July 23, 2007
Posted: July 23rd, 2007 09:46 PM ET

(CNN) – In vintage Clinton fashion, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, takes a question that exposes a potential weakness in her campaign and turns it into a strength.

When asked, if elected to two terms as president, how she felt about a Clinton or Bush serving 28 straight years in the White House, Sen. Clinton replied, "I think it is a problem that Bush was elected in 2000. I actually thought somebody else was elected in that election," in an obvious reference to Al Gore who won the popular vote in 2000, but lost in the electoral college to George W. Bush. The answer was interrupted by a flurry of applause from the audience.

Once the applause died down, she added, "I am running on my own merits, but I am very proud of my husband's record as president of the United States," which was also a good applause line.

–CNN Producer Ted Metzger

Filed under: CNN/YouTube Debate


Jon, Sacramento ~ Ca   July 25th, 2007 12:27 pm ET

I hope everyone realizes that right now these candidates aren't feeling the heat of a national campaign. Hillary can say she is running on her own merits/accomplishments and everyone politely claps... but if she ends up being the Democratic Nominee the GOP will make her LACK of experience a high point (if I am correct her only elected position is the jr senator from NY).

* Little political experience
* White Water
* FBI files
* Clinton Legacy (Monica, Paula, etc)
* "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy"
* Failed Universal Healthcare debacle
* Missing white house furniture
* Lincoln Bedroom "for sale"

Hillary brings much experience. It's just not the kind the American voters will appreciate.

Jane, Southern Illinois   July 24th, 2007 12:10 pm ET

Nothing personal against Hillary Clinton, but she can't be elected. Just for a moment think about the campaign commercials against her in the general election. It will be filled with "clips" about the sex scandals from when Bill Clinton was the President. Don't forget that even though the "Clinton years" were great for a lot of people, the scandals kept other things from being done. The commercials that the the Republican party will use against her will make the "swift boat" ones look like a drop in a bucket.

John Edwards is the best candidate.

When was the last time a woman or a black man was elected as President?

We have to vote "smart" this time. Pick a candidate that can be elected.

P.S. I'm glad that everyone in all the other states think that Senator Obama has been doing such a great job in IL. I live in IL. He left our state senate in a huge financial problem. Of course it wasn't all his fault. But he hasn't done such a great job here. He is a wonderful speaker. I hope he will be President someday. But he is still too green.

bprosserme   July 24th, 2007 10:53 am ET

Hillary deserves the adjective preceeding her name. Oh, and she's ruthless too.

Ellen Heyden Rincon Georgia   July 24th, 2007 8:58 am ET

She is being considered as president not because of her name, but because of her brain.

Jeff, Bridgeport, Connecticut   July 24th, 2007 8:26 am ET

Bash the system when it benefits you, and praise it when it does the same.. We can't have it both ways. If it is broke, then fix it. However, don't rally behind it the next minute. Standing firm on what seems popular at the moment.. A Clinton to the end.

Glenn,B'ham,Al   July 24th, 2007 8:19 am ET

To be fair here Clinton never received the majority of votes in either election he won. Bush did in last election. That’s just a fact. Bush,Clinton,Clinton,Bush,Bush,Clinton,
Jeb Bush in 2012. Does get old to us that want some real change

Mary, Beaver, PA   July 24th, 2007 8:00 am ET

"Hillary Clinton..takes a question that exposes a potential weakness... and turns it into a strength."

Ted, please spare me your adoration of this woman.

Jan, Nashua, NH   July 24th, 2007 7:13 am ET

I thought this answer was A GEM!

I've never understood the problem... we're a democracy! If you don't want to vote for Clinton, don't; but don't blame her for what her name is.

As I've said before, would anyone not want Ken Griffey Jr to play baseball, JUST because someone named Ken Griffey had played before him?

If you don't want to vote for a Clinton or a Bush, don't. But I do believe the Bushes have failed and The Clinton has succeeded. Maybe the thought instead should be, "Clinton is a proven commodity for improving government after a Bush. So Senator Clinton, out of all of these excellent Democratic candidates, will know how to rid us of the Bush** that has been smelling up the WH."
:) Just a thought.

Anonymous   July 24th, 2007 6:59 am ET

Bill Clinton was just as bad as Bush as is just as much responsible for Bin Laden being able to attack the U.S. Why would Hillary be any better? Bill sent troops to Kosovo and else where around the world. No more Clintons and Bushes!

Mark, Dallas, Tx   July 24th, 2007 3:51 am ET

I wish Al was up there today.

Joe, DC   July 23rd, 2007 11:33 pm ET

The only embarrassment is that we elected Bush (even though we didn't). Why should that be a strike against Sen. Clinton?

PBS, Chicago IL   July 23rd, 2007 10:31 pm ET

She didn't answer the question. It's not her fault that her last name is Clinton, but it's an embarrassment that out of 300 million people in this country, we may go 28 years with just electing people from 2 families to the presidency.

Sheila, Dothan, Alabama   July 23rd, 2007 10:27 pm ET

I agree with all of the above. She is also correct about who did and did not win in 2000!

Prov, RI   July 23rd, 2007 9:51 pm ET

She is the most qualified candidate among others. She is running on her own intelligence, merit, deep knowledge, and passion. She is Hillary Rodham, who is a separate individual from Bill Clinton. She has all of it... all the skills...

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