Hillary piles on Obama experience

Posted: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 3:55 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ’s Athena Jones and Domenico Montanaro
SHENANDOAH, IA -- For the second straight day, Clinton has questioned Obama’s experience. Yesterday it was on the economy, today on foreign affairs.

"Now voters will judge whether living in a foreign country at the age of 10 prepares one to face the big, complex international challenges the next president will face,” Clinton said, calling in to a waiting audience at a fire house here this morning to apologize for missing the event due to her plane being diverted because of foggy weather.

“I think we need a president with more experience than that. Someone the rest of the world knows, looks up to and has confidence in."

The Clinton campaign then adopted the language in a press release e-mailed statement, italicizing the above statement to make sure reporters didn’t miss it.

Ten minutes after the e-mail went out, the Obama campaign responded.

"Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld have spent time in the White House and traveled to many countries as well, but along with Hillary Clinton they led us into the worst foreign policy disaster in a generation and are now giving George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran,” Obama spokesman Bill Burton wrote. “The real choice in this election is between conventional Washington thinking that prizes posture and positioning, or real change that puts judgment and honesty first.”

*** UPDATE *** Clinton questions Obama's foreign policy credentials on camera
From NBC/NJ’s Athena Jones and NBC’s Lauren Appelbaum
CRESTON, IA, Nov. 20 -- Clinton again challenged the experience of her chief rival Barack Obama Tuesday afternoon, without mentioning his name.

"With all due respect, I don't think living in a foreign country between the ages of 6 and 10 is foreign policy experience," she said at the Chicken Inn. "I think having the first hand experience with so many leaders that I have had over the last 15 years equips me to be a President who can start on day one."

The statement, made after the senator spoke for several minutes about the challenges America faced around the world and her own foreign policy bonafides, was yet another sign that the gloves have come off in the final stretch of the close race leading up to the Iowa caucuses.

Clinton said dealing with these challenges would take more experience than Obama has.

"It takes an understanding of what to do and then being able to implement a plan. And with all due respect, I don't think living in a foreign country between the ages of 6 and 10 is foreign policy experience," Clinton said, highlighting her own first-hand experience with world leaders as First Lady and afterwards. The senator made similar comments by phone to an audience in Shenandoah who were there to hear her speak. She was forced to reschedule the event due to weather delays.

"This campaign is kinda getting heated up now," the New York Senator continued. "We're getting a little more excited and intense. But now, we're leaving you all alone for Thanksgiving, however. So that should be one of the blessings (you count on Thanksgiving)."

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Comments

“I think we need a president with more experience than that. Someone the rest of the world knows, looks up to and has confidence in."

What part of the world has confidence in Hillary Clinton ?

Her campaign contributors in China ?
Her campaign contributors in India ?

Witness the decline and fall of the Clinton candidacy
I'm MELTING !! I'M MELTING

Good riddance !!

Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 5:41 PM)

Hillary is just upset because she is going to lose Iowa because America is sick and tired of politics as usual. We don't need a re-hash of Clinton 1990's style; in fact, when Clinton K-12 education policy failed in 1990's, prison populations went up, states started using State Test scores (i.e. Georgia)for pre-planning of Prison Budgets--all of which hit African Americans hard, especially black women--whose prison populous exploded under so-called crime crackdowns and more Clinton policy garbage. It is high time those who blindly support Clinton (African-American women) now take a hard look at the true Clinton legacy. Wake up people, it's time for new leadership in America! No more BushCheneyLight.

Barack's vision and judgement will do over Clinton's so-called experience (she voted for the Iraq War); Clinton has taken more money from Defense Lobbyists, Defense Industry fat cats, and has more future WAR money than the Republican candidates? And she wants to tout her foreign policy experience? No way we need this for America's future. Bold NEW leadership is not named Hillary; it is called OBAMA.

Ed, Austin, TX (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 5:49 PM)

If you want a President who represents "the working class american people" then vote for Barack Obama....if you want our government to continue to be controlled by the insiders and elite then vote for Clinton....I hope democrats realize that it is highly unlikely that Hillary Clinton will win in a general election...virtually no republicans and few independents would vote for her....Barack Obama on the other hand appeals to a whole new group of voters, younger voters, minorities, and middle-age democrats like me who are starving for a President that is more genuine, honest and will represent the people rather than the special interests....

Hope (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 6:04 PM)

Camp Obama is the sharpest response team ever in the history of politics.. I have never seen anything like this.. they are even sharper than the Clinton 96/96 team. It's best that everyone leave them alone...

UpNY (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 6:21 PM)

The more I think about it.Hillary would give anmesty
to illegals,pass hate crimesbill,and return gay rights
parades to our streets.America didnt trust her then on
refoming health care.As a staunch Democrat,I am leaning Repulican.

Doug Ruschman (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 6:31 PM)

Yeah, Hillary, let's talk about experience.

Like the fact that Hillary has held less time in office than Biden, Dodd, Gravel, Richardsen, Kucinich, OR OBAMA.

The fact that Hillary has been marinating in the sludge of Washington for 35 years (according to her) doesn't mean she has any of the right experience.

julie (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 6:43 PM)

Desperation on the part of Hillary....

TheDonald (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 6:47 PM)

Obama is the real deal. Clinton has been sterilized to the point where she never comes across as genuine. Planting staffers in news conferences and debates to ask soft questions and boo opposing candidates shows how polished and ruthless her campaign is. She appeals to everyone but stands for no one. I'm voting for Barack.

OnDuty, Portland, Oregon (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 7:00 PM)

Ha Ha -

I guess actually wining the white house from republicans wasn't enough for the readers on here...

Oh an to all those people who complain about clinton being polarizing - ummm... did I miss something - what US president hasn't been polarizing???? Bush Senior, Clinton, Reagan, Kennedy??? Please this will always be a divided polarzed country

Michael. Los Angeles CA (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 7:11 PM)

Hillary, I'd like to know what experience you gained in regards to global economics and foreign policy you gained from the ages of six to ten. Surely these were formative years in your political career

Bill (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 7:17 PM)

"Please this will always be a divided polarzed country"
Michael. Los Angeles CA

I respectfully disagree. There have been times in our history(most recently immediately following 9/11) when we were a unite people. And even if your statement about past Presidents was true, does that necessarily mean that we cannot become a united country in the future?
I don't have such a pessimistic attitude about my country and its people.

Dot, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 7:28 PM)

Actually having experience with other cultures as a child does give you a different insight and understanding. You see people's lives and customs,ect. from an honest perspective.
As an official of the government, when you go to other countries you are there for a day and insultated in a bubble of dignitaries, ect.
So, Obama does have a different and new perspective from the bubble of Hillary's world.
that said, I do wish Hillary would decide which department she was secretary of 'unofficially'. financial, foreign affairs, what next? FEMA? Your doing a heck of a job, Hill!

diane (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 7:35 PM)

The stench of desperation, LOL.

Ellen (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 7:38 PM)

Hillary's negatives are to high to win. Obama is to green. On the Democratic side Edwards or perhaps even Joe Biden would have a better chance of winning next November. Edwards has more experience than Obama. He would run better in a general elections in all regions of the country. He is not particularly liked by the Washington establishment. That is a plus in many people's eyes. Joe Biden would make a good Candidate just on the bases of his experience.

Mark Cutelli (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 7:45 PM)

Mark Cutelli: Obama has more elected office experience than Edwards and Hillary. Obama is my choice, but I could live with Edwards. I am an Immigrant, lived 8 years in Germany, 2 in Korea (2 in Hawaii--missing Hawaii), as an Soldier and Army spouse. It was probably one of the best things my children experienced. You can't teach what you learn from different cultures and actually being there. And yes, at 10, that's probably when it does the most good. I am pretty sure what Obama said. Hillary can't get her own positions straight, so she definitely won't get her rival's straight. And Joe Biden, that smack on Barack will get you another 1 percent. Maybe next time you will write your own material.

BajanLuv, Newport News, VA (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 8:35 PM)

Vince Foster; the man Hillary and Bill Clinton either killed themselves, or had killed. He knew far too much. The Clinton path to the White House is littered with the bodies of every friend and acquaintance they ever had...the name MacDougal and Whitewater come to mind. Sure, let's all go vote a murderer and a swine into the White House.

Les Holte, Gallaway, Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 9:24 PM)

All he ever needed to know about foreign affairs, Barack learned in kindergarten overseas. Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha.

Did he actually say that he got it right whe it came to Iraq BECAUSE I LIVED OVERSEAS AS A CHILD.

If so, surely this is not the same guy, you people keep telling us ad nauseum that has more experience than Hillary.

Heavens help us all. You people drank some sort of Kool Aid and are going way over the hill of reality.

Let's just hope that if little Barack of kindergarten foriegn affairs fame is the Democratic party nominee, he knows a damn good EXPERIENCED as in beyond college vice president because he's gonna need him...Hum...wonder if Dick Cheney will be busy then?

We need you, Hillary (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 9:44 PM)

We need you, Hillary (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 9:45 PM)

Hey, Doug Ruchman,
You say that Hillary would give amnesty to illegals...what do you think about Obama giving them driver's liscenses. Oh, but wait...if Prefessor holier than thou does it...it's just fine.
Good grief.

Hillary in 08 (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 9:49 PM)

Right on Dot!

Hey, people! Why do we have to use the media induced descriptives of "divided" and "polarized"?

Why can't we use words like "disagree" and well, "disagree"?

Don't let those who have an interest or reward from using "polarizing" and "divisive" words influence you from getting along with your neighbors!

You're being used and every time you fall into their trap, you're not thinking for yourselves.

Because someone is a Republican or someone is a Democrat should not be an excuse for defamation. Recognize that 90% of everyone is wanting the best for this country and works for it every day of the year. Even our politicians. But here, I hear the discussion of your own Democrat candidates dropping to the lowest levels, on a par with your usual discussion of Republicans.

We don't need to be ***holes about it. Get your **** together for the good of this country! Because optimism about whoever is leading us and where we are going tops the negative crap that will lead us down, well, the crap hole.

Good night.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 11:52 PM)

Sick of Washington-

"Holiday Inn Express"- Funny!

Sharon (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 9:59 AM)

Apparently Hillary does not realize what a life-changing and shaping experience living in a foreign country is. Makes me less likely to trust her on foreign affairs. She may know what the political elite want, but what about the people of the nations? Hillary will be thinking about Iraq's politicians when she makes decisions, not its people.
Ben (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 4:47 PM)

Are you seriously making an argument that someone, by virtue of having lived in a foreign country as a child 40 years ago, knows what the average people in the international community want? That's completely ridiculous. You know what I remember from when I was 8 years old? I really liked cheeseburgers and ice cream cones, and playing on my swingset with my best friend Megan.

Yes, I agree that living overseas can give you a greater understanding of that culture. I don't agree that such an understanding comes to children.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 10:19 AM)

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 10:19 AM)

Carrie,

You make a good point, but while a child isn't necessarily capable of digesting an experience such as Barack had, I think that there are certain experiences that we can look back on when we are older and gain new perspectives.

That said, I never had an experience like living overseas when I was a child, so I am speculating. I also think our memory only goes back so far before it starts playing tricks on us. Maybe he was a little too young too be able to really have solid memories of what it was like back then.

CitizenJ (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 12:01 PM)

The Clintons are Washington self serving paper hanging professional liar's! We have had enough!

FACT / AZ (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 12:14 PM)

I beg to disagree with Hillary on this question of leaving abroad. Leaving abroad gives you a unique perspective on how things work on the ground. I spent 21 years of my life in west part of Africa and their views on religion, culture, life and government is fundamentally different from Americans’ view.

They tend to be more cultural than us and are more pragmatic than we are. I remember seeing Bill Clinton along with Chelsea in one of his visit; Hillary was not part of the delegation. She did not accompany Bill in this visit and the notion of her being the face of our foreign policy is baloney

Obama’s life story and practical experience in the remote side of Africa is a good indication on how he’s going to approach America foreign policy woe. He is more pragmatic in his approach and seems to understand the difference cultural perspective that exit.

Bee (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:42 PM)

We don't need to be ***holes about it. Get your **** together for the good of this country! Because optimism about whoever is leading us and where we are going tops the negative crap that will lead us down, well, the crap hole.

Good night.
Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, November 20, 2007 11:52
--------------------------------
Quite the rant, feel better now old boy?
Sounds like religious fervor I'd say!
God is watching us................

Turkey and Gravy (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:55 PM)

Mitchell nice job in summing up some of Hillary's superior judgement...Mitchell though, if you were going on Hillary's experience then we should of went down Bill Clinton's days, I mean since Hillary and Bill are stating that he'll be by herside and she is claiming experience through his Presidency.

Voter, No candidate is totally ready on day one to be President...that is why we are voting. If Hillary was the only one ready and clearly superior to everyone, why would people be questioning her motives, sincerity and her true clear record of experience ? Maybe because people are looking for something more than Hillary's experience. Looking for ...sound judgement, trustworthiness, able to bring unity and trust back into Washington and to the world giving us a better chance during this time where leaders must communicate with leaders.

Voters, I believe Hillary Clinton's time has past - we had Bill Clinton...but listen, time brings forth certain people in life, so change can happen and time is no mistake. That is why Barack Obama has come into this race at this moment. Now our time has come to come. I would not underestimate this, do we need change in America? do we need a different way of dealing with the world and it's people? American's trust has been broken for years now and now we need someone who has been transparent, who will listen to the people and who will bring us the liberating change we so desire. Barack Obama is just a person, but a person who has a vision and the means and know how to accomplish this vision. The truth we need to think about before voting...We as voters do have the power to change history.

Robin, Montpelier, VT (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 2:30 PM)

Are you seriously making an argument that someone, by virtue of having lived in a foreign country as a child 40 years ago, knows what the average people in the international community want? That's completely ridiculous. You know what I remember from when I was 8 years old? I really liked cheeseburgers and ice cream cones, and playing on my swingset with my best friend Megan.

Yes, I agree that living overseas can give you a greater understanding of that culture. I don't agree that such an understanding comes to children

---------------------------------------------------

I disagree with the notion that kids don't have a clue. Kids raised in America might not have a clue about what is going on in their surrounding – most especially in the era of video game and cartoon network. However, kids that were born in the third world are not as materialistic as our kids and they tend to know more about their cultural environment.

We’ve seen some 5-7 years old African’s kid carrying guns during the civil war. Perhaps, the kids doesn’t have an understanding of what cause the conflict but he does understand the consequence of war after loosing his/her parents.

Compare these two kids and tell me which one will have a better perspective of life.
A 4 year old kid that lives in third world country for 3 years and mingle with the poorest of the poor and a 4 year old kid that was born in the suburb of Chicago who has no clue about suffering let alone what is going on in the city of Chicago.

Do you want to tell me their perspective won’t be different on how they approach issues?

Bee (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:16 PM)

This is about "experience." HRC was the Treasury Secretary, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Interior, National Security Advisor, etc., in the Clinton administration... right? I mean where else could she have gotten all of this "applied" experience she's touting in the areas of the economy, environment, national security, etc. (I concede education because HRC has been a child and educational advocate for years)? Funny, if memory serves, the one area officially appointed to and controlled by HRC during the Clinton presidency was the healthcare issue and that was a disastorous failure. Is anyone else aware of some recess appointment or shadow position in the administration HRC held and if so, then she should disclose that information and be given proper credit or criticism for her performance during that tenure. Until then, will someone please explain why we're supposed to believe that 8 years of being a "First Lady" somehow allowed HRC to vicariously hold every major cabinet position in the Clinton administration? Give HRC due credit and respect for her years in the Senate and judge her accordingly on her votes and stated positions, but it insults the intelligence of anyone who can hear to suggest that she is somehow battle-tested and more experienced than others just because she lived in the White House.

FrankInLA (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:44 PM)

If I were Hillary Clinton, after being criticized year after year after year for what I can see as being virtually nothing when compared to Bush/Cheney war crimes, I would come out swinging too. It's sad, though, because now she has finally "proved" to all the media who trashed her that she isn't that good after all. As for me, I like her more than ever. Go Hillary Clinton.

Jamie Hassen (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 5:53 PM)

If I were Hillary Clinton, after being criticized year after year after year for what I can see as being virtually nothing when compared to Bush/Cheney war crimes (noticeably they haven't been impeached), I would come out swinging too. It's sad though, because now she has finally "proved" to all the media who trashed her that she isn't that good after all. As for me, I like her more than ever.

Independent Voter

Jamie Hassen (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 5:54 PM)

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