September 28, 2007
Posted: 02:40 PM ET

Watch Clinton's comments in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Republican National Committee accused former President Bill Clinton Friday of engaging in “political payback,” after he condemned Republicans earlier this week for criticizing MoveOn.org’s pointed attack on Gen. David Petraeus.

"Why are the Clintons so invested in defending MoveOn.org?" RNC Chairman Mike Duncan asks in an e-mail fundraising solicitation "Well, remember what MoveOn.org's original purpose was? It was founded to attack any Republican who dared stand against the Clinton machine during the former President's impeachment and trial in the Senate for perjury and obstruction of justice."

"Not many people, even Democrats, dared to defend MoveOn.org in the wake of its attack on General Petraeus," Duncan added. "But if Bill and Hillary Clinton understand anything, it's political payback."

In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper Wednesday, the former president said Republicans who condemned MoveOn.org for their recent ad in The New York Times attacking Petraeus are "disingenuous." He also highlighted a string of past questionable campaign commercials targeting Democrats, and suggested Republicans are acting hypocritically.

"These are the people that ran a television ad in Georgia with [former Sen.] Max Cleland — who lost half his body in Vietnam — in the same ad with Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein,” Clinton said. “That's what the Republicans did. And the person that rode to the Senate on that ad was there voting to condemn the Democrats over the Petraeus ad.

"I mean, these are the people that funded the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. And the president appointed one of the principal founders of the Swift Boat ads to be an ambassador," he continued. "But they're really upset about Petraeus. But it was okay to question [Massachusetts Sen.] John Kerry's patriotism on a blatantly dishonest play that had dishonest claims by people that didn't know what they were talking about."

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Hillary Clinton • moveon.org


DB, GA   September 28th, 2007 2:49 pm ET

Would the real Clinton candidate please stand up! just shup up Bill and quietly let your spouse run her campaign. Is that not the role of 'first lady'?

James, Phoenix AZ   September 28th, 2007 2:59 pm ET

"Don't bite the hand that feeds you"

George Soros and 4 other wealthy liberals gave $78 million to Moveon.Org during the 2004 campaign (MORE than the Federal Government). Why would Bill and Hill do ANYTHING to disrupt campaign dollars from wealthy socialists like Soros?

Kate, Aurora CO   September 28th, 2007 3:03 pm ET

Please explain to me why the Republican party does not seem to understand "Freedom of Speech"? Instead of talking about real issues, such as healthcare for children, the never ending war in Iraq, foreclosures..etc, they waste their time on this? I don't always agree with Clinton but in this issue I do. If anyone was a victim of harsh Republican reporting it was him and they are being very hypocritical.

Debi, NJ   September 28th, 2007 3:06 pm ET

Well, President Clinton, wasn't defending MoveOn, he was condemning the attack from the Repubs on the Dems for the ad. So the RNC needs to get the facts before they bark - another bait and switch - shameful. BTW, I am a Republican and I agree with Mr. Clinton.

streele , Boston, MA 02120   September 28th, 2007 3:06 pm ET

why can't we all just MOVE ON?
bill clinton for first hubby!

Wynter, Loudon, NH   September 28th, 2007 3:09 pm ET

Anything said by RNC Chairman, Mike Duncan, should be believed as the gospel truth? Right….

The man's whole purpose in life is to spread innuendo and rhetoric to discredit any and all democrats running for office. Give me a break. The man is so hip deep in falsehoods he should register himself as an EPA superfund cleanup site.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

Tom, ALBUQUERQUE, NM   September 28th, 2007 3:10 pm ET

The RNC is a bunch of hypocriting idiots. These morons are quite skilled in the art of character assasination. I hope that the next President of the united States, Hillary Clinton, treat them with the same ireverence that they did to Bill. Don't even give these fools the courtesy of respect, total disregard.

Barry, Miami, FL   September 28th, 2007 3:14 pm ET

It's about time someone took the Republicans to task for being the hypocrites that they are. Bill said it well. What the Republicans did to Max Cleland and John Kerry was disgusting. Now can both sides please can the personal attacks and BRING OUR TROOPS HOME?

Tony Nazar, Wilton, ME   September 28th, 2007 3:15 pm ET

Is the Senate going to pass a resolution condemning Rush Limbaugh for alling the five soldiers phonies because they wrote an anti-Bush War op ed piece?

I doubt it.

The MSM, except for Olbermann on MSNBC, seem to have ignored the story being much more focused on the horror Media Matters visited on poor matyred Bill O'Reilly.

Peter D. Walnut Creek, CA   September 28th, 2007 3:15 pm ET

The RNC is right!

It was still more "Clinton Speak"! Bill, Bill, Bill, "disingenuous"? I admit it is a great word for what you are trying to say, but who are you trying to talk to? It's a political campaign, not law school! That is right up there with "willing suspension of disbelief". At least when your wife said "A lot of those lobbyists, whether you like it or not, represent real Americans, they actually do” at the Kos convention, people knew what she was saying. They just had trouble believing it, that is all.

My advise? You and Hillary need to pay more attention to detail … like the fact that unfortunately, politicians commonly demean each other with all kind of lies and half truths in campaign advertisements. However, there is a big line crossed when an honored, dedicated, serving member of the U.S. Armed Forces is subjected to a sleazy political attack. General Petraeus is one of the US troops in Iraq, and it is obvious to me neither MoveOn.org or Hillary support him! Do the Democrats support the troops or not?

Bill, Hillary, and MoveON.org, together with Nancy Pelosi, seem to be doing their best to keep the war going poorly thru November 2008.

John Kyle, Sacremento, CA   September 28th, 2007 3:36 pm ET

Every political organization whether it be a republican or democrat needs support from rich individuals. This RNC chairman is a fool if he thinks that the attack machines who support republican agenda are clean. There is nothing wrong that Bill and Hillary are supportive of moveon org. Can Bush or Cheney condemn the radio station from where Rush Limbaugh spits all the poison attacking every democrat? Bill is doing great service to keep republicans on their leashes.

Ryan, New York, NY   September 28th, 2007 3:46 pm ET

Even if he's saying it for political payback, that doesn't mean he's wrong about the hypocrisy surrounding the ads.

Mike, Houston, TX   September 28th, 2007 3:52 pm ET

Here's Bill doing one of the two things he knows best how to do. Lie outright, or defend a liar.

Andy B Phoenix, AZ   September 28th, 2007 3:55 pm ET

HA HA Political payback? Bill Clinton simply stated the facts, something Republicans can't handle.

Gavin, Merrillville Indiana   September 28th, 2007 4:06 pm ET

Any Dem who voted to condemn MoveOn will NEVER get my support again…

It's not because of what MoveOn did, but because they buckled to the hypocritical republicans–any Dem that bows to the GOP is OFF my list.

Thank goodness Hillary didn't submit to them… She WILL get my vote!

Ed Tallahassee FL   September 28th, 2007 4:07 pm ET

It is possible to disagree with the War and support the troops. I know I want them home and safe not in the middle of a civil war. I have friends that are over there right now, and I want them home safe as do their families.

MoveOn's ad was tacky, and a bad pun, but they do have a point. We haven't been able to trust the Whitehouse about this war from the start, why start now? Skeptatism is health for Democracy.

Petraeus was in a no win situation. If he says things are going poorly then he makes the military look bad. If he says they are doing well then he looks like one of the Whitehouse "Yes" men. I think it was rather cowardly of the White House to hang everything on Petraus, then hid behind the creditablity a war hero and let him take the heat when it is their bad policy that created this mess.

I think it is also tacky how the Republicans pick and choose their out-rage. It's wrong to attack a sitting General, but if he becomes a politian with a "D" next to his name it's open season on his military record. I also think it was tacky when they attacked former Military leaders that brought-up concrens with the policy when the way started.

Bea, Hoboken, NJ   September 28th, 2007 4:08 pm ET

Payback??? Bill Clinton simply stated the facts and decried the personal attacks. Furthermore, he was also right in denouncing the disgraceful ads against war heroes like McCain, Cleland and Kerry.

The RNC is as usual a buch of HYPOCRITES!!!

I was a Republican prior to........, Topeka, Kansas   September 28th, 2007 4:12 pm ET

Can we spell hypocrites in 2007, it goes RNC. I understand where Clinton's coming from. Let's focus on the issues at hand and not let ourselves be taken off course by this meaningless banter from both sides. But then in the same regard, if you can not stand the heat, don't go in the kitchen stands too.

Bubba, Swainsboro GA   September 28th, 2007 4:59 pm ET

Why is it controversial to say it's about time to stop mud-slinging and saying over-the-top things about candidates? When did outright lies and deception become a Christian core value?

Clem Quoyeser, Santa Rosa, CA   September 28th, 2007 5:35 pm ET

Bill Clinton is right! It is hypocritical for the very reasons he mentions and how come nobody in the press has bothered to talk about the validity of the content of the MoveOn add?

Phil Toole, San Jose, CA   September 28th, 2007 5:39 pm ET

Wow, Peter, "When an honored, dedicated, serving member of the U.S. Armed Forces is subjected to a sleazy political attack…" That sounds pretty familiar. Isn't that exactly what they did to both Max Cleland - a dedicated Vetnam Vet who lost his limbs during that fiasco and John Kerry? Republicans are great at dishing out ads that verge on slander/defamaton of character, but god forbid you go after one of theirs. "Do the Democrats support the troops or not?" I just love how the Republicans fall back on this line of thought. When will you guys realize that their is a HUGE difference between supporting the war and supporting the troops. While Patreus could well be considered one of the "troops," based on his testimony he proved to be nothing more than a mouthpiece for Bush. Besides, what have you or your Republican friends done to support our troops? Do you send care packages? Do you write the troops letters? Do you donate money to VA funds? Do you volunteer at VA hospitals? Saying you support the troops and actually supporting them are two distinctly conflicting ideas.

Moe, NY   September 28th, 2007 5:59 pm ET

Obviously the RNC has forgotten that we still, no thanks to republicans, have freedom of speech in this country. I believe that is what President Clinton is defending. I, for one, would not believe anything the RNC has to say on any subject. All we have gotten, as american citizens, from the GOP in almost 8 years now is…corruption, and lies, lies and more lies. How can anyone in this country still place their trust in the GOP?

Bob, New York, NY   September 28th, 2007 6:06 pm ET

Anyone who compares John Kerry, a guy who wrote some of his own awards packages, to General Petraeus really is reaching pretty far for comparisons.

I have no respect for someone who would make justifications for something along these lines because "they did it first". You can't play in the mud without getting it on you.

What happened to all that civility and bipartisianship that the Dems were going to bring back to politics anyways?

Jeff, Chicaog   September 28th, 2007 6:18 pm ET

Its not about being hypocritical. The Patraeus add has absolutely nothing to do with Max Cleland or the Swift Boats (by the way, the attack on Cleland was an abomination but the attack on Kerry was dead on. He's a scum bag, but I digress). The Dems don't want to answer the question. They keep changing the subject by saying the Republicans did this or that, or shouldn't we focus on more important issues. Just answer the question. Do you or do you not condemn the add? Its quite simple.

Jeff, Chicago   September 28th, 2007 6:25 pm ET

To Phil, how is Patraeus "one of theirs"? He is a highly decorated, respected member of the armed forces that has put his life on the line for this country on many occasions. He is not a politician, but a hero who deserves better than to be called a liar and traitor to his country. Shame on anyone who thinks otherwise.

bprossersme   September 28th, 2007 8:43 pm ET

He wants in the White House and supports evil, lying, cheating thugs? Damn it man, now that's unmitigated GALL!!!!!

Chris, Middletown, CT   September 28th, 2007 9:58 pm ET

Actually…Clinton was saying "the Swift Boat ads were bad - so we decided to do the exact same thing…this time I have an excuse to be the weasel I have always been" (alright I took a few liberties with paraphrasing)

Peter Zheutlin, Needham, MA   September 28th, 2007 11:02 pm ET

Good for Bill Clinton. Someone needs to call out the GOP on this completely ridiculous non-issue. The Bush led war is a complete disaster, perhaps the worst foreign policy blunder in the nation's history. So, of course they want to change the subject. Clinton is absolutely correct — how can Republicans, who smeared Max Cleland, a triple amputee Viet Nam vet by likening him to bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, complain about the Petreaus ad?

Jacob, Northfield, MN   September 29th, 2007 4:17 am ET

Everyone should be above these groups like MoveOn.org and the swift boat veterans. I dont care for any of them. Instead of moving on with real problems we focus on little petty things and let these types of organizations control our countries agenda. Its hard not to feel left out of this government when all it seems to matter are these groups. Why doesn't the media just ignore these people or report on them for what they are. Sometimes I just dont know.

Jose, NY,NY   September 29th, 2007 7:20 am ET

Of course Bill has to attack and whine for Move On. If not Daddy George will cut off Mrs. Bill's campaign funds. Bill is nothing more than a washed up hack trying to re write is failed legacy.

Mrs. America   September 29th, 2007 7:31 am ET

Bill's getting spunky. Good for him. I guess if the other candidates' spouses can speak their mind, so can he. You go, Bill. Hillary, too.

FT Doylestown,Pa   September 29th, 2007 9:11 am ET

The Clinton's invented Dirty Politics.
He's talking about Presidential races and the swift boat ad was Propper.
The MoveOn Ad (Hey, WE're at WAR) this General is Fighting a WAR. If you want to give Aid and Comfort to you know who, then this ad it OKAY!Got it Fonda!
Remember Folks , The Clinton's are FLOWER CHILDREN of the 70's. and couldn't and wouldn't Fight a WAR .
MAKE LOVE …NOT WAR! GROOVY MAN.

Chris, Middletown, CT   September 29th, 2007 10:16 am ET

Why is it that the far left "Bushs War" comments always come from CA, FL or MA?? I have an idea for the Discovery Channel - "There's Something in the Water" - liberals..Hillary voted for the war…with the same intelligence - not Bushs War…its the majority of our Congress and Senate - place blame where it fits - and as much as the DNC has told you "Republicans are evil" - that is so far from the truth and displays a level of ignorance I thought we were past.

Joe, Carmel IN   September 29th, 2007 10:45 am ET

Let's not forget that is was Rush Limbaugh who first use the "Betray Us" name to describe Vietnam Veteran Chuck Hagel.

Where were the outraged Republicans then? Slandering a military man is apparently fair game when it's gasbags like Limbaugh doing the slandering.

Chris, Middletown, CT   September 29th, 2007 11:31 am ET

I thought "I wonder how the Democrats will respond"….when they are up against an indefensible position (i.e. a former President attacking a sitting General with no evidence just because MoveOn has contributed 78 million to the Clintons) yes…saing Rush Limbaugh said something similar…oh yes…that clears up everything (well..if you've recently suffered head trama)

Ken Leon, Laguna, CA   September 29th, 2007 1:46 pm ET

If Billy boy is still in office ….
Osama will be running around in Afganistan planning his next attack on US soil; North Korea, Iraq, and Iran, will be Nuke certified; Amnesty for all will be the rule of the land; and we will have national health care for all who can get to the US.
Billy boy had the opportunity to change the course of history and provide leadership and hope. Instead, he left us with a "legacy of diplomacy" … not standing up for what is we hold dear; democracy and freedom.
If Billy boy is still in office …. The President of the United States of America will the the first in history to apologies to the communist for "design flaws" on all Mattel toys, rather than the CEO of Mattel.
What experience is he talking about?
Monica in the White House, failure to to fix the problem despite numerous attacks on the Twin Towers, border security, and failure to reign in Saddam.
Leave Obama alone. We do not want a repeat of the Clinton years……..

Max, Boston, MA   September 30th, 2007 10:44 am ET

"If Billy boy is still in office ….
Osama will be running around in Afganistan planning his next attack on US soil; North Korea, Iraq, and Iran, will be Nuke certified; Amnesty for all will be the rule of the land; and we will have national health care for all who can get to the US."

So what you're saying is that absolutely nothing would be different, except we'd have national health care for all?

The horror.

joan niantic, ct.   September 30th, 2007 12:04 pm ET

Is this the same Bill Clinton who lied under oath? " IDID NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT WOMAN." He is an artful liar and so is his wife. These two will do anything to get back in the White House,favcors for sale to anyone willing to pay.PILL and bill are at it again! WAKE UP PEOPLE>

Truth Teller   September 30th, 2007 8:53 pm ET

I'm glad Bill's been in the media so much lately. I had forgotten how gifted he is at spinning the truth.

Laurence, Newport News, Va.   October 2nd, 2007 9:04 am ET

Look, Rush is joke that no one with good sense gets. This war is the worst mistake we've made sense nam'. It should never have happened. Reid is a joke also, and I'm a dem. He's always reacting instead of being pro-active. Not the stuff a good leader is made of. The best hope the party has are people who are principled and have good judgment. Something neither party has a claim to at the present except one or two on either side. Colon Powell was so right when he said, if you break it, you must fix it. Maybe he knows how and won't say? It's a given that no one else does apart from saying to hell with the whole thing. He shouldn't have allowed himself to be railroaded into making a fool of himself in front of the U.N. by the Bush Administration. Who knows what kind of pressure he was under at the time? Unprincipled people like those who run our country are capable of any type of evil you could possibly imagine. All I have to say to that is keep shopping america and not paying attention to the hell that crouching at your door. Rush is a stooge of the "right" whoes no better than anyone else. His listeners certainly aren't.

stfu bill   January 20th, 2008 5:13 pm ET

i'm so tired of this pink-faced rabid dog. seeing him again is like a nightmare.

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