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Clinton Expresses Frustration With the Democratic Party
April 10, 2008 4:56 PM
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., vented frustration that the Democratic Party has failure to come to a resolution about how to handle the convention delegations in Florida and Michigan.
"I really don’t understand why the Republican Party very clearly decided what they were going to do, and the Democratic Party can’t decide," Clinton said at an airport in Pittsburgh, going further than she has in the past in her critique.
Clinton then turned on her opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., saying, "He doesn’t want the votes to count. Sen. Obama has been very very clear -- do not count those votes or come up with some kind of resolution which disenfranchises people."
An exasperated Clinton burst into a fit of laughter, after being asked twice about the Colombia trade deal and a possible conflict of interest involving her differing opinion with her husband on the matter. When asked if there was a conflict of interest specifically with her husband receiving $800,000 for speaking engagements ostensibly in support of the trade deal and Clinton giving her own money to her own campaign, Clinton burst out laughing.
"And how many angels dance on the head of a pin?" she asked. "I have really nothing to-- I mean, how do you answer that. I am against the Colombia free trade deal. It doesn’t matter who talks to me. It doesn’t matter any circumstances. I’ve been against it, I am against it, I will be against it."
Clinton criticized President Bush for his Iraq position, saying, "The president refuses to face the reality that we are confronted by in Iraq."
She continued, "The president is asking the American people for time and patience. The American people are saying he has had enough of both. Our troops have done all that has been asked of them and more. It's time for the president to answer the question being asked of him in the wake of the failed objectives that were laid out to be met by the surge. What is the exit strategy in Iraq?"
When asked if she would be willing to go against advice from military commanders on the ground when she is president to follow an Iraq withdrawal plan that she has laid out as a candidate, Clinton said, "Let me just describe for you the way our system works. The policy is set by the civilian leadership. The president of the United States sets the policy. Our military, thankfully so, carries out the policy that is set. You ask the military for their best advice about how to implement the policy you have set."
Clinton was asked if she agreed with Elton John that misogyny had played a role in this campaign. Clinton said, "Look, you can’t ignore that gender and race are embodied in our two candidacies. We are who we are. And that produces reactions of all kinds from people. But at the end of the day, people have to decide who they think will be the best president."
April 10, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (422)
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Somebody should call her on this Florida & Michigan matter. When she was up by 20 points she agreed to omit Fl. & Mi. The time to question the judgement of the DNC was then not now. Weren't there votes in the general just as important then as it is now.
Posted by: Charles | Apr 10, 2008 5:04:41 PM
US$ 800 000 Colombian money in Bill's pocket for speaking for another NAFTA+, Hill is unelectable, and every day is a demonstration of that reality, she has to live with her unelectable status, pack and go back to Bosnia where the snipers are waiting for her. Nothing substantive in this speech, a typical Hillary talk. The writing is on the wall Hill. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.
Posted by: BKMC | Apr 10, 2008 5:05:14 PM
She should join the Republican party if she thinks they are so wise. What a pathetic loser she is becoming.
Posted by: Bob, DC | Apr 10, 2008 5:21:40 PM
A lot of us are equally frustrated. This country needs someone who knows what they are doing, not another amateur who is afraid to make a decision because it might come back to bite him on election day. If she has the nomination "stolen" from her because of the extreme press bias this year, and the dirty tricks thrown (albeit in a very clever way), she should run as an independent. Bet the DNC know it alls would not like that!
Posted by: dwc | Apr 10, 2008 5:25:15 PM
A few months ago, Hillary was adamant that Florida and Michigan election results would not count because they violated DNC rules.
Now she's adamant the votes have to count as is.
Hillary voted for Iraq, now she's against it.
Hillary was on the board at Walmart and was there for several meetings where Walmart execs ripped union workers. Now, she supposedly supports them. (Lots of video of Walmart exec comments while Hillary was there in 86-92).
Hillary held a pro-NAFTA meeting, but supposedly has been against it.
Bill takes money from Colombia to help fund Hillary's presidential run, but Hillary's against them?
Posted by: Debbie | Apr 10, 2008 5:30:29 PM
You white people have already lost. Obama will win because it is time for us to rise up against those who have been holding us down for so long.
Power to Obama
Posted by: Momo | Apr 10, 2008 5:30:38 PM
What are the important policy differences between Clinton and Obama?
Posted by: Just curious | Apr 10, 2008 5:32:19 PM
From the beginning Hillary has said the FL and MI should count.
Hot For Hillary 2008!!!!!!
Posted by: Sammy | Apr 10, 2008 5:33:20 PM
Take it to the floor Hill!
Obama can't win without MI and FL. There is no point nominating him if it can only happen without 2.3 million demcratic votes being couonted.
No Point!
Posted by: s.b. | Apr 10, 2008 5:33:55 PM
I feel like with the race as close as it is and nobody seeming to budge one way or another...Florida and Michigan need to be seated in some way...not necessary how the results were but...some how.
After this Democratic Party, the DNC needs to look at how insane the format or the primaries is... splitting delegates. The ONLY thing I will ever agree in regards to the Republican party is the "winner" takes the state primary format. This race was interesting, now its just getting old...every little thing is scrutinized.
Posted by: Mo-Jo | Apr 10, 2008 5:36:50 PM
I'm not a Hillary fan and I don't think MI and FL should be counted. Still, she has a point -- the DNC should make a decision and stop acting impotent.
Hmmm -- maybe they're not acting.
Posted by: Surelock Homes | Apr 10, 2008 5:38:03 PM
Obama is the scariest person that has ever attempted to run for office. He has no experience, he admitted him self in 2004 that he was not experienced enough to be the President. He has only been in office for 2 years and he already has more baggage than any other candidate. Worst of all he is a racist. How did he get this far??
If he is the Dem nominee then I will be voting McCain 2008!!
Posted by: Josie | Apr 10, 2008 5:38:57 PM
Hillary: it's not that the Democrats can't decide what to do about Florida and Michigan, it's that they DID decide and you don't agree with the decision. Go out and win the rest, and you'll get the nomination. Otherwise, sink peacefully into the sunset while you work to make the Democrat nominee become the next president.
Posted by: Bob A. from Buffalo | Apr 10, 2008 5:45:43 PM
Uh, calm down Iraq_Vet
I love Hillary to death, but I think people are criticizing her for being a hypocrite.
And if I were a Vet I would be more upset that she was lying about being under sniper fire, and then joking about it during Jay Leno. I think that what our Soldiers fight for is a very serious and heartfelt devotion to American. Not to be made as a "misspoken" joke by Clinton.
Posted by: Sally | Apr 10, 2008 5:47:12 PM
s. b., You're right! Hillary has never wavered in her stance that Florida and Michigan delegates should be seated. it's also completely unconstitutional for the nomination to proceed without them.
As to misogyny in this campaign, the overt vitriol heaped on Hillary by the press during this presidential primary season is reprehensible.
Posted by: Emily | Apr 10, 2008 5:49:11 PM
What is she talking about - the Democratic Party decided months ago what they were going to do - they were not going to count the votes in Michigan and Florida and they were not going to seat their delegations based on those votes. So, what is her gripe here!
Posted by: Paul | Apr 10, 2008 5:51:12 PM
Excellent points, mixed-american!
Posted by: Emily | Apr 10, 2008 5:53:44 PM
The Colombia deal reminds me of the banktuptcy bill. She voted for it but was really against it.
With Colombia trade, she's against it but really for it.
Posted by: Judy | Apr 10, 2008 5:55:49 PM
Hillary should be called out on her latest lies about Michigan and Florida like the way she was called out on her lies about Bosnia. She is getting a completely free ride from the press about this Michigan and Florida issue. If she can only win in states where she is the only one on the ballot she is not going to be a viable candidate for general election.
Posted by: cala | Apr 10, 2008 5:56:09 PM
i share hillary's frustration
look she does not need the money, the fame, or the headaches that will come with the job of rebuilding this country. she already has a job. her life will not be in a shambles if she loses. this leads me to believe that she must believe in her heart that she can improve our economy, end the war and bring healthcare to all. otherwise she would have thrown in the towel a long time ago. i cannot help but believe that much of this hillary bashing is first and foremost sexist in nature. the idea of a woman at the helm is just too much for white men to handle. it is time for a woman president, yes this one. my personal experience with female friends and comments regarding hillary is also revealing-some are so oppressed by men that they believe that only a man can lead, some hate their mother's and project this 'woman in authority issue' onto hillary.
Posted by: sonia trevino | Apr 10, 2008 5:56:28 PM
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