Axelrod reiterates his remarks.

[calteacherguy]

I just recieved a call from David Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist, who told me that "in no way" was his comment about Hillary Clinton "meant to be an unprovoked, sort of strategic foray."

"It was an answer to the question -- in no way was I implying that she was personally responsible for what happened."

I asked whether Axelrod meant to imply that her vote was in part responsible for creating the conditions that led to an Al Qaeda resurgance.

"All I’m implying is the policy that the war in Iraq that Obama said in 2002 was going to distract us from Afghanistan and Pakistan and Al Qaeda, and that they would regenerate themselves and that they would become more powerful and influential. He exercised good judgment. She’ll have to explain her position."

Axelrod acknowledged it was fair to say that he was pointing out that votes have consequences, and that the Iraq vote Clinton took in 2002 had specific consequences that may have helped lead to an emboldened Al Qaeda.

"Everyone who was there understands the context. There were 20 reporters there and only one who wrote that. I know that Phil and Howard Wolfson are ...trying to stoke the meager, flickering embers, but there's just no fire there."

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/12/axelrod_amplifies_his_remarks.php

[fishnfla]

1. there's plenty of fire

take cover

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. K&R

compared to hillary saying,
"i was honored to visit with her, with chelsea accompaning me"
or McCain
"I know the individuals, I know the players"

[hayu_lol]

3. Obviously Axelrod had no qualms about his statement...

he goes over the same material(if your quotes are correct and we have to take your word that the conversation took place). Note that he continues to talk about Hillary's vote as if she were the only Senator voting. There were 76 of them. But, Axelrod doesn't say that does he?

Repeat: Surrogates should learn not to stroke their own egos and refer important questions back to the candidates. They are only functionaries and flacks.

[killbotfactory]

5. Maybe it's because he was asked if it would help Clinton specifically?

Do you think?

Nah, he's just a monster.

[global1]

12. Hillary Is Running For President The Others Aren't........nt

[annie1]

21. Biden and Edwards are. and they both voted yay.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

4. Good for him! nt

[durrrty libby]

6. Too late. The pundits have already deboweled him

[2rth2pwr]

7. He beclowned himself first. nt

[annie1]

9. good, it was a toolish thing to say. what a dumb fk

[calteacherguy]

17. Perhaps you did not read the headline...he REITERATED his remarks. nt

[durrrty libby]

22. yes "REITERATED " means to say the same stupid crap all over again

:eyes:

[Cha]

23. Why would she

bother to read?

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cha]

29. That's true, too.. but

I was responding to #17 and he was asking #9 if she read it.

Btw, thanks, JackORoses for trying to get some truth out on our Board.

[jenmito]

16. Only Wolf Blitzer did that hatchet job.

[calteacherguy]

19. Then he did a hatchet job on himself

and his own credibility.

Stay strong. They will stop at nothing.

[jenmito]

20. I agree. It was shameless how he claimed Axelrod slammed Hillary and didn't point out

that he was responding to a specific question about if the assassination would help Hillary. What BULL that Wolf tried to paint it as a voluntary statement rather than an answer to a question.

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. he knew he screwed up. And in doing so, gives his guy a free pass

Obama has voted for the war at every turn. Obama stated that he did not know how he would have voted regarding IWR.

He needs to take responsiblity for his actions.

[JackORoses]

27. just because you say the same things repeatedly does not make it true

Obama was the only candidate besides Kucinich who spoke out against the War from the beginning.

Your candidate was wrong on the War and she still will not admit her mistake. You should accept this.

[Joanne98]

10. MSM shapeshifters. We don't know if Al Qaeda killed her.

I know they claimed responsiblility, BUT can we examine the tape.

[bunnies]

11. Good for him. Clarify. Stay strong. Dont let 'em twist it.

Great response.

[ClarkUSA]

13. Great follow-up by Axelrod. Here's what he originally said in response in reporters' questioning....

Today after Barack Obama's closing argument speech in Iowa, Obama adviser David Axelrod parried questions from reporters who pressed him
on whether the killing could help Hillary.

Here's one key exchange:

REPORTER: But looking ahead, does the assassination put on the front burner foreign policy credentials in the closing days?

AXELROD: Well, it puts on the table foreign policy judgment, and that's a discussion we welcome. Barack Obama had the judgment to oppose the
war in Iraq, and he warned at the time it would divert us from Afghanistan and al Qaeda, and now we see the effect of that. Al Qaeda's resurgent,
they're a powerful force now in Pakistan, they may have been involved -- we've been here, so I don't know whether the news has been updated,
but there's a suspicion they may have been involved in this.

I think his judgment was good. Senator Clinton made a different judgment, so let's have that discussion.

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/12/obama_adviser_bhutto_assassination_reminds_us_that_hillary_made_wrong_call_on_iraq_war.php

[Lurking Dem]

14. Well done.

"Dear MSM,

Stop being idiotic tools. kthnxbai"

[Adelante]

15. Axelrod is right

There is a correlation to be made between the IWR, taking the focus off Afghanistan and Al Qaeda, and the security situation in Pakistan today. This is nothing that hasn't been discussed for all these years right here on DU. Truth has a way of hurting sometimes.

[calteacherguy]

18. Thank you WesDem.

As we both know, Clark (and others) have pointed this out time and again.

To Clark.....:toast:

[Catherine Vincent]

24. too late!

:)

[MethuenProgressive]

25. What's the diff between Axlerod and Shaheen, again?

None that I can see.

[jefferson_dem]

28. As an aside...does you fave candidate still think homosexuality is a choice?

Just wondering.