Clinton on Michigan Re-Vote: What's Obama "Afraid Of?"

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

TERRE HAUTE, IND. -- During her first campaign visit to Indiana, Hillary Clinton called on Barack Obama to support a re-vote in Michigan saying, "It is critical that we figure out a way for the people of Michigan and Florida to have their votes and their voices count."

"I do not understand what Senator Obama is afraid of, but it is going to hurt our party and our chances in November. So I would call on him, once again, to join me in giving the people of Florida and Michigan the chance to be counted as we move forward in this nominating process," added Clinton.

Clinton's visit to the Saratoga Restaurant in the business district of Terre Haute, drew hundreds of spectators unable to enter the small restaurant and braved the cold to get a glimpse of the candidate. Her trip here comes more than a month before the state's May 6 primary, but with the nomination in flux, every vote and every delegate is going to matter.

"It's important that we try to get as many people here to participate in this important primary election," said Clinton. "And that's why it is critical that we figure out a way for the people of Michigan and Florida to have their votes and their voices count."

Clinton, who supports proposals to re-do the primary in Michigan, told reporters during a press conference outside a local eatery, that the only person holding up the re-vote is Obama.

"For the life of me, I don't understand why Senator Obama seems to be afraid of letting there be a re-vote in Michigan, you'll have to ask him. He comes up with all these legalistic answers, the people of Michigan and their legislature made it very clear that they would proceed with a re-vote, unfortunately, Senator Obama's campaign said no. Two out of the three of us said yes, you'll have to ask him what he's afraid of?"

Clinton was also asked about her opinions on NAFTA during her husband's presidency, in light of the release thousands of documents from her days as First Lady. Clinton, who has been under fire for potentially flip-flopping on her views on NAFTA, defended her criticism of NAFTA, despite reports that she mirrored her husband's support for it in the 1990s.

"Well, I don't think that is what you can infer from the release of the schedules. I have spoken consistently against NAFTA and the way it has been implemented," said Clinton. "Now as a candidate for the presidency, I have been very clear about what I would do to renegotiate NAFTA. I have been consistent, unlike Senator Obama who has not been."

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by rickozzy-2009 March 22, 2008 5:41 PM EDT: Hillaryous definition: When someone describes a situation in a way that benefits their selfish goals, despite all of evidence to the contrary (reality).

1. The Richardson endorsement was eagerly sought by the Clinton camp. However, since Richardson endorsed Obama, Clinton strategist Mark Penn Hillaryously told reporters that he didn''t think it was a "significant endorsement."; Reply to this comment


by rrlieberma March 22, 2008 2:56 AM EDT: victories in the states which make up an Electoral College victory as well as her demonstrated ability to pull together winning coalitions of Democrats, Republicans and Independents twice in New York State against a well-financed, aggressive attack by the Republican Attack Machine. Remember that Obama was badly beaten by Bobby Rush in 2000 and then beat, um Alan Keyes, in 2004. Any of us could have beat Alan Keyes. Let''s focus on winning the White House. It is time for the uniter and healer to prove he is both, suspend his candidacy, appeal to his followers to support Hillary and all together get McCain!; Reply to this comment


by drwater1 March 22, 2008 12:48 AM EDT: If the votes in Florida and Michigan are not counted the U.S. enemies around the world will have a field day with propaganda; Reply to this comment


by my_voice-2009 March 22, 2008 12:24 AM EDT: An old and interesting article from chicago tribune titled Obama knows his way around a ballot

Excerpts from the article is below
The man now running for president on a message of giving a voice to the voiceless first entered public office not by leveling the playing field, but by clearing it

In a recent interview, Obama granted that "there''s a legitimate argument to be made that you shouldn''t create barriers to people getting on the ballot."

But the unsparing legal tactics were justified, he said, by obvious flaws in his opponents'' signature sheets. "To my mind, we were just abiding by the rules that had been set up," Obama recalled.

"I gave some thought to %u2026 should people be on the ballot even if they didn''t meet the requirements," he said. "My conclusion was that if you couldn''t run a successful petition drive, then that raised questions in terms of how effective a representative you were going to be."

Link to chicago tribune article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403obama-ballot,1,57567.story

Could there be a pattern in using legal procedures to decide the outcome of an election rather than people deciding it?

Only fair way is people from FL and MI to decide the outcome of their election results. If not, then once again the election process would not be a level playing field; Reply to this comment


by my_voice-2009 March 22, 2008 12:17 AM EDT: An old and interesting article from chicago tribune titled Obama knows his way around a ballot

Excerpts from the article is below
The man now running for president on a message of giving a voice to the voiceless first entered public office not by leveling the playing field, but by clearing it

In a recent interview, Obama granted that "there''s a legitimate argument to be made that you shouldn''t create barriers to people getting on the ballot."

But the unsparing legal tactics were justified, he said, by obvious flaws in his opponents'' signature sheets. "To my mind, we were just abiding by the rules that had been set up," Obama recalled.

"I gave some thought to %u2026 should people be on the ballot even if they didn''t meet the requirements," he said. "My conclusion was that if you couldn''t run a successful petition drive, then that raised questions in terms of how effective a representative you were going to be."

Link to chicago tribune article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403obama-ballot,1,57567.story

Could there be a pattern in using legal procedures to decide the outcome of an election rather than people deciding it?

Only fair way is people from FL and MI to decide the outcome of their election results. If not, then once again the election process would not be a level playing field; Reply to this comment


by my_voice-2009 March 22, 2008 12:15 AM EDT: An old and interesting article from chicago tribune titled Obama knows his way around a ballot

Excerpts from the article is below
The man now running for president on a message of giving a voice to the voiceless first entered public office not by leveling the playing field, but by clearing it

In a recent interview, Obama granted that "there''s a legitimate argument to be made that you shouldn''t create barriers to people getting on the ballot."

But the unsparing legal tactics were justified, he said, by obvious flaws in his opponents'' signature sheets. "To my mind, we were just abiding by the rules that had been set up," Obama recalled.

"I gave some thought to %u2026 should people be on the ballot even if they didn''t meet the requirements," he said. "My conclusion was that if you couldn''t run a successful petition drive, then that raised questions in terms of how effective a representative you were going to be."

Link to chicago tribune article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403obama-ballot,1,57567.story

Could there be a pattern in using legal procedures to decide the outcome of an election rather than people deciding it?

Only fair way is people from FL and MI to decide the outcome of their election results. If not, then once again the election process would not be a level playing field; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 March 21, 2008 5:26 PM EDT: Osama: %u201CComrades, our plan to sit back and watch the American People self-destruct and implode their Democracy by continuing to vote against their better interests is working better then expected.%u201D

Terrorist1: but great leader what shall we do with all these great weapons that have been provided to us by the mismanaged and corrupt privatized Iraq occupation??

Osama: %u201Cwe%u2019ll sell them back to the American People so they will be better able to fight against each other!%u201D

Entire group: %u201CHAHA! HA HA! HA HA!%u201D; Reply to this comment


by blkpresident March 21, 2008 3:33 PM EDT: Osama: Comrades, I have some good news.

Terrorist1: Yes, our great leader. What news do you have.

Osama: The woman is gaining some ground on the man we fear the most, NOT that OLD man McCain, but the young man, Obama.

Terrorist2: Let''s hope ''lil missy wins, so we can destroy America. Either her or the OLD man works best for our agenda.; Reply to this comment


by blkpresident March 21, 2008 3:30 PM EDT: Terrorist1: Let''s hope that girl wins.

Terrorist2: I agree. Either her or that OLD man McCain.; Reply to this comment


by realidad-2009 March 21, 2008 2:29 PM EDT: Afraid of Truth Now Out!

"A Scandal", How did MSM allow Obama to almost get Dem Nomination without any Vetting, until YouTube videos shown?

One excuse is that the Rev. Wright quotations were taken out of context. This is usually the last refuge of the correctly quoted who can''t think of a better out. There''s no way those statements can be justified or become acceptable even if washed and diluted by six oceans of context.

Another defense offered is that critics don''t understand the black church. As Larry Elder, a black talk show host who understands the black church, said, "Rev. Wright sounds like a combination of David Duke, Minister Farrakhan and Moe of the Three Stooges."

This would be a scandal and an association that would wipe out most candidates, but the mainstream media is acting as a campaign manager and cheerleader for Mr. Obama. In one of the great journalistic disgraces and failures in American history, the mainstream media has allowed Mr. Obama to reach the brink of nomination without any vetting to speak of until now.; Reply to this comment