November 2, 2007
Posted: 01:00 PM ET

Clinton is taking heat from both Democrats and Republicans Friday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton is coming under fire from both Democrats and Republicans in two new Web ads released Friday that focus on her debate performance earlier this week.

The Republican National Committee is out with an ad titled "Hillary Clinton: Long on rhetoric, short on answers," that edits together several different Washington pundits expressing criticism of the New York Democrat's answers at Tuesday's debate.

Meanwhile, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards launched a Web ad titled "The politics of parsing." It also featuring clips from the debate and accuses Clinton of "double-talk" on Iraq, social security, and Immigration.

Responding to Edwards' Web ad, Clinton spokesman Isaac Baker said, "In 2004, John Edwards said, 'If you are looking for the candidate that will do the best job of attacking the other Democrats, I am not your guy.' But now that his campaign has stalled, he’s launching false attacks on his fellow Democrats."

"Voters will certainly be asking whether Mr. Edwards’ pledges to be positive in 2004 were anything more than just a political tactic," Baker added.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Hillary Clinton • John Edwards • RNC


Ku, Atlanta, GA   November 8th, 2007 2:48 pm ET

Hey Edwards, that is now old news…you are the most negative candidate we can't afford to choose you over the others. End of story!

Scott, Minnesota   November 8th, 2007 2:38 am ET

There is a reason 50% of America will not vote for Hillary Clinton - people won't trust a morally bankrupt conniving adultry apologist. Say what you want about whatever her policies may or may not be… people won't vote for her because you can't trust someone who will stay married to a multiple-cheating letch, purely because she has something to gain by it.

Sadly, Hillary Clinton as the Democratic candidate will just give a total id*ot like Guiliani the Presidency… more of the failed Bush-Cheney corruption. Little wonder the USA is viewed less favorably the world over… we like id*ots to lead us!

Jorge B., Denver Colorado   November 5th, 2007 7:14 pm ET

Who wants to vote for Obama just because of his color and what qualifications does this candidate have….he is the crazy nephew that lives in the attic…Cheney is a man of integrity and guts…I dont think Obama is worth electing leader of the free world….no way Jose!

JD   November 5th, 2007 1:54 am ET

Sue you really think she wont sell out to lobbyist? what do you think shes doing when she accepts 1 million dollar donations from lobbyist right now? Is she just saying 'o thank you for your alturistic donation' haha

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132×3660882

Jim Bremer   November 3rd, 2007 10:49 am ET

Edwards needs the $ 400 haircut.

I mean, don't you know - when you chase an ambulance at breakneck speeds, just any cheap haircut won't do. It needs to be good - it's worth the $ 400.

A. Thomas, New York, NY   November 3rd, 2007 8:46 am ET

Poor John Edwards. His true nature is like a bull dog. He likes to attack as a litigator would, and that may be reason that John Kerry picked him to be the bad guy in the 2004 campaign.

This time at first at least, he didnt attack and let his wife did the attacks of Hillary for him. After people were upset while she did the attacking of Hillary for him when she is not running, he now ccomes out to attack. Now, people ask why he runs a negative campaign….

He can't win, and won't. He may as well packing and going back to carolina chasing after insurance companies and ambulances with his $400 haircut.

Steve Banny Toccoa GA   November 3rd, 2007 12:24 am ET

Long on rhetoric short on answers? Tsk Tsk( just another example of the vast right wing conspiracy!)

Williams, Jason Pasadena, TX   November 2nd, 2007 8:48 pm ET

He is not making false statements, they are true! Clinton even did exactly what they say she does all this time on Tuesday night, and all the Democrats made aware how they could not tell whether she is for something or against it. She is a highway intersection. Someone asks her, "What is your standing on____," and then she says, "Hang on," then lifts her finger in the air as if she is detecting which way the wind is blowing, then says, " I am against that today."

john,princeton,NJ   November 2nd, 2007 8:26 pm ET

AS a democrat,i for one think this is the best thing that ever happened to Hillary Clinton,the media has been waiting to bounce on hillary for a long time like a loaded Gun, and just like an excited kid having sex for the first time ,i think they may have just unloaded pre-maturely lol.
there's nothing like witnessing the media go after you,and the polls continue to reject them,clintons are very famous for this(aka the 90's–drove republicans nuts-bill 60% aprroval still..lol).
The election is freaking a year away yall know how freaking long that is..they couldnt control their exitement)
Now we all wait for the next poll and looking at the lastest rasmussen after debate poll it doenst look good for the hatchet job,,wow this is gonna be fun,,watching the media fail..lol..they all claim HIllary is flawed,,so why dont yall just relax.let her get nominated and lets see how weak she really is,,,i mean dont you all wanna be president..LOL

mike, coarsegold,cal   November 2nd, 2007 7:48 pm ET

Hillary will claim this is a vast left wing conspiracy…….

junta,ny,ny   November 2nd, 2007 6:28 pm ET

I think Hillary is not ready after agreeing with her husband for all those years that she will run after G.W.Bush. It seems she is just flashing herself around the country but doesn't want to tell us why we should give her the job and pay her with her tax money! Hey, remember she love lobbyists so she doesn't care what the common man is asking her…..
I think Germany is much better by far. They can elect a female president without female thing!
What do you think hillary?

JD, Chandler, AZ   November 2nd, 2007 6:25 pm ET

and who ever said john edwards is doing bad by going after clinton needs to look farther into that. if you didnt hear 50% of the nation WONT VOTE FOR HER. so is it smart to vote for her?

Jesse, Burnsville, MN   November 2nd, 2007 6:02 pm ET

This probably won't stay posted, because it seems like CNN is erasing every comment I have against Hillary….But, it DOES matter who the Democratic candidate is. Hillary does not represent the values of the Democratic Party (pro-war, pro-lobbyist, pro-corporate control of america). Those don't sound like Democratic talking points. We need a leader that will create positive change for our country.

Edwards/Obama '08

hillarylover, NY NY   November 2nd, 2007 5:58 pm ET

I want to ask Barack Obama and John Edwards how they will campaign for Hillary if their strategy of bringing her down doesn't work and she still wins the nomination. How then will you be able to convince the American people that she is the candidate to lead America when you have questioned her leadership, morality, ethics and integrity. I hope Edwards and Obama don't squander one of the only chances we have at taking back the Presidency.

AJ, Chicago IL   November 2nd, 2007 5:50 pm ET

All these Hillary supporters have very short memories due to the incompetent Bush years 2000+. Being attacked personally is when the media were talking about Hillary's hair style and/or pant suits. Tuesday's night debate showed America that Hillary doesn't answer forthright questions and will lie in public. Yes she did lie but got called on it by Senator Dodd. She needs to take a stand on issues and sharpen her intellect in defending her stands, not muddle and give convoluted answers because she is trying to be politically savy like Bill Clinton. I think many Hillary supporters are going to be surprised that Hillary and Bill don't see eye-to-eye on many issues! Tim Russert tried to bring attention to this when he would ask Hillary questions and when she did answer directly it was in direct contradiction to what Bill Clinton said.

Kevin Covina, Ca   November 2nd, 2007 5:42 pm ET

TheInsider,

If you were being objective and not simply a Hillary-partisan you would ADMIT she stumbled several times - that Obama and Edwards will pull away from her past level of support. We don't have conclusive polls numbers (yet) however here are the words of the Washington Post and Boston Herald:

Washintong Post:

"Democratic leaders quietly fret that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at the top of their 2008 ticket could hurt candidates at the bottom. They say the former first lady may be too polarizing for much of the country. She would jeopardize the party's standing with independent voters and give Republicans who otherwise might stay home on Election Day a reason to vote."

"The problem is her political baggage: A whopping 49 percent of the public says they have an unfavorable view of Clinton compared to 47 percent who say they hold her in high regard, according to a Gallup Poll survey Aug. 3-5."

Boston Herald:

The Boston Herald reports on what 'ordinary, grass-roots Democrats' think about Hillary Clinton: 'Lying B**** . . . Shrew . . . Machiavellian . . . Evil, power-mad witch . . . The ultimate self-serving politician. . . Criminal . . . Megalomaniac . . . Fraud . . . Dangerous . . . Devil incarnate . . . Satanic . . . Power freak.'"

THOSE are the words of other Democrats!

You keep sipping your martini on the USS Hi-tanic and pretending nothing to worry about.

Leo, VA   November 2nd, 2007 5:37 pm ET

Obama and Edwards didn't ask Hillary questions to have a dialogue. They were not even interested in understanding her answers, just in catching 1-2 words they could jump on. They were prepared with a next "question" regardless Hillary's answer to the previous one. The debate was a shameful boxing game. Why wasn't Edwards aggressive with Cheney in 2004?

Everyone understands what a debate is, but the Tuesday event was not a debate, was a shameful coward attack on one candidate, while other candidates didn't even have a chance to say something.

rob, austin, tx   November 2nd, 2007 4:45 pm ET

i'm rather sick of the ignorance that goes on here by reading others comments. she is a great politician and doing a politician does. so she didn't perform well in a debate. its not the first time a person running had a rough night. get over it, she is intelligent and her campaign is running in a manor that is working.

Corbett, Seattle WA   November 2nd, 2007 4:44 pm ET

The fact that Edwards still thinks he has a chance is evidence of his hubris. He needs to shut his pie whole, go home and change parties.

Bea, Hoboken, NJ   November 2nd, 2007 4:30 pm ET

I'm very disappointed in John Edwards. He's way behind in the polls due to his own doing, trashing the front-runner is not going to get him the nomination. His negative campaigning will not aid him but it's something that will further add fuel to the Republican attacks. The Democrats need a united party if we wish to defeat the Republicans next November!

TheInsider   November 2nd, 2007 4:02 pm ET

USS Hillary just took a fatal blow and is sinking fast.
Posted By Kevin Covina, Ca : November 2, 2007 3:32 pm

You're the King of wishful thinking…

"…In fact, if anything, support for Clinton has ticked up a bit since she stumbled on an answer to questions about drivers licenses for illegal aliens.
Data from the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows that on the two nights following the debate (Wednesday and Thursday) Clinton held a 45% to 18% lead over Barack Obama. For Clinton, that’s an improvement from Monday and Tuesday nights when her lead over Obama had been 40% to 24%."

lol
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008__1/2008_presidential_election/debate_fallout_has_no_immediate_impact_on_clinton_poll_position

Mark Columbus, Ohio   November 2nd, 2007 3:39 pm ET

It's now or never. If Obama or Edwards wants to get the Democratic nod…they have to step up the attacks like they did during the last debate. Of course, Hillary really shot herself in the foot big time, and they really have to exploit that in order for them to rise in the polls. They have to get the message out that Hillary talks out of both sides of her mouth and that she is not the one to go against Rudy if he gets the nod for the GOP.

Mark
WatchingHillary.com

Kevin Covina, Ca   November 2nd, 2007 3:32 pm ET

Hillary = Cry Baby

Her waffling and playing verbal dodgeball with questions was her "Dean Scream". It's time Democrats take a hard look at Obama and the other candidates.

USS Hillary just took a fatal blow and is sinking fast.

Howard Hewlett, Des Moines IA   November 2nd, 2007 3:29 pm ET

Why is it that every time that Hilliray is exposed as a questionable candidate it is deemed as a personal attack? Are we not allowed to question her? I guess when you feel as if your presidency is enivetable being forced to deal with the people can be an inconvienance. How dare we question Queen Hilliary!

It is this type of attitude that should have all Americans weiry of 20 years of either a Bush or Clinton.

Dave, Cheverly, MD   November 2nd, 2007 3:24 pm ET

Hillary wants to be the President and a world leader and she is complaining about being a woman already. I never remember Britain’s Margaret Thatcher complain that her competitors, friends or foes were piling up on her because she was a woman. When Mrs. Buccho of Pakistan was nearly blown up a few weeks ago. I don’t recall her saying it was because she was a woman. She said it was because the opposition disagreed with her policies. This is the FIRST time Hillary has been intensely questioned about her policies in the debates. They only did so because she would not give them a straight answer. If she is crumbling and playing the women card already, then she is not ready to lead as President. The Republicans and other world leaders will overwhelm her. Furthermore, she will not be able to effectively negotiate with them on our behalf.

Steve, Lyons, CO   November 2nd, 2007 3:11 pm ET

Edwards, just drop out. You have no chance.

I like your health care plan the best, but sending your wife out to attack Hillary, and with you constantly harping on Clinton rather than what YOU will do, makes you a loser.

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   November 2nd, 2007 3:07 pm ET

Still shrill (didn't take voice lessons suggested by Nina Totenberg), divisive (on both sides of illegal alien license issue), inexperienced (won basically uncontested NY Senate seat as Ms. Bubba), and unelectable (even 50% of popular votes in the big states won't do it). Put a fork in her generous drumsticks, she's done.

Jake, San Diego CA   November 2nd, 2007 3:05 pm ET

Where are the false attacks from Edwards? What Edwards said is true.

Tom, New York, NY   November 2nd, 2007 2:51 pm ET

They all double speak and don't answer questions….and I specifically remember Edwards when he stood there in 2004 and said he would NOT attack other democrats… and that he would run a positive campaign… oh well….kettle calling the pot black… it is okay, he will just help lose more support from the people on the fence by all this negative stuff…

Neill C., Montgomery, Al   November 2nd, 2007 2:50 pm ET

Waahhhhhhh! Stop picking on me!!!!!

Karsen Rumpf, Iowa City, IA   November 2nd, 2007 2:47 pm ET

Hilary is a joke. All she does is try to get around in order to get everybody's vote. She is not being truthful with America and if she can't be truthful in the public eye how is she going to be truthful behind closed doors in the White House?

Tom - Dedham, Mass   November 2nd, 2007 2:42 pm ET

I'm ashamed to be American sometimes.

Posted By Bob, San Francisco, CA : November 2, 2007 1:34 pm

Just like many of us are ashamed sometimes of San Francisco.

john williams san diego, ca.   November 2nd, 2007 2:30 pm ET

hillary was asked a question and she did answer the question, but sadly it was with a question "WHY"

Brian, Minneapolis, MN   November 2nd, 2007 2:24 pm ET

What we need is a non-partisan candidate. These debates have become name calling children spats which offer no true political measure of any candidate. These people are trying to get elected, they ARE NOT trying to show how they will RUN a country!!!

Hank, Fort Myers, FL   November 2nd, 2007 2:14 pm ET

First–the issue is too obtuse for a one word answer–if we want someone in office like that why have an election–we've already got one. Second, I think her MOJO is working!! No only are her Democratic rivals attempting nitnoy attacks on her, but she has the entire GOP now shooting at her. Go Girl!!! All politicians waffle–if they are thoughtful. I want an elected official who is going to put a little thought into what is right and proper for our nation–than a repeat performance of a knee-jerk loser with one-sided advisors.

Andy J, Upstate, NY   November 2nd, 2007 2:10 pm ET

I find it interesting that while complaining about personal attacks, the Clinton campaign is doing the same thing to her fellow democratic party candidates. Blah, blah, blah, more of the same Clinton campaign garbage: She can say whatever she wants, and when someone dares to question or oppose her majesty's views, they are attacking, piling on, ect. and she cries foul. She is just another hypocritical politician. Obama/Edwards '08!

Steve, Sumter SC   November 2nd, 2007 2:10 pm ET

Bob in SF,

While you beieve it is pathetic for dems to talk about dems, repubs to talk about repubs, dems to talk about repubs and repubs to talk about dems (it is childish at times and deflect from the issues) I am happy to be in country that gives us that freedom . I am never ashamed to be American!

jeff,fort wayne, IN   November 2nd, 2007 2:09 pm ET

one very scary looking woman…will be this country's next President ..

GO HILLARY….SCARE THEM….

R. C. NY   November 2nd, 2007 2:07 pm ET

New Mexico, Utah, Michigan among other states have driver license for illegal aliens, this was a "Catch You" question alright! I am with Hillary on this one!

Chris, Middletown, CT   November 2nd, 2007 2:01 pm ET

Let me paraphrase for Bob - "stop telling the truth about Hillarys evasiveness - we need to stop pointing out what obvious to any literate person - if you keep pointing this out - even the homeless we bus to the polls will not vote for her"

Monte Brown, New York, NY   November 2nd, 2007 1:57 pm ET

This just shows you how Obama and Edwards are adding momentum to the reactionaries’ pursuit at stealing the executive branch. Neither Obama nor Edwards have the fire to take on the reactionaries and they know this. They attacked Hillary on the one issue that could lose the race for the Democrats if not handled carefully, immigration reform. These guys just need to keep their mealy mouths shut, and let the leader lead. They are really mad at Hillary for all the wrong reasons. Hillary Clinton is the frontrunner, and she has the fire in her belly to defeat the reactionaries as she has demonstrated. The American people’s votes will be the propane that will keep the fire burning hot.

These guys, Obama and Edwards, think that they can pull Karl Rove stunts and fool the American people from electing the candidate who will deliver the change we NEED. They are wrong. Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate, the most experienced candidate and she’s READY TO LEAD.

Bob, Seattle, WA   November 2nd, 2007 1:55 pm ET

Hilliary is sliding down the great 'slippery slope'.

Oscar, Rio Vista, CA 94571   November 2nd, 2007 1:54 pm ET

I watched the debate and not one candidate "attacked" Hilary. All they did was disagree with her points of view on legitimate topics. Hilary brought up the immigration stuff on her own and then she was evasive about her opinion. She also stated emphatically that she will be open and honest but then started being evasive again about making information regarding her and Bill while he was president public. Obama just pointed it out.

Democrat voters: Please wake up. Republicans hate the Clintons and that = 50% of the country that would not vote for her. Listen to Chris Dodd. We need a democrat in the White House and Hilary is not electable. Do you really want Rudy, who is already telling you that he will bomb Iran and continue the useless war in Iraq. He will torture and the constitution will be ripped to threads. This guy is worse than Bush….

I am begging you.

KL, Red Bluff, CA   November 2nd, 2007 1:54 pm ET

I agree with Bob. If people really listened to what she said about the driver's license issue it made perfect sense. She understands states needs to do something but she doesn't agree with this particular plan. In addition, if you people were listening, she blamed Congress and the President for failing to address the illegal issue therefore causing states to try just about anything.

Disingenuous on the part of Obama and Edwards as they supported the previous legislation that failed miserably. Where is their plan? They don't have one.

As for not answering questions - please review previous debates - Obama couldn't come up with a straight answer if his life depended on it. He typically has a deer in the headlights look - and I was an Obama supporter that switched to Clinton.

Marshal Phillips, Wichita, Kansas   November 2nd, 2007 1:52 pm ET

Actually what Hillary has said was that all those men against one woman was a fair fight. She's tough, she's having fun. She can't be stopped. Even her arch enemy Dick Morris has predicted she will be our next president. Go Hillary!

marcus mauney, fort wayne, IN   November 2nd, 2007 1:36 pm ET

That it one very scary looking woman. Almost as scary as imagining this hack being the President.

Bob, San Francisco, CA   November 2nd, 2007 1:34 pm ET

It's pathetic to see fellow Democrats stoop to the low level of Rovian name calling and attack ads.

I'm not a huge Hillary supporter, but I've defended her on this one. She never claimed support of the license plan, she said it was a good idea to try to do something about the problem of millions of illegal aliens who drive on our streets. It's incredible how simple minded the majority of this country can be. I'm ashamed to be American sometimes.

JB Boston MA   November 2nd, 2007 1:34 pm ET

So this is how it goes. . .

Hillary does a poor job answering a question. Edwards and Obama request additional information, and question her answer.

Hillary responds by saying "you are attacking me".

It seems to me, if she answered the question more accurately in the first place, there would be no need to question her.

Would a Hill fan please explain where my logic has gone wrong.

Also, the fact that they are questioning her has nothing to do with her being a woman. Again, if she answered the questions fully in the first place, then they would not need to re question her.

catherine, new heaven,ct   November 2nd, 2007 1:27 pm ET

wow cnn you can change clinton pictures every second… I wonder wats up with other qualified candidates. Wats up with todays America? NOt my country anymore….

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