Clinton: McCain Has More Experience Than Obama

Hillary Clinton continued her heated attacks against frontrunner Obama, claiming that the likely Repubican nominee John McCain has more experience than the Illinois senator. Hillary told reporters yesterday:

"I think that I have a lifetime of experience that I will bring to the White House. I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002."

Keith Olbermann was less than pleased with the attack that would surely return in a McCain-Obama general election, calling the statement, "unbelievable."

Comments

[wilhelmR]

Nothing about all this matters much. If Obama wins will see how many Hillary supporters will vote (based on emotion) for Obam and vice versa. It will be all emotionl and no polling or statistics will say anything. The general Election will come to the last minute and to the wire.

[batspaul]

That's it. I'm done.

I have defended Hillary Clinton for as long as she has been on the national stage. I have always thought her a brilliant and committed public servant. I supported her campaign for the Senate with my money and work.

WIth her characterization of herself and Senator McCain as the only two candidates qualified for the Presidency, she has crossed a line. The significance of these remarks can not be overstated. She is basically saying, "If I am not the nominee, voters should choose McCain."

I am sad to admit that her detractors are right, that her lack of integrity is not just a problem of public perception, as I previously thought. I cringed when the Obama campaign coined the phrase, "Hillary Clinton: She will say anything...and change nothing."

They were right. Not only will she lose, she deserves to lose.

[BARRISTER]

batspaul; I am with you on this. Hilary must be insane. None of them has any goddamn expewrience which qualifies them to be Commander in Chief. Apeshit McCain's bombing of innocent women and children in Hanoi, a war crime, does not qualify him; nor does his been locked up in hanoi Hilton for that matter. Hilary ditto.

It is a job you must learn while on the job. No one can be qualified for it. That is just political batshit.

[Purcy]

I didn't hear it that way at all...what I heard is that Hillary is better able to go against McCain. But hey, the media prefers to take ANYTHING that Hillary says and use it against her, one way or the other. Where there was criticism of the 3AM phone call video, I recall the media promoting the idea that she used the 'fear' factor. So does that mean that when Obama copied the video he used the fear factor as well? I haven't heard that.

We could have such a great country if we would go back to the fairness doctrine. And if television actually employed real investigative reporters and real journalists, instead of the 'personalities' who play on the emotions of Americans. I don't excuse Americans for being dumb enough to fall for it either. People such as Keith Olberman did a good job when we wanted to hear that there was another side to issues beyond that which was provided by the Bush Administration. Now he seems to think we should get behind the candidate of HIS choice? I don't think so. I'd love it if he would go back to reporting actual facts.

[batspaul]

Then you heard a lie, and you should know better.

And Keith Olberman has always done a good job. He is a commentator, not a reporter, so yes, those are opinions.

You loved him disagreeing with Bush, but hate him disagreeing with Clinton.

I get it. Apparently, when somebody doesn't share your opinion, they suddenly have no credibility, and must be attacked. That's sort of becoming a hallmark of the Clinton campaign. Enjoy it while it lasts. I just hope it doesn't destroy our Party.

[enoughalready]

Anyone listening to Hillary at that news conference heard the words. We did not need to hear Olbermann chide in - she plainly stated she and McCain were qualified and Obama wasn't.

Get real - she threw all Democrats under the bus with that one comment. When you see the ads this summer and fall with that single statement as the mantra for the GOP candidate McCain - even Hillary thinks McCain would be a better candidate - then maybe you will realize what she has done.

God help us!!!!!

[michael538]

That's it! I am voting for Chance, from the movie Being There. All this talk about experience is a bit frightening. Experience at what? Gutter politics, innuendo, lies, catering to special interests. I DON'T WANT any of their experience any more. If someone has moral compass and some viagra, they should perform well inside the Beltway- the less experience the better. I want someone that has experience in Economics 101, ie understands what a 9 trillion dollar deficit means. But my ideas are generally not accepted. For example, my solution to the immigration/foreclosure problem.

Since most of our new homes were built by an illegal workforce, make them buy up all the foreclosed properties. And since the finance industry was so greedy in doling out sub-prime loans, make them carry the notes. And since our government was so diligent in protecting our borders, make them cradle these workers in the arms of citizenship. Tell the illegals: You no longer have a choice, you have to stay. We are making you citizens, selling you homes, and lending you the money, whether you like it or not. I think it would send out a very clear signal that you can't come here and just kick around the big U.S. of A. This is the land of the free after all. The quicker we can saddle you with debt and obligation, the quicker you can savor that freedom just like us. One thing for sure, this would solve the foreclosure problem, or delay the next one for a while.

But no one listens to me- I guess I am alittle short on experience.

[sebocd]

Your ideas are great and you present them very well. I like listening to what you have to say. I would suggest that your problem is more about expectations, style, timing, feeling not always
appreciated. Your style maybe a little aversive to some people who will put up a lot of resistance to receiving your message. You may not be able to change your style and that's o.k. With regard to timing maybe you are equating immedite acceptance and approval (of your ideas) to their potential effectiveness and success. To the extent that what you have to say is the truth, its like a seed that gets planted in spite of the resisistance. With the passing of time (day, months or even years) when your listeners forget the souce of those ideas and are free of their bias don't be surpprised to hear your ideas and insights expressed in your own ideocentric style by persons who actually believe they are the original source. You have to be able to derive your satisfaction from the amusement of knowing you effected change even if you don't get credit from anyone but yourself.

[michael538]

Thanks, I write a lot- usually for family consumption and due to an extreme amount of angst. And boy do I have ideas. Besides, I would rather be "sequestered in the back of the fellowship making coffee, as opposed to standing up on some bully pulpit (metaphorically speaking)" - the important thing is that people see through the right pair of glasses, not to claim authorship for my ideas. Then I would be on the road to the very self centeredness that I find so repellent in Washington.

[FZliveson]

That's indentured servitude, lad. Can't be done.
The law-breakers need to be acknowledged as that and dealt with in
a constitutionally legal way. If they are pardoned or have their sentences
commuted...that is another thing. Yeah, well written, but naieve.
Anyone forced to do anything will rebel.

[Themo]

Poor Hillary. She states a fact and gets ripped for it. Wow! I fear the internet has given birth to a real monster and now, how the hell are we gonna put a lid on it? And to top it off, we're trying to export this vile form of demcracy to people abroad? Maybe we should pull back and give our experiment in this form of government more time to mature.

[disqo21]

why don't you start it off- stop leaving comments, turn off the computer and just hibernate until november. we'll wake you up when it's all over.

[agentoris625]

Where is this experience that Mrs. clinton has over obama, if he's making this claim, then Laura bush also has more experience than obama. In terms of judgment, she's shown that on the single most important issue, she was wrong. As well, her criticism of him regarding pakistan is laughable considering how we have in fact gone into pakistan and taken out our enemies even though hilary claims that this is naive. I was really hopeful that the party had 2 viable and strong candidates to destroy the republicans this year but i find her tactics despicable and I in all consciousness cant vote for her if she becomes the dem nominee. Ill write in obama or john edwards instead.

[soulstressed]

Please sign this petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Truth_Hurts/

[ElkoJohn]

`
oh my fairest Lady Hawk
when the phones rings at 3am
will you cackle
as you launch the missiles ??
will you have a toast with Johnny McCain
and gush that nobody, but nobody
can push the Iron Lady of DC around
without incurring her wrath
(& without using Johnny's famous temper)
no one. . ., no one. . .
of course. . ., of course. . .
.

.

[hetosibeck]

It is really a bad move to endorse McCain over Obama. It just means that if Clinton can't win the Democratic primarty then nobody can have it. If Obama wins, then does this mean she will campaign for McCain? Unbelievable!

[EvoMan]

Maybe she'll pull a Lieberman and run as his VP. Then she can do to the Republican Party what she's doing to the Democrats.

[snesich]

Hillary Clinton appears to be saying "IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU, NO DEMOCRAT CAN!!!" (Meaning the White House.)

She's like the kid who takes his ball home when he starts losing the game. ("IF I'M NOT WINNING, NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO PLAY ANY LONGER!!!")

It does appear that she would rather the Democrats lose the White House if she herself can't win. There are two reasons for this: One appears to be simple vengeance and spite. The other is the hope that Obama losing the general election this year would give her yet another chance in 2012.

[Marmann]

Oh, you mean like "my way or the highway?" Just like George W. Bush, only scarier and less stable? Do we really need eight more years of THAT?!

[Indepatriot]

While I am a solid Obama supporter, I can honestly say that Before Hillary went Rethuglican with a defacto endorsment of McCain she had my vote if she was the nominee.Now however, NO WAY IN HELL CAN I VOTE FOR HER. She will stop at nothing to win and is more than willing to take the entire party down with her. The DNC needs to put a stop to this now, before this egomanic helps hand the election to her "good friend"McCain. Nader gets my vote if this Neocon Cheerleader somehow swindles her way to the nomination.

[FreedomLoverX]

Since the Obama adviser resigned for calling Hillary a monster, I think it is only fitting that Hillary should now resign for campaining for McCain.

Hillary - you are a loser, even if you win. I'm sick of having losers in the Whitehouse. I can not wait until you fold up your tent and leave. Maybe you can go stay in Texas at Bushes ranch.

[Chris7982]

I am in total agreement with all the responses i have read on the issue of Hillary endorsement of Mc Cain.....she would rather he wins the WH rather than have Obama be in the WH...the problem is that it is her turn to be President and her hhusband promised that he would deliver in 1998 when he was caught with his pants down..... the only reason she sytayed with him eas the Presidency...her senate run and then the presidency.....all of a sudden this nobody Obama comes along and and is still in the race and strange enough he is good too and beating her at what she is supposed to do best...campaign.....she hates his guts and reaaly want him to lose!!!! Be careful, it is no play game for her and she is out for blood...if she does not get it then no other democrat gets it and she will run again in 4 years....she is selfish and does not care about the party it is about her....her followers must be dumb not to get it as yet!!!! our one chance to regain the WH which Bill embarassed in the 90's with his philandering and lost the House and senate seats...things were never the same in Washington...divisive politcs and there will not be cooperation from republicans for her they hate her with a passion and maybe they saw something we did not see until now...no in tegrity, no soul but anger, deceit and self fulfillment!!!! Work to keep voters informed about PA and how important it is to let people be aware of the facts!!! wecannot let her beat us at her game....we are on to her and that is great!!!!

[VillyVal]

Curious that this HORROR, the HORROR, comes up for discussion on the same day we are reminded by McCain -- with a little help from a reporter on the plane -- that John Kerry asked him to be his VP.

This incident is a challenge to Obama to articulate HOW he passes the Commander-in-Chief threshold. It shouldn't be that hard to do, but he needs to think about it.... He might begin by talking about his core foreign policy beliefs. Has the world changed? Or are we still confronted by the perennial problems? The nation is bankrupt, deeply in debt, military spending no longer sustainable ... what IS to be his foreign policy approach? He wants to talk to people. OK, what does he want to convey, other than he reserves the right to make air raids into sovereign countries if it's in our best interest?

Joe Biden nailed Rudy Guliani with "every sentence out of his mouth is a noun, a verb, and 9/11." Every sentence about/from Obama's foreign policy creds is a noun, a verb, and a speech from 2002. It would be nice to see him grapple with some of the issues we will confront.

Isn't it time for something new? Obama is up to bat. Somebody should tell him to address the plate and take a swing. The "evil, power-mad, bereft of integrity Clintons" are not his problem. Instead of attacking Hillary, he should take the challenge and answer the question. Grant that no one, except an incumbent president, has the requisite experience. Persuade me --not that Hillary Clinton is "a monster" -- but that Obama is bringing some intelligence and forethought to the job he's applying for.

[FreedomLoverX]

Good job, McHillary.

Go Obama go. These folks really need to stop controlling OUR country.

[VillyVal]

These folks? You've utterly bested me with your rhetorical sophistication. I yield to your superior reasoning and wit. I cannot go on.

[MrKnuckles]

I'm sorry but the effing woman is ruthless, which is an egregious slur on poor old ruth.

[Average]

So Dems are mad at Clinton for stating the TRUTH that anyone with a clue can see? WHY???

[OhioPoBoy]

Hillary has no familiarity with the truth. McCain's military experience included crashing half of the jets he flew. He was a captive for most of the war, not exactly a fighter, more like a prisoner. His experience with adultery and divorcing the woman who raised his kids while he was MIA, says more about his character than the films he made for the Vietnamese that made Jane Fonda look like a patriot. This is just like her lie about her role in the Irish peace talks. Today's Telegraph: "Hillary Clinton had no direct role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland and is a 'wee bit silly' for exaggerating the part she played, according to Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former First Minister of the province." The woman wants it so bad she will say anything to discourage people from voting for Obama. It's time to flush the experience toilet. Let's start with a clean slate and throw the bums out.

[jomira]

Keith Olberman: You have no idea of how many regular viewers you have lost. You can't be taken seriously. Anything you say always have an anti-Hillary Pro-Obama spin on it.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Olberman has always been pro-Clinton. The fact that Clinton supporters can't discern when someone disapproves of a Clinton tactic because it's despicable, just shows how her supporters keep sticking their head in the sand, no matter how low she stoops. Is there nothing you will keep on excusing from your corrupt hypocritical Neocon candidate? That's rhetorical, so don't bother to reply. Clinton apologists are devoid of any personal integrity or ethics.

[uglybetty]

Excuse me ,but you must have been watching the Wrong show !!
Olberman ,is in love with Obama and has been extremely nasty about Hillary !!
I used to watch when he was dissing Bush, but now it's constant Hillary bashing !!
As for beingt Corrupt ,you obviously read too much of your news on Huff post !!
I say My personal integrity does not require me to Bow down and Pray when I see My candidate !!!

[rjean]

my question is why would you ever watch keith blubberman to begin with...

omg he is the biggest hack on cable news...............the man leans left.......

he is an ass

[Veronica]

I've noticed that in your frequent rants against Keith Olbermann, you never seem to give any support for your blather, only ad hominem attacks. I like your implication that supposedly "leaning left" is inextrictably linked to being a "hack," with the Bush-style undeserved certainty we've all come to know and love.

Also, your post is the least eloquent haiku I've ever come across...congratulations.

[snesich]

Isn't this amazing...you, a complete ass, calling someone else an "ass". Go look in the mirror, dumbell, if you want to see a REAL ass.

There's a reason Keith Olbermann has an audience of millions and a little dope like you doesn't. His information is absolutely right. And he's not afraid to broadcast it.

[EvoMan]

Hello. This is the Democratic Party. We're generally left of center or don't you know that?

[Veronica]

Oh for Christ's sake, get a grip! Hillary Clinton actually said that McCain deserved to be president more than Obama! If she can't be prez, NO DEMOCRAT will, by god. That's Hillary's take. And rather than register the completely appropriate shock and disgust at this statement, you ramp up the faux indignance toward Keith Olbermann in the context of his supposed general dislike of Hillary. Maybe he does dislike Hillary and have a bias against her, but the fact that you can't see this statement of Hillary's for what it really is speaks volumes about your personal judgement when it comes to statements in the media that don't happen to support your candidate. There is some "there" there, Olbermann's points have nothing to do with Rush Limbaugh-style misogynism-based Hillary Hatred!

[snesich]

Actually, it's just the opposite. Whenever I tell people that Hillary has now said that John McCain is qualified to be president, but Barack Obama isn't, they are appalled and they're losing respect for Hillary Clinton.

All that counts for Hillary Clinton is winning herself. She doesn't care if the Democratic Party goes down to defeat. If she can't have it, no one can!

[fantanfanny]

And I am one of the lost viewers! About 6 months ago he was all over Bill and Hilary Clinton, had them both on...when he thought she was a shoo-in for the nomination, but then he got the MSNBC memo re. Obama being their man and he changed his tune! When buddies Chrissy Matthews and David Shuster were called on the carpet and had to apologize to the Clintons, that just tore it for Olbermann...he just tries to be on the winning side.