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Clinton Says Obama's 'Bitter' Remark Could Cost Party General Election

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April 13, 2008 3:12 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., took the opportunity to capitalize on her rivals comments that people in small towns are "bitter" for the third day in a row.

Speaking to reporters outside some homes in Scranton, Pennsylvannia where she has family roots and today was greeted by many supporters holding signs and offering encouragement. She made the argument that Sen. Barack Obama's comments could cost the party the election and that the party has been seen as out of touch by male candidates in the past. Clinton also criticized Obama for not "owning up to his remarks."

Clinton was asked if this moment was her opening in the race – the one that she has been looking for. Clinton responded saying,"I think what’s important about this is that Senator Obama has not owned up to what he said, and taken accountability for it you. You know, first said he was right and attacked me for raising his remarks and referencing them. Then he admitted he may have said what he said in artfully. And now he he’s deeply apologized if he offended anyone. But what people are looking for is an explanation."

Clinton also threatened that these comments could really hurt the Democratic Party – making a veiled comparison to what happened to John Kerry and Al Gore.

"The Democratic party has been unfortunately viewed by many people over the last decades as being elitist and out of touch we have waged elections over that you don’t have to think too far to remember that good men running for president were viewed as being elitist and out of touch with the values and the lives of millions of Americans. So I think this is a very significant concern that people have expressed. You know the front page of the paper today in Scranton is very pointed and the mayor and mayors across Pennsylvanian and people across our country have all reacted," she said. 

Clinton repeated the argument she has been making these past days saying, "I do not believe, as Senator Obama apparently does, that Americans in small towns and small cities and rural areas cling to religion and gun ownership out of frustration they embrace them as a matter of faith and a way of life. We are at a point in America where need to be bringing people together."

Clinton also implied that Obama's comments reflect that he does not respect all Americans saying "I believe if you want to be president of all Americans you need to respect all Americans. You need to respect their values and their way of life and that’s exactly what I will do as president."

Clinton has been speaking about her hunting experience recently, but when asked when the last time she fired a gun or went to church – she objected saying "You know what that is not that is not a relevant question for this debate we can answer that another time this is about what people feel is being said about them and you know I went to church on Easter that is not what this is about. This is about how people look at the democratic party and the democratic party leadership."

Clinton also rejected any notion that she was out of touch – due to her not living in a middle class lifestyle and spending so much time living a more privileged life. Clinton said "Well Bill and I have worked very hard our entire lives and I am very grateful for the successes we’ve have had – and I think a lot of the way we live, even today you know my mother lives with us I've met a lot of mothers and aunts who living with people in these houses as we walk down the street. We are obviously very appreciative of the opportunities we have been given we don’t take anything for granted."

April 13, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (256)

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She'd like o think that. She'd like to believe that. She NEEDS it to be true.

Unfortunately, for her -- fortunately for us -- it is NOT TRUE!

Hillabeans is toast, and no manner of firestorm the MSM and Clintonistas try to make out of the "bitter" remark will change that.

Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!

Posted by: Jackt51 -- Vietnam Vet and Proud Liberal | Apr 13, 2008 3:20:32 PM

Obama’s apologies only make matters worse.

It’s like his “typical white grandmother comment”. Remember how he compared his “white grandmother” to “Jeremiah Wright”, so he didn’t have to apologize for Wright’s radical remarks in a church of God?

Now he is comparing "BITTER" Pennsylvanians to his home state of IL. He is calling his home state of IL (and several others) “god fearing, gun, toting, racists” like he did with his “typical white grandmother”. Maybe he feels the people will forgive him if he throws his home state under the bus.

That big bang you just heard is the OBAMA BUSMOBILE crashing into the wall of “truth and honesty”.

HILLARY / EDWARDS 2008!

Posted by: RURAL AMERICAN | Apr 13, 2008 3:23:42 PM

Jackt51,
Oh, really, and I supposed you think Obama's remarks helped the Democratic party. Could you please explain how?
========================================
Face it, Obama jumped the shark!
========================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 13, 2008 3:23:54 PM

After seeing Hillary on FOX news today at the news conference, I really think that Hillary is OVERPLAYING her hand.

She needs to back off a little bit. She is starting to look phony with her bragging about guns and taking shots of whiskey and condescending herself.

Hillary is at risk of turning off city voters if she keeps this up.

There is definitely a risk of OVERREACHING here.

Posted by: Maritza | Apr 13, 2008 3:24:22 PM

HRC has to comeout more strongly reagrding this issue than she did with the Rev Wright issue.

We dont much about Obama and these issues - Rev Wright,Bitter-Gate and Race-Gate are an eye openor to what the man is.

Obama said words matter - well his words matter and show his true beliefs.

Posted by: Kuttan | Apr 13, 2008 3:29:30 PM

Bottom line: Obama is not
qualified to be a Senator.

Posted by: ricki | Apr 13, 2008 3:30:04 PM

Well I guess she could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas.

Posted by: Paul | Apr 13, 2008 3:30:15 PM

Maritza,
I guess you'd like Hillary to be demure, and soft, and all namby-pamby, like a subservient woman that knows her place.
========================================
Obama, he's a man's man, because he knows how to cut down small town people!
========================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 13, 2008 3:30:55 PM

Hey Mark,
Right, this is all about Hillary. Your man Obama didn't do anything to raise even and eyebrow. That's why it's headlines on major news channels everywhere. True to form, everytime the Obama zombie nation's man Obama gets himself in trouble the zombie crowd starts chanting Hillary, Hillary, Hillary, evil.
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Obama, the right guy for the Obama zombie nation.
========================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 13, 2008 3:33:10 PM

WestCoastMessenger,

I don't think that Hillary needs to be demure, etc. I think Hillary struck the right tone yesterday in her remarks but today she kept going on and on. It was starting to turn me off.

The problem that Hillary has is that she tends OVERPLAY her hand in things which gets her into trouble.

Many people are starting to say that Hillary may be taking this a bit too far and she is starting to look phony.

Posted by: Maritza | Apr 13, 2008 3:36:27 PM

Senator Clinton's main problem in this area is that any argument she uses against Senator Obama can be used against her. I don't blame her for saying these things, she has to if she wants to keep her campaign alive. On the other hand, from a tactical standpoint, it seems to be Maggie William's similar style of myopic attack that ignores the general election. It's like playing chess and only thinking about the next move. Or like playing poker and only thinking about the guy/gal to your right.

And it is very disingenuous of those of you outraged over the Bosnia business to be harping on this so noisily.

Posted by: MIguy | Apr 13, 2008 3:36:49 PM

if dem's don't win in november it will be because of the clinton's--if she can't win then the dem's won't win--i would never vote for clinton never never

Posted by: william | Apr 13, 2008 3:37:09 PM

I'm a bitter American and Obama speaks the truth, unlike some other candidates...

Give me a break...American People is not stupid.

Posted by: Lawrence | Apr 13, 2008 3:37:26 PM

Maritza,
The people that are saying that are called Obama supporters.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 13, 2008 3:37:43 PM

WestCoastMessanger, Hill the Bosnain General's campaign was dying and she believes by twisting Obama's words she will get it back alive, a mistake, same lack of judgement. Jumping and twisting words and msrepresenting Obama's words won't make it. Unfortunately for her and for her campaign, again she is overblowing Obama's words as she has overblown her 1996 visit to Bosnia, same Hill the Commander of the Bosnian snipers. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Posted by: BKMC | Apr 13, 2008 3:39:41 PM

Hillary can't win with Obama supporters no matter what she says or does.

However, Obama continues to show himself as a very questionable character who is not fit for any public office. He definitely is not fit for the presidency.

I cannot believe the democratic party did not do their research on this guy - or the question is - did they and they agree with him on small town America, Rev. Wright's view of the government, Rezko, money being funneled into Illinois from Iraq, typical white people, etc. Who and what is backing this guy - don't tell me a grassroots effort raised the kind of money this guy has in campaign fund. FRIGHTENING!!!

I believe Barack Obama is one of the worse candidates I have ever seen in any election. He has divided this country. The truth behind Barack Obama can not be ignored!!!!! This is very serious business.

Wake up America - this is not about you being right or wrong about him - THIS IS OUR FUTURE!!!!!!

Hillary 08

Posted by: disgusted in Illinois | Apr 13, 2008 3:42:38 PM

To tell the truth, there are a lot more non voters then voters, and among my friends, Democratic and Republican, there is a growing sense that niether party has the right idea. Hillary, Obama, and McCain I see a lot of people just shaking their heads.

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 13, 2008 3:44:23 PM

well i guess we rather have a liar in office. than someone that didn't choose the right words obama mad. at least he maned up to his mistake

Posted by: prncssntsoprfct | Apr 13, 2008 3:44:33 PM

The issue is not the word "bitter" the issue is that small town america "clings to guns and religion"

The guns is a rich history in rural America.

The religion reference bothers me the most - this is a statement of someone who obviously does not have FAITH, or understands religion. We have had "OUR RELIGION AND FAITH" long before we had economic problems, and long before this joker came on the scene.

fyi - I am from Illinois, Obama has done nothing in this state.

Posted by: disgusted in Illinois | Apr 13, 2008 3:47:28 PM

Hilliary hasn't picked up a gun in a long time. Can you blame her? The last time she went hunting with her grandfather, she came under sniper fire.

Posted by: hamishdad | Apr 13, 2008 3:48:45 PM

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