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Obama Camp Challenges Clinton on Health care Mailer

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February 17, 2008 1:54 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: The presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama put out big gun backer Sen. Ted Kennedy and the Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle to respond to the negative Clinton camapign mailer on health care being distributed in Wisconsin.

Kennedy said he was shocked and surprised that Clinton would put out a mailer like this, ad called it a "distortion, misrepresentation, and wrong." He referenced Clinton’s health care fight in 1994 – and said similar negative ads were what contributed to the sinking it – so essentially said that Clinton should have learned from that. Kennedy said health care in the cause of his life, and that he would never have supported Obama if he wasn’t the one who could get comprehensive health care done.

Gov. Doyle echoed Kennedy’s remarks, saying "too bad Clinton has gone to this."

Doyle took more issue with the fact that Clinton has not been in the state much and has a schedule change on Monday and Tuesday, spending even less time in the state, "She only arrived in this state yesterday….before she ever came to this state she started running negative ads."

The conversation also strayed to public financing – as the Clinton campaign holds a conference call about this soon.

National press secretary bill Burton denied that he’s really concerned about the Clinton campaign or McCain campaign saying that Obama broke the pledge on public financing, "I think we’re in a pretty good spot actually…the only reason this is an option on the table is because we pursued it. As for McCain – interesting that he has a new found interest in public financing when he voted against it in 1995. "

Obama spokesman Bill Burton says that based on the pattern of the Clinton campaign he expect to see more negative ads and mailers in the future, "Well the pattern we’ve seen over the course of campaign is when the Clinton campaign is down in the polls and not going well for them, they have responded with negative attacks. No reason to think they are going to change that pattern."

February 17, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (56)

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Ted Kennedy the patron saint of virtuousness:-)

Posted by: dman | Feb 17, 2008 2:30:24 PM

I was a little more shocked when a drunken Ted Kennedy left that poor girl to drown in his car while he escaped and got off of murder charges scott free.
Now he is shocked and outraged by a mailer. Have you seen some of Obama's mailers? All lies and distortions.

Posted by: Jay | Feb 17, 2008 2:54:00 PM

Amen brother Jay!

Posted by: dman | Feb 17, 2008 2:55:38 PM

Hillary's camp totally misses the main reason for Obama's rising popularity and preparing for the wrong battle. Yes, his speeches are inspirational and hers dull but it's not in the words which causes the excitement. It's in his effort to earn his votes. Speeches are just bonus.

Obama's most memorable speech wasn't when he won. Rather it was his N.H. speech when Clinton won. In contrast, even before the votes were tallied, Clinton wrote off S.C., Virginia, and headed to another state where she knew she'll win. It's sort of "I'm not wasting time with losers" mentality. This is the crucial difference between Obama and Clinton. Even when losing, Obama puts in the effort and reminds his supporters that the effort was not in vain. He actually demonstrates leadership by inspiring not when he is winning but when he has lost or is behind. He takes the time to earn the votes versus Hillary demanding the votes. It's no surprise that she wrote off WI and headed back to Texas where she is ahead.

Clinton camp should realize, the popularity is due to character (Obama) or lack thereof (Clinton). As for policies, other than the mandate issue, I see absolutely no difference between Obama and Clinton and hence, why not go for someone with the better personality.

Posted by: ctom2008 | Feb 17, 2008 3:10:08 PM

ctom2008

What if the person with the better personality has no experience and is a neophyte of foreign affairs.
I would rather have a person with "no personality" keeping us out of harms way with all the new and old hotspots in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Kenya etc...

You see where I am going here, a good personality and a bright smile won't protect out countries freedoms.
That's why even though they are very similar . I am voting for Hillary

Posted by: Jay | Feb 17, 2008 3:15:17 PM

even Ted Kennedy has a skeleton in his closet no one is perfect,, neither is Obama , no matter what people may think,, Clintons closet has been opened and aired, and people just don't want to know the negative things why negative in Healthcare,, his base already knows 15 million will be left out of healthcare,, so i definietly would like to see that flyer, since its so negative its probably facts that Obamas camp does it not want to cause light too,,,,,

Posted by: vimed | Feb 17, 2008 3:22:05 PM

Clinton like her famous husband tells LIES.
OBAMA is right on the money on health care but Clinton distorts. Her plan failed when she had every chance in the world-then she took money from the heath care corporations and let her plan die and blame it on the Republicans. She is a FOX. BEWARE WISCONSIN!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Tariq Ahmed | Feb 17, 2008 3:22:45 PM

Hillary mentioned all of Obamas plan as hers in the mailer and failed to mention the fact that she is mandating her plan and forcing it out of our paychecks.

Posted by: james | Feb 17, 2008 3:28:06 PM

Sadly gene, you are exactly right. That's what this is all about the MSM fanning the flames of a small spark to turn it into a blazing forest fire. Back when I was a young man, the media was always fair and reported the real news and facts. Now, the slant and bias is phenomenal. They are now in control of our lives.

Posted by: Jay | Feb 17, 2008 3:29:44 PM

Wisconsin wants CHANGE from the insiders--Clintons and Bushes, who have American blood on their hands.
Cintons are spokesperson for the SPECIAL INTEREST LOBBIES.

She sells the People she represents.
Monica Lewisky will be back if HillBill gets into our White House.

WISCONSIN SHE IS A PRETENDER.

Posted by: Tariq Ahmed | Feb 17, 2008 3:30:34 PM

correct.
not a personality contest.
a president with both intelligence and broad vision, who attempts to research facts, even perhaps knows the details of things they commit to and sign, who has the ability to bring people and ideas together rather than foment controversy and divide, who won't degrade the office or our country by demeaning thier/our perceived foes, who has committed to serve all citizens of our country not just those who may benefit them personally, yes that person would serve us well as president.

Posted by: mbj | Feb 17, 2008 3:31:06 PM

Ted just squashed a book that was about to come out introducing America to JFK's illegitimate son. Ted killed his misress and walked away because the authorities decided it was an "accident." Ted was thrown out of Harvard for cheating. Ted is known in Mass. as "Teddy O'Drunky." Who cares what Ted says or things?

Posted by: AtomicBetty | Feb 17, 2008 3:32:11 PM

obamma ted kennedy does not impress truly educated people that want to move forward. Who is he anyway he did not even help you in mass. Sorry you talk the talk but you do not walk the walk and how is Larry Sinclair these days I heard you have him helping in the campaign so you have hiom close by for a stash of drugs and sex. The way you want to cheat out the voters in Michgan and Florida is terrible goes to show you how you are a bunch of bull. You continue to rewrite the rules to your liking Too bad you can not scream racist on this but from what I heard of you you will in order to get your way is that not how you got through school thats the story

Posted by: | Feb 17, 2008 3:36:16 PM

I am just wondering why the main stream media won't pick up the Obama, Larry Sinclair drugs & Sex 1999 story. It is huge, all over underground news and blogs and plastered all over the internet. and the more they try to silence it and no response from Mr. Obama, the worse things are looking for him.

Posted by: Jay | Feb 17, 2008 3:42:30 PM

Let's see, we got Rezkogate, Sinclairgate,
Exelongate, flip flop on Public funding,
etc...etc... what's next??? and unlike Mrs. Clinton, this stuff is still coming out and being investigated. Mr. Obama's moment in the sun is almost over. I hope he has a big umbrella...

Posted by: Jay | Feb 17, 2008 3:51:27 PM

The absolute worst thing that the voters of Wisconsin, Ohio or Texas could do is to give Hillary Clinton's candidacy new life. If nothing else is clear, the Clintons are political pariahs who will do or say anything to get back in the Whitehouse. LYING, FRAUD, DECEIT, FAUX FEMINISM and THE POLITICS OF VICTIMIZATION are what the CLINTONS are skilled at. America, it is truly time to turn a page and close the door on Hillary Clinton.

Posted by: Christopher London | Feb 17, 2008 4:00:07 PM

Universal health care. As a Canadian I can give you all some idea what it costs the individual up here. Two operations for cancer, two and a half weeks hospital stay, 50 visits to doctors in that time. No charge. Numerous cancer drugs to help me fight the cancer (now six years cancer free) to support me. $1000 spread over five years, fifty percent refunded. Same time my wife had ten doctor visits for check ups and whatnot per year. No charge. Numerous x-ray, cat scans over that time period, no charge. Line up wait each visit less than two hours on ordinary visits, for cancer visits one half hour wait time. Up here everyone pays out of pay check deductions amounting to approximately $1000 per year, and those who are to poor or have no jobs get free medical care.

Posted by: Wil | Feb 17, 2008 4:25:54 PM

Gosh Terrie: Just because we don't support Mr. Obama, and support Mrs. Clinton, you call us Neanderthals... UGGG!! That hurt!!!

Posted by: Jay | Feb 17, 2008 4:37:28 PM

Wil,
Thanks for the Canadian health care info. We get far too many fake stories about how it is no good. Both Democratic candidates want university health care for the US but they have different approaches. Obama wants to cut costs first, Clinton wants to make it universal first. We have a universal (almost) health care law in Massachusetts with no provisions for cutting costs. It is way over budget. I prefer Obama's plan.

Posted by: Lydia | Feb 17, 2008 5:14:05 PM

I see the Clinton group is again using ugly rhetoric and negativity trying to tear down something positive and good.

Makes me want to vote for Obama. I am one of those who chooses to work for the betterment of our United States, not gutter politics. There is enough of the negative.

Posted by: Unci | Feb 17, 2008 6:16:34 PM

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