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Clinton Camp: Time To Move On Past Wright

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:15:44 PM EST
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Greg Sargent reports that:

Hillary chief strategist Geoff Garin [said] "Senator Obama has said what he has to say . . .We respect the fact that Senator Obama has had his say on this and the campaign should move on."

Sargent also reports that Hillary Clinton said:

I regret the efforts by the Republicans to politicize this matter and I believe that if Senator McCain were serious he would do more than just send a letter[.] [H]e is the putative nominee[.] I think he could very clearly tell the North Carolina party[,] tell the Mississippi party[,] that he would not tolerate those kinds of advertisements and I'm waiting to see if he does that.

By Big Tent Democrat

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    Clinton Camp: Time To Move On Past Wright | 193 comments (193 topical)

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    Hillary's statement (5.00 / 10) (#1)
    by AnninCA on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:18:14 PM EST
    is perfect pitch.

    We need to turn down this thermastat for the good of all.

    Really.

    Arousing racial tension to win an election is just stupid.

    Pelosi, Teddy, Kerry McCaskill Daschle those are (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by Salt on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:22:48 PM EST

    the folks that should be out trying to tamp this down before someone gets hurt ............................................it should not all fall to Hillary and Representtive Tubbs Jones who tired to warn Obama's campign surrgates on Friday this is a no win.


    [ Parent ]
    Leadership (5.00 / 4) (#15)
    by AnninCA on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:28:58 PM EST
    doesn't require a name or a label.

    Just do it.

    She has done the right thing by turning off this spigot.

    Wright is obviously out of control.

    He's a retiring train wreck with ideas that are so outdated as to be embarassing to everyone.

    I totally applaud Hillary's statement.

    Let us all move on.  

    Let him retire with dignity.  

    He was an honest pastor in that he represents the transition period of the AA community into now.

    But let's not assume that is the "final word."

    [ Parent ]

    McCain (none / 0) (#205)
    by DJ on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:58:28 PM EST
    is  now backing away from stopping the Wright ads.  Said he is not going to do Obama's work for him.

    Guess all those right wing talk shows got him to back off his principled stand.

    [ Parent ]

    Doncha Think It Was Just For Show? (5.00 / 1) (#213)
    by PssttCmere08 on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 04:43:40 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    No (none / 0) (#224)
    by DJ on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 06:49:01 PM EST
    I think it shows he is willing to bend his principles for his handlers.

    [ Parent ]
    And i just got a call (5.00 / 1) (#188)
    by magisterludi on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:36:40 PM EST
    from the DNC looking for money. I said my piece, criticizing Dean and Brazille. I told them to call back when they find their misplaced brains.

    [ Parent ]
    LOL! (none / 0) (#197)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:47:44 PM EST
    From the fake story:

    The minister added that it would take at least two weeks for the channel to launch, but said that in the interim he would schedule a series of other television appearances, on such programs as "Jeopardy," "Dancing with the Stars," and the hit teen drama "Gossip Girl."

    Can't you just see it!

    [ Parent ]

    oh shoot (none / 0) (#199)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:48:41 PM EST
    that response was for the Borowitz story below...

    IACF!!!

    [ Parent ]

    I disagree... (4.00 / 0) (#114)
    by Exeter on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:39:39 PM EST
    Now, the Obama campaign, will come back and say that she has been "politicizing" the matter all along, ect.

    I think she should have said something like this:

    Nation of Islam is defined by the Southern Povertly Law Center, ADL, and others as a hate group. If my church gave a lifetime achievment award to the head of a hate group, I would have quit immediately or gotten a guarantee that they not collaborate with or promote this hate group in the future.  While I disagree with the content of the GOP ad running in North Carolina, I believe this issue with Senator Obama is not going to go away until he shows leadership and deals with it appropriately.

    [ Parent ]

    No, I disagree (5.00 / 7) (#128)
    by litigatormom on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:49:56 PM EST
    She's had her say on Rev. Wright's controversial statements already. She doesn't need to say more just because he's said more.  I think what she said today is perfect. She's trying to persuade the SDs that SHE's the best candidate in the fall, and SHE's been the one talking most about party unity and closing ranks behind the nominee.

    By saying what she said, she's proving she the real party loyalist. I say bravo.


    [ Parent ]

    I agree (5.00 / 3) (#142)
    by Emma on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:59:29 PM EST
    She captured the high ground after her PA speech (so positive there was nothing negative to say about it) and she should keep it.  Keeping the focus on HER and her smarts and solutions always works well for her.  With some of the messianic shine off Obama, and the press doing some vetting on him, she can get back to where she started last fall:  issues and solutions.  That was working well then and I think it can work well again.

    [ Parent ]
    That's true... (none / 0) (#157)
    by Exeter on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:12:25 PM EST
    ...Clinton needs to say what she said today. But, a surrogate or someone needs to still be pushing it.

    [ Parent ]
    Better than the Clinton campaign, (none / 0) (#186)
    by seeker on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:34:30 PM EST
    the Republicans are pushing it.  Why should she be more "divisive"?

    [ Parent ]
    Too aggressive, imo (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by nycstray on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:53:31 PM EST
    Donna B has been shown saying Hillary needs to throw more dirty laundry at Obama. I don't think Hillary should do anything that would play into that hand. It would turn the tide back towards Obama if they can get back on the evil attacking she-devil train. imo anyway  ;)

    [ Parent ]
    I would not take any advice from Brazille (5.00 / 4) (#150)
    by felizarte on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:04:08 PM EST
    even on how to boil water.

    [ Parent ]
    But can she bake cookies? (none / 0) (#156)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:11:25 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    oh I know! I was a bit surprised (none / 0) (#206)
    by nycstray on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 04:02:15 PM EST
    she was going there after earlier remarks she's made. I won't put here what I said to her face on the TeeVee  ;)

    [ Parent ]
    I'm sure that the Obama will (none / 0) (#160)
    by Exeter on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:14:12 PM EST
    seize on some improper intonation or font that the statement was written on; )

    [ Parent ]
    Darn! (none / 0) (#165)
    by cmugirl on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:19:09 PM EST
    She must have released the statement on LEGAL sized paper instead of LETTER sized!  </snark>

    [ Parent ]
    Thank goodness the words (none / 0) (#168)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:22:33 PM EST
    "as far as I know" were not in her statement. ;-)

    [ Parent ]
    Well... as far as you know... they weren't (5.00 / 1) (#181)
    by Exeter on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:31:23 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    The Borowitz Report (humor) (none / 0) (#177)
    by cymro on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:27:00 PM EST
    Rev. Wright Launches Own 24-Hr. Channel

    [ Parent ]
    its good that she/they (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:20:16 PM EST
    are saying this.  
    but as atrios said recently:

    Some Republican or conservative group runs a dumb ad.

    John McCain nobly distances himself from it.

    Cable news spends all day talking about it and showing it for free.

    Rinse. Repeat.

    Regardless of who the Dem nominee is (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by Fabian on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:25:53 PM EST
    this is what will happen.

    The only answer is to grab the news cycle.  How?

    Hmmmmm.  Every time McCain "nobly distances himself" , do him one better.  Say "I don't think [blah blah blah] is what the American people want to see.  I think they are more interested in Issues like [name Issue that is a Dem strength but a GOP weakness].

    Keep it up.  You'll have to shake it up often enough to keep the media interested in what you have to say, but always remember - it's a war of sound bites, you need to say it in thirty seconds or less.  Save the details for stump speeches and debates.

    [ Parent ]

    I was just reading at Digby (none / 0) (#14)
    by sarany on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:28:39 PM EST
    about this.  It was a post last Friday about McCain's bad week, including his denouncement of the ad, and his apparent impotence since it ran anyway.

    So Hillary's got the focus just right on McCain.

    Despite Obama's opening on this (fair game for political discussion), McCain looks small for his inability to quash the ad, and then pouncing on it after all.  Seems like a weasly flip flop to me. He SHOULD get pounded for ceding the high road after making a big deal about being about refraining from making an issue of Wright.

    [ Parent ]

    Sorry, I don't get that McCain looks small (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by MMW on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:44:20 PM EST
    here. Most non-democrat men do not have to prove their manhood, their control, or their superiority. Yah, I know.

    Plus McCain has an entrenched background narrative - Maverick.

    Sorry, Clinton is saying what she has to say. She comes off as the better candidate, the more forward thinking, gets passable press for it (maybe), but no way it dies down because she says let's move on. Wright has brought his own legs and Obama's attitude and recent gaffes are bringing the other legs.

    It just means she can say later on that she has already addressed it.

    Wishful thinking to say it could be Clinton or McCain's problem or that it'll die down, while Wright is still speaking.

    She chose a good day for it too. They will report her response because he's still speaking and they're reporting him still.

    [ Parent ]

    She can only control herself and (5.00 / 6) (#58)
    by felizarte on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:59:41 PM EST
    her campaign.  She has no control over other elements of the society.  But the important thing is she addressed the issue for the right reasons.  People will notice and remember her sttand.  She is showing true leadership and integrity as a campaigner.

    Voters have pretty much accepted the fact that the media is biased against her.  And maybe there are still some honest journalists left in MSM.  On the other hand, I think Obama is dazed and has not recovered his timing/footing from his humiliating loss in PA and the stream of negative stories e.g. Wright, bitter/cling, "Bored," and "can't I just eat my waffle?!" None of which had anything to do with Clinton.  Those are all self-inflicted.

    Where Clinton was able to say, "I found my voice," after New Hampshire, Obama seems to have "lost his voice" after PA.

    Being a Clinton supporter, I am naturally reassured by these developments.

    [ Parent ]

    "Nobly distances himself from it"? (none / 0) (#100)
    by litigatormom on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:32:00 PM EST
    The MSM will never acknowledge that McShame is trying to have to his cake and eat it too by publicizing his noble distancing (not to mention his powerlessness as the presumptive nominee to get anyone in the state parties from pulling the ads).

    At the same time, however, they will speculate that Hillary Clinton secretly put the Rev. Wright up to speaking to Bill Moyers and the NAACP.

    BTW, I watch the Bill Moyers interview, and through most of it Wright comes across as intelligent, thoughtful and charismatic. His "give unto politics what is politicians'and give unto God what is God's" explanation could have been stated in a way that didn't call Obama's integrity into question, though.

    But then again, maybe Wright wanted to call Obama's integrity into question? I wonder how welcome Obama still is in that church....

    [ Parent ]

    Exactly (5.00 / 1) (#219)
    by angie on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 05:31:05 PM EST
    Everybody keeps saying that Obama "didn't throw Wright under the bus" with that speech of his -- but he did -- he has dismissed Wright like some out of touch, crazy old "uncle" who people are amused by but don't really pay much attention -- for a guy like Wright that is throwing him under the bus: 1. because of his ego and 2. because he believes this black liberation theology.  So, not only has Obama insulted Wright's sense of purpose, he has insulted his beliefs (can you imagined how po'd Wright is to realize that Obama has probably been using him & UCC as a political stepping stone? 'cause trust me, that is what Wright is thinking about now). So, I totally believe that Wright wants to call Obama out with these actions -- I think Wright believes God wants him to call Obama out -- Wright seems like a man with a mission to me, and it looks like "mission [almost] accomplished."

    [ Parent ]
    It was never Hillary (5.00 / 7) (#4)
    by myiq2xu on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:21:34 PM EST
    that was pushing the story in the first place.

    That's right! (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by stefystef on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:58:07 PM EST
    And this statement from Hillary is perfect.
    She should stay far away from this and tell Bill Clinton to stay REAL far away from this.

    Obama will have to deal with Wright all by himself.

    [ Parent ]

    Actually fmr Pres Clinton could come out strong (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by lookoverthere on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:10:14 PM EST
    and say, "These ads are bogus. Sen. Obama is a good Democrat and a good man. So why don't we all follow Hillary's example and focus on the issues the American people need us to focus on."

    It's a position of strength---defending the opponent in the middle of a tough contest---and it sounds confident.

    [ Parent ]

    They've done enough (5.00 / 3) (#74)
    by diplomatic on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:12:49 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Indeed. (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:15:30 PM EST
    Short, sweet and to the point.

    Now, Obama, about that debate on a flatbed truck...;-)

    [ Parent ]

    That would be good, yes (none / 0) (#78)
    by blogtopus on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:17:04 PM EST
    but considering how much Obama has been smearing his legacy, I think that would be asking too much.

    [ Parent ]
    just a bit of editing... (none / 0) (#118)
    by jackyt on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:42:16 PM EST
    and say, "These ads are bogus... why don't we all follow Hillary's example and focus on the issues the American people need us to focus on."

    [ Parent ]
    Unfortunately Rev. Wright (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by Serene1 on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:22:20 PM EST
    is perfectly content to remain in the news. He seems to be in his element.

    As for McCain, his weak sounding opposition is not convincing anyone.

    Certainly seems that way (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by felizarte on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:36:05 PM EST
    but why not?  He retired from a church of 8,000 now he can preach to the entire 250,000,000 Americans.

    [ Parent ]
    Wright's like Obama said a crazy ole uncle (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Salt on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:01:55 PM EST
    but Rep Clyburn is an elected officals and leader in the House and he is clearly inflaming grievance and should be called to task by members of the Party.

    [ Parent ]
    Did I Just Read This? (5.00 / 3) (#91)
    by Athena on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:26:16 PM EST
    Should it become necessary in the months from now to identify the moment that doomed Obama's presidential aspirations, attention is likely to focus on the hour between nine and ten this morning

    Dana Millbank right now in WaPo - tide is turning, folks,....

    [ Parent ]

    Aw geez... (5.00 / 2) (#96)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:29:28 PM EST
    It seemed as if Wright, jokingly offering himself as Obama's vice president, was actually trying to doom Obama; a member of the head table, American Urban Radio's April Ryan, confirmed that Wright's security was provided by bodyguards from Farrakhan's Nation of Islam.

    Okay, I'm off the fence. Obama cannot be HRC's VP. The Dream Ticket is no more.

    Obama is toast.

    (IMO of course)

    [ Parent ]

    Seconded (none / 0) (#98)
    by Regency on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:31:22 PM EST
    I knew he'd be toxic to her and this proves it.

    Seriously, the ReThugs will go after him if they feel that what they've got on her isn't potent enough.  Saying otherwise is denial.

    [ Parent ]

    I might have just lost $20 (none / 0) (#210)
    by blogtopus on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 04:26:01 PM EST
    I made a bet that Hillary would choose Obama for a VP, and the person I made the bet with (a feverish Obama supporter) said that would be the kiss of death, and besides, she'd never do it.

    Well, looks like I lost that one. I think I'll wait for a few weeks after the convention before I give her the $20.

    [ Parent ]

    Oh crap (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by litigatormom on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:34:24 PM EST
    I'm a Clinton supporter, but I'd hate to see Obama's campaign run off the rails because of this. If it plays out that way, it will anger a lot of African-Americans and irrevocably impair a promising leader who just needs (IMHO) a little more experience and seasoning.

    [ Parent ]
    He Lacks (4.00 / 0) (#109)
    by Athena on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:36:51 PM EST
    No, he needs judgment.  

    All of these are unforced errors on Obama's part - not ready for prime time or future time.

    [ Parent ]

    Future time (5.00 / 3) (#117)
    by litigatormom on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:41:35 PM EST
    I would have said that his time was in the future. I still think he has the fundamentals, and just needs experience and seasoning -- which includes some time pondering his own fallibility. Judgment can improve.

    But this may sink him for good.  I don't take pleasure in that possibility.

    [ Parent ]

    Neither pleasure nor (5.00 / 0) (#196)
    by facta non verba on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:47:30 PM EST
    satisfaction is taken by me either for in the end it is a waste of his potential nonetheless it would best for the country if Obama resigned from public life. He's as toxic as Richard Nixon really.

    [ Parent ]
    And you know what? (none / 0) (#116)
    by pie on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:40:33 PM EST
    There's nothing wrong with that kind of criticism.  It's constructive and accurate.  No one is saying Obama shouldn't run for president.  He has the potential to be very good.

    Just not now.

    This could have been done without the vitriol and the mud-slinging.  It's been very disappointing to watch this play out.

    [ Parent ]

    Obama supporters (none / 0) (#155)
    by felizarte on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:10:30 PM EST
    will know why he can't be the VP.  And many will be convinced that he did it to himself with the help of his so-called supporters.

    [ Parent ]
    Why, I b'leeve I said on this blog (5.00 / 3) (#209)
    by Cream City on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 04:25:29 PM EST
    in recent days that bad as Wright was when on script, it would be a problem when he went improv in the standard q and a at the National Press Club, especially the significant venue that it is.

    Milbank's list of Wright's wrongs today is jaw-dropping, but none will have more impact on media than this one:

    Wright suggested that Obama was insincere in distancing himself from his pastor. "He didn't distance himself," Wright announced. "He had to distance himself, because he's a politician, from what the media was saying I had said, which was anti-American."

    Explaining further, Wright said friends had written to him and said, "We both know that if Senator Obama did not say what he said, he would never get elected." The minister continued: "Politicians say what they say and do what they do based on electability, based on sound bites, based on polls."

    Btw, in their club, I would bet that members did not appreciate the crowd that Wright brought in with him, with the way they acted as we can see on tv.  But it may dawn on some of the media that this shouting down was the sort of actions reported along the campaign trail at caucuses, too.

    [ Parent ]

    Tweety's face (none / 0) (#212)
    by waldenpond on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 04:43:10 PM EST
    Ryan Lizza is going off on how 'unfair' this is.  You should see the very vague smirk/smile on Tweety's face.  Wright is Obama.  Jekyl/Hyde.  ouch!  Ray Lizza is trying, stating Obama has a record to look at.

    G@d D@mn America!  (Tweety)  You would have heard about this.  Are you telling me he didn't hear about this?   Dems have been lambasting Repubs for ages, this is how politics is played.

    Ryan Lizza is the one who wrote that B Clinton doesn't like Obama (because he is enraged that Obama keeps attacking his record)

    Tweety's flipped.

    [ Parent ]

    Her comment is good (5.00 / 5) (#8)
    by Just another person on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:23:04 PM EST
    But watch the Obama supporters twist her words to mean something they don't and prove how divisive she is. Some of the comments on that post in TPM make me sick.

    I just got done (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by Fabian on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:31:07 PM EST
    with a brief discussion on DK.  IACF! if the DNC decides to seat any delegates from MI & FL.  IACF! if SuperDs choose her instead of Obama.  IACF! even if everything is done according to Teh Roolz.  (I don't know if Wright is ACF!)

    The people you meet online are just fascinating, utterly fascinating.

    [ Parent ]

    What do those acronyms mean? (5.00 / 2) (#110)
    by litigatormom on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:37:32 PM EST
    I no longer go to the Blog That Must Not Be Named.

    P.S. Howard Dean was on the Today Show this morning and was yapping about Teh ROOLz, the need for consequences, the importance of having  chosen two additional states for the front end that had AA and Latino voters....And yet, Dean promises, "delegates will be seated...I just don't know how." Meredith Veiera did not press him on whether he meant that delegates would be seated ONLY after he had coralled all the SD's into declaring for Obama.

    BTW: Don't Michigan and Florida have AA and Latino voters?

    [ Parent ]

    IACF=It's All Clinton's Fault (5.00 / 3) (#115)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:40:11 PM EST
    (my coinage)

    [ Parent ]
    Ah (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by litigatormom on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:46:00 PM EST
    I did hear people on MSNBaraCk speculate when the Wright controversy first emerged that somehow the Clintons had engineered the release of the incendiary videos.

    Perhaps Keith Olbermann will be starting off the Countdown with a resuscitation of that story tonight....


    [ Parent ]

    Yes... (5.00 / 4) (#129)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:50:20 PM EST
    What astonishes me is why HRC even needs to run for President. She clearly controls the Universe already!

    [ Parent ]
    Really! (5.00 / 1) (#136)
    by litigatormom on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:55:11 PM EST
    If the Clintons were that all-powerful, wouldn't they have been able to keep Monica secret and make sure all the Democratic chads in Florida fell off in 2000?

    [ Parent ]
    Heh. (none / 0) (#141)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:59:00 PM EST
    This is why the Obamans who scream "IACF" all the time remind me so much of the Freepi.

    Their logic centers appear to be seriously impaired.

    [ Parent ]

    Unlike Clyburn, Hillary is a good politician (5.00 / 5) (#18)
    by Prabhata on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:31:03 PM EST
    I think the statement is to let the AA voters that she is not going along with the race baiting.  That move is for the November election, and maybe for some AA's who might be having second thoughts at BOs electability.

    exactly (5.00 / 3) (#32)
    by ccpup on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:39:05 PM EST
    She's showing she's not playing that game and disagrees with the GOP tactics to attack Obama via Wright which subtly reminds these suddenly skittish potential Obama voters that

    1. Wright will be an issue which could (and will) adversely affect Dem chances in the Fall if Obama's the Nominee

    2. McCain is as divisive as the GOP and not the maverick he'll sell himself to be so he shouldn't be trusted to be as behind the AA community as he'll say he is

    and 3) she supports their community, has always supported their community and will continue to support them especially if the Media takes the words of a misguided Reverend and attempts to wound the community with them.

    She really is showing her impressive ability to out-maneuver Barack on this big chess board we call The Primary.

    [ Parent ]

    She's also coming to the defense (5.00 / 2) (#220)
    by lookoverthere on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 05:41:16 PM EST
    of two gubernatorial candidates (and superdelegates) in NC who did not endorse her.

    [ Parent ]
    has Obama done that? (none / 0) (#221)
    by ccpup on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 05:45:08 PM EST
    Or is he still waiting to see which way the wind blows before finding his "courage".

    (I assume you mean the two down-ticket Dems who have ads being run against them linking their campaigns to Wright and Obama, correct?)

    [ Parent ]

    What? (none / 0) (#225)
    by MO Blue on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 07:32:03 PM EST
    Obama doesn't stand up for anyone but Obama.

    [ Parent ]
    Yepper (none / 0) (#227)
    by lookoverthere on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:25:46 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    sorry---that was to ccpup (none / 0) (#228)
    by lookoverthere on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:34:35 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    So...apparently there are some things (5.00 / 7) (#28)
    by kredwyn on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:36:08 PM EST
    that she will not do or say in order to get the nomination.

    That was a nicely done statement.

    but now watch Obama (5.00 / 6) (#40)
    by ccpup on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:42:44 PM EST
    feed her to the wolves without a second thought the first chance he gets.

    I hope the SDs are making mental notes about which candidate is stabbing which candidate (and spouse) in the back whenever there's an opportunity to do so and which candidate is (and has been) making a plea for party unity and declaring some attacks out-of-bounds.

    [ Parent ]

    It was clearly time for her to say something, (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by Anne on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:39:51 PM EST
    and what she and her campaign have now said strikes me as being near-perfect.

    The campaigns have to move on - whether the media will go along with that strategy remains to be seen.  After listening to Rev. Wright this morning, I'm not sure he is ready for the microphones to go dead or the cameras to be turned off - and if he's still interested in hogging the media spotlight, will the media continue to indulge him?

    Of course, the media and the McCain campaign could just as easily respond to Clinton that no one cares what she thinks, and the Obama campaign could choose to keep things going by finding some bone to pick with Clinton over her statement - that would be a huge mistake on their part, I think.

    Hillary knows what we all know - that we can let go of Wright for now, but if Obama is the nominee, and even if he is on the ticket as VP, we will be seeing even more of Wright in the general election that we already have.  And who, in their right mind, wants that?

    Not me (speaking as someone who mostly still seems to be in her right mind - although this election season is putting that to the test)!

    She has no say in the matter (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by dianem on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:40:14 PM EST
    Neither she nor her campaign created the Wright story and it's ridiculous for her to get involved in any way. Wright doesn't benefit her. It hurts Obama without making her look better. And it isn't going to go away if she or Obama want it to.

    Wright is the gift that keeps on giving for the right wing. If he would just shut up for a few months the scandal would fade in the public memory, but is not going to happen.  And Obama can't renounce him at this point. He's too closely tied to him. It was really stupid of Obama to essentially say "it's a black thing" when he refused to distance himself from Wright. It makes white Americans feel as if there is some important difference between white and black Americans at a time when we need to be emphasizing the many ways we are the same.

    however (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by dws3665 on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:48:02 PM EST
    She (and/or her campaign) would have continued to be asked about it by the media. Her not answering would keep the story alive. Some type of statement was needed, imho, and I think this is a very good one.

    [ Parent ]
    And, it's probably just the thing to (none / 0) (#57)
    by MarkL on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:59:38 PM EST
    keep Wright talking, if you want to take a cynical view of the statement.

    [ Parent ]
    I didn't say the statement wasn't good (none / 0) (#194)
    by dianem on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:45:14 PM EST
    As far as it goes, it's fine. But she can't make the media stop Wright-watching when he is talking at the National Press Club and major national events. Right -wingers aren't the only ones promoting Wright - Wright is also self-promoting, and he isn't likely to stop now that he has a bigger pulpit than ever.

    [ Parent ]
    Good for Hillary... (5.00 / 3) (#45)
    by OrangeFur on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:44:45 PM EST
    But Wright isn't going away. Tthe problem is that unlike everyone else, Wright isn't supposed to be helping the Democratic Party.

    Wright is for Wright, and that's his right. He's trying to save his own reputation, not Obama's. And given the shots that Obama has taken at him, I'm not surprised he doesn't feel any obligation to help him out by going away.

    Seems like a smart move by Hillary (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by flyerhawk on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:07:23 PM EST
    Now that the Right Wing attack dogs have grabbed hold of it there isn't much meat left for Hillary.  She cannot appear to be echoing the Right Wing crazy brigade.

    Now she can look magnanimous while the Right Wing uses it to attack Obama.

    As Wright makes more noise on his own the less impact he will have on Obama.  

    Less impact? (5.00 / 2) (#81)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:20:45 PM EST
    Um, ok.

    Wright needs to go away for good. NOW.

    [ Parent ]

    I dont see that happening (none / 0) (#88)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:23:41 PM EST
    but I agree he should

    [ Parent ]
    I just read (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by pie on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:34:59 PM EST
    comments following Sargent's post. Obama supporters are clinging to the notion that Wright doesn't hurt Obama.

    Good luck with that, people.

    [ Parent ]

    Supposing Wright keeps talking. (none / 0) (#89)
    by MarkL on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:24:56 PM EST
    Will you admit that Obama is not going to win in November, if he even gets the nomination?

    [ Parent ]
    If he does not shut up? (none / 0) (#93)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:27:58 PM EST
    then Obama will not win.

    [ Parent ]
    obama needs to put it up there.... (none / 0) (#226)
    by moll on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:10:41 PM EST
    I am not a fan of Obama's, but for some perverse reason I keep fantasizing about this scenario:

    1. he takes the debate with Hillary

    2. he astonishes us all by clarifying exactly who he is, what he believes, and what he is going to do for the American people. He also makes clear what his real motives were in hanging out with all the people.

    3. he is so persuasive, so honest, and so thorough, that I can go back to not minding the idea of him as President.

    I guess that means that, beneath all my anger, I still want to believe in the guy.

    So I can only imagine what it must be like for people who actually like and admire him.

    [ Parent ]

    I have no idea (none / 0) (#153)
    by flyerhawk on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:07:14 PM EST
    I don't make predictions about events that I can't reasonably speculate on.

    Maybe Wright will keep talking and he will continue to damage Obama.  Maybe people will soften their views on Wright.  Maybe they will get bored of him and not pay anymore attention to him.  Maybe Wright will simply go away.

    I really don't know.

    [ Parent ]

    absolutely (5.00 / 4) (#104)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:34:00 PM EST
    Clyburn was never freelancing.
    this has been staged carefully.  but I think it is starting to backfire.  I just dont think they can make AAs hate the Clintons as much as they thought.
    who knew?
    (actually I did)

    As someone (5.00 / 2) (#158)
    by cmugirl on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:12:38 PM EST
    who has someone very close to me who briefly worked on the Kerry campaign scheduling surrogates, I can tell you that Clyburn definitely had the blessing of the Obama campaign.  The Obama campaign is the one who gets the particular people to go out, they schedule where they want them and what their message is to be.  Occasionally, some go off script, but not seasoned politicians.

    This was approved from the top.

    [ Parent ]

    Why the riotqs will not be in Denver... (1.00 / 1) (#222)
    by SAINTIXE56 on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 05:50:34 PM EST
    Coming from HRC team, that is rich to play down Wrights comments, the man is a lunatic and it was not hard to know it from the first time around, what is clear is that the cLinton mafia has willingly blown up the chance of an AA to reach the WH FOR AGAIN A VERY LONG TIME. yes bwanah, me good boy, so dont be worried the GE willcome with a price and a long tab as for the senate and other elections
    time for payback.

    Hmm. (none / 0) (#3)
    by LarryInNYC on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:20:51 PM EST
    Kinda subtle?

    By me? (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:22:33 PM EST
    I hope not. I want this story gone.

    [ Parent ]
    wright's starting to remind me (5.00 / 6) (#10)
    by Turkana on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:26:14 PM EST
    of ralph nader. after decades of speaking before a few hundred people here, a few thousand people there, he suddenly has the national spotlight. and he likes it. and he's not going to easily give it up.

    [ Parent ]
    When did Ralph Nader. . . (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by LarryInNYC on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:27:21 PM EST
    ever pull an audience of a few thousand people?

    [ Parent ]
    he occasionally filled (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Turkana on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:29:22 PM EST
    a college auditorium. suddenly, he was filling basketball arenas. how fun!

    [ Parent ]
    The WWF (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:32:06 PM EST
    guys can fill a place up; maybe one of them should run. Or maybe one of the Olsen twins.

    [ Parent ]
    It's been done. n/t (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by LarryInNYC on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:22:20 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    He reminds me of my boy Ralph too.... (5.00 / 0) (#33)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:39:41 PM EST
    both say what they mean and mean what they say.  

    I wish I could say the same for the 3 stooges campaigning for president, or 99% of our Congress.  

    [ Parent ]

    BTD, it is not going away. Even if it were to go (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by feet on earth on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:43:54 PM EST
    away from all 3 campaigns, it is not going from the media or from the various cultural/ethnic/religious organizations representing groups that took offense.  

    Garlic Noses have now disjointed noses, not necessarily because they follow the campaigns and the news as political junkies do, but because they ear/read what their org.s and churches analyze and circulate.  Unquantifiable? Sure.  Having a negative effect on Obama electability?  You bet.

    [ Parent ]

    No, by Clinton. (4.20 / 5) (#11)
    by LarryInNYC on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:26:36 PM EST
    Sort of a soft appeal to Wright-following African American voters without damaging her appeal to anti-Wright whites while at the same time actually ginning up the Wright issue.

    If Clinton spends the next few days knocking McCain for not being sufficiently against the people who are against Wright she paints McCain as divisive, reminds white voters about Obama's association with Wright, and lets African American voters know she's still there for them.

    [ Parent ]

    Yes, Clearly It's Hillary Clinton's Responsibility (5.00 / 9) (#21)
    by BDB on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:31:55 PM EST
    to make the issue of Obama's 20-year relationship with Wright go away.  

    Which is not to say that I disagree with Clinton that it's time to move on, I don't.  But ultimately Wright is a self-inflicted wound for Obama and I'm tired of every problem he has being Hillary's fault.  

    [ Parent ]

    This has been a bizarre POV of Obama supporters (5.00 / 3) (#159)
    by Ellie on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:14:06 PM EST
    ... the complaint that TeamClinton aren't spending half their time and resources either mopping up, or outright STUMPING for Obama.

    Honestly. Bad enough to see all this bouncing off walls about Obama owning his on the record words and actions -- and additional gaffes that happen during the WORMing -- but seriously ...

    When were candidates supposed to fawn along with the rival team's fans?

    (The complaint came up in the hand-wringing about WJC being such a "loose cannon" on the trail.)

    [ Parent ]

    This just fits in (5.00 / 1) (#167)
    by nemo52 on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:22:09 PM EST
    with the Hillary-as-bad-Mommy mentality.

    [ Parent ]
    You two are right on target. (none / 0) (#203)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:57:06 PM EST
    The Obamans who claim that HRC should be covering Barack's butt rather than trying to, you know, win the nomination, don't realize that they are tacitly admitting how weak Obama really is as a candidate.

    HRC doesn't need Barack to cover for her, after all. She is strong enough to admit her own mistakes and to work them out herself. She even smacks down Bill when he gets too rowdy.

    She is solid to the core.

    [ Parent ]

    Wright himself is ginning up the Wright issue (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by ruffian on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:33:05 PM EST
    or did Clinton ask him to do a 4 day media blitz?

    [ Parent ]
    Absolutely (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by cmugirl on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:41:29 PM EST
    She gets a jab in to the right, at the same time a jab in to the left, and still looks like she's the "unity" candidate.

    Brilliant.

    [ Parent ]

    I disagree. (4.00 / 0) (#47)
    by rooge04 on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:45:03 PM EST
    I don't think there's any nefarious undertones to her statement. Simply Wright is Enough.  McCain should stop being a typical Republican.

    I do not see any underlying evil (nor do I condone it) way of getting Wright tied to Obama yet again.  Ya know, she DOES care about the Party.  

    [ Parent ]

    I think it's code (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by cmugirl on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:54:26 PM EST
    At this point, anyone who is slightly paying attention, the name Wright will evoke something in people.  And if they haven't been paying that close attention, it highlights that Wright has been speaking all weekend and those clips will be played, plus the GOP commercials to give her statements context.

    She has kept quiet about this topic and people have been speculating how her campaign would use it.  She puts it to bed with this statement and appears above the fray.

    In my most humble opinion, of course.  :)

    [ Parent ]

    And this is a bad thing because...? (none / 0) (#20)
    by janarchy on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:31:16 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Where did I say it's a bad thing? (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by LarryInNYC on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:40:00 PM EST
    I'm really just interested in it as an example of political ju-jitsu.  I've always admired Clinton as a politician and this is another example of just how good she is.

    [ Parent ]
    Because.... (1.00 / 1) (#39)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:42:18 PM EST
    she is talking out of both sides of her mouth.  

    Some of us value integrity over "electability".

    [ Parent ]

    If HRC were dishonest (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:04:47 PM EST
    about anything important, the corporate media would have found it by now.

    That's why I trust her more than the others.

    Sure, she has to watch what she says. If everything you said were deconstructed by a hostile punditry, every day for 16 years, you'd be a little cautious too.

    [ Parent ]

    It's the opposite.... (1.00 / 0) (#132)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:53:23 PM EST
    if Clinton, or Obama for that matter, were honest about anything important they'd be getting the Rev. Wright treatment from the corporate media by now.  iow, crucified.

    Or the Ralph Nader, Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich treatment. iow, being ignored.

    [ Parent ]

    Are you kidding? (5.00 / 0) (#149)
    by madamab on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:04:05 PM EST
    Have you been asleep since the Clinton Presidency?

    Do you really think that Bill and Hillary Clinton (or any Democrat) have gotten favorable press coverage for more than a microsecond? They were accused of murder! Bill was impeached for a blow job! Hellllooooooooo....

    The corporate media is all-Republican, all the time. I pity you if you don't realize that.

    [ Parent ]

    I hope the Unity Hope crowd explains Garlic Nosed (5.00 / 1) (#169)
    by Ellie on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:22:43 PM EST
    Last week I was merely an inherently racist problematic old typical white women.

    Now it turns out I'm part Garlic Nosed too. (Hard-nosed, I wouldn't argue; hard-@ssed, a gimme. Garlic Nosed needs splainin.)

    Oh, and evilly Liberal, of course (but I didn't get the full effect of the souldja'ing on Fox.)

    [ Parent ]

    Uhm - (none / 0) (#71)
    by Just another person on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:08:39 PM EST
    Some of us value integrity over "electability".

    I take it you're not an Obama supporter then /snark.

    [ Parent ]

    Yep, exactly right.... (1.00 / 0) (#135)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:54:52 PM EST
    I said I value integrity, which makes me a "none of the above" supporter...aka whoever the third name is come November.

    [ Parent ]
    Third name? (none / 0) (#223)
    by Just another person on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 05:56:27 PM EST
    Are you counting Nader?

    [ Parent ]
    Huh? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:32:40 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Am I the only one who got it? (5.00 / 6) (#31)
    by Fabian on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:37:06 PM EST
    Clinton takes McCain to task re: McCain's ineffectual protest against a nasty 527 Wright ad.

    While effectively cutting Obama out of the loop,
    Clinton points out McCain's impotence,
    and fights against below-the-belt ads.

    Not shabby work.

    [ Parent ]

    I got it... (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by kredwyn on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:39:43 PM EST
    And heard Rush taking him to task for rebuking the NC-GOP for airing the ad.

    [ Parent ]
    Thank you. (3.00 / 0) (#54)
    by LarryInNYC on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:53:48 PM EST
    I was away for the weekend and in the interim the comments section here seems to have become the anti-Kos where any neutral discussion of politics is considered an assault on one candidate or another and people down rate comments because they don't follow or agree with the argument they contain.

    [ Parent ]
    Come On Larry (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by MO Blue on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 02:38:04 PM EST
    One person down rating your comment  (& one giving it a 5) and one other person objecting to what you said in a comment does not mean we have become like DKos. Several more down thread agree with you and I do too.

    [ Parent ]
    There are, I think. . . (none / 0) (#147)