Obama Aide: Bill Clinton Like McCarthy

[Herman Munster]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8VIB4QO0&show_article=1

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign is trying to clarify comments by former President Clinton that seemed to question Barack Obama's patriotism—comments an Obama aide likened to Joseph McCarthy.
Clinton's campaign said the comments were being misinterpreted and quickly posted a clarification on its Web site. But retired Air Force Gen. Merrill "Tony" McPeak said he was disappointed by the comments and compared them to those of McCarthy, the 1950s communist-hunting senator.

The former president made the comments while speculating about a general election between his wife and Republican John McCain.

"I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country," said Clinton, who was speaking to a group of veterans Friday in Charlotte, N.C. "And people could actually ask themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics."

McPeak, a former chief of staff of the Air Force and currently a co- chair of Obama's presidential campaign, said that sounded like McCarthy.

"I grew up, I was going to college when Joe McCarthy was accusing good Americans of being traitors, so I've had enough of it," McPeak said.

Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer rejected the comparison.

"To liken these comments to McCarthyism is absurd," Singer said. He said McPeak was "clearly misinterpreting" the remarks and suggested that might be an intentional effort to divert attention from a recent controversy involving controversial statements by Obama's former pastor.

[splat]

1. Gene McCarthy, maybe; is Bill hunting commies?

[MADem]

2. Uh oh. I guess it's McPeak's turn to get all outraged.

Serves to blunt this passport issue:
The third employee, who has not been fired, worked for The Analysis Corporation (TAC), which is headed by John O. Brennan, a former CIA agent who is an adviser to Mr. Obama's presidential campaign on intelligence and foreign policy.

[2rth2pwr]

3. The Obama team is cracking up.

Obama, to be consistent has to launch this guy. I'm surprised he didn't cry racism! (tm) again.

[Eric J in MN]

4. Bill Clinton wasn't talking Obama. He's been making similar remarks for years.

Bill Clinton's point is that he doesn't want the candidates patriotism to be attacked as his was in 1992.

It's the opposite of McCarthyism.

Bill Clinton in 2004:
"Most the people I've known in this business, Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, were good people, honest people, and they did what they thought was right. And I hope that I'll live long enough to see American politics return to vigorous debates where we argue who's right and wrong, not who's good and bad."

[2rth2pwr]

5. The Obama people are getting paranoid, they are seeing enemies

behind every bush.

[Eric J in MN]

6. I voted for Obama, but I'm against twisting Bill Clinton's words. NT

NT

[npincus]

7. Read the Clnton quote- clearly implying (again) that if Hillary

is nominated, then there will be 2 people who love this country, "would't it be great?". Bill is very clever, very good. Trying to conjure up images of Rev. Wright shouting "G-D America", and by inference, assaulting Obama's patriotism.

You're too invested in seeing Hillary nominated to think straight.