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Clinton Camp Downplays Obama Win

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January 26, 2008 8:34 PM

ABC's David Wright reports: Even before Obama's victory, the Clinton campaign was already spinning the results, discounting the notion of an Obama victory here.

"Jesse Jackson won South Carolina in 84 and 88," former President Bill Clinton told reporters outside a polling station in Columbia.  "Jackson ran a good campaign.  And Obama ran a good campaign here."

Translation?  The Clinton's want people to believe Obama is simply this year's Jesse Jackson.

Clinton rejected any suggestion he or his wife were guilty of race-baiting in South Carolina.

"Man you've never been in many campaigns if you think this was ugly," he said.  "This was a cakewalk."

Clinton insisted his message has been "99-point-9 percent positive for 100 percent of this campaign."

But many Democrats, including 2004 nominee John Kerry, feel otherwise.  Kerry, who recently endorsed Obama in Charleston, said that being a former President is not a license to to lie.

Clinton bristled when asked to react to Kerry's statement, noting he respects John Kerry and has supported him in the past.

"This is just part of politics," Clinton said.  "We should just not take the bait and go on and make our cases."

January 26, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (121)

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Notice how Hillary actually slights each state she loses as she is slighting Obama. For Iowa it was that the state didn't pick winners anyway, and even in NH and NV it was complain, and dirty Obama's record--then in NH, she "finds her voice." In SC, she has dissed the state by saying they pick people who lose. And Bill already said that SC voters are probably going to pick someone who looks like them--in a sense claiming that the voters of SC can only see race. Did Obama say--"well, I'll probably lose Iowa because they want to pick someone who looks like them" or did he say he wasn't woman enough to win NH (though the media did spin the women's vote). I hate the way the Clintons characterize the voters in States they are worried about, or states they lose. Obama doesn't do that. Obama respects the win, whether it was for him or not. He certainly doesn't diss the state BEFORE they vote. Hilary disrespects the turnouts, the results, and therefore the state itself.

Posted by: Jerome | Jan 26, 2008 8:46:07 PM

WHEW! These Clintons are UGLY losers... Does this mean they don't get to trash the White House like they did when Gore lost. NASTY folks... Let's keep them in New York, America... PLEASE!

Posted by: ugh! | Jan 26, 2008 8:48:39 PM

The Clintons will do literally ANYTHING to win. Their only game is to place race with this one. Do they actually think anyone will want to support her in November if she actually does become the nominee? Many democrats will feel ashamed of how they did it, and I, for one, will feel disgusted if it comes to fruition.

It is not 1988 any longer, and I hope people will stand up and reject this type of bigotry. Ridiculous...

Posted by: anything | Jan 26, 2008 8:49:54 PM

To poster "ugh!" -- We don't want her in NY any more. I live in Manhattan -- go Obama!

Posted by: anything | Jan 26, 2008 8:51:36 PM

Through the muck of dirty politics a true "statesman" reigns. Hillary and Bill could stand to learn a lesson from a man like Obama. He is a "statesman" with integrity and ethics. Of course, this is just one old, woman's point of view.

Posted by: cjvwise1 | Jan 26, 2008 8:56:19 PM

54-27 with 88% percent reporting. WOW!!! Holy mother of GOD... That was a repudiation of Hiliary and Bill if I've EVER seen one. Is they're really hope for America? I'm amazed that of all places SC can help bring America together. Let's hope this is a sign of things to come. And that the long national nightmare of the Hill and Bill show can be put away FOREVER!!! Way to go SC. That's NOT racists OR sexists!!! That's what America is all about. SC, you ROCK!!!

Posted by: ugh! | Jan 26, 2008 9:00:44 PM

There has never been a better time for some informative thinking!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: C | Jan 26, 2008 9:05:50 PM

Clintons, shrewd and artful dogers, who are equally talented at miminzing and maximizing their losses and wins respectively. Their only deficit is that they think voters are dimwits. And that infuriates the latter and heightens their dislike of the Clintons. Equating Barak Obama's win to Jesse Jacksons is, as many pointed out in this medium, is stating that he won because he is African American. Hmm. Barack routed Hilary in SC and IW where Jackson never won a single delegate. He nearly won in NH and NV. So, what is their explanation? I wish the clintons would buy a Winnibago and spend the balance of their grey days in retirement when Hilary might learn the fine art of smoking a cigar, which could spice up their marital life.

Posted by: Jamaal | Jan 26, 2008 9:33:45 PM

Aren't "Black" voters Americans too? Does the "Black" vote count for nothing? Obama also won a 94% "White" state. let me say that again - 94 percent........white. Obama won it. So, stop acting like this is some sort of fluke and it is of no importance when the truth is Obama is strong with white as well as blacks and THAT is what the word UNITY is all about!

Posted by: KHALIL | Jan 26, 2008 9:44:00 PM

WOW! All that trash talk the clintons have been doing, didnt work, lol. Wonder what tricks they are going to pull out of the bag now?

Posted by: Listen Up | Jan 26, 2008 9:50:22 PM

It looks like the Clinton's plan is to give Bill a third term in the White House. President Clinton proved in S.C. that he won't be the subdued, in-the-background kind of presidential spouse, as he was originally portrayed by Hillary. On the contrary, he will obviously be her equal in the White House, and with him much more camera-avid and well-spoken than her, President Clinton will clearly become the public face and voice of the White House. He's just that kind of person, and this last week has demonstrated that beyond doubt.
With President Bill Clinton getting a third - unconstitutional - term in the White House, we may end up two dynasties running the United States for 28 years. Then perhaps Laura Bush will run - since she also has "White House experience."

Posted by: alin | Jan 26, 2008 9:50:32 PM

Obama also nearly won New Hampshire, and won the Nevada rural areas.

Of all the candidates, he has the most votes. In Iowa, he won by nearly 100,000 votes. Here, he won by 150,000. In NH, he lost by about 6,000. Don't know NV, but it was close.

Obama wins the popular vote, significantly, with more white voters than blacks.

Posted by: Kiku | Jan 26, 2008 9:57:36 PM

Moral of the story: Mudslinging doesn't work. This is indeed a new kind of campaign.

Bill Clinton's attacks are not "just a part of politics", it's only a part of HIS politics.

I'd rather vote for the rookie who is willing to learn something, and who helps his team and his sport than for the veteran who is only in it for one last ring before she retires.

Posted by: Emlyn | Jan 26, 2008 9:58:32 PM

I knew the Clintons were implying this Jackson comparison for the last week or so - and have posted that opinion here a few times - but never thought Bill would come right out and say it.

I'm just amazed. If Hillary does get the nomination, I'm not sure the African-Americans come back to the Democratic ticket.

Not that it would matter anyway. Clinton would lose among independents, giving the GOP another four years.

Posted by: Paul | Jan 26, 2008 10:10:59 PM

It will be so nice to see Hillary win the democratic nomination. I can't wait to say, " I told you so" to all the sheep writing on this blog.

Posted by: Shiree | Jan 26, 2008 10:42:16 PM

If there is any God at all, there won't be another Democrat in the White House. They are simply not qualified.

Posted by: Tori | Jan 26, 2008 10:49:09 PM

Huh, Tori. That's some statement. I guess that's one difference between Republicans and Democrats. While we don't wear our faith on our sleeve, we also don't put it to political tests.

Posted by: Paul | Jan 26, 2008 11:01:14 PM


she tells it like it is. deal with it.

Posted by: jeff m | Jan 26, 2008 11:01:14 PM

The win for Obama, in South Carolina, was a win for Democracy, as we finally turn from the current president-by-inheritance trend. Way to go, South Carolina!

Posted by: Sarita | Jan 26, 2008 11:11:14 PM

to anything: If you don't want Hillary in New York then why don't you pack up and move? Its as simple as that. I bet you can't live like she can and don't have the millions like her. Obama has about 1.2 million compared to Hillary's 40m or 50m. What are all of you going to say if she wins the nomination. And all of you have to be stupid. This is the first primary Obama won and he had to win it to go ahead. Hillary didn't have to win it she won two primaries and one caucaus. And Obama could not win against McCain so don't take any bets on it. I didn't expect Hillary to win in SC because naturally the blacks are voting for their own like me I vote only for my own also. Feb. 5th will tell the story and I understand she is leading in Florida and California. What are all of you going to say if she wins the nomination? Well, you can booze it up like Obama use to do.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Jan 26, 2008 11:24:56 PM

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