The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

Hillary sticks her foot in her mouth and blames it on someone else.

Play the victim Hillary.

Obama has NOT been consistent -- that's the whole point!! He DIDN'T "clearly and unambiguously oppose the war in Iraq" when he deferred to Kerry on the issue in 2004. He DIDN'T "clearly and unambiguously oppose the war in Iraq" when he voted for funding said war. Those are simply the facts.

Hillary Clinton's assertion that Lyndon Johnson, or any other Washington politician, is more responsible for the Civil Rights Act than Martin Luther King Jr. and those he lead during the Civil Rights Movement is the ONLY "Fairy Tale" in this campaign.

. . . And the next time that Bill Clinton or his wife conspire to use half truths and outright lies to distort Senator Obama's statements, positions, or his record as a Senator (tactics that George W Bush used so well to slander John Kerry in 2004); they could at least have the decency to preface their misleading attack with the words, "Once upon a time . . . "

I guess I am out in left field by my self, but I'll be darned if I will let loose talk change my basic beliefs about Democrats and Republicans as some have stated. The very idea of someone giving up their basic principles because of who is carrying the banner. It is almost like "play by my rules or I will take my ball and go home." Surely the philosophies of the two parties are more than this? To heck with these CLOSET Republicans trying to force the issues. Be wise we are better than this.

The exact prose of the Bill Clinton attack on Barack Obama is not at all vague: "the whole thing is a fairy tale". What else can we derive from the words "whole thing"? The Clinton War Machine is looking more and more fatigued these days. Most would also be tired after sixteen years of hyper-partisanism. I just hope America can find it in their guts to turn the page on this awful Bush/Clinton reign of inaction and stupidity.

The Oval Office is an sacred office held in trust by the American people for that person who will represent what is best about America. I do not believe that length of resume'is the greatest requirement for the office. There are times when that office beckons for a particcular individual who can transcend polarizing politicsand encourage America to hope higher and come together as one people. Barrack Obama is that person. The oval office should represent the people not power, although power is intrensic with the office.

Mr. Obama has the ability to raise the hopes and ambitions of America to be the very best it can be and reap the full dividends of the blood, sweat, and tears invested by all of it's people. He should be President not because he is black. He should be president because he understands that the office can be used for good to help people of all ethnicities rise above the pettiness that has divided us historically since the founding of our country.

Hillary Clinton has served this country as best as she can. I do not think she represents the future. She is very representatvie of the gridlock and partisan venom that has held our country in chains the last almost 16 years in particular. We must rise up and elect Obama!

And one thing to remember: The entire quote from Bill Clinton is "This WHOLE THING is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen."

It would seem to me that "whole thing" would relate not to Barack's position on Iraq in 2004 -- which as so many of you have pointed out is entirely consistent with his positions in 2002 and 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and the present.

What is entirely INCONSISTENT is that Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were EVER against the war. PERIOD.

Al Sharpton gave Mr. Clinton a pass. But I will not.

Here is where Bill Clinton got those words from
''But, I'm not privy to the Senate intelligence reports,''''What would I have done? I don't know. What I know is that from my vantage point the case was not made.''
Can u people imagine how Clinton can distort things, I used to have great admiration for this guy but now with all he is doing to help his wife is very disgusting and reminds me of his days in the white. I never had intercourse with that woman or I smoked but did not inhale. I believe we have to move on and look at the future, with new momentum and new people.

"This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen." WHAT "whole thing," Bill? Will you deny that such a sweeping statement is (present tense) meant to cast aspersions broadly at a fellow Democrat ("Kid" Obama) and all his supporters?

"I have a dream" is not a fairy tale but instead the quintessential call for real change. Martin Luther King brought about this change by his courageous and inclusive acts of leadership. Barack Obama is King's legatee.

A political "fairy tale" more telling than that concocted by Bill Clinton is one Democratic candidate's facilitation of the Bush-Cheney belief that we can maintain permanent occupation forces in Iraq with whom Iraqis will live happily ever after.

The Democrat who joins most Republican candidates (not Ron Paul and perhaps not Mike Huckabee) in perpetuating this colonization nightmare is Hillary Clinton.

The press has been giving Obama a free ride. They are so afraid to say anything negative about him because they will be labelled racist. It is the same kind of thinking that messed up the polls for the New Hampshire primary. People lied to pollsters to show they are liberal and progressive.

Obama speaks well. He's done nothing. He has no practical solutions for the problems facing this country. His candidacy has been a fairy tale...all flash and no substance.

With the current surge in Iraq apparently succeeding, John McCain surging and the other GOP candidates foundering except for Huckabee, it is very conceivable that the GOP nomination could be wrapped up on February 5 while the Democratic one hangs in the balance.

This lifelong Republican voted for John Kerry and I expect to vote for the Democratic nominee this year so long as isn't Clinton. Bill and Hillary's comments are long standing evidence of a total lack of regard for anyone except themselves. Never underestimate Democrats' ability to "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!"

Mc Cain's unquestionable ethics, patriotism and dedication to change campaign financing, immigration and a whole lot more may carry the day.

Stop with the dynasty issue, this is a Democracy! Voters should educate themselves about the issues, who is the most prepared to address the variety of dilemmas created by the current administration. We are hiring someone to lead the executive branch of our government. This is not about someone's name it's about what someone brings to the table. It's not about the ethereal fog of inspiration, but if someone can put ideas into action. I don't need to have a beer with the president, or a spiritual awakening I want a president who will work to get us out of the muck we're buried in. The economy is tanking, the war still rages and we're worried about a NAME.

It's dispiriting to see a former occupant of the Oval Office seeking absolution from Al Sharpton for parsing Obama's positions as a "fairy tale," the kind of attack usually assigned to a campaign chairman or anonymous aide like the one quoted as saying, "If you have a social need, you're with Hillary. If you want Obama to be your imaginary hip black friend and you're young and you have no social needs, then he's cool."

It's saddening to see the re-emergence of the man who used to be called Slick Willie in sliming Hillary's opponent while complaining about the "sanitizing" of Obama by the media.

If Bill Clinton doesn't step back out of the spotlight, he is going to damage his wife's chances, especially against a candidate of unimpeachable character like John McCain:

http://ajliebling.blogspot.com/2008/01/bill-clinton-embarrassment.html

The episode--insulting an African American icon and then contemporary Americans by denying they said it--brings back everything that used to infuriate me about the Clintons: her preachiness and absolute arrogance about her authority and his tendency to say one thing and then casually lie about it!

However, this behaviour was apparent to any who cared to watch, and to give the Clintons their due, they didn't instigate a war of choice. Maybe they couldn't, even if they wanted to. Their acts so jarred that their opponents resisted the Clintons more egregious errors of judgment, the checks and balances of government thus working, not quite as the founders had intended but close enough.

Can somebody please break the monotony of President Bush... Clinton... Bush.... Clinton again??? Before we know it will be their daughters!It does not make political sense. Even as an outsider its just too monotounous, all these bearers of these names are all old turkeys you keep on bringing them back to the white house to come and finish their projects - to change the colors of the curtains in the white house!

There is a strong tendency by the black community, to take offense at any remark that could possibly construed as racist.
If a black candidate is to be taken seriously, he can't be portrayed as being so sensitive to remarks spoken by his opponents. Campaigns cannot be waged while walking on eggshells and maintaining politically correct speaking in all venues. If the Obama campaign feels so hurt and insulted by their Democratic opponents, then they are totally unprepared to face the Republican candidate in the tough race ahead.

I have voted for democrats for as far back as I can remember. I have given generously to the campaigns of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and John Kerry. I have argued passionately for many years with my conservative friends and colleagues who claimed that the Clintons are committed to one thing only - themselves. Up to last week I was quite happy with any of the democratic nominees.

The recent display by the Clintons in NH has completely soured my view of them and of what they stand for.

I saw Bill Clinton - a former president of our country - transparently and inartfully play to sexist fears and innuendo in order to gain votes in NH. For all of the sometimes just criticisms of the other democratic candidates, I doubt that any of them would get away with this sort of open display of divisiveness.

I saw Hillary Clinton break into tears only to emerge to say that her opponents are wrong and she is right - exactly about what I do not know.

As I've watched both Clintons (particularly Bill) operate these last several days, I've experienced an unfamiliar combination of awe and sadness. It finally dawned on me that these people have no shame and that their values are really not mine. I saw, as have others on this discussion board, a combination of raw ambition and selfishness that has no interest in civility or the truth.

I nonetheless waited up on primary night to hear what Sen Clinton had to say for herself - to so-to-speak give her the benefit of any doubts about her husband and about her plan to win the presidency post her NH meltdown (in my opinion). What I heard must rank as one of the most unimaginative, inane, inarticulate political speeches we have been treated to for quite a long time. I certainly cannot be alone in this view as I am generally more of an ..actions speak louder than words.. type of person.

I am frankly already worried (for the party) about what she will say when the republicants ask: what 35 years are you talking about Hillary? ..Does this include the time of overbilled hours at the Rose Law Firm, your manifest incompetence in managing healthcare reform, you poor judgment in selecting an attorney general (not once but twice), cronism in the Travel office firings, the Law firm billing records that mysteriously disappeared and then just as mysteriously reappeared during a criminal investigation, Monicagate, your inability to stand up to the Bush administration against rushing into the Iraq war.....

Fellow dems, let's pray a silent prayer each day that by some miracle we do not find ourselves after this fall's election in the now familar predicament of having lost the white house, re-energizing the republican base (losing the congress), two new justices on the supreme court that do not share our values.

I find it rather amusing that Obama supporters are acting like polarizing agents on behalf of their rock star. He's the new and improved "Uniter" who wants to be the "Decider" by perpetuating hate used against the Clintons. Yup Hillary is "likeable enough", the guy's got real class. I'm not supposed to be offended right, because he's the "Chosen One". He can take a personal sexist shot and that's okay with his supporters because that means he's a fighter. Do I believe that Obama is truly sexist, NO. He made a poor choice in his words and tenor. Obama can give a great sermon but his political calculations are to divide and conquer. He's a politician has the same dirt on his hands as the rest of them. Everyone should read the exact quotes from the Clintons and decide for themselves without just glancing at the news for the next hyped headline. Selective editing on both sides should be called out. The Clintons are not racists.

Slick willy is at it again. He is pullying another Sister soldier. This time he is under estimating the american public and the black community. The dude can't help himself he is a lying willy and i feel your pain fame.

More trouble for the Clinton campaign:

Newsweek reports today that their top attack dog Sidney Blumenthal was arrested for aggravated DWI in New Hampshire on the eve of the primaries. Remember him ? He's the one who orchestrated the attacks on those poor middle class women who dared to come forward to say that Clinton had sexually harassed them. Karmic payback, Sid !

Chris Matthews stokes the fires of racism!

Once again Chris Matthews selectively edits Clintons remarks to belittle the Clintons. Chris picked the "fairy tail " Remark and showed only the tail. at least Keith Obherman had the sense to show what Bill Clinton was saying. Criticising Obambas voting record not his whole DREAM CANDIDACY. Chris Matthews is doing himself and his profession a grave injustice. Fox News we all know is a joke now so is Hardball. I was a loyal viewer of his show . I now feel duped I wounder what else I fell for and didn't know all the facts but took his word for it . Damn it make me feel like a rube.
thoughts.

The Clintons owe African Americans an apology -- as well as Barack Obama.

If Hillary Clinton has the ability to think outside the box, she's been hiding it very well since Bill left the White House. I am furious at their remarks - both hers and Bill's. Ken Mehlman apologized for the GOP playing race-baiting politics. I never, ever, expected it from the Clintons.

once again the media is trying to pick a president for the american people. it is very obvious what bill clinton was talking about. this had nothing to do with race. what is has to do with is experience, and the ability to think outside the box. being a good orator is not experience. face the facts people, hillary has the experience to think outside the box. and her record proves it. obama only repeats the same old thing. and change will not come over night. we have some serious issues that will need to be faced from day one. unfortunatly obama doesnt have the foresite to be up and running on election day, or any day after.

The adverse effects of the gender card:
Does Hillary know that the US is made various type of Women ?
1- African American women: high chance to support Barack obama because he represents the first african american with a real shot to become the first african president.

2- Latinos and other minorities women: high chance to support Obama because he is coming from a minority group.

3- White Women: high chance to support hillary because of emotional similarities. Espacially women over 50 years old. But White women around 20,30 and 40 years old are divided on how to make america a better democracy by giving other race the chance to participate in the us politics.

I wish someone would explain to us -- as others have asked -- what "experience" Hillary Clinton has had in those 35 years, other than being a lawyer and a First Lady. Other than a health care plan that proved controversial and failed, I have to assume she is talking about policies that we thought came from her husband. If they were her ideas and not his, she would help herself by letting us know.

Why would anyone answer to Al Sharpton for anything? I wouldn't give that loud mouth hypocritical headline chasing liar and thief any "explanation" for anything I said...and I wasn't the president. Unbelievable. It doesn't matter what is said or done, Sharpton spins it and it always comes out the same racist, demeaning ,disrespectful way in Sharpton's mind. This man is a negative influence and a down right downer.Am I overlooking something, is there anything remotely likable about this guy?

Just a addict, nothing but a political junkie. Bill Clinton just will not go away. What is it with these people? Think they have something to hide? Optioning Bloomberg, afraid Hillary's going to lose. Neocons.

And I thought the Fairy Tale Comments were between Ann Coulture, and Edwards?!

I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT WOMAN MISS LEWENSKI!

SLICK WILLY CLINTON

He also called Obama a "kid". Very condescending. Though I believe Clinton was younger when he ran for President. He is comporting himself disgracefully for a former President. He has acted petulantly, and has shown no class.

Please voters, wise up and vote for Obama. I am a Dem but if Clinton is the nominee, I'll vote for McCain. You just know he'll wipe the floor with her.

And would someone please ask Mrs.Clinton to delineate what these "35 years of experience are?" Wasn't she working in a law firm for a while where she mostly just brought in clients ?

Absolutely Ridiculous.
Lame dirty tricks that threatens a racial split within the party. Obama and his campaign are playing with fire. These little minor comments that should not be taken to heart. Bill Clinton is the "the first black president," and his deed and what he has done for the African American community is more than what Obama has done in his career. This is stupid, you can now start congratulating the Republicans for their win in 08 thanks to Obama.

Known for their deeds to the African American community, who do you believe is playing the racial card?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1509

.

This fairytale, freaking nightmare, must end. Bill Clinton is a liar, a habitual liar. We already know that. I want to know what part of, "we don't want a continuation of twenty years+ of Bush-Clinton-Clinton-Bush-Bush-" does mainstream media not understand?
Enough is enough!

Obama is in a different league than the Clintons which is why he is attracting people like me. By all means, go on the offensive. Obama should make it crystal clear to voters that a vote for the Clintons is a vote for an unAmerican dynastic impulse and the divisive, polarizing past that so threatens our way of life. Yes, the Bradley Effect is real. But the only way past it is through it. Obama can win.

Slick Willie said:"Senator Obama, if he's not successful this time, will have many other opportunities to run."
Is he implying his wife doesn't have plenty of time left to run?
Why should Obama defer to her weeping, sorry, disgusting display?
Black people would be completely stupid to vote for Hillary after all the stereotypes played against Obama by henchmen.

WE ARE GETTING REALLY TIRED OF THE RACE ISSUE MADE UP BY THE MEDIA, OF COURSE OBAMAS TRYING TO WIN SC OF COURSE NOW RACE IS COMING UP ONCE AGAIN...THE MEDIA IS TURNING THIS RACE INTO THE OJ SIMPSON TRIAL AGAIN...IT WILL BACK FIRE ON OBAMA! VOTERS WILL START REPORTING MICHELLE OBAMAS RACIST REMARKS....GROW UP PEOPLE! ITS AN ATTEMP TO TAKE THE ATTENTION OFF OBAMAS LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND SUBSTANCE!

It is surprising the way President Clinton puts things when he is talking to Rev. Al Sharpton. I am sorry to say that he is not truthful and it is rather unfortunate the way he spins it now. We hear of experience and accomplishments by Sen. Clinton for 35 years, what exactly are these accomplishments? She has traveled to several countries in the shadows as a first lady what policy matters was she involved in? It is disappointing for her to say all Dr. King did was empty noise and that President Johnson did the job with the stroke of his pen. It is true Sen. Obama does not have a long track record of being in the public eye. The notion of experience to me is all nonsense, as a young physician most of my training is on the field and I believe the same for POTUS.
I want a president that will remind me of the likes of Gandhi, president JFK, Dr.King, and president Mandela with an inspiring message and Sen. Obama does exactly that. I do not want the negative politics of Washington and the 1990s, we are now in the 21st century and we need change on Pennsylvania avenue and D.C. in general and Sen. Obama is my candidate.

I heard both the original Clinton comment and Bill's rebuttal on Sharpton's show. He is a liar liar liar- he was splitting hairs on the truth which just reminds me what a master Bill is at that. While technically correct, he was lying in essence.
To be fair, he didn't call Obama's campaign a fairytale, he called his campaign of hope and change a fairytale.

Maybe people are being overly sensitive about the remarks but Clinton's knock on the message and his sleazy denial/clarification just turns me off.

I always had respect for the Clintons and if Hillary is the Dem nominee, I will vote for her happily, but when I see how Obama goes about things contrasted with this kind of crap from the Clintons, I can't help but think that Washington needs a good cleaning and Obama is the soap.

After the comments about MLK over the weekend, Hillary is back at it today, talking about "guacamole and chips" with reference to Hispanic voters. Meanwhile her husband continues to lie, this time about what Obama said in 2004. In the course of carrying water for Kerry, Obama said that from his point of view the case for the Iraq war had not made at all, while perhaps things would have been different if he had read the NIE - unlike Sen. Clinton. But he never wavered in his opposition to the war.

I have lost a great deal of respect for the Clintons over the course of this campaign. In the name of personal gain, she has stoked racial divisions by diminishing the efforts of civil rights leaders. In the last couple days, Clinton advisors called Senator Obama nothing more than the "hip black friend" that everyone wants. While Obama has gone out of the way to not play the 'race card' (he doesnt speak of it generally), Clinton has time and again pandered on the gender issue. I have nothing but respect for strong, leading, decision-making women. They have played a crucial role in my life. But I demand principles from my leaders, and Senator Clinton in her campaign she has shown herself to be sorely lacking in this regard. Clinton's underhanded stoking of racial division, and her simultaneous playing of the 'gender card' is offensive and should not be allowed to pass unrecognized.

I have been so disgusted with the negative comments of Bill and Hillary, that if she wins the Nod, I will not vote this year.

I was there when Bill Clinton made that comment in NH. I personally was shocked to hear that comment comming from a former President.

Obama has indeed showed us why the Clintons are not good for the democratic party.

oh please... once again you can't say anything about the black candidate, however true, because you'll be labeled a racist. why don't you listen to the segment, he wasn't calliing his campaign a fairy tale.... he was calling something he said a fairy tale...
jeesh, thin, thin skinned.

EXCUSE ME. I know what I saw and heard! The EX President is lying. He knows what he said, when they thought they were going to loose big... Barack Obama is trying to stay above the frey of the clintons and others who lie! I hope people of color take notice and vote for someone who looks like you....... Clinton knows what he said and keep saying........

The Clinton's are political geniuses. Disgusting, but geniuses nonetheless.

During the 2004 Democratic convention, Sharpton had the unenviable task of following Obama's mesmerizing oration. Sharpton was obviously flustered: HE was supposed to be the electrifying orator, and his dynamics went out the window. In an attempt to out-orate Obama, Sharpton started at the top and had nowhere to go. It was an amateurish flop. I don't think he's forgotten that and wants to return the "favor" by having Clinton on his show to chip away at the Obama aura.