Obama Camp Lays Ground For Negative Attacks

***STORY UPDATES BELOW***

The Obama camp appears to be laying ground for pushing back against Hillary Clinton's latest campaign attacks, even if that means taking a negative approach themselves. The difficulty, as has been noted in the past, is maintaining the positive approach that has dominated his campaign while still drawing contrast with the Clintons.

Obama campaign manager David Axelrod claimed last night:

"If Sen. Clinton wants to take the debate to various places, we'll join that debate. We'll do it on our terms and in our own way but if she wants to make issues like ethics and disclosure and law firms and real estate deals and all that stuff issues, as I've said before I don't know why they'd want to go there, but I guess that's where they'll take the race.''

The Associated Press cites an anonymous Obama aide:

A senior Obama adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Obama's team will respond to Tuesday's results by going negative on Clinton -- raising questions about her tax records and the source of donations to the Clinton presidential library, among skeletons in the Clintons' past.

And Obama is challenging Hillary's claims to be a better Commander-in-Chief:

"I hope people start asking is what exactly is this foreign experience she is claiming," he said. "Was she handling crises during this period of time? I haven't seen any evidence that she is more equipped to handle a crisis.

"She made the experience argument and her ability to handle a crisis, so I think it is important to examine that claim and not just allow her to assert it," he added. "She has made the argument that she is thoroughly vetted. If the suggestion is somehow that on issue of ethics or disclosure or transparency that she is somehow going to have a better record than I have or could (better) withstand Republican attack, then that should be tested."

Meanwhile, the Associated Press is reporting that some superdelegates worry about future attacks. Donna Brazile, a Democratic strategist, had this to say to the Associated Press:

"Despite Obama's impressive victories in February, Clinton's comeback is based on sowing political seeds of doubt," said Donna Brazile, a Democratic strategist and one of nearly 800 party leaders known as superdelegates for their ability to determine the nomination. "In order to clinch the nomination, he must anticipate the worst attacks ever."...

..."If these attacks are contrasts based on policy differences, there is no need to stop the race or halt the debate," Brazile said. "But, if this is more division, more diversion from the issues and more of the same politics of personal destruction, chairman Dean and other should be on standby."

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UPDATE: The Obama camp has released a memo criticizing Clinton for refusing to release her tax returns. David Axelrod reinforced the message saying Clinton had "a history of nondisclosure," after promising that "the vetting of Hillary Clinton has yet to start."

Read the memo:

TO: Interested Parties FR: The Obama Campaign RE: TAX RETURNS: What does Clinton have to hide?

DA: March 5, 2008

The Clinton campaign today maintained that "the vetting of Barack Obama has just begun." The truth is, more than a year into this campaign, some very simple vetting of Hillary Clinton has yet to start.

In the face of her unwillingness to release her tax returns, Hillary Clinton has made the false case in this campaign that she is more electable because she has been fully vetted. When it comes to her personal finances, Senator Clinton's refusal to release her taxes returns denies the media and the American people the opportunity to even begin that process. Though her campaign has tried to kick the issue down the road, Democratic voters deserve to know, right now, why it is she is hiding the information in her tax returns from last year.

The Clinton campaign has said that they have released copious amounts of financial information but there are many questions about their private dealings that could be answered in their tax returns but not in the information that is currently available. For example, here are eight pieces of information that could be learned from her tax returns, the accompanying schedules, and attachments:

Effective tax rate - including whether or not any tax shelters were used to reduce it
Amount of income for spouses by source
Amount of stock gains and losses
Gross income for the couple
Amount earned from stock dividends
Amount of household employment taxes paid
Personal exemptions taken
Charitable contributions made

Senator Clinton has also claimed that she is too "busy" to release her tax returns. Given the fact she is able to loan her campaign $5 million, you would think the Clintons would be able to hire an accountant. The reality is that she wants to keep this information hidden from voters. The people of Wyoming, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and the rest of the country should wonder why.

The Clintons' record on releasing tax returns:

FEBRUARY 2008: Clinton Reiterated That She Would Not Release Her Tax Records Until She Is The Nominee And Not Before Mid-April. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton says she won't release her tax returns until she has the Democratic presidential nomination in hand, and not before tax filing time comes in mid-April. "I will release my tax returns," Clinton said during the debate. "I have consistently said I will do that once I become the nominee, or even earlier." Pressed about the timing of releasing her tax returns, campaign aides were more reticent Wednesday, indicating that Clinton would not release the sensitive financial data during a hotly contested primary, but only at tax filing time. [AP, 2/27/08 ]

JUNE 2007: Clinton Does Not Plan to Release Her Tax Returns Until Next Year. According to the Washington Post, Clinton said through a spokesman that, "like past presidential candidates," she will "release tax information in the election year." [Washington Post , 6/19/07]

APRIL 12, 1996: Clinton Released His Tax Returns. President Clinton and his wife earned $316,074 in 1995, including the president's $200,000 salary, according to tax returns released Friday by the White House. The public release of the tax returns, three days before the April 15 filing deadline, shows that Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton are owed a refund of $5,656 on the $81,093 they paid in taxes, and will apply that refund to their 1996 income taxes. [UPI, 4/12/96]

April 15, 1992: Bill Clinton Made His Tax Returns Public. APRIL 15, 1992: Bill Clinton made his tax returns made public. [Los Angeles Times, 4/16/93]

Bill Clinton Released His Tax Returns In 1992 But Refused To Release Their Tax Returns From Before 1980. During the 1992 campaign, the Clintons claimed to be coming clean by releasing their tax returns from 1980 forward. But they steadfastly refused to release their returns for prior years, and only later did we learn that 1978 and 1979 were the tax years when Mrs. Clinton reported her 10,000% cattle-futures trading profit. [WSJ, 2/22/08 ]

UPDATE: The Hillary camp has responded with a statement from Howard Wolfson:

Faced with many legitimate questions about Senator Obama's long-time relationship with indicted political fixer Tony Rezko, the Obama campaign has chosen to lash out at Senator Clinton.

Here are the facts:

Over 20 years of the Clintons' tax returns are in the public domain.

Their tax returns since they left the White House will be made available on or around April 15.

This information will be in addition to 15 years of uninterrupted public financial disclosure reports.

Instead of making false attacks, we urge Senator Obama to release all relevant financial and other information related to indicted political fixer Tony Rezko.

Comments

[mcfried]

I'm going - Show us your tax returns Hillary. We all are able to produce our last couple of years pretty quickly 15min max. They were filed years ago. Stop stalling and how long do you think you will get away with your April 15th nonsense, stop thinking we are stupid.

[AndriaSmith]

Good night.

[patriotscholar]

Regarding the NAFTA story with the stuff that is coming out now, it is all in the timing, With the allegations made by Clinton against Obama, it probably helped her win. Now, if the truth comes out and she is implicated, too bad, so sad...typi­cal dirty politics and Ohio voters look like they were taken to the cleaners.

[anythinggoes]

cuz Bill told her to get off her fat a s s and get us back in white house so we can finish polishing off that damn Americans middle class ,just he sold out to china and open border.

she is running because the chinese are paying her to.

[Susan1968]

You guys just link article without reading them.

This (un)truth about Hillary will not come out because it was third-hand hearsay which the source later denied saying.

.

[patriotscholar]

We shall see. Brodie is not wanting an investigation, though.

[ifreez]

forgot to mention, Florida and Michigan are confirmed dead issues.

[Mollye]

Actually, they are not dead issues.

[ifreez]

and I forgot to mention -- mich and florida are confirmed dead issues.. deal with it.

[anythinggoes]

HER EXPERIENCE JUST SCAM LEARN FROM EXPERT BILL they know american damb stupid sucker ballots in spanish,indeed, hope they're making sure of citizenship most for billary

[Shaddup]

Hillary voted for a war because it was popular, while Obama was speaking out against it. Obama voted against telecom immunity (a lobby that a lot of others are selling out to.) Hillary didn't even show up to vote.

[MartinEdwinAndersen]

It's a hell of a call, if you care about the country, at all ...
The phone rings at the Obama household at 3 a.m. and it is Hillary on the line.

"Okay, so you won. Can I be your vice presidential running mate?

"You know the slash and burn, hack-type politics expected of the No. 2 person comes naturally to me."

Obama: "Hillary, I said you should believe in hope, not miracles.

"No thanks, no way."

CLEAN SLATE,

OBAMA/WEBB,

'08!!!

[boombox]

Bitch is the new Nixon.

[Susan1968]

Swaggie -- just read some of your posts.

"Broads." How old are you? I mean, who uses that word anymore: broads.

Repeat after me: Bitches. We are the bitches.

Who has your back when you're in trouble?

Mary Poppins. Nope.

The bitch has your back.

Who will not back down no matter who gets in her face?

Us. The Bitches.

I am proud to be a bitch.

And if you try to hurt my kids? Hurt my family? Let me tell you something -- every woman is capable of switching to bitch mode.

We are the world, the world of bitches.

We're the right kind of bitch.

And that's why everyone wants Hillary to pick up that phone at 3 a.m.

They want the Bitch to get in Putin's face over Iran.

Not Mr. "Okay. let's sit down and discuss this" Obama.

And you know what.

If given a choice, most men will want to do the bitch before Mary Poppins.

Have a bitchin' godd evening.

[JavaCityGal]

Keep going with that stuff -- you'll push the rest of the male vote away from Hilary--keeping posting Susan, you're doing a great job for Obama, appreciate it.

[fishwanda]

what a sad poor delusional thing you are... yep, you fit exactly the profile of Hillary supporters I've known...la­dies - get married, get divorced, get estrogen,get a life, whatever helps, just stay away from politics.

[pdxwoman]

"They want the Bitch to get in Putin's face over Iran.

Not Mr. "Okay. let's sit down and discuss this" Obama."

I guess Susan has missed something crucial: a large majority of Americans are SICK of the Bush war in Iraq! It's hurting this nation and in large part also responsible for the economic downward spiral. If Hillary really wants to be Bush-lite of Bitch-Bush, why not run as a republican? Wouldn't that be more appropriate? Especially if you want to start WW3!!??

There are scores of female politicians and even heads of state and many are highly respected, especially for their wisdom, ability to solve conflicts diplomatically and their concern for all social groups. In contrast, we see a vindictive, selfish, powerhungry, narcissistic and even warmongering woman here, who can only bring up memories of the worst in history, all the way to the current occupant of the White house!

I wish we could have a female candidate who can really bring a change, reflective of womanhood, and not a BAD copy of the worst of men. I want to see woman respected, not feared. I want to see our daughters honored, not hated. What Hillary Clinton and her venomous militants are doing is utterly destructive, unproductive and is harming the cause for women worldwide. While I write this, I also think of women in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq. Women are always the first to suffer, and you are talking about war with Putin??? Is that how far you will go in your narcissism? Start WW3 ?

As a woman and mother, I hope reason, hope, wisdom and peace WIN!

[JiminNC]

You may be a bitch as you proudly proclaim but the glaring fact that you are an idiot should be of more concern. Being a "bitch" is Hillary's primary qualification for president according to you and Tina Fey. Seems a little short of a full wheel barrow when compared to successful female leaders in world history. I can't seem to find the word "bitch" in any of their accomplishments or qualifications.

[anythinggoes]

After all I remember Bill Clinton telling this nation "I did not have sex with that woman" DNA does not lie. We can also talk about White Water and many other lies and deceptions during the Clinton years. The Clinton's do not care about this Nation if they did Bill Clinton would have quit when he was impeached. It almost took the National Guard to get them out of the White House. When they did leave the White House they stole everything that wasn't bolted down. I really hope that people remember the Clinton years as they really occurred. Yes it would be nice to have a woman in the White House, but not Hillary Clinton.

BILARY THE MOSt WORSE THAN OTHERS, CHEAT ,LIE SCREW UP OTHER SET UP ALL , PERVERT ....how people capable bring other evil lier again...on­ly LIE l=LL be WIN IN US

[EvoMan]

Another funny thing. "Progressive" here dissing kos. Kos started the progressive blog movement. I sometimes disagree with him. But, he's right a lot of the time.

So is Randi Rhodes. You Clinton supporters should be listening these days.

[EvoMan]

It's late and I can't type. Susan, start listening to Randi Rhodes. If she's not on in your area, stream her. Then call her with your arguments. I'll be listening and I could use the amusement.

[Susan1968]

I have no desire to try to change the minds of dyed-in-the-wool Obama fans.

I know I won't.

I post this info for lurkers who may still be on the fence re: Obama.

And there are many.

[surfcitysteven]

Anybody else here heard the cherrypop on your phone?

[surfcitysteven]

I actually talked to the "Goddess" got to hear the cherrypopping sound bout two months ago. It was cool.

[Susan1968]

You know why he lost?

The Nafta-Canada-gate. Not the issue itself, the way he handled it.

You know how Hillary would've handled it?

"I am apalled that my staff did not tell me about this meeting. My foreign advisor had no right discussing policy with a foreign a Candadian Ambassador without my permission. As a result, I have asked all parties involved to leave my campaign!"

That's how she would do it.

If Obama did it that way, he would have appeared strong and presidential.

Instead he made excuses. Wimp.

As a result -- Hillary won more Union votes in Ohio. White, blue collar union men voted for her instead of him.

Obama only has himself to blame.

[anythinggoes]

clinton crap machine at working,blue color citizen u got screw by chia mexico cuz create clintons and u wan them to screw more...dam­n so supid

[Susan1968]

I see you speak fluent text message.

Care to try complete sentences?

[patriotscholar]

We will see, won't we? Latest news is that the actual baddie was Clinton's campaign.
This is going to get interesting.

[AnninCA]

I saw that he blew it on the first day. He just made the story worse.

[JavaCityGal]

Net delegate gain was small, which he'll make up with WY and MISS. He's the front runner, he has the delegate lead. He's more electable than Clinton with all her scandals/Republican fodder. All polls showing Obama leading McCain. Clinton trailing or tying McCain.

Btw - where are her tax returns?

[AnninCA]

At this point, I think Obama needs to explain his real relationship with Rezko, the amount of money actually raised that is illegal, and how he intends to handle that.

That's a great deal more relevant to voters than Hillary's taxes.

The unifier is divisive.

[EvoMan]

Whitewater­=molehill. Rezko=molehill.

There isn't a politician around who hasn't received contributions from someone who later broke the law or was breaking the law at the time and no one new. And the real estate deal has been shown to be above board.

Glass houses and all that, you know.

[Susan1968]

Go read the 4-5 years worth of investigating reporting on this case at the Sun Times.

It goes DEEPER than the house deal. There was even an article on Huffpo:

The name of Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama is likely to brush up against the impending federal corruption trial of Antoin "Tony" Rezko as the result of a judge's ruling Monday.

U.S. District Court Judge Amy St. Eve, who is presiding over Rezko's trial, told prosecutors they could introduce evidence to support allegations that Rezko used straw men to make political contributions on his behalf.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/26/obama-likely-to-come-up-i_n_88498.html

[Susan1968]

Headline Chicago Sun Times
He's been avoiding Rezko questions in Chicago for YEARS! See:

Headline:

Obama talks a lot, but answers little
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN | Senator hounded by Rezko questions

March 4, 2008


http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/823939,CST-NWS-sweet04.article

[Mcbombisanutjob]

You do realize that Hillary Clinton is going to be buried by scandal thanks to the GOP in the general, don't you?

McCain might have his scandals, too...but the press loves him....and they will give him teflon.

[ddlrid]

Norman Hsu.

[JavaCityGal]

I think that HIlary needs to release her tax returns so we know where all her money is coming from. We do know her hubby is getting millions of dollars from Dubai:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,265925,00.html

Also -- can someone please tell me, with all her 35 years of experience, exactly what has her accomplishments been? I'm from NY and haven't seen any there -- maybe there's something else you can share? I'm especially interested in foreign policy accomplishments. Has she neogatied treaties? Has she done anything besides a speech in China? If she is ready to be commander in chief -- prove it!

Also- what other skeletons are the Clintons hiding? You know that ones that stopped anything from getting done and made Democrats the laughing stock. You know -- the ones that gave Republicans enough fodder to take back the White House for 8 years and the Senate/House too.
I'm tired of a scandal ridden White House, think most of us are. Hard to deliver solutions for america when you're preoccupied with getting impeached.

We all have a right to education so that we can make an informed decision on our vote.

[IkeChicago]

Brodie downplayed those concerns.
"Quite a few people heard it," said one source in the room.
"He said someone from (Hillary) Clinton"s campaign is telling the embassy to take it with a grain of salt ... That someone called us and told us not to worry."
Government officials did not deny the conversation took place.
They said that Brodie sought to allay concerns about the impact of Obama and Clinton"s assertion that they would re-negotiate NAFTA if elected. But they did say that Brodie had no recollection of discussing any specific candidate " either Clinton or Obama. CTV News Vice-President Robert Hurst said he would not discuss his journalists" sources.
But others said the content of Brodie"s remarks was passed on to CTV"s Washington bureau and their White House correspondent set out the next day to pursue the story on Clinton"s apparent hypocrisy on the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Althought CTV correspondent Tom Clark mentioned Clinton in passing, the focus of his story was on assurances from the Obama camp

http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Canada/2008/03/05/4920601.html
xxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxxxx­xxxxx

Now the News media knows that Hillary Clinton told this to the Canadians yet they chose to attack Obama on this. The Prime Minister's Chief of Staff clearly say that it was the Clinton's staff that said this, why is the media hiding this.

[Susan1968]

Nice try Ike.

Damn good try. But did you read this paragraph in the article YOU linked?

They said that Brodie sought to allay concerns about the impact of Obama and Clinton’s assertion that they would re-negotiate NAFTA if elected. But they did say that Brodie had no recollection of discussing any specific candidate — either Clinton or Obama. CTV News Vice-President Robert Hurst said he would not discuss his journalists’ sources.

(and further down):

When Obama’s campaign and the Canadian government denied the allegation, a leaked document was obtained by The Associated Press written by a Canadian diplomat. It chronicled a conversation between Obama economic adviser Austan Goulsbee and diplomats at Canada’s Chicago consulate.

My note:

Notice there is no memo reporting a Clinton person meeting with Brodie.

AND it's clear from this article that this Brodie guy was looking to trash both Clinton and Obama.

Is it not possible Brodie is pro-GOP??? Because the GOP has let all NAFTA regulations go unenforced.

Is it possible Brodie doesn't WANT ANY DEM to win? Have you thought of that???

[ddlrid]

Norman Hsu.

[EvoMan]

The really funny thing about the experience argument is, the same thing was tried against Franklin Roosevelt back in 1932. He was a "weak" governor. He lacked foreign policy experience. Interesting, isn't it?