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EXCLUSIVE: Obama Rips Bill Clinton Slams as 'Troubling' and Inaccurate

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January 20, 2008 4:03 PM

ABC News' Michael James and Tahman Bradley Report: Sen. Barack Obama says he's ready to confront former President Bill Clinton, calling his advocacy on behalf of his wife's presidential campaign, "troubling."

In an exclusive interview with ABC News' Robin Roberts to air Monday on "Good Morning America," Obama, D-Ill., directly engages Bill Clinton on a series of issues.   

"You know the former president, who I think all of us have a lot of regard for, has taken his advocacy on behalf of his wife to a level that I think is pretty troubling,” Obama said. “He continues to make statements that are not supported by the facts -- whether it's about my record of opposition to the war in Iraq or our approach to organizing in Las Vegas. This has become a habit, and one of the things that we're gonna have to do is to directly confront Bill Clinton when he's making statements that are not factually accurate."

Obama apparently refers to Clinton’s comment that it was a “fairy tale” that Obama has consistently opposed to the Iraq war from the start, and that Nevada union officials backing Obama were strong-arming members into caucusing for Obama.

The former president took on Obama's Iraq position at a Dartmouth College event days before the New Hampshire primary, saying that it was wrong Obama was able to trumpet superior judgment on Iraq by being opposed to the war from the start.

"Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen," Bill Clinton said.

Clinton was making the case that Obama -- just like Sen. Hillary Clinton -- has voted to fund the war since he's been in office.    

January 20, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (269)

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Go Barack! Kick some Clinton boot-ay!

Posted by: go obama! | Jan 20, 2008 4:10:38 PM

Would be an interesting debate. Bill Clinton is playing such an heavy role in this campain you can wonder who is running.

Posted by: Cecile | Jan 20, 2008 4:18:06 PM


republicans are loving bill's performance. hillary can't campaign for herself? wow, completely fair game for the gop this fall.

bill is weakening hillary. don't blame obama; blame bill.

as some pundit said this weekend, if hillary can't control bill during the primary, it's going to be the same thing in the white house. bill is being dishonest and twisting beyond recognition everything obama's words.

obama is doing exactly the right thing by confronting BILL directly. he's the campaigner, the attack dog, the one throwing mud.

hillary benefits from bill's name, wealth, presidency, campaign grassroots and advisers. and now bill is the primary campaigner for her? enough already.

Posted by: ohboy | Jan 20, 2008 4:19:13 PM

Why aren't most of Barack Obama's appearances in the media? Sounds like the media is again coronating Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee prematurely.

Posted by: angelus | Jan 20, 2008 4:19:25 PM

Hey Democrats! Ask yourselves this question; why were George Will, Mathew Dawd (campaign strategist for Bush-Cheney) on This Week and Tim Russert and his fellow round table on Meet the Press, doing damage control for Obama this morning? They twisted his loss in Nevada, defended his Ronald Reagan phopah and lack of support from the Spanish community. Don’t turn away people....face it! They’re saving him for later. They are just licking their chops, waiting for the kill. We can not buy their Obama sell. The Republicans, as I have stated in the past, own MSNBC, CNN and others. They control the message that is being put out. They have used the same sell for Obama as they did Bush; type of guy you can have a beer with, a Uniter, optimistic etc. Same pitch different guy. But not because they’re on the side of Democrats; they’re Republicans! Don’t take the Republican bait. Hillary in 2008!

Posted by: irma | Jan 20, 2008 4:25:28 PM

I voted for Bill twice, and now I am just embarressed by the way he has been conducting himself.

Posted by: jkr | Jan 20, 2008 4:25:45 PM

Dear Bill,

We loved Bill Clinton as president.

When you told us you didn't inhale, with that little twinkle in your eye, we believed you and loved you even more.

When you got more than just a twinkle in your eye and a cigar in the -- well, we stuck by you. We rallied against the vast right wing conspiracy and ushered Newt and his fellow reptilians out of office.

Man, the 90s were fun - huh? The Macarena alone... But now we're in a new decade. Web 2.0, YouTube and camera phones; preemptive wars and terrorist attacks. It's a new era. And we've spent 8 years under the thumb of a royal son.

We're ready for change. We have some amazing Presidential Candidates. Edwards, Obama, and of course, the candidate like family to you - Clinton.

I know you want your wife to win. A lot of us want a Democrat in 2008. But you're getting mean Bill. That twinkle in your eye is starting to look more like crazy eye.

You're making accusations that Karl Rove & Co. will eat up and spit back out at us come time for the general election.

You're actually disenfranchising folks this time around, dividing the electorate at a time we need to come together.

And Bill, you're starting to make stuff up. And this time, we're noticing. It's a new era, Bill; everything you say is recorded and broadcast.

So what we're asking, Bill, is that you just shut up.

Just shut up.

Sincerely,

Pretty Much Everyone

===============================

Posted by: Joe | Jan 20, 2008 4:27:47 PM

Obama, you had better know that you are up against "THE" pro spin politician. Bill has told more lies about opponents than that comedian who was the pathological liar on Saturday Night Live. And next time, for goodness sake, put your right hand over your heart when the Star Spangled Banner is played dude!

Posted by: LongT | Jan 20, 2008 4:29:50 PM

Obama is trying to distort the truth again....and doing it in a very dishonest way. People WERE strongarming voters in Nevada on his behalf. Perhaps he wasn't personally out there doing it but it was done in his favor. Obama can't run from that.

Posted by: thesource | Jan 20, 2008 4:30:00 PM

I have become deeply troubled with Bill Clinton's actions and words as of late. Bill and Hillary are literally playing good cop, bad cop. Furthermore, Obama is now running a campaign against not only Hillary but also Bill. You'd almost think that Bill Clinton is running for President again. Well, maybe he is...

Posted by: Timothy | Jan 20, 2008 4:30:13 PM

Obama is trying to act sooooo innocent. I guess it's OK for him to routinely slam especially former President Clinton on his performance while in the WH; most recently, this including his verbal chastisement against Clinton as pretty much being a do-nothing president in terms of coming up with ideas of change and innovations; this in practically the same breath that he was gushing over former President Reagan being a much more innovative leader. Obama is desperate and can't stand the truth. He is a phony and mudslinger and if he should become the nominee, he'll be crushed to the ground by the attack Republican machine. Obama's dirt with federally indicted Tony Rezko is becoming more heated up and watch for Obama's name to surface; it'll be entertaining to see him tap dance around the connection. Revealed today, now he's going to donate some $40k of money received from some of Rezko's operatives that he freely received for his past campaign efforts. So, who's the lying phony now Barack?

Posted by: Terry | Jan 20, 2008 4:30:38 PM

In regards to President Clinton being on the attack. I love it! Obama is getting a free Republican media ride, because they anticipate an easy kill. Democrats need to get this message out and Pres. Clinton is doing it. Good job! Sick ‘em Bill! We’re behind you all the way. You set your standard. What do we care what opponents think? We’re Clinton people! The Clintons weren’t in for eight years by mistake. Nor was their vote ever contested like Bush, who we all know, didn’t win.

Posted by: irma | Jan 20, 2008 4:31:00 PM

I miss Bill and a balanced budget from Internal Energy Plus

Posted by: Thomas C Kern | Jan 20, 2008 4:31:26 PM

It would appear Mr. Obama has something to hide. If people doubt me, just read the comments made by the people in Illinois about his purpose and participation in events that would have benefitted his total base. He was not there! Too busy seeking personal wealth and gain to do his job. I should think he is the greatest divider this country has seen in a long time.

Posted by: sameol | Jan 20, 2008 4:31:53 PM

How come all the reporter are doing damage control for Obama, they are forever down on the Clintons, No one wants to talk about Obama's past, but they don't mind digging up Bill's, kinda a double standard. I have listened to both Hillary and Obama and he never says any thing that amounts to anything, there is no meat in his words, all he ever says is change, ok change is good, but how are you going to do it? what is your plan? your track record on change? I mean really doesn't have much experenice Would you want a first grader teaching in High School?

Posted by: funny | Jan 20, 2008 4:32:41 PM

No matter who wins between Hillary and Obama, there is a divide in the democrat party that will lay them bare for another republican win. The African Americans who have been on the liberal plantation for so long are finally seeing what we on the right have known all along. They are being used.

Posted by: Scott | Jan 20, 2008 4:33:00 PM

Obama is trying to deflect from his Rezko corruption news! Bill will kick his behind back to Chicago.

Posted by: geevill | Jan 20, 2008 4:33:04 PM

Obama is LOSING

Posted by: Ebon Beati | Jan 20, 2008 4:34:40 PM

It's amazing how many people are buying in to the load of crap that Obama is trying to dish out. He is NOT the fair and honest politician that he portrays himself to be. We all know Hillary Clinton is not perfect but at least her dirty laundry is already out there.

Posted by: thesource | Jan 20, 2008 4:34:51 PM

Yeaaaaaaah!
Go Barack! Go!!!
We're sick and tired of shameless smear!

Posted by: Eric from Cambodia | Jan 20, 2008 4:35:27 PM

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