Clinton camp, Obama spar over PAC

Posted: Sunday, December 02, 2007 1:53 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan and NBC's Mark Murray
DES MOINES , IA -- Today, on CBS, Clinton Communications Director Howard Wolfson called for Obama to shut down his Hopefund PAC, which, according to news accounts, has distributed a large chunk of contributions to politicians from early nominating states. "There's a lot that voters don't know about Barack Obama," he said. "And one thing they don't know -- we found out this week –- is that he has been using and operating a so-called leadership PAC, in apparent contravention of campaign finance laws, taking in money from lobbyists despite the fact he said he doesn't take money from lobbyists, taking in money from lobbyists and giving money out to candidates in New Hampshire and Iowa to support his presidential campaign."

In a press avail in Iowa today, Obama responded, "I think that folks from some of the other campaigns are reading the polls and starting to get stressed and issuing a whole range of outlandish accusations. Everything that we have done is in exact accordance with the law and unless they can show that it hasn't been. I suggest that they focus on trying to get their supporters to caucus in Iowa."

Obama also said this about the PAC: "I had not been planning to run for president... So by the time we announced that I was running, there was still money left over, which we used to contribute to candidates all across the country to help build a Democratic majority. That was the purpose of it... That is the purpose of all these leadership funds. That is the reason Clinton's leadership fund was set up -- the same reason why multiple candidates have these leadership funds. We just simply didn't have the ability to get all that money out. And I would point out that we have made contributions to many people who are endorsing Sen. Clinton instead of me. Again, I think what people need to focus on is that all these accusations that are starting to come out seem to correspond to shifts in political fortune."

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Comments

Time is up ! There is a limitation ! Stop misrepresenting Hillary ! Clinton Campaign should let the world know the true Obama, expose him for all the scare-loosing-Iowa actions before it is too late ! Don't let him get away with it. Now he start to shift attention again from his illegal actions and saying "they should work on their supporters to caucus for her" All Hillary supporters WILL CAUCU FOR HER, NO WORRY ! You should ask yourself if you are truly an honest person. Stop fooling all those innocent souls, you are "charming" outside will never hide your shallow inside. People will know the truth, soon.

Michael (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 2:11 PM)

As always, Obama is 100% correct. The Hillary camp could have brought this up months ago, but only now they are starting to see a dramatic decline in the polls, so they try to spew out all these rediculous accusations. There's nothing illegal about having a PAC give money to a large swath of democratic runners in races across the country. Like he said, some of the people he's given money to even endorsed Clinton.

And if the Clinton machine REALLY wants to start a campaign finance war, I don't think they're on the most stable ground, with Chinese dishwashers and dirty bundlers on their side. Maybe we should take a fresh look at Peter Paul, or maybe the Vilsack $400,000 debt-for-endorsement deal Clinton made with him just a few months ago.

Don, NY (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 2:17 PM)

Losing attack for Clinton and her staff, I believe, especially if the reports I've heard about some of the money going to Clinton herself.

You can make an attack stick through sheer repetition, so long as there's some 'there' there. Here, doesn't seem to be any 'there.'

Of course, always possible we'll see more to this than what we already know, and maybe something embarrassing to Obama will come out. But based on what's been reported so far, this line of attack looks like its only going to hurt Clinton. Kind of like Guiliani going after Romney because the contractors he hired for home repair happened to have a couple illegals. The attack just sounds stupid.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 2:21 PM)

Wow. Clinton is getting incredibly desperate. Nothing but totally over-the-top, negative attacks these days (and ones based on rather flimsy facts). Seriously, Hillary Clinton is questioning Obama's campaign contributions to other campaigns? Give me a break! She wiped out Tom Vilsack's $400,000 debt once he endorsed her. Doesn't she have any kind of positive message to campaign on at this point?

Dennis, Atlanta, GA (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 2:27 PM)

Will the Hypocrisy of Hillary Clinton ever end?

HillPAC gave money to the early voting states as well.
Hillary paid off $400,000 of former candidate and Hillary endorser, Vilsack.

Hillary calls Obama dishonest for him saying his healthcare plan would "cover" everyone, when she has been TOTALLY dishonest about her own plan, flat out calling her plan "univeral"-implying it's like kucinich's single payer universal plan- and not telling people that her plan doesn't actually "cover" anyone- just forces them to buy insurance.

Hillary accusing Obama as even a tiny fraction as dishonest as she is, is pretty Hillaryous. Doesn't she see how it just draws attention to her own lies and scandal?

jds (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 2:29 PM)

I wish Clinton would

SHUT UP

I'm so tired of hearing her attack Obama when it is an obvious sign of

DESPERATION

please Clinton focus on the issues the country wants honest answers to, stop attacking Obama, this is so obvious that her campaign is unraveling.

Bernard, Scotch Plains, NJ (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 2:53 PM)

as a blogger wrote;

Obama's fact check has an good rundown on this issue.

57% of his 2007 PAC donations went to states other than NH, IA, NV and SC, and of those he did donate to, over half either didn't endorse or endorsed Senator Clinton.

The PAC has also donated over $4,000 to Sen. Clinton. Not sure if he won her endorsement with that money. Anyone know?

Posted By: Dave | December 02, 2007 at 02:33 PM
REPORT ABUSE

Lyn,MD (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 2:53 PM)

Please. Clinton is so desperate. Obama has done absolutely nothing wrong with his leadership PAC. Hillary is so ready to make Obama look bad it's sad.

Hillary has "Washington experience", but when it comes to Presidential politics I don't think Hillary is ready for school yet. Back to the drawing board, maybe she can become mayor of New York since she chose not to represent her hometown of Chicago for the U.S. Senate seat. She probably really regrets that decision, haha! (that's a good laugh)

Brian, Wash, DC (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 3:00 PM)

The old lady from Arkansas is loosing, now she is pissed that Obama is kicking her ass. GO OBAMA GO

Hershel Cowsert (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 3:10 PM)

First they wanted a very effective Obama ad pulled. Now they want a PAC(set up to elect more Dems to congress) shut down. There is roughly 100,000 left in the PAC. Again, Mr Wolfson, why is your candidate in this race? Why does she hate Dems so much? Will H Clinton return the funds that she received from the elect-Dem Hopefund? Will her endorsers, who also rec'd money from Hopefund, return that money? Give me a break Wolfson.

no more drama
vote for Obama08

Marbw (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 3:13 PM)

Must suck to be in the Clinton Cult, and know whatever you accuse someone else of doing you're doing too, or been busted doing it before.

thanks for lowering the bar CC (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 3:14 PM)

Clinton is going to loose this PAC argument again. She is picking the wrong battle with Obama and I am sure the democratic congress doesn’t like her idea on this issue of leadership PAC. First, she picked a health care argument and now a PAC...lol..

Clinton campaign had better focus on how to reverse the trend rather than wasting their time attacking Obama. Obama is too popular and any attempt to demagogue him is going to back fire on the Clinton. He’s got Clinton wrapped up and her inevitability argument is meaningless at this point.

Bee (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 3:38 PM)

Today, on CBS, Clinton Communications Director Howard Wolfson called for Obama to shut down his Hopefund PAC

Why?
Hillary got $4200 from the PAC.....

At least Obama didn't get his money from a crooked chinese businessman and a bunch of dishwashers.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 3:41 PM)

Ahh . . . Isn't primary season great?

I really like how Obama is handeling himself in these kinds of Potemkin kerfuffles. Makes him look all the more presidential at (unfortunately) Ms. Clinton's expense.

Will G., Scranton PA (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 3:55 PM)

If it's one thing the Clinton's know, they know when cheating is going on. They've done so much themselves and they've seen it all before.

Wombat (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 4:20 PM)

I appreciate the honesty of Sen. Obama and think his integrity will prevail over this contrived controversy. FACT: He gave $4,000 to HRC's campaign from HopeFund.

Obama, a leader in Senate/Political campaign finance ethics reform, has raised the most money from individual donors in the history of primary politics. Pretty good against a field of 4-5 candidates (HRC, Edwards, McCain, Biden, Kucinich) who've run for president before!

His lack of Washington insider status only improves his appeal to the 299 million American's who live outside D.C.

OBAMA '08!

Major Man, Petersburg, VA (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 4:27 PM)

Anyone that votes for Barack(racist)and his grouppie(Oprah),that happens to be white,I truly hope you like the idea of slavery.So you don't think I'm racist,I backed Jesse Jackson,and his Rainbow coallition as one last hope to ease Racial tension in America.By the way,having been raised during the mid-sixties in Ca.,I marched four times with Cesar Chavez.Please take the time to filter out the charm,and listen to Obamas' race-baiting message.Vote for Biden to save our Country.I'm scared of Obama,and Oprah in a cabinet spot terrifies me.

docrock,tx (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 4:28 PM)

The Clinton camp sounds deseperate to me...it's time for a change and its not Hillary Clinton.

Maddog, Charlotte NC (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 4:28 PM)

Wolfson: "...he has been using and operating a so-called leadership PAC, in apparent contravention of campaign finance laws, taking in money from lobbyists despite the fact he said he doesn't take money from lobbyists, taking in money from lobbyists and giving money out to candidates in New Hampshire and Iowa to support his presidential campaign."

That is an outright LIE! The money Obama raised for his Hopefund wa raised BEFORE he even announced his presidential bid. Wolfson is trying to deceive teh voters by claiming Obama is accepting lobbyist money for his campaign when Obama is not.

Shame on Hillary and her spokesman. I mean, challenge Obama with factual information, not lies.

Juanito, Washington, DC (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 4:40 PM)

Is Hillary going to return the $4200 that she received from Hopefund during her last senate race?

Sarah (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 4:41 PM)

The Hillary Campaign must be getting DESPERATE if they're willing to open the can of worms that is campaign finances. They're asking for a thrashing with this

perry, toronto (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 4:48 PM)

We see a split personality here, with Jekyll making a lot of excuses for Hyde. Obama the high-fundraising, Bloomberg-breakfasting, out-of-state-student-caucusing, Chicago-machine lawyer is quickly suffociating Obama the not-politics-as-usual, ethics-reforming outsider. Audiacity is quickly suffocating hope.

C'mon, man. Do the right thing.

Chris Corbell, Portland, OR (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 4:50 PM)

I didn't know if the Clinton campaign would have the guts to pick up the PAC issue, but when you're down in Iowa and your leads in NH and nationally are melting you throw everything you've got at the challenger. But as a blogger at realclearpolitics.com pointed out last week, Hillary is in a tough situation having to go negative, because it reinforces the worst of people's bad impressions of her. And in almost every area, her longer record haunts her. Want to quibble over health care? Reminds the voter of 1993. Want to fight over a PAC? Reminds the voter that Clinton takes money from lobbyist PAC's. Want to talk about money distribution, we'll talk about her buyout of Vilsack. Rezko? Whitewater.

As for the actual PAC issue, a moderately disproportionate amount of money may have gone to early primary states. But wouldn't it make sense that people at Hopefund have more contact with early-state politicians simply because Obama is campaigning there?

John M, San Diego, CA (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 5:40 PM)

Boy, Hillary is sounding pretty desperate, isn't she?

Andy Boynton (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 6:14 PM)

Any woman that would steal the whitehouse furniture, while her husband pardoned terrorists and drug dealers, would go to any means in this election, people should be ashamed of Bill and Hillary.

David Anders , Pharr, Tx (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 7:22 PM)

It is so encouraging to hear that so many here see through what she is trying to accomplish with this. It does smack of desperation, and what does she hope to achieve? To call attention to her own, actual, money scandals? Thought she was more savvy than that. Sounds her camp is mudslinging to me.

Jack, Greenville, SC (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 7:46 PM)

What is Hillarygoing to say next.....??? Tha fact that she is getting so desperate by trying to make accusations about the hope fund is ridicualous... boy you hillary supporters should be haging your heads in shame... how embarrassing well the Hills goin down and she is going to go down hard.... mark my words

Obama 08 I cannot wait until he becomes president we need him!!!

ted orlando (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 7:49 PM)

Yes, she is sounding very desperate. But Rove would approve of her tactics.

Melissa, Queens, NY (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 8:10 PM)

Is this the weak garbage Bob Novak was talking about?

Really worthy of the Sunday Circuit, Wolfson?

Larry, Lafayette, Indiana (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 8:19 PM)

Is this what Hillary has on Obama? A made up allegation about a PAC even SHE received money from, and an argument about mandating healthcare (forcing people to buy insurance they either don't want or can't afford)?

You know that Hillary would say and do anything to win, so if she had something good on Obama, she'd have played her hand by now. This is pathetic.

I WANT her to keep up this argument about mandating healthcare. Americans don't like being FORCED to do anything and this talk of "mandating" and garnishing people's wages to ensure they pay insurance premiums for HillaryCare will drive voters away from her in droves.

What was she thinking?

She had 14 years to re-think healthcare after her '93 fiasco, and she comes up with MANDATES, garnishing wages, and financial penalties for people who don't buy her plan. Ridiculous.

Buh bye Hillary.

JenC (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 9:15 PM)

Obama has been attacking Sen. Clinton since the start of the campaign. Now, when other camps especially Clinton's questions his fund distribution tactic he gets all defensive and accusatory? He is the one who is dishonest by saying the PAC fund was leftover monies from before he ran for president. What a load of crap?! By contributing to Hillary's supporters, Obama is trying to hide his very motive of distributing funds to those who are influenced by his campaign. Stop the lies, you will never be president Obama. You go on TV and try to be hip and saying what people would like to hear, but deep inside you are as dirty as any politician in D.C.

Johnny R, San Francisco, CA (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 10:49 PM)

Saint Barak Obama is a liar, cheat, manipulates the facts, mud slinger, and not trustworthy.

Again and again when we fact check him we find that he is not telling the whole truth while claiming that he is such a truthful person and it's Hillary that's lying about poor little him.

I can just imagine a man with his lack of character talking UNCONDITIONALLY and with all his foreign relations experience from his kindergarten days in a Muslim country to our enemies. That gives me and every other rational person chills.

And I'm SO sick of his paper trained little lap dogs slobbering over whatever lies he puts out or his twists of facts. Once you little puppies drank the Koolaid out of the Obama potty, you could never go back to being rational again.

Usually I'd never write anything like this, however, after reading all the vile things you have written above, I'd say this is mild and you desereve it.

Shame on you Obama-ites. You sling lying mud at Hillary but can't take it if anyone fact checks your boy so you go rabid.

Hillary's my girl and I'm voting for her.

Disgusted (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 11:05 PM)

Hillary Clinton for truth and justice.

She has real adult foreign relations experience and she is a strong leader ready to lead from day one.

I'm voting for Hillary Clinton

Jane (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 11:09 PM)

Obama and Axelrod...Bush and Rove

What's the difference?

A Worried Voter (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 11:11 PM)

Well that the pot calling the kettle black....did'nt Hillary Clinton pay the ex Iowa governor's debt off after his endorsement. Let's see...$400K to be exact.

Looks like Hillary is starting to to throw the mud now. I guess its because Obama is winning.

What a hypocrite....get real Hillary...you will lose the Democratic primary to a new and fresh face. We need a change in America and its not Hillary and her old way of doing business.

Leonard, Charlotte,NC (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 11:12 PM)

I've unfortunately read the opinions expressed here.

With all the hate talk you Obama supporters are doing, all I can say is...SANTA IS COMING SOON AND HE'S ALREADY MAKING A LIST OF WHO'S BEEN NAUGHTY OR NICE.

Sorry, folks, there's going to be a coal shortage this year...it's all going to be in your stockings!

Mrs. Claus (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 11:17 PM)

Ha, you know this stuff just pushes me away from the Clinton group. I've been thinking I could vote for her, but it just seems she can't go the honesty route. After all, the first step to being honest is being honest to yourself and she is incapable of doing that seeing how she won't admit she was wrong for voting to hand Bush the guns.
I think hard-line democrats really need to consider that if she gets the nomination, it'll be another 50/50 situation with the Republicans. However, if Obama or Edwards were to get through, the Republicans wouldn't stand a chance.
I'm thinking an Obama/Edwards Edwards/Obama ticket is the right choice for left wingers like myself.

Sean, CA, San Francisco (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 11:46 PM)

What the Clinton camp needs to point out is that Barack Obama is to the Democratic Party what George W. Bush was to the Republican Party. They don't share policy positions, of course, but what they do share is charm and inexperience - and their primary selling point is this aura of being "clean" on the issue of the day. For Barack, that issue is not having voted for the Iraq war. For Bush, it was not having been involved in a sex scandal like the outgoing administration had.

I think that even if Barack wins, he will do a lousy job as President like George W. Bush did. I'm picturing a Carter-esque, one-term debacle. He is not up to the challenge. Choosing Barack over Hillary is like choosing Bush over McCain. We're better than that. We're smarter than that. Please, let's not be fools.

I truly believe that Hillary Clinton is the only one who can give us the leadership we need in these difficult times and get us out of Iraq responsibly and with minimal fallout.

Elizabeth, PA (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 7:55 AM)

docrock tx , I think everyone in this blog knows who the racist is . Get with hillary and try agian ,because you my friend have provided the most ridiculas post yet !

ki houston (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 9:19 AM)

It's ridiculous attacks like this that HURT the accuser in Iowa. Hillary may be ASKING to lose by pushing this charge without merit.

Coonsey's View
www.freewebs.com/coonsey/

Connie (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 9:56 AM)

ki,I'm sorry that you do not have proper reading skills.Obviously you don't take time to read an entire blog entry.Try readng the complete article,and not that which upsets your tiny little Obama infested mind.Vote Biden.Get it?NO CLINTON!!!Vote Biden!!!!Maybe we ALL win if he wins.Go Joe!!

docrock,tx (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 11:02 AM)

Sadly, the Democrats are throwing away their best chance to win if they don't choose Senator Clinton. The media and the religious right are touting Obama and because they KNOW Obama could never win a general election--but Hillary will win against any Republican. It is part of the Republican game and Democrats are naive enough to fall for it again. Oprah could have helped Kerry or Gore. Instead she waited for a Black candidate. Iowans will recognize the "corn" in Oprah's decision and they'll vote for Senator Clinton because she CAN beat a Republican.

J Walter, Traverse City, MI (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 11:08 AM)

So Docrock, now it's 'racist campaigning' when black people support other black people? Pathetic. The only thing you've really accomplished in posting that comment is proving that YOU are a racist. Hillary makes speeches that speak to women in particular, could you call that 'sexist campaigning'?

JJ Jax, FL (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 11:59 AM)

Docrock, we know you support Biden, but that does not negate the fact that you're a racist...

JJ Jax,FL (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 12:04 PM)

Jane read her Bio, and Bills pardons, and her parading a pervert around that used cigars in acts on a young intern, gimme a break. Americans arent this dumb. Huckabee will be our president, we havent had anyone like him in years, Im an independent and he gets mine.

David Anders Pharr, Tx (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 1:00 PM)

My,my,my.It's certainly easy to stir up the fringe elements.Now that I know that my Mission is fulfilled,I'm sure that we can come to agreement.Call your local Representative and try to forward a law banning all Politically Incorrect organizations.This to include,but not limited,Black Police Assn(noninclusive,racial)Hispanic Chamber of Commerce(exclusive.racial)The Jewish Defense League(exclusive,Religion motivated)the Baptist Convention(Intolerance of other beliefs)the KKK(stupid,racist,intolerant,vicious)and all organizations that pander to anyone.Surely,being politically correct is more important than the First Amendment.Since I manage to upset the Liberal Left and the Conservative Right,I must be somewhere in between.That Thunder from Down Under is our Forefathers rolling in their graves.Since everyone is so Perfect,next year we'll all be drinking that Free Bubble-Up,and eating that Rainbow Pie!GO JOE!!!!!!!!! P.S.Just out of curiousity,how many of you even bother to vote?Maybe Jerry/corpus,and vanreuter are the only ones out there that have a true conviction of belief.Do you think?

docrock,tx (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 1:02 PM)

Don, NY:

Obama is always 100% correct?

That is impossible. No one is 100% correct - except for God.

Oh, wait, OBAMA supporters think he is God. Sorry to tell you, he is just a man.

Elizabeth Sullivan, San Diego, CA (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 1:12 PM)

They are getting nervous and are starting to make more mistakes! Mudslinging regarding anyone's credibility reminds us of she and Bill's sordid past and will only backfire on her!

Hilliary is getting hillarious!!!!

Prof Madsen (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 2:38 PM)

Hillary voted to go to war with Iraq. Hillary voted for the Patriot act, TWICE! Hillary voted just last month to approve hostile language toward Iran. I don't care about accusations regarding supposed "slush funds" or questionable contributions (ESPECIALLY when they come from HRC) The point is, if you vote for Hillary you're just voting for more of what we've already got. We need an Obama and Edwards ticket- the order doesn't matter. ANYBODY but Hillary. (Biden's the smartest of the bunch, but he doesn't have a chance.)

T Pierce (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 2:50 PM)

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