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Obama's Top Strategist Defends Decision Not to Pick Clinton for VP
August 24, 2008 12:16 PM
ABC News' Mary Bruce reports: Sen. Barack Obama's, D-Ill., chief strategist, David Axelrod, spoke out this morning against accusations that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., was never vetted for the vice presidency.
"I can tell you, the first person that [Obama] sat down and talked to at all about this vice presidential issue was Sen. Clinton. They had a discussion back in early June about it, and he spent more time with Sen. Clinton alone, talking about issues, than he has with Joe Biden or anyone else in the last couple of months. So, that's simply not true," Axelrod explained in an exclusive interview on "This Week With George Stephanopoulos."
The McCain campaign pounced on the issue Sunday morning, releasing an ad attempting to rile up former Hillary supporters. "She won millions of votes. But isn't on his ticket. Why? For speaking the truth?" the ad asks amid clips of Clinton targeting Obama during the primary season.
Axelrod went on to explain why Obama opted for Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., instead of the former first lady: "[Obama] has a high regard for Sen. Clinton ... She's going to be an important voice in moving this country forward in the next administration. But he felt that Sen. Biden would be the best fit for him at this time."
In a separate interview, former Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani questioned Obama's decision not to pick Clinton. "The strong choice would have been Hillary Clinton. The obvious choice would have been Hillary Clinton," Giuliani said. "She had 50 percent of the Democratic vote. Obama has 50 percent of the Democratic vote. You almost have to go to extraordinary lengths to avoid her as the vice presidential pick of the party."
"Sen. Obama has made a choice more out of weakness than strength," Giuliani continued. "Don't go with your strongest candidate, and then go with a candidate that actually emphasizes all your weaknesses and has been quite vocal about them."
And while the former mayor of New York welcomed Biden "to this whole effort again," he made clear that he has no intention of joining him on the campaign trail as McCain's running mate. "I have not been, as far as I can tell, vetted, if they do tell you about that," he said. "I am certain that the candidate -- it's down to three or four candidates. It is not me."
August 24, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (289)
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well, lets not say she's fine with it.. lol she just has a career to worry about, but yes its over guys. let her go.
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 1:39:25 PM
wow, partisan politics is ruining america. cant we all just agree that BOTH of these guys are a joke??? can i just get ONE person to agree with me???!!!!
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 1:42:14 PM
Let's see...a lot of women are upset because their candidate, Hillary, LOST! They don't like Obama unless he offered the VP slot to that loser. So now they are mad! I think I can see who the REAL sexist minded people are. Get over it...she lost! Obama will also lose because a majority of Americans will not buy his BS! I told you she would lose to Obam months ago. She did! Now I'm telling you Obama will lose and I will be right in a couple months from now! It is nice to be right all the time!
Posted by: Ed | Aug 24, 2008 1:43:00 PM
I am a Clinton supporter, but my first choice will not be the candidate. This often happens after the primarys. As a loyal Democrat, I am prepared to support Barak Obama and work for his election. There is no Republican fit to lead this country now. (Well, maybe Colin Powel) After 8 years of this administration, even Daffy Duck could do better. Lets use our heads and put a Democrat in the White House.
Posted by: too old to be that stupid | Aug 24, 2008 1:45:30 PM
nobody in here is going to look at the big picture, stop rooting for their "team" and say both of these guys are a joke?? seriously??
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 1:46:12 PM
Its interesting that the republican are so disappointed that Obama did not pick Clinton as VP, could it be maybe because they would had a field day against her and Obama of all the negativity she carries with her ?
Posted by: joe | Aug 24, 2008 1:48:05 PM
ive heard what he's going to do: steal from the rich and give to the poor, and get as much government control over the american people as possible... oh lets not forget, possibly swear in 2 or 3 supreme court judges who are extremely liberal. yep. that pretty much sums it up. nothing too serious i guess...
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 1:49:10 PM
Please people! No true democrat would vote for McCain! Go ahead and say you will but understand you'll be voting against all your principles and women...forget about your right (we just will be reduced to what MEN allow us to have). So, you can go along and benefit McCain all you want and perhaps get what you want but you'll be hating life under a McCain administration. You'll all have yourselves to blame...oh, and your kids will be drafted into WWIII. Ok, that's what you'll get and unfortunately YOU PEOPLE will be the ones who deserve it...NOT ME. Republicans have NEVER FOOLED ME AND WILL NEVER IN THE FUTURE! Too bad you people are not as enlightened. GO BACK TO SCHOOL and learn the RIGHT WAY TO PROCESS INFORMATION!
Posted by: Kim of Arizona | Aug 24, 2008 1:50:17 PM
People need to see this is less about Hillary (I don't care what Obama "offers" her in his "cabinet" - he won't make it)....all you bots on here, mostly guys don't get that the Hillary supporters,like myself are more disgusted with bozo as the nominee - he is unacceptable as CIC. So yes, we love Hillary BUT WE CAN'T STAND OBAMA AS PREZ. Keep him in the Senate more than 143 day....do your time.....and even in 8 years...he'll still have Muslim fathers, Wright, Black Lib. theology angry Michelle, Rezko, Ayers, ANTI AMERICAN TIES DUE TO POOR JUDGEMENT.
John Sydney, never Barack Hussein
Posted by: Debra | Aug 24, 2008 1:51:22 PM
joe...
republicans are not disappointed that he didnt choose hillary, they are just trying to stir up hatred and divide the dems even more. matter of fact, most of them are happy he didnt choose her because of democrats strange love with the clintons. its just politics.
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 1:51:53 PM
ISNT CAROLINE NAMED SCHLOSSBERG? WHY DO THEY CALL HER KENNEDY.? THAT WAS HER MAIDEN NAME, WASNT IT?
Posted by: CON | Aug 24, 2008 1:52:47 PM
kim...
wow.
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 1:52:47 PM
"Why would anyone assume that Hillary's supporters are sore losers...has it crossed your minds that we could be devout Democrats who want what's best for this country?"
No what has crossed my miond is that many of you are Republicans who want what is best for Republicans. Sorry I just don't see where a Republican cares a thing about America.
Posted by: Thinking | Aug 24, 2008 1:53:39 PM
thinking.
wow.
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 1:54:57 PM
It is amazing that some people are still living in the past with some old burned out fruitcake like Hillary. She lost her credibility under sniper fire and by defending that pervert Bill for all his perverted weird stuff. That cigar thing still boggles my mind. The funniest thing to me is how some women still think she is so great. Pull your heads out of your rear ends and understand she is history! Vote for Obama or McCain or Nader or daffy duck as one of you said but quit bitchin' about it. I agree with jds that you all must be hell on earth to be around! It is like you are on the rag all the time!
Posted by: Ed | Aug 24, 2008 1:56:29 PM
its funny how politics have just become a game to so many of the american people. you already know how you're going to vote, so if you dont want to debate REAL issues, the why come in here? do you think you're going to get someone to switch their vote??!!
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 1:57:52 PM
The 18 million Hillary supporter have Bozo backers scared....only half her support will vote Bozo and the rest are split 25% for McCain and 11% undecided. The math isn't pretty for Dems and all the nasty comments towards Hillary supporters don't budge us any closer to Bozo support.
John Sydney, NEVER Barack Hussein
Posted by: Debra | Aug 24, 2008 1:59:56 PM
if McCain does not choose HRC as veep, it just proves again how truly feeble he is and that all that talk about being a "maverick" is just that... talk.
Posted by: nap time | Aug 24, 2008 2:00:02 PM
Mark Warner in 2012. Now that's a winner.
Posted by: d | Aug 24, 2008 2:00:23 PM
The Republicans sure know how to fool you! From reading these comments I'm ashamed to call you a friend of America...because you are not. Mr. 7 or so houses (MCCAIN)with his wealth and connections to Gramm (Enron, SUBPRIME LOANS), BUSH tax policies (including tax breaks for company's to move jobs offshore) and BIG OIL contributions to allow them huge tax breaks, more tough talk to leaders around the globe who hate us that will get us into war, the draft, and overturning ROE vs. WADE....WHAT ARE YOU WOMEN THINKING! Not to metion how OLD HE IS....WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM! WHY WOULD WOULD EVEN THINK VOTING FOR MCCAIN!!!! Oh, my lord........god save us all from the likes of the MISGUIDED!
OBAMA-BIDEN 08!
Posted by: Kim of Arizona | Aug 24, 2008 2:02:25 PM
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