Clinton Jabs McCain on Economy, No Mention of Obama

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

RALEIGH, N.C. -- During a speech on the current state of the economy, Hillary Clinton took swings at John McCain, but made no mention of her Democratic rival, Barack Obama, by name.

Clinton used her now trademark reference to the 3 a.m. phone call to say she is the most capable person to deal with an economic crisis.

"It is time for a president who is ready on day one to be commander in chief of our economy. Sometimes the phone rings at 3 a.m. at the White House and it's an economic crisis and we need a president who is ready, willing and able to answer that call," said Clinton at Wake Tech Community College.

In the past few days, both McCain and Obama have delivered speeches on the current status of the economy, but Clinton only referenced McCain's plan saying that his plan falls short of helping Americans in the face of higher credit rates and the current housing crunch.

"I read the speech that Senator McCain gave the other day that set forth his plan. It said virtually nothing to ease the credit crisis or the housing crisis. It seems like if the phone were ringing he would just let it ring and ring."

"We've had enough of a president who didn't know enough about economics, and didn't do enough for the middle class. I don't think we can afford four more years," Clinton added.

In recent speeches, Clinton has avoided any direct mention of Obama, perhaps in light of news stories pointing to a potential divide in the party as a result of an already highly contentious and drawn out nomination process.

At one point Clinton took a veiled jab at Obama by implying that her economic proposals are rooted in policy and are more specific, suggesting Obama's proposals are based soley on rhetoric.

"You need to know what you are voting for, what it is you will get, because this is one of the most important elections that our country has had in a very long time. The stakes are huge, the challenges are serious," said Clinton.

The one problem Clinton may face in her economic argument is the lack of evidence that she has the right amount of economic experience to answer that ringing telephone.

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by illinoisvote March 29, 2008 6:56 PM EDT: Clinton Solutions for the American Economy-A New $2.5 Billion per Year Workforce Training Program
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=6785
%u2026Make job retraining universally available to all dislocated workers, provide new Pell Grants to workers, and support on-the-job training opportunities. %u201CAnd while we have been rightly focused on trying to help people who are out of work, there%u2019s been too little thought and effort to help people gain new skills while they still have their existing jobs-so they can move up or move on to higher-wage positions.%u201D %u2026Restore manufacturing in US and create more US jobs%u2026Financed by Corporate Subsidy Commission, will identify unnecessary and outdated corporate subsidies and present to Congress for up or down votes.; Reply to this comment


by illinoisvote March 29, 2008 6:49 PM EDT: Loans and Leadership by Paul Krugman March 28, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/28/opinion/28krugman.html?_r=l&oref=slogin
%u2026policy proposals offer a window into a candidates%u2019 political souls%u2026their proposals arguably say a lot about the kind of president each would be%u2026Hillary Clinton%u2026the substance of her policy proposals on mortgages%u2026like that of her health care plan suggests a strong progressive sensibility%u2026Mrs. Clinton wants a modern version of the Home Owners%u2019 Loan Corporation, the New Deal institution that acquired the mortgages of people whose homes were worth less than their debts, then reduced payments to a level the homeowners could afford.
Barack Obama%u2019s followed the cautious pattern of his statements on economic issues%u2026continues to make permanent tax cuts%u2026his tax cut promises raise questions about how determined he really is to pursue a strongly progressive agenda%u2026candidates%u2019 positions on the mortgage crisis tell a tale at odds with the way they are often portrayed. Mrs. Clinton, we%u2019re assured by sources right and left, tortures puppies and eats babies. But her policy proposals continue to be surprisingly bold and progressive.
%u2026Mr. Obama, is widely portrayed as a transformational figure who will usher in a new era. But his actual policy proposals, though liberal, tend to be cautious and relatively orthodox.; Reply to this comment


by illinoisvote March 29, 2008 6:46 PM EDT: Amb. Elizabeth Bagley
" US Amb.,support Clinton for President.
Hillary visited N. Ire. 1995-2004, brought women from Catholic & Protestant, to meet toward common goal of peace in N. Ireland.
Sept.1998, spoke at 1st Vital Voices Conf. on Women in Democracy in Belfast, brought 400 women to promote leadership in peace process. Hillary announced $2M to support community, expand child care services, assist women in business & strengthen advocacy skills. Pledged she & Pres. stand as they took risks for peace & urged them to transform ideas into actions of peaceful Ire. into reality.
I serve on board of Vital Voices Int., founded by Hillary to promote political & economic empowerment for women, co-sponsored 1998 conference with Min. David Trimble & Dep. Min. Seamus Mallon, who praised work of conference. Puzzling David Trimble referred to Hillary%u2019s involvement in N. Ire. Peace Process as %u201Cwee bit silly%u201D, his wife,Daphne, attended sessions sponsored by Vital Voices involved in its reconciliation & development work.
Hillary%u2019s commitment to N.Ire. contributed to peace process & Good Friday Agreement 1998, it continues to this day. As Senator, she visited Rep. of Ire. & N. Ire., where she met political leaders,Taoiseach,Bertie Ahern,she meets every year during his St. Pat%u2019s Day visits to Wash. When Martin McGuiness & Ian Paisley visited Wash. as Min. of N. Ire.Assembly, they met Pres. Bush & Sen. Clinton, to thank her for contributions to peace process.; Reply to this comment


by illinoisvote March 29, 2008 6:43 PM EDT: Amb. Elizabeth Bagley
" US Amb.,support Clinton for President.
Hillary visited N. Ire. 1995-2004, brought women from Catholic & Protestant, to meet toward common goal of peace in N. Ireland.
Sept.1998, spoke at 1st Vital Voices Conf. on Women in Democracy in Belfast, brought 400 women to promote leadership in peace process. Hillary announced $2M to support community, expand child care services, assist women in business & strengthen advocacy skills. Pledged she & Pres. stand as they took risks for peace & urged them to transform ideas into actions of peaceful Ire. into reality.
I serve on board of Vital Voices Int., founded by Hillary to promote political & economic empowerment for women, co-sponsored 1998 conference with Min. David Trimble & Dep. Min. Seamus Mallon, who praised work of conference. Puzzling David Trimble referred to Hillary%u2019s involvement in N. Ire. Peace Process as %u201Cwee bit silly%u201D, his wife,Daphne, attended sessions sponsored by Vital Voices involved in its reconciliation & development work.
Hillary%u2019s commitment to N.Ire. contributed to peace process & Good Friday Agreement 1998, it continues to this day. As Senator, she visited Rep. of Ire. & N. Ire., where she met political leaders,Taoiseach,Bertie Ahern,she meets every year during his St. Pat%u2019s Day visits to Wash. When Martin McGuiness & Ian Paisley visited Wash. as Min. of N. Ire.Assembly, they met Pres. Bush & Sen. Clinton, to thank her for contributions to peace process.; Reply to this comment


by illinoisvote March 29, 2008 5:28 PM EDT: Obama Knows His Way around a Ballot by David Jackson & Ray Long, Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403obama-ballot,0,1843097.story?,page=1
Some say his ability to play political hardball goes back to his first campaign%u2026.His overwhelming legal onslaught signaled his impatience to gain office, even if that meant elbowing aside an elder stateswoman like Palmer%u2026Obama%u2019s first campaign clouds the image he has cultivated throughout his political career%u2026first entered public office not by leveling the playing field, but by clearing it%u2026; Reply to this comment


by illinoisvote March 29, 2008 5:26 PM EDT: *** Morris
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Morris
%u2026Morris went on to become campaign manager of Bill Clinton%u2019s successful 1996 bid for re-election%u2026his tenure on that campaign was cut short%u2026when it was revealed that he had allowed a prostitute, Sherry Rowlands, to listen in on conversations with the President%u2026Morris has emerged as a harsh critic of the Clintons%u2026

Barack Obama & *** Morris in Kenya
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/01/31/obamas-african-hubris-2/
%u2026Leader of the Kenyan Orange Democratic Movement opposition leader, Raila Odinga, is Barack Obama%u2019s cousin%u2026wants to be president%u2026two of Kenya%u2019s tribes%u2026are killing each other over a disputed election that Odinga, Obama%u2019s cousin, claims was stolen from him%u2026Former Clinton aides currently working for Obama%u2026directed *** Morris to Kenya to advise the Odinga campaign in November of 2007, shortly after Odinga visited with Obama in America. Morris was an extremely divisive factor in the Kenyan elections%u2026Kenya currently teeters on the edge of political chaos & civil war%u2026; Reply to this comment


by greenfun March 28, 2008 2:21 PM EDT: The NYT compares all three candidates economic policies today. McCain''s- the same old snake oil, Obama''s-contrary to his rhetoric not very bold, Clinton''s -the best and most progressive.
Notice how Clinton says we should have a 30 billion dollar surplus to help states and localities with home foreclosures. SURPRISE-a few days later Obama says the same thing. Clinton says we should have a second stimulus package. SURPRISE, now Obama says we should have a second stimulus package. Clinton is smart and Obama recognizes how smart she is and copies many of her policies-that is why there isn''t much difference between them. Obama doesn''t have an original thought in his head. Clinton does the hard work of actually figuring out how to deal with a crisis. Obama spends his time crafting a great speech using Clinton''s ideas. What a fake!; Reply to this comment


by b-easy63 March 28, 2008 1:24 PM EDT: HILLARY CAUGHT "EMBELLISHING AGAIN"

"I think for anyone to try to question the Clintons'''''''' huge support (for Ireland) and start trying to nitpick and saying, ''''''''But she wasn''''''''t sitting down at the negotiation table'''''''' _ sure, we know she wasn''''''''t sitting down at the negotiation table," Ahern said.

After suffering criticism from rival Obama''''''''s campaign and Protestant politicians in Northern Ireland, Clinton this month backed off language that suggested she was ever involved in the 22 months of negotiations that preceded the Good Friday pact.

But Clinton still suggests that she wielded a hidden hand over the diplomatic triumph.

"I wasn''''''''t sitting at the negotiating table, but the role I played was instrumental," she said in a March 13 interview with National Public Radio."

We''''re sure it was Hillary, just as sure as we are that you ducked snipers and ran for cover with no greeting ceremony in Bosnia.

catch the full article here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stor
ies/2
008/03/28/ap/politics/main3976527
.shtml; Reply to this comment


by dannidill March 27, 2008 9:24 PM EDT: %u201CYou need to know what you are voting for, what it is you will get, because this is one of the most important elections that our country has had in a very long time. The stakes are huge, the challenges are serious,%u201D said Clinton.

****Well, Hillary...I already know what we''d get if we let you and your husband back in the White House...four years of LIES! SCANDALS and BROKEN AMERICAN DREAMS!****; Reply to this comment


by blkpresident March 27, 2008 9:12 PM EDT: tuffone3,

Where''s the proof? No one can put Obama with any other woman other than his wife, Michelle, so please refrain from floating rumors on the hope that they may actually fly. Your statements about Obama being a womanizer has been grounded--effective immediately. No proof, don''t even bring it up.; Reply to this comment