Hillary Clinton Mentions RFK Assassination in Relation to '08 Race

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Hillary Clinton Mentions RFK Assassination in Relation to '08 Race

May 23, 2008 4:25 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow Reports: In an interview with the Argus Leader, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., took the unusual step of invoking the assassination of Sen. Robert Kennedy, D-N.Y., when discussing the continuing Democratic nomination battle.

"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it." Clinton said.

Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton responded: "Senator Clinton's statement before the Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this campaign."

Sen. Clinton almost immediately tried to blunt the potential impact of her statement, telling reporters in South Dakota, "Earlier today I was discussing the democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Senator Kennedy waged in California in June in 1992 and 1968. And I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nomination primary contests that go into June that's a historic fact. The Kennedy's have been much on my mind for the last days because of Senator Kennedy."

"I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation - particularly for that family - was in any way offensive," Clinton continued. "I certainly had no intention of that whatsoever. My view is that we have to look to the past and to our leaders who have inspired us and give us a lot to live up to and I'm honored to hold Senator Kennedy's seat in the United States Senate in the state of New York. And have the highest regard for the entire Kennedy family."

Clinton's statement stands in contrast to the initial reation from the Clinton camp.

"She was simply referencing her husband in 1992 and Bobby Kennedy in 1968 as historic examples of the nominating process going well into the summer. Any reading into beyond that would be inaccurate," responded Clinton campaign spokesperson Mo Elleithee.

The context of the statement came as Clinton said that reports that her campaign has made overtures to the Obama campaign about her being vice president or about an exit strategy were "flatly untrue."

"This is part of an ongong effort to end this before it's over," Clinton said. "I sure don't think it's over."

Clinton said that perhaps people are forgetting that there were other candidates in the past who were finishing a distant second and who went all the way to the convention. "I rememeber very well 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992," she said.

Clinton also said she would look to "the camp of my opponent for the source of those stories (about an Obama-Clinton ticket)."

"People have been tyring to push me out of this ever since Iowa," Clinton continued.

"Why?" the reporter asked. "I don't know. I don't know. I find it curious. Because it is unprecedented in history. I don't understand it. Between my opponent and some in the media there has been this urgency to end this. And historically, that makes no sense. So I find it a bit of a mystery," Clinton responded.

The reporter asked if she buys the argument that Democrats are seeking party unity.

"I don't because I've been around long enough. My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it," Clinton said.

Clinton said it was a "historical curiousity" to her that she is being pushed to leave the race and when asked if she thought it had anything to do with her gender, she said she would not speculate but noted that others have.

Clinton went on to argue -- as she has been arguing for some time -- that she is best positioned to beat John McCain in the fall. She cited Karl Rove's electoral maps obtained by ABC News last week as proof that she has a better chance of winning in November.

"Does that mean that my opponent can't win? Of course not. But based on what we know now, if you're a South Dakotan, who would your best bet be to win the White House? It would be me," Clinton said.

Pressed on whether Obama could win the presidency, Clinton said, "Of course he can win. Anything is possible in politics."

ABC News' Jake Tapper contributed to this report.

May 23, 2008 in Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (1448)

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IS THIS ALRIGHT. HOW CAN SHE SO CHEAPEN THE DEATH OF BOBBY KENNEDY.

HOW CAN SHE SO LIGHTLY ENDANGER THE LIFE OF BARACK OBAMA.

SHE CALCULATES EVERYTHING SHE SAYS AND EVERYTHING SHE DOES AND SHE SAID

ASSASINATE

FOR A REASON!

Posted by: shelgirl | May 23, 2008 4:48:39 PM

The Absolute Sickness of the
Clintons is Finally Exposed!
So this is Clinton's plan to
assassinate Obama or encourage
someone to do it!
This CANNOT be Explained Away!
She Did Not Misspeak!
It is time for the Super Delegates to
Send This CRACKPOT and her equally
Deranged husband HOME!
Put these two in a mental institution
or in Jail!

Posted by: reaganfan | May 23, 2008 4:48:41 PM

WHAT is she up to?

Looking to give some racist hillbilly supporters an IDEA?????

DISGUSTING, below HUMAN!!

That's Hillary Clinton!

Posted by: sue | May 23, 2008 4:48:46 PM

Boy, I was waiting for my name to be on that list of who the Clintons have "killed" Come on people, she did not say anything about killing Obama.

Posted by: Jan | May 23, 2008 4:48:54 PM

This is sad. I hope all Americans reject this type of non-sense. I have not seen Bill in days maybe hes plannig to send hes boys to murder Borack. This women lost her mind. If something happens to Barack we know now were to look. Hillary is slipping on the polls so bad that she does not realize is all of us the American people who want her out!!!!! I hope they start an investigation on what she is saying. They should take this seriously. Shame on Hillary.

Posted by: Mrs. Linda | May 23, 2008 4:49:00 PM

Kerry: Now that you have attempted 8th grade three times, will they let you move on this year?

Posted by: dano | May 23, 2008 4:49:22 PM

BULLSH!T!!!!! Clinton was sending a message to theose "working-class whites" she's been schmoozing that someone needs to assasinate Obama, so that she can get the nomination. What her campaign says is just spin to try to control the backlash. Hillary Clinton has apparently lost her mind. We've dodged a bullet, ladies and gentlemen! Let's hope Barack Obama will be as lucky.

Posted by: I smell a rat | May 23, 2008 4:49:23 PM

I can't beleive that anyone would vote for a Muslim. Get a grip.....

Posted by: JO | May 23, 2008 4:50:17 PM

Wow! I wouldn't even say this about the Clinton's.

This is horrible.

Posted by: Tammi_J | May 23, 2008 4:50:26 PM

Kay seems to have done some research. I think the FBI needs to investigate that. Clinton is hoping that something may happen to Obama and then she gets the nomination but to allege that she may actually plan his physical demise is a bit far fetched but from what Kay's argument quite a likely possibility knowing the history and how desperately she wants to be the president or vie president. Secret service for Obama take note and beef up the security ten fold.

Posted by: gjkotw01 | May 23, 2008 4:50:46 PM

WOW! This woman has really lost her marbles. She needs to be put out her misery and pronto.

Posted by: James | May 23, 2008 4:50:48 PM

Absolutely Repulsive . . . chilling . . . Hillary is a very calculating woman . . . she does not misspeak . . . only question is, is Hillary encouraging her uneducated, racist constituents to put a hit on Obama, thereby leaving her the nominee by default? Cripes!

Posted by: rockyroad | May 23, 2008 4:51:17 PM

Absolutely revolting and spinless tactics by Hillary and camp. To refer to the Kennedy assassination as some convoluted reason to stay in a race she has already lost is totally pathetic and down right sick! I remember that day very well as though it were yesterday and to think anyone would refer to this awful day in the history of the US in this context is replusive!!

Posted by: Revolting Hillary | May 23, 2008 4:51:23 PM

Hillary, your logic that a potential assasination might occur is as twisted as your numerical explanation for staying in the race. Save yourself anymore embarassment.

Posted by: JUNEAU52 | May 23, 2008 4:51:57 PM

Go CLINTON Go! This is going to convention and anyone who thinks otherwise is a victim of Obama spin and Obama-centric media. A woman is running a successful campaign for president... GET OVER IT!

A Loyal Clinton supporter and democrat.

Posted by: Rob | May 23, 2008 4:52:09 PM

JO : McCain is not a Muslim.

Posted by: dano | May 23, 2008 4:52:19 PM

I AM IN SHOCK, NO SHE DIDN'T
She is ruining herself, please make her stop!

Posted by: kay t | May 23, 2008 4:52:28 PM

Posted by: reaganfan | May 23, 2008 4:52:32 PM

Oh please. This has become just ridiculous and has a taken a new low in media spin. Her point was quite clear .
Somehow, someway it seems people can't make reference to anything having to do with race and now assassination and it immediately is about Obama. What, everything revolves around Obama? I'm voting McCain because I've just about had it. If the media is so clearly pro-Obama biased - the same media that sat by and did not question the Bush administration as he was preparing to send our young men and women to Iraq- then McCain must be the right candidate.
Whoever the media supports cannot be good for this Country.

Posted by: alpaig | May 23, 2008 4:52:48 PM

Kerry: You are a fool.

Posted by: dano | May 23, 2008 4:53:08 PM

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