Giuliani continues Clinton attacks
Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2007 9:53 AM by Chuck Todd
From NBC/NJ's Matthew Berger
ADA, Okla. -- Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani took a few questions late Friday. Giuliani on the difference between Hillary Clinton's alleged "character assassination" and his attacks against her:
"She is the one who accused someone of not telling the truth. She accused a general of doing that, a general of the Army. I am pointing out that ... that is I think very inappropriate conduct for someone who wants to be commander in chief."
"I'm not speaking about her character, I'm talking about her actions. I haven't accused her of not telling the truth. What I've said is she's engaging in something that indicates she is willing to attack a general of the Army at a time of war. So, it would seem to me all I'm doing is pointing out her behavior, and she's the one engaging in behavior of assailing the character of a general of the Army."
"There is no one that really questions Gen. Petreaus' honesty and integrity. Some people agree with what he's achieved, some people disagree. But no one has attacked him on the grounds of lack of honesty and integrity. That is precisely what she did. I think when a presidential candidate does that, even if its Hillary Clinton, who has like a special place in the liberal media ... has to be called to task.
Giuliani was then asked to re-explain why he left Iraq Study Group: "I didn't have the time for it and I thought it was inappropriate for a presidential candidate to be part of it. And the fact is, if I had been, all of you would be asking me questions about conflict of interest, and it would have burdened that commission with a whole bunch of issues it shouldn't have."
"It seemed to me it was a mistake for me to be on it. I realized that after two months and I left."
Clinton spokesperson Phil Singer on this new round of Giuliani criticism of Clinton: "It’s sad and unfortunate that Mayor Giuliani is using disingenuous attacks to boost his falling poll numbers. Sen. Clinton’s focus is on ending the failed Bush Iraq policy that the Mayor backs lock, stock and barrel."