Clinton Blames Obama Campaign For Distorting MLK Comments

[Herman Munster]

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/01/12/politics/fromtheroad/entry3704747.shtml

RENO, NEV. -- During a press conference today, Hillary Clinton accused Barack Obama's campaign of distorting comments she made last week regarding Martin Luther King's role in the civil rights movement.

Clinton said in an interview in New Hampshire earlier this week that Martin Luther King's role during that time was facilitated by the help of President Lyndon Johnson. The comments drew fire from the African-American community who felt Clinton belittled King's efforts.

"I'm particularly offended at the way some have taken out of context and apparently deliberately tried to mislead others about what was said," said Clinton inside a local Mexican restaurant in Reno. Clinton called the attacks "baseless and divisive." She went on to say that she was "personally offended at the apporach taken that was not only misleading but unecessarily hurtful."

"It clearly came from Senator Obama's campaign and I don't think it is the kind of debate that we should be having in our campaign."

The press conference came as Clinton wrapped up a full day of campaigning in Nevada, which will hold caucuses next Saturday.

Yesterday, Obama spoke at a campaign rally in Las Vegas where he told a large group of supporters, "Since I'm in Las Vegas, I'm going to say: I'm the jackpot. My bet is paying off."

When asked about this comment Clinton took the opportunity to jab Obama.

"I don't think this election is about us, it's about the American people. The jackpot belongs to the American people," said Clinton.

"You know, to me, this is not a gamble. I'm ready to lead. No one has to take a chance on me."

[catnhatnh]

1. JEDNE....N/T

[Occam Bandage]

12. This is a discussion about Clinton and Obama* having a war of words. What should they say?

"Clinton said Obama called her racist. Also, John Edwards exists."


*but pretty much just Clinton by herself

[2rth2pwr]

13. Is the theory now that DU and it's members are "scared" of Edwards and

his campaign? That his administration would be harmful to DUers so they purposefully don't discuss him?

[KingFlorez]

2. I'm glad she addressed this

Her comment was taken way out of context.

[sufrommich]

6. I am too. nt

[BenDavid]

3. HM, thanks for all the updates from NH and your insight what

was going on, and I tip my hat to you or a high five.....

I too agree with your post and HRC's statement. There was no disrespect towrds Dr. King. He was the one that made america aware of the disgrace that was running rampant in this country by not allowing all its citizens be afforded all the opportunites this great country had to offer.....and HRC said it "took a president" that also saw what Dr King said and wanted for this country to do was "righteous" and LBJ guided this legislation through the Congress and Civil Rights legislation was passed and became law....But it all began with Dr King and any person white, black, brown knows there was no belittling of Dr King and all he did.

[City Lights]

4. Poor thing!

:cry: :nopity:

[Colobo]

5. LOL!

[jefferson_dem]

7. White woman's words about MLK, Jr. taken out of context by African-American man.

Tissue, please. :cry:

[ellacott]

8. There was no offense intended, if I did offend I apologize

Why is that so hard to say?

The responses have not been generated by the Obama campaign, many thought this was a poor analogy.

[Meldread]

9. This is a lie.

Hillary WANTS this to be a campaign about race because she knows that hurts Obama. Obama's campaign did not want things to go racial because they know that'll hurt him among white people. Hillary knows Obama has the black vote, so she's throwing black people under the bus. She made comments that she knew were provocative and would stir up controversy. African Americans were going to vote for Obama in droves anyway, so what did she have to lose? Well... She'll find out what she has to lose if she gets the nomination and enters the general election.

[dkf]

14. Yup. This is the Clinton game plan. And people ask why some say she is divisive.

[Anouka]

17. I agree.

"Hillary WANTS this to be a campaign about race because she knows that hurts Obama."

My own thoughts: This is embarassing behavior unbecoming of someone seeking to be the President of the United States. Hillary and her husband Bill are a disgrace.

[jenmito]

10. Did she shed a tear when she said this?:

She went on to say that she was "personally offended at the apporach taken that was not only misleading but unecessarily hurtful." :eyes: She's really milking this new "personal" angle, isn't she? GMAB!

[Occam Bandage]

11. So...what did Obama say about those comments? Nothing. Clinton is playing

both offense and defense here.

[tularetom]

15. Obama has set a trap for the Clinton campaign

and they have let Bill blunder into it. Every time he tries to explain his remarks he digs himself in deeper and the Obama people don't have to say a thing. I thought Bill was supposed to be such a "natural" born politician but Hillary is being outmaneuvered by Obama from the start and it's mostly because Bill won't realize that he is not a candidate. He's such an egotist he can't STFU and Obama's people have created a situation they know he'll have to stick his nose into.

If he doesn't stifle himself soon he will wind up losing the nomination for her. The media already dislike both Clintons and they'll just sit and laugh while they watch bill torpedo her campaign.

[jackson_dem]

16. If any trapping has happened it is the other way around

[ellisonz]

18. For the record:

it was "I hit the jackpot," and he was joking.