Clinton responds to Obama

Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007 3:53 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats, 2008

From NBC's Mark Murray

Per the Clinton campaign, Hillary Clinton will deliver her own counterpunch to Obama in an interview to appear on CNN later this afternoon -- and it includes a zinger at Obama's "politics of hope."

She will say, “Well, this is getting kind of silly. I’ve been called a lot of things in my life but I’ve never been called George Bush or Dick Cheney, certainly. We have to ask what’s ever happened to the politics of hope?"

EMAIL THIS

Comments

I don't recall Bill Clinton ever meeting with our enemies. Politics of Hope???? The Clintons??? LOL The power and prestige of the presidency was pretty much destroyed by her husband, I think the same thing will happen in a Hillary administration. When it comes to honor, she is about a base shy of a home run.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 3:59 PM)

Hillary is a Bush Lite. Go Obama!

Cat St. Cloud, Mn (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:01 PM)

Clinton's response is a non-response. Her campaign managers are perplexed by the "Bush-Cheney light" comparison. Hillary Clinton is indeed in a pickle.

Tommy Ates, Austin, TX (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:03 PM)

Oh yeah? bring it on, lay it on..let the chess games begin? Let her go and say that on CNN and she is plotting her own downfall. Is she aware that Romney and McCain agree with her? Talk about a touch from lepers!!!

shamus feng (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:04 PM)

"When it comes to picking their Presidential nominees, Republicans fall in line, and Democrats fall in love." (Bill Clinton)

Who does this favor? Obama.

HRC is panicking, and needs to be, and it shows. How bad is it when you're getting shout-outs on your foreign policy from Mitt Romney - the man who is toeing the Bush/NeoCon line on Iraq, Guantanamo, etc.?

Barack - You know you're doing something right when they start attacking you. Right now, it's coming from all directions. Keep spreading hope, keep showing people that HRC hasn't cornered the market on toughness, and keep reminding Dem voters and the MSM that with all of her "experience", her judgement was poor on perhaps the toughest & most important decision she's ever made - her vote to give Bush the authorization to put our young men & women in Iraq without clear objectives or a plan to bring them home.

The right is terrified of Obama, and so is HRC.

She's flailing, and she's going to stay on the defensive as long as she tries to attack Barack.

JBS, Kansas City, Missouri (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:06 PM)

So Hillary believes in "robust diplomacy", as long as it doesn't involve treating those leaders any different than Bush did. What a crock.

I really don't know why she's giving Obama all this ammo to counterpunch her with; it's such a stupid move, and a mistake she really didn't need to make. What's worse, as bad as this is for the primary, it even hurts her further in the general; quite simply, the vast majority of Americans who oppose Bush's foreign policy hear these statements by Clinton and get turned off, plus keeping this going drives home the point that we've had either a Bush or Clinton in the White House for twenty-eight years.

I don't support Clinton in the primary, but if I did, I'd wonder what the hell her campaign is doing right now.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:09 PM)

Everybody does understand this arguement is about who going to "Talk" with some wingnut leader first.
Let's argue about something real, the wingnuts will keep.

OutWest, Canyon Country, CA (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:10 PM)

hillaryclinton.com, for a real leader with real experience. We need her now more thab ever.

The Bubster...I approve this message (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:11 PM)

yawn...she 's full of it. Obama in 08

FL (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:13 PM)

It'll be tough enough for a woman to be elected president, but electing a black man in 2008 is an even longer shot -- but there seem to be a lot of Democrats that forget that after the primaries comes a national election. At least with Hillary, we know that she is tough as nails and that she, consequently, is the candidate that Republicans would like to eliminate and smear right now because a fight with her for the national elections will be the harder one to fight.

Ideally, she chooses Barack for her VP candidate because then Americans will have time to get used to the idea of a Black man being at the 2nd most powerful position in the world -- and then in 2016 elect him -- at which point, he'll be more than ready. But for now...

Nick (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:15 PM)

All this Chavez bashing going on between these two. Wasn't it just last winter democrats were singing his praises for supplying our poor (upper middle class or better in his country) with heating oil? Where's the love folks? Hell all of you, and he have been sharing the same talking points memo the last 6 years.

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:16 PM)

GoNzO-GaTe...it just will not go away.

GONZO-GATOR (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:19 PM)

Top ten reasons that Hillary is like Bush
10) We both have ex-president in our family
9)I have no health care policy plan because like Bush Big drug lobbyist pay me
8)My Machine is too good that we turn lies into truth
7)I am too smart that even Bush fool me
6)I am for change that Romney and McCain both supports us
5)if you think that 90's and Bush are divisive wait let me get elected
4)And if you think is smart to talk to disputing leaders like Bush i wont
3)Oh If you think that Bush is arrogant, that's cool because like him i wont apologies for my wrong vote
2)Oh Like Bush I will send Americans to war without a plan to win or an exit strategy
1)I am for the Bush war and before i am against it

Stan (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:20 PM)

Clinton...This lady will say anything to get elected. Statesmen think about the next generation. Politicians think about the next election. It’s clear where Clinton stands. We need real change. Obama 08.

B, Tampa FL (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:20 PM)

Well we knew she would respond, but now seems a little late. She's the frontrunner. I'm not sure she even needs to respond. My only question is what does Obama defending himself have to do with the politics of hope?? NOTE: that if what she said or saying is a direct quote she never once said Senator Obama's name.

Lewis, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:23 PM)

Hello Hillary ! hillaryclinton.com , come take a look see.

I really approve this message (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:25 PM)

Politics of Hope does not mean not fighting back when attacked. Politics of does not mean defending your self when people misrepresent you. Politics of Hope is bringing change to Washington and throwing the old way of doing things out of the way....Hillary know she is part of the problem not solution...Obama is the Hope we have for Change.

Jason (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:26 PM)

sorry Nick-- the country is ready for a major change

we're not waiting 9 more years for something good

the time is NOW -- no more settling on the dynasty families with their egos and attitudes

hillary is not the future, she is the PAST

OBAMA is the future

Betty, Balitmore, MD (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:27 PM)

Nick, Why is electing a black man in 2008 even a longer shot than electing a woman? The question I would have for you: Are YOU ready for a black man in the presidency? Forget about what the rest of America is ready for. YOu should be looking inward for this question not outward.

Lewis, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:29 PM)

hey hill, you started it! i guess now you're regretting it... maybe next time you should think twice before picking a silly fight with obama. clearly he isn't going to just sit back and take it.

sarah (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:33 PM)

I approve this message, hillaryclinton.com , the next President of the United States.

Yes I approve (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:34 PM)

More from Clinton: “I have been saying consistently for a number of years now, we have to end the Bush era of ignoring problems, ignoring enemies and adversaries. And I have been absolutely clear that we’ve got to return to robust and effective diplomacy. But I don’t want to see the power and prestige of the United States President put at risk by rushing into meetings with the likes of Chavez, and Castro, and Ahmadinejad.”
Um, Hillary? WTF?
We must return to robust and effective Diplomacy and not not have meetings with Chaves, Castro and ahmadinejad?
Is this how you are gonna run the goverment, with double speak?
I give up...
At least Obama can speak straight...

BJ, Medford, OR (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:35 PM)

Bill Clinton did of course meet with Arafat and I believe with Chavez also.

Hillary does not realize that the presidency of the US has ZERO prestige after her vote on the IRAQ war.

Obama should counter: Hillary should explain how her policy on meeting with foreign adversaries. Further she should explain how he blank check to authorize the Iraq war was different from the Bush Cheney cision of foreign policy

Yiannis, Baltimore, MD (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:39 PM)

Obamba who? never heard of him.

Juan Miguel Cortez III (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:39 PM)

Not to bring up the past, but isn't it VERY dangerous for Hillary Clinton to be talking about risking the power and espeically the "PRESTIGE" of the presidency??? Doesn't this make people remember, interns, dresses and oral sex?????? Hillary, I'm not a supporter---but let this go!!

Lewis, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:41 PM)

I'd say the score is Obama 2, Hillary 1. She might have scored initial points in the youtube forum, however small they were, but by being an attack dog and then acting like Obama was incorrect in defending his position shows how afraid and baseless she is. And she wants to be President. She will not be able to work with the Congress or foreign leaders because she is a lightening rod and polarizing just like Dubya.

If I was Obama, I would move on because she is really good at underestimating her competition. She programmed answers will only take her so far. Obama could bash her some more, but there is plenty of time. No need to sink to her level yet. Her popularity is waning.

The American public is hungry for change. Go Obama!!!

Bill, Herndon, VA (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:41 PM)

I think Hillary is the best choice for America at this time. At least we know what to expect from her. Obama got money from people who hate America and democracy. He grew up as a lost man and hates white and ethnic people. He is not quite sure if he is black too. It will be disaster for America to elect Obama as a president. Basically he doesn't have stand for any issue either.

usha, minnesota (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:43 PM)

Hillary is a joke and she is running scared. Now she has trolls in the comment threads of blogs.

Ed, Renton WA (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:45 PM)

At least, everyone is now on the same page on who the real Hillary Clinton is. CLINTON/ROMNEY 2008 (Unity ticket of FLIP FLOPPERS)

TheDonald (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:45 PM)

Any body but Clinton. We need a new family in the white house. No more bushes and no more clintons.

TEC-Spring-TX (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:46 PM)

Hillary is a desperate, callous, flip floppin', fence sittin', ass kissin', con artist of the highest order. I detest King George II, but at least you know where he stands. Hillary makes me want to puke. Obama lacks the absolute credibility of Kucinich, but he seems far more genuine and decent than Hillary. He'll make a fine VP for Dennis.

Colie Brice, Bradley Beach, NJ (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:46 PM)

BJ - WTF? Read what she said. Not that we should not have meetings with these people but that we should not rush into those meetings. Two totally different things. It really does surprise me that so many people are not getting this distinction. Diplomacy is not black and white, it's not all or nothing, and it's not meet right away or don't talk at all. There are very few absolutes in this world, and this is not one of them.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:47 PM)

"The power and prestige of the United States President put at risk"
Hillary Clinton must not be serious for this! If we really, really, really want to preserve the prestige of the United States Presidency, the the Clintons should be banned even getting close to the White-house. Everybody including Monica Lewinsky will agree with this.

Mark, NY (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:48 PM)

I am a Democrat and amazed that most of you people on this board believe that being strategic about whom a President meets without pre-condition is mutually exclusive from being diplomatic. And speaking of Republican comparisons, didn't Obama compare himself twice to Reagan in that Youtube/CNN moment? Come on...let's talk about Obama who's basically "collegiate - lite" who's saying he has better judgment on foreign policy than anyone running, Democrat or Republican because, as he said on Good Morning American in Jan - "I mean, I'm somebody who has actually lived overseas, somebody who has studied overseas. You know, I majored in international relations." hahahahahahaha.

bbln (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:48 PM)

I find it disappointing that Clinton Machine and her supporters cannot explain why she voted to send our military to war without asking for exist strategy and years later she is trying to triangulate her way to the left. I watch this report on CNN failed to answer or address this valid question raised by Obama. If she is really experience and not naive, how come she failed to ask the right question at the right time....rather after many lives of great men and women in the military have died she start asking the right question at the wrong time....Obama is the true hope for change.

Emmy (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:51 PM)

If the gloves fit, you can't acquit!

This is exactly the reason I will not vote for the former first lady in the Democratic primary. Disembling and hyperbole without addressing the real issue!

Forgoawdsake, she was in the Senate, what a few more years than Obama. For my money, Obama's experience as a state legislator trumps her first lady duties, for sure.

Mimi Schaeffer (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:53 PM)

I just watched the situation room on CNN. Clinton's rep AVOIDED the Iraq war question again...and then tried to spin Obama's direct answer to the question. He said "willing" not "commit" when it comes to meeting foreign leaders. She ALWAYS avoid tough questions by bashing someone else. At least Obama can give a straight answer with out double talk. And now she said Obama isn't hopeful because he is defending himself from her smear machine!!! Finally a democrat standing up to the Clintons!!!!

MC , Raleigh, NC (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:55 PM)

Obama always comes back to Clinton's Iraq vote, as if that vote alone justifies Obama's presidency. He should be talking about future and not the past, but guess he doesn't have much to talk about the future.

mm,ma (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:58 PM)

Hillary Clinton says she's never been called George Bush. Well, then she's isolated within her Hillaryland circle of advisers. I've seen that comparison drawn numerous times, and I myself see a comparison as I've posted several times before over the past weeks.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:59 PM)

It's about time the Dem frontrunners started going after each other. Politics is a blood sport but up until now this race has looked more like a tea party. It's finally gettin' fun!

WHEE!!! (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:00 PM)

Lewis, Cincinnati, Ohio

Very good question, dear.

I asked myself that all the time. I'm supporting Senator Obama because he is a combination of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Senator Robert Kennedy, and President Ronald Reagan.

He is a combination of all these great men.

He makes me believe in, "Morning in America" again. He makes me believe that America is still “a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere”

He makes me, ask not what our beloved Country can do for me; but I ask myself what I can do for our beloved Country.

He makes me not see things as they are but dream things that never were and say why not.

He reminds me not to judge a person by their race, religion, creed or sexuality but by the content of their character.

So I'm I ready for a bi-racial (He is both black and white) President? Yes! I read a quote from a very brilliant man who said this about Senator Obama. They asked him, was America ready for a Black President. He said no, but America is ready for Senator Obama as President. That was so powerful and moving!

Lynn, Millington (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:03 PM)

"I don’t want to see the power and prestige of the United States President put at risk" --- Hillary Clinton.

I can not believe that Hillary has the nerve to make such a statement. How could she forget about Monica Lewinsky?

Amos, Colonial Height, VA (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:05 PM)

Hillary is saving herself for the REAL debates with the GOP. There, she will have no choice but to answer the tough question. Bill better toughen her up.

jerry/Corpus Christi Texas (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:07 PM)

This is just a reminder. John Edwards is the only candidate with any ideas to bring America back to the people. Let these two sound bite candidates go at each other. Edwards 08!

David, Chattanooga, Tn (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:08 PM)

Carrie,we get it and she knew that was what Obama was saying also. But she decided to go on the radio the next day and take a "cheap shot". There is an old saying "don't start no s--- won't be no s----"

Obama had given her a lot of slack on the Iraq vote todate, so I guess she felt she could go after him and he would not strike back. Asking "what happen to Hope" is lame. He didn't say her husband was a womanizer or that she wore ugly clothes. This was a policy disagreement. Free game. Now it is "Obama don't pick on me", "don't point out to people what I said" PLEASE...what happen to the iron lady. I guess when Romney came out to back you up you had to come out to try to stop the bleeding.

lyn,MD (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:08 PM)

Hey let's all get on the Obama peace train - and head over to Ahmandinejad, and I'm sure after a couple of hugs, we'll all be friends again. - Proud Democrat annoyed at all you naive babies

bbln (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:09 PM)

You go girl - right again, as usual. The politics of hope are fading now that Obama finds himself SO far behind in every poll that he is forced to go on the attack.

craig chicago (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:10 PM)

You go Chicago Craig - remember when Obama's campaign circulated that memo calling Senator Clinton the Democrat from Punjab, making fun of her support of India and the Indian-American community? oh, and that false claim and memo sent around by his campaign that Bill Clinton was in Asian delivering a speech about Sept 11 for money, when in fact Bill Clinton was attending memorials in NY? Obama's definitely getting desperate - and his campaign of hope has long been turning into one of mud.

bbln (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:25 PM)

Lyn - Did she know that's what Obama was saying? That's not what he said. That is what she said, quite clearly and repeatedly. Obama says his stance is different than hers...that he does not believe in pre-conditions to world leaders meeting. Hillary believes that the groundwork must first be laid by lower level diplomats. Those are different positions.

But yet, you say that what she is saying is what Obama was saying and she knew that? How can that be, if Obama is saying that they were not saying the same thing?

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:29 PM)

Hillary needs to look tough on defense because she's a woman, Barack is using the convenience of not having been in Congress at the time of the Iraq war vote to his advantage. They're both rich and want to spend your money on "improving" society as they see fit. Why doesn't Billary or Barack spend more of their own money on their "hope for America"? When will people wake up and stop believing that the government does anything well, even in the face of all their failures (Iraq war, history of toppling foreign leaders, Katrina, failing education system, insolvent Social Security system, astronomical inflation that results in you and I being worse off economically than our parents, over-spending and financing it by selling our country to China, Japan and the EU, "free" trade agreements that put people out of work, subsidies for oil and farm companies that make corn so cheap for them to produce that everything you eat has hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup in it (30% of all medicare/medicaid goes to treating diabetes by the way)etc.)? If you think either one is better at deciding how to spend your money or that the millions of dollars they have in the bank doesn't make them beholden to special interests, go ahead and give it to them. Just don't force me to by electing either of these tax-and-spend socialists president.

Nicholas Adams, Ann Arbor, MI (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:29 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=293060