Clinton Spokesman Mimics Talk Show Host, Calls Obama Camp "Amateur Hour"

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

During an hour long conference call with reporters, Hillary Clinton campaign deputy communications director Phil Singer cited a laundry list of issues why the Obama campaign, he claims, is deceiving the American people including lack of transparency with the press over personal records, a questionable relationship with an indicted landowner in Chicago, even Obama's opposition on the Michigan and Florida re-vote saying "it's no wonder that Americans are coming to see that for all the rhetoric, for all the speeches, his candidacy is really just words."

But what really sent Singer into a frenzy on the call were allegations that the breach in security regarding Obama's passport was linked to the Clinton campaign.

"We will not tolerate being tied to this and we find it reckless and, frankly, desperate when we heard on the 'Today Show' this morning, discussion that the Obama campaign was trying to tie this situation to us. Well, while we understand that they are feeling a little nervous about their current political situation, the current context of their campaign, we don't think that is appropriate."

Singer went on to jab the Obama campaign saying that "it's no wonder why top journalists are going onto morning shows calling the Obama campaign 'desperate' and that it is 'amateur hour in Chicago.'" Singer later attributed those comments to MSNBC's Morning Joe host, Joe Scarborough.

Despite Singer's strong words, there has been no proof that the Clinton campaign had anything to do with the security breach. In fact, both Clinton's and John McCain's passport info was also breached.

During the call, Singer reiterated Clinton's call on Obama to support a re-vote in Michigan and Florida, saying that leaving out these two states will hurt the Democratic nominee's chances in the general election. "There needs to be a solution to the situation in Michigan and Florida which insures that voters there are able to participate, that they are counted in this process and that they aren't disenfranchised," said Singer, "With a war to end, with an economy to fix, with so many other challenges facing our country right now, we can't afford to let the Obama campaign's political needs get in the way of delivering solutions to the issues we are facing as a nation."

As the campaign continues to tighten and as recent national polls have shown an upward trend for Clinton's campaign, the rhetoric between the campaigns remains heated. The Clinton campaign has been on the defensive following Super Tuesday, when Obama dominated the political spectrum with 11 straight victories in the run-up to the March 4 Ohio and Texas primaries. Now, after winning those two states and with polls showing Clinton leading Obama in the upcoming Pennsylvania primary on April 22nd, the campaign tone has become more aggressive.

"The Obama campaign is in political hot water given the news stories over the last several weeks and is basically desperate to change the subject. They are seeing the ground shift away from them," said Singer.

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by elbram March 23, 2008 5:44 AM EDT: Obama''s "Amateur Hour" team is kicking the snot out of the the Clinton''s supposed unstoppable Team of Death. She even started off with the establishment behind her. Her team continue to embarrass themselves over and over again. Hillary selecting this "team" and surrounding herself with these idiots only highlights her lack of judgment necessary to be an effective leader.; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 22, 2008 4:39 AM EDT: Obama is a hypocrite for accepting Richardeson endorsement because he blieved that the superdelegates should for the candidate that the people voted for in the individual states doing the primareis, Richarderson''s state voting for Hillary over Obama, so Richarderson should have endorsed Hillary, and Obama should have encouraged him to do that so that he not look like he''s taking out of the both sides of his mouth.

Richarderson is laos a backstabber to the clintons, after clinton his made him one of his ambassedors, Ise their no loyalty to any one in this party, people are all out for themseleves, I hope this back fires on them, I beleive Richarderson wants the VP position, I also believe Obama his made a backroom deal with him for his endorsement of him.; Reply to this comment


by hillsangels1 March 22, 2008 12:33 AM EDT: Give me Colin Powell, give me David Paterson, give me Harold Ford, Jr, give me anyone of color for President, but please not someone who belongs to a separatist church, who publicly embraces its racist minister after condemning our Nation, while at the same time he publicly shames his own white relative and refers to her as a ''typical white''. The more I know of Obama, the more I realize the contradiction of the man and his message. This is not bringing people together. This is not unity. This is not the change that we seek. This IS a man conflicted. This IS someone whose core values say one thing while his politics say another. This IS someone who should be in a therapists office and not the oval office. America, we''ve come too far to have to settle for this. We can do better. There ARE better choices that one can make for ourselves and for this country.; Reply to this comment


by nobama-2009 March 21, 2008 10:05 PM EDT: Obama dedicated his book%u202620 years of his church going life%u2026and about 2,000$ a week to a hate spewing bigot%u2026.he calls %u201Clike a uncle to me%u201D%u2026.

And I am supposed to be worried about Clintons judgement?

Blah Blah %u2026Hope.. (hate)%u2026 Blah Blah%u2026 Change.. (same old thing)%u2026 Blah Blah %u2026 Hope and Change..( just another politician)%u2026 Blah!

This guy has no chance against McCain now and he and his wife have helped solidify the mistaken belief that liberals "hate" America.. Thanks Obamabots!!!

NOBAMA 2008 Hypocrisy Tour.
Featuring his #1 Hit
%u201CWords Matter%u201D

Some of us did''nt drink the kool aid Obama!; Reply to this comment


by quotesmith1 March 21, 2008 9:40 PM EDT: Team Clinton is crazy.
She is upset I understand that, but dont be a sore loser like you and your followers are doing.
I mean she thought she was going to have this by what feb 5 was that the date. She thought america would not change and she got hit by the Obama train, she didnt see it comming she was not prepaired, she thought this should have been handed to her. Well wake up and stop all the bs you are tossing around.
I bet many of you dont know that alot of what Wright said was a quote from Edward Pike a white guy, but of course tv wont show you that, not even his words.
America is sad place right now and will not get to were we need to be if she steals this.
That is why i hope, hope for more.
go obama
white male 31 years old that wants to see change.; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 21, 2008 8:41 PM EDT: Hillary , now is our only hope and chance of unifying this party and be able to bring home the Presidency for the Democrats, because if we continue support and take a risk on Obama to achieve this tall task, We will be calling Senator John McCain Mr. President in Jan, 09, instead of Madam President Hillary Clinton, lets real here after this incident involving Obama and his church, do you really believe that the Majority of Whites and many Blacks like me; will vote for a man in this position, I truly and honestly don''t this will happen, I would be very shocked and surprised if at did , but it''s still highly unlikely that will transpire. Obama is now a party liability, tainted and toast for the Presidency at this point, not unless, Hillary''s chances for winning the office is totally un-realistic and out of reach for her.; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 21, 2008 8:40 PM EDT: So, Obama is not to be trusted or no-longer be credible enough to be over the highest office in America, the President of the USA. In my Opinion, all Obama had to had to do was leave that church and disbanded his relationship with Pastor Wright, and everything may have been alright for him, but instead he made and poor choice and judgment to remain in that situation, and even made his former Pastor a member of his Campaign staff, you see, The Bible also says %u201CWe reap what we sow%u201D, and if %u201CWe sow to the wind we will reap the Whirlwind%u201D, meaning there%u2019s consequences to our actions, and some day, they will come back to haunt us, when we least expect it. I believe if he was not in agreement with his Pastor on similar messages he preached like this one, he should have separated himself and his family from Wright in all capacities. So, now that the covers have been pulled some back on Obama; revealing some of who he really is and the company he keeps, because believe it or not, "You are known by the company you keep", "Birds of a feather flock together", and "if it sounds, quacks, walks, and looks like a duck, You can safely conclude that it''s a duck," Obama now agrees to denounce his Pastor''s belief systems on this particular subject without denouncing the Pastor himself.; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 21, 2008 8:39 PM EDT: It''s time fro Obama to make a very mature and responsible decision to shut down his campaign in light of these new revelations of walking with an Anti-American and bigoted Pastor, Obama shays he did not agree with what his Pastor and Spiritual mentor said, but he sill fails to denounce him personally, how can he not do so? These words where authored and came directly out of Rev J. Wright''s mouth. My Bible tells me that "How can two walk together accept they Agree?" meaning Obama must have agreed with this man''s teachings and sat under his spiritual mentorship for over 2 decades, if this was not so, Obama would have used sound judgment and told Pastor Wright; We could no longer walk together, because I''m no-longer in agreement with your teachings, also can no longer have my family subjected to these types of messages, especially my two children and now on this day, I will pull my membership and dis-band my mentor relationship with you and this church, and have God lead me to another assembly where his living and true word is being preached and taught the members and visitors of the church.; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 21, 2008 8:38 PM EDT: But I want to say that there%u2019s still a few Black Americans like me who will stick by the Clintons through thick and then. Yes, I would like to see a Black President and a Woman President of either race in office, being a State Senator is not enough, I want and expect for him or her to be well experienced at the national level, that%u2019s very much needed due the domestic, political, and social crisis this country faces here at home and abroad. I think that is very irresponsible just to vote for a person based on race or gender, but instead on who is the most experienced person for the job, I have donated and worked in her campaign here in Ohio, and I will continue to do so until she was the Presidency in 09.; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 21, 2008 8:37 PM EDT: I have made a very informed, intelligent, and responsible decision to cast vote my for Hillary, not because she''s Bill Clinton%u2019s wife, or because she''s a woman, but because Hillary has the most experience and qualifications to clean-up the mess Bush will leave behind in 2009.

I also see that many of my Black leaders in government and my civil right''s leaders have jumped ship from the Clintons to Obama too, another reason why I accurately stated that many people in my race have no loyalty to any body, never the less the Clinton%u2019s who have tried their best to make life better for all races here in America.; Reply to this comment