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

[Harrygton]

She was served a juicy one and she passed! Wel I guess she has had her fill of Obama burgers!

Look, there is no upside for her to say anything controversial at this point... so what's the big deal?!

[SanityNowPlease]

apparently, Edwards has endorsed Obama.

[NotFooledByDistractions]

It took her long enough to respond - too long as a matter of fact.

Don't let the door hit ya' Hill.

[Dorraj]

Look if hilary plays nice us obama supporters need to calm down. I am an Obama supporter and I see why Clinton supporters are getting pissed off. Let it go and focus your anger unto Mccain this is getting stupid. We are not acting like our candidate. This dont let you guard down crap is stupid. What will happen if you do? Huh? Seriously Obama supporters if you just cant accept her backing here when you won the nomination you are making it harder for Clinton supporters to do the same. Remember they lost and they are pissed and yet what do some of you do. Spike the ball in their face and continue your week long touchdown dance. Obama isnt acting like that and we shouldnt either

[lizr]

agree with doraj.

It's over, O rules. Let's be magnanimous about it.

No way she is winning, no way McCain is winning.

Let's get that 50 state voter drive happening for Obama and WIN!

Seems like everyone is going to need picture ID now too thanks to the 1984-minded Reps who passed those laws so we'll have to get those happening too..

Plenty of work to do to ensure a Dem win, let's apply our aggressiveness in a positive direction!
GO OBAMA!

[Kingbreaker]

Go SANE PEOPLE.

Go RATIONAL PEOPLE

Go DEMOCRATS.

[RedDogBear]

I agree with Dorraj also. We need Clinton and her supporters to win the presidency and get a real majority in congress. I'm glad to see this from Senator Clinton and I hope she stays on track defending fellow democrats from stupid petty attacks.

[Testtubebaby]

One thing is that her supporters don't all come to Huffintonpost and neither does Obama's. So it isn't necessary to suck up this bs that those that do put down. And those that are and have been snots here can lump it as far as I'm concerned.

[Binxy]

Man. . . get a grip. There is no way short of Obama getting photographed barbecuing puppies over a fire of marijuana and meth that Hillary is going to win the Presidency. Let's work together to figure out what is next!

[mredder4]

Too late. While I could have voted for Barack Obama at one point for party unity, now I realize that I don't want to be in the same party as some of you people. You have proven yourselves to be more hateful, vicious and mean-spirited than Hillary Clinton ever was. She at least was running a campaign, where it's expected that you try to knock down your opponent. Her methods may have been questionable, but at least there was a reason for them. Running for President isn't supposed to be a rose parade. Barack Obama's supporters seem to enjoy throwing anger around just for the sake of doing it. They've unleashed on Clinton hatefully, on her supporters hatefully, and on anyone else who tries to point out what hypocrites they are. Yeah, Hillary Clinton points out that Barack Obama is weak in rural areas, one of his supporters calls rural voters idiots and assholes, and somehow Clinton is the terrible person? I dont buy it. I want nothing to do with you people, or your candidate.

[Testtubebaby]

go cry in you beer and stfu.

[lobear00]

Mredder4, there is no excuse for Hillary's behavior. when two members from the same party are running for the same position, you don't crucify the other, you tell the people why they should put you in office. You do not disrespect the other for your own personal gain. Hillary learned a hard lesson, she put herself before the American people.

[AMJordan]

With all due respect, I think you need to realize that Obama supporters are just as passionate about their candidate as Clinton supporters.

For an example, go over to taylormarsh, MyDD or hillaryis44 and take a look at what her supporters have been saying about Obama.

[OhMyGoodness]

Then you're a fool...

There is no way in hell anyone could make me vote against what I believe in...

You're weak and pathetic... either that or you could never have voted for Obama...

[atienne]

Mredder4-I am not hateful at all and I support Obama. I sure don't pussyfoot around issues, though. But let me ask-since you won't vote for Obama because of his supporters (a terrible reason, might I add) What about the Hillary supporter that accidentally left a message on a household phone-Clinton supporter didn't know the machine picked up and laughed that they didn't answer cos they thought it was a bill collector and West Virginians are poor! Is that not condescending or what? Now, I ask you to PLEASE stop acting like Clinton supporters are all full of love when BOTH supporters have shown much hate and anger to each other. Look at Clinton supporters threatening the Supers? I ask you to come to the table with a much better reason not to vote for Obama than that! I also ask you to step up to the plate and get the Dems back in the White House and let's all help put an end to this Republican regime!

[Binxy]

I think Obama supporters need to play nice EVEN IF HILLARY SUPPORTERS DO NOT.

Passions are running high and every little poke at her makes things worse. It doesn't matter now who started "race-baiting" whom. Who said what about McCain. Honestly, everyone, be realistic ---despite the rhetoric, Obama will win the nomination when the votes are counted at the Convention. Take a deep breath and move on. Do not respond with meanness, be overly sensitive. These are passionate Democrats who are seeing their chosen candidate fall short of victory. We don't need the ego boost of saying "Obama Wins -- HA --Clinton loses". Everyone, everyone should be willing to take one (or two or three) for the country.

Start now.

[4wehttam]

Why is she always so vague when she answers questions about Obama, like she's leaving herself wiggle room?? Why couldn't she just leave it as Yes I do, instead of stating what the US has been doing for 60 years....................am I just hearing things, because I don't trust her or was something not right with that statement???

[gapanther]

it's the "as far as I know" still ringing in your ears.

[Marrob]

Why are you so judgemental??

[jozap]

Just remember ... a week before most primaries Hillary would play nice.

Then two days before the vote she would come out with a smear, a lie or some type of really dirty trick. Hillary thinks we will let our gaurd down again, NO WAY.

I just can not trust her any more.

[SugarMan]

Same goes for me. I don't put anything past that woman. She is a snake.
It may just be a coincidence, but Vince Foster's death was too mysterious - and so were several others.
I don't trust her either.

[BassMent]

Hillary provides a (lukewarm) defense of Obama, NARAL endorses, Edwards may endorse at 7:00....

Hmm. I am curious like kellygrrrl below whether Hillary has struck some sort of bargain that satisfies her enough that she can pull out at this point.

I'll tell you what though. When Obama's the nominee, I hope she can whip up a little more enthusiasm than to say, "people shouldn't take that seriously."

How about something like, "Wolf, you ignorant slut! The source for that supposed Hamas endorsement can't even be verified! Outside of Aaron Klein, the wingnut who says all Democrats are endorsed by terrorists and who quoted this unverifiable source, nobody has ever heard of Ramadan Adassi, the alleged Hamas spokesman! Try googling 'Ramadan Adassi' and the only links you get are to Aaron Klein! DailyKos exposed this way back on Saturday, lame-o! Do your job, you piece of crap excuse for a journalist!"

Then she would hold up a sign with this link: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/10/111217/606/412/513191

Then she would kick him in the nuts.

That's the Hillary I want on the Obama team....

[Nolewoman]

I agree!! Good post and I wish that this would happen someday.What a dream.

[AMJordan]

Kind of like she has been during moments of the campaign, BUT on our side?

Ramadan Adassi? Isn't Ramadan a Muslim holy day?

[JohnCochtosten]

Based on how she's acted the last few months, she's practically endorsing Obama in these quotes.

[Gatling]

ROFL

so sooooo true!

[SanityNowPlease]

it sure looks like a deal has been cut between these two with the DNC moderating. if Edwards comes out and endorses Obama tonight in MI, then i think we can take that as a sign a deal has been agreed to.

[NorVaGal]

I think that Hillary is setting the stage for HER acknowlegment of the beginning(?) of the end of her campaign. Although I think that her defense of Sen. Obama could have been much stronger, I am grateful that at least she did gave a positive response.

[erykah]

I applaud Hill for "defending" Obama, but she should have doen so in much stronger terms. She should have denounced and rejected McCain's statements outright.

[Rockwell]

Is this Hillary in transition from Rovian Sith Lord to the Old Hillary of common sense?

[Anastasia]

Rovian Sith Lord - Love it!

[Flagal]

Hillary has to make a decision. Should she continue to try to diminish his chance in the general election so she can run again in 2012, or be a good dem and bargain for a position of power within the party. Lets hope this means she has chosen the latter.

[mooph]

That's the Hillary we know and respect! Not sure where she's been hiding lately, but it nice to see her again.

[mln7905]

Did you read her comment? If that passes as a defense, wow, we have really lowered our standards. She should have made an outright, emphatic rejection of these kinds of attacks. Except, oh...she engaged in them herself.

[Gatling]

Defense? Coming from HRC, that was damn near an *endorsement*.

Give her credit, it's got to be hard defending the person who crushed your dreams.

[thetiger1974]

The back room deal has been made. Say Hello to our Next Head of State. Mrs. Hillary Clinton.

[kellygrrrl]

I agree!
I'm definitely getting a strong feeling that a deal has been cut.
I think we're going to hear a little more tonight

[urbanscorpio88]

I think so too, maybe this is the big announcement that's going to happen.

[lizr]

Head of State? Unlikely.

[Kingbreaker]

Uh, , , , you mean Secretary of State?

Put her in Health and Human Services - something she's passionate about and got good ideas on.