Clinton Owes Obama An Apology
I've had it with the Clintons.
The past few months I've tried to defend Bill and Hillary Clinton against some of the more unreasonable attacks from their critics. Just last weekend on CNN's Ballot Bowl, I defended Bill Clinton when critics accused of him of questioning Barack Obama's patriotism. The critics may have misinterpreted Clinton's remarks, I said, giving the former president the benefit of the doubt.
I've also defended Barack Obama in recent weeks against unreasonable charges directed at him because of his association with his church and his pastor. It seems obvious to me that Barack Obama loves his country and is not an anti-white bigot.
Maybe I'm too close to the two Democrats to be against either one. I went to law school with Barack Obama and worked in the Clinton White House, so I have connections and allegiances to both candidates. That's why I've never understood the rabid Hillary haters or the angry Obama opponents. To me, all three candidates -- including John McCain -- are good and decent Americans who have served their country with distinction.
I wish Hillary Clinton would acknowledge that fact too. In the past few weeks, I've been increasingly disturbed by the gratuitously negative tone of the Clinton campaign.
First, during an interview with 60 Minutes host Steve Croft, Sen. Clinton cleverly stoked the rumors that Obama might be a closet Muslim. "No, there is nothing to base that on," she told Croft. But then she slyly added, "As far as I know."
Next, she all but endorsed McCain over Obama for president. "I have a lifetime of experience that I will bring to the White House," she said. "I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience that he will bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002."
Then came the Jeremiah Wright story. Based on the previous tactics used by her campaign, I did not expect Clinton to say much of anything about the Wright story. As Napoleon Bonaparte famously said, "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." And after all, the Clintons have relied on the support of controversial black pastors, include Rev. Jeremiah Wright, to save their own hides several times in the past.
But as time went by, and the Wright story lingered on, it seemed Clinton was perfectly willing to let the uninformed public get the misimpression that Barack Obama is moonlighting as an anti-American black nationalist racist. She knows better, and she ought to be ashamed for not speaking up on his behalf.
Just last month, in one of the many near-death experiences that forced her into a moment of vulnerable humility, Senator Clinton told a debate audience in Austin, Texas that she was proud to sit beside Barack Obama. "No matter what happens in this contest -- and I am honored. I am honored to be here with Barack Obama. I am absolutely honored," she said to applause. For a moment, it seemed the Democratic contest might become civil but competitive. For a moment.
Then on Tuesday of this week, apparently dissatisfied that the Jeremiah Wright story had failed to derail Obama's campaign, Clinton broke her silence on the issue and told a newspaper in Pennsylvania (188 delegates) that Rev. Wright "would not have been my pastor."
She repeated her criticism at a press conference later in the day. "You know, we don't have a choice when it comes to our relatives. We have a choice when it comes to our pastors and the churches we attend," she said.
She ought to be ashamed. A month ago she stoked the fears that Obama might be a Muslim and now she plays on the fears of Pennsylvanians that the Illinois senator is a radical black Christian. I would expect that kind of nonsensical fear mongering from a Republican, but I'm disappointed when it comes from a fellow Democrat.
Even John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has acknowledged that Clinton and Obama are both honorable Americans. When a conservative radio host attacked Obama at a Cincinnati McCain rally last month, the Arizona senator stood up for his Democratic opponents and apologized for the attack. "I have repeatedly stated my respect for Senator Obama and Senator Clinton," he said and promised to "treat them with respect." That was much classier than Hillary Clinton's comments on Jeremiah Wright.
As a New Yorker, I have been proud of Hillary Clinton's service in the Senate, and I harbor no ill will toward her. If she somehow manages to wrangle the nomination from Obama, I will actively support her general election campaign. But I cannot remain silent any longer while my own senator destroys the Democratic Party, and her own reputation, in a desperate and degrading effort to appeal to the lowest common denominator.
It's time for Senator Clinton to act like a leader that I know she can be. Hilary Clinton not only needs to defend Barack Obama, she needs to apologize to him.
Follow Keith Boykin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/keithboykin
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For a person who knows the Clintons for a long time, it is a wonder that only now you found her act repulsive. It is more understandable if it is the lowest -common- denominator-person not to see that the Clintons are a severely flawed character to be president again but for a well-informed person to not see it is incomprehensive. I often wonder about the Clintons' machine's power but lately when people who came out to support Obama and talked nicely about the Clintons as if they owe them loyalty , I have to believe now of their power.
OBAMA HAS "HOODWINKED" AMERICA, WITH HIS LIES, HIS ANTI- AMERICAN FRIENDS, MANIPULATION AND BLACKMAIL.
OBAMA HAS "HOODWINKED" THE GOOD PEOPLE OF CHICAGO! ASK YOURSELF, WHY OBAMA DID NOT USE HIS INFLUENCE AND POSITION , TO STOP REZCO'S SLUM LORD PRACTICE? HE CHOOSE RATHER TO TURN HIS HEAD IN EXCHANGE FOR REZCO'S HELP TO PUT HIMSELF(AND MICHELLE) INTO A MANSION.( LET US NOT FORGET REZCO RAISED OVER THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR OBAMA .
HAS THE PRESS AND MEDIA BEEN "HOODWINKED" ? SEEMS SO, WITH MORE OBAMA PROPAGANDA. IF NOT "HOODWINKED"? PERHAPS WE NOW SEE HOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO BUY ENOUGH AD SPACE, TO PERSUAD MEDIA OUTLETS TO TURN THEIR HEADS WHILE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA GETS "HOODWINKED"
OBAMA BLOCKED RE-DO'S IN FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN HE "HOODWINKED" THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THOSE TWO STATES AND HE WILL "HOODWINK" YOU IF YOU LET HIM.
OBAMA "I NEVER HEARD ANY OF THOSE COMMENTS BY MY FRIEND AND PASTOR JEREMIAH WRIGHT," IN 20 YEARS "HOOWINKED"
OBAMA "THERE WAS NO MEETING WITH CANADA,OPPS "HOODWINKED"
OBAMA "I DO NOT AGREE WITH MY ANTI-AMERICAN FRIEND WILLIAM AYERS,(AYERS DECLARED WAR ON THE UNITED STATES AND PLOTED TO OVER THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT) YEA "HOODWINKED"
OBAMA " I ATTENDED TRINITY FOR TWENTY YEARS ,AND I DID NOT KNOW THAT JEREMIAH WRIGHT GAVE LOUISE FARRAKHAN A LIFE TIME ACHIEVMENT AWARD "HOODWINKED".
"FACTS ,FICTION ,MEMOIRS AND MYTHS OF A HOODWINKER" YET TO BE PUBLISHED, BOOK THREE IN THE OBAMA SERIES.
WHEN YOU THINK "OBAMA" THINK "HOODWINKED"
I'm thinking your post reads like a ransom note.
Well said.
Keith,
You say of Hillary... "She ought to be ashamed.".
People often project noble motivations toward their house pets... when their motivation is clearly digestive.
I hate to suggest that you are a dreamer... but to expect a crocodilian to conform to your emotional perspective is a bit silly. I love a dreamer... but reality must take precedent when dealing with exterior reptilian forces.
You are putting into words, exactly what many Democrats are thinking. Almost every Democrat I know has been disappointed in the Clintons. Even my Australian friends who are following these elections, are mad at the Clintons. They have revealed themselves to be nasty, lying politicians, who would denigrate a fellow Democrat, and endorse a republican rival, JUST TO WIN. The fact that Obama has so far survived their kitchen sink politics, is a miracle. I was a big admirer of the Clintons, bought their books, and defended them against the republicans, but no more. They have used Rovian tactics and republican like qualities to their badly run campaign. As a woman, I do not want one like Hillary to be our President. She is a disgrace to all women. I do not want a President who boldly lies before she even becomes a President.
With her long list of baggage, and her unbelievable high negatives, we Democrats would be morons to elect someone like her to be our nominee. The Republicans just cannot wait to attack her.
I was thinking the same of the Obama's.
Me, too...I wonder how many of his supporters are now sick of the HS debate speeches and sly little asides.
I guess you don't know many democrats, because millions have voted for her,and millions more will.
And many of them that have already voted probably have the "buyer's remorse" that Hillary projected onto Obama supporters.
Just like Larry David, who voted for Clinton in California but now believes she would be a disaster in the WH, I am sure that many Clinton supporters are embarrassed that their candidate all but endored McCain over Obama, implicitly questioned whether or not he was a muslim, and can no longer forgiven her and her husband for their race baiting.
You are so right. The problem with those who follow Hillary do not think.The Republicans and their attack machines, are pulling out all the old files of dirt they used when the congress spent 41 million taxpayer dollars against the former President . Any one with any insight can see they want to fight Hillary, and that is not good for the party or the country bringing up all of that trash again. With all the country is going through now, that is the last thing needed in the General election. So Hillary does have way to much baggage to win in November.
You speak truth to power Keith. And you are so right: Hillary did endorse John McCain. For all of her slander and smear she owes Obama and the Amerian people an apology.
She certainly did not endorse John McCain, and she certainly does not owe anybody an apology. Could you elaborate upon the "slander and smear" that you ascribe to her? Or is it just made up like your "Hillary did endorse John McCain" fantasy?
The only .........F
What I find interesting about articles and posts like these is that many Americans could see years ago that Hillary and Bill are sleazy, disrespectful, and just plain power hungery. That is why she won't give up and is also why she and Bill use such nasty tactics during the campaign. Her true colors shine today more than ever. It is also apparent that the Clintons are has-beens from an era gone by. The infighting is very entertaining to us Republicans and embolden us to get behind McCain for an easy win in November. History will not treat the Democratic soap opera kindly.
http://mta
Mike
this passes as analysis? obama not only endorsed but CAMPAIGNED FOR joseph lieberman, the most hawkish of all senators, who wants to bomb iran! obama is the hypocrite. he should drop out of the race if the democrats are to have any chance of winning the 2008 election. to blame hillary for the repugnant views of rev. wright, as boykin does, is beyond the pale. rev. wright's speech is HATE speech. HE'S the racist.
What would Jesus' opinion of the United States be? Does anyone believe Jesus would look at the United States through republican eyes, or, even democratic eyes? What does anyone in here think Jesus' opinion would be about slavery, oppression of women, oppression of minorities? Does anyone in here believe that Jesus would think that the capitalist value system is the right road to follow to obtain salvation? Does anyone believe that Jesus would agree with the Catholic Church and its prosecution of the Inquisition? Does anyone believe that Jesus Christ would have agreed with Pope Urban II that slavery was alright? Does anyone believe that Jesus Christ would have agreed with the Catholic Church in its handling of sexual molestation and rape of children by its priesthood? Does anyone believe that Jesus Christ would have agreed with other priests, bishops and even the Pope not doing anything to "Protect his little ones?"
How come there was not an exit in the membership from the Catholic Church over the rape of children by its priests? This Reverend Wright thing is no longer about Obama. It is typical white racism at its best here in the old U.S. of A. When white folk show the same offense when their churches insult someone, they can speak about someone else. I'll believe racism has stopped when white Catholics leave the Catholic Church over the rape issue. Until then they don't have the moral footing to stand on to say anything about anyone.
It is hard to argue with the points you make here. From that perspective among others, I canoot understand how BHO could have stated in his recent appearance on "The View" that if Rev. Wright had not resigneas pastor, he would left Trinity United Church of Christ, knowing what he knows now, etc.. I thought BHO was a man of conviction but he is acting like any othre politician at this point. Hope he reads your comments.
In fact, when the truth comes out, it will be shown that Obama is no phenomenon but simply the secret front man of the Kennedy political machine which has backed him for several years as their strategy to stop Hillary from winning the nomination.
The Obama campaign has been a fraud from day one. OBAMA IS THE KENNEDY CANDIDATE and the sooner the public knows that the sooner this race can be decided on what it really is: A STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BETWEEN KENNEDY AND HIS ALLIES AGAINST THE CLINTONS AND THEIR ALLIES. The disitinction is that the Clintons would have worked together with the Kennedy people, but Kennedy decided to blind-side the Clintons and turn this into a winner take all battle.
If the Democrats go down in Nov, you can blame Ted Kennedy just as he did the same thing to Jimmy Carter in 1980. It is just a matter of time before the story becomes obvious to the MSM and public at which point the campaign will reset from a completely new perspective.
Here's another reminder of Obama's lovely wife Michelle from last summer as well:
"Responding to reports this week that Michelle Obama had attacked the Clintons’ marriage, Axelrod only said that the story was “nonsense. This was not about Hillary Clinton,” Axelrod said about Michelle Obama’s remarks. At a campaign stop, she had stated that if one can’t run his or her own house then one also cannot run the white House. This was perceived by some as a commentary on the Clintons’ marital woes."
The real question is love Love relationship between the clintons and re.manning
youtube rev.mannin
Give us all a break. From the beginning Obama has campaigned on the basis that Obama wouldn't have to carry all the Clinton baggage from the 90s meaning the Republican attacks. Here's a reminder from David Axelrod from last summer:
http://the
A top adviser for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said Friday that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), the front-runner for her party’s presidential nomination, is obsessed “with what she calls the Republican attack machine. I think we need a candidate who is obsessed with unifying this country again,” said Obama adviser David Axelrod. He added that Obama could break “the sort of decades-long battle we’ve had over this jagged divide — red state, blue state, American against American — and try to bring people together and attract disaffected Republicans and attract independent voters so that we could build not just a victory, but a governing coalition in this country.”
Obama has been slinging sleaze from Day one.
Prove it.
NO matter what either of the Clintons might say Obama supporters, like Obama, will seek to find the worst possible meaning. And will distort whatever is said to be an insult to Obama, even when whatever has been said is truthful.
Wrights speech is good.
http://fau
Obama's speech is great:
http://www
Please keep your opinion to yourself if you have not listened to both speeches.
Obama as a UNITER has no choice but to DENOUNCE the hateful words spoken by his PASTOR but ..........
OBAMA ABSOLUTELY CANNOT LEAVE THE PASTOR WHO BROUGHT HIM TO JESUS.
How UNCHRISTIAN are those who would want him to leave his church.!!!
HILLARY SPOKE LIKE A POLITICIAN NOT A CHRISTIAN.
JESUS LOVES EVERYONE..
Her comment that you do not choose your family is not totally true, you choose your spouse. She chose Bill (they were married the year she claims to have tried to join the marines another lie to impress an audience). Many women would say that they would not stay with a man that cheated on them so many times, but she did. That should give her an understanding of forgiving someone you love like "family". Isn't her staff suppose to get this kind of irony out before she opens her mouth and inserts her foot. I give this 4 duhs on my duh meter (4 is the most)
I couldn't agree more. I see the Clintons going down a path that has no way to get home.
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