Emanuel Says Kennedy Clinton Comments Out Of Line

The New York Times:

On a day when it seemed that everybody was beating up on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton -- even "Saturday Night Live" had run a skit making fun of her -- one person came to her defense on Sunday: Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the No. 3 Democrat in the House.

Mr. Emanuel called to assail Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, for remarks he made when asked about the possibility of Senator Barack Obama of Illinois choosing Mrs. Clinton, of New York, as his running-mate.

"I have a lot of respect for Ted Kennedy, but I don't know how the hell he comes off saying that," said Mr. Emanuel, who has ties to Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama and has not endorsed in the race. "The gratuitous attack on her is uncalled for and wrong. He is a better senator than that comment reveals."

Read the whole story: The New York Times

Comments

[whizkid]

Teddy needs to put down the rocks glass.
Noble aspirations?
That and 75 cents will get you a cup of coffee.
She doesn't wan't to be VP anyway.
Ask Wolfman Jack Richardson.

[the964kid]

Kenndy said exactly THE TRUTH. Who the hell is Emanuel to tell Kennedy that his words were 'out of line?' What's really out of line is how insider Dems like Emanuel let Hillary run ruff-shot all thru this campaign. If they had been real leadership qualities people like Emanuel, Pelosi and Reid would have told Hillary that many of her campaign tactics were OUT OF LINE.

[Denni]

ICAM with your statements. Rahm lacks courage, as do a number of Dems. The fact hat he's chosen to speak up against Kennedy, by stay mum on Clinton's tactics makes his opinion worthless to me. People who should have been protecting the interests of 1 - THE NATION, and then 2 - the party, sat back and watched Clinton steamroll the party and try to divide it for her own selfish reasons.

[ErnestineBass]

Rahm Emanuel is a DLC hack. He's FAR more interested in what's good for Israel than what's good for America.

Come November, Rahm has GOT TO GO!

[knosiswar]

Who CARES what Rahm has to say. Rahm's a BROKER, A DLC triangulator. Hillary represents that compromise of integrity and base morality that is the disease and plague that assails the ideals of LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, not just for the well placed and well connected, or the slime balls that will LIE CHEAT AND STEAL their way to the top of the human abuse chain like Kissinger. Ted Kennedy lost TWO BROTHERS to the FASCIST interest already, and I'm with Ted, I don't want to lose another friend to Fascism. Corporatism would like to see Hillary second in line, but we are not the Republican party, and will not be forced like Reagan was when he turned 180 and put George H Bush, son of the FASCIST SENATOR PRESCOTT BUSH, in at Vice President, only to see an attempt made on his life three months after inaguaration, averting George the 41st own presidency 7 years earlier.

[RobtBrock]

Emanuel is right: Kennedy went a bridge too far.

[Tariqahmed]

Hillary tried to derail OBAMA.
NO Hillary for VP.
WE OBAMA SUPPORTES AND DONORS
WILL NEVER LIKE CLINTON ON THE TICKET.

[Tariqahmed]

"Viva Obamus! Viva nominatum!!"

NO HRC FOR VP.

[jgalvan]

blah, blah, blah.....who gives a rats a@$ about Rahm Emanuel opinion anyway, he is just a lap dog. And I will say this as many times as I have to today.... it's over people! No chance in hell that Hillbilly Hillary wins the election, yes it is true she may win the next two banjo states but who cares. Now I am going to sleep knowing good and well that our next president of the United States of America will be Barack Obama!

[DemocraticRN]

jgalvan: Sleep Well while you can!
Many of the Hillary supporters have started a "movement" similar to that of Obama. We will write in Hillary Clinton's name on the general election ballot if it is not there. My concience will be clear because I didn't vote for John McCain and I did vote for a Democrat. It will just not be the Democrat that the African-Americans and mostly juveniles chose for me. Obama is just a figment of your imagination with no substance to sustain it.

[MariaHopeful]

LOL!! Hillary's movement! She can't even run her campaign. How much do y'all owe now? $50M? Movement indeed! As to Rahm Emmanuel, we get your game. After all, you are considered a "leader" in the party, aren't you?

[MariaHopeful]

African Americans and juveniles, right?

African Americans and juveniles have been voting for your candidates ever since they were granted the right to vote and it was no problem before. African Americans voted with you for your choice and you loved it then but now we are not bright enough to choose a candidate based on issues. How dare we?! You all make me sick to my stomach to have called myself a Democrat. The blatant and latent racism is just mind-blowing. To think that we ever thought you were any different from Republicans. At least with the Republicans we know up front where they stand.

[jgalvan]

Really? Who is going to write it for you? And did this so called "movement" start at your trailer home during a kool aide party? And exactly how clear can a racist conscience be, I am certain that fellow democrats would be so proud of you. But I have pity on your feeble soul.

[Agentprovokatur]

That's a truly twisted way to appease what you call a conscience.

Split the Democratic vote to ensure a McCain Victory.

More Republican Judges, a Supreme Court that tilts completely to the right for the rest of your unprincipled (but conscience clear) lifetime, a continuation of the current disastrous foreign policy, continued Republican control of all the Executive Branch regulatory agencies (such as the corrupted Justice Department and the watchdog agencies that are more like lap dogs for corporatist interests) and the end of women’s reproductive choice when those courts do away with Roe v. Wade, once and for all.

IF that's how you plan to act YOU are asleep now, or perhaps brain dead.

[Testtubebaby]

Who givsa all you are doing is proving that you are all truly idiots. That woman is going to walk away with her 100 million living the life, while you bow and scrape for healthcare and a living wage...just plain idiots.

[Marcospinelli]

Hillary Clinton's campaign has been an affront to anyone who holds the office of the President of the U.S. in high regard and with respect.

Peggy Noonan, who I rarely agree with, said it best last Friday:

"In a jaw-dropping interview in USA Today on Thursday, she said, "I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on." As evidence she cited an Associated Press report that, she said, "found how Sen. Obama's support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me."

White Americans? Hard-working white Americans? "Even Richard Nixon didn't say white," an Obama supporter said, "even with the Southern strategy."

If John McCain said, "I got the white vote, baby!" his candidacy would be over. And rising in highest indignation against him would be the old Democratic Party.

To play the race card as Mrs. Clinton has, to highlight and encourage a sense that we are crudely divided as a nation, to make your argument a brute and cynical "the black guy can't win but the white girl can" is -- well, so vulgar, so cynical, so cold, that once again a Clinton is making us turn off the television in case the children walk by.

"She has unleashed the gates of hell," a longtime party leader told me. "She's saying, 'He's not one of us.'"

http://online.wsj.com/article/declarations.html

[campgranata]

When folks realize that 'the smartest woman in the world' is barely educable her behavior will be better understood. entitlement and incopetence; the deadly duo.

[nazirmo]

Why does Ted Kennedy despise Hillary so much ?
Kennedy, 76, without naming names, said Obama should pick someone who ``is in tune with his appeal for the nobler aspirations of the American people.''

``If we had real leadership -- as we do with Barack Obama -- in the No. 2 spot as well, it'd be enormously helpful,'' Kennedy said.

an excerpt from an interview:above

Is Ted Kennedy suggesting that Hillary is not in tune with the noble aspirations of the American people ? That she lacks leadership values ?

A vice presidential candidate with national security credentials would be ``useful'' though not necessary because Obama, an Illinois senator, has a good understanding of foreign policy, Kennedy said

I know that Hillary was the first woman on the Senate Armed Forces Committee
And she has been voted twice as a Senator representing NY.
If New Yorkers did not have confidence in her and in her ability to deliver and work hard as their senator would they have voted for her twice ?
I think Ted Kennedy has been just unfair with his comments. He seems to have his own agenda.

[Marcospinelli]

Show me one piece of legislation Senator Clinton is responsible for.

Compare Senator Clinton's lackluster job performance (in a job she owes to the fact that she was married to an American president, and nothing more) with Senator Kennedy's lifelong record of landmark legislation that has made ordinary Americans' lives better.

Show me anything she's done.

[Boadicea]

I'm afraid you'll be waiting a long time.

[DemocraticRN]

Ted Kennedy railroaded Richard Nixon's HMO act through the Congress which lead us to what we have now. Do you reall think Obama is going to fix that?
Transcript of taped conversation between President Richard Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman (1971) that led to the HMO act of 1973:
Ehrlichman: “Edgar Kaiser is running his Permanente deal for profit. And the reason that he can … the reason he can do it … I had Edgar Kaiser come in … talk to me about this and I went into it in some depth. All the incentives are toward less medical care, because …”
President Nixon: [Unclear.]
Ehrlichman: “… the less care they give them, the more money they make.”
President Nixon: “Fine.” [Unclear.]
"In the Senate, Kennedy, author of the HMO Act, also encouraged its passage: ``I have strongly advocated passage of legislation to assist the development of health maintenance organizations as a viable and competitive alternative to fee-for-service practice."
You mean like this one, Marcospinelli?

[DemocraticRN]

Teddy has his own agenda allright and it is fueled by his jealousy of the Clintons. He has always resented the fact that Bill was able to come from Arkansas and win the Presidency and he couldn't follow in Jack's footsteps because of a "small indescretion" in his past. The people didn't want him then because of his lack of character and kept him out of the Office in 1980 even though he split the Party then and lead to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He has divided the Democratic Party again and is trying to pin it on the Clintons. He hopes to become Obama's Dick Cheney this time because it will be as close as he can get to the Presidency. He knows Hillary Clinton as Vice-President would diminish his influence on Obama.

[ejay579]

If Obama's number one need in a VP is national security experience, Clinton is disqualified.

[campgranata]

Is Ted Kennedy suggesting that Hillary is not in tune with the noble aspirations of the American people ? That she lacks leadership values ?

I don't think Senator Kennedy is SUGGESTING anything but STATING the obvious.

If New Yorkers did not have confidence in her and in her ability to deliver and work hard as their senator would they have voted for her twice ?

The people in NY State never ran anyone against her which is why she won twice. Her senate record indicates that she has spent eight years campaigning for the office of the presidency and is still losing. go visit the small towns in NY State to see the devastation wrought by her broken campaign promises.

[pupbayer]

I think Teddy has finally lost it. He probably doesn't remember Chappaquiddick or the fact that he went into the convention the year he was running with fewer votes than Clinton. He's not out of line, he's pickled.

[campgranata]

but he is correct.

[realtalk]

People you have to see this article, it seems that Bill Clinton is truly out to ruin the entire Democratic Party , with little regard for the millions of VOTERS, the millions of CITIZENS the party represents .
Bill Clinton's destructive, and devisive words to voters in Kentucky and West Virginia, is Bill Clinton's deliberate way of guaranteeing that the people from these states will not vote for Obama if he wins the nomination. Read this article on abcnew.com, and see the outrageous things Bill Clinton is telling the voters in the upcoming states.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/05/bill-clintons-m.html

[dumboldfarmer]

Thanks for the link. Pretty sad stuff, really. Iy is demeaning to the democratic party for Bill Clinton to talk like that. When all of this primary stuff is over, the democratic party will hopefully have a good memory. They will reap what they sow.

[Jaxxon]

Yes I saw it and it's disgusting. He and wifey are splitting the party. I guess that's Plan B. I hope Keith Olbermann calls him out on this ALL week.

[DemocraticRN]

realtalk: I read your article and found that Bill Clinton only said what they could have heard from every political talking head since the North Carolina Election. All they have to do is watch T.V., especially ABC. That is, if they can afford a T.V. He is just telling them what they already know, that Hillary Clinton will be for the General Welfare, not Military/Industrial or Social Welfare. He proved it during his administration and the adults know it. That's why I support Hillary Clinton and will write her name on the general election ballot if it is not already on there in November.

[Knowbetter]

Be sure to borrow someone's else's pencil to do your "write-in." Yours is not very sharp.

[Jaxxon]

And to think he's got an office in Harlem. I hope Charlie Rangel gets wind of this and finally breaks ties to these tag team traitors. I'm truly saddened by this. Toni Morrison probably regrets writing that piece about his being the "first black President".

[bitterspinster]

Was Bill wearing a hood when he gave these speeches? Seems he's pretty proud of being a bigot these days so he might as well fully commit. He and Hillary make me sick at what lengths they will go to divide the Democratic party. It's pathetic and sad.

[ElliotNC]

I was really glad that Barack Obama was endorsed by Tom Hanks, because he starred in my absolute favorite movie of all time, The Polar Express. I think that he also produced it.

In the movie, Tom Hanks plays the conductor on the train that goes to the North Pole and he punches the tickets really fast with words like “HOPE” and “CHANGE” and… best of all… “BELIEVE.”

The little boy who gets on the train and isn’t really sure that he believes in Santa Claus, but then he is selected to receive the first-gift-of-Christmas and he gets this sleigh bell that you can only hear if you really believe in Santa. So, of course, none of the adults can hear it.

That bell is like the perfect symbol for Barack Obama. None of the young people can understand why all the old people can’t hear the bell. It’s because they don’t BELIEVE because they are TOO OLD!

Tom Hanks also starred in Forrest Gump, so I know that he can identify with poor white people who are not too educated. Forrest is barely one step above retarded and even though he has no education, he turns out to be one of the most successful people in America. I realize that sounds more like a Republican story than a Democrat one, but even so, he didn’t endorse John McCain. He endorsed Barack Obama.

[Jaxxon]

Many of us Obama supporters need to check ourselves for a sec. It's one thing to show strong support for our candidate, but another to kick folks when they're down. I'm an Obama supporter and we need the Clinton supporters and the Clintons themselves to help secure the White House in November. So instead of beating down the trolls and Hillary supporters who bash Obama, wouldn't it be easier to ignore them and turn the other cheek?

Just a thought.

Obama 08

[DMW1]

A good thought.

[drzoon]

don't ever let up on a clinton!

we have to drive a stake through their hearts.. or they will just keep coming back again and again and again.

sorry.... its just a reality.

[campgranata]

You will have the Clinton supporters when they learn or are told the effects on the Supreme Court a republican victory will bring. the average age of the supremes is 68. let the Republicans get in and stay and kiss Roe VS Wade goodbye. Her women supporters will not deny a woman the right to choose.

[harriscrl3]

I'm NOT insulting voters I'm insulting Clinton and her surrogates because they DESERVE it. After months of insulting Obama supporters we are suppose to not have a say as far as her being his VP and him paying her bills well I'm going to have my say because I want NEITHER of these things to happen. Making her his VP is the worse its a guranteed failure two minority on the same ticket is TOO MUCH. Its just going to send people to McCain. Obama needs a NEEDS a white male on his ticket if we have any chance of winning. The goal is to win Hilary is always saying that putting a female on his ticket is not the way I dont caer if its Hilary or Kathleen of Kansas. Its a bad idea. Give her a position in his cabinet if she wants it but no VEEP.

Carol

[Boadicea]

Rahm can say what he wants. The fact is, Kennedy is right. Obama and Hillary are opposites. Obama is appealing to our better impulses of generosity, inclusion, tolerance and optimism. Hillary is appealing to the worst in us - prejudice, biggotry, selfishness. Obama tells us that if we work together and sacrifice in the short term, we can solve the problems we face. Hillary panders to our instant gratification weaknesses.

I've come to the conclusion that while Hillary has been a good politician, she is incapable of "leading." She was unable to lead in the 90s with the health care fiasco, she has been incapable of leading her campaign, and she would be incapable of leading the country.

Leadership is not about learning how to curry favor with corporate lobbyists. It's not about knowing how to control the news cycle with negative personal attacks and manufactured distractions against an opponent.

Leadership is about inspiring people to see a better way. Hillary is a practiced politician. Obama is a leader.

[KillTheMessenger]

Some people just don't know when the party is over and have to be shown the door.