Obama adviser invokes 'blue dress'

Posted: Monday, March 24, 2008 1:33 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama adviser Gordon Fischer invoked the Monica Lewinsky scandal on his blog while defending another adviser's likening of Bill Clinton to Joe McCarthy, saying Bill Clinton has put "a stain on his legacy, much worse, much deeper, than the one on Monica's blue dress."

He has since apologized for the comment.

"B. Clinton questions Obama's patriotism. In repsonse, an Obama aide compared B. Clinton to Joe McCarthy. This is patently unfair. To McCarthy,"
Fischer, a former Iowa Democratic Party chairman who was seen as a key Iowa pick up for Obama, wrote on his blog. "When Joe McCarthy questioned others' patriotism, McCarthy (1) actually believed, at least aparently, the questions were genuine, and (2) he did so in order to build up, not tear down, his own party, the GOP. Bill Clinton cannot possibly seriously believe Obama is not a patriot, and cannot possibly be said to be helping -- instead he is hurting -- his own party. B. Clinton should never be forgiven. Period. This is a stain on his legacy, much worse, much deeper, than the one on Monica's blue dress."

He later wrote ABC News, part of which he posted on his blog: "On my individual blog, I made a stupid comment. I sincerely apologize for a tasteless and gratituous comment I made here about President Clinton. It was unnecessary and wrong. I have since deleted the comment, and again apologize for making it. It will not happen again. I hope my readers will accept my apology and we can move on to the very important issues facing our state and country. Thank you."

"A sincere apology is always a good thing," Clinton Communication Director Howard Wolfson said in a conference call with reporters. "But I don’t know why he would apologize; it seems consistent with the kind of campaign the Obama campaign is trying to run."

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Comments

Isnt this exactly right and tells us why Hillary not Obama. Obama is blue dress (so old it is dust)and McCarthy and Hillary just goes on with her agenda for Economy and Housing problems and health and on and on. Yep Obama is sure out there with new politics.NOT.Which would you want for pres.??gossip and name caller or one working on Americas problems giving her plans to fix and help out all of us.When talk was bad about Obama( I know a lot ) I heard could we talk issues. Now there guy is playing in the sun and when we hear about Hillary laying out her stratagy we hear Obama people makeing fun of that. Reminds us why we will vote Hillary. Never Obama he has done himself in and is now OUT

Mox (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:16 PM)

Everything about Fischer's statement was fine until the "blue dress" comment. When he's writing this, how does he not understand that the press will focus almost solely on that? Idiot. As for Wolfson, his snarky response only reaffirms my belief that if there has ever been a pot calling a kettle black, it's this guy and his buddy Penn.

Scientific, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:24 PM)

Blogging is very important business.

Alan Snider (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:27 PM)

Why is it that the Obama folks have now decided to head to the gutter?? Their bloggers on this and other sites have been up to bad mouthing the Clintons for months - but "official" voices have been tempered. I think this sort of thing speaks load-and-clear about how hypocritical this group has become. I smell desperation and lack of poise...maybe they should have been watching the NCAA tournament this weekend to pick up pointers on how not to blow the end of a game?!

J of Ark (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:27 PM)

At least an apology was made. I haven't heard a single apology from the Clinton campaign for any of the myriad of things they should have already apologized for.

Kevin, SF, CA (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:29 PM)

Not to mention the fact that it is true Howard. I have spent countless hours of my life defending Bill Clinton. However, since South Carolina I've seen him shamelessly attack Obama without regard to truth or the consequences his actions may have on our party. The Clintons have turned the fire of their well oiled political machine on perhaps the most promising individual the party has produced in my lifetime. Their actions have made me reexamine the Clintons. What I have found is a win at all costs marketing campaign. Their slash and burn divisive methods have repulsed me. I can promise this, if they win I will sit out the general or possibly even vote for McCain. We don't need to put another Rove in Wolfson's clothes in the white house.

Jack Storange (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:29 PM)

Is it just me or does it seem like advisers to both campaigns should all be fired- and the campaigns should start all over again (with advisers- that is).

I mean- either they're making these statements just to get the words in people's minds- then come back and say "oh, I apologize" or they really do suck, and I should be getting paid for doing their job.

They must not have ever heard the saying- when in doubt, don't- because if it looks like something you're going to have to apologize for- common sense should say- don't write it

Maybe it's common sense that they lack

kmnecole, st louis, mo (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:31 PM)

I hope people wake up and realize that Obama is just another politician, and it's SO great that he gets his advisers to do his dirty work for him, all the while claiming to bring a new way of doing things to Washington. Pure comedy...and purely scary how many people are being fooled by him.

If you recognize that he is just like all the rest and still support him, great. Just don't go on believing that he is the messiah, sent to cleanse America from the sins of special interests. Please!

And these comments are particularly uncalled for. Bill Clinton was not questioning anybody's patriotism. He was pointing out the legitimate fact that if Obama is the nominee, the American people (provoked by the GOP) will be examining Obama's patriotism when contemplating whether he will put America's interests first. I have my doubts about Obama's sincerity. I have been questioning his actual ability to get anything done for quite some time after hearing speech after speech where nothing is said but "hope" and "change" and "yes we can." These doubts have been strengthened and solidified after hearing Reverend Wright's comments about whites and America. Obama's speech does not make up for the fact that he has attended this church for over 20 years and lied about hearing Wright utter these hateful words. Get a clue, people!

Jill F., Tulsa, OK (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:32 PM)

Man, I'll bet Howard "Wolf-boy" Wolfson couldn't wait to get in the office this morning to put out this reply. I'm absolutely sure they wait on moments like these.

When Obama supports make inflammatory statements, they are quickly retracted and apolgized for. When Clinton people make false/inflammatory statements, they then basically stand by it till they see a drop in there polls. After Geraldine Ferauro made her comments, look what Maggie Williams said. She was clearly looking for a fight. After Hillary finally apologized, there hasn't been any word from Williams.

Bottom line is this, Bill Clinton went out of his way to be provacative and he started this mess.

So Wolf-boy, let me get this straight....when your campaign says anything over the line it's totally acceptable and the Obama camp should just take it, but if they so much as slip of the tongue, then there entire campaign should be viewed as flawwed and corrupt? Is that about right?

Well, I'm a white male in PA, and can't wait to vote for Obama!!!!

Elvin, Scranton (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:33 PM)

Gordon Fisher hit the nail right on the head in my view. God the Clintons can sure dish it out but they certainly can't take it.
Bill you have tarnished your reputation almost beyond repair. Convince Cruella oops I mean Hillary to drop out while the tywo of you still have some class and dignity left.
BTW DO THE MATH CLINTONISTAS! HILLARY CANT WIN!

Bill, Rochester,NY (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:33 PM)

An insincere apology if you ask me. Why did he bother? He meant every nasty and hateful thing he said. Besides, his nasty remark won't make news because the Pro Obama networks won't air ANYTHING derrogatory that Obama supporters say, but they jumped all over Carville for his remark. I am so sick of this one sided reporting from the press, print and T.V. I will continue my support for Hillary and everytime her supporters hear the media smear her, we will be donating money to her campaign. (Which will undoubtedly be daily)

The media WILL NOT influence the voters any longer. Enough of the corruption from the media.

Robin, Melbourne, Florida (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:34 PM)

A sincere apology is a good thing...Wolfson was right on that. He's wrong when he suggests it is the Obama campaign and not the Clinton one who opened the door on nastiness and kitchen sink. And we know Clinton never apologizes...

OTOH, I wish both campaigns would just cut this out. Its bad enough when major surrogates (is that what we call Bill Clinton, not sure) spew rubbage. That needs to get addressed. But campaign staffers and advisors need to address others' nastiness without getting stuck in the mud themselves.

Obama 08

Lisa, New Britain, CT (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:34 PM)

Why is it that Obama, Michelle, his staff are always having to apologize or explain what they meant? Could it be that they think they'll try their mean, outlandish statements nobody will call them on it?

think (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:35 PM)

Personnally, I thought it was great political satire! Maybe, SNL can do something with it. I voted for Bill twice and now I do not know why. I did not use good judgement. He has misspoke time and time again, and it is calculated. I understand there are many in the Clinton camp who would love to support Barack, but they have missplace, undying loyalty for the Clintons. Is it not loyalty that got us into this mess the past 8 years.

Vote the BIG "O", Tampa, FL (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:37 PM)

Taking into consideration how low the Clinton campaign is willing to go to destroy their opponent bringing the 'blue dress' into the game is only fair. It not only reminds us from a wasted presidency but also the rules the Clintons play by. For them it is allright to wreck the Democratic party if they think that will help them to hang on to power.

ulla riitta (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:38 PM)

Hilarious - The blue dress! & a deep deeper stain. Sorry but it is funny. I am quite shocked they would really want to talk about that one now all America will hear about the stain that is much worse and much deeper than the one one the blue dress!

Alexandra, Logan, Utah (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:39 PM)

"But I don’t know why he would apologize; it seems consistent with the kind of campaign the Obama campaign is trying to run."

That is too hysterical -- the Clintons have been worse than ruthless in this campaign. Every day it becomes clearer that Hillary's goal now is to tear down Obama so he loses and she can run in 2012.

R. Lunch (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:40 PM)

"A sincere apology is always a good thing," Clinton Communications Director Howard Wolfson said in a conference call with reporters. "But I don’t know why he would apologize; it seems consistent with the kind of campaign the Obama campaign is trying to run."

like you are one to talk. YOur people only apologize if they apologize after it has been made a huge scandal. Hillary helped to cover up her husband's cheating so the fact that she has to be reminded of it is punishment fo contributing to his adultery for the soul purpose of being prez!

Kris STL (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:43 PM)

This man should have apologized and quickly. But let us remember that none of this started with Senator Obama.

Attention all supporters of Senator Clinton (if you can still hear me): It is not Senator Obama's fault that Senator Clinton is untrusted by over half of the American people. It is not Senator Obama's fault that Senator Clinton is one of the most polarizing figures in American politics. These things have been true since 1994 and none of it was caused by Senator Obama. You can argue until the cows come home that it is not Senator Clinton's fault either, but this still does not make something that happened as early as 1994 the fault of Senator Obama.

It is not Senator Obama's fault that the Drudge Report, or any other media outlet puts forward sexist and hateful things. Please do not conflate Senator Obama with these other folks. Senator Obama has no control over these people.

This has not been Senator Obama's campaign strategy despite what Howard Wolfson prays you will believe. Senator Obama has stayed above this and has not referred to this past. It is unfortunate that this man in Iowa did, but Senator Obama has not. Moreover, the man in Iowa apologized for this. If this was truly Senator Obama's campaign strategy, this sort of thing would happen often, not just once.

Senator Obama did not create the healthcare reform fiasco. Senator Obama did not seem to denigrate stay-at-home moms. Senator Obama did not rouse the aggravation of the Republicans. Whether any of this is fair to Senator Clinton is irrelevant since it is not Senator Obama's fault that it is true.

We are all trying to achieve the same thing -- the end of the Bush Adminstration's policies. Please do not allow your anger at the Republicans to bleed over into anger against Senator Obama. These difficulties for Senator Clinton existed as long ago as 1994 -- they were neither then, nor now created by Senator Obama.

Kim, Pasadena, CA (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:43 PM)

The latest nasty version of this campaign is to have surrogates say something outrageous to see if it has legs. They then apologize but the hope is the damage is done. This is just stupid. Time to stop it, anyone doing anything like that, including campaign managers, should be let go. With the war in Iraq and the sinking economy I don't give a damn about a blue dress or a minister's angry remarks or McCarthy or anything other than what this country is facing: a $2 trillion war debt and melting mortgages which will have a long shelf life in the jobs market. Stay on message. Obama has this wrapped up if his people just shut up and focus on what this country needs, not how awful the other side is. The only thing that can derail him now is himself. Counter the lies, then move on. Don't feed them or the media ammunition.

knh (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:45 PM)

You know I believe Obama's judgement should be an issue on the table. His circle of people are shakey at best.More will be comeing out too. I want an investagation as to who writes for him. I hear over and over since the speach. It was grand and super ,golden. What!! He read the thing with two prompters.This makes him an oracle???Hello people it is like the speech he gave and blew his nose got a roaring applause.I said and will again a fart would bring standing ovation.

jane-pa (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:46 PM)

It is very sad, but of course Wolfson would see no reason for Gordon Fischer to apologize. The Clinton campaign feels that anything goes - nothing is sacred when you are trying to win. So why would you need to apologize? Lies, distortions, and distasteful remarks are the normal mode of operation for the Wolfson and Penn attack puppets of Hillary and her Clintonistas.

MBM, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:47 PM)

oh yeah, howie wuf wuf wolfson is a stand up guy, like joseph goebbels, howies hero, was a stand up guy.like any opinion from howie wolfson has any merit or credi"bill"ity. why reporters are giving howie, the time of day is beyond me. go back to your shine box, or clown suit.

vern ruhle, macomb,il (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:47 PM)

Why does he have to apologize? It's the TRUTH. Why does everyone dance around the fact that the Presidential hopeful's husband, did in fact, cheat on her. The Obama camp can tell truths should they feel like it...Hillary did point out that he is a BLACK man.

Ken Francis, Riverside, CA (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:50 PM)

The Democratic party would be so much better off without people like Howard Wolfson.

GB, Washington (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:51 PM)

And Richardson is accusing the Hillary campaign of nasty tactics. Yeah, right.

Hillary - please stay in the race! After what we have seen of that snake Obama, a lot of people have changed their minds about their vote. I'd like to see one "journalist" do a story on that!

BionicWoman, Tucson, AZ (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:52 PM)

Why is it ok for Clinton to raise the question of Obama's judgment in regards to his association with his reverend, but it's not ok for anyone to even broach the subject of Hilary's judgment regarding her choice to marry a man who has repeatedly cheated on her?

Rob, Buckeye, AZ (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:52 PM)

Nice try Wolfson. You and the rest of Hillary's team have been consistent in your mudslinging. You're not going to fool anyone. At least Fischer had the deceny to immediately apologize for what he said. Your team, on the other hand, has failed to take ownership for your negativity.

Enrique, Chicago (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:54 PM)

LOL...too bad he had to apologize. I'd like to dedicate the next song to Bil, "Devil with a Blue Dress On".

BobW Mendon, NY (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:54 PM)

“Every place is Barack Obama country once Barack Obama's been there” Quote form Barack Obama / October 2007

Yes Barack – every place is Obama country once you’ve been there, except for:

California (1st biggest state in US)
Nevada
New Mexico
Arizona
Oklahoma
Texas (2nd biggest state in US)
Arkansas
Florida (4th Biggest State in US)
New York (3rd biggest state in US)
New Jersey
Ohio (7th Biggest State in US)
Massachusetts
Michigan (8th Biggest State in US)
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Tennessee

Geessh - Is this guy for real!

csh, IL (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:55 PM)

How can we let a liar who survived impeachment by only 4 votes get close to the Whitehouse again. Wake up America. Once a cheater, always a cheater.
The Clinton's are corrupt and dishonest.

banko (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:56 PM)

I think it's time for everyone to take a deep breath and stop trying to find dirt on the two Democratic candidates. If you are irritated, think before posting something to a blog that you will have to apologize for later. As a Democratic Party, we should be rising above the Karl Rove playbook and tactics, and focus on the issues that are troubling the majority of Americans these days. Candidates should be elected based on their platform, and not because someone has dirt on the opposing candidate, or because someone they are associated with said something offensive, particularly when taken out of context.

Jazz, Bartlett, IL (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:57 PM)

Of course this is consistent with the kind of campaign Obama is trying to run, and consistent with the kind of person who would defend his hate-spewing minister. Obama, go home.

pete (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:59 PM)

Both my wife and I are Hillary supporters but would have voted for Obama if he won the nomination. Now, we're so disgusted by his "having it both ways" and truly gutter politics that we can no longer support him. We'll either write-in Hillary or no vote at all if McCain chooses someone like Liberman. If he chooses someone we can stomach then we'll vote for him. Thanks for destroying the party Obama.

DavidO, San Diego, CA (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 4:18 PM)

The truth hurts. Actions have consequences. Too bad Bill-your actions, not just words! Remember?

Wolfson threw out the Ken Starr comment-a hugely subjective comment. The blue dress, the DNA. Facts. Never apologize for the truth. And the Clintons are long past gratuitous.
The stain on the legacy is deepening lately and not looking much better.

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 4:44 PM)

APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT??
The only apology due is from the one who lied to the American people on television, cheated on his wife, misused a young woman barely older than his own daughter -Bill Clinton.
Fischer does NOT have to apologize for referencing the truth-information that is all in the NY Times if you pull up their articles from the impeachment era.
Nothing like DNA to grind spin to a halt.

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 4:50 PM)

I'm a little confused here, Obama was running a great campaign no gutter tactics, no smears, no name calling. Then you the viewers and the news media says he should get tough, don't be wimpy, because the Republicans will eat him up come election time. Now he is being critized for fighting back. Are you people afraid of a black man being president? Anything he does he is critized for it. I would think you would want a change from what we have now. If anyone is gutter slutting it is Hillary. She plays dirty politics and as I see it will do anything to win.

ginny6 st louis mo (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:01 PM)

Uh, who is Gordon Fischer and what does it matter what he says? An Obama advisor? Honestly people, has ANYBODY ever heard of this guy before? If this insult first/appologize second nonsense doesn't stop soon, both campaigns are going to start demanding that their "supporters" on web site comment treads start appologizing for the things they write too.

JTF, Chicago IL (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:06 PM)

Clinton has already lost the nomination. The math is not on her side. SHE WON'T WIN THE NOMINATION because the Democratic party will not alienate its voting base. The media is playing with your heads (and increasing their ratings) by letting you think HiLIARy has a chance. Let's rally behind Obama and focus on the issues.

mya angst new york, new york (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:34 PM)

We've seen repeated pattern of badmouth followed by an insincere apology.
Obama is 120% correct by saying "this is the new politics". We haven't seen politics this low even from Dick Cheney and Tom DeLay. America, welcome on board, let's embrace this kind of "new politics" with an "innocent" messiah surrounded by a bunch of negative attackers.

Carl (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:34 PM)

Well, the Republicans are going to bring this (and much more) up when and if Hillary is the nominee, so people might as well get used to it. You can't just bury your head in the sand and pretend it doesn't exist, any more than Obama can pretend that Reverend Wright doesn't exist.

Baileigh (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:34 PM)

Just wait until the GOP starts implying that Bill has continued to cheat. Then they'll demand that he go on live TV and swear on a stack of Bibles that he hasn't cheated on Hillary since Monica.

If you think that the GOP isn't going to ask this question you're living in fantasy land.

Steve Atlanta (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:35 PM)

Typical Obama political move, playing good cop & then bad cop with his lobbyist radicals. He whines and plays the race card with putting his white grandmother and Geraldine Ferraro on par with his racist, bigot preacher & personal adviser.

Words Matter, according to Obama. Well so do actions, Obama, like your refusal to salute the flag, unpatriotic wolf-in-sheep's clothing!

Present 130 times (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:36 PM)

Every time I listen to Obama it's either he's attacking Hillary or being defensive.
Go Hillary, be strong, we're counting on you & behind you 100%

Angel V., Danbury Ct. (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:46 PM)

Clintons campaign is more dubious than ever in Dems race! Lets take a look how they are twisting the race in their advantage though Clintons are destined to fail.

Any achievement Obama has, they just keep shifting their focus! Even though Hilary tried and Clintons pamppered for Richardson's endorsement. At the end they failed. And Clintons are humiliating Richardson as if 'presidency for Clintons are their birth-right'.

Clintons legacy as tainted as 'Blue Dress'!

roger (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:50 PM)

First of all, people shouldn't be blaming Obama for what his advisors say on their personal blog. They should retain some rights to their own expression of free speech. Secondly, why is the blue dress an untouchable subject. Bill is a proven liar and the blue dress incident is an important factor to consider in this election. Thirdly, Bill Clinton is absolutley disgusting for implying that Obama is not a patriot. He knows better and is playing off of the basest tendencies of less informed Americans. It is really despicable.

Kelly (from Pittsburgh) (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:57 PM)

The longer these gutter fights go on-- on both sides--the more we help McCain win in November. Is that what all of you want? Well, that's what you're about to get. Either Hillary or Obama would be 100 times better than McCain. Let's not forget what's really at stake here.

CJ, Houston, Texas (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 6:21 PM)

So much is being made of Senator Obama's association with the minister of his church.
Where is a minister or someone of Hibillary's church?
does she have one?
During the clinton presidency, this country was "shamed" by both it's President and his wife. Does noone remember? I do and it was not a pretty sight. Do we want more of the same actions? If a woman can-npot clean her own house up after 30 years, how does she or anyone think she can clean-up Washington and its corruption?

Mary Coss, Tucson, arizona (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 6:29 PM)

This is a VERY old lawyer trick. You let something OUTRAGEOUS slip to the jury, the judge sustains the other side's objection and meanwhile the jury has heard what you said. Really shameless. This from Obama's "new kind of politics".

Celeste Johnson, Pinole, CA (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 6:34 PM)

Are you sure Obama is a Democrat? His campaign tactics are straight out of the Karl Rove's playbook. And I do have serious questions about Obama's patriotism based on what he and those close to him are saying.

Victoria, TN (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:38 PM)

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