Clinton vs. Obama: the gloves come off
I do not think Obama should have to apologize for his supporter pointing out what a “reckless guy” Hillary Clinton’s husband Bill was while in the White House. I also think columnist Dowd is right that Hillary is a very “polarizing figure” and we can do better. What do you think?
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The two front-runners in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination traded jabs Wednesday over remarks made by a Hollywood mogul and a powerful South Carolina lawmaker.
Sen. Hillary Clinton’s spokesman called on Illinois Sen. Barack Obama to renounce comments made by Hollywood executive David Geffen that were sharply critical of the New York Democrat and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Geffen is quoted extensively by New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd in Wednesday’s edition disparaging the former president and questioning whether Sen. Clinton can win the presidency in 2008.
Geffen is quoted in the column as saying the former president is a “‘reckless guy’ who ‘gave his enemies a lot of ammunition to hurt him and to distract the country.’” That apparently refers to the former president’s sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
As for Sen. Clinton, Geffen is quoted by Dowd as saying, “Not since the Vietnam War has there been this level of disappointment in the behavior of America throughout the world, and I don’t think that another incredibly polarizing figure, no matter how smart she is and no matter how ambitious she is — and God knows, is there anybody more ambitious than Hillary Clinton? — can bring the country together.”
Geffen’s comments drew a strong rebuke from Sen. Clinton’s spokesman, Howard Wolfson, who immediately called on Obama to repudiate them.
“While Senator Obama was denouncing slash and burn politics yesterday, his campaign’s finance chair was viciously and personally attacking Senator Clinton and her husband,” Wolfson said in a written statement released by the Clinton campaign. “If Senator Obama is indeed sincere about his repeated claims to change the tone of our politics, he should immediately denounce these remarks, remove Mr. Geffen from his campaign and return his money.
“While Democrats should engage in a vigorous debate on the issues, there is no place in our party or our politics for the kind of personal insults made by Senator Obama’s principal fund-raiser,” Wolfson added.
An Obama spokesman flatly refused Wolfson’s request and referred to a remark made earlier this week by South Carolina Democratic state Sen. Robert Ford, who predicted Obama would not win the presidency if nominated because he is black. Obama and Ford are both black and Ford has endorsed Clinton.
“We aren’t going to get in the middle of a disagreement between the Clintons and someone who was once one of their biggest supporters,” Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a written statement. “It is ironic that the Clintons had no problem with David Geffen when (he) was raising them $18 million and sleeping at their invitation in the Lincoln bedroom.
“It is also ironic that Senator Clinton lavished praise on Monday and is fully willing to accept today the support of South Carolina state Sen. Robert Ford, who said if Barack Obama were to win the nomination, he would drag down the rest of the Democratic Party because ‘he’s black,’” Gibbs added.
Geffen, once a close Clinton ally, co-hosted a fund-raiser for Obama last night that reportedly raised more than $1 million.
John Need to add these to CNN`s story:
Once, David Geffen and Bill Clinton were tight as ticks… They fell out in 2000, when Mr. Clinton gave a pardon to Marc Rich after rebuffing Mr. Geffen’s request for one for Leonard Peltier. “Marc Rich getting pardoned? An oil-profiteer expatriate who left the country rather than pay taxes or face justice?” Mr. Geffen says. “Yet another time when the Clintons were unwilling to stand for the things that they genuinely believe in. Everybody in politics lies, but they do it with such ease, it’s troubling.”
She is overproduced and overscripted. “It’s not a very big thing to say, ‘I made a mistake’ on the war, and typical of Hillary Clinton that she can’t,” Mr. Geffen says. “She’s so advised by so many smart advisers who are covering every base. I think that America was better served when the candidates were chosen in smoke-filled rooms.”
Dowd sized up the situation thusly: “Who can pay attention to the Oscar battle between ‘The Queen’ and ‘Dreamgirls’ when you’ve got a political battle between a Queen and a Dreamboy?”
Mike
Wow good story!!!
Do you think Obama should apologize? Hey it was the truth!
John wheres Caroline because it wasnt long ago their was a tiff over the Confederate flag and here I just ran across this while Hillary was in SC:
Each of Clinton’s appearances was aimed at projecting her as the candidate best equipped to deal with the hopes and hardships of black voters. She called on state leaders to remove the Confederate flag from the grounds of the State House here, as have several other Democratic candidates.
Then we have this about Ark.
state flag which you will have to pull up:
The blue star above the word “ARKANSAS” is to commemorate the Confederate States of America. The Act was signed into law in 1987 by her husband, then-Governor Bill Clinton.Arkansas Act 116:
In addition, while she resided in the Arkansas Governor’s mansion for 12 years, her husband was also busy issuing birthday proclamations honoring Confederate leaders Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee.
You know between her and her husband there is a closet full of dirty laundry.I cant keep from banging my head into the wall when I read stuff like this on what some Americans believe is Presidential material.
Mike,
If you think I’m going to defend that kind of stuff you are sorely mistaken. Have you changed your mind about the stars and bars now? Remember W. supported flying the stars and bars in SC.
Caroline, no Im stars and stripes just wanted you to see this. I tried pulling up Ark. Act 116 but had trouble with the link in the story and besides Im no lawyer and would probably get lost in the 1st sentence.
I live in a Hispanic community where theres more Mexican flags then American flags. I have no problem with heritage symbols.It all depends on the individual who flies the flag and what they say it means to them.
Mike states:
“I live in a Hispanic community where theres more Mexican flags then American flags.”
We all will be in Mike’s predictament very soon if we don’t wake up and purge ourselves of the invaders!
But Mike’s situation is an interim one. When the invaders reach critical mass, we will be forced to flee for our lives!
Hillary flip flop Clinton
Hugh I bet you’re a hoot at parties!
Hugh, most of the Hispanic community here is 4th,5th,6th generation.They actually were here before this town became a town. They have pride in their heritage. When you talk with them they are Americans first. There are quite a few from this town that laid down their lives for us during WW2.
Mike, help me understand all the Mexican flags you mentioned? Doesn’t seem to track with being patriotic, especially in this day and time.
Did you read the “Camp of the Saints” review I posted on another thread?
http://www.vdare.com/misc/070220_chaves.htm
Chris, I really do understand the old comment “ignorance is bliss”. Now that I have studied these issues for years, and understand the gravity of it all, I can’t let it go.
Hugh Its the tribe mentality. The need to be different(flying national flags) and yet the same(fly American flags).Just because they fly a Mexican flag on Mexican holidays doesnt mean that on other days they arent flying American flags and sometimes both.Its heritage the way people call themselves IrishAmericans, GermanAmericans etc.Just because they are Hispanic doesnt mean they are illegal immigrants.They see the threat that illegals pose because they have kids who need jobs and see those jobs being farmed out to cheaper illegals. Illegal immigration hurts them as bad as it does us.As far as patriotism they fought in WW1, WW2, Viet Nam and some are in Iraq now. These people love this country and like us complain about it and its politics.
Mike, I do substantially agree with your post #11.
But as the hispanics reach critical mass, and with their higher fertility rates and immigration #’s, they will look around and say, hey, we are going to do it our way, we are going to hire my relatives, we are …we are…
The tribe mentality you mention. And they have a different history and culture and they will want to see that come to the forefront. All human nature. I would do the same were I in their shoes.
Watch this video of the Clinton/Obama feud. It’s fun! http://www.theointment.com/?p=296
Enjoy!
Steve
That’s hilarious.