Clinton Says She Must Counterattack

Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday she must respond in kind to attacks from rival Barack Obama even though she'd rather keep the race for the Democratic presidential nomination focused on their differences on public policy issues.

"I try not to attack first, but I have to defend myself -- I do have to counterpunch," Clinton told NBC's "Today Show."

"I took a lot of incoming fire for many, many months and I was happy to absorb it because obviously, you know, I felt that was part of my responsibility. But toward the end of a campaign you have to set the record straight," the New York senator said.

Clinton, Obama and their campaigns have exchanged increasingly hard-hitting jabs in recent days over race, his relationship with a Chicago developer, her vote on the Iraq war, and other issues. Clinton stopped airing a South Carolina radio ad critical of Obama on Thursday and Obama took down his radio response in an attempt to cool the angry public spat.

"I have tried to make it clear that this election has to be about the future," Clinton said. "It is perfectly legitimate to draw comparisons and contrasts. I think both Senator Obama and I have made it clear we do want to focus on what we each would do for our country. It has been obviously an incredibly intense campaign. ... But I do want to make it clear that our campaigns have to stay focused on what you know the legitimate differences are so we can give voters information."

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Comments

[Rubiconski]

A well known sex preditor as "first hubby"? I dont think so.

That dog wont hunt in fly over country.

Sorry Clintons....no "do-overs" for you.

[JaneC]

AH! Keith Olbermann just said Chimpy's new AG has a picture of George Orwell hanging in his office. (shiver)

[DaRight]

.....

The Clintons are about to teach OBAMA a lesson in DEMOCRAT party politics....

Obama (blacks) need to know their "place"

Don't get between the Democrat whites (Bill & Hillary) and POLITICAL POWER....

.

[semorg]

Brooks and Shields on PBS called clintons shameless and lairs, http://www-tc.pbs.org/newshour/rss/media/2008/01/25/20080125_sb28.mp3

[Rubiconski]

Clintons must stop this childish, ridiculous behavior. Hillary and Bill look old, wornout, are angry, "pathetic" and do nothing but divide, divide, divide.

They need mental health help and they need to buy an island and retire.......stay there.

This is an important time in history for global security and those two cannot even keep their mouths shut long enough to have a positive, cognitive thought. They are political machines and need to retire to the rust pile.

[Beelzebul]

ONE MORE TIME!!

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/jan08/bikini_012308_big.jpg

[ColbertGirl]

I agree with Michelle Obama. When the establishment is confronted with change they will say ANYTHING. I would never vote for Hillary before all of her lies and slander about Barack Obama. Now I would rather stay home that cast a vot for her in the General Election. All of the Republican nominees scare the hell out of me. Hillary has proven she will do whatever it takes to get the party nomination including splitting the party. With Hillary it is just more of the same bullshit.

If you really want change vote Obama or Edwards.

[Beelzebul]

Kerry says Bill is abusing the truth. The Boston Globe endorsed Barack.

MA gave the world Romney but is now running Hillary out of town. CT gave us Lieberman. Fucking NE is going bonkers, I tell you.

Here in the Midwest we have Feingold, Fonzie and the best cheerleaders in the world.

http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/graphic.asp?graphic=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/jan08/bikini_012308_big.jpg

[dumbosrus]

Who does this dingy broad think she is fooling??

Memo to Camp Billary: Without your husband, you're history. It's that simple and everyone knows it.

But everyone also knows you husband, so be careful.

Let's face it folks, Billary is so stupid she couldn't spell cat if you spotted her the 'c' and 't'.

Anybody that believes anything she says without question is nothing more than a lamb. And those people are ripe for the pickings in this election.

Just ask FactCheck.org

[Turnip]

For each of the Republican candidates, this primary season brings back painful childhood memories.

The embarrassing truth is they have all experienced being beaten by a girl.

Lucky for them, this time it won't be in a fist-fight.

[Rubiconski]

Dems running Hillary is like Reps running Jeb....

No wonder our country's so screwed up!!

Stay the course. Vote Clinton.

[DeeIBee]

The first ticket each of you should buy would be to a third world country. I don't know how you were raised and educated but it was without love and respect that is obvious.

Any young adult with lack of dignity for themself or others are disgraceful to this country,that has offered you every opportunity for success.

The name calling and flith is most disrespectful toward the next President of the United States Senator Clinton.

The Obama people started the RACE issue and he threw the first punch look at the videos.

[semorg]

David Brooks of NY Times on PBS called Clintons' allegation shameless and lie and offensive.
http://www-tc.pbs.org/newshour/rss/media/2008/01/25/20080125_sb28.mp3

[chronic]

Thats right Hillary. YOU GO GURL!!!


Madam, you don't need your husband to defend you because you can do fine on your own!!

*Clinton/Obama 08*

[Nochnoi]

"I try not to attack first, but I have to defend myself"

Ummmmm.... if your not attacked first, then you can not say you are defending yourself...

This is true in both war and political campaigns.....