Clinton blasts McCain; touts electability
Posted: Saturday, May 17, 2008 1:37 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:
2008, Clinton
From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
PORTLAND, OR -- Hillary Clinton criticized both John McCain and President Bush last night, saying that a McCain administration would be “more of the same,” particularly when it comes to Iraq.
The New York senator took part in a town hall meeting organized by KGW-TV, answering questions about a host of familiar topics and recent events, including McCain’s recent speech outlining his goals in a first term.
“His proposed victory by 2013 in Iraq was not based on any realistic assessment, nor was it based on any new strategy,” she said. “It was an assertion; it sounded a lot like ‘Mission Accomplished’ -- only postponed into 2013.”
Clinton also repeated her criticism of Bush for linking Obama to Nazi appeasers, saying his comments were “way out of line and really outrageous and should be rejected out of hand.” And while discussing her plan to address high oil prices, she said it was “embarrassing” to see Bush “begging” Saudi Arabia to increase production.
“His policy is go ask the Saudis to please try to give him a little relief, and that is not a policy that’s in the interests of America,” she said.
KGW had invited both candidates to speak, but Obama’s camp declined to participate. Clinton said she had hoped for a series of debates, “because I think that’s the best way to judge people side by side.” Later, she was asked if she was concerned that pundits “scare voters away” by declaring the race over.
“They’ve been saying it since Iowa, and the voters proved them wrong,” she said. “I’ve been declared dead so many times and luckily it’s been premature, and I’m hoping it stays premature.”
She then again claimed that she leads in the popular vote, although that claim is based upon adding the votes she also received from Florida and Michigan (while not counting "Uncommitted" for Obama). The campaign says Clinton's victories in key primaries would make her a better general election candidate.
“I’ve won the big states and I’ve won the swing states and the states,” she said. “The real issue here is the map. Who is more likely to win the electoral votes we need to actually capture the White House? And because I believe I am better prepared to be president and I am more likely to be able to win, I don’t care what the pundits say, I’m going to leave it up to the voters.”
The final question during the hour-long forum was what the high and low points have been for the campaign. Clinton said the high point has been “anytime I get to appear with my daughter.” The low point?
“Just being sleep-deprived and trying to get to more places than there are more hours in the day to possibly cover,” she said.
*** UPDATE *** RNC spokesman Alex Conant emails this response, "Rather than explain why both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will raise taxes on hardworking Americans, Clinton is launching her own desperate attacks on John McCain. The Democrats’ plans for more taxes, more spending and more regulations will not grow the economy or create jobs. America needs strong leadership that understands the economy – not higher taxes and spending like the Democrats are proposing.”
