Clinton Compares Obama’s Appeal to Bush - NYT

[WillyT]

Clinton Compares Obama’s Appeal to Bush
By Patrick Healy
January 6, 2008, 2:31 pm

<snip>

NASHUA, N.H. – At a rally with some 1,500 people here on Sunday afternoon, Hillary Rodham Clinton had separate comments about the current president and his predecessor.

Referring to the personal appeal that Senator Barack Obama enjoys among many Democrats, Mrs. Clinton said:

“I think it’s good to have a likeable president. But if I remember right, many people said they wanted to have a beer with George W. Bush. Maybe they should’ve left it at that – have a beer, don’t vote him in as our president.”

<snip>

Link: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/clinton-compares-obamas-appeal-to-bush/

How negative do you think it will get between now and Tuesday???

:shrug:

[ccpup]

1. it's a great point

ignoring the thin resume and lack of experience one has all because he seems like a nice guy who can make a pretty good speech is exactly what's gotten us into the mess we're in now.

[WillyT]

10. "... seems like a nice guy who can make a pretty good speech ..."

That's all you get out of observing Obama???

Try to imagine Bush as the president of Harvard Law Review!

:wtf:

[ccpup]

16. being the President of Harvard Law Review

still doesn't make him Presidential Material ... at least not now. If he finishes his First Term as Senator and actually keeps some of the campaign promises he made to his Constituents to get elected -- I don't think "I'll immediately use this as a convenient stepping stone in my run for President" was one of them --, it'll be easier to see him as more experienced. But not right now.

[Cha]

31. hillary's surrogates don't

look beyond the bill and hillary show. All they need is mark penn and they're good to go.

[eleny]

2. I don't recall that Bushy lectured on constitutional law

:rofl:

The negativity will backfire, imo.

[Cha]

32. hillary is getting low

and stupid..I'm even gettin' surprised and I know what how 2 faced she can be with Soldier's and Iraqis lives at stake.

No wonder Obama said, "hillary was nice enough"..that's giving her a damn compliment.

[ccpup]

38. oh how quickly BamaBots forget:

from two short days ago:

Barak Obama: Hillary Clinton 'is just like Bush'

Barack Obama unleashed a blistering attack on his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton yesterday, branding her "just like George W Bush".

The cutting comparison came as he launched a last-ditch push to win over Democrats in Iowa, who vote on Thursday in their caucuses, the first stage of the presidential nomination process.

Barack Obama on the campaign trail in Iowa, where he launched blistering attacks on his rival, Hillary Clinton

Now, his lofty rhetoric about hope and change is laced with sharp, sarcastic jabs at Mrs Clinton and her husband Bill, who have sought to paint him as a naïve lightweight who doesn’t have the stomach for a fight.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01/01/wobama101.xml

you still think someone comparing a Dem candidate to Bush is low or are you just going to embrace your blatant hypocrisy?

[Cha]

43. hillary loved bush so much she

never met a bill, resolution, or law she wouldn't support him on.

Obama told the truth about her..hillary is throwing mud and hoping something sticks.

Desperation does not become hillary.

[ccpup]

44. she supported his tax cuts?

she supported Alito or Roberts? she didn't work against him and the Pentagon in getting health care to Reservists and National Guard members?

desperation doesn't become you. hypocrisy? well ... maybe

[Cha]

48. hillary is her own worst enemy

..nobody has to do anything against her..she's doin' it all herself with mark penn advising right along of course.

[ccpup]

52. and you avoid not answering my questions

no, she didn't support his tax cuts, or Alito or Roberts and, yes, she worked against the Pentagon and the threat of a Presidential Veto in order to get healthcare to Reservists and National Guard Members.

And both she and Obama have identical records with regards to the continuation of the Iraq War since he was elected to the Senate in 2004. So, I'm not sure your "she supports Bush in everything he does" talking point squares with the facts.

[Cha]

55. hillary's sabre rattling in the senate has

rendered her impotent for change.

~snips~

"While much attention has been given to Senator Hillary Clinton's support for the U.S. invasion of Iraq, her foreign policy record regarding other international conflicts and her apparent eagerness to accept the use of force appears to indicate that her fateful vote authorizing the invasion and her subsequent support for the occupation and counter-insurgency war was no aberration. Indeed, there's every indication that, as president, her foreign policy agenda would closely parallel that of the Bush administration. Despite efforts by some conservative Republicans to portray her as being on the left wing of the Democratic Party, in reality her foreign policy positions bear a far closer resemblance to those of Ronald Reagan than they do of George McGovern."

For example, rather than challenge President George W. Bush's dramatic increases in military spending, Senator Clinton argues that they are not enough and the United States needs to spend even more in subsequent years. At the end of the Cold War, many Democrats were claiming that the American public would be able to benefit from a "peace dividend" resulting from dramatically-reduced military spending following the demise of the Soviet Union. Clinton, however, has called for dramatic increases in the military budget, even though the United States, despite being surrounded by two oceans and weak friendly neighbors, already spends as much on its military as all the rest of the world combined.

Mama Warbucks

Her presidential campaign has received far more money from defense contractors than any other candidate -- Democrat or Republican -- and her close ties to the defense industry has led the Village Voice to refer to her as "Mama Warbucks." She has even fought the Bush administration in restoring funding for some of the very few weapons systems the Bush administration has sought to cut in recent years. Pentagon officials and defense contractors have given Senator Clinton high marks for listening to their concerns, promoting their products and leveraging her ties to the Pentagon, comparing her favorably to the hawkish former Washington Senator "Scoop" Jackson and other pro-military Democrats of earlier eras."

http://www.alternet.org/election08/70860/

[Avalux]

3. She insults the intelligence of a lot of Democrats with that statement.

Bush supporters saw him as a good 'ol boy they could tell dirty jokes to and get drunk with.

I could care less about having a drink with Obama, I'd rather have a serious conversation with him.

Comparing the two is a stupid move.

[creeksneakers2]

6. The point is not to vote on likability.

[Avalux]

9. Then she should have said that, instead of dragging Bush into it.

x(

[ccpup]

17. didn't Obama try to link Hillary and Bush not too long ago?

[Avalux]

18. I don't know, but her tactics are more like Bush than anyone.

I am still undecided and negativity from any of them turns me off. I don't want to see Hillary go down that path.

[ccpup]

19. yep, just last week

see my Thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2614737

[Whisp]

54. no, I think Bill did that linking with Senior *.

best of buds and all that.

[emilyg]

56. Yes he did.

[Cha]

34. Yeah, cause she's so

fucking unlikeable ..I can see where she'd wanna run with this.

[regnaD kciN]

4. Wow...first, HRC says Obama's "too liberal," then she compares him to Bush?

She's becoming the textbook illustration of "flailing wildly."

[never_get_over_it]

8. She was comparing Obama's and the freak in chief's

likability not their politics - she was asked that question in the debate last night and was basically told that she isn't likable and Obama is. I happen to agree with her that one should not pick a president based on their likability - not sure that I agree with her that it applies to Obama I would have to think on that....

[Xipe Totec]

5. Comparing Bush to Obama

is like comparing talcum to diamond, because each is a rock.

[Bright Eyes]

7. She's right. Only corporatists are allowed to be president!

This talk of a fresh face, non Washington insider running for President is just plain un-American!
---

She's going to pull a hamstring with all that stretching.

[UTUSN]

11. What a DASTARDLY *woman*!!1 Le'ts STONE her!1 n/t

[WillyT]

14. She's Stoning Herself, Most Of Her Wounds Are Self-Inflicted

:shrug:

[Cha]

36. Good point, Willy! That and

she won't just say no to mark penn's advice.

[Rosemary2205]

12. She said almost the same thing at the ABC debate. - must be talking point of the week.

If Obama takes NH then the Clinton machine will shift into overdrive. They'll make the Fox "Osama/Obama" "mistake" seem really tame.

There may be actual blood involved. :scared:

[Generator]

13. In other words

Sure you can't stand me, but I'm the one you want because you silly ignorant voters don't know what's best for you.


Every time she opens her mouth it gets worse!

[WillyT]

15. Exactly !!! - See Post #14

:shrug:

[Marr]

20. Clinton is one of the least experienced candidates.

Marrying a politician does not make you an experienced leader anymore than marrying a surgeon gives you the ability to do heart surgery.

[ccpup]

22. take a minute and do a little research

before deciding to publicly out yourself as someone who doesn't know what he (or she) is talking about.

Here, I'll give you a leg up:

Clinton co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a state-level alliance with the Children's Defense Fund, in 1977. In late 1977, President Jimmy Carter (for whom she had done 1976 campaign coordination work in Indiana) appointed her to the board of directors of the Legal Services Corporation, and she served in that capacity from 1978 through the end of 1981. For much of that time she served as the chair of that board, the first woman to do so. During her time as chair, funding for the Corporation was expanded from $90 million to $300 million, and she successfully battled against President Ronald Reagan's initial attempts to reduce the funding and change the nature of the organization.

Following the November 1978 election of her husband as Governor of Arkansas, Clinton became First Lady of Arkansas in January 1979, her title for a total of twelve years. Bill appointed her chair of the Rural Health Advisory Committee the same year, where she successfully obtained federal funds to expand medical facilities in Arkansas' poorest areas without affecting doctors' fees.

Hillary Clinton chaired the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee from 1982 to 1992, where she sought to bring about reform in the state's court-sanctioned public education system. One of the most important initiatives of the entire Clinton governorship, she fought a prolonged but ultimately successful battle against the Arkansas Education Association to put mandatory teacher testing as well as state standards for curriculum and classroom size in place. She introduced Arkansas' Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youth in 1985, a program that helps parents work with their children in preschool preparedness and literacy.

And a bit of stuff from the White House years:

Along with Senator Ted Kennedy, she was the major force behind the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997, a federal effort that provided state support for children whose parents were unable to provide them with health coverage. She promoted nationwide immunization against childhood illnesses and encouraged older women to seek a mammogram to detect breast cancer, with coverage provided by Medicare. She successfully sought to increase research funding for prostate cancer and childhood asthma at the National Institutes of Health.

The First Lady worked to investigate reports of an illness that affected veterans of the Gulf War, which became known as the Gulf War syndrome. Together with Attorney General Janet Reno, Clinton helped create the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice. In 1997, she initiated and shepherded the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which she regarded as her greatest accomplishment as First Lady.

...

not exactly just "being married to a politician" is it?

[Marr]

26. I'm sorry- none of that seems to be her being elected to public office.

So...?

[ccpup]

30. okay

if you're willing to dismiss factual information about public service -- elected or not -- since 1978 that actually helped people gain health care and a better education among other services and still insist on boiling it down to "she married a politician", then you're really not worth talking to.

[Marr]

33. And if you honestly think that's the same as being elected to public office,

then you're not worth talking to. She compares herself to her competition and says she's the most experienced. It's a laughable claim.

[ccpup]

37. point to Obama's achievements since he's been Senator

or even when he was an Iowa Legislator -- as in what he actually DID to help his Constituents gain health care, better education, etc. -- and show me why you believe HE'S more experienced.

[Marr]

39. Obama's not my guy, and Hillary Clinton isn't just claiming to be more

experienced than Barrack Obama. She claims to be the most vetted, most experienced person up there. She isn't.

[Sparkly]

41. She is the most vetted. I'm not sure she claimed to be the "most experienced."

Millions and millions of dollars have been spent scrutinizing her every move, looking for dirt. Whole staffed organizations were devoted to it. NObody's been vetted like that, ever.

[ccpup]

42. Richardson is experienced, yes

but out of the three (Obama, Edwards and Clinton) who have a real shot at the Nomination, it's my belief that she does. In the workings of State and Federal Government and with a front row seat in how a President gets through Congress what he needs to get through Congress, there's no way -- in my opinion -- that Edwards can hold up his trial lawyer experience and say "this is better" or Obama can hold up his State Government experience or his fledgling Senate Career and say "I have more". She's been in it since 1978 and knows what has to be done to get things done.

And I apologize for assuming you supported Obama. My mistake.

[Marr]

45. You know what-- you're right.

My original assertion about experience was unfair and weak besides. I apologize.

[ccpup]

47. no problem

learn something new everyday and, because of your open mind, you're now better able to perhaps correct others in the future when they say "oh, she was just married to Bill". It's all good.

'Night. :hi:

[WillyT]

53. Um... Obama Was Never An Iowa Legislator

Just sayin.

:wtf:

[Sparkly]

40. Like her or hate her, she is clearly the most experienced.

Especially, as she claims, when it comes to action and direct work in getting things done outside DC -- rather than casting votes, giving speeches, and "calling for" things. (There's been an awful lot of "calling for" the past couple of years.)

If "elected office" is a big deal to you (it isn't to me), Edwards doesn't beat her on that.

Her bio is phenomenal. You should read it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_clinton

[ccpup]

46. yes, her bio is phenomenal

especially for someone who was only "married to a politician". But all those facts on that impressive resume are easy to ignore when you're having such a good time piling on and trying to tear her down, you know?

[Sparkly]

49. I can not tell you how much all of this offends me as a woman.

I have to take breaks from this because it makes me so furious sometimes. Superiority complexes seem to be contagious around here lately.

A lot of people freaked out that Clinton was "ANGRY" last night when she defended her record. After reading that bio, if I were her, I'd really be angry if somebody with less experience put me down!

I don't care if people don't want to vote for her -- I'm not sure who I'm voting for. But to repeat assumptions and refuse to learn about her (and they love to hate her) is inexcusable. Some democracy.

[ccpup]

21. looks like Obama went there first

didn't hear the BamaBots crying like little kids back then

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2614737

[WillyT]

23. Yeah Well...

:evilgrin:

[ccpup]

24. do you not know what Hillary looks like?

:shrug:

[WillyT]

25. Sure...

:shrug:

[ccpup]

27. nope, not her

try again. And this time bring something more to the conversation than a childish photoshop.

I mean, Obama IS the one itching to pull out the chairs at the Big Table for everyone to sit at and work together, right? Does this exclude Republicans? And, if not, will you also post pics of Obama cozying up to them too? Or is this just all you can come up with right now?

[Marr]

29. Hey, if you want to list all the positions her husband handed to her and call that "experience".

then that photo seems like a fair shot.

[JI7]

51. YUK, Bush sure is ugly

[Cha]

28. And what appeal would

hillary compare herself to? natasha fatale?

[Blue-Jay]

35. CLASSY!

:thumbsup:

[AtomicKitten]

50. The Clinton Camp screams bloody murder when compared to Bush.

But I guess it's okay that they do it, right? :eyes:

[Imagevision]

57. Geeez I wonder when Hillary will start sending 'nooses' to the Barack camp...?

the lady is showing how desperate she is becoming, she has no way to stop Obama no plan so she's wigging out.