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Clinton Follows Rove Playbook
By Denise WilliamsFeb 25th 2008 10:36AM
Filed Under:eHillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Breaking News, Scandal
UPDATED BELOW 1:00 PM. UPDATED AGAIN 6:30 PM
The Drudge Report flash this morning claims that the Clinton campaign is sending around an email with the picture on the left. This picture, taken in 2006, is of Barack Obama in Kenya during a five-country tour of Africa, donning the garb of a Somali elder while stopping in his father's native Kenya.
The Clinton team, obviously taking advantage of the internet-based fearmongering about Obama's paternal ties to Islam, has not denied putting this out, but as of this writing has not offered any comment.
The Obama camp reacted quickly (via Politico);
(Obama campaign manager David) Plouffe said in a statement: "On the very day that Senator Clinton is giving a speech about restoring respect for America in the world, her campaign has engaged in the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we've seen from either party in this election. This is part of a disturbing pattern that led her county chairs to resign in Iowa, her campaign chairman to resign in New Hampshire, and it's exactly the kind of divisive politics that turns away Americans of all parties and diminishes respect for America in the world," said Plouffe.
Despite Senator Clinton's warm words at the end of CNN's Democratic debate Thursday night, the rhetoric coming from the campaign and Clinton herself has turned decidedly negative since this past weekend. My colleague David Knowles covered one of Clinton's more strident attacks on Obama on Saturday here.
If proven that this did indeed come from the HRC camp, this will be one of the lowest blows laid on Obama to date outside of the right-wing blogs and virtual crayon-written spam emails. Some will see this as a desperation move by the campaign to instill fear and loathing before the crucial upcoming March 4 primaries.
The last time we had some outrage on wearing native dress was when Nancy Pelosi wore a head scarf and black abaya in Syria - while in a mosque. Where were these flames fanned? Right-wing blogs and talk radio.
And who else has worn a hijab? How about Condoleezza Rice and Laura Bush? No complaint there.
If fear-mongering is all Clinton has left - if her own message isn't cutting it - then is this what we want for the Democratic Party? Will she scare a few voters away from Obama with these tactics? Probably, but at what cost?
Update:
Clinton campaign's Maggie Williams responds (via CNN's Political Ticker):
"Enough. If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed. Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely," said Williams.
"This is nothing more than an obvious and transparent attempt to distract from the serious issues confronting our country today and to attempt to create the very divisions they claim to decry. We will not be distracted."
So let me get this straight. They send an e-mail meant to be divisive and then complain that the negative reaction to the divisiveness is something they won't be distracted by.
These people are seriously screwed up.
Update II:
Via TPM, Josh Marshall reports that during a press conference call this afternoon, Clinton spokesperson Howard Wolfson issues a stronger denial of any "official" involvement with the Drudge account from this morning:
Asked if the campaign had any role, Wolfson said, "No, not to my knowledge...I've never seen that picture before. I'm not aware that anyone else here has. I'm not aware that anyone here has circulated this e-mail."
Wolfson did say, however, that the campaign agreed with part of the message in the email -- that if the same photo had appeared of Hillary, it would have been a big story: "It is a common view among this campaign and our supporters that there is a difference in how the media covers our campaign and how it covers Senator Obama."
Wolfson also grew exasperated with a reporter who pressed the issue, saying: "If you have any original reporting to suggest that this campaign was circulating this e-mail, please let me know."
"We've been very clear that we're not aware of it," he added. "Obviously the campaign didn't sanction it, and don't know anything about it."
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 16)Jenn11:25AMFeb 25th 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfByJeElmFo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isi6c2s353c
continuation.
Jenn11:25AMFeb 25th 2008
Fuck Hillary Clinton... Bi-polar back stabbing individual. She is so fake, and makes decisions based on whatever way the wind blows! At least John Edwards owned up to his vote for the war, and apologized... also John Edwards said how he would get universal health care, and said yes he would garnish paychecks... and Hillary will do the same, but she never answers the question. It's been asked to her so many times, but true to a Politicians format she avoids the question with some other bullshit excuse. It's fine you want to insult Obama, fine... yet you went overboard when you insult his supporters!!
Watch video's below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQYEBOuT6ZQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKJVHjZVD60
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCR4dVm9F5E
more urls in next comment, for great Hillary video's, and based on factual evidence.
Jebinb11:28AMFeb 25th 2008
claims that the Clinton campaign is sending around an email
PAY BACKS ared hell Obama
Obama started this SILLY POLITICS
Horay for Hillary
taziesmer11:39AMFeb 25th 2008
Not that I would ever advocate killing the antichrist or even anyone else thought to be, but I am deeply afraid that this man truly is dillusional and beleives that he can truly get by with being black and talking some really good talk.
His rhetoric is bad for america.
Barack is just another boy looking for toys to add to his collection.
GW Bush was just another boy looking to play GI Joe.
GHWBush was just another boy looking to play GI Joe.
RReagan was just another boy looking to play GI Joe.
Hillary, I really dont think is looking to be Barbie.
There is a reason women don't have CEO/ Presidential positions.
Its simple.
The men who are voting, in congress, in boardrooms, in congress...
Are afraid she will be a Take no Prisoners, No Bullshit, SmAcK Down, balls to the wall, get things DONE, president.
The are also afraid that she has BIGGER BALLS than they do!!
She's the only one that can CHANGE the WORLD.
HILLARY 208.
MAKE HISTORY with the only candidate
that WILL make a DIFFERENCE!
You know it and I know it.
Robin11:43AMFeb 25th 2008
Barrack Hussein Obama attended Muslim schools. His parents are Muslims. Why is showing him and his heritage a low blow. That is his background.
Why is it a problem that both Obama and Hate monger L. Farrkhan, from the nation of islam leader.. share the same pastor and advisor.
In fact Farrakhan came out in the news today for B Hussein..
I am surprised however that Obama is a smoker of cigarettes in this day and age, but Im sure that wont take time out of his day .. to take him from his job at the office.
I do like how Obama feels comfortable in the Kenyan attire above..He looks good like his dad.. Perhaps he may move himself and others to Kenya.. and thereby leave the rest of us here who actually pay taxes .. to run the country.
Im giving up if this man who sounds more like a preacher than political leader.
Pjayee11:46AMFeb 25th 2008
So what if they show his backgound , they go after Clinton from the time she learned to talk , so all you Obama types, tough
Pjayee11:53AMFeb 25th 2008
It is Ok to go after Clinton but by God don't go after Obama so what if she is getting negative. Clinton should have gone after this man long ago , I think he would be a blundering fool in the White House and I will never vote for him.he lies at debates and it is also ok for him to lie about Hillary ,but she is suppose to just tell him how great he is
Cecil Jones11:56AMFeb 25th 2008
Democrats are losing it. We are weak on national security. We are weak on building the fence. We are wrong on Health Care too. What's wrong? The problem is plagiarism. If you don't know the reason behind the answer, you can't figure out the problem when asked questions. Iraq is wrong because we didn't find the WMD and Iraq didn't attack us. We must build the fence to be credible on national security. Health care is about equal access to penicillin. That Anthrax attack came from a domestic source and a simple shot of penicillin could have saved lives. Paying insurance while healthy is like paying for Mob protection against an unfortunate accident. Getting sick is no accident. It will happen to us all. Shouldn't we know what it will cost before it happens? What's wrong with setting a price to see a Dr and getting a perscription? We don't need to go to a hospital that lives off running up the cost. We could go to Wal-Mart or any drug store for a Dr. If a person needs some help, why not pay that lower cost? Finally, what's wrong with health care? The Government keeps our social security if we die. They are unmotivated to help us save our lives.
Pjayee12:00PMFeb 25th 2008
Obama caught again in lies:
The Pentagon on Friday cast doubt on an account of military equipment shortages mentioned by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama during a debate with rival Hillary Clinton.
"I find that account pretty hard to imagine," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.
So is it true? Yes and no. What it seems to boil down to is a nuanced account of one platoon in Afghanistan.
Obama took several anecdotes and merged them into a single tale which made it sound worse than it was. He deliberately spun this make it appear that our troops were struggling for survival armed with Swiss Army knives and rocks, and only the availability of captured weapons gave them any hope of survival.
This is blatantly untrue, and the fact checking proves that out.
According to the Captain, they were short ammo for weapons prior to deploying when they needed it for training. They did have a hard time getting parts in theater, and they were short of vehicles. The captain was clear however that they never had a shortage of normal weapons or ammo, so the captured AK-47s used were not in the category of must have use or die. The captain admitted to mounting a captured machine gun onto a Humvee as well. This is not desperation it is innovation. Any good field commander will leverage any resource they can to drive to victory.
lyndacarol7@aol.com12:05PMFeb 25th 2008
What or people thinking? It's scary to think that this man might be our next president. Who cares about blace, white, red, yellow, just look at the background. Check out the real person here. Lynn
swheart8812:10PMFeb 25th 2008
What is wrong Obama? You can dish it out but you can't take it? You started the smearing ads first.
Pjayee12:18PMFeb 25th 2008
A picture is worth a thousand WORDS.
John12:23PMFeb 25th 2008
Just because of the Hillary Camp doing this bullshit I will donate another $500.00 to Barack Obama
John12:23PMFeb 25th 2008
YOU CAN BET IF THAT LYING SLUT HILLARY CLINTON GETS THE NOD I WILL STAY AT HOME!!! I WILL MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE I KNOW STAYS AT HOME. NO PANDERING LYING SLUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
r.j.12:23PMFeb 25th 2008
Obama is an empty suit!He has only been a senator for just over 2 years!Does this qualify him to be President?I think not!We need someone who has experience and accomplishments in todays times!There is only one choice,Hillary!
Tori12:24PMFeb 25th 2008
Obama is not loyal to america nor his wife michelle.They are loyal to africa and islam!
Tori12:25PMFeb 25th 2008
Obama scares me to death!
I fear for my family my children.
Tori12:27PMFeb 25th 2008
Obama and farakhan are very close,that is just frightening!
Tori12:29PMFeb 25th 2008
If obama nad michelle hate america so much and our values,why don't they take their muslim selves to kenya or the middle east!
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Jenn11:24AMFeb 25th 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P-oVgXSUSY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQUDT1uaYpg
Check out those video's to see how loved Hillary is by the victom's families.