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Clinton Tip-Toes Around Rev. Wright Issue
April 28, 2008 12:59 PM
ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: Senator Hillary Clinton knocked Republican presidential contender John McCain and the Republican party for politicizing the issue of Senator Barack Obama's pastor, Rev. Wright, but tip-toed around her reaction to her Democratic opponent's handling of the matter.
“I have said that that that was a personal decision of his I answered one question about it that made it clear I would not have stayed in that church under those circumstances," Clinton told reporters in Graham, NC. "But, I regret the efforts by the Republicans to politicize this matter and I believe that if Senator McCain were serious he would do more than just send a letter he is the putative nominee I think he could very clearly tell the North Carolina party tell the Mississippi party that he would not tolerate those kinds of advertisements and I’m waiting to see if he does that.”
When asked if Wright’s comments were a reflection upon Obama, Clinton quickly and matter of factly said, “You will have to ask him that.”
Clinton refused to respond to whether she agrees with Gov. Dean’s proposed time-line - that one of the Democratic nominees must drop out after the June primaries - and instead said, “I think this has been good for the Democratic party.” She added, “We are going to go through these next contests and see where we end up and well take stock of where we are when we finish but I also believe we’ve got to resolve Michigan and Florida.”
The former first lady was also asked if the divisiveness from the 1990’s should be a concern to voters to which the Senator responded that she was proud of the fighting she and her husband did on behalf of Americans.
“I guess I’ve read enough history and know enough about American politics to realize that if you are going to stand for change big change,” Clinton said. “ I don't think anybody should be surprised that they are going to fight back and they are going to fight back by coming after the people who are standing there fighting for the American middle class. So, I frankly wear that as a badge of courage.”
Clinton was also asked if her campaign is in discussions with the DNC to help begin fundraising for other Democratic candidates running in November. Clinton acknowledged that her campaign was speaking to the DNC, but when the reporter followed up about the status of those discussions, Clinton said, “you will have to ask the campaign.”
Clinton was asked if she thought Obama’s new appeal to blue collar voters will resonate – Clinton said “That will be up to the voters to decide. What voters know about me is that I have a long record of fighting for the interests.”
April 28, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (134)
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David -- why would Hillary lower herself to Obama's (aka Soetoro's) level by being his vice-president.
I think he'll pick Cindy Sheehan as his VP to reflect the true new democratic party.
Posted by: A | Apr 28, 2008 2:00:21 PM
Kenneth
Sound's like Nader is your guy.
Posted by: A | Apr 28, 2008 2:02:39 PM
Why should Clinton answer for Obama's buddy Wright?
Posted by: geevill | Apr 28, 2008 2:03:13 PM
What really gets me mad is that I just watched the MSNBC show hosted by ANDREA MITCHELL
AND SHE HAD ON WASHINGTON POST REP JONATHAN K. PARK I THINKS THATS HIS NAME.... AND REV JOE WATKIN A BLACK REPUBLICAN BOTH TALKING ABOUT REV WRIGHT WELL FIRST OF I HATE IT WHEN CABLE NEWS SHOW THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE THESE GUYS ARE BLACK THEY SPEAK FOR ALL BLACK PEOPLE WELL THEY DON'T..
REV WRIGHT SPEECH TODAYS WAS GREAT..WELL AMERICAN YOU WANTED TO OPEN THE RACE CAN OF WORMS WELL NOW YOU GOT IT.
THESE BLACK NEWS PUNDITS PEOPLE DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE MAJORITY OF BLACK PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTANDS SLAVERY AND UNDERSTAND REV WRIGHT.
BESIDE REV JOE WATKINS IS NOW SPEAKING FOR HIS CHURCH..HE BETTER WATCH OUT.
AND ISN'T REV JOE WATKINS SUPPOSE TO NOT JUDGE AFTER ALL HE'S A REV.
Posted by: betty | Apr 28, 2008 2:03:44 PM
A
I think Obama is done for. He won't win Indiana, and if he does win N.C. it will be close. I belive he won't win N.C. even with 38% of the Dem. party which happens to be blacks. It's a shame Obama is not a bad candidate he just kept the wrong friends around.
Posted by: David | Apr 28, 2008 2:04:41 PM
Now why should Clinton not tip toe around the Rev Wright issue, its Obama's mess so let him clean it up, this had nothing to do with Hillary.
According to Wright Obama is telling the public what he needs to tell them to get elected, again there is no need for Hillary to comment.
Its a black thing and for Hillary to comment you folks may say she is racists, so let the Obama camp and Obama supporters deal with their clean ups, they can disown Wright or not but whatever they do the will have to face the outcome of Wrights fall out.
Posted by: SJ | Apr 28, 2008 2:08:23 PM
The Clintons did not turn to Wright during his impeachment -- he was invited to an annual meeting of religious leaders which occurred at the same time as the Starr report was being released. "Turning to" would imply personal connection,"invited to" does not. If you now want to accuse the Clintons of accepting Wright in one instance and rejecting him in another, feel free. But, do remember that actions in the White House often reflect the views of constituents just as much as the individual office holder, so pls walk the line carefully when you explain how the president should have not included a pastor/leader of one of the larger black churches in the US b/c of personal differences. [Which is what HRC identified in her response to a direct question.]
As for HRC "surrogates" -- if you don't believe the premise that Obama should have to answer for Wright's comments, than don't play the game of extending the same irrational line of questioning to people even more removed from the principals. Compare HRC / Obama, fine --- saying that you have to look to secondary/tertiary/etc relationships is just ridiculous. That's akin to playing "6 degrees"...
Posted by: Sandy | Apr 28, 2008 2:10:09 PM
I agree now that there is no way hillary clinton can stick Obama on the ticket as VP.
All of his non electablity issues will follow them around .
He was a great pick as VP , but now he is a total liability.
Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 28, 2008 2:10:19 PM
David: you guys need to wake up and realize this race is over. So Indiana and North Carolina, you can vote for someone who has already lost or you can vote for Obama who already has won this race.
I keep hearing there is a race for popular vote. If there is a race for popular vote, how do you count caucus states (i.e Alaska, Washington State, etc.) where there are no true popular numbers ? So to me the popular vote rhetoric cannot be used by the super delegates in deciding this race. Truly superdelegates should take a look at the delegate counts. Both candidates will beat John McCain, so electability shouldn't be an issue. Infact on the issue of electability, the Republicans appear to prefer to run against Hillary, than Obama.
Bottom line, the Democratic Party has it's Presidential Candidate. It is Obama. He has won the most pledged delegates, he has won the most states, and given the fact that there is no true way of deciphering popular vote received by some of the caucus states it is unusable. Regardless of the outcome of North Carolina and Indiana, Obama has already won the Democratic primary for 2008. The sooner people realize this, the sooner the party can mend and we move forward against the Republicans. To vote for Hillary is like the Republicans still voting for Huckabee... It means nothing..
Posted by: Becky | Apr 28, 2008 2:11:07 PM
I'm sick of seeing Obama and Clinton tear each other apart. McCain is the real enemy. When are these two democratic candidates going to start attacking him in earnest? I'm an Obama supporters, yes he does have problems with white blue collar voters in the rust belt and southern states. Both he and Clinton have almost identical platforms. I think they should both be on the same ticket. What do you all say, Obama/Clinton'08
Posted by: Shawn | Apr 28, 2008 2:11:24 PM
Wright is open for the nod for VP maybe Obama should give him a call
Posted by: SJ | Apr 28, 2008 2:11:38 PM
Shawn - Obama can't put someone on the ticket who would energize Republicans and bring negatives of 53 to the race.
There's more at stake than the White House. With Clinton anywhere on the ticket, the Democrats risk losing Congress, too.
Posted by: Paul | Apr 28, 2008 2:15:48 PM
Becky
You fail to understand politics and super delegates and what the interest of the party is. WINNING is the GAME.
You can't hold on to a looser. Imagine if someone found out that Obamas was a murderer and they found the bodies and the smokeing gun. Do you believe the super delegates would give it to him . NO
Posted by: David | Apr 28, 2008 2:15:57 PM
David: That is a tall reach don't you think?? LOL
Posted by: Becky | Apr 28, 2008 2:18:16 PM
I'd like to see Tony Zinni as running mate. Richardson is obviously a short-lister, and maybe Sebellius, too. Mark Warner would be an interesting pick. And let's not forget Rendell - don't assume he wouldn't accept just because he's helping Clinton now.
Posted by: Paul | Apr 28, 2008 2:18:46 PM
All three cadidates stink, nobody should vote and the Reps and Dems should go back and find somebody better...
Posted by: Joe | Apr 28, 2008 2:20:18 PM
Becky
Cindy Sheehan would best represent Obama's views and the two of them on the same ticket would mark the advent of the new democratic party.
Posted by: A | Apr 28, 2008 2:22:01 PM
Becky
Thats an example of why it's not over till the fat ladie sings. Nothing is for sure. Party comes first. Hopefully we can change the system just like the Republicans winner takes all. HRC would of had it by now.
Posted by: David | Apr 28, 2008 2:22:02 PM
Senator Clinton what fighting did you do again in the 90's? I mean other than fighing members of your own party on your health care plan to feed insurance companies?
Posted by: Louis | Apr 28, 2008 2:25:04 PM
I think the Dems should drop both HRC and Obama and nominate Edwards. He will win. They have the power at the convention to do so.
Posted by: David | Apr 28, 2008 2:25:10 PM
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