Clinton's attack ad

Posted: Friday, February 15, 2008 3:04 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Ads

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
We've seen veiled references and even candidates naming each other in some recent ads, but this attack ad from Clinton running in Wisconsin is the real thing, the genuine article...

Expect those truth-o-meters, Pinocchios and other fact-checking devices to be abuzz.

Here's the script for "Deserves":
Announcer: Barack Obama still won't agree to debate in Wisconsin. And now he's hiding behind false attack ads. Maybe he doesn't want to explain why his health care plan leaves out 15 million people and Hillary's covers everyone.

Or why he voted to pass billions in Bush giveaways to the oil companies, but Hillary didn't. Or why he said he might raise the retirement age and cut benefits for social security. But Hillary won't.

Why won’t Barack Obama debate these differences? Wisconsin deserves better. Clinton: I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

*** UPDATE *** NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan highlights the part of the press conference in which Obama responded to why he wasn't debating Clinton in Wisconsin -- in light of Clinton's ad. When asked what the harm is in doing a debate in Wisconsin, Obama replied, "Because I have to talk to voters, you know, every chance I get to talk to voters. We're not only picking up support, we're learning and listening and finding out what they're concerned about. And, you know, the debate exercise is one that I think has become fairly predictable.

"I could make the arguments on behalf of Senator Clinton that she would make against me in a debate. We all know them. You guys could too. And I'm sure the same applies to the other side. On the other hand, when we have a chance to talk to voters directly, when we have a chance to give them a sense of where we want to take the country and that's my priority in these closing weeks.

Asked about his response ad to Clinton's debate-challenge ad on not debating, he said, "Our general attitude is that any time somebody goes up with something
negative, we want to make sure that we respond to it."

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Comments

wow... its amazing politicians can get away with lying through their teeth without paying a fine. or maybe they do have to pay fines for lying, and that's why her campaign is always so damn broke.

Hillary your time to step down has come.
She makes me disgusted and as a woman I DO NOT have respect for her, nor do I find her someone to admire, not even in the slightest.

Jennifer, Chicago IL (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:45 PM)

Its about time that this turned into a real campaign for "PRESIDENT". Never in the history of this country have you seen candidates not turning on each other to win. Why are you people pretending this is desperation. It's called "CAMPAIGNING". It's time to cut the crap and let the chips fall where they may. THIS IS NOT SUNDAY SCHOOL. May the best candidate win.

cher (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:45 PM)

Sounds like a loser to me. I am tired of lies and deception. I hope America has had enough of the Clinton's.

Steve A, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:45 PM)

Ever wonder why Hillary is so desperate?

She's awash in corporate money. She made promises.

Don't reward this sort of behavior with your vote. If Hillary cared about Wisconsin, she'd be in Wisconsin. Oh yeah, she couldn't manage a $100 million + campaign, so she can't afford to be in Wisconsin.

adam/nyc (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:45 PM)

Obama states his positions everyday - very clearly.
Care to see for yourself ?
Go to BarackObama.com/issues
And see for yourself....
or you can open your mouth and be fed the Clinton/Bush/McCain spin.
- America knows that Clinton is growing desperate... but lets try to get back on the high road Hillary... Stop the Rovian politics. It's tired and old and depressing and does no good for America.
-----------------------
Barack Obama for President of the UNITED States of America.

PulSamsara (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:45 PM)

I am so glad that people recognize that the media has been discriminating against a woman candidate. Any time Hillary had a good day, the media was silent. The language describing Hillary has been consistently negative (ie can she maintain her lead etc from the beginning, while language describing Obama has been consistenly flaterring and supportive). Come on media, don't you think we can see through PROPAGANDA instead of reporting.

Beth for Hillary, Boca Raton, FL (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:46 PM)

Hillary is a disgrace.

Betty st petersburg FL (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:46 PM)

At times it's ugly to see the truth about people you thought you could trust. The Clintons are such people. However, during this campaign we have seen them for what they've become: bitter, lying, desperate, underhanded. As a woman, this election has comforted me because I now know that women can compete for the top job in this country and be taken seriously. Hopefully during an election soon, we can find a female candidate who also deserves the trust one gives the highest position in the land. Hillary hasn't met that test.

Debra Austin, Texas (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:46 PM)

How many debates have there been? 18? 20? It's not like there haven't been any debates. The only reason Clinton wants debates is for the free air time. Do you really think she'd be asking for debates if she was up by like 500 delegates? Obama agreed to 2 debates which I think is fair. I can't remember a previous presidential election in which there were so many debates BEFORE the nominees were selected, so Hillary's ads just smack of desperation.

And like so many others have pointed out, if she is so concerned about debating in Wisconsin, why isn't she there campaigning herself instead of sending Bill? No, she's spending more time in Texas because Texas is a BIG state.

She's ridiculous and so is her campaign. That is why these 2 major labor unions today have endorsed Obama. Not that all of their members will go along, but it shows that people directly close with blue collar labor favor Obama....and they aren't even paying him off. So what does that say?
Go Obama!

Rob, Holly Springs, NC (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:46 PM)

I see nothing wrong with a spirited debate on the issues. Obama is strong on image but weak on the issues. The best liked person is not necessarily the most effective president, case and point-George W. Bush.

Chuck, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:46 PM)

People have seen them debate how many times now? At least a dozen so far. The last one showed they don't have enough differences on policy to warrant further debate. It's about who is divisive vs. who is electable in the fall. Hillary, no more free air time for you. If you want to be on TV use some more of your millions.

Troy, California (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:46 PM)

Shouldn't Hillary at least be in the State when she is asking for debates? Or has she decided to just do negative TV ads and have her "husband" do the attacking.

Jane - WI (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:47 PM)

The Clintons are such a low-life Couple, it's getting pathetic. They will run over their own Party, destroying everything and anyone, in their way. Amazing.

George (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:47 PM)

It's over...Hillary is trying to win the Kentucky Derby riding a goat!!!

Hahahaha

JP - STL MO (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:47 PM)

Well it began earlier, the Clintons and their twisting facts, and outright LYING. When that doesn't work.. bring in race...and cry gender discrimination! You would think the backlash from the Democratic voters, would've given them a clue, NOT THIS TIME....knock it off!! All the attacks and negativety make her seem WEAK!! Don't tell
me about him, tell me about YOU, what YOU will do, what YOU won't do, and WHY I should VOTE FOR YOU!!!
I'm sooooo TIRED of hearing about debates. You have to be brain dead if you watched all the debates and don't know where they stand. I have noticed
during debates she is rude and arrogant, and I guess she thinks that makes her look good? Once again, stop attacking him, adn tell me why your ideas are BETTER, not why he is so WRONG. He stays positive Hillary, can you try that???
If she runs a country the way she has run her campaign, we will be in worse shape with her, than we are with BUSH!! She can't even run a campaign for heaveen sake. How will she run a NATION????

CMH in PA (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:47 PM)

Everyones attacking Clinton, but Obama has such little experience!!! We know little about what he can do for the country. If he's elected it will just be like having Bush in office all over again.

Alicia, Merced, CA (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:47 PM)

Hillary must want another chance to destroy the rest of the Whitehouse china and relics when
Bill has another orgy.

Jimmie Seymour (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:47 PM)

Hey everyone, notice the intelect difference among Obama supporters and Hillary fans. Hillary supporters ignore that she took more money from lobbyists than any Republican even. They ignore her support of Nafta, the Iraq war, the bill to make it harder to delare bankrupcy. Hey Hillary supports, I get the importance of a woman candidate, but don't you want a woman candidate to be proud of. I used to like Hillary, her campaign has turned me off to her and she seems desperate. Lastly, does anyone else agree that she would take the party down with her before she would drop out. This woman is full of arrogance.

Anthony Pace, Baltimore, MD (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:47 PM)

John Doe: '...The truth is the truth. Wisconsin invited Obama and Hillary to debate...'

Wisconsin ? the whole STATE invited them to debate ?
When did THAT happen ?

'...Hillary accepted, Obama refuses...'

Of course, Hillary is out of MONEY
She wants free TV time
Why would Obama give her free TV time ?
Doesn't a well run campaign maximize their advantages ?
Ditzy Hillary couldn't manage her campaign finances and ran out of money.....
TOO BAD !!

And her ONLY HOPE is to smear Obama
Why give her a platform ?
Does she REALLY want to debate issues ?
or does she want a chance to smear Obama ?

PS
John Doe, I thought you were a victim of a street crime.
I saw the yellow chalk lines around your body

Sierra, SF (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:48 PM)

Won't some 527 please come forward to remind voters that Hillary Clinton has been just as fond of secrecy and as loath to give up any requested information as Dick Cheney is, since day one in the White House as First Lady.

Remember the travelgate incident, for instance, in which, as first lady, she pretended for as long as she could that requested information couldn't be found? When the pressure got too great, a folder just appeared on a side table? After Bush, no amount of pressure seems to be enough to force the executive to cough up anything and that would be just fine with Hillary.

She is also hardly likely to want to reverse the trend toward secrecy and consolidation of power in the executive branch with which the Bush administration is tearing down the beautiful structure of our constitution, which means our country, as the United States of America IS the constitution and visa versa.

We can quibble about policy details but what is more important than getting away from such arrogance, secrecy and unconstitutional concentration of power in the executive. That's the change we so desperately need and not at all the kind of change Hillary wants. How about it, 527s?

Felix, Littleton CO (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:49 PM)

You know what funny, Clinton supporters complain about Obama not debating so he can just be "the only one who gets to speak."

BUT it's perfectly legitimate, apparently, for their candidate to attack and undermine without having nearly the same face-to-face with the public.

Nothing says double standard like a Clinton or a Clinton fan.

EJ, Florida (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:49 PM)

**tom a, saint michael, mn**
Many of the old people I know call St. Michael, St. Michaels. I think because they would say things like, "I'm going to St. Michael's church, etc., etc." Just a tidbit for you. I agree with you that voters are stupid, but that is largely divided between all the candidates (perhaps and emphasis with R.P. supporters, Ha!). Anyway ...fire and brimstone actually seems to be the opposite of Obama--as his 'hope' message isn't nearly so fear-mongering as some other candidates. If you're going to attempt to deride him, might I suggest linking his message to a cult?

[I like the ad. I see nothing attacking about it.
go hil]
--One must be deaf and blind not to see/hear this as an attack ad. The Clintonista argument should be whether the advertisement is fairly attacking Obama. I have no doubt the factcheckers will likely say it wasn't to many points.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:49 PM)

Where there's smoke there usually fire, seems the the O'man's supporters are protesting to much. If anyone tells this campaign that the king has no clothes, its off with their heads. The One thing we should have learned in the Bush Whitehouse is the media loves the one their with and getting traction for real objective reporting is impossible from our Corp State run News. They also like to see blood in the water.

Jim Hale Columbia SC (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:49 PM)

I have decided that what I heard on the radio is true-- many of those posting here for Senator Clinton are being paid for each post and told to be as belligerent, obnoxious and negative as they can be. I heard that it was Senator Clinton doing the paying; but, I sincerely hope not. I hope this is some right-wing nut group.

We finally have a chance to unite to form a better America, maybe even a better world. Let's not blow that chance by venomous hatred. If you aren't getting paid to post this garbage, perhaps you should consider your own health. Hate is very damaging to your health and the health of the body politic. If you are being paid, perhaps you should consider another line of work.

Yes we can, no matter how much some of you who cling to past divisions try to tell us otherwise. Obama '08.

Kim, Pasadena, CA (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:49 PM)

I don't necessarily view this as negative. Attack ad, yes. Who wouldn't do it if that's the best way to get the attention. The sad thing is people don't educate themselves, therefore these kinds of ads are indeed effective. I hope they don't get down in the mud. However, they should battle it out. If that means some people will be swayed one way or the other because that's their only ways of getting informed, let it be so.

Doles, Miami, FL (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:49 PM)

I think the truth of where Hillary is coming from is showing in her attcks. I live in Michigan and I pray that our Delegates will not be seated unless we do another election. Counting our win is unfair you agreed because you are behind now, lets not chage the rules of the game. I am more than sure if it was reversed there would be no way she would want those counted if she was the frontrunner. I was a Hillary supporter but after all these negative attks and miss guided ads I had to re-think my decision is this the direction I want to see the country going? No of course not we have had enough of the standard attacks I'm better than him because. Stop the attcks and focus more on what you are going to do to help the country right now it appears you will do and say anything to get a win. I just pray it doesn't come down to cheating your way into the White House. We have had enough of that mess for 8 years Stop it and stick with the issue that are being dealt with in our lives. I like the both of them Hillary and Barack but after this I have moved more to the side of A change is needed all the way around including the negativity of campaigning. I really want to say to the Clintons grow up I had more respect for them before this campaign started now who was I really supporting.

Tracy W.Michigan, Detroit (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:50 PM)

A picture tells a thousand words. All Obama really needs to do is run a few commercials showing Clinton tearing up and crying, with a voice in the background saying something to the effect that america needs a strong leader.

marc, ny (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:50 PM)

I love the MSNBS bias against Hillary, calling all her ads attack ads, and calling Obama's ads as campaing ads. You people are sickening. I dare you to post this.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:50 PM)

Vote for Hilliary.
Don't any of you know better than to send a boy to do a WOMAN's job. He can be a hothead to boot.

Pen, Maine (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:51 PM)

The Clinton's want to offer us the same old, same old. The ultimate definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That is why we need Obama, new thoughts, new ideas, a new way of looking at things to once again make us a country to be proud of. Stay with Obama, stay with the positive, good bye Bill and Hillary your time has passed.

West Wisconsin 4 Obama (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:51 PM)

If Obama can send out mailers to people in Ohio that distort the record and attempts to mislead people into voting for him then he should be able to answer to some basics about his non-Democratic health care and his desire to raise the age for social security.

His lies and distortions seem to be okay.

James Columbus, OH (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:51 PM)

McCain scolds Obama on campaign funds

Early in the race, Obama promised he would take public financing if he became Democratic nominee. Now he is saying "public financing is an option that he wants on the table," but said "there is no pledge". Obama is a talker. McCain is the man.

Dong, LA, CA (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:51 PM)

Bill & Hillary will do anything and pay any cost to get back into the Whitehouse. It is not new that's how she always has been. The point is to see her for what she is and not what she pretends to be. Now she wants to void what the voters want! WE SHALL SEE! How many more people to they want to buyoutin this election, well I guess they are working on Edwards!

Robert, san mateo, california (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:51 PM)

Dave, Evergreen CO (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:21 PM)

Good point Dave: One of Bill's strengths and that helped him get elected and to become well liked by many was his ability to communicate and to give good speeches that incited people. Now Hillary is bashing someone who has the same talent as her husband.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:51 PM)

i think we are all tired of the two person debate that is not really a debate so get over it. if you compare them by issues neither is perfect, so take that out of the equation.yo could try to compare how they run there campigans, which i thinks shows obama ahead. hillary has had to make staff changes because she cant control peoples egos. if that is not enough she contuines to display a sort of shortsightness that gets her in to trouble. example- thinking the race would be over on super tues, and adopting the guiliani stargy of skipping smaller states for the " important" states. if you ask me obama has the better head on his shoulders for solveing problems.
oh yeah and hillary useing attack ads is like bush opening every speech with " somewhere teerroist are plotting to kill us" yuck! Go obama

michael,ca (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:51 PM)

Hillary sided with GW Bush on many issues, she voted for the war in Iraq, and as this was not enough, her vote on Iran follows the same road. She did not even bother to show up in the Senate this week to discus the very important issue of the "retroactive" immunity to phone companies. She is old Washington, uninspiring and plain boring, not to mention the heavy lobbying bagage she would bring in with her.

So far, her campaign was inspired by Karl Rove, now she seems to have hired him.

If she ever succeeds, I will not vote in November, since she is just as bad for America than McCain is.

Dominique, Orange, California (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:52 PM)

Gee, watching Democrats getting down and dirty is better than watching Jerry Springer!!! Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Would that either of them had a plan that was good for America... They will obsess and complain about nits and tiddles while those that would love to see us dead rejoice and praise Allah. Democrats - Keep your eye on the ball, not on these clowns as they duke it out.

Howlonya Ben Snouzin Madison, WS (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:52 PM)

I am so tired of the boys club. The media is so biased against Hillary and no matter what Barrack or his wife say about Hillary that's ok the media brushes over that. Has Michelle (who I am assoming is a Democrat) decided that she will support Hillary when she gets the nomination. Hillary add is the truth get over it folks. So the golden boys halo is slipping.

Alicia, Austin, TX (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:52 PM)

cher (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:52 PM)

Just a question. Those tax breaks he was suppost to vote for would not be such a big deal, if we were not in so much debit because of the war she did vote to authorize right? Or because of the amount of Jobs lost to NAFTA that she helped pass in her co-presidencey that is part of her experience right? Just tring to get all the facts.

Vincent KC (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:53 PM)

Why is the ad negative? Seems to me, if it is baseless it would be simple to knock down. A good forum for doing just that would be a debate.

Someone from the Obama camp can help me a great deal by explaining why lobbies are inherently evil. I though a lobby was simply a group of individuals with a common cause engaged in an effort to influence congress or other legislative officials.

Say you think children should be protected from sexual predators and you link up with a group of like minded citizens to take your case to Washington. What's wrong with that? And what is wrong with a group making donations to a political campaign or political organization that is in support of their cause?

All this accusatory language about one pol or another taking donations from lobbiests seems silly. Certainly there is such a thing as a bribe but to be harshly criticised for taking a donation from a group whose ideas you support; made up of individuals that stand in support of your ideas doesn't seem so wrong to me.

Maybe I'm just a little slow. When Senator Obama talks about Clinton taking money from lobbiests is he just using a form of code to imply that she has taken bribes? Pretty heavy charge.

Is he saying that the unions have been bribing politicians when they make contributions to their campaigns?

campdog (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:53 PM)

Obama: the momentum will be stop on Tuesday in WISCONSIN with Hillary upset win....OHIO and TEXAS will get her on the road to the nomination...PENNSYLVANIA will get to her the nomination....competence over style will win out in the end....

Pilgrimdamus el paso, tx (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:54 PM)

Ah come on Obama, Hillary needs the free TV time that a Wisconsin debate would give her. No wonder she is pushing for it.

Philip, Milwaukee WI (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:54 PM)

Wisconcin didn't invite debaters. HILLARY called all the NEWS MEDIA, SUPER TUESDAY, BEGGING for debates! It was on all the cable shows, do you watch tv?? HILLARY WANTS DEBATES CUZ THEY ARE FREE!! SIMPLE AS THAT PEOPLE!!
18 floggin DEBATES, how many more do we need?? According to Hillary, one a week!
I like politics, but not 2 debates a week, one for each party!! I would have to hang myself with my tv cord! Sheeesh!

mntgirl, warren, pa (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:54 PM)

Yes, this ad is inspiring!
I was inspired to donate to Obama.

Thanks for the push, Hillary.

MGT Seattle, WA (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:55 PM)

That's it, I am voting Republican.

It is bad enough when you have one candidate who is all talk and no action. Another candidate who is all action and no thought, and a cheering crowd egging them on to see who is going to win.

Watching this democratic primary is like watching the two slowest kids in school fight over the last pudding in the lunch line.

So Clinton wants to debate. WHY? Her numbers keep going down after the debates. Barrack wants to talk issues? WHY, every time he talks issues people lose interest in his campaign, thier eyes start to gloss over, and thier jaws start to slack.

At least when McCain talks, he says something, and I get the feeling he actually believes in what he is saying.

Hillary talks about not having the politics of fear and racial divide but seems too quick to remind people what Barrack's middle name is or send out emails regarding his schooling?

Barrack and Hillary both want to fight the war on terror but, they don't want to conduct meaningfull intelligience, they don't want to conduct meaningfull interrogations, and they don't want to deploy any troops to the field.
Curious, just how is it they expect to fight terrorists? By using thier "minds?"

John, Nebraska (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:55 PM)

Obama is the samw as Bush was in the 2000 election. He will bw far worse than Bush. I have never trusted anybody that has changed such as Bush not drinking and Obama does not do Coke or smoke Pot anymore. They are what they are and did what they did. I have never heard that about Clinton. She has been in politics all her life and will not have to rely on aides like Bush or Obama. I am a Democrat, but I voted for Reagan. I am never going to vote for a dreamer. JFK was the last Senator to win a Presidential election; he was young but had been Senator for some time and that WWII gave him the experience he needed. McCain is like Goldwater. If Hilary does not win, I will not vote. She has Bill to help her, and if we do not get our economy rolling, forget about all else.

Big Blue, Louisville, KY. (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:56 PM)

I can assure you I'm not from hilaryclinton domain server. Just one of those who can see thru Mr. Obama's fascade - there's plenty of us, thank goodness.

This post is really good from CSA, NC :
Has everyone lost their minds and forgotten that Bush 41 actually has his signature on NAFTA as well? This was not some Democratic Partisan act by Bill Clinton. If people think the Republican Party is divided and not the Democrats, you're in for a very rude awakening come November. They're not divided. They're setting us up. But, that being said, I'm not towing the Party Line and I'll vote for McCain to keep Barchelle out of the White House and I have never voted Republican in my life! Wake up America. Smell the Coffee.
(Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 1:39 PM)

Scrutinize Obama, OH (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:56 PM)

You know something, thank you Hillary. Positive campaigns are great, but a completely positive campaign means that not all the facts are heard. It means that they can be covered up because the other candidate doesn't want to point it out just to get everyone saying, "what a mean lady, she is pointing out his flaws." The horror. Grow up people. This isn't Sesame Street. This is the real world and I want to know everything about a candidate, not just the sugar coated version Barack Obama loves to portray. Go Hillary!

Hillary08, WI (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:57 PM)

Hillary is trying to win a nomination, and people don't want to listen to the realities of life , she is the only qualified individual that can work with washington, Obama is a speach maker and is inspiring everyone to go along with him on this ride that is sure to fail if and god forbid he ever get's into the white house, you people are being brainwashed and there is no help for you , it is the bush administration all over again except this time a damacratic bush, agins no not a damn thing.

martha, milwaukee WI (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:58 PM)

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