Politico: Obama slams smear photo

[Zueda]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8667.html

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe accused the Clinton campaign Monday of "shameful offensive fear-mongering" by circulating a photo as an attempted smear.

"The photo, taken in 2006, shows the Democrat front-runner dressed as a Somali Elder, during his visit to Wajir, a rural area in northeastern Kenya," the Drudge Report said.

The Clinton campaign did not deny the charge, but did not comment further

Plouffe said in a statement: “On the very day that Senator Clinton is giving a speech about restoring respect for America in the world, her campaign has engaged in the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we’ve seen from either party in this election. This is part of a disturbing pattern that led her county chairs to resign in Iowa, her campaign chairman to resign in New Hampshire, and it’s exactly the kind of divisive politics that turns away Americans of all parties and diminishes respect for America in the world," said Plouffe.

Updated to add the lack of denial from the Clinton campaign.

[babylonsister]

1. I can't wait to hear Olbermann's take on this; I suspect he won't be

amused by their fearmongering. Get a clue, Clinton supporters, because that's exactly what this is.

[niceypoo]

27. I find it amusing that anything about Obama is off limits....

Photos from his past, his admitted drug use, his Muslim family roots.....his middle name, all, "smears," though true. It is though his supporters are ashamed of him on many levels and want certain of his past swept under the rug.

He should deal with all of this now and get it out of the way because the republicans will rip him a new one on these subjects come later on if he doesn't. He wont be able to pretend it doesn't exist then and the media will turn on him like a pack of rabid piranhas as they always do to Democrats in the general.

[babylonsister]

32. He is dealing with it, and making your candidate look petty in the process,

so deal with that:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4757652

[HeraldSquare212]

42. So you think they were just innocently circulating random photos?

[JackORoses]

70. no, we are ashamed of people like you. who would use a man's family and ancestry to attack him.

[Perky]

86. OMG give it a rest..

No one is saying that. You want to come after Obama on substantive matters like healthcare or NAFTA that is certainly fair game. But circulating pictures which have nothing to do with the issues or his candidacy should be criticized.

[NDambi]

36. Should be another KO by KO...I look forward to it...

[wndycty]

2. I would think that there is more evidence than Drudge because. . .

. . .I doubt Plouffe would be responded if he was the only source.

[yourguide]

3. read the article, it's worse...

And I quote:

"The Clinton campaign did not deny the charge, but did not comment further."

[Zueda]

9. Thanks.

Updated OP.

[NDambi]

49. Wonder if this will come up in the debate tomorrow..and I'm still waiting for someone

to ask her, why she hasn't released her tax returns!!

[Apollo11]

4. Fear-mongering?

Fear-mongering is telling people that Hillary will "force" them to buy health insurance they "can't afford"."

Like this flyer that the Obama campaign has been distributing in Ohio:

[catgirl]

7. But it's true-some people may not be able to afford it

what's that got to do with this unbelievable smear?

[Ravy]

11. Because there are subsidies to people who cannot afford it. nt

[godai]

24. I've never seen an actual calculation how that would work.

Stats in CA and MA show not all people will get mandatory auto or health insurance. The key to Clinton's proposal is how you define 'Can you afford it?'. That seems virtually impossible to define. I think how it will work is, available funds will be divided up among people who are defined as 'can't afford it', then those folks must pay the difference based on whatever the premium is, or face a fine or wage garnishment.

[Marrah_G]

40. A family of 4 making 63,000 or less can get very good insurance very cheap.

[godai]

62. What's the annual deductible? Thanks n/t

[godai]

77. I checked this myself...apparently up to $2000 annual deductible!

This is kind of what I thought, with premiums as low as $60 a month. The deductible can be the catch, spend $2000 a year before the insurance coverage kicks in. If this is correct, a lot of people can't afford this.

I saw an earlier comment that it's easy to have cheap health insurance but the deductible is what makes it expensive, what makes it unaffordable for a lot of people. This is where those objecting to required coverage can make a case.

[Marrah_G]

83. Wrong program- What I am talking about has no deductables

[godai]

84. Thanks for the clarification..here's what I was referring to:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20266957/

The Massachusetts experiment means very little now to the 90 percent of people in the state who already had insurance. But in 2009, their insurance must be good enough to pass a test: It must have prescription drug coverage, and it must have a deductible of no more than $2,000 a year for an individual or $4,000 for a family — low enough for them to avoid big bills for health care. No annual limits or lifetime limits are allowed. An estimated 200,000 people in the state have insurance now that won't meet these tests.

Free or cheap insurance for the poor
Free health insurance is available through the new Commonwealth Care program for the uninsured who earn less than 150 percent of the federal poverty line ($15,315 for an individual, $30,975 for a family of four). They pay no premiums, just small co-payments when they receive care, and there's no deductible, so insurance kicks in immediately.

Reduced-cost insurance is available through Commonwealth Care to residents earning up to 300 percent of the poverty level. A couple earning at three times the poverty line, or $41,070, would pay at least $210 a month, or $2,520 a year.

New plans for everyone else
For those who earn too much to get a subsidy, they can shop on their own for insurance or choose from the state's 42 plans offered by six companies. The plans range from $175 to $600 a month, depending on coverage, location and age. Consumers can sign up on the Web site of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority. These plans may not seem cheap, but the plans have to cover prescription drugs and have low deductibles. Massachusetts consumers already face relatively high insurance rates, because of the "guaranteed issue" law and other consumer-protection laws. The state says the new plans cost about half of what non-group that covered less were costing before the reform.

Options for young adults
Low-cost plans are available for ages 19-26, starting at about $120 a month, with limits of $50,000 to $100,000 on annual coverage on most plans. Only young adults without employer coverage are eligible. To protect young adults from scams, these plans can be bought only through the state agency. And insurers are required to offer coverage for up to two years after young adults lose their dependent status.

[Marrah_G]

85. I am on Commonwealth care- I pasted it below

Free or cheap insurance for the poor
Free health insurance is available through the new Commonwealth Care program for the uninsured who earn less than 150 percent of the federal poverty line ($15,315 for an individual, $30,975 for a family of four). They pay no premiums, just small co-payments when they receive care, and there's no deductible, so insurance kicks in immediately.

It is far better then any HMO plan and covers everything, just like Mass health does.

Essential I am allowed to buy into the state healthcare system and my children are on it for free.

Now there are loop holes that need to be closed, but it is a good first step.

What I have is sort of what universal single payer would be like. No country has frre healthcare....in that they pay for it through taxes. I would love to see that implemented here.

[godai]

87. Good to know your family has affordable health (including dental) insurance! n/t

[Marrah_G]

82. I make 40k- family of 4- 60.00 per month no deductable- Same as MassHealth

I believe the rates go up to 120 a month for someone making 60k- again no deductible, everything is covered, including vision and dental.

[Ravy]

41. The alternative is to lump in an "uninsured patient" sum on

every health insurance plan, ensuring tha even less people can afford it. Simlar to the "uninsured motorist" charge on many people's auto insurance.

I don't know what the requirements of having the "insurance" will be either. It is somewhat ludicrous, but I am sure you could buy a health care plan with a million dollar deductable really, really cheaply.

A lot of detail needs to be worked out in either plan. Clinton's point is that if you don't start with the goal of "Everyone's covered" you will never get there, and the more that are insured, the cheaper it is for everyone.

[nolabels]

54. Mandatory insurance does not work PERIOD

Gawd, them insurance companies must be just licking their chops for that one. The biggest lobby group in California, bar none, is the insurance companies with a stake in auto insurance. In California we all end paying about 30% more for it than other states just because of it. The problem is not the law it's self but the way successive republican governors and bought and paid for legislators have gutted regulation of the industry. You could bet they would do the same with national mandatory health insurance

[Hatchling]

73. People are penalized for driving without insurance.

If pulled over driving or in an accident without insurance you will lose your license.

[godai]

78. And they probably don't have car insurance because they can't afford it.

This makes the point in Obama's mailer, that some people can't afford compulsory health care insurance but would be required to buy it or be fined.

[NDambi]

50. It doesn't matter to me..if I can afford it..or not..I'm not for anymore mandatory wage garnishments

I have enough already. Let me decide.

[speedoo]

15. That's factual.

If it's factual, it's not fear mongering.

[godai]

19. In MA, people who can't afford health insurance face fines of up to $912.

"Critics of the individual mandate say forcing people to obtain insurance is unfair and ineffective. Some Americans will not sign up no matter what, they say. In California, for instance, 25 percent of drivers lack auto insurance even though the state requires it, according to the Insurance Research Council, an industry group. That is higher than the share of Californians without health insurance, about 20 percent.

The government would have to enforce a mandate, perhaps through garnishing wages, opponents say.

In Massachusetts, scofflaws who do not buy health insurance this year face a penalty of as much as $912, imposed on their 2008 state tax return."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022302026.html

[Marrah_G]

30. They also raised the income amount allowing more people to buy into the system

There are some problems with the system but over all it is a step in the right direction.

My family benefits. I make 40,000 a year and support 3 children. I pay 60.00 a month to access MasHealth which is far better then anything the private HMOs offer.

[godai]

34. Thanks for the info. Why have more than 100,000 people not enrolled?

According to the WP story, from 100,000 to 350,000 people have not enrolled. Is it likely they feel they can't afford it?

Also from the article, about 60,000 people are exempt from no coverage penalty, on affordability grounds.

[Marrah_G]

39. ALot of people probably don't realize they qualify now- Just like with food stamps.

Many people do not seek the support available.

[stillcool]

23. Too bad they already apologized...

for the statements they made on that one. Or didn't you know?

Clinton Surrogate Compares Obama Ad to Nazi March
http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20080201/cm_thenation/45278988_1
Fri Feb 1, 2:23 PM ET

The Nation -- On a media conference call organized by the Hillary Clinton campaign today, Clinton surrogate Len Nichols compared an Obama health care ad to Nazis.
----------

Accusing political opponents of Nazism is an outrageous smear. Raising the specter of a Nazi march in response to a health care mailer that evokes the insurance industry is so absurd, it would be hard to take the attack seriously, were it not launched from a high profile national campaign conference call in this crucial stretch of the presidential race. And political observers know, of course, that the Clinton Campaign regularly arranges opportunities for surrogates to launch these kind of smears, which are later followed up with apologies. (See: Bob Johnson, Bill Shaheen, Bob Kerrey, and Francine Torge, to name the most recent offenders.) For his part, Nichols did not immediately return a call requesting further comment.
-------------------------
Len Nichols, Director of New America's Health Policy Program, stated, "For nearly 17 years I have worked tirelessly to reform our nation's struggling health system. Today my passion overwhelmed me. I chose an analogy that was wholly inappropriate. I am deeply sorry for any offense that my unfortunate comments may have caused. I made unfortunate comments that do not accurately reflect my bipartisan conviction, political philosophy, or most importantly, my opinions about Senator Obama and his historic campaign for the United States presidency."

Clinton adviser steps down after drug use comments
Earlier Thursday, Clinton personally apologized to rival Obama for Shaheen's remarks.
Obama accepted her apology, according to David Axelrod, the top political strategist for the Obama campaign.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/13/clinton.obama/index.html

January 6, 2008, 5:18 pm
Edwards: No Conscience in Clinton Campaign
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/edwards-no-conscience-in-clinton-campaign/
By Julie Bosman
KEENE, N.H. – John Edwards angrily took on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at two news conferences in a row on Sunday, saying that her campaign “doesn’t seem to have a conscience.”

COMPTON, Calif. (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton and her campaign tried to mend ties to black voters Thursday when a key supporter apologized to her chief rival, Barack Obama, for comments that hinted at Obama's drug use as a teenager. The candidate herself, meanwhile, praised the Rev. Martin Luther King and promised to assist with the rebirth of this troubled, largely black city.

Bob Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, apologized for comments he made at a Clinton campaign rally in South Carolina on Sunday that hinted at Obama's use of drugs as a teenager.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-17-johnson-apology_N.htm?csp=34

... did you forget about this?

December 10, 2007
Third Clinton Volunteer Knew Of Smear E-Mail

A third volunteer for Hillary Clinton's campaign was aware of a propaganda e-mail alleging that Barack Obama is a Muslim who plans on "destroying the U.S. from the inside out."

"Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential Candidacy," the email reads. "Please forward to everyone you know. The Muslims have said they Plan on destroying the U.S. from the inside out, what better way to start than at The highest level."

Two Clinton volunteers, Linda Olson and Judy Rose, have already been asked to resign from the campaign for their roles in forwarding the e-mail. The AP reported yesterday that Olson, a volunteer coordinator in Iowa County, sent a version of the e-mail to 11 people, including Ben Young, a regional field director for Chris Dodd's campaign. Young passed it on to the AP.
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/12/third_clinton_v.html

Hillary: Sorry for Any Offense Campaign (Bill) Has Caused
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB65wJ6Rcfs

Bill Clinton Asks for a Second Chance
By Liz Halloran
Posted February 11, 2008

The morning after his wife, Hillary, was routed in three state contests by Sen. Barack Obama in their dead-heat battle for the Democratic nomination, former President Bill Clinton made his case for her before a packed Sunday service at one of the largest black churches in Washington, D.C.
But first he offered an apology of sorts for racially tinged comments he made about Obama and his candidacy that have triggered a backlash in the black community and among many other Democrats.

Clinton invoked his "worship of a God of second chances" in pronouncing himself glad to be at the Temple of Praise, which claims nearly 15,000 members. His invocation of second chances echoed comments he made early last week at black churches in California, where he campaigned for his wife before that state's Super Tuesday primary, which she won.
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/02/11/bill-clinton-asks-for-a-second-chance.html

Bill Clinton To Apologize At LA Black Churches
Once again, Bill Clinton is ready to repent.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/02/bill-clinton-to-apologize_n_84573.html
On Sunday the former president is scheduled to visit black churches in South Central Los Angeles, where he's expected to offer a mea culpa to those who "dearly loved him" when he was their president, Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) says.

Watson, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus who has endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), tells us she'll usher the former president to more than half a dozen churches in her district where she says he needs to "renew his relationship" with congregants who were turned off by his racially tinged comments in the days leading up to and following the South Carolina primary. (Such as when Clinton compared Sen. Barack Obama's landslide victory to Jesse Jackson's wins in 1984 and 1988.)

[flor de jasmim]

44. Wow--thanks for putting these together --

[stillcool]

75. funny how quickly..

people forget.

[DemzRock]

5. We need to see if these things burst the Obama Bubble now or...

they will do so during the GE. I KNOW the GOP has far worse things up their sleeves. Consider this a test. And politics as usual.

All dress-up play gets picked on. This will be no exception.

Remember this:

[cali]

13. you need to inform yourself, Mr. Happy

First of all, there's nothing ridiculous about how Obama looks in that photo. Secondly, visiting dignataries frequently dress and pose for pictures in the garb of the country they're visiting.

And in case you hadn't noticed, it's hill's bubble that's been burst. Good to see the Obama campaign smacking them hard for this.

[bigbrother05]

6. Thanks Hillary

for showing us what kind of leader you would be, right out of the Bush admin. Expectations are so low, that you can engage such behavior. Shame on you Hillary, you old School Marm

[babylonsister]

10. "Expectations are so low, that you can engage such behavior" -

boy, isn't that the truth. She can engage, I hope she can't get away with it.

[Adelante]

8. The Clinton campaign did not deny the charge, but did not comment further.

I'm left only to guess that Drudge got it right.

[wndycty]

12. Yup. . .

. . .this thing might have legs. If they deny it and Drudge produces the e-mail they are up shits creek.

[workinclasszero]

14. Hillary crossed the line of no return

She ought to be expelled from the party for this racist fear mongering stunt.

I cant believe she and her handlers would stoop so low as to work with right wing nuts like Drudge to smear a fellow democrat!

I bet the freaks at freerepublic are having a field day with this pic.:puke:

Stinking gutter politics at its worst. Sickening in the extreme. This filth will be the final nail in Hillary Rodham Clinton's rotten coffin!

[psychopomp]

16. We'll see you at the debate tonight, Sen. Clinton

Karma is going to be a biiig problem for you.

[Zueda]

17. That's tomorrow night. right?

[psychopomp]

79. Sorry, it's Tuesday morning out here

I didn't take the time difference into account.

[wndycty]

18. Shame on you Hillary! Shame on You!

:kick:

[UALRBSofL]

20. Why does the Obama camp blame the Clinton camp?

Do they have proof? Of course they don't. Notice in the statement "the clinton camp didn't deny but didn't comment either". That's because they don't need to comment on it when they didn't do it.

[Zueda]

22. They could deny it if it weren't true.

[yourguide]

25. If I didnt do something like THIS

I would issue a denial ASAP.

The Clinton campaign did not deny the charge, but did not comment further.

[Mags]

21. Poor Barrack, he just can't get a break. Everybody has been so unfair to him.

[Barack_America]

31. Unfair? That's how you classifying Dems giving info to the right-wing about...

...other Dems? Unfair?

I would classify it more as vile and inexcusable.

[cali]

35. Clinton's been giving him breaks left and right by

pulling shit like this. I love watching her crash and burn. She's on the path to destroying any political viability she ever had. It's fun to watch the Clinton machine die. Buh bye, hilly.

[Mags]

53. It is just awful. The press and everybody has trashed the man.

I don't know how the Obama fans stand it.

[stillcool]

45. Lest we forget...

Memories, light the corners of my mind. Misty water-colored memories of the way we were

Clinton Surrogate Compares Obama Ad to Nazi March
http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20080201/cm_thenation/45278988_1
Fri Feb 1, 2:23 PM ET

The Nation -- On a media conference call organized by the Hillary Clinton campaign today, Clinton surrogate Len Nichols compared an Obama health care ad to Nazis.
----------

Accusing political opponents of Nazism is an outrageous smear. Raising the specter of a Nazi march in response to a health care mailer that evokes the insurance industry is so absurd, it would be hard to take the attack seriously, were it not launched from a high profile national campaign conference call in this crucial stretch of the presidential race. And political observers know, of course, that the Clinton Campaign regularly arranges opportunities for surrogates to launch these kind of smears, which are later followed up with apologies. (See: Bob Johnson, Bill Shaheen, Bob Kerrey, and Francine Torge, to name the most recent offenders.) For his part, Nichols did not immediately return a call requesting further comment.
-------------------------
Len Nichols, Director of New America's Health Policy Program, stated, "For nearly 17 years I have worked tirelessly to reform our nation's struggling health system. Today my passion overwhelmed me. I chose an analogy that was wholly inappropriate. I am deeply sorry for any offense that my unfortunate comments may have caused. I made unfortunate comments that do not accurately reflect my bipartisan conviction, political philosophy, or most importantly, my opinions about Senator Obama and his historic campaign for the United States presidency."

Clinton adviser steps down after drug use comments
Earlier Thursday, Clinton personally apologized to rival Obama for Shaheen's remarks.
Obama accepted her apology, according to David Axelrod, the top political strategist for the Obama campaign.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/13/clinton.obama/index.html

January 6, 2008, 5:18 pm
Edwards: No Conscience in Clinton Campaign
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/edwards-no-conscience-in-clinton-campaign/
By Julie Bosman
KEENE, N.H. – John Edwards angrily took on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at two news conferences in a row on Sunday, saying that her campaign “doesn’t seem to have a conscience.”

COMPTON, Calif. (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton and her campaign tried to mend ties to black voters Thursday when a key supporter apologized to her chief rival, Barack Obama, for comments that hinted at Obama's drug use as a teenager. The candidate herself, meanwhile, praised the Rev. Martin Luther King and promised to assist with the rebirth of this troubled, largely black city.

Bob Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, apologized for comments he made at a Clinton campaign rally in South Carolina on Sunday that hinted at Obama's use of drugs as a teenager.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-17-johnson-apology_N.htm?csp=34

Scattered pictures, of the smiles we left behind. Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were

December 10, 2007
Third Clinton Volunteer Knew Of Smear E-Mail

A third volunteer for Hillary Clinton's campaign was aware of a propaganda e-mail alleging that Barack Obama is a Muslim who plans on "destroying the U.S. from the inside out."

"Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential Candidacy," the email reads. "Please forward to everyone you know. The Muslims have said they Plan on destroying the U.S. from the inside out, what better way to start than at The highest level."

Two Clinton volunteers, Linda Olson and Judy Rose, have already been asked to resign from the campaign for their roles in forwarding the e-mail. The AP reported yesterday that Olson, a volunteer coordinator in Iowa County, sent a version of the e-mail to 11 people, including Ben Young, a regional field director for Chris Dodd's campaign. Young passed it on to the AP.
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/12/third_clinton_v.html

Hillary: Sorry for Any Offense Campaign (Bill) Has Caused
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB65wJ6Rcfs

Bill Clinton Asks for a Second Chance
By Liz Halloran
Posted February 11, 2008

The morning after his wife, Hillary, was routed in three state contests by Sen. Barack Obama in their dead-heat battle for the Democratic nomination, former President Bill Clinton made his case for her before a packed Sunday service at one of the largest black churches in Washington, D.C.
But first he offered an apology of sorts for racially tinged comments he made about Obama and his candidacy that have triggered a backlash in the black community and among many other Democrats.

Clinton invoked his "worship of a God of second chances" in pronouncing himself glad to be at the Temple of Praise, which claims nearly 15,000 members. His invocation of second chances echoed comments he made early last week at black churches in California, where he campaigned for his wife before that state's Super Tuesday primary, which she won.
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/02/11/bill-clinton-asks-for-a-second-chance.html

Bill Clinton To Apologize At LA Black Churches
Once again, Bill Clinton is ready to repent.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/02/bill-clinton-to-apologize_n_84573.html
On Sunday the former president is scheduled to visit black churches in South Central Los Angeles, where he's expected to offer a mea culpa to those who "dearly loved him" when he was their president, Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) says.

Watson, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus who has endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), tells us she'll usher the former president to more than half a dozen churches in her district where she says he needs to "renew his relationship" with congregants who were turned off by his racially tinged comments in the days leading up to and following the South Carolina primary. (Such as when Clinton compared Sen. Barack Obama's landslide victory to Jesse Jackson's wins in 1984 and 1988.)

http://graphics.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/20080112_nevada_lawsuit.pdf
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/17/a-feisty-bill-clinton-defends-nevada-lawsuit/
CLINTON ALLIES SUPPRESS THE VOTE IN NEVADA...
On Meet the Press on Sunday, Hillary Clinton said her campaign had nothing to do with a lawsuit--written about by Nation Editor Katrina vanden Heuvel--that threatens to prevent thousands of workers from voting in the Nevada caucus on Saturday.
Back in March, the Nevada Democratic Party agreed to set up caucus locations on the Vegas strip for low-income shift workers, many of them members of the state's influential Culinary Union, who commute long distances to work and wouldn't be able to get home in time to caucus. It was an uncontroversial idea until the Culinary Union endorsed Barack Obama and the Nevada State Education Association, whose top officials support Clinton, sued to shut down the caucus sites.
The Clinton camp played dumb until yesterday, when President Clinton came out in favor of the lawsuit.
Clinton's comments drew a heated response from D. Taylor, the head of Nevada's Culinary Union, on MSNBC's Hardball. "He is in support of disenfranchising thousands upon thousands of workers, not even just our members," Taylor said of Clinton. "The teachers union is just being used here. We understand that This is the Clinton campaign. They tried to disenfranchise students in Iowa. Now they're trying to disenfranchise people here in Nevada, who are union members and people of color and women."
Rank-and-file members of Nevada's teachers union also come out against the lawsuit filed by their leadership. "We never thought our union and Senator Clinton would put politics ahead of what's right for our students, but that's exactly what they're doing," the letter stated. "As teachers, and proud Democrats, we hope they will drop this undemocratic lawsuit and help all Nevadans caucus, no matter which candidate they support."
The lawsuit's opponents make a persuasive point. Creating obstacles to voting is what the GOP does to Democrats, not what Democrats should be doing to other Democrats.

If we had the chance to do it all again tell me, would we? Could we? Memories, may be beautiful and yet What's too painful to remember we simply choose to forget

[Adelante]

68. I'm sorry, so sorry

I'm sorry, so sorry
That I was such a fool
I didn't know
Love could be so cruel
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes

You tell me mistakes
Are part of being young
But that don't right
The wrong that's been done

(I'm sorry) I'm sorry
(So sorry) So sorry
Please accept my apology
But love is blind
And I was to blind to see
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes

http://play.rhapsody.com/brendalee/thedefinitivecollection/imsorrysingleversion?didAutoplayBounce=true#

[stillcool]

74. ah, now that's a good one...

love that country twang. Reminds me of Patsy Cline.

[bunnies]

26. This is the absolute last fucking straw for me.

First thing this morning I see a clip on the news of her mocking Obama and his supporters. Now THIS?! One day after "shame on you Barack!" ?! Thats it. Thats IT! My conscience will not allow me to vote for someone this hateful and vindictive. I hope she enjoys the bed she made for herself.
:nuke:

[izzie]

28. Must be pretty good pictures out there of Clinton

after all she traveled for years at tax payers cost all over the world. I do not think Clinton will take a back seat to Obama and I do not think a Clinton will think about the Party good. They want to win at who ever is hurt. I would not count any into the WH until after Nov. my self.

[Barack_America]

29. Please tell me this isn't true.

If it is, there is no longer room for Clinton in the Democratic party, let alone the election.

It is beyond unacceptable to pass information about a fellow Democrat to the right.

[jackstraw45]

64. It's true...The R in HRC DOES stand for Rove....nt

nt

[jackstraw45]

65. It's true...The R in HRC DOES stand for Rove....nt

nt

[RedEarth]

33. That is absolutely despicable ....... sounds like the Swiftboaters

[guruoo]

66. Pot, meet kettle.

:rofl:

[publicatlarge]

37. What is wrong with this picture?

Are we sure this picture will damage Obama? Most people seem to have gotten way beyond zenophobia and racism in this country. But then I live in a multi-racial community, and live and work with Somali's. They are a delightful people.

Guess it would depend on where the picture is being circulated?

[fenriswolf]

67. it doesnt matter about the outcome

it was the intent that is dispicable.

[Tatiana]

38. Doesn't Hillary's camp EVER LEARN? This is going to have the opposite effect they intended.

It's going to further diminish her numbers and add fuel to the Republican fire in the general election.

G-d I hope Clinton isn't the nominee. I'd die of oxygen deprivation from holding my nose to vote for her.

Despicable.

[Zueda]

52. I think she is no longer vying for the nomination.

just trying to cripple Obama to protect the status quo.

[Tatiana]

55. Point well-taken. n/t

[IndianaGreen]

59. Hillary can't win now, but if she destroys Obama, she can run again in 2012

and portray herself as the nation's saviour, in the same manner in which Evita Peron portrayed herself in Argentina.

[loveangelc]

43. This won't turn out good for them if the fact that theyre circulating this gets legs...

[locker13]

46. why

why doesnt the Obama wait till there is a second source that says Clinton is spreading this before they jump on it?

[gravity]

47. It's better to tackle this photo now than in the GE

[madrchsod]

48. the clinton team has become a warm up game for obama`s team

the clinton team has relegated itself to the a-league

[backscatter712]

51. I'd expect this shit from the Repukes, but seeing it from Hillary is the last straw.

She's supposed to be a fucking Democrat.

She should be helping Obama fight these sorts of smears when they come from the Rovian poo-flinging machine. Of course there are rivalries between candidates, but there are fucking limits as to how far you can go when you're competing with a fellow party member.

And she just crossed them. Again.

So Hillary, GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY PARTY!!!

No. Seriously. Get out. We're tired of faux Democrats who act like fucking Republicans. Just get out.

You're as bad as Joe fucking Lieberman.

You're a traitor to the party, you're a traitor to progressive ideals. All you care about is yourself, and you've made it plenty clear that you don't give a shit if you tear the party apart just so you can get your coronation.

Absolutely disgusting.

Get the fuck out.

I can't wait until Mar. 5th or so. Then all the Hill-shills here can face the choice - support Obama, or get the fuck off of DU.

[Bluebear]

56. 'So Hillary, GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY PARTY!!!' LMAO!!

Yeah, this sounds like "the last straw" for you, as though you have been in thoughtful contemplation of her candidacy.

PS, you're posting this filth about her over a DRUDGE story?

[backscatter712]

58. Several other outlets are covering this story now.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8667.html

as an example.

[Bluebear]

60. Drudge & Politico are not what I call "several other outlets"

[backscatter712]

63. Here's another two. CBS & RawStory this time.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/02/25/politics/fromtheroad/entry3872979.shtml
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Obama_campaign_blasts_Clinton_over_photo_0225.html

You'll notice that the Clinton camp isn't exactly denying it...

[Adelante]

71. Clinton campaign response

Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams tried to turn the tables on Obama's campaign Monday, releasing a blistering statement that did little to disabuse the notion Clinton's staffers were behind the photo's distribution.

“If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed. Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely," Williams wrote in an e-mail to reporters. "This is nothing more than an obvious and transparent attempt to distract from the serious issues confronting our country today and to attempt to create the very divisions they claim to decry. We will not be distracted.”

Regardless of whether the latest photo was an organized assault on Clinton's behalf, her campaign already is under fire for trying to link Obama with anti-war radicals from the Vietnam era. Earlier in the campaign members of Clinton's campaign staff in Iowa had to resign after forwarding an e-mail that falsely claimed Obama was a Muslim.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Obama_campaign_blasts_Clinton_over_photo_0225.html

[IndianaGreen]

57. Hillary is another Joe Lieberman, sharing the same racist views about Muslims and Islam

Why do you think she voted so joyfully for Kyl-Lieberman if not to see more death and destruction in the Persian Gulf?

[IDemo]

80. I tend to wonder whether she wouldn't be better served in doing a Lieberman

If all she can offer at this point is inappropriate attacks which are destructive of the Democratic Party as well, maybe it's time she went Independent.

[Algorem]

61. backwards smear?

[guruoo]

69. Just getting a taste of their own rightwing talking points medicine, IMO

Still, two wrongs don't make a right.


Clinton asked "why did you do this? "
Gingrich smiled, looking him right in the eye, and said
"Because we can".

[Blue_State_Elitist]

72. Why would the Clinton campaign do this?

These things don't work in Democratic primaries. If this were the general it would make more sense for the opposition to do it. I don't buy it.

[ProSense]

76. Two things: Hillary Clinton woos man (Drudge) who nearly ruined her husband

1) Hillary Clinton woos man who nearly ruined her husband

Earlier this month, Ms Clinton's staff leaked campaign fundraising data to the website just as her rival for the nomination, Barack Obama, was to deliver a policy speech on Iraq - and a crucial 20 minutes before the official release of the information. The story on Ms Clinton's fundraising prowess dominated the news cycle.

Mark Penn is in bed with Drudge!

2) Obama's campaign would not connect Hillary to the story without validation

It has happened before and Axelrod denounced the attempts to link Hillary's campaign to an attack:

The article further reported that Obama strategist David Axelrod said he did not "believe ... for a second" the allegation that Clinton's camp was behind the story.

This latest incident is different in that it comes on the heels of Hillary's campaign and her surrogates promoting Obama's ties to "former members of a radical domestic terrorist group."

[Infinite Hope]

81. Everyone K&R. n/t

[Hamlette]

88. There are tons of pics like this of Hillary

With Arafat no less. She should be careful about throwing dirt.

[Dinger]

89. Oh great, another politico reference

Is that really the BEST you can do?