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Clinton Accuses Obama of Distorting Her MLK Comments

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January 12, 2008 8:29 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper and Sunlen Miller report: Sen. Hillary Clinton told reporters for the first time that she believes Sen. Barack Obama's campaign is distorting what she said about Martin Luther King.

Her comments have created a lot of heat for Clinton in the African American community.  When asked who is distorting her words, Clinton said, “I think it clearly came from Sen. Obama’s campaign.”

Clinton added that she had spoken to Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., who was also concerned about Clinton’s comments.

“I have spoken with him and I regret the way that this matter has been used," she said. "The comments about it were baseless  and divisive. I was personally offended by the approach taken."

Clinton commented on the a pending lawsuit in Nevada filed by members of the teachers union that would make it harder for many members of the state's union to caucus in Nevada. Clinton did not say whether she supported or opposed the suit.

“I know about the lawsuit that has been filed and I hope that it can be resolved by the courts and by the state party, because obviously we want as many people as possible to be able to participate," she said. "That is the whole idea.”

Clinton was asked what she thought about an alleged Obama statement that, "I am the jackpot" -- which appeared in print but apparently was not an accurate quote.

“Yes I heard that," Clinton said. "I don’t know what that means.

“The jackpot belongs to the American people, that they would once again have a president that would stand up and fight for the middle class,” she said. "To me this is not a gamble.  I'm ready to lead. Nobody has to take a chance on me.”

An ABC News review revealed that Obama actually was reflecting on his campaign theme of change when he said, "I hit the jackpot."

"Since I'm in Las Vegas, I just want you to know that I hit the jackpot," he said. "My bet is paying off because America is ready for change. They are responding all across this nation."

January 12, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (83)

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Notice how Hillary "accuses" or "attacks" and the other politicians "claim". What is with that?

Oh, I forgot Romney "disses".

Posted by: Denise in Illinois | Jan 12, 2008 8:51:49 PM

Instead of defending, explaining or apologizing for her comments, Clinton has twisted the issue into one she can blame Obama for.

For as long as I've watched the Clintons, I really loved them, but during this campaign I have become as disgusted with them as I am with George Bush. If Politics is filled with dirty liars who twist the truth to get elected, who have to be negative about the other person solely to discredit any hope that voters may have in the other candidate, can they then shed that habit when they get into the White House? Clinton is aquiring some bad habits. She will make a President in the Bush Order, nothing new, nothing changed. Obama offers a different style, a right ethic, and I pray he doesn't stoop to this twisting and distorting and lack of culpability that the Clintons have accepted as the campaign standard.

Posted by: Jerome Stueart | Jan 12, 2008 8:53:09 PM

She blaming Obama for her comments. Are you kidding me! She was caught in video on FOX news diminishing Dr. King and now its somehow Obama's fault. She is destroying the Democratic party.

Posted by: Erik | Jan 12, 2008 9:14:27 PM

please abc report on this on the nightly news. How is it possible that she made the comment, it was reported on the national news (at the time i do not even think the networks realized she had made a mistake) but she blames obama?

NOW THAT IS A NATIONAL STORY. PLEASE REPORT IT... YOUR RATINGS WILL SOAR.

Posted by: margaret | Jan 12, 2008 9:42:45 PM

I have to agree with you Erik. Her campaign is killing the party. During the past week, she has pit women against men, Whites against Blacks, Hispanics against Blacks,young against old, older women against young women and if her supporters actions today are any indication, she is now quietly supporting Union busting. She is shameless, no tactic is beneath her in her quest towards the presidency.

Posted by: kimbers | Jan 12, 2008 9:44:37 PM

Doug for some reason you are forgetting Obama never made the degrading comment about Dr. King, Obama never made the comments about him being a drug dealer, shucking and jivin', hip black friend or a fairy tail. Clintons supporters aides, husband and staff did that. I can see that you want Clinton to win but you can only blame her for her comments not Obama. He has nothing to do with it. Obama is trying to bridge divides while Clinton is pushing this racism out to divide the country and hurt Obama campaign so she will win. Dude you are being used right now and don't even know it. By making the statement she has she is counting on good people like yourself to get mad and lash out at Obama for something he never said. Doug no disrespect intended in any thing I'm writing but please please don't let people fool us as a country in to more hate and division. May God bless.

Posted by: Erik | Jan 12, 2008 10:02:32 PM

" ... Obama offers a different style, a right ethic, and I pray he doesn't stoop to this twisting and distorting and lack of culpability that the Clintons have accepted as the campaign standard." Way too late for that.
Hillary knows what she's doing. From TRULY watching Obama up till know, it's clear he's a contradiction to his whole message and uses low tactics to get ahead. (Wink, Edwards, Media ... & Rezko).
He's even recently been financed by big members of the establishment, while claiming he's a candidate reperesenting all that's out of "the old mold." He shouldn't have potrayed himself as someone out of the "old mold" ever!!! Hillary is REAL.

Posted by: GT | Jan 12, 2008 10:03:04 PM

Obama is the one who fools, besides Edwards. Obama says: Believe it, because I say so. But there's nothing tangible to his offers. He offers only emptiness. Obama, I don't want a preacher but a doer.

Posted by: GT | Jan 12, 2008 10:10:42 PM

Wake up America! Obama can't be our next President with his troubling ethics and poor posture. See what have happened to our country when we voted Bush. Be sensible!

Posted by: vnwlui | Jan 12, 2008 10:41:09 PM

OOH my goodness!! Hillary Clinton is not feeling well! she is down in the polls: she is starting to choke on her words and look pitiful and sad>.... lets vote for her to make her feel better!! Is this what America is looking for!!1 Are those cookies ready grandmother!!!

Posted by: RG | Jan 12, 2008 10:41:40 PM

Obama hasn't say anything and doesn't want to play in this dog fight. He is better than that, he is above the fray.

Clinton Tactic.
Open the fire, attack obama personaly so that he can react and then, people will confuse him with the same old, same old.

Sorry it wont happen. Obama knows better than that.

Posted by: demos | Jan 12, 2008 10:47:00 PM

Media, you should learn your leasson.
Please, please be very accurate and don't play with the words as you have been so so unfair and mistreating Senator Clinton including President Clinton.

Best to check the records of Mr. Obama extensively and the words coming out of him attacking other candidates.

Thank you.

Posted by: Loi & David | Jan 12, 2008 11:04:51 PM

In response to Demos' posting:
Obama silence makes him more suspicious. Why is he quiet... isn't better deal with the Clinotns as the devil(s) we know than the angel(Obama) we do not know?
Keeping quiet makes Obama untrustworthy...how do you elect a person who people do not know what he thinks and says about his race and fellow race men. At least if what the Clintons say is right oe wrong it reflects what white folks are 'supposedly' known to do!
Do you know why republicans win? Its' because they are so honest to who they vote for...if they choose to vote along race,gender, and religion lines they do just that...no ifs or buts They are not hypocrates like Democrats. Wait and see what will happen in November...(I am not even thinking about SC)they will be in the WH!

Posted by: Vee | Jan 12, 2008 11:20:39 PM

Clintons are not being beat up ladies. You are using this argument as a tactic for a win. Clinton made the comments about DR. King.
I see how this is going down. Women are choosing not to see Clintons comments and are going to stick with she is being attacked no matter what she says. So now its fear saying anything or the women will raise up against the media. You are all hypocrites. You want fairness for clinton but not for African Americans. Hmmm lets see how about the all of the female journalist question her from now on. That will cure this unfair defense. Here is something else to think about. YOU ARE DEFENDING SOMEONE WHO DEGRADED DR. KING. If it was not for him women would not have greater civil rights today. Think about truth instead of distortions ladies.

Posted by: Erik | Jan 12, 2008 11:23:50 PM

I can't imagine four years Obama's race baiting nonsense.

First we see Michelle Obama on national television spouting that blacks will "wake up and get it" and vote for her husband simply because he black, which insults every African American by implying they lack the intelligence to vote for someone based on something other than race. Even highly liberal National Public Radio sharply criticized that attempt by the Obama campaign to play the race card.

Now we have his minion Al Sharpton out this week creating a race riot over use of the phrase "fairy tale" to describe a position of Obama's. Wow. Hardly racist.

Where is Obama the "uniter?" Well, he's standing on the sidelines delightfully fueling the impending race riot (of which he thinks he will benefit from) with statements about how many black leaders have supposedly called him to express "outrage" that someone would describe his position as a "fairy tale." Hogwash. His campaign is clearly dying to play the race card and is looking for anything, including "fairy tale," to pounce on.

How divisive this attitude would be in the White House. If someone disagrees with an Obama agenda item, it will inevitably always be because of race. You either worship him and agree with him -- or you're a racist. This is NOT the direction we should be moving in this country.

Obama is a major con man, but what did we expect -- he's a product of the highly corrupt Daley Machine out of Chicago.

Posted by: Den | Jan 12, 2008 11:32:24 PM

Note to media: The more you try to shove Obama down our throats, the more we will reject him.

Posted by: Derrick | Jan 12, 2008 11:35:31 PM

Den explain to me why your position makes sense when 94% white Iowa and half of the vote in 97% white New Hampshire were for Obama. Also a fact most of his supporters are white too. your argument has no merit my friend. he fact are the Clinton are using racism and sexism as a campaign tactic. Face the truth Clinton supporters.

Posted by: Erik | Jan 12, 2008 11:39:43 PM

Hey Erik -- I grew up in Iowa and attended undergrad and grad school there. The attention Iowans receive every four years is always amusing, but the the Iowa Caucus is a joke. The fact that Obama won only confirms that fact. Iowans, especially college students, like to try and shake things up because it gives Iowa the only attention it EVER receives in the national press. Fact is, without a sitting president running, the winner of the caucus becomes president only 50 percent of the time. Flip a toss, it's the same odds. Iowa means nothing.

As for New Hampshire. Well, Erik, did you hear Obama lost?

Posted by: Greg | Jan 12, 2008 11:49:56 PM

Victoria, Where in the US constitution did you find that race is a part of politics and must be discussed during the campaign? Why would a black man stand up and proclaim that he is "black and proud". Why would a white man stand up and proclaim that he is "white and proud". That, little lady, would be political suicide. OBAMA IS DOING THE RIGHT THING, STAYING OUT OF THIS BLACK/WHITE THING. Hil should have been smarter than that! OBAMA AGAIN SHOWS HIS GREAT JUDGEMENT. THERE ARE A LOT OF BLACK PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO DO AN ANALYSIS OF THE MLK MOVEMENT! THAT'S JUST AN OFF LIMITS SUBJECT. Why she thought she could lecture black people on black issues is beyond me. Go figure!

Posted by: Marcus | Jan 12, 2008 11:54:07 PM

She said what she said about MLK, then after she caught some grief for it, came out a few hours later and tried to amend it, now she is blaming Obama? Right after she blames Obama, she misquotes him on the "jackpot" comment? I'm sure that's Edwards' and Obama's fault........

Posted by: sad | Jan 12, 2008 11:54:50 PM

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