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Obama Goes After Bill Clinton
January 09, 2008 4:42 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Sen. Barack Obama hit back at his rival's husband, former President Bill Clinton Wednesday morning on NPR's Morning Edition, accusing him of "mischaracterizing" his 2004 position on the Iraq War.
"Former President Clinton has continued to mischaracterize my record on this and we're going to have to call him on it," Obama said. "The press has already pointed out that he's wrong about this, but he keeps on repeating it."
Obama was referring to comments Bill Clinton made on the eve of the New Hampshire primary, lashing out at Obama and calling his candidacy "the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen."
"It is wrong that Senator Obama got to go through 15 debates trumpeting his superior judgment and how he had been against the war in every year, enumerating the years, and never got asked one time -- not once, 'Well, how could you say that when you said in 2004 you didn't know how you would have voted on the resolution?' " Clinton said at a campaign rally at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire Monday night.
"Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen," the former president said.
By Wednesday morning, Obama was accusing Bill Clinton of misleading people about his position.
"At some point we are just going to keep drilling away at the fact that it is indisputable," Obama said on National Public Radio.
"I opposed this war from the start. In 2002, 2003, 2004, and the fact that I voted for funding for the war once I got into the Senate is perfectly consistent with my position that it was important to make sure that our troops had the equipment and the tools that they needed at a time when things were very dicey."
Obama also said he is in a strong position to win the Democratic South Carolina primary on Jan. 26th.
"I'm reaching out not just to the African-American community, but to people from all walks of life, saying we can put together a coalition that we haven’t seen in a long time to actually move the progressive agenda forward," he said.
January 9, 2008 in Bush, George W., Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (43)
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Always remember, the word Clinton means politics of personal destruction.
They will demonize opponents at every turn.
Posted by: R Trecker | Jan 9, 2008 5:02:31 PM
I heard this interview. For a guy who claims to be all straightforward it was sic. He says Bill Clinton is right in that he did make that statement. However he made it when NBC's Russert asked him why if he was so clairvoyant the candidates he was supporting (Kerry and Edwards) had voted for the resolution. In other words he lied just to make them look good. Isn't that the typical behavior he is all set to change??
Posted by: PI | Jan 9, 2008 5:48:02 PM
hit them again Barack, a little harder, a little faster, and a little lower... you know, right around the solar plexus.
you can say something like, "the biggest fairy tale is the one that starts 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky... and ends with impeachment."
Posted by: Jade7243 | Jan 9, 2008 5:49:10 PM
"The biggest fairy tale I've ever heard in my life!"
Still laughing at Bill's description of Obama. So true, so funny... I'm looking forward to Obama turning into a pumpkin, and Oprah scurring back to the set.
Has anyone asked what this billionaire who lives her life on TV knows about real life? I mean, it's been about a decade since she even took a question from her audience.
Does the high price of gasoline or health care affect her? How about housing costs? Ha... But she's absolutely sure it's "time" for Obama.
OK, before you "go there", I voted for Jesse Jackson and Carol Mosely Braun, OK?
Obama's bland MLK-lite rhetoric makes me queasy - it's so short on specifics, and the specifics I do see are not comforting. He reminds me of Bush - the feel-good candidate of 2000, remember? He said he was a "uniter, not a divider", which would be a funny memory now if it weren't so sadly untrue, and the consequnces so grave.
Posted by: Jason | Jan 9, 2008 6:12:12 PM
Obama is not a fraud, he's a professional politician. Politics ain't beanbag.
I opposed the war from the start, but I wouldn't have voted against funding the troops. Not only is it politically braindead, the moral issues just aren't as clear to me as they apparently are to Michael.
As for "playing the race card", first of all I just don't see it. Maybe I'm missing something, but what exactly is Michael's point anyway? Does it make sense to ignore a demographic that makes up 50% of the democratic primary vote in SC? Hello?
Seeing the world in black and white may feel good, but it's never worked for me where I live: the world of reality.
Posted by: Ward | Jan 9, 2008 6:27:32 PM
I would like to see the video of Obama not holding his hand over his heart for the national anthem all over the news. People should know that he doesn't care about the US. It is serious that this guy doesn't think enough of the United States to respect it. Yet he wants to be president. He doesn't care now why would he after being voted the president?
Posted by: Cheryl | Jan 9, 2008 6:32:20 PM
A sweet talker this Obama guy!
Consistently Obama, he voted 'Absent' on the Iran resolution too!
Not surprised that NH voters, with their heads and hearts, rejected him.
Great orator,sweet-sweet talking but hollow!
Posted by: mcsummit | Jan 9, 2008 7:07:30 PM
Idiots. Obama voted for the war funding because he didn't create the mess that is the war but he wasn't going to compromise the troops by cutting offf funding. Less we forget, early in the war we all had hopes for progress leading to political stability and an exit strategy for our troops.
Bush of course made it clear that he had no desire to encourage the Iraq's to fix their internal problems and that he had no exit strategy. That's when Obama started to vote to end funding along with imposing a time-table to bring the troops home, hoping to encourage the Iraqi's to address their political problems.
Posted by: Eyzwidopn | Jan 9, 2008 7:43:39 PM
It may take a bit longer, but eventually Hillary Clinton with the help of her husband will show the country what an absolute empty-suit Barack Obama really is.
I am a lifelong Democrat and I am doing everything I can to ensure Obama does not win the nomination. If he wins the nomination, God help the Democratic Party and the United States.
Posted by: Germaine Abato | Jan 9, 2008 7:58:19 PM
I want ACTION TODAY not promises about tomorrow!
Obama would be this generation's Carter. Big smile, big promises and no action.
Go Hillary Go!
Posted by: PW | Jan 9, 2008 8:09:39 PM
you know, thats what's wrong with a lot of people in this country today. some of us still don't get it. we are all Americans regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs, ethnicity, and sexuality! We all can find common ground in truely upholding the values the founding fathers of this country espoused over two hundred years ago. though not perfect, we are human, and we are building on those ideals of what it means to be an American. Obama's message is one of uniting this country behind common goals, ideas, and rekindling the American dream---it's not a "fairy tale". It is only a fairy tale, if you live in a world where your reality is that you, and people who look, and talk like you live--far removed from us common Americans who get up and go work everyday, and interact with people from all walks of life--regardless of political affiliation, race, ethnicity, or any other divisive physical characteristic! I am focusing on OUR common goals as an American--to hell with what my race, ethnicity, or sexuality is....those are social issues, not issues that make a difference in the lives of the majority of Americans! do you really care WHO I am slept with last night? We are all Americans, its time to get beyond obvious physical traits!!! we all share a common vision (at least most of US!). Move on! I know who I am in all physical appearances. Physical traits are obvious! Lets get to the common ideals WE share as Americans!!!! Stop all of the divisness. It is not a fairy tale to believe that we all share the same dreams---we need to recognize this fact, and unite as Americans--the United States of Americans! A house divided will not stand!!!! Its time we stand up as Americans with the common goal of bettering our country, our citizens, and standing up for what it really means to be an American in this world! Obama has the same vision we all share, but allow partisan bickering to get in the way!! Lets all hope, and begin anew with the vision of one America!!!!
Posted by: fred | Jan 9, 2008 10:04:54 PM
Michael!!! Oh So true!!!! Oh so true!!!
you all better start saving your money because hard times ahead if Barack Hussein Obama is nominated and elected.
We have the power America use it !!!
For the love of Country!!!
Posted by: Cynthia P | Jan 9, 2008 10:07:04 PM
Bill is a genious, no one could have said it better!!! I am not interested who bill slept with, nor was anyone interested the 100's Kennedy slept with.
I don't even care if Obama is or will be
sleeping with Oprah (Watch out Michelle)
What I care about is Our Country and Obama does not have the experience to make it better, but only worse...So I will be voting for Hillary Clinton, she is experience, she has made changes and will continue to make changes and will bring our country to the prosperity we once had with the Clintons...
Posted by: Niliad | Jan 9, 2008 10:10:37 PM
Germaine Abato !!!
I totally agree. We need to uplift our Nation, and Obama is not the one. He is not ready.
My vote will go to Mrs. Clinton, we had a splendid economy with the Clintons and they both will bring it back to a surplus.
Posted by: Nina P | Jan 9, 2008 10:15:16 PM
since when did religion become a disqualifier for becoming president of the United States???? Obama is not of the Islamic faith. I was given a Christian name. Does that make me a Christian??? It tells me that there are more bigoted, and ignorant Americans than I thought. Please re-familiarize yourself with the U.S. constitution. It grants religous freedom!!! I can be an atheist, and be president! Does that mean I don't have morals as a human being??? Does it mean that I impose my views upon the citizens I am leading??? These are all scare tactics. More of the same "fear" politics, except that the terrorists are Americans themselves! Our constitution guarantees us rights as Americans that no president can take away! The president's job is to defend the constitution of the United States. Barack taught constitional law. Think about that.....he understands it, he lives it, he respects it, unlike so many including our current president, and vice president!
Posted by: fred | Jan 9, 2008 10:20:52 PM
i would rather vote republican than vote for ANOTHER Clinton. I love Bill, but remember the failures of "experienced Hillary". I am union, and I vote--she aint gettin' mine.
Posted by: fred | Jan 9, 2008 10:58:45 PM
i expected hilary supporters to be a little bit more educated. some of you can't even make simple subject-verb agreement, let alone spell. i'm very disappointed!
Posted by: jp | Jan 9, 2008 11:38:22 PM
Wow. I had no idea ABC blogs attracted such wierdos. The fact that the very-little-education demographic skews toward Hillary (a fact - check the NH exit polling data) is certainly evident on this board.
Posted by: Daley | Jan 10, 2008 12:39:48 AM
I'd be ashame to call Obama a fairy
tale. Have you looked back to whitewater
have you visited the man who commited
harikiri to save you n the hill. have you ever read the holy book. One of the ten commandments says thou shall not
steal and that not only mean stealing
a penny from Dad or stealing a candy bar at the store, It also means don't
steal from another persons idea of change for America. My Father told me that too. Dirty politics don't work in my Fathers home.
Posted by: jj | Jan 10, 2008 12:45:21 AM
Hillary is a farce. Bill was elected promising universal health care. The Congress was democratic. Eighty percent of the public was behind it. The economy could easily support it. Yet her program was 1000% failure. She had another 6 years to try to revive it. Nothing happened. Let's hear the excuse for 8 years of failure on her supposed pet program - when her husband was the president no less. Have you heard of anything that incompetent. Now there's an election, she's promising you healthcare again just like Bill did - with an unworkable mandatory plan. The theory is that if you can fool them once, you can always fool them. Get it? She thinks you're an idiot. As Geffen says, "the Clintons lie with such ease, it's troubling". and the NY Times' William Safire called her a "congenital liar". Hillary flunked healthcare. She flunked Iraq. She flunked Iran. She flunked Pakistan. She even flunked the Washington bar exam twice, and is a serial failure as a housewife. That's her record on important matters - her so-called experience. She cannot even take care of her household, but wants to be your president, and leader of the free world, with her fingers on the nuclear arsenal. Would you bet on an old horse that in its younger days collapsed every time it came out of the gate? Bill is a huge security risk to the USA as he is susceptible to anything that comes along in a skirt. We cannot have a sexual predator running around the White House, with a hysterical nutcase in charge. We need intelligent and honest leadership. Obama is a brilliant and visionary leader with a powerful brain. He graduated first in his class at Harvard. That's not easy. He's a uniter that gets all the difficult things right.
Posted by: julianbook | Jan 10, 2008 3:40:56 AM
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