Clinton Slams Democratic Activists At Private Fundraiser (FULL ARTICLE)

[DerekJ]

At a small closed-door fundraiser after Super Tuesday, Sen. Hillary Clinton blamed what she called the "activist base" of the Democratic Party -- and MoveOn.org in particular -- for many of her electoral defeats, saying activists had "flooded" state caucuses and "intimidated" her supporters, according to an audio recording of the event obtained by The Huffington Post.

"Moveon.org endorsed -- which is like a gusher of money that never seems to slow down," Clinton said to a meeting of donors. "We have been less successful in caucuses because it brings out the activist base of the Democratic Party. MoveOn didn't even want us to go into Afghanistan. I mean, that's what we're dealing with. And you know they turn out in great numbers. And they are very driven by their view of our positions, and it's primarily national security and foreign policy that drives them. I don't agree with them. They know I don't agree with them. So they flood into these caucuses and dominate them and really intimidate people who actually show up to support me."

Listen to the audio below:


Senator Clinton's remarks depart radically from the traditional position of presidential candidates who in the past have celebrated high levels of turnout by party activists and partisans as a harbinger for their own party's success -- regardless of who is the eventual nominee -- in the general election showdown.

The comments also contradict Clinton's previous statements praising this year's elevated Democratic turnout in primaries and caucuses, and appear to blame her caucus defeats on newly energized grassroots voter groups that she has lauded in the past as "lively participants" in American democracy.

"You've been asking the tough questions," Clinton said in April of last year at a MoveOn.org sponsored Virtual Townhall. "You've been refusing to back down when any of us who are in political leadership are not living up to the standards that we should set for ourselves... I think you have helped to change the face of American politics for the better... both online, and in the corridors of power."

Senator Clinton's criticism followed MoveOn's endorsement of Barack Obama in early February.

In a statement to The Huffington Post, MoveOn's Executive Director Eli Pariser reacted strongly to Clinton's remarks: "Senator Clinton has her facts wrong again. MoveOn never opposed the war in Afghanistan, and we set the record straight years ago when Karl Rove made the same claim. Senator Clinton's attack on our members is divisive at a time when Democrats will soon need to unify to beat Senator McCain. MoveOn is 3.2 million reliable voters and volunteers who are an important part of any winning Democratic coalition in November. They deserve better than to be dismissed using Republican talking points."

Howard Wolfson, communications director for the Clinton campaign, verified the authenticity of the audio. When asked if Clinton's statement suggested dismay over high Democratic turnout and elevated activist energy, Wolfson replied: "I'll let the statement stand as is." But he elaborated on Clinton's charge that these same party activists were engaged in acts of intimidation against her supporters: "There have been well documented instances of intimidation in the Nevada and the Texas caucuses, and it is a fact that while we have won 4 of the 5 largest primaries, where participation is greatest, Senator Obama has done better in caucuses than we have."

The disclosure of Clinton's remarks disparaging the prominence of party activists in the caucus process comes after she repeatedly suggested that Obama's electability had been compromised because he had allegedly offended other key Democratic constituencies.

ETA: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/celeste-fremon/clinton-slams-democratic_b_97484.html

Audio is on the link page.

[wileedog]

1. Does she understand there is another election after this one?

Even if she manages to somehow kneecap her way to it?

[DerekJ]

5. I think she'll be changing her part affiliation soon. Or in her words to the DP: "Screw'em"

[Cha]

32. She said Screw 'Em to our Party

long time ago.

[Kber]

13. She's hoping we will come around and vote for her as the lesser of two evils

Hew to the right and we will have no other place to go, is her "hope".


(I originally referenced the 2000 election, but on reflection, since we actually won the popular vote then, it's a bad argument and I take it back.)

[wileedog]

21. Unfortunately you're right

Its amazing I actually liked and respected this woman 4 months ago.

[ScarletSniper]

57. Glad you woke up...I did too...welcome to the light, right

[D23MIURG23]

68. She knows she won't be in it.

Its beginning to sink in, and now she is going to throw a tantrum until they carry her out on a rail.

[BlooInBloo]

2. She needs to start the America For Clinton Party, and just get it over with...

... Just like Lieberman.

[AllentownJake]

20. Yep

Mark down 2011. That's when we start fundraising for a real New Yorker to be in that seat.

[Hepburn]

77. Absolutely....

...I will do as much as I can to see that on her next run for Senate from NY ~~ or from any state ~~ that she is defeated.

[grantcart]

3. where is the link? how do we listen to the audio?

[DerekJ]

8. I added the link grantcart.

Sorry.

[grantcart]

64. thank you

[Texas Hill Country]

4. no one cares but net roots, and she is 100% right to boot.

[wileedog]

7. SHe's right that MoveOn didn't support Afghanistan?

That seems to be a surprise to them.

And didn't she win Nevada? What the hell is she crying about?

[gabeana]

9. What a whiner she has become, don't you agree?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

10. I agree. Let's boot her. I'll use my right foot, if you insist.

She is not only pathetic, a liar, an opportunist, she is not even a democrat. Not after her NAFTA crap, her health care fiasco, and the stint on walmart.

[AllentownJake]

14. No one cares

40 million dollars to at the best 10 million in primary dollars last month says Netroots matter.

[DerekJ]

16. WTF are you talking about?!!

Right about what?!! What?!! Did MoveOn they wear buttons at the caucus?

[D23MIURG23]

67. And if she wins the nomination she'll have no boots (on the ground)...

in November.

[krkaufman]

82. Well, except for the fanatics at NoQuarter, Taylor Marsh, MyDD and TalkLeft

A fairly small base, in comparison to who's behind Obama. And the superdelegates *have* to see the difference between the two camps, in terms of activism and fundraising. Who's coattails do you think they're gonna wanna ride on?

[D23MIURG23]

85. indeed, a sad little coalition next to the republican machine...

that would assemble in the name of defeating Hillary Clinton.

[gateley]

6. Do you have a link? (Or a klink as I initially typed?) Thanks. nt

[mrJJ]

12. huffpo

www.huffingtonpost.com

audio is up

[gateley]

54. Thanks. I'm pissed just in anticipation of hearing it. nt

[SwampG8r]

75. i like it

it should go into useage
like
hugh=huge,
moran=moron

[blm]

11. Wolfson's claims of intimidation are as 'well-documented' as the swift's book.

.

[AllentownJake]

15. Wolfosn is Penn

but thinner.

[wileedog]

29. I wonder if there was a staff meeting and they all looked at each other and said

"OK, now we go after MoveOn. We discredit those fuckers and we get PA for sure!"

I mean what the hell is going on over there?

[AllentownJake]

35. Well

I expect it to be complete chaos over there. They have no money and they just had a major staff turnover 2 weeks before the primary. I believe her office looks probably like an exploded clown car.

[SwampG8r]

76. its an belated

denouncement of the "petraeus betray us" ad
when it came out she refused to disavow it
remember the "willing suspension of disbelief" comment she made at the time
then when moveon didnt endorse her she pitched a tizzy

[LSparkle]

17. More smears from HilLIARy ... MoveOn didn't want to go to Afghanistan

and William Ayers piece was published on 9/11/01, in full knowledge
of the attacks. Both are B.S. -- the latter article just HAPPENED
to be in the NYT on 9/11 -- it was NOT a response to the attacks.
But that didn't stop HRC from letting that impression stand, since
it's consistent with the "unrepentant terrorist" moniker he's
been given by the RW.

There is a pattern here and it ain't pretty.

[AllentownJake]

23. She's a liar

She isn't even a good one. At least Bill when he lied was convincing.

[LSparkle]

43. And when Bill lied, we FORGAVE HIM ... because he was a likeable guy

in spite of his failings. What's irritating about her is she
comes across as high and mighty so that when we find out she's
lying, we have no sympathy at all.

[fujiyama]

81. I think you've come to the crux of it

She's not a convincing or likable liar.

She's just arrogant, self righteous, and condescending.

[pdxmom]

48. The MoveOn lie is the some one KKKarl Rove made up. She must be

getting some advise from her new BFF.

[cali]

18. how disgusting. Screw her.

what a.... fill in the blank.

[sandnsea]

19. MoveOn probably doesn't support her ME "security umbrella"

And I bet most Democrats wouldn't if we would force the media to talk about it.

[Cant trust em]

22. Tell me something I didn't already know

The Clintons don't like the anti-war wing of the party. No shit.

[SwampG8r]

78. which, given their history, is astonishing

[tishaLA]

24. Very sad. How many people does she intend to alienate?

[Dr Fate]

25. Same as we did to Lieberman(I-3rd party). Guess what Hill- we were right then too. n/t

n/t

[Dr Fate]

27. Maybe she should join Lieberman's anti-DEM activist 3rd party then. n/t

n/t

[Cant trust em]

30. I was just about to come over your office to discuss this. NT

[goclark]

26. For HC: It's all about "me,me,me,me"

:crazy:

[meow mix]

28. K&R

[Cha]

31. BOO FUCKING HOO BOO hilary..

:cry:

[quantass]

33. Im guessing this wasnt the MSM weekend soundbyte she was hoping for.

[City Lights]

34. Hillary, it's time for you to go.

I don't care where you go. Just go. There is nothing democratic - big or little 'd' - about you. The Supers can't end this quickly enough.

Zellary Lieberman McClinton, good riddance to you.

[Arrowhead2k1]

36. Her remarks underline her sense of entitlement.

Self-serving opportunist is all she is.

[NoPasaran]

37. To hell with MoveOn

When the Senate voted to condemn MoveOn over their idiotic General Betrayus ad, Hillary Clinton voted AGAINST... Senator Hope and Change couldn't be bothered to take a stand. A year later, though, MoveOn has the unmitigated gall to endorse him, turn on the money spigot, and encourage their idiotic members to make phone calls to states like Texas (I know, I got them.) Piss on MoveOn. Eli Parasite, I shit in your hat!

[GarbagemanLB]

38. You sound bitter.

[Arrowhead2k1]

39. MoveOn supports on their principles

Not who pats them on the back the most. I'm sorry that's such a hard concept for some of you Hillbots to comprehend.

[DerekJ]

40. Yep FUCK those 3 Million activists.

"Screw'em"

[Cant trust em]

41. Here we go again. Clinton does you a favor and you MUST repay

if not, you're Judas. Moveon.org isn't beholden to anyone.

[burythehatchet]

44. giggle

[City Lights]

49. You sound bitter. nt

[tkmorris]

53. Did you just call me an idiot?

Yep, I think you did. I love you too.

[PA Democrat]

42. Earth to Hillary: you can't win the nomination and election without the "activist base"

We're the ones who do the heavy lifting of the volunteer work, and the ones that Obama has found are swelling his campaign coffers with a lot of small donations.

[doublethink]

63. Please send you your comment to all the remaining Super Delegates.

That is now the bottom line for this primary season. Hope the SD's are listening loud and clear tonight. Game over.

[SoCalDem]

45. Behind closed doors????

I am SHOCKED.. SHOCKED, I tell-ya..:rofl:

It was pretty innocuous stuff and not all that unexpected :)

I'd rather hear what she said to Bill after SC:evilgrin:

[Scurrilous]

46. K & R

:thumbsup:

[bowens43]

47. She isn't a democrat, she's a hillarycrat.

Everyone knows that the only hillary is interested in furthering the fortunes and the power of hillary. She wii do anything or say anything that she feels will bring her gratification.

As nearly 70% of the public know, she can't be trusted. How does she think she'' ever win election with this kind disapproval? She's done. Her career is over.

[redqueen]

50. "*when Karl Rove made the same claim*"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Someone... make her stop!

:banghead:

[Usrename]

87. I know, I know.

She's slowly morphing into Pat Buchanan.

:banghead:

[MagickMuffin]

51. I guess this comes as no surprise, her being a member of the DLC

The DLC hates the Democratic Party. They are the "Warmongering" wing of the Democratic Party, and we are only useful to them with they have to pander for our support and votes. After they have achieved their "win" they throw us out the bus and run over us in the process, until the next election and the cycle once again is played out.

She also dissed the voters back in 94, saying "they" didn't need them. So much for Party Loyalty.


I HATE THE DLC. They need to be exorcised from OUR PARTY

[jazzjunkysue]

52. "Move on...intimidate people who actually show up to support me."

That's loser talk.

A-yep.

No, sorry, that's GOP talk.

Let's review.

1. "John McCain is a better american/candidate/supporter of me than Obama."
2. "The problem with the country is the activist democratic base that doesn't like war. I like war. I disaggree with them."
3. "Obama is wimpy."

If it walks like a GOP, if it talks like a GOP, then it must be a GOP.
Name one part of this that does't sound like Karl Rove made it up?

[Melinda]

55. K&R

:kick:

[DerekJ]

56. kick

[ScarletSniper]

58. Ooops...she's whining...

[WA98296]

59. Well, doesn't that just sound like the republican that she really is? n/t

[Skwmom]

60. Any chance this was released/pushed by the Clinton camp to play her

as the victim of the extreme left? Would this help her in PA?

[DerekJ]

61. Help herself in PA by Insulting 3.2 Million activists. What a smart strategy that is.

:think:

[amelia]

73. It isn't 3.2 million anymore; you forget about the Clinton supporters who left it

[SwampG8r]

79. oh right

3,199,900 members

[PM7nj]

62. Oh the irony: Check out this video from last year...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFtHoNu-2Pc

She loved MoveOn last year. The Clintons DEMAND loyalty from others, but they don't think twice about throwing others under the bus.

[yellowcanine]

84. Oops, as Reagan said, "Facts are stupid things." The facts bite back at Clinton.

And of course MoveON.org was started to defend Bill Clinton from the right wing nutjobs.

[grantcart]

65. Of course just like Rev Wright she is now shitting on people who

defended her husband

[ihavenobias]

66. Here's an interview with Adam Green of MoveOn from this afternoon

He was on TYT to discuss the debate: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5572632

[Generic Brad]

69. At my caucus the vocal Clinton supporters were also with Move On.org

And they were still outnumbered by the rest of us. What a crock of shit.

[crankychatter]

70. The evile left wingers are destroying Amewika from within

be afwaid Pennsylvania

be vewy afwaid West Virginia

LOOK OUT, Indiana...

[amelia]

71. Who cares what MoveOn says? They endorsed Obama when

they should have stayed neutral during the primaries. Everything Clinton said is the truth. They are still asking me for money to use against the candidate I've chosen. How idiotic is that? What do they expect, after endorsing Obama and stacking the caucuses and working against her? That she would bend over for them? I dont' have any respect for them and that is not going to change after the primaries are over and the GE is here.

[undeterred]

72. Clinton never takes responsibility for anything,

especially for the results of her own actions. She doesn't understand that behavior has consequences. For all her so-called political experience, she's about as politically savvy as a grapefruit. She knows how to play with the big boys but she forgot that she can't do that without totally alienating the progressive grassroots wing of the party. Surprise, surprise. Too late now.

[Eurobabe]

74. But, who's complaining?

:shrug: :shrug:

:eyes:

[TragedyandHope]

80. True colors showing through

[mirrera]

83. This is the Lieberman path... must protect the party from the 3.5 million crazies.

That is what she is basically saying. A group that started, to protest her husbands impeachment, is just too out of touch and all activisty. At my caucus 150 of the 175 people spontaneously moved to Obama's side of the room and no-one said a word or gave a speech. It was like " lets start by moving to your preferred candidate's side of the room". Now I admit Obama's side had coffee and donuts, BUT EVERYONE helped themselves to that before the caucus started. No one at that caucus changed anyone's mind. There was no point. I think one person who could have gone either way stayed on Hillary's side to give her the right amount for an extra delegate. OH and that person was running the caucus! Intimidation my ass.

We had the only staunch Hillary supporter in our neighborhood remove the sign from her window two weeks ago.

Hillary supporters who buy into this are fooling themselves. Look where our country is because Bush supporters continued to fool themselves long after rational fact based arguments should have turned them. I have never seen such a clear division in the democratic party as this. She is the Lieberman wing of the party. Maybe she will run on his party of one's ticket and wrap up John McCain with a bow for the American people.

[Dr Fate]

86. Yep. And we all know what happened to Lieberman. n/t

n/t

[mrreowwr_kittty]

88. I personally witnessed Clinton supporters intimidating voters at a NV caucus.

They were so bad that the caucus chair threatened to call the cops on them. Among other things, they convinced undecided voters that they had to sign their pledge cards as "uncommitted". Before the caucus started. By the time we got alerted to what was going on the caucus was already in full swing. The 6 or so people who got hoodwinked didn't get to make a first choice and had to go with one of the only 2 viable candidates for the second.