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

[DanniD]

It's a step in the right direction but she's got a long, long, long way to go!

[Krikkit]

Finally!

[ystasino]

The problem is that she has already told us that these are "just words". She honestly believes and practices this approach.

To me, senator Clinton, a world in which people don't say what they mean and don't mean what they say it's just a world of soft tyranny. If every politician is only promises and words then nothing they say should be believed. We might as well anoint the most connected politician and not even vote.

But life can come and bite you in the rear. So I'll take your statement today to be nothing more than "just words".

[Canadienne]

Nicely put.

Personally, I think she's just toning down the rhetoric so as to give her supporters a chance to warm up to the man who will be the nominee (barring any horrific overturnings of the vote performed by the superdelegates).

[LBM]

Maybe if Hillary keeps getting press like this the Obama supporters will finally start to see what the rest of us see in Hillary. She is a leader of our party and should have the admiration of democrats across the board.

[Krikkit]

The only thing I want to see, and I suspect the only thing many Democrats will accept from Hillary is a continuation of this concilliatory tone after the damaging campaign she has run. I've said for a while now that she's a smart politician who knows how to maximize her power and when to stop the charade, but that is a far cry from "admiring" the woman for the trait of doing anything and saying anything to win. She is not and never has been my leader. There are certain things that I won't accept in a leader, and such a demonstrated lack of ethical behavior is certainly a big one. But because I am also a pragmatist, I will accept that if she behaves herself from here on out in this campaign, she deserves some position within the party and within Obama's administration, if he decides to offer it to her and she accepts. That's as far as I'm willing to go.

[blessedfrog]

You all crack me up - damaging campaign - give me a break.

[JMEB]

I've never had a problem with Hillary's attacks on Obama - they are merely bringing up, and putting to rest, issues that McCain would've done so later, at far greater damage. Obama's been no angel, either - but again, that's fine, too.

The problem is her *judgment* (remember the Iraq war resolution) and her, frankly, *delusions* about her experience (her role during her husband's administration, the Bosnia sniper-fire vivid story, etc). Those are fatal flaws that disqualify her from the presidency, and two flaws that Obama does not have.

That said, she has plenty to contribute to this country and to Obama's campaign after the convention, an opportunity I hope and believe she will take.

[111]

Hillary is a DLC leader. Rahm Emanuel is the architect of the DLC campaign strategy of focusing on target states, the big states vs. Dean's 50 state strategy adopted by Obama.

The DLC is a fascist organization which should be exposed for what it is - right wing politics. The Democratic party should divest itself of that organization if possible. The DLC is run by corporations who support the war in Iraq, are anti-union, are pro big business, pro trade agreements, pro social security privatization, anti single payer universal health care, etc.

Obama has nothing to do with how I feel about Hillary Clinton.

[Bramptonian]

She's just playing a game and I think most people have already seen the real Hillary. Note her choice of words when she said it's an 'exaggeration', meaning the statement is true but it's being overplayed or overdone. She knows it's not true. The Hamas leader NEVER endorsed Obama. Wolf Blitzer should be careful to get facts before misquoting people. The Hamas leader was asked which Democratic candidate he would be willing to meet and dialogue with and he said that he admires Barack Obama. The media put a spin on it and handed it to McCain who immediately sent out e-mails saying Obama was endorsed by Hamas. That is so not true but even if it were, wouldn't that be a good sign to have our so-called enemies profess a willingness to talk to us? America should not want to be seen as a bully and when we start communicating with our enemies as well as our friends, we will not see another 911. Barack Obama is the only candidate right now who will help this great country, the USA to regain respect all over the world.
God bless America and God bless President Obama.

[blessedfrog]

Y'all let me know how 'talks' with Hamas turn out. We'll all be watching.

Good luck with that.

Have tea with Hilter while you're at it.

[Breni]

God bless America and God bless President Obama.
* * *

Why would God bless someone who approves of partial-birth abortion, or any abortion? Please stop using God's name in vain - that is EXACTLY what you're doing. It sounds rather hypocritical when people think God would 'bless' someone for approving of something that goes directly against one of His Ten Commandments - Thou Shalt Not Kill

[Kingbreaker]

We'll "see it" in Hillary when she continues to earn our respect.

[docpooh]

You, my fellow Obama supporters are quite the soft-touch. Of course, whenever Hillary says anything not negative about Obama, I really want to like her again too. It's interesting. I just finished defending Obama supporters from a Clintonite on another thread. Whenever we get pis*ed at the nastiness she shows Obama and respond, her supporters accuse us of being nasty and hateful and then they swear they will never vote for Obama. They just don't see how anxious some of us are to want to like Hillary again, even though we no longer support her. I'm afraid I still don't trust her, though. All they have to do is throw us crumbs and we jump at them. We really DON'T want to hate Hillary. Too bad that from all appearances, the same is NOT true of Hillary supporters regarding Obama. No matter, I will forget the intense dislike I developed for Hillary during this election as soon as I know that she/Bill won't be Obama's choice for vice-president.

[huffy2001]

Here's a Hillary supporter that started out as an Obama supporter. Voted for him in NH primary. Then the Obamatons started playing the race baiting game, and showed they would stop at nothing in discrediting the Clintons in order to win. That's why I support her. Not because I am some kind of rabid alien from another planet (or party) but because I was so turned off by the tactics of the Obama campaign.

Now go ahead. Call me some nasty names.

[Cherlesq]

That just was not my experience. I did not see the Obama campaign raise race.

[5thGenDem]

Sen. Clinton has really said almost nothing negative about Obama during the entire campaign unless you think her contention that she's better qualified and more experienced to be negative.

[simplify]

...oh so "as far as I know Obama is not a muslim isnt negative?.

[ghop]

She called him elitist and out of touch. She mocked him and his supporters as delusional.
Face it, she did a lot of things on this campaign to alienate people, including all those party activists who worked so hard to get her husband elected, twice.
That said, I'm glad she's backing off on the attacks now and I'm looking forward to not hitting the mute button every time she comes on T.V. I have been saddened by watching Hillary and Obama supporters go after each other. When it comes down to it, we have more in common than not.

[Marcospinelli]

I'll make Hillary-lovers a deal:

I'll stop calling her a sore loser who is determined to make sure Democrats lose in November if she isn't the nominee IF Hillary Clinton makes sure that in every appearance, every rally, every speech, she announces at least 3 times that Barack Obama is NOT a muslim, that he's a Christian, that the Reverend Wright issue is a non-issue that she exploited for her own benefit, and that as a mulatto, Obama is the face of America, and anybody who wouldn't vote for that face is a racist an unwelcome in the Democratic Party.

[huffy2001]

Honestly..­.who cares what you have to say?

[Krikkit]

Actually, I do, for the most part. I kinda like Marcospinelli's idea. Honestly, it will take something like that for her to undo the damage she's done to him in using smear tactics to sway ignorant folks.

Marcospinelli, you are dead wrong, however, in your last sentence. People don't vote for "face" they vote for character and policy. I'm sure there are some people who didn't and won't vote for Obama for other reasons besides his race, so saying anyone who won't vote for Obama is a racist is just plain wrong on the face of the facts.

[rmetz74]

I'm glad to see she's starting to back him up and choose the party over herself.

She clearly knows she's on her way out of the race. Hopefully she'll continue to take the high road and work towards both Obama's victory and her own political future.

[huffy2001]

She's done this all along. The other story line is a fabrication Obama's supporters just couldn't wait to jump on. Just like the Bush/Clinton/Bush dynasty lunacy. Or the idea that she intimated that Obama was somehow a Muslim during her 60 Minutes interview. Or that she is a racist.

[docpooh]

huffy, Clinton saying that she and McCain passed her "Presidential qualifying test" whereas all Obama has is a speech may seem like the truth to those of you who support Hillary. But please tell me how this shows her SUPPORT of him which you claim she's given "all along". Maybe she was showing her support of him by implying that he should get out of the race because all he had was "a speech" going for him? With friends like her.......
Also, tell me something negative that Obama HIMSELF has said about Hillary. Most Obama supporters don't quote stuff from Hillary surrogates, we have her own negative words!

[Kingbreaker]

The things that turned me off about Hillary? Really, truly made me lose respect for her?

Not the things she said about LBJ [Fine in my book]

Not even the Sniper thing [Although that made me question her judgment. Not a lie, but an *unnecessary and dangerous* lie.]

It was the praising of McCain leading up to the Texas/Ohio primaries. That is below the belt. One does not praise W III. That was egregious and below the belt.

[sangsue]

No fabrication that she said that John McCain would make a better President than Barrack Obama unless now the media has impersonated voices. I heard her say this.

[dbdzen]

She's doing this because voters in Oregon have been casting their ballots for more than a week. It's a 100% postal ballot and the last week has been nothing but negative press for her.

[Amerigucci]

You know what? Bite me, Hillary. Too little, too late, too insincere.

I am so weary from this woman. I had to turn the channel. I can't stand to hear her speak anymore. Not a word out of her mouth is honest.

[StillAmused]

Not a word, huh? Just lies from morning till night, does she? Gotta keep it THAT simple in your little, oxygen-deprived bubble?

"Yes, we can... if you bite me."

[moda31]

i'm glad to finally see something positive in sen. clinton again. if she'd said anything else it would absolutely have been the end for her, that would have crossed the line for too many people in the party.

[Gmoney1]

Was it too much for her to denounce McCain's statement - no, she again used her choice, insincere and foolish response - nobody wants her opinion any more - today on tv, Hillary she said it was a privilege and joy to travel all around the country campaigning - ha - what an expensive vacation she is having on her poor supporters -

[LittleSanityLeft]

I agree. Love her or hate her, as long as she's fighting--­sincerely-­-for Obama it should be looked on as positive for a November win. I

In the name of unity and beating McCain give the hate a rest.

[kellygrrrl]

I welcome all Clinton supporters with Open Arms, Open Heart and Open Mind.

I'll even welcome Jenna Bush when she comes onboard (oh, you know she wants to)
:)

[Binx101]

Don't send her any bouquets just yet. Left to her own devices, Hillary can easily become unhinged - just like her Bill. She had no choice, she would be finished as a candidate if she said anything else... and by the way ... she didn't exactly say much. She deflected and attribution to Obama and rather attributed the policy to the United States towards Israel.

Just because Hillary wasn't flinging a Molotov cocktail - isn't any reason to get all misty. We've been conditioned that if she is polite and doesn't say something completely insulting or untrue about Obama - she's a GREAT AMERICAN!!!.

Sorry - she's still in it to win it and she's praying for him to take some ambien - load the kids in the car at 2 AM and be seen on a surveillance video robbing a convenience store.

Binx101
The Almost Daily Binx
http://binx101.wordpress.com

[Susanfrom29]

This sounds more like the Hillary Clinton that I initially supported. It's good to have her back.

[nellie]

Yes, this is the Hillary Clinton I admired—even as an Obama supporter.

[BeyondTheBull]

Its a facade. She's a great liar, and the world knows it. Use the Internet to see how other countries, including Great Brittain, view her.

[eej]

So many personalities!

[kellygrrrl]

Agree!
she is going to have to work hard to talk her supporters back from the edge.

I have faith she will do her duty to her party and her country

[cinnysmom]

I would like to say as an Obama supporter, that I am happy that Hillary stood up for Obama about the Hamas smear and Israel. And also congrats on her win in WVA, I know it's a little late, but a congratulations is in order.

[nellie]

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.

Gotta give her credit. Her tone has completely changed. It's over.

[Marcospinelli]

What's over?

Snap out of it. This is her pattern. She goes ballistic and becomes psycho-mommy, turns into the weak nellie who everybody is picking on the next, but then she puts on the 'normal' act for the interviews for those ignorant voters who don't have the time to pay total attention to her routine.

She'll be back to insinuating how Obama is one of those NOT "hard working white people" (read, "lazy, shiftless colored people") in time for Kentucky.

This is the kind of America that Hillary supporters want?

[sueelle]

That's the truth. She has (or Bill has) "accidently slipped" and said someone she swears she didn't mean -- saying "hard working white people" conveniently just before going into West Virginia where the people there know EXACTLY what she meant -- she was talking to them, after all. Then after she wins, she's so innocent, (or Bill claims his innocence) -- "it was poorly worded", etc., etc. She's done this over and over.

[Kingbreaker]

She would never, *ever* admit to making a race-tinged gaffe if she thought there was a prayer left. This one's over.

[missjabez]

I wonder if Hillary is shooting for VP. Don't fall for it, Obama.

[harriscrl3]

I'm starting to think she is and NO NO NO. That ship has sailed.

Carol

[lizr]

I think she is just trying to repair the damage. And it's a good time for that.

VP is not on the table for her.

maybe Edwards though!

[Independent voter]

Edwards might serve the country better as AG

[MM5]

I posted this below but it is worth posting again...th­ese loonies are going to waste their time. Obama's new majority is going to come from every place, even Pat Buchanan's readers!!!


Support for Obama from The American Conservative - Pat Buchanan's magazine.

"But this much we can say for certain: electing John McCain guarantees the perpetuation of war. The nation"s heedless march toward empire will continue. So, too, inevitably, will its embrace of Leviathan. Whether snoozing in front of their TVs or cheering on the troops, the American people will remain oblivious to the fate that awaits them.

For conservatives, Obama represents a sliver of hope. McCain represents none at all. The choice turns out to be an easy one. "

Full article
http://www.amconmag.com/2008/2008_03_24/article.html

[Bademus]

Thanks for that, it's a very interesting read!

[missjabez]

Well, Hillary Clinton sounded quite reasonable and decent, and I would like to see more of that.