Obama NC backer 'appalled'

Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 1:57 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Obama

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina reporters got a taste of conference call campaigning this afternoon, with Team Obama getting Carolina backer Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-1) on the horn to slam Hillary Clinton over her reported exaggerations of the perils of a trip to Bosnia in 1996. Butterfield, the only member of North Carolina's Democratic congressional delegation to have endorsed a candidate, said he is "appalled" on behalf of his constituents over the claim. Calling the misstatement "a strike against" the New York senator, he added that she owes the citizens of his state -- and America -- an apology for it.

Butterfield also expressed doubt that Clinton's tenure as First Lady has uniquely readied her for a position at the helm of America's foreign policy. "And now that she has missrepresented and exaggerated her trip to Bosnia," he argued, "[that] really leads me to the conclusion that she not only lacks the qualifications but that she doesn't see the importance of being accurate in making statements regarding her qualifications."

The call assures that Clinton's "minor blip," as she has called the incident, will be on the news media's radar in the Tar Heel State. New polling shows Obama bouncing back from deflated numbers last week to regain a substantial lead after his recent visit to the state. (Note: this from a new PPP poll)

In a conference call to national reporters yesterday, Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson accused the Obama campaign of capitalizing on the Bosnia story "because they have nothing positive to say about their candidate."

To hear Butterfield's baritone tell it, the key sticking point is trustworthiness. "That's not what we look for in elected officials in North Carolina," said the two-term Democratic congressman of Clinton's "sniper fire" embellishments. "I dare say that's not what we look for anywhere in America."

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Comments

Her lie should stick because its a pattern. I honestly try not to sweat the small stuff but when something is a pattern it ceases to be small stuff. She should get called on it.

Woman for Obama 08

Lisa, New Britain, CT (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:07 PM)

Lets see, its ok for Obama's mentor to be an unamerican unpatriotic racist bigot pastor, but its not ok for Hillary to mispeak about what happened more than 10 years ago! This whole thing makes me sick. This is one Hillary supporter who will NEVER EVER EVER EVER vote for Obama. Yes, she did mispeak about what happened. She was told to put on a bullet proof vest before leaving the plane because there was threat of sniper fire, and that's what she meant to say you idiot Obamabots. I can't wait for Obama to lose the general election if he gets the nominee, so all us Clinton supporters can say, very loud: Told ya so, told ya so, told ya told ya, told ya so!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:08 PM)

I had planned to vote for one of the two democratic candidates. Obama is strong and inspirational. Clinton is tough. The problem now is Obama has proven he can win enough to defeat Hillary. Hillary seems perfectly willing to exercise a scorched earth policy in order to overtake Obama. I dont like what I see from the Clintons, it reminds me of the kind of politics we have had for the last 8 years. I would consider voting for Clinton in the next election but because of the way they are campaigning now, I can no longer pull the lever for her. For me and many that I know I will either pull the lever for McCain or Obama but I will not support Hillary. Hillary needs to get out of the race. Let Obama run his campaign. If she gets out now I will vote for in 8 years, If she carries this to the convention I will never vote for her.

Paul Kennedy Belmont Ms. (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:12 PM)

When you 'bend' or 'misstate' the truth twice, it is a coincidence. When it happens more than twice, it is a pattern. We have been witnessing the Clintons' pattern for 'bending' the truth far too many times for entirely too long.

Jimmy CHICAGO IL (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:13 PM)

Who amongst you dare question Senator Clinton's assertions of credulity. She has already told you: She is the only candidate ready on day one!

'Mis'Believing Hillary (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:13 PM)

How about Obama apologizes to the American people for lying about Rezco, Nafta, and being in the pulpit when Rev Wright was spewing his hate for America?

How about Michelle Obama apologizes for Saying America is mean nd not proud to be an American?

Obama will never win in Nov. You can't be a far left wing anti america person and expect the American people who love their country to back you.

At least Hillary Clinton loves this country and is not ashamed to be called an American.

John Doe (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:15 PM)

At first, I really dismissed this when I first saw it. Then, I began to realize how SAD it is that I dismissed this. It's sad because we've grown so accustomed to Hillary's lies, misdirection, and half-truths that this is a black spot on a very dark shade of gray.

Well, it shouldn't be acceptable just because we've set the bar of veracity so low for her. It's not OK and the Obama camp is right to call her out on it.

The worst thing is, she absolutely had no reason to lie in this context. She did a fine job in Tuzla. But to lie about this shows a sick compulsion and/or incredible hubris.

Kevin, SF, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:16 PM)

For the truth about Hillary's "experience" read the memo by Greg Craig, a former State Department official now working for the Obama campaign.

John Mehan, San Francisco, Ca (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:17 PM)

rmh (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:18 PM)

Pat from NY, Calm down!!!. Your post makes me laugh. Do your really think Hillary mispoke about the threat of sniper fire---come on!!! Chelsea was there!! Do you really think the secret sevice would risk the lives unneccesarily of the first lady and first daughter?? Let me ask you this...what would you be saying if Obama had said something like this?

Lewis, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:19 PM)

Hillary is PATHETIC! What a freak show the Clintons are.

NAFTA
Bosnia
Ireland

ALL LIES! What the HELL has Hillary done to win the 'experience' award? Being married to Bill doesn't make her experience, it makes her stupid. She’s so comfortable lying for personal gains she’ll lie RIGHT to the face of the Women of America then expect some grand prize. I say award her NOTHING!

Our country is in need of a leader, not a LIAR. She got a whole camp of LIARS. They can’t even identify their own lies.

And where the Hell are those Tax Returns Hillary?

Karen, NYC (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:20 PM)

What's most frightening to me is how sincere Hillary Clinton looks when she's lying about the sniper fire in Bosnia. She is absolutely convincing, which shows that she's either delusional, in the early stages of dementia, or an exceedingly good liar. None of those are qualities we need in our next president. She did not misspeak -- she spread this lie in a brazen effort to support her nonexistent foreign policy credentials, and she's done it over and over again. Video evidence here: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/25/105346/318/335/483775

rmh (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:20 PM)

When Obama flatly denied ever hearing OR knowing anything about Rev. Wright's racist and un-American rants, though he attended Wright's church for 20 years, we are supposed to BELIEVE him???!!! My husband and I do NOT believe him, so that makes him a liar in our view, and we are appalled. Mixing up an incident from 10+ years ago is very different from outright lying, see? Obama and his followers seem utterly uninterested in actual facts.

Charlene Whitney, Winnebago, IL (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:21 PM)

One things for sure. The Clinton campaign won't be talking about the new poll from NC. Obama is up 21 points 55-34. Quite a big difference from last weeks 1 point margin.

nino, atlantic city, nj (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:23 PM)

I am sorry for you voter who already and 'mis'takenly cast a ballot for this fraud

Hussein (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:25 PM)

In an interview with a Pittsburgh newspaper she said that she misspoke because she was sleep deprived. I saw that video of her talking about her experience in Bosnia. She did NOT look sleep deprived. She's just digger herself deeper and deeper into a hole.

Enrique, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:25 PM)

Paul Kennedy Belmont Ms: '...it reminds me of the kind of politics we have had for the last 8 years. I would consider voting for Clinton in the next election but because of the way they are campaigning now, I can no longer pull the lever for her....'

Paul, it's the kind of politics we've had for the last 15 years !!
The Clintons practiced the 'politics of personal destruction' during their time in the White House

Please don't think that James Carville was an altar boy prior to his Richardson remarks
Carville, along with the Clintons have been 'gutter fighters' during their whole career

It's just that we Democrats decided to overlook their failings and support them
Carville is no better than Karl Rove
Neither are the Clintons

Obama '08

Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:26 PM)

I live in NC, and mostly agree with my Congressman's slam of Hillary on the Bosnia "misstatement", but what we should really be pointing out is that Hillary and her husband were both big proponents of NAFTA, and proud of their record in regard to it, right up until Hillary started her run for the WHite House.

A LOT of people in this state are working at two jobs and have no health care or pension, bec. their good jobs in the textile and tobacco and furniture industries were shipped overseas.

THATS what North Carolinians want to hear about. Not this nonsense about "unpatriotic" ministers or how Hillary resolved the Bosnia crisis for her husband while dodging enemy fire.

Susan E. Bahama NC (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:29 PM)

I've been telling all you Hillary lovers out there for the past year that this woman was no good. As the year turned, I knew at some point Hillary would step in it and it would be a LONGGGGGG 2008 for her.

Thank god I was right!

jerry/corus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:29 PM)

Hillary Clinton's problem isn't just that she was caught lying again, it is that there is no such thing as truth to her. She takes facts and reality, twists it around to suit herself and then refuses to admit it when she is caught. Her selfish ambition benefits no one but the republican party.

Doreen Lopez (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:30 PM)

Can someone please tell me how you can "misspeak" when you are reading from a prepared speech. A copy of it was on her website this morning. Wouldn't doubt if they have taken it off by now.

JM (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:31 PM)

America agrees with you Representative Butterfield.
Leadership can not lie to the people.

Lies got us into Iraq and have cost us over 4000 American lives and thousands more with mental and physical scars.

I'm truly saddened that Chelsea Clinton came out and supported her mothers claim on the sniper fire. Chelsea was there, so she knows it was a lie.

Parents should teach their children not to lie.

Debbie (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:34 PM)

Kevin - I agree, the Clintons lie and distort the truth so much that you kind of dismiss it now. It's like when another scandal or cover-up is reported about the Bush administration.

You're right, we shouldn't simply dismiss it because "politics as usual" is what have driven this country to this low point, and politics as usual is what Obama is primarily running against. If we don't start holding these politicians to their irresponsibility and recklessness, then we can expect more of the same.

I don't want to hear about Reverend Wright because Obama didn't give those sermons and he doesn't remotely share the same beliefs. But these lies and distortions about HRC's foreign policy experience is coming directly out of her mouth time and time again.

Mister Anderson (The Matrix) (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:35 PM)

Hillary exaggeraded on her Bosnia trip being unsafe.
McWar exaggerated on his Iraq trip being like a walk in the park.
Obama exaggerated on nothing, cause he ain't done nothing.

Brother Odd (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:37 PM)

I am so reminded how this is pure Reagan & Bush behaviour where a good anecdote is much better than the truth. When they did not make up a story out of whole cloth they could not help embellishing and exaggerating a truth until it became a lie.

Early in the campaign I found the characterization of Clinton as Bush Lite unfair and untrue -- now I am not so sure.

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:38 PM)

Pat Huntington NY

Being hysterical and infantile does not help your candidate.

GAB, Austin, TX (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:39 PM)

She is a liar who continually gets the lowest marks on intergrity of all the candidates. Obama and McCain average 20 points ahead of her in national polls covering trustworthyness, honesty, and integrity.

Her universal healthcare plan was disastrous. She has demonstrated that she cannot manage her campaign or her own house. How are we supposed to expect that she can manage the White House?

SniperFire 101, Miami, FL (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:39 PM)

Liars are nothing but consistent and self serving, saying and doing anything they can to get what they want. It's time to call a spade a spade - Clinton is a liar.

Robert, Pasadena, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:39 PM)

Let me guess...this guy butterfield is a obama supporter....... WOW... what a stretch for me.

Stewart, Bethesda, MD (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:39 PM)

"At least Hillary Clinton loves this country" -- John Doe

Your evidence is? It's not the flag lapel pin I hope. Just wondering so I can use the same criteria on other candidates.

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:41 PM)

This lying is a lifelong pattern with Hillary Clinton.
She can't even tell the truth about her own name. She
claims she was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mt. Everest. But Sir Ed didn't
even climb the mount until she was five years old!

I can't believe how all you people allow The Clintons
to continue to get away with their pathological lying!

This speaks to core character!

JIM WHITTAKER, Hemet, California (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:42 PM)

Those who live in glass houses.....

The Obama camp is definitely not innocent in telling the truth and nothing but.

Lisa, San Dimas (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:42 PM)

How many times has barry been to a warzone? You know he will end the Iraq war as we know it based upon what? what the likes of kennedy know or believe?

Barry from indonesia (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:43 PM)

"She has already told you: She is the only candidate ready on day one!" -- 'Mis'Believing Hillary

Not true, she said John McCain was also ready. Presumably George Bush would also be ready in her eyes if he could run again.

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:43 PM)

Hillary actually downplayed her role in Bosnia. She picked up the machine gun of a dead soldier and gunned down 50 enemy combatants. Sinbad got shot in the leg and Chelsea donated her own blood to save him. Then Hillary proceeded to carry children and puppies to safety. Hey, if you're going to distort reality, you might as well do it right.

Luke Hussein Whaley, Bloomington, IL (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:58 PM)

Well, according to the polls Obama's popularity has risen to the point where he's going to the top again. According to the interviews I've seen, most Americans realize that the race issue had nothing to do with politics and was a tactic used to keep the issues off of the table. According to Bill Richardson's endorsement, Obama's speech moved him as a man and superdelegate despite his loyaly to the Clintons. According to the numbers not only has Obama already won the nomination, but his voting base is expanding.

And for those who say Clinton "misspoke", get real. She said there was no greeting ceremony and only danger and sniper fire with here and her collegues running for their lives .. despite video proving the contrary. How is that misspeaking? Saying "typical white person" without mentioning typical of that era is misspeaking. Saying you were under sniper fire and had to run off the plane to your vehicle is a blatant lie. Saying that there was no reception at the airport was a blatant lie. She was greeted by children with flowers and she even kissed a little girl on the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BfNqhV5hg4

I don't fault Clinton supporters for sticking by their candidate, but lying for her? That's just pathetic.

John Q NYC, NY (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:00 PM)

i cannot fathom that the then president sent his wife and daughter to harm's way, that hillary and chelsea would need to duck and run to their cars with all the sniper bullets whizzing by and yet can spare 5 minutes to meet the children waiting for them? wow, i've seen this comedy not too long ago. oh, yes, it's the SNL!

you can never, ever outrun a sniper's bullet, much more stopping to kiss an 8 year old girl! the only scary problem hillary and her group had at that time, in the words of the great sinbad, was where to go to eat!

only the truth (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:16 PM)

Hillary supporters, it must hurt a lot to know that your candidate is a BIG BIG LIAR. There was not war zone. No N. Ireland Peace treaty involvement. No NAFTA involvement. Will release tax returns before Ohio & Texas primaries, No tax returns released.

But, there is one truth, Hillary to vote for the Iraq Invasion & Occupation.

sozzi, mamaroneck, ny (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:17 PM)

SniperGate takes a new turn:

"Well sir, I think that my mother’s on record as having talked about this and I support what she said. I mean, I was there as well and I’m so honored that I was there." -- Chelsea Clinton

<a href="http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=zfc1h">Now With More Video!</a>

Jimmy (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:19 PM)

Now she says she was "sleep deprived" when she made the sniper remark. But she has told this story on at least three different occasions that were captured on video. No doubt more will surface.

I sure don't want this "sleep deprived" woman answering the red phone at 3:00 AM

Julie, Dayton, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:27 PM)

Does this not trivialize the work our troops do in war zones all over the world? As a vet, fortunately not combat, I am offended. War is not a game we exaggerate upon for the purpose of playing up one's credentials for a run for president. We have already had a president whom dodged his obligation to serve. Enough already.

John, Tampa, FL (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:28 PM)

What's fascinating to me about this election is that thoughtful Democrats are now seeing what galled Republicans so badly about the Clintons: their total lack of integrity. They don't know truth from fiction, they only know their agenda. That was OK with Democrats so long as they were delivering the White House (though they succeeded in spectacularly losing Congress and not really accomplishing anything fro the Democratic agenda), but now that they are turning that towards destroying their own party, it's a problem. It's been there the whole time. Someone above made a great comparison: Carville and Begala were their Karl Rove. There is no difference.

Nick, Charlottesville, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:33 PM)

Hillary's top 10 lies:

1) 35 years of relevant experience
2) audio of her saying Michigan and Florida don't count then later saying they should be counted.
3) Playing a key part in Northern Ireland peace process when it was a cheer leading role to encourage activism among women's groups.

4) claimed to have negotiated with Macedonia to open up its border to refugees from Kosovo. However the Macedonian government opened its border to refugees the day before Clinton arrived.

5) she claimed to had advocated on behalf of a U.S. military intervention in Rwanda to stop the genocide there. However,key foreign policy officials say that a U.S. military intervention in Rwanda was never considered in the Clinton administration's policy deliberations

6)She said speech don't matter but then she claims her speech in China as part of her foreign policy experience!

7) Her exaggerated her trip to Bosnia

8) Her claim in getting SCHIP passed. In reality, the Clinton Administration fought the SCHIP effort which was being advocated by Senators Edward Kennedy and Orrin Hatch.

9) She claimed on Sept. 11 daughter Chelsea was jogging around the World Trade Center when she was at home sleeping.

10)She was named after Sir Edmund Hillary. who climbed Mount Everest in 1953 but wait Hillary was born in 1947!

Afrobaby, College Station, TX (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:33 PM)

Do you sometinmes winfder why it takes The First Read comment prefects hours to post new comments?
Chuck- can you find a way to expedite this issue?

tryme (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:43 PM)

I don't remember who, but someone who used to support the Clintons said: "Everybody in politics lies, but [the Clintons] do it with such ease, it's troubling."

It's very troubling. So much so that I'd never vote for Hillary Clinton.

Judy, Orlando, Florida (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:45 PM)

She should get an oscar, I actually believed her lies. WOW, she is good at it, I ponder to think what else she may be lying about.

Max, Montclair NJ (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:45 PM)

Clinton,misspoked!Really.SHE LIED.SHE LIIIEEEED.Get right media .She F&C$N Lied

AL (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:46 PM)

Hillary owns Sinbad an apology!
She dismissed his version of events during the trip as nothing more than musings from "a comedian."

Bill, Troy MI (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:50 PM)

re: Pat Huntingon

You show your ignorance when you talk from the ASS side of your mouth. You like Hilary think that everyone is so stupid that they will fall for anything.

Hilary knew she was LYING when she first said that she has crossed the commander-in-chief threshold. YOU KNEW IT, TOO.

Hilary made up another lie to keep the first lie going. She will continue to lie until she is run out of Washington on a rail! She will have you lying again, too.

BillForObama, Alexandria, VA (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:53 PM)

re: Charlene Whitney, Winnebago, IL

But, Mr. Obama took back his lie. HILARY'S LIE(S) ARE STILL OUT THERE. It is easy to understand why George Bush won two terms in the white house: PEOPLE WHO WILL BELIEVE ANYTHING ARE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY STUPID!!!

BillForObama, Alexandria, VA (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:59 PM)

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