Clinton Campaign Still Searching For "Damaging Info" On Obama

Carl Bernstein, writing for CNN, explores the various landings Clinton could make when she finally puts her campaign to rest. One of the more damaging scenarios goes as follows:

Explosive, setting down after the enemy has been carpet-bombed (an "October surprise in May"), something the Obama campaign believes may be less and less likely to come from his Democratic opponent because of the dangers to the party and the Clintons' reputation. Yet the Clinton campaign's search for damaging information and its hope that such information exists continues, according to knowledgeable sources. Strategist Harold Ickes, her premier tactical counselor, warned on the eve of the North Carolina and Indiana that Obama could be vulnerable to an "October surprise" by the McCain campaign.

Read more about Bernstein's scenarios and the likelihood that Clinton will seek the Vice President nomination.

Comments

[CaptainVideo]

Nothing more effectively shows what a candidate is really like than how he/she behaves when he/she is losing.

In the case of Hillary, the mask she has so carefully constructed over the years has come off and we see a totally ruthless person for whom winning is all that matters, who is willing to do whatever it takes to win, no matter how much damage she does to the causes she claims to support and fight for.

[CaptainVideo]

This is very reminiscent of the vast right wing conspiracy in 1992 desperately trying to find the alleged black child that rumor had it that Bill had fathered.

[JJeff88]

Going into this primary season open minded and undecided about the three leading candidates (Hillary, Barack and John Edwards) - as I often do I set some "job description" guidelines for the next president; specifically:

Less an ideologue and more a pragmatist. Leadership skills - sorely lacking since JFK - to energize the people of this nation and get them involved in the rebuilding of our country. Less a believer in "less government" or "more government" than in "well-run government." Team-builder rather than a Lone Ranger. Tends to pursuade rather than bully. Believes that rebuilding our country's strength on all fronts must be done from the ground up. Open minded and accepting of ideas from all circles. Straight talker - straight-line thinker and doer (rather than a spinner with convoluted process for setting and trying to achieve goals). Focused on getting things done than in putting down people.

As things have worked out over the better part of a year, Barack Obama appears to more closely fit the above job specs better than the other two candidates.

I've come to this conclusion not because I've been snowed by a charasmatic newcomer but because, in my opinion, he comes closest to filling what our country needs in a leader at this time.

I believe many supporters of Sen. Obama feel the same way - which makes many of the comments by his opponents here come accross as empty and hollow.

[HumeSkeptic]

I take it as an excellent sign that all the Repubs on this site are sounding increasingly vitriolic and desperately throwing sh*t up hoping that some would stick on Obama. Keep it up, Repubs, and look up with your mouths open after you throw that stuff up.

Meanwhile, Obama is looking far and beyond, taking the high road, saying simply that McCain has lost his bearings and Hillary should "know better".

It has become increasingly clear that mired in old style politics of destruction, both Hillary and McCain camps are clueless as to how to handle this new kind of politician who appeals directly to the people and, with one call, starts a movement in the country to register millions of new voters.

The change is already happening. The extinction of GOP dinosaurs has already begun. Hillary supporters have a choice: come join us in rapid evolution for the better, or accept the same fate as of the GOP dinosaurs.

GObama!

[rationalthought1]

How tragic it is to have Hillary be the first woman who has been a serious presidential contender. What a terrible example for our daughters. The classic stereotype - a dragon lady! When will this awful woman leave?

[HumeSkeptic]

I would have loved to vote for our first woman President. But a pro-NeoCon woman? No thank you. We have had enough of NeoCon policies.

[CaptainVideo]

Also Hillary only got to where she is because she is married to Bill. If it had not been for that she would never have been elected Senator from New York when she had never lived there, and she would not be a serious contender for the nomination. If she were to become the first female President, the lesson young women would learn from this is that in order to succeed in life the most important thing to do is marry the right man.

Let the first female President be a woman who got there on her own, just like Obama has been a half-black who got there on his own without family connection.

[John Warren Gotsch]

Here it is Hillary, the biggest untold story to this very sad primary campaign:
1- Prof Lani Guinier of Harvard Law School
2- Marian Wright Edelman, Children's Defense Fund
3- Dr Joycelyn Elders, WJC's Surgeon General
All highly distinguised black women that you and WJC threw out of
your bus, in the name of political expediency!

Have fun in your very long GOODBYE!

[Muzza]

I look forward to the day when all of the sheep wake up from their Obama/Media induced STUPOR and realize how deeply they have been conned. Sites such as Huffington Post are as guilt as the rest for perpetuating the lies, deception and propaganda which have dominated media coverage of the Clinton/Obama battle. It's unfortunate to see that so many citizens lack basic critical thinking skills and basic human decency! Anyone with a capacity for honesty and intelligent thought can readily conclude this FACT - Barack Obama is the most divisive figure in American politics in a very long time. He has systematically used racism, sexism and ageism to destroy the Democratic Party for his own selfish reasons, and that of his corrupt elite friends in the DNC. Thanks Mr. Obama & thanks also to the Undemocratic Party. The GOP is looking better and better each day when stacked up against the sham which the Undemocratic Party now is.

[Seraph]

As many thinking Americans already know, 9/11 was an inside job. As soon as I heard Clinton use the fear card about the 'war on terror' after 9/11, I knew she was lying, and would continue the elitist wars from the Bush years, that support the armaments industry. That information was enough to tell me that she is not really for the people of this country, or of this world. Plain and simple.

[Earl]

This reads like psychological projection from a "change the rules to hammer Hillary's square peg into a round hole" believer.

[Independent voter]

Have some crackers with your whine - and sit back and watch the hillary horrow show death spiral

[Muzza]

Well, the Clinton campaign doesn't have to do any "searching" - the info is freely available. Wright, Rezko, Ayers, Sinclair, Young - I think collectively these five characters will provide the public and the media with more than enough "information" to satisfy inquiring minds. As for Carl Bernstein, wow, what a great source! He's a hillary-hater from way back and nothing he says can be trusted. I don't often visit Huffington Post as I had heard it's a fairly vile place in regards to its love affair with Obama and its ever so unifying hatred for his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Already I can see that reputation is proving to be true.

[TNT2008]

The main problem with the list you have provided is that the Clintons have envolvement with all of the above and more. Peter Paul ring a bell. Then there's McCain.......let's talk about the Keating 5 and his cover ups to protect his own butt! None of the crooked politics from the past over the last twenty years (experience my butt) can be left out and if the example of experience is dishonesty, I'll take Obama any day! Good luck in your nasty wishes for a man who truly loves his country, wants to take the country forward and is really fighting nothing but a bunch of religious fanatics and racists!

White in West Virginia! Obama 2008

[MyGuyO]

What makes Hillary think people would want to vote for her now, especially the horrid way she is acting. She is really losing it.
.Ask yourselves, ~Is this the woman you would want to be as our president?~ Yikes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obama"s endorsement"s since his big win in North Carolina, 5/6/8
5/7/08: 1) Former Senator, George McGovern (Switched from H. Clinton"s camp)
2) North Carolina ¦ DNC, Jeanette Council, Super delegate
3) North Carolina ¦Dem Party Chaair, Jerry Meek, Super delegate
4) California ¦ DNC, Inola Henry, Super delegate
5/8/08: 1) Michigan¦ Former Rep (& Edwards ex- Campaign Mgr.) David Bonior
2) North Carolina¦Congressman, Brad Miller¦Super delegate
3) Washington¦ Congressman, Rick Larson¦.Super delegate
5/9/08: 1) Hawaii ¦Rep, Mazie Hirono¦Super delegate
2) South Carolina¦Vice Chair, Wilber Lee Jeffcost, Super delegate
3) New Mexico¦Laurie Weahkee, Add on delegate
4) ¦¦¦¦Ed Espinosa¦ DNC Member
5) Oregon¦Rep, Peter De Fazio (Switched from Clinton camp)
6) New Jersey¦ Rep, Donald Payne (Switched from Clinton camp)
7) American Federation/Government Employees¦600,000 members
8) ¦¦¦¦John Gage, President/AFGE
9) California¦.Vernon Watkins, DNC
5/10/08: 1) Arizona ¦ Rep Harry Mitchell
2) Virgin Islands,..Young Dems/America, Carol Burke, Super delegate
3)Virgin Islands¦¦Young Dems/American, Kevin Rodriguez, Super delegate (Swi frm Hillary)
4) ¦¦¦¦¦..Add on Super delegate, Kristi Cumming

[KarateKid]

This article says a lot about why I support Barack Obama. He is the better leader. I point to several examples.

1. His choice of David Axelrod. Compare this wise, mature, civil speaking, non histrionic man with Mark Penn and Maggie Williams, Terry McAuliffe and Howard Wolfson. Part of leadership is who you surround yourself with, and my guy chose wisely.

2. Even though the playing field was not level, they set up a grass roots organization that should be a case study in how to do it.

3. They made a mission statement and stuck with it. They did not panic when the media and the Clintons turned up the heat, and refused to take the low road.

4. They got 1.5 million people to donate $250 million to fight the Clinton machine.

5. They reached out and created an inclusive environment, attracting independents, young people, moderate Republicans, moderate evangelicals.

6. They set up a sophisticated on line operation, state of the art, again the case study for future campaigns. These people set up paradigms.

7. Even though they keep looking, the Clintons could only find a retired pastor and an offhand comment made at the end of a long day. That's it. That's all the dirt they could find on the guy.

So, who do you want to answer that 3am call on Day One? I know who my choice is.

[Muzza]

1. Yes, part of leadership is who you surround yourself with and wow did Obama choose badly! So many shady associates that I have lost count! Let me think...Ayers, Wright, Rezko...Just to start...

2. "Grassroots organization" worthy of a case study? Mmm... I don't think so. We already have much information about how cults develop and how they lure their members.

3. Right, ok, "refused to take the low road" ? Which planet do you live on? Mr. Obama has used racism, sexism and ageism at every stage of this campaign to divide the Democratic Party and fuel division. Sounding pretty LOW to me.

4. Money from the people? I guess that's why Obama has so many massively wealthy friends - to share around the money - millions of dollars can be divided many times over into those $2,300 contributions. Do you have a calculator?

5. "Inclusive environment"? That would by why half of the Democratic Party feels so deeply insulted by Obama and his racist, elitist comments and his active association with homophobic figures. Sounds pretty unifying to me too.

6. Well, getting the guy from facebook to run your Internet campaign would certainly help so I give you that one. That said, paying people to infect, with Obama propaganda, every news and social networking site known to humankind has been an incredibly toxic endeavor.

7. Right, you are really now lying to yourself. Do you need reminding - Wright, Ayers, Rezko, Sinclair, Young and who knows who else!?!

[bigfated]

Hey, muzza: Obviously you're one of the 18 or so out of a hundred who has actually convinced himself that the GOP of today deserves to survive. The day this group of neo-con scum are out of office is the day Obama will get a chance to try to clean up the vile, disgusting slime trail they leave behind. YOUR president....CHIMPY McFLIGHTSUIT....has done irreparable harm to America.....and to replace this pathetic idiot with still one more doddering old man who doesn't know his Shiite from his Sunni would be suicide. We desperately need a man with a fresh approach to our problems----and that leaves the GOP outside looking in. It's gonna be lots of fun watching the veins burst in the necks of the Hannity's, Limpballs, and O'Reilly's of the world for the next generation or so as they wonder where it all went! I hope I live to see these cockroaches squirm as they watch the vote totals in November put them out of work. Bone Head Boehner...No Chin McConnell....and ther rest of the arrogant scum in the House are about to start their new careers as HAS-BEENS! OBAMA 08!

[rimofheaven]

You are a true block head, Charlie Brown. Although the real Charlie Brown would have better sense.

[RThM]

I suppose one could go down the piles you've arranged so neatly and flick away the flies you want us to see as points one by one, but why bother? The ultimate point that concerns sentient Americas is the botch Republicans have made of this country and not silly arguments from facebook or pathethic distortions of reality. We're not that stupid, my little friend, and in November Bush is out. Good-bye.

[Independent voter]

Moe
Ron

[Mitchell4A]

It is time that feminists who have supported Clinton for the right reasons step up to the plate and criticize her for unacceptable remarks and practices. The women"s movement has been deeply divided over the Clinton candidacy. Yet what started out as a legitimate disagreement about the merits of the candidates and their agendas has turned into a test of one"s feminist credentials. But the test is perverse. It is not a test of feminist principles and values. It has become a test of loyalty to Clinton, in spite of the fact that she is undermining basic feminist values.....

The piece is too long for a "comment." See, "Hillary is NOW Damaging Feminism"
http://msa4.wordpress.com

[KarateKid]

The greatest damage she has done is to make this so intense that there are women who vow to vote for McCain if Obama wins the nomination.

Now, this is the most unintelligent part of their argument for being taken seriously. They would vote for a guy who says he would appoint Supreme Court justices that would overturn Roe v. Wade. I have nothing but disdain for women who say these things out of childish pouting and sour grapes.

There are many men who are willing to support a female candidate, but not Hillary. Also, in my opinion, NOW is narrow minded and autocratic, and many women, especially the younger ones, don't buy their message.

The Clintons have succeeded once again in polarizing people, this time their own party.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"The greatest damage she has done is to make this so intense that there are women who vow to vote for McCain if Obama wins the nomination. I have nothing but disdain for women who say these things out of childish pouting and sour grapes."

I hear ya, karateKid! (I had such a crush on Ralph Macchio)...
AND... I've got a crush on Obama!

THIS is what their childish pouting will achieve...

WOMEN who survive the terminations of their pregnancies...
WOMEN who toss their frozen "snowflake babies" into fertility clinic dumpsters...
will languish in WOMEN'S prisons.

CHILDREN unwanted by biological parents...
CHILDREN unadopted by "pro-lifers"...
will languish in orphanages and foster homes.

And I don't imagine republicans will be too happy, when they realize that President McCain will have no "choice" but to RAISE TAXES to build WOMENS' prisons and CHILDRENS' orphanages... to shelter, feed and clothe those "bitches" and "bastards"!?

But since MONEY trumps MORALITY with the "right-to-life" crowd, perhaps EVEN THEY will think twice about voting for McCain?

Save some wire hangers, Clinton (or MCCAIN) supporters. Your daughters may need them!

OBAMA '08!
HOPE & CHANGE!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[Muzza]

It is time that true progressives and liberals step up to the plate and express their outrage that a man campaigning as a "progressive" thinks it's ok to systematically use racism, sexism, ageism, classicm, homophobia and deception to corrupt millions of voters.

[Independent voter]

It's not nice to talk about Slick WIlly that way!

[globalcitizenlinda]

The Irony is that Clintons are searching hard for information to damage Obama in spite of the fact that the more distructive information about the dealings of the Clintons is well-publicized on the net but has been largely ignored by the media.

Even on his worst day, the bad information about Obama would still fall far short of the bad information that the GOP have about the Clintons - it is no wonder that the GOP wants to run against the Clintons.

As a nation, we should be glad that we will not be subjected to the scandals of the Clintons again

[Cedman]

She is hoping her new friends - Limbaugh, Hannity, Mellon-Scaif or O'Reilly can find something for her to use. if not they will make something up. Her team went through his kindergarten papers hoping to find proof he was a muslim. when they could not find it tthey just started that little email campaign assuming that would do the trick.

[YRM]

It's a fact that Obama will face multiple October Surprises from the G.O.P. Scenario 1) The federal prosecutor in the trial of Chicago political fixer Tony Rezko is sitting on charges against Obama. (Patrick Fitzgerald was the U.S. Attorney in the Valerie Plame C.I.A. leak case.) The government's principle witness, Stuart Levine, has acknowledged that Allison Davis (Obama's law firm boss and Rezko's partner) acted as go-between in the shakedown of a Hollywood financier over a state pension fund. And the NYT reported that Rezko's role in the purchase of Obama's South Chicago estate may have been an attempt to shield assets from creditors in several lawsuits. 2) Obama links to Iraqi money men exposed: Shortly before the Obama property deal, Rezko received a $3.5 million loan from Nadhmi Auchi. The Pentagon says Auchi is a former bagman for Saddam Hussein. Another Rezko friend, Aiham Alsammarae, is wanted by Interpol for the theft of $650 million in Iraqi reconstruction funds while the country's Minister of Electricity. Newsweek reported that Alsammarae'a son sent several faxes to Obama's office prior to his escape from a Baghdad jail in December, 2006. He now lives in Illinois and donated online to Obama in January, February and March. Scenario 3) Karl Rove will have McCain replaced at the convention. Well, you didn't think they were going to sit this year out, did you? For more info, see: http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/OctoberSurprise.html

[Cedman]

You need to go to the bathroom and splash cold water on your face.

[elcojonu]

How about an October surprise of our own.
Like Impeachment Hearings on Chaney.

[gurukalehuru]

I second that.

[NCRESIDENT]

Let's see what the Clintons' have to hide. The Paul v. Clinton in California which is postponed until November. The pardons of their brothers. The money he recieves from the Saudis and Dubai for his library. Monica Lewinsky, Paula, and many more women. Oh yeah, they'll even go after him for having an affair with a black woman who was pregnant but he took a paternity test and found out the child wasn't his but didn't deny sleeping with her.
John McCain has skeletons too. The Keating 5 look it up. Taking money from lobbyists. His preferential treatment while being held as a POW while other men was tortured. The list goes on about him too. So to think it is just Obama go do research. The reason why you haven't heard anything else about Hillary is because Obama doesn't bring it up and the media doesn't talk about it. That is why Repub. wants her and that is why you think so highly of her.

[LorettaSingbiel]

Obama...Rezko...former bagman for Saddam Hussein.
Obama...Alsammarae...theft of $650 million in Iraqi reconstruction funds.

I'm having a hard time connecting the dots...GUILT... by association... perhaps???

I hope MY patriotism doesn't come into question because I followed a boy... of possible mid-eastern descent ... around the school playground when I was in the 6th grade. Because I attended a CATHOLIC school, I didn't realize that it was "sexual stirrings"... but that was all it was... HONEST!

OBAMA '08!
HOPE & CHANGE!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[SanityNow]

"I am honored to be here with Barack Obama ... whatever happens, we're going to be fine.
I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people."
- Hillary Clinton February 21, 2008

[Ariesjill]

One of the infinite Hillary Medussa heads talking. And I saw her say that live,& got chills. This is serious pathology finally manifesting unambiguously. It is SCARY.

It took two nuclear bombs to get Hirohito to exit the monarchist denial in which he was entrenched and to which he was willing to sacrificie his entire nation. A modicum on sanity in him finally emerged.

I am now reduced to praying Mrs. Clinton has the modicum of endgame sanity of Hirohito. SOMEWHERE. And that reduction....is stunning.

[MariaHopeful]

The politics of yesterday. They haven't recognize the truth as yet that we have grown sick and tired of the politics of personal destruction. As Dick Gregory says, they should be happy they are dealing with a principled person such as Obama. Can you imagine if we had another politician of the same ilk of Hillary Clinton? She is only acting tough now because Obama will not hit her with all the scandals she has hiding in plain view.

[jah2008]

I had imagined that too. It had already been destructive enough with just Hillary. We have seen the lowest form of campaign tactics from a Democrat. If Obama hadn't run, and her opponent was that of Hillary-equivalent, it would have been complete annihilation of the party and nation. I also imagined how ugly it would be between Hillary vs. McCain. I don't doubt that Republicans are getting ready for their "Swiftboat times five" strategy, but it would pale compare to what they would have dished out against Hillary, and what Hillary would have thrown at them. Please, let this nomination process be over. I can't stand one minute more.

[Anastasia]

Hillary - Egoiste!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GeWwB_ig-Y&feature=related

[elcojonu]

Egoiste, nice man's parfum.