Hillary plays the Al Qaeda card

Posted: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:29 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Security

From NBC's Mark Murray
For the last several days, Clinton and her surrogates have argued -- in generalities -- that the unexpected can always occur, and that she's the Democratic candidate who can best handle such situations.

But did she go a little too far yesterday? She said this, per the Boston Globe (which we missed): "'I don’t think it was by accident that Al Qaeda decided to test the new [British] prime minister,' she said. 'They watch our elections as closely as we do, maybe more closely than some of our fellows citizens do…. Let’s not forget you’re hiring a president not just to do what a candidate says during the election, you want a president to be there when the chips are down.'"

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Comments

She is embedded in the politics of fear!!! It is truly sad how she is so much like Bush, she is trying to scare people into voting for her that is really really depressing and sad!!

Crystal (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:34 AM)

Thanks for proving your a republican hillary.

Brett, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:34 AM)

The Titanic is sinking and she'sthrowing everthimg overboard to try and stay afloat. soon she'll be in Edwards rear view mirror.

SoCal for Edwards (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:34 AM)

shame...shame...shame...

Once again, Hillary shows her true colors.

If it's not about who's up and who's down...if it personal...why play the fear card?

You just don't get it and you never will...its time for a change New Hampshire....vote Obama and usher in a new era.

Maddog, Charlotte NC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:36 AM)

If she is suggesting (and it certainly can be understood this way) that an Obama presidency is more prone to an attack from Al Qaeda than a Clinton presidency would be, then I would say yes, it goes too far.

If on the other hand, its just another attempt to contrast experience versus change, then it doesn't go too far, and mainly because that tired argument hasn't worked anywehre else.

Ken, Liberty SC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:36 AM)

Yes she did go to far. True leaders lead by example not by fear.

Check out Obama's efforts to end the violence in Kenya. (He is doing it without the media hype)
http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/01/obamas_other_life.html

Clinton was wrong again. Obama is "Ready to Lead from Day One."

Kisha (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:38 AM)

If you would pay attention to your own network (NBC-MSNBC), you would have seen this clip yesterday.

Oh, I forgot...you are ramping up your attack Obama questions.

Chuck, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:39 AM)

Now I know what all this "staff shake-up" stuff is about. She got rid of Mark Penn and hired Rudy Giuliani.

CitizenJ (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:40 AM)

Did she go to far? No, she seems to have shown her true colors that match her voting record of supporting the war from the beginning. The politics of fear are the politics of business as usual. That's why she is losing to progressives and independents who really do want change, not just the rhetoric of change.

Chris Wilcox, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:42 AM)

Like Barack Obama said BEEP!BEEP! She is backing up the garbage truck. She is playing the cards(circa post-90's scandals//post-Phillie debate// pre-Iowa loss///now post bad poll#. GO HOME, MRS CLINTON. STOP EMBARRASSING MY DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANY FURTHER. GEEESH!!!!!!!

ps...The amazing thing is, I was one of those Democratic who did like the Clintons(more BC) prior to this campaign cycle. Her campaign tactics have totally turned me off.

Marbw (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:42 AM)

when Ms. Clinton talks about experience, what exactly has she ever been accountable for? what has she owned? what track record does she have where she had the final say? as one of 100 senators? as first lady? as a governor's wife? the only initiative that i know of where Ms. Clinton had any "ownership" was her drive to reform healthcare in the 1990's, and that drive did not go very far at all.

Ed G, Westport, CT (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:43 AM)

WHO CARES WHAT HILLARY OR OBAMA SAYS. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL NOT ELECT A DEMOCRAT. THE PARTY STANDS FOR LATE TERM ABORTION MURDER , A PARTY THAT PRAYS FOR US TO LOSE THE WAR. A PARTY THAT OUR ARMY WILL NOT SERVE UNDER. SCARY A PARTY THAT PRAYS FOR OUR SOLDIERS DEATHS AT FUNERALS, A PARTY OF MANY ANTI CHRIST PEOPLE, A PARTY THAT CALLS A PERVERT EX PRESIDENT A ROCKSTAR, WHOSE WIFE TOOK MILLIONS FROM DRUG DEALERS AND CRIMINALS FOR HIS PARDONS TO GET ELECTED. A PARTY THAT GIVES ILLEGALS WELFARE AND FOODSTAMPS FOR AN ILLEGAL VOTE. A PARTY OF BLACK AND HISPANIC GANGS THAT MURDER AND MUG AND INFEST OUR COUNTRY WITH DRUGS, A PARTY WITH TRASHY WHITE WOMEN THAT MAKE ADULT PARTY STORES WEALTHY WITH BLACK TOYS, A PARTY OF SICKOS

D ANDERS TX (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:43 AM)

Each day I say to myself: Hillary can't sink any lower - and each day she proves me wrong with something she says or does.

I thought planted questions, staged events and planted hecklers were bad, but the comments about MLK and now this.

I'm no longer interested in anything she says or does.

laurie, Pittsfield, MA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:43 AM)

D ANDERS TX (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:43 AM)

Hillary's reaction to an Al Qaeda attack will be to cry.

sheme k (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:44 AM)

Can someone say Rudy Giuliani 2.0...for someone who doesn't like Republican talking points, she sure knows how to use them. Her campaign is pathetic.

Oscar, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:45 AM)

And there's the final card of a desperate candidate. Let's play the 'fear' card that worked so well for a while for Dubya and Co. Too bad the country stopped believing Chicken Little more than a year ago. Does she really think we'll believe in it again because it's her that's crying it? Give me a break.

Please Hillary. Just stop. Please.

Mike K, Denver (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:45 AM)

Hillary is now becoming Rudy.She is losing, and now realizes that she will not be the Democratic nominee. She expected this to be a cake walk.She is trying the scare tactics of Rudy Giuliani, which is vote Republican or die.Now it is vote for me or die. What next Hillary, the race card?.

Gearge, Mercer County, New Jersey (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:46 AM)

Politics of fear is so Karl Rove circa 2004

Find a new playbook Hill

Ron, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:46 AM)

Are you a journalist or a partisan blogger? Of course her comments are appropriate and should be said.
I am sickened by the way the media attempts to make or break a candidate instead of report on basic facts. You all wrote off both McCain and Huckabee a couple of months ago. At least they had time to dig their way out. How nice of you to write her obituary on the eve of the election. Shame!

Roger, Orlando, FL (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:46 AM)

No, she did not go too far. She hit it right on the head. Experience always counts, whether it's choosing your kids' babysitter or electing a president.

I have nothing against Obama, except his lack of experience. I just think he's about 8 years too early in his presidential bid. He's barely warmed a seat in the U.S. Senate, for crying out loud!!! I want a track record by which to judge his decision-making skills. The last time we elected an underqualified president, we ended up with George Dubya. We can't afford another blunder like that.

Brenda, Boulder, CO (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:46 AM)

She's starting to sound like some of the republicans "vote for me and no one gets hurt". All the more reason to vote for Obama.

Gene Gorter Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:47 AM)

I'm not an Obamma supporter, but it seems he would handle things when the "chips are down" with more thoughtful leadership than what is coming from the Clinton Family.

K., Austin (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:47 AM)

Well, I'm sure Obama will give them a good talking to and tell them it's time for change and everything will be OK if we believe. So I don't see any problems in regard to experience.

I'm sure they'll listen (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:49 AM)

Yes, she did. Hillary will now go into smear mode. A shame really. I feel for her. All the years she had to go thruogh the right-wing smear jobs. And now, she is doing it herself. That is why Obama will win. We need a new direction in America, therefore we have to get rid of the status qou. Sorry Hillary.

P.D. (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:50 AM)

I think she's right. She doesn't suggest that we chat with terrorists, like others do.

http://www.lezident.com

Lea Lesi, Portland, Maine (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:50 AM)

Why do people or maybe the press think that Hillary has gone to far when she is stating the facts. It's time to face reality people. We need to repair the mess that the Bush Administration has made and I believe that Hillary has the expertise and diplomacy to do the job. Also, in reference to yesterday's tear-eyed comments, I believe if you go through your archives you will see that many president's have shown us this side. Does it mean they can not handle the job as is being insinuated? No, I believe it shows the human side which a well balanced leader needs.

Claire Farrell, Gettysburg, PA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:52 AM)

Resorting to Bushian fear tactics. That's not CHANGE. Pathetic. Say goodnight Hillary.

JohnnyU, WA State (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:53 AM)

Extremist always test the new President. They did it to Reagan in Beruit with the killing of 200 Marines, they did it with Bush Sr. with Saddam invading Kuwait, they did it with Bill Clinton and the 93 WTC car bomb, they did with Bush with the 9-11 attacks.

It's how the President handles the test is what Clinton was talking about. Reagan handled it well, he got us out of Lebabnon. Bush senior handled it well by kicking Saddam out of Kuwait but not invading Iraq. Bill Clinton handled it well by having the CIA and the FBI go after the guys who did it and had them arrested and thrown in Prison, and didn't invade Muslum countries. We all know what happened with Bush and how he didn't handle it well. An Experienced President has been shown to make the right call, the inexperienced President has shown they do not. This article is just another attempt by the media to slam Clinton before during a Primary vote. MSNBC, is the worst. I can't beleive what lengths they will go to to slam Hillary.

Stopwatchingfoxnews, Rochester, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:53 AM)

Let's be real... Hillary Rodham the divorced woman who has made peace with her ex-husband might have won this nomination and election. Hillary Clinton cannot, and will not. Having that marriage back in the White House is viscerally unacceptable to at least half the country and reasonably so.

If our problems are to be solved and we are to end the screaming idiots of left and right yelling past one another on meaningless talk shows, and solve the very serious problems we have, the culture and morality wars of the 90s have to join those of the 60s in the dustbin of history. This from a progressive centrist who thought Bill did a good job and that his indiscretions, moronic as they were, should have been kept private.

If Hillary stayed married for political reasons, she deserves not to be elected. If she stayed married for personal reasons, she should have realized there could (would!) be a serious political price to pay. Dynasty is itself an issue, and in this particular case, it is unacceptable. It will not happen. She needs to recognize this and move on, for her sake as well as that of her party and her country. A divorced Bill could have endorsed her, been an advisor, campaigned a bit, perhaps had a job, but under a separate roof, with closure. Whatever their drama is, we have seen that movie and have ZERO interest in any sequel. That day is done. This is the end of an era, and good riddance.

Give me Obama, I will even accept Romney. While the latter may stand for nothing, we desperately need a cool, well-spoken centrist to actually fix things rather than believing in them or shouting about them or complaining about them. All these people we are paying, and paying attention to, need to be served notice: do something! Get to work or get out of Dodge and off the TV screen. And do it now. Period.

Greg Panfile, Tuckahoe NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:55 AM)

It's about time, 1st read. I posted this several times last evening. Glad to see, that your Hillary embed or so-called Reporter, finally decided to tell ya.

I wondered where the Outrage was. I guess we're all about to find out with this thread.

Rick,ky (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:55 AM)

What became of the activists of the 1960's? You are now part of the establishment - the same establishment you fought against. You haven't handled post September 11th too well. You are self-centered and self-serving, afraid to stand on your own beliefs and fight. Why? Because it may be political suicide. And now the Constitution is being ripped to shreds. That's not what we wanted.

Remember JFK's Profiles in Courage? What happened? The Me Generation never changed. You got yours - yet the rest of the country is hurting and hurting big time.

We're putting our faith in a new generation.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:55 AM)

Eh... I guess better late than never, but you're at least one cycle behind on this one. What's the matter, don't you watch Olbermann?

Aaron, NY, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:56 AM)

I actually think it's a valid point, if not the best tactic for Hillary at this juncture. Her problem is she's pretty much painted into a corner - it's too late to redefine her race, so she's more or less got to run with the image she's got now and try to make it a winner.

I honestly don't know that Obama's brand of "we can DO it people" chutzpah will cut an awful lot of ice in the famously arid Middle East, and if Al Qaeda commanders aren't viewing his presidency as a golden opportunity to test the US's mettle I'd be surprised. So I think it's worth raising. Hillary's problem is that just now Obama has such momentum because people very badly WANT to believe what he so obviously believes himself. In that climate, any Cassandra, no matter how prescient, can expect short shrift.

Rich, Vidalia, GA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:57 AM)

Hillary must have hired Karl Rove to help guide her campaign. Pathetic.

Marko, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:01 PM)

I'm wondering WHY this is a big deal? the Alqaeda word is synonomous with the word terrorist, which all candidates mention quite frequently. Why is this a big story??? Let's put EVERY WORD that Obama utters under a microscope and have every news outlet dissect it, then we'll see where the story is. Oh, that's right, Saint Obama only gets the positive press while Hillary gets all the negative and judgmental press. The double standard is astounding. I am feeling worse every day about this "new way of politics". You may as well be a lynch mob the way you spew hatred day in and day out. If Hillary loses, it's time to think republican, people!!! Who wants to be a party to the politics of hatred???? Even the republicans are not as hate-filled as the Obama supporters who spout cruelty everyday.

Cathy, Upstate NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:02 PM)

Al-Queda wouldn't attack if Hillary were President...

They'd be afraid of getting smeared

Or she might start crying.....

Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:02 PM)

So would AlQaeda be more willing to attack when a woman is in power or a man? Just askin.

Jimmy CHICAGO IL (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:03 PM)

She really is a sick person. It'll be interesting to see how low she'll sink to win the nomination and if the American public will buy her rhetoric.

Jason, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:03 PM)

Honestly, this type of scare tactic (vote for me or else security may be in jeopardy...) smacks of desperation. The kind of facile argument the GOP would be expected to pull out of their hat when the going gets tough. Hopefully, voters will see through this nonsense and call her on it. At the very least I hope that MSNBC and other news organizations will question this low blow.

Marc, NY, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:03 PM)

Three polls out this morning and three different margins for Obama as the race is tightening for Rasmussen but only getting wider for Zogby. A few more hours to wait but for now get your final round-up of polls here: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2008/01/its-election-day-final-polls-first.html

Daniel, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:04 PM)

Points to Hilary for not embracing the "if we withdraw it'll all go away strategy"

Whoever wins this has to recognize that al-Qaeda will have to be dealt with - if not by conventional force then by seriously expanded counter terrorism efforts.

and I'm still Independent.

bc Indiana (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:04 PM)

If she believes this then why has she spent so much time trashing the current president, recognizing that it might give al quaida more motivation to test the US. Is she perhaps suggesting that she wants another attack on the US so she can gain political leverage against the republicans?

Brad, Shelby, NC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:05 PM)

When all fails, try the GOP way.....

"A drowning man will grab even the tip of a sword to save himself"

A little too late to start talking about security and you will really tick people off if you try the President Bush plan Hillary....

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:05 PM)

What a joke, this is straight out of Karl Roves playbook against John Kerry. Kerry went up in the polls, terror alert immediately shot up. This is dispicable and why we can no longer have a revolving Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton door in the white house. It is time for a CHANGE, and no Hillary cannot provide that.

scott, ft lauderdale, fl (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:07 PM)

Daniel, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:08 PM)

Yikes. After her Pentagon showdown last year, I never imagined she'd go Rudy on us. Ugh.

Adam, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:09 PM)

The more I hear from Hillary, the more she disgusts me! If she wins the Democratic nomination, I will not vote.

bennyaz, Scottsdale AZ (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:10 PM)

I definately think that she is FINALLY getting to the reality of things! Yes, Hillary, it is easy for all of the candidates to acknowledge domestic problems and promise to address them, even go so far as to promise change and to fix our national problems. President Bush had a plan when he ran for the presidency that DID NOT include a war on terror - but unfortunately even the leader of the free world cannot control what events shape his/her presidency. I am so glad to hear a democrat FINALLY acknowledging this and realizing that it is not a 'republican, war mongoring' approach to instill fear in us. Nobody wants to fear our enemies (especially ones we cannot put a face on), BUT THAT IS OUR REALITY!

Kathryn in Bham (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:10 PM)

Why is it considered going to far? She's talking about our national security being at stake and I fully agree with her. I think Bush being in the White House on 9/11 made the attacks imminent because the terrorists were aware of the fact that Bush likely would invade Iraq or the Middle East at a moment's notice - hence jihad - the Christian vs. Muslim war. Guess where we are right now and who we are fighting?

Kathy Rak, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:10 PM)

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