From The Road
February 15, 2008 1:16 PM

Obama: Clinton's Attacking Because "She's Feeling Down"

(CBS)
From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

MILWAUKEE -- Barack Obama accused Hillary Clinton of going after him in recent days because she is “down."

“I understand that Senator Clinton periodically, when she's feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal,” Obama said.

“But I think this kind of gamesmanship is not what the American people are looking for.”

However, throughout the press conference and at the following rally, Obama did not shy away from going after Clinton several times.

He accused Clinton of taking double the amount of special interest money than himself or McCain. “That’s not being a part of the solutions business. That’s being a part of business-as-usual in Washington.”

At the Milwaukee rally, Obama pounced on Clinton on issue after issue,

“Her supporting getting NAFTA didn’t get jobs to the American people, he supporting a bankruptcy bill that made it harder for people to get out of bankruptcy, that didn’t help them or the bills that were stacking up on their desks. Hollering at Republicans and engaging in petty partisan politics didn’t help health care get done.”

Obama and Clinton have also bickering over superdelegates, which increasingly look like they may be the deciding factor in determining the democratic nominee. Controversy has come up over Clinton backer, and superdelegate, Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, who the New York Times says will endorse Obama. However, both Lewis’s office and Obama deny knowledge of the endorsement.

Obama admitted to calling Lewis after the article was published but he did not speak to him directly. He argued that broader issue was that superdelegates should not override decisions made by voters.

“Our position has always been clear which is voters should make these decisions; whoever has the most pledged delegates at the end of this contest should be the nominee and that super delegates should ratify that decision by the voters.”

Obama was asked if he believes Clinton should receive the pledged delegates have yet to be awarded in Michigan and Florida, which were penalized by the Democratic National Committee for moving their primaries into January.

"Obviously it wouldn't make any sense, and I think even my six year old would understand it would not be fair for Senator Clinton to be awarded delegates when there was no campaign and in one of the states, at least, my name didn't appear on the ballot.”
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by suzanne_o February 15, 2008 3:51 PM PST
Administrator: Please remove the comments by LucyinBuford and remco82 -- they are racist and sexist, respectively, generally offensive, and add nothing to the dialogue. I''m sure neither Senator Obama nor Senator Clinton would appreciate such unfortunate postings in misguided attempts at supporting their candidacies. Thank you.
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by tmcc7 February 15, 2008 4:02 PM PST
LucyinBuford- We have in fact been looking at all the facts and let me tell you the facts can get ugly when it comes to Hillary. I think if more did look at all the facts, Hillary wouldnt receive a single sane vote. Is it possible you just cant handle the thought of black president? Stop being so small!
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by l00ker February 15, 2008 4:10 PM PST
She''s a feelin'' mighty looow, Clinton that is.
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by luckydj1 February 15, 2008 4:11 PM PST
I will not address any comments stated by Lucy as it is clear that she is obviously having a really bad day. "She''s feeling down"

The fact of the matter is Hillary%u2019s campaign is failing (firing people, continuing to change herself, crying in public in Illinois when she was stressed, playing the race card using Bill Clinton) so what does she do start attacking and bringing this entire campaign in the mud. Anytime you play the race card it creates division and is cowardly. Obama must defend himself in general on issues raised by Clinton(s) otherwise he will get attacked for that as well. If her management of her campaign is any indication of her presidency then we all have an answer - NO to Hillary! If her time in the White House with all the scandals and lies (Don%u2019t forget Vince Foster. Look this up- Her current campaign manager Maggie Williams was involved) is an indication of her character and the fact that she cannot control Bill Clinton. No to Hillary! Why can%u2019t she represent herself in attacks like every other candidate. No, she has to get Bill involved. Can she actually led on her own? She can%u2019t effectively control Bill or her campaign. NO to Hillary! Remember White Water!

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/news/9608/27/whitewater/index.shtml

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/news/9608/27/whitewater/index.shtml

New Jersey Voter
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by davthewav1 February 15, 2008 4:27 PM PST
The situation concerning Florida, Michigan, and the super delegates could cause the defeat of the Democratic Party in the general election if either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama do not receive enough delegates to clinch the nomination . Would changing the rules at the end of the game by including Florida and Michigan delegates to sway the results be fair or would it cause a rebellion ?

John McCain is not so conservative that moderate independents and angry Democrats would not change their minds and vote for him if they felt like they were being cheated . Florida and Michigan were excluded for breaking the rules and the candidates agreed not to campaign in those states . If the Democratic Committee breaks their own rules now by counting them in then maybe they should be excluded by eliminating the super delegate count .

If Howard Dean, chairman of the party, decides to include Florida and Michigan then maybe he should count the uncommitted votes in Michigan as Obama votes and exclude all of the super delegates then adjust the nominating delegate count accordingly and let the leading candidate win . That would be more of a truly democratic process . This is America after all and the people should decide who their president should be and not by a handful of politicians and elitist .

A Concened Democrat
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by teopa-2009 February 15, 2008 4:27 PM PST
"even my six year old" pretty clear analogy. democracy not dynasty.
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by formlessness-2009 February 15, 2008 4:29 PM PST
Lucy In Bedford, I have "looked at the facts" and I''m ready to make my "informed" choice for Obama.
Obama seeks a different kind of poltics. I really do believe he cares more about us than Hillary, she calculates her choices based on what''s right for her career. She is the wife of a former president as well as a senator, you can''t honestly tell me she didn''t have access to all the right info about Iraq and she still made the wrong choice. She made that choice based not on what is in our best interest, but based on what would make her look strong on national security. I don''t want another president who is going to tell us all what we want to hear, I want a president who will tell us what we need to hear, and then do the things that need to be done. I suggest that it is you who needs to to better informed, not the supporters of the most qualified and deserved candidate in the past 40 years.
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by lady_prof February 15, 2008 5:08 PM PST
Library of Congress records:Clinton, served only one full term( 6 yrs) and another year campaigning, has authored and passed 20 twenty pieces of legislation in her term of six years into law. 1 Establish Kate Mullany National Historic Site. 2 Support goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.3 Recognize Ellis Island Medal of Honor. 4 Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall 5 Name courthouse after James L. Watson. 6 Name post office after Jonn A. O''Shea.7 Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day. 8 Support goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day. 9 Honor life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.10 Congratulate Syracuse Univ. Orange Men''s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship. 11 Congratulate Moyne College Dolphins Men''s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship. 12 Establish 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.13 Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda. 14 Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation. 15 Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton''s bills are, more substantive. 16 Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11. 17 Pay for city projects in response to 9/11 18 Assist landmine victims in other countries.19 Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.20 Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected.
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by lady_prof February 15, 2008 5:09 PM PST
Library of Congress Records%u2026%u2026.check it out yourself.
Obama''s list: (first 8 months) is too substantive, one is coalesced to categorize.
sponsored over 820 bills.
introduced 233 bills regarding healthcare reform,
125 bills on poverty and public assistance,
112 bills on crime fighting,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
In his first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These included:
(1)the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 that became LAW,
(2)The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act that became LAW, (3)The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act that passed the Senate,
(4)The 2007 Government Ethics Bill that became LAW,
(5)The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill that is in committee just to name a few.
In all since he entered the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096.
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by lady_prof February 15, 2008 5:16 PM PST

If you missed it, you might be interested in reading:

%u201CThe Clinton Terror Pardon%u201D
February 12, 2008
Debra Burlingame

Ms. Burlingame, a former attorney and a director of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, is the sister of Charles F. %u201CChic%u201D Burlingame III, the pilot of American Airlines flight 77, which was crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
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by ajironworks4 February 15, 2008 5:26 PM PST
The Leader of the 21st Century , is showing in the excellent campaigning style , and motivates the electorate with the Lightening spirit of what makes America Fun and full of Adventure !!!!!!!

The Candidate , Barack Obama has what it takes , just look at his Keen understanding of the world of Finance , given todays understanding of High Tech capabilities of generating a coalition of supporters who see and hear the words of what its going to take to turn around the messes of the Bushes and Clintons over the past years , thats left us all in the dark and over a Barrel , dependent on those who have powder coated and gold plated the policy makers thats left America with all the debts of the deals over the years , has now focused on the new candidate of the future , the 21st Century choice for Change , thats Barack Obama , the Visionary of Hope . Look at the records of the candidates , the past results , and consider the facts that say do we want more of the same old Debt politics , like has been the case , over the past 16 years of Lopsided Trade Policies , or do we want a new kind of Trade , and a new way of participating in our governments policy decisions , thats open and transparent , so we the people can understand whats going on and what will happen , so we don''t end up like we have with the leadership we have had !
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by darrren12000 February 15, 2008 5:28 PM PST
Hillary never hollered at Republicans. Why are you guys praising a liar? Also - Republicans in the Senate have praised her bipartisan behavior. And I thought he was "above" the fray. Clearly he isnt. Maybe he called John Lewis to offer him a check.
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by iss2010 February 15, 2008 5:36 PM PST
Both candidates want to win, and to do that the other must lose, so both are naturally intentin on undermining each other''s campaign. However, while Obama makes a point once or twice, then moves on to another, Hillary takes up an issue and doesn''t let go, as though she means to drive in the knife and twist it. She''s dwelt on this theme about debates now every day since Super Tuesday. What does she think? That we''re all deaf? Obama''s absolutely right. That kind of brinksmanship is not what Americans want. It''s like a personal vendetta for her (she did say it was personal), whereas to Obama''s its just, well, politics.
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by katefranklin February 15, 2008 5:47 PM PST
The Clintons attack because it is the only thing they excel at. They are institutionalized. Not only would the Clintons guarantee a divided country, they may just divide the Democratic Party in their desperate attempt to regain the White House.
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by jemster08 February 15, 2008 5:58 PM PST
She said ''words is cheap''. Any suprise when she lied ? If she could not control her tongue, could she discipline her ACTION as USA president ?
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by msyoung227 February 15, 2008 6:02 PM PST
Thank you Lady_Prof. This should be published everywhere. Nuff said.
Obama 08
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by msyoung227 February 15, 2008 6:02 PM PST
Thank you Lady_Prof. This should be published everywhere. Nuff said.
Obama 08
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by fernandina54 February 15, 2008 6:29 PM PST
One of the major differences between Obama and Hillary is that Obama has a movement. Hillary''s running a sputtering campaign. And other than having slept in the West Wing for eight years, what has she really done that makes her any more ready to be president than Obama? I hope the people of Ohio see through her phoniness. She wasn''t born "among the people." She was born to wealth and privilege. Unless one has already served one term, no one is ready to be president. One either rises to the occasion or doesn''t. Obama is showing himself to be much more capable of rising to the occasion.
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by fernandina54 February 15, 2008 6:30 PM PST
One of the major differences between Obama and Hillary is that Obama has a movement. Hillary''s running a sputtering campaign. And other than having slept in the West Wing for eight years, what has she really done that makes her any more ready to be president than Obama? I hope the people of Ohio see through her phoniness. She wasn''t born "among the people." She was born to wealth and privilege. Unless one has already served one term, no one is ready to be president. One either rises to the occasion or doesn''t. Obama is showing himself to be much more capable of rising to the occasion.
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by sonja44-2009 February 15, 2008 7:06 PM PST
This is the pot calling the kettle black. Period.
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by sonja44-2009 February 15, 2008 7:15 PM PST
Whatever bickering the candidates want to do should look small to all of us, regardless of who its coming from.

Bigger point - Obama wants the popular vote to count and not the delegates (goes against DNC rules), because THE PEOPLE shold be heard. Yet he does not want the popular vote to be considered in Michigan and Florida, because it "goes against party rule". This is illogical to want both.
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by khakiprep February 15, 2008 7:18 PM PST
I admit that Barack makes nice feel good kind of speeches but thats about it. Its great that we all want change but PLEASE clarify how youre going to make this change. Since we are employers in the market for a president Its relevant that we hire someone who has EXPERIENCE. Would Baraks supporters hire a grave digger as a heart surgeon?? Probably not.... The supporters who are raving for him to be the president are typical. If he were to become president and messed up, you are the same people who would be begging to impeach him the week after...... GO Hillary GO !!!!!! I agree Barak will make a fine president someday, just not yet.

Obama says he will fix SS. Yes we can. In 3.5 years in the Senate did he fix SS? No he didn''t.
Obama says govt is broken. Yes we can. In 3.5 years in the Senate did he fix govt? No he didn''t.
Obama says he can bring the two isles together. Yes we can. In 3.5 years in the Senate did he bring the two isles together? No he didn''t.
Obama says he can we need universal health care. Yes we can. In 3.5 years in the Senate did he implement universal health care? No he didn''t.
Obama says we need to expand welfare. Yes we can. In 3.5 years in the Senate did he expand welfare? No he didn''t.
Obama says we need to improve education. Yes we can. In 3.5 years in the Senate did he improve education? No he didn''t.
Obama says we need a major change in America. Yes we can. In 3.5 years in the Senate did he bring a major change to America? No he didn''t.
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by gpservices February 15, 2008 7:50 PM PST
Food for thought...
Only in America can a President commit adultery in the White House, lie under oath, disgrace a country, come back years later and go out on a campaign trail for the woman he betrayed in the same country he made look like a fool being Commander in Chief. GOD HELP US!
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by jaykay221 February 15, 2008 10:46 PM PST
Hey Khakiprep: If you''re so clever saying about Obama not achieving those things in the last 3.5 ''gridlocked'' years of Government - can you turn around and say that either McCain or Clinton did achieve those things? NO YOU CAN''T. hehehehehehehehe

Oh - and about changing the way things are done in Washington - what about the little matter of his successful grassroots campaign, you know that pesky little campaign that raised 32 million from the American people in January, after he was told ''it will never work, you have to take money from Corporations and Lobbyists''?

Obama - change you can believe in AND see.

Now run along and help Clinton fire and shuffle some more staff, cos she doesn''t seem to be doing too well on the judgment thang honey.
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by jaykay221 February 15, 2008 10:51 PM PST
Sonja - Obama is still ahead in the popular vote when you include Michigan and Florida. He''s ahead in earned delegates and the popular vote - the only thing Clinton is ahead in is cronyism.
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by bloomusa February 16, 2008 1:23 AM PST
Hillary VOTED for the WAR, and for the credit card companies, do you wonder why? She has voted against the people and has voted for the Corporations, she is not voting for the people, why are they voting for her? People need to rethink who they support because she cannot beat McCain like Obama can. He is for the people and he is the most likely to beat McCain! It is so clear.....
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by bloomusa February 16, 2008 1:25 AM PST
Hillary VOTED for the WAR, and for the credit card companies, do you wonder why? She has voted against the people and has voted for the Corporations, she is not voting for the people, why are they voting for her? People need to rethink who they support because she cannot beat McCain like Obama can. He is for the people and he is the most likely to beat McCain! It is so clear.....
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by bloomusa February 16, 2008 1:29 AM PST
Vote for the only candidate who can beat McCain, OBAMA!!! National Polls show that people would vote for Obama, not Hillary over McCain......It is really important to choose wisely! We cannot go through 4 more years or 40 more years of war because we cannot pick a winning candidate. Texas and Ohio take notice!
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by mf4edwards February 16, 2008 2:06 AM PST
Obama did not obey the rules in Florida and aired TV commercials immediately after the debate. (Presidential candidates gave their word they would not campaign in Florida, because Florida moved their Primary date, thank you Howard Dean.) Obama gave his word that he would abide by the pact given to the DNC, obviously he lied. Obama came up with a lame excuse that the cable networks could not cut Florida out of a National media package. Well, I have news for you all; I called CNN and MSNBC, and of course you can leave an entire state out, you could leave a city out! I had them fax a media buy proposal to me so I could have it in writing. NO ONE CARED! What does that tell you!
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by fatalx1a February 16, 2008 3:30 AM PST
Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term - 6yrs. - and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law - 20 - twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years.

These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress www.thomas.loc.gov, but to save you trouble, I''ll post them here for you.

1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O''Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
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by fatalx1a February 16, 2008 3:31 AM PST
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men''s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men''s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton''s bills are, more substantive. 16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.

There you have it, the fact''s straight from the Senate Record.

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by fatalx1a February 16, 2008 3:31 AM PST
Now, I would post those of Obama''s, but the list is too substantive, so I''ll mainly categorize.
During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.

His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These inculded
**the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law,
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law,
**The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law,
**The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee, and many more.

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by gpservices February 16, 2008 10:07 AM PST
For all of these years what has any president really done for minorities. Oh one help free the slaves. Your sure... There''s over 2 million black men & women in- carcerated. Blacks & Latinos make up the majority of the prison population but their the minorities. Racism still runs rapid in the government, military, courts, and police dpt. Black men are being targeted and shot down like dogs in the street yearly by police. "Well it looks like the dogs are more important than black men!" It''s still bias in the housing market, work force and educational system.

Now could someone please tell me what did Bill Clinton really do for black people but give them some crumbs? If I gave a dog some kibbles & bits when it never had steak it would be happy to. Clinton had eight years in office. I ask again what did he really do? I understand that the president himself can''t turn things around, its done in layers. My question is who is going to start cleaning up this mess?
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by drband36 February 16, 2008 10:58 AM PST
Obama aired TV ads in Florida because they were part of *national media air-time buys* that he made. You can''t contract to run an ad nation-wide and then "substract" Florida from the media buy.

MF4Edwards, maybe you weren''t aware of this provision.

Elise in NH
http://www.obamastraws.blogspot.com
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by lovehillary February 17, 2008 6:38 PM PST
Obama CHOSE to take his name off the ballot in Michigan!!! It was HIS choice! As for Florida, he is the ONLY candidate who ran a campaign Ad there, so he had the most campaigning there! THAT wasn''t allowed either!!

Hillary SHOULD GET the delegates coming to her from Michigan and Florida!!! These are two states needed for the General Election and you CANNOT DISENFRANCHISE THOSE VOTERS!!!
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