Obama Says He Accepts Clinton Explanation of Controversial Comment

[Douglas Carpenter]

'You Get Careless': Obama Blames Clinton RFK Quip on Stress of Long Campaign ---

Obama Says He Accepts Clinton Explanation of Controversial Comment

link: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=4925145&page=1

"Sen. Barack Obama gives Hillary Clinton the benefit of the doubt that she had no hidden meaning when she invoked the assassination of Bobby Kennedy as an explanation for remaining in the Democratic presidential race.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., mentioned the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's assassination in defending why her race against Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has continued to June.

"I have learned that when you are campaigning for as many months as Sen. Clinton and I have been campaigning," he told the Puerto Rico radio station Isla, "sometimes you get careless in terms of the statements that you make. And I think that is what happened here.

"Sen. Clinton says that she did not intend any offense by it," he added, "and I would take her at her word on that."

Clinton's remarks to the editorial board at the Argus Leader in South Dakota Friday struck some nerves partly because it came in the wake of Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy's health problems and because of longstanding concerns about Obama's security."

link:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=4925145&page=1

.

[Oleladylib]

1. About the same response from RFK Jr. and Sharpton.

[virtualobserver]

3. he's a decent guy, but I'm tired of her irresponsible words

[anigbrowl]

6. Untrue (surprise)

"I'm outraged to think we could be cavalier or unthinking in even bringing this up," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, a New York-based civil rights activist and former presidential candidate.

Sharpton said he spoke to Clinton Saturday morning and was convinced that she meant no harm by the comment. But, he added, "We have not gotten to the point where we can talk about these assassinations like they don't mean anything today."

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jvCxBBUEvIEDP_B8GF0Lup2au-IQD90S89PG4

No harm, but foul.

[thewiseguy]

44. Sharpton and RFK Jr are not the ones who should have been offended

You just dont get it. Do you?

[NanceGreggs]

2. Barack Obama ...

... class act, always.

[rebel with a cause]

27. Exactly....

He passes the olive branch and she passes the bitter herbs. I am sure he is just appeasing her in her attempt to conquer the democratic party, the United States and then the world. :sarcasm:

In a rather raw mood today, the sarcasm does overflowth as does my newly formed ignore list.

[eleny]

4. He might consider making a tape of that for the next time

Just sayin'.

[Cha]

12. Obama's not distracted by what the insane one

is doing. The brilliant thing is hilary is doing to herself what she tried to do to Obama.

And, the mediawhores are the last to know that many many people aren't paying their shillary progaganda any attention.

[Doityourself]

5. Did Hillary give him the same consideration during "bittergate?"

[anigbrowl]

7. Why oh why oh why oh why must Obama always play the victim?!?!?!?!

:sarcasm:

[anonymous171]

9. Of course not.

[Raine]

37. Classless Hillary piled right on to Obama

being the opportunist that she is. x(

[The Magistrate]

8. Hopefully, Sir, His Supporters Will Take Him At His Word, And Consider The Matter Closed

"No one really listens to anyone else, and if you try it for a while you'll see why."

[Bluebear]

14. That could happen.

:rofl:

[Douglas Carpenter]

18. whatever I may personally think of Sen. Clinton and whatever Sen. Obama may personally think of

Sen. Clinton - I'm reminded of the old LBJ quote regarding his political enemies, "I would rather have them inside my tent pissing out - then outside my tent pissing in."

After all, is that not the essence of politics?

[The Magistrate]

40. Indeed, Sir: It Is A Business Not Of Subtraction But Addition....

"The surest way to weaken the resolve of an enemy is leave open a line for his retreat."

[JVS]

23. I won't. I think he was just being nice.

[Joe the Revelator]

28. Sorry Magistrate, I'm fresh out of passes for Hillary

Obama is taking the high road, and I commend him for it. Thankfully I'm not running for office. Hillary doesn't get off easy after trying to push this meme at least three times. She needs to apologize to Obama and the american people for hinting about assassination, and then quickly exit the race in order for democrats to focus on McCain. Anything less is unacceptable.

[The Magistrate]

41. One Of The Qualities Of Great Leaders, Sir, And One Of The Tests Of Great Leadership

Is the degree to which a person stands as an example to those who rally to him or her, and inspires them towards emulation of the qualities of character he or she displays.

In some ways, this affair and its aftermath can be taken as a test, like the runs in a vending machine that sort out coins from slugs, to seperate those who support Sen. Obama from those to whom he is merely a vehicle to destroy someone else.

[Joe the Revelator]

42. One day you and I may agree, but sadly today isn't the day...

Obama gave Hillary a pass, because he is a stand up candidate, and its politically expedient for him to do so. I commend him for it.

However,I think that Obama has had one great weakness in this primary. He does not seem to have the killer instinct to put this contest behind us.

Now there is a time to support Obama for all that he inspires us to be. The time was pre- super tuesday and whenever Hillary allows the General election to begin. In the interim, however, Hillary does not get a pass for hinting about political murder 4 times. Not in the name of unity, or "in the name of Obama".


To do that, a lot of Obama's supporters would have to bury principals that we had long before Obama became our standard bearer.

[union_maid]

62. I don't think it's weakness

We'll see in the GE, but I think he understands, in a way that the Clintons don't seem to, that the primaries are a different ballgaem than the GE, played with different rules.

[thewiseguy]

46. Sorry but she deserves to receive heat over this

This is not a light matter. You cant just possibly be so insensitive towards somebody's life. Obama has got two little kids. He was already receiving death threats and thats why he received the security service protection much earlier than any other candidate to date.

Her non apologetic response adds insult to the injury. If Obama does not want to take issue with that, that does not mean the rest of the country should not.

Hillary has gotten way too many passes in this primary and she is going to finally get called on this one.

[The Magistrate]

51. Your Quarrel, Sir, Is More With Sen. Obama Than With Me, It Would Seem, In This Matter

Being myself of the view both the two contenders are excellent Democrats, and would make splendid candidates, and great Presidents, there is little heat animating my view of their contest.

[DevonRex]

68. He said what he needed to say. He is a gracious candidate.

However, it does not excuse what she said.

I'm not one who believes she is a vulture or wishes him any harm.

I do think that there are some voters who think it's a possibility and therefore will not "waste" their vote. I've heard that from my in-laws first hand. In the interest of fairness, let me say that they are Ferraro type democrats. Enough said on that point.

[sandnsea]

69. lol, he takes her at her word

I suspect those words were chosen for a very specific reason. And I can't believe you didn't know she was waiting for someone to shoot him all along. I thought that was obvious without her saying it.

[frogcycle]

10. big sigh of relief

I expected this from him, but couldn't help being nervous - like waiting for the other shoe to drop or something. He continues to demonstrate why he IS a good prospect for the job.

Maybe he read Skinner's post! :rofl:

[WeDidIt]

11. He has to, she is playing a dangerous political game.

If Obama goes off on her for this, she has a talking point for the super delegates.

"See, even he's afraid he'll be assassinated. I told you, this country simply cannpot go through another poltical assassination and you know damned well and good if he's our nominee, it will happen."

[frogcycle]

13. bullshit

[me b zola]

15. "and I would take her at her word on that."

:thumbsup:


He would--if she had not already proven herself to be a liar. :rofl:

[Swamp Rat]

25. LOL!

:thumbsup:

[Catherina]

56. ! That's exactly what I got out of it too. A class act response to her excuse

and a good reminder of why we don't need her 3am carelessness in the White House.

[sandnsea]

70. Like she took him at his word on being a Muslim n/t

[still_one]

16. That is the difference between the two candidates /nt

[AspenRose]

54. Really

I'll take her at her word

vs


As far as I know



It's like night and day....

[still_one]

60. That was my point, Obama's entire campaign is run with class, compared

to the way Clinton has run her campaign

[MethuenProgressive]

17. NONONO! She's using 'June' as code for 'assassinate him!' - Well, DU says so....

DU sunk low, even by DU standards, over this crap.

[ShortnFiery]

22. Oh now, Miss Hilly has always been honest with us peasant folk ... done that SPADE WORK.

as far as I know. :nuke:

[MethuenProgressive]

26. "spade work" - wasn't that a hoot when low information Obots tought it was 'racist'??

How silly they looked that day! :rofl:

[sellitman]

48. That you would Judge anyone for their DU Standards is laughable at best.

Once again Barack is showing the world why he is of Presidential character and Hillary is at best guilty of a Gaffe of major proportions.

He could of kicked her when she is down but instead chose to rise above.

Hillary should take pointers for 2012.

[K Gardner]

19. Of course he does.. he's a gentleman; unfortunately, she's no lady.

[senseandsensibility]

20. Of course he said that. He has class.

But class is wasted on her.

[kentuck]

21. Those are the qualities that I want to see in a President...

Not petty, revengeful, hateful, exploitive, opportunistic, or unwise...

[JohnnyLib]

24. And this Clinton supporter says, "Good for him."

Looking forward to a Democratic administration in '09............

[BlooInBloo]

29. Of course he did.

[undeterred]

30. Well geez, what else is he gonna say.

Yeah, I know she's just waiting and hoping that somebody will take a shot at me.

[Combative Democrat]

31. Obama and RFK Jr. vs. DU members

hmmm, tough choice.

[sakura]

32. He's once again demonstrated that he's in a completely different league.

Major League versus stickball, Pro football versus peewee. Olympic Figure Skating Champion versus, uh, Tonya.

Instead of stealing Rove's playbook, maybe Hillary should take a look at his.

[Skrelnick]

33. This, my friends, is the high road responding to the low road

Enough said.

[2rth2pwr]

34. How dare he excuse the unexcusable!!?? He will immediately go on many Obama

supporter ignore lists. He should be banned from DU for defending what she said!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

35. You really are upset about not getting that pony, aren't you?

Poor diddums. Just have a little lie down now. You'll be OK.

[Douglas Carpenter]

39. he hardly defended what she said. That would be ludicrous

He acknowledged that it was a gaffe caused by stress

[sellitman]

47. He looked very Presidential saying that.

You on the other hand........

[2rth2pwr]

50. Ouch, you're killing me.

[DeschutesRiver]

36. That is the response that I like to see in a President

which is what makes him fit to hold the office, amongst a pile of other things.

[gateley]

38. It disturbs me that the ABC News referred to it as a "quip".

Be that as it may, I expected nothing less from Obama. Class act.

[PVnRT]

43. Good. Can we move on now?

I wish Hillary would show the same class, but anyway, time for this stupidity to end.

[thewiseguy]

45. We can move on when she drops out.

[mainer]

49. Haha. This will certainly enrage Hillary.

He gets to play the high road again, and the contrast with her low road makes him look even better. By now she must be stamping her feet and cussing out "St. Barack" who always seems to make her look bad.

[Bluebear]

52. Yes, I'm sure she would rather Obama has said "how dare she call for my assassination?"

:eyes:

[gal]

53. And what about when she said it in March?

[Elspeth]

55. Well, at least Obama has some brains, even if his supporters here don't

You ought to follow the example of your candidate here. He knows he can't afford to alienate HRC supporters. He's playing it smart.

[Catherina]

57. I'm with O. I "take her at her word on that". If you get offended, that's your silly business

Some of us know exactly what Hillary's word is worth and have no time for people who think this election is all about them. People who can't do the right thing come election day never meant to in the first place.

Obama, as a politician, wants votes.

We, as citizens, want a movement. We're not going to beg, plead or pander to drag a bunch of dead weight kicking and screaming the entire way.

[AtomicKitten]

58. Obama, as always, is gracious.

Reminds us of what a decent human being looks in politics looks like. Brings to mind Paul Wellstone, a guy who never forgot those he represented. I have the same good vibe about Barack.

No one can say with any credibility Obama didn't afford Hillary every courtesy, although I have no doubt some of her supporters have so thoroughly invested in her victim routine they won't see it.

It's unfortunate Hillary didn't reciprocate that same courtesy that was shown by all the other Dem contenders in the race. However, on the upside, it provided a stark contrast to Barack - something not lost on most voters. So, there's that.

[sellitman]

61. Your post is spot on.

His grace under fire is remarkable. I don't recall a politician who was any better. You are right too... The voters notice. He will be a formidable foe against Mr Old & Crotchity.

[Douglas Carpenter]

59. kikle

[frickaline]

63. K&R

[quantass]

64. And the Funny thing is, the Hillbots will still hate Obama and see it as an attack on Hill

damned either way...they need to hate Obama even though he has never hated on their candidate.

[Douglas Carpenter]

65. one more kikle

[high density]

66. Once again Obama is graceful and nice

While Clintonbots McAuliffe and Wolfson come out on the morning news shows and blame him for being the problem.

[Douglas Carpenter]

67. indeed