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

[EvoMan]

Huckabee is withdrawing, very gracefully, I might add as I type this. HIllary should take a cue.

[WAdem]

Actually, evoman, Hillary has won 3 straight now and judging by what I have read here for the last few days, Obama should gracefully withdraw as you put it so Hillary can get on with the task of winning in November.

[ajlaw13]

She's won 3 straight....and Obama still has a double-digit lead over her in the amount of states he's won overall. Not to mention that 12 state winning streak he was just on. What's your point, caller?

[EvoMan]

She'll lose tonight, even if she wins. She'll be asked to leave the race tomorrow and help repair the damage she's done.

Throwing a fellow Democrat under the bus is simply unacceptable.

[jgolden]

She's already lost, as far as I'm concerned. I've not missed voting Democratic in 36 years. If/when she is the party's nominee, I'll go elsewhere. Truth be told, there's not a whit's difference between Hillary and McCain, or Hillary and Bush for that matter. She's driving me away from the party I've loved all my life.

[HeadScratcher]

I'm thinking the same thing. If she's the Democratic nominee, I'm going to sit the election out. I've been a loyal Democrat for over 40 years and I just can't stand to see what the Clinton's are doing. I see no difference in their tactics and the neocons. She doesn't deserve my vote and will never get it.

[mlaiuppa]

So, is Hillary just saying she and McCain are OLDER than Obama? How much experience was he supposed to acquire starting at age....16?

Just another reason I don't plan to vote for Hillary. The office of President of the United States is *all* about character.

There's no sense hitting the ground running on day one if you're running in the wrong direction.

[MissingAmerica]

The clarification of her remarks was right on the money. Hillary's comment is very uncomfortable for me to hear. She just lost my vote.

[rosal]

If you enjoyed the last seven years, vote for Clinton. You'll get the same dirty politics for the next four years. If she wins, I'll take a second look to Nader.

[ergoth]

you guys are such a bunch of whiners. you expect hillary to just accept defeat without putting up a fight. eww, she's not playing fair. no wonder as a party the dems get rolled by the repubs time after time.

obama isn't the golden child you seem to think he is. the repubs aren't going to play fair. stay home, vote nader. cut off your nose to spite your face. mccain was a dead man walking 4 months ago and now this deranged, phony is about to become POTUS. way to go dems. the world thanks you for another 4 years of greed, war and arrogance from the self proclaimed greatest country in the history of the world.

if it wasn't so pathetic it would be laughable.

[naugiedoggie]

Yes, you know, it's just not RIGHT for a WOMAN to be saucy to a MAN like that. How naughty of her.

Never mind the vile crap that they're spewing about her. It's okay to talk trash about the woman in the race. She should be home, mopping the floors and getting Daddy's dinner ready. And if she does a good job, why hey -- maybe he'll put the wood to her as a reward.

Thanks.

mp

[TIMEATELL]

You need a hug.

[DoninJoisey]

So she should pull the fear and smear cards. Anything at all to sway the "lunch bucket" mob.
Experience a bit more than Laura Bush's. Her behavior in recent weeks alone should call into question her stability. Her ethics are straight out of Rove.
I didn't say she should have dropped out before now, but if she doesn't win both Ohio and Texas (as Bill said) THEN she should pack it in, but because it's about her and Bill, I don't think she will.

[sarobinson4320]

Don't thank us. Thank Hilary.

[gabriellelulette]

No, thank us. Its OUR fault that we can't unite to choose a dem candidate and beat the republicans.

[lungfish]

I think Keiths comment was very believeable.... she is foolish to put out rhetoric like this.. just like her wisecrack at the begining of the last debate. It shows an emotional side that doesn't appear to be under control....

Lung "Hussein" Fish

[PlantGod72]

These are the words/pronouncements of a Repug/Dem (like a Lieberman), NOT the argument of your Party's other candidate!

Clinton does NOT deserve the Democrats support, and certainly not their nomination.

[naugiedoggie]

Well, the votes are in. A matter of time, now. I hope she comes out on top (so to speak). If not, I'll have to vote for a whinging loser whose only recommendation has been that he gives good speech.

Barack Obama is better than McCain, but that's like saying the knees are above the ankles. Once again, the best candidates (Edwards first, then Clinton) will have lost out to the pretty boy who says least and promises most.

Thanks.

mp

[EvoMan]

Thanks. Just gives me another chance to post this!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/20/201332/807


Don't let the title fool you.

[RobertHewson]

Finally. Coverage that won't reinforce the "kitchen sink" politics of these recent days:

From today's "Head of State"
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/03/inside-kitchen-sink.html

"Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Inside The Kitchen Sink

From the NYT:

After struggling for months to dent Senator Barack Obama's candidacy, the campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is now unleashing what one Clinton aide called a "kitchen sink" fusillade against Mr. Obama, pursuing five lines of attack since Saturday in hopes of stopping his political momentum.


Let's see what has been tossed inside the kitchen sink:

-A vicious email smear campaign, falsely portrays Obama as a Muslim. He has been a devout Christian for 20 years. The Clinton camp has the opportunity to firmly decry such tactics, or to sow the seeds of doubt. Clinton on 60 minutes: If he says that he is a Muslim "I'll take him at his word";

- A picture of Obama dressed in traditional Somali garb, mysteriously arises and is splashed across the front page of the Drudge Report, designed, like the above, to inflame the most base and simplistic prejudices. Again, the Clinton campaign has the opportunity to refuse to use prejudice and stereotype to political advantage. Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams responds: "If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed";

-Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is a Conservative. His Chief of Staff Ian Brodie leaks supposed minutes of statements by an Obama aide. The statement is not by the Obama aide, and the minutes were not taken by the Obama aide, they were taken by a Canadian official. Liberal Canadian parties decry the attempt by the Conservative Party to influence the U.S. election. The Clinton camp accepts this specious account as valid--and throws it in the kitchen sink as well;

-The Clinton camp, in Drudge-like fashion, insinuates dark misdoings regarding Antoin Rezko--despite the fact that there has been absolutely no allegations of wrongdoing by Obama--hoping perhaps that the mere association will stick--and despite the questions that have been raised about Clinton fundraising during the years of her own "experience";

-The Clinton campaign rolls out the hackneyed "red phone" advertisement, dating to Walter Mondale's 1984 campaign, to suggest that she, unlike Obama, has greater experience for such "3 A.M. moments". When asked to name one such crisis situation that she has actually had to deal with, she is unable to name one;

-Mark Penn, the Clinton campaign's chief strategist, in the weekend panic, emails the L.A. Times to state that he had "'no direct authority in the campaign,' describing himself as merely 'an outside message advisor with no campaign staff reporting to me.'"

This sink is filled with the type of fear-based politics that we have come to know so well over these past 8 years. It is fundamentally defensive, and is all-too-willing to use the familiar tools of dishonesty and distortion in pursuit of victory. It indicates how a Clinton Administration would respond to adversity--with a tactical fusillade of presentations, followed by distortion and attack.

It's time to clean the dishes. Don't allow yourself to be misled by misrepresentation, insinuation and division. Leave this kind of politics behind."

Cite:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/03/inside-kitchen-sink.html

[useyourbrain]

A-hole. You think this was HRC's campaign and not Rove's plan to have Repugs vote in primaries and donate on line and give the talking points that the RNC is "scared of a BO candidacy"? You will believe it was HRC before Rove and the RNC, interesting.

BO is a politician and he plays hardball and what she said, besides not being an attack, but her opinion, it happens to be true -- except, he does have another speech/sermon that he gives all the time written by a white man whose brother is a big executive at Fox News. Hmmmm.

[fourex]

useyourbrain, didn't. You have not cited one fact, change parties.

[Krispi]

You are so full of it as well as all the other complainers here. Or are you just a republican that is up to the usual BS. Keep it positive. Instead of listing all these facts or how well you seem to be up on things why not be satisfied with saying why you want to vote for so and so. What is the point of displaying the same type of argumentative discourse that we see here everyday between those of you that probably don't give a rats ass about creating positive dialog. Many of you are like children who get to say dirty words without getting into any trouble. Grow up and if your already an adult then stop acting like a child.

[DoninJoisey]

Cheney, Rice and Rumsfeld all have experience.
What is Hillary's experience? Slightly more than Laura Bush's.
She doesn't want to accept NAFTA as part of her experience now, so she wants it both ways.

Be all that as it may, this is about CHANGE. McCain and the Clintons remain the choices for the same old partisan politics, Obama offers at least a chance at a new approach. I want to take that chance.

[TNFarmer]

Me, too.

[naugiedoggie]

Public knowledge that HRC opposed NAFTA when it was being legislated. Of course, to gain that knowledge, you do have to read.

As far as the "change" business goes, how utterly phony. What is stopping you from changing right now? Get you dead rear end out of that chair and start doing something useful.

No, you won't, will you? You expect Barack Obama to wave a magic wand and "change" will magically happen, while you continue your lifestyle of indolence. What total bunk. My wife and I were working again this week on helping the local soup kitchen and homeless shelter with their needs. Where are all the "inspired" Obama-bots? Where are you when we need the fricking help and money? Why, you're too busy BLOGGING trash talk about Hillary Clinton to even submit a dollar on behalf of the hungry and homeless.

You don't give a damn about the Democratic Party. You don't give a damn about your country. All you want is to be able to stroke your ego, your "cred," by telling people you voted for the first Black President.

The day after election day, you'll all be invisible again. I can't say I'll miss you. But all across the country, the shelters and kitchens that could have used your help, you lazy puds, -- they WILL miss you. Just like they miss you now.

Thanks.

mp

[gabriellelulette]

This post is flirting heavily with being racist.

[Rhydderch69]

Of course this reveals one of the Clinton campaign's strategic weaknesses. McCain has more 'experience' than Obama. But he also has more 'experience' than Clinton. Thus, if the campaign is about experience, McCain wins vs. Clinton just as he wins vs. Obama.

But, it is hard to avoid the conclusion: Democrats ought to judge which candidate is best at running a campaign that is _not_ about experience.

As such, why is Clinton shooting herself in the foot? I have to conclude she has inherited the Democratic establishment's congenital foot-in-mouth disease.

[adroind]

"As such, why is Clinton shooting herself in the foot? "

That's the experience she's bragging about!

[jstock]

She is sounding (and LOOKING!) pretty old these days. Perhaps a couple month's rest will do her good. Here's hoping the voters of Texas and Ohio will make it official tonight. I can't believe that I used to like the Clintons...

[useyourbrain]

Yep, old, tried and battle tested. You ever see films of those lions in East Africa -- the older ones with a lot of scars? The ones who the other animals fear because they can see that the lion has been through battles and is still, the King. That's Hillary. Obama is a little bunny rabbit trying to get the attention of the Lion King. Wait until BO gets the nod and is in the general. He will be pilloried by the RNC, ROVE, etc. and don't forget the MSM which will turn on him on a dime. She should stay to the convention, get something for dropping out and then "bless him with her delegates" at the right time.
Imagine the viewing audience for that. Plus the RNC will have to dump on two possible candidates and will nullify their bullshit.

It is possible to be for someone without dishing out the hate that is on these blogs. But that would indicate a person was intelligent enough to hold two thoughts at the same time. I did not agree with most of what William F. Buckley believed in but I respected him for his brilliant mind, his way with words, his wicked sense of humor and his graciousness -- something that is totally lacking in Obama and Michelle and double for supporters like these on the blogs. Shame on you.

[TNFarmer]

"It is possible to be for someone without dishing out the hate that is on these blogs."

"A-hole. You think this was HRC's campaign and not Rove's plan to have Repugs vote in primaries and donate on line and give the talking points that the RNC is "scared of a BO candidacy"?" - your reply to RobertHewson above. Practice what you preach.

[rkx13]

Experience on a politician is like tread wear on a tire
with McCain you can see the steel belts and fabric coming through the rubber
with Hillary the tread is still holding but may be getting a little thin
Obama is a brand new racing tire
G.W. has massive flaws and should have never got out of the republican tire factory
in the first place.

[DanSinColo]

Great metaphor!

[Mondayboy]

Hillary is showing herself to be a complete idiot.

[Lionel]

Hopefully, soon, very soon, we will have seen the last of the Clinton "dynasty" for all time. While I don't think Obama has much besides charisma, and while I despise McCain, I would sooner for vote for Nader, than a Clinton.

[DoninJoisey]

With you, Lionel. I wasn't as negative on the Clintons until the last few weeks and saw the bag of dirty tricks opened. I am also troubled by the wide swings of emotion displayed by Hillary - from "nice" at the last debate, to scolding rights after, to lecturing and fear-mongering. Contemptuous and Rove-like.
I am also deeply troubled by Hillary's continued spin and defense of her Iraq vote. Edwards admitted he was wrong - haven't we had enough of an administration that feels it is never wrong?
Obama stays consistent, and while he defends, he hasn't smeared as Hillary has.

[useyourbrain]

You won't see her walking away into the sunset. She will be the Majority Leader in the Senate and BO will have to deal with her on a daily basis. She will control his agenda. For those practical reasons I don't think BO has the chops. He is cutting off her head, dissing her and not showing her the respect she deserves and it will come back to haunt him. He will have to get support from McConnell and the other thug repuglicans. Good luck.

[CRX]

Right on Mondayboy! For someone who is supposed to be "scary smart", she has, like Kieth said, spoken one of the most unbelievable things I have ever heard a candidate say, when she trashed Obama and praised her republican "opponent". I am glad I wasn't the only one who was stunned by her remark.
And then along with that, she is apparently now listening to neocons, as 2 weeks ago when asked what she should do to win, Bill Krystol on faux news said: "Well I think she should use fear!".
And next we see the "Phone wrings at 3 AM Fear commerical" for her.
Way to go Hillary! You are batting 1000! Putting Mccain above Obama, and using one of the neocon elite's "Never been right about anything Yet" krystol for your strategy mentor. What a champ for the people! .........NOT!!!!

[BronxGOPer]

The statement is certainly true; McCain does have more experience than Obama. But it wasn't very nice of Hillary to point that out.

More interesting last week was a statement by retired General Wesley Clark that Hillary would be a better Commander and Chief (based simply on her experience) than McCain. That statement was absurd. Does 7 years in the Senate and 8 years as first lady makes you more qualified to be Commander and Chief than a man who served in the Navy for almost 27 years (including graduating from the Naval Academy, serving as a fighter pilot, a POW for 5 ½ years, and Navy Liaison to the Senate) and who has served in Congress for 26 years (including 21 years on the Senate Armed Services Committee).

Ok, you might think Hillary would be a better Commander and Chief because of her temperament or philosophy, but McCain obviously as her on experience.

[Rhydderch69]

Do I detect a problem of judgment on the part of the Clinton campaign?

This seems to be another instance of the Clinton's blindly tactical focus: a propensity to try to win battles while losing the war.

[naugiedoggie]

No, but I detect a problem in judgement on the part of Obama-bots, who think they are privileged individuals who should not be subject to the same criteria as mere mortals.

Our country's future is at stake, and you want to play tiddlywinks. Or, rather, you want HER to play tiddlywinks, off in some corner, so there will be no challenge to The Anointed One (TM).

We just got through 8 years of a guy with no international experience. How did that work for you?

Thanks.

mp

[useyourbrain]

You don't think McCain and the MSN will not say those things about Obama? You think it's a cakewalk to the Presidency? You got to be kidding.