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Obama Questions Clinton's Experience

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March 05, 2008 12:42 PM

ABC News' David Wright Reports: On board his campaign plane bound for Chicago, Sen. Barack Obama previewed the sharper-edged campaign that’s likely to follow his defeats in Texas and Ohio. 

Obama told reporters he plans to question Sen. Clinton's claims to superior experience and foreign policy judgment.  “It’s important to examine that claim and not just allow her to assert it,” Obama said.

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

"I know she talks about visiting 80 countries,” he said.  “It’s not clear, you know, was she negotiating treaties or agreements?  Was she handling crises during this period of time?  My sense of the answer is no."

"I have not seen any evidence that she is better able to handle a crisis,” Obama said.  “If the only criterion is longevity in Washington, then she’s certainly not going to beat John McCain on that,” Obama said.

The Illinois senator also questioned her claim to being more thoroughly vetted as a candidate.  “I think that’s an issue that should be tested,” he said, indicating the Obama campaign will be more aggressive in pushing Clinton to release her income tax returns as well as the fundraising records for the Clinton Library.

Asked about the possibility of a joint Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket – which, Clinton suggested today on the CBS Early Show, is “where this seems to be headed” – Obama smiled wryly.

“You know I've said before that I respect Sen. Clinton as a public servant,” Obama said.  “She’s a tenacious opponent.  I think it is very premature to start talking about a joint ticket.”

March 5, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (124)

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I think Obama should sacrifice for the Dem. party, be VP of Hillary. He didn't win any big states.

Posted by: golfgirlusa | Mar 5, 2008 12:57:08 PM

The Clintons brought so many years of shame on our country during their years at the white house. We had months and months of hearings about the taudry details of their time at our beloved White House. They brought Whitewater, travelgate and numerous other scandals to us. They didn't pay attention while Al Queda organized the 911 attacks - not a credential for foreign policy agent or Commander in Chief.

Mrs. Clinton is the spouse of an impeached president and a junior senator. She has no more experience than Mr. Obama. She promised jobs in New York to get her seat in the Senate, but the jobs never materialized.

I admire the way Mr. Obama is genuine and taking the high road. He needs to remind Americans of our history with the Clintons and the shame they brought on our nation.

Posted by: Shirley | Mar 5, 2008 1:01:39 PM

Guys,

In last night's races, there is a wide acceptance that Hillary will come out with a net gain of 10 delegates(after TX caucus is also accounted).

But the number of Dem SuperDelegate's up for grabs were

VT - 8
TX - 12
OH - 21
RI - 12

Obama's camp always says that the Superdelegates should go by popular vote.

So
Hillary gets 45 SD's
Obama gets 8 SD's

In essence, Hillary netted 10 + (45 - 8)= 37 delegates/superdelegates from last night......WOWWWEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

HILLARY-EDWARDS '08

Posted by: MattOhio | Mar 5, 2008 1:02:27 PM

lmao.

That's funny coming from a state senator who cant even show up in the National Senate, or be bothered to vote because he's too busy.

Wait, he didn't vote when he was a state senator either.

He was too busy!!

LMAO

Posted by: s.b. | Mar 5, 2008 1:03:29 PM

Hmmm. I can understand Obama wanting to knock her off her negative messages about him, but he should be careful not to beat her up too much.

Posted by: Paul | Mar 5, 2008 1:06:33 PM

Actually when all is said and done, she will gain at least 25 pledged delegates from last night, maybe more depending on TEX caucuses.

And yes if Super delegates have to vote as their states voted, thank you JOhn Kerry and Ted Kennedy for your support of Hillary Clinton, she would have more super delegates not less.

You see all the obama camp's arguements about how she can't win and Math are loads of horse manure.

There's an easy way to break the tie. Count 2 million votes in Florida and Michigan. No dem nominee is going to win the white house be campaigning to disenfranchise 2 million Americans.

No way!

Posted by: s.b. | Mar 5, 2008 1:07:19 PM

When everyone asks Obama what good judgement he has shown, he says he has shown good judgement by not voting for Iraq vote....HE DINT HAVE TO VOTE AT ALL. What is he trying to prove. I think he has lost it.

Posted by: MattOhio | Mar 5, 2008 1:09:15 PM

Hillary Clinton is too polarizing to carry the vote against McCain. She's the establishment and so is he.

Obama/Edwards is a perfect solution for America.

Hillary is about to be reminded of her time at the White House and it's nothing to be proud of.

Visiting countries for tea with the locals is not foreign policy experience.

She has no experience as Commander in Chief, nothing even close.

Barack Obama represents the Democratic party and our ideals. He will win with large amount of popular vote and delegates.

Posted by: Robert S | Mar 5, 2008 1:09:59 PM

After what happened yesterday, I just have a question for Dem. If this was a boxing contest, how do you defeat the incumbent title holder, Clinton? The answer is by delivering a knock out punch. I also know that politics is not a game for gentlemen and so far Sen. Obama has played by the rules according to the polls. Most Dems.(my friends) have had enough of Sen. Clinton’s negative campaign; they also believe if that’s going to be the trend Obama has to deliver a few direct blows to gain enough points on his score card. Now is the time to ask the Sen. Clinton what her 35 yrs of experience really is. Now is the time to ask questions about what the American public need to know. If you guy don’t ask these questions, the republican’s will. Every American knows all of the stuff that’s part of Clinton’s experience like: Whitewater, Travel gate, Monica Lewinsky and impeachment, renting out the Lincoln bedroom, the loss of the Rose Law Firm billing records for nearly 2 years until they were miraculously found in the White House living quarters, removing files from Vince Foster’s office following his suicide and before investigators could get there.
I'm a republican and I know Sen. McCain will ask these question. Don't forget our secret weapon, Karl Rove. Bring it on Dems. It's Republicans driving in the Straight Talk Express to the White House come fall '08.

Posted by: Chan | Mar 5, 2008 1:12:51 PM

We are going to win those states anyway, no matter who the nominee is our numbers are double the republicans in those states. Clinton won those with slim margins and a lot of focus, fight, negativity and old time political relationships...and against Obama, another dem. We need the redder states. Which Obama wins with a MUCH bigger majority.

That is the fact... the bigger states are democratic states for the most part and Hillary won most by tiny/slim margins.

Posted by: klondike | Mar 5, 2008 1:14:58 PM

Shirley, you do love your republican talking points. Nevertheless, you forgot to ad that she killed Foster, she's a witch, a liar, a fraud. Get a life. Those of us in the Hillary camp have heard all the crap you Obama folks throw around, but stay tuned for the Rezko trial going on each and every day from here on out. Are you having fun now?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Mar 5, 2008 1:15:49 PM

Give me a break! Obama is going to question the experience of Hillary? There is one area where Obama has more experience than Hillary and that is running for office. Has Obama even completed the full term of any office he was elected to? The minute he is elected he already has his sights on the next prize. Is this about wanting to work for the people or is it simply a case of personal ambition??

Posted by: Firefighter | Mar 5, 2008 1:16:06 PM

We need to she her tax return and the library records NOW. If something contained therein is going to blow-up...let's have that happen BEFORE she's the nominee.

Posted by: David | Mar 5, 2008 1:16:16 PM

Chan - this isn't a boxing match.

Besides, your point isn't correct anyway. Boxers holding titles get beat on points all the time. Granted there's some reservation over giving a challenger a decision, but it does happen.

Posted by: Paul | Mar 5, 2008 1:16:31 PM

Obama doesnt represent anything. He is arrogant and divisive. Just look at the number of African-American people that are voting for him just because he looks African-American. He has effectively divided the country on race lines. People are getting very rude while defending his stance. I hope he realises that he is ruining the dreams of millions of youth

Glad to see that America has spoken against Obama leading this country and taking it to the dumps.

Posted by: MattOhio | Mar 5, 2008 1:17:47 PM

Obama HAS won big states. He won Washington, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois and Missouri. Don't drink the HRC Kool-Aid.

Posted by: jamie_c | Mar 5, 2008 1:18:58 PM

Finally Senator Obama claimed experience does matter...He is not qualified to talk about experiences because he got NONE...

Posted by: Truth | Mar 5, 2008 1:19:27 PM

Let's continue to have meaningful discussion about a winning election strategy. I'm comfortable with an Clinton-Obama ticket. I'm not quite as comfortable with an Obama-Clinton ticket, but could maybe be sold, but I need to hear sound logic. This is a healthy process to continue, just don't let the right-wing windbags knock us off focus. The momentum is with Clinton, and this has become a matter for consideration by the artists, as opposed to the mathematicians.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 5, 2008 1:22:51 PM

MattOhio, you Ohio folks rock! When you Ohio guys finished speaking the Obama folks are still shaking and whining all day long. Thanks for standing up Ohio!

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Mar 5, 2008 1:23:14 PM

Dogsoldier - did you see Matt Lauer on the Today show asking Hillary about the picture of she and Bill beaming while standing with him. Hmmmmmm....maybe he raised some money for them too?

Of course Hillary's trademark response "I don't recall"....

Here we go again. Before we know it there will be a "vast right wing conspiracy" theory. lol

Posted by: Shirley | Mar 5, 2008 1:24:45 PM

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