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

[ann1]

People don't buy into it! Please don't........

[sg096]

yeah...I don't know what to make of this
And yet another Hillary enters the picture
There was a time when I used to like her
maybe she is ready to end this

[CatLadyforObama]

Yeah, I se your point, but she's also saying it would be a "terrible mistake" to vote for McCain, a message to her supporters:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/14/clinton/?iref=hpmostpop

[ThePoundcake]

ANN IS RIGHT.....DO NOT BUY INTO THIS BECAUSE A FEW WEEKS AGO SHE LOOKED FOR ANY REASON TO ATTACK OBAMA ON RIGHT WING FEAR MONGERING. LAST WEEK SHE HAS ALL WHITE PEOPLES SUPPORT AND THIS WEEK SHE SAYS STOP PICKING ON OBAMA. THIS HAS THE SMELL OF .....SWISS CHEESE!

SHE IS A FORK TONGUED BLASPHEMING PIECE OF TRASH!!

[AMJordan]

Calm down, this isn't the apocalypse, at least not yet.

To quote Terry Pratchett: "Even a leopard can change it's shorts."

[CatLadyforObama]

Wow! I'm starting to like her again. That's more like it 1

[frappe]

That's more like it, Hillary! We're all on the Democratic team and there is nothing more important than achieving a historic victory for the totality of the Democratic ticket in November -- from the President on down.

[SamanthaJaneSalem]

Thanks, Senator Clinton, but after you brought up Hamas yourself in the Gibson-Stephanopolous Obama Bashfest, I'll have to file this under "T" for "Too Little, Too Late." However, a strong speech praising Obama in Denver will restore those old feelings of admiration.

[robXdion]

Kinda late to start looking magnanimous, aren't cha?

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

I have to give her credit she was interviewed on CNN to day and she was pretty gracious. Like I said before if she keeps up this tone I have no problem with her finishing out the primaries. She even said her comments on the AP article about the working class voters was the dumbest thing she ever said.

[DocJerome]

The damage is already done.

[kellygrrrl]

but only SHE herself can talk her supporters back from the edge of the cliff they seem ready to jump from.

It is her duty, if she wishes to remain in the Dem Party, to get those people back onboard

[SanityNowPlease]

damage is relative in politics. the GE is a LOOONG way off. ever tried to get a weather forecast 6 months out? of course not because they are never accurate.

[CatLadyforObama]

Agreed.

[ann1]

kquark--what do you mean by gracious? Are you referring to the debate she and Sen Obama had right before the Tx primary? You mean when she said how honored she was to be in the race with Sen O.......you mean gracious .....when two days later she scolded Sen O with "SHAME ON YOU BARACK OBAMA" and meet me in Ohio!

[lizr]

Yes- US Looking bitter and Unforgiving does not reflect well on Obama.

Get with the program.

Let's move forward with a positive tone!

[Kingbreaker]

I probably would have voted for her had she stuck with honesty, policy, and decency.

Thank you Hillary.

Heck, I can probably pony up a donation to help her campaign debt if she really does sincerely try to put a DEMOCRAT in the oval office.

[kellygrrrl]

many signs seem to be pointing to the conclusion
that a deal has been cut.

Dean and Obama are about to start helping Clinton fundraise to pay off her debt.
I'm sure there is something else that has been offered to her.

just in the past few hours, I'm seeing signs that something has gone down and we may be over this Primary very soon.

[SanityNowPlease]

i am with you grrrl. the clouds are parting.

[lizr]

And Hallelujah and thanks to Obama and Dean. And for Hillary finally smelling the coffee.

Life is good! Let's celebrate and PLAY NICE with the Hillary supporters.

Please?

[Vantunow]

Did she say, "as far as I know"?

[Sparty1]

Hahahahaha! That's exactly what I was getting ready to say. She's so full of it. Now she wants to appear gracious. Too little, too late!