I have a story up this morning on Sen. Barack Obama's newly aggressive tactics as he and Sen. Hillary Clinton push forward into the next contests in the nomination battle.
Democrats are sharpening their election attacks for Pennsylvania voters who are used to bruising politics, deploying their camps to the Keystone State with a luxury they haven't enjoyed since preparing for the Iowa caucus — time.Sen. Barack Obama's campaign promised yesterday to dish out as much as the candidate endured in recent weeks, after it appeared Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's Tuesday contest wins were fueled, in part, by the success of her negative ads.
"The vetting of Hillary Clinton has yet to start; the hard questions haven't been asked," campaign strategist David Axelrod said. "What's good for the goose is good for the gander."
Mrs. Clinton claimed momentum with her victories, but the Obama campaign was quick to note he still holds a lead among delegates earned through state contests and that she faces an uphill mathematical battle to capture enough to be the party nominee.
Read the rest here.
Clintonites, responding to the new Obama, sounded furious this morning on a conference call.
"I don't believe that imitating Ken Starr is the way to win a primary election," spokesman Howard Wolfson fumed.
"I did not realize their version of new politics is recycling some of the same Republican attacks," said senior Clinton adviser Ann Lewis. "Senator Obama could not convince [Ohio and Texas voters] he is ready to be commander in chief. I don't think any amount of false attacks on Hillary Clinton is going to change that."
UPDATE, NOON:
Obama spokesman Bill Burton responds:
"It is absurd that after weeks of badgering the media to 'vet' Senator Obama, the Clinton campaign believes that they should be held to an entirely different standard. We don't believe that expecting candidates for the presidency to disclose their tax returns somehow constitutes Ken Starr-tactics, but the kind of transparency and accountability that Americans are looking for and that's been missing in Washington for far too long. And if Senator Clinton doesn't think that the Republicans will ask these very same questions, then she's not as ready to go toe-to-toe with John McCain as she claims."
— Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (14)
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama:
Dear Madam, and Sir,
A Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama ticket is what we want. And that is what we need to take back the Whitehouse. We want a smart, tough, idealistic, seasoned veteran of many battles fighting for the American people (Hillary Clinton). With a young, passionate, smart, open-minded, hard-working idealist fighting for the American people (Barrack Obama). The DREAM TEAM!
You are both fabulous candidates. And we, the American people are very fortunate to have each of you. Taking back the Whitehouse is critical for the American people, and the world at this time. And I think the American people have been saying loudly, and clearly that a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket is the best way to do this.
I think the American people have made it very clear that they feel Hillary Clinton is the one best able to lead the ticket against John McCain at this critical, and desperate time in America, and around the world. These dramatic comebacks are testament to Hillary Clinton's skill, and experience as a fighter for the American people. They are also a testament to the strong desire of the American people to have both of you fighting for the American people at this time of midnight in America.
Typical of the Clinton's is an uncanny ability to see and understand what the American people want. And then to try and get it for them. Even if they have to go through three political near death experiences to try and get it for the American people. This is classic Clinton's. They are the best I have ever seen.
We are desperate out here. Millions of us are suffering greatly. And tens of thousands of us are dying needlessly every year. Men, women, children, and babies. We need help! As Hillary Clinton said "It's not a game". We need the two of you together on our side fighting for us, and for the American dream for all. Not fighting against each other anymore.
It's time for you Senator Obama to join forces with Hillary Clinton as her running mate so that we can all focus our energies, and resources on taking back America for the American people.
Don't make me hurt you. :-)
Sincerely
Jacksmith...
Posted by jacksmith | March 6, 2008 12:44 PM
Ha, they sound terrified. Bill and Hillary've got a lot of skeletons in those cabinets. Obama won't even have to make up stuff like the Clintons.
Wonder who Bill slept with lately?
Posted by FLRepublican | March 6, 2008 12:46 PM
What are they scared of? They know from the get go that if Obama was to play dirty HRC will hurt a lot more than it is for him from her.
Does she thinks just becoz Obama plays nice she can throw the kitchen sink at him to win the nomination by playing dirty and expect the mccain will do the same as Obama? Dream on! While Obama and mccain keep it respectable, she the only one going negative.
So just suck it up and what for the bathtub coming her way courtesy of Obama, and should she gets the nomination mccain and co.
Posted by Buj | March 6, 2008 12:51 PM
How much more negative can you get than to compare a person to Kenneth Starr? Isn't this the pot calling the kettle black? If Hillary can dish it out let's see if she can take it. It's obvious from this article she can't.
Posted by dolfus | March 6, 2008 2:14 PM
I do believe the pot has called the kettle black, and I don't mean that in a racist sense. :-)
Posted by Comrade Kevin | March 6, 2008 2:17 PM
Yes, the Clinton team is clearly ready to move into the future. This garbage is just a way of diminishing turnout (in PRIMARIES!), which is as disgusting an example of 51% politics you could ever see.
Posted by Alan Snider | March 6, 2008 2:41 PM
Let the American PEOPLE see your TAX RETURNS Clinton ! What are you afraid of ?
Posted by Anonymous | March 6, 2008 2:43 PM
Have Clinton advisers really equated Obama with Kenn Starr because he has called for release of tax returns and of "public" documents that fill in the background of HRC's tenure as First Lady? Starr may have been an out-of-control special prosecutor. However, the unpleasant reality is that Bill Clinton did perjure himself in a legal procedure in which he was sworn to tell the truth. Do the Clinton advisers really want to suggest that there is some sort of perjury or other legal violation embedded in the documents that have not been disclosed?
Clinton's campaign has pretty much played out the double standard which allows Hillary Clinton to attack Barack Obama (and to subtly encourage falsehoods about him) as an "empty suit" and, at the same time, to rebuff legitimate questions about her own record with smoke and mirrors.
Enough with double standards and kid gloves. If you can't take it, you shouldn't shovel it.
Posted by C.P. Gilman | March 6, 2008 2:57 PM
Hillary's camp are running exactly what she accused Obama's camp doing. She is following Carl Rove's techniques not Obama. The media runs with her without follow-up questions. Who are you kidding!
May be the uneducated fall for her lies and the media giving her practically free ads on MSNBC, ABC etc..,
Why don't you ask Hillary about her cash contribution from Saudi? Her Tax returns?
Posted by Anonymous | March 6, 2008 2:59 PM
B.Hussein O the way you are lifting from othere people's speeches tells me perhaps that is probably how you got your Harvard degree?
someone should give you a test! looks like you know how to snaaach!don't you
Posted by david Wade jr | March 6, 2008 3:35 PM
It sickens me to read the absolute hypocrisy spewed by Mr. Wolfson. Worse yet, people are buying Senator Clinton's smear campaign. Essentially, what Wolfson is saying is - it's ok to tar and feather Senator Obama with innuendo and accusation, to release photos in an attempt to try to tie him with Islamic fundamentalism (to scare people), and to assert a breach in ethics (based on the thinnest evidence), BUT, the Obama campaign cannot play those same nasty rules. What's going on people!! Is this the kind of character that you want for your Democratic candidate? Do we stand for as little as that? Win at all cost "cage fighting"!! Further, Senator Clinton was witness to these same tactics used against both her and President Clinton. It almost destroyed them. It seems that she has learned nothing. I'm sickened by what I perceive as naked political and personal ambition.
Posted by Sidney Hussen Jacobs | March 6, 2008 4:24 PM
Dear Mr. JackSmith,
You don't know Jack. It's Argentina that elects a president based on the length of time she has slept next to a head of state. And, even on that criteria we can't be wholly sure of her credentials.
I personally don't need a president who already knows what I want and is happy to get it for me. Thanks, I would prefer a president who has a vision for the future I can participate in and an interest in having me help get there.
Kindly return to your post in the Clinton Camp and wait till they give you some other menial task to perform.
Dick
Posted by Richard Hed | March 6, 2008 4:43 PM
Are they kidding me, you guys need to read this stuff, I copied from another blogger.
So you want to work for the Clinton's
A quick refresher course - lest we forget what has happened to many 'friends' of the Clinton's.
1 - James McDougal -Clinton's convicted Whitewater partner died of an apparent heart attack, while> in solitary confinement.He was a key witness in Ken Starr's investigation.
2 - Mary Mahoney -A former White House intern was murdered July 1997 at a Starbucks Coffee Shop in Georgetown. The murder happened just after she was to go publ ic with her story of sexual h arassment in the White House.
3 - Vince Foster -Former White House counselor and colleague of Hillary Clinton at Little Rock's Rose Law firm. Died of a gunshot wound to the head, ruled a suicide.
4 - Ron Brown -Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman. Reported to have died by impactin a plane crash. A pathologist close to the investigation reported that therewas a hole in the top of Brown's skull resembling a gunshot wound. At the timeof his death Brown was being investig ated, and spoke publicly of his willingnessto cut a deal with prosecutors. The rest of the people on the plane also died. A few days later the air traffic controller committed suicide.
5 - C. Victor Raiser II-Fund Raiser, a major player in the Clinton fund raising organization died in a private plane crash in July 1992
6 - Paul Tulley, Democratic National Committee Political Director, found dead in a hotelroom in Little Rock, September 1992. Described by Clinton as a 'dear friend andtrusted ad visor'.
7 - Ed Willey -Clinton fund raiser, found dead November 1993 deep in the woods in VA of a gunshot wound to the head. Ruled a suicide. Ed Willey died on the same day his wife Kathleen Willey claimed Bill Clinton groped her inthe oval office in the White House. Ed Willey was inv olved in several Clinton fund raising events.
8 - Jerry Parks -Head of Clinton's gubernatorial security team in Little Rock. Gunned downin his car at a deserted intersection outside Little Rock. Park's sonsaid his father was building a dossier on Clinton. He allegedlythreatened to reveal this inf ormation. After he died the fileswere mysteriously removed from his house.
9 - James Bunch - Died from a gunshot suicide. It was reported that he had a 'Black Book' of people which contained names of influential people who visited prostitutesin Texas and Arkansas.
10 - JamesWilson -Was found dead in May 1993 from an apparent hanging suicide. He was reported to have ties to Whitewater.
11 - Kathy Ferguson- Ex- wife of Arkansas Trooper Danny Fergus on, was found dead inMay 1994, in her living room with a gunshot to her head. It wasruled a suicide even though there were several packed suitcases, as ifshe were going somewhere. Danny Ferguson was a co-defendant alongwith Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones lawsuit. Kathy Ferguson was a possiblecorroborating witness for Paula Jones.
12 - Bill Shelton -Arkansas State Trooper and fiance of Kathy Ferguson. Critical of thesuicide ruling of his fiance, he was found dead in June, 1994 of a gunshotwound also ruled a suicide (at the grave site of his fianc?.)
13 - Gandy Baugh Attorney for Clinton's friend Dan Lassater, died by jumping out a windowof a tall building January, 1994. His client was a convicted drug distributor.
14 - F lorence Ma rtin - Accountant & subcontractor for the CIA, was related to the Barry SealMena Airport drug smuggling case. He died of three gunshot wounds.
15 - Suzanne Coleman -Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he was Arkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, ruled a suicide.Was pregnant at the time of her death.
16 - Paula Grober -Clinton's speech interpreter for the deaf from 1978 until her deathDecem ber 9, 1992. She died in a one car accident.
17 - Danny Casolaro -Investigative reporter - investigating Mena Airport and Arkansas Development Finance Authority. He slit his wrists - apparently, in themiddle of his investigation.
18 - PaulWilcher - Attorney investigating corruption at Mena Airport with Casolaro and the1980 'October Surprise' was found dead on a toilet June 22, 1993 in hisWashington, DC apartment. Had delivered a report to Janet Reno 3 weeks before his death.
19 - Jon Parnell Walker -Whitewater investigator for Resolution Trust Corp. Jumped to his death from his Arlington, Virginia apartment balcony August 15, 1993. He wasinvestigating the Morgan Guaranty scandal.
20 - Barbara Wise -Commerce Department staffer. Worked closely with Ron Brown andJohn Huang. Cause of death unknown. Died November 29, 1996.Her bruised, nude body was found locked in her office at the Departmentof Commerce.
21 - Charles Meissner -Assistant Secretary of Commerce who gave John Huang special securityclearance, died shortly thereafter in a small plane crash.
22 - Dr. Stanley Heard - Chairman of the National Chiropractic Health Care Advisory Committee diedwith his attorney Steve Dickson in a small plane crash. Dr. Heard,in addition to serving on Clinton's advisory council personally treatedClinton's mother, stepfather and brother.
23 - Barry Seal -Drug running pilot out of Mena Arkansas, death was no accident.
24 - Johnny Lawhorn Jr. -Mechanic, found a check made out to Bill Clinton in the trunk of a car leftat his repair shop. He was found dead after his car had hit a utility pole.
25 - Stanley Huggins -Investigated Madison Guaranty. His death was a purported suicideand his report was never released.
26 - Hershell Friday -Attorney and Clinton fund raiser died March 1, 1994 when his plane exploded.
27 - Kevin Ives & Don Henry -Known as 'The boys on the track' case. Reports say the boys may havestumbled upon the Mena Arkansas airport drug operation. Acontroversial case, the initial report of death said, due to falling asleep on railroad tracks. Later reports claim the 2 boys had been slain before beingplaced on the tracks. Many linked to the case died before theirtestimony could come before a Grand Jury. THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAD INFORMATION ON THE IVES/HENRY CASE
28 - Keith Coney - Died when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a truck, 7/88.
29 - Keith McMaskle - Died stabbed 113 times, Nov, 1988
30 - Gregory Collins - Died from a gunshot wound January 1989.31 - Jeff Rhodes - He was shot, mutilated and found burned in a trash dump in April 1989.
33 - James Milan - Found decapitated. However, the Coroner ruled his death was due to 'natural causes'.
34 - J ordan Kettleson - Was found shot to death in the front seat of his pickup truck in June 1990.
35 - Richard Winters - A suspect in the Ives / Henry deaths. He was killed in a set- up robbery July 1989. THE FOLLOWING CLINTON BODYGUARDS ARE DEAD:
36 - Major William S. Barkley Jr.
37 - Captain Scott J . Reynolds
38 - Sgt. Brian Hanley
39 - Sgt. Tim Sabel
40 - Major General William Robertson
41 - Col. William Densberger
42 - Col. Robert Kelly
43 - Spec. Gary Rhodes
44 - Steve Willis
45 - Robert Williams
46 - Conway LeBleu
47 - Todd McKeehan
Posted by:
lifedefined 11:21 AM
Mark As Violation
Posted by Benjamin | March 6, 2008 10:50 PM
"Ken Starr"???
There is the possibility that some of Bill Clinton's influence peddling schemes border on being illegal. Therefore we (the voters) have the right to see his and Hillary's income tax statement before we are saddled with her as the Democratic nominee. Before Hillary and Bill Clinton can be allowed to re-occupy the Oval Office the voters have to know how the Clintons amassed a multi million dollar fortune since leaving the White House. Especially in view or the facts that Bill Clinton has peddled his influence in Kazakhstan for Canadian billionaire Frank Giustra for the country's uranium rights; He has , or had, a financial partnership with the Emir of Dubai and his buddy Ron Burkle; Bill Clinton has earned millions ‘consulting’ for InfoUSA, an Iowa company that is under investigation for creating telemarketing lists used to fleece the elderly out of their life’s savings.
The voters have a right to know who is paying their bills.
Posted by Hedcutter | March 7, 2008 4:19 AM