Barack Hits Outspoken Bill: "I Can't Tell Who I'm Running Against Sometimes"

One of the more heated moments from Monday's Democratic debate came during a discussion of Barack Obama's recent comments about Ronald Reagan, which he said had been distorted by Hillary and Bill Clinton.

Hillary Clinton told Obama, "You talked about Ronald Reagan being a transformative political leader. I did not mention his name." Obama responded, "Your husband did." She shot back, "Well, I'm here. He's not. And..." But Obama interrupted, "Well, I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes." Watch it:

Obama doesn't know which Clinton he's running against http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1386356759http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Comments

[bobo2626]

That was a great debate! I am so proud to be a Democrat. Great sparring, great detail, good format( especially the second half) and good questions. We, as Dems, should be so proud that we have such good choices. Just look at the Republican field. If we lose this election , it will be because we as voters let our petty egos and feelings get in the way of changing this country. And that should be said for the candidates as well.
I support Hillary, but to see all of them up there on stage, showing such great passion and vision made me realise that no matter who wins the nomination, I will be proud to support that candidate.
I heard alot of things last night that the media has failed to report. The media is so focused on the horse race or favoring one candidate, that they seem to have lost the grit of the details.
Vote your heart in the primaries, but when it comes to the general election, put the past behind us and vote Democrat!

[swoosie1]

Obama expressed regret about how Tony Rezko, the real estate investor, had helped him to get his house for 300K off the list price and then later how he had helped him to enlarge his backyard. Rezco has always been a sharp guy who tries to collect politicians so that he can get favors later. Rezco is one of Obama's earliest political patrons and in 13 years, as reported by the Sun Times, Obama has gotten at least $168,000 in campaign donations from the guy. Rezko is an infamous slum lord, whose grease on the wheels has helped Obama for many, many years. It is clear that this is why Obama has "lawyered up" with regards to the recent Rezko indictment. And so it goes. Just wait until the Republicans and the RNC sink their teeth into this one. Can we really affort to see how this plays out while trying to gain back the White House? Obama has plenty of explaining to do about this, and god forbid it should be during a run at the presidency. Hillary is not vulnerable in this way and the RNC knows it and they are biting at the bit to run against Obama, who was clearly rattled about this in last night's debate. Who are we kidding when we think he is ready for prime time. He is not.

[amosduncan]

There is a parrot like quality you hear in the voices of the great thinkers who constantly forward the "Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton" rap.
There's something to what they are saying, but not that much. First of all, it should be said, you got very little of this when our first "legacy President" a lifetime loser who would be no where without his name, took the reigns in 2000. But new rules for the Clinton are old news, generaly speaking.

Beyond that, the two term limit was sour grapes legislation from Republicans after FDR; it was never part of the original framework of the country. So if you don't like Billary, fight them on legitamate terms. This slightly parinod wining about people with too much power makes me think you don't have much to go on.

[JBCinSD]

Bill owes Hillary for all she put up with, but the voters don't. She got the Senate seat as a sympathy vote, although she has been a pretty good Senator. I hope she stays there.
Bill is desperate that his shameless behavior and impeachment not be the last word of the "Clinton era". It's all about him and their marital dance.
Not my dance. I'm voting for Obama - he knows who he is and isn't playing out his unfinished psychological drama at our expense, as the Clintons are.

[kristin]

If Hillary were elected, Hillary and Bill would be serving a third term co-presidency. There's something unnatural about the two of them teaming up to beat Obama. For the health of our democracy, we should not allow the same people in power too long or in power twice.

[editor]

If in the end its going to be a Clinton Obama ticket, or an Obama Clinton ticket; why waste all this time bickering, it can't be helpful. Each candidate has its base; combine them and you have a winning ticket. Why self destruct in pettiness?

[hannityhater]

It should be clear after last night's debate that the money interests and the media are backing the wrong candidate. JOHN EDWARDS stood heads above the other two.

If we want CHANGE, we can't keep voting for the candidates controlled by BIG MONEY interests.

EDWARDS 08.

[IkeChicago]

Unfortunately Obama is not forcefull enough in defining his Health Care package. Hillary's package fines an individual for not buying Health Care and Obama does not, that is the difference. Why is the government fining someone who cannot afford care, sound like socialism to me.

If you want to properly examine the two Health Care packages, look at Mass. that is essentially Hillary Clinton Health Care package, fine them when they don't purchase Health Care.

[howdouno]

Edwards won with logic, poise, and focus. He remains the most electable, and most consistently progressive, candidate.
Hillary seemed desperate, hit low, and looked mean. She will lose - either now or in the general election.
Obama let Hillary throw him off his game, asked a few questions, and stared a bit too hard at his rivals. His body language - and avoidance of voting in Illinois - seem to confirm the impression that we know far too little about this ambitious, junior Senator.
Bottomline: Edwards - despite his low poll numbers within the Democratic Party - remains the best, strongest candidate.

[MPeter]

The Clintons are destroying the Democratic Party. If Bill and the DNC force-feed us Hillary and make her the nominee, the guarantee the Republicans another term in power. They say and do anything to get power.

[truesoccermom]

Watching Hillary "swiftboat" Obama again last night reinforced my dislike and distrust of her. If she is the nominee, this moderate democrat is voting for McCain or Bloomberg.

[truesoccermom]

Watching Hillary "swiftboat" Obama again last night reinforced my questioning of her character and integrity. If she is the nominee, this moderate democrat is voting for McCain or Bloomberg.

[IkeChicago]

When George Bush ran for the Presidency, his daddy was out on the campaign trail slinging MUD like Bill Clinton is doing for his wife.

Make you respect George Bush for not calling on his daddy to help like Hillary protraying herself to be her own woman while all the time gaining all her support by being the wife of Bill. Is Hillary really a progressive woman, it thought that designation was reserved for woman that made it on their own. Hillary is more like the women of the '50's that gained all their respect by marrying up in life.

Hillary take note, there are progressive women, Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart, Nancy Peloci.

[Slagfish]

This Clinton/Obama fight has and will continue to fracture the Democratic party to the point that a Republican, any Republican, will win with ease.

[RabidRightRebel]

What a great debate. It is very pleasing to see all three candidates holding threir own in a fight. Needless to say the ablitity to fight will be critical asset in the general election. Despite the press reports of vicious infighting what I saw was strong arguments with only a couple of cheap shots. I am proud of all three candidates.