McPeak's sharp tongue stabs Bubba

Posted: Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:25 AM by Chuck Todd

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
SALEM, Ore. -- General Tony McPeak, a co-chair of the Obama campaign, and a former Chief of Staff of the United States Airforce in the Clinton Administration, President Clinton's comments on patriotic Americans Friday to Joe McCarthy.

"I think it's horrible. I'm really disappointed because I worked for President Clinton, you know?" McPeak said when asked by reporters.

"We know Barack Obama don't we? Do we think Barack Obama loves America? Is this stupid or what?" he demanded of the press surrounding him.

"It sounds more like McCarthy. I grew up, I was going to college when Joe
McCarthy was accusing good Americans of being traitors, so I've had enough of it," he added.

Told that the Clinton campaign had tried to distance itself from Bill Clinton's comment, McPeak implied that the campaign had been down this road before with the former president.

"It's a use of language as a disguised insult. We've seen this before, this
little clever spin that's put on stuff," he said.

"I have no idea what his intentions are but I'm disappointed in the statement. I think Bill Clinton is, or ought to be, better than that," McPeak concluded.

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Comments

Well said General McPeak!

Nashville_fan (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:33 AM)

This is bad for Hillary in the sense that it is yet another example of the "She'll do anything and say anything to get elected" mind set. She'd handled Wright ok (although imagine how good she'd have looked if she defended Obama and called the Wright thing a distraction. She'd have increased her African American support and media love massively). At least she didn't fuel the Wright thing. But, now, the media has this McCarthy thing to chew on for 4 days over Easter. QUESTION: is there video of Bill Clinton's speech? I'd love to see the tone/context.

Geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:34 AM)

There goes Obama against, spinning and spreading lies, he's one hell of liar

Tuck<ks (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:36 AM)

Some would claim that Obama's speeches display only his skill with the English language. Quite to the contrary, they disclose his depth, his sincerety, his clarity of thought, his vision, and his commitment to America. Those who continue to try to depict Obama as anything different or as someone other than the unifier he is will expose only themselves.

Gregory Peek, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:38 AM)

Usual Bubba speak -- "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is."

X.X. Ares, New York (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:39 AM)

Yeah and we thought Obama was better than Wright! Wrong!

I kiss my mentors feet. (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:42 AM)

Hillary has no chance to win without pulling a fast one and if she were to do that she would lose the general election because of all of us who are tired of her dirty tricks. She should be graceful (not a Clinton trait) and throw her full support behind Obama. If she did, she would win back some respect of the Democrats who think that she's just in it for herself. Her only purpose in the race at this point is to decrease the chances that a Dem. will win and that is unacceptable. As far as Bill's comment...should we expect any less the man wants to get around the 22nd Amendment and get a third term. The Clinton's need to be shown the door by the super delegates who care about the future of the party.

jan43, TX (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:42 AM)

Yeah and we thought Obama was better than Wright! Wrong!

I kiss my mentors feet. (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:42 AM)

Amazing, isn't it?

How can anyone question Obama's love of this country?

Bill Johnson, Anaconda, Montana (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:44 AM)

It's about time Bill Clinton gets what he deserves.

norman ravitch, savannah, ga (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:44 AM)

Obama threw his own Grandmother under the bus, and then called her a typical "white person"?== And McPeak is spinning the blame toward President Bill Clinton? Mr. Obama only cares about himself and his own personal gain.

g.eglesias``nepa` (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:51 AM)

Mr.Clinton, have you no shame?

nmben, NM (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:53 AM)

McPeak needs to get n honest job. Oh wait, he only has experience as a military officer--that doesn't relate to an honest job--so maybe he is doing all he knows how to do. He's only trying to further HIS OWN special interest. BTW he's now a CIVILIAN--while it's true he's still on the government tit (retired AF pay), he is a CIVILIAN. So, no more "general" rank used, please. I have a problem with people using their prior government rank as if it made them an authority on anything. He was a YES person that's how he made general officer. He remains a YES person to whoever is willing to give him money. He is NO AUTHORITY ON ANYTHING. To think any differently is stupid.

GoHillaryGo (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:58 AM)

I salute General McPeak. He's a true American hero and so is Senator Obama. I hope President Clinton will quickly apologize for his ill-advised remarks. We've got to pull the party together behind Barack Obama.

Polls show that Americans don't trust the Clintons (about 40% trust Clinton... 60% trust Obama... 60% trust McCain). There's NO WAY she could win in November and that's why Republicans want to run against her. Democrats better not make the mistake of putting forward a candidate that with a huge deficit in trust.

Keith in PA (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:00 AM)

Gen. McPeak are you sure Obama loves Obama. I know that Obama loves himself and the self-inflated opinion of himself. Someone who sits in a pew for 20 years and listens to a pastor spew venom against American has to be influenced by this. 20 x 52 = 1300. Say he missed a few, that is approx. 1000 sermons. Barack maybe brainwashed. God forbid, and I hope he does, Barack becomes COC.

fuming in Tennessee (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:02 AM)

"I think Bill Clinton is, or ought to be, better than that," McPeak concluded. Maybe he should be, General, but he's noooooot. Bill never won 51% of anything...he tries to divide the pie until he has one more vote than anybody else. Clintonian and Rovian tactics are very similar, except the Clintons will kiss you first. Let's move on, America, even we don't deserve this leadership.

Alan (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:14 AM)

I am angry and disgusted with the Clintons and I voted for Bill twice. They seem even more manipulative then they were when running against Republicans. Kudos to General McPeak for calling the Clintons on their gutter tactics. In case Hillary does win the nominations, how do the Clintons hope to win us back? There is a good chance I would stay home on election day.

A. Leonard, Mukwonago, Wi (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:21 AM)

McPeak probably went over the line here but it's about time somebody called Bubba out. He's now campaigning against Obama by building up McCain, which is utterly outrageous. How Democrats can stand by and let him CONTINUE to REPEATEDLY do this is amazing.

Where's the Outrage? (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:21 AM)

I thought it was a cheap shot from the fomer President. I'm not going to crucify him for it. I just wish they'd stop these not-so-subtle jabs, and stop trying to put McCain in the same league with any of the Democrats. That's the worst part.

Baileigh (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:23 AM)

Good for him! I'm so glad that he defended Senator Obama. It's about time people start speaking up for what is right. I have had enough of the Clinton's garbage--she is doing permanent damage to herself and career.

Mary in AL (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:25 AM)

What a contrast. When the Clintons are down and nearly out, this is the behavior we see: desperate, divisive, distorted and destructive words and actions.

Last week it was Obama who was down and possibly out. What did he give us? One of the most compelling, touching speeches of unity we have ever heard.

Character, judgment, vision...

Who do you want running our country?

LH Dallas (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:28 AM)

Well said. No one ever accused Bill Clinton of using sloppy, vague language such as that which constantly comes out of the mouth of George Bush. Vailed insults that question patriotism may buy some votes, but believe me, they also drive others away. To gain the nomination in this manner may prove to be the Clinton's undoing, if they are able to co-opt the will of the people.

Stan Cooper, Cambria, CA (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:32 AM)

I think McPeak, who has shown himself to be quite a sexist pig, really has zero credibility when it comes to judging character.
Why is it that the Obama campaign isn't distancing themselves from McPeaks's sexist bigotry?

OxyCon (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:34 AM)

Bill Clinton injected race in South Carolina before he said it was a 'myth' that he did. Now he is trying to make use of Wright controversy (and earlier patriotism related issues) to imply that Obama is not an American Patriot. Ofcourse, then he will say my comments were misinterpreted and then few weeks later that it was a total myth that I said anything on this issue.

Gary, Cleveland, OH (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:46 AM)

Bravo, Mr McPeak. Bill's comments yesterday were off the map. Disgusting. I loved Chris Matthews's comparison of this campaign running off a cliff that no longer exists (see Wild E. Coyote from Road Runner). Billary needs to fold their cards, or the party will do it for them.

BTW, please read Peggy Noonan's column today in the WSJ. It's wonderful commentary on Obama's speech on race. I'm a total left winger, but I love Ms. Noonan's writing.

Don, La Jolla, CA (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:52 AM)

I knew Hillary's hounddog would bite himself in the rear again. Good. If she can't muzzle him now, just imagine what it would be like if she was Pres.

gv, kailua, HI (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:55 AM)

Here goes the cry baby BO again. Can't take a punch can he? McPeak should have advised BO to start thinking of US as his country instead of Kenya.

mm,ma (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:56 AM)

This episode is part of a much larger pattern by the Clinton's. We have spent the last eight years watching Karl Rove spin the media and the American people into hating, mocking, division and cynicism. If you are really excited about more of the same then Clinton must be your candidate. You must be so proud to be an American!

Merri (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:59 AM)

Hmmmm Tony McPeak used to work for Clinton and is supporting Obama.

Bill Richardson used to work for Clinton and is supporting Obama.

What do they know that Clinton's supporters do not know?

Obama in 2008. Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:03 PM)

Alan (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:03 PM)

I think the General is being kind in giving Bill the benefit of doubt. The lure of having power again has blinded a couple you once looked up to. If anything they should see as Bill Richardson has that Obama is a once in a lifetime candidate and should put the USA as first priority. Anything Hillary would want for America could be achieved with working with Obama instead of doing the Republicans job for them. It will be terrible when the write in votes for Obama gives the presidency to McBush because Hillary's craving for power overides the good of the country.

jim,marlton,new jersey (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:06 PM)

The Clintons are ruining the Democratic Party and I wish they'd realize that. When the country has a Republican president, I hope New York Dems will remember that when the Monster is up for reelection.

Gus Finley Aledo Il (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:26 PM)

General McPeak hit the nail on the head. What irks me so much is that the Clintons think we're all so stupid that we can't see through these pathetic ploys of theirs!

Sue, Bloomington, IN (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:31 PM)

Blah, Blah, Blah. People will not win. There's no chance. She simply doesn't have enough delegates. I don't quite see how people feel they can continue to argue for a person's candidacy, when you look at the numbers. Give it up, thank her for trying and back the candidate the will be running against YOUR Democratic nominee...Barack Obama.

OBAMA08 -- GOBAMA!

Luke, NE, Wisc. (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:32 PM)

What a crock....

Clinton's and for that matter, any comment made by a member of the Clinton cmp is distorted and interpreted in the most negative light.

It strikes me as odd that a statement like the one Clinton made can be so quickly interpreted by an Obama supporter but they still can't seem to interpret the words, "No, No, No.....God Damn America" and understand the impact of that statement.

McCarthy like tactics? Maybe, but not from Clinton.

Campdog (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:34 PM)

waaaaaaaaaaaaaa boy if Hillary whined we would never hear the end of it. Pres.Clinton said what was ment by statement so like Obama pleople sy yawn--move on--NEXT Maybe he isnt strong enough to be president or even match McCain in Nov. if he cannt take this. Devide and conquor is Obamas stratagy. We got your number now Obama. Pass the tissues

Mox (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:35 PM)

Bill Clinton is a master of saying one thing literally while implying something else entirely. Can anyone forget "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is"?

Bill knows what he's saying. He knew that to compare Barack Obama's huge win in South Carolina to those of Jesse Jackson in '84 and '88 was to marginalize him as a black candidate who would get black votes, but who was not a serious contender. Did he literally SAY that? No, but that's what he meant.

Likewise, when Bill says that a contest between Hillary Clinton and John McCain would involve two candidates "who really loved their country", the implication is that Barack Obama does not really love his country. That's not what Bill said, but that's what he wants the listener to conclude. Later, when it all blows up, Bill denies that's what he intended, but the damage is already done.

Bill, if you're going to smear Barack Obama, why not have the guts to confront him directly? Why not demonstrate a little more respect for the intelligence of the voters, even if you have no such respect for the likely nominee of your party?

Let's drop the innuendo, subterfuge and word games. Quit injecting the very "stuff" you decry. Act like an honorable, decent man for a change, if you can.

It's a pervasive pattern of behavior subterfuge and innuendo. Does anyone forget his

Mitch Wright, Denver (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:42 PM)

oh well.... what do we expect from Clinton. nothing but the low road to get what they want. it is sad to see their legacy tarnished this way, but it is their own making and they have nothing but themselves to blame. All along, republicans were saying we do not know the clintons, and I guess they are right. We , as Americans, would like to see a united and propsperous place to live and show the world that we can change to be a better place. And I guess we have a choice in this election to be that Country or go back ward and repeat what is being done in the past. In a way, there will not be a future for our country but the past( ugly ones also) repeats itself over and over again.

Yes we can change to be better, and Yes we can build a better future.

Obama 08!

Daniel (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:47 PM)

Look at all the stories lately. Every story is about the Clinton's and Obama's arguing over petty crap. These two couldn't supervise an 8 year olds birthday party let alone run the country. McCain who isn't much (if any) better gets out of the country for a week and gains 20 points in the polls! Obama has a knucklehead racist for a pastor, and Barack thinks that is just fine. Hillary has a husband that has pre-Alzheimer's symptoms, and no one can manage to shut him up. The Democrats argue about passports, tax returns, bigoted pastors, endorsements, and whether people in a couple of huge states have the right to have their voices heard in an election (the answer is no apparently). Is it any wonder these two idiots poll numbers are worse then Bush's? The Democrats had a chance to win the presidency and overwhelming majorities in the congress, so what do they do? The party collapses under the weight of its so-called leaders!!

Paul Jacobson, Hue KY (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:48 PM)

This hasn't gotten totally ridiculous. Obama needs to reel his people in and stop twisting words from everything they hear from the other side. This statement was clearly a positive statement about the candidate the man is out rallying for. If Obama gets the nomination, and Clinton has the opportunity to do a campaign stop or two for him, he would say the exact same words, and they know it!

I worry about the overly sensitive nature of Obama. Should he actually make it to the presidency there will be explicity bad things said and written about him on a daily basis. Can he take it?

rojo, Seattle, Wa (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:53 PM)

Foolish... the act of an Obama campaign chair comparing Clinton to McCarthy.

First, there is nothing to compare. Second, most Obama supporters (younger generation) do not even know who McCarthy is. Third, this kind of attack flies in the face of Obama's "message." Fourth, this actually makes Clinton more appealing to anti-communists. Fifth, WHAT????

Nicolee, Inchelium, WA (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:54 PM)

Okay we all get it now, if Hillary isn't the nominee than the Clinton's will do their utmost to ensure that Barack cannot win in the general.

Way to go guys, you are working towards four more years of Bush/Cheney/McCain "WAR is everything" and middle class issues are "So?" The corporations that run this country win again.

Mark Penn, Charlie Black and their clients are laughing all the way to the bank.

And if you think that anyone is going to vote for Hillary after this, you have another think coming.

Disgusted with the Clintons in NJ (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:54 PM)

Here we go again. It is really sad for me to watch Bill Clinton whom I grew up respecting, stoop so low.

Emmavy, Chicago (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:57 PM)

Every comment by the Clintons be that Bill or Hillary, somehow has to be construed as a negative by Obama. What the heck, here in Arizona one of our senators is running for President and the other simply has declared Obama "not qualified to be commander in chief." What is Obama going to do about that? Fact is, he probably is'nt. Bill Clinton knows it and at least 50% of the American electorate will tell him so on Nov. 4th.

Opa2 (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 1:00 PM)

More of the same Clinton dirty politics. Gang, we have to move beyond Bubba and Hill. We have a candidate in Barack with some flaws like all of us but we are not electing a saint. About patriotism ...I served in the Navy for 4 yrs and we never heard of putting your hand over your heart during the anthem. It was salute at attention with your uniform on or civilian garb...hat off with respect. I don't wear a panel pin most of the time. So get off the wagon about Barack's patriotism. As always the Clinton campaign is distancing themselves from his stupid remards. When is somebbody gonna cll him on it. We, the American electorate, must distance ourselves from Bubba & Co. Proud to support the BIG "O".

MWM, Viet Vet, Tampa, FL (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 1:01 PM)

Why does the media insist upon spreading this kind of attack? It deserves to find its way to the nearest trashcan to never see the light of day. Clinton was merely campaigning and visualizing a GE that included Hillary, the person he's out there campaigning for, but McPeak is actually character slamming. Who is McPeak?

Happy2BMe (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 1:03 PM)

Frankly I have had it with the Obama campaign and the news media - do you really think that President Clinton was questionning Obama's patriotism - how cynical of you to try and float such a myth - the people responsible for this story, the press and McPeak, are deliberately putting the most sinister of meanings to the former President's remarks - he meant no such thing as you imply, McCarthyism - really-you will not rest until you brand President Clinton and Senator Clinton as racists and fear montering - shame on you - as a lifelong Democrat I feel such anger and hurt that a campaign like yours (OBAMA)that touts tolerance and unity can use such a ploy to try and damage two other Democrats who have done so much for our party and country. How sad.

Gayle DeRienzis (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 1:04 PM)

Fixed news network had stock film footage and a photo of former Senator Eugene MCcarthy instead of former wisconsin senator Joe MCcarthy on its news on Saturday,March 21st 2008 between 12:03 and 12:20pm on its election HQ coverage. These are the same idiots that stated Lincoln had left the White House(please let them know he was assasinated in 1865) The FCC should demand that every network state its content for ex: G=general,M=mature, and in Foxe's case FICTION
Also changing the subject...I think you should get off the Obama /Wright controversy as everyone has moved on from it.It makes you guys look like there is NO other news coming from the campaigns of the other candidates and if thats all I want to hear I can get that nonsense from the Fixed News Network. Why do you guys stoop to their level? You are MSNBC after all and the best!

Reuben Febus (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 1:06 PM)

Yell we know Obama, the ANTI-AMERICAN RACIST.This comment comes from A typical white democrat that would never vote for Obama. Majority of the races, excluding blacks would not vote for a racist like Obama. Obama has did a good job hiding it, but it's all coming out, and I do not believe he is patrotic, or else he would put his hand over his heart and wear the american flag. Actions speaks louder than words.

Dee, Tampa, Fl. (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 1:15 PM)

Hillary really needs to get Bill off the campaign trail.

Maybe he thinks he is running for the office of 1st man. Oh! wait that just a title not an actual government position.

OBwan, IN (Sent Saturday, March 22, 2008 1:21 PM)

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