Obama, Clinton Spar Over Cuba, Health Care

N.Y. Senator Accuses Front-Runner Of Plagiarism, Says He Represents "Change You Can Xerox"

(CBS/AP)  Hillary Clinton accused presidential rival Barack Obama of political plagiarism Thursday night, but drew boos from a Democratic debate audience when she ridiculed him as the candidate of "change you can Xerox."

Obama dismissed the charge out of hand, then turned the jeers to applause when he countered, "What we shouldn't be doing is tearing each other down, we should be lifting the country up."

The exchange marked an unusually pointed moment in an otherwise civil encounter in the days before March 4 primaries in Texas and Ohio - contests that even some of Clinton's supporters say she must win to sustain her campaign for the White House.

The former first lady has lost 11 straight primaries and caucuses, and trails her rival in convention delegates. Obama has won a pair of big union endorsements in the past two days.

Overall, the night did little to stop Obama's momentum, which has helped him pull even with Clinton in Texas polls after trailing her by double-digits only a few weeks ago, CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs said.

"Anyone looking for a knock-down, drag-out debate in Texas tonight was instead treated to a gentle waltz that only increased Obama's edge over Clinton," Ververs said. "The New York Senator did nothing to stop Obama's momentum and, in fact, allowed him to upstage her on both substance and style. Time is growing short for Clinton to regain her footing. This debate just kept those seconds rapidly moving forward. And the time is all on Obama's side."

In a university auditorium in the heart of Texas, the two rivals agreed that high-tech surveillance measures are preferable to construction of a fence to curtail illegal immigration.

They disagreed on the proper response to a change in government in Cuba in the wake of Fidel Castro's resignation. Clinton said she would refuse to sit down with incoming President Raul Castro until he implements political and economic reforms. Obama said he would meet "without preconditions," but added the U.S. agenda for such a session would include human rights in the Communist island nation.

They also sparred frequently about health care, a core issue of the campaign.

Clinton said repeatedly that Obama's plan would leave 15 million Americans uncovered.

But he, in turn, accused the former first lady of mishandling the issue by working in secrecy when her husband was in the White House.

"I'm going to do things differently," he said. "We can have great plans, but if we don't change how the politics is working in Washington, then neither of our plans are going to happen."

Clinton was combative and complimentary by turns, and reflected on her well-known personal struggles in the debate's final moments.

"Everyone here knows I've lived through some crises and some challenging moments in my life," she said - a thinly veiled but clear reference to her husband's affair with Monica Lewinsky and subsequent impeachment. But she added that nothing she had been through matched the everyday struggles of voters.

Then, offering unprompted praise to her rival, the one-time front-runner said, "No matter what happens in this contest, I am honored to be here with Barack Obama."

Both candidates were plainly popular with the debate audience. During one break someone in the crowd shouted "Si, se puede," Spanish for Obama's trademark phrase, "Yes we can."

[nearl4511]

This is news? Pretty freakin obvious.

Oh yeah.

[andersenme]

I hope at tonight''s debate someone asks Hillary how her and her husband could possibly inspire young people to ethical conduct, given all the scandals, parsing of words, and obtuse justifications for their actions that they have made in the course of their careers.

MARTIN EDWIN "MICK" ANDERSEN

[downtowner97]

Hey Obama,

Ask her who she had kill Vince Foster. After that, run off the list of pardons she and her husband gave out as they left the White House, and how much money they received for each. Then ask her why she thinks the Lewinsky scandal was such a big deal when it seems to be the only consensual encounter Bill has had in his adult life. Then ask her she is so dead set on keeping her finances a secret.

[andersenme]

If Hillary can''t put together a decent campaign organization, why would anyone think she could put together an effective government?

Experience is as experience does, and Hillary''s doesn''t.

MARTIN EDWIN "MICK" ANDERSEN

[andersenme]

Hillary, you seem to have latched onto the phrase "let''s get real."

Could you and your husband please get real on honesty, ethics and morality?

You both have some explaining to do.

Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen

[andersenme]

Hillary says Barack Obama is stealing her programs and pretending to the public that they are his own.

But Hillary also says Obama is all fluff and the programs he puts out there have no substance.

Does this mean that Hillary''s programs have no substance?

[andersenme]

When Hillary Clinton used a ghostwriter for her book "It Takes a Village" she did not credit her anywhere in the volume.

Maybe Hillary''s next book should be "It takes a Thief."


Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen

[andersenme]

Those of us with teenagers got a hilarious reminder of the Clinton scandals of the 1990s this weekend while watching the new movie, ''Definitely, Maybe.''


It takes Bill Clinton apart in a way that John McCain and the Republicans only wish they could.


It is a must see for all those who want to inoculate their teenagers from the impact of future ''Bimbo'' irruptions, fits of lying and other attractions sure to come our way with another Clinton presidency.


Clean slate!!!

Barack Obama,

''08 !!!

MARTIN EDWIN ''MICK'' ANDERSEN

[andersenme]

Why is Hillary in full retreat?

Well, there are too many questions about why she won''t release her taxes until after she becomes the Democratic nominee--if that happens.

(Doesn''t Hillary trust Democratic voters to make informed decisions?)

A lot of anxiety out there, too, about her plan to garnish workers'' wages as part of her mandatory medical insurance plan.

(Real Democrats don''t use confiscatory language when talking about workers'' salaries.)

And parents, in particular, are less interested in whether it takes a village to raise decent children than they are in knowing what Bill and Hillary have to offer young people in terms of examples about the importance of honesty and integrity--given all the scandals surrounding the former First Family.

And of course there is still a lot of anger out there how the Clintons engaged in racial coding on the eve of the celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Then there is the question--"Where''s William?"

Bill Clinton oscillates between being underwraps and carefully tethered, lest he alienate even more Democratic voters.

But what would happen if Hillary is actually elected?

How long before the United States, in debt and at war, would have to face another "bimbo eruption" (their words); financial scandal, or embarrassing liaison with the world''s corrupt and those who violate human rights?

Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen

[andersenme]

Not many people seem to be buying the "New Hillary."

Those with long memories will likely think that her inauthentic pose calls to mind the "New Nixon" of 1968--one of the last of a series of image remakes for the eventually disgraced president whose legacy includes a word common to that of Bill Clinton: "impeachment."

Authenicity, transparency and honesty count.

Let''s not take a bridge back to the 20th century.

Robert F. Kennedy called politics "an honorable adventure."

It was once, and can be again, with Barack Obama leading the Democratic Party.

Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen

[andersenme]

It is funny how Hillary''s people keep saying they are planting the flag and making a stand, then turning and running away when the moment of truth is upon them.

It reminds of the story told by John Kenneth Galbraith, who took part in the debriefing of the German Albert Speer at the end of World War II.

When was it, Galbraith asked, that Speer knew the Germans were losing?

It was, Speer replied, when the glorious victories of the Fatherland were ever closer to Berlin.

Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen
Churchton, Maryland

[truthspeake2]

Obama supporters, drunk on Oprah''''s Ted Kennedy Whisky-spiked Kool-Aid say that the inexperience of their candidate, means nothing--he''''ll "surround himself with the right people"--
I recall 8 years ago another inexperienced candidate, GW Bush, saying the same thing! Obama is NOT QUALIFIED PERIOD---Michelle, his wife says (and you can be sure he shares her view) that she had NEVER been proud to be an American. Such a couple is unfit to occupy the White House. One should at least be proud to be American to lead this country.
I have voted Democratic for President since my first vote for McGovern in 1972, but the Obamas are unacceptable. Sorry


Posted by hopetrumps at 06:18 PM : Feb 21, 2008


You should vote for McCain if Hillary does manage to get nominated, and even if she doesn''t!

[truthspeake2]

Obama supporters, drunk on Oprah''''s Ted Kennedy Whisky-spiked Kool-Aid say that the inexperience of their candidate, means nothing--he''''ll "surround himself with the right people"--
I recall 8 years ago another inexperienced candidate, GW Bush, saying the same thing! Obama is NOT QUALIFIED PERIOD---Michelle, his wife says (and you can be sure he shares her view) that she had NEVER been proud to be an American. Such a couple is unfit to occupy the White House. One should at least be proud to be American to lead this country.
I have voted Democratic for President since my first vote for McGovern in 1972, but the Obamas are unacceptable. Sorry


Posted by hopetrumps at 06:18 PM : Feb 21, 2008


Then you should vote for McCain if Hillary does manage to get nominated, and even if she doesn''t!

[truthspeake2]

Obama supporters, drunk on Oprah''''s Ted Kennedy Whisky-spiked Kool-Aid say that the inexperience of their candidate, means nothing--he''''ll "surround himself with the right people"--
I recall 8 years ago another inexperienced candidate, GW Bush, saying the same thing! Obama is NOT QUALIFIED PERIOD---Michelle, his wife says (and you can be sure he shares her view) that she had NEVER been proud to be an American. Such a couple is unfit to occupy the White House. One should at least be proud to be American to lead this country.
I have voted Democratic for President since my first vote for McGovern in 1972, but the Obamas are unacceptable. Sorry


Posted by hopetrumps at 06:18 PM : Feb 21, 2008


Then you should vote for McCain if Hillary does manage to get nominated, and even if she doesn''t!

[truthspeake2]

Obama supporters, drunk on Oprah''''s Ted Kennedy Whisky-spiked Kool-Aid say that the inexperience of their candidate, means nothing--he''''ll "surround himself with the right people"--
I recall 8 years ago another inexperienced candidate, GW Bush, saying the same thing! Obama is NOT QUALIFIED PERIOD---Michelle, his wife says (and you can be sure he shares her view) that she had NEVER been proud to be an American. Such a couple is unfit to occupy the White House. One should at least be proud to be American to lead this country.
I have voted Democratic for President since my first vote for McGovern in 1972, but the Obamas are unacceptable. Sorry


Posted by hopetrumps at 06:18 PM : Feb 21, 2008


Then you should vote for McCain if Hillary does manage to get nominated, and even if she doesn''t!

[popstom1]

Obama does not walk on water He say he does not take PAC money he does Joe biden cought hell for plagiarizing But it''s ok for obama and when all is said and done the MTV WBB''S will be left with and empty suit

[popstom1]

Obama does not walk on water He say he does not take PAC money he does Joe biden cought hell for plagiarizing But it''s ok for obama and when all is said and done the MTV WBB''S will be left with and empty suit

[andersenme]

I hope someone tonight will ask Hillary the following question:

"Ma''am, your husband''s presidency was marked by scandals running from the salacious to national security, you''ve run a campaign based on race coding, and both you and your husband have scant regard for the truth.

"Personal responsibility is the key to government accountability.

"What could you--or your husband--say to young people, what could you possibly bring to the table, for those who need to hear a message of honesty and integrity?"

Martin Edwin Andersen

[andersenme]

Hillary Clinton says that if she passes her health care plan, it will include provisions to garnish workers'' wages.

Such confiscatory language shows she has not learned anything from the fight during the 1990s on health care, and how the Democrats will again lose the battle and probably the White House if she is leading the Party.

Experience is all well and good, but one should learn from it.

Clearly Sen. Clinton has not.

[andersenme]

Hillary will not release her tax returns until after she is the Democratic nominee--if that actually happens.

Why does she want to withhold such information from her fellow Democrats?

It seems pretty risky for the Democratic Party to nominate someone who will not level with it.

Why should we trust her? The Clintons don''t exactly have reputations as truth tellers.

Diogenes would have given both a wide berth.

MARTIN EDWIN "MICK" ANDERSEN

[andersenme]

Hillary will not release her tax returns until after she is the Democratic nominee--if that actually happens.

Why does she want to withhold such information from her fellow Democrats?

It seems pretty risky for the Democratic Party to nominate someone who will not level with it.

Why should we trust her? The Clintons don''t exactly have reputations as truth tellers.

Diogenes would have given both a wide berth.

MARTIN EDWIN "MICK" ANDERSEN

[mike-hicks]

The Democratic party is now divided beyond repair for this election year. It is highly probable that Obama is going to get the Democratic nomination, and Hillary supporters (of which I am one) will vote for McCain in the general election as the lesser of the two evils.

I was much better off after Bill Clinton''s administration than when he took office, because he understood fiscal responsibility and knew how to balance the budget, which in turn stimulated the economy and the stock markets.I hated his immoral antics in office, but he knew how to create a thriving economy. My basis for voting for Hillary is that she learned how to manage the economy first hand.

Obama has no experience on how to manage a budget. He is promising everything to everyone. He is a true "tax and spend" liberal with no fiscal knowledge or experience on how to improve the economy. I have researched his policies, and I know that based on his tax and spend agenda that my financial situation will not improve. I cannot put my family at risk based on this man''s hollow rhetoric and lack of experience. I know that if I vote for McCain, at least he won''t increase my taxes unnecessarily.

Believe me, I am not alone here. There are hundreds of thousands of Hillary supporters that will defect with me. I am saddened that our party is now driven by emotion instead of logic. I guess that I''ll just hope for better in another 8 years.

[andersenme]

Sen. Obama got it exactly right tonight.

Hillary Clinton has lately been loudly proclaiming her fealty to the Democratic Party''s best traditions on human rights.

However, just two years ago, Hillary--the purported "expert" on international relations--said there should be "lawful authority" for torture in some cases.

(See, for example, www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0907/Hillary_and_torture_audio_version.html)

Her stand was opposite to that of every other major Democratic presidential candidate in 2007-2008, and the heat she took for it caused her to make one of her famous "flip flops."

So much for her being "ready to go on Day 1."

More like not ready for prime time

MARTIN EDWIN ANDERSEN

[pacific_c]

Older woman are the women who changed the reality of the United States. We are the women who brought this country equal credit, better pay, affirmative action, a family-focused workplace; the women who put childcare on the national agenda, established rape-crisis centers & battery shelters, marital-rape & date-rape laws; fought for prison reform, founded the peace & environmental movements; who insisted that medical research include female anatomy; created women%u2019s studies & Title. We are the proud successors of women who, though it took more than 50 years, won us the vote.
Women have endured ***/race/ethnic/religious hatred, rape and battery, invasion of spirit and flesh, forced pregnancy; being the majority of the poor, the illiterate, the disabled, of refugees, caregivers, the HIV/AIDS afflicted the powerless. We have survived invisibility, ridicule, religious fundamentalisms, polygamy, teargas, forced feedings, jails, asylums, sati, purdah, female genital mutilation, witch burnings, stonings, and attempted genocides. We have tried reason, persuasion, reassurances, and being extra-qualified, only to learn it never was about qualifications after all.

I support Senator Clinton because I believe she will make history not only as the first US woman president, but as a great US president. Right or wrong, in November I will be casting my vote for a candidate I believe in, whether she is on the ballot or not.

[andersenme]

If these sarcastic Clintonites keep referring to Sen. Obama as "the Messiah," I assume it is fair game to refer to the Clintons--the stars of financial scandals past, present and to come--as "the Profits."

Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen

[truthspeake2]

OBAMA 2008...RIP Hillary and the GOP!

[oregonboy3]

Why don''t you ask OBAMA about the GAY extramarital AFFAIR and cocaine he did with this man in 1999?
http://deathby1000papercuts.blogspot.com/2008/02/obama-man-claims-gay-***-drugs-in-99.html

[rfcrtl]

HILLARY WE NEED YOU!

[lisa_seagren]

Maybe Hillary isn''t ready to be president either. She seems more power-hungry then presidential. Good luck Obama. Watch out though, Hillary isn''t done yet. http://www.mybluecollar.com/videos/8e5a4e726f

[jasonfought]

For those Clinton supporters who are planning on voting for McCain:
Barring a collapse by Obama, he will be the nominee. He is winning not because of sexism, but because he has run a better campaign and connects better with the voters than Clinton. Don''t bash him for this. He has rhetoric, but having rhetoric does not mean being void of ideas. If his ideas were bad, why hasn''t the Clinton campaign gone after him about them? Answer: Their ideas are similar. Voting for Obama is essentially getting Clinton''s policies.
Voting for McCain under these circumstanced just indicates you''re ticked off about her losing. If you are only voting for her because she''s a woman, fine. If you''re voting policies, vote Obama.

[jasonfought]

For those Clinton supporters who are planning on voting for McCain:
Barring a collapse by Obama, he will be the nominee. He is winning not because of sexism, but because he has run a better campaign and connects better with the voters than Clinton. Don''t bash him for this. He has rhetoric, but having rhetoric does not mean being void of ideas. If his ideas were bad, why hasn''t the Clinton campaign gone after him about them? Answer: Their ideas are similar. Voting for Obama is essentially getting Clinton''s policies.
Voting for McCain under these circumstanced just indicates you''re ticked off about her losing. If you are only voting for her because she''s a woman, fine. If you''re voting policies, vote Obama.

[jasonfought]

For those Clinton supporters who are planning on voting for McCain:
Barring a collapse by Obama, he will be the nominee. He is winning not because of sexism, but because he has run a better campaign and connects better with the voters than Clinton. Don''t bash him for this. He has rhetoric, but having rhetoric does not mean being void of ideas. If his ideas were bad, why hasn''t the Clinton campaign gone after him about them? Answer: Their ideas are similar. Voting for Obama is essentially getting Clinton''s policies.
Voting for McCain under these circumstanced just indicates you''re ticked off about her losing. If you are only voting for her because she''s a woman, fine. If you''re voting policies, vote Obama.

[kstar42]

Obama s*@cks! Point blank and dont try and tell me who I should vote for! BO is a black muslim gay crack head! yes I said it! deal with it. Just you wait the dirt will come flying........

[kstar42]

Hillary looks nevous as H3ll & scared for her life tonight. She is a train wreck.

Obama, calm cool & collected. The look of a leader.


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

Posted by john97068 at 08:33 PM : Feb 21, 2008
Its the crack thats keeping him cool, simple as that! come on BO tell the truth!!!!!

[kstar42]

Hey BO voters you better vote soon, the truth will be out before march 4th, Don''t want to ruin your party!!!!!!!

[kstar42]

KEEP DOGGIN ON HILLARY AND I''LL KEEP POST *** ON BO!

[idlepugilist]

The only problem Hillary faces is the complacency of her supporters, who still outnumber Obama''s. Mature Americans sit at home thinking others will go the primaries - and they''re right - Obama''s supporters, the youth of America

[kstar42]

NO THE YOUTH ARE PLAIN AND STUPENT THAT SIT HOME AND DON''T WORK AND RELY ON THERE PARENTS! THAT HAS NOT EVEN LIVED A LIFE AS WE OLDER AMERICANS HAVE, AND WATCHED AMERICA VOTE FOR PRESIDENTS THAT ARE NOT WORTH THE ***. OBAMA IS NOTHING BUT ANOTHER JIMMY CARTER WATCH AND SEE, BUT ON THIS MAN LIKES GAY MEN AND DOES CRACK.

[croft777]

For those Clinton supporters who are planning on voting for McCain:
Barring a collapse by Obama, he will be the nominee. He is winning not because of sexism, but because he has run a better campaign and connects better with the voters than Clinton. Don''''t bash him for this. He has rhetoric, but having rhetoric does not mean being void of ideas. If his ideas were bad, why hasn''''t the Clinton campaign gone after him about them? Answer: Their ideas are similar. Voting for Obama is essentially getting Clinton''''s policies.
Voting for McCain under these circumstanced just indicates you''''re ticked off about her losing. If you are only voting for her because she''''s a woman, fine. If you''''re voting policies, vote Obama.

He''s winning right now because the national press has bashed Hillary and has praised Obama. Alot of people don''t search for the facts, they have great faith in the press, stupid people. Obamas health cae will not work, he is only telling people whaty they want to hear, forgetting that in reality it won''t come easy for him at all. He''s not the only one making the decisions, they have to pass through congress, and what hes asking is far beyond reach. I don''t like him, he is a liar, and if Hillary doesn''t win, I''m not voting at all. I don''t want to look back and say that I voted for him when he screws everything up. GWB was inexperienced, and look what we got from him. AND YES, SEXISM HAS ALOT TO DO WITH IT. dON''T FORGET, THE BLACK MAN GOT TO VOTE BEFORE ANY WOMAN.

[croft777]

AND ANOTHER THING, CLINTONS IDEA ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE WAS HER IDEA, OBAMA JUST FOLLOWED IT. THAT FA*GOT IS GOING DOWN IN THE PIT. MR. ANTI-JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF. HE''S A MUSLIM, THATS WHY HE STILL GOES TO THAT CHURCH OF HIS, WHERE THEY WORSHIP BLACK MUSLIM FARRAKHAN, MUST BE HIS TWIN.

[rowdytexan2]

If his ideas were bad, why hasn''''t the Clinton campaign gone after him about them? Answer: Their ideas are similar. Voting for Obama is essentially getting Clinton''''s policies.
Voting for McCain under these circumstanced just indicates you''''re ticked off about her losing. If you are only voting for her because she''''s a woman, fine. If you''''re voting policies, vote Obama.


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

Posted by jasonfought at 08:46 PM : Feb 21, 2008

Hell, she can''t go after his ideas because they were hers FIRST! He never had a freaking idea except smart mouthing Hillary for almost a year! Then he took her plans, jiggled them around and claimed he was the ONLY one with a plan!

For God''s sakes people WAKE UP! The man is a buffoon using a cultist following just like Dubya did when he was elected!

Hillary ''08!!!!

[kstar42]

For God''''s sakes people WAKE UP! The man is a buffoon using a cultist following just like Dubya did when he was elected!Hillary ''''08!!!!
Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 09:13 PM : Feb 21, 2008

ROWDY I DONT THINK ANY OF THOSE BO PEOPLE GET IT!! I THINK THEY HAD TO MUCH CRACK THEMSELVES. ITS ASHAME BECAUSE YOU AND I KNOW HILLARY WOULD BE GREAT IN THE OFFICE! I''M NOT CRAZY ABOUT MCCAIN BUT IF I HAVE TO I WILL VOTE FOR HIM. I''M NOT ABOUT TO PUT A MUSLIM IN OFFICE.

[jonesforch]

Shaking head can NOT wiat for the New York Times next post!!

[grazinggoat]

HE''''S A MUSLIM, THATS WHY HE STILL GOES TO THAT CHURCH OF HIS, WHERE THEY WORSHIP BLACK MUSLIM FARRAKHAN, MUST BE HIS TWIN.
Posted by croft777 at 09:04 PM : Feb 21, 2008

-remove your hood kkkroft777. What an iddjiottt!

[kstar42]

Shaking head can NOT wiat for the New York Times next post!!
Posted by Jonesforch at 09:19 PM : Feb 21, 2008

THAT AINT NOTHING WAIT TIL THEY GET AHOLD OF THE MESSIAH...... THERE BE ON HIM LIKE FLIES ON ***!!!

[thisandthat1]

Hillary''s really taking it on the chin in this debate. Barack looks and sounds very Presidential. He''s making her look like the novice that she is and he''s the clear cut winner of the debate.

[kstar42]

Posted by grazinggoat at 09:20 PM : Feb 21, 2008

WATCH IT FAMILY TIES ARE PRETTY THINK ON THIS SIGHT!

[kstar42]

YEAH WAIT AND SEE!!!!! HE''LL BE BLOWING SNOT BUBBLES WHEN THE REPUBLICANS ATTACK HIM. AND I''M GONNA SIT BACK AND LAUGH.

[grazinggoat]

THAT AINT NOTHING WAIT TIL THEY GET AHOLD OF THE MESSIAH...... THERE BE ON HIM LIKE FLIES ON ***!!!
Posted by kstar42 at 09:21 PM : Feb 21, 2008

- Aren''t you KKKarl Rove, sh*t smearer? Actually flies got to be heading to you.

Actually it''s the best service you do yourself, the more you smear his reputation the more popular he becomes.

[chyke1]

Clinton supporters are just echoing what has been her trade mark: useless personal attacks on obama! That''s why she is losing woefully. And just like her, these spineless bloggers that have been making personal attacks on obama are bound to end up like her: losers!