Obama Campaign Steps Up Mockery of Clinton's Crisis-Management Experience
In a conference call that ended moments ago, the Obama campaign explicitly went after Hillary Clinton for her claims of experience in crisis situations.
Susan Rice, a foreign policy adviser to Obama, mocked Clinton for her claim of having made a corkscrew landing into Bosnia under the threat of sniper fire, when, as Rice pointed out, she made the trip with Chelsea, Sheryl Crow and Sinbad.
"In fact, it was a meet-and-greet and concert with the troops," said Rice. "So it's hard to understand exactly what she is referring to when she says she has unparalleled crisis management experience."
Rice also needled Clinton for her claim of having helped open Macedonian borders to refugees of the Kosovo war in 1999. Clinton, as The Washington Post pointed out, arrived a day after the border was reopened, so to the extent that she had a role in reopening the borders at all, it was as a sign of the United States' commitment to the issue and not a result of her negotiating skills.
Rice argued, as she did previously, that "Senator Clinton, Senator Obama and Senator McCain have never had to answer the proverbial 3 a.m. phone call. Only a commander in chief has shouldered that unique burden and you don't get that kind of experience merely by being married to a commander in chief, as Senator Clinton suggested today."
When I asked why the Obama campaign was choosing this moment to step up its attacks about Clinton's claims of experience, Rice and Greg Craig, another Obama foreign policy adviser on the call, said they had been making it all throughout Texas, and expressed some bewilderment that it had not been getting much attention from the press.
On the call, the campaign was also asked to respond to Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson, who today compared Obama to Ken Starr for calling for Clinton to release her tax records.
"It really is one of the most outrageous things I have heard from the Clinton campaign in a long time," Craig said.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.4
- 41.6
- Obama +4.8
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.7
- 32.7
- +23.0
- McCain
- 52.4
- 34.7
- +17.7
Ha ha, as if Hillary was at the airplane controls and made the landing. If she was, it would have been another Ron Brown episode.
What's the big deal about pointing out Obama's lack of experience?? He doesn't have any and does not deserve to be become president. Hillary doesn't really have any either.
watch the video here, very interesting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h5bVPg6Mvw
Bush has all this experience and what do we have now? So much for experience. bush is a disaster and so is clinton. Al things being equal, which they are, Hillary has so much baggage - she will never survive the general election!
How surprising it is that the Clinton camp want to recall the whole Monica Lewinsky and white water scandal by dropping the Ken Starr name. Doesn't seem like good politics. Bill Clinton did lie to the grand jury (and the country). So they really weren't the victims they pretended to be. And Bill Clinton was impeached and disbarred. But thanks for reminding us of that part of their background. Will they be claiming a left-wing conspiracy against them soon?
She landed it, just like Bush a la Mission Accomplished!
I just wish the Obama campaign had done this last week.
Well let's see, Clinton has 32+ well decorated former high ranking Generals supporting her, Obama has 2!
Clinton sits on the Senate Arms Commitee and has received high praise for her contributions and enactments by both Republicans and Democrats. And Clinton was the only Senator invited to sit on the Joint Staffs of Defence! To name but a few things of qualification!
Obama well lets see, he gave a speech in 2002 and waffled from it numerous ties since 2002, depending how it suited his needs at the time! Obama is Chair of the Senate Oversight Commitee for Europe and NATO, great resume! Oh wait Obama never held a meeting on his Chaired Commitee, he was too busy running for President while NATO forces are dying in Afganistan! But that is ok, if Obama is elected President (lol) he can always tell the NATO allies he has neglected "well I gave a speech in 2002 to 350 anti war rally folks in Chicago"!
Obama = empty chair, empty suit, empty words! The change Obama will bring to Washington!
SINBAD 08! Experience, like Hillary, only funnier.
She also didn't have top secrete security clearance when she was first lady. So what crisis management experience is she claiming during those 8 years?
Hillary Clinton has made much of her eight years as first lady as valuable "experience".
Well. let's see, now. The first four years were spent fending off investigations about land deals in Arkansas and a well as revelations of Bill's infidelity while Governer.
The last four years "experience" was gained defending the Monica Lewinski and Paula Jones "business" and fighting impeachment proceedings.
The oval office fiasco completely ruined Gore's real chance to become president. Thanks, Bill and Hillary!
The Camp David meeting in 2000 between Palestinian and Israeli leaders resulted in failure and resulted in years of suicide bombings, and the ruination of Palestinian cities. Thanks Bill and Hillary! "Experience" like the above we do not need. Obama should bring some of this up!
Bush's fly-over New Orleans is the same as Obama being co-chair of a committee that is supposed to take care of our troops in Afghanistan and doing nothing for over a year, because campaigning was oh so much more important.
What I want to know is this: why is Hillary supporting McCain??? Obama said that SHE would make a better President than McCain, but she is saying that McCain will make a better President than Obama. So what she is saying is that if the country does not vote for her, people should vote for McCain!!!BAD JUDGEMENT again, Hillary! ANYBODY is better than another Republican/Bush clone! I supported Hillary in the primary, but I WILL NOT vote for her in the general election.
I'm mystified why it's called "mockery" when Obama's campaign points something out about his opponent, when the most sarcastically delivered attacks from the Clinton campaign are seen as normal types of attacks or comments.
Hillary's case now is the case against her in the general. She claims more experience (debatable, at best) makes her the better candidate, but McCain has 30 years in the Senate.
As for crises, he faced one every day for years in a North Vietnamese prison.
Her ads can be run right back at her, along with ads questioning the old Clinton pardon sales, current ties to lobbyists, and the foreign governments funding her campaign. (Let's not forget her felon donors, since she can't forget Rezco.) I still think she can redeem herself with an honest campaign, but she simply has already made the case against her Presidency too well to conclude that she will make a better President than McCain.
You can mock Obama's judgement all you want, but it's the only argument that can win against McCain. he has always opposed the war, and he has not taken the easy way out by saying he'll bring the troops back immediately. He has always said we can't leave as precipitously as we went in, back when Hillary gave George the Authorization to Use Force in Iraq.
How does she run against McCain? As the friend of lobbyists?
Hillary's case now is the case against her in the general. She claims more experience (debatable, at best) makes her the better candidate, but McCain has 30 years in the Senate.
As for crises, he faced one every day for years in a North Vietnamese prison.
Her ads can be run right back at her, along with ads questioning the old Clinton pardon sales, current ties to lobbyists, and the foreign governments funding her campaign. (Let's not forget her felon donors, since she can't forget Rezco.) I still think she can redeem herself with an honest campaign, but she simply has already made the case against her Presidency too well to conclude that she will make a better President than McCain.
You can mock Obama's judgement all you want, but it's the only argument that can win against McCain. he has always opposed the war, and he has not taken the easy way out by saying he'll bring the troops back immediately. He has always said we can't leave as precipitously as we went in, back when Hillary gave George the Authorization to Use Force in Iraq.
How does she run against McCain? As the friend of lobbyists?
http://www.slate.com/id/2182073/pagenum/all/
Jason,
How are they mocking Senator Clinton, exactly? The mockery is the disconnect between Hillary's grandiose claims of commander-in-chief qualifying "experience" and her actual record.
FYI, mockery was what Hillary did with Obama's speech-making style. He credited her with being pretty funny with it in the debate.
What Obama's aides are saying is very serious business.
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WITH OUR BAD POLITICAL LUCK --- IT WILL PROBABLY BE CHELSEA WHO ANSWERS THE PHONE AT 3 AM. YOU CAN IMAGINE HER JUVENILE RESPONSE TO THE CALL: "MY DAD'S NOT HOME AND MOM IS OUT LOOKING FOR HIM."
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Obama is the chair of a sub-committee charged with oversight of affairs pertaining to central Europe. I know this is confusing for some people, but a sub-committee receives its authority to conduct investigations or hearings from the full committee. NATO is headquartered in central Europe and generally has troops stationed in central and eastern Europe as well as troops assigned to what equates to peace-keeping duties in Afghanistan. Also, for your general knowledge, some of those troops are operating under constitutional restrictions from participating in active combat operations. So, the sub-committee is not charged with specific oversight of NATO's operation in the Afghan region. That is the responsibility of the full committee and they have held a number of hearings in regard to NATO's role. Now, with this explanation, you might be able to see that Hillary's charge that you have so ineptly parroted, just doesn't hold water. By the way, how do you feel about the fact that Bush wants to protect the telecom industry from liability for spying on you? He wants to give them immunity but the Senate held an important vote on February 5th to prevent that. Barak Obama cast his vote to keep the Bush spies away from your email and phone conversations. Hillary did not. She was missing in action. So my friend, do your homework before you by Hillary's twisting the truth.
Hillary Clinton's no-security clearance crisis-management experience:
Containing the knowledge of her husband's numerous infidelities
Persecuting the women that her husband abused
Attending various social functions as First Lady
@obamavet:
"Barak Obama cast his vote to keep the Bush spies away from your email and phone conversations. Hillary did not. She was missing in action."
1) Thank you, for your service.
2) Exactly. How is it that Mrs. Clinton can even consider asking me for my vote when she could not find the time to show up and vote against the Telecom Immunity bill? Apparently my constitutional rights are not important enough to defend. As far as I am concerned, we only have one Democratic candidate. Clinton can continue to shill for McCain's veep slot.
Five more supers for BHO!! Go Barry, Go!!!
Look who has endorsed her! CNN I think you are a bunch of biased, corrupt, sorry reporters! Why don’t you get real jobs instead of peddling your lies like your candidate Obama! Look who has endorsed Hillary…not even John McCain has this kind of prestigious endorsement for Commander in Chief.
· General John M. Shalikashvili
· General Henry Hugh Shelton
· General Johnnie E. Wilson
· Admiral William Owens
· Lt. Gen. Joe Ballard
· Lt. Gen. Robert Gard
· Lt. Gen. Claudia J. Kennedy
· Lt. Gen. Donald L. Kerrick
· Lt. Gen. Frederick E. Vollrath
· Vice Admiral Joseph A. Sestak
· Major General Roger R. Blunt
· Major General George A. Buskirk, Jr.
· Major General Edward L. Correa, Jr.
· Major General Paul D. Eaton
· Major General Paul D. Monroe, Jr.
· Major General Antonio M. Taguba
· Rear Admiral Connie Mariano
· Rear Admiral Alan M. Steinman
· Rear Admiral David Stone
· Brigadier General Michael Dunn
· Brigadier General Belisario Flores
· Brigadier General Evelyn "Pat" Foote
· Brigadier General Keith H. Kerr
· Brigadier General Virgil A. Richard
· Brigadier General Preston Taylor
· Brigadier General John M. Watkins, Jr.
· Brigadier General Jack Yeager
The Obama campaign contradicts itself on the notion of going negative -- who started it, or was on the receiving end of it.
They've whined that Hillary went negative in Ohio and Texas, and imply they haven't, but, since she started it, they'll have to, too. They've also suggested her attacks weren't mild but virulent, over the line -- things like questioning his readiness to be commander in chief. One called her a "monster."
Yet, in the 6th graf of this story, they say they didn't just start attacking her commander-in-chief creds -- they were doing it in Texas, but were dismayed the press never picked up on it.
So, what are they? Victims? Perpertrators?
Hypocrites?
To all of the commenters here trumpeting the length of the list of General Officers who are endorsing Hillary:
How does that relate, exactly, to Hillary's claim of experience?
Bob Loblaw
Well it seems to me the fact that the list of officers you refer too meets the credentials portion of the question. When the list of generals support her and they are convinced she meets the requirements for what it takes to be Commander in Chief, one would hope since they're fighting the war in Iraq, consulting those involved in fighting the war in Iraq or have first hand experience fighting the war in Iraq, as well as fighting terrorism in other theatres, that they would know.
@Bob:
It relates to having never-ending expenditures for the biggest, greediest welfare client in the history of America: the United States military. Eternal wars. Plenty of promises. Possibly a good deal of Clinton behind-the-scenes bullying is relative, as well (anyone who remembers or researches the 90's with an ubiased eye will know what I mean).
But actual experience?
It can't relate, because it just doesn't exist.
If someone thinks it does, post it, please.
Something substantive. Not First Lady junkets.
You can't acquire that type of experience through osmosis.
There is simply no other job experience that is commensurate with being POTUS. The difference lies with the individual. One person may not be as efficacious in their governance as another.
Aloha, all.
This "Process" is filthy across-the-board, including the "Super-Delegates" CLINTON PATRONAGE SYSTEM who are some kind of royal court to the Clinton's monarchy...which includes stooges placed at the DNC and the NYT and the PRESS WHO ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB IN THIS ELECTION, who has not fully vetted the Clintons AT ALL. No tax returns, no Clinton Library donor list, no White House records upon which Hillary Clinton bases her international/security "experience." We know NOTHING about where the Clintons have gotten their wealth in 7 years. That isn't Barack's job. That is the job of investigative JOURNALISTS if they still exist, or perhaps they should read the Newsday about how to find a new career for journalists who are becoming dinosaurs. Press FREEDOM is Constitutionally protected. WHY??? DISGUSTING.
Democrats who believe in Democracy vote McCain, who will only want 4 years. Vote for NEW/young Democrats locally and for Congress, who are NOT part of the "Super-Delegate" ROYAL COURT OF THE CLINTONS. Re-register as Independents afterward. Shut down this Party and don't make any donations to it. We are paying attention and watching this time. Calling Al Gore, or this Party is toast...for a generation. And, we can/will raise the dollars to make an effective Independent Party. Barack raised $55mil in one month! Republicans should NOT celebrate. Their FUSION with the DNC/Clintons/"Super-Delegates" will birth a new Independent Party, where the people cannot be overridden by their so-called leadership. We believe in CONSEQUENCES and RULES. We are REAL AMERICANS and we should pull our Armed Forces out of the world, stop paying for them --and let Canada KNOW there are consequences interfering in the Election Process of a sovereign Nation. DISGUSTING.
Why should two States who deliberately flouted the RULES, get to determine the outcome? Why should FL and MI trump the States and voters who played by the RULES???
Now, every State can do whatever they want. Nice.
Banana REPUBLIC.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems to me Mr. Obama voted for the giving immunity not against.according to
http://whazgoinon.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/senators-that-voted-to-allow-...
As well as
U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 2nd Session
as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate
Vote Summary
Question: On the Amendment (Dodd Amdt. No. 3907 )
Vote Number: 15 Vote Date: February 12, 2008, 11:03 AM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Amendment Rejected
Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 3907 to S.Amdt. 3911 to S. 2248 (FISA Amendments Act of 2007)
Statement of Purpose: To strike the provisions providing immunity from civil liability to electronic communication service providers for certain assistance provided to the Government.
Illinois: Durbin (D-IL), Yea Obama (D-IL), Yea
The very profitable MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX HAS SPOKEN! Reinforcing the notion we are a BANANA REPUBLIC! The DNC and RNC have FUSED. Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton. Disgusting.
obamavet
sorry wanted to state who I was addressing.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems to me Mr. Obama voted for the giving immunity not against.according to
http://whazgoinon.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/senators-that-voted-to-allow-...
As well as
U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 2nd Session
as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate
Vote Summary
Question: On the Amendment (Dodd Amdt. No. 3907 )
Vote Number: 15 Vote Date: February 12, 2008, 11:03 AM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Amendment Rejected
Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 3907 to S.Amdt. 3911 to S. 2248 (FISA Amendments Act of 2007)
Statement of Purpose: To strike the provisions providing immunity from civil liability to electronic communication service providers for certain assistance provided to the Government.
Illinois: Durbin (D-IL), Yea Obama (D-IL), Yea
scott
He voted to strike provisions not to keep them.