This started in this diary. It says Obama says neither he nor Hillary have the experience to answer the phone, and that is wrong. But his answer is really not much better, and we can be guaranteed to see it played a thousand times by Republicans if he wins the nomination.
What am I talking about? I am talking about an interview on CNN. Actually, two interviews. Both candidates were asked if they had the experience to "answer that White House phone call." Obama actually said he did not, but then went on to say Hillary didn't either. Hillary answered differently. They are CNN videos, so I can't link them directly, but the links to find them are below, along with my own transcript. If you find a mistake tell me and I'll fix it. I cut out the "you knows," and the "uhhs," because it makes them both look inarticulate, and neither are.
Cross posted at the Big Orange Blog here, so go send it up the flagpole. If nothing else, it will be incredibly entertaining.
Q: Well let me ask you, what specific experience do you have in handling a crisis that would make you the better person to field that 3 a.m. phone call? A: Well, and that's the point, nobody does, because nobody's been in that situation unless they've been President. The question then becomes who's got the kind of judgment on these critical issues that shows some evidence that you can in fact understand how the world is operating and when we have to deal with issues in a military way, and on question like Iraq, on questions like Pakistan and Iran, I think that the judgment I've shown over the last several, several years has been superior to both Senator Clinton's and to Senator McCain's. And if longevity is the measure by which we determine who's got the best experience to answer that phone call, then John McCain wins because he's been there the longest. Q: She ... A: But that's not the criteria. The question is who's got the best judgment, and I think that my record looks pretty good compared to theirs.Hillary was asked the same question. Look for the video entitled Making a comeback, at 3:53:
Q: Can you tell us what specific experience in handling a crisis that you can point to that would make you better equipped to handle that White House phone at 3 a.m.? A: Well, of course, I've got a lifetime of experience. Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience. Senator Obama's whole campaign is about one speech he made in 2002. You know, I was involved for fifteen years in, you know, foreign policy and security policy. you know, I helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland. I negotiated open borders to let fleeing refugees into safey from Kosovo. I've been standing up against the Chinese Government over women's and standing up for human rights in many different places. I served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and I was the only Senator, of either party, asked to be on an important task force put together by the Pentagon under this Administration to figure out what to do with our military going forward. I have so much exerience. I have experience traveling to more than 80 countries representing the United States, sitting down with Presidents and Prime Ministers and Kings, having the chance to represent our coutnry in some very dificult situations. I'm offering a lifetime of experience and I think that's a sharp contrast to my opponent's offer.I can defend his response just as easily as any of you. It was well-reasoned and articulate. But face it, IT SUCKED. You don't win the Presidency of the United States by telling people you are not ready, even if you add "and neither is my opponent." Why? Because you can only speak for yourself, and you just said "I suck." Obama is in prevent defense now. He's way ahead, and just doesn't want to screw up. Well, he just screwed up. The night wasn't even over yet, and he screwed up. And how about his extolling McCain's experience? Didn't basically the same words drive droves here away from Hillary "FOREVER!!!"? This should be fun. UPDATE, because I think I failed to make my point. It was not as self-obvious as I obviously thought. I don't think his answer was incorrect. I think it was politically moronic. This is what the McCain campaign will do with it, if Clinton does not do it first:
(deep scary voice) When Barack Obama was asked if he had the experience to answer the White House phone in a time of crises he answered:Or let Hillary write the ad with her own answer:Well, and that's the point, nobody does(voice again) John McCain does. John McCain (bio)
(deep scary voice) When Barack Obama was asked if he had the experience to answer the White House phone in a time of crises he answered:Do you like the ad? Does it matter? Is it effective? Hell, Obama just wrote Clinton's follow up to the "red phone" ad.Well, and that's the point, nobody does(voice again) Hillary Clinton does. Hillary Clinton was involved for fifteen years inforeign policy and security policy. Hillary Clinton helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland. Hillary Clinton negotiated open borders to fleeing refugees from Kosovo. Hillary Clinton stood up against the Chinese Government over women's rights and human rights. She served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and was the only Senator, of either party, asked to work with the Pentagon to plan the future of our military. Hillary Clinton has met with Presidents and Prime Ministers and Kings. Hillary Clinton, a lifetime of experience.
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