Clinton's Latest Claim: She's The Most "Fiscally Responsible" Candidate

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:


HURON, S.D. -- On her last day of campaigning in South Dakota, Hillary Clinton told a group of supporters huddled inside a ballroom that South Dakotans should pick her on Tuesday because of her economic experience. "If you will vote for me next Tuesday, you are voting for the most fiscally responsible candidate in this race on either side of the aisle," Clinton said, a blatant jab at both Barack Obama and John McCain. Clinton was referring to her practice of offering explanations on how she will pay for all of the programs she has laid out, including her very expensive universal health care plan.

"We need a president who will put us back on the path to fiscal responsibility," she said. "I am the only candidate running who has told you specifically how I will pay for everything I propose because I want you to hold me accountable."

There are a couple of problems with this claim, though. First, her campaign is approximately $20 million in debt, even after she loaned over $11 million of her own money to the cause. Several vendors and suppliers have come forward to say they are owed money by the campaign, and her former chief strategist, Mark Penn, is owed $5 million for his services before he parted ways with Clinton.

Second, Clinton received more than five times the number of earmarks than any other senator, according Taxpayers for Common Sense. Their report also found that Clinton is responsible for receiving over $2 billion in earmarks from 2002 to 2006, which is more than either Barack Obama or John McCain.

The report set off controversy when it was revealed that Clinton, and the senior senator from New York, Charles Schumer, supported a $1 million earmark for a Woodstock museum. McCain knocked the project during a Republican debate last year, calling Woodstock a "cultural and pharmaceutical event." He added that he didn't attend Woodstock because he was "tied up at the time," a reference to his day as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

[pthinker]

If she is such a economic guru let her raise the millions of oney her campaign needs and we will believe her and vote for her.She should stop wasting my time.

[chuckamok]

Harold Ickes, as a member of the DNC rules committee, voted to penalize Florida.

But NOW ... well, Hildebeast needs those votes (so she thinks) and oh, how can THEY disenfranchise those poor Floridians yada yada.

What a telling name, Ickes. Might as well be Yuckies, ey? ;)

[eddynewhope]

Hmmmm - That''s an interesting assertion from Senator Clinton. Isn''t she 11 million dollars in debt to her campaign?

[livvy500]

you don''t say if the audience laughted at the punchline?

[chuckamok]

tx -I still say it was the sniper fire whopper that cemented Hildebeast''s rep for doing or saying ANYTHING that seems to suit her purpose at the moment.

Both Clintons are felons, and as soon as they exit the scene the better. And it should be next week. ;)

[downsteamjim]

To beasy63: Your comment about Chelsea''s immaculate conception pales when compared to Obama''s claim that he was born 4 years before his parents met in Selma.

[Torilin]

A true feminist would not tolerate a trice cheating husband let alone stay with him after that. What kind of example would that bring to our children if she were the president?

[rowdywicca]

Posted by b-easy63 at 10:16 PM : May 29, 2008

More of your delusional critical analysis B-easy...whatta load of krap!

You continually delude yourself that your critical analysis bull ***** is non-biased when your hatest attitude comes out!

I have yet seen you speak to a real issue other than deluding yourself that it''s ok for ever racist black person has the right to blame me for what someone else did to them! You intellect just knows no bounds in stupid!

[rowdywicca]

"Clinton%u2019s Latest Claim: She%u2019s The Most %u201CFiscally Responsible%u201D Candidate"

Agreed totally!

Yehawwwwwwww, sic ''em Hillary!

[jack3213]

You all know why she is drinking so much lately? Drowning her sorrows- the woman is a clown- makes claims that are not true- it is actually very funny now.