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Clinton Surrogate Calls Obama a "Kid"
March 19, 2008 1:39 PM
ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports: It isn't unusual for former President Bill Clinton to run 30 or 45 minutes late to an event. In such cases, the campaign ordinarily just plays upbeat music or has a couple of energetic local officials come up and tell the crowd why they are supporting Hillary.
However, today's interim act took an interesting turn when Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor, Catherine Baker Knoll, took the stage in Bethlehem, PA.
Lt. Governor Knoll began by talking about her relationship with Hillary and Bill Clinton over the years, sharing her experiences to prove why Hillary is the best choice for President.
But it was Knoll's description of Hillary's opponent at the end of her speech that perked ears in the press riser.
"So, we're up against a new young kid, who's a nice young kid. I'm only saying: think it over, tell your friends and your neighbors and your family. There's nothing like experience," Knoll told the crowd. While not the worst description a surrogate could use for Senator Barack Obama, many might argue that a 46 year old man is anything but a "kid."
Knoll's speech was also unusual because of its heavy focus on policy. While most surrogates stick to broad talking points about Hillary, Knoll chose to go into heavy specifics.
With today being the anniversary of the war in Iraq, Knoll had strong words about what she called people "celebrating" the anniversary of the war.
"I'm very familiar with this. I have not been to Iraq, but I live in the middle of the National Guard down in Indian Time Gap. I've seen our kids we've lost, because the cemetery is right there. And I've seen our kids down at Walter Reed," Knoll told the crowd, adding, "Most of you aren't aware of
this, because you're not exposed to it. But it's very, very serious, and we have to think this over, because look at all these beautiful young people here today. We don't want to be celebrating like we're celebrating today. Oh, this is the sixth year in Iraq. C'mon! Let's think this over.”
And her initial remarks weren't the last time the crowd would get to hear from Knoll. After two more local speakers delivered short remarks, it became apparent that the crowd still had quite a bit more time on their hands until President Clinton would arrive.
And so Knoll reappeared, this time to answer questions from the crowd. One question focused on gun control in America and got Knoll into trouble with many in the crowd.
"That's a very serious subject, because, you know, I've always been supported by NRA. But I will tell you that I am don't agree with everybody being able to buy as many guns as they want. Because if you go into Philadelphia - I'm sure some of you have been there - you can go into their stores and you can buy five or six guns at once. Did you know that? On the same day. Do you think that's right? I think it should be one gun a month," said Knoll. While her initial comments had most of the crowd agreeing with her, the last remarks turned off a large portion of the audience, some of who began shouting, "No."
Despite her rocky reception, Knoll continued to stall as long as she could. At one point, the crowd even asked her to sing - a request she politely declined. Finally, it was clear she was out of ideas, and so she exited the stage, hinting as she left that maybe they should play the music again.
March 19, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (51)
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Well, at least she said "kid" and not "boy," or is "kid" the new Clinton codeword.
Well, both candidates have surrogates that can be embarrassing.
I bet Hillary sees her like an old "aunt" who just says things out of the blue! You know, makes you cringe, but you still love them!
Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!
Posted by: Jackt51 | Mar 19, 2008 1:54:07 PM
I bet the obama people dont run with this to try an make it political. After Wright the obama camp do not have a leg to stand on.
Posted by: toby | Mar 19, 2008 2:02:51 PM
Um the Clinton's are called come back KIDS all the time.
This is a non issue.
Posted by: s.b. | Mar 19, 2008 2:04:00 PM
The original source of the 'young kid' metahphor was ABC's Cokie Roberts on a This Week with George Stepahanopolous show two weeks ago, when Cokie referred to Obama as this cute young kid. I didn't hear BKMC decrying then. There will be a rush to read rascism into this, as is typical by the OBAMA campaign of divisiveness. I don't know this politician, but my guess is she is in her late 50s or 60s, and she's entitlted.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 19, 2008 2:05:01 PM
By the way I think Obama is a young kid based on his demonstrable experience.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 19, 2008 2:07:24 PM
WestCoastMessager, there is a need to understand that there will be a tomorrow after these elections. Hillary and her supporters are very bad losers, they have to stop dismunsihing people who are better than them. OBAMA08.
Posted by: BKMC | Mar 19, 2008 2:10:59 PM
Westie say "she's entitled."
Ya, that's what HRC main qualification has been all along. Fraudian Slip I take it, WCM.
Posted by: The Commander Guy | Mar 19, 2008 2:11:57 PM
BKMC:
I will take an ex-President messing around with an intern anyday than a President who sat in a church for 20 years that preaches GD America. Atleast the ex-president did not want to screw the entire nation.
Posted by: Someone | Mar 19, 2008 2:12:00 PM
I think we use the word "kid" in the same silly way we use "guys" even when a female is present. Non issue! Move on!
Posted by: tiffany | Mar 19, 2008 2:13:12 PM
BKMC,
Again you with the faulty assumptions. I haven't seen a vote on the topic of "better" yet, however I can say I've detected that "better" attitude of arrogance from smarmy Obama supporters. I continue to support HILLARY CLINTON who represents us "DOWNSCALE DEMOCRATS".
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 19, 2008 2:13:42 PM
WestCoastMessager, if this is about age and 35 years of experince or more, then let us give the presidency to McCain because he is the oldest candidate. There is good experience and bad experience, the experience you are talking about is a Washington lobbyiests experience, America does not need that kind of experience, if you believe so then the ticket McCain/Hillary will make it. OBAMA08.
Posted by: BKMC | Mar 19, 2008 2:14:41 PM
Commander Guy,
I presume you are entitled to make comments about matters military, if you have some background in the realm. Is that not the case?
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 19, 2008 2:15:14 PM
BKMC,
Has nothing to do with age per se, has to do with the maturity that often comes with years on this good earth. I've seen people in their 80s who have not matured beyond childhood when it comes to destroying the planet earth.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 19, 2008 2:18:08 PM
pt,
I'm with you about the mess that needs to be cleaned up. Unfortunately the mess started about 15 years ago. Remember that part of the Clinton "experience" involved pushing NAFTA. The road is strewn with examples of Clinton poor judgment, voting to approve war powers to Bush, clearing the road for war with Iran, etc. I'll take a 46 year old kid with new ideas over more Clinton disasters.
Obama 2008!!!!
Posted by: BooMan | Mar 19, 2008 2:18:47 PM
That's right grandma - he may be a kid, but your representative has screwed our country nine ways to sunday. Step aside and let the true leaders lead.
Posted by: Julie | Mar 19, 2008 2:20:00 PM
Hot Air nails the kid:
Just as with Rezko, Obama tried minimizing his exposure to Wright’s sermons. Only after finding that a losing proposition did he acknowledge that he had listened to Wright’s incendiary speeches against America, but somehow failed to challenge him until other people began hearing the rhetoric for themselves. That followed within days of Obama’s acknowledgment that he had underreported Rezko’s financial contribution to Obama’s campaigns by a factor of five.
That initial reaction shows him as a politician of the usual stripe — one who attempts to spin out of a jam with half-truths and at best a graduated honesty, dependent on how much evidence gets made public. Obama’s claim to conduct himself to a higher standard; indeed, because of his singular lack of experience and accomplishment, it’s the only claim he has for election to the nation’s highest office. If he doesn’t have that, then he has NO basis for election at all.
Even the contradictory attempt to distance himself from Wright’s statements failed to make the case. He argued in the rest of speech that we need to put an end to divisiveness, and that Wright’s rhetoric belongs to the past, not the present or the future. Having said that, what did Obama ever do to make that case at his OWN church? Wright expounds these incendiary and unacceptable themes, as Obama himself admits, to the present and future generations at Trinity UCC. Obama’s own children sit in those pews, as well as a large number of children from other families. Did Obama ever speak out even once to challenge Wright’s views?
If Obama can’t bring Change he says is necessary to his own church, why should we trust him to bring Change to the nation?
Posted by: carl | Mar 19, 2008 2:28:40 PM
My generation had it's best and last hurrah in the 60's. It is time to turn it over to the kids with their fresh brains and creative ideas. We have messed up their world long enough.
Posted by: 0ldgal | Mar 19, 2008 2:29:10 PM
BKMC,
Why do you want to drag the tired old Ken Starr class grievances out of the closet instead of dealing with today's issues? Didn't we already spend millions on Ken Starr, wasted money? If you are a Democrat why are you taking a play out of a Republican playbook, or are you really a Democrat?
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 19, 2008 2:31:07 PM
OLDGAL,
It sounds like you agree that OBAMA is a kid. I'm also detecting that you were probably a misguided BUSH voter as well, now willing to throw all caution to the wind.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 19, 2008 2:33:27 PM
I did not expect those words "kid" to come from the mouth of the Lt. Knoll
Does it cost someone to chose the words to use!! That one you are calling a kid is soon going to be your President. Will you call him " The Kid President" Respect is both ways!
Posted by: Peace | Mar 19, 2008 2:36:35 PM
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