Hillary: Obama Not Muslim "As Far As I Know"

Via Ben Smith, Hillary gives a less than adamant answer to a question about Obama's religion on 60 Minutes. Hillary claims, "I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that." It's an issue where even an accidental slip this can do damage:

Comments

[PJay]

"Dirty Racist Attack? ‘Did I say Osama? I meant Obama!’ says Clintonite

March 3, 2008

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/03/did_i_say_osama_i_meant_obama.html

[RobertHewson]

From "Head of State":
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/03/authentic-change.html

"Authentic Change

The WP reports today that Obama has "thrown away the script" in Ohio, turning from his stump speech to a series of town hall meetings.

Ohio and Texas are tight. The contest is too close to call. This is, for a campaign, a "red phone" moment.

Note how Obama responds.

Instead of an array of tactical shifts in persona, Obama shows the strength and fortitude that he has demonstrated all along--in a kind of reverse Rove (recall that Rove was famous for taking his adversary's greatest strength and attacking it) taking his greatest ability and putting it to the side, moving from score to improvisation, to further answer the questions of the people--something he has done all along the campaign trial, but now is putting aside his greatest strength to emphasize.

Note what he could have done: He could have gone on the attack, derogating Hillary's past through the ad hominem methods all too recently seen. He could have attempted to change the presentation of his personality, in order to find the persona that consultants recommend, changing his tone, his emotions, shifting through traits like a anxious shuffle through a deck of cards, searching for the combination that would meet the seeming demands of the day. In a moment of pressure--at 3 .A.M.--he could have responded with panic and artifice.

Instead, he moves *away* from his strength, and presents himself simply before the people.

This is judgment, which arises from a known and consistent self. It does not arise, despite experience, from a self that uncertain, fearful, and therefore driven by fear, to change under the pressures of the moment.

This is what will count when genuine moments of crisis occur in our future evenings, in our 3 A.M. moments, and in the early dawn.

Cite:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/03/authentic-change.html"

[SickOfSpin]

Excellent link--Thanks for posting it! Hillary's wild diatribes can't get gone fast enough!

[SubparDude]

:
Yah, she's Female. As far as I know.
I'll have to take her at her word."

-- Wm. Jefferson Clinton

:

[mrcontinental]

Homerun!

[hawkeye58]

I would have thought Hillary would have "rejected" it .

[ladygreenslippers]

Pardon me, that's NOT enough. You have to reject and denounce!

[Malarcus]

As far as I'm told, there currently is little or no evidence that Hillary Clinton ever worked with or supported "Squeaky" Fromme's attempted assasination of then-President Gerald Ford. In fact, there appears to be little remaining evidence, if there was ever any, of Senator Clinton's connection to the Manson Family at all. I sincerely feel for Senator Clinton and the stress she must suffer due to constantly correcting stories of Ms. Clinton's involvement in the Tate and LaBianca killings. It truly is shameful how her detractors continue to link Senator Clinton to Charles Manson and the assasintation attempt on Gerald Ford.

[hank48188]

Obama has a connection to WEATHERMEN TERRORISTS though. Obama sought the support of Bernadine Dohrn and William Ayers when running for State Senate and they still have a friendship. They BOMBED GOV'T BUILDINGS like the PENTAGON and the NYC Police Headquarters in the 70's.

[ladygreenslippers]

You mean the same people that Clinton wanted to build a museum for, and the same people her husband met with years ago?!

be careful of throwing stones for your candidate because she lives in a glass house.

[kcgeban]

I completely support Senator H. Rodham Clinton...­..........­..........­.for Vice President of the United States of America.

That way O. gets to boss her around everday for the next 8 years.

[racom]

If they should end up on the same ticket there would be a big fight over who would have to be president. Cheney has shown us that the seat of power is the VP.

[tiredofhillary]

"As far as I know" her campaign sent out the email in Ohio telling voters that Sen. Obama is a muslim.

[gjoh]

HRC should stop the sleazy innuendos. Obama is Christian. He has said as much over and over again. To perpetuate this kind of smear is just unbelievable, especially coming from a fellow Democrat. (Bush/Rove playbook tactics) Enough of this.

Take Obama on about the facts. That's fair game.

Perhaps HRC can't take Obama on about the facts because she can't find any dirty facts about him that wouldn't make her look worse.

[kevenhussienseven]

FISA UPDATE!

The House leadership is considering splitting up the Senate abomination in order to allow congressmen to trade votes (you vote yes on A, I’ll vote no, you vote no on B, I’ll vote yes) in order to give them cover to pass the entire bill.

Please read:

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/todays_must_read_287.php

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/03/03/democrats/index.html

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/1/175613/1399/825/467005

A list of Blue Dog Congressmen thought to be sympathetic to the concept of Telecom immunity is at: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/29/145640/493/398

Then call Pelosi, Hoyer, Conyers, some Blue Dogs and your own congressman and raise holy hell. Tell them that only the RESTORE act is acceptable.

From the article: “Under pressure to end an impasse over espionage legislation, House Democrats are considering a plan to vote on a bill next week that would give the government broad new eavesdropping authorities but strip out a provision that would protect phone companies from lawsuits.”

Please act!

[Mapleave]

TURN the page on these tactics. Bush-Clint­on-Bush-Cl­inton. Enough.

[MikeMidCity]

As far as I KNOW, HIllary votes like a warmonger.

[moda31]

seriously? what the hell kind of stupid answer is that? i'm not sure that's a strong enough answer, i think i'd prefer for her to reject and denounce any such claim, just to be clear about where she stands and all. i mean i can't say for sure, but as far as i know hillary isn't a lesbian. what if obama offered that response to a question about those pesky rumors?

[RIBassist]

Oh, definitely! She'd definitely have to denounce AND reject! I mean, denouncing just doesn't cut it anymore!

[ladygreenslippers]

First, you know Obama would NEVER do that to Clinton, he wouldn't even do it to John McCain.
He has too much character.

Second, don't insult the lesbians.

[2liveNdie]

Bill did not have sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky as far as I know

[KatherineSF]

Shameful.

Should she get the Nomination, I don't think I can vote for her. She doesn't deserve my vote.

[desertdweller]

Yes Hillary, and like Chevy Chase's character, Ty Webb, said to Bill Murray in "Caddyshack," "no one is making fun of you, as far as you know."

[DMHendrix]

She could not have given any more of a disingenuous answer if it had been scripted by Howard Wolfson or Mark Penn. What I would not give for this primary season to be over with so we could just move on. She knew exactly what she was doing here with that answer...s­he is very calculating and deliberate with her response. If Obama had done the same thing to her would we have been exposed to another staged emotional breakdown? In all likelihood, yes. So far he has stayed above all the gutter attacks and I give him a lot of credit for that. God only knows there is enough for him to bury her with right up to that condescending smirk but he hasn't done it.