Obama Hamas Smear: Clinton Says It Shouldn't Be Taken Seriously

Hillary Clinton appeared on the Situation Room today to weigh in on the state of the race. Below are a few highlights.

On Hamas' Obama endorsement:

BLITZER: Here is what McCain said about Barack Obama and I want to get your reaction. He said, "I think," this is McCain, "I think it's very clear who Hamas wants to be the next president of the United States. I think people should understand that I would be Hamas' worst nightmare. If Senator Obama is favored by Hamas, I think people can make judgments accordingly." McCain was referring to a statement by the North American spokesman for Hamas endorsing, in effect, Barack Obama. Is McCain right?

CLINTON: No, I think that that's really an overstatement, an exaggeration of any kind of political meaning and I don't think that anybody should take that seriously.

BLITZER: Do you have confidence that Barack Obama as president would be a strong supporter of Israel?

CLINTON: Yes, I do, I believe that that would be the policy of the United States and it's been our policy for 60 years.

On her reference to an AP story about Obama's support among white voters:

BLITZER: Now, your great friend and supporter Congressman Charlie Rangel said and I'm quoting now. "It's the dumbest thing you could have said."

CLINTON: Well, he's probably right.

BLITZER: Explain.

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CLINTON: Well, absolutely. I was referencing an AP article and obviously I have worked very hard to get the votes of everyone and I have campaigned hard, I understand that we've got to put together a broad coalition in order to win in the fall. We've got to get to that 270 electoral vote margin and I know Senator Obama has worked hard to reach out to every community and constituency.

On remaining in the race:

BLITZER: So you're staying in at least through May 31st and June 3rd...

CLINTON: That's right.

BLITZER: ... which is the last -- you're not going anywhere.

CLINTON: I'm not going anywhere, Wolf...

BLITZER: All right.

CLINTON: ... except to Kentucky and Oregon, and Montana, South Dakota, and Puerto Rico.

Comments

[pilgrim7]

Anything Hillary says or does is self-serving. She is not to be trusted.

[Amminadab]

And then still the demonization continues.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

When a Democrat endorses a Republican over a fellow Democrat, don't expect some to ever trust her again. It's her actions that have caused the rift. If you can't see that fact and appreciate the truth, you are truly benighted.

[Binxy]

For goodness sakes, one blogger comment does not renounce the call for unity. You are just as guilty at the demonization as any Obama supporter. Calm down and play nice this is not your TalkLeft sandbox.

[Heaphy]

Pilgrim7, please try your best to be a gracious winner. We desperately need the Hillary Clinton supporters in November if we are to defeat John McCain. Now is the time to extend the hand of friendship and reconciliation. Barack Obama for Hope 2008!
- Jim Heaphy

[Sardonica]

I think most Obama supporters will bend over backwards in their attempt to be gracious toward Hillary supporters as soon as winner has been confirmed.

But until then, I imagine a lot of Obama supporters are going to continue keeping a wary eye on Senator Clinton due to the way she has campaigned.

[pilgrim7]

I understand the need for reconciliation and the need to win. But not at any cost.

[hjo4]

This is the soft Hillary who'll defend Obama because even she can she the" handwriting on the wall",it' over for her.I wouldn't be surprised if she became one of Senator Obama champions.She positioning herself for the VP spot. We already know that Hillary will do or say anything to get what she wants.Every word out of her mouth is suspect and should be treated as such.

[blessedfrog]

No Darling - she's defending obama because she is a democrat and an adult. There is a time to contend and a time to bolster the whole party.

[MikePS65]

Well, alright! This is the kind of unambiguous circling of the wagons around the Democratic party that makes Hillary sound dignified and, well, presidential.

I'm an Obama supporter now, but when things first got rolling, I was pleased to be torn between the two candidates - as things progressed, I moved to the Obama camp and feel quite comfortable with my choice for a variety of reasons. But here's a big ol' and genuine thanks to Hillary for standing up for her party and turning her back on McCain's ham-handed and idiotic talking points.

[SeriousBlack]

Good for her - finally. She could have pulled the same thing with the Hamas issue as she did with the Muslim issue ("as far as I know" instead of disavowing it), but she displayed some integrity this time. And I'll give credit when credit is due, as will many Obama supporters.

We should keep in mind that the most vitriolic posts on sites like this, I would be willing to bet, constitute only a relatively small number of individuals (on the side of either Obama OR Clinton). I would love to see a serious attempt to determine what the actual numbers are (or at least a close approximation); I bet it's in the low single digits as a percentage.

Try to keep some perspective when, no matter what side you're on, you see the most disgusting personal attacks or lowbrow comments and then try to paint either side's supporters as a whole based on such a small number of individuals' input. It is great to have the freedom of expression that the Internet has afforded since the mid-90's, but of course the flip side of that is that it also enables the most unhinged of individuals to easily post their commentary on websites.

[Amminadab]

{Good for her - finally. She could have pulled the same thing with the Hamas issue as she did with the Muslim issue ("as far as I know" instead of disavowing it), but she displayed some integrity this time. }

You bought the demonization spin. The fact is, she defended Obama with just as much integrity on the Muslim issue.

From the March 2 edition of CBS' 60 Minutes:

KROFT: You don't believe that Senator Obama is a Muslim?

CLINTON: Of course not. I mean, that's -- you know, there is no basis for that. You know, I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that.

KROFT: And you said you'd take Senator Obama at his word that he's not a Muslim.

CLINTON: Right. Right.

KROFT: You don't believe that he's a Muslim --

CLINTON: No. No. Why would I? There's no --

KROFT: -- or implying, right?

CLINTON: No, there is nothing to base that on, as far as I know.

KROFT: It's just scurrilous --

CLINTON: Look, I have been the target of so many ridiculous rumors. I have a great deal of sympathy for anybody who gets, you know, smeared with the kind of rumors that go on all the time.

[Anie]

Thanks for putting in the text of the tv program for those who buy the talking points and talk rote hatred of Hillary - which is Obama's fault because I watched him, on March 10-11 in Mississippi, tell his rallies "On 60 minutes, she didn't defend me !" wihch was a total falsehood and people should realize that when they're hating someone as much as she was hated for that.

Here's an analysis of that tv interview (and media coverage) by Media Matters. And people who actually were disgusted when they were fed the media short-version should really take the time to read it. It's one thing to feel the disgust; it's another to use that as justification for the villification I've seen.

http://mediamatters.org/columns/200803110002

But Obama used that one clause, when she was puzzled on the 3rd iteration of being asked that, and if you watch the body language, she was totally puzzled about why it was being asked a third time.

She then added the part about why she sympathized when someone is being smeared with the kind of rumors that go on all the time.

But it was used by Obama in his rallies to get people riled up about her, and it worked.

[sangsue]

I hate to break it to you Amminadab but Hillary Clinton DID endorse a Republican over a Democrat. What else does "Senator John McCain would make a better President than Obama mean?

[superduperandy]

From the way that Hillary has shifted personalities every other week throughout the nomination according to her audience, can we believe that a single word or "tear" from this creature is authentic? I believe some analyst on Hardball last week said that it would reflect well on her if she defended Obama against some completely absurd accusation. So now we have this.
Hillary has as much authenticity and Bush but far less consistancy.

[Amminadab]

I guess there is nothing she can do to possibly please some of you.

Too bad, you have demonized a good Democrat, and a good friend to minorities, women, and the poor.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Oh please! How has she helped the poor? One example of legislation that she or Bill put forward that's helped the poor? Just one!!!!!!! You know believing campaign spin, is one thing, but claiming things are factually incorrect is just another. The main problem I have witnessed on this site is Clinton supporters who know nothing about their candidate, except what's on her website, which is pure resume padding at best, and blatantly misleading at worst.

Hillary Clinton supported Welfare reform. That threw more children into poverty than any other legislative act in the history of the USA.

Hillary Clinton voted against banning cluster bombs in civilian areas. How is that helping children who are killed or maimed because cluster bombs look like toys?

Hillary Clinton refused to sign the International Treaty to ban landmines. How is that helping children or women who work in the fields and are killed from landmines?

It's one thing to believe she was the best candidate, but it's another to just believe her campaign spin, without seriously examining her record.

[JeremyO]

What happened to "As far as I know"? She must have blown a chance to burn Obama accidentally. Didn't think of it in time.

[blessedfrog]

oh stop being so hard on hillary - the interviewer was goating her - asking it several times in a row - she must have been wondering - 'why the hell is this guy asking ME this and why is he repeating the question several times like he knows something I don't?' - Ask OBAMA about his religion - i don't give a s h i t about his religion as long as it doesn't conflict with the fundamental principles of the USA.

[Amminadab]

From the March 2 edition of CBS' 60 Minutes:

KROFT: You don't believe that Senator Obama is a Muslim?

CLINTON: Of course not. I mean, that's -- you know, there is no basis for that. You know, I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that.

KROFT: And you said you'd take Senator Obama at his word that he's not a Muslim.

CLINTON: Right. Right.

KROFT: You don't believe that he's a Muslim --

CLINTON: No. No. Why would I? There's no --

KROFT: -- or implying, right?

CLINTON: No, there is nothing to base that on, as far as I know.

KROFT: It's just scurrilous --

CLINTON: Look, I have been the target of so many ridiculous rumors. I have a great deal of sympathy for anybody who gets, you know, smeared with the kind of rumors that go on all the time.

[REZBOO]

I hope that Senator Obama plans and executes his duties as President as brilliantly as he has shown thus far with this campaign--fighting the Clinton machine and winning is nothing less than brilliant.

Mr. Axelrod must have God's ear.

I'm still smarting over some of Hillary's comments and tactics, for sure. But the truth is, it's all winding down now, and my anger is subsiding for I know policy wise--she has a much better idea of where this country should and could be--than any republican period.

She's got a lot of repair work to do, particularily in the black community, but even with the lies and distortions at least she can now SUCCESSFULLY DIVORCE that ALBATROSS and truly be her own woman.

In hindsight, this loss may be the best thing for her, and the women's movement, from an historical perspective. When she rises again like the Pheonix, hopefully sans Billy Boy, she will truly then be HER OWN WOMAN-- with HER OWN ACCOMPLISHMENTS and EXPERIENCES and will have earned HER OWN CONSTITUENTS.

Should she be blessed in this fashion- and then seek the BIG CHAIR and get it-- IT WILL BE ON HER TERMS.

[SeriousBlack]

I also don't buy the argument so often floated that she will be too old in 2016 to run for president. She seems to be in pretty good shape right now (probably a lot better shape than McCain was 8 years ago).

No reason for her not to have a great shot at the presidency again in 2016 after 8 more years of "actual" (i.e., not just the osmosis she claims has taken place as the wife of a governor and president) public service in her own right as Senator and any other positions she may have over the next 8 years.

I have posted many critical comments of her words and actions over the last 3 months (and the Bosnia "exaggeration" is still a pretty hard one for me to rationalize), BUT... Were she to concede in June and then campaign both AUTHENTICALLY (beyond any shadow of a doubt) and vigorously for Obama and help him win the presidency this year (plus the additional 8 years of public service), I would definitely have an open mind to her if she ran again in 2016.

How cool would it be to have the first African-American president in our history, and then the first female president, back to back? Pretty cool. At least it would still be within my lifetime (probably :)

[Amminadab]

She already has her own accomplishments and experiences and constituents.

I know you were trying to be a bit concilliatory..... but instead you were insulting.

[rzan]

Thanks Hillary for honest answers.

[CulureFX]

At this point I am starting to feel sorry for Senator Clinton, she can't win and when she is asked for her path to the nomination, the best chances she has are lightning striking Obama...

I am relieved though that she finally is defending Obama against the GOP, instead of saying "Well that's just what they do, they are republicans"

Let's try to give Hillary her some respect...we will need her supporters too, even if they are a lil racist...

[blessedfrog]

I don't feel sorry for her. I applaud her zest. You may not like her, But I respect the h+ll out of anyone who runs the race til the end. The democratic party is only damaged because overly zealous ones and pundits keep saying it is. This primary has galvanized the dem party like nothing else and involved thousands to pay attention and learn and study it all. It is the best thing ever.

[kira181]

"Let's try to give Hillary her some respect...we will need her supporters too, even if they are a lil racist..."

Are Obama supporters okay with you making remarks like this?

[Amminadab]

{Are Obama supporters okay with you making remarks like this?}

They seem to THRIVE on it.

[MarcInCA]

Thank you Senator Clinton. I appreciate how you handled the interview.

- An Obama Supporter

[BlackmaninAmerica]

To Hillary supporters, the way we Obama supporters come off sometimes is utter nonsense. Hillary is not the devil, she is - after all fighting for the Presidency. I applaud her for defending Obama against a typical GOP smear. Yes, we Obama supporters have felt that she has run a destructive campaign, but she isn't going anywhere and we will need her and you guys to support Obama in the fall, should he be the nominee.

[23000Days]

I'm not sure what it'll cost us, but Hill will drop out after OR. The deal is that she had to continue through WV and KY since Obama would lose there to a candidate that had already dropped out. Wouldn't that look rosy!

[kira181]

This is unbelievable. The comments on a blog post that reports Hillary's defense of Obama are no place for the tired Republicanesque diatribes about how evil she is. God help us .We are now officially dumber than the people who voted for Bush -- the second time.

[ghop]

We are still in the heat of the campaign. A lot of Obama supporters are still stinging from Clinton's previous attacks. I'm glad she's toning it down a little, a couple of weeks ago I wouldn't have been surprised if she had jumped on the Obama Hamas smear with vigor. Now that things are wrapping up, she's dialing it back and people will calm down. This too shall pass.

[blessedfrog]

If obama's supporters are still reeling from the 'stinging attacks ' of H Clinton- I seriously worry about y'all.

[funnyguy]

I have long thought the Clintons were the worst the Democratic Party had to offer, but let's take her at her word and give her the credit she deserves for these honorable comments. Even a scoundrel can have a good day.

[blessedfrog]

You've got to be kidding me. The worst the democratic party has to offer? HA! they get things done- whereas the rest of the dem party just withers and dillies about - inept and ineffectual. PLEASE!

[johnfoirdfw]

A woman of style and grace.

[AxelDC]

Like Eva Peron

[bos123]

No way jose. Nunca como Eva Peron

[simplify]

Hillary Clinton is such a pathological liar I dont believe a word that comes out of her mouth.

[LeftLeanWing]

NO MORE NEGATIVE ATTACKS !

[Amminadab]

Are you starting to notice how much that Obama supporters rely upon negative attacks?

Demonization within an echo-chamber.

The art of smear belongs to Obama Nation.

[bos123]

Yes, I don"t either.

[Heaphy]

Simplify, please don't OVERSIMPLIFY. Every politician, no, make that every human being, lies at one time or another. I happen to believe that Barack Obama is more honest than almost any other politician within striking distance of the White House in my lifetime. However, Hillary Clinton is NOT the devil, and she is far better than every prominent Republican today. You can believe or not believe Hillary Clinton as you see fit. But what the Democratic Party needs as the Clinton campaign winds down is a cooling of the interparty dispute, an all-around extension of olive branches, and an invitation to all Clinton supporters, Edwards supporters, Richardson, Dodd and Kucinich supporters, to join the Barack Obama 2008 team. Victory in November against John McCain is far more important than our petty grudges.
- Jim Heaphy

[Breni]

Yes, all Democrats should embrace and vote for Obama - and wouldn't having Richardson be GREAT for VP? Then, while Obama wants to give drivers licenses to illegal aliens, Richardson - being of Mexican heritage - would gather in all the Latino/Hispanic/Cuban/Asian/Indian voters - legal or illegal aliens - Obama wins the presidency and will give ALL illegals citizenship! Nevermind that the illegals will still make low wages, and LEGALLY continue under-cutting American workers' wages, they'll now be able to LEGALLY draw from our limited welfare, medicare and social security reserves - you know, OUR tax dollars!

Won't it be fun living in a Third World Nanny State???? Now, NOBODY in America will be rich (except the politicians and their 'buddies', of course!) Yippee!

Oh, I guess nobody read where last Friday in LA - Locke High School, 600 students - 65% black and 35% hispanic had a brawl where police had to come in with riot gear and break up the huge fight. 4 were arrested. Wonder if this was a 'race' issue?