Clinton: "As Far As I Know" Nothing To Base Obama Muslim Rumor On

Huffington Post:

Ben Smith at the Politico writes:

A weird moment of TV, partially captured in the clip above. Clinton denies she thinks Obama's a Muslim, but her denial seems something other than ironclad, and the interviewer goes back at her on the question.

There are real danger zones for even hinting this stuff, even leaving yourself open to uncharitable interpretations, more with Obama than with any other politician I can think of. And expect a lot more of these moments if he's the nominee.

Here's the full "60 Minutes" exchange, in CBS's version:

"You don't believe that Senator Obama's a Muslim?" Kroft asked Sen. Clinton.

"Of course not. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that," she replied.

"You said you'd take Senator Obama at his word that he's not...a Muslim. You don't believe that he's...," Kroft said.

"No. No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know," she said.

"It's just scurrilous...?" Kroft inquired.

"Look, I have been the target of so many ridiculous rumors, that I have a great deal of sympathy for anybody who gets, you know, smeared with the kind of rumors that go on all the time," Clinton said.

Read the whole story: Huffington Post

Comments

[starboymikey]

Wow, talk about a categorically lukewarm statement. Great form, Hillary. You're a real politician. Just leave space for that little kernal of doubt about your opponent, and enough wiggle room for plausible denial.

[asus389]

Sounds like from the quote above that shes being pretty reasonable­... Although what would it matter if he was a Muslim? Muslims can be normal, smart, productive people too... its not like they are all terrorists.

[bayman]

Yet another new low for Hillary. A simple 'of course he's not Muslim' would have put the issue to bed.

[kingfishstew]

"I have no reason to believe Senator Clinton is an alien lizard-like creature wearing a human skin like an overcoat. People say she is, but there's nothing to base that on." - Barrack Obama

Okay, he never said it. But maybe he should.

[in4success]

nahhhh -- he should just coninue to do what he's doing. --it's working very well for him.

um... i, however, have been saying it for years.

[Larry of Corrales]

Isn't she damning with faint praise? A cheap shot but not unlike her.

[Redmom]

" You know" " You know"

" I mean that, you know."

If she leads us around enough will the American public still suspect that Obama is a Muslim?
Obtuse on purpose?

If this woman can't respect others why should we respect her?

[eridees]

To quote a very astute responder to this story on politico.com.... "Forget the kitchen sink, she just threw the toilet at him." (sorry if quote is a little off, but it speaks for itself)
Can't wait to vote on Tues!

Obama '08

[Redmom]

She can't throw the kitchen sink. Never been in the kitchen.