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Clinton Says She Is The 'Most Innocent' Candidate

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January 04, 2008 12:48 PM

ABC's Kate Snow Reports: In a frigid airplane hangar in Nashua, N.H., Hillary Clinton started taking questions from supporters again, as she tried to re-frame the race for the White House.  She also reminded voters that she, unlike other candidates, has been fully vetted and can withstand attacks from the Republicans.

"My goodness I've been accused of everything," Clinton said.  After so many years of people poring over her past, Clinton said she has no secrets.

"Of all the people running for president, I've been the most vetted, the most investigated, and my goodness, the most innocent it turns out."

No less than three times Clinton suggested that voters in New Hampshire need to focus on more than just who can make change, but the answers to two key questions:  "Who is best prepared to be president? And who is ready to win?"

"So let me ask you, all of you who braved the cold to come out today," Clinton continued, "what is it you want to hear from the three leaders of this campaign?"

At that point a man shouted out: "When will the troops come home?"

As if she were expecting the question, Clinton launched right into an explanation of her plan to "start bringing troops home within 60 days." 

She talked about her role in calling on the Pentagon to develop a plan for withdrawal.

"Nobody else was asking about it," Clinton said, suggesting perhaps that Barack Obama, who also serves in the Senate, had not taken such action.

Clinton also said she would not over-promise on Iraq, the way some candidates might.  "I'm not going to claim beyond what I think a president can actually promise. I know that that's not maybe the politically correct position," she said.

The next question played to another of Clinton's strengths: "How can we be sure that every American has quality affordable healthcare," a woman asked.

"Elect me!" Clinton replied. "This is one of the big distinctions in this race.  There's been an effort to try to muddy the waters."

Asked "Why should I believe that you can win a national election? Clinton had a ready answer — one she repeated several times this morning in various forms.

"I'm tested and I'm proven," Clinton said.  "Anybody that we nominate is going to be thrown right into that blaze, the inferno known as the general election... The fact that I've been through the fires makes it far less likely that they are going to be able to do to me what they tend to do to anybody we nominate."

At one point, Clinton seemed to suggest that Obama is a candidate who appeals to the upper class.  Speaking about wealthier New Hampshire residents, Clinton said a lot of those voters who are better off might not think they "need a new President right now."

"They're doing fine. They're well educated. They're well off.  And so for them this election isn't about feeding their family. It's about… how I feel and what I hope for," she said -- a clear reference to Obama's message of "hope."

"But there are more and more people who need a champion," Clinton said.  She said she would be a president for the working families in New Hampshire.

The idea of opening up to questions after days of taking very few questions in Iowa is a new strategy for Clinton.  The idea is to show off her experience, show that she will listen to voters, and remind them that she is a tested candidate.

"It's two things," said a campaign insider.  "She can take any substantive question and answer it well.  And two, she is vetted and there are no unanswered questions about her."

January 4, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (19)

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Getting back to the reality on the ground, none of this matters as long as our election system is hopelessly fubar.
What are we going to do about it?

Posted by: Shannon Rudolph | Jan 4, 2008 1:12:59 PM

The MOST innocent? Give me a break. Check the attached link if you believe that - it can be deadly to know the Clintons. And if she would have answered questions in Iowa instead of planting them or dodging them, she might have done better. Iowans saw right through here, and so will folks in New Hampshire.
Buying 600 shovels to help folks "shovel out and get to the caucus" on a day when no snow was forecasted was also a stroke of genius.

Posted by: brian | Jan 4, 2008 1:34:24 PM

Please tell me what Bill’s wife has accomplished in her "political" career
If you can give me an example of anythings she has accomplished I may just vote for her. We are electing a president not a celebrity. What has she done?


Posted by: jmeder | Jan 4, 2008 1:41:35 PM

She must be scared to actually take questions from the crowd!

Posted by: waka waka | Jan 4, 2008 1:46:50 PM

I LOVE HILLARY AND SO SHOULD THE REST OF THE COUNTRY - I WONDER HOW LONG THIS COMMENT WILL STAY OUT THERE CONSIDERING MY OTHER ANTI-HILLARY COMMENT WAS REMOVED.

Posted by: BRIAN | Jan 4, 2008 3:10:52 PM

I am amazed that Ms Clinton gets away with the "experience" factor as an asset. If the Chairmam/CEO of IBM or GE was leaving the position, would we select his wife as the succession plan because she was around and met some people that he knew......or would we select a seasoned executive with experience and proven track records of line responsibility and success. Senators dont become Presidents because usually they have never run anything unless in a different prior position. We need a mayor, Governor, CEO or someone that has run something . The Presidency is not the place for on the job training. Her claim is laughable.

Posted by: Wolf | Jan 4, 2008 3:50:10 PM

"Clinton seemed to suggest that Obama is a candidate who appeals to the upper class."

Clinton's desperation is showing. Obama didn't win Iowa because he appealed to rich folk--he won because he's got more integrity and a more inspirational message than Clinton. Obama's been fighting for the working class his whole life. This is just the first of several desperate Hail Marys Hillary will try in the next couple days.

Posted by: Clinton is Desperate | Jan 4, 2008 3:52:53 PM

Since she has nothing to hide, then, I'm sure she'll now release to the public the documentation about her involvement in Bill's administration that she's been hiding in the Clinton Library for the past 7 years. Yeah, right.

Posted by: Terry Richardson | Jan 4, 2008 5:13:15 PM

"My goodness I've been accused of everything," Clinton said. After so many years of people poring over her past, Clinton said she has no secrets.

"Of all the people running for president, I've been the most vetted, the most investigated, and my goodness, the most innocent it turns out."

Somebody owes me a keyboard! LOL! I have to clean up the soda now!

Posted by: kimbers | Jan 4, 2008 5:37:51 PM

Well, Hillary Clinton IS innocent, but here is a good example of how Clinton Haters define Clinton Guilt:

1) Ken Starr took his charges of perjury and obstruction of justice against Bill Clinton to a Federal Grand Jury.
2) In contrast to Scooter Libby, the Federal Grand Jury did not believe ANY of Ken Starr's charges.
3) So, in contrast to Scooter Libby, the Grand Jury did not indict Bill Clinton on ANY of Ken Starr's charges.
4) So, in contrast to Scooter Libby, the Grand Jury did not convict Bill Clinton on ANY of Ken Starr's charges.
5) So... like all good Clinton Hating prosecutors, Ken Starr spend even MORE millions and millions of tax dollars and took his charges to a friendly GOP Congress.
6) And... that friendly GOP Congress "charged" (impeached) Clinton with perjury and obstruction of justice.
7) BUT... The friendly GOP Senate did NOT convict Clinton on ANY of Ken Starr's charges.
8) HOWEVER... Clinter Haters will CLAIM that Bill Clinton committed perjury and obstruction of justice and, like Scooter Libby, was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice.
9) However, CONTRARY to Scooter Libby, Bill Clinton is actually INNOCENT of perjury and obstruction of justice and was NEVER convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice, like Scooter Libby WAS.
10) Still, Clinton Haters will SWEAR that Clinton actually committed perjury and obstruction of justice.
10) Clinton Haters are rabid dogs, and, like Scooter Libby, liars, and, like George W. Bush, hypocrites.

I live in New Hampshire.
I will be VOTING for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday.

Please, tell me what she's "guilty" of.
Murdering Vince Foster?
FACTS:
Indiana Republican Dan Burton spent millions of tax dollars, murdering watermelons in his back yard to "prove" that Hillary Clinton killed Vince Foster.
He never proved it.
Instead, the friendly GOP Congress LOST seats in 1998.

Do Clinton Haters EVER feel like complete idiots?
Or are you just Bush Republicans and it comes with the dna?

Posted by: Jan | Jan 4, 2008 7:30:13 PM

Are you a Clinton Hater, Martha?
If so, tell me what Hillary Clinton is "guilty" of.

What did I post that was idiotic to you?

If you are NOT a Clinton Hater, don't YOU think it's idiotic when Clinton Haters claim Hillary Clinton murdered Vince Foster????

Don't YOU think it's idiotic that the GOP spent millions and millions and millions and millions of YOUR tax dollars... and found out that the Clintons were guilty of NOTHING?

Don't just call me a name. Make your case about Hillary Clinton being "guilty" of something.

I stand by Clinton Haters being idiots, because they claim Hillary Clinton is guilty of some crime.

Tell me what crime she's guilty of, Martha. Otherwise, I think accusing Hillary Clinton of a crime -- when millions and millions and millions and millions of OUR tax dollars were wasted finding out she was INNOCENT of ANY crime -- is idiotic.

Posted by: Jan | Jan 4, 2008 8:30:30 PM

Hmmmm, most innocent....
I think she has taken a smidge too much corporate lobbyist money to claim that descriptor.

Clinton is business as usual.
Edwards is change.
I know who I will be voting for!

***********************
AMERICA RISING!
EDWARDS '08!
***********************

Posted by: Cindy | Jan 4, 2008 9:24:26 PM

I cannot understand why it so hard for democrats to see the game. Knowing that it will be almost impossible for any of the current GOP presidential candidates to beat Hillary in November, the republican machine is catapulting Obama into the nomination, in the same time, its war factory is building the biggest weapon against him” the race card". Such card will be so intelligently played, that many Americans will buy into it, reject Obama's message of change and embrace the destructive policies of the Christian Right. Remember how they sacrificed Harold Ford in the last elections. In a country so evenly divided, any mistake can cost us a lot. As much as I would like to see a black man being elected to the highest office of the Land, I am afraid that we are on our way to pass the key of our destiny, for another four year period, to the same people who have been mismanaging our country for the last eight years. If the results of the general elections prove me wrong, I will forever believe in miracles more than Huchabee believes in creation only.

Posted by: Remy | Jan 5, 2008 12:03:50 AM

To Kimbers and other Clinton Supporters:

I think you're out of line when you say Clinton is INNOCENT. Perhaps, she has gotten a bad rap as being the wife of the most divisive President in our nation's history (Minus Bush 43). Or maybe, its that she speaks of change that says, "I'm tested and proven against the Republican attack machine." How can you claim change when you also claim that you'll use the same OLD tactic to beat Republicans?

And where are the papers from her time as first lady? She has secrets. I'll say differently when she releases those papers.

And she's NEVER run a national campaign until now. Last time I checked I can't I know how to deliver a baby just because my wife is a OB/GYN nurse. It doesn't make sense and Iowans saw that and so will New Hampshirites.

I live in New Hampshire and I am an Independent. I'm casting my vote for Obama. And I don't even like big government liberals. But I BELIEVE in him. When was the last time anyone could say that about anybody? Not since the '60s, and the days of Camelot.

Posted by: Indy for Obama | Jan 5, 2008 3:14:36 AM

Woops! I meant to Jan. Kimbers is alright with me.

Posted by: Indy for Obama | Jan 5, 2008 3:16:21 AM


Hillary (if she gets credit for her co-dependent, co-presidency): Botched an opportunity to deliver health care, brought us a devastating trade program (China and NAFTA), participated in a (very undignified) psycho-drama administration (read David Georgen's account), co-opted the Republican welfare-to-work program that destroyed a lot of poor families and greatly benefited coroporations that enjoyed a burgeoned labor force and reaped tax write-offs in the process. And she voted, not once, but twice, to grant Shrub's invasion permission. And her cynical, destruction, demeaning, divisive campaign tactics make her look like Rove in drag.
Obama: Not enough experience? Reformers don't get the chance to build a long resume' because the powers cream them quickly because they threaten their strangle-hold. And he takes the tough stands, doesn't engage in the mud-slinging but doesn't allow mud-balls to be ignored. He's a judicious unifer, giving every argument dignity and honor, but always coming down on the side of justice and right. He's our only hope.

Obama: Not enough experience? Reformers don't get the chance to build a long resume' because the powers they hreaten cream them quickly to protect their strangle-hold. He takes the tough stands, doesn't engage in the mud-slinging but doesn't allow mud-balls to be ignored. He's a judicious unifer and includer, giving every argument dignity and honor, but always coming down on the side of justice and right and--yes, the brotherhood of humanity. He's our only hope.

(Edwards: Close your eyes and listen to his litigator-approach. Sounds like Bush with the cocky, "with us or against us" proclamations and refusal to engage in negotiations with anyone or group that doesn't agree with him.)

Posted by: Believer in the Better | Jan 5, 2008 4:39:58 AM

Indy for Obama, to me, Jan--
re: "I think you're out of line when you say Clinton is INNOCENT. Perhaps, she has gotten a bad rap as being the wife of the most divisive President in our nation's history (Minus Bush 43)."

Hillary Clinton said she was investigated and, come to find out, she was INNOCENT.
People here scoffed at her saying she was innocent.
I was responding to those scoffs.

I asked for ONE crime that the millions and millions and millions and millions of our tax dollars revealed. There was none.
No one has given me one thing that our justice system was forced to investigate because of Ken Starr, that resulted in Hillary Clinton being charged with anything.

All you have done is accuse Clinton of not being liberal enough.
I hate to break it to Democrats, but that is not a crime.

As far as Bill Clinton being a divisive President, as you claim:

The actual FACTS are that when Bill Clinton left office and handed the keys over to Bush, 70% of America thought America was going to the right direction.
That doesn't really sound very divisive to me.

I tend to hold the Rightwing Slime Machine accountable for the divisiveness during the TWO terms of Clinton's administration. (i.e., the people re-elected him!)

Please note that currently 70% of America thinks we are going in the WRONG direction.
So basically, the same people who thought we were going in the WRONG direction under Clinton think we are going in the right direction under Bush.

If you will do the math, you will see that you are WRONG about Bill Clinton being divisive.
The 30% who think Bush is good are the ones who think Clinton was bad.
You can't have it both ways.

The problem with Clinton Haters is that they hate the Clintons on a personal level, not a factual level.

Posted by: Jan | Jan 5, 2008 8:50:22 AM

No more Bush's or Clinton's. Give me anyone but either of those families. Time for a change and Hillary does not represent change, just more of the same.

Posted by: Jay | Jan 5, 2008 12:32:02 PM

Yes, Hillary has been tested....and found wanting!!! Good Grief,folks...be honest...what about the gang she has around her: Berger el al??? The "I can't recall" ploy...the missing records etc.etc. She is a Matxist/Socialist and has been since her early college days...Don't let Bill's cheap charm get to you, either!!

Posted by: Virginia | Jan 5, 2008 2:06:59 PM

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