Power steps down from Obama camp

Posted: Friday, March 07, 2008 12:00 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ’s Aswini Anburajan and NBC’s Mark Hudspeth
Obama’s top foreign policy adviser Samantha Power has resigned from the Obama campaign, after a Scottish newspaper reported she called Hillary Clinton a “monster.” Power, who was unpaid, initiated the move, according to the Obama campaign.

“With deep regret, I am resigning from my role as an advisor the Obama campaign effective today,” Power said in a statement released by the campaign. “Last Monday, I made inexcusable remarks that are at marked variance from my oft-stated admiration for Senator Clinton and from the spirit, tenor, and purpose of the Obama campaign. And I extend my deepest apologies to Senator Clinton, Senator Obama, and the remarkable team I have worked with over these long 14 months.”

Clinton campaign backers had earlier this morning called for Power, the Pulitzer-prize winning author, Harvard professor, to step down for her comments.

Obama campaign aides had little to say.

"Its very clear where she stood on this issue,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. “And we made clear through her statement about it.”

"She notified the campaign sometime this morning," Psaki added.

When asked for more details, Psaki added, "We are not going to get into the internal dynamics of the campaign."

Communications Director Robert Gibbs stressed Power was an unpaid advisor and not part of the campaign staff.

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Comments

People who keep spouting the line about Hillary winning all the "blue states" as the reason she should be the nominee,

Here's the fundamental flaw with your argument. In each of those states, Obama received MORE votes than any Democratic candidate in primary/caucus history. Hillary received a few more. But to suggest that he "wouldn't win" is an insult to YOUR intelligence (not to those reading it since we realize how specious your argument is).

Fact Check (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:04 PM)

Anybody else sick of the ceaselessly disparaging comments from Clinton supporters? I’ve tried to find ONE post on MSNBC, CNN, and others that is a positive delineation of what Clinton has DONE, what she stands for (other than being against Obama), and what positive change she would bring our country. Alan in NJ probably comes closest but 99% of the posts are filled with hatred and bitter name-calling.

So, it struck me last night that the whole group deserves a new nickname. Others may have ideas but here’s one in honor of their favorite nickname for Obama supporters (Obamabots):

The Clinton-nots (or simply “Clintonots”). Why? She has no positive plan; it’s all about what NOT to do.

An ode to a Candidate and her Clinton-nots:

No you can’t see my tax returns
No you can’t see my White House work product
No you can’t ask me questions about my “experience” (because I have no good answers)
No you can’t make changes to our system of having lobbyists finance campaigns
No you can’t count votes in caucuses as legitimate forms of democratic expression
No you can’t call yourself a real state unless you’ve voted for me

An Obamabot (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:04 PM)

First Read and David Brooks,
About this “Obama can’t fight back.” You are wrong, wrong, WRONG. You've played into Clinton's hands. Just because Obama fights back does NOT mean he's no longer the candidate of hope or change.

You are perpetuating a false dichotomy and once again working straight into the Clintons' hands.

Reality Check (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:05 PM)

How about Wolfson stepping down for calling Obama Ken Starr?

From the Goose to the Gander (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:06 PM)

You are just scratching the surface. I can't believe that the American public can be so easily led by the nose when it comes to Hillary. I used to be a military man and I wouldn't trust her for a second with our nations security. Most presidents that turn out to be good leaders have the help of a crack staff that they can rely on. She can't even keep her goons in check in a presidential campaign! She really needs to have her feet held to the fire on this and the MSM seems so squeamish when it comes down to "VETTING" her. I have a friend in town that is a big GOP supporter and I told him to save me a huge McCain sign for my lawn just in case she wins the nomination.

mike (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:06 PM)

How come Mr. Wolfson doesn't step down? He called Sen. Obama "Ken Starr". Am I missing something here-Isn't Ken Starr equivalent to Monster in Dem-world?

and why is it that HRC didn't immediately denounce and reject Mr. Johnson's characterization of Sen. Obama?

Her hyprocrisy is shameful. She surrounds herself with viperous surrogates. This is what a Clinton White House will be like if she is elected.

END THE DYNASTY

Debbie G (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:08 PM)

Its the difference between the two campaigns. A comment like this is not just OK, it is welcomed in the Clinton machine. In the Obama world it gets you fired. Good to see that one of the candidates has a shred of civility left.

Jim Tekcirc, Chicago (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:09 PM)

I admire Ms. Power for her courageous action. It was difficult for her to resign, but she had to do so because of what Senator Barack Obama represents. Obama is a class-act individual who will bring sanity to the presidency. However, Obama should be tougher now; it is imperative for him to show toughness and not concede any grounds to the Clintons on issues. He is more believable than the Clintons and he should sharpen his message. Demanding for the Clintons to release their tax returns is legitimate. Obama should continue to demand that. The Clintons should not wait till April 15th to release the tax returns unless they are hiding something.
Prince George

Prince George, Dallas, Texas (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:10 PM)

so much for calling a spade a spade. The Clintons are monsters!

M/G, St. Louis, Mo (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:10 PM)

Now when is Obama campaign going to INSIST that
Howard Wolfson resign for the Ken Starr comment?

If not, is the media (and you guys) going to question
why not?

JIM WHITTAKER (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:10 PM)

Obama has himself backed up in a corner. He can't come out swinging because it will be "silly season".That will make him look like every other politician. So what Obama has to do is stand there and take it like a man. Let the Clinton machine run over you.

If obama thinks clinton is being"negative" he is clearly not ready to take on the GOP.

Clinton 08

Don't hate the player, hate the game

patty,sd,ca (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:10 PM)

I agree that Obama is a rookie. He would need on the job training with a slow curve. We don't have time for him learn at our country's expense. We have by far the best candidate we have had since Al Gore. You stood back and let him get away, will you be that foolish again? I for one hope not. Stand up for us all and vote for Hillary.

Hillary is right for us (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:11 PM)

She should have been fired by Obama. A monster??? c'mon and why is Clinton taking the blows here???

Lynette, NYC (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:11 PM)

The Clinton campaign is not as classy as the Obama campaign, so Howard Wolfson won't step down for the Ken Starr comment. I'm sick of the Clintons. They are the WORST politicians in America' history. The notion that you'd have a Republican carry the whitehouse rather than someone in your own party, is ludicrous and unpatriotic.

Nonsense.. (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:12 PM)

Two Step process for a LEGITIMATE THIRD PARTY:

1) Hillary Wins Nomination based on a subjective argument (since it is mathematically impossible for her to win)

2) Nader gets a legitimate VP with real name recognition.

ITS THAT EASY!

Although I think Hillary is divisive (not really her fault), her nomination might be America's best Hope for a Third Party!

Lindsey, NY (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:12 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com
Yes,let the victimization of HRC begin. I expect she’ll start crying anytime now.

twocanpete (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:12 PM)

Who else is really tired of Hillary and her campaign. They are dillusional, disfunctional and well down right boring. She will not beat McCain, plain and simple. Our bhuddy Carl Rove is still out there and Hill has lots of skeletons in her closet. Obama is a better person and I hope that for the DNC that he prevails. Else, the DNC is finished.

Republican Raj NYC (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:12 PM)

Time for Howard Wolfson to resign following comments he has been making against Obama lately.

New Wave (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:12 PM)

That's fine, Obama's camp continues to take the high road by keeping their house in order, and Clinton doesn't.

Let's see the info on Bill Clinton's pardons that are locked up in his Library in Little Rock. Anyone on team Clinton got the sack to try this one on?

Matt, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:13 PM)

Dear Fact Check,
Not only are you correct but the blue states will go for whoever wins the Democratic nomination. Does anybody imagine for a minute that California will go to McCain if Hillary isn't the Dem nominee? Of course not.

Hillary Clinton's endorsement of McCain over her Dem rival and current front-runner, Obama, ought to disqualify her from receiving a single super delegate vote as she is clearly intent on destroying the party's chances in November if the supers fail to hand her an unearned nomination.

She is telling us that she would rather see a Republican in the White House if she can't have it herself and the DNC should take her at word. The supers need to stand up and tell her that she will not receive a single vote from a single party super delegate on the basis of that threat.. That would make Obama the undisputed choice and we could get on with running against McCain as opposed to supplying him with all his best campaign ad material, courtesy of the traitor Clinton.

Felix, CO (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:14 PM)

Clinton is a monster, she quit for speaking the truth?

Honestly, what we need for the democrats is a question for question battle between the two candidates. Any question can be asked, so when Obama starts questioning Clinton's experience and integrity people will see what she really is....a self absorbed monster!

John, MI (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:14 PM)

OMG!!

Obama and Ken Starr,

change you can believe in!!! Same incendiary tactics, calling a sweet adorable woman like Hillary Clinton a ( ) well, I'm not even going to say it, it is so bad.....

The politics of division is so apparent in the hollow words in the "spewing rhetoric" of Obama and friends.

SHAME SHAME SHAME, how can anyone in good conscience say bad, nasty, negative, insulting things about our Lady of Light, Hillary Clinton, the next President of the United States of America.....

Here here....

SHAME SHAME SHAME.... Barack Obama

Anti Reaganess Big Talkers, Columbus Georgia (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:15 PM)

I actually think that's kind of a shame. In the grand scheme of things, monster/name-calling is not a major deal (if it is apologized and reprimanded immediately what was done). It does not strike me as a resignation offense, but I do understand Obama's image.

I am a highly moral/principled person, believe it or not. If I were Barack, I would not have accepted her resignation, as the Clinton campaign is once again blowing this little situation well out of proportion. I would have attacked them for that (in a classy way), as they really need to be stopped from doing that.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:15 PM)

Patty- Is Slick Willie there helping you type? Remind him to call Hillary before 3:00 AM.

Jesse, Fallon NV (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:15 PM)

Two Step process for a LEGITIMATE THIRD PARTY:

1) Hillary Wins Nomination based on a subjective argument (since it is mathematically impossible for her to win)

2) Nader gets a legitimate VP with real name recognition.

Its that Easy!

Although I think Hillary is divisive (not really her fault), her nomination might be America's best Hope for a Third Party!

Lindsey, NY (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:15 PM)

patty,sd,ca (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:16 PM)

What a shame that this advisor stepped down. Last time I checked this was still a free country. There is nothing wrong with her calling Hillary a "monster" and besides she immediately appoligized. Now if she had called Hillary an ego-manical _itch, then I could see that as stepping over the bounds of Obama's high standards.

Kelly (from Pittsburgh) (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:16 PM)

unpaid?? with all that money?? How many more unpaid???I am really shocked.I read the results of this statement from ap wire out of London.Have the best people around me he says. I admire the stepping down but am thinking of how bad this could have been.Not good for world opinion of us is it? Maybe just another bad judgement move from Obama.Next to Resko he said was bone headed judgement.Well it looks like politics as usual.have someone call the name for you etc.hang on its just the beginning

ep-ny (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:16 PM)

It's true - HRC is a monster and will do anything, anything to win. She has no standards. She has been attacking Obama for weeks (kitchen sink)but when Obama strikes back, it's dirty and she is a victim and it seems that the press is buying into it. I don't get it.

Barbara Ripley, Portland, ME (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:18 PM)

Lynette, NYC-
Isn't it a little hard for Obama to fire an unpaid advisor who is not part of the campaign staff? Get real! Besides, at least she did the classy thing: apologized and stepped down.

Baileigh (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:18 PM)

Has anyone esle noticed that, when informed of Bill Cunningham's "Barak Hussein Obama" speech, Sen. McCain immediately denounced Cunningham, while Sen. Obama made no comment at all regarding Samantha Powers' "monster" comment (or the comments of Rev. Wright, Minister Farrakhan, etc.). At the same time, Sen. Obama wants to talk without preconditions to dictators in Iran, North Korea, and elsewhere (talk about "monsters"!). It seems Sen. Obama has a hard time making event the simplest of character judgments!

Citizen Dad, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:18 PM)

Wolfson , needs to do the same. Hillary is back with her crying self, Oh my God , can you imagine a president, who is scared about someone in another country calling her a monster? She would be in tears in the white house, calling Bill, crying and choking.

Naomi (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:18 PM)

I keep clicking back and forth between you guys
and Drudge, to see which one's on top of a story
first. (Yes, that's right, I don't have a life...)

So far, you guys are quickest on the draw.

JIM WHITTAKER (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:19 PM)

Why is it that Clnton and her campaign are never held accountable for their wrong-doings??? The MSM has been letting her get away with everything. Keith Olbermann is the only one reporting the true Canada/Nafta debacle where it was actually Clinton and her camp who met with the Canadians, and not Sen. Obama. Why isn't this wrong corrected by the MSM, asap??? I commend Keith Olbermann for bringing this out, but I think there should be more reported about this. As news organizations, don't you owe it to your viewers to report and clarify the truth???

K"Hussein"J, Dallas, TX (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:19 PM)

This thing has been handled quickly, maturely and professionally. All in all, it speaks well for Obama, and creates a nice contrast with the monster's campaign.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:19 PM)

Ms. Powell did the right thing; however one can understand her frustration as Clinton surrogates continue to work under the covers with smears and innuendo.
The NAFTA thing is an excellent example. Some pundits are saying it was smart politics. Shame on them. Those tactics are exactly why so many of us are sick of the political "game". What is so "smart" about an outright lie? It even appears that Bill may have orchestrated this falsehood through his Canadian contacts.
Anyway, thank God for Barack Obama. I will continue to do anything I can to further his campaign. This country needs to turn away from the old-style, do-anything-to-get-elected, winning is all that matters, grubby, deceitful, disgraceful political formula.

sunny, nv (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:20 PM)

Umm, is there anybody who doesn't think that Powers was very close to accurate in her portrayal of HRC? I mean, at least Newsweek had the guts to go against the grain and display the facts about HRC's "momentum".
Obama has won 14, she won 3 since Super Tuesday. It was a moral victory, but that's it. Netting and average of 3 delegates per win the rest of the way will give her 39 more delegates, which will give Obama a 110 delegate lead. I realize this is assuming his campaign doesn't implode. It seems that it may, but Powers resigning means he gets to reclaim the "high road" again.
Meanwhile, our future leader is hiring some of the best fundraisers in the business and moving on to finish the race strong.
Mac is Back! '08

kyd70,SC (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:20 PM)

So, what's the problem?

She IS a monster!

Charles Lemay (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:20 PM)

What i want to know is why are we counting Michigan and Florida now. Would these two states be a factor if Clinton was winning. A rule is a rule Don't change it in the middle thats the sneaky stuff that i hate about politics. If you lose take it on the chin Hillary, if you win Congrads

Chris (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:21 PM)

Ken Starr should be the one mad. He has more experience than Obama. How is it that the least qualified person for the job keeps showing up? Regain, Bush Sr., Bush Jr., doesn't anyone remember how this has turned out? If not for Bill Clinton things would have been bad alot longer. Open your ears and eyes look at Hillary and him and he can't hold a light for her to go by. There is no excuse not to put her in the oval office.

Callie for Hillary (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:21 PM)

I wrote a big rant a while back about how ridiculous it would be to vote for McCain if your candidate does not get the Democratic nomination.

I will not vote for McCain, but Hillary is making me sick...and I am starting to think that I won't be able to stomach voting for her. I can not be a part of her winning anything. Not after this sad, pathetic cheat by Clinton. If Obama's campaign adviser needs to resign for a frustrated statement for which she apologized immediately, then Wolfson should resign for his repeated statements comparing Obama, unfairly, to Kenn Starr, and for perpetuating the lie about NAFTA before Ohio.

And Clinton has repeatedly endorsed McCain. I would be OUTRAGED if she were spending MY money to campaign for the Republicans.

I will NOT abide her behavior. I can NOT, in good conscience, vote for her under ANY circumstances at this point. I will write in Obama/Edwards if the Dems give her the nomination.

Clint-Rovian (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:22 PM)

I don't see why all the fuss, she is a monster, liar and as billigerent as you can get, the Kenneth Starr comment just shows the ignorance of her staff as they continue to sabotage her chances, its Hillary way or everyone is taking advantage of me becomes her cry of the day and the new media eats it up. This is nonsense not news. Why not talk about her conversation with the Canadian government to take her stance on NAFTA with a grain of salt, now that is news!!!!!

Eunece Morris (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:22 PM)

I must be missing something. Finally some honesty in this race and someone has to resign because she spoke the truth.

Bill, White Plains NY (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:22 PM)

I think Hillary should fire Bill Clinton for his untruthful comments about Obama.

Judy, Orlando, Florida (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:24 PM)

What momentum doees Hillary Have she has lost 12 states out of 15 of the last contest, she should have wrapped this up, since she is soooooo experienced!! she is crazy, watch her mood swings on the campaign trail, can we say where is my therapist???

Eunece Morris (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:25 PM)

Calling Hillary a monster is regrettable and grounds for dismissal. Referring to Barack as Ken Starr is equally disgraceful and Wolfson needs to be reprimanded as well. Anyway, NEXT.

Blaine (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:25 PM)

Not to worry Obama supporters. Powers will be rectified and will receive sympathy for her voluntary resignation for taking the high road and voluntarily resigning versus Clinton's aides like Wolfson who call Obama a Ken Starr but stay on and continue to open their big nasty mouths. Powers knew exactly what she was doing when she resigned. This is an example of the kind of people that Obama has surrounded himself with. People willing to admit when they were wrong and to t ake the responsibility fore it versus Hillary's people who would never admit they were wrong and will not take responsibility for their actions. Powers will come out of this well thought of. Where is Wolfson's resignation for his Star comparison to Obama?

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:26 PM)

I have to say this is a prime example of why Senator Obama and his team are heads and tails above Senator Clinton and her team. Ms. Powers is a brilliant individual who like many of us have lost the vision the Senator Obama has set for us. She was un unpaid aid which means no firing could have really happened she could have just went to the back of the room and work on other things but she didn't. She fell on her sword for the vision that we as democrats and people who want a better government have been wanting for a long time in Senator Obama.

So for anyone who is a Clinton Supporter take a look at the things ALL of the words and name calling that have been made out of your campaign and take a true look at how close it really is to what we have all been waiting for in politics and I think you will find it is a long ways from it. Dirty politics is what is destroying this country.

For decades now we have been not only been kicked by those who do not see things the way we do, but we are now kicking each other. So we can either go back to a time that was better then it is now, but because of all the deceit, lies, and backroom politics it could have been so much better. Or we can make a real move forward whether it is with one or both our candidates.

I am an Obama supporter and think that we should do what in my mind is right for the country by making him our next President, but for the good of the party or even the ideas of what we feel makes GOOD government stop the bickering.

Obama 08’

Dale, Lincoln IL (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:27 PM)

HILLARY has ties to Rezko, three, yes 3 offenders indicted with Rezko, gave to Hillarys' campaigns. She said she didn't know him, them a photo surfaced, it think it was NBC. ENOUGH, with the Rezko, Obama is not even on the witness list. SHE IS on the defendant in an ACTIVE lawsuit with Peter Paul, in CA. GEEEEZZZZZ

DeniseGA (Sent Friday, March 07, 2008 12:28 PM)

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