Clinton, Obama trade barbs over donor

[rebel with a cause]

N.Y. senator's camp wants donation returned after booster's 'vicious attack'
The Associated Press
Updated: 5:22 p.m. CT Feb 21, 2007
WASHINGTON - Two Democratic presidential campaigns angrily accused the other of nasty politics on Wednesday over a Hollywood donor who once backed Hillary Rodham Clinton's husband but now backs her top rival.

The Clinton campaign sent out a testy news release after DreamWorks movie studio founder David Geffen, a fan of Sen. Barack Obama, told The New York Times that Sen. Clinton was ambitious and polarizing.

"CLINTON CAMP TO OBAMA: CUT TIES & RETURN CASH AFTER TOP BOOSTERS VICIOUS ATTACKS," screamed the headline of the news release.

Geffen hosted a $1.3 million fundraiser for Obama on Tuesday and is backing the Illinois senator.

'Slash and burn politics'
The Clinton campaign argued that Obama had vowed to bring a more civil tone to the debate - a platform that has been drawing large crowds - and Geffen's words amounted to "slash and burn" politics.

Geffen was once a top donor to former President Clinton, but said in the interview that Clinton is "a reckless guy" and he doesn't think Sen. Clinton can bring the country together during a time of war, no matter how smart or ambitious she is. Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson said there is no room in the campaign for such "personal insults."

"If Senator Obama is indeed sincere about his repeated claims to change the tone of our politics, he should immediately denounce these remarks, remove Mr. Geffen from his campaign and return his money," Wolfson said.

Obama critical response
The Obama campaign declined to denounce Geffen or give back any money but issued its own statement in response, criticizing Clinton.

"We aren't going to get in the middle of a disagreement between the Clintons and someone who was once one of their biggest supporters," Obama communications director Robert Gibbs said in a statement. "It is ironic that the Clintons had no problem with David Geffen when he was raising them $18 million and sleeping at their invitation in the Lincoln bedroom."


Then Gibbs added another criticism of Clinton.

"It is also ironic that Senator Clinton lavished praise on Monday and is fully willing to accept today the support of South Carolina state Sen. Robert Ford, who said if Barack Obama were to win the nomination, he would drag down the rest of the Democratic Party because 'he's black,'" Gibbs' statement said.

Ford drew widespread criticism for his comment and later apologized, and Clinton said she appreciated his apology.

Geffen did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Presidential appeal
Fundraising is critical to the candidates, underscored by an appeal from former President Clinton to raise $1 million in netroots contributions over the next week for his wife's candidacy.

"All across the country, Hillary is campaigning with the signature wisdom, grace, and humor that make her a great candidate," Bill Clinton said in the letter. "I know that if we all work hard enough, those same traits will make her an even better president."

The former president, who is pictured on the letter with his arms wrapped lovingly around his wife, also warns that "with Republicans using everything in their arsenal to stop her campaign, Hillary is going to need every one of us to do everything that we can for her. "


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17260728/

Everyone has been specualating that Obama will have problems accepting negativism when it comes his way, but it seems that it is Hilary that is too thin skinned to take what she allowed to be dished out. I use to like Hilary, but if this is true it is getting harder every day to continue to do so. JMHO

[William769]

1. This is a non starter story and will be gone by Friday.

And for the record over Barbs It is Hillary Clinton who has taken the high road. SOuth Carolina is a perfect example.

[rebel with a cause]

2. Ok, thanks for your opinion on it even if it is condescending.

Your definition of the high road and mine is very different I suppose. And as I said, IF THIS IS TRUE. Since I leave a bit of doubt considering the media's spin they put on everything.

[William769]

8. Anytime

:applause:

[jefferson_dem]

10. Hillary is *not* taking the road. Her operative was just on with Tweety and they are

obviously feeling very threatened by what Obama has to offer. Wolfson took every silly, petty swipe at Obama as he could. Shrill...

[Hieronymus]

18. I saw that interview too ..

he is nasty. I think Hillary is off to a rocky start. Of course, I'll vote for her if she is the nominee, but I won't vote for her in the primary.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Oh good grief...

we got close to a year of this crap to look forward to.

It's politics-- ignore everything. It's all bullshit designed to get us all het up about nothing.

[Zhade]

12. Yep. I mean, illegal wars, crashing climate, rampant greed and theft...

...but let's focus a year early on the horse race.

Sure beats holding criminals accountable, I guess.

:sarcasm:

[Bucky]

4. Well I think this is all pretty amusing.

But I have to give this round to Obama. Asking his campaign to return the money because one of his supporters offered a reason for not supporting her any more is absurd--particularly when getting upset about Geffen's comments only reinforces his point about her being "polarizing."

[ccpup]

6. what people don't realize

is that Geffen has a habit of inserting himself into the "news", setting off what amounts to a stink bomb and then, after running from the building, crouches behind a bush and giggles as everyone panics. It's been his MO for years and, when he's feeling a little bit ignored, you can rest assured he's going to show up somewhere pulling some kind of infantile crap. That's one of the reasons why he's simply tolerated in this business. Smile and nod when he speaks to you and then politely move on and forget everything he just told you.

It'll be interesting to see how Obama and Clinton handle everything else that comes their way in the next ... year or so? Wow! That's a long time to be on the road campaigning! Sheesh! Thank God neither of them suffer from "shiny object syndrome".

[rebel with a cause]

7. I actually also found it amusing but for another reason.

I thought Hilary should have offered Barack an apology last week over Ford's statement, if for nothing else than as a good will gesture. When that did not happen, I found it sarcastically amusing that she should demand that and much more from him for Geffens comments which were not as offense to me as Fords were. Oh well, as the other poster said, politics as usual and a year of it to go.

[Zhade]

13. I'm trying to see where Geffen's comments were offensive at all.

NT!

[Strelnikov_]

35. When you figure it out, let me know

as I am equally confused.

[Demeter]

5. For God's Sake, Hillary, Show Some Class!

You've been in Arkansas too long...and DC and NYC. Actually, the people I've met there have shown more social graciousness than this!

[William769]

9. Speaking of showing some class.

:eyes:

[BigDDem]

21. Yes Hillary get to Michigan

a state that defines class. Espically Detriot, lovely city, I spent
2 weeks there one day.

[Zhade]

11. Personal insults? Where? WHERE?

Geffen doesn't support her, COMPLIMENTS HER WHILE SAYING SO, and that's a personal insult?

Gee, her rabid boosters keep yammering on about how she can "take it" from the rightwing. Hell, she can't even take non-insults from her Democratic opponents!

[TreasonousBastard]

15. Ya know, I spent...

a coupla minutes more than I planned on thinking about this, and it occurs to me that if Hillary gets this bent this early over the "disloyalty" of a past supporter (and his 18 million bucks, btw) what do we have to look forward to from her?

Put on your seatbelts...

[Emillereid]

14. Hillary, grow up!

Geffen "said in the interview that Clinton is "a reckless guy" and he doesn't think Sen. Clinton can bring the country together during a time of war, no matter how smart or ambitious she is. Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson said there is no room in the campaign for such "personal insults."

This is not a personal insult -- it a judgment of Clinton's candidacy that Geffen has every right to make. It's probably the main reason he is supporting Obama rather than her. He is simply stating the obvious -- that Hillary is a polarizing figure in American politics. That's evident even here in democratic territory.

BTW, Bill Clinton is/was a reckless guy.

Her response was nothing more than sour grapes!Q

[IndianaGreen]

16. Geffen is a private citizen like all of us are

and Team Hillary's response to his personal comments are proof that Geffen is right about Hillary: she is a polarizing figure!

[carla]

19. Firstly,I think that the

polarization is an effect that best helps the party in power. Secondly, I am not familiar with Mr. Geffen, but he seems to want to taint both candidates with his public musings. Perhaps it is best to ignore such comments and consider policy issues. America needs a leader with vision, not a leader that is endorsed and sanctioned by the very interests that have led down the path of slow strangulation and national catastrophe. Democrats and Republicans alike should be judging candidates on substantive issues and experience in governance. Mr. Geffen is likely snickering in the background of this debate. He IS fully entitled to his opinion, but I can't see how it carries more weight than that of any poster on this forum and I don't see why he should be allowed to set the tone in this very, very, very important election.
Money does matter, as far as the American way of campaigning is concerned, but getting elected is still our choice, not the exclusive province of the wealthy who float like demi-gods over the damage they have helped do to a once wonderful nation. Mr. Geffen, thanks for your opinion, Mrs. Clinton; ignore the attacks, Mr. Obama; do what you think is right to get your point across, America's voters; please, please, please, rise above this sort of manipulation and choose the most qualified candidate. This is THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION in modern American history and it should not be driven along on terms dictated originally by people like Karl Rove and all the other dirty tricksters of the old order/new world order. That's my opinion.


Vote Left, Vote Right? How about "Vote Rationally"?

[AlCzervik]

17. Howard Wolfson really needs to stop and think before he issues

press releases.

[bemildred]

20. Oh good, mud wrestling. nt

[missTheBigDog]

22. This is actually good

Let them cancel each other out and let Gore swoop in and save the day!

[Ethelk2044]

23. This is why she responded the Way she Responded

She has been trying to find something to get Obama on and
could not.  Therefore she jumped at her first chance.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/us/politics/22feud.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=politics

One adviser, who is not part of Mrs. Clinton’s day-to-day
inner circle but speaks to her regularly about politics and
fund-raising, said Mr. Geffen’s comments might not shock
“political insiders” in Washington or New York who are used to
hearing bad things about the Clintons. But such criticism,
especially from a former Clinton supporter like Mr. Geffen,
could surprise and concern average voters in Iowa, New
Hampshire and in other politically important states where they
are starting to form impressions of Mrs. Clinton as a
presidential candidate.

Other advisers said the Clinton camp was simply frustrated
that Mr. Obama had received glowing media coverage, and was
eager to call out his campaign for hypocrisy by contrasting
the Geffen remarks with Mr. Obama’s pledge to be positive.

“Obama has gotten under the campaign’s skin for weeks now —
especially his free ride in the media —and Hillary’s people
were just waiting for their first chance to attack his image
as Mr. Positive,” said one Clinton adviser who is not part of
the day-to-day political 

[ryanmuegge]

24. I'm getting so tired of the Clinton soap opera

The media covers every single event or statement in their lives. It's just so tiresome.

Who cares?

[ShortnFiery]

33. I'm tired of Clinton, period!

May the good people of New York State elect a new Democratic Nominee at the very next state senate primary. :-)

[Bo]

25. I think Hillary will be burned out by 08

she is already old news

[BigDDem]

26. There ya go!

Underestimating the Clinton's is always a great idea.

[ShortnFiery]

34. The polarizing effect of HRC is as real as the exuding of her arrogance of entitlement.

If HRC says "my husband" again at another stump speech, I will blow chow. :puke:

[JaneQPublic]

27. "Trading Barbs" between Dems should be limited to Boxer for Mikulski n/t

[Massachusetts]

28. I keep drifting towards W Clark more and more.

[Paula Sims]

29. Will he (Clark) run ? N/T

[rebel with a cause]

30. A very good question.

One worth looking into. :shrug:

[rcdean]

31. Poor political judgment by the Clinton campaign. Just draws attention.

I would guess the msm would find the Geffen swipe a flash-in-the-pan story otherwise.

With this, however, Hill's campaign draws attention to the dissing of her by a major league Democratic contributor.

I agree with others that she comes off as thin skinned. Plus, it seems to me this is an indication that they are worried about Barry.

[rebel with a cause]

32. This just in from TIME in partnership with CNN

A snip from the latest article on the rumpus. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1592614,00.html?cnn=yes

As for Geffen, he did what few people in public life ever do: he refused to scurry. He issued a statement that his comments were quoted accurately and "reflect solely my personal beliefs."

Those beliefs stem in part from a personal grievance against the former President: when he was in office, he refused to pardon Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist serving life in prison for the 1975 murder of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. His case has been a cause celebre for some liberal activists who say he was unfairly convicted.

Hillary Clinton lately has deployed the argument among Democrats that she should be nominated because she has a proven record of vanquishing her enemies. So she might think it's to her advantage to put her knife-fighting skills on display. Former Vice President Al Gore has privately told friends that his familiarity with the Clintons' hardball campaign style is one of the reasons he would be leery of making a run against Hillary. Geffen told Dowd he expected a brutal primary because the Clinton "machine is going to be very unpleasant and unattractive and effective." But Obama showed, despite his official disdain for pugnacious politics, that he knows how to punch back when he's hit.

As for which candidate is truly Hollywood's darling? Everyone will be watching the March 31 campaign-finance reports for the answer to that question. "Obama is Usher, but she's Madonna," says Hilary Rosen, the recording industry's former chief lobbyist and a Clinton supporter. "He has a long career ahead of him, but the touring dollars don't compare." At least not yet. If the show is this good already, the tickets may be worth the price.

[rocktivity]

36. Bad deportment, Hil

You're right to have a problem with what Geffen said about your husband. But turning it into an attack on Obama when you obviously should have laid the hammer on the real culprit lacks maturity at best, and lacks character at worst.

:headbang:
rocknation