Obama Adviser Quits Over "Monster" Remark

Foreign Policy Adviser Apologizes For Calling Clinton A "Monster" In Newspaper Interview

(CBS/AP)  A Barack Obama adviser resigned Friday after calling rival Hillary Rodham Clinton "a monster."

Samantha Power, an unpaid foreign policy adviser and Harvard professor, announced her resignation in a statement provided by the Obama campaign in which she expressed "deep regret."

"Last Monday, I made inexcusable remarks that are at marked variance from my oft-stated admiration for Senator Clinton and from the spirit, tenor and purpose of the Obama campaign," she said. "And I extend my deepest apologies to Senator Clinton, Senator Obama and the remarkable team I have worked with over these long 14 months."

Power's interview Monday was published Friday in a Scottish newspaper, even though she tried to keep it from appearing in print.

"She is a monster, too - that is off the record - she is stooping to anything," The Scotsman quoted her as saying.

As U.S. news media picked up on the remark, Power issued a statement of apology and the campaign said Obama decried the characterization.

In an interview with Irish television station RTE, Power said of the remarks she made about Clinton, "I can't even believe they came out of my mouth."

Shortly before she resigned, the Clinton campaign held a conference call with several of the former first lady's congressional supporters calling for Power to be fired.

"Senator Obama has called for change, and a new kind of politics," said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks. "This is the worst kind of politics."

Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson noted that those involved in the Clinton campaign had been removed when they spoke of Obama's teenage drug use or helped spread the false rumor that the Illinois senator is a Muslim.

He defended his own comparison of Obama to independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr, saying he'd been responding to "attacks" from the Obama campaign regarding Clinton's tax returns and real estate transactions. That, he said, was a clear reference to Whitewater and so it was appropriate to bring up Starr in that context.

Power also told The Scotsman that Obama's team had been disappointed with Clinton's campaign win in Ohio on Tuesday.

"In Ohio, they are obsessed and Hillary is going to town on it, because she knows Ohio's the only place they can win," Power is quoted as saying.

"You just look at her and think, 'Ergh'," Power is quoted as telling the newspaper. "But if you are poor and she is telling you some story about how Obama is going to take your job away, maybe it will be more effective. The amount of deceit she has put forward is really unattractive."

In a separate interview for Britain's left-leaning New Statesman magazine, published Thursday, Power warned Clinton's campaign against reveling in the trial of Obama donor Antonin "Tony" Rezko, who is facing corruption charges.

"I don't think it's a good idea for the Clintons to get into a competition over who's got the most unsavory donations, you know what I mean?" Power was quoted as telling the magazine.

Power is the author of "A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide," which won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction in 2003.

[Razzl]

Speaking truth in public forums is always a no-no in American politics...

[lorinkundert]

Why apologize for pointing out the truth?

[tonytlh]

This comment is very unfortunate. We''ve gone from ''CHANGE we can believe in'' to ''HATRED we can live without''. It''s a shame.

[zavatchen]

This exemplifies the immaturatey of Obama and his campaign.

[gkc99]

The truth hurts. Hilly is a power-hungry monster in many ways. She''s willing to hand the election to the Republicans if she can''t have it. If Obama gets the nomination, all McCain''s minions have to do is quote Hilly.

It''s time for the Clintons to retire from politics--their sun has set. There are plenty of people who otherwise would vote Democrat who are turned off by Hilly''s viciousness. Those are the people McCain will be appealing to.

Thanks, Clintonistas!

[oldabeeagle]

Clintons and the monster!!!

http://image.pathfinder.com/time/daily/2001/0101/clinton0128.jpg

[creeper00]

This is nothing new. Clinton''s been the target of outrageous comments by Obama supporters since the beginning of the primaries. Read some of the liberal blogs. They''re disgusting.

[vet_sk]

Oh, please people. Someone made an unfortunate remark and appologized.

The real story this morning should be that NAFTA meeting with Canada was actually the Clinton Campaign. That shows you Hillary integrity - she''ll do anything to win.

[tonytlh]

Beware of Wolves in Sheep''s Clothing! We''re starting to see the real Barack Obama.

[vet_sk]

What is most interesting is the reports on the Houston Chron - where they found 8% of HIllary''s vote inspired by Rush Limbough voters who are voting for Hillary because they know that Hillary would lose against McCain and Obama would win.

I am also shocked that such a small remark has made the news like this when Hillary keeps claiming experience yet won''t show the records to prove it. Both National Archives and the Bush Whitehouse have approved them for release.

[truthspeake2]

Beware of Wolves in Sheep''''s Clothing! We''''re starting to see the real Barack Obama.


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Posted by TonyTLH at 10:43 AM : Mar 07, 2008


Beware of First Lady''s in a Politician''s Clothing! We''''re starting to see the real Hillary Clinton...

[taylor2124]

This is wrong, simply because it is an insult to all monsters to call Hillary this. Obama owes an apology to all the monsters of the world. He should call a press conference ASAP to remediate this.

[davek455]

Fire Obambi''s hatchet woman! What''s good for the gander is good for the goose.

OBAMA = TOO RISKY
OBAMA = NOT THOROUGHLY VETTED
OBAMA = NO FOREIGN AFFAIRS/MILITARY CREDENTIALS
OBAMA = MOST LIBERAL SENATOR IN THE U.S.
OBAMA = UNELECTABLE

[davek455]

Vet_SK - Rush Limbaugh and Fox News would love to see Hillary vs. McCain because Hillary as president is great for ratings. Most repubs know a democrat will win the white house. Given this certainty, they''d rather have Hillary than Obama - she''s the lesser of two evils in their eyes.

[pierson98]

Most repubs know a democrat will win the white house. Given this certainty, they''''d rather have Hillary than Obama - she''''s the lesser of two evils in their eyes.

Posted by davek455 at 11:00 AM : Mar 07, 2008
+ report abuse

-----------

"Most repubs" might know it, but they''re wrong. McCain will win. Mark my words.

I don''t like him any better than you do, but he''s in the driver''s seat, whichever Democrat eventually wins the nom. McCain is seen by many mis-informed voters (who constitute about 80% of all voters) as a "maverick" Republican. That''s the kind of thing independents and especially older people like. Meanwhile, BO and HRC will spend the next 2 months - and a lot of their money - shredding each other.

I''m not asking you to believe me now. I''m just asking you to remember this conversation in November.

[ekucrew]

All politicans hatchet men / women like Powers always "deeply regret" when they start jacking their jaws to a reporter(s) and it is published in the news as print or video...and people thought only the respective spouses of Obama / Clinton were spouting off!

[jersupporter]

How many more of these remarks will the inexperienced, unqualified Obama staff make? It seems like there is one each week. Desparation breeds contempt for the Obama campaign. The whells are spinning but coming off at the same time. The Dummycratic Party is falling apart again and there is probably nothing they can do to put HUMPTY (Obama) and DUMPTY (Clinton) back toether again.

[gkc99]

Bill of the Arkansas Hillybillies has been laying low of late. Hilly trots him out to attack Obama, then gets all hurt when Obama says he''ll return the favor and attack Hilly.

The knife cuts both ways, Clintons!

[kstar42]

Beware of First Lady''''s in a Politician''''s Clothing! We''''''''re starting to see the real Hillary Clinton...
Posted by truthspeake2 at 10:51 AM : Mar 07, 2008

I rather vote for Hillary than BO! Ohio Spoke loud and clear. And my vote went for Hillary! A president cannot be elected without ohio---We don''t go with the wave thing, were smarter than that..and if push comes to shove.. in time for the election...you better believe OHIO WILL vote for McCain than Obama. watch and see!! It''s time for all the dirt to come out on Obama and if Hillary doesn''t bring it out, McCain will and it will be far worse.

[davek455]

pierson98 - McFossil is the candidate of perpetual war running on the party interested only in portfolios....during a recession, with no real knowledge of economics.....and no real connection to your average voter''s pain. He has tremendous liabilities....plus he''s tempermental and the conservatives likely will stay home. It''s Madame President, how would you like your coffee this morning? And don''t forget your 9AM with Vice President Obama. It''s his weekly foreign affairs tutorial.

[citizen2144]

Vet_SK, it looks to me that you are full time person hired by Obama to smear Hillary all day long on differenct message boards.

In Texas there were 2.5 million casted vote and Clinton only won from the place where has large Hispanic population. Republican has been helping Obama all the time. Obama has won all the states that casted Republican president in the last 40 years. Republican also gave Obama all the money. The money Obama raised last amounts to 55 million. Of which, 90% donators'' money comes to only 10 million. The other 45 million, comes from only 10% of the donors. This is the Republican way.

[davek455]

JERSupporter - no no no...it''s Humpty (Clinton - she has those lovely lady humps) and Dumbty (Obama and his BO)

[gangesdak]

When Barrack makes disparaging remarks to Hillary, it is OK. When blacks vote for Barrack 90% or more it is OK. When women vote for Hillary 55%, those women folks are culprits; I understand the game. When a close advisor of Barrack makes such monsterous comments, it is only because such remakrs are made in his close circle. Barrack is not such a innocent golden boy after all.

[davek455]

enough with this fantasy notion that our president should be mister rogers or mother theresa. we need an S.O.B. of a president. we need Hillary the fighter, the monster, the annoying and shrill. we need our president to be a fighter for better lives for americans. so Hillary is not sweet, get a life you''re not electing your wife, your hiring the best s.o.b. to run the country

[davek455]

l00ker - I would love to see her run as the biotch she is. look at the most effectively run organizations, they''re run by hard nosed, tough as nails fighters. as for flip flopping, good lord I don''t know of a politician on the planet that has not "flip flopped". not a good criteria for selecting presidents.....I would go further, any politician that hasn''t flip flopped has not grown in life or is simply too stubborn and unfit to lead a nation.

[erasmus6]

"When Barrack makes disparaging remarks to Hillary, it is OK." posted by gangesdak

Well of course it''s OK. In their minds they can do whatever and it doesn''t make them like Hillary. It is amazing how people can convince themselves that they are better, isn''t it?

[ranakarimi]

as a former muslim woman and proud american citzen who is familier with islam law im going to prove that obama is very dishonest man and here is why Obama is a Christian now. But he was born a Muslim because his father was a Muslim. His step father was also a Muslim. According to Muslim religion, the religion of the father determines the religion of the offspring. Therefore, Obama was once a Muslim. He has denied that he is ever a Muslim, but that just shows that he doesn''''t have the backbone or the honesty to recognize his heritage. When he came back to the U.S to live with his maternal grandparents, that''''s when he was raised as a Christian. To hear him say that he''''s never been a Muslim his entire life is truly a lie since he spent his first 9 to 10 years in Indonesia, a Muslim country, living with a Muslim step father. and dont forget there is a law in islam called TAGIYEH which means u can lie about ur religion in order to do good for allah later now the question is waht good obama has plan to do for allah!

[gangesdak]

Looks like majority of men are afraid of strong women. Your Elanor Roosevelt fobia is showing.

[SevynNina]

Pointing out your opponent''s weaknesses and differences on policies and his/her record are not personal attacks..calling someone a "monster" or " you just look at her and think "ergh"...those are personal attacks. Obama has denounced what his campaign person said...rightly so. Maybe he should fire her. We wouldn''t want people to see him as "just another politician" who will "win at all costs"...you are only as good as the people that surround you.

[l00ker]

l00ker - I would love to see her run as the biotch she is. look at the most effectively run organizations, they''''re run by hard nosed, tough as nails fighters. as for flip flopping, good lord I don''''t know of a politician on the planet that has not "flip flopped". not a good criteria for selecting presidents.....I would go further, any politician that hasn''''t flip flopped has not grown in life or is simply too stubborn and unfit to lead a nation.

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Posted by davek455 at 11:39 AM : Mar 07, 2008


That''s true, but she readily attacks others for flip-flopping; she attacks Barack for being negative, while she herself is negative. Then, she attacks Barack for being soft, but she then turns on the waterworks, when the heat on her gets turned up. Good Lord.

[gangesdak]

Obama is just another politician who will say anything to get elected. Where is the difference that he is talking about? Now it looks like he has lied about his religion too. What is wrong in admitting that he was born a Muslim, but later he got converted . Case closed. But he has to tell blatant lies saying that he never was a Muslim. And the obama followers thought that they got Honest-Abe. Dream on.

[l00ker]

Pointing out your opponent''''s weaknesses and differences on policies and his/her record are not personal attacks..calling someone a "monster" or " you just look at her and think "ergh"...those are personal attacks. Obama has denounced what his campaign person said...rightly so. Maybe he should fire her. We wouldn''''t want people to see him as "just another politician" who will "win at all costs"...you are only as good as the people that surround you.

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Posted by ninasevyn at 11:45 AM : Mar 07, 2008



She shouldn''t be fired; she was not only speaking off the record, but she was speaking in simily. Imagine how many of these Clinton people should have gotten their walking papers by now, especially of this NAFTAgate even. Good Lord.

[erasmus6]

"we need our president to be a fighter for better lives for americans. so Hillary is not sweet, get a life you''re not electing your wife..." posted by davek455

And everyone should know that Obama isn''t a fighter.

It said in another article that he was not COMFORTABLE going after Hillary. And it was also said that he was TIMID about going after Hillary.

Is this who you people want for a President? What''s he going to do IF he gets into the White House? Wimp and whine when he has to get down and dirty in protecting the country, because he isn''t COMFORTABLE in doing something.

[davek455]

l00ker - Hillary did not turn on the water works last week and she won texas and ohio and rhode island.

[pierson98]

pierson98 - McFossil is the candidate of perpetual war running on the party interested only in portfolios....during a recession, with no real knowledge of economics.....and no real connection to your average voter''''s pain. He has tremendous liabilities....plus he''''s tempermental and the conservatives likely will stay home. It''''s Madame President, how would you like your coffee this morning? And don''''t forget your 9AM with Vice President Obama. It''''s his weekly foreign affairs tutorial.

Posted by davek455 at 11:13 AM : Mar 07, 2008
+ report abuse

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

Forest for the trees, kiddo. You clearly have a lot of in-depth knowledge and expsoure to the campaign. Unfortunately, less than 10% of our country will understand the situation as well as you.

You think the average voter has any idea which Presidential candidate knows more about economics? How the f- would Bush have been elected - TWICE?? Economic arguments almost never work in campaign season. Most voters can''t even listen to a discussion on the complexities of the economy for more than 12 seconds without their eyes glazing over.

And no matter what the conservatives say now, they will suck it up and vote McCain to stop the dem nominee.

And young people never vote. "But this time will be diff-" Stop right there. No it won''t.

[l00ker]

Looks like majority of men are afraid of strong women. Your Elanor Roosevelt fobia is showing.

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Posted by gangesdak at 11:42 AM : Mar 07, 2008


Eleanor Roosevelt is one thing, but these under appreciated Murphy Browns and Ally McBeals, well, this is a totally different keg of nails entirely.

[l00ker]

l00ker - Hillary did not turn on the water works last week and she won texas and ohio and rhode island.

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Posted by davek455 at 11:57 AM : Mar 07, 2008


Red herring.

[nolalou]

These kinds of comments happen all the time in the heat of a campaign. I just read that Samantha Power has resigned her position as a senior adviser in the Obama campaign due to her remarks. It''s unfortunate that something so trivial can take precedence over dealing with real issues!

[SevynNina]

ranakarimi ...I was just debating that very thing with someone on another news site. I also read that in the Muslim religion that if you change religions that it is called "treason" and you are subject to a death penalty. I really don''t care what religion he is...but why lie about it? People keep saying that it is good if he had been a Muslim...he can relate to Muslims all over the world and they will look at him favorably. How do Muslims around the world feel about a man that denounced their religion? Just curious....

[jersupporter]

These kinds of comments happen all the time in the heat of a campaign. I just read that Samantha Power has resigned her position as a senior adviser in the Obama campaign due to her remarks. It''''s unfortunate that something so trivial can take precedence over dealing with real issues! Posted by nolalou
------------------------------
She Resigned - her decision. She was not fired. Perhaps the Harvard Professor was not that smart which makes me question the other inexperienced Obama staffers in this campaign. That is not the experience (or lack of) that we need in the White House. Sure these comments happen all the time, but it sure seems like it happens much more with the Obama staff? Tell Tale Signs that Obamas Wheels are Coming Off.

[shayjo-2009]

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and lays eggs like a duck, it is porbably a duck. In this case, a monster. What Hillary did 5-days before the elections on March 4th was just horrible. Let''s review: "Shame on you Barack Obama" (is he a child? very condescending) "Meet me in Ohio" (was she summoning him to a smack down??) "As far as I know" (giving a nice fan to the flames of intolerance). I parapharase this one. Speeches and rhetoric don''t win elections, experience does. But, the mistake I regret is signing the petetion that allowed GWB to send troops to Iraq. Great judgement!! While she didn''t cry this time, she came close to it and whinned all the way to winning (but not even handidly). I have lost all kinds of respect for the Clinton campaign and never was fully on board with the Hillary thing. I don''t get where she feels that she has the right to be president and then visciously attacks Mr. Obama in some of the most incredible ways. Monster is the right term here. But it might not be the right tone. Obama 2008!!

[radiob-2009]

Posted by ninasevyn


There is a famous woman who was involved in a pre arranged marriage, she has written a book about the Muslim religion and claims that there are death threats against her for changing religions. I do not recall her name but I am sure she can be googled and found out.

[jersupporter]

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and lays eggs like a duck, it is porbably a duck. In this case, a monster. What Hillary did 5-days before the elections on March 4th was just horrible. Let''''s review: "Shame on you Barack Obama" (is he a child? very condescending) "Meet me in Ohio" (was she summoning him to a smack down??) "As far as I know" (giving a nice fan to the flames of intolerance). I parapharase this one. Speeches and rhetoric don''''t win elections, experience does. But, the mistake I regret is signing the petetion that allowed GWB to send troops to Iraq. Great judgement!! While she didn''''t cry this time, she came close to it and whinned all the way to winning (but not even handidly). I have lost all kinds of respect for the Clinton campaign and never was fully on board with the Hillary thing. I don''''t get where she feels that she has the right to be president and then visciously attacks Mr. Obama in some of the most incredible ways. Monster is the right term here. But it might not be the right tone. Obama 2008!! Posted by shayjo
---------------------------
So the question is - IF Hillary wins the Democratic nomination do you:
a) Vote for Hillary
b) Vote for McCain
c) Do Not Vote

[shayjo-2009]

Also, JERSupporter,
How can you even compare what has happened inside the Obama camp to what has happened and continues to happen inside the Clinton citidel? Lets call apples apples and oranges oranges please!! Come on, the wheels are coming off because one person resigns for calling Clinton a Monster? Yet her whole campaign staff seems to have imploded multiple times during this election cycle and had spending deficits beyond reason? If we are holding Mr. Obama to a standard of experience in running a campaign, not only does he out number her in the delegate count, he more surpasses her in running a superb campaign. Give me a break, Please!!! Obama 2008!!!

[kissamaarse]

Why would she quit? Look what the Clinton campaign has done: smeared Obama with a photo of him in Kenyan tribal garb, obviously trying to make Obama look Muslim in the eyes of the nation; blamed the NAFTA comments on Obama, when the Canadians clearly stated that it was CLINTON''S camp who gave the Canadians a nod and a wink (I can send you the newspaper URL); it is Clinton who obviously prefers that if she doesn''t get the nomination, she''d rather see McSame win. There is more ...

[sumac61]

The shoe fits if she''s willing to take down the whole Democratic Party if it doesn''t give her what she wants.....

[Cas2dy]

I am for Obama, but let this be said. Name calling or comparable terminology is something that must stay out of the race. I wish to see professional and dignified remarks. When I see words that are meant to take something away from the opponent''s elect-ability, I also like to see that there is proof that those words are true. I am glad this person resigned from Obama''s staff. It should serve as a reminder to others how very valuable "words" actually are.

[obamagrls-bf]

remeber Hillary said "SHAME ON YOU " ......it not an advisor she herself did say ..and never appologized for it...

Hillary is by anymeans wants to WIN WH...shame on you hillay...

OBAMA advisor shouldn''t have resigned ..but i respect the decission...

Hill- supporters are racist ..How former president can give a public remark on race ( Bill said about J.Jackson) .I hate HILL_BILL

[irliberal]

Those who hate Hillary are:

A) Any male who feels inferior before a woman of obvious power. This is a LOT of males, and a majority of those are republicans. But they cross all racial and ethnic lines.

B) Any female that thinks they should stand by their man because "he really knows best, right?"

C) Republicans, because she would end the Iraq war, balance the budget, and set this country back on the right course it was already on when Bill left office. If all that is possible to do in eight years anyway. You see, a single Hillary term would do much to illustrate to the world what fools the Republicons are and yes, they fear that. They fear it desperately.

D) Religious zealots who know that Hillary will preserve the line between Church and State.

E) "Independent" gun proponents, because the NRA tells them to think that way.

F) The super rich, who know that they will be responsible for an increased percentage of the tax burden.

G) The military establishment, who no longer will get unlimited access to our taxed incomes to pursue pointless wars. Hillary would make sure the vets were properly taken care of though, something GW Bush OBVIOUSLY does NOT care about.

H) Anyone who thinks that a lie about a private act between consenting adults is more important than lies about WMD, 7 years of war, and our purely Republican massive national debt.

There are other categories, but those are the main ones. You know who you are. GO HILLARY 08, WOOHOO!!

[xzonz]

Obama adviser resigns

WASHINGTON (AP) %u2014 A Barack Obama adviser resigned Friday after calling rival Hillary Rodham Clinton "a monster."

Samantha Power, an unpaid foreign policy adviser and Harvard professor, announced her resignation in a statement provided by the Obama campaign in which she expressed "deep regret."

"Last Monday, I made inexcusable remarks that are at marked variance from my oft-stated admiration for Senator Clinton and from the spirit, tenor, and purpose of the Obama campaign," she said. "And I extend my deepest apologies to Senator Clinton, Senator Obama and the remarkable team I have worked with over these long 14 months."

Power''s interview Monday was published Friday in a Scottish newspaper, even though she tried to keep it from appearing in print.

"She is a monster, too %u2014 that is off the record %u2014 she is stooping to anything," The Scotsman quoted her as saying.

As U.S. news media picked up on the remark, Power issued a statement of apology and the campaign said Obama decried the characterization.

The Clinton campaign held a conference call with several of the former first lady''s congressional supporters calling for Power to be fired.

___
SHE REALLY IS A MONSTER, NO DOUBT