WASHINGTON - “Scurrilous” and “disingenuous” were among the words a top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives used on Thursday to describe Hillary Clinton’s campaign tactics in her bid to defeat Barack Obama for their party’s presidential nomination.
House Democratic Whip James Clyburn, of South Carolina and the highest ranking black in Congress, also said he has heard speculation that Clinton is staying in the race only to try to derail Obama and pave the way for her to make another White House run in 2012.
“I heard something, the first time yesterday (in South Carolina), and I heard it on the (House) floor today, which is telling me there are African Americans who have reached the decision that the Clintons know that she can’t win this. But they’re hell-bound to make it impossible for Obama to win” in November, Clyburn told Reuters in an interview.
Obama holds a sizable lead in delegates won in state-nominating contests which could be hard for her to overcome.
The purported theory is that an Obama defeat in November against Republican presidential candidate John McCain would let Clinton make another presidential bid in four years, Clyburn said.
Clyburn has not yet declared whether he supports Clinton or Obama. But in January, he raised his concerns about the heated exchanges between the two campaigns before the South Carolina primary.
On Thursday, Clyburn took Clinton and surrogates to task, complaining that they want the popular votes in Michigan and Florida counted, even though both states violated party rules for the early scheduling of their nominating contests.
“I think it’s so disingenuous … (adviser James) Carville and Sen. Clinton were all on TV. I’ve seen them two or three times this week, talking about counting Florida and Michigan.”
Obama did not campaign in those states because the Democratic Party said Florida and Michigan wouldn’t be included in the formal tally for the nomination. “Her name was the only one on the ticket in Michigan and still 42, 43 percent of the vote was against her,” Clyburn said.
Still, Clyburn said “I don’t think she ought to drop out.”
But he added, “There’s a difference between dropping out and raising all this extraneous scurrilous stuff about the guy (Obama). Just run your campaign … you don’t have to drop out to be respectful of other people.”
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
- Photo credit: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst (Clyburn with presidential candidates at a debate in January)
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this is the link every one should check out to see the truth about hillary…
http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/
- Posted by joseWait ’til everyone finds out that hillary’s called obama anigger…
- Posted by hillarysaliarLove to see the Democratic party implode…
As the rev Wright once said “the chickens are coming home to roost”. The Democrats have been playing race, gender and identity politics for years and it has finally caught up with them.
- Posted by J HouseWho should care what color or gender our President is, but for a small minority of racists?
We want to know what they stand for and say.
Obama is clearly to the left of Hillary and she is so captive of the left wing (i.e., the mainstream) of the Democratic Party, she cannot even speak the truth on Obama’s politics, ideology and fellow travelers like the Weathermen.
He’s toast in the general election folks, no matter how much the MSM and the 527’s schlepp for him…if Howard Dean was Obama, it would be the same result…in other words, ‘it isn’t his race that will be his downfall, stupid’
I don’t think Senators should be able to run for president in the first place, they always seem to be able to deflect accountability for their actions/inactions. The requirement should be a governor, where proof of their ability to lead is evident to all.
As for Hillary, coming from Illinois, I’ve met people who went to high school with her. I won’t comment on what they said. Obama, he’s had more legislative experience than her, however, voting “present” as opposed to taking a stand in the Illinois legislature doesn’t impress me.
John McCain has obviously a long record in the Senate. He has shown that he’s willing to cross party lines. He hasn’t exactly convinced me of his ability, but, as a voter, the way one looks or talks shouldn’t be confused with ability.
I’m not sure of any of the three.
- Posted by Fred McPersonSurprised it took him so long to realize this. She’s a typical politician.I still have trouble picturing her holding up his hand in triumph at the convention.
- Posted by R. ChandlerThis story sounds credible, it is representative of the divisive, dishonest and mean political character of the Clintons and their toadies. As an independent I would never vote for a person like Hillary Clinton, now or later ever (rotten fish don’t improve with time). I couldn’t bring myself to vote for a Republican (for now more dishonest than Democratics, maybe, but enough people like Murtha could easily change that) at this time. I wouldn’t bother to vote against McCain if it meant supporting Clinton. At that point who cares?
- Posted by SteveSo “Warren,” a self-described “non-American who . . . decided that Americans are by and large retarded,” thinks that the only way for Americans to prove that we are willing to “return to the pinnacle of [e]conomic prosperity and the moral high ground” is to elect Barack Obama. Sounds to me like a pretty good reason to vote for anyone but.
- Posted by AmericanWhy is anyone opposed to Obama called a racist…he is just as white as he is black…just as black as he is white. Culturally he is more white than black…so anyone opposed to Obama should be properly branded as male basing, religiously intolerants, WASPS hating bigots and NOT black hating bigots…come on man have you heard this guy speak…to call him an American African/American is to call John Wayne a communist!!!!
- Posted by Paul AlbaresLucky for Clinton, black people on the whole dont vote, so in the long run none of this really matters. Look at Penn where Obama got over 90% of the black vote, in a state with a very large balck population (I think over 40%) and still lost by 10 points. If black people started voting, “playing the race card” would be very effective;
- Posted by RandiIf the only reason for Hilary’s attempt to distroy Barack this time around, is so she can win in 2012. She could have been nice to Barack this time , been on as his VP and win when his term was up.
She would have been a shoe in doing if she played it right this time around but now instead, she is willing to destroy Barack this time and the next, so she can run in 2012.
If this is her plan, she could have been perceived in a better light and succeeded easier, by being Barack’s VP.
I feel she is foolish,reckless and has hurt her own party for some future politcal gain and therefore, is not electable in any future race or equiped to lead this country.
Recklessness is not a character we want in a President. We have seen that played out for the past 8 yrs.
- Posted by MaryannIf Hillary and Ferraro are racist in their criticisms of Obama, we are in for a long four years shold Obama win. I lived in NYC when Dinkins was mayor. He simply wasn’t very good at the job. When he took actions that were pro-Korean gocer, he was accused of being a sell-out by the militant blacks. When he sided with Kiki Garcia (a Dominican drug dealer shot by the police), he lost whatever little support he had among the police and a great deal of white support. I don’t remember race relations having improved during his mayoralty. If America is a racist country, we have no business electing a black president. If America is not a racist country, then Obama must accept his share of criticism for some inept moves.
- Posted by williamIf Obama were in Hillary’s position, calls for him to withdraw would be universally decried as racist.
What happened to the women’s movement in this country, that few are the decrying calls for Hillary to quit as blatant sexism?
It is no coincidence that most of these calls are from powerful men. The strong strain of sexism among male Blacks is a big factor here, and few have the guts to say it.
- Posted by FletcherVery interesting and diverse comments on this thread. Clyburn’s comments, though, are at best odd and interestingly timed. At any rate, this constant infighting with the Democrats, paired with the 180 degree turn on the Clintons (the couple who for years and years could do no wrong, according to the Democrats…including the black Democrats) is amazing to witness. As an Independent I have to say, Clyburn’s comments have only added support to my decision to vote for Senator McCain. I had not sent him money for his campaign…until now. I am sending him the maximum individual donation allowed. We do not need either one of these two particular Democrats near the White House any time soon. It would be careless and dangerous for me to support their efforts. So to Senator McCain, best wishes from one more Independent in your court!
- Posted by DrPWesleyAs with every election, There will always be a “sect” Democratic/ Republican, Male/ Female, Black/ White who’s sole position is to find at a minimum five “media hyped” infractions or misspeaks from a candidate or un-American persons whom he/she associates(ed)with, what he/she has not done, his/her religion. As time goes on, it’s no longer about what values or issues they stand against or for. It’s becomes more of why should I vote for someone who has ??? To brood over what ever lie comes out of anyone running for office is the story of American Politics. I don’t care what is said in the races, it’s all a ploy to get a vote. Whom ever wins SO BE IT. There is still old blood in the House and neither candidate will go no farther than they allow. This entire race is out of control and its America’s fault for fueling it. Ignorance at its finest. It’s time to wake up America.
- Posted by RonWhich candidate is best equipped to bring this country together to face the problems, the baggage left from a failed Bush administration?
Hillary is a political heavyweight, no doubt, but can she be an effective President? Republicans despise her. Democrats are also divided.
John McCain, I respect for his service and sacrifice to the nation. However, being in lock step with George Bush’s foreign policy is unacceptable and he has no plan for the prosperity of the middle-class. (The backbone of America) Are you listening Pennsylvania?
I met so many people who were so pround and rallied for George Bush saying “he was taking the country in the right direction; gave him all that “political capital” Where are you people now? Do you feel betrayed? How has it worked out for you?
The Republican party needs to be punished and reformed.
Sorry John you are now the poster boy for the Republicans.
Barrack Obama, to be fair, has little experience as a statesman. However, his ability to, unite and inspire, in my opinion is what this country needs now.
The political status quo in Washington is destroying us and needs to be challenged.
The fringe of society the far left (Wright) and the radical right (Limbaugh) are not the BEST of America.
They appeal to the fearful, selfish and delusional.
Wake Up and Think for yourselves people.
If you can’t take the time to research the issues and accusations yourself, for God’s sake don’t let some biased talking head “program” your opinion.
The voice of the bigots, the sexist, the racist, the FEARFUL should, not be louder than the tolerant, honorable, and fear-less.
The only thing we have to Fear is Fear itself!
America lets Unite and turn this Country around.
Vote 2008
- Posted by Jeff C.I’m an 82 year old woman who has been interested in politics and government all my adult life. I have admired Hillary Clinton for years, and defended her against the right wing looneys who did indeed practice “the politics of personal destruction” during her husband’s time in office. I was planning to vote for her in the primary, but had second thoughts after Bill Cinton compared Obama’s win in South Carolina to that of Jesse Jackson. Later, Sen. Clinton stated the both she and McCain had the credentials to be Commander -in-Chief, but all that Obama had was a “speech”, she inspired only my contempt. One does NOT demean one’s own party affilates in a primary, and build up the opposition’s candidate in order to promote oneself. Even the dunce Reagan had his 11th commandment. I recommend reading Obama’s books to understand him. Unfortunately many Clinton suporters’ comments would suggest that reading books is not likely to be their favored pastimes.
- Posted by DorothySenator Clinton and her campaign has only themselves to blame. They totally took their opponent for granted thinking it was given that she’d be the nominee. Lesson learned, never assume anything. When Senator Obama won 2 of the first 4 (she won Nevada, but he got more delegates), she should have revamped her camapaign just as Senator McCain did. I don’t agree with McCain, but he learned and did what he had to do. She took the caucuses for granted (calling them illegal) and now expects those caucus states to vote for her. She only cares about the so called “traditional” democratic states, vs fighting for all 50 states. And yes, some do believe, myself included, that she is intentionally trying to damage Obama if she doesn’t win to make sure he doesn’t. If he should win the presidency, she knows she’ll never have another chance.
- Posted by DJ in TXIf there is a racial divide in the Democratic Party and throughout the country-it’s due to Obama’s ‘blackness” being highlighted throughout his campaign.
- Posted by Victor RiveraBoth Hillary and Obama are much more qualified than McCain and Bush! Personally, after the last Pennsylvania debate..Hillary proved just a bit more qualified due to the detailed answers she gave. As of right now, that’s who I’m behind.
If Obama is the nominee-I will gladly support him. Democrats time to unite. The objective is to win the Presidential race–not the politically correct, racial race being presented and discussed at nauseum in the media.
As an African American, I have heard this argument from other African Americans in the community. I have Family and friends from all walks of life, and this is a common belief at this stage. That she might be trying to Sabatoge his candancy. This has nothing to do with Race, the belief would be there even if Obama was caucasion. We know she will not overtake him in pledge delegates, and most likely not popular vote. We know the Popular Vote tally is inaccurate because some Caucuses don’t release popular vote totals, which if they did, Obama would be close to 2 million ahead by most estimates. The problem is most media outlets do not make this point of caucues votes when talking about popular votes. So it makes the race look closer than it is. Most African-Americans I talk to don’t understand why she is staying in a Race that by most accounts is truly over. So with that belief, people start speculating on why she stays in the race. The two prevelant things I keep hearing is She is trying to make sure he looses so she can run in 2012 before she is to old, or she wants to make it so Obama has to choose her as his running mate, and if he does not choose her, well there is still 2012. We see her as trying to sabatoge a canidate, it just makes it worse that it is an canidate with African Lineage. The feelings would be the same, Race just amps it up.
- Posted by SeanI firmly beleave that negativety is in the eye of the beholder.I see no negativety coming from either Obama or Clinton only facts.We all know Hillarys baggage from the eight years that Mr Clinton was President,but up until resent what did we know about Obama ? The press gave Obama a free ride for well over a year and did everything they could possibly do to creat this image of being holier than now.When you have to carefully and i mean carefully choose your words when making any comments about Obama for fear of beind called a racist or negative or trying to destroy the democratic party, i find this ridiculous.I’am 61 years old and a life long demoncrat and will die a dem.I want to see more in a my potential leader than just smooth words and so far thats all i see in Obama.I knoww what I,am getting with Hillary,is she perfect no,do i feel she,ll be abetter leader yes this is my opinion.I can,t support Obama with the baggage that has come forward resently concerning his associations and that i fear is just the beginning….
- Posted by Terry