Clinton Camp Stokes RFK Controversy By Blaming Obama

Washington Post:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign accused Sen. Barack Obama's campaign of fanning a controversy over her describing the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy late in the 1968 Democratic primary as one reason she is continuing to run for the presidency.

"The Obama campaign ... tried to take these words out of context," Clinton campaign chairman Terence R. McAuliffe said on "Fox News Sunday." "She was making a point merely about the time line."

The issue is particularly sensitive given longstanding concerns about Obama's safety as a presidential candidate. (He first received Secret Service protection last May.) The Obama campaign called Clinton's words unfortunate and circulated a TV commentary criticizing them, although Obama himself said Saturday that he took Clinton at her word that she meant no harm.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[HarryTheHat]

You'd think that someone with an ounce of wit within the Clinton camp would have suggested creating a new talking point rather than keep one alive that's not working in her favor.

Will the 'Obama's surrogates are making mischief with this' line ring true with some people? Probably. The same people will also probably acknowledge that (a) this is a political season and making the most of your opponent's gaffes is what political campaigns do and (b) Clinton's campaign - and Clinton herself - weren't exactly shy about squeezing maximum mileage out of the 'bitter' comments.

It just seems to me bad political judgement to keep this thing alive. They're not going to 'turn this around' in any meaningful way and it's not the Obama campaign that's fuelling this - it's bloggers, posters and pretty much anyone who's heard the remarks. Approximately 20,000 comments here and another 20,000 on YouTube.

Senator Clinton it seems to me has surrounded herself with some pretty amateurish strategists.

[who38]

They must like this one. Cadavarille was on ABC this morning and made the statement that "Obama made this a talking point" at least five times. Dianne couldn't get him to say much else. Guess that is another ABC program that I won't be able to watch anymore. Hope they don't FU Boston Legal.

[AbbieXHoffman]

What many of you fail to know/recognize is that Bobby hadn't swen up the primary until the day before he was shot JUNE 4th, and technically he hadn't done even that. Your desire to believe anything you are told, is alarming and reminds me of the blind religious right that is easily manipulated.

Kennedy finally won the Indiana and Nebraska Democratic primaries, but lost the Oregon primary. If he could defeat McCarthy in the California primary, the leadership of the campaign thought, he would knock him out of the race and set up a one-on-one against Hubert Humphrey (whom he bested in the primary held on the same day as the California primary in Humphrey's birth state, South Dakota) at the Chicago national convention in August.

On June 4, 1968, Kennedy scored a major victory when he won the California primary. He addressed his supporters in the early morning hours of June 5, 1968 in a ballroom at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Kennedy

and the rest is part of our sad history and NOT a threat Hillary was putting on Obama.

[Ndw]

What you fail to acknowledge is that the primary season involving 'Bobby' didn't start until March of that year. That's the difference. It's an ongoing pattern of half-truths & lies that many of us find reprehensible. This coincides with her claim concerning her husband's campaign - because as we remember or have recently been reminded, he, too, had wrapped up his season much earlier- in April of that year, and his opponent, (Brown) had acknowledged the certainty of Clinton's nomination.

[Ndw]

I should also add that Clinton states this directly in his book, lest I be accused of echoing the 'blind religious Right.'

[danoj]

Nope she wasn't making a threat, but one would think she could have given your entire history lesson there and left out the last part to make her point, but she chose to start at the end of the story rather than the beginning. Comments like this are what's costing her a seat at the table in any form if Obama get elected. Way to go Hill, just try to stay away from mjaking any statements this last week and exit with what dignity you have left.

[who38]

And it may cost her a seat in the Senate as well.......unless she moves back to Arkansas.

[Choicelady]

No one said she was threatening him. She was incredibly insensitive and has discussed this TWICE. It is nasty-minded to say the least, and she can't seem to simply say the 1968 race went on well into the summer without referencing how one of the leaders got murdered. It's simply a shock to hear that in reference to the present, and she seems to like it because she keeps saying it. Once - I get it. Twice? Tacky and cold-blooded. The inference is not a threat but a "you never know" kind of smarminess.

[Indianaesquire]

She simply doesn't get it. She, and many of her most ardent supporters, simply do not beleive that having a biracial man on the top of the ticket is nearly as novel as having a woman at the top. My god, how many major feminist leaders were murdered back in the 50's and 60's? How many senators are women? Clearly not enough versus One black senator.

The saddest part of this election has been the approach by the Clinton's surrogates that he is lucky to be black. Yes, I suppose he is. He could have been an ignorant bitchy racist like Geraldine (nail in mondale's coffin) Ferraro.

[gmax]

Has anyone yet compiled a book along along the lines of 1001 EXAMPLES OF CHUTZBAH by Bill and Hillary Clinton?

[prverde]

Hillary Clinton was comparing President's Clinton Nomination in June and that on June Robert Kennedy was assasinated. So in other words, her campaighn could continue trhough June.

Of course all the Clinton haters like left media (Keith Oberman, etc.), had a field day and twisted Mrs. Clintons words to descredit her.

Tonight Alen Beck had the story right on target. It's true that the nomenee should be Hillary who won all the big states and has more votes than Hussein Obama. Besides all of that she has the experience and the know how to be the Commander In Chief. The nomination is being stolen from her.

All Latinos/Hispanics/Puerto Ricans are voting for Hillary and if she doesn't win the nomination they will vote Mccain. Barck Hussein Obama cannot win the nomination without theve voters.

[Ndw]

You know, when you stick in the Hussein, you kind of give yourself and your prejudices away.

I mean, why stop there? Why not just rename him Osama bin Saddam? That might work.

All Latinos aren't going to do anything - any more than 'all women' are outraged.

Hillary Clinton was using very inaccurate comparisons, avoiding the reality, stated in her husband's own book, that his campaign was effectively over in April. As for Kennedy, the season that year started in March.

All the big states do not decide the nomination, & you don't get to rewrite the primary rules just because you don't like the results. Sorry.

[globalcitizenlinda]

What a load of nonsense!! Obama is as responsible for Hillary's RFK gaffe in exactly the same way that he is responsible for he Bosnia lies.

The Clintons had perfected the game of playing victim. I am very disgusted by myself for defending them over these years.

This election has shown that the righties were correct on their inuendo about the Clintons - the latest blaming of RFK-gate on Obama is simply the last stray!!

[sclucie]

Exactly what experience does Hillary Clinton have that commends her to be Commander in Chief? Voting for a misguided and horrific war in Iraq? Voting for Kyl-Liberman? Sleeping with a president, who ignore the Balkans while 20,000 women were being systematically gang-raped? Going to that area years after the conflict ended to receive a poem and then lying four times on camera about the experience? Pretending that she had wanted to join the army (conveniently a few months AFTER the Vietnam War? She had no security clearance. She was a corporate attorney, a president's wife, and a short-term Senator who voted with a corrupt and idiotic President. As a candidate, how has she shown foreign policy leadership? By threatening to "obliterate Iran?"

Take a look at a map - beyond the fact that she directly contradicted her own words in Iowa (Kyl Liberman language was too bellicose and threatening), beyond the fact that she is talking obliterating about a country with 70 million men, women and children, the largest oil fields - and transport stations in the world are within 300 km of the Iranian border. This is a leader who is qualified to be Commander in Chief? I'm sorry - it is not.

[Choicelady]

It's nasty, that's why. It shouts of her insensitivity and lack of concern.

[klo]

I understand what she wants us to think she was saying. But there are three problems with what she said.
#1 Bill had sown up the nomination by April, because he had no more competition. He was still "campaigning" in June because all the primaries hadn't been held yet.
#2 RFK was still campagining in June because he entered the race late and needed to. What his assassination had to do with his campaigning in June is still not understood and was unnecessary in her reasoning.
#3 She apologized for offending the Kennedy's as she was supposedly thinking of Ted. But since she had said the same thing in March, when Ted's illness was not yet know, the explanation doesn't have any weight.
Unfortunately, your insistence to misname Mr. Obama also shows your inability to be objective about your preferred candidate.
To lump all latinos/hispanics/Puerto Ricans together is ridiculous as each person, regardless of international association, like the rest of us, will have to vote their conscience. Whatever that may be. One can only hope that there is enough time for them like us all to look at the issues, the promises, the history of each candidate and decide honestly and with conviction, who, of the candidates provided, would be the person best able to direct the country through these difficult times.

[StephenJK]

A note to all HRC supporters:

We don't reward dogs who attack our neighbors, do we? Hillary, Bill (even Chelsea for God's sake) and ALL of us who are behind them have been attacked and attacked and attacked. Hatred, vitriol, lies and generally contumelious behavior has RULED the primary when people talk about Hillary. The MSM, the Blogs (many like Huffpo and dailykos) and anyone within shouting distance have labeled us the most DISGUSTING terms to include: racist, myriad ad hominem misogynistic and other offensive sophmoric name-calling and insults. We CANNOT reward Obama with our support because that would only condone this type of behavior in the future. Stand your ground and hold fast to your principles. Should Obama be the nominee I will write Hillary Clinton's name in in protest.

I don't reward dogs who attack my neighbors.

[Keith52]

What? Barack has been on the defense ever since Iowa. That is when HRC started attacking by mocking Barack's message of hope. Go ahead and protest vote. (if you really are a HRC supporter and not a Republican.) You deserve another 4 years of McBush. Good luck with that.

[StephenJK]

You know a lot of the people who share my sentiments are elderly women. You all attacked elderly women with misogynistic ad-hominem sophomoric ranting.

Is that you, Keith Olberhausen? The twitchy, misogynist? Who has his nightly Anti-Clinton special rants?

I used to like Keith, but his behavior over the past 6 months, like that of most of the wisdomless Obama supporters, has been inexcusable.

Yeah I deserve another 4 years of McBush as you put it. Yet, if you saw things the way I see them you would say (too late for this now) an HRC/BHO ticket is the way to the change and hope future you all are so impatient to get to.

GOOD LUCK WITH McCain.

[TERRYKEITH4]

Oh! Shut up! Silly Racist!

[KateWms]

You need to wake up and look that liar in the face, and stand for principles ! anyone that can continue to support a bold face liar, has to condone lies! please get a grip on reality HRC supporters the woman is obviously derranged and needs help!

[ErinOK]

Good Lord. You are aware that she has run Obama into the ground at every given opportunity, right? Like it matters - your mind is made up - I hope you can live with your choice.

[lizr]

I'm sorry, I missed that.

Please tell me in detail how the Clintons were attacked by Obama?

very curious to hear this.

[Ndw]

I think they feel attacked, and I think it's because a man they view as an upstart has usurped their presumed ascension to The Clintons, Season III.

I think she might very well have deigned to put him on her ticket. The fact he is an independent person with dreams and plans of his own was too much to endure. Hence, 'attack.'

[who38]

She's always promoted the conspiracy thing. This is just a variation.

[OnePartyEqualsTyranny]

Listening to Air America Radio today you would come away with what HRC said was just a snafu. I actually heard that the left is manufacturing what she said, she didn’t say she was staying in the race incase something happens. All she meant was that other races went on into June. They’re really pushing for her to be VP.

[StephenJK]

Anyone can see that Keith Olbermans twitchy, pen-slamming, angry, very loud tirade was COMPLETELY manufactured. He's a bad actor too. Feigning outrage takes commitment. Keith doesn't have commitment in his arsenal. The 50 something is going out with a girl less than half his age.

Everyone else just follows Keith's lead. OH THE HUMANITY! OH THE OUTRAGE! EVERYONE KILL HILLARY QUICK BEFORE SHE GETS THE SDs IN HER CORNER!

[OnePartyEqualsTyranny]

You’re correct that’s her last hope, the Super Delegates. The question is why you’re supporting her? Are you a Republican or of the Right-Wing?

[obackarama]

snafu
origin 1940's: acronym from "situation normal: all (fouled) up."

Sounds about right.

[TERRYKEITH4]

Uh uh! Wrong! Obama's trying to help her pay her campaign debts so she won't have to steal from anyone, or even worse, kill somebody!

[08politicaljunkie]

She is so "HILLARYOUS"! Now, she's blaming Obama for the words that came out of her own mouth. It seems that not only is Obama a great orator, he's also a great ventriloquist.

[OnePartyEqualsTyranny]

Would that make her his Dummy? If so, she could play the part well as VP.

[who38]

Hush up. Don't even mention her as VP in jest!

[08politicaljunkie]

Well, I would never call Hillary Clinton a dummy

[gregjones]

From Blacks4Barack:
Black Americans, and many of all races are EXTREMELY disturbed by Hillary's insinuation of a possible assassination of Barack Obama. To imply that her reason for staying in the race is because anything can happen, then nonchalantly say that even Robert Kennedy was assassinated in June, meaning therefore she should stay in, is not only pitifully diobolical but incredibly dangerous.

As I read some of the comments, I sense that some do not understand the true impact of her deadly insinuation. Keep in mind, when it was first announced that Obama was running for President, the initial concern in Black America was his safety. "Would some nut sniper him"? Obama had to hire secret service security right out of the gate.....why? Because of the true possibilty of some nut doing harm to him or his family.

Also, during the last 50 years, the people who have been assassinated have ALL been leaders who were working toward equality for ALL. John F., Robert and of course Dr. King. So just the WORD assassination brings to us not only an extreme fear but is a reminder of the incredibly sad loss to America, particularly Blacks, at the hands of the sick and wicked. For Hillary Clinton, a so-called leader, to insinuate, for WHATEVER reason assassination....is beyond disgusting. It subliminally sparks the hatred, bigotry and destruction that most Americans have worked so hard to overcome.

Greg Jones
www.Blacks4Barack.org

[FweetyBigalow]

I understood immediately and I was born in '69, after all those horrible assassinations. All she had to do was leave OUT the word assassination. ENUF SAID!

[StephenJK]

Who are Blacks4Barack going to blame when he loses the election due to the hatred being directed at Hillary Clinton and her supporters?? You might blame Hillary? LOL You going to blame McCain? The system?

If you look into a reflective surface you'll have your place to place the blame.

[Ndw]

If Obama loses the national election, it will not be because we weren't nice enough to Hillary. I don't know if you've noticed this, but this country has a notoriously short memory. When she's out, she will be forgotten. Sorry, but that's the way things go.

If he loses, it will not be the fault of blacks4barack. It will be either the limits of his own so far brilliant campaign, it will be some unexpected genius on the part of McCain - or because there are more racist idiots in this country than we'd like to believe. Apparently, HIllary thinks that's the case now, since she's been so blatantly pandering to them. I, for one, have hope she's wrong, but we'll see. I don't see this election as a guarantee - there are a lot of things that can go wrong. But somehow hurting Hillary Clinton's feelings - or her most rabid supporters - is not going to be one of those things.

[Peteyman]

You seem to base your decision on how people who are in NO way under Obama's control... that's weird.

Just for the record I AM going to blame Hillary if Obama loses.... she spins, her people listen to it, believe it, and will not vote for Obama, because she blamed him for her remarks so she MUST be right. I am open minded enough to disagree with Obama on some things. I disagree with his position on illegal immigration. I believe we should be tougher on illegal immigration, but that doesn't mean I'm going to vote for McCain.

I may not be brighter than a star, but I can tell the difference between this and the bitter remarks from Senator Obama...

Obama's remarks were made by himself, but were spinned way out of control by Hillary (of all people), the Republicans, and the MSM. He also admitted that they were a poor choice of words, and apologized for them...

Hillary made her remarks by herself, and they were NOT twisted by Obama (of course) nor were they twisted to the same degree as Obama's comments. The GOP stayed silent about it, although maybe it was because they didn't want anyone to vote against her. She has yet to apologize to anyone that might have been offended by those words...

[JohnIII]

It seems to me Obama just stayed the course and let Hillary defeat herself. He really didn't come out that strongly against her. It seemed she was much more on the offensive against him. And it didn't work very well.

[Flagal]

What is really despicable is Barack Obama bringing up Robert Kennedys assassination in the first place. Doesn't he realize he could give some crazy sexist misogynist the idea to kill Hillary?
I cant forgive him for this.

[JeanPaulSatire]

Huh???

Either this is satire that is beyond even me, or you are living in a parallel universe and just visiting this one.

[OnePartyEqualsTyranny]

After reading the profile I’m thinking its Satire. I’m glad you said something because so many take things on face value. We have all kinds here viewing and we sure don’t want them to go away thinking fanatical.

[sclucie]

This has got to be from the Clinton campaign. No one could make a post like this one on their own.

[lastjournaliststanding]

obama's camp stoked this fake story, and guess what? it will lose him the election. you know who's life has actually been put in even more danger because of obama's distortions? hillary clinton's. and she knows it. and so do bill and chelsea. she'll never take v.p. with obama now. she'll never empower him to become president. and without her, can you say, good morning, president elect mccain?

[anon004]

First, this isn't a fake story. Haillary did actually say that her rationale for staying in was that anything could happen, and she used the example of Bobby Kennedy's assassination. Are you trying to say that Hillary's words were taken out of context? Both Barack and Michelle's comments have been taken out of context and actively distorted by none other than . . .wait for it . . . the Clinton campaign. So, well, welcome to the receiving end of that. (If, in fact, that's what really happened.)

Hillary Clinton's life is in danger because of what the Obama's campaign has done? Really? Any proof at all? Former Republican presidential candidates are suggesting in front of the NRA and Fox news commentators "joking" about a Hillary assassination? Haven't seen it.

"she'll never take v.p. with Obama now." Well, maybe something good can come out of this mess.

"she'll never empower him to become president." Wow, all this time I thought the nomination came from the people who voted in the primaries and caucauses, and the superdelegates. So, Hillary is the one to get to decide who the nominee is? Well, that certainly explains her narcissism, egomania and sense of entitlement.

[Kishadawn]

This is me giving anon004 a high five.

^5

[StephenJK]

The following is completely distorted horseshit:

"Haillary did actually say that her rationale for staying in was that anything could happen"

That's a lie and you know it. She was merely citing historical examples of primarys going into the month of june. Even Bobby Kennedy Jr. understands this.

Just keep your hatred going and kiss a democrat in the WH goodbye.

[gigi09]

I am so sick of all you ignorant people that are so full of hatred until you see no wrong with this evil, wicked, lying, coniving b****h! "You people" are so stupid that you actually believe that Hillary would win even if her balls are big enough to steal it from Obama!...There aren't enough hillbillies to get her elected...fortunately! All of the decent intellegent people can vote for McCain or we can stay at home. What gives you the right to decide that if Obama is not the nominee that Hillary will win in November OR any other time. Shillary has ruined her political career...cause you rednecks will be turn you backs on her at the drop of a dime. Just listening to her now makes me sick to my stomach. Obama 08!

[StephenJK]

Typical wisdomless Obama supporters. You want to place blame? Look into a mirror and point your finger at the image you see and say "It's YOUR fault!" It will be YOUR fault, along with countless others, that Obama loses the general election. It was your tirades, like this one, full of hatred that will be Obama's downfall. I and MANY other HRC supporters will do one of 3 things a) stay home, b) write her name in because she deserves to know that people in this country appreciate what her and Bill have done for it or c) vote for McCain.

Why, you ask? Because I don't reward dogs who attack my neighbors.

[Flagal]

Great sarcasm, some folks might not get your humor.

[KateWms]

Who would want this insane women to be his VP? She's kill him herself b/c she's that crazy b/c she wants to be the president so badly! She'd kill OBama just so she could step up to be president anyway she can! can you say desperate?

[claudiam]

The Clinton camp is just pitiful. They have run such a nasty and ugly campaign. And it has been against someone in our party! They are selfish and will do whatever it takes.

[JohnnieP]

For the record, Bobby Kennedy was a uniter, not a divider. Unlike the Clintons, Both Bobby Kennedy
and his brother Jack were two of the Giants of the 20th century. In fact, the assasinations of JFK anf
RFK were the worst single incidents in the history of the United States, incidents from which the U.S. has not nor will ever fully recover. That self-absorbed Hillary has used Bobby Kennedy's assination
as part of her campaign's rationale should, automatically, disqualify her candidacy.

[bygollymissmolly]

She used JFK's assassination also in January.

[Manchurian]

And in March (in Time magazine). Check out Keith Olbermann's scathing commentary (it's on YouTube) for the entire story.

[prverde]

Have some brains and read or hear Lady Hillary Clinton and you will understand if you are smart enough that she meant a campaign going into June like President Clinton and she remembered that it was in June that RFK was assasinated. It was a historical event in June. Put your thinking cap on and pay attention....You incaput.

[Ndw]

Excuse me... "Lady" Hillary Clinton?

Is that some kind of over-the-top, "I've really lost it this time, & appointed the Clintons royalty" slip??? Or have we suddenly become a monarchy?

And after reviewing a few of these pages, I think your tone of insulting Obama supporters has been the mainstay of those who share your opinion - while insisting it's Obama supporters who do the same. This is the tactics so many of us deplore in Clinton. She does something, blatantly (but I'm too stooopid to know what an 'incaput' is, I guess) - and then accuses her opposition of the same.

Those are known, I believe, as "crazy making" tactics, used by abusers in pathological relationships. After reading a few of these articles, that's just about what I'm seeing here.

[sclucie]

Her comments were certainly about the length of the primary and were badly worded. She apologized. That's all understandable. So was Obama's response: "I have learned that when you are campaigning for as many months as Senator Clinton and I have been campaigning, sometimes you get careless in terms of the statements that you make, and I think that is what happened here," he said in an interview with Radio ISLA. "Senator Clinton says that she did not intend any offense by it, and I will take her at her word on that."

What is not okay is Clinton staff trying to stoke the fire - which both McAuliffe and Wolfson are trying to do. It was one of the worst times in American history. Playing it for political gain is despicable. And unfortunately, not all that surprising. Is there anything these people will not do?

[athanasius]

And Clinton expects voters to trust her? Is she actually acting out a bad self-parody?

[stageplay]

Fox News: the new home of the Hillary Clinton campaign. Think about it.

[Ndw]

I have been thinking about it, actually, and I don't like what it implies. We can see without much effort that Fox, like Limbaugh, are pushing Hillary because they consider her the weaker candidate. There is no other possible explanation. She's accepting this, and ingratiating herself with them. What's next, lunch with Limbaugh?

What kind of person would do this? Does she stand for nothing, mean nothing of what she said?

One thing that has always struck me about Hillary, as opposed to her husband, is a sense that, had she married a different type man, she could just as easily be zealousy spouting Republican philosophy. I don't BELIEVE her, I don't see real sentiment. I see a person who, in a calculating fashion, plotted out her best route to power, found the best helper possible, and doggedly follows that path.

The fact she's praising Fox as 'fair & balanced' really brought this vague sensation back to me. We can see MSNBC has been unfair to her - or at least, understand why people feel that way. But this chumminess with Fox is actually quite scary.