Obama astonished at Bill's comments

Posted: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:20 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, 2008 Obama, 2008 Primaries

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
PITTSBURGH -- Obama expressed shock this morning at hearing that former President Bill Clinton asserted that the Obama camp used the race card against him.

"Hold on a second. So former President Clinton dismissed my victory in South Carolina as being similar to Jesse Jackson, and he's suggesting that somehow I had something to do with it?" Obama asked incredulously this morning at Pamela's P&G Diner here.

"OK, well you better ask him what he meant by that," he added. "These were words that came out of his mouth."

Asked a follow-up question on whether there was any planned attempt by Obama's campaign to get Clinton to make a racially questionable comment, Obama dismissed the suggestion out of hand. "Was there something that we had a plan to get him to say that my campaign was like Jesse Jackson's? You know, I don't know what he's referring to, unfortunately," Obama said.

Discussing today's primary, Obama said that he felt like he had "a chance" in Pennsylvania, though his campaign had known that it would always be an "uphill climb."

"We've made significant progress... We've got a great organization. A lot of it's gonna depend on turnout today and it's really had to gauge," he said.

Speculating on the spike in Democratic registration, Obama wondered aloud on how turnout would affect the race. "You've got over 200,000 new registrants. Do they all came out to vote? If they all come out to vote, they are not being polled and we don't know which way they are going to break so we've got a chance."

Obama also said that no matter what the outcome today, he feels like the race will continue. "You know, I have come to the conclusion that this race will continue until the last primary or caucus vote is cast. And that's not that far away," he said. "And in the meantime, what we're doing is making sure that every single voter in America has a chance to participate in the primaries and the bright side of that is we're seeing record turnouts, record involvement. We're building organizations that are getting tested. Should I end up being the nominee, the work that we've done here in Pennsylvania I think will be extraordinarily helpful in the general election."

Obama also promised that the voters that Clinton is pulling, older, blue-collar economic voters, would be in his camp by November. "Well look, I think we can win no matter what the results," he said of how blue-collar voters will vote in today's primary. "The polling shows that we can win no matter what the results. When I am the nominee, Ed Rendell is going to be working for me just as hard as he has been working for Sen. Clinton."

He added, "There is going to be a clear contrast between the economic message between the Democrats and the Republicans. This whole notion that somehow because there are some voters -- whether it is older voters or blue-collar voters who prefer Sen. Clinton over me -- that means I can't get their vote, that just isn't born out by the polling, and it is not born out by the history of the peoples' voting patterns. The party is going to come together after the nomination is settled."

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Comments

If Bill's strings are so easily pulled that Obama's campaign can influence what he says, they should use that amazing power to get him to admit publicly that his wife cannot win and she should do the only decent thing left — GET OUT!

Sam, Muncie, Ind. (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:28 AM)

It sounds a little bit like Bill needs some cheese with his WINE!!! wha, wha, wha...

Barb Schofield, Danville, IL (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:29 AM)

Does anyone really believe that Senator Obama cannot win PA in November? Have you been watching his campaign the last few weeks in PA? Have you seen the crowds? How you seen how much money he’s raising? Have you noticed that there are 350,000 new registered democrats in PA? Have you noticed the overall campaign David Axelrod has run the last 15 months?

Barack Obama, David Axelrod & Co. have run a classy, compelling campaign.

Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Howard Wolfson & Co. have run one of the worst campaigns in history.

The new democrats into the system are not because of the Clintons. Campaign money raised thus far should be an indication of who the country wants as the nominee to beat the Republicans in November. So far in April - Senator Obama has raised $42 M.

John McCain is a weak opponent.

Pat Buchanan - enough with the working class white guy. It’s a toss up - who do they dislike voting for more - an African American or a woman. Clinton likes shots of whiskey in the neighborhood bar. She wins - today with them.

One thing is certain - these guys are always angry at someone or something. And they always will be. Turn on the radio. See how the blame is distributed evenly across the board, depending on the news of the day.

That’s what Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity’s job is -to keep the angry white male angry. It works.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:29 AM)

Well you are at it again you are skillfully turning someones statement or opinion into a derogatory comment about afro- american folks. you and you alone are going to bring about your demise. We are sick of you blaming everything on everybody and you will not bring up important matters that are important to america not you individually

Ed Fl (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:31 AM)

Senator Clinton claims to have changed her position since voting for the Iraq war, to favor withdrawing American troops from Iraq. With her proposed Middle East umbrella alliance, she has apparently repudiated her more recent position. Has she misspoken?

Expanding the Iraq war is more than sniper fire.

Gregory Peek, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:31 AM)

Just think , this is just the beginning of the danger of Bill Clinton anywhere near the White House. Hillary by herself is scary enough . The two of them take lying and distortion to unseen levels.

Gerry, (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:31 AM)

astonished is the biggest understatement

aa (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:32 AM)

Dredging up the SC race conflict again? Dear goodness; let's hope for a miracle in PA and that the race will be over after tonight. Bill needs a timeout, seriously.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:33 AM)

First of all, why doesn't someone ask Hillary to explain what Bill is talking about. Then, why doesn't Bill show the memos - he said they read them?

Finally, if somehow the Clintons get to the WH again, who will protect us from them? If the SD's put them in, it won't be because Hillary is qualified. It will be because they owe the Clintons favors. Hillary has already demonstrated that she will do anything to anyone that stands in her way. What will stop her from abusing presidential power against the American people?

Think about it!!!! No one has ever accused Hillary of being an honorable or nice person.

MBM Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:33 AM)

You know what barry...you won't be able to keep deflecting things once mcsame zeros in on you...your lecturing, pandering ways may appeal to the liberal wing of the dem party but it won't play for the 80% of america who is not some pie eyed social enginerring liberal...

Rick, NC (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:34 AM)

Revisionist history.Pres. Clinton, aren't you gagging on that foot in your mouth by now?

I voted for the man twice, defended him during the impeachment hearings.

And have been SOOO disappointed in him.

sotiredofignorance (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:34 AM)

Bill is 100% correct, Obama and his campaign cult members DID in fact use the race card numerous times, and are still using it. AND to blame the Clintons for this is showing just how schiesty he can be.

j fl (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:34 AM)

Chris, Dorr, MI,

You're welcome.

Lisa in Ct,

Thank you for your advice. I called my son at work, and he is armed with your suggestion. Your encouragement is greatly appreciated.

Obama '08

donna. (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:34 AM)

Good for Obama. I think that any campaign is going to respond to a comment from the other side but to suggest that somehow the Obama campaign drew out of Pres. Clinton the Jesse Jackson comment is ridiculous. Much of the Clintons aim has been to subtly speak to the white voters in the country. After all, after the SC incident, they lost most of the African-American vote so their aim has been to paint Obama as that uppity guy who is out of touch with average Americans (that is average WHITE Americans). They never cease to amaze me. I just hope that the Dems realize that this election is their chance to put the Clintons where they should right be--in the past!!

Holli, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:35 AM)

My Prediction for PA

Before I make my prediction for the results of tomorrow's Democratic Primary contest in Pennsylvania, let's keep a few things in mind:

1) The Clinton Camp predicted at 20% victory here not too long ago.
2) The ENTIRE political machine of PA is behind Clinton
3) By all rights, Clinton SHOULD win by 20%

Nevertheless, Obama is making a surge in the Keystone State. People, like everywhere else he goes, end up liking the guy once they hear and see him. He is hopeful and that is what the country needs.

My prediction is a 4% win for Clinton.

The results of which should be a death nail in her coffin. As a matter of fact, anything lower than 10% should be a strong signal for her to evacuate the race before she further damages the party and racks up more red ink in her campaign.

10 - 15% I call a draw.

15%+ I would call a victory for the HRC camp (I am spotting her 5% because I am nice).

I go back to my Plea for Pennsylvanians on this. They have a chance to end this and let us get ready for the real contest with McCain.

Please vote for Obama! Yes We Can!

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:35 AM)

When Obama wins the nomination, and unites the Democratic party, please, people-who-hate-intelligent-black-men,
stay home. You have no hope.

HJP (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:36 AM)

"The polling shows that we can win no matter what the results. When I am the nominee, Ed Rendell is going to be working for me just as hard as he has been working for Sen. Clinton."

What a minefield to step in.....
I wouldn't be associated with anyone who even sat at the same lunch table with Louis Farrakhan......

If I were Obama, I owuld stay out of that 40 ft hole Bill Clintondug himself into with that racist remark.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:36 AM)

Go Obama!

Democrat (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:36 AM)

I absolutely believe that the Obama campaign has played the race card. What was racist about B. Clinton basically saying: Jesse Jackson won here twice but didn't get the nomination. Jesse ran a good campaign. Obama's run a good campaign.

Bill Clinton is an astute student of politics. He could probably tell you many, many stats about elections. Because campaigns study historically what has happened in states, the stats were probably fresh in his mind. If he had given an exact stat about a white person, nobody would have said a word. But, because he named Jackson, it was made into a racist statement and Obama's campaign RAN with that. When Hilary was talking that it took the great work of MLK to get the public behind the civil rights act, it took a strong president to get it pushed through congress. She didn't say anything derogatory about MLK but again the Obama campaign RAN with that. It's like this. If you WANT to find racism, you'll find it. And, if you believe Obama, et al, haven't played the race card, you have your eyes and ears shut!

think (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:36 AM)

Sen. Hillary Clinton will win big in Pa. That is the end of Obamamania as well as MSNBC.

Liz (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:36 AM)

Bill has thrown the wheels off the truck again; he is not looking too much like the savvy politician everyone was calling him four months ago- you let sleeping dogs lie instead of bringing your own gaffes back into the limelight.

Clearly many Clinton (Obama) folks, when polled which to they prefer, McCain or Obama (Clinton) will pick McCain to make their preference look better against McCain. But the great majority of these folks, at the end of the day, will vote for the Democratic party.

arthurW from VA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:31 PM)

Hey Think

First your facts are wrong. The Obama campaign NEVER suggested that it was a racist comment. The pundits and other media did.

Second, to suggest that Barack Obama should even be linked to Jesse Jackson was STUPID not racist.

Lastly, the Obama camp NEVER said anything about the MLK comment it was again the pundits and the media.

The problem here is that you, like many other americans think that if one African AMerican says something, they are speaking for the entire group. the African American pundits are not speaking for Barack Obama when they have criticized those comments. They were speaking for themselves.

Additionally, why hasn't ANYONE, including yourself renounced and/or reject Ed Rendell's praise of Luis Farakhan? I thought that if you sat in church, or lived in the same neighborhood with someone controversial you werr guilty by association? But i guess what's good for the goose is not good for the gander in this case.

Art in Cali (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:32 PM)

Liz are you off you medication? "the end of Obamamania as well as MSNBC"

So if Clinton wins, MSNBC will fold? Obama's $40 million will disappear?

No wonder Bill made 109 million from talking. He says things & people get hypnotized. Obama's got nothing on him.

A Charles, LA, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:35 PM)

Oh I ama so astonished -----what a phoney this racist Obama is.I can hear him and the angry Michelle whining how racist Mccain is while they stand there with their black adopted daughter.The Democratic party has lost this election before it even has begun.I hope Obama has too spend every cent he raises against not only the clintons but Mccain when the sorry democrats make him the sore winner.

NObama (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:35 PM)

What advantage does Obama gain by race-baiting? African Americans only make up about 12% of the national voting electorate, and less than that in a lot of states. Why would someone named Barack Hussein Obama after 9-11 want to cause a race war? How could this possibly benefit him? He has an entire staff of professionals on his team. No one on that team would have created that scenario.

The Clintons, however, had a lot to gain by race-baiting. Since White people, white women in particular, make up a large chunk of the electorate, they felt like they didn't need black people, at least for now. It Hillary who is gender baiting-shouting the virtues of her campaign and how hard it is for women. I'm a black woman, and I would much rather pick up a book and read that black women had to stay in the kitchen instead of reading that when this country was founded, black people weren't even considered human. Try explaning that to your children when they come home from history class.

Carlo, Baton Rouge, LA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:36 PM)

After 8 years in the whitehouse and 8 years out giving speaches, and after watching Bill's speeches the last few months, I'm not sure why anybody could be astonished by what Bill says.

THE REST of the WORLD is LAUGHING AT him!!!

BC (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:38 PM)

If you think Obama has played the race card there is a term for you: Bigot. If anything he has stayed clear of any of the race baiting or race card issues. The Clintons are rotten to their core and now we see them for who they truly are. Racist.

John, Army Veteran (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:43 PM)

GO HILLARY !!!
Bill is right - he is not now - or ever has been a racist - I am sick of the obama group crying racist everytime a comment is made - Stop It - thought you were for Change!
And - Arrogant is obama is to think all of us will be in his camp when he wins the nomination - think again.
I will not be loyal to a party - just the person - I will never vote for obama - he is far too questionable to be President. HILLARY or McCain
and there are millions like me! So - if you manage to STEAL the nomination by blocking FL & MI voters - You will never win the election.

Molly (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:44 PM)

How can anyone be silly enough to not understand what Bill was trying to do. He was implying he won South Carolina simply because he was black, just like Jesse Jackson. Bill Clinton is not a racist, but to say he wasn't injecting race into the election is crazy. Of course that's what he was trying to do, even republicans know what he was doing.

Charles (LA, CA) (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:45 PM)

There is no reason to be surprised at any lie or innuendo that comes from a Clinton. It is their personal makeup, alonbg with a complete lack of morals, integrity, or honesty. But Hillary IS a great example of exactly what we do NOT need in the WH.

C.Beitz, Atlantic, VA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:46 PM)

I for one want experience, not hope, not faith, not blind trust. As with my mother and her blind faith and trust in religion, she still laments in the crapiest environment because our government has not cares for the elderly. regardless of what Obama claims to be able to do, I doubt his presidency or any of the other two will truly acheive a better life for those in America. The dollar has tanked and we are just an unhinging of the oil from the dollar away from sliding into third world status. stop have blind faith and make honest decision on things.

Jack, chicago (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:46 PM)

Bill Clinton is the most arrogant politician this country has ever had. He needs to take his wife back to one of their 'home states' and get real. This country is going for Obama in 08. Move on McCain. You're too old. Move on Clinton. You're so yesterday!

Mary, Manhattan, NYC (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:48 PM)

If there was no inherent race baiting in Bill Clinton's unprompted Jesse Jackson remarks, why the comparison to Obama. Has no other Democratic nominee won big in SC before? ONLY Jesse Jackson and Obama? So the comparison wasn't to remind folks that Obama is black (half) and that Jackson won big but didn't get the nom in the end.

I don't understand how reacting to that is playing the race card.

And Jerry for CC, TX, the idea that Obama somehow shares the same ideology as Farrakhan is beyond absurd and it is truly a shame that you allow spin to characterize your opinion rather than facts.

Flabbergasted, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:52 PM)

No matter what the outcome in PA will be, OBAMA IS ALREADY A WINNER. So Clintonians, you better get used to it.

lucyna (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:54 PM)

Bill is completely RIGHT! If you say or question Obama on anything you are called a racist. Face it we all have asked tougher questions of our kids and this man wants to be President! Obama is being groomed. But by who? Time to know who his friends are. It was Rezko and his partner that 'recruited' Obama to Chicago for a job. Just what was the 'long term career development' discussed? We need to know his friends and associates or else we will have William Ayers as Secretary of Education and Rev Wright Director of Security and International Affairs or whatever appointments they want.

Linda Alabama (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:54 PM)

""And in the meantime, what we're doing is making sure that every single voter in America has a chance to participate in the primaries and the bright side of that is we're seeing record turnouts, record involvement. "
Does that mean michigan and Florida????????

didnt think so Barock...

GDI in Michigan (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:00 PM)

Why is it that before a primary the Clintons continue to put their foot in their mouths. Keep talking while WE keep winning!

OBAMA 08

Deninge Sims, San Leandro, California (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:00 PM)

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT SHEEP, I HOPE PA VOTERS ARE EQUALLY SMART, ESPECIALLY WORKING CLASS VOTERS THAT SUPPORT CLINTON. CHECK THIS OUT-----

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/16/hillary-clinton-on-workin_n_97017.html

Dr. G (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:00 PM)

Obama may lose today, but all the $$ he spent will mean a Pennsylvania win in the General Election. Great investment. As to the ridiculous spin that Obama has to win because he outspent Clinton, maybe that is because he is better at raising money and better at managing his campaign funds. Another reason that he will be a better GE candidate and a better President!!!

KLangguth, Illinois Republican for Obama (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:04 PM)

MBM, you said it so well. IF Billary is elected to the White House, it WILL be because the super delegates are so afraid of them they will turn their head to the wishes of the majority.

Maverick49 (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:05 PM)

How about the voters in Flordia and Michagen,does anyone care they did not get to vote. This hurts every voters every where. How can this be right just because some higher ups in the Demetoratc Party made mistakes both states have lost their right to vote.

James, Ky (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:05 PM)

Interesting comments, I agree the media crafted the race card being played but the question was who would toss them the ball. Well... now we know.

Prior to SC we saw a combination of US citizens at all the candidates events. After NC we saw a combination of US citizens at all events again.

But the media's continues to strata the citizens with a clear focus on race.

svWonderingOutLoud,Cols,OH (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:10 PM)

I totally support Obama and believe in his future. However, should HIllary secure the dem nom then I will stay true to my democratic ties and vote for her. But, until then, GO OBAMA!

Kathleen, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:12 PM)

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