Hypocrisy?: Obama Campaign Holds Call On Clinton And Bosnia Today; Questions Her Honor...

[Republished from 2008Central.net]

With approximately 10 minutes notice to reporters, the Obama campaign held a conference call today with Pennysylvania Bosnia veterans to discuss Sen. Clinton's previous remarks on Bosnia.  The timing of the call is somewhat odd, especially in light of Sen. Obama's statements regarding political distractions at ABC's debate earlier this week.

Maj. Gen. Walter Stewart observed:

"Imagine the lack of moral authority she has now to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier."

He later added an observation about Sen. Clinton's potential for leadership:
"So, let's look at moral authority as the essential element of leadership.  President George Bush, Sen. Clinton, Sen. McCain have squandered the moral authority of the United States of America and our ability to lead the free people's of the world; and the oppressed peoples of the world towards freedom.  Sen. Barack Obama displays the moral authority we need for a change in Washington D.C."

Michael Kotyk began by saying:
"Sen. Clinton's remarks are what I guess you would call a 'whopper' in the military terminology.  It's a breach of honor.  And, it's something that she has done continuously and even in regards to her support on NAFTA."

As noted, this conference call is in sharp contrast to Obama's remarks on Clinton and Bosnia during the debate earlier this week.

First, Obama suggested that the only reason his campaign initially criticized Sen. Clinton on the subject was because they were asked about it:

OBAMA: Well, look, I think that Senator Clinton has a strong record to run on. She wouldn't be here if she didn't.

And, you know, I haven't commented on the issue of Bosnia. You know, I...

STEPHANOPOULOS: Your campaign has.

OBAMA: Of course. But the -- because we're asked about it.


Fair enough, but the issue is pretty old now.  No one asked them to hold an entire conference call on it today.  So, I'm not entirely sure how today's call fits with these statements by Sen. Obama.  In the same response, Sen. Obama added (emphasis added):
But, look, the fact of the matter is, is that both of us are working as hard as we can to make sure that we're delivering a message to the American people about what we would do as president. Sometimes that message is going to be imperfectly delivered because we are recorded every minute of every day.

And I think Senator Clinton deserves the right to make some errors once in a while. Obviously, I make some as well.

I think what's important is to make sure that we don't get so obsessed with gaffes that we lose sight of the fact that this is a defining moment in our history. We are going to be tackling some of the biggest issues that any president has dealt with in the last 40 years.

Our economy is teetering not just on the edge of recession but potentially worse. Our foreign policy is in a shambles. We are involved in two wars. People's incomes have not gone up, and their costs have. And we're seeing greater income inequality now than any time since the 1920s.

In those circumstances, for us to be obsessed with this -- these kinds of errors I think is a mistake. And that's not what our campaign has been about.


Does this mean that today's call, which focused entirely on Clinton's Bosnia remarks, was a mistake?

I understand the political reasons why the campaign held the call today.  But, it strikes me as somewhat unnecessary and inconsistent for them to have done so.  And, it will almost certainly open them up to unnecessary scrutiny from the press.



Display:


This isn't what I signed up for (2.00 / 3)

Isn't it time for Obama supporters to start asking themselves some honest questions?

When did the hope of a generation become the hopelessness of an opponent?

When did unity become dismissiveness?

What happened to the promise of new politics?

This isn't what I signed up for.


by bobbank on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:14:30 PM EST

Re: This isn't what I signed up for (none / 0)

Funny that you should use the word "honest" when talking about a campaign pointing out that Clinton admitted to being a liar.


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:21:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: This isn't what I signed up for (none / 0)

When did you sign up for Obama?  I've never seen you write anything positive about him.


by bawbie on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:36:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: This isn't what I signed up for (none / 0)

"When did unity become dismissiveness?"

I think that happened right about the time Obama heard the kitchen sink whistling past his head.


by Rumproast on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:55:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hypocrisy?: Obama Campaign Holds Call On Clint (none / 0)

It sounds like he's realized that Hillary will not be beaten unless he joins her in the mud and does it himself. Good. Now we can transition to beating McCain.


by amiches on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:16:18 PM EST

Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

relevant?


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:20:36 PM EST

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

only if we have veritable proof that her opponent ISN'T
This is not an issue worthy of so much attention in the heat of a campaign. Makes a nice distraction though.
by pan230oh on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:27:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

She admitted that she was a liar on national TV. You need evidence that the other candidates aren't liars before it's an issue? That's weird.


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:30:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (2.00 / 2)

Obama admitted lying in his autobiography and we've watched lie in debates. I don't think he is in any position to call Clinton on being untruthful. And he changes stories on everything probably more often than he changes his underwear.

Remember all the various stories on Wright - every day it was something different.


by Little Otter on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:45:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

Well then Clinton should feel free to make it an issue.

I know all about Wright - the American Patriot - and exactly what Obama said about him and the comments captured on video.


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:53:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

And i know all about Rev Wright too.  Classic racist who goes around blaming the white man and then he blames america.  Mind you these are his words and no one elses.

What exactly is the difference between imus, Ferraro, and Wright.  They all made racist statements.  But Wright is BO friend so we have put his words in context. BS.

david


by giusd on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:31:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

MLK blamed the white man. Was he also a classic racist?


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:33:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (2.00 / 1)

It has been my observation that you throw race around quite a bit young man.  I think that unwise and immature.  

I am old enough to remember seeing MLK speak and i and most of us here dont need  a lecture about what MLK did or did not say.

And it is disrespectful the way you quote King to make some statement.  You should consider your words more carefully. I know very well what King has accomplished and i think you should consider waht you think you are trying to accomplish.

david


by giusd on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:41:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

Thanks for avoiding the question. W He said that white moderates were a bigger problem for us than the KKK. as MLK a racist or not?


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:46:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

You are not asking a question you are baiting me and you will have to do better than that. But really you are disrepecting MLK and you should really consider your words better.

david


by giusd on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:48:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

I'm disrespecting him by quoting him? I believe he'd disagree.


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:55:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

You should be ashamed for comparing MLK to BO... BO is no MLK sir and BO is certainly no JFK either. Period.  Dont even go there with comparissons ..you will show yourself to be a complete fool.


by grego101 on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:41:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

Obama never blamed the white man. MLK and Rev. Wright did.

Folks who have reduced MLK to one speech are the fools.


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:47:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

It wasn['t just Wright. the amount of money Rezko gave his campaign has climbed steadily. Remember that early debte when he wouldn't even say the man's name? Come to find out he's known him for 20 years--like Wright. Obama lies with a straight face and never acknowledges same. He like Bush's little brother on this.


by linfar on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 08:36:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (1.00 / 1)

the same hour that BO flat out lied about his sig on a qeustionaire. same hour he flat out lied about not stirring this bosnia flap.


by swissffun on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:32:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

Which questionairre?

I loved his Tuzla commercial. It was awesome.


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:34:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (1.00 / 2)

an on-air liar in the debate, and an on-air lying campaign with the ads.


by swissffun on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:36:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

What?


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:47:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

very 'new politics' parsing the facts. the clear purpose of the questionnaire he signed was dealing with gun bans. where is sig was, which page is just so damn irrelevant unless your doing a lawyer review of the thing.


by swissffun on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:43:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Didn't Clinton admit she's a liar? Isn't that (none / 0)

What signature?


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:50:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A Bad Idea (none / 0)

They should've left well enough alone.  Her "misspeak" has already left its' impression on the voters, he won't get anywhere(and might actually take steps back) by pushing this.  This is one of those things that could and probably will backfire, just like when Clinton pushed the Wright issue.


This administration is not sinking. This administration is soaring! If anything, they are rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg!
by venavena on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:24:29 PM EST

Re: Huh? (2.00 / 4)

This one is going to leave A LOT of ordinary folks shaking their heads.

OK Clinton fabricated her story to make a point. While the precise sequence of facts did not fit reality, very few people in Bosnia and in the Clinton administration at the time would say that such events could not have occurred. Clinton is guilty of telling a tall tale. She was called on it, she expressed her regrets, done.
It would be a BIG DEAL if lives or fortunes were involved (hello WMD in Iraq?). It would be a BIG DEAL if such confabulations were a matter of course (the attempt to throw the hospital story back at her fizzled out in light of the truth).
It would be a BIG DEAL if her opponent had not pulled some dandies of his own.
Besides, I thought the man wanted to talk about issues. I thought he said that smear campaigns were not productive. And I think we all heard him say (even though it wasn't true) that he hadn't ever brought the subject up himself.
A lot of reasonable folks in PA, IN, and NC have got to be saying to themselves " What was he thinking" - I know this Ohioan is.


by pan230oh on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:25:34 PM EST

Is that news? (2.00 / 3)

time and again we have seen that Obama is a hypocrite. His hypocrisy and lust for power knows no bounds. He will smear everyone and go negative. And when attacked back he will hide behind his race.


by tarheel74 on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:27:45 PM EST

Re: Hypocrisy?: Obama (2.00 / 4)

Obama hides behind the cloak of "I didn't say that about Hillary" when his campaign does the dirty work.

That's one point from the debate that I hope is now more clear to the public at large.

Obama's campaign is a bit bi-polar.  Barrack is the vision of hope and change while his campaign kicks Clinton in the knees.

At least with Hillary, what you see is what you get.  She sells herself as a fighter and that's how she acts.


by mjc888 on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:31:49 PM EST

Re: Hypocrisy?: Obama Campaign Holds Call On Clint (none / 0)

About time! I think he knows that there are times you really have to knock your opponent out and I hope it works this time.


by Becky G on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:33:41 PM EST

i think they see it as a win/win issue (none / 0)

Yes, they may get a beating from the press, but that will only keep reminding people of the ridiculous lie that the Clinton's kept repeating.

I do think it is a bit hypocritical, but at the end of the day if it hastens Clinton's exit from the race, I can let it slide.


by highgrade on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:35:02 PM EST

Re: i think they see it as a win/win issue (2.00 / 1)

yep. the BO supporters sure seem ready to let an awful lot of things ... slide. really sad for the country.


by swissffun on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:35:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes Yes Yes he can (2.00 / 1)

time and again we have seen that Clinton is a hypocrite. Her hypocrisy and lust for power knows no bounds. sHe will smear everyone and go negative. And when attacked back she will hide behind her sex.


by venician on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:38:55 PM EST

Re: Hypocrisy?: Obama Campaign Holds Call On Clint (none / 0)

If you notice in the debate when he was asked this question, he tried to let her off the hook by helping her out.....To bad it wasn't reciprocated by her when she had the chance to put all the tabloid questions to rest.  I let her slide on the "bitter" remarks because it was a question before the Bosnia gaffe....But when she attacked him on Wright by linking Farrakhan and Hamas to him, and then on Ayers and the Weather Underground she didn't offer him the same kind of respect....So you reap what you sow....He's coming after her...


I can see Lake Erie from where I live, so can I please run the Navy?
by hootie4170 on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:43:00 PM EST

NYT has two articles that will be out tomorrow (none / 0)

that says essentially that the door is closing in on Hillary.

I think that Hillary has to win Pennsylvania by 20 points in order to catch up on Obama's delegate count and popular vote number.


by puma on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:47:49 PM EST

Re: NYT has two articles that will be out tomorrow (2.00 / 1)

I think we've heard this song before.  Funny how Democrats keep voting for her anyway.  Especially since Obama has to rely on Democrats-for-a-day Republicans to win.  When Florida and Michigan are factored in--and they will be unless Dean and Brazile want to commit suicide for the Dem party --Clinton is in good shape.  Better today then the Gallop poll shows Obama to be: an 11 point drop for him in just six days.


by miriam on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:14:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

New way of politics (none / 0)

Barack shows that he's above the fray by not responding to the overwhelmingly negative tone of Hillary's campaign.  

drinks more Kool-Aid


Lifelong Democrat, civil rights advocate, former volunteer for Dem candidates. Now Independent.
by BPK80 on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:55:55 PM EST

Good on'im (none / 0)

She decided quite some time ago to make this a no-holds-barred fight. Now let her reap what she sowed.


by BlueinColorado on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 04:59:55 PM EST

Re: Ha, ha, ha.... (2.00 / 1)

What a weak tactic--particularly since Clinton already admitted it and apologized. Things must be getting pretty desperate in the BO campaign.  

And this is even more hilarious in light of the fact that Clinton has a whole platoon of military brass endorsing her, such as 4-star general, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wes Clark.  If they're backing Hillary, I'm not too impressed with what a couple of Obama's very few military backers say. And who cares if she embellished an incident? Obama embellished plenty of material in his book and has said so. If he's so concerned about our foreign affairs, why in hell hasn't he held even one single meeting of his committee which, among other crucial areas, oversees Afghanistan?

This is sad.  Very sad.  But still hilarious in what it implies about his faltering campaign.


by miriam on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:28:41 PM EST

Re: Hypocrisy?: Obama Campaign Holds Call On Clint (none / 0)

It's a good start.

Next let's talk about her links to the Weather Underground, and Bill's pardoning of them.


by Mostly on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 10:07:03 PM EST


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