Obama: "This presidential campaign isn't about attacking people for fun..."

[jefferson_dem]

Clinton and 'the Fun Part'
December 02, 2007 7:53 PM

Eloise Harper and Sunlen Miller report: Sen. Clinton speaking to reporters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, explained her recent move to go on the offensive against her opponents.

"I have been for months on the receiving end of rather consistent attacks -- but now the fun part starts," Clinton said. "We're into the last month and we're going to start drawing the contrast, because I want every Iowan to have accurate information when they make their decisions."

Clinton, up until recent weeks, has avoided going after her opponents, saying that she is running a positive campaign.

Clinton spokesman Jay Carson clarified that Clinton wasn't refering to the "fun part" as going on the offensive, but rather the next phase of the campaign.

The Obama campaign quickly had a response -- a paper statement from Obama:

"This presidential campaign isn't about attacking people for fun," Obama's statement said, "it's about solving people's problems, like ending this war and creating a universal health care system. Washington insiders might think throwing mud is fun, but the American people are looking for leadership that can unite this country around a common purpose, and that's what I'll continue to offer in this campaign."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/clinton-and-the.html

[BeatleBoot]

1. I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have to say...

There has been zero political scrutiny of Mr. Obama to date.

Some for Hillary, but zero for Obama.

And that's what this process is all about.

Let's get to the core of all the candidates and see who has the stuff to put a Democrat back in the White House.

[BeyondGeography]

2. We welcome the scrutiny

For Obama, it will be the fun part. ;)

[MadBadger]

4. What do you define as Political scrutiny?

[BeatleBoot]

9. I would define it as

Truly being under the National Stage Microscope, if I could coin a phrase.

Like I said, I have no dog in the Clinton/Obama fight.

But if we are going to win this thing as a party, the candidate is going to have everything looked at with a microscope.

And I am not saying that Obama has anything to worry about.

I am saying that from a national level, that his name is known, but the majority of voters do not know who he is.

All I am saying is that the process will occur and everyone will have to answer the questions from the National Microscope.

I look forward to it actually. Obama should too. He should embrace it.

[Colobo]

5. Yeah, let's investigate Obama's kindergarten essays.

[cuke]

21. And his lifelong desire torun for president while lying about it

Obama recently said "I have not been planning to run for president for however number of years some of the other candidates have been planning for.”

Evidence shows that Obama has been thinking of this for ALL OF HIS LIFE, and not one Obama supporter can defend him and his lie. All they can do is attack the messenger

[Nedsdag]

28. cuke, one question.

Why is this an obsession with you?

When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher. Today I am a teacher.

This "lie" you scream about is NOTHING.

[cuke]

40. It's a right wing meme

The idea that Hillary has been "planning" to be president for all of her life is a right wing meme

[hedgehog]

3. I know his father was from Kenya and somehow he's a cousin of

Dick Cheney's, but there must be some Irish in O'Bama somewhere!

[BenDavid]

6. I agree. When HRC is the most investigated woman in

America and you have story, upon story of unlawful activities by Obama and the press neglects them, folks we are going to end up worse off if Obama is our nominee. There is some there, there and we better bring it all out into the open before whomever the republican candidate is and they bring it all out and we will be stuck once again with some self righteous person like Huckabee sitting in the white house, while all the time it was hate hate and hate heaped upon HRC and our best chance to win failed because haters fell for the obama charm and snake oil salesman.....


Ben David

[AX10]

7. Hillary has been tried, tested, and proven.

[MadBadger]

10. Proven to be one of the most polarizing figures in the country, thats for sure

My mother and grandmother hate her. They dont even have reasons, they jsut hate her.

[ilovesunshine]

15. They just hate her for no reason?

Wow, that's pretty sad.

My mother and husband don't care for Obama and will not vote for him, but they certainly don't hate him.

[dionysus]

45. so obama is a criminal now?

funny how some hillary poeple like you accuse people you disagree with the "hater hater hater" label while you're spewing your own hate in the same damned paragraph.

pot, meet kettle...

[BeyondGeography]

8. The fun part...who's not ready for prime time again?

A hanging curveball there if ever there was one.

[jefferson_dem]

11. This is the much-heralded "Clinton Machine" in action.

More like bozos on parade.

[BeyondGeography]

12. People forget how untested she really is

One semi-challenging race against Lazio and a virtual no-show candidate in Spencer. Girlfriend needs a script.

Obama, on the other hand, got his butt kicked by Bobby Rush once in a real slimefest. Losing is good for the character...Never trust the bona fides of a candidate who hasn't tasted defeat.

[ClarkUSA]

16. Not only that -- when was the Clinton party machine ever really tested intra-party wise?

Like never... until now. And they are falling apart at their seamy seams because they don't know how to handle a real Contender.

[Cha]

47. She's "untested",

imo, because all she's done is follow a path of cowardice to the 2008 campaign..not one sign of leadership or bravery.

Actually, she failed the test.

[ClarkUSA]

13. Obama's response is very statesmanlike and above it all - so who's the frontrunner again?

While Clinton sounds like a typical politics as usual candidate. No wonder Iowans are turning away from her.

Keep attacking, Hillary! You're doing a great job -- of making Obama look like the picture of grace under pressure.

[Maven]

14. "creating a universal health care system"

Which your amateurish plan will do little to accomplish.

But it sounds nice, and that's all that matters, right Senator?

[Skip Intro]

17. My God what a whiny hypocrite. He get's punked by Novak and attacks Hillary

and then wants to decry attacks.

this guy is a piece of work

[AtomicKitten]

18. that's a great story but you have to start with believing her campaign didn't say it

and that point is debatable

[Skip Intro]

20. He attacked on heresay. That point is beyond debatable. It is on the attacker to justify his attack.

And he only had heresay as justification.


He got played and attacked Hillary unfairly and refused to back down and admit it was wrong because he was more interested in saving face.

That screams anything but presidential.

[AtomicKitten]

24. Bullshit. All she had to do was deny it but it took three press releases.

She went for the jugular using the scenario to attack Obama, ultimately denying it came from them. So whether or not you believe it did or not is rather beside the point. An innocent campaign would have immediately denied the charge.

And what Obama did as the target of this little bit of nastiness was to fire a shot across the bow of all concerned - Hillary and his other opponents, the Republicans, and the 527s that he isn't going to roll over and allow the mud to dry on him during this campaign.

He handled it brilliantly.

And we clearly see this very, very differently.

[Skip Intro]

27. The Obama camp was wrong to level charges with nothing more than a traitorous rw hack's second hand

rumormongering.


It's on Hillary to deny something Novak wrote? And to do so when Obama demands it? How high?


I think not.


I frankly was embarrassed for Obama during that amateurish little hissyfit he threw after being punked by novak.


yeah, we see this very, very differently - that is for sure

[AtomicKitten]

29. ha, ha ... you said hissyfit

I can say without equivocation that the caliber of your rhetoric speaks volumes. It usually is an indicator that one has gone around the bend on any particular issue. It's always good to pay attention to tone.

I know it makes you cranky, but Obama is doing great. The best thing for the Democratic Party is healthy competition. In my opinion, that should be embraced.

[Skip Intro]

31. That condescending tone seems a hallmark of many Obama supporters. Why is that?

And why the common tactic of deflection, addressing every other point but the one at hand?

[AtomicKitten]

32. probably because you decided to take it that way

I already discussed my view of what transpired in the Obama vs. Clinton dust-up de jour. Did you miss it? It's still there for your persusal if you're interested.

We're trying to vet a candidate here, not choose up sides for war. The fact that you missed it seems to indicate you're not having a conversation, you're waging war. And on that note you're on your own.

[Skip Intro]

33. eh....yeah....ok

I guess empty spin and snobbish attacks are all you guys really have after all.

Anything built on that weak a foundation is bound to collapse. Can't say I won't enjoy the show.



And on that note, goodnight.

[Onlooker]

19. Obama's such a prig

Sometimes he comes off as another overserious priggish Kerry or Gore. He'd better lighten up or that will sink him should he win the Democratic nomination.

[SaveElmer]

22. It's about attacking people as a campaign tactic...just as the "Politics of Hope"

Remember that...? was a campaign tactic...

Obama has little by way of accomplishment to run on...so unable to elevate his stature in peoples eyes, he proceeds to try and lower others...

[BeyondGeography]

26. Now, now...the cream always rises to the top

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/01/28/at_harvard_law_a_unifying_voice/

You'll love him too as President.

[cuke]

23. Obama is scared and desperate

He must be to tell such obvious lies.

One day his health plan is universal. Then it's not. Then it is

Obama says he opposes mandates, but his own plan includes mandates

Obama is asked a question about a quote of his, and he claims that's not exactly what he said even though it was exactly what he said

And now, he hasn't been thinking about running for president for long. Just for almost as long as he has been alive

And not one Obama supporter can defend him and his lies

[ClarkUSA]

25. I'm having fun watching Hillary attack herself out of the nomination.

Go, Clintons, go! Attack, attack, attack -- and see how much it helps Obama in the next round of Iowa likely caucus goers' polling.

[Nedsdag]

30. Exactly!

The more she attacks, the worse her support.

She may end up finishing third behind Edwards.

What happened to the "shrewd politician" she married? That's some great advice he's giving her.

[ClarkUSA]

35. Bill is too busy trying to get his foot out of his mouth to be of much help these days.

And yes, I have said for weeks now that I think Clinton will finish third. Hell, at this rate, Richardson might pass her in Iowa of she keeps up the negative
campaigning. Iowans are legendary for their dislike of it, especially the type of stupid nasty shit she's flinging now at Obama.

[oasis]

34. Hack-A- Barack..... It's fun to do.

:bounce:

[Azathoth]

36. Every time Hillary attacks or goes impromptu she puts her foot in her mouth

When she tried to attack Obama's foreign policy credentials, she ended up declaring that the entire world looked up to her.

I'm starting to understand why she never goes off script, and why every single thing she says is extensively focus-group tested.

[oasis]

37. The "entire world" does respect the Clintons. No "foot-in-mouth" speak there.

Try engaging in a a bit of research so you don't appear clueless.

[Azathoth]

42. Really?? I'm so glad that you can speak for the whole world

You must be completely omniscient. :rofl: :rofl:

(Of course, even if it were true, which it isn't, it is still a spectacularly pompous claim to make.)

[oasis]

43. Check post #36. "entire world" is a term that YOU introduced on this thread.

Again, get a clue.:dunce:

[Azathoth]

46. You lose

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/2007/11/rest-of-world-looks-up-to-hill.html

"Rest of the world" ... as in the entire world except the USA.

Next time, you should worry less about other people embarssing themselves and more about embarassing yourself. :hi:

[oasis]

52. Post#36...post #36..post #36. Try reading your own post.

And I'm done with you.:dunce::dunce::dunce:

[Azathoth]

54. Dude, you don't even make sense

Maybe you should lay off the booze before you post. Bye :hi:

[rinsd]

38. What a steaming load of fake outrage from Obama.

Though it was to be expected.

All 3 campaigns have been claiming clean hands while doing their best to muddy up their opponents.

[Beacool]

39. A lot of bla, bla, bla

from the Obama fans, but when the dust settles and all is said and done, Hillary will still be the nominee. Win or lose Iowa or even NH, she doesn't need their electorate votes to win the nomination.

[joeybee12]

41. Hey Obama--Great way to lie and twist someone's words...

...the direct quote refers to the fun as drawing distinctions between the candidacies.

Hope, my ass.

[incapsulated]

44. Sure it is.

This forum would cease to exist without it.

[Lord Helmet]

48. Hilary is such a tool.

[Cameron27]

49. Obama is such a tool.

Edwards is such a tool.

Well that was easy.

[Lord Helmet]

50. ya if you think she hasn't acted like a tool lately you must be a supporter

because trust me on this you are the only ones that don't think she's a tool

[Cameron27]

51. There's only one candidate who I think is a tool,

and it isn't Hillary or Obama.

[goodgd_yall]

53. Obama, lighten up

Hey, that felt good saying to someone else. :-)