all who watched how one-sided the questioning was and what a waste of our precious time. Mr. Obama outclasses both Clinton and McCain, and they obviously understand that as evidenced in their critical duet. Perhaps Clinton would be better off running with McCain?
Posted by: judi | Apr 17, 2008 6:49:30 PM
I just want to set some facts straight on a couple things. Regarding the Weatherman Underground
The two people members that Bill Clinton pardoned, first of all were not friends of his,both admitted to regretting their crimes and they served more than 15 years in prison.
Ayers and his wife Bernardine Dohrn,on the other hand, didn't spend one day in Jail. Ayers has never showed any regret for what they did. In Fact, not only has he publicly stated he WASN'T SORRY, but in an interview he did on 9/11 he said that " I don’t regret setting bombs, I feel we didn't do enough” then when he was asked if he would do it again he said "I don’t want to discount the possibility".
Posted by: Todd F. | Apr 17, 2008 5:27:52 PM
MarkD. I didn't mean to hack-up former President Clinton. My disagreement with the Clintons has more to do with Hillary, than Bill.
However, I will have to respectively disagree with you over any possibility of President Clinton being re-elected, whether he could by law or not. The latest public opinion poll today has Bill's negative ratings at an all time high of 61%, right up there under Hillary's record high of 62%.
The Clinton's major backers are falling out like flies and people leaving them are no longer intimidated by the Clinton's negative campaign strategies, nor their mafia wanna-be-type influence they have flaunted for years.
I hate to be a bearer of bad news, but the Clinton era is coming to an end very soon. The public has wised up via this Primary Election '08.
It's time to REALLY clean out Washington, and I'm starting by backing Obama......even though I don't like 100% of his positions on issues.
Posted by: Littlepup5 | Apr 17, 2008 5:27:41 PM
The list for both of them stinks. Wright and the weather underground taint both of them. Billy boy's pardon list though only taints one. Only one has an advisor that stole documents from a federal archive and then destroyed them. There's where the trust issues start.
Posted by: Alex, from Austin, Texas | Apr 17, 2008 5:11:03 PM
My priest said something that I didn't like in church on sunday so I am NEVER going back there never mind I've been going there since I was born.
My boss doesn't agree with my views so I'm quiting tomorrow.
I don't wear a Flag Pin oh God please don't ship me to mexico I'm still an American.
I was on a board with someone who made remaks when I was 8 years old. Now I'm a terrorist.
I am Hilary Clinton and I approve this message.
Posted by: simmy | Apr 17, 2008 5:09:06 PM
and why can no one answer me why we are not talking about this "umbrella" thing that Sen Clinton proposed last night.
Hello we are so wrapped up in these stupid issues taking our eye off the real issue...
an umbrella organization for ANY country who doesn't go nuclear to be protected from ANY attack with MASSIVE RETALIATION?.
what does this mean? can someone tell me how this is different than George Bush and John McCain.
she didn't say appropriate reaction...she said MASSIVE RETALIATION between any middle eastern country who is attacked by Iran who isn't nuclear, who agrees to fall under our "protection" or "protective umbrella"
why are we not talking about that?
We are not supposed to be policing the world and expecting America to pay for it. ...pay for it ...not only in money but reputation and giving the terrorists more recruiting tools.
Somebody stop the madness and look at the red flag from last night.
Posted by: dl | Apr 17, 2008 4:32:35 PM
Sadly for you Littlepup5 Bill Clinton is not running for president. He can't it's in the Constitution. But if they did change that rule with a Constitutional amendment he would be re-elected in a heartbeat.
If only you could say the same for Bush. It must burn republicans that Bush has so ruined the republican name that there is zero chance of earning the presidency again, much less this go round.
Sorry John McCain, Your military background and years in the senate just make you another Bob Dole presidential wannabe.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 4:31:30 PM
and southern bell ...add to that the fact that she with her overwhelming name recognition and status from the beginning of this primary... add to that the fact that there has been no discussion of the lists of scandals that follow the Clintons in the democratic primary...which will not be the case in the general...how anyone could think that she could win.
If all of the Clinton supporters are blindly continuing to spout these created issues and gaffes from Obama...a list at maximum is what? 6, 8 ...and Hillary has pages and pages of issues and questions and lawsuits and investigations and statements and scandals that no one is allowed to raise... all that have so-called "been vetted" ...yet we have not seen any of them used in this primary...
well like I say...the tsunami that has been held back would sweep this party and the country to it's knees from the RNC and 527's if Hillary was somehow able to manage some kind of whirlwind trashing of Obama to get the superdelegates to fall back in line with the Clinton ranks(all the while he tells his campaign not to talk about "those" issues so we can stay on issues that won't risk the party or the change we need...you know the stuff that matters...or maybe it's just only matters that Hilary gets to take her thrown).
Posted by: dl | Apr 17, 2008 4:24:46 PM
concerned
Hillary's list of questionable associates is MUCH MUCH longer than Obama's and as far as far as Ayers goes...the two people that Hillary's husband pardoned were not explained at all.
So her husband who is going to be living with and advising her...looked at these "heinous people and their crimes" these so-called "terrorists" from this same group... and said they should be pardoned...
yes hypocrisy hypocrisy....
Posted by: dl | Apr 17, 2008 4:13:53 PM
"I will be able to withstand whatever the Republican sends our way."
Trying to circumvent the actual votes for the nominee eh?
How can she think that she has the ability to win the general election when she can't win her own party's nomination?
I guess the same way she's trying to get the nomination...
Posted by: southernbell | Apr 17, 2008 4:07:52 PM
MarkD.... As I remember it, the Clintons were never 'cleared' of any wrong doing with respect to Whitewater. Rather, it was President Clinton's appointment as Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, who was rumored to be a former college roommate of Hillary Clinton's, that shortly after being appointed announced there was insufficient evidence to pursue further litigation against the Clintons. This is contrary to what employees at the time told with respect about the information and evidence that had been accumulated. That Chairman abruptly resigned shortly thereafter, also when it was became clear that the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank at the time was not going vacate the post.
Reality....Clinton's dodged more sniper fire again.
Posted by: Littlepup5 | Apr 17, 2008 4:05:46 PM
Kim Jones-
You are exactly right I GUARANTEE you that not one of the people here complaining about the debate last night complained after the other debates when Hillary was the one getting hit hard with questions. But now they all cry fowl when their guy has to wing it without a pillow for a change.
Posted by: Kate | Apr 17, 2008 3:53:08 PM
Hillary didn' wear a flag pin.
The moderators didn't wear flag pins.
John McCain doesn't even wear a flag pin.
When eight Republican candidates debated last autumn, seven of them did not wear flag pins.
But Obama is a black man.
Posted by: marianna | Apr 17, 2008 3:41:29 PM
Come On.......now you are bashing Charlie and George?
I for one appreciated the questioning to force the candidates to "belly up" to their allegations against one another out on the campaign trail. They can always use their campaign staff to initiate a bad rumor, and then blame their own staff for it not agreeing with their views and values. Well, guess what....Senator Clinton kept hammering that Senator Obama was unelectable. But forced to answer the question in public, it was another one of her lies. Sorry, I mean't misstatement.
Thanks Charlie & George for hammering the candidates to stop the Political Spin and directly answer their dirty laundry/baggage accusations in the open air.
Posted by: Littlepup5 | Apr 17, 2008 3:41:00 PM
Littlepup5, If history serves me right the Clintons were cleared of whitewater which all arose from the Rose law firm. I was strictly speaking of being convicted.. forgive me for not being clear.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 3:34:34 PM
concerned --- YES. Thanks for posting the long list of Obama's highly *questionable* contacts. More Americans should be worried about this, and asking questions! Thank goodness the Hillary supporters and ABC and others are telling this story. Be careful who you vote for is RIGHT!
FYI, I also heard B. HUSSEIN Obama was involved with:
Darth Vader
Voldemort
Sauron
Omarosa
the Decepticons
John Rocker
Gargamel
Khan
Tell your friends! This man is NOT ready to be President!
Posted by: dan | Apr 17, 2008 3:32:47 PM
If you are going to defame Senator McCain over the Keating 5 fiasco, let's make sure we are fair and give the same amount of time to disclose the true personal and professional involvement the Clinton's played in the Rose Law Firm's questionable dealings and relationships with the failed Morgan Guarantee Savings & Loan in Arkansas, and the former Best Bank in Aurora, Colorado.
Tisk - tisk!
Posted by: Littlepup5 | Apr 17, 2008 3:28:37 PM
do you believe Reverend Wright is as patriotic as you are?" Huh? What kind of question is THAT
That is a softball question. Giving Obama a free pass on his patriotism (which he later lied about). Obama hurt himself by repeatedly having to have the last word on every question- stealing "airtime" by expanding on his first response and digger himself deeper.
Posted by: geevill | Apr 17, 2008 3:25:07 PM
Jorge, we can't eat hope, hope will not run our cars, educate our children. You vote for OBlama for your country, Hillary is best for our country.
Posted by: democraticprocess | Apr 17, 2008 3:19:37 PM
MarkD
Old news.
Incorrect news.
Irrelevant news.
Can't you do better?
Posted by: S | Apr 17, 2008 3:16:31 PM
This was the best that ABC could do? Gibson should be farmed out to do the weather in Little Rock, and George should be fired, outright. The interrogation was sleazy, slimy, biased, trivial, and --as someone has noted -- ABC managed to injure ten million brains last night, while offending everyone. Shame on you.
Posted by: Bob | Apr 17, 2008 3:14:32 PM
Was it just me that noticed Senator Clinton trying to crouch behind her podium when Senator Obama was being grilled for not wearing a flag pin on his lapel?
Where was Senator Clinton's United States flag pin I ask?
I thought so too..................
Posted by: Littlepup5 | Apr 17, 2008 3:13:24 PM
McCain was not cleared in anything related to being a member of the Keating 5. He was forced to pay a $112,000.00 fine. Wasn't the amount that taxpayers lost but it was the amount he was payed by Mr. Keating. Sadly the fine didn't include all the perks of being in Mr. Keatings pocket. Trips, private jets, meals in 5 star restaurants.. the list goes on.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 3:11:17 PM
Obama’s excuse for Ayers is he was only a young boy when Ayers bombed the U.S.
Why didn’t Obama tell the REST of the story?
In the 1990’s, Obama served on a board with Ayers, the Woods Foundation, which was a paid, “underline PAID”, directorship position. They worked together and attended fundraisers together. Ayers held fundraisers and was a contributor to Obama’s Chicago campaign, plus the Obamas and the Ayers visited each other quite often. ENOUGH SAID!
Obama’s associations with Wright, Ayers, Sinclair, Farrakhan, the Black Panthers, Rezko, Meeks, Malley, Auchi, Khalidi, McPeaks, Nadhmi, Said, and Michelle Obama, among others, deserve being vetted. What’s their fear? DON’T FORGET THESE PEOPLE.
BE CAREFUL WHO YOU VOTE FOR!
Posted by: concerned | Apr 17, 2008 3:03:49 PM
MarkD
He was cleared in court and in congress.
Maybe you should get a better search engine!
Posted by: S | Apr 17, 2008 3:03:48 PM
I think Obama looked presidential and gave eloquent answers in the face of absurd accusations. Hillary has no chance to win the nomination even if she wins in a landslide in Pennsylvania. It's over Hillary. You cannot change the rules of math.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 2:59:22 PM
From Amsterdam I say: I trully hope that Obamas means what he says and I really hope America changes their international policy. NO MORE SHAMELESS WARS FOR OIL!!! the americans are the true threats of the world. Bush was reelected because of paranoia, I truly hope that this time you choose Obama because of... hope!
Note: Im not religous, Im white and never saw a bomb!
Posted by: Jorge | Apr 17, 2008 2:59:01 PM
I almost felt sorry last night for OBama. His performance was so poor and he seemed to be floundering in the face of Clinton's sure-footed style - remember everyone, she's had everything thrown at her in the last few weeks!
My sympathy disappeared this morning however when I saw how busy TEAMOBAMA is in spinning last night's debate. The blogosphere is full of "she was so negative, and she'll lose support because of it" and "he was blindsided by biased moderators" to the delusional "he did a great job".
Clinton by the way looked sad or perhaps embarassed for him.
Obama supporters had better be hoping that Pennsylvania voters were not tuned in last evening. If they saw what we all saw, he's going to lose big.
Even Axelrod can't convince anyone who saw his performance that they didn't see a trainwreck in the making.
Posted by: s. valenti | Apr 17, 2008 2:55:50 PM
excuse me S? are you claiming that McCain wasn't a part of the Keating 5? If so Google should be your friend.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 2:55:28 PM
Mrs. Clinton states Wright's WORDS "would have been just intolerable for me, therefore I would have not been able to stay in the church."
Whereas her husband's ACTIONS were entirely tolerable to her, therefore she was able to stay in the marriage.
Posted by: Mark Zieg | Apr 17, 2008 2:54:28 PM
I also wish that the debate had been more issues-oriented, because Clinton is very strong on the issues. Whenever discussing the real issues we care about, she shows clear advantage over Obama.
However, I think it is amusing that the Obama people are so upset and blaming ABC for their candidate's poor performance.
Posted by: cappamore | Apr 17, 2008 2:48:16 PM
Some of those moderators' questions intentionally aimed to hit Sen. Obama politically, especially Pastor Wright. He had already discussed to the nation. We had understood it. Why was a question brought back? Why were some of very contentious questions not posed on Sen. Clinton? Your questions were complete lack of substances regarding pressing issues that we really need to hear. Your questions principally focused on characters of the each candidate, mainly politics of negative, personal attacks and accusation who said what and when and what words were said and how other candidate can dramatize it in the context of sabotage and destruction. Just hard to listen. It was a terrible debate in comparison to other networks like CNN.
Posted by: Christopher Xaphakdy | Apr 17, 2008 2:40:02 PM
McCain was one of the Keating 5. Go ahead and vote for a criminal. You've already reelected a liar.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 2:34:50 PM
Oblama hopes to change Washington! He can't even figure out the rules of the game. This game of politics has been going for 200+ years, he is not going to change it. Pied Piper.....leading you to your slaughter.
Posted by: democraticprocess | Apr 17, 2008 2:33:40 PM
Does being a POW mean you're a war hero? Not in my dictionary but hey whatever.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 2:32:40 PM
democratic process
I say go ahead...I like McCain myself if it were not for the war, the economy, healthcare and I happen to be pro-choice and we are teetering on a woman's right to choose being overturned.
But if those issues aren't that important you should vote for McCain.
He's a nice guy... and a hero. He's not right but he's a nice guy and a hero.
Posted by: dl | Apr 17, 2008 2:30:37 PM
Kim Jones
her command of the issues...you mean like this Iranian umbrella issue...you know where any non-nuclear country that wants to step under our protective umbrella will be protected from Iran...because if ANY of those countries (no matter which) is attacked with ANY attack we will "massively retaliate" ...her command of the issue sounds like Bush.
Police the world at America's cost.
...or maybe you were talking about the tax issue where she adamantly said "no taxes under 250k a year" That can't work with her plans...it's impossible...and that is why her aides backtracked on it today. or maybe you were talking about social security where she said "we'll work it out."
The MSM debate was much more level in the fact that there were questions in both directions about the issues... it is not just Obama supporters that are now saying something was out of kilter about that debate.
I really don't care at this point... I care that everyone is not talking about the fact that when issues came around...Hillary's answers should be setting off huge RED FLAGS.
Posted by: dl | Apr 17, 2008 2:21:40 PM
I certainly hope the GOP has a bit more going for it than attacking Obama on flag lapel pins and aging 60's radicals.
I deeply respect Senator McCain for his service and heroism in defending this country. But the more I read his proposed policies the more he seems completely out of touch with the plight of the common man. He basically is offering Bush-lite, with a smattering of "lets worry about global warming" here and there. That's not enough.
Posted by: tessla | Apr 17, 2008 2:21:09 PM
What bothered me about the debate was that Obama kept using the word typical.
Posted by: Deb | Apr 17, 2008 2:17:27 PM
dl:
Did you watch the debate that MSM hosted? Some of the issues that were directed to Hillary:
1) Questioned on NAFTA inconsistencies (this would be the same as questioning Barrack on his gun stance inconsistencies from the survey he claims to not have filled out).
2) Questioned on leaking photo of Barrack in native dress.
3) Put on spot regarding "Shame on you" comment directed at Barrack's misleading mailer.
4) Put on spot about the tone of the primary.
5) Put on spot regarding her "mocking" Sen. Obama. with the "skies will open" bit.
6) Questioned on when she was going to release her tax returns (relentlessly I might add).
For Barrack, the only question he got that was not on "real" issues was on Farrakkan.
No one was up in arms about that debate. At least to the levels we are seeing from the ABC debate.
The bottomline is that if we were voting strictly on command and knowledge of the "real" issues then Hillary would be winning. She showed that in part 2 of the dabate last night. But, people vote on character too...Hillary's got blasted in the MSM debate, Barrack's got blasted last night. Fair's fair.
Posted by: Kim Jones | Apr 17, 2008 2:13:22 PM
(didn't mean to say hillary supporters won't vote for a man...that was just a pause...
I meant to say
I have said before I think Obama voters would be much more apt when push comes to shove because there are more independents in that group... Hillary's supporters...are staunch Hillary supporters but I do not think that most are going to vote for a man who(at this time in history with the supreme court split the way it is) ...again I do not think most intelligent women who happen to be pro-choice are going to vote for a guy who puts the overturning of Roe vs. Wade as far up the priority talking point list as McCain is doing in his campaign right now.
He even pretty much said the other day he won't pick a VP candidate that is pro-choice.
So I think the predominance of clinton supporters who say they won't vote for Obama or not vote...will definitely change when faced with the policies of McCain, the war, the republicans, the economy and healthcare in the fall.
Posted by: dl | Apr 17, 2008 2:11:01 PM
Clinton was at her smarmiest and most sanctimonious last night. If slimy disengenousness were water, she'd have drowned us all. To to hell with Charlie and George.
Posted by: SpaceCat | Apr 17, 2008 2:10:58 PM
I have said before I think Obama voters would be much more apt when push comes to shove because there are more independents in that group... Hillary's supporters...are staunch Hillary supporters but I do not think that most are going to vote for a man (at this time in history with the supreme court split the way it is) ...I do not think most intelligent women who happen to be pro-choice are going to vote for a guy who puts the overturning of Roe vs. Wade as far up the priority talking point list as McCain is doing in his campaign right now.
He even pretty much said the other day he won't pick a VP candidate that is pro-choice.
So I think the predominance of clinton supporters who say they won't vote for Obama or not vote...will definitely change when faced with the policies of McCain, the war, the republicans, the economy and healthcare in the fall.
Posted by: dl | Apr 17, 2008 2:09:18 PM
MarkD
If one votes for McCain because his values are closer to yours than are the values of the far left, they why in the world would that person sacrifice their beliefs just to be a non-thinking party lemming?
Posted by: S | Apr 17, 2008 2:00:51 PM
MarkD, I am an american first and maybe I won't want the democratic party.
Posted by: democraticprocess | Apr 17, 2008 1:59:03 PM
If you vote for McCain out of spite that your candidate hasn't won the nomination then you're just a sore loser and the democratic party doesn't want you.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 1:57:19 PM
MarkD
Any issues you can discuss rationally?
Posted by: S | Apr 17, 2008 1:53:37 PM
VERYCONCERNED, Where were you when traitorous, murderous, moron Bush was running for President? At this point Howard Stern would be a welcome replacement over this corrupt administration.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 1:52:19 PM
I was very disappointed with the media coverage of the so-called debate last night. The world is watching us as we demonstrate what democracy is in the United States of America. Our true colors are showing. The one sided attack on Obama was disgraceful and bias to a fault. This is one of many attemps to sabotage a gifted genius who could be the salvation for this country and possibly the world. It is time to choose Obama. America? Let's seize this positive opportunity for Change and change the world to be a better place for us all.
Posted by: Emanuel Leaks Jr. | Apr 17, 2008 1:51:01 PM
MarkD
The republicans have nothing remotely like Obama's attack machine. If you're afraid they'll raise questions your little tin-man can't cope with, then that's another story.
Posted by: S | Apr 17, 2008 1:49:13 PM
I bet Kieth "O" and the rest of the talking heads at MSNBC and CNN were having a stroke watching Obama fumble over his answers, especialy his shallow understanding of the benifits of a low capital gains tax! Forget the first half hour of the debate, the latter question showed exactly why he should not be president.
Posted by: Jim | Apr 17, 2008 1:46:14 PM
The Republican "attack machine" better be ready for some intense common sense defense. They'll never convince anyone that Iraq was a good idea and won't be able to explain away their inability to capture or kill OBL. They've been an utter failure for Americans and traitors to the constitution. An immense shift is about to occur for our nation and I for one will cheer on the democratic relief.
Posted by: MarkD | Apr 17, 2008 1:44:07 PM
angel
"Like Hillary Clinton, her supporters are used to the political vetting from the Republicans.
The complaints against ABC moderators may be an indication that his supporters -like Barack Obama himself- are not yet prepared to face the political vetting during a Presidential election."
what vetting during this entire primary has Hillary seen...
1 maybe 2 of her listed scandals was alluded to ...maybe...
If she was lucky enough to get this nomination...you don't think a tsunami of lists (that have never been mentioned or questioned during this entire primary ) aren't going to knock the dems to their knees from the Clintons past...
dems don't talk about the scandals because we don't want to hurt our party, Obama said from the beginning we are not going to focus on that old game that she is good at... and if heaven forbid she became the nominee... guess what Republicans don't care that her supporters think those issues "have been vetted"...
If you think all of them had nicely wrapped up conclusions tied with a bow...and yet you want to say obama would be unprepared for the attacks...
Oh boy... hope you have a life raft if she was able to scandalize Obama enough to back door deal the nomination.
Posted by: dl | Apr 17, 2008 1:32:53 PM
MSNBC Asks:
Was McCain the winner of last night's debate.
Posted by: S | Apr 17, 2008 1:28:19 PM
Obama supporters complaining about ABC debate moderators sound like baseball fans blaming the Umpires after their teams got beaten.
The debate was like a post convention sneak peek which may help Democrats to be prepared for what is coming from the Republican attack machine.
Like Hillary Clinton, her supporters are used to the political vetting from the Republicans.
The complaints against ABC moderators may be an indication that his supporters -like Barack Obama himself- are not yet prepared to face the political vetting during a Presidential election.
Posted by: Angel | Apr 17, 2008 1:26:13 PM
kj
those issues would be fine...if it was equal...Hillary's issues and "baggage" have yet to be brought up during this whole primary. The elephant in the room has not been brought up because one side doesn't want to get away from the issues that are going to destroy this copuntry if they are not addressed and one side takes advantage of the other canidates willingness not to throw his party under the bus for his own political gain like Hillary.
She has lists of issues of these and 1 was addressed for 2 minutes last night...
If they were truly talking about issues that mattered...if these were the issues that mattered ...why was the Columbia, NAFTA and Bill issues not mentioned? They were reported and I would say more important than anything in the tabloid list that the two commentators brought up and have been addressed less.
This was a hit job and ABC is feeling the heat today...I just had an email come in asking for a serious address from Bob Iger and the folks at Disney to look at activities that occured around the days before the debate.
there already were a massive amount of signatures attached.
I personally would rather focus on Hillary's answer about Iran last night and this "umbrella organization" of all non nuclear countries that will be "protected" by America with a "massive" reaction toward Iran... no mention of congress, or type of attack...who those countries are... just anyone who doesn't have nuclear capabilities who would come under our protective umbrella... WHHHAAAATTTT!? What is she talking about.
this sounds a lot like Bush and McCain...Police the world at America's cost...in fact this sounds worse than McCain.
Go listen or read the transcript. That is the issue we need to focus on today out of that debate.
Posted by: dl | Apr 17, 2008 1:21:22 PM
I for one am glad Pennsylvania's primary is less than a week away. Only registered democrats can vote. No one can blame Rush Limbaugh for encouraging republicans to crossover to help Clinton. I know she has to win by a sizable margin, lets see what happens. The polls have been way off this year and we all cling to the one that suits our candidate.
Posted by: Ken | Apr 17, 2008 1:20:31 PM
Here is an off topic question. Does anyone know how many of the super delegates are Black, and how many of them have committed to Obama? There seems to be a lot of noise lately about Black super delegates coming on pressure to commit to Obama.
Posted by: David H | Apr 17, 2008 1:19:32 PM
Who really is Barack Hussein Obama?
Until now, there is always something bad about him coming out.
Is Obama a Manchurian Candidate?
Is Obama a Manchurian Candidate?
Posted by: Joshua | Apr 17, 2008 1:19:07 PM
dl,
Pat Buchanan, of all people, jumped all over Hillary's remark about massive retaliation to Iran if they attack Israel or another “umbrella nation ally”.
On MSNBC’s after debate analysis, Buchanan expressed shock at HRC's proposed umbrella policy, including her commitment to massive retaliation with no mention of congressional authorization. Imagine that, she actually scared a conservative republican with that answer!
Posted by: woe | Apr 17, 2008 1:18:06 PM
I've been reading comments for months on the primary and they have primarily been about the issues that George and Charlie asked about in the first half of the debate. Why are we surprised and offended now that they posed the questions to the candidates? In most every poll Hillary Clinton has been ahead in the category's of subtance. She wins on knowing more about the economy...she wins on being the most qualified to be commander in chief...yet when it comes down to actually voting for someone people vote on character. They have picked Barrack because they believe Hillary is dishonest. Why then should "honesty" and "judgment" not be a fair and important topic in the debate?
Posted by: kj | Apr 17, 2008 1:09:38 PM
Charlie, George, and ABC Suck!!!
Posted by: The Bone | Apr 17, 2008 1:06:48 PM
MSNBC and CNN are just mad because the candidate they have openly endorsed was asked some hard questions. Clinton got the same treatment as she should have. As far as Rev. Wright is concerned, that will be revisited over and over if Obama is the nominee.
Posted by: Tina D | Apr 17, 2008 1:06:23 PM
ALL Politicians are supported by Liers, theives, murderers, General Criminals. Without a doubt! Their supporters have HUGE ego's and feel entitled to taxpayer money.
The winner of the "election" will be the one who promises these crminals the MOST taxpayer money. The rest is Rhetoric (lies that pacify)!!
Don't look to these people for answers! Look inside yourselves and find the truth. (and it's not jesus)
Posted by: george | Apr 17, 2008 1:05:48 PM
Monday, March 10, 2008 - Follow the Money: Obama's Alsammarae "fairy tale".
RezkoWatch has written a number of articles about Aiham Alsammarae, indicted political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko's former classmate in the late 1970s at the Illinois Institute of Technology and former business partner.
Writing in the March 17, 2008, issue of Newsweek, Mark Hosenball and Michael Isikoff reported that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)'s campaign "released e-mails" from October 2006 between his U.S. Senate office and U.S. officials "on behalf" of Alsammarae, who was still "imprisoned in Iraq." Although "the Obama camp initially declined to release the e-mails", during the first week of March 2008 they did. The "e-mail exchange ‘appears routine’," they wrote.
How much is Obama really hiding from us? He has too many ties with terrorists. Will we find out before it’s too late?
Posted by: VERYCONCERNED | Apr 17, 2008 1:05:04 PM
ABC News and their two headstrong tabloid pushers suck! It was not that they were unfair to the candidates (which they were), its that they were unfair to the millions of people watching the debate who actually thought they'd get a chance to hear the differences between a Clinton and Obama presidency and how it would effect them... instead they heard about who mispoke when and if it really meant something more, and who they're acquainted with, and the moderators only defense for wasting so much time was that "this is what the Republicans" will do. It just shows how out of touch ABC is and they don't realize that Democrats are no longer a "reactive" party but a "proactive" party. We set the tone and we won't