Obama: Clinton Gotten "Desperate" In Campaign

Barack Obama sat for an interview with Nightline, which was previewed on Good Morning America today. He dismissed the tone of Hillary Clinton's recent national security ad, suggesting that her campaign had "gotten a little desperate" after their series of primary losses:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1439819556http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Comments

[MIHOP]

HRC is simply showing, more and more each day, what most of us already new about the Clinton's: there is no limit how far right they will tack in order to achieve their political ambitions.

[nohat]

Where are my two replies to USVeteran? In them I thanked him for fighting for my freedom, and now you have snatched them away, Huff. I want him to have my thanks.

[kellygrrrl]

I really hope this is over in a few days. It's getting ridiculous. It is time for all True Dems to stand together and focus on the Main Event

[rjean]

true dems...what is that????

true to whom???

one clueless man or one wicked woman...the choice is yours...but luckily it isnt americas...

as deficient as mccain is...he is worlds above the two dem flukkies...................

[naturesway]

It is time for Obama to stop dividing the party with his scorched earth claim that he was the only American to be right from day one. Give me a break. He has displayed poor and faulty and " bone-headed" judgment from day one. Otherwise, explain his land deal with Rezko and why he lied to us about it.
He is just not right for the job.

[rmetz74]

How about you point to one accusation of wrongdoing against Obama in the Rezko case.

[Vinkaye]

I'd like him to stop dividing the party by claiming that Democrats haven't accomplished jack in his lifetime!

[zazu313]

Dear Nature's way,

Rezko??? If your going that route, how about HRC and Whitewater? The Rose Law Firm? TRAVELGATE? MONICAGATE? Vincent Foster's "SUICIDE?"

Explain those, please?

[anthonylee]

Naturesway - The "Rabbit Hole" is two paces to your left then down, Alice is waiting.

[eshalom]

Speaking of desperation, Obama is in deep trouble today with the Rezko trial, the Canadian memo on NAFTA, and other sleazey tactics by his campaign surfacing right and left. Not a great day for the harbinger of the new politics in the run-up to several crucial primaries.

[Jennifer4]

YES; BUT HAVE YOU NOTED THAT THESE STORIES ARE NOT COVERED ON THE PRO OBAMA NETWORKS!!!!

I JUST CANNOT NOR WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA. I WOULD RATHER REPUB STATUS QUO

[jungfookid]

Good Call. Goodbye Pro-Choice!

[EvoMan]

That's because the Canadian memo story has been debunked and the Rezko thing is a lot like Whitewater: Much ado about nothing.

[brwnizofmine]

I feel the same way, I will not and cannot vote for Hillary, so I may end up voting for McCain. Never thought I would hear myself say that!

[zazu313]

Nice try, eshalom, but no cigar for you.

[Aladdinc]

Obama may turn out to be Romney...all the money but mounting a losing campaign. With all his money and a clear pass by the press, why isn't Obama winning big? Even his camp thinks that they are ahead only by 100 delegates.. and they can't get enough delegates going forward to win the nomination. Hence, they are trying to drive Hillary (and those who support her) from being heard by demanding she drop out. It is he who has the most to lose on Tuesday.

[iPolitics]

33% avg margin of victory in his 11 straight wins isn't winning big? 150 more delegates is a huge lead when delegates are given by district not winner-take-all.

Stop making things up

[estreya]

I must take exception to your post. Comparing Obama, who has people coming out in droves who have never participated in the political process before, to Romney, who couldn't get competitive numbers of voters out of the republican base, is absurd.

[MIHOP]

Clinton is actually closer to Romney on several points, and on one you emphasize (money): Romney self-funded $40-$60 million to his campaign.

Meanwhile, HRC doesn't have half the number of donors that Obama has. Last, she's raised tons of money from lobbyists and PACs.

[AnninCA]

That's what I say. Moreover, his own AA superdelegates who finally gave in and jumped ship are also speaking out in the press about why. Good God! People are threatening their mothers in different states and calling them "uncle Toms?"

Now, I don't for a heartbeat think that his own callers hired by his campaign are doing this. I do think his silence is approval.

Ditto for the question Russert put to him about his ties to anti-semitics who endorse him.

McCain told his supporters to knock off the Hussein stuff.
Hillary locked Bill up when he compared Obama to Jesse Jackson.

So why is he silent?

[Wildcatdiva]

Its Hilarious How delusion Hillary supporter FORGET that Hillary was ahead 20 damn points in both states! She's the one who has to win. Even with her last minute scorched earth politics, he’s still gaining and fast. Obama needs the count and he win be ahead after tomorrow either way. The Media is full of shit. Trying to continue this mess. I don't care if she's drops out or not. She's a liar her campaign is crap and there's no two ways about it! I can hardly believe SNL thinks they won't have backlash with that Amos and Andy skit. And If Hillary thinks that's going to stop Texas Obama supporters from mobilizing shame on her. Ohio is bringing up the rear!

[zreeb]

Where do these people come from?

He has more delegates!

[pheepher]

In case anyone has noticed, Hillary has been desparate since Iowa when she was thumped. This idea that "everyone is picking on me" attitude will play well is part of Hillary's codependent dysfunctional nature.

[naturesway]

Did you notice that when Obama lost New Hampshire he pulled out the race card and has been flashing it all along. Michelle has been using that same race card since SC as well. They were able to twist the truth and made it look like Bill was racist, but we all know that's not true. It was the Obama camp that felt desperation and has tried to divide this nation with that racist language.

[zazu313]

No, Naturesway. We haven't noticed that. You have a really unique vision. MAybe you can help HRC in her next Senate campaign!

[karrezza]

Will anyone still explain.. why he never had any meetings with his Foreign Relations Subcommittee while Clinton has managed to have meetings with the subcommittes she is a member of. Both campaigning. What is Obama getting paid for? He is supposed to work for 4 years, not 2 and campaign for 2, all the while drawing a salary.

Look at these stats:

From GovTrack.US http://www.govtrack.us/congress// (look up the person of choice)

Statistic: Barack Obama missed 201 of 1121 votes (18%) since Jan 6, 2005

Statistic: Hillary Clinton missed 175 of 2429 votes (7%) since Jan 23, 2001


Average voting attendance it seems is between 1-3%, so both of them do qualify as poorer attendance, but his is more than double Clinton's. Explain that, and he is a newbie!!! He isn't even trying right out of the gate, in terms of his time in office. How often will be blow off responsibility on the job???

[AnninCA]

He obviously was lying when he said he wasn't ready for the presidential election, and the Senate position was nothing more than a launch point.

[LarBear]

People refer to their Hopes about Obama, as if that IS the Obama's...
RUSSERT: Senator Obama, I want you to respond to not holding oversight for your subcommittee. But also, do you reserve a right as American president to go back into Iraq once you have withdrawn with sizable troops in order to quell any kind of insurrection or civil war?
OBAMA: Well, first of all, I became chairman of this committee ( Committee on Foreign Affairs) at the beginning of this campaign, at the beginning of 2007. So, it is true that we haven't had oversight hearings on Afghanistan.
* NOTE: Some NATO Countries are NOT fulfilling their obligation... Most Troops fighting in Afghanistan (including NATO Troops) are American...
Barack runs for President his first term in US Senate...
(Videotape, January 22, 2006): MR. RUSSERT: When we talked back in November of "04, after your election, I said, "There"s been enormous speculation about your political future. Will you serve your full six-year term as a United States senator from Illinois?" Obama: "Absolutely."
It's about a Test of Character and Integrity ....... Clearly, Barack puts his political ambition ahead of his State, Country and Troops.... Character/ Integrity TEST = Failed... At least 3 times Barack's Campaign has played the Race Card, when NO mention of Race, or skin color was made... Michelle said people with black skin need to wake up and Vote for the first BLACK President... Oprah Campaigned for the First BLACK President... The Obama Campaign has made direct appeals to Race and Skin Color... Character/ Integrity TEST = Failed...
In Nevada, Barack himself said the Rules for Caucusing clearly favored him... Character/ Integrity TEST = Failed...
Excelon, the largest nuclear operator in the United States helped bankroll Obama's Campaign into the US Senate after he watered down a Bill to REQUIRE Nuclear Power Plant Operators to report leaks... Obama's Campaign Manager is a former Excelon PR Consultant... Obama's watered down Bill died in Committee...
Tested = FAILED

[MIHOP]

Nice try.

Like most any candidate, he ran because an exploratory group discovered there was a surprisingly large groundswell of support. In addition, as with most candidates, a run in one cycle is often used to produce the visibility to run in the next. What happened is that, given the option between the "inevitable" Back to the Future candidate HRC and someone with guts to stand and be counted on unpopular, progressive positions and vision regarding what the country needs at this moment in time, the Democratic Party rank and file have correctly chosen Barack Obama.

[estreya]

This is the latest "much ado about nothing," and like the "plagiarism" charges, yet another example of how Hillary will get something between her jaws and gnaw on it till it's pulp.

[MIHOP]

He's written and co-sponsored an impressive number of Bills (in IL and DC), many more bills than HRC. So trying to paint him as Fred Thompson and her as the only legislative workhorse between them is a significant distortion.

[jade7243]

Where was HIllary on that all important FISA bill a few days ago? Barack Obama voted NO. Hillary was absent.

See sometimes it's not the number of votes you miss, it's the subject.

One more thing... for all of you all ready to start screaming "But he voted PRESENT" -- tune into C-SPAN and watch the US House of Reps vote ... when they pop the chyron on the screen, notice something: Yes, No, Present, Not Voting. Hmmmmm.... interesting. your local congressman or woman can vote "present?" I see... and do you have a problem with that? No? Just a tad hypocritical dontcha think???

[PrdAmerican]

God, I wish she had missed more votes...iraq and Iran for two. Not to mention her votes for the Patriot Act and upholding the patriot act...if only she had missed that vote about exporting cluster bombs, which she favors...tell her stop already, her votes are DESTRUCTIVE and too pro-bush!

[dantheman]

Hillary and her supporters are desperate. They know that it's practically mathematically impossible to win the majority of pledged delegates.

Fortunately for Hillary an her mnions, the media is also desperate to cash in on the race being prolonged to keep the ratings at historic levels.

The very media that Hillary bashes as biased against her is artificialy keeping her campaign alive. The narrative has gone from Hillary needs to win both Ohio and Texas by huge margins to have a chance of eventually closing the gap on pledged delegates then only if she wins some 70 percent of the remaining pledged delgates, which is impossble, to if Hillary wins either Ohio or Texas, she hould stay in the race.

The media = life support for the Clinton campaign.

[rachaelisacancer]

Once again, an Obama supporter belittles millions of people in one fell swoop.

I matter, and so do the millions of other Hillary supporters.

I don't know if you know this, but you're actually supposed to lose before you get sore.

All the people still out there fighting for Hillary = life support for the Clinton campaign.

[zreeb]

Totally agree, the media has kept it alive.

[naturesway]

We, her supporters, are keeping it alive to the tune of 200,000 new supporters and 35 million $$ to make sure stays in this to WIN. Hillary will fight for us and she will not give up or give in. Go Hillary...
You are fighting for us.

[PrdAmerican]

The one million thirthy plus thousand supporters of Obama are doing our fair share as well :), am sure we'll see the numbers later today.

[karrezza]

Here we go again. Tell me this still isn't obvious Obama Ass Kissing again!

Obama VS. Clinton Headlines

1. Obama: Clinton "Desperate" (Pro Obama)

2. Koolth: What Barack Has (Pro Obama)

3. Tim Russert: Obama Responsible For Harry Belafonte, Too (Pro Obama)

4. I Can't Believe I'm Standing Up for Obama... But I Am (Pro Obama, but more Anti Clinton, as if Obama is just his only alternative, Anything better than Clinton implication) Blurb on front in view, too, the sample line, clearly Anti Clinton "When I voted in the California primary less than four weeks ago, I pulled the lever for Senator Clinton. I now believe I was wrong."

5. Obama's Hollow "Judgment" and Empty Record (Anti Obama)

6. Marc Cooper>>Clinton Campaign Cuts Back Wooing of Superdelegates (Anti Clinton)

7. Hillary In "Happy-Warrior Mode" (Tough call but sounds sarcastic)
(Yep sub title to actual article? "Clinton Campaigns as if Momentum Is Hers" (Anti Clinton)

8. Clinton Camp Throws Sink, Chairs, Table At Obama (Anti Clinton)

9. Obama Mocks Clinton Mocking Obama (Pro Obama, though older headline, still on front page)

10. Clinton: "As Far As I Know" Nothing To Base Obama Muslim Rumors On (Anti- Clinton, like how this one implies she is lying by quoting that particular line??)

11. Ohio Voter On 60 Minutes: I Hear Obama Is Muslim, Doesn't Know National Anthem (Pro Obama if you read article)

12. Live, From New York...It's Hillary Clinton! (Almost Pro Clinton)

Total Tally???

6 Pro Obama 1 Anti Obama

1 Pro Clinton 4 Anti Clinton (And it was just for SNL show not real campaign news)

[cae]

Maybe you haven't been around here very long. This website has been pushing Obama for a long time, possibly from the start.

[AnninCA]

This is a news site. This is a blog site. Big difference.

The only thing that separates Arianna's site from Taylor Marsh's site is that Taylor is forthright about her support for Clinton, and Arianna does allow opposite opinions in the article section.

Also Arianna lets people like me post. *haha

[jungfookid]

You're 2nd entry is crap dude. Erica Jong has been one of the most outstanding voices on this blog for the "Hillary because she is a woman" sentiment. Just look at any of her other entries. The fact is, she recognized that, at least for this last debate, Obama won by not looking so screechy and victimized. Obama used to get more-or-less thumped during these debates, but he's gotten better for sure. Any fair person could recognize this.

Also, did it ever occur to you that most people in the blogosphere are actually just pro-Obama? I'm not saying that's what is necessarily going on in the real world, but go to a dozen blogs and more than half will have already endorsed Obama (A.L., Hilzoy, John Cole, Huff, Mother Jones). They are the "upper-class, educated" types, after all.

[Ides]

I wonder what's more important equal reporting or fair reporting....? I guess we should throw up some articles about how Clinton loves macaroons.

[zreeb]

Why don't you go read mydd.com or some other Hillary blog if it bothers you?

[iPolitics]

Desperate? No kidding. Even Mike Huckabee is taking the high road for the most part

[USVeteran]

ATTENTION: HUFFINGTON POST. WHERE IS THE NEW VIDEO OF 60 MININUTES HEALTH CARE STORY THAT WAS ON SUNDAY. IT MADE ME CRY FOR MY COUNTRY.

[PortiaElizabeth]

Yesterday in Ohio Obama was booed when he tried to give that "back in 2002" speech for the zillionth time. Booed.
Ohio knows a hack when they hear it.
They also know about Austan Goolsbee and Tony Rezko.

[MarkieBee001]

you gotta link to videos of the boos?

[Bertrude]

Yes Ohio is so cutting edge and ahead of the rest of the country it is sickening. To think such a small minded state is given so much responsibility is a joke.

[AnninCA]

Portia......where did you get this?

I'd love it, of course.

But I don't think Hillary's gang has ever shown up to Obama rallies to heckle him as his supporters do regularly to her.

It's not in our nature, frankly.

[PortiaElizabeth]

I was watching Headline news while getting dressed this AM. Obama was giving his standard speech and when he got to the part where he criticized Hillary, there wer boos from some in the crowd. Not everyone, mind you, but it was the first time I'd heard him booed, and it was as if he was a balloon filled with air and had suddenly gotten pricked with a pin. The air just seemed to leak out of him and his posture sagged. I don't think he knows what to do when he's not adored.

[m4me08]

Waiting to see your footage of Obama supporters "regularly" heckling Hillary. How do you know they are Obama supporters? Maybe they dont support Obama but hate Hillary. There are plenty of those to go around.

Oh and they weren't booing him...he brought up her scare tactic ad and they were booing that.

[anghiari]

Hillary and her surrogates are such weak pissants...she will do anything to win...do they think people didn't look at what a failure her campaign has been...she had been attempting to make up ground since New Hampshire and she is willing to scream threats and shout epithets at Obama if it seems it will work. People be careful of who you elect...Hillary is one of those politicians who really believes she knows better than you....If you listen to her early statements there was no "we"...it was "I" will do this and I will do that. After she has your vote you can darn well bet, you will be there as dressing, but not part of the decisions.
Hillary and Bill have their surrogates out trying to save her butt...all of these people ignore the abysmal campaign she's run with her vaunted 35 years of experience to rail against Obama when he and his team have run a brilliant campaign. Simply being around for 35 years does not a profound experience make. Hillary has spent as much time ridding Bill of his girlie of the week as she has been available to his political experience. Don't tell me one does not affect the other...

It is the intellectual dishonesty in Hillary's campaign that stinks and it is this same level of manipulation that will be part of any new Clinton administration. Hillary takes jabs at Bush, but she is using the very same formula to get into office as he did in 2000 with McCain. She and her ilk always think they know best ---

While Bill Clinton also changes his tune to serve the purpose of the moment. He did at the insistence of the party occasionally assist Kerry in his campaign in 2004. However we all should remember if Kerry had won, Hillary would not be running today...and that leads me to believe that Bill's rather half-hearted support of Kerry demonstrates more than ever, that these people could care less about the American people...it is their personal goals that are their priorities always

But let's make Bill and Hillary reflect upon some of their own words
in 2004 when comparing the Bush vs Kerry campaign Bill Clinton said the following:

"If one candidate is trying to scare you, and the other's trying to get you to think; if one is appealing to your fears, and the other is appealing to your hopes - it seems to me you ought to vote for the person who wants you to think and hope."

And my gosh who is the fearmonger today???

[AnninCA]

I take offense about being labeled "intellectually dishonest."

You may not agree with me, but I'm not unfair.

I don't think the Clinton campaign quite had their heads wrapped around HOW to campaign when you've gone from "expected winner by all accounts" to "underdog."

Really. First of all, Hillary isn't completely at ease being on the attack. That's what underdogs must do. And even I haven't gotten crazy-angry with Obama for his underdog stuff, except when I thought he went over the line and played the race card, when he attacked his own party, and when he tried to attack her from a character standpoint. Other than that, everything is on the table and up for grabs. He can poke fun at her 35 years experience and argue about the war vote, in other words. That's fair game, even if I think it's stupid. It's no more stupid than her kindergarten paper or her planned parenthood deal.

I think, ironically, Hillary hit her stride with reality this week. She may have started off ill-at-ease with playing the underdog, attack role. (Hence, her failed SNL remark.)

But I think the campaign has finally "gotten" it.

I said 2 days before Mark Penn that the real issue here is why isn't Obama taking her out?

FINALLY, the campaign said the same thing.

The issue for Obama's campaign now is to knock her out.

They have to really knock her out.

Sorry, but you guys get all excited by 11 straight wins.

I look and see Americans Abroad and Virgin Islands in there and laugh.

And I look at the racial make-up of the great Potomac blow-out, and I look at the rest of the country and don't see THAT big of a slant of AA voters, and I see.......

Hope. :)

If she can hang tough, keep close in delegate count, then I think that it's starting to sink in that he's not really God after all.

He's just another Chicago Daly politician.

With a fairly mediocre message and asking people to take a HUGE risk.

Can we afford that as a country?

I firmly think, "No."

[boombox]

No he wasn't, and I think we know a hack when we read one.

[rmetz74]

Where's the video?

[curiousasheck]

We're soon to find out just how much "change" the public can really stand.

[teahead]

Why can't she pick up the damn phone?

Ringing five times? She's "ready"???

LOL!

[jsinclair]

Ha! I thought the same thing (and I think it rings six times).

She's dressed. She's ready. The phone rings and rings. By the time she answers, they've hung up.

Seems kind of like the inept way she's run her campaign, doesn't it?

(The other thing is I always picture her sleeping and saying, "Hot line, Bill. You get it." Is that really supposed to reassure me? Why does she think she's got such awesome foreign policy and military skills that I and my children will rest easier with her at the helm? What's she ever DONE to earn this kind of confidence?)

[bleu23]

She doesn't have to pick up the phone, she has Bill to pick up the phone and take care of emergencies before she arises in the morning. The first lad will be the white house Pantoffelheld, lol.

[memojames]

It's prediction time! Let's see who is the best prognosticator. Here is my prediction:

Obama will win all four primaries. He will win Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island by five to ten percentage points. He will win Vermont by ten to twenty percentage points.

The result will end Clinton"s campaign although she may take a day or two before she admits defeat.

Let me see your forecasts!

[flyguy14222]

Ok, lets make a wager! I bet HRC wins OH, RI and TX. Obambi snatches VT.

[greejambri]

You're going to be so WRONG!

[WillieLynch]

I think Hillary will win it all. I hope she does so when McCain beats her in the general we will be done with the Clinton's forever!

[Plowboy]

Well, you're both wrong.
Texas will be close, but Barack might win by a point or so. Hillary will probably win Ohio but not very big. Hillary will probably win Rhode Island and Barack will most certainly win Vermont.

The only doubt is with Texas which is hard to predict. Clinton might pull out a win there, too, if her late attacks are effective. (He won't have time to counter them.)
And afterwards, she will get louder about needing to change the rules!

It'll go on and get dirtier. (There is a Clinton in the race.)

[LarryKingBarelyAlive]

Clinton wins Ohio by a few points. Obama will squeak Texas when the Caucus part is taken into account. Obama wins Vermont comfortably and Clinton does the same in Rhode Island.

[BikerJim]

Sh ewins Ohio by very little (split delegates) he wins the Popular vote in Texas and the Caucus gaining about 5 delegates. She wins RI by 5 poits, and he wins Vermont by 20 points.

[Bertrude]

I agree with your guess BikerJim, but I hope memojames is the right one.

[AnninCA]

I'm hoping you got it, Jim.

But I was way off on Wisconsin. And I know the polls are goofy.

So it's up to voters.

[jsinclair]

Obama squeaks by with a win in Texas (and a significant lead in delegates there). He wins Vermont, loses Ohio by 10% (but at least gets some delegate), loses by 4$ in RI.

Clinton's start spinning that she only needed to split the big/little states, that Bill didn't mean she needed both Texas and Ohio.

Superdelegates get fed up and start to bolt. Richardson endorses Obama. The Clintons go ballistic and dirty, sending surrogates everywhere with complaints about the Texas caucus, made up complaints about Obama's strategy, new rumors and smears....anything they can think of .

Edwards and Gore endorse Obama. Clinton loses 30 more superdelegates, but vows to "fight on" to Pennsylvania.

Where she loses.

That's my prediction!