Obama-Backing General: Clinton Lacks "Moral Authority" After Bosnia Gaffes

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Election Central   |  Eric Kleefeld   |   April 20, 2008 10:43 AM

Read More: Barack Obama, Clinton Bosnia, Clinton Bosnia Trip, Hillary Clinton, Hillary Clinton Bosnia, Hillary Clinton Bosnia Trip, Obama Surrogate, Breaking Politics News
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A key military surrogate for Barack Obama went after Hillary Clinton on the Bosnia story today -- triggering an accusation of hypocrisy from the Hillary camp in light of Obama's own words about the controversy during this week's debate, when he said people should let the story go.

"One of the inherent duties of the president of the United States is to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day," said Gen. Walter Stewart on an Obama campaign conference call this afternoon -- then proceeding to lambast Hillary over the Bosnia gaffes. "Imagine the lack of moral authority she has now to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day."

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- vsign See Profile I'm a Fan of vsign

I don't like this retired General being a surrogate for Obama and saying these things about Hillary. I really don't like Obama pretending he is not responsible for these attacks on Hillary. I want a Democratic president but I really really want a President that is accountable for what is said by his surrogates. Obama hides and pretends to be better. Wrong attitude.

Hillary does walk the talk. She took responsibility for the gaffe she made. I think it actually highlights her experience. When has Obama flown into a war zone? Has he ever been to Baghdad where the planes do a cock screw descent and with their lights out? Hillary has. She walks the talk.

I think bringing this up again is going to backfire on Obama. But let it because it will show his lack of judgement.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:27 PM on 04/21/2008
- LBKN See Profile I'm a Fan of LBKN

If there weren't such gaping holes in her character... more accurately caverns... then there would be less need for her to cover with accusations against Obama's supporters making statements aimed at the caverns of character rot.

If she wants to be unassailable... then she's about 30 years late. Hill's history is her liability... and she has created way too many character craters.

If she stumbles into one or a dozen, she better point fingers selfways... after all... these are voids in her character.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:47 AM on 04/21/2008
- the964kid See Profile I'm a Fan of the964kid

The Bosnia story is as fair game as Wright, and I think Obama should've been hitting Clinton on it weeks ago. It speaks volumes of her deceitful-self. She will say or do anything to win, and thats the perfect example. Hillary has over-stated many of her roles and experiences, especially back during the Bill Clinton terms in the white house. Her fairy tale about Bosnia wasn't merely a 'gaffe' or misstatement, and its an insult to all of us voters for her to claim that its' simply her remembering wrong. That was an outright bold-faced lie that she told on multiple occasions. Her initial response was almost as pathetic as the lie itself, I mean - didn't Hillary claim to be the most competent to answer the phone at 3am?? She talked about being sleep deprived and Bill said her statements were made at 11pm, and, because she's a 60 y.o. woman, thats reasonable. To quote Bill from earlier in the campaign : "GIVE ME A BREAK."

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:49 PM on 04/20/2008
- Independentjunkie See Profile I'm a Fan of Independentjunkie

So heartw arming to see Obamabots defend generals now. Is this the same crowd that applauded General Betrayus ads by move on . and now all of sudden loves generals . LOL

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:43 PM on 04/20/2008
- ObamaSuperDelegate See Profile I'm a Fan of ObamaSuperDelegate

Sorry, he can win

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:16 PM on 04/20/2008
- Rcoke See Profile I'm a Fan of Rcoke

It wasn't a gaffe. It was a false memory.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:11 PM on 04/20/2008
- LBM See Profile I'm a Fan of LBM

Such a hypocrite! The whole idea of this argument is ridiculous. One could say that being anti-war doesn't give you the moral authority to lay a wreath at the unknown soldier's grave. Do you really want to give the republicans that fodder. Give me a break!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:24 PM on 04/20/2008
- VA2008 See Profile I'm a Fan of VA2008

Please don't forget all of the "fodder" Hillary has already provided for the GOP! She is the queen of "revival" and trumps up stories about being "bitter" and "inexperience" totally out of context ad nausium........all is fair in love and war. She definitely cannot take it but she sure can dish it out!

My prayer is that Pennsylvania will end this ridiculous quest of Hillary Clintons and that history will remember what she has done to help the Republican Party (right-wing newspaper endorses her; the same paper who bankrolled the impeachment of her husband) with her assistance in talking points to be used against Obama; and what she has done to damage the Democratic Party. She is one very confused lady who has a selective memory and uses people for her own selfish needs & convenience.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:23 PM on 04/20/2008
- LBM See Profile I'm a Fan of LBM

Hillary hasn't provided the GOP with weapons to use against herself which is what Obama is doing. No one is saying that it's not fair to bring it up. They're saying it's hypocritical of Obama to claim that he is above it all and then to stoop lower than anyone has. If he wants to play the dirty game of old politics, then he needs to own up to the fact that he brings nothing new and different to the game. If he's not bringing change and he's not bringing experience, then he's empty.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:23 AM on 04/21/2008
- ljsfolly See Profile I'm a Fan of ljsfolly

LBM you have your delusions and I have my facts. One small piece of your first sentence makes perfect sense...... "Hillary hasn't provided the GOP with weapons to use againest herself". She has endorsed McCain and she continues to freely give soundbites to the republican about how if she cannot win then Mac should over Obama. Se hasn't really changed from her republican days, she just put more stage make up on the stripes. I am truly sorry for your loss...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:11 AM on 04/21/2008
- Ping See Profile I'm a Fan of Ping

But she's a LIAR.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:06 AM on 04/21/2008
- SMP See Profile I'm a Fan of SMP

moral conflicts


But over the past few months, her presidential campaign has taken its apparent embrace of former media adversaries to a new level, sending reporters articles that praise Clinton and attack Barack Obama drawn from conservative outlets including the National Review and the American Spectator, and quotes from Republican pundits like Ed Rollins and Grover Norquist.

And former President Bill Clinton made an appearance on talker Rush Limbaugh's show the day of the Texas and Ohio primaries - contests in which the conservative radio host had urged listeners to vote for Hillary Clinton as a means of sabotaging the Democratic nominating process.

be prepared for more....

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:22 PM on 04/20/2008
- EarsOfTheNation See Profile I'm a Fan of EarsOfTheNation

I am an Obama supporter....I have respected him for taking the high road through this campaign and especially in the debates. Let's face it - for all the mud-slinging, innuendos and "kitchen sink" the Clinton's have thrown at him, he hasn't retaliated. And he could. The baggage Hillary brings with her could be brought up constantly...but it isn't. The "unknowns" are probably scarier that the "knowns" !!

Believe me; should she have the nomination, the GOP will not hesitate to slaughter her !!!

That said, the way these politicians let their surrogates go off, and then disagree with the statement, or "distance" themselves from the remark, is too funny !! Politics, I suppose...but they both do it !!! It's like the prosecutor in a court case making an outrageous remark, and the judge says: "strike it from the records...the jury will disregard that remark !!" Once someone has heard it, that's it folks...done deal !!!

Like I said: politics, I suppose...I just wish that part of it would stop !!!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:29 PM on 04/20/2008
- benwha See Profile I'm a Fan of benwha

Again I ask. This is coming from a general. And I think we should consider that when criticizing his remarks. Especially considering HRC made light of it on Leno.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:35 PM on 04/20/2008
- MoreCowBellNowPlease See Profile I'm a Fan of MoreCowBellNowPlease

how on Earth can Obama with a straight face decry these "distractions" when his campaign that very same day organized a conference call to harp on Clinton's Bosnia-sniper-fire gaffe?

He is politics as usual too and liar about denying he isn't. Yawn.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:11 PM on 04/20/2008
- benwha See Profile I'm a Fan of benwha

The point of the conference call was not this issue. Nice try.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:18 PM on 04/20/2008
- MoreCowBellNowPlease See Profile I'm a Fan of MoreCowBellNowPlease

Whatever you need to tell yourself. You are but another blind follower.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:17 PM on 04/20/2008
- MoreCowBellNowPlease See Profile I'm a Fan of MoreCowBellNowPlease

You know what benwha. I have come across you before on here with your poor debating skills. "Nice try" does not work as a rebuttle. If you are going to refute--use back-up or shut up.

http://2008central.net/2008/04/19/obama-campaign-sen-clintons-remarks-on-bosnia-were-a-breach-of-honor/

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:46 PM on 04/20/2008
- benwha See Profile I'm a Fan of benwha

Fair enough. from what i read i didn't get that impression. sorry

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:49 PM on 04/20/2008
- SaddieMcCall See Profile I'm a Fan of SaddieMcCall

So Generals are not permitted to express their opinions about Presidential candidates joking about dodging sniper fire when the person never did? Wow, that is sad that freedom of speech is not permitted for retired Generals, just because it "hurts my feelings" Clinton is offended.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:43 PM on 04/20/2008
- linquistic See Profile I'm a Fan of linquistic

Maybe he should have made an advertisement about her Bosnia gaffe the way she made an advertisement and exploited his "bitter" comment. There's alot on Hillary that Obama could exploit but he's trying to run a different campaign. He also isn't trying to write the republican play book the way Hillary is.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:36 PM on 04/20/2008
- mesuki See Profile I'm a Fan of mesuki

The articles from Slate always tend to lean towards Hillary anyway so I'm not surprised by this one. For Obama to haven gotten as far as he has says agreat deal about his strenght. He's had alot of people trying to knock him dorwn along the way ,and that bull shit about the media giving him a pass is one of the biggest lies I've ever heard. He's a strong man!...he's had to fight Hillary,McCain,right wing extremist,right wing media,bigots the list goes on and on. .......Yet he's still standing stonger than ever!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:40 PM on 04/20/2008
- benwha See Profile I'm a Fan of benwha

Barack did not endorse these remarks. In any event, I can buy a general who has been in battle and seen friends die, maimed or whatever being insulted when HRC claims she came under sniper fire when in fact she didn't. Perhaps he shouldn't say she doesn't have the right to hang the wreath but being offended is ok. HRC supporters, would you not agree?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:30 PM on 04/20/2008
- PrdAmerican See Profile I'm a Fan of PrdAmerican

While I haven't supported Clinton, a few of my closest friends have, but their support eroded when she was on the Jay Leno sho and started cracking jokes about sniper fire...to say the least, these women were beyond offended, especially since we know that American lives have been lost to sniper fire in Afghanistan and Iraq. One woman has a son in the Marines who is Marine Sniper...the irony huh.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:51 PM on 04/20/2008
- ANYDEM See Profile I'm a Fan of ANYDEM

I am one of her supporters... I was ashamed of her telling that story... and it doesn't take a General to be offended, it takes a service member... My husband is a Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps and he was utterly offened... he said you just don't make light of a situation that they are faced with daily and then instead of apologizing, you make light of it by coming up with ridiculous excuses!!
He says he will never ever support her....

I can't go that far... I was ashamed but I still support her!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:36 PM on 04/20/2008
- vsign See Profile I'm a Fan of vsign

The press reports from this Bosnia trip recount reports of sniper fire and drills of what they should do etc.

I admire Hillary still for being in dangerous war zone situations and I compare it to Obama's experience.

She has admitted she exaggerated and apologized. I like that in a President.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:35 PM on 04/21/2008
- johnnygoodwud See Profile I'm a Fan of johnnygoodwud

hmmm, taking the 'O' train out for a maiden voyage around the block. memo to barack, 'we'll need alot more cars added right after pa. primary for all the superdelegetes getting on board. tickets, tickets please.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:27 PM on 04/20/2008
- hwebb54 See Profile I'm a Fan of hwebb54

Obama can comment all he wants to on her Bosnia story but to say she is not worthy of laying a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier? Anyone who thinks that is ok needs to have their head checked. That is as big a personal attack as you are going to get. Obama is a phony.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:02 PM on 04/20/2008
- SLone08 See Profile I'm a Fan of SLone08

Obama didn't say that. If you actually read the article, General Stewert said that.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:20 PM on 04/20/2008
- RobinL See Profile I'm a Fan of RobinL


These people couldn't care less who said what, or in what actual context the remark was made, or if it was even said at all. They're Hillary supporters, remember?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:44 PM on 04/20/2008
- GuyInNC See Profile I'm a Fan of GuyInNC

this general is an Obama surrogate and the comment was made on an Obama campaign conference call.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:35 PM on 04/20/2008
- Tejano1 See Profile I'm a Fan of Tejano1

obama didn't say it. a general said it. he's not some guy in nc. he's got the right. he's earned it.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:11 PM on 04/20/2008
- hwebb54 See Profile I'm a Fan of hwebb54

Talk about personal attacks. This is the kind of thing that the media ignores usually. They keep letting Obama say that he is this new kind of politician but then he does something like this on conference calls. He is as fake as they come.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:59 PM on 04/20/2008
- vsign See Profile I'm a Fan of vsign

hwebb54

I wish the media felt more of a civic duty to ask the questions all the voters have. The media seems to be influenced to the greatest extent by internet users. 93% of internet users are below the age of 30.

I don't think they do their civic duty to the rest of us.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:42 PM on 04/21/2008
- CLEDUC See Profile I'm a Fan of CLEDUC

Again, Obama didn't say it. A General with his campaign did. Sen Casey on behalf of the Obama campaign disagreed with and disowned the General's remark. However, as some have mentioned, its bad enough that she lied about the sniper fire but when she goes on Leno and jokes about it, it's understandable how some in the military might not be able to hold their tongues.

Hillary stealing credit for starting the women's Irish peace effort from a now deceased Irish heroine, Joyce McCartan, who Hillary met and honored and who had lost 18 members of her family in that struggle, struck me as even more despicable and blatant than Bosnia. Another one the media took a pass on in terms of stealing credit from a dead woman who cannot speak..

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:28 PM on 04/20/2008
- RobinL See Profile I'm a Fan of RobinL


What'd I just tell you?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:44 PM on 04/20/2008
- Tejano1 See Profile I'm a Fan of Tejano1

fake like what? like telling some bogus lie to make yourself look tough, like you dodged sniper fire, when really you're a loser and a liar, shilling for president. fake like that?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:13 PM on 04/20/2008
- WaynesWhirled See Profile I'm a Fan of WaynesWhirled

Fake like Obama telling lies about his Rezko connection only adding up to a few hours of legal work? Or fake like Obama telling lies about his position on NAFTA? Or fake like Obama telling lies about not hearing his racist reverend give anti-american sermons during the twenty years he attended a seperatist church? Or fake like Obama telling lies about not bringing up Bosnia.

Why don't any of those LIES bother you hypocrites?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:17 AM on 04/21/2008
- jj See Profile I'm a Fan of jj


Pointing out that Hillary LIED about dodging sniper fire is 'hypocritical negative campaigning' by Obama?

Her whining is the ULTIMATE HYPOCRISY. The GOP would eat her alive with this, NAFTA, Columbia Trade, and every other ugly skeleton that Obama's team has handled with kid gloves.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:41 PM on 04/20/2008
- benwha See Profile I'm a Fan of benwha

My proof that Obama has been easy on HRC is not bringing up Paul.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:32 PM on 04/20/2008
- cambio See Profile I'm a Fan of cambio

The Bosnia lies are actually a legitimate campaign issue because it goes to the heart of two things: Hillary's character and Hillary's claims to superior experience. It shows she has no problem lying, and when she gets caught in a lie, she'll disparage those who catch her in that lie, until she is caught on video and exposed. Secondly, this was a large part of her foreign policy experience claims, so if those claims are false, so it a large part of her campaign. So I'd say it is legit, unlike bullshit like "Are you more patriotic than Rev. Wright?" and "Are you a terrorist lover because you were introduced to a 60s radical?"

I'm not suggesting that Hillary be attacked because Bill pardoned a couple of the members of the same radical group. THAT is the difference, and I'm shocked that so many people seem to be missing that not-so-subtle point.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:36 PM on 04/20/2008
- vsign See Profile I'm a Fan of vsign

I believe Obama's political ideas were shaped with Rev Wright and Bill Ayers. This is the cream of the political hotbed where Obama started his political career in Chicago and the political community that backs his whole candidancy - the AA community and the far left community. Obama won't separate himself from them because of how they shaped him and his thinking.

We have a right t