« Previous | Main | Next »

Clinton Calls Bush Remarks 'Offensive'

Share

May 15, 2008 5:20 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: Senator Hillary Clinton called President Bush's comments in Israel today about the practice of appeasement in foreign policy, particularly his comparison of "any Democrat to Nazi appeasers", both "offensive and outrageous."

"On the face of it and especially in light of his failures in foreign policy, this is the kind of statement that has no place in any presidential address and certainly to use an important moment like the 60th anniversary celebration of Israel to make a political point seems terribly misplaced," said the New York Senator during an impromptu gaggle with reporters. "Unfortunately this is what we’ve come to expect from President Bush who has refused to change course in Iraq, neglected Afghanistan and failed to provide leadership on the range of important issues that face our country and the world.”

Clinton also spoke to McCain's speech today in which he previewed what the country would look like in 2013 after he was president

“It’s especially important in light of what Sen. McCain said earlier today promising victory in Iraq for a Democratic president and I hope people really look seriously at both President Bush’s comment and Sen. McCain’s speech and realize that the only way we’re going to restore our leadership and our moral authority and deal with the very real challenges we face in the world is by electing a Democratic president," said Clinton.  "I believe that I am the stronger candidate against Sen. McCain and would be the president who could accomplish that."

Clinton clarified that her criticism of Bush's remarks today about negotiating with foreign countries was different from her complaints earlier in the election season regarding Senator Obama agreeing to meet with leaders of countries like Iran.

“I have differences with Senator Obama on certain foreign policy matters, but I think we are united in our opposition to the Bush policies and to the continuation of those policies by Senator McCain. And no amount of outrageous analogies or claims for victory are going to sugarcoat what has been a dismal record by this administration and their allies in the Congress.”

Clinton was also asked about former Senator and '08 rival John Edwards' endorsement of Obama on Wednesday and said it might be helpful in some places, but what really matters is what voters decide.

“Well I have a great deal of respect for Senator Edwards. And he and I have a lot in common, I particularly have a lot in common with Elizabeth Edwards, said Clinton.  "I imagine that Senator Edwards’ endorsement will be of some help to Senator Obama in Kentucky.  But I think that what matters is the people who actually vote.”

Clinton said she had not spoken to John Edwards, but has spoken to Elizabeth Edwards.

“I’ve spoken with Elizabeth Edwards and she’s a friend of mine and I have a high regard for her and I think it’s important that she remain a strong advocate and real champion for universal healthcare.”

Clinton continued, “I don’t think a Democratic nominee for president should have any position other than universal healthcare. It has been a position of our platform since Harry Truman. There are different ways of getting there, but you’ve got to remain committed to universal healthcare and Elizabeth Edwards and I agree.”

May 15, 2008 in Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (80)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Sweetie, you're never going to be President.

Posted by: bob | May 15, 2008 5:26:43 PM

man, i reeeeally dont like liberals. absolutely, without a doubt, they are, and have been, the downfall of this great nation. plain and simple.

Posted by: tim | May 15, 2008 5:34:12 PM

Hillary For President! We DO NOT NEED another smug, condescending president! We do not need a black man who exploits racial divide for HIS political gains. We need Hillary to heal America, all 50 states! Al Gore step up! Endorse Hillary! Keep the REAL faith! Pray together and Hillary will be President!

Posted by: jeep395 | May 15, 2008 5:37:11 PM

Hillary, some of your girls are planning to vote for a 3rd Bush term and apparently they still don't get that such a vote would be a grave insult to you and all your hard work of a lifetime.

Please explain it to them... they're desperate.

Posted by: Fred | May 15, 2008 5:37:27 PM

Mrs. Clinton would never be a good president. Why don't she just concede and get out. She does not care that she hurts herself, the party, as long as she can win by any means. This is a sad state of affairs for her. The country has had enough of the Bushes, but they have also had enought of the Clintons. We don't need either name again.

Posted by: Janie | May 15, 2008 5:40:51 PM

It's amusing that when President Bush starts talking about appeasers (without mentioning names), Barack Obama immediately thinks Bush is talking about him.

Guilty conscience, Barry?

Posted by: AngeloW | May 15, 2008 5:42:15 PM

angelow- i totally agree. why is obama jumping so quickly at Bush's statement.

Posted by: hannah | May 15, 2008 5:47:51 PM

I notice when an article about Clinton pops up, so do the Neanderthal right wingers. If it's an article about McCain or Bush, the Neanderthal left wingers appear.

One thing the right and left have in common, they are Neanderthals.

Posted by: Jeff | May 15, 2008 5:49:53 PM

To top it off Bush told Yahoo the other day that if a Democrat was elected terrorist would attack America.

The people who voted for Bush over the last 8 years should sit this election out and let the people who have made the right choice decide how to get us out of the nightmare that Bush has made of this country.

Posted by: Deward Bowles | May 15, 2008 6:03:16 PM

count the number of Democratic votes she generated. Without her participation, Obama would not have visited as much places as he did, shaken as many hands, and met so many activists. She has shown him that it is not that easy, and he will use that experience. For this, the Democratic Party owes her.

Posted by: Bill Diaz | May 15, 2008 6:10:43 PM

Hey McSame - what happened to the "clean" campaign?

Didn't take long for your "straight talk express" to plow straight into the gutter, huh?

America is tired of Republican smear tactics. Too bad that's all you have left.

Posted by: balthus | May 15, 2008 6:20:53 PM

man, i reeeeally dont like CONSERVATIVES. absolutely, without a doubt, they are, and have been, the downfall of this great nation. plain and simple.

Posted by: Geekmoid | May 15, 2008 6:31:09 PM

John Rogers whose business Obama helped make MILLIONS is now one of Obama's chief fundraisers.

Posted by: libre | May 15, 2008 6:32:12 PM

I am a black man living in hope that my well anticipated chance to vote be considered in this great election! Iam 55yrs old living in miami and i will not even consider sir obama over a true lover of her country, as is the case of Senator Hillery Clinton!!! She's been there done that!!! I marched in the 60's for change, i still march today! I did my time in the navy during the vietnam war! Grew up in Washington D.C. She lives what she's talking about!!! You need to know who you're voting for! And we are all closer to her than any of those other people!!! Love, Adrian

Posted by: Adrian C. Witherspoon | May 15, 2008 6:33:50 PM

Take a look at 120 Dems that have assumed elected offices in cities, counties, districts, states in the last 8 years. Nearly everyone, including Obama, owes the Clintons for teh public support, speeches, fundraising and influence they bring to the entire party.

It is short-sighted selfish politicians who have forgotten who has done more teh teh Dem paarty than an other couple in the last 20 years.

The radio/tv entertainer/pundits with their meaningless opijions, have nothing invested and nothing to lose.
Obama supporters appears weak and afraid
with their calls for Hillary to drop ouot for the "good of the party".
These young, newly registered, never before voted "fans" need to grow up and listen to how ignorant they sound.

Obama has spent his camopaign badmouthing the people in office for dothing nothing and playing political games. He claims he can reconcile these folks he's been dissing for teh last year. (Good luck with that).

He doesn't know how teh game is played, wwhich is why he's going to the "football field" with a baseball bat. He's got so much to learn.

Hillary is ready on day one. No question about it. She knows which game is being played on which field, and how to play the game.

Obama may not like it, but he's always gonna be standing on teh outside "hoping" instead of "doing" with his child-like view of how Washington works.

Obama is hurting his party's chances of beatign McCain. Why can't he see that side of the coin?

The longer Hill stays in the race, the less air time McCain is getting. And the safer Obama is from the GOP Karl Rove smear tactics.

She's actually hurting nothing by staying in the race. And when Rove produces those "pictures" of Obama which you know Rove has ready to roll out, to discredit Obama, you'll see a sea change of delegates switch their votes in August.

Posted by: val | May 15, 2008 6:34:50 PM

Obama Helped Supporters Get Millions in Illinois State Business in exchange for campaign "fundraising"

Posted by: libre | May 15, 2008 6:34:51 PM

She finally got something right ....

Posted by: older white person | May 15, 2008 6:35:03 PM

Obama lashes and cry about anything is said about him. What about all the insults he and his supporters throw at Senator Clinton?

Posted by: libre | May 15, 2008 6:37:02 PM

She is much more gracious than I'd be. She just sounds so presidential. What is our country doing when we let the media make our decisions for us?

Posted by: Susan | May 15, 2008 6:38:04 PM

The Bush administration has denied referring to Obama when making his statement today in Israel. Unless you have proof that he was, you should not make the assumptions that you did (like the "journalists" at CNN). Furthermore, I didn't see you this outraged when Carter went overseas and exercised his own personal foreign policy in violation of the orders of the State Dept.! The Dems teeter on the verge of actual treason on a daily basis with their constant attacks on those defending us while they work as hard as they can to help our enemies. There aren't just "differences of opinion" in this country. There are those that wish to preserve what America stands for and there are those who want to see America (in its current form) destroyed and rebuilt with a Socialist, secular-progressive nation. I would LOVE to see the Democrats try to go after President Bush for any supposed crime. The foolishness of those in opposition would be exposed for the world to see. Democrats ARE emboldening our enemies. The only crime Bush has committed is not going after those of you who actually do bring aid and comfort to them.

Posted by: Cory | May 15, 2008 6:58:28 PM

Post a comment