Clinton v. Obama on economy

Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:21 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Clinton, Obama

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama and Clinton both delivered major addresses on the economy today. After Obama's speech, the Clinton campaign criticized it in an e-mail to the media:

“Presidents have to do more than announce principles," writes Clinton policy director Neera Tanden in the statement. "They have to solve problems. At a time of crisis in our financial markets, Senator Obama announced a series of broad, vague principles, while offering no new concrete solutions to provide Americans with greater confidence in the market or keep them in their homes. The contrast could not be clearer -- on Monday, Senator Clinton announced a detailed, specific plan to address the housing and credit crisis. On Tuesday, Senator McCain announced that he had no plan. And today, Senator Obama offered just words.”

Obama spokesman Bill Burton responded this way: “We’ve all seen that the Clinton campaign never lets the facts get in the way of a good story, but they know full well that Barack Obama has offered thoughtful, detailed proposals to solve the housing crisis, one of which the New York Times just called the best idea from any candidate in the race. Senator Clinton’s new proposal this week amounted to calling for a meeting, so it’s pretty obvious that her latest kitchen sink attack is nothing more than just politics."

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Comments

Why everytime someone gives a speech or says something does the other camp have to shoot out an e-mail. I feel for you reporters with all the e-mails you must get! - I have trouble keeping up with my inbox on AOL let alone getting at least 20 e-mails a day from these campaigns

Jill - DE (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:30 PM)

Paul Krugman called Hillary's proposal, in a word, "dumb."

All Hillary did was say "Alan Greenspan" over and over. She didn't realize that Alan Greenspan is partially to blame for this crisis.

adam/Brooklyn New York City (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:31 PM)

Head Obama's pastor called all the Italians, "Garlic Noses".......... Let's see Obama sat in that church under Pastor Wright andlisten to him insult America, whites, Jews, and now we hear what he wrote in his magazene about the Italians.

Why did Obama stay for 20 years in this racist church and under this Pastor?

BAD judgment? Boneheaded? Obama and his hate filled wife believe this stuff.

John Doe (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:31 PM)

John Doe (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:32 PM)

I am an Obama supporter and I agree that the super delegates should vote according to their conscience and based on who is more electable in November. They should not blindly vote based on who wins most pledged delegates.

The reason we have Primary elections is to determine electability in November so guess what, Obama is proving that he is electable, which he has done against Ms. Clinton who was the presumptive nominee up until January. Hillary is the one who is unelectable. She couldnt even win the primaries, how can she win the General Elections. Besides she has the highest disapproval rating of any candidate. 45% of the electorate will never vote for HRC. So she only has a 55% electorate to work with. Both Obama and McCain have disapproval ratings of 26% and 27% respectively. Go figure who is more electable.

Democratic nomination was Hillary's to lose and she is losing it. How can anyone argue that she is more electable in Nov when she screwed up the primaries. It takes strategy and smarts to win elections... different strategies for primaries and general elections. Hillary has failed in the first test, and is now asking us to trust us with a bigger test in November. Obama is a once in a life time candidate who is winning against odds. And those of you who are calling him racist, you really belong in the other party, please vote for McCain whoever the democratic nominee is. I and an Obama supporter but will vote for Clinton, if she is our nominee.

Zia (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:32 PM)

John Doe (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:32 PM)

Clinton's can't and won't debate issues. They continue to point fingers and spin details. White House at all costs should be her campaign slogan. HRC needs to get out of the race.

Bob, Chicago

Bob Chicago (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:33 PM)

She didn't offer anything but words herself. She never does. She claims she is offering plans, but they never exist. Mr. Burton is right.

I guess her sleep deprivation and trips down 'misspoke lane' are taking their toll.

Obama Voters Demanding Clinton Accountablity (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:35 PM)

...but Senator Clinton offered her solution thanks to 35 years of experience while under sniper fire at 3 AM!

It is to laugh! (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:35 PM)

For those of you who state Obama has no specific ideas on how to deal with a plunging economy and the mortgage foreclosure problem:

From the New York Times - March 27, 2008

"Mr. Obama has endorsed the best idea currently on the table to prevent foreclosure: amending the law so that troubled borrowers can have their mortgages modified in bankruptcy court. That would give lenders a big incentive to work with borrowers — reducing interest or lowering principal balances — before they opted for bankruptcy protection. Mrs. Clinton has not endorsed bankruptcy reform. She has called for $30 billion in federal funds to bolster state and local foreclosure-prevention efforts and has proposed a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and a rate freeze on subprime adjustable mortgages. Those measures also could help, but as the crisis has developed, the problem has become less one of resetting interest rates and more one of borrowers owing more than their homes are worth. Bankruptcy reform is a better way to deal with that problem".

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:37 PM)

Obama wins this round no doubt about it. Mccain doesn't seem to have a clue and Hillary thinks she can says some stuff and turn it into gold as long as she says Obama's speech didn't say anything but use words. We all use words. It's called communication and frankly Obama is the best at this and that is what America needs. I would rather have an American President who can tell me whats going on and how we are going to solve it versus A Bush like liar who panders and sidesteps on every issue since the truth on things is not self serving to the Clintons.

Rod, SC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:38 PM)

Its too bad MSNBC used to be my favorite cable news but now they are just so bias against Clinton.

You know its bad when even Fox news is defending Clinton

patty,sd,ca (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:39 PM)

Weve all seen that the Clinton campaign never lets the facts get in the way of a good story"...that's about it in a nutshell.

JohnnyU, WA State (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:40 PM)

Yeah well I saw Obama's speech today on the economy, and it is CLEAR that he knows what he is talking about and that he has a solid plan for turning it around.

Not to mention, when Hillary "announced a detailed, specific plan to address the housing and credit crisis," isn't her detailed plan "just words" too? How is it that whenever Obama speaks, it's "just words," but when Hillary speaks it somehow qualifies as "action"????

Linda. Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:40 PM)

Hillary's (getting) pathetic. Call it a legacy of distortions, exaggerations, lies, or smear tactics...but her campain and her family name are getting muddier by the day. Man, will they stop at nothing?!?

Jaime, Lantana, FL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:41 PM)

Again, HRC offers solutions (yes 10 point plans), and BO offers platitudes and rhetoric that contains no specifics. "Yes we Can", "Change is Good", "You are the Solution". It's like reading Animal Farm again.

Alan, Nj (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:41 PM)

Boy that Bill Burton is ready to go. I wonder if he sleeps waiting for that 3:00 call from Bomby. Hillary has been giveing ideas and showing people how she will handle and pay for the economical problems we face all last week also while obama was on vacation cause he had a rough week poor honey.But we can blast her for something never fear. Obama says no personal attacks lordy no others do it for him. If Bill dares to stand by Hillary he will have to twist his words again to make him out to be bad.Obama does that so well h eshould have done it for Wright in reverse.Where is tha pastor. He prob had to take a break to get away from the Italian garlic noses he talked about in his magazine article. That ought to make a bunch of Obamas people happy. whites, Italians,jews, who has he left out.Dont feel bad he will get to you too i am sure.

jane-pa (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:42 PM)

Another pro-Obama post by MSNBC!!
I immediately went to the link you posted and here is what I found: "Both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama have endorsed...." IS THAT THE IDEA you are referring to, and if so, why have you chosen to highlight Burton's claim that it is Obama's idea?

Jo (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:42 PM)

Clinton = Economy

Obama = Black America

McCain = AARP

Pam B, NC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:44 PM)

You have got to be kidding me. Obama proposes basically that borrowers threaten their mortgage companies they're going to file bankruptcy to try and force the lender to lower rates or the bankruptcy court would do it for them. Why add another step to an already complicated process? If you want to force lenders to do something, then do it. Don't add the bankruptcy courts to the equation. Also, people should know that in a bankruptcy filers can reaffirm their mortgage and wouldn't lose their home. However, they still have to pay. How will the bankruptcy court determine what is fair and equitable? Also, there is something tragically wrong with "forcing" people to file bankruptcy; that's something that will stay with you for 10 years. Also, filing bankruptcy can keep people in certain industries from obtaining employment in their field. I am a housing and credit counselor. I will say that there are many who were subjected to predatory lending. However, there were many people who knew exactly what they were doing and wanted a house NOW; they weren't willing to get themselves into a better financial position before buying. I am in favor of addressing foreclosures from predatory lending; I am not in favor of rewarding bad behavior of those who should never have been in the home in the first place. Obviously, their arms weren't tied behind their back and forced to sign the loan; if tied up, they couldn't have done it.

think (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:44 PM)

>>>>At a time of crisis in our financial markets, Senator Obama announced a series of broad, vague principles, while offering no new concrete solutions to provide Americans with greater confidence in the market or keep them in their homes

Exactly!! Obama offers words and mesmerizing phrases- and the media and press praise him and call him a savior.

This is how the media continues to dumb down America.

Obama has always been high on hype and low on substance!

Carla, PA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:44 PM)

Please, why is my posts censored. Is this blog now part of Hillary's Country?

A Pattern Of Hillary Clinton "Misstatements"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixg4F-qnQvQ

NAFTA and Hillary Clinton's credibility problem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFuA0z4kKD4

Hillary Clinton Lies about Bosnia: Lies Lies Lies Yeah!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8_odhuWfTk

Banko (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:45 PM)

If Hillary will lie about Bosnia, or be mistaken as she has suggested, couldn't she also be mistaken about being the one who is ready to be commander-in-chief on day one?

Doesn't the whole Bosnia fiasco make everything she says about being ready to be president suspect?

I don't see how anyone could vote for her.

She will say anything, and destroy the party in doing so, in order to try and become President.

Haven't we had enough of her?

Mike, Hopkinton, MA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:45 PM)

Hilary wants Paul Volcker on her economic committee...not a bad terribly idea actually. Of course, he has come out for Obama!

Gary - PITT (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:45 PM)

Principles are the foundation of good problem solving - they are where problem-solving begins.
That, and Obama DOES have plans to solve the problems, look at his website. The principles help when unexpected hurdles come along, as they always do.

For example: I'm sure Clinton had very well laid out plans for her campaign prior to Feb. 5 (Super Tuesday) - But we have seen how, when her plans unravelled, she responded.

Her campaign is broke and she has been using the flailing, hail-mary type "kitchen sink" strategy that is not only hurting her campaign and her husband's legacy - it is tearing the party apart.

Her campaign plans obviously are not plans based on a foundation of sound principles - and that is an important differance in approach.

One of the best measures of how these people will run the country is how they run their campaigns. Pay attention to that.

Mel (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:46 PM)

What does it matter what Clinton thinks of Barack's plan? I have serious doubts about everything she says since her "mis-statements" came out. She and her surrogates are under the impression that if they yell loud enough to drown everyone else out, nothing will be heard but the sounds of their voices. That's another myth she needs to deal with.

JM08 - Iowa (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:46 PM)

“Sometimes the phone rings at 3 a.m. in the White House and it’s an economic crisis...."
Hillary Rodham Clinton 3/27/08

LOL!

You just can't make this stuff up.

adam/Brooklyn New York City (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:46 PM)

No way! The Clinton camp fired off e-mail's criticizing Obama? Wow, that's news.

When is this Clintonmonster wandering sideshow of intelligence insulting false drama going to end? That's the question of the day. I think I'll start a pool here at the office.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:46 PM)

I'm calling it right now mark my words. with the way the clintons and the obama camps are talking neither one will drop out of the race after the nomination. one of them will leave the democratic party with their supers and start a new three party system and we will see a three way race in the general.
if hillary gets the nomination obama has enough support to claim back room deals took place againest the will of the people. this would be his call for a new party.
if obama gets the nomination (which looks more likly) hillary can claim the DNC ingnored the wishes of millions of voters in FL and MI, so they could hand pick a new canidate. she could then start a new party movement and automaticly assume the mantle of a real change platform. theres no reason why she should not do this because as the polls show the canidates are all running about even. her up side is win the presidency and founder a new party. her alturnitive is to accept the obama nomination and skulk back in to the democratic party with her tail between her legs.
everybody is so focused how the nomination will end they overlook the fact that it might not.

michael bryan (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:47 PM)

The more she speaks the more embittered she appears, and this is the change her supporters endorse?

And I wish people would stop posting fake patty posts. Granted it gets tired but I'm confident she is not an Obama supporter

Dr.Strangedog, MI (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:47 PM)

Ah, this is old news. How in the world is a candidate not supposed to offer words? Isn't it all words until you actually get elected? Please, do they really believe this line is still working?

Doles, Miami, FL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:48 PM)

Obama camp responses be quick, witty, and to the point!! I really do appreciate that!!

Kim (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:50 PM)

HIllary Clinton knows she can't win this year. She is attempting to kneecap Obama in whatever way she has to so that he will lose against McCain. Then, she'll have what was "rightfully hers" again in 2012. That the uncommitted superdelegates in the Democratic Party can stand and watch this unfold is a stunning dereliction of duty. She's going to take the party down in what should have been a slam dunk election.

ME, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:51 PM)

Way to go Bill Burton. Hammer back. She doesn't deserve respect anymore. To get respect, you have to earn respect.

Will, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:52 PM)

The more she attacks, the higher he rises in the polls. "just words". Were the release of the Obama tax returns just 'words'? Where are hers?

I am not against drawing contrasts in a political campaign, or criticizing your opponents platform, but these repetitive, and ineffective snipes are less than feeble. They are much-ado-about-nothing.

Pulling for Obama '08

donna, pgh., pa. (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:53 PM)

I am one of those people who would love to put a period to this race. Not because it puts a strain on voters etc but because of the nastiness that comes from the Clinton camp. If HRC spent the next 3 months making policy differences between herself and Obama it would be okay but the idea of destroying him to the point that McCain beats him in November for her to run in 2012 is appalling. She will most certainly loose to McCain if she steals this election. The fact is Both Hillary and Obama have very little policy differences.

TY Bryan (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:53 PM)

Speaking of details, where are Hillary's tax returns? The American people deserve to see how Hillary and Bill have benefited from our economy.

Enrique, Chicago (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:53 PM)

That's what I like to see! The Obama camp is finally making Hillary look like a non-issue. Bill Burton basically told them to sit down and shut up. I love it!

AJ, Philly (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:54 PM)

The Obama speech was outstanding, explaining how the economy evolved into it's current state of recession, which helped lay the groundwork for understanding what needs to happen to repair the damage done by the Bush Administration.

The Clinton campaign is now in a state of desperation, and will bad mouth anything proposed by Obama, just as a matter of course. It makes them look petty and small, every time they speak.

Lisa Eddy, Centerville, Iowa (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:54 PM)

“We’ve all seen that the Clinton campaign never lets the facts get in the way of a good story ..."

Ouch! Nicely done.

fortuna, Houston, TX (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:54 PM)

I think Obama's plan to review and adjust regulatory factors outweighs the Clinton plan to create a "blue ribbon" panel comprised of the same econotards that got us into this mess. It was Greenspan that suggested refinancing into ARM's a few years ago that contributed to the situation today. Hillary is nothing more than the same old lame candidate in a pantsuit

Rich F, westminster, CO (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:54 PM)

Why is it. that whenever the CLinton camp puts out a memo or an e-mail, it is always attacking Obama and never talking about HER and HER policies. They never talk about what good things she has proposed but how everything Obama says is "just words".

I find that kind of funny that apparently they have nothing good to day about "their girl" so they just criticize everything Obama has to say.

How sad.

Jess (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:54 PM)

In Clinton's response to the Obama plan is buried one of her biggest flaws - the inability to think long term about underlying problems. I've noticed that to every event she responds tactically. The let's throw 30 billion at that or 20 billion at this, while politically popular for the moment this doesn't really deal with problems at a structural level. Her plans advance her politically, at the expense of fixing systemic problems.

Mark Seward, Burlingame, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:58 PM)

Could not agree more...Billary needs to go!

Maddog, Charlotte NC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:58 PM)

Lies. Lies. Lies.

Welcome to the daily Clinton campaign breifing.

John, Tennessee (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:58 PM)

The Clinton campaign has repeated numerous time in recent weeks that Obama's camp doesn't offer sound policies that resonate with the American public so has resorted to trying to tear down their candidate. Uhm, Clinton made up that song and dance. She talks more about her opponents than she does her own agenda, tearing them down. But, you know, she's always the victim, so, you know, that is to be expected because, you know, Hillary being human is a revelation to some cause, you know, she has led the life of a political elite and has had it so rough, you know?

Tired of being tired of this (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:00 PM)

this infighting in our party is going to propel J McCain to the White House. We need unity, we need honesty, someone needs to show restraint,honor and insight, get back to the issues, and never mind this childish he said she said junk. WE THE PEOPLE ARE SICK OF IT. WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT IN GODS' NAME IS THE PLAN TO HELP OUR ECOMONY, Tell our TROOPS IN IRAQ whats your plans, HEALTHCARE, PROTECT OUR BORdERS ETC...get on with business already.If not, we all will watch a clone BUSH take the oath and we all know what direction that will head. `

J. ROBINSON, OREGON, WI (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:00 PM)

Lord, aren't we all sick of the Clinton spin machine?! Now it's economics, yesterday it was her combat adventures. Does anyone even listen to a word they say anymore, most of it lies anyway.

P. Kendall Omaha, NE (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:00 PM)

I see the witch is back - her first speech today didn't offer any criticism of Obama and was something I could actually read through as it only criticized McCain. Poor Hillary she's seen the enemy and it is her.

Middle Aged White Woman Definately Voting for Obama, MD (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:05 PM)

Silly criticism from the Clinton campaign. Obama gave a great speech on the economy and proved once again that he is not an "empty suit". Great response from the Obama campaign.

Eric (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:05 PM)

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