Obama Calls In NH Accuse Clinton Of "Last Minute Smears"

AP:

Barack Obama's campaign fought back against rival Hillary Rodham Clinton Sunday in an under-the-radar dispute over who would best protect abortion rights

Obama's campaign made automated phone calls to New Hampshire voters accusing Clinton of "last-minute smears."

The recorded message came in response to a Clinton mailing that said Obama failed to stand up for the right to choose abortion. The mailing said that while serving in the state Senate in Illinois, Obama voted "present" seven times on abortion legislation instead of taking a yes or no position.

Read the whole story: AP

Comments

[Citizen Zeus]

01:28 PM on 01/07/2008

For all the comments about "baby Obama", he has, by far, been the quickest, most assertive, and most authoritative when it comes to defending himself against the so-called Republican Attack Machine (which is more like the Yesterday's Smack Machine, if you ask me, a broken down Rube Goldberg device that has lost its oomph). Look at the times when Fixed News tried to call him a madrasah child, and other such attacks attempting to imply that he is a Muslim usurper, and what you see is a well-coordinated, well-researched, affirmative (not reactive), and crushingly straightforward response that takes the high ground instead of the mealy-mouthed delay, fumbling, and whining and delay of Kerry or the bristling, eyes-flashing, taking-it-personally response of Hillary Clinton. For them it is payback and reactiveness. For Obama it is about leading this country forward to higher ground and that is reflected in his higher ground responses which also address and call out the gutter.

[shimane]

10:49 AM on 01/07/2008

These calls are an epidemic and are invading the privacy of All American Voters.

Our members are taking a stand and saying enough is enough at the National Political Do Not Contact Registry at StopPoliticalCalls.org.

Here is a quote from a member this morning:

"I find it very frustrating... I tend to get calls at the WORST time. I have a one year old daughter, and it NEVER fails that the phone will ring when I put her down for a nap or for bed. Also my vote is PRIVATE... so who do you think you are calling with a survey to find out who I am voting for!!! Stop calling me."

Regards,

Shaun Dakin
CEO and Founder
http://www.stoppoliticalcalls.org

[starmayse]

07:25 AM on 01/07/2008

I thing Obama is very intelligent but lacks experience. Some of you are too young to remember but, George W Bush was on a campaign of change and look what we got. This is getting to be rediculous. You Republicans representing yourselves as democrats in order to bash Hillary and get the neophyte Democrats on the Obamab Ticket is getting old. Democrats don't attack other Democratics with the harshness I'm reading in this post. There is a a reason why the Republicans do not want to face Hillary Clinton, they can not beat them. They want Obama becasue they realized that if it gets down to Obama and Edwards, Edwards will win and he is an easy target. Why do you think Edwards has decided not to attack Obama? Even he knows that the ultimate goal is to get One on one with Obamab and he will take the Demoratic primary. This is the time to use your head and not become another victim of Karl Rove and his strategies. I love and admire Obama but our future is depending on this election. The only one who can win is Hillary. I wish that we had the luxury of electing a biracial candidate from the DNC but we don't.

[OETKB]

07:08 AM on 01/07/2008

For those of you in the early primary states who understand that Senator Clinton's mantle of experience has worn thin, it is time to have a more substantial debate among the candidates. Moving your vote to Bill Richardson will truly let the nation decide between an introspective young leader, Senator Obama, with excellent communication skills and a seasoned successful progressive diplomat and governor who has taken the stances that do resonate with the American public.

Any of you who are rethinking their vote for Hillary Clinton or John Edwards and honestly believe Governor Richardson is a proud alternate choice, would appropriately sharpen the debate as we go forward in this primary season. We will finally have the kind of discussion this country needs as to who should occupy the White House. After that let the chips fall where they may. However we will have examined the most change appealing candidate versus the most experienced accomplished candidate.

Governor Richardson's performance on the Saturday night debate should put to rest that he is not a serious choice for this country. Only our votes will give him a chance to continue to make his case.

[schoolmaster]

12:08 AM on 01/07/2008

On the likability issue Hillary's response was good despite the embarrassment she was subjected to. I can not imagine anymore stupidity than to elect a president based on likability. If it is a betrothal or wedding, I can understand. The electorate must compare other virtues that all candidates possess in different measures, and their achievements in their political career which elevated living conditions of their constituency and the nation. The press must have played a positive role in disbursement of such information in stead of concentrating on polls and broadcasting trivialities.

[Aion]

10:02 PM on 01/06/2008

I am to the point where just seeing Hillary's face and her contrived gestures and articulations makes me sick.

She reminds me of that episode of Star Trek where the computer asks him "How Do You Feel?"

The woman is so damn calculating and manipulative, that I wonder if there is an actual person living inside that husk.

[SCharb]

09:52 PM on 01/06/2008

"Accuse?" Why the weasel-word? I don't think anyone's disputing Clinton's desperate 11th hour attacks.

[1audiofile]

09:37 PM on 01/06/2008

For those outraged Obama posters, please read ALL of the original article. The original article stated specfically Obama, along with other Democrats voted "present" on a number of choice votes. Not withstanding the planned parenthood rating, the original article supports Hillary's claim. Huffington has modified the article deleting the parts that support Hillary's claims. Facts are really bad things.

[tpagy]

09:23 PM on 01/06/2008

Yes is yes and no is no and present means what! anybody. And yes I have problems with Senator Obama and its not the color of his skin its what he won't say like no I won't let you demean and slander one group of people(Gays)But have no problem with standing on a stage with those that do to get there votes. It was hate through out this countrys history when African Americans were tortured and murdered and looked upons as less than Human and to have it now be perpetrated with the black Christians on me and the Senator Has no problem with that than yes I will question what he does or does not do and I know the others have been less than forth coming but sorry you can't stand on stage with the likes of a fraud like exhomo hatemongering Donnie McClurkin and not get people to question you I will not support anyone that does that I've had my Life threatend and have endured things being screamed at me by these people in my own yard and had faggot screamed at me and my partner while crossing the street in front of some Homphobes car and wondering will he run me down and you don't get a pass with just saying present I have stood with Black brothers and Sisters when the same was done to them and would hope I could expect the same and for the record I support John Edwards.

[Lisette]

09:23 PM on 01/06/2008

Hillary is desperate, because she know she is finished. Good riddance to her.

[Simone]

09:18 PM on 01/06/2008

Sounds like Obama is doing the smearing.

[Bocababs]

09:05 PM on 01/06/2008

From the very beginning of this race, I told the other Pol Junkies in my family that Hillary would be polarizing and voters would resent her. I admit she is as smart or smarter than John Kerry when he ran in 2004. But what I learned from that race was the voters want candidates to talk plain, and not all this policy wonk stuff. It is more about how Obama talks, than how experienced or smart he is vs. Hillary.

[MRb1000]

09:03 PM on 01/06/2008

Impulsive lying!!!! Hillary has a very bad problem. This is the character issue I have with Hillary Clinton. I have said many times the truth and trust will win this election. She will never learn how fast the truth get out in America. Most people in America use computers. Who is running her campaign 2 year olds. Grow up Hillary and Bill. They sound just like kindergarden students. Well, I give the kids more credit at least they can tell the truth.

[DaveNelson]

08:51 PM on 01/06/2008

Having served as NH Deputy State Field Director for Clinton/Gore '96, I can tell you this is a classic tactic ripped from the pages of the chapter marked "When all else fails, time is running out and you are desperate..."

How can any of us respect a campaign that uses this tactic against its' own party? I am a John Edwards supporter, but I respect and admire Senator Obama. I used to respect Sen. Clinton. The Clinton machine is famous for its' ability to trash and thrash, create static and, pardon the pun, "white noise" to distract the public from the truth. They have raised the bar on how to skirt election law and campaign financing, making it a staple in their strategy. They use the rational that the Republicans do it, so we must employ the same tactics. (This is why Washington is so broken!)

Many of us stood and defended the Clintons through Whitewater and the impeachment proceedings, but if this is how they plan to win the White House back, it is time for us to turn our backs on them and say "You should be ashamed!!"

[IkeChicago]

08:32 PM on 01/06/2008

The Democratic party cannot and will not allow the Clintons to attempt to destroy Barack Obama with negative attack ads. Any politician that bring hundreds of thousands of new voters into the fold cannot be dismissed or destroyed. Hillary Clinton subtracts from the party, Barack Obama adds to the party and so it is. There is word that pressure will be put on Hillary to drop her candidacy, should she loose the first 4 primaries and caucuses.