« Dodd Laments Iraq "Mistake" | Main | Vilsack: What Have You Done to End War Today? »

Clinton Denounces 'Politics of Personal Destruction'

Share

February 21, 2007 4:12 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis Reports: In a throwback to the 1990s, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., lashed out against the "politics of personal destruction" while speaking at a Democratic presidential candidates forum in Carson City, Nev.

"I sure don't want Democrats, or the supporters of Democrats, to be engaging in the politics of personal destruction," said Clinton. "I think we should stay focused on what we’re going to do for America. I believe Bill Clinton was a good president. I am very proud of the record of his two terms."

Clinton denounced "the politics of personal destruction" to enthusiastic applause from the union audience. She offered her comments after being asked by ABC News' George Stephanopoulos if she thought that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., should denounce critical comments about former President Clinton which David Geffen, a Hollywood mogul and former Clinton supporter who is now supporting Obama’s campaign, made to the New York Times' Maureen Dowd.

Clinton would not say whether she—like her campaign spokesperson—personally believes that Obama should denounce Geffen's comments.

"I'm going to leave that up to the other campaign," said Clinton.

Clinton completely dodged Stephanopoulos' question about whether candidates should be held responsible for statements made by their supporters.

In what some people might view as an effort to highlight Obama's absence from today's forum, Clinton said:  "I'm glad to be here in Carson City, I'm excited to be a part of this wonderful forum."

On an issue of direct relevance to members of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (A.F.S.C.M.E.), the public employees union which sponsored today’s forum, Clinton said that she has proposed cutting government contractors by 500,000.

"I also stood with you against the privatization of Social Security," said Clinton. "Now I want to stand with you against the privatization of our government."

February 21, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (12)

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/433071/16301394

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Clinton Denounces 'Politics of Personal Destruction':

User Comments

Oh, it's early! It will be fun to see how the candidates bob and weave with their statements through the campaign. Who wants to keep the count of how many times words are parsed by candidates, and how many times candidates change their position to fit the audience (and with Hillary Clinton - the polls)?

Posted by: Todd in Mississippi | Feb 21, 2007 6:02:51 PM

I agree with Geffen. I do not want another Clinton in the White House. I've had enough of the Clinton lies and deception. I too believe that his personal issues put us at greater risk as a country because of the distraction during his administration. I am HAPPY to see that some in Hollywood are not supporting the Clinton's this time around.

Posted by: Vicki | Feb 21, 2007 6:18:50 PM

Once spoken, words cannot be taken back. Politicians will always allow their supporters to spout garbage about their opponents. Even when they "denounce" what was said, it was still said. Their "denouncements" are mearly a form of CYA, or in other words, blame shifting. The business of Politics is like any other business. The only difference is that the profits are measured in Power gained instead of Dollars earned. Russ.

Posted by: Russ Briggs | Feb 21, 2007 7:22:27 PM

So funny to hear a Clinton talking of such things. They had no problem trying to destroy the opposition when "Slick Willy" was in office.

Posted by: Mike | Feb 21, 2007 8:41:06 PM

What a hypocrite. Clinton should know about the politics of personal destruction. It's about time someone call her a liar based on her constant shifting of responsibilities. Being the smartest woman in the world, she's pretty stupid to be "fooled" by so many people. Woe is me!!!!

Posted by: Bill | Feb 21, 2007 8:48:40 PM

ABC seems to be really hyping this. I'm not seeing any lashing and bashing here on the part of either Clinton or Obama.

Posted by: Bob | Feb 21, 2007 9:52:00 PM

While it is unfortunate that Sen. Robert Ford of South Carolina is an elected official, it is safe to assume from his comment about Senator Obama, that Robert Ford believes he does not represent a certain populace which, is as he put it, “dragging America down…” because of our skin-color. I dare say we are not dragging America down; Senator Ford is trying very hard to hold us down in order to keep us, along with Senator Obama, in what Ford thinks is our collective place.

However, with regard to Ford's personal attack, there is no need for Senator Obama to defend and or repeat himself by acknowledging or responding in person or through his spokespersons since Obama, during the 2004 Keynote Address of the Democratic National Convention already, rather eloquently, addressed the issues that divide America in the following manner:
“Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us the spin masters, the negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of "anything goes." Well, I say to them tonight, there is not a liberal America and a conservative America there is the United States of America. THERE IS NOT A BLACK AMERICA AND A WHITE AMERICA AND LATINO AMERICA AND ASIAN AMERICA THERE’S THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

Whereas some Senator Obama’s colleagues may not have been paying attention to his speech, the rest of the world did and we remember this inspiring speech. We continue to pay attention and trust the conviction with which Senator Obama states his purpose.

Regards and Best Wishes,

Posted by: Dorothy | Feb 22, 2007 12:54:22 AM

It's all a "Right Wing" conspiracy Hillary!!!

Posted by: Greg | Feb 22, 2007 8:00:54 AM

I'm am sure she doesn't want politics of personal destruction. The early days of the wife swapping club might leak out and that self righteous personia would break.

Posted by: Sanj | Mar 6, 2007 3:53:06 PM

I wholeheartedly support Obama. And I like H. Clinton as she showed how capable she is in imitating anything Obama initiates. She would be a good Presidential spokesperson.

Go Obama!

Posted by: Ravaha | Mar 21, 2007 1:04:08 PM

Yes I was so glad that someone, such as Sanj's comment that Hillary watches Obama and imitates in her own why what Obama initiates. I am seeing more often, she needs to take lessons from Obama.
I all agree with Russ's comment, how can she make that statement. But I do agree with the statement, we'll see. But I guess we did in the beginning of campaign when the Hill campaign allowed info out that Barack Obama went to a madrassa...but that soon was recovered and untrue. You just can't turn your back to quickly with her.

Posted by: RPH | Apr 22, 2007 10:27:32 PM

I would be proud to have Senator Hilary Clinton as our next president. Reason being is that she is not going to bring any harm but rather be a healer among other candidates. We can all appreciate the effort it will take to create a good era for America and replace all the former administrations Bushisms. An era of reform for all the tax cuts and problems with any country we have lost all ties with. We have ticked off the world with our president, who jumped and didn’t look, who said but didn’t think, who lied and didn’t care, who has wronged, and will just leave.

Posted by: Gordon | Apr 23, 2007 4:11:18 PM

Post a comment