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

[AndriaSmith]

It must be hard for Barack Obama to maintain his sense of cool while he is losing. The negative side effects emerge as his campaign tries to smear Hillary. I'd like to know what Mrs. Obama is all about? No one says a word about her. Does she speak? I've never heard her say one word. What was her past? Was she also a drug user in high school and college the way Obama was? Does anyone know how he got himself clean and sober? I am just wondering.

[mrJJ]

smear? only smearing being done to Clinton is coming from the lil ole bloggers. I'm waiting to see how Sen Obama's Op-Research group comes out... Actually I'd prefer knee capping... but thats just me. The dirtier the better. The Republican Research Ops are the best... and they will pull no punches.

[JavaCityGal]

First, Hillary is losing, Obama is winning. He has the delegate lead, he is the front runner and he is winning. Second, the American voters have a right to her tax returns. That is not "attack", it is a call for transparency. Obama has released his tax returns already, if Hillary has nothing to hide, then there's no problem, eh?

Everyone, if you would like to have more transparency in the Democratic primaries, email the DNC:

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contactissues

I am writing to insist that the Clintons release tax returns before the Penn primary. While they have been busy throwing the "kitchen sink" mud at Barack Obama, their personal finances remain secret. The Clinton years were full of evasive answers, equivocation, Clinton-speak and deception. Before this country is put through another four years of special prosecutors and hearings, we deserve to know what we're investing in. We don't need another definition for the word "is." We've only heard rumors about Bill's financial deals - We want the facts.

Tell Hillary to release her tax returns before the Pennsylvania Primary.

[ObamaEdwards]

I am just wondering: Do you only read news that agrees with you? Obama is still ahead. Clinton did not pick up enough delegates this time to make much difference. She's all full o beans because she won a handful of delegates and she was on TV on some comedy shows. THAT makes her optimistic. Kind of stupid, if you ask me. And, btw: WHERE ARE HER TAX RETURNS?

[AndriaSmith]

I try to read good news. I don't know where her tax returns are. I would ask H&R Block if I were you.

[mrJJ]

a sample small of the Republican Research ops...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18958566

Political campaigns spend thousands, even millions of dollars to acquire good mailing lists.

Last year, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton took the unusual step of renting out some of her lists. The transaction once again highlights the Clintons' connections to a businessman who now faces questions from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

It was an unusual transaction, according to Roger Craver, a liberal guru of the political direct-mail industry.

"As a general rule, a campaign will not let its donor list out into the markets until the campaign is over," he said. "This is the mother's milk of small-gift fundraising, and they use these lists frequently."

Guess who has 100,000 shares of InfoUsa stock..... gratis

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920213/posts

[deb3mscapecod]

He is not losing...he is ahead..you watch too much T.V....He is ahead in delegates......He is ahead in the popular vote.......As a native of Pennsylvania and a steel town, he can win PA. It is no longer like Ohio. Tons of college towns....and the Kennedys are loved in PA. Teddy needs to come to PA. and save Obama.......it can happen.........wait and see.

[AndriaSmith]

Just remember to count your chickens when they are hatched. We have super delegates for Hillary Clinton, and millions of voters are changing their minds and voting for a woman instead of a man, because they are doing the right thing. Regardless of any pledge, women are standing up and making a profound voice in American politics. It's incredible really. I am so proud of every woman who voted for Hillary, and all of the women now changing their minds from pledging other people, are now are backing Hillary Clinton and changinf history. *****Vote for HILLARY CLINTON!!!!*****

[scandals&skeletons]

my guess is conflicts of interest abound on their joint tax return.
there is only one reason to not release the tax return, there are things the clintons do not want the voters to see.

[AndriaSmith]

Perhaps the reason is it's none of your business. Maybe you'd like to know the brand of toothpaste she uses and how many root canals she's had in the last ten years? Are all of her teeth real? What about her haircolor? Looks like three different shades of blonde. I bet you'd like to know which shades they are. Loreal or Nice & Easy? Light golden blonde perhaps with a mixture of white minx? Then a few streaks of medium blonde. -Does this matter when she can stop the war in one phone call? I am sure she has a lot of office computers and printers and copy machines and employees, with benefits and travel expenses and lunches and dinners all related to business to balance what she makes. What are you worried about? She's winning. We need a woman leader as President in The Whiote House. It's our time. That's just the way it goes, and we've come a long way. Of course a lot more women can make these words a reality. So please vote for Hillary Clinton.

[atlantajoe]

That is what Hillary thinks. it's her time and what the hell is Obama thinking about. doesn't he know it's Hillary's turn? She has dreamed of this her whole life and someone has the nerve to get in the way? The reason she is still married to bill is because it helps her chance to get in office. Adrian, why does she need a mans coattails if she is so truly great.

[scandals&skeletons]

my guess is hillary is regretting filing jointly with ol bill.
she shoulda files as hillary rodham clinton......oh wait she didn't like that name and changed it to hillary clinton, not too proud of the rodham name i guess.

[scandals&skeletons]

swith the to with too and theother too with to :-)

my grammar sucks

[mrJJ]

No more slamming Billary from me. I want to see Sen Obama's Op-Research group in action. ... Straight direct and to the point.... time to ante up. No holds barred. Nothing should be placed off limits. The Republicans wont hold back... Time to come out and play. Lets see how tough Chicago Politics can get.

[GoLeftGoDeep]

I hope his campaign goes after her with everything in the arsenal ... starting with the fact that she and Laura Bush are equally prepared to be the next president ... when she was on TV saying she and McBush have a life time of experience but Obama has one speech in 2002, she sounded like another lying Republican and when she was on FOX today, giggling and laughing with Karl Rove, I wanted to hurl

[LyricalLexicon]

I am a pragmatist and to be honest I could care less about Hillary or Obama's tax returns. That has nothing to do with strengthening the economy, providing healthcare, improving education, etc. To be honest, most rich people that weren't born rich don't make their money in a completely honest way. Politics is a dirty game that involves backroom bargains, political favors, and other less than honorable things. If someone can't stomach that stuff then they need to stay out of the political game which is why most honest people don't go into politics.

[j0e]

What a cynical, automatic surrender to the Right Wing and what represents the worst of humanity. You are a self-fulfilling prophet. Thank heavens the majority of don't believe or accept it. We're winning still, without resorting to modifying Hillary Clinton's footage for attack ads.

[LyricalLexicon]

When you open your eyes to the truth it makes you somewhat cynical. You can talk about the right wing or left wing but you are still talking about the same bird. The democrats and republicans are beholden to their corporate masters not the American people. Until they take corporate money out of elections or a strong third party rises up what will make that change? I know Hillary is full of shit, what reason do I have to believe Obama is different then the thousands of other charlatans that have been elected to office?

[scandals&skeletons]

hallelujah

[OldBlueDog]

Amen. I could care less about her tax returns, they must have satisfied the IRS, the only ones that really have the right to see them.

[riverhouse]

The IRS only cares if you may taxes on the money. They don't care if the money is gained unethically. Prostitues or drug dealers who pay taxes on their income are just fine with the IRS.

[JavaCityGal]

Here's why the tax returns are important. Most of us remember the Clinton era of scandal after scandal. Nothing got done. We we the laughing stock of the world. And the worst part -- it gave the Republicans enough fodder to take the White House back for 8 years. All the scandals also caused Democrat fatigue and we saw Senate/Congress losses because of it. It is absolutely mission critical that we vette Hillary now, before the Republicans do.

[AndrewInToronto]

Holding someone accountable to that which s/he has said is not necessarily 'going negative' or "bashing" -- it is just what it is: accountability, something which Hillary Clinton finds abhorrent. (witness speaking over a moderator or a colleague at a debate) Not a good personality trait for anyone, let alone the President whom is responsible to the entire population.

[Seattlelite]

I think we all know where her tax records are.....locked away with her white house records. And I'm not buying this crap from her campaign.....about "well she's released" 15 years of tax records, NOPE we need to see her RECENT tax records -- 2000-2007.

[scandals&skeletons]

man its gonna get interesting from here on out, huh?

[Tsunami]

Is this the best Obama troops can do? Really who cares what is on Hillary's tax returns? Those of us in the real world wonder what Obama will do to ensure the voters in Michigan and Florida are respected. Count the votes.

[mrJJ]

Who cares about FL & MI? They didnt care for the DNC rules. Why should anyone care what their party bosses want now.... They had 30 days to fall in line and refused.

[OldBlueDog]

Anybody that wants to win those states in November better damn well care about them.

[IkeChicago]

I give up, I've invited debate on this and several other blog, but none of the Hillary people would respond in any substantive way. Yet they continue to post idiot and nincompoop-ish statements, no fact just statements.

[scandals&skeletons]

hope your not holding your breath

[JavaCityGal]

Have to agree here. Many of us have tried to invite debate but we get crazy angry rants like SensibleAmerican and creepy religious mocking. Hillary had a good night last --why are her supporters so angry?

[SensibleAmerican]

Oh the politics of Hope and Change!!! The lahdeedah, the media hype, the comparisons to MLK, RFK, JFK, BS-K!!! The second coming of Christ! "Oh Barack you made me cry", wrote one in Hussein's campaign shill: "off-the-bus"! Another had a Meg Ryan moment from Harry met Sally! Woohoo tub-of-lard Oprah, Skeletor Shriver, Wussy Kerry, the shriveled party drunk Kennedy and the mucus on MSNBC, all carrying around Fluffy in their laps, suckling him ... nursing him ...

And then!?! Hillary wipes the floor with him in OH and TX and all the rest of the big States!!! LOL C YA, hope, what Change?! "I have a dream" is now a Nightmare!!!

It's 3:00 A.M., and Americans are waking up to a farce called Barack Hussein Obama ...

[scandals&skeletons]

i dont want to burst your idiotic bubble, but....obama is still winning both delegates as well as the popular vote and will go into the convention the same way. but dont let that stand in the way of your delusional outlook.

[Krazime]

oh wait...you mean AFTER he wiped up the floor with hillary with 11 wins???
Count EM.....11 ELEVEN
She is the establishment candidate, she had a 20 point lead a few weeks ago in almost all of the states, and he comes close, but she wipes up the floor with him?

Apparently you are one of the racist ignorants in hillary's sheeple party, invoking MLK to make fun of Obama. Hillary is the true farce. Its time for hillbilly to find a retirement home, and the white house ain't it!

[treadway123]

Do you care that she kept 170,000 from a firm that is unde fed invesigation for ssexual harasmsent of women,sexual asualt and berating of women out of illinoise? we'll I do! After all it's my children and grandchildren this women is suppose to protect in the work place. she only want those two states counted, because she can't win without them>. They broke the rules, an her name was the only name onthe ballet. Ya, real fair--------------as long as she benefits she don't care how unfair it is. Jus like that ad she used in shock an aw with Fear an hate that came intoo our homes.

[AndriaSmith]

How do you know those women weren't rejected and made the story up? It's heresay. She isn't taking money from anyone corrupt. In fact she would give it back if this story meant anything unethical to her significant role model image. Right now it's false accusations that dispute speculation. Why don't we mention the illegal pamplets Obama's team handed out in Texas for the caucus? Also what are his feeling about Osama Bin Laden? Is he forgetting this guy, or is it his cousin?

[AjicNYC]

So he dosent have to answer about NAFTA situation ??? someone needs to call Obama out as a liar!!

[the964kid]

There's plenty to go after the Clintons on - Obama should have stopped being mr. nice guy and taken the gloves off weeks ago. The user Snowcat posted the below issues taken from The Daily Kos - Im copying them and posting them below:

* Norman Hsu and his bundling of money for her campaign?
* How "dishwashers, waiters and others" poured "$1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton's campaign treasury?"
* Bill's trip to Kazakhstan with Canadian magnate, Frank Giustra, that netted Giustra $3 billion and Bill's foundation a $131 million contribution from Giustra?
* How powerful foreign donors to Bill's presidential library, such as the Saudis, may pose a serious conflict of interest to Hillary's foreign policy actions as president?
* How Bill's tangled ties to an investment concern of Clinton friend, Ron Burkle, and it's dealings with Dubai may yet, again, threaten to compromise Hillary Clinton's execution of foreign policy as president?
* The fact that the with all of these questionable financial dealings, the Clintons have been unwilling to release their tax returns, especially in light of Hillary Clinton claiming that the $5 million she lent the campaign was "her own money?"
* And, finally, though we, as Democrats, don't care who Bill schtupps (and, no, none of us believe he has kept his fly zipped the last seven years), you can be damn sure the Republicans will be digging hard (no pun intended) to see just what Bill has been up to since leaving office

[mrJJ]

The sad fact is that the Republican Research Ops group is a proven serious threat. The have proven time and time again that they are the best.

Thats why I'd like to see a little action from Sen Obama's Research Ops group. Might as well get tested now.

[JavaCityGal]

Look, we need to take the kid gloves off, it's time. Hillary can dish it out , but she can't take it -- remember the public meltdowns? Somehow I feel a feeling that we'll see more of that. Call me crazy, but I don't want someone with emotional breakdowns answering the White House phone at 3am. Let's get some truth out there.

[DietrichMoody]

The best way to get to her is TO ANNOY HER. She love to annoy, and do things that get under peoples skin, even though she knows what she says is not true. That is her pattern and her strategy. It gets people rattled and off their guard. And give her an opening.

OBAMA NEEDS TO ANNOY HER BACK, BUT NOT REACT TO HER. THAT WILL DRIVE HER CRAZY

[YellerDawg]

I didn't know three-year-olds could type.

[Kally]

Our group has filed a freedom of information request to see obama's tax returns for the year auchi and reznko financed his million dollar home. Six or seven months previous he said he was broke. Wonder what's up...and as soon as we get copies of the returns they are going to be spread all over the internet. I DON'T TRUST THIS GUY EVEN IN PICTURES.

[RISEUPAMERICA]

not only that , we need to get to his files he won't release when he was a " real estate" attorney for Rezko in chicago

he said in debate in SC he only did like 5 hrs of billable service........but he failed to say he was also a real estate trial attorney for him in another case......i don't think he did all that in 5 hours.

and..........he said he asked rezko and other friends for home buying advice since he hadn't bought a house before............BUT.........WAIT!! (sounds of the breaks squealing)

he was a real estate attorney...........why wouldn't he know something about buying a house?????

[RISEUPAMERICA]

oh yea.........and if he can't figure out how to buy a house on his own, but he can be a real estate attorney for rezko........how can he run the country ?

and.....he hasn't held a single meeting as the chair of the CFA sub committee
because he would let the cat out of the bag that he doesn't know that much about foreign affairs....... and this way he keeps his hands clean and gets to use it on his "limited" "short" resume

[Rianna]

Perhaps then you don't trust this couple even in pictures?

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/01/hillary-clinton-tony-rezko-dnc-contribution.php

[Roose]

Kally Oh please you make me laugh. The Clintons are the most corrupt ethically-challenged sleazeballs in a generation.

What has Bill Clinton been up to when Shrillary was in Washington? Wait to these types of photos start showing up.


http://gawker.com/news/ron-burkle/air-burkle-something-special-in-the-air-166540.php

[riverhouse]

All the Obama tax returns have been submitted long ago. Rezko did not finance Obama's house. That is simply Clinton dirty tricks politics to keep repeating that blatant lie. The American taxpayer, however, did finance the Clintons' house in Chappaqua. They charge the Secret Service the exact $10,000/per month for housing that is their mortgage payment. The Clintons don't want to answer the questions about Bill and Hillary's sleazy financial deals, hence, they will not release the tax returns, nor will they release the donor list of the Clinton library, nor will they release her 8 years of White House papers. So, the question begs: what do the Clintons have to hide?

[j0e]

Note to Clintonites: If you can't stand the shit, stay out of the toilet. None of these attacks were initiated by Barack, they are a response to the Republican wing of the Democratic Party. Your candidate is covered in three decades of sewage, she should know better. Sleaze does not equal strength, and being Classy is not a weakness. You're going to call him weak and then trash him when he responds in kind? You people are sick... Just go join the Republican party and get it over with, sheesh! Clinton Triangulation in the 90's moved the political center further to the Right then the Repubs alone could've ever done. You are bad for our Party, and bad for the country. It would be one thing if she honestly had some stated policy differences that could justify her bile. Instead, it clearly demonstrates that this is all about ego and legacy. Frikkin' grossing me out, big time. And before you spend the next three hours flaming this post, head over to DailyKos and check out the "blackening" of Barack Obama in her advertisements. Completely, totally unacceptable.

[snowcat]

from Daily KOS

Have any of her Democratic opponents, including Obama, sought more detailed answers from her about stories such as:

* Norman Hsu and his bundling of money for her campaign?

* How "dishwashers, waiters and others" poured "$1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton's campaign treasury?"

* Bill's trip to Kazakhstan with Canadian magnate, Frank Giustra, that netted Giustra $3 billion and Bill's foundation a $131 million contribution from Giustra?

* How powerful foreign donors to Bill's presidential library, such as the Saudis, may pose a serious conflict of interest to Hillary's foreign policy actions as president?

* How Bill's tangled ties to an investment concern of Clinton friend, Ron Burkle, and it's dealings with Dubai may yet, again, threaten to compromise Hillary Clinton's execution of foreign policy as president?

* The fact that the with all of these questionable financial dealings, the Clintons have been unwilling to release their tax returns, especially in light of Hillary Clinton claiming that the $5 million she lent the campaign was "her own money?"

* And, finally, though we, as Democrats, don't care who Bill schtupps (and, no, none of us believe he has kept his fly zipped the last seven years), you can be damn sure the Republicans will be digging hard (no pun intended) to see just what Bill has been up to since leaving office

[Roose]

Add this link to SNOWCAT'S list:

http://hillaryclinton.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/dirty-politics-and-dirty-money/

[snowcat]

awesome, thank you, we need to form a group and pass this to as much as the MSM as possible as they are ignoring Clinton's corruption and scandals