Hillary's "3AM Experience" Ad vs. Her Lack of a National Security Clearance
Appearing on Sunday morning's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, Senator John Kerry was asked to address the question of Barack Obama's foreign policy crisis experience compared to Hillary Clinton's. This, of course, was prompted by the ad the Clintons are running in Ohio and Texas.
Here are the points he made about what the popular jargon calls the "red phone moments":
1. Hillary Clinton never had to answer the phone on a national security crisis at all.
2. She had her red phone moment on the Iraq War and got it wrong.
3. She had another red phone moment most recently on Iran. (He might have added that 5 years after her disastrous Iraq War Resolution vote, Hillary Clinton voted with Bush/Cheney on an Iran measure that could provide them a pretext for launching war against Iran. Not only was this another failed red phone moment, she seems not to have learned her lesson, or, perhaps may be she did not really mean it when she said she wanted her Iraq vote back.]
4. Barack Obama has more foreign policy experience than Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had before they took office.
Wolf was without a comeback question.
But, there is an even larger question, not about Barack Obama's experience but Hillary's suggestion just by airing this ad is that she has had to answer the red phone in a real foreign policy crisis moment.
How could she? She never even had a national security clearance. Hence, not only could she not have been involved in national security discussions, she could not even have been in the room when they were being considered.
Why was it that Hillary Clinton did not have a national security clearance for the entire time she was in the White House? And, why do the media not ask Senator Clinton about that?
Finally, why does Wolf not ask the Clinton people why they are trying to mislead people about Hillary's red phone experience?
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And HRC just won Rhode Island, Ohio, and Texas. Guess people are seeing through the Obama smoke and mirrors and his fans' vitriolic lies and ludicrous Hillary-bashing after all, eh? Gotta love it.
Are you suggesting that the 11 unanswered wins before were signs that the American public saw thorugh the vitriolic lies and ludicrous Obama bashing? There's a momentary relapse, to be sure, but Hillary just opened a whole net set of questions about concerns about her candidacy and it will be interesting to see if she can handle the blowback from what she's done to win three states (that won't change the delegate count since she's still going to be behind).
You got this wrong. What they're seeing is Hillary's smoke and mirrors!
Good points, and well made.
This Democratic primary process has been quite disgusting and repugnant this election cycle. I find the whole process extremely disheartening, and very undemocratic.
If HRC manages somehow to steal this nomination, I will note vote for either Presidential candidate. If anyone questions why half the country doesn't vote, the negative campaigning, lies, fear mongering, misrepresentation of the facts, and distractions from the issues, are the reasons.
A good article and a good post - and I agree wholeheartedly with all said in both. The ugliness of the entire primary process, the negative campaigning - it is all becoming too much. The political process does not have to be a product of the gutter, but this is what it has become. Should she become the Democratic nominee I think I will also be a nonvoter on the sidelines. I do not believe I would have the heart to vote for McCain or the stomach to vote for her! This makes me sad - and angry!
In turn, if Obama wins the nomination, I will be writing Hillary in on my ballot and voting for her anyway. I refuse to vote for someone as hypocritical, hallow, and inexperienced as him.
hillary wins the uneducated white vote that polls race is important. sounds like these people voting for hillary are ignorant and racist. which explains why they did not question her lies about barak obama.
I'm surprised no wag has produced a parody ad: "It's 3AM - do you know where your husband is?" complete with an image of a woman waking to find the other side of the bed empty.
Maybe the Swift Boaters are saving that one for when Hillary wins the nomination ...
When I first heard about the ad, I pictured Bill saying, "Will you get that, honey?" He rolls over to reveal Monica Lewinsky. Guess I'm not the only one who thought about that.
For Hillary to say she has presidential experience because her husband was president is akin to making the argument that someone is qualified to perform brain surgery because they're married to a doctor. If the argument can be made that one gains experience by association then the White house chef and presidential chauffer are equally qualified to run the country by virtue of their time at 1600 Pennsylvannia Ave.
No kidding -- President Laura Bush anyone? Listen people -- if you are not buying the experience crap-- keep asking the critical questions all over the internet. The mainstream media and Obama himself needs to ask but we can start it. It is a grassroots movement remember? Kid gloves off!!
Good call Java.
We've gotta hit back hard in all web media forums - not just the progressive ones we tend to prefer, but infiltrating the mainstream, writing comments as relentlessly as some of our fellow Obama supporters are making phone calls and knocking on doors.
I'm gonna start by attaching the following links on 'delegate math' to every comment I write, everywhere, that they may hearten Obamans and serve as a reality check for Clintonites.
We really need to try and circulate articles like these (and this one by Paul Abrams) in places where they normally wouldn't be read.
http://www
http://www
JavaCityGal--yes, great idea. Any suggestions for where else on the net?
I really find her claim to some sort of high-level homeland security and foreign policy making experience an insult to our intelligence and a repulsive tactic for a feminist to employ. The other possbility is that she's unwittingly channeling Bill. But she doesn't seem the type to do anything without calculation, including shedding tears.
Interesting analogy. Interesting also, that in fact, Hillary Clinton did the following as First Lady:
- She traveled the globe speaking out against the degradation and abuse of women and stood up for the powerful idea that women's rights are human rights.
- Led efforts to make adoption easier, to expand early learning and child care, to increase funding for breast cancer research, and to help veterans suffering from Gulf War syndrome who had too often been ignored in the past.
- Helped launch a national campaign to prevent teen pregnancy and helped create the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, which moved children from foster care to adoption more quickly. Thanks in part to her efforts, the number of children who have moved out of foster care into adoption has increased dramatically.
- Instrumental in designing and championing the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which has provided millions of children with health insurance.
- Battled the big drug companies to force them to test their drugs for children and to make sure all kids get the immunizations they need through the Vaccines for Children Program. Immunization rates dramatically improved after the program launched.
- Hillary's 1995 book It Takes A Village, about the responsibility we all have to help children succeed, became an international best seller. Hillary has donated the proceeds -- more than a million dollars -- to children's causes across the country.
Gosh, this woman just sounds like a MONSTER!!!
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First I want to congratulate Hilary and her supporters for a very good night tonight. Secondly, I want to say that writng a book and making a speech is not experience, isn't that what is said against Obama? Secondly, forget the ones that she "helped". I'm asking what she has accomplished. When you eliminate those, there are some good things, but is that really all that she's accomplished in 35 years of experience? That's very pretty disappointing, honestly. . Also where is the foreign policy accomplishments? Also, where is her tax returns? Democratic voters want to know.
No, noonbear. She sounds like an active first-lady, which is what she was. She had her causes and faught and spoke on behalf of them. And she has had a legal and business career. Fine. Obama has been an activist too.
I don't think us supporters are arguing that she hasn't had a high profile as a Presidential wife, as a lawyer, as a senator. What we are arguing against is her laying claim, by suggestion, to specific foreign policy making experiences she personally has not had and to being more ready for a national security crisis than her competitor. What specifically would make her more red-phone ready--that her husband was? If she wants to talk about her experience in the light of her role as a first-lady, an activist, a lawyer that's all fine. But I think you and all her supporters know that she implies a great deal more with her "thirty-five years experience
Bravo Paul Abrams. I think it's time to take the gloves off and start strongly asking the important questions that voters need to know to make an informed decision:
1) What experience does Hillary truly have? What accomplishments has she done? What are her foreign policy accomplishments (not endorsements). She put herself on the offense by the 3am ads, she needs to back that up now.
2) Where are her tax returns and why is she hiding them?
3) We need to take another look at the scandals that had previously haunted the White House under the Clintons. At the time, I thought it was just right wing craziness. But know after seeing what she's capable of, I'm really interested in taking another look at Whitewater, Travelgate, Vince Foster etc. Democrats have a right to revisit this in greater detail, because no one wants another White House with constant scandals.
As Democrats, we have a right to know.
Yotzinpol,
Do you REALLY care about the housing deal? Do you REALLY think A Russert hypothetical is a REAL test of judgment?
You know and I know what's REALLY important: nearly a million civilians killed, a country destroyed by invasion, civil war ,and lawlessness, 3,000 of ours slaughtered and countless maimed physically or mentally--all of this needless, all of it cravenly promoted to the public. Hillary needed to read the intelligence report. The speech Obama made that Hillary so facilly dismisses foretold some of the costs of this war on behalf of which she did exert her judgment.. We do not have any other example to match the breadth and the depth of this one.
And after, at least according to what she says now, she realized Bush had misled her and the country, she misjudged again and sided with him on the Iranian guard.
I know she alludes to a host of other world=changing decisions to demonstrate the full range of her wisdom, but I can't think of any other ones she's made, and in one case, the result could rightly be called a holocaust---maybe not for you dear poster, but many, too many others.
A different type of ability is required to make the best decision on short notice. Obviously, experience helps tremendously in sizing up the current situation and measuring benefits and consequences of action or decision.
Obama likes to presume he has the judgment and, hence, doesn't need experience to help him make the correct decision.
In the last debate, Tim Russert asked the candidates what each would do if there is resurgence of Al Qaeda in Iraq after troop withdrawal. Of course, Russert had to ask Hillary first hoping he'll trip her up on it.
However, Hillary is too smart for Russert's caliber and her experience helped her with the best response. She called his question hypothetical. Russert insisted it was real. And she came back to him that's hypothetical and of which it was. And she responded with what her plan is based on the current and real situation in Iraq.
Unfortunately for Obama, he thought that he could one-up Hillary as being the tough guy. So instead of again just saying, that;s right, Hillary is right on this one (makes him look bigger), he went to say that he'll send the troops in to get rid of Al Qaeda.
His lack of judgment and experience was glaring in his response. As McCain has pointed out, Al Qaeda is already in Iraq and Obama was going to pull them out. That didn't square to his macho pronouncement he'll send the troops in to get rid of Al Qaeda. It's lack of judgment when he has to make a decision without the benefit of time.
His lack of judgment has been on display for some time in his relationship with Chicago low-cost housing developer Rezko. He called his decisions and actions there bone-headed. Yes, that means LACK of JUDGMENT. He knew Rezko was under indictment and he went on with the real estate deal and accepted huge campaign donations from him. It's lack of judgment even when he had the time to think about it.
I am tired of the media tearing down the woman candidate. I have stopped watching MSNBC and CNN. Do I have to also stop using AOL?
I absolutely agree. If Obama wins Ohio today, I will lose all faith in the Democratic party and will vote for McCain in November..
So because of the media, you will abandon your party? What is the logic in that thinking. If you don't like the media, why don't you abandon the media. This transference mentality reminds me of the man frustrated on his job goes home and beats his wife kids and the dog.
Actually the media has been completely biased against Obama and yet he is still winning. Obviously you are just against Obama. Understand this, IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO BE AGAINST OBAMA for any reason whatsoever. If you don't like him because he is black just say so, it is alright. You don't have to go into counseling. You won't be sent to detention, and you won't be condemned to hell. However when you lie to yourself regarding your true motives, you destroy your own spirit. Anyone who can count to two can see your logic is non-existent, your ability to rationalize is not there. This country cannot bring itself out of the trouble it is in financially as well as politically with people incapable of thinking. The largest bank in the U.S. CitiGroup is about to go under! Period! And you want more of the same, more of what we have already had? Then you deserve what you get.
lets face it. hillary gets the women vote. thats it.
Hillary Clinton has been involved served on on the Armed services commitee since 2003 and she has Bill by her side, who HAS 8 years of experience with this type of thing. read an intresting quote from SNL's Tina Fey.
"People say that they they are put off because Hillary can't can't control her husband that we could end up with a co-presidency cause that would be terrible, having two intellegent qualified people working together to solve problems." I think that sums it up.
"People say that they they are put off because Hillary can't can't control her husband that we could end up with a co-presidency cause that would be terrible, having two intellegent qualified people working together to solve problems." I think that sums it up.
I strongly disagree. Democrats are voting for a President, not a President and spouse. Bill Clinton cannot have a third term through his wife, that is against the constitution, in case you forget.
Are you basing your vote on a Saturday Night Live skit? That is really frightening.
So tell me - with Hillary being involved on the Armed Services committee since 2003, exactly what has she accomplished on this committee, I'm sure the rest of us readers would like to know.
do you want bill clinton back in the white house? no matter how good his policies were. cant we just move on?
See
www.deeply
This ad is so yesterday on trying to win today. Obama has more experience, stamina and meat and potato type substance to his judgement for being prepared for now and day one.This is more than most of your pres have had in our history. Why are folks still trying to pit Obama against Hil for this call? It appears that Wolf man is playing the race card and they need to find another way to score for Hil. Folks can also go to the Library of Congress website under Thomas to find out that Obama has more actual working experience than Hil, Bill Reagan, Bush etc to begin with out a doubt as Pres now which has prepared Obama for day one. Vote Obama and stop this crazy drama
I guess Hillary left the phone ring non-stop, because she was angry at being the first one to answer. The only thing she is accomplishing with all this non-sense, is handing the election to McCain. If McCain wins, you know who to thank.
LOL Brilliant minds think alike. I have two postings on that theme and I think Obama
camp should make a new 3a.m. ad with a crazy "ready for my close-up" comedienne in it and that phone and that "Im HAPPY to answer it, but...."
This is what Clinton surrogates keep doing. They say Obama lied about calling the Canadian government. The Canadian government was probably concerned about all this rhetoric about NAFTA and Senator Obama probably said the same thing he said at the debates. Senator Obama said trade is good, but it there needs to be more protection for American workers. You can't have entire communities devastated by trade deals. The idea that Senator Obama would say " don't worry about what I said about NAFTA, it was just politcs, is absurd."
The Clinton campaign has nothing but distortions and innuendo to throw at Senator Obama. The Clinton's are the ones who passed this legislation that has been devastating to many communities.
Nearly 30 general and flag officers have endorsed Hillary Clinton to be the Nation’s next President. Senator Clinton has received five endorsements in recent days, including those of General Henry Hugh Shelton, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William Owens, the former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Army Major General Antonio M. Taguba. Overall she has the endorsement of two former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, five admirals and generals at the four-star rank. They are in addition to over 2,000 veterans and military retirees who are members of Senator Clinton’s national and state veterans’ steering committees.
These officers know that they do not want Hil back in the WH. This is just a Cheering on to get to the Nominee. They want Hil to get the Nominee, because this is the only way JMcC can become Pres. These folks know that Hil hasn't a chance with McC who will bring her down to her knees. with the garbage this legacy carries . Please do your own research to learn about whats happened in Am and why folks don't fully trust Bil *& Hil
Retired General Wesley Clark argued over the weekend that John McCain didn’t have the right kind of military experience to be commander and chief. He said Hillary had more relevant experience given her 8 years as first lady traveling the world and 7 years in the senate. Of course John McCain served in the Navy for almost 27 years (including graduating from the Naval Academy, serving as a fighter pilot, a POW for 5 1/2 years, and Navy Liaison to the Senate) and who has served in Congress for 26 years (including 21 years on the Senate Armed Services Committee). Of course he was never married to Bill Clinton.
The problem with Hillary’s commercial is not only that most people will say they want McCain to answer that phone. It is also that it seems that national security is not a major issue for most Democratic primary voters.
Personally, I hope Hillary stays in the race right up until the Convention. Of course, I want John McCain to win.
Bronx,
If you want McCain to win, I can see why you'd like Hillary to stay in the race.
Endorsements are not experience. Endorsements are not judgement. Endorsements are not accomplishments.
Endorsements wouldn't help when she authorized us to end thousands of our miitary to their deaths in an ill conceived war. Endorsements wouldn't help us when she didn't bother to read the NIE report and trusted Bush instead. Why didn't she ask basic questions: what is the proof of WMD-what is the proof of the 9/11 link-what will be trying to achieve in Iraq and what is our exit strategy? Did Hillary ask those questions? I know that I was asking, so for her to not ask is just competence, plain and simple.
I'll ask again, exactly what are Hillary's foreign policy accomplishments? Why can no one answer this? She's the one with the 3am ads, now she needs to back up her empty words with proof.
But who is getting money from the active duty military?
Flag officers are politicians, many of whom earn their status to the Clintons.
The military as a whole have tremendous contempt for the Clintons; if she wins 30 flag O's will not stop the military vote from going to McCain.
JavaCityGal:
Well-put. Russert et al need to ask it:"what are [your] foreign policy accomplishments?"
Unless Hillary was more hands-on during Bill's terms than we know, we'll have to ascertain her potential to make good judgment calls in the same way we judge Obama's--based on the past record. Well, one was against the Iraq war, and one for it. Each demonstrated his/her stance differently as each acted in a different capacity. Doesn't matter--Hillary was for the holocaust that Obama warned against.
If anyone can offer an equally telling example--do so. But I don't think either candidate's judgement has been given a better test.
yea but she is losing the elected delegate. hello.....
While ads may cause someone to think about a person or an issue in a different way, I certainly hope that no one actually makes his/her final decision based on an ad whether it be HRC's phone ad or BO's "Yes We Can" video.
http://str
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) - Barack Obama's senior economic policy adviser privately told Canadian officials to view the debate in Ohio over trade as "political positioning," according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press that was rejected by the adviser and held up Monday as evidence of doublespeak by rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The memo is the first documentation to emerge publicly out of the meeting between the adviser, Austan Goolsbee, and officials with the Canadian consulate in Chicago, but Goolsbee said it misinterprets what he told them. The memo was written by Joseph DeMora, who works for the consulate and attended the meeting.
The Clinton campaign has nothing but distortions and innuendo to throw at Senator Obama. this was a distortion. the canadians expressed support for obamas explanation
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