Hillary Crossed the Line

It may be true that an untidy cat box could beat sad sack John McCain this year.

But.

Senator Clinton, please shut up.

Every charge you angrily hurl at Barack Obama gives the Republicans a talking point.

On yesterday's 60 Minutes, you crossed an unforgivable line:

"You don't believe that Senator Obama's a Muslim?" Steve Kroft asked her.

"Of course not. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that," she replied.

"You said you'd take Senator Obama at his word that he's not...a Muslim. You don't believe that he's...," Kroft said.

"No. No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know," she said.

As far as I KNOW? What if the situation were reversed?

"Sen Obama, What about those smears that Hillary Clinton is a lesbian who likes to skinny dip with her Iranian 'assistant...' and 'gal pal.' What do you think about those rumors?"

"She is a heterosexual happily married to former President Bill Clinton, as far as I know," Obama responds.

Who are you, Senator Clinton?

You are doing exactly what the Republicans do when they campaign.

Comments

[mickeyrat]

This really is a crybaby complaint on the blogger's part. Exactly what is Hillary supposed to say? "I happen to know, and will swear on a Bible, cross my heart hope to die stick a needle in my eye, that Obama is not a Muslim"?????

This is what she said,

"Of course not. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that,"

That's not categorical enough for folks?

I'm telling you, you people are beginning to make me feel sorry for Hillary, and I've been arguing against her candidacy for a year. You have to be careful, guys, at some point you're gonna create a backlash against your own candidate by your insistence that anything less than groveling to him is smearing him.

[jrw34]

With her 60 minutes comment and her saying that only she and John McCain had experience why Barack Obama had a speech was it. The democratic candidate will go down in flames with this type of party member. I guess she feels that if she doesn't win it would be more important to continue tax cuts for the rich, a war in Iraq for 100 years, ultra conservatives on the Supreme Court. If real leaders in the party (i.e. Al Gore, John Edwards, Nancy Pelosi, Bill Richardson, etc. don't get this stopped...there is little hope we won't be done before we get started on John McCain" Even Romney was more graceful than Hillary. Rush Limbaugh is loving it. McCain and Clinton taking down Obama... Dirty, dirty, dirty...

[RobtBrock]

After reading all the posts on this subject I have come to the conclusion that Barack Obama is, indeed, a Muslim. He must be hiding something. That's it...he is hiding something.

[candlewax]

Lies are rewarded with more lies.

[FdeBear]

Bull crap. I'm from Chicago and have attended his church. I've had more experience with him than you. The question that needs to be asked is what is McCain hiding about his military heroics and his pandering. So what if he were a Muslim - so damn what? It's obvious you know nothing about Islam. I can conclude from your comment that you don't know any Muslims. You are just looking for a convenient way to justify your hate and you think everybody is as empty headed and bigoted as you. Get a real like - not one based on conjecture and lazy thinking.

[sufi0828]

"As far as I know"

Don't see much wrong with this.

We assume every utterance by every politician is planned, everything programed. Wrong. This sounds like a conversational device. At worse, a lawyer talking. In the context of the total statement, it's the only thing that isn't unequivocal. But it's clearly an aside, unintended for anything.

It's petty to attack this.

[ordinaryguy]

read my mind too

[MRINSPIRED]

If that is crossing the line then what about Clinton implying McCain would be a better president than Obama (he has a lifetime of experience all Obama has is a speech!!!???). Please, people of Texas and Ohio... put this woman, and by extension all peaceful, right minded decent folk, out of our misery. ENOUGH ALREADY!!

[candlewax]

If the shoe were on the other foot regarding squrrilous rumours:

Do you believe Hillary Clinton had anything to do with the death of Vince Foster? Well, of course not, as far as I know.

Do you think the Clinton marriage is more political than personal? Well of course not, as far as I know.

This is sick. She could have easily said no, of course not but she had to put in the little dig at the end, to keep the issue open. I have no doubt at this point where that email hoax originated from and I judge that by her answers to Steve Kroft's simple questions.

[apishapa]

Oh give me a break. Obama makes dozens of sexist remarks and it is fine. If Hillary is not completely supportive of Obama she has "Crossed the line". She did say that she believed Obama when he says eh is not a muslim. The interviewer would not let it go. He is the person you all should be raging at. The interviewer kept peteriong Hillary. The question was stupid and he should be fired for asking it in the first place. First what does it matter what religion anyone is? Second, he was trying to get this exact reaction becausehe knew that no matter how Hillary answered, no matter what Hllary says Obamadriods find it racist.

Hillary said she believed Obama. Give it up. You are fine with Obama and his snide "she gets her claws out" and his "she gets a little down" code for she has PMS. THat's okay, because that is just putting down a woman. This is more of the same. Hillary should be supportive of the man.

[authoritarianbootlicker]

If Obama would have said things like "Sea change" for African Americans, or, "Vote for me because I'm black" and lined up a few behind him like he would have been called a racist. Clinton can line up famous women behind her and say it's time for a woman in the whitehouse and all is ok? Screw you chump.

BTW, Hillary doesn't give a DAMN about you.

[factanonverba]

More false outrage from the cult of Obama. She didn't say it right. Why doesn't she love him?

The gloves are off. I hate Obama. He is a sexist and his misogynistic remarks will bite in the ass. And the anti-gay bs he pulled in Beaumont. Shame on you Barack Obama. Shame on you.

[candlewax]

Just because he's popular, doesn't mean it's a cult. On the other hand, the cult of Clinton seems to have reared its ugly head as everything sick thing she does and gets away with is rationalized away by the Clinton Cult Club.

[jpopphan]

Um, there is no "cult of Obama". That is another right-wing talking point that you guys have picked up. Shame on YOU for repeating it. We're not a bunch of kool-aid drinking automatons; we're ready for real change that only a person like Barack Hussein Obama can bring.

Hate Obama all you want, but most of the rest of us don't. In fact, we see him as the only real choice for change in this election. THAT is why he's winning primary after primary. THAT is why he will be the nominee. THAT is why he will stomp the crap out of Old Man McCain in November.

I am a gay man and yes, I had a problem with Obama's event in South Carolina where he allowed a homophobic bigot to dominate the event. For a long time I was furious with him and threw my support to a different candidate. Since then, I have heard Obama speak quite eloquently about the problem that the black community has with homosexuality - and has strongly chastised them for it. I believe that Obama will be a president that serves all of us, not just his friends and allies.

I have opposed Hillary Clinton's campaign from the start. She's the wrong candidate at the wrong time and really has no business running for the nomination. You think that the GOP will have fun with Obama? Hell, you ain't seen nothing if you think that HRC will go through to November without every anti-Clinton propaganda device developed over the past 20 years being thrown at her? The GOP has worked long and hard to create a knee-jerk reaction in their base against the Clintons, and many GOPers would rather slit their own throats and vote for McCain than to allow another Clinton to take the White House.

Hillary Clinton has done a great job as a senator from New York and that is where she should stay. At a time when our nation is so divided we need someone who can bridge the gap between us. That person is not Hillary Clinton. That person is not John McCain.

Obama is the only real choice we have to put progressive policies into action. He's the best choice in this election, and he's the man for the job. Even if you hate Obama now, I hope that you will come out to vote for him in November.

[candlewax]

I'm beginning to think "right wing" and Clinton are the same thing. Rush Limbaugh is now urging republicans to vote for Hillary...

[SFreeborn]

Hillary Clinton is a Yale Law School graduate. She knows how to declaratively say "NO" to something like that. She knows how to stand for the value of clear speechabsent baseless innuendo.

She publicly stands for low integrity in this case. I can't imagine wanting a job that I was willing to sell my integrity and the value of my own word for the way she has in this race. It is not an example I would want our children and grandchildren to follow. Surely her "Christian" values as taught to Methodists would have her understand the value of sticking up for those people who racists, bigots and xenophobes wish to smear, malign & abuse; even if they are candidates who threaten to win an offices that we want for ourselves. But she didn't because she is completely over the edge and has lost her way. She needs to go back to church camp and relearn the tenets as shown in "Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." What a creep!

[candlewax]

Bingo! Right on the money. She is smart and knows how to argue the case. Therefore, the "as far as I know" proves to be just what it is, a qualifier, a method to keep the discussion open.

[lanny6]

"Low integrity". That says it all.
The large majority of citizens in this country have been force fed a large, heaping helping of low integrity for quite a long time.
It's made them ill.

[EagleScreams]

watch the interaction, she was not implying anything. keep the fighting going will you, for whatever your purpose is?? i watched the whole thing and he was trying to bait her. you must be that fish. she vehemently gave a honest answer.

[AnotherTry]

When will we all admit that the guy is just not ready for the big people's table? You guys are embarrassing the party. I hope you lose big today.

[davidly]

Whose table?

[AjicNYC]

I think this is worth seeing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbkhzsTwz_g

[ResidentChimp]

There's no one here on HuffPo that knows whether Obama is a Muslim or not. We take his word for it. His Claim to be a Christian is also his word. But he should be made to defend his religious anti-white anti-Zionists church and questions about it should be fair game.

[ZombieKiller]

so because Obama's church is a predominantly black church, where they talk about issues affecting the black community...they're now anti-white? you're full of it.

[xufapemu]

Oddly, I received an email today that asserts that HRC is a lesbian. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[zagyzebra]

This is the lamest column I've read in a long time. I'm making mental note of your name and the resolution not to ever waste my time again on your written words.

[Tom D'Antoni - Huffpost Blogger]

And I'm making a note to make sure you never waste your time writing about something that was such a waste of your time to read and then comment upon. You must have a lot of time on your hands waiting for something exciting to happen to you.
Try bowling.

[DCox]

I am an Obama supporter but I thought the question itself was out of bounds. Why should Hillary Clinton or any candidate or elected official be asked about the religious beliefs of someone else? Why is it important for the electorate to know what, if anything, Hillary Clinton et al. believes is true or not true about another person's religious beliefs and practices.

One of my problems with Hillary Clinton, however, is that she should have stepped outside the frame of reference that was being used and condemned the question period. The question was ridiculous but so is her seemingly endless need to qualify and parse her responses to legitimate and illegitimate questions.

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

Out of bounds like the whole Mormon thing?

[candlewax]

Because "someone" put the issue out there with a lying hoax email smear campaign against Obama and it's important to know who is behind it. The question was not out of bounds at all.

[brushfinch]

I totally agree. Supposedly we live in a country where we have religious freedom.
So what if a candidate were to be a Muslim? As long as that person abides by the constitution, and the law ( which our very Christian current President has not done) I do not see this being an issue.I find all these comments about Muslims totally intolerant ,prejudiced., and show a great deal of ignorance about the contributions of Muslim culture to our own western culture:in mathematics,in medicine, in art and science, etc. And as far as the Koran is concerned,it is a holy as the Bible. And if one looks at the tenets of many of the world's religions one will find that they have a lot in common.

[keriheb]

Religious freedom is gone as a philosophy. The neo-cons who only want jurists who are strict constructionist interpretation of the constitution have reinterpreted the constitutional mandate that there is to be no state religion and have made evangelical Christianity the state religion. One caveat is that they must vote for who ever is republican.

[serenegeezer]

Right on.