Confident Clinton Takes Aim At Attackers

Hillary Clinton Tells Katie Couric Time To "Draw Contrasts" With Her Rivals

(CBS)  With the Iowa caucus just more than a month away, CBS News anchor Katie Couric sat down for an exclusive interview with Democratic frontrunner Sen. Hillary Clinton.

She’s the woman on everyone’s mind right now. But polls in Iowa are showing the race could shape up to be very close. Couric asked Clinton if she’s lowering her expectations as the primary approaches.

“I never raised them, you know when I got into race at the beginning of the year. I wasn't even in double-digits. I was so far behind in Iowa, it was embarrassing,” Clinton said.

Her campaign instead is “encouraged” she said, because “we're making progress - but I take nothing for granted, this is going to be a tight race.”

"I think everybody should just take a deep breath and say 'let's just go to the finish line,' which will be probably be midnight West Coast time on Feb. 5," she said.

Couric asked Clinton: “Many of Barack Obama’s supporters were urging him to be more aggressive and to fight back a little more when it came to your candidacy. It seems as if in recent days you've returned the favor; you've taken off the gloves a bit. And some people are interpreting that as your campaign being pretty nervous...”

“That's not the case at all. Campaigns have rhythm. And we're now down to end. We're going to have a mad dash to Iowa caucuses, turn around and have a mad dash to New Hampshire and then keep going,” she said.

Has the Clinton campaign gotten more aggressive?

“It's time. I have absorbed a lot of attacks for several months now - my opponents have basically had a free rein,” she said. "After you've been attacked as often as I have from several of my opponents, you can't just absorb it, you have to respond.

"But a lot of the attacks have been quite persistent, shall we say," she said. "Hardly a day goes by when I'm not attacked."

Clinton said she wants voters to know how her plans - particularly health care - stack up against those of other candidates.

“I figure it’s about time now for me to draw contrasts, which I think are pretty important to voters,” she said. “And that’s what I’m going to do.”

She distinguished Obama’s plan from those of her Democratic opponents.

"All of us except Sen. Obama have universal health care ..." Clinton said. "I want people to know that."

It was announced Monday that Oprah Winfrey would be campaigning with Obama in three key states. "How do you feel about that?" Couric asked.

“I think it's great ... I'm proud to have a lot of very distinguished Americans [supporting me],” Clinton said.

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Candidate Profile: Hillary Clinton
Photo Essay: Clinton's Lifetime Of Firsts

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Is she concerned Obama will get a major boost from Winfrey’s enthusiastic fan base?

“No,” Clinton said. “...at the end of the day, it's among us as candidates. People will make their judgments. I’m proud to have my husband support me. It's wonderful to have someone with his knowledge and experience and incredible ability vouch for me campaign for me.”

"If it's not you, how disappointed will you be?" Couric asked.

“Well, it will be me,” she said.

But she said she would stand behind any other Democratic nominee, if it came to that. “We're going to have unified party, behind whoever we nominate.”

Clearly, she has considered the possibility she won't be the nominee?

"No, I haven't," Clinton said.

[denn034]

This interview was a puff piece between liberals if Couric''s sneer during a Newt Gingrich interview means anything.

[vastr-wcon]

A new national Zogby International Poll, released today, has VERY GOOD NEWS!

Per the poll, Conniving Calculating Cackling Clinton would lose to all major Republican White House candidates, reversing her months of dominance over potential 2008 challengers.

The Zogby International poll was the latest sign that withering attacks on the former first lady were chipping away at her opinion poll leads just 38 days before the Iowa caucuses, the first party nominating contests.

In the new survey, Clinton trailed Senator John McCain 42 percent to 38 percent, former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani by 43 percent to 40 percent and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney by 43 percent to 40 percent.

She also lagged behind former Arkansas Republican governor Mike Huckabee by 44 to 39 percent, and former Senator Fred Thompson by 44 to 40 percent in hypothetical general election matchups.

Clinton''s top Democratic challengers Barack Obama and John Edwards however would still beat their hypothetical Republican rivals in potential 2008 contests.

GOOD NEWS for those of us that want a candidate who is NOT hated by 50% of the voters, who is NOT a puppet of lobbyists, one that has ethics, honesty, and a commitment to ending the endless NEOCON wars. There are many good choices, but Conniving isn''t one of them.

[denn034]

"In the new survey, Clinton trailed Senator John McCain 42 percent to 38 percent, former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani by 43 percent to 40 percent and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney by 43 percent to 40 percent. She also lagged behind former Arkansas Republican governor Mike Huckabee by 44 to 39 percent, and former Senator Fred Thompson by 44 to 40 percent in hypothetical general election matchups."
Posted by VastR-WCon

Bodes well for us Republicans.

[frb01]

She has touted experience on everything including economics. She promised all kinds of jobs to upstate when she ran for Senate the first time. Buffalo has one of the highest poverty rates in the country. She has not deposited a downpayment on the jobs promise. Personally I don''t know how someone with a high negative rating will win. I also know and it is not me saying this but some voters will not vote for a woman, an African American or a hispanic, so she has to over come that issue as well. Again, I have not taken that position I am saying others will.

[frb01]

Huckabee is probably the sleeper in the race, if he wins a primary early on, he will be in play. When he is interviewed like he was on CNN this weekend, he seems sincere.

[shanev137]

Each time I see a picture of her it looks like she''s aged about 5 years.

Double your losers, double your dumb. Will anyone recollect or be able to remember anything at all? Better plant some cheerleaders, nobody else cares.

[denn034]

"She has touted experience..."
Posted by frb01

There''s good and bad experience. Personally, I think her experience is bad.

[frank3108]

Katie is a HRC spokesperson. There should be a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen stating such. She will never ask her any real questions that voters need to know or would ever bring up any of the highly questionable things she and her husband did while in office.

[stezzer]

As a Brit, I''ve always been rather in awe of the American President.

However, I could never be in awe of Mrs. Clinton. Not because she isn''t intelligent or politically savvy. But because of her grotty, lying, sleazy husband (you should have ditched him love).

If anyone ever took the shine off America for foreigners, it was Bumbling Billy Bighead. The thought of him in the White House again makes me feel ill.

How about Mitt Romney? Now there''s a chap who looks and sounds like a President. And hopefully would behave like one.

[cbs_oliver]

Did Katie Couric ask any question eliciting information on Hillary Clinton''s plans for actions if she is elected President?

It seemed to be all about the horse race.

[fibonacci_]

Oh America, aw man.

[hawksprings]

CBS = Clinton Broadcasting System

[pelosisaho1]

jh6379,

you''re a moron, quite simple.

Hillary a great Prez? Only if you like women who are complacent while their hubbys are showing off their johnsons to other gals and having them do the lollipop routine with them.

Or more.

If this non-serving ''ho couldn''t even clean up her own household and keep order, then what is she going to do with Ahmedinejedad.

Oh, she''ll play with his lollipop. Figures.

Another brain dead Left Fascist bozo. Always has been, Always will be.

[mythoughtsr]

What a bunch of losers. All of them. If they would realize the fools they look like "attacking" others and saying mean things about the other...what a joke. They will undoubtably take power and drag the country down further into the dismal abyss that we are falling into. They are all like school children. None of them are qualified nor deserve to run the country.

[pelosisaho1]

Hillary''s a stupid, opportunisitc ''ho who thinks more of herself than the welfare of the United States of America.

If she HAD the guts to serve in the military - and to divorce her piggy-back ride to power, then she might have a chance. No self-respecting women could ever vote for this cuckolded sl*t, and no man, especially in the military would ever respect her after Lewinsky.

She''s a friggin'' LOSER BABE. And not a babe at all, a shrew is more like it.

[suecrites]

"Pitty the fool"

[shanev137]

If she couldn''t stand up and leave a lying, cheating no good husband...who else won''t this doormat be able to stand up to?

[worddust]

Why is this treated like some kind of coup for Couric? Propaganda puff pieces for Democrats is her specialty. They''ll have a great time agreeing with each other. This is much ado about nothing.

[shanev137]

jh6379....lol...that''s a lot of forgiveness as he banged about 30 women during their marriage.

[tobias2012]

Will Couric dare to ask questions that Hillary has not already approved and studied. The MSM media is so intimidated by the Clinton campaign that one can only expect a Hillary infomercial. The deceptive politics of Hillary (i.e. planted questions then blantanly lying about it, fixed and staged debates, phony experience claims, history of corruption, etc.) will be avoided like the plague by CBS.

[shanev137]

She''s just another washed-up angry old house wife with an axe to grind who has tons of old baggage....and guess who she wants to take all that anger out on? hahahaha

Hillary is probably the most qualified of all the candidates and all the jeers at her from right-wing fire eaters show just how powerful she truly is. She is not my first choice...I am an Edward''s backer but I would be very happy to have her in the Oval Office.
America''s eight year stint with an unqualified bumpkin at the helm who should have never been elected (and who many think actually wasn''t elected) has convinced me that any of the Democratic candidates are head and shoulders above the whole lot of Republican candidates who have adopted the Bush credo in toto.

[krazykat2525]

what a joke! Nancy Petroski has shown us what a woman in power is like & my dedicated Democratic friends have said they should never have given the position to her, & that she has put having women in power positions back 1000 years! They are calling her the names (yep)her own party, & have not forgotten Hillary''s boast she knows how to "Handle" Republican''s. To bad she didn''t know how to Handle her own husband! What does he want more BJ''s in the Oval Office. What a joke! She can''t run her own household but she wants to run a country! her own party is shuddering between the 2 women, Nancy & Hillary. It really is to bad for all women everyone who truly want to make a difference.

[shanev137]

jh6379...stop fantasizing because it will never happen. she''s way too far to the left and not middle of the road where most voters are now.

voters are completely sick and tired of all you fanatically extreme left-wingers and right-wingers. you''re all idiots...every single one of you, and the whole country can see it.

[mattrett]

To the commenter who claims Hillary won''t win because she''s "way too far to the left"...if you''re against her, fine, be against her. But don''t expose your stupidity. She''s a conservative Democrat. If anything she is right on the money---ideologically---with most Americans, or slightly to the right of us.

[tobias2012]

This will be nothing more than a typical "its all Bush''s fault" extravaganza.
How about asking her how she could change her views on illegal aliens from a firm yes on drivers licesnses for illegals, to a firm no and her role on Spitzers'' conviently and sudden change on said issue (without blaming Bush). By the way Bush is not running in ''08.

[lovehillary]

I am so proud of Hillary for thinking nothing of "legend in her own mind" Oprah Winfrey!! WHY would anyone vote for Obama because she likes him???? Does that change the fact he has NO EXPERIENCE???? LOL!!!

I am so proud of Hillary for having such a positive attitude! She KNOWS she is the most qualified and experienced candidate running for president!! She can hit the ground running on DAY 1!!! No Other Candidate can say that!!!

I am 100% behind Hillary; have been campaigning for her from DAY 1 and I will be there the day she takes the Oath of Office in January 2009!!!

PRESIDENT HILLARY CLINTON - 2008!!!!

[one_american]

Hillary Clinton wants to be the McDonalds franchise of politicians; everything to everyone all the time.

But rational Americans know that she is just fake filler, like a McDonalds hamburger.

[xlib]

mattrett-show me where this biotch is conservative, show me?? She has more socialists sound bites than Karl Marx. She is a socialist plain and simple. What she says at any given speech is pureley for the audience she is pandering to. Her roots are in socialism and always has been. Check this biotch''s history for yourself.

[pelosisaho1]

ain''t gonna happen, bozo.

The Army will see to that...

[jbb333]

Why are Republicans so obsessed with other people''s *** lives?

[migtex]

why would people prefer emotionally to vote for a person who had never been in charge of anything?
Why would people want things taken away from them & Pay higher taxes? Look at lack of record again the rest leave female out.

[pelosisaho1]

jh6379 is probably a sexless ''ho or girlyboy - can''t be a man unless he''s a draft dodging perv like Bill, and if it happens to be a girl, well, you know what they say...

As for its so-called "Conservative Republican parents" - never existed at all. Probably wacko elitists who''d vote for a ho like Hillary because she''s part of their world.

Anyone who remembers the perv shaking his finger at the camera, while cuckolded ''ho glibly talked about a "vast right wing conspiracy" - and got confronted with the truth would NEVER vote for that piece of cuckolded manure in a million years.

But an it like jh6379 - a brain dead left nazi loser - would.

[pelosisaho1]

oh, you must be talking about the ILLEGAL war pervert waged after his johnson routine became public.

The war in which 2000 innocent Serbian women and children were murdered, shamefully by American bombs.

Of course pervert didn''t have the guts to go after Bin Laden - and shrew didn''t have the guts or the brains to divorce him.

But just go on living in fantasyland, jh - you and your typical LEFT NAZI lies.

[beltway33]

Too many clinton haters within this CBS blogosphere....it is funny cos i''ve watched all this hating from republicans, naderites and few small minded democrats since the 90''s....And all the time one name always ends up on top - CLINTON....I''m a democrat and don''t care who wins the nomination, but if u all continue with all this hating, u will all end up eating ur shoes in Nov. ''08 when a certain lady ya''ll love to hate will become your president-elect....just stay positive and quit the negative hate attacks...

[blackbelt54]

Obama has asked the question: How does being married to Bill Clinton qualify HRC to be POTUS??? Lets face it; she would NEVER have had the NY Senate seat handed to her w/o being Mrs. Bill Clinton. She has ridden his coattails to power. I am a private pilot and a martial artist but being married to me for 50 years would in no way entitle you to fly an aircraft or teach karate. No other First Lady has ever been so arrogant and presumptuous. Her last solo accomplishment was becoming an attorney and that is not even remotely good enough. Experience?? Qualified?? Spare me.

[tobias2012]

For the Democrats that think that the Monica lies don''t compare, with your accusations, about lies regarding the Iraq war, torture.
If Bill did not commit perjury, Al Gore would have easily won the election against Bush.
Thus, Bush is president because Bill let his zipper go south, if he had kept it north Gore would most likely be the current President. Think about that Dems next time you think Bill''s lies did not matter.

[jamurphy4]

I see all those Republican comments made by some fat guy with an ugly ol lady, trying to tear down Hillary..
That " Mush Lamebrain " type of attack doesn''t work anymore.. The American people are fed up with your moronic tactics used by the Bushies the last 7 years..
Hillary Clinton will be the next President, and she''s just what America needs... Go Hillary !!!

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by badaxmofo at 07:09 PM : Nov 26, 2007

Oh shut up, Badaxmofo, you already have a socialized military, a socizlized police department, a socialized fire department, a socialized road and bridge department, a socialized educational system.

I bet you''re glad to see the cops come and rescue your arse, and the fire department come and rescue your burning house, and I bet you like to drive over nice roads. Well, wouldn''t it be nice to the health care you need available when you need it, and for us all to chip in a help each other out.

You idiots that want to cry socialism every time the fricking republicans tell you to leap frog and jump make me sick.

[migtex]

Our own home grown Marxist. promote by Clinton Broadcast system. Hey, she stated she only wants to take things away from you, and tax you more so we can all be "equal"..except HRH.. Ho,

[shanev137]

speaking of monica lewinsky...


did you hear she walked into her dry cleaning store the other day and tells the dude behind the counter,


"hey, i got another dress here for you to clean."


slightly hard of hearing, the clerk says,

"uh, come again?"


monica says,


"no, it''s mustard."

[rolandp11]

Why Don''t We Call Her Mrs. Bill Clinton?

[manslagt]

Gee, I wonder how Couric got an exclusive with Hillary.
http://ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=258250369428152

[speakinup]

"I see all those Republican comments made by some fat guy with an ugly ol lady, trying to tear down Hillary..

Hmmm - judge people by their looks - fits a far left lib.


"That " Mush Lamebrain " type of attack doesn''t work anymore.. The American people are fed up with your moronic tactics used by the Bushies the last 7 years..

More of the same, without content...

"Hillary Clinton will be the next President, and she''s just what America needs... Go Hillary !!! Posted by jamurphy4

Ok jamurphy4 - why is she just what the country needs ? What has Hillary ever done to show herself a ''world class'' leader ? Tell me why she can say she is the most qualified and be right...

And before you even get to the keyboard - don''t bother to compare her to Bush - he''s not running.

Tell me what she has ever done to be so wonderful, or are you just rooting for the home team ?

[greatdrivew]

DNC is GOP%u2019s Best Hope for Survival:

Could it be, that before us we see, the beginning of the end, of the GOP? And could it be, as if ironically, that the demon, evolution, is its only solution? Despised and abhorred, a lie, a potion, evolution they say, is sacrilege in notion. But soon we%u2019ll know, where loyalties lie, when listened to not heard, are chants of evolve or die. In the meantime they pray, for survival someway, a gift, a present, to save the day. Enter the Democrats, empowered by voters, doing the unthinkable, voting the GOP way.

[rolandp11]

It''s the network rating friend CBS isn''t either

[rowdytexan2]

For the Democrats that think that the Monica lies don''''t compare, with your accusations, about lies regarding the Iraq war, torture.
If Bill did not commit perjury, Al Gore would have easily won the election against Bush.
Thus, Bush is president because Bill let his zipper go south, if he had kept it north Gore would most likely be the current President. Think about that Dems next time you think Bill''''s lies did not matter.

Posted by Tobias2012 at 07:32 PM : Nov 26, 2007

If the neocon busards would''ve stayed out of Mr. Clinton''s bedroom there wouldn''t have needed to be a lie. Monica and her witch friend were paid well for what they did. Mr. Clinton was not hurting another sould by his sexual actions.

I don''t think you feel the need to justify to anybody watch goes in or comes out of your pants...and Mr. Clinton shouldn''t have had to either.

You Bushies and your backing of his lies and thieving hold no impression for me, sir! Your STUPID votes for this lying bustward have killed MILLIONS! Do you have any concept of what YOU''VE done?

[shanev137]

"If the neocon *** would''ve stayed out of Mr. Clinton''s bedroom there wouldn''t have needed to be a lie."

-----------------


HAHAHAHA....do you think Bill has used that line on Hillary before?

"If you''d just stay out of the oral office...I wouldn''t have to lie"


....i can''t wait for 4 more years of these jokes.

[shanev137]

I think many hope she''ll have the same values, traditions and concerns of the former president Clinton.

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LOL...and what "traditions" were those exactly?

Boinking interns? hahaha

Man, what is this like stand up night on here? You people are too easy.