Obama Going Negative? Mailer Hits Clinton On Trade

Sen. Barack Obama's camp is sending out mailers in Pennsylvania directly taking on Sen. Hillary Clinton for her position on trade.

The piece, which was obtained by The Huffington Post, tiptoes the line between position contrast and general attack, as the Obama campaign cites several news items and quotes that are subject to different interpretations.

For example, the mailer cites a Newsday article from September 2006 concerning Clinton's perceived support for NAFTA. Aspects of that article, however, were retracted because it included the since-discredited line that the Senator said the trade agreement was a "boon." The Obama mailer didn't include the "boon" quote, but even Newsday offered that the use of their piece in a political context could be misleading.

In addition, the mailer criticizes Clinton for supporting permanent normal trade relations with China, citing a 2000 quote she made to CNN: "But on balance, I've looked at this, I've studied it. I think it is in the interests of America and American workers that we provide the option for China to go into the WTO."

Obama, however, has a similar quote from the Illinois Farm Bureau, albeit one with greater caveats and stipulations. "So I think it is important for us to negotiate our trade agreements recognizing that the global economy has shifted," he said in September 2004. "What that means then is that when the Chinese government devalues its currency by 40%, we've got to make sure that we bring China before the WTO. The same way that we get brought before the WTO if other countries think that a disadvantage, that they are being disadvantaged by our existing trade policies."

Beyond these quips, however, is a bigger question. Does this sully the Obama campaign's attempts to paint Clinton - who is running a slate of negative advertisements in Pennsylvania - as the only candidate to go negative?

As David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager said of Clinton on a conference call on Thursday: "It is a relentlessly negative campaign here in Pennsylvania running negative ads around the state... her campaign can really be defined as an attack strategy day after day, trying to destroy Senator Obama."

Here's the complete mailer:

Comments

[jstock]

It wouldn't be a contest w/o some negativity. The key is keeping it accurate. From what I can see, this looks like it's about as "accurate" as these things get in politics. I wish this primary season would end already.

[ErnestineBass]

Since when is telling the truth considered "negative"?

[fixbone]

amen!!!

[dolphinlikr]

When you portray yourself as the candidate who will not run on negative attacks against the opposition. Obama is the front runner (according to just about everybody) and is outspending Senator 4 to 1 in Pennsylvania. He shouldn't have to attack Senator Clinton. The press, media, MSNBC and just about anywhere you look is doing that for him. Read the fine print in this ad then compare Obama's views on China and the WTO. Similiar to Clinton's if not exactly the same. peace.

[writerswrite]

There is a difference between a negative attack (a la Rev. Wright and the effing Weather Underground, and flag lapel pins and innuendo) and attacking an opponent based on facts. Obama never said he wouldn't draw distinctions between his own positions and Clinton's. He never said he wouldn't call her on a LIE. There's a difference.

[MiddleRoad1]

It's negative if it is against Hellary. Else it is just facts - or it is what the Republicans are going to say in the fall

[fixbone]

hard ball or dirty ball - you decide - IMO hard ball is not fine but should be, dirty ball is simply Bush squared

[globality]

About time

Where are the TV commercials aboutthe Bosnia lies. There are great ones alrady on youtube no need to reinvent the wheel.

60% of American think Hillary is a Liar, dishonest and untrustworthy. Obama should of spoken the truth last night NO Hillary can not beat Mc Cain

[StephenS]

So you think Obama was lying last night and previously when he said Hillary could beat McCain.

[chery]

Good heavens no! Just look at the lies the people have swallowed from Bush/Cheney for the last 7 plus years! LOL.... heck, most democrats even voted for Bill Clinton, and we all know how slippery his relationship with truth can be!

[modmom]

Stating the truth is now considered negative? Why should Clifton be allowed to speak falsely about her history with Free trade? Why is the press asking about Bill's $800,000 for advocating free trade w Colombia? Why isn't the press making a big deal about both Bill and Chief Strategist making big bucks from the Colombia free trade? These 2 were spokeman for Sen Clinton at a time when she was attempting to nail Sen Obama's aide for talking to the Canadian government (AND CANADA ISN'T EVEN A PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO FREE TRADE-THEY HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS, WORKERS RIGHTS, HEALTHCARE AND FAIR WAGES!)

[joeyp404]

To paraphrase his comments last night, he has not. His campaign may have.

[AndrewInToronto]

I don't think this is negativism; it is accountability.

[simplify]

Did this mailer come from the Obama campaign?. These mailers are usually the product of unions that support Obama. Besides I dont view them as attacking Clinton but putting the truth out there about her stand on a very important issue. As long as it is truthful and factual.

Its the silly stuff like flag pins, bittergate, weathermen, Rev Wright. Distractions that are media created seem more as attacking a candidate when they are used over and over to destroy someone's character.

[StephenS]

Look at the last picture. It says: "Paid for By Obama for America".

[Roshi98]

That's the point - it's NOT truthful, accurate, or honest. There has been a ton of research done on Hillary's NAFTA position and she has stated, unequivocally and consistently, while she does think NAFTA brought SOME benefits, a lot of work needs to be done to see that the treaty distributes the wealth across the board. It DOES have to potential to lead in that direction, however major investment in education, infrastructure, and new technology (to name a few) are absolutely mandatory to really see the positive results of more open trade. This has not happened in the eight years under Bush.

Here is an excellent analysis by the non-partisan FactCheck.org on a similarly misleading flyer sent out by the Obama campaign:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obama_mailings_false.html

Please keep in mind that they are equally observant of Hillary's many offenses during this campaign, too.

[FogCityJohn]

Her position on NAFTA has been anything BUT consistent and unequivocal. When she was First Lady, she helped round up support for the treaty, as her belatedly released schedules conclusively demonstrate. What the schedules reveal has been backed up by industry representatives who attended the meetings with Hillary. She repeatedly praised NAFTA, even in her own book, where she listed it as one of the accomplishments of her husband's administration. Factcheck may quibble about whether Hillary ever used the word "boon" in describing the treaty, but it's undeniable that she supported it and praised it UNTIL she realized that her support would be a liability with the working class voters she desperately needs. (Since she's spent most of her campaign race-baiting African-Americans and portraying liberal voters as some kind of aliens.)

Is she truly opposed to NAFTA now? Who knows? She claims to oppose the Colombian free trade pact that Bill admittedly supports, but the Colombian government has put $800,000 into the Clintons' bank account recently, and I doubt they did it just because they think the Clintons are swell folks. Which Clinton's opinion will prevail in that debate? I'm betting it's the one that nets them nearly a million bucks.

[patamakka]

is nafta where you for instance, assemble an ipod in china, total cost, incl. manhours, 20 dollars and you sell it in the US for $ 299? is that nafta? so the rich get richer, no problem with that, put the poor want to live too?!

[susane07]

No wonder this woman drinks. She'd probably be drunk at 3AM. Another reason not to vote for her!

[ampay]

Not to mention, according to Bill, at around 11pm her memory starts to go.

[Pjsandiego]

This has got to END!

What is wrong with the Democratic Party. Do they not have any control over the narrative and do they not have any ability to go to Hillary and tell her to stop., I know this is all about Obama's so called negative ad, but this stuff does not help in the general and is turning off the country to the Democratic Party.

The inability of the party to wrap this up and the constant scrapping between candidates- as demonstrated by the miserable debate last night sadly seen by 10,000,000 American's did nothing to change the primary and did much to move McCain closer to the White House.

I personally lay this all at the feet of Hillary Clinton who confuses stubborn egotism and self aggrandizement with being strong. She is only stubborn and she is only hurting the party and ultimately even herself. This is not hardening Obama, it's crippling him from starting the real fight which is with John McCain.

The good Democrats of Pennsylvania have to see this and need to bring this whole mess to a close by voting for Obama EVEN IF THEY THINK HILLARY WOULD MAKE A BETTER CANDIDATE OR PRESIDENT. It's time to come together before one more of this stupid "debates" occurs or before any more negative ads go out.

IT'S ALSO TIME FOR ALL OF THE SUPERDELEGATES TO COME OUT FOR OBAMA AND PUT THIS TO REST

[mesuki]

It's about time...I've been waiting for this moment.Give Hillary a taste of her own medicine.....that narcissistic witch! As long as it's about facts I think it's fair game.

[cramos]

So then you must agree that the application of facts works for both candidates...the Debate was fair!

[AnninSoCal]

Obama has been going negative since he failed to close the deal in Texas and Ohio.

First it was her dayplanner.

Next it was her taxes.

She released her own 2007 taxes 2 weeks before him.

Now you know............he's a multi-millionaire.

4 million.

On the rise, your Obama.

[2008andbeyond]

The day planner was a lawsuit from a conservative group. Taxes were realesed by all candidates except Hillary. A simple request to be on a level playing field.

He made $4M from books, nice. The Clintons have taken in $109M over seven years (over 15.5 per year in case math escapes you). I think that makes them multi millionaires.

So truth be told he hasn't gone negative. I actually wish he ad last night on Bosnia. She likes to arse his words but wants forgivness when she lies mulitple times. She's vile, but people who are paying attention see it without his having to note it.

[sonofsamstone]

On the rise, indeed.
APRIL 17: A Zogby poll shows the Pennsylvania race tied, although Zogby has had a few misfires so far this year (see: Ohio, California):

Hillary Clinton: 45%
Barack Obama: 44%


Ready to come aboard AnnlnCA?

[ErnestineBass]

Geeez, Ann, you sound like you're worried "those people" might want to move into your neighborhood.

Rednecks in SOUTH Cawl-E-forn-yah.

Who'd a thunk it?

heh heh

[on2them]

Clinton has not released her 2007 tax return. She released 2000-20006 but not 2007, they 'say' the got an extension.

You dispute this, provide a link.

[mesuki]

He failed to close the deal in Ohio because that witch lied to the people of Ohio,and as far as Texas ,she barely won that state,and Obama got the majority of the delagates anyway, If Hillary didn't lie and cheat and fool some ignorant people she would have been out a long time ago...but her days are numbered. The longer she prolongs this miserable campaign the more people will hate her.......by the time this is over with she will destroy whats left of the stupid Clinton name.

[CTotti]

Though technically an attack, it differs substantially from "Elitism-gate" in that it specifically addresses a policy stance on an issue that directly affects a substantial portion of the PA community.

This is a far cry from the "Candidate X happened to sit on a bus that drove by a town with a similar name to one where the friend of a cousin of the local baker happened to overhear a comment about Y" type of attacks. (BTW: Would you have fired the bus driver or the baker?)

[cramos]

Sam and your point is what?

This is politicians do.........OR IS THIS JUST ANOTHER FAKE ARTICLE!

[aplegrand]

I don't understand why he is not making a big deal out of Mark Penn & Bill Clinton's innerworkings with the Colombians for a Free Trade Agreement with them. I guess that would be going negative.

[AndrewInToronto]

That is what I was thinking too: that that would be negative. It is one thing for the candidate to support it and then claim to oppose it; it is another for Penn, Wolfson or Bill to be cited which is more guilt-by-association. Her record is clear and has been well exposed since the Cleveland debate when she was pressed to explain her record.

[SLone08]

What's negative about this? It's all true and well documented.