Clinton Cites Robert Kennedy Assassination

Long Shot Democratic Candidate Points To 1968 Assassination As Reason To Continue Campaign

(CBS/AP)  Sen. Hillary Clinton referred Friday to the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968 Democratic campaign as a reason she should continue to campaign despite increasingly long odds.

Clinton was responding to a question from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader editorial board about calls for her to drop out of the race.

"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. You know I just, I don't understand it," she said, dismissing the idea of dropping out.

Clinton said she didn't understand why, given this history, some Democrats were calling for her to quit.

Clinton later said that she regretted the comment if it was "in any way offensive."

"Earlier today, I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Senator Kennedy waged in California in June in 1992 and 1968, and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nominating primary contests that go into June," Clinton told reporters. "That's an historic fact. The Kennedys have been much on my mind in the last days because of Senator Kennedy, and I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that whatsoever."

Her remark about an assassination during a primary campaign drew a quick response from rival Barack Obama's campaign.

"Sen. Clinton's statement before the Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this campaign," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton.

Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said the senator was only referring to her husband and Kennedy "as historical examples of the nominating process going well into the summer and any reading into it beyond that would be inaccurate and outrageous."

In the same editorial board meeting, Clinton said her campaign has had no discussions with Obama's aides about her possibly becoming his vice presidential pick.

"It is flatly untrue and it is not anything I'm entertaining. It is nothing I have planned and it is nothing I am prepared to engage in. I am still vigorously campaigning."

The Obama campaign also dismissed reports that there were talks going on between the two campaigns about putting Clinton on the ticket.

Obama has an almost 200-delegate lead over Clinton and is just 56 delegates short of the number needed to clinch the nomination, making Clinton's goal of catching him more difficult by the day. The primaries end June 3.

Clinton spent the day campaigning in South Dakota, which holds one of two June 3 primaries. At stake are 15 delegates.

Recent reports suggested she may be discussing ways to end her campaign by being offered the vice presidential slot underneath Obama, but she rejected that and said she suspected the talk was coming from Obama aides.

"I would look to the camp of my opponent for the source of these stories," she said. "People have been trying to push me out of this ever since Iowa."

Two of those recent reports, however, were attributed by CNN and The New York Times to supporters of Clinton.

Meanwhile, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., a staunch Clinton supporter, said Friday that she believes that if Obama becomes the nominee he should select Clinton as his running mate.

"I think as this race has emerged each one of them has garnered a different constituency and different states, and therefore when you put the two of them together it forms, I believe, the strongest ticket," she told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

"Women feel very strongly about Hillary and African-Americans feel very strongly about Barack, and the election results show that, and the young versus old, the higher educated versus the working person. ... All these things are sort of separated out into one or the other so there is a logic in combining the two constituencies."

Feinstein is a longtime friend and supporter of Clinton's. So would Clinton accept the vice-presidency?

"I think anyone accepts if asked - whatever they say," Feinstein said.

Former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson is overseeing the early vetting of possible vice presidential running mates for Obama, Democratic officials say. He did the same job for Democratic nominees John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984.

Many of the people Johnson checked for Kerry will be likely candidates for Obama's consideration. Those names included Sen. Clinton, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, anti-war Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Kerry's eventual choice, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Obama refused to acknowledge Johnson's role when The Associated Press asked the Illinois senator about it Thursday.

"I haven't hired him. He's not on retainer. I'm not paying him any money. He is a friend of mine. I know him," Obama said. "I am not commenting on vice presidential matters because I have not won this nomination."

[sgtrds-e4]

That''s disgusting!

[sgtrds-e4]

Basically she wants to stay in the race just in case someone kills Barack. What a mentality!

[sgtrds-e4]

"I''m staying in the race and you should support me because everyone knows someone is going to take out the black man. I''m Hillary Clinton and I approves this message."

[crater7]

IDIOT.........

[rufisgufis]

THIS WOMAN IS SICK, SICK, SICK. SHE SHOULD GET OUT OF THE RACE NOW.

[rufisgufis]

SHE IS SAYING: "IF OBAMA IS ASSASSINATED I WILL WIN."

[rufisgufis]

SHE IS SAYING: "IF OBAMA IS ASSASSINATED I WILL WIN."

SHE WAS OBVIOUSLY APPEALING TO HER CORE BASE: "UNEDUCATED WHITE MEN." SO WHAT WAS SHE TELLING THEM?

[frb01]

With the issue of race appearing in this campaign, and he Clintons being part of bringing it up, where is the outrage with this comment? There are wackos out there already who may want to take a shot at him, let us not give them any ideas.

Hillary needs to pack it in.

[rufisgufis]

SHE''S OVER THE EDGE! THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO WHAT THIS WOMEN WOULD DO TO WIN.

[captains22]

Hillary just said in an indirect way she expects this fate for Obama, so she plans to stay in case this happens before the convention. TALK ABOUT RED FLAGS! This is way, WAY beyond creepy! I never knew how cold, calculating and prejudiced the Clintons were until this presidential race. Where are the Super Delegate''s when you need them?! Please GET HER OUT THE RACE NOW!!!

[sgtrds-e4]

What she''s telling them is take out Barack if you want me to win.

[sgtrds-e4]

Hillary to her supporters, if you want me to win, well just remember what happened to Bobby Kennedy. Hint Hint. Wink wink.

[dnsallday]

Well, it''s sort of true that her husband didn''t officially get the nomination until June, but he had been the presumptive nominee and wasn''t having to campaign against a rival attempting to incite violence against him, in order to clear the path for themselves.

[smashwl7]

I WONDER WHAT TED KENNEDY MUST BE THINKING RIGHT NOW!

The thoughts had already been going through my mind about the increased risk to Obama''''s life if Hillary was the VP.

Why did she say it? She is an intelligent calculated person.

Scary skeletons in Clinton''''s closet. The Clintons have powerful connections. Partial list:

James McDougal - Clinton ''''s convicted Whitewater partner died of an apparent heart attack, while in solitary confinement. He was a key witness in Ken Starr''''s investigation.

2 -Mary Mahoney - A former White House intern was murdered July 1997 at a Starbucks Coffee Shop in Georgetown . The murder happened just after she was to go public with her story of sexual harassment in the White House.

3- Vince Foster - Former White House counselor and colleague of Hillary Clinton at Little Rock ''''s Rose Law firm. Died of a gunshot wound to the head, ruled a suicide.

4- Ron Brown - Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman. Reported to have died by impact in a plane crash. A pathologist close to the investigation reported that there was a hole in the top of Brown''''s skull resembling a gunshot wound. At the time of his death Brown was being investigated, and spoke publicly of his willingness to cut a deal with prosecutors. The rest of the people on the plane also died. A few days later the air Traffic controller committed suicide.

[sgtrds-e4]

She just shot her campaign and herself in the foot big time. Her chances of ever getting the White House just went out the door with this comment. If it was unintentional then it was just plain ignorant and if it was intentional then it was just plain evil. Either way she''s done for now.

[brianp55]

Let''s be very clear about what just happened. Hillary has just done one or both of the following:

1. She is telling voters that because Obama is black, he is likely to be assassinated

2. She is inviting someone to do it.

This is a truly evil and remorseless individual and I don''t think she is going to be able to get away with it this time by relying upon obfuscation.

[erpcat]

what!!!!!! is she advocating.............

[smashwl7]

SHE MUST BE ONE OF THOSE BITTER, HARD WORKING, GUN CARRING, CHURCH GOING, WHITE AMERICANS!

[hnobserver]

No suprise here. The HillBill standard is much lower that that.

[smashwl7]

I THINK OBAMA NEEDS TO GET HIM GUN, JUST INCASE SOMEONE TRYS TO BUST A CAP IN ASSSS.

[fleura-2009]

NOW MORE PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO SEE FOR WHO SHE IS. SHE WILL STOP AT NOTHING...NOW DO YOU ALL SEE WHY THE TRUE DEMOCRATS HAVE BACKED BARACK OBAMA AND CONSTANTLY FLOCKING HIS WAY.

SHE IS OUT OF HER MIND. NOT ONLY IS SHE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT A VP SPOT IF OFFERED, SHE IS DIRECTLY SENDING A MESSAGE TO HER "FAN BASE" THE UNEDUCATED WHITE CLASS AND ALL THE RACISTS THAT HAVE TURNED THIS CAMPAIGN INTO A NIGHTMARE.

SHE IS A WITCH!!!!

[sgtrds-e4]

All she can do now is to apologize and retire from public life. She''s done for. No VP slot and likely no re-election to the Senate.

[badgersouth1]

I have it on good authority that the Munchkins are ready to break out in a rousing rendition of %u201CDing Dong, the Witch is Dead!%u201D when Obama clinches the nomination. Note: Hillary does not play the role of Dorothy in this movie.

[syqrm]

Senator Clinton''s "apology" is not an apology at all. Her statement to the Argus-Leader''s editorial board is proof that in her world, anything is justifiable if it results in her election%u2013even a criminal incitement to murder. One would have to be naove in the extreme not to imagine dozens of crazed supporters of hers out there who would love to "help" her become president. The senator has proven today that she is psychologically unfit to be president, but that she will nonetheless stop at nothing to achieve that goal.

[erpcat]

well, we see what those so called regional hard working
"white" blue collars stand for.........

[smashwl7]

I TELLING YOU OBAMA NEEDS TO START PACKING, HE NEEDS PROTECTIN LIKE NO OTHER.

[badgersouth1]

I have it on good authority that the Munchkins are ready to break out in a rousing rendition of %u201CDing Dong, the Witch is Dead!%u201D when Obama clinches the nomination. Note: Hillary does not play the role of Dorothy in this movie.

[fleura-2009]

AND TRUE TO ALL YOUR STATEMENTS NOW YOU CAN ALL SEE WHY THE WHOLE REVERAND WRITING CONTROVERSY WAS SO UNCALLED FOR. IT HAD THE CLINTONS FINGERS PRINTS ALL OVER.

JUST SO SAD THAT THE DNC HAD TO WAIT SO LONG AND ALLOW THIS LADY TO TOTALLY DIVIDE THE PART, BEFORE THEY REALIZE WHAT BLOOD RUNS INTO HER VEINS.

SHE HAS BEEN A VENON WITHIN DNC & THIS IS WITCHCRAFT!!!

[sgtrds-e4]

Basically what she just did was to give marching orders to every crazy redneck in the hills that voted for her in WV and KY to load up and go hunting for Barack so she can become the president. I hope the Secret Service takes a long look at this threat that she just made.

[smashwl7]

This why Obama did not hang out WV and KT, he knew the people wanted to take his asss out!

[rufisgufis]

The woman is certifiably insane. She made no slip of the tongue; she is far to calculating for that. She was inviting her "core supporters: "uneducated white people" to do what she apparently thinks is appropriate. The woman is SICK, SICK, SICK.

[smashwl7]

Wow, the more I think about it she Hillary is a cold hearted gang banger!

[fleura-2009]

The sooner the rest of superdelegates sign on the wining team and relief us all from this curse, the sooner we have this *** out of our hair.

This Fleura, a true Democrat and I approve this message!!!

[smashwl7]

Pant Suit Gang Banger!

[smashwl7]

She is going home to suck down some GIN & JUCIE

[mariann2269]

There would be so many pre-conditions Hillary Clinton would have to meet prior to being INVITED on the VP ticket. Here''s a few: She would have to sign a political pre-nupital and if she breaks that contract (like she did with signing off on punishing Florida and Michigan against Party rules), she IS banned from the Democratic Party (like a Sen. Joe Liebermann). The contractual agreement would include things like - promising not to upstage, backstab or undermine Obama himself and his administration; promise not to conspire a ''mutiny on the political bounty'' of sorts; promise not to push Obama off a proverbial cliff; promise not to take advantage of any mishap as a result in the lapse of Presidential security, which would then open the door for a Clinton Presidency following the nation%u2019s loss of President Obama; promise to relegate husband Bill Clinton to the way, way back of the White House office, and lastly, (at Clinton%u2019s own personal expense) a promise to chaperon Bill Clinton%u2019s activities whenever around women half his age.

[sgtrds-e4]

This will go down as one of the biggest, if not the biggest most stupid thing said in a political campaign in the modern era.

[brianp55]

Hillary...the Tonya Harding of politics.

[ibosa-2009]

I knew all along, this was the nuclear option a lot of people were predicting she had up her pant suit. This crazy over-ambitious witch Should be stopped now. I bet she had paid the hit man with some of her campaign funds. Guess what? Her plan would fail woefully. Good bye to VP spot.

[fleura-2009]

I hope the rest of you undecided "True Democrats" out there are reading and can tell these two candidates apart now. This is such a divise between these two individuals and what a wasted time and resources, to bring our team favorite: Barack Obama to nomination.

We have wasted months and this is threat that has been lingering amongst the Clinton Camps and she just waited for the right timing to let out her final call.

She is evil...I couldn''t stop and think how we have allow this witch to stick around as long as she has. What a f...cking lady.

[rowdywicca]

AND TRUE TO ALL YOUR STATEMENTS NOW YOU CAN ALL SEE WHY THE WHOLE REVERAND WRITING CONTROVERSY WAS SO UNCALLED FOR. IT HAD THE CLINTONS FINGERS PRINTS ALL OVER.

JUST SO SAD THAT THE DNC HAD TO WAIT SO LONG AND ALLOW THIS LADY TO TOTALLY DIVIDE THE PART, BEFORE THEY REALIZE WHAT BLOOD RUNS INTO HER VEINS.

SHE HAS BEEN A VENON WITHIN DNC & THIS IS WITCHCRAFT!!!


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

Posted by fleura at 05:42 PM : May 23, 2008

That''s bull *****! I knew about Obama''s whack job old gas bag pastor last August and NOBODY said a word about it until after Super Tuesday. Hillary Clinton never mentioned it until some reporter asked her about it!

Now I''ll charge you...STOP LYING!

[libra127]

SHE IS SAYING: "IF OBAMA IS ASSASSINATED I WILL WIN."

Posted by rufisgufis at 05:19 PM : May 23, 2008

She is saying no such thing and you know it. If you have to LIE to support your cause - you''ve got the WRONG cause.

[sgtrds-e4]

This is a career ender.

[rowdywicca]

I hope the rest of you undecided "True Democrats" out there are reading and can tell these two candidates apart now. This is such a divise between these two individuals and what a wasted time and resources, to bring our team favorite: Barack Obama to nomination.

We have wasted months and this is threat that has been lingering amongst the Clinton Camps and she just waited for the right timing to let out her final call.

She is evil...I couldn''''t stop and think how we have allow this witch to stick around as long as she has. What a f...cking lady.



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

Posted by fleura at 05:50 PM : May 23, 2008

You have spent MONTHS promoting somebody that can''t even win the majority vote because of HIS bad judgment pulling his race card bamboozle! The public''s had enough of it, and has whacked him right in the face with it!

[trishab4]

Her remark about an assassination during a primary campaign drew a quick response from rival Barack Obama''s campaign.


-She is done with it!

[robroyh390]

She is evil...I couldn''''t stop and think how we have allow this witch to stick around as long as she has. What a f...cking lady.



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

Posted by fleura at 05:50 PM : May 23, 2008"

Now maybe people will understand why the likes of moi who despise america are so anxious that Magoo or clintoon are elected
The likes of clintoon and Magoo only hate americans slightly less than me !!!!

[sgtrds-e4]

Bye Bye Hillary. I hope you enjoy retirement because that''s where you''re headed now.

[fleura-2009]

THIS MESSAGE IS TO ALL UNDECIDED AND TIME-WASTING SUPERDELEGATES SITTING AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO END THIS MESSY CAMPAIGN.

ALL SUPERDELEGATES NEED TO FINISH THIS RACE LIKE THIS WEEK AND GET US RIT OF THIS LADY!!!!

WE NEED NOT WAIT FOR JUNE 3 TO FINISH THIS RACE!!!!

[robroyh390]

Guess what? Her plan would fail woefully. Good bye to VP spot.


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

Posted by ibosa at 05:50 PM : May 23, 2008"

Obama already said no when her *** husband asked him to give the shrill Pantsuit the VP spot

[brianp55]

"SHE IS SAYING: "IF OBAMA IS ASSASSINATED I WILL WIN."

Posted by rufisgufis at 05:19 PM : May 23, 2008

She is saying no such thing and you know it. If you have to LIE to support your cause - you''''ve got the WRONG cause.".....libra127

Libra:
My guess is that you are probably a nice person, but you are also seriously deluded.