January 13, 2008
Posted: 03:45 PM ET
Hillary Clinton said Sunday the Obama campaign is distorting recent comments made by her and her husband.
Hillary Clinton said Sunday the Obama campaign is distorting recent comments made by her and her husband.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Hillary Clinton accused Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign Sunday of distorting remarks that she and her husband have made in recent days which touched off concerns among some African-American voters.

Clinton and Obama are in a heated fight for the support of black voters, particularly in the South Carolina Democratic primary on Jan. 26.

Speaking to NBC's "Meet the Press," Clinton accused the Obama camp of "putting out talking points" about the recent remarks.

Obama rejected Clinton's complaints as "ludicrous."

Sen. John Edwards, also in the running for the Democratic nomination, stepped in with his own fresh criticism of Clinton. Speaking at a church in South Carolina, he accused Clinton of suggesting "that real change came not through the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, but through a Washington politician."

In an interview with Fox News last week, Clinton said, "Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It took a president to get it done." She has argued repeatedly that her experience shows she can get more done as president than Obama.

Some African-American leaders criticized the remarks as denigrating the civil rights movement and Dr. King. Both Clintons have long been popular among African-American leaders, and have extolled the civil rights movement. On "Meet the Press" Sunday, Clinton referred to King as "one of the people I admire most in the world."

Full story

– CNN's Josh Levs

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton


Wendy, NY   January 24th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

I am SO disappointed in the Clinton's behavior toward Obama. I understand that they want to win, and these tactics have worked against Republicans before… but, really, it just shows that they really are about the OLD ways of doing things. I was a HUGE supporter of the Clintons. Now, I am disgusted and very disappointed in the former president that I loved and cheered for.

And, by the way, the media have it all wrong… they think women will support Hillary and blacks will support Obama. People are people first. And their support of a candidate will hinge on who represents their views the best. Obama's dream of a better America represents my beliefs better than Hillary's flawless campaign of supporting whatever the polls say. As a woman, I can't tell you how much I want a woman to win. But, I won't vote for Hillary in the primary. As a democrate, I will vote for her or Obama or Edwards in the general election.

R. Emmet   January 22nd, 2008 2:00 am ET

It is unseemly for a former President to be distorting the truth for political gain to serve his wife’s ambition. Bill Clinton immorality helped George W. Bush get elected in 2000. Mr. Clinton should be in a monastery praying for forgiveness for his contribution to the debacle that has befallen us rather than distorting the record of Barack Obama. At the very least Mr. Clinton could comport himself in a manner befitting a former president and set a worthy example for others. Perhaps he might ask Jimmy Carter for advice.

spicyrass   January 15th, 2008 11:58 am ET

Righ now, I have no clue who i'm going to VOTE for. I always liked Hillery Clinton but lately I find her talking a bit too much and rambeling on and on. As for Obama, he is young and inexperience but maybe that is what this countyr needs right now ….. a young face with new ideas. Remembered when Bill Clinton people said the same thing about him and he did became out president. I have my work cut out for who i'm going to vote for.

Max Shrum   January 15th, 2008 11:18 am ET

Jim, Columbus, OH January 14, 2008 2:58 pm ET

The Clinton supporters all try to attack others using the word "shame" when their candidate is morally bankrupt. How ridiculous. Since when did Bill and Hillary become the moral beacons of America? Shame on them!
__

AMEN BROTHER.

Billary Clinton is morally bankrupt and her husband is nasty.

Robert M. Reidy N.Y.   January 15th, 2008 1:38 am ET

Carol – Of course I am for the clear headed and intelligent candidate Barack Obama
that is obvious and well declared – so what exactly is your point?

And Carol I can clearly see that you are for Hillary no matter what and I applaud your
freedom of choice and would be for a women as well if one of true character with a heart for the people would emerge. But Hillary's calculating and cold pursuit of power at all cost, does get in the way.

I believe that if Hillary was really about change she would drop out and vote for
Barack and Michelle and show the world that she really does care.

Actions speak louder than tears.

I look forward to your conversion, Carol.

jeff   January 15th, 2008 1:19 am ET

Unfortunately American society is pervasive with racism. The Democrats must stop their bickering amongst themselves. This is exactly what the press , the media and the Republicans want to see. The Republicans want to see the Democrats divided. The Democrats should be attacking the Republicans instead of themselves. The Democrats need to focus on the issues that affect our lives such as Universal health care, the Iraq war. the economy and global warming. The Democrats must be united because where there is unity there must be strength.

toma aslo   January 14th, 2008 8:08 pm ET

Everyone is allowing the media to divert attention from the real issues. Anyone who has followed the Clinton's history will see their genuine support for bringing all races and ethnicities together over the years. Both candidates are loosing by allowing this to go too far. Obama's support team can not claim innocence. They are in fact hurting what he stands for.

carol   January 14th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

Robert M. Reidy – also, I've seen your sad, misinformed rants on other sites. It is obvious you are working for the Obama camp. We are not all as stupid as you think we are.

carol   January 14th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

Robert M. Reidy – you are misinformed.

The Republicans spent all of their time and our money looking to see what Bill was doing on his on time. They should have been trying to figure out what Osama Bin Laden was doing. They are responsible for 911 and the death of all of our finest by letting Bush win the White House over Gore.

Grow up. I'm sure your children saw much worse in their own household.

Teachy1   January 14th, 2008 3:29 pm ET

Hey Democrats! It's the Republicans that are the enemy here. Focus! Focus! or we'll have President McCain and World War III.

Dana   January 14th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

I wish that regardless of who said what, and who wants to interpret words to what they need to hear that people would stop turning this into a racial democratic run off. It shouldn't have anything to do with what the Clinton's did or didn't do for Black Americans. Hello? You're an American citizen, therefore the Clinton administration did stuff for, regardless of your skin tone. Perhaps, we should all take a breather… take a step back and re exam all the candidates again as people, and as candidates and not as all the mud thats being slung. They're all politicians, lets weed through the garbage and find the lesser of the evils.

Jim, Columbus, OH   January 14th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

The Clinton supporters all try to attack others using the word "shame" when their candidate is morally bankrupt. How ridiculous. Since when did Bill and Hillary become the moral beacons of America? Shame on them!

NewDeal   January 14th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

from The Clinton-Obama Contest Gets Rougher

Clintons' campaign tactics, right out of Carl, Dick and George playbook, have been pretty shocking of late.
We're talking events of a week and Clintons have the audacity to feed recent, uh, days-old, hours-old events to the Revise-History, Scorch-Earth, Didn't-Inhale Machine? And who's coming to dinner? Bob who?

So, last week, during the NH primary campaign when they were feeling pretty desperate with the polls and everything (you with me so far — this is true, right? Happened? We all on the same page so far?), Bill appears at a campaign event and says Obama's story is a fairy tale. He can't make his wife taller, make her male, make her, well, Obama, Bill whines bitterly. Bill's very angry about this — can't you see? You're missing something here — read my lips, he whispers, "she's Female, come on!"

Then, shortly after Bill's remarks, Hillary herself says:
"Dr. King had been on the front lines. He had been leading a movement. But Dr. King understood, which is why he made it very clear, that there has to be a coming to terms of our country politically in order to make the changes that would last for generations beyond the iconic, extraordinary speeches that he gave. That's why he campaigned for Lyndon Johnson in 1964. That's why he was there when those great pieces of legislation were passed. Does he deserve the lion's share of the credit for moving our country and moving our political process? Yes, he does."

After Hillary basically says, "Hey Obama, don't give too much credit to what Dr. Martin Luther King dreamt of — all this hope stuff is false. Yeah, let's not have "false hopes." I mean, MLB had to get Lyndon B. Johnson to do the real work, remember? Unlike what you think, that white man was really the one who got all the work done for your civil rights movement stuff."
Senator Obama in the meanwhile, stays quiet. All in the meanwhile, with all these headlines going back and forth, regarding what I outlined above, Senator Obama says nada.

The news sort of talk about these remarks by the Clintons. Sort of. There are other headline news. Clinton comes first in NH, and some people think it's because she almost cried, and she makes a speech and says, "Okay, I'll try and cry more often folks, should've listened to you a bit more carefully — huh. THAT's what you wanted?"
Senator Obama still stays quiet. All in the meanwhile, with all these headlines going back and forth, regarding what I outlined above, Senator Obama says nada.

Then, uh uh, problems for the Clintons. Clyburn, the top ranking black politician, gets angry at the Clintons' remarks (and maybe he also got peeved at other vicious Clinton lies, e.g., Bill claiming he was against the war from the beginning when there's undisputed evidence of speeches he gave supporting Bush on Iraq war?). "You guys being racist here?" Clyburn wonders incredulously.
Senator Obama still stays quiet. All in the meanwhile, with all these headlines going back and forth, regarding what I outlined above, Senator Obama says nada.

So, the Clintons, who desperately need the black vote, then go on radio to Al Sharpton saying, "Hey, Obama is a great guy, he can win, no, no, no, he's no fairy tale."
Obama, in the meanwhile, still keeps quiet.

Hillary now goes on Meet the Press and says, "It's Obama's fault. He's been twisting my words, and oh my god, people, HE IS MAKING RACE AN ISSUE! AND I'M CRYING, SEE MY TEARS???"
So, Obama finally responds, "Uhm. You know, this is kinda fascinating to me. I mean, I didn't say a word? Did anyone hear me say anything about this?"
Nope, Senator. It's just the crazy Clintons again, and some crazy Americans believing the crap, as they do sometimes.

Sigh.

I think the facts really need to be set straight, loud and clear here about who's doing what, even with the headlines, since people seem so forgetful and easily confused.

Skipper   January 14th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

We know the Clintons have been good for black America. We need to stop letting

words place in the wrong context make us forget that this is a couple we can

trust too look after our best interest. Obama will not be allow to be president by

the racist in America. If Obama is nominated racist America will go out in droves

to elect a Republican. Wake up America & smell the coffee.

Tom Davie   January 14th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Just like anything else in life, we can campaign and lobby all we want, but in the end if the Politician doesnt actually do anything, nothing will change.

Hillary said so, in trying to embrace what MLK did . She never belittled it at all.

She was trying to claim it takes a PRESIDENT (aka someone like her ) to actually make the change. After MLKs hard work, Johnson had the GUTS (it was also bobby kennedys hard work) She was suggesting some presidents resist change.

Hillary is running for PRESIDENT. Not the vacated MLK position. What is she supposed to say? MLK did everything and being president is a waste of time blah blah……..how does that help her campaign ?

Obama people say SHE STARTED IT , when in fact , Clinton said nothing about Obama or anything in her speech. It was the OBAMA camps REACTION to it that has caused the flare up.

The obama people could have simply said nothing.

Next time, please do so. Stick with the issues instead of RIP APART anything one of your opponents say.

Electress   January 14th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

I think it has been Obama who before now refers to the MLK, refers to Selma,Ala,
refers to slave songs, JFK, and dreams/hopes & the path of civil rights in his
speeches. Hillary was not one of people who slighted the blacks on the bus,
in resturants, hotels, etc. I don't believe the statement from Sen. Kerry:
Obama can say things a white president can't say to blacks. I suppose when
you are selling a candidate, opinions such as this one appalls of prejucdice,
that all whites are alike, and that is not so. For John Edwards to jump up,
and twist the message of Hillary, and then begin his projection of life in SC.
when he was a little boy, and play it for all it is worth, only proves that he
wants to remain a player in this contest.

Barbara   January 14th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

Let's see. Communication is the ability to use words or actions to convey a clearly intended meaning. If Hillary is always being 'misunderstood, misquoted, or taken out of context', just how effective are her communication skills? Will they improve if she has the title of President? Will foreign leaders understand her when she address them, or will she need a bevy of interpreters to spin her communications?

Oh yes, Senator Obama does seem to have been said (by the Clintons) to possess fine oratorical skills. Who would you rather have speaking for you?

Shirley   January 14th, 2008 11:47 am ET

What is the big deal?. So, Hillary's breif lesson in history was not received well by "us" black folks . So what! Stop judging the candidates with your emotions, but rater with your common sense. GO HILLARY !

Greg   January 14th, 2008 11:37 am ET

oh, and you've never distorted his? whatever, crybabies.

RuthieM   January 14th, 2008 11:24 am ET

Hillary Clinton knew exactly what she was doing and it backfired on her. She thought she was slamming Obama by saying his rhetoric and speeches aren't anything that they need the backing of the great white president to make impact and in doing so she stripped the civil rights Martin Luther King, Jr. cause from him. It's kinda ironic because at the last debate she's the one who said (Obama's) words mean nothing and he fired back at her and said, no, Hillary, words mean everything, words are powerful. And here her own words are proving so as they come back to choke her as the tries to wiggle her way out. And the other thing is that she now wants to take her own detrimental words and say that Obama's the one trying to cause racial discord. She and that Bob Johnson know Obama had nothing to do with the black community responding to this. Contrary to what Hillary and I think Bill too think, not all black people are idiots waiting for Bill and Hillary to annoint them as long as they 'keep their place' with them. I don't care how much marching Bill Clinton and Hillary have done with civil rights I think they've only been photo ops, like Bush, and I believe they both have slavemaster mentalities that they've only tried to suppress and that will only continue to surface as long as Obama gives Hillary this run for her money in this presidential race. OBAMA '08!!

Festus   January 14th, 2008 11:06 am ET

Before now, when last did anyone hear of the mention of Martin Luther King's name in Presidential campaigns in this country? Why did the Clintons have to raise it now knowing fully well the implications of it? Why in South Carolina? Did she candidly expect tor believe that there will be no response from the other side? What would the Black Community think of Obama if either he or his Supporters said nothing in response? As usual, Hilary would just stir the hornets nest and then try to stand aside and look innocent about it, and then later, a few hours before voting, cry to the gallery. She does not owe anybody any explanations; she owes everybody apologies.

Festus   January 14th, 2008 10:53 am ET

Clinton is now walking door to door campaigning. She is going to Black Churches and Organizations to talk to them; things she obviously did not deem fit to do before now. But people, be very wary of those who only come to you only when they need you so desparately: They are sure to disappoint you so desparately too, when the time comes.

william walsh col ohio   January 14th, 2008 10:33 am ET

well,if you asked me ,,, i think everyone on this planet has made at least one bad choice,the fact is that in these x one has to move forward as opposed to living in the past,hence the bush regime, so i can only say that yes i think hilliery has made a few mistakes that today if she could she would change,that being said,let me add that no matter who gets the nomination, that change of this goverment will be esential to the future there of, further, no matter if your black blue or green the point is, if things dont change over the next couple yrs there will be no more united states as we now know it, we can go through another ressesion, we can get threw this mortgage crisis,thank you mr bush for hiring such a sharp financial counsler, and we can go on in tech and development, however, if the tide is not turned,surley the demise of this country will be emminate,,therefore whoever shall be the next president i hope for there sake that the ideas are more than smoke,for we the people shall be a thing of the past if not, im am sure however that a preacher, a pretty boy, or fearfull individual will not lead us to where we have to go, i would put the ball in hillerys hands, an educated mother in the most powerfull office in our world is change for sure, so! if you want change that is your ticket, and if you doubt for a min that a woman could not take care of buss,then i say to you,divorce one and see what happends

James   January 14th, 2008 10:29 am ET

Its a sad day when a black man will play the race card just to get votes. I am a black man and I clearly understood what Hilary was saying and it in no way took away from the MLK legacy, but the bottom line is this. … If LBJ does not have the courage to sign the law. … then what people. Get real Obama. … if you want my vote give me some specifics about this change you and everybody wanting to be president will is talking about. … or better yet tell me what you think about the law that LBJ signed and the impact it had on the MLK legacy.

Pearl, TX   January 14th, 2008 10:26 am ET

Okay…Obama and Hillary…..you're even……now you're tit for tat.

Let's get on with the show!

Jean, Sacramento   January 14th, 2008 10:21 am ET

Obama is showing himself as a racist and is now playing the race card at every opportunity.

Jean, Sacramento   January 14th, 2008 10:20 am ET

Obama is playing the race card, plain and simple!

Mandis   January 14th, 2008 10:10 am ET

It is sad that Clinton's remarks are being torn apart into racist/sexist tidbits as a cheap shot to defer voters (of any race/sex) away from her campaign. Anyone can take a simple "Hello Sir." and turn it into a racist/sexist remark, but that's not what the American people are about. I pray that the majority of Americans are past these kind of petty remarks, this kind of behavior should have stopped at hello! There are far more important issues at hand to discuss.
I have always supported the Democrats. I am only one person my vote may count but at such a small margin that it makes me really nervous to see the behavior of our candidates Democratic and Republican alike. If they can not stand up and speak clearly of their plans of presidency, what will they do in office? What will become of our war against terror, our soldiers, our senior citizens without retirement or medicare, our economy, etc. I could go on and on so…. STOP pointing fingers! No more racist and sexist remarks! We're interested in your campaign for "CHANGE"!

Carolyn   January 14th, 2008 9:36 am ET

Mrs. Clinton will do all she can to accomplish her dreams. America needs to rethink the first husband issue. Mrs. Clinton will probably have two jobs if she wins. First Lady and running this country.

I will not vote for her.

Carolyn   January 14th, 2008 9:32 am ET

Mrs. Clinton will do all she can to accomplish her dreams. America needs to rethink the first husband issue. Mrs. Clinton will probably have two jobs if she winds: First Lady and running this country.

Ray   January 14th, 2008 9:30 am ET

So, Kyle G. of Columbia, since Hillary isn't black – is she not allowed to have an opinion, or is she just not allowed to state her opinion ?

MARY GUZMAN   January 14th, 2008 9:26 am ET

ALL OF YOU MEDIA AND REPUBLICAN ARE DOING THE SAME GAIN OF 2004
WITH MAX CLIVELAND AND J.KERRY,DIMINISHING THEIR HEROISM,
YOU MEDIA AND REPUBLICAN WANT TO DOWN HILLARY NO MATTER WHAT,
YOU ARE TAKE OUT OF CONTEND WHAT BILL AND HILLARY SAID AND PUT IN THE AIRE WHAT YOUR WANTTHE PUBLIC TO HEAR IT IS NOT FEAR, HILLARY AND BILL ARE WORKING TOGHETHER IN THE BENEFIT OF THE BLACK PEAPLE ,STOP ,STOP AND STOP…………
.
OTHER THING YOU START AGAIN WITH YOUR FONY FAKE POLL

YOU MEDIA AND REPUBLICAN KNOW VERY WELL WAHT HILLARY AND BILL CLINTON SAID, WHEN YOU REPLAY THE CLIP JUST STOP BEFORE IT SHOW
THE REAL MINING OF THE SPECH
ALL YOU KNOW THAT OBAMA IS PLAYING THE RACE CARD FOR HIS ON BENEFIT AND ALL OF YOU WILL COME IN HIS WAY .BECAUSE YOU WANT NEXT REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT, THAT IS INCREAVABLE.

Robert M. Reidy N.Y.   January 14th, 2008 9:16 am ET

Pillow talk with a four timing philanderer does not represent the kind of change or experience America is looking for right now!

It is bad enough that my kids had to grow up with the sexual drama of the former
Clinton White House but now you want my grandchildren to experience the Clinton
sleaze.

It is time for America to experience the role model of a fine and happy first family.

Michelle, I look forward to you chasing the kids around the white house and
Barack introducing his children to foreign dignitaries as they get under foot.

The humanizing of the white house will be fun for us all.

God speed Barack Obama ! – America – help is on the way !!!

Anna   January 14th, 2008 9:12 am ET

Senator Clinton was not out of line.. Obama and his highly talented and aggressive advisers could have stopped his response immediately. President and Mrs Clinton have been , and still are , absolute friends of the black community. Those of you , who have now turned your backs on them, need to look back on their history and admit they would not , deliberately, offend or insult you. It just is not their style. Be honest with yourselves , would they? I wonder why his backers , the press, and the general public refer to him as the,"First African American Presidential Candidate?" His mother, being "white," means he is bi-racial. Read the book.

JC, Topeka, Kansas   January 14th, 2008 9:03 am ET

Martin Luther King had the power to bring a great injustice to the for front and bring it to the public view and national attention. Howvever he did not have the power to change laws, this was done by Johnson and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Dr King was very important getting the bill written and passed, but it was Johnaon a Washington politicain that had the power to get it done. Where was Obama in 1964 can he remmber anything of this time frame.

It is time we bury the so called race card and get a move on. Seems to me that we are Americans and should be concerned with America.

S. Freeman   January 14th, 2008 8:55 am ET

Hillary's comments should not be taken out of context. She has every right to mention Johnson's contribution to Civil Rights. His legislation was a landmark for Blacks in America. And, all Blacks should recognize him as a leader for all people.

Stick with issues and stop this petty racist and gender references. Democrats need to stand united and Hillary is clear and substantive on issues.

When is Obama going to lay out his agenda and stop this petty rivalry? He claims to be someone who can unite the country. If so, start showing it. Do not use the race card to get SC votes.

jaz   January 14th, 2008 8:53 am ET

PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Barack Obama claims to run a clean campaign, but someone in his camp took a swipe at Hillary Clinton through the candidate's theme song.

As Obama and his wife, Michelle, strolled triumphantly into his victory party in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 3, Jay-Z's "99 Problems" was blaring. In it, Jay raps, "I got 99 problems, but a B…. ain't one."

DOUGLAS JONES   January 14th, 2008 8:51 am ET

Let us be very careful who we vote into the White House for that person will have the high responsibility to lead the most influential nation on earth.

LMW   January 14th, 2008 8:47 am ET

I truly don't think that the Clintons, long time activists for the Black community, would slam Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I don't think any sane, intelligent person in this country would. He was remarkable man.

I watched Hillary's interview with Tim Russert who seem to want to skewer her with every question. If you truly opened your ears and mind, what she said made perfect sense:

She praised Dr. King for all of his tireless efforts for civil rights. Clearly she admired and respected him. She noted all of his efforts that came with jail time, gassing, and all the other horrors he went through to fight for what he believed in and what is only fair–fair and equal treatment for EVERY American.

What Hillary pointed out was that even Dr. King realized that politics was needed to make civil rights a reality. And, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law by President Johnson. I truly don't think she was trying to disrespect Dr. King and say the "victory" belonged to Johnson. It is a fact that he was the President who made Civil RIghts a reality. Now, if anyone would belittle Dr. King's important sacrifice and work for his fellow man, it would have been at that time by snubbing him at the signing of the Act. No one did. His accomplishments have been well documented as they should be and well respected. He was a remarkable, gifted and intelligent man who did great things for this country at great risk to himself and his family. He paid the ultimate price for what he believed in.

Hillary complimented Barack on this show. I think what people are failing to see is that talk is just talk. Yes, Barack is a talented and compassionate speaker, like Dr. King. But, Dr. King also acted. Hillary's question was "Has Barack acted on his words or is he just talking?"

This is a question that voters must ask of every candidate from each party. Which candidate has done things for the greater good? A lot of politician's talk a good talk but where's the action? It would be nice if we had someone as talented and committed and passionate as Dr. King (who could do both) running. I'm not sure that we do.

Let's look at the issues and let's force the candidates to stop their pot shots and negativity. This isn't a middle-school game. It's a debate as to who is the best candidate to become the leader of the free world. Who can do that and not just talk about it?

Xtina, Chicago, IL   January 14th, 2008 8:42 am ET

Wow, just wow, I'm surprised at all the Hillary cool-aid drinkers in here. Didn't anyone bother to read Sen Obama's offical response that he nor his campaign has responded to Clinton's NH speech?

Yet, all the cool-aid drinkers are accusing the Obama camp of injecting racism into the race, all because Shillary said so. I'm disgusted to see how easily manipulated people are.

Nick ny, ny   January 14th, 2008 8:42 am ET

CNN is on purpose putting up only comments by Obama supporter so that it looks like there is outrage over this. Moreover Just remember NH, how voters kicked you in the gut with your false reporting.

Mike in Kentucky   January 14th, 2008 8:31 am ET

"Ron, TX January 13, 2008 1:10 pm ET

Obama's not forcing you to belittle the civil rights movement, Hillary… you're not his puppet. You said some absurd things, and your campaign has done some absurd things in the past few months. Your actions are not his fault. They are your fault."

I'm just curious which statements by Ms Clinton you refer to as absurd?

Was it that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great civil rights leader and an inspiration to her and our nation, or that President Lyndon Baines Johnson pushed through the legislation that became the Civil Rights Act? Neither statement diminishes the other in any way. Both statements are true.

I'm not sure where your preceived absurdity lies in her comments.

You also use the word "belittle"…where was that belittleing? Maybe you saw a different statement than I did, but I saw nothing more than a respectful statement of historical fact.

If I am wrong about this, can someone link me to the racially insensitive parts, we should all be able to evaluate these statements if they exist.

sairefgm   January 14th, 2008 8:22 am ET

TO HOPEFUL PATRIOT

I agree with you about HIllary. I was going to vote for her but after these few weeks and the mess they pulled off in New Hampshire, I will not vote for her in she was running by herself. Her conduct and behavior are a disgrace!

HILLARY RULES THE SOUTH , MEMPHIS TN   January 14th, 2008 8:17 am ET

SORRY BUT TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN THAT IS SO IN LOVE WITH OBAMA IM OFFENDED THAT U CANT SEE THAT AFRICANS DID LIKE , SALE US IN TO SLAVOR IN THE FIRST PLACE OBAMA IS PART AFRICAN NOT THE SON OF A SLAVE BUT THE ONE WHO SOLD U INTO SLAVOR NOW HE WANT YOUR VOTE YA THINK HE IS NOT A TRUE SALE OUT LOL AT ANOTHER LEVEL UM K U BE THE JUDGE . NOT GOING THERE WHERE GREAT WHITE FOLKS IN THIS NATION THAT HELPED ABOLISH SLAVOR AN HELPED TO FREE BLACKS IN THIS NATION OBAMA KNOWS NOT HOW MY ANSESTORYS FELT. I BELIVE IN MY SOULD THAT HILLARY WOULD HAVE BEN AN ABOLIUTIONIST. HILLARY ALL THE WAY .

mabel floyd   January 14th, 2008 7:58 am ET

i can vote for either candidate. i want to protect the supreme court so i can vote either way. my favorite was
biden, but he is gone—so i will hope for clinton–but will vote the dems either way. if we elect a repub the supreme court will get another right wing vote and there goes Roe seperation of church and state and the freedom of information act will be stronger an spy on us even more.

kathy - Urbana IL   January 14th, 2008 7:54 am ET

A president signed into law the abolishment of slavery with the emancipation proclamation. Isn't that a president's responsibility? Thank God it wasn't vetoed.

Tim   January 14th, 2008 7:53 am ET

As great as a man that Martin Luther King Jr. is, he could not have done what he did alone. I believe people want to think that a black man saved them alone. It is hard too admit for some people that a white man helped in the civil right movement. It is sad that people want to make turn so many statements into a racial thing. It is time to stop pointing fingers.

nhairfield   January 14th, 2008 7:51 am ET

I' m not sure what all the fuss is about. The civil rights bill needed a president to sign it and it needed a voice to push it along. it got both in President Johnson and Martin L, KIng. or Visa Versa. to be "poltically correct" and spare hurt feelings. BOTH contributed to the pssage of the bill . sometimes i think the reporters push an agenda to stir the pot so to speak.

Godfrey   January 14th, 2008 7:49 am ET

You want to see another "REPUBLICAN Term" vote for OBAMA.If not VOTE FOR CLINTON.eitherway,you make the disition.My advice is Think well before you VOTE.Who you want in the OFFICE.RIPUBLICAN WILL SINK you.As you are already .

Chris, Middletown, CT   January 14th, 2008 7:42 am ET

The baffling thing is…for all the criticize Hillary (and rightly so) – if there are enough of you who fall for this – and she gets the nomination (I really hope you guys aren't that dumb) – you watch…the rest of you will be arguing for her on this blog….if thats the case…ask must ask yourselves "how can I be this dumb" (which ironically is what the rest of us will be asking too)

PJ New York   January 14th, 2008 7:38 am ET

CNN, please just report the news! Stop trying to decide the 2008 elections and distorting news stories/headlines to stir up more controversy with the American people. It's obvious that CNN is anti Hillary Clinton. I have watched the Situation Room since it first started but now I find it appalling how Wolf Blitzer, Jack Cafferty and others attack Hillary Clinton. You may think the 'hidden' attacks don't show but they do. I have friends, family and co-workers that say the same thing too. Once again, just report the news, the truth, not distortions. Perhaps CNN should try to be more 'Fair and Balanced' like FOX NEWS. This is probably why FOX is the number one news network.

Lewis   January 14th, 2008 7:20 am ET

Hillary is smarter and will make a better president, Obama makes a great speech and could help Hillary inspire the masses, but when it comes to actually doing the work needed, give me Hillary!!!

Change   January 14th, 2008 7:07 am ET

America wake up…….. As a whole were sleep. Stop the fighting, Stop!!!!

jim   January 14th, 2008 6:48 am ET

why is it that the obama camp when gets alittle behind in the primaries that they bring race into the elections?

R. John   January 14th, 2008 6:20 am ET

"Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It took a president to get it done."

I suppose before MLK no blacks had such naughty dreams. otherwise the experienced presidents like HRC and LBJ would have caught on and done it much earlier.

Elect soley HRC to catch any such worthwhile dreams blacks may occasionally have. Obamba monkey dope pusher muzzie has no experience.

Idahosa   January 14th, 2008 3:43 am ET

anyone can post anything on the internet with anonymity and it makes the whole issue of blogging very shady. as i read through these blogs, i wonder if some of these comments are not sent in by members of hillary or obama campaign teams…

i must admit though that some of them do make for some interesting read, and wonder what criteria CNN uses to make its selection?

for some wired reason, i think CNN is for Hillary… (except for a very few people like Roland Martin) its the only reason why their so called best political team is made up of people that have worked for the clinton's at one time or the other.

hey, when do i ever get to see someone who worked on the Bush campaign team be part of the best political team on CNN?

Lia   January 14th, 2008 3:33 am ET

Why hasn't Hillary repudiated Adrew cuomo's "shuckin' and jiven' " comment? That is really injecting race into the campaign in a hateful way.

Trang, Fremont, CA   January 14th, 2008 2:06 am ET

Obama didn't say the Clintons are racists.

The Clinton says the Obama campaign says the Clintons are racists.

There is a difference here. Another demonstration of her distorting the facts.

Now what they say might offend many people because many are inspired by MLK. Yes, Johnson put it in action. However, without the support of the people, Johnson would not be able to do it. Kennedy tried to do it, but people were not ready for it.

We all play an important role. While Obama tries to lift people up with his words, Hillary tears people up inside with her words. Obama uses words positively, and Hillary uses words negatively.

Hillary, can't you be positive like Obama for a change? I mean, we are very sick of this.

So, your point was it needs a president to fulfill MLK dream to make it a reality. Well, Obama can the the inspirational leader and the executive leader at the same time. He can bring people together. Three for the price of one. This is a great deal, folks! Don't pass it up.

maryanne   January 14th, 2008 1:21 am ET

no, reality is that not every white person believes ultimate power is with this one race and if you keep chosing to paint all issues between blacks and whites simply black and white your perpetuating a very narrow minded cycle. Everyone who knows about this part of history knows that Dr. Martin Luther King was THE catalyst for change, but the LAWS changed because of the president (LBJ). "white folk" aren't always trying to monopolize credit or power. Seperate the emotion from the facts and current affairs. Can we try to keep this (a race for the leader of this country) not about which race "wins".

Tracy of Ca.   January 14th, 2008 1:07 am ET

This is a sad state of affairs, when our nation has such serious problems. The best person for president should not be based on race or gender. I can only hope for a stronger United States. Hillary Clinton so far seems to be the only candidate with ideas on how to fix some of the situations. I hear alot of candidates talking about change, but I do not hear A game plan. My vote is for you Hillary. Good luck.

Robert M. Reidy N.Y.   January 14th, 2008 12:58 am ET

If you have any sensitivity to the great positive transformations in human societal evolution you know that it requires a paradigm shift in the collective mindset initiated by an individual with vision and courage combined with action on that inspiration.

Such individuals like a Mahatma Gandi or a Martin Luther King are the prime movers who create new possibilities that people like and that politicians at best recognize and latch onto in order to benefit from a shift in public opinion.

The Clintons are trying to muddy the waters on such a visionary leader
presented by Barack Obama and they are actually becoming spoilers
of the next positive transformational shift about to occur in our culture
and therefore they are actually anti-change agents !

They are now seriously in the way !!!

The Clinton's are not progressive but actually retrogressive.
In short their time has passed.

Tim Toffoli, Florence, MA   January 14th, 2008 12:39 am ET

Rather than bickering with heated rancor, perhaps we would be better served by relating in ways that we demand of those who represent us. People of power do not hold the patent on inspiration. We have the opportunity to inspire as well and express opinions that are forged by reason and compassion.

As members of the electorate, we owe Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton our scrutiny and honest inquiry, but we also owe them the common courtesy we would extend to any American undertaking any task that is meant to serve the common good.

Whether this latest exchange between candidates is intentional or not, our own commentary is an opportunity to reflect the type of exchange we expect from our leaders: civil, informed, and respectful.

We do our best. We make mistakes. We make amends. We move on.

Doug, Ca   January 13th, 2008 11:52 pm ET

Hillary should not have to explain her remarks about Martin Luther King. There was nothing wrong with them: they were true, they in no way showed disrespect for MLK or his courageous work. But, because so many Obama supporters and Republicans (pretending to be Obama supporters), set up such a howl about it, she felt she needed to clarify what she said. She is being sincere in attempting to do this but it is a losing battle. No one can get a message through to people with closed minds, those that are without logic, and those who speak without knowledge of the subject at hand.

Vicki   January 13th, 2008 11:38 pm ET

Freedom of speech is not freedom to speak when it is controlled, or moderated.

Sam jr.   January 13th, 2008 11:36 pm ET

I am sorry but I fail to understand why the statement is incorrect.

Despite the overwhelming opposition to civil rights and despite reports of a potential backlash, LBJ had the congress pass the law in 64. So YES it does take guts to do that and YES it takes a president who believes in whats right to take the step despite the consequences.

Now how does that undermine what MLK did?????????????

Why is it that every word/sentence has to be twisted?

DMAC   January 13th, 2008 11:35 pm ET

I would like to know how this upstart Obama has the guts to compare himself
to either MLK or JFK. Was he even born or old enough to remember. And Hillery was right that if there had been another Pres. besides LBJ. things might still be in the shape they were back in those horrid deadly days. This egotistic Obama should never use any of these men to compare himself to. He'll never be there.
He yells to much and then tries to act like an old tie preacher. He hasn't shown me anything to look fwd to with him as a Pres. Maybe 10 yrs down the road he might learn something and come up with some real ideas to get himself elected.
I am an Independent and have been for a long time.
Who ever I vote for better have the stamina to jump in and start making big changes first day to clean up the mess Bush has gotten this country in. Who ever is going to have their work really cut out. Also not use the Veto Pen for blackmail like Bush has. And right now I want to know just what these guys are promising to do and I don't mean yrs down the road. At my age I may not have years to wait to see this country straightened out.
There sure has been a lot of beating around the bush with no real plan of action that I can see. Hillery has come up with some real plans that I think I like. Be nice to hear someone else with some real plans.

Jo   January 13th, 2008 11:29 pm ET

I was really shocked when i first come to the US. I thought Americans of the 21st century have learned from their history and have turned the race page behind them. Much to my surprise, this is not so. What are the Caucasian people so scared about? that's what i wanna know.
Because only a scared person, can think that a mixed-race person like Obama, who cares much about his parents, can turn around and instigate a fight between their "races".
I trully think that the problem with u Americans, is that u like to solve issues quickly, which explains your propensity for stereotyping.
To all the scared ones out there, i'm calling on u to pick up some courage and live this great experience of life to the fullest instead of staying in your statut quo.
I'll end my comment, by paraphrasing Gaston Bachelard who remarked that : " science shapes itself by reshaping itself ", thus is life if one wants to grow just as science does everyday.
Let us all remember that change is hardly brought by those who'd been around too long.

Jeff   January 13th, 2008 11:27 pm ET

As a Black American, I do confess an affinity for the Clintons. Although I don't believe that any policies during the Clinton administration specifically targeted the black community, I believe that Bill was an encouraging figure for many blacks, the down-to-earth manner in which he spoke to us being the primary reason for that.

However, I am supporting Obama in this race because I believe that the window in which to use his incredible talent is small; the strengths of his youth and his capacity to think freshly not everlasting. After reading his books, I realized that what I appreciated most about Obama is not his story, which is incredible, or his policies, which I agree with for the most part. It is his analytical skills that won me over. He carefully observes, astutely analyzes, and makes pragmatic judgements about the issues. He isn't able to convey his thoughts while making speeches, which requires an emotional approach rather than a cognitive one. His reasoning is too deep to captivate people at campaign rallies, but I trust in his judgement.

I like Bill. I think he was the most likeable Democratic President (by Democrats) since Kennedy; our Reagan. However, while I respect his presidency, I don't respect his politics. He has employed deciet and other political tactics that I would normally expect from a Republican. Democrats usually engage in debate based upon reasoning grounded in facts, while Republicans are generally more emotional (i.e. Rudy Gulliani, who has absolutely no credentials to be president and was a very unpleasant figure as the Mayor of New York, yet is polling well because of his circumstancial proximity to 9-11 and the percieved terrorism experience gained from that day.)

I, for one, am tired of the left-right divide, and am sure that many people share this sentiment. It get's us nowhere as a nation. Clinton is not the candidate who can fix this. In fact, she and her husband will exacerbate it, as they are right now. This is why half the country won't even consider voting for her. I'll vote for a Republican like Huckabee, Romney, Paul, or even McCain before I vote for Hillary.

Joeley Reno, Nevada   January 13th, 2008 11:23 pm ET

The fact that some are bringing race into this process makes me wonder who that issue hurts and who it helps.

It's very obvious that it is more hurtful and harmful to Hillary, so, do I think she'd interject the notion…No, I do not!

The Clinton's have always been on the forefront of issues important to Black Americans. ALWAYS.

If the African American population has developed doubts about where Bill and Hillary stood and continue to stand, on issues important to all people of color, a horrible metamorphosis has occurred.

One would simply have to ask the question, who would benefit when such a transmogrification of the truth?

Shame on Barack Obama.

Mary Tarrant   January 13th, 2008 11:19 pm ET

Mrs. Clinton knows and remembers history being made, such as the wonderful leadership Martin Luther King showed this nation. She also knows President Johnson done a lot for the poor people, food stamps, and numerous other opportunities. He made it possible for Martin Luther King to accomplish "his dream". She was simply setting the record straight, as obviously the "news media" is not doing. They are all to busy trying to make history, instead of reporting it. Tim Russet interviewed Mr. Obama as if he were some kind of "idol". Listen to his tone when he interviewed Mrs. Clinton. It was accusing and hostile. But, then he is male and Mrs. Clinton is female, so he obviously feels that is reason to talk down to her. I also do not understand why the news media is not telling the truth about Barack Obama's accomplishments, which are few, except he is an excellent politician with no substance to back up the rhectoric. How would anybody know what he stands for? Most of his voting record shows "present". Does he ever take a direction? Mrs. Clinton is also a minority in this race, however she is being beat up by everybody. Both male opponets, every media person, especially Jack Cafferty with his remark saying "just wait until she gets beat in New York. " I use to have the greatest respect for Jack, but CNN is sufferring from "tunnel vision" also. I think the two gentlemen in the campaign has trashed her enough, they sound like overbearing husbands talking down to their wives. So which minority is being mistreated. "Race or Gender" ?

Dee Ward Mena, AR   January 13th, 2008 10:31 pm ET

I would like to know if obama thinks that Martin Luther King could have signed any legislation on civil rights. Of course he was very instrumental in bringing it about but only a President could sign it in to law. That is all that Senator Clinton was saying. She was not taking anything away from Martin Luther King on the work and sacrifice he put into the civil rights movement. It is just that he could not sign a bill in to law and I would think that obama, as a senator, would know that. I watched the interview with Senator Clinton and there was nothing she said that was racial or demeaning to Martin Luther King. Anyone who knows the Clintons would know that they have worked tirelessly for African Americans and should deserve credit for what they have done. Martin Luther King deserves much credit but so does President Johnson for signing it into law since MLK could not do that. obama must be getting worried about the African American vote if he is trying deliberately to bring race into the Presidential Primary.

veronica   January 13th, 2008 10:16 pm ET

One of the things I don't like about Obama is the fact that he often doesn't take a stand on tough votes by voting either "Yes" or "No". Instead he votes "Present".
He appears to be sidestepping so that he can claim all sides of an issue.
It also appears very calculating, so I'm not sure all the Obama Rock Star Fans are clearly seeing that Barack Obama is NO different than any other politician. He is not heaven-sent after all.

I was There   January 13th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

Anyone taking offense to Hillary's remark about MLK, did not LISTEN, nor did they know or research, the Clintons' history of working for the African Americans! I was there during those days and the Selma march. I believe in Dr. King's dream. Listen up! Hillary Clinton does, too! It did take a President!
And it STILL "Takes a Village"!
Hillary Clinton was not "SENT" by anyone anywhere! She is her own person and is strong. She did not "CRY", for heavens' sake! The video is on cnn.com! Watch it! Sitting in a coffee shop, she was taken back by an unpreceptive person who asked a non- political question "How do you do it? And who does your hair?" Hillary admitted being tired, having a little help with her hair..and continued with genuine remarks. She became only a little teary-eyed while explaining her desire to turn America, once again in the right direction!
After 8 years under the "dictator wanna' be, GW. Bush" (He said that, I heard him with my own ears!), America NEEDS turning! I just hope we make it until election day, without him trying to force Democracy on Iran, as he did in Iraq.
I was there in ALABAMA!

Amy   January 13th, 2008 10:09 pm ET

Hillary is playing the "dumb card." Polls have shown that most of her supporters are less educated and dumb enough to believe her distortions.

Indianapolis   January 13th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

I'm black and i'm voting for change, a change that has experience and not just rhetoric

I'm voting for Hillary Clinton.

Mike   January 13th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

..But its Okay when Bill Clinton slanders and distorts Obama's words???

Matt   January 13th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

Obama needs to put an end to this racial nonsense. Trying, or permitting his handlers, to paint the Clinton's as racially insensitive, or racist, is simply offensive. I was undecided, but now I am 100% for Clinton.

Joseph Davidson, San Diego, California   January 13th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

I'm sure my previous comments on the lying Clintons got deleted by the Clinton News Network!

Jen Cedar Falls, IA   January 13th, 2008 9:46 pm ET

Since Hillary cried that she doesn't want this country to go backwards, then she should let it move forward with a new fresh leadership that can actually get something done in Washington!

You all KNOW few would work with her in Washington, very few Dem's are even supporting her now.

Moving backwards = having to vote in the wife of a former divisive President.

Moving forward = the chance to vote in an exciting & positive person who wants to bring ALL people together, for the greater good of the entire country.

Dem's better watch who they put up on the board, One can unite, One can divide.

BEAMON   January 13th, 2008 9:43 pm ET

Barack Obama is just another politician.

Late in the campaign for his current Senate seat, his opponent was sued to release his previously sealed divorce papers. Jack Ryan certainly wasn't behind his embarrassing divorce papers being unsealed. The Republican party certainly wasn't behind it. No Obama didn't go down to the courthouse and file the papers – he didn't have to . All he had to do was stand by and watch – which is all he did. it's the same passive way that he is allowing the race card to be played now. He's not doing it himself. He doesn't have to because its being played for him. Again, all he has to do is stand by and watch and he hopes reaps the rewards. Actions speak louder than words.

John Davidson, San Diego, California   January 13th, 2008 9:43 pm ET

The Clinton News Network (CNN) with a wolf spinner rides again! Race helps Hillary so build it up! Obama never said what Clinton LIED to Russert about him stating he was a Dr. King or JFK to justify her remarks. Lies, Spin and dirty politics is her only chance ajong with her corporate pals as Time-Warner and Fox! I doubt I will see this comment again!

Kim, Dallas, TX   January 13th, 2008 9:40 pm ET

It amazes me that we have people that would fall for all of this nonsense. When I say something that offends someone else, I apologize; especially if I didn't mean what I said to come off as it did. When Hillary says something offensive, she blames someone else for it. She is really working all of you to make Obama look like trash. Not to mention Bill's own abuse of presence and slanderous remarks. I simply am amazed that we have people falling for it. When will you all get enough of the Clinton's and their slime machine at work. Stop being sheep lead over the edge, it affects all of us when you fall for this kind of garbage.

Staff   January 13th, 2008 9:35 pm ET

While Barack Obama is campaining in Nevada, The Clintons are coming up with dirty tricks, I can't believe what i'm hearing from this women.. By the way if it wasn't for the hard work of MLK, LBJ's wouldn't have signed that bill into law. She is the one who is bringing us back into the race card, and now she is blaming Obama for it. THE CLINTONS ARE SOO DIRTY!!

Noans   January 13th, 2008 9:26 pm ET

I just watched, and carefully listened to, Senator Hillary Clinton on " Meet the Press" today and couldn't believe how she, not only attempted to back-peddle and justify her offense remark about Martin Luther King and her vote for the war, but is now twisting her own record in the process. She's beginning to sound and act like Karl Rove. Senator Clinton's remarks and record are why we need new faces and change in Washington.

Where was Senator Clinton's concern for the economy and working class when her husband passed NAFTA? She knew full well passing NAFTA, would only benefit corporations and the wealthiest Americans, not American workers, who have, literally, been left out in the cold to fend for themselves. Her concern for the working class and economy, is way too little and way too late. Senator Clinton can't have it both ways. Regarding her judgment and experience, as then Governor, Bill Clinton said, when running for President, "Experience doesn't always count. "

BTW, it was Senator Obama, not Senator Clinton, who proposed a bill that would put the voting records of all of our Senators and Congressmen and women online. I guess when you've already played the gender and victim cards, you sadly turn to Karl Rove politics. If Senator Clinton wanted to clarify her remarks to the African American community, as well as other communities who found her remarks offensive, she should have begun with how racist and offensive Karl Rove's remarks about Obama were. There's Senator Clinton's experience and judgment, again.

Her own words have made my decision to support Obama an easy one.

1000Steps   January 13th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

I am a 37 year old who has voted Republican 90% of my life. Obama is not all he is cracked up to (who is?), but I do consider myself an Independent voter and I believe that Obama is someone who I can behind. Convictions and honesty mean the world to me. Unfortunately, Obama and McCain are the only 2 serious candidates that prove that.

Being that I vote Republican in a strictly fiscal base and the fact that our current administration has gutted us with spending and that whomever takes control will be burdened with a recession from day one, I stand behind Obama as a leader.

Richard Larson   January 13th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

The lady is right. As much as Dr. King did to bring about civil rights for people of color, nothing really concrete would have happened if LBJ hadn't signed on and forced a Civil Rights Act through the congress. Many who think rationally about the events of the mid 1960's understand only too well that there were two major reasons behind Johnson's decision to not run for re-election in 1968. The primary, and most public reason was the war in Vietnam. A very real second reason was the fact that the political backlash against the Civil Rights Act, from not only republicans, but his own fellow democrats, many of whom were still in bed with the Klan and other segregationists, would have invited a republican landslide of epic proportions. Nixon's subsequent win was based entirely on his pandering to the White Power leaders of the South. The depth of his win was also based upon, and a direct result of, Johnson's heroic decisions in terms of the entire civil rights message. Why? Well, an additional reason which evolved from the civil rights decision was the "War on Poverty" and the massive growth of programs based on need in terms of education, health, and overall welfare. Dr. King provided great impetus and guidance for the movement, but it would have languished without the acts of President Johnson.

Tom Davie   January 13th, 2008 9:15 pm ET

Amazing writes

………..Can somebody post the link where Obama said "the clintons were racist…

—————————————————————————————————————

Ever heard of the concept of getting your opponent labelled as a racist by a back door way of using a plant so not having to take RESPONSIBILTY for it?

The facts are, Hillary may have 'stepped' into it, but these OBAMA FOOLS reacted like good little puppets . Mistake by the Obama camp.

Obama came out to make a statement suggesting that the MLK thing with president Johnson was 'misguided' but he has no official response ????

That is kind of like having your cake and eat it too.

Here is the formula

1) get some disassociated person to sling mud at your opponents comments.

2) keep quiet about it so you can deny having anything to do with it.

3) come up with the scam that your OPPONENT said all this to antagonize.

4) come out of the closet and now point fingers at your opponent suggesting they made it all up to antagonize you.

Whoopie. Aint life grand ?

B Smith   January 13th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

I honestly don't see a connection to race based on what was said. I REALLY think Obama wants this to be a "race" issue. All you have to do is study the Clintons and their decades of work in respect to African American issues. They have a legacy that shouldn't be tainted by a novice candidate who is attempting to gain some votes. Obama should be ashamed of himself!

Erin D.   January 13th, 2008 9:12 pm ET

Obama did not make these statements, you did Hilary. However, it is just like a politician to turn bad statements they have made around for their benefit. In Hilary's case, she is once again making herself out to be the victim as she did to narrowly win the NH primary. I don't think it is going to work this time. The MLK jr. statements were a low blow to the African American community.

Vote Barack Obama if you want change. Being a young American today, I am focused on my future and the future of generations to come. Obama is the man to take us to a new frontier. America can be so much more. We need to regain good relationships with our foriegn neighbors, we need to get out of trillions of dollars worth of debt, and we need to get our troops out of Iraq and back to their families.

Obama 08′!!!

Mario   January 13th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

No noby distorted anything, Clinton's lying again, when will you people learn!

Go Mitt!

Nicolas Smith   January 13th, 2008 9:07 pm ET

No wonder Mrs Clinton won the non educated and old women vote in New Hampshire. But the young educated individuals and middle class who are behind Obhama have the sociological, philosophical knowledge to read behind the lines of their comments. The Clinton's along with the Bush's know what it takes to stay in power which are fear and illiteracy.

Oh ! I have to go to work in the morning in Harlem close to Bill Clinton's office which has addicts and hustlers on every corner; is that the work the Clinton"s did for Black New Yorkers? Surrounding yourself in a black neighborhood and doing nothing to help the poor and destitute.

It is time for actvisism and change in America. The experience of Senator Clinton help Bush to lead America into war and now that we are almost in a recession she proposes a 70 billion handout. That is old party politics. Thanks to Mr and Mrs Clinton the political pundits can now sell newspapers and air time because race and gender has raised its ugly head. Remember Mr Obhama has yet to personally comment on any race and gender issues agianst the Clinton's.
Ignorance and progangda will not give you victory Mrs Hillary.

Sad to Say   January 13th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Just stop calling the Clintons racist because they are not. But their supporters sure are listen to the anger behind the comments. You all need to stop attacking Senator Obama with your lies he is not and I hope he will not engage in the race card. Race issues have come from Hilliary and Bill. I know because I have heard what they said and got offended myself. This is not somethig I read I actually heard and understood what they both said and I am not stupid either.

Anonymous   January 13th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

Quit your whineing Hillary….get over it! You are responsible for your remarks….

Carol   January 13th, 2008 8:59 pm ET

Both Hillary and Bill's comments were taken out of content and there is no doubt about it. Democrats cannot let race and gender tear the party apart. Both black and white democrats need to stick together in order to beat the Republicans this November. Bottom line Hillary needs African Americans and men to vote for her and Obama needs Caucasians and women to vote for him in order to win this election. Lets let them debate the issues and try not to read into every word they say turning it into a race or gender issue. We have an opportunity to elect the first African American or female President but that will not happen if we divide the party up because of race and gender. If we keep this civil we may even have the ultimate Presidential ticket with both of them running on the same ticket for President and Vice President.

James D   January 13th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

The media is so subtle, and push their agendas in such subliminal fashions… enough to lure people who don't understand the game (like tina, ny… and many others here) to suggest that Obama has taken a racial stand in his campaign. How absurd is that? One can at least give a Lawyer enough credit to understand that Blacks are only 12% of this population – and that it would not be beneficial to stand for that minute percentage alone? All of you folks implying this must not be THINKING, or surely must think the man is stupid.

You folks are being victims of the politics of the media coupled with a character-degrading campaign and, reacting exactly the way they 'calculated' that you would! Obama has never raised any racial static, he knows better than that. And I can guarantee all of you here that out of respect/love for his mother he knows he is not just Black, he knows he is standing for the White part of his being as well. This is a man who was raised by his White mother. All of you guys here know that he is not just Black.

The man has run a positive campaign, does his best to dismiss and ignore any political/racial trap set for him – because he knows the little chance he has is to work with everybody, THE LITTLE CHANCE HE HAS, THE VERY LITTLE CHANCE HE HAS – yet you folks don't see that! Don't mess it up for him, play it fair!

Obama is a different being, and many in their human-like thinking just can’t see that. Can he administer the country? Yes; fairly, he can! But alas, I don't even know why he's running because he could never pass! He could never pass because he has to fight too many adversaries, too many who don't credit him, too many who are competing racially, and ultimately deal with a world that refers to a child of a White and a Black simply as Black – and puts him/her in a category!

Oh no, he could never pass! And it's sad!

PS. It was a matter of time until it comes to this.

Tom Whitcum   January 13th, 2008 8:34 pm ET

Obama has a lot to worry about.
Clinton did a good job on Meet the Press.

What's next? Inspirational Leadership.

I believe that the American people will finally realize that Hillary is a very powerful force never seen in politics before.

Hillary is capable of producing tremendous progress. She already has! But when progress is made within herself AND the people of this country, then real change occurs. All in the spirit of progress, and progress means progress for all.

The generator behind all this is Hillary’s natural talent of Inspirational Leadership, that can lift all kinds of people out of the ashes and into the future era of fulfilling their dreams, not just at home but worldwide.

Obama has little to offer that is workable, besides promises; he has a very long and difficult road ahead.

For Hillary, this time, it’s more than change, it’s hard work, and it’s real progress,
and it’s time to feel good again!

PA Guy   January 13th, 2008 8:30 pm ET

Your safe Huck…..He only goes after Dems
Edwards is up to no good already. On CNN, he claims how he and Obama are so much alike on issues. LOL….I can see how this next debate is going to go! The guy is really scratching. I am looking forward to the next debate. My only hope is that the debate with Tim Russert is a REAL DEBATE! Not like the love fest we saw last time between Obama and Edwards. Russert should "NOT" allow this to happen. Stick to issues. Obama and Edwards truly displayed their weakness after that fine display of debating.

Uma, mpls, MN   January 13th, 2008 8:30 pm ET

Obma is a power hunger guy and can use any remarks if he think that can use to gain power. He has to understand that when he was looking for drug on the street Hillary was working for African American Community.

Barack and your campaign staffers, shame on you for pulling Bill's and Hillary's statement for political gain. I am democrat and i feel i want to throw- up when i hear Obama's s empty speeches.

joe   January 13th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

Hillary and Bill make me sick spin lie spin lie devide and conquer !

Stand up to this America !

Lets Change it all

Obama/Edwards 08 please !!

And maybe pass a law banning any Clinton and Bush realative from ever holding office because really they are the same monster !

Casey   January 13th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

A lot of African Americans who originally supported Obama, and now turned off by him by playing victim. He really needs to stop and campaign on his strengths – which isn't spanish or his terrible attempts at evoking Dr. Kings innotations in his speeches.

Mike, California   January 13th, 2008 8:24 pm ET

Cant everyone see that Bob Johnson means more harm to America than anoyone else? He has that BET station that encourages young people to be gangsters and especially to USE AND ABUSE BLACK WOMEN in their music videos? At least Obama is trying to hep us get united not!
I am utterly surprise that Hillary will allow a person like Bob Johnson to come close to her!

Hillarylover in Texas   January 13th, 2008 8:23 pm ET

Obama campaign has turned sour. They are not getting the support they thought they would from african americans. Which speaks volumes. They are not voting for him because of this – they are voting for who they think can do the job.

You know we hear alot about experience not being important. But it truly is. Would you take your car to get a brake job with someone who has no experience. You need someone who can get into the meat. That is Clinton.

No matter what is being written on these blogs – Hillary has so much support out there. From every race to men and women.

leon adams   January 13th, 2008 8:21 pm ET

mrs.clinton isnt ready for change if your an african american you would be nuts to disagree with facts!the fact are, we as a group of u.s citizins need a divine leader who will secure us a nation of equal human beings.mr.obama gives us that energy to belive that a chage of the american people is worth DYING for………..
Listen to your absent minds, who would make up such degrading statements if not true.Something was said and has been uncovered. hillary has experience, and has a nice heart, yet we do not know her thoughts and wishes for us ,and our ones to come.You cant win my vote with sympathy, yet you stand a greater chance with empathy. THINK ABOUT IT

erik   January 13th, 2008 8:13 pm ET

I am a obama supporter, and I have HAD no problem with Senator Clinton but as of recent i don't like her campain plan, she keeps attacking Obama. The comments made by Clinton where not good ones, and they deserve to be brought to the people. I really don't mind Cliton to much but i would much rather have Obama's change to hers.

Nanger   January 13th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

First of all, Hillary Clinton brought up the race card. She is the one who brought up the MLK's and the LBJ"s situation. Its clearly now that she is trying to play the victim again. Why are the clintons so twisted, they take something and make something bad out of it. The only thing that Obama did is he replied to her comments and now she's blaming Obama for something that she brought up in the fist place… THATS HOW DISGUSTING the CLINTONS ARE!!!! How do you start to trust someone like that as president!!??

OBAMA '08′

Rashid   January 13th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

What's all this mess about!!

It doesn't take much for Obama to come to the support of the Clintons as he certainly knows that they are not racists based on their record. I am clueless why he doesn’t reveal his decency and stop listening to advisors. People are smart and they will feel it. He will win if he does the right thing.

It doesn't take much for the Clintons to apologize for poor choice of words that seem to diminish MLK's role in the real change for more equality in our nation. We all understand what Clinton meant to say: To have a real change, it is critical to have a president to lead and take up the challenge of making the right decision no matter how controversial. After all, it’s the Constitution! Presidents have to sign bills to become laws.

I hope both Obama and Clinton come clean and do the right thing:
Obama needs to show the decency not to let this story to develop any further dividing our people.
Clinton needs to have the decency to say sorry that she unintentionally hurt the feelings of many people. The media said she won NH when she showed her “humanity”. We all have slips of tongue and the Presidents are no exceptions. We all do it!! I hope she apologizes not only to “leaders” but also to all black people.

I have no doubt that Obama is not behind all the publicity. I can be wrong though. Obama needs to address the charges. I think it is the sensational media (we have soldiers dying in Iraq and they are keeping us up-to-date if Paris Hilton, Simpson or Spears emptied their bowls today!). Just watch the coverage of the Democrats on Fox. Thanks for making their day!! Still, Obama needs to SPEAK UP and say if he is really playing the race card.

My final take: I expect my President sometimes to misspeak, be silent when he should speak, and speak when he should shut up. I expect my President to be an imperfect human. However, I also expect my President to have the decency to say sorry when she or he makes a mistake, and to rise and defend people who are falsely accused and say the truth. I still vote for Obama because a President’s lack of decency to say I was wrong is the most worrisome. Please, Mrs. Clinton, show the decency of saying you were wrong and stop spinning and you may get my vote. Say you were wrong for voting for war. Say you were wrong when you described how the civil rights movement came to fruition.

Ms. Clinton, show us your decency to admit your mistakes and the thoughtfulness to learn from them. Then, you can be my President!

Kat, Huntington, West Virginia   January 13th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

thank you elaine! Not to mention that one of the most important votes of this congress was whether or not to vote to label the Iranian guard a terrorist organization and he didn't even show up for the vote! I hope people start to look past the great speeches and try to find the substance. It reminds me of the wizard of oz, "don't pay attention to the may behind the curtain."

PA Guy   January 13th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

Edwards is up to no good already. On CNN, he claims how he and Obama are so much alike on issues. LOL….I can see how this next debate is going to go! The guy is really scratching. I am looking forward to the next debate. My only hope is that the debate with Tim Russert is a REAL DEBATE! Not like the love fest we saw last time between Obama and Edwards. Russert should "NOT" allow this to happen. Stick to issues. Obama and Edwards truly displayed their weakness after that fine display of debating.

Jen, Gainesville, FL   January 13th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

She put her foot in her mouth in her despire to win NH. Now she is playing victim. Even worse, she is swiftboating Obama. That is, her attack on Obama's perceived weakness did not work, so after Iowa she has turned to paint Obama's strength (such as character and eloquence) to weakness (such as alleging him distorting her words and giving false hopes).

She has used "fear," "wear," and "tear." She has used the gender card. Today she started to use the race card. Since Iowa her behaviors have gone beyond my immagination.

I used to defend her, but now I understand why people call her a "witch."

Mike   January 13th, 2008 7:59 pm ET

I personally do not know what Sen. Clinton ment by her remarks regarding Dr. King but having the "experience" that she has, she hould have known to choose her words wisely. I am voting Obama for president, not simply because he is a black man, but because he is a stern man. Every other president I have voted for in the past was white, so i do not see this as a racial thing. I believe Hillary would tear this country apart. Hillary is not consistant. Especially when it comes to the war on Iraq. I was in the United States Marine Corp, I understand what our military puts on the line everyday in Iraq, to be honest alot of us dont even know what we are fighting for anymore. Iraq has the democraxy that they were asking for. We can not hand feed them, It's time for us to come home. Seriously. She downed Obama because he said he will bring our troops home. Its time. We are not baby sitters. Its up to them to keep their nation going in the right direction.

GC Johnson   January 13th, 2008 7:57 pm ET

Oh for heaven's sake . . .
She meant Dr. King was the innovator and catalyst of the Civil Rights movement but that to make "his dream" a reality, it took Lydon Johnson, a PRESIDENT, to make it CONSTITUTIONAL and LAW ABIDING, and that AS PRESIDENT, SHE TOO would know how to be as effective. She was not taking anything away for Dr. King. At this very important time in our history, try not to be bias, regardless of your race or gender. Try to be objective. Clearly, those of you who criticize Clinton in this particular instance no nothing of her history. Civil rights has been a part of her life even before she met Bill Clinton. At least know what you're talking about – do some homework. And nothing against Obama but his personal and political history/efforts pales in comparison, especially regarding this issue.

People for the Truth   January 13th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

Does this woman ever stand behind her remarks? Again calling a foul play. This woman changes her statements every time she receives criticism. Just do us all a favor and just shut up. You are fast becoming a disgrace to the whole political process, not to mention setting this country back about 50 years.
Again speak first and blame others for your statements.

PA Guy   January 13th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

It’s the good cop / bad cop routine. Good cops, Obama and his camp claim to say nothing about racism while Bad cops, Donna Brazile, Clyburn and Sharpton inject the race issue. This was well played. Kudos to them!

TENI   January 13th, 2008 7:48 pm ET

Oh Hillary. We already KNEW that Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights act! Come on now. What we didn't know was that Martin Luther King had nothing to do with it? So, thanks alot for letting us know that the 25 year old PhD student from Atlanta who sacrficed his life (not just his pen and conscious) to confront Jim Crow and tear down the evil walls of racism owes all his success to LBJ. Thanks Hillary.

Glazed, Detroit metro   January 13th, 2008 7:47 pm ET

Obama is on the way of doing what the RNC has always wanted but never figured out.

usha   January 13th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

If Barack Obama prides himself and also run his campaign on his ability to work collaboratively, and bringing people together, then he could easily have put an end to this by speaking to Hilliary Clinton's campaign, if he felt they were using race. It is very obvious, that Obama's campaign are using this to their advantage.
From the New Hampshire debate, it has been clear that Obama and Edwards are ganging up against Hillary Clinton. He did not stop Edward then or ask him not to speak on his behalf! We see thru this, and it will only backfire!

ibrahim   January 13th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

Experience, experience that's wat everyone's talking about, just a reminder when abraham run for the presidency he was jst a second-rated country lawyer with no experience, however he was the one who united America and abolished slavery.
beside that president, bush had bunch of years of experience even 4 years in the white before he got elected for his 2nd term, WAT A HECK HAS BUSH SO THRILLING BUT SCREWING THE COUNTRY.give Obama a chance. and to all my black friends, don't u wanna see a black president of u.s before the end of your breathing days, believe or not he's the only chance we've got.

merli gili   January 13th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

Don't get offended, that'snormal in politics. Every single thing that you've done that would make an issue will be thrown back at you when you aspire for a position.
Ok, Obama is good, he can be a president. But everybody can promise a change, even a six year old child can say he can bring CHANGE. But the question is, can he do it?
Obama have to wait for his term, he could be the president after eight years, he'll be a perfect candidate for vice president. Together with Hilary, they would be a great team, that would send the republicanschasing up their tails on how to beat their tandem. Someone should step back in order to have a better leap.

ANew   January 13th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

I believe that it is now time for the candidates to make clear their "plans" for America's future.

TexanforHillary   January 13th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

Emmanuel, where are you from? "simple women to vote for her ?" comrades ? gender issues?……………….You are scary……
Facts please
si se puede.

pam   January 13th, 2008 7:27 pm ET

Oprah was the first to bring in the race card when she stumped for him. read her remarks: view the tapes.

America   January 13th, 2008 7:25 pm ET

If Hillary is willing to lie about this attack….well then she''s just another Bush.

Jay   January 13th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

Isn't ironic how during the debate prior to the Iowa caucuses Hillary said everyone was slinging mud at her because she was in the lead and now that Barack Obama is a real threat Hillary and Bill are taking every shot they can at Obama?

TJ, California   January 13th, 2008 7:15 pm ET

Hillary is the best chance to have a Democrat in the White House. Obama will never win in the general election. Hillary will win California and probably Florida and NY as well in the primaries, so it's really a done deal. Obama might win South Carolina, but after that I don't see him doing very well. In a general election, the reality is that Obama won't win, and the stakes are just too high.

Frances   January 13th, 2008 7:15 pm ET

It seems Hillary Clinton, who is considered to have a polarizing effect on Republicans, is now doing her darndest to divide our Democrats as well. If she wins the Democrat nomination, we'll be handing the presidency to the GOP. Clinton, in some ways, is "George Bush in skirts" – her approach is we have to go her way or the highway.

erin Tampa, fl   January 13th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

Let's take a look at the facts here, people. We all know what the Clinton campaign has said over the past few days. We've all heard the quotes and seen the video.

Has anyone seen or heard a comment from the Obama campaign making this into a race issue? No, you haven't. Because Obama hasn't done that.

The outrage, which I believe is warranted, has come from America, and Hillary is frantically trying to back out of her comments by pointing the finger at Obama, saying he's the one playing the race card.

Sorry, Hillary. I think the American people are going to see right through you on this one.

Bev   January 13th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

Hillary and Bill Clinton's bloopers.
Hillary and Bill are veteran campaigners. They know exactly what they are doing. It is getting Hillary free time on TV and the reporters and pundits discuss the latest Blooper. It gets her twice the coverage that it gets Obama and may even get her some sympathy votes. O poor me I didn't mean what I said, you misunderstood me etc. etc. This is also ensureing that reporters are always with her and Bill in case they make another blooper. The reporters and pundits like the bloopers, scandal or near scandal gives them something to talk about, is news for them to report. Oh how boring it would be without the bloopers. Might have to accually talk about the issues more, and how much more can you say. I expect that we can expect a blooper out of the Clinton camp again as soon as the uproar from the latest blooper starts to die down. What would be the value of the free TV coverage if she would have had to pay for it.

Frances   January 13th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

To Mrs. Clinton: In past presidential campaigns, many candidates have evoked the names of former leaders whom they hope to emulate should they become president. This seems to be the case with Senator Obama, yet you have ridiculed him for saying he’d like to follow their examples in bringing about meaningful change. Was your criticism an attempt to eliminate one of his most powerful appeals to voters – his inclusive and healing approach to governance? Isn’t a little hypocritical to say you’re for all these good things while you attack someone who’s worked in the trenches in Chicago for many of the same things you say you’ve fought for?

Lisa   January 13th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

After three generations of Democratic voting in my family – we will pick Bloomberg or the Republican nominee (depending on who it comes down to) rather than Hillary. Hillary will never earn my vote or anyone in my family. She is a bigger liar than her husband.

I would love to see a woman president, and believe it will happen in my lifetime. Hillary is NOT that woman.

Richard F   January 13th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

If anyone wants to feel offended by this comment or debate its merits, he/she should first read the entire statement. You'll quickly see that it is not at all like the truncated version that seems controversial. Here's Hillary's actual quote from the interview:

"I would point to the fact that that Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when he was able to get through Congress something that President Kennedy was hopeful to do, the President before had not even tried, but it took a president to get it done. That dream became a reality, the power of that dream became a real in people's lives because we had a president who said we are going to do it, and actually got it accomplished."

Dina hernandez   January 13th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

Honestly whom is running the politic in this country ? THE MEDIA or THE POLITICIANS wether we like or not this is HISTORICAL ELECTION in
America history Since That IN GOD WE TRUST let's hope for the BEST PICK
I still like Hillary with her up and downs a least we know her history of public service as well her privates life. she is a woman after all she speak as she feels
and takes a Woman to Lift a nother Woman

OBAMA is OK well spoken person new face in politic Magical for atracting
big crows but he worried me because he sound like those products
AS YOU SEE ON TV promising mirecles and after you buy and try it
Booom wrong no as spected . Can we afford that another intraining in the job!!!

GOD Please bless us, one of each of us open our minds to pick what is best
for this beloved country and open our hearth to new out come

ken   January 13th, 2008 7:03 pm ET

Elaine January 13, 2008 6:41 pm ET

Why doesn't anyone talk about Obama's lies? When running for senator, he raised his hand and swore to the people of Illinois that he would not run for president, but would serve out his term as senator. Umm, I think he's declared himself a candidate for president without serving even one term. More importantly, he has missed 85% of the time the senate has been in session. Tell me, would anyone reading this get a promoition at their job if they missed that much time? I doubt they'd even HAVE a job, let alone get a promotion to the highest position!
While I voted for Obama once, I won't make the mistake again. I would suggest to eveyone reading this to get all the facts before they vote for him!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We know you are a Hillary supporter and you have no shame to say anything for people to jump into your bandwagon but nobody would fall for this. Obama is respectable and he doesn't distort other people's records like Hillary does.

Go Obama!

Amelie   January 13th, 2008 7:01 pm ET

Everyone knows Obama would sooner or later try to turn this campaign into a racial issue for lack of substance to further fuel his campaign. Sooner or later, people will realize that motherhood rhetorics is nice and comforting, but it is not the rhetorics that will change things for Americans.

Its sad that Obama is running for Presidency so soon, when he could stand back and be a better president in the next election.

Voting for Hillary now could be a turning point in American history when finally, a woman of exceptional intelligence and experience can show how capable she can be to effect real and lasting change.

Hillar is my woman!!

STRENGTHEN YOUR ARGUMENT AND NOT YOUR VOICE   January 13th, 2008 6:59 pm ET

TO SHIRLEY:

This was your comment:

January 13, 2008 1:29 pm ET

I sure hope people begin to see the light. Obama understands english I hope, he needs to come out in public and tell Bill Clinton that I was not makinf a Fairy Tale racist remark. Shoud he not then why would we want a president who allows his camp to go around and spread untrue remarks. Obama is sure not ready to be prsident of the United States I think, don't you we need a president who understands english. I wonder why so many blacks do not understank english.

I think the majority of Blacks would be able to correct you on the following:

1) "that I was not makinf " – It's spelled MAKING
2) "Shoud he not then why would we want a president " – NOT A SENTENCE
3)"Obama is sure not ready " – INCORRECT GRAMMAR
4)"prsident " – IT'S SPELLED PRESIDENT
5)"I think, don't you we need a president " – NOT A SENTENCE/INCORRECT GRAMMAR
6)"understank " – IT'S SPELLED UNDERSTAND

Perhaps you should learn how to speak and spell english correctly before you accuse black America of not being able to understand the english language!

OBAMA 08

wyane   January 13th, 2008 6:58 pm ET

My friends volunteered so much for Hillary in S.Carolina. After they heard what she said in NH, they stopped and they are not going to vote for her. This shows how serious those remarks were to be taken lightly or better yet vote for this woman in the white house. I am glad they expressed their feeling by doing what is right.
I am was for a woman as a woman who have been so much for a woman president but I need some dignigty and respect especially when it come to Dr. King. Enough with Clintons!

JCole   January 13th, 2008 6:58 pm ET

This is in response to the post of JD, Wi

Obama did not JUST release his economic plan – it was released 4 months ago long before the economy became the #1 issue of the campaign!!!

I agree with you that it is "shockingly embarrassing" that a candidate would copy a plan off of another candidate – but once you look at the facts, it's clear to see that it is Hillary Clinton who is doing the copying. She changes her campaign to fit whatever she thinks will get her elected. Obama has been talking about change long before it was the term used by all candidates. Obama released a detailed economic plan long before the recent media attention on the economy.

If you don't agree with Obama on the issues, then by all means don't vote for him – but most of the negative stuff I hear about him is false:

He was/is a Muslim – FALSE (read the recent Newsweek article that talks about these false accusations

He doesn't have experience – He has more elected experience than Hillary

He distorted Hillary's comments – HE never said anything about these comments, it was the media and various others who voiced their concern.

I just hope that we don't put our country's future in jeopardy because people believe whatever they hear and are too lazy to try to find out the facts for themselves!!!

Michael Graham   January 13th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

Who are we going to vote into the White House?
we'd better be careful who we vote for cuz it has to do with someone inthe hands of whom we will put the future of this great nation at a certain degree.are we going to vote for Obama or are we going to vote for Hillary Clinton?
voters,always "look before you leap".

Steve   January 13th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

"Please, conrades [sp], don't make this drastic mistakes. Away with Hill."

Comrades? Showing your true colors?

Mary, Boston, MA   January 13th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

I agree with many of the posted comments on this issue: Enough already!! Let's not reduce this great race to the lone issue of race. I started out with democratic leanings but had not made up my mind about which candidate to support. Here's what I've noticed:

1) Sen. Obama came in a close second in the NH primary, but there was a knee-jerk response to his loss — many suggested that race was a factor in that loss, despite the fact that poll numbers had correctly predicted his percentage of the votes, and simply understimated Sen. Clinton's. But when Sen. Clinton lost in Iowa, there was no suggestion of misogyny or sexism among Iowan voters. One win for each candidate, one loss each, fair and square. And I don't see Sen. Clinton looking for excuses, or making any.

2) Now, Sen. Clinton, who with her husband has a proven track record of supporting and helping the African-American community, is getting flack for suggesting that the Civil Rights Act was the culmination of actions by many (black, white, layperson, politician), not just a few, with all due respect to the defining vision of Rev. King. Sen. Obama called her statement "ill-advised." What a lot of media attention to all of this!! Yet when Sen. Clinton was heckled in NH (a man yelled out to her, "Go iron your husband's shirts," or something to that effect), it barely registered as a blip on the media radar. That's a double standard. Is sexism or misogyny somehow "OK?"

I'm a woman of color, and I find that Sen. Clinton doesn't look for excuses, fights hard and fair, speaks substantively about the issues, and seeks to rise above the issue of her gender. Now that's a president.

Milka   January 13th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

I certainly don't want liars in the white house. Enough with this!

Michael Graham   January 13th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

Presidential election is not a joke nor a game,choosing a president for the most influential nation on this planet is not a light task ,that is why we need to be very careful who we vote for.we need to use good judgement and common sense on who we entrust the destiny of this great nation to ,cuz some people choose according to their basic instinct when it comes to choosing a Leader,we saw that same situation in the case of Jesus,some people chose to follow the pharisees,and still some chose to follow the great freedomfighter.you know some people will always choose darkness when some others will always have the wisdom to choose light and truth,i do not mean that such presidential candidate represents light and such other one represents darkness,you know what i mean is we make choices in life and we are held accountable for the consequences of the choices and decisions we do make,as simple as this.

Bugarin   January 13th, 2008 6:50 pm ET

Please, correct the statement above, "stands for abortion and human life." The correct statement should read, "people who stands for abortion and against human life (millions of innocent babies killed before they were even born) should be punished and brought to justice. Sometimes they are more for pets and dogs than for man who was created in God's image.

Elaine   January 13th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

Why doesn't anyone talk about Obama's lies? When running for senator, he raised his hand and swore to the people of Illinois that he would not run for president, but would serve out his term as senator. Umm, I think he's declared himself a candidate for president without serving even one term. More importantly, he has missed 85% of the time the senate has been in session. Tell me, would anyone reading this get a promoition at their job if they missed that much time? I doubt they'd even HAVE a job, let alone get a promotion to the highest position!
While I voted for Obama once, I won't make the mistake again. I would suggest to eveyone reading this to get all the facts before they vote for him!

Emmanuel   January 13th, 2008 6:39 pm ET

When a country makes a mistake in choosing a candidate who they thought was
the right one, and suddenly he's not ,fine. It will be forgivable. However, if America should choose Hillary to be the president of the United States, there is no forgiveness. Everybody knows her tricks, lies and deception to demagogize her ideas on the bais of manipulation – especially simple women to vote for her. She is already a divisive character in two things; race and gender. She's got some gender complex. Please, conrades, don't make this drastic mistakes. Away with Hill.

Scott, Royal Oak, MI   January 13th, 2008 6:35 pm ET

When did Obama call Hillary racist?

Oh that's right, he hasn't. Obama has not, and does not, use the race card. It is OBNOXIOUS to see Hillary supporters trying to suggest otherwise. Obama's views/feelings on race are complex, intelligent, and very well constructed (see Dreams From My Father and The Audacity of Hope ), and he does not resort to the type of filthy tricks and propaganda that the Clintons are attempting to utilize.

Francisco Berole   January 13th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

I have never seen, nor heard such a nasting "n" disgusting personality like
Clinton (of course – Hill.)
She knows how to manipulate, use tears, gullible women and feminism in order to achieve votes. This is not fair.
She is definitely not the candidate who would govern a country like America. If so, America is doomed to become like sodoma and gomorrah – let alone the dirty agenda pro-abortion, gay marriage, etc. Think wise America. Wake up!!!!!!!!

Aaron M.   January 13th, 2008 6:30 pm ET

Obama hasn't made race an issue at all. She just tries to portray him as an evil mastermind, controlling all people that speak up against her (of course people can't just have minds of their own or their own opinions, it must be Obama behind it all).

Obama is trying to stay away from the race issue as much as possible because it is divisive (which is exactly why the Clintons are trying portray him as a race peddler).

I can't stand all of the lies in politics.

lesleyduckworth   January 13th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

I have always know that this race is sadly going to turn into a black/white thing and sure enough, it is going that way and fast. How sad. I just hope that the people of the United States don't reap the percussions of the whole thing but I have a feeling that we will.

fernando   January 13th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

SHAME ON BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA FOR PLAYING THE RACE CARD. MOST AFRICAN AMRICANS KNOW THAT CLINTONS HAVE DONE SO MUCH MORE FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY ALL THEIR POLITICAL LIFE.

Soren, Mn.   January 13th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

What has Hillary said that is untrue? It is not belittling the civil rights movement to say that without the political will power nothing gets changed.

Look at Bush Jrn.'s term, a lot of us would have liked to have equal rights for same-sex couples, and there are many movements working for precisely that, but no matter how hard we march, or how proud we are, there will be no change unless there is a president willing to make a change.

Isn't that all Clinton said? I mean how much does it reflect on those who find her comments "ill-advised" to advance a negative interpretation of her comments?

Steve   January 13th, 2008 6:24 pm ET

Democrats are self-destructing, as usual.

Keep this up, and you'll end up with 2 un-electable potential candidates before long.

AJ, IL   January 13th, 2008 6:23 pm ET

This is just simply silly. The Obama camp didn't put these words in the Clintons' mouths.

JACK, NY, NY   January 13th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

It was reported today that HIllary always stopped bill from coloring his hair to black or brown.

My god she is racist. She is actually saying that she doesn't like black or brown people. She must apologise for this. How dare she not like black/brown hair color for bill.

lol

Doesn't matter what she says or does Obama camp will do everything in their power to divide the country.
Some people do buy this B.S.

Don   January 13th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

I think everyone needs to sit back and take a deep breath. Its a shame that most don't realize that Obama and Clinton are on the SAME SIDE. All of this is being stirred up by outside influences for thier own gain. Corporate media come to mind. Are we going to let cable news and pundits tell us how to feel and think. I guess so if you read the post here.

The Clintons are not racist. History is history. As for the "attacks". They seem to go both ways, even though most of them have anything to do with the issues that we should be focused on. You all are waisting time by fighting among yourselves when both canidates are actually similar on their plans for our country. The big question is who can get it done.

As for the "drug" issues. Obama put that out. If he did not think people would mention it, talk about it, debate it, then he has a lot to learn. he should not get angry every time someone mentions it. You have to really ask yourselves is this productive. We react to every small thing, without taking the effort to find out all the facts. Who is doing what debate has become stupid. People call themselves informed, but are they? I see lots of attacks on Hillary, but have yet to see anyone able to actually have a valid reason for that hate. Remember i the phrase "its the economy stupid". Well this election is quickly becoming "its the media spin stupid". Don't believe the hate. Obama and Clinton want the same thing. We are the ones who are making this a division, and why? So the news networks and blogs have something to talk about. SAD.

DeVone   January 13th, 2008 6:18 pm ET

Hillary was asked, was Obama ready to be President? her answer was let
the voters choose. I can respect that answer after all she is running herself
then she was asked was Obama ready to be Vise President her answer was
let the voters choose. maybe I am wrong but the presidentel canidate choose
a running mate. This tell alot about Hillary and change, Hillary and Bill is not change, "I just do not want to see our country go backwards" she said.

Youth Voter, USA   January 13th, 2008 6:15 pm ET

What it means to be a youth voter in USA?

Obama tells me change is new, I agree (not knowing every election Presidential politicians talk about change and nothing changes).

Obama tells me to hope so i start hoping.

Obama tells me to change, so I change my parents since they are past and status quo.

My friends (fellow Obama supporters) tell me to repeat Hillary hate posts 100 times a day, so I do it. It's a change from my other work.

Obama tells me to convince my other immature youth friends to cheer for change, I do it.

Obama tells me to ignore experience, so I ignore my parents experience of knowing the world as again, they are past and status quo.

I ignore every old person who was served nationally as they are status quo. Your national service doesnt count in the new world of hatred filled starry eyed fairy tale following youths like me.

reasonable person   January 13th, 2008 6:14 pm ET

It seems that just reading all of these comments….Obama is tearing this nation apart……do we really have to go through the 60's again…..there is no way on earth that this country can come together with the hateful comments of the Obama people…..they only hear what they want to hear….forget the truth….they don't want to hear the TRUTH!!!…..a word from Rodney….Can't we all just get along??? Nope I don't think we can yet……maybe someday….but not this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

j. Page   January 13th, 2008 6:13 pm ET

I applaud Senator Clinton for speaking the TRUTH…. Obama is another MLK or JFK about as much as Edwards is!!!!! She is doing a great job responding to all ofa these TACTICS to make black voters vote against her. But THEY know how hard she has worked for them and will continue to work for them. Obama has nothing else to do but manufacture or distort her comments to ignite people. This is NOT about race or gender. His being black does not mean sh– to me….his having NO experience means everything…that is what we have in the Whiite House now, and we are ALL paying for it. NOW, if it were Colin Powell running that would be a WHOLE other story. This young man has no more than a dream of what he might be able to do, and he got that from a former great leader, did not even come up with that on his own. NO one has to say what the difference between Obama and MLKing are…..intelligent people KNOW there is no comparisom accept in Obama's mind.

Ashley   January 13th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

As a young, educated, african american I have absolutely no problem with what Senator Clinton said. She said nothing that was factually incorrect and if you listen to her actual comments she in no way belittled the civil rights movement. It did take LBJ to sign the civil rights act and I think everyone knows that this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement. If anyone should be ashamed it should be Obama for capitalizing on MLK's work whenever anyone hands him a microphone.

Latin American   January 13th, 2008 5:58 pm ET

Obama will be our next president, the president of the United States of America!!! The best thing for Obama would be to stay away from the any racist subjects and comments made by Hillary and to ignore Bill Clinton all together. Clintons are getting desperate and what a better way to elect another Clinton than to stir issues of race and try to scare away white Americans from voting for Obama. Hillary does not have 35 years of politics, but if she insists that she has served that long, than in 35 years she didn’t do much for people of US. Once you dig into Clintons past it does not look so hopeful for Clinton anymore! I guess Bill is an expert in off-loading attention from Clintons; after all he did literally perfect the off-loading term with the help of his secretary!!!

Ann Kuminns   January 13th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

It is time for the world to see how destructive the Clintons can be. No way anyone would need to "explain" their own remarks! You only need to explain when you know you have done WRONG!! The Party is being destroyed by the Clintons!!! When so many people will not vote, or would rather go Republican, you know that there is something drastically wrong. So many long-time party members have been disillusioned by this turn of events, knowing that HRC cannot win, even she she resorts to dirty tricks, we are already preparing for another Republican in the White House. She and Bill are just destroying the hopes and dreams of so many of us. We are not saying that Obama is a better candidate, but their intent on destroying the party that we have love and supported for so many years is a tragedy for us all, and that we may never recover from. How can they claim that they are democrats? Winning is one thing, but having done what they did, and still continue to do is beyond imagination. Can't they see or understand that they are not bigger than the nation of democrats?? Is the Democratic Party just going on a downward spiral? A free fall initiated by the Clintons? Where are the press on this??? Where are the level-headed democrats??? Help! Help!

jerzee gal   January 13th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

Obama has yet to address what hillary said and yet she defended what she said striking at Obama. Hillary your "new voice" , led you to try to inject race into the campaign and it blew up in your face! No one had to distort what you said. I am sick that BET founder came to rescue her from her own "voice". It makes me think that some black people are "that stupid"!! Hillary to avoid this next time say what you mean and mean what you say!! As a young black american woman I do want to support black people, and, hillary is definately making it easier to do so. Do like Obama said and rise above the "petty politics"!!!

E. Roth   January 13th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

Obama, enough is enough, do not mislead the citizen only to get more votes. You are paying someon to distort everything Hillary said and that does not make you look good yo represent this country. Please stand in your qualities and the change that you are promising. What is that change? if that change is HOPE as you mention in your speech in Nevada then, I believe the citizens deserve more than HOPE. Put hand on practice, there is still time to fight fare. Nevertheless I like Hillary I see you as a promising candidate 4 years from now.

Ann   January 13th, 2008 5:51 pm ET

Does hillary think that American's are fools?
She says something , and then blames it on Obama! spare me.
When last i checked, he was not a ventriloquist!

Louise   January 13th, 2008 5:50 pm ET

Why is the same poster using three different names ('Yes', 'Create' & 'Keep')allowed to repeat their message ver batim…does the Obama campaign really need someone to keep changing name but repeating the same message to give the impression of more support??

mslinx   January 13th, 2008 5:49 pm ET

Hillary is a disgusting liar I don't see how anyone has not seen her true colors, even the woman who asked her the question where she "cried" saw through the bs…. the Clintons make me sick

Leah DiMarco   January 13th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

America wants truth, honesty, and integrity.

The days of mudslinging and distortion need to become a thing of the past along with the Bushes and Clintons and from this day forward and we should all work towards supporting only those candidates that have the best interests of America and American people in their agenda without playing calculated self promoting games.

Obama/Edwards '08

Anonymous   January 13th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

This whole thing is rediculous. Everyone knows that Clinton has been a huge advocate for all minorities her entire life, and we all know she is not racist. All she said was it took the power of BOTH Dr. King and LBJ to get civil rights laws passed. So what's the big deal? Cleary her words were distorted to make her sound racist right before the SC primary. I hope people are wise enough to know she is not, and if elected, she will continue her fight for minorities. We seem to forget that we as Democrats are all working towards the same goal, we are all on the SAME side! People, let's try not to be so negative, because it sure brings out ignorance and ugliness.

Ian CA   January 13th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

The fact that Hillary plugged her website during her victory speech in NH is disgusting enough. How pathetic, and all this is just making her look ridiculous. She's blaming hers and her husbands comments on Obama's campaign even though no one in his campaign said anything about them. The only thing to come from Obama about all this is 'ludicrous. I neither respect nor believe in Hillary, and I haven't for awhile now. At first I was okay with her, but now all I see is her constantly either kissing *** or blaming her mistakes on other people.

For the love of this country, vote for Obama. Listen to his speech in NH, and then listen to Hillary's and tell me whose was better. I'm sorry, Hillary plugging her website was just ridiculously pathetic. Obama talked about hope and the future, Hillary talked about her website.

Kevin,FL   January 13th, 2008 5:45 pm ET

THE BLACK VOTERS WILL SAY ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER.. THEY WILL END UP VOTING CLINTON … CLINTON 08

Time for a change   January 13th, 2008 5:38 pm ET

By making her campaign about gender and race, Clinton does a disservice to all Americans. We deserve better from our politicians than this nonsense.

Douglas   January 13th, 2008 5:38 pm ET

Well, then what did she mean? Hillary that is…And what did he mean? Bill that is…

She thinks that Obama is playing a game or in a horse race. Bill thinks that Obama is living a FAIRY TALE. Their words not mine. So please for all parties concerned, can they clarify what the "Hell" they meant.

She believes she is ENTITLED to be the President. Well the Primaries and Caucuses are about the People deciding who they want to lead them and not someone's sense of "Entitlement".

Ben   January 13th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

who talks with both side of her mouth? Do I really want another Bush in the white house?

keep   January 13th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

john   January 13th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Please…let's not turn this into a gender contest. Bill Clinton is the biggest
load Hillary Clinton has to carry. People who might be willing to vote for
her hesitate because of him. She should have divorced him after they
left the White House. Now it's too late. Now they know if you elect her
you're also getting him, like con-joined twins, and this is too high a
price to pay. Sorry, Bill, that you've got too much political scar tissue.
Change isn't a new configuration of an old co-presidency.

mghorning   January 13th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

The fact that LBJ was able to get civil rights rights act legislated was most definitely a sigificant factor in the movement. There is no doubt that MLK was the foremost civil rights leader before and after, but LBJ advanced the cause by at least a decade at a time most thought it wouldn't or couldn't be done.

READ A BOOK!!

keep you busy   January 13th, 2008 5:34 pm ET

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

Joseph   January 13th, 2008 5:33 pm ET

Does anyone care about American kids that are in the war?

Ayyub, Richmond, Va   January 13th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

Amazing January 13, 2008 4:56 pm ET

Can somebody post the link where Obama said "the clintons were racist"…..

Because there is none.

create   January 13th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

Kathlene Johnson   January 13th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

To Victoria wells,
You are such a looser. This is America and Obama is one of those kids born by Immigrants but he is a citizen just like Hillary was born by british Immigrants or John Kerry from french and Irish immigrants. I really feel you crossing the line here and I wish well and peace to all those Kenyans who are hurting in their country. Peace be with them.

Obama is a man of integrity and honor. Clintons are playing dirty tricks to American citizens who are hurting with their kids in Iraq(God bless them). I feel bad this is coming down to this while we have thousands of our kids out there.

These politicians have no idea what is going on in the minds of average Americans and Americans whose kids are in the middle of the war.

Moderator   January 13th, 2008 5:30 pm ET

Moderator: Why do you keep deleting my comments. My comments are pure, and clean. What happend to people's Freedom of speech. I have capture all of your efforts. Please don't delete again. People need to know the truth and not be left in the dark.

Anonymous   January 13th, 2008 5:30 pm ET

More dirty politics from the Clintons… now blaming Obama for racial tension, when he has stayed out of it. The media is the one distorting stuff. The CLintons are so power hungry they will lie, play dirty, do anything. I'm a long time dem but if Hillary is the nominee, I may vote for the Republican.

Sean Karmali   January 13th, 2008 5:28 pm ET

I agree with both Obama and Clinton on both of their viewpoints: Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson are all part and parcel of the emancipation of a peoples.

Jim   January 13th, 2008 5:28 pm ET

Dr. King's dream would not have been realized without the leadership and political skills of LBJ to get the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act and the other legislation he pushed through Congress in the face of Southern Democrats' filibusters, men like Al Gore Sr., and William Fulbright, Bill Clinton's mentor, and Robert Byrd, the ex-KKK member and present President pro tem of the US Senate. Obama might be naive but the Clinton's are always calculating.

obaman08   January 13th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

These blogs make me sad for America. As much as I dream of someone like Barack Obama coming in to turn our country around, comments such as this make me realize that I will probably never see that dream come true. First off, where did Barack Obama come out and say that Hillary was racist because of those comments? As a matter of fact he said that he did not think she was racist and the idea that it came from his camp is ludacris. But of course the media is going to bring it up in any interview he does. So what is he supposed to do? Just skip the question? Clinton is trying to do whatever she can to stay on top. People are wanting Obama to screw up so badly that they are now resorting to lying. The only reason Hillary's camp is even speaking out against this is because of some NEUTRAL African-American leaders that spoke out against her. So out of fear of losing some key endorsements she tries to point fingers. Go Google Congressman Clyborne who spoke out against it. Give me a break— Do your research people and find out the REAL facts!

Obama in 08

Kat, Huntington, West Virginia   January 13th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Yes, I sure wish Obama WOULD talk about something of substance. Race and racial issue are certainly important in this contry but this presidential campaign is about the WHOLE country. This discussion of race has taken us way off track. There are way too many enemies outside (and many inside) the country we need to worry about. We should not be fighting each other. Focus on the issues and who has the experience, intelligence and connections to make us safer, more respected in the world, and economically stronger-Hillary wins that race hands down!

Ken   January 13th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

January 13, 2008 5:17 pm ET

Is the muslim still saying tranforming USA into a Islamic nation?

Lots of people have concerns on the ongoing Kenya Christians and Muslims killing and anarchy!!!

Does this muslim understand we do not want to see the Kenya tradegy repeating in USA???

********************************************************************************************
I am from Kenya and you are shamelessly bringing this to up. You don't even know what is going on in kenya. You seem to be one of those people who head in the wrong directions. There are many walking mentally wounded in U.S than machet wounded in Kenya. If not go figure!

jay   January 13th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

I don't plan to vote for John Edwards but I have to admit, he's on fire. Just about everything I've heard him say in the last 2-3 weeks has been 100 percent correct, spoken and delivered the right way. The Clintons are the flip side of the Bushes, and those two families seem to like and respect each other. Together, they act as if they own the White House and anyone else who comes close will get obliterated with the most scurrilous attacks, delivered at the worst possible moment (day of NH primary by B.C. was classic).

The reason I won't vote for him is that that the country won't elect that firebrand type, like George McGovern was in 1972 and 1984. You have to be able to work with "the enemy" and negotiate compromise along the way.

steep   January 13th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

Marty, Orlando Fl   January 13th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

OBAMA ROCKS!!!

OBAMA 08

Innovate   January 13th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

WP, Phoenix, AZ   January 13th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

Maybe I am missing something, but will someone please tell me WHERE/WHEN Obama said the Clintons are racist!? Where do you guys come up with this stuff??? I am black and yes I was offended by what Clinton said. MLK is the ONLY leader we have ever truly had on a wide scale and is very important to me, as well as many other black people. Discrediting his work is insulting and just plain STUPID as a politician. She's spinning what she said and surprisingly people are actually believing it!

Kim   January 13th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

And will be made vice president, looser!
End of watching BET!

Sean Karmali   January 13th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

I am amazed at the number of responses made on this site all because of candidates trying to accuse one another of something or the other in a clear effort to win votes. The truth is that no matter what side we pick, there will always be those who hold on to the levers of power. So, we're now making decisions based on politcal drama for who we should put into the White House.

Please vote for the candidate that speaks with conviction, avoids drama, and has the air of presidentiality.

Bill in Montgomery, AL   January 13th, 2008 5:21 pm ET

News flash: It's just been revealed that there was no Rosa Parks; that it was actually Hillary Clinton that started the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. That was because Hillary had just found out she was actually a decendent of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings and was thus considered Black. She just wanted the African American community to know that fact about her. She also participated in the Selma to Montgomery March and was beaten severely by the police.

Another news flash: Hillary just revealed that many of her best friends are Black. And in the near future, she's going to divorce Billary so she can marry a Black and have Black children. She's also moving to the inter-city so she can be absorbed into the Africa-American culture.

Y. Parker   January 13th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

As a white Independent and former Republican, I am voting for the one and only candidate whom I believe can bring about the changes most Americans want and hope for…and that candidate is Barack Obama. I am not at all surprised that Hillary is attacking Obama, joined by her husband and fomer president, Bill. They both dreamed about this day many years ago when they were in the Whitehouse, and there is absolutely nothing they won't do to make that dream come true.

Now they have gone too far! Bill's remarks about Obama's bid for the presidency being a fairy tale, and now reitterating what he said…is just another lie, which I might add, he seems to be good at. Remember, his exact words were (IT IS ALL A FAIRY TALE…"IT IS ALL" …MEANING…IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT THE IRAQ WAR HE SAID HE WAS REFERRING TO. Also, Hillary's remark about President Johnson bring about the change for blacks…..NOT MARTIN LUTHER KING. It is true that President Johnson actually made the change, but IT WAS MARTIN LUTHER KING'S FIGHTING (BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS) THAT CAUSED THE CHANGE TO BE MADE. WITHOUT A MARTIN LUTHER KING, IT WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED.

The Clintons are desparate now…because they know their dreams can all go down the drain….UNLESS THEY CAN DESTROY OBAMA'S CHANCES….AND I PROMISE YOU…THIS ATTACK WON'T BE THE LAST!

I am really worried about Obama. If anyone has read the moutains of credible evidence of wrong-doing by both Bill and Hillary, and the many suspicions surrounding them, even the possibility of murder….they well understand why. Just type "The Clinton Murders" in your browser, and "Who Killed John John," and you will see what I mean. These two will stop at nothing for Hillary to become president. They have promised to many favors and have accepted too much money from their supporters who are expecting these favors as soon as Clinton is elected president.

Jimenez   January 13th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Clintons being called racists? Now this is where ignvorance and stupidty really come into play. The Clintons are far from being racists. Shame Shame Shame on people saying something like that.

yeah   January 13th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior

yes   January 13th, 2008 5:19 pm ET

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

Victorial Wells   January 13th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

Is the muslim still saying tranforming USA into a Islamic nation?

Lots of people have concerns on the ongoing Kenya Christians and Muslims killing and anarchy!!!

Does this muslim understand we do not want to see the Kenya tradegy repeating in USA???

Moderator don't keep deleting   January 13th, 2008 5:15 pm ET

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

Bobby   January 13th, 2008 5:15 pm ET

How in the world can Hillary and Bill blame Barack for comments that they made. This is by far the silliest thing I have heard in a long time. I was always taught that a person should say what they mean and mean what they say. I guess Hillary and Bill both need a lesson in THINKING BEFORE THEY SPEAK!

stan pitts pa   January 13th, 2008 5:13 pm ET

the first female president should stand on her on two feet and tell us why she should be president , not using her husband (an ex-u.s president)to state her case, honestly i think for all true hardworking women everytime she opens her mouth she sets the feminism movement 50 years back, i will vote for a woman president in the future, just not hrc!

Us   January 13th, 2008 5:11 pm ET

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

Victoria Wells   January 13th, 2008 5:11 pm ET

Everyone I talked to, all has said they love Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton regardless what press media say!

Everyone in this nation has a question for that muslim "Are you trying to transform USA into an Islamic nation? Is it the change you are talking about??"

The muslim is very good in harassing people and distorting people's records to his advantage! He finish 2nd…

God is watching us from above and is very fair.

Ma   January 13th, 2008 5:10 pm ET

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

ME   January 13th, 2008 5:09 pm ET

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

The Gardener   January 13th, 2008 5:08 pm ET

um, what good old boys are you refering to? Obama isn't a good old boy anymore than Hillary is a "soul sister".

as for the "never underestimate the power of a woman" comment, do you mean "white woman"? there are many women of color, different colors, in this country. She doesn't seem to be speaking for them, but for one type: the well to do, know it all, wealthy types who are further to the right than they want to admit.

The rest of the world laughs at how she is supposed to be a "centrist democrat". She hasnt done a thing for anyone's rights.

There wont be a health care system under her presidency, just more of a police state that kicked in with her husband's administration after Waco. Not to mention the number of pot smokers who DID inhale and are still rotting away in prison.

And the way she changes the way she speaks, whether the rhetoric or the fake "southern twang", just sickens me. At least Obama, Edwards, and Kucinich are all consistent.

jack, Fl.   January 13th, 2008 5:04 pm ET

I can't believe some of the dribble that I read here! People, analyze what has been said,"MLK had a dream he was a great mover of people and an extremely gifted speaker" but could he have instituted the civil rights laws by himself, NO ! He caused the country to think but LBJ is the person who pushed for the laws. Each needed each other. So, after a good look at what was said the only conclusion you can come to is that what Hillary said was true. By the way I am an independent .

anonymous   January 13th, 2008 5:04 pm ET

VOTE OBAMA!!!

He is willing to be your president.

VOTE OBAMA! VOTE OBAMA! VOTE OBAMA! VOTE OBAMA!

Al   January 13th, 2008 5:03 pm ET

When I look at Hillary Clinton on stage with Obama during any debate, when Obama speaks, it so looks like Hillary wants to spew the n-word all over national TV. I'm not saying that she is a racist, but I would bet money that she would move her purse if a black male was walking down the same side of the street. Bill Clinton did some things for the black community. Bill Clinton. Hillary let Bill do things in front of a nation that no wife should have to put up with. Was it because of love for Bill? I doubt it.

I'm not saying that Obama is the candidate for everybody, but I know that Hillary is not the one for anybody. Unless you are Republican. If Hillary gets the Democratic nod, we will have a Republican President.

I vote for Hillary is as good as a vote for McCain. The oil companies are licking their lips at that thought!

JD, WI   January 13th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Obama just released an economy plan, which is a total copycat of the Clinton plan released last week. This is shockingly embarrassing that has never seen in political history. Even his economic advisor admits it’s similar to Clinton plan. Is this how Obama bring about change? By changing numbers of an opponent’s plan?
If you can’t even come up with an original idea how can you be a change agent?
Of course, Clinton camp has been asked for meat all this time.
But it is unthinkable that Obama will produce meat stolen right from the Clinton’s refrigerator. This is real armature stuff.

Ed, NC   January 13th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Is Hillary going to cry in the White House when things don't go to suit her?

Ayyub, Richmond, Va   January 13th, 2008 5:00 pm ET

Dot January 13, 2008 4:27 pm ET

I am so tired of hearing who is black and who is white. This has turned into a war against race not a vote for president.
I am also tired of hearing everyone blast Hillary because she is a woman. This also seem to be sexist.
I will vote for Hillary because i believe she is genuine and she has a great man by her side that has done a lot for this country when he was president. His personal affairs are not mine and that is between him and his spouse and it she can forgive him then she is stronger than most men i know.
I will say Hillary keep on working for the country you love and wish for change and i feel you can do the job as well as any man.
Obama there is a mystery that surrounds you and i do not trust the feeling i have when i see you speaking.
I would like to see Americans unite, and race does not matter to anyone but as long as you keep race in the pictures it will never disappear.
As long as Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson keep race alive it will remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Dot! No one has ever blast Hillary for being a woman just a hypocrite and irresponsible. Hillary is starting all of this mess and you're fooled by it.

JCole   January 13th, 2008 5:00 pm ET

Regardless of what you think about Hillary's comments (and they were her comments – no one made her say them) – the point is, is that Obama never made a big deal about it. It was the media and various African American leaders who said that her comments were insensitive and perhaps racist . Obama has not made a comment about the remarks, until after MTP aired today. Unfortunately, he was forced to take time out of this important election campaign to address the false accusation that HE was the one who was making this a race issue. And then after spending almost an hour attacking Obama on Meet the Press (man, it would have been nice to learn about what she would do if elected, not about how someone else shouldn't be) she has the nerve to go out campaigning saying how much she respects Obama?!?! Clinton is right on one thing – actions do speak louder than words and right now her actions are making her look pretty bad!!!

Hispanic Point of view   January 13th, 2008 4:58 pm ET

All you white and black people can continue to argue about this nonsense… This election has to be on who is more experienced, more notable, more able… I can tell you that I can go to a movie and be inspired by what some actor says, but those are only words… I like Barack Hussein Obama, but I dont think he has the experienced needed. Come on, if you had a multi=million dollar business, would you hire experience over someone that makes you feel good or a freshmen out of college? I dont think so…

Ultimately this primary race will be determined by Hispanic/Latinos americans.. and who do you think we will vote for? TO BE CONTINUED>>>>>

Amazing   January 13th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

Can somebody post the link where Obama said "the clintons were racist"…..

Eric, California   January 13th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

You might as well face it. It is obvious that John Edwards will be the nominee, and he is the best chance to take the white house back and make America a better place to live.

Edwards 2008

Louise   January 13th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

This is just ridiculous…the Clinton's are obviously not racist. Any fool with a working brain could figure that out!!!

And was ANY other candidate on Meet the Press about their biggest public adversity??? I don't think so…this just seemed to me like another attempt of the mainstream media to humilate Hillary…why can't they just get over it?? She is the best candidate and she is going to win…you got it wrong guys…face up to it…you don't have the say…the people do…and Thank God for that. Keep going Hillary.

Denise   January 13th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

Yay Beth….
This reminds me of the OJ trial….except with politics.
My new phrase for Oh blah blah in this campaign is:
" When in doubt…pull the race card out "

brian bustos   January 13th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

THIS RACE THING IS OUTLANDISH,HILLARY HAS FOUGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS WOMENS RIGHTS,CHLIDRENS RIGHTS ECT…ECT…OBAMAS CAMP IS DISTORTING THIS OR ELSE THEY WOULD STOP IT DEAD IN ITS TRACKS,THEY KNOW ITS WRONG.BUT ITS KEEPS HIMFROM TALKING SUBSTANCE WHICH HE HAS NONE TO OFFER.WHERE WAS HE THE LAST TWO YEARS STANDING UP FOR THE WAR TO END LIKE OTHER ANTI WAR DEMS…HE WAS PLOTTING A WHITE HOUSE RUN AND PLAYING IT SAFE…NO COURAGE OR LEADERSHIP SKILLS THERE IF YOU ASK ME…GO HILLARY DONT LET THE GOOG OLD BOYS CLUB GET TO YOU

Ayyub, Richmond, Va   January 13th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

artseafartsea January 13, 2008 3:17 pm ET

To Obama: Never underestimate the power of a woman. Go Hillary!

That's so so so sad, Hillary has sent back the power of a woman you the power of a cheat and a liar. She is a disgrace and I hope America see this really soon. She should be the first female president, the first one should be responsible and truthful and also know how to fight the right enemy.

ANYONE BUY A CLINTON   January 13th, 2008 4:52 pm ET

MAKE HILLARY WORK FOR IT JUST AS YOU EXPECT OBAMA TO. HILLARY IS GETTING A FREE RIDE. HER EXPERIENCE IS BASED ON PILLOW TALK.

Xavier, Washington DC   January 13th, 2008 4:52 pm ET

Will somebody please show me where it's the Obama campaign that pushing this story? Hillary accuses Obama but gives not evidence and everyone is accepting it as gospel. None of the people I've heard comment on this story are affiliated with Obama. I personally got ticked about her comments about MLK before I heard anyone else criticizing her about it. I think it is Clinton who is playing the race card by blaming Obama for this, knowing that white people will be turned off. It's so shady, so underhanded, so … Clintonesque.

Courtney S.   January 13th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

How is stating what SHE said destorting her record? It is amazing… I watched her on Russert ( Meet the Press) and she is NEVER wrong. Always taken out of context, always on the attack yet can't handle being attacked.

I vote in Washington State where our primary is Feb 9th. and I urge all to vote for Obama…

As a Black Woman, in her early 30's, I'm so sick of hearing how much the Clintons did for Blacks… Please, they did what they needed to do in order to get elected. They have taken advantage of many to get into office and have their agenda put in place.

I love how people have said she has changed because she cried, this woman has been in some form of politics all her life, she is playing us all. And that moment… embarrased me. What in order to show you have a heart you must weap. Really?

As for Clinton and her supporter saying…"shame on Obama for playing the race card". Whatever… he hasn't played any cards…if she and her supporters hadn't said the things they've said no one could attack her WORDS. And it has been proven in History in all countires, that change comes from the bottom up. That elected officers respond to what the people want or heads will roll. That LBJ had no choice but to sign the voting rights act because THE PEOPLE demanded it, and the peoples demand was inspired by MLK and many others before.

So I say this with all my liberal heart…. I am ready for change and I want it. I don't believe that being an insider will make change.

Attach Obama's record all you will… yeah its light because he just got started, BUT if you look at his life record as a WHOLE, he cares about the PEOPLE and he believes you can make change the power and will of the people. Let us NOT forget that Hillary was leading in NH the entire time until the last days. And she only won by 3pts… so be afraid OLD LADY…be Afraid wicked witch!

whatsitToyou   January 13th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

and the drama continues…dun dun dun stay tuned next week for more of Hilary being emotional more of Obama critisizing Bill Clintion! While Bill Clintion tries to decide who he wants to win! Oooh what fun!

Ayyub, Richmond, Va   January 13th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

In an attempt to win SC, that has a high percentage of Black voters, Obama begins the worst campaign smear in history: accusing Bill and Hillary Clinton of racism. And Edwards, in his attempt to remain relevant, joins in the pile on.

Clinton has a history of working for civil rights, including rights for minorites and women. Obama knows he would loose on the merits–so he sinks to a new low in American politics. I am profoundly offended at Obama and his campaign staff.

And, Obama: tell Mr. Jackson to knock off the sexism. It isn't pretty either.

EmmyG.

EmmyG. you make no sense. Hillary is bring us sexism. Saying "Women for Hillary and tooting your sex will bring it up" Obama doen't even bring us is race as much as Hillary, every second of every day, brings up ger gender. Plus, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT has Obama done Emmy, explain please. Hillary and her campaign are bringing this up not Obama or his campaign so place your blame on your candidate and the campaign you support. It's sad that Hillary's trying to say she and Barack are in a fight but it's only her.

Tell Hillary to stop pandering to women and talk to the whole nation men and women.

Karl   January 13th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

After reading this article, i was offended all on my own. I do not think distortion is the problem here. She sticks her foot in her own mouth then blames it on her opponent. It might just be me but I cant see how this might help her in a possible war situation…

Beth   January 13th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Obama is now proving to be an awful leader, should of known this would happen becasue Jesse Jackson Jr is his Campain Manager. To use the race card is the dirtiest trick! Why is it all the time White Amercians are considered the racists, I think in this day and age its the other way around.

Concerned Citizen, IN   January 13th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

It is a scary time when people are actually convinced that Hillary cares about anything other than becoming president. I don't believe a word that comes out of her mouth, and her policies aren't even that great. She is going to spend America into oblivion.

If you want change, why would you want to put another Clinton into office. One who has taken campaign money from every interest group under the sun. You think she is going to turn around and fight them? Kick them out of Washington? You are dreaming.

When you take money from an interest group, they aren't going to turn around and walk away without getting something. People don't spend millions of dollars for nothing.

If she is nominated, I may have to vote for McCain.

Bein Careful   January 13th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

If I hadn't been around during Clinton's two terms as president, I would probably believe that they were being honest in their statements about Obama, Edwards, themselves and anyone else. However, I saw first hand what the she witch is capable of and It worries me. Her temper and viciousness during her husband's presidential escapades left no doubt as to her true being. When I heard her half-baked assertions that it was these and those and how all those women were lying all I could do was laugh. I am no longer laughing at them as I ponder the sad state of affairs we seem to be approaching as voters seem to believe that she is anything but what she has proven herself to be. I fear for our country.

Denise   January 13th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Hey Greg OH, I know Oh blah blah is white and black but he seems to leave out the white part. He has said over and over and over and over, He is a black man running for president.
The simple fact is: The Clintons got us out of debt, balanced our budget and handed over a surplus to the Bush administration. I really don't care what my banker or my stock broker does in his private life. I don't care if he believes in abortion or not.
I really don't care if he goes to church or not. If he makes me money and secures my future, then that 's all that matters to me. We have an economy that is circling down the drain and in order to get it fixed to where my money is worth something, my house is worth something, and my retirement is still in existence, we need a president that knows how to give us all that. The Clintons have done that already and Will do it again. I don't want someone in the oval office stumbling around trying out new things to see if they work!

jbp   January 13th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Give me a break. I can not believe that the Obama camp is going to such lows to think that Bill was speaking badly about him. You need to hear Bill entire speach to understand that he is right on target. The media and everyone else is not questioning Obama on how he would have voted. He was not even in office when the votes was cast about granting Bush the right to go to war. He was not privileged to all the info. as other senators were to make a voting decision. Bill and Hillary have done more for Blacks then he has that's for sure. And any black person who is voiting for Obama simply because he is black is really not smart enough to understand the true outcome of what they are doing. Now all of Obama leaders are trying to use the race card to try and draw bad press for Bill and Hillary. Wake up america and try and get Obama to speak to the facts and talk about experience which he is lacking. We need someone who knows what they are doing, be it a black person, a woman, or who ever. But let's make sure its someone with experience and one that would not play the race card which is what Obama's team is tryig to do now by attacking a man who has done so much for the black community.

Donna in ID   January 13th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

When I watched what was said I understood what was meant.
I really get up set when thin skinned rabble rousers nit pick word by word and out of context really make me mad. Then yo have the ones that believe everything they hear on TV and all the talking heads keep playing on it and keep it going for weeks .They can't let it drop when it is over.
I think we have a lot of irresponsible media people. You can always tell who they are pushing for by the stupid questions and remarks and nit picking and stupidity they keep up. I for one get very tired and weary of it. This goes on all the way from the White house news conferences to some of the idiots on radio and TV.
I have not made up my mind who to vote for as yet but the way it looks I may not even vote. Would be the first time in 47 yrs of voting.
It will NOT be for either Obama or Rudy for sure.

ellen   January 13th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

For the life of me I can't understand how anyone in America can think that after 20 years with only two families in the white house…. having that tradition continue for another 4 to 8 years is "change"?

As far has Hillary 'finding her voice'. How can she have it both ways. She says she's been working for change for 35 years!

She was the NY Senator during 9/11 yet it took almost losing in NH for her to get emotional!

If anyone wants to see the real Hillary think back…. remember the speech that George Bush gave Thursday night after 9/11. She is the ONLY partisian person in the room. Her state had been attached! 3000 people from HER STATE were dead…. yet the only emotion she showed on TV that night was disgust and anger for George Bush. I dare anyone to watch that unedited tape and think otherwise.

The time for Clinton to get emotional or ' find her voice' has past!
`

Milo   January 13th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

To anyone who reads this article:
Keep in mind that Coretta Scott King supported Hillary Clinton completely up until her death. Anyone who thinks that Senator Clinton is racist is severely deluded, and is clearly allowing himself or herself to be influenced heavily by the media, something which is simply foolish.
Those who know anything regarding what Hillary is all about and what she stands for knows that she and her husband Bill are not racist in the slightest. What she said about how Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream was not realized fully until President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the truest statements made, in that it is simply historically accurate. Yes, it was King's protesting and speeches combined that INFLUENCED the government to pass the act, but such actions will only get one so far without the government's ultimate concession. If Lyndon Baines Johnson never passed the Civil Rights Act, King's efforts would have been completely in vain. Stating this, as Hillary did, does not discredit Martin Luther King Jr.'s efforts at all, she was merely commenting on a fact that everyone, or anyone intelligent, should be aware of.
The media has sunk to a new low. It is the responsibility of the candidates and the members of their respective campaigns to persuade people to join them and to gain supporters. This is the duty of no one else, including the media.
Simply by bringing up this issue in a widespread news article, an actual issue will arise. People should not take "news" like this seriously, and should see it for what it is, that is, propaganda, and should therefore ignore it.

To anyone who will vote in the next election: make up your own minds about the candidates, based on actual facts as opposed to only relying on the media for things that appear to be factual but are, in actuality, fallacious.

Jordan   January 13th, 2008 4:35 pm ET

Obama will be our next president, the president of the United States of America!!! The best thing for Obama would be to stay away from the any racist subjects and comments made by Hillary and to ignore Bill Clinton all together. Clintons are getting desperate and what a better way to elect another Clinton than to stir issues of race and try to scare away white Americans from voting for Obama. Hillary does not have 35 years of politics, but if she insists that she has served that long, than in 35 years she didn’t do much for people of US. Once you dig into Clintons past it does not look so hopeful for Clinton anymore! I guess Bill is an expert in off-loading attention from Clintons; after all he did literally perfect the off-loading term with the help of his secretary!!!

Rob   January 13th, 2008 4:35 pm ET

Good for Obama's people to defend him and calling it like it is. They have to be more aggressive and rebut the lies and distortions coming from the Clinton camp. Hillary has dropped from my second choice to anybody but her. Don't give this lying machine of Clinton's a monopoly on the bullspeaker. Call out their desperation. Clinton is going down and going down fast. Sorry, crying your way for sympathy and for your own selfish intent might have gotten you a VERY narrow victory in NH but it won't get you into the White House or defeat terrorism.

Katy   January 13th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

It is obvious that Hillary tried to bait Obama with her MLK remark and he ignored her as she should be ignored. So what does she do? Accuses Obama anyway. Hillary is the one who is trying to bring race into the campaign because she has gotten quite desperate.

Why is Hillary not focusing on the issues?

1 )Like why is she not releasing her White House records?
2) Why did she not succeed for 8 years on Health care?
3) Why did she help implement NAFTA to help take away our jobs?
4) Why was she on Wal-Marts board and cozy with China?
5) Why is Hillary the highest recipient of funds from lobbyists?

I guess when Hillary Clinton doesn't want to take on her own record, she resorts to her dirty politics to try to distract us. We can see you are not genuine Hillary. That is why Barack Obama WILL be our next President in 08. The people will speak in this election. We want change we can BELIEVE in with Obama!

Butch Dillon   January 13th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

During the 90s, I was an ardent Bill Clinton supporter while recognizing the Clinton's role in the divisiveness of national politics. I don't know that they started the game, but they surely played leading parts in roles that helped separate Americans along ideological lines. Reading the comments after stories such as this one, it is becoming clear that the brand of dirty political infighting sponsored by the Clintons during his presidency is having similar effects within the Democratic party. At a time when this nation desperately needs to raise itself high above the slime, Hillary and Bill are dragging it down to their level again. Enough of the filth, enough of the Clintons.

Paul   January 13th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

How can Hillary say that Obama is distorting the comments that she made about MLK? Those words were not uttered by Obama. Those words came right out of the horse’s mouth, and that horse is Hillary Clinton. It appears to me that Obama is busy Campaigning. The words uttered by Hillary are being translated by the Public. I am part of the public. I must say, Hillary is making Obama's job a bit easier. Maybe she should just put a muzzle on. It seems like her and her husband make ill advised comments. Her husband states that the whole idea in regards to Obama is a fairy tale.

LBJ did not bring about the change. He did sign it into Law, but only after years of sacrifice made by MLK and his supporters. The fact is, MLK and his supporters demanded change. MLK efforts and support brought about the change by fighting for it, to the degree that he sacrificed his own life. LBJ had no other option, but to give in to the whim of the public support that was accumulated thought the years. Why did MLK have to negotiate with Politicians for equality, desegration, etc? That is a matter that should not need to be negotiated for. It should have been automatic thing.

Hillary says that she has 35 years of experience, but her experience has not changed the favors extended to Lobbyist. She says that we need a president who know how things work behind the walls of the White House to be successful.

We need somebody who does not have the Tradition 35 years of Washington Experience. Because as much "As much as Things Change, They stay the same". Her 35 years has changed nothing. Her husband’s years did nothing but conceal and provide a false mirage to the public that all was alright, while inwardly, Washing was still the same old place- An Immense influence by Lobbyist. If Hillary did not influence her Husband to put an end to the choke hold of Lobbyist and PAC groups THEN, what make us think that she is the candidate who will bring about that change now? After, Lobbyist are the "Root of the Problem". They are the reasons why cost in Healthcare, mortgage, Banking, Schooling, Outsourcing have led to the struggles that Americans face today.

So far, I have only seen one candidate who can see all of that, and has seen it from the Beginning. His judgment, Trumps her experience. By the way, Look at Hillary’s website, it is update monthly. Obama's website is Dynamic. It is update daily. We need somebody who is not lazy. We need somebody who knows how to organize, stay abreast of the changes, innovate, renovate, and create. We need someone who knows how to use resources. Obama does not know it all, but I tell you what his judgment has helped him build the most successful and innovate team/staff. We need that type of Innovation to translate into the UNITED STATES of America. Not just Red state or Blue states, or certain states, or for certain classes of society.

To see that we need somebody who knows how to analyze, and be proactive not reactive. Hillary reacts when it is too late. Example, she ignored students in the beginning, Obama realized the significance of students, now she is going after students 1 year later (reactive). Obama's Judgment, analysis, cleverness, and staff are Superior.

robby10001   January 13th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

The Clinton's and their defenders are trying to squash all the new hope, that is fresh inspiring and uplifting to people in recent American politics. I can only wish that people see through this to go froward and elect Barack Obama as our next president. He is the only candidate with the insight and personal power to march through the swamp of politics creatd by such old-Washington power driven types such as the
Clintons. From casting doubt on the genious of such great men as Dr. KIng, to trying to close polling places in Nevada to union workers, to distorting clear words and digging up trashy gossip, the Clintons will stop at nothing to gain control. Obama, I believe is our last chance as a nation to elect a true leader . Let's not allow the Clintons to destroy the beauty of a newly born messenger of hope and force of genius that can bring real change to the next generation and the world.

Denise in Illinois   January 13th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

I understand that Obama is white and black. His wife had to tell everyone that he was black. And from there this race issue started.

abi   January 13th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

It is just embarrassing that OBAMA campaign will stoop to this low.. Trying to paint Clinton as racist? This is not just fair and Obama the freshman? duh: now he appears to be the everyday POLITICIAN!!! We've seen that already! Get dirty things out, let the press take over and stay above the fray while Clinton is battling his dirty trick. So much for a change!!!

Matt, New York Ny   January 13th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

The Clintons are grasping for their last ounce of political power, hoping to essentially bypass two term limits by exploiting a loophole. I think they're so consumed with power at this point that they're not thinking about the real good of nation – The vitality of getting new leaders and new viewpoints. The importance of electing someone who can unite this nation and appeal to the world. The importance of electing a black president for the first time, and mending the vicious wound that has hurt this nation's soul since its founding – A country preaching the freedom of all, when all are not free.

This is not to say that the Clintons haven't done good work for the nation. But in a great leader, there also comes the responsibility of knowing when to step aside and pass the torch to a new generation. I think it irresponsible of Hillary to run at all, especially when she realizes going in how unpopular she is amongst republicans and independents, when she realizes how important it is to elect a democrat, and when she realizes that she's tearing the democratic party apart and essentially trouncing on the civil rights issues her and Bill so fervently fought for before, by calling Obama's candidacy a thing of "fairytales" and dreams that require us all to throw away our crazy hopes and dreams and go back to dark and pessimistic "reality checks". This country wasn't founded on "reality checks", but it sure fall apart that way.

Bo A.   January 13th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

It's amazing that the Clintons are now blaming Obama for something that is clearly their fault. I don't think the Clintons are racist, but it's clear that Hillary could have made her point in a far less contentious and controversial way. But that's the manner of politics – every public figure fumbles at one point or the other. It says something profound about a leader's character if he/she can accept that a mistake has been made and move on. Obviously Hillary is showing a pattern of blaming everyone but herself for her mistakes (think Iraq vote). That's disappointing because I do think her experience -little as it may be – makes her the better candidate of the two. It's hard to support her though when she makes accusations like these. For a relative newbie, Obama has done a much better job of staying above the fray and keeping his campaign staff in check.
It's also ironic that Hillary is blaming Obama for taking her comments out of context when just a week before, her husband took Obama's words out of context when he attacked his Iraq record. I guess we should hold them to a different standard then? Politics is a tricky game and the Clintons know how to play it. But I think Americans are smart enough to see through these tricks. You can't fool all the people all the time.

jane   January 13th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

I am so sick of Hillary and Bill Clinton's smugness and smarminess. She panders to the black vote. She panders to the hispanic vote. Neither she or her dirty husband ever take responsibility for what comes out of their mouths but have no problem crying wolf and trying to smear an opponent. This country desperately needs a CHANGE from the Bush/Clinton/Bush era. Why can't ALL citizens see this? Don't these people know when they are being pandered to? I guess people will vote for the Clinton's regardless knowing all of their shame, lies, scandals, and dishonesty. It's sad that people are willing to settle for shame and mediocrity (Clinton's) because they want to turn everything into a race issue. The BS Billary creates around themselves is miles high, but unfortunately some voters will refuse to take their blinders off. And the country suffers in the long run because she is a deceitful witch. Wake up people, I agree with Natasha, there is NO WAY Hillary Clinton could solve the problems with this country, and she certainly has no character in doing it in trying to smear Obama and blaming Bush every chance she gets because she has nothing else other than the same tired cliches, using the blame game, and being the calculating woman she is. The woman is all about negativity. Please, let's care more about the future of this country than throwing it away to another lecherous Clinton.
I will vote for ANYONE but Hillary – Obama or McCain.

Jeffrey   January 13th, 2008 4:30 pm ET

Natasha B—You shouldn't wear your "I Hate HIllary" chip on your shoulder so vividly. Hillary doesn't cause the division. It is the Hillary Haters that do. I know some of them, and when I ask them why they dislike her so much, they are usually stumped. They don't have a reason. It is just what they have all been fed BS by hate-mongering right-wing radio and televison talk show hosts. We could only hope that our next president would be such a hard-working, intelligent and patriot as Hillary, who has been in public service most of her adult life. If everyone who spends so much time trying to tear Hillary down would spend a tiny fraction of the time Hillary has in trying to move public policy in this country forward, we would all be in a better place than we are now.

CelinaB   January 13th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

Clinton with her fairly tales made the unfortunate remarks regarding MLK. If they are inappropriate to blacks, its inappropriate period!.
Clinton does not get it. Obama never panders to blacks, when Al Sharpton derided him on the Jena 6, he stood his grounds, it was a matter of right and wrong, not black and white.

Clinton is the one making the statements, explaining, blaming others all in a few days.

be afraid, be very afraid.

Dana Broxton   January 13th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

Hillary is a good person at heart but I dont feel she is strong enough to be president. Every time you look up Bill Clinton is making remarks for her. She is running for president not Bill Clinton. I understand that Hillary is his wife and of course he will support her but I think there is a limit to the nonsense. Hillary is consistantly bringing up her being a female to win female voters, Barack is not bringing up his race to win over black voters but he is using his message and that alone should tell American people something. Everytime someone says something negative about Hillarys campaign she wants to go cry about it as if it is a soar boo boo. Hello this is a race for the White house rocks will be thrown, get over it. Females need not be so nieve to the thought of having a Female president as blacks shouldnt be nieve to the thought of having a black president however females and blacks should look full of hope to the thought of having a great wise president that is tired of the nonsense and ready to make a change worth while for this wounded country we call The United States of America and that is why I am sticking up for Barack Obama!!!

jamaal   January 13th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

I get tired off hearing of this guy do this and that. all i am saying is to Mrs. clinton, you have your presudent time with your husband. So give up this one to Obama.
That is end of it. I know that you dont want give up so easily, but you have to face the reality Mrs.
They said: whense you test da power, you need more:" unless you want to revenge your husband.

Just give up, you had before Mrs.

Denise   January 13th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

If Obama…Excuse me….OH blah blah as I call him, Keeps on UNITING America with his big White and Black wedge, he will soon oust himself out of being a presidential candidate. As a non black American, I am soooooo sick and tired of this race card being shoved in my face constantly. Go ask the Jewish race about their slavery and persecution from the last 6000 years! The MLK and the fairy tale comments had NOTHING to do with any race issue. It had everything to do with reality. Oh blah blah's
pretty words have yet revealed any substance of how he plans to get these fairy tale (oops) ideas of his into reality. I see no foundation or track record in anything he says.
If he has to resort to screaming race on every little thing, then it proves to me he has to distract from having to answer questions on how he plans to take these hopes, dreams, JFK and MLK things and turn them into reality. Like Bill Clinton said, "Where's the Beef"

Dot   January 13th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

I am so tired of hearing who is black and who is white. This has turned into a war against race not a vote for president.
I am also tired of hearing everyone blast Hillary because she is a woman. This also seem to be sexist.
I will vote for Hillary because i believe she is genuine and she has a great man by her side that has done a lot for this country when he was president. His personal affairs are not mine and that is between him and his spouse and it she can forgive him then she is stronger than most men i know.
I will say Hillary keep on working for the country you love and wish for change and i feel you can do the job as well as any man.
Obama there is a mystery that surrounds you and i do not trust the feeling i have when i see you speaking.
I would like to see Americans unite, and race does not matter to anyone but as long as you keep race in the pictures it will never disappear.
As long as Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson keep race alive it will remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Brittany   January 13th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Obama distorted what Clinton said how? This case has not been made. Did Obama make you say that? Give me a break.

And Hillary, of all people, Bob Johnson to sling the mud on your behalf. It gets no more pathetic.

Smith J   January 13th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

FIRST SHE WILL EVER BE THE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA MARK MY WORDS.

nicky   January 13th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

Hello,

As a minority woman in a southern state, I was very excited and rooting for Obama, and even contributed what I could to his camp. However, his inability or unwillingness to own up to the fact that he is in someways, implicitly, using the race card with people like me, a minority who really supported his message has changed my mind. In addition, after hearing Michelle Obama saying "wake up and get it" (I saw the entire speech via c-span)is insulting to me, almost saying I have to vote for Obama b/c "us minorities" have to stick together. I have many non-white friends as well as many white friends who helped me pursue a graduate degree and I find it incredibly insulting that I should be expected to vote with the "minority block".
I really supported Obama, and now I am not sure who I will be voting for. I am not that much of a fan of Hillary Clinton, but I am absoluted appalled that the hillary clinton and her husband are basically being called racists. I read what she said, it might have been a tad insensitive, but it was not racist, and frankly I don't want a president, woman, black, or white, who will basically cry "sexist" or "racist" every time his/her decision or capability for certain decisions is questioned.

I will not be voting for Obama for my primary or in the general election, and I guess I am again back to square one as to who to support, I may end up voting for Hillary Clinton, having really no other choices or voting for someone on the republican side.

Sis   January 13th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

Hillary is not being truthful. She should focus on the issues and stop trying to bait Obama with her divisive dirty politics.

Terry   January 13th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

Anyone who is stupid and foolish enough to even suggest that the Clintons are racist are themselves racist, bigotted and paranoid. Obama is a slick phony who has lied before and isn't about to stop now. Obama isn't just black; he's also white. For him to constantly ride the one race and not the other is also racist and bigotted. Apparently, Obama is ashamed of his white race. It's deliberate distortions like this, which Obama, Sharpton and others keep vomiting out of their evil mouths that helps to create a false racial element. Don't fall for this hype. And, Edwards is a wannabe and a big loser one at that!

jp/michigan   January 13th, 2008 4:23 pm ET

Mr. Obama is more concerned with the people of Africa then he is of the American people. He uses the scars of Dr. King to describe himself as the choose leader of the American people, the uniter. He personal has no scars and he selectively takes out of context quotes to pump up his place in history. Its a ugly game Obama is playing. What he did said in 2002, 2004 2005 and 2006 can be looked up on the Internet and one can judge for themselves. His words written by his writing staff does inspire change and unity, But has yet shown me what scars or actions of the past that he has the ability to provide unity.

Lewis   January 13th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

The Clintons have been pandering to political constituencies for years. The truth is, Obama represents a threat to a core constuency and they will do whatever it takes to take him down because that's how they operate. They will say and do anything, and triangulate any position depending on what's most politically expedient. At the end of the day, it's all about them, not what's best for us. And the worst part is that they will take down an African American who inspires millions, much like Dr. King. Her divisiveness and smug superiority, and Bill's willingness to sacrifice his presidential legacy to promote her candidacy is pathetic. Dems, if we nominate HRC, we not only lose the presidency but everything we've gained back over the past several years. She will unite the Repubs and drag down state and local tickets everywhere. Hillary is unelectable and, when it comes down to it, our worst nightmare.

Alice, VA   January 13th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

How anyone can defend Bill and Hillary Clinton in a discussion of unethical, "low politics" is beyond me. These two are the definition of "low politics". Their history of lying, denials, spin, mudslinging, and bullying has been demonstrated during 8 years of Bill. Obviously, it still continues. What in the world were the Clintons doing with FBI files on their political opponents? You remember the ones that were "lost" and suddenly just appeared on the Clinton's coffee table. I don't think they were looking for mailing addresses to send birthday cards….BUT i'm sure their supports think so. Clinton….ONE OF THE WORST PRESIDENTS IN RECENT MEMORY….surpassed only by Jimmy Carter.

Tauasyman   January 13th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

I would like to thing there is a difference between supporting there troops and supporting the war; I think that is what Obama did ; the troop needs the best suprot American people can give them

Vote Obama

Jeffrey   January 13th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

This accusation from Edwards and Osama (oops Obama) is absolutely ridiculous. Hillary and Bill Clinton have been champions of civils rights as far back as research on the Clintons goes. It is a shame that Obama and Edwards are resorting to such nastiness by twisting words for political gain. This is exactly what is wrong with this country, and if this campaign and showing how Obama and Edwards would govern, I hope Hillary creams them. They are pathetic, and I would have expected better from them than this.

jacob   January 13th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

Let us be more recent in our judgement. If hillary actually cried in NH because her campaign was in shumbles, where was she when Black America needed her when they were stuck in New orleans. Why didn't she cry then during Hurricane Katrina?
I am seeing through these people!

QuietStormX   January 13th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

You Must Be Kidding ME! She, He and her staff started the talk. I remember those comments from a white person in her staff. Plus what the Clinton's have been saying, now running away from and trying too explain???

Now they are trying to say Barack Obama's staff put this stuff out there. "Wrong"

They started it, now they are getting caught! The Clinton's get nasty when they see and maybe feel something bad is going to happen? Nevada & South Carolina plus California and more…..

Mike   January 13th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

The days of unbiased media are over.

The days of inaccurate polling, calling a win in the NH primary a return "Back from the Dead", and sensationalist journalism are here to stay.

In the end we are voting for a leader of our country. A leader who must have a balanced agenda.

Frankly, being moved to tears by a presidential candidate… how exactly does that make them fit to run a country? Because they're good public speakers?

Therein lies our problem.

This is NOT, nor should it be treated as, electing the class president in high school. The vote should not be based on charisma or looks or a game face… the false hope of getting better lunch in the cafeteria, that everyone must get along (remember Bush promised the whole everyone getting along thing too… it's nothing new).

This is reality. As Americans we're ALL going to have different views, we're not going to get along 100% of the time.

The thing that makes our country so great, is we have the right and duty to question, to make our voices heard, to strive and sweat and push to try to make things better. There is passion and purpose, but there most also be a game plan, a strategy, an infrastructure, rules and logic to apply to a common goal. Without that, nothing will be accomplished.

I'm sure you've noticed our country, indeed the world, is in some pretty dire straights right now. Issues such as the environment, nuclear weapons proliferation, intolerance, failing education / healthcare, bankrupt social security etc… should be important and vital selling points for prospective leaders.

So, please make your decision rationally. Do some research, get the facts, dig a little bit deeper than what you read on CNN.COM or watch on FOX.

This is most likely one of the most important elections in our country's history.

BILL Schenectady,N.Y.   January 13th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

Anyone concerned about what the clintons said publically should be more concerned about what they told those 200 supporters they bussed in to say to NH voters to swing votes in Hillary's direction. Now what could they say that would infer that a black president would be bad for America without actually using the "(N)" word ? It would have to be something that voters wouldn't be offended by and wouldn't report to the media. How about " The White House is too beautiful to be burned to the ground,a vote for Hillary will prevent that " ?

R   January 13th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

More billary spin! she said a stupid thing trying to drive home bills "fairy tail" point and now they both have egg on their face, and now their going to try and blame Obama for what THEY said… I just read something that a hillary "supporter" just said as well " I constructed this whole complicated theory that I was resistant to the election of Barack because, if he won, then I and every other black person in the world was going to have to accept a new paradigm in American race relations—namely racism is not as pervasive and encompassing as we might like to believe and that the victim stance was going to be pretty hard to claim in the future. So then I became really excited and imagined how inspirational a black president would be, especially to the young black men who feel hopeless. Then came the 'You're likable enough, Hillary' moment, and I swung sharply back to Hillary…." if Barack wins, blacks will lose the race card!?! talk about dirty!

Who's distorting who?   January 13th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

Many other examples of what the Clintons will do to get back to the White House.

Check out one of the latest comments in the British paper The Guardian by an anonymous Clinton adviser that the only white voters supporting Obama are those wanting a "cool black friend" (as opposed to those voters wanting social change, presumably, Clintonistas). This is but the latest of a series of comments by the Clinton campaign seeking to inject race into this election.

kate   January 13th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

Those Clintons lie and lie and lie … Bill said the WHOLE THING IS A FAIRY TALE .. when people started asking he then turns it around and says its just about the Iraq question (which he knew very well that he was taking out of context) … the Clintons are good at planting these things because they know damage will have already been done by the time they come back to claim innocence … Hillary and Bill might not be racist but they know other people might be and they just want to get those sentiments up and going .. whether Hillary wins or not she'll always be as low as they come ..

Bruce Taylor   January 13th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Hillary and Bill Clinton have done nothing in the African-American community. I have always tried to evaluate their claims but they are disingenuous. African-Americans should not vote for any candidate simply because of the color of that person's skin. However,in this election the landscape is very clear. Lip-service is not community service.

Obama4ever!   January 13th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Yes We Can:
I can not say it any better. You seem well balanced too with your thought. It is not carried away by any wind that is blowing right now……..

Amit Mitra   January 13th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

Statement made by Clintons are same as some people may suggest that it is not Gandhi and peoples effort which made India free from British Colonialism, it is the Queen and British Govt whose goodwill made India free. These couple are bad news for this country. These are the folks who avoided the issue of gays and left it with the "policy" of Dont ask Dont tell. This is the same lady who lied about her knowledge about Bill's affair for last 35 years but not shy about using those 35 years as "experience"

BKChick   January 13th, 2008 4:15 pm ET

@ Marvin, Dallas, TX

Thank you. And this adds my theory and proof that the Black vote has been consistently undermined throughout history, but persistently throughout the Clinton's political reign as the fine gentleman from Tx eloquently explains.
1st: A prime example of this is when Hillary Clinton went down to Harlem, almost two years ago, in the Abbyssian Baptist Church on "MLK" day, and stated that “The House “has been run like a plantation, and you know what I’m talking about,” said Clinton, D-N.Y. (U.S.A. Today)–”NO MRS CLINTON WE DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT” , which is so faux pas of her to do what people have been talking about for years that is so typical of the Democratic Party! The Clinton's have been abusing the black voter and people of this country for too long! Obama and everyone is tired of the legacy of the "Status Quo's"; Bush's and Clinton's they are all in the same.

2nd, Hillary Clinton is being backed by Right Wing Republicans, because they know that this country has been Bushwacked enough, and that their candidates are garbage, and a large majority of "Right Wing" Republicans has been supporting Hillary. The proof is Rupert Murdock, the Media Mogul who also owns Fox (racially controversial) News Channel and other radio stations across the country which had made it hard for Air America and other Democratic airways to have equality in ownership, recently last fall through a large fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in New York, which means BLACK PEOPLE SHE CAN AND WILL BE BROUGHT LIKE BUSH IF SHE GETS IN THE WHITEHOUSE!!! –It's time for change!

Thirdly, An interview with Hillary Clinton, conversations with 35 Clinton administration officials and a review of books about her White House years suggest that she was more of a sounding board than a policy maker, who learned through osmosis rather than decision-making, and who grew gradually more comfortable with the use of military power. It can’t be said often enough: Obama has been in elected office longer than she has, and they have the same amount of executive experience (zero)Her rivals scoff at the idea that her background gives her any special qualifications for the presidency, and on the campaign trail have increasingly been challenging her assertions of unique experience. Senator Barack Obama has especially questioned “what experiences she’s claiming” as first lady, noting that the job is not the same as being a cabinet member, much less president. And last Friday, he suggested that more foreign policy experts from the Clinton administration were supporting his candidacy than hers. (Hillary Clinton quickly released a list of 80 who were supporting her.)
( Hillary’s Resume Facts By the New York Times, Patrick Healy) 12/26/07.–Vote Obama…it's time for change folks!

Marge Hibbing Mn   January 13th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

Obama is using race to try to get the votes from Clinton. And it is a shame he is causing all kinds of racism. But the problem is….the press never ever calls him on any of the crap he spews.. He is given a pass on everything he does and of course …the corporate republican MSM want him as the candidate, who else could they beat.

Bill   January 13th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Lyndon Johnson was not a saint. Nor was he an inspiring visionary speaker. But he was willing to put the future of the Democratic Party on the line to pass civil rights legislation.

Dr. King's courage, and that of thousands of individual people willing to march, boycott the bus, defy evil law, run the gantlet of hoses and dogs and worse, created the conditions within which such a thing could even be contemplated. But surely it takes nothing away from Dr. King to observe that Johnson stepped up to drive the political process to burn that critical part of Dr. King's vision of change into law. Maybe given the imperative Dr. King led in the creation of, someone else would have done it if Johnson did not. But someone still needed to do it. It did indeed require a president.

Epochal change carved into law probably never happens without inspiration and personal courage. But it also never happens without hard political work, and real political risk. It was certainly a political risk for Johnson and the Democratic Party, and they got it done anyway.

We are by no means done with what Dr. King called us to do, and we will remember Dr. King, and revere his memory, and work with his inspiration as our drive, long after we've forgotten Johnson. But the things we must still do, in civil rights as in so many other spheres, will still need hard working, practical minded, get-it-done people driving the political machinery to make it happen. If we want to turn inspiration into change, It's up to us to elect the people who can do that — who have the political, not just the moral, courage to undertake that.

It is fair to check to see if Senator Obama has that. It's fair politics to raise the question. We know he can inspire us, and I hope and trust he will go on doing so. Can he also work the machinery of government to turn the inspiration into change on the ground? Has he been willing to step up and take political risk to his reputation and his career, to his power base and his ambition, to confront the entrenched powers, to fight for what's right, win or lose? These are fair questions, and asking them does not disrespect him.

Obama4ever!   January 13th, 2008 4:11 pm ET

Obama finished first in Iowa's Democratic caucuses. Clinton won in New Hampshire.

"Clinton has re-established herself as the Democratic front-runner, especially among Democratic women," Schneider said.

How is that Possible, Mr. schneider?

Dom   January 13th, 2008 4:11 pm ET

Oh come on …Bill and Hilary have always attacked Obama either directly or indirectly whenever he gets ahead.

Fairy tale indeed !!!!

Glenn   January 13th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

Hey Clintons (Bill & Hill),

I know this always works for you in the MY community (I'm Black), when ever someone does not agree with you it's time to attack them. Most of the time you have been on the mark. This time you are wrong. I know that you can't see it but all of your views come from your world not ours. You both come across as if you know what it is to be Black in America. You seam to think that only you can speak for Blacks. That a Black man can't speak unless he has been beaten, gassed, arrested or treated like crap by whites. You are off the mark.
Want to know what its like to be Black in America try this.

Pick any Black male, put him in a $2500.00 suite in downtown New York (your turf), then you or Bill stand 10 yards past him with jeans and shirt on. Both signal for a cab. See who gets one. You can also try this in any city in America and get the same results.

If I'm wrong I will go back to supporting you. Thats the other thing until the past week I was for you 100% but after see what you both have had to say of late not now or ever.

You can think you know us and feel our pain but you don't and never can. I'm not changing because of race but because the both come across as if Blacks owe you something, we don't.

Obama may be only half Black, may have been raised under in a different enviroment than most Blacks but he still has a better understanding of what Blacks and all minorties (by color or class) have to go through each day in this country.

That cab would pass him by 9 out of 10 times. Not so for you or Bill.

veronica   January 13th, 2008 4:09 pm ET

I agree that her remarks are being distorted. She did a good job in clearing it up for those who are willing to listen.
It makes logical sense–that MLK's vision would need someone important in the political world (in this case, LBJ) to help put his dreams into reality. MLK was a smart man who most assuredly knew and understood that full well. The two go hand in hand, and that's what HRC was saying.

Fred Lakey, Los Angeles, CA   January 13th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

Hillary and her supporters, in their attempt to smear and belittle Barak Obama's campaign, missed the point of the Dr. King and other civil rights participants’ legacies. If it was not for the black, white and brown Americans who put their lives on the line to secure the rights for all Americans, there would not have been a bill for President Johnson to sign. It is unfortunate that during our country's history, Washington politicians, that Hillary places so much faith, have been reluctant to do what is morally and legally right until forced to do so. Fortunately, our country's history is filled with right thinking Americans who have risked their lives to make our country a great beacon of freedom. Senator Obama, keep your messages of “hope” and "yes we can" going and this so called fairy tale will become a reality.

Robert Bell   January 13th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

She said what she said. Let the spin begin!

The Hillary apologists will say anything to justify her rude remark.

Here's the deal: All the Presidents in the world could not have passed the civil rights act without Dr. Martin Luther King and the MILLIONS of supporters who backed the movement.

The name of the President that introduced the legislation (he did not "pass" it, Congress does that) is irrelevant. Bozo the Clown could have been President and Civil Rights legislation would have passed.

You can't stop an idea whose time has come.

Typical Hillary – she thinks the President should take credit for everything that happens on their watch – and that the only good things that we have in life are a result of government intervention.

The Civil Rights movement was a "private sector initiative" not a government program. The government (and LBJ) jumped on the bandwagon only after it was inevitable.

nixbenoit   January 13th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

I could not believe that Hillary Clinton said the following: "Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act. It took a president to get it done."
This is totally unacceptable for Hillary Clinton to say. Black people across the nation should demand an official apology from her. She covers herself under the umbrella of the Democratic Party to gain African American support, and votes. However, she does not represent the party ideology. I am afraid that she is just a hypocrite and an opportunist who fooled the black community in the past. I am afraid that was clearly a racist comment. She was right when she said that she found her voice in New Hampshire thereafter. She does not even have a modicum of restraint for our most respectable hero – A man who gave his life for the freedom of back people. I could not believe that she said the following: "Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act. It took a president to get it done."
Not only she is going to loose the votes of the black people in South Carolina, but also she is going to loose the black votes across the nation. The last time I remember checking the official US census, Black people account for about 12.8% of the population

Amy   January 13th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

The Clinton campaign has tried for the longest to be divisive and bring race into this campaign. Shame on them. Obama never made mention of this and she is using her dirty politics of smearing to associate him with her words.

Barack is above the fray of this kind of dirty politics. His response has been: "What we saw this morning is why the American people are tired of Washington politicians and the games they play. But Senator Clinton made an unfortunate remark, an ill advised remark, about King and Lyndon Johnson. I didn’t make the statement. I haven’t remarked on it and she I think offended some folks who felt that somehow diminished King’s role in bringing about the Civil Rights Act. She is free to explain that, but the notion that somehow this is our doing is ludicrous.

I have to point out that instead of telling the American people about her positive vision for America, Senator Clinton spent an hour talking about me and my record in a way that was flat out wrong. She suggested that I didn’t clearly and unambiguously oppose the war in Iraq when it is absolutely clear and anyone who has followed this knows that I did. I stood up against the war when she was voting for it, at a time when she didn’t read the intelligence reports or give diplomacy a chance. She belittled the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate despite the fact that she stood on the sidelines during that negotiations on that bill.

I have to say that she started this campaign saying that she wanted to make history and lately she has been spending a lot of time rewriting it. I know that in Washington it is acceptable to say or do anything it takes to get elected but I really don’t think that is the kind of politics that is good for our party and I don’t think it is good for our country and I think that the American people will reject it in this election.

What I want to do is spend talking about how we are going to make sure that people who are losing their jobs get work. How are we going to make sure that our young people are going to afford college? How are we going to make sure that the sub-prime lending crisis does not lead to an all out recession? How are we going to create the kind of foreign policy that allows us to bring our troops home and makes us safer and goes after a genuine terrorist threat? Those are the issues that we are going to spend time talking about in this campaign and if Senator Clinton wants to be distracted by the sorts of political point scoring that was evident today then that is going to be her prerogative."

Jordan   January 13th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

Obama will be our next president, the president of the United States of America!!! The best thing for Obama would be to stay away from the any racist subjects and comments made by Hillary and to ignore Bill Clinton all together. Clintons are getting desperate and what a better way to elect another Clinton than to stir issues of race and try to scare away white Americans from voting for Obama. Hillary does not have 35 years of politics, but if she insists that she has served that long, than in 35 years than she didn’t do much for people of US. Once you dig into Clintons past it does not look so hopeful for Clinton anymore! I guess Bill is an expert in off-loading attention from Clintons; after all he did literally perfect the off-loading term with the help of his secretary!!!

Anonymous   January 13th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

Typical Clinton finger pointing for the screw up that THEY MADE! not Obuma. Gads people, when are you going to wake up! the Clinton's are the biggest liars that walk this planet right now. They have no change, just the same crap from 10 years ago.

Failed health care that they want to try to reintroduce again, it will fail again! then when they cry to the country that they tried to get it again, then they will blame the republican party again. Don't waste your time with these losers. They have less experience than Obuma, I don't care what Hitlery says. They are not good for minority's, Hitlery wants to open the boarders for illegals to come across and we will just end up paying for there care in everything. Do what AZ did, that will keep them from becoming here illegally.

She made a comment the other day, thre are no illegals in this country, Good heavens! What is up with the libs, she just wants the hispanic vote and do it like she did it in NH, bring illegals to vote for her. She has got to go!!

Go Mitt!

Greg OH   January 13th, 2008 4:05 pm ET

By the way to everyone, Obama is white and black, not just a black man.

Kokou   January 13th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

People stop buying into this dirty politic. The Clintons have played a dirty politic for a long time. The black people gonna have to wake up in this country. I am a black person and I am not buying into the Clintons dirty politic. The media also needs to stop giving them a free ride. She made a bad comment on MLK but at that time she thought that it was normal, but it is not normal to me. She thought that by diminishing MLK, she will be able to diminish Obama. The calculation did not work this lady. The American people can see through you and it is over for you.

Thanks,

Kokou

oluwole   January 13th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

The clintons are being taken out of context by the press and Obama people.Everyboby voting should look beyond race and focus on who can deliver for the party and the country

Greg OH   January 13th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

Eric in Massachusetts,

"Mark from NC, you re being incredibly racist. This campaign is going to bring out the ugly in people….. I see it already"

What did he say that was racist? He is saying how he feels he has been treated. I don't see anything racist about it ( i am white with a black wife). Unless this is not the America I has the constitution right to express his thoughts, whatever you agree or not.

marie   January 13th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

i agree with Hilary 100% you can deam as MLK did but if you have no power to bring that dream to frutition then a dream is all it remains. it took a president with the power to make that dream reality. you all can bash Hilary all you want but she is a force to be reckoned with, i guess that is why Obama tries so hard to demean her. as for me i am 100% democrat, if Obama or Edwards takes the nomination i will cross party lines and go republican. they will ultimately be worse than Bush ever was.

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   January 13th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

She lies and he has nothing t o say other than some blather about hope. We are funktoid this election cycle. Someone save us from these buffoons.

Obama4ever!   January 13th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

LOL HE LOST N.H. BY 2 POINTS HE WON IOWA BY 7 POINTS TO A WOMAN WHO THINKS ITS HER BIRTH RIGHT TO BE THE PRESIDENT!

GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Natasha B   January 13th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

It's amazing how Hillary can manage to cause division. She's dividing the Dems, she's dividing the Black community. I just can't wait for the Republicans to give her a taste of her own medicine.

She can have five PhDs and 50 yrs of experience…but there's no way she's going to get people to work together to solve the massive problems in this country.

Tom Davie   January 13th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

I tell you ALL THE TRUTH.

READ VERY CAREFULLY.

EVERY single attempt the Obama people try to TWIST Hillary and Bill into racists does NOTHING but tell anyone with 1/2 a brain that its just VERY LOW POLITICS.

Nothing Clinton said is actually 'racist' . Nobody outside with real objectivity has thought so. Not one single person who is OBJECTIVE has said so.

Remember what happened in NH?

all the SUPER OBAMA HYPE from the media? It rallied people to hillarys cause.

'PLAYING THE RACE CARD' is going to make people depressed way more than anyone angry, and they will vote AGAINST Obama just out of principal.

How EMBARRASING it is for Obama or Edwards to try to paint one of their own democrats as a 'racist' when the clintons have NOTHING but a long long line of standing up for African American rights.

i cant believe these people would stoop to this level.

jean   January 13th, 2008 3:58 pm ET

JohnG said: "The sad thing is, electing a woman president could be a revolutionary thing. But not this woman. Hopefully, when we put a woman in the White House, it will be based on her merits, not her marriage."

How eloquently you summed up my exact feelings on Mrs. Clinton. As a woman, I would rather be underrepresented in leadership and management than be represented by someone as conniving, underhanded, manipulative and contrived as Hillary Clinton.

Coleman R. Brice, Asbury Park, NJ   January 13th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

How many here are Clinton staffers?

OBAMA 08

NextPresident   January 13th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

For those who feel that Hillary has the black community at heart then why in the Hell would they make such racist comments. They are showing their true colors. And how in the hell can she say what DR KING meant or felt. She was privilegded and could never ever walk in the shoes of this Great man or any other black person.

Peaches, what I find appauling is you are giving her a pass for saying that LBJ was the one who go it done when if fact Dr King was the won who endured the hate, racism, etc. You are the one who are blinded by the Clintons, They use blacks to get their votes peroid. I would vote for Obama, Edwards or Paul before these crooks get my vote.

20 years of the BUSH/CLINTON crooks are enough.

James D.   January 13th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

Here is Obama showing what differentiates him as a candidate:

Barack Obama:
"What we saw this morning is why the American people are tired of Washington politicians and the games they play. But Sen. Clinton made an unfortunate remark, an ill advised remark, about King and Lyndon Johnson. I didn’t make the statement. I haven’t remarked on it, and she I think offended some folks who felt that somehow diminished King’s role in bringing about the Civil Rights Act. She is free to explain that, but the notion that somehow this is our doing is ludicrous.

I have to point out that instead of telling the American people about her positive vision for America, Sen. Clinton spent an hour talking about me and my record in a way that was flat-out wrong. She suggested that I didn’t clearly and unambiguously oppose the war in Iraq when it is absolutely clear and anyone who has followed this knows that I did. I stood up against the war when she was voting for it, at a time when she didn’t read the intelligence reports or give diplomacy a chance. She belittled the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate despite the fact that she stood on the sidelines during that negotiations on that bill.

I have to say that she started this campaign saying that she wanted to make history and lately she has been spending a lot of time rewriting it. I know that in Washington it is acceptable to say or do anything it takes to get elected, but I really don’t think that is the kind of politics that is good for our party, and I don’t think it is good for our country, and I think that the American people will reject it in this election.

What I want to do is spend talking about how we are going to make sure that people who are losing their jobs get work. How are we going to make sure that our young people are going to afford college? How are we going to make sure that the subprime lending crisis does not lead to an all-out recession? How are we going to create the kind of foreign policy that allows us to bring our troops home and makes us safer and goes after a genuine terrorist threat? Those are the issues that we are going to spend time talking about in this campaign and if Sen. Clinton wants to be distracted by the sorts of political point scoring that was evident today then that is going to be her prerogative."

Obama / Biden 08

nadeem   January 13th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

Obama nor any of his surrogates even commented on the Clinton missteps, to accuse them of such is a lie.

The Clintons are not racist, they just made some innaproriate remarks, most likely unattended.

The problem is as opposed to saying we misspoke, they some how want to blame Obama for what they said?

Bill is reminding me of the time he argued over the meaning of "IS", and Hillary is standing behind her man, blaming it on some sort of conspiracy.

Just say it was a mistake and not how you really fell and move-on.

This was a one day story until the Clintons started to pretend it was somehow Obamas fault that people were offended.

aware   January 13th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

There will be no Washington change with Obama. He is just another big time politician who plays the game without authenticity or transparency. Rhetoric does not deliver a "Movement" – only a wave that will crash against the shore. He could learn from Hillary if he was ready to be VP.

Soldier, Chicago, Illinois   January 13th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

That's right, Emmy- just like Hillary, just keep blaming everyone else for your mistakes. She made the remark, she should apologize. But, see, Hillary doesn't apologize because Hillary is never wrong. It is everyone ELSE who is wrong. Hillary, like her husband, took African American voters for granted. 'Why, how on earth could they vote for anyone but us, Bill? I mean, we're entitled to their votes!' Keep assuming, Clintonites. I truly believe that you don't realize the depth of the anti-Clinton voting block in our party. It's as much OUR Demoratic party as it is yours- and we're changing the guard. The Clintons are OUT. No more familial dynasties. No more. No more Bushes. No more Clintons.

And gender bias, huh, Emmy- yep, just keep pushing that idea out there. Nevermind that men are half of the electorate. You won't need them to win, right, Emmy? Right. We don't matter anyway- to a feminist, a man is just something that 'gets in the way' of a woman. Keep pushing, Senator Obama- you have the support of thinking Americans. The anger and shrillness of Hillary Clinton turns off many, many more voters than her supporters realize. Hillary will never win the Oval Office. Never.

Frank   January 13th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

I almost cannot believe the two sided face of Hillary Clinton … One hour she is trying to pull Barack Obama into the mud with her and the next hours she is praising him to African-American voters how proud she is of him.
I am a Democrat and I would not vote for Hillary Clinton – She would never come close to a majority in the general election. If we Democrates take a pass on a person like Barack Obama we don't deserve to win the Presidency.
I think people vote for Hillary Clinton for the same reason others drink Coca-Cola … they heard in TV that they should. They feel famliar with the product because of the marketing. Although I would love to see a woman in the oval office (not that race or gender is a qualification in any way) but Hillary Clinton ? NO THANK YOU!

Frank

sinna mani   January 13th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

However hard Clintons try they can not get away with distorting history. I lived through the struggles and crossed the Atlantic to paricipate in one or two of the marches. I never heard of Johnson marching. No doubt Johnson conceded the minimum demand of the marchers. He knew there were people like Malcom X who were prepared to take the struggle to the next stage.A woman who shows singular lack of judgement in a matter like this is not fit to be president.

Anthony, Los Angeles, CA   January 13th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

It's ludicrous to accuse the Clintons of racism as much as they've been champions for the African American community. Let's not start tainting this campaign with cries of racism or sexism every time the two candidates disagree with one another. Let's keep this about the issues. It's great that the top two candidates in the democratic party are a woman and a black man. Let's not tarnish this great achievement in diversity!

Dr   January 13th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

The campaign memo from Amaya Smith, is yet another documented proof that provides an indication that, in private, the Obama campaign is seeking to capitalize on the race issue.. and logically CNN would not report on this.

JD, WI   January 13th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

To: Connie, Richmond, CA.

Man, you sounds scarey. I don't think any black man can win the confidence of any other ethnicity with that attitude.

Scott, Royal Oak, MI   January 13th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

Ok, let's see here:

Obama invokes MLK in a speech

Hillary basically says "you're no MLK", and that MLK needed a President to make "real change"…which obviously made people angry

and now Hillary accuses Obama of distorting her words?? How so?

her words are pretty straightforward, there's no need to distort them to make them look bad.

Plus, Hillary started this negative MLK argument. Is Obama not allowed to respond?

SO SICK OF THE CLINTONS

Denise in Illinois   January 13th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

Once again… the Republicans never WIN the election… The Democrats always lose the election. It is time to get back to the issues.

stefanowitsch   January 13th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

My first thought: Now Hillary is inventing the attacks on herself – given the sustained absence of negativity from Obama. The Billary campaign now is like a dog barking at the own shadow: dropping some damaging quotes, taking them back the same day, complain about negative public reaction and then blame Obama for their hard time. It seemed to have worked in NH, so they feel encouraged to try more of that.

S.K.M. Boston Mass   January 13th, 2008 3:48 pm ET

Barack Obama's campaign did not initiate the backlash in the African-American community. Even Jesse Jackson Jr.'s comments came AFTER the backlash already began. To claim Barack Obama is playing the race card is just as ridiculous, if not more ridiculous, than saying that the Clintons are racists. If anyone disagrees with that, then please post some links Clyburn and Brazile, who are both neutral, were the first to speak up about it.

Sara   January 13th, 2008 3:48 pm ET

All this whining is getting on my nerves from Hillary…..

The American   January 13th, 2008 3:48 pm ET

No one is disorting Clinton's message or remarks. She is simply giving Lyndon Johnson more credit than MLK Agreed Lyndon Johnson signed the law, but someone walked, suffered and eventually paid the uttermost price for that change.

We all know MLK was not the president and cannot sign any thing into law, but do not belittle his sacrifice or movement. Had Lyndon Johnson not signed the act into law another Preseident would have done it.

Belittling MLK's legacy was ill advised on Clinton's side, she should apologize and move forward. African Americas do not want to be lectured on MLK's legacy.

Les   January 13th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

I am tired of all the waffling I am seeing from the Clinton campaign. Be clear, concise, and maintain conviction. What you say is what you mean, if your writers are going to cause you trouble, hire new writers. She sounds like another Bush, who is going to hire a bunch of NTACs to tell her what to do and then our nation in severe trouble for doing so. We need a stronger leader than that, we need Obama.

stan pitts pa   January 13th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

to Clinton: Never underestimate the power of a mixed-race man to challenge, defeat you, and unite this country!

Yes We Can   January 13th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

First of all, I don't see any sign of racism in Hillary Clinton's comment, and I think all of my fellow Americans out there would (or should, anyway) agree with that. From my understanding, Clinton was trying to say that King was a powerful voice, but it took a president to make all of his dreams a reality. With that said, I also don't think that Obama's campaign is trying to bring race out in this at all, but merely trying to show how ludicrous it is to say that King's influential voice had a weak hand in the Civil Rights laws that were passed. If King had not spoken, no one would have listened. If King had not been so inspirational, blacks and whites alike would not have been heard…and do you think Lyndon B. Johnson would have paid so much attention??

All I want to say is that we should really break her statement down. If we elect Hilary, she is a president without the passion. Nothing she could ever say would be able to move me to tears, because of that shiny veneer she keeps on her at all times (and honestly, this whole shtick about her "finding her voice" after her crying moment in New Hampshire is a big sham…she knew she needed to make herself seem less like a robot).

Barack Obama is balanced. He has less political experience than Hilary, sure, but how can you use that as a measure? George Bush Jr. has had plenty of "experience" as well, and look what that's done to us. He has the best record out of all of the candidates (to me anyway), and has the power to inspire a whole nation. We need someone like a Martin Luther King Jr. right now. We need a president right now. Barack Obama can be both.

The problems that our nation faces today are all ones that include inspiring the people to be more active in the government–issues with bettering the environment particularly. Clinton won't move a whole nation. Obama might not be able to move the whole thing, but at least he'll be able to move some of us.

Yes we can.
Vote Obama.

Eric in Massachusetts   January 13th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

Mark from NC, you re being incredibly racist. This campaign is going to bring out the ugly in people….. I see it already.

People are already seeing that rhetoric is great, but needs to be backed up with facts. When Obama is pressed, he talks about "I've been to the mountain". What I want to know is where is this mountain? And what does it have to do with the United States.

jimmy   January 13th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

Connie, Richmond, CA January 13, 2008 3:33 pm ET

To Clinton: never underestimate the power of a black man with the courage and confidence to run against you and your husband.

Be desperate, be very desperate.
*************************************************************************************
Need I say more?

Carol   January 13th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

The desparation of the Clinton camp is showing. Go OBAMA!

caywen   January 13th, 2008 3:42 pm ET

There's no distortion. Hillary believes that it took a president to fix civil rights. If she didn't believe that, why would she say it so explicitly. It does undermine the idea the MLK was the one who did the true work, and it's sad that Hillary just doesn't believe this in her heart.

The truth is that it took a President to do the last bit of work, but MLK and others fighting for the cause did the real work. Hillary should read up on history again.

Brain   January 13th, 2008 3:42 pm ET

Is there one thing, one thing in Hillary that you can call real?
Slogan,speeches,way to campaign,agendas? What do these people stand for?
If Obama don't get nominated because he is real from the get go, I would vote for micheal Bloomberg if he comes in after february 5th…..Time for America to wake up!

Anonymous   January 13th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Go Obama! Hilary is just soooooooooooo desparate she'll say or do anything!

Naomi   January 13th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Who doesn't see through these people. I am sorry I have no time to vote for people who don't resonate with real Americans!!

Eric in Massachusetts   January 13th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

I can't wait to see Obama in the White House. So, if Congress doesn't do something that the Administration wants, will they be painted as racist too?

Obama, knock of the baloney…. it i not making you look good. You are looking more petty than ever.

Christine   January 13th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

I need to put my two cents in. I have said this before I don't trust Hilary Clinton. I think she is a dangerous kind of politician like so many before and around her. People are be fooled by her. It's as if she and her husband made a pact a long time ago. Bill gets to be president as long as Hilary gets to do it too.

Her whole purpose is about power, pure and simple. I don't believe she has anything more to offer over Obama or Edwards other than the fact she is a woman. And that is simply not a reason to support her candidacy. She is very clever and talks the "talk". But I am convinced her "talk" is only an illusion of promise and so called change. There are too many deep pockets in her corner and this so-called change she goes on about would simply be cosmetic…literally.

America: don't be fooled AGAIN. The world is watching.

Ken   January 13th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

Stealing campaign styles, stealing slogans, stealing messages of hope and of uplifting America, doesn't anyone see all this from the Clintons. Now they are minimizing what MLK did to get attention and to devide the people of south carolina, just like slicing and dicing they will do when they become elected.
People who are fake get faker and people who are true they shine no matter the darkness!

charlotte   January 13th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

Who will be Obamas running mate. Oprah?

Philip, Elkhart IN   January 13th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

King didn't just give speeches… and neither does Obama. Clinton on the other hand…. …. ….

Lisa   January 13th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

Have the Clintons hired on Rove as their advisor? Who can make a war hero appear to be a coward, and a war evader to be the patriot? So they are making Obama (the unifying all people) out to be a racist, and Hillary to be the victim?

Alvin McCurley   January 13th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

Why does Barack Obama consider himself African American instead of Multiracial since his is not 100% African American.

If Barack Obama's mother is white, why is He being given the mantel of 1st African American Male to seriously run for President instead of 1st Multiracial Candidate?

In the future, would another African American whose family has been here prior to the Civil War and who could not be called Multiracial claim to be the true 1st African American Candidate?

Do all African American's truely support him since he is a 1st Generation Born American?

charlotte   January 13th, 2008 3:36 pm ET

Just check the Trinity United Church of Christ logo!!!!!

Zeem, NJ   January 13th, 2008 3:36 pm ET

We always thought that the Clintons were friends of the black people till those comments. You can only know what is in one's mind only when he or she says it.

Kim   January 13th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

How can Obama be held responsible for ill advised remarks that Hillary made? Please wake up America. Hillary is just like that power hungry female boss that everyone has encountered and reviled. She takes credit for everything, except when its negative. It was denigrating for Hillary to suggest that Dr. King and the civil rights movement was ineffective until Johnson. The civil rights movement had support from the people well before Kennedy or Johnson did anything. I would like to see Hillary explain her comments about King/Johnson during a debate. You can't duck, cover and point fingers then.

Mark, Washington, MD   January 13th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

This experience issue is neither here nor there! I Clinton's experience is pretty thin. And in most of the crucial decisions of war and peace he is on the same page as Bush. After all if experience is the issue we wouldn't be where we are today in terms of the economy and the war. Just look at Dick Cheney's gravitas. Bush was a Governor. Rumsfield was a congressman and later a business executive. What is important is sound judgement backed by esperience. And that is why I think Obama is the best candidate. He has been in elective office for more years than Clinton. And his judgement on critical issuesis sound. The issue of race and gender has nothing to add to this discourse. And whoever plays race or gender card will lose the nomination. Vote OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!

Connie, Richmond, CA   January 13th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

To Clinton: never underestimate the power of a black man with the courage and confidence to run against you and your husband.

Be desperate, be very desperate.

Mark, NC   January 13th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

The Clintons are trying to blame Obama for the comments that they made. Obama didn't make the comments, the Clintons did. We all heard loud and clear what was said, and they definitely were out of line.

It goes to show that when things get tight, the Clintons won't hesitate to pull the race card. Black America's alligence to the Clintons has worked much, much more in the Clinton's favor than it has in the favor of the Black Americans who have expressed their support. It has gotten to the point where the Clintons seem to use us when they need us, but if you really look at the history, where were the Clintons when Black America needed them.

Obama is the best candidate for the job.

Cynos Lee - Nebraska   January 13th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

You know what? No one [candidate] ever stupid to speak something that hurt the voters during this time. Hillary is smart, and logically she did not and never will say something that hurt the voters.

So it is clearly that Obama is playing ugly game by distortion of Hillary's statement.

Any one who is supporting Edwards: I can see the sense of a Vice President in him but, sorry, I DO NOT see the sense of a Commander-in-chief in him!

JohnG   January 13th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

Blech. I continue to be disgusted by the pandering and distortions of the Clintons. I'm sad that I voted for Bill, and will never vote for his wife. If she gets the nomination, it is either McCain or 3rd party for me.

The sad thing is, electing a woman president could be a revolutionary thing. But not this woman. Hopefully, when we put a woman in the White House, it will be based on her merits, not her marriage.

Adam, Pittsburgh, PA   January 13th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

Apparently every columnist across the US is also distorting you, Hillary. Or maybe you just actually sounded like a jerk?

go Hillary!!   January 13th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

The Clintons are right, MLK really didn't do anything meaningful. It takes our representatives in Washington DC, to write and pass legislation.

Stephanie, Columbus Ohio   January 13th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

She is only saying what people want to hear. I know that some people are so trustworthy that they will believe anything a person says, and believe you me…she is NOT someone to believe. I for the life of me cannot understand why she won last week, totally boggles the mind. I feel that she is THE worst Democrat that is running at this time. She is all about power, money, control and greed. I really wish my fellow woman American's would OPEN their eyes and look at her, really look at her and NOT listen to what she's saying, but actually look at her voting record, her life history and her speeches. She is the most arrogant women I see in politics today.

Alan   January 13th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

Umm, they never even say what the "Obama campaign" said in response, or who it came from, Obama or someone else.

What kind of reporting is this anyway? CNN is just out to stir the pot. This is equivalent to some kid trying to start a fight by telling both fighters "I can't believe what he said about your mama!"

pennsylvania lady   January 13th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

I am finding it very disappointing that the dialogue about the issues facing our country has turned into this. And who is responsible? The candidate who represents the status quo, and who believes that attacking others is the way to win elections. The greatest irony is that she blames the obama campaign for manipulating the reaction to her words to their advantage. Notably the Obama campaign did not even comment on her blunder, and it is not surprising that people naturally took offense at hillary's mentioning that MLK played a minor role in the civil rights movement relative to the president at the time. hillary is actually the manipulators of words, claiming that obama's stance on the war is inconsistent by taking statements out of context. I admire obama for staying out of this waste of time discussion with hillary and paying attention to the issues that face america.

Candace   January 13th, 2008 3:29 pm ET

Many other examples of what the Clintons will do to get back to the White House. Another one of the latest: comments in the British paper The Guardian by an anonymous Clinton adviser that the only white voters supporting Obama are those wanting a "cool black friend" (as opposed to those voters wanting social change, presumably, Clintonistas). This is but the latest of a series of comments by the Clinton campaign seeking to inject race into this election. This appears to be consistent with a past prediction made by Dick Morris — a Republican spin-meister who was a previous personal political adviser to Slick Willy, until Morris scandalously had a telephone conference with the Oval Office while Morris was in his office on speaker phone with a prostitute. The prostitute later went public, leading to an acrimonious breakup with then sitting President Clinton. Morris, who knows the Clintons and their scorched earth political tactics, predicted that Hillary would seed stores drawing attention to the topic of Race. Each story could be individually spun, but collectively would create a media story focusing on this divisive issue. She and her team hope — according to Morris — both that her complicity in the incitement will be sufficiently measured to avoid detection or blame, and for Obama to overreact.

James D.   January 13th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

By what form of logic can it POSSIBLY be an Obama "smear" campaign??? Barack is making anything up….HRC said it on national TV!

I don't think HRC meant to marginalize MLK either…she simply chose her words unwisely. BUT…why not simply say that rather than blame Obama?!?! Why can't HRC take responsibility for her actions?

EmmyG…you need to do some homework on HRC. Mark Penn, as HRC's chief strategist has been behind some truly offensive, dishonest smear tactics against Obama. Mark Penn is second only to Karl Rove in the "do whatever it takes to win" mentality. If integrity in a campaign is important to you…Clinton is the LAST person you should be voting for.

Mark C. Eades   January 13th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

In the bipartisan battle of "experience" vs. "change," one thing seems clear: There is no shortage of experience in Washington. If Washington experience came in dozens, it would be a dime a dozen. Washington experience is what led us into the foreign and domestic mess we're in today. What we are short of in Washington is fresh ideas and unifying vision. Put a president with these in the White House, and all that Washington experience can be put to work taking America in a new direction. This is why I support Barack Obama for president.

Ray   January 13th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

This is just sad. Obama has sunk to an all time LOW!

I guess this is the only way he thinks he can win and he is an arrogant ass to think this is the CHANGE we need.

Lisa   January 13th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

Of course Hilary was discounting MLK Jr – or why would she have even mentioned LBJ as the "doer" and MLK Jr as the dreamer. If she only meant to say that MLK Jr talk the talk and walk the walk, and that she didn't think Obama has walked hard enough in his career – then why didn't she say that instead of bringing in LBJ?

This is a backpedaling, after having time to discuss strategy with her team.

I believe that she cares less about the Black vote than the Hispanic vote right now, she will take votes where she can get them. I don't think that she was trying to turn Blacks against her, but was trying to court the racist votes. Why else would her campaign invest their time in sending out rumor emails against Obama?

Nick, NE   January 13th, 2008 3:25 pm ET

EmmyG, the Obama campaign has said absolutely nothing about the insensitive remarks Bill and Hillary have made. Neutral parties took offense to them, and in response it is Senator Clinton who is trying to smear the Obama campaign by accusing him of bringing up the race card. Just today he made his first statements on those remarks, and called the idea of his campaign accusing Clinton of being racist "ludicrous". He has made it more than clear that he does not believe the remarks made were racist and that he will not use his race as a vote-getter.

Of course, Clinton seems to have no problem bringing up her gender for political gain. She often makes comments like "I'm your gal!" and "There are no illegal women." in an attempt to woo over female voters. Why is it, then, that Clinton supporters are so eager to jump on Obama supporters whenever race is brought up?

Denise in Illinois   January 13th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

Having lived through the MLK era, I would think that people would research the history before they comment. Since when is ONLY MLK resposible for all the civil liberties that the African-America citizens have been granted? Hillary was stating that MLK needed a legislative assistance regarding civil liberties. LBJ and RFK both helped. MLK was a wonderful man who understood that black and white both had to contribute for gain to be made. NOW, why is everyone so upset? To listen to some of the blogging comments… LBJ is not getting the credit he deserves. As if he had nothing to do with the movement. Shame on Sen Obama for letting this go on and on and on. WHO is going to step up and say…Enough is enough… stop the sexist and racist cards!! I someone does not step up.. the Reps are going to take the lead because everyone is sick of the Dems squabbles.

Commonsense   January 13th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

Remarkable! First the Clintons simultaneously slime both Martin Luther King and Barack Obama and then make a second pass by saying it wasn't slime, it was the MLK of human kindess. Too bad Goebbels job isn't still open.

*Light*   January 13th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

time and time again throughout this campaign the clintons continue to make remarks against obama that are disrespectful. even if, as they would more than likely claim, the remarks are innocent and were not meant to be taken literally, hillary's campaign still, over time, continues to feed, in a sly way, negative remarks into this presidential campaign.

what's upsetting about all this is the fact that hillary would actually be a competent president and she absolutely does not need to have her campaign spew forth such statements. she is actually hurting her campaign by consistently having such disrespectful remarks emanate from her campaign.

the one thing that has remained consistent throughout senator barack's campaign is that he [and his campaign] do not throw out such remarks that would be deemed disrespectful to hillary or anyone. he really has managed to run a campaign that stays away from such negativity and disrespect. and even when he is attacked in a manner that one could deem as "racial”, he still does not play into the whole race card thing with, "oh, woe is me, look at them picking on me the black guy."

i actually admire the way barack has been handling these attacks or, as the clintons would call them, "misunderstandings." i am most grateful, as and afro-american, that barack does not play into the race issue and continues to run his campaign based on integrity. to me, this shows great integrity in his character as a person and as leader.

OBAMA '08!!

Leah DiMarco   January 13th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

America wants truth, honesty, and integrity.
The days of mudslinging and distortion need to become a thing of the past along with the Bushes and Clintons and from this day forward and we should all work towards supporting only those candidates that have the best interests of America and American people in their agenda without playing calculated self promoting games.

Obama/Edwards '08

reasonable person   January 13th, 2008 3:20 pm ET

You Obama lovers are just listening with one ear….you are not listening to what people actually say…..You obviously did not understand what Sen Clinton said during her interrogation from Tim the jerk Russert…….He plays softball with Obama and Hardball with Clinton and she held her own quite nicely……Obama followers are a bunch of sheep……Hillary is the leader……GO HILL!!!!

tigerjcs   January 13th, 2008 3:20 pm ET

The Clintons are not playing the race cards. the remarks they made are facts and nothing to do with race. If Obama and his supporters keep twisting the words of those who critized him as racist, I don't see how he can unite this country? We can't afford to have a president who accusing or assume any criticism as racist. The media are too soft on him, because they are afraid of being accused as racist.
By the way, I am not a white race.

Jack, Greenville, SC   January 13th, 2008 3:20 pm ET

Please post my comment. Thanks
People write some horrible things on this website and they get posted. What was wrong with what I wrote?

R   January 13th, 2008 3:19 pm ET

I find it very disturbing that Hillary doesn't mind taking shots at Obama even concerning black heritage. Obama has not said anything denigrating about her being a woman, women's history, or about women's rights. This is just another example of how wiling she and her husband are to cross the line in order to get a victory. Be better than her (which ain't hard). GO OBAMA!!!!!

artseafartsea   January 13th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

To Obama: Never underestimate the power of a woman. Go Hillary!

Phil Memphis, TN   January 13th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Oh you have to be kidding me. They are trying to paint Hilary as a racist? Suddenly the Clintons are not friends of Black Americans? That is what Obama the "uniter " is saying now? That the white Americans (speaking only of those who have been in power) who may have fought for Blacks more than any others are now bigots?

I was originally voting for Obama but over the past few weeks have come to realize that he really isn't all that different than any other politician, and without the change or the experience he should not be elected.

Go EDWARDS!

Al, Los Angeles, CA   January 13th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

I actually believe this is just some advanced political skills on both sides. We all know that the Clintons both have demonstrated their respect for Black America.

But the Clintons are finally taking Obama seriously & had to attack the message of hope from the less seasoned Senator anyway they could.

They went to the extreme, "fairy tale" & MLK. It backfired.

They are not racist just desperate. Despite her 3% win in NH, Hillary has to be a bit scared.

And after IA & NH many more black voters will support Obama because they believe he CAN win now.

My point is, both statements by the Clintons are being taken out of context by the press.

Let's address what she's really saying. Hillary is trying to say, talk is cheap,you have to get into office to make tangible changes. (Even though she's never been a governor or head of anything). Bill is saying, Obama did support the war by a statement he made. (Although Obama's statement was taken out of context, Obama was supporting another democrat at the time).

Obama's team is quietly fighting back, but seeding the press so Obama doesn't get his hands dirty. (For not having experience, he seems to know the game).

Who's right, you decide, not the press.

Debra Inez   January 13th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

It is ridiculous that Mrs. Clinton has to put up with this nonsense. It doesn't matter what she says or does not say….they will twist it to find something wrong. I am voting for Hillary Clinton no matter what anyone says.

Sue Jackson   January 13th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

The comment by John Edwards would be funny if not so untruthful. Just shaking my head at how he changes his views(does he really have any stable or personal ones) to fit where he is. As for Mr. Obama, get a platform and stop trying to run on trashing or throwing confusion into the mix to give yourself something to talk about. This only evidences your immaturity and lack of experience to be President each time you open your mouth so pathetically. I heard this statement and did not take it this way. I have heard the Clintons (both) attend and offer up much praise and admiration for Rev. King, his family and other black leaders. I live in the south and recognize this to try and convince us…it doesn't work Mr. Obama, we are no different than the rest of "ya'll."

tammy   January 13th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Distortion? A Clinton accusing anyone of DISTORTION? I voted for Bill TWICE…and I agree, they aren't racist—but the ARE Master of Distortion! Masters of how to turn a phrase….

Anonymous   January 13th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

I can't believe what Clinton said. No accident, he is very caculating on whatever he does. There they go again..

Dixon, Des Moines Iowa   January 13th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

I supported and voted for Bill Clinton in both elections. In my opinion he was one of our best presidents in recent history. During this years election process I started out supporting Hillary. However, I have seen the other side of her and Mr. Clinton's tactics. They are both so far inside the beltway they do not understand it is the people and not the politicians who cause change. When she lost in Iowa her and Mr. Clinton went to very negative comments that took liberties with the truth. Now she is making positive comments about Obama after her narrow win in New Hampshire. I have decided to move to support Obama due to his consistent message and avoiding the negative even when attacked. I want real change and not what is helpful for a location. That is how we got where we are today. They forgot about the people who live and work to keep this country moving. The middle class continues to do this in spite of politicians rather than because of them.

Jeffrey S.   January 13th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

SHe said not he. She'll say anything, depending on the state, to get the vote. I tell you, we dislike her more and more as a person to lead this country.

NYC

John, Va   January 13th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

She is the one who failed to give Dr. King full credit for what he has done. She is blaming Sen, Obama for her fault. I don't think the Clinton's are racist, but if that is what it takes to win the white house trust me they don't mind going down that road.

Alice, Evanston, IL   January 13th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

The day Hillary admits being wrong about something is the day Hell freezes over.

Guess what, Hillary? There is absolutely no way to DISTORT what you SAID. EVERYONE is talking about it, quoting you. Maybe you should stop saying idiotic things.

Watch, now she'll go and cry on some news station over this to try to get the public to pity her FOR NO REASON.

California Lady   January 13th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

I don't think we are distorting the Clinton's remarks at all. Just look at other remarks made by the Clinto campain, inferring Obama may be selling drugs; can't shuck and jive your way to the White House; Roger Clinton using the "N" word more than once; Bill Clinton's political mentor was a Segregationist; and on it goes.
I am a white woman and I just wish the African American people would wake up and see that voting Hillary into office is not in their best interest. They will suck up to the black people when they need to and then laugh about it all the way to the White House.
Hillary is not the Bill Clinton you loved so much as your President and I don't negate the fact he did some good for the black people, but not enough. Hillary is extremely power hungry and believe me, if she gets in, you are going to see a whole new side of her and I promise you all, you will not like it and you will be kicking yourself and asking yourself, "why did I vote for her". Let's move on from the Clinton/Bush regime and vote someone in that WILL make a difference and really is genuine.
He may not have the experience behind him but remember, he does not make decisions on his own. He will have a wealth of intelligent and experienced people behind him and he will choose them. He is the onloy one that can bring not only the people together but the Parties as well. Republics hate Hillary so do you think she will have and easy time or support when it comes time to getting things done. They love Obama therefore he will have support from many camps and will indeed get things done. He is not in this for himself – he is in it because he truly believe we need change in Washington and he loves this country and its people.
Please do not make the mistake and put Hillary into the White House – PLEASE vote for Obama

EmmyG   January 13th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

In an attempt to win SC, that has a high percentage of Black voters, Obama begins the worst campaign smear in history: accusing Bill and Hillary Clinton of racism. And Edwards, in his attempt to remain relevant, joins in the pile on.

Clinton has a history of working for civil rights, including rights for minorites and women. Obama knows he would loose on the merits–so he sinks to a new low in American politics. I am profoundly offended at Obama and his campaign staff.

And, Obama: tell Mr. Jackson to knock off the sexism. It isn't pretty either.

EmmyG.

Peaches   January 13th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

As a Black American, I believe in my heart that Clinton meant nothing derogatory about her comments. To begin with, she's correct when she states that President Johnson put his weight behing the civil rights movement with laws which ultimately brought about true change during that period. I find it applalling that these so-called 'African-American' leaders take so much out of context. Surely, if they were truly historically aware they would know this.

I believe they continue to do and say ignorant things such as this to get their names in the papers or on television. They do not speak for me now or ever. I find their so-called leadership lacking in numerous areas. The bottom line is this which ever candidate wins the nomination, I will back them. Not because one's black or the other's a woman – but because I truly wish to see the democrats win.

Jane   January 13th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

I do think that the Obama campaign wants it to be about race, they do not want it to be about experience! The experience question has been put on the back burner somewhat. I watched Hillary explain on "Meet the Press"…sorry, other network…and I do believe that Obama's campaign is trying to distort what has been said. The fairy-tale statement was meant on Obama's war position….how is that racial?

The problem is that the press often takes statements out of context and then people get the wrong impression. If they had played the whole speech we would all understand what the candidate is really saying. But the press loves to stir it up giving them new material to spin on.

Let's stick to the issues. The rest of the garbage needs to stop. Obama is African American, Clinton is a woman and Edwards comes from a humble beginning. All of thses candidates are wealthy now and all profess to want to help the poor and middle class. Let's take it from there!

Jose Gamero. Jr.   January 13th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

I don't understand why what Hillary said is taking away from any of MLK's amazing accomplishments. She is 100% right. Just look at the country now. We are at a time where a great majority feel strongly against the war, march against it, Congress tried to shorten it – and yet we have a president who thwarts anything that tries to impede that war. He doesn't listen to the people. Now, its completely because of Martin Luther King, Jr that the Civil Rights Act came to be, but it was because we had a president willing to listen to him. Now the war and the civil rights movement are two different things and I am not equating them at all – I am comparing the mindset of two presidents – one who listens, and one who doesn't. Hillary wants to be a president who enacts the change that the people hunger for, this is what I gathered from what she said – nothing less.

Dariel   January 13th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Its too bad that the Obama people are already using the race card. Anyone who tries to characterize the Clintons as being racist really do not know their history. I really dont think this country needs a president that will cry race everytime something doesnt go his way. This has definately helped me to make the decision to support Senator Clinton for the Presidency.

Gabe Polson, The Woodlands,TX   January 13th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Well the media is distorting her words as well. If the media would not run with half stories and actually do the reporting and INVESTIGATING that they are supposed to do , the voting public would know the entire story and understand the context in which those comments were made.

Personally, I believe the media is insulting the black community and trying to create news by stirring the race issue. Let's get the candidates to talk about the issues.
I was actually impressed of Hillary Clinton's grasp of what is going on in America with regards to her "Meet the Press" interview. I like the fact that she refused to allow Tim Russert to travel down the road of false statements and misrepresentations. Now let's bring Obama to the table to discuss his record.

FV, Tampa, FL   January 13th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

Obama is nothing but a smokescreen….. the guy has done NOTHING of substance.

He talks a good game…. THAT'S ALL!

ONLY A FOOL WOULD VOTE FOR OBAMA INSTEAD OF CLINTON!

Hillary was meeting World leaders when Obama was smoking out in College.

Mike in Michigan   January 13th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

I agree with her 100%!

reasonable person   January 13th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

Give it up Edwards and go home and take care of your wife for as long as you have her……I noticed you didn't even help her off the bus and cameraman had to….you are the most uncaring husband in the world……the stress of this unwinnable campaign of yours is killing your wife and all you care about is yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Denis, NJ   January 13th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

This isn't the territory Clinton wants to be on and needs to tread carefully, even if her husband was one of the popular presidents with the African-American community. If the media and everyone else keeps taking Clinton's comment out of context, it could be a potentially damaging erosion in her campaign in the South.

Chief   January 13th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

In an interview with Fox News last week, Clinton said, "Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It took a president to get it done."

I don't see were the Obama camp could be distoring any remarks. Your statement speaks for its self. Bill and Hillary will say anything to get a vote. HRC, you cried in NH to get votes, I cannot wait to see your next "soft" moment.

Jen Cedar Falls, IA   January 13th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

Bill Clinton message was as clear as a bell: Obama's ability to become President of the United States of America is the biggest Fairy Tale he's ever heard of.
Now he has to back pedal—————-AGAIN! You could tell Hillary was MIFFED at him the next day by

Jake, California   January 13th, 2008 2:54 pm ET

Why does Hillary believe that she has to be the president before Obama's dreams and ideas can be realized…this in it self is degrading!

When Obama is president he will get his own 'things done' you don't need to be the one to do it.

Movement leader Obama's dreams will begin to be realized when President Obama passes Acts to de-polarize America and re-engineer Washington politics. It does not require a President Clinton!

Afroz-ME   January 13th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

Oh camp Clinton, when will you learn?
This doesn't help you look better in the publics eye, it just makes you sound more elitist. Dr. King was a great man and every person, including your rivals in the primary have the right to interpret his words as they please, so please stop your complaining no one cares…….I mean unless you start shedding some tears again.

Bruce, San Francisco,CA   January 13th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

I think Bill Clinton 'might win' this election……………………..and whats this talk about a woman president??

aj   January 13th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Did i miss the memo???? WHEN DID BILL CLINTON BECOME THE "BLACK JESUS AND SAVIOR" TO BLACK PEOPLE. I am black and I have never felt the Clintons came in and pulled me up by my boot straps. Please! Stop giving these people the power. That's why they are so arrogant and think they rule the world.

I would love to make history with the first female President, but it is NOT HILLARY CLINTON. I hope my comments don't make the Hillary supporters cry. Afterall, you want to play the "female" card when it's convenient.

The Clintons are not liked by the media, not because they are being hard on poor Hillary. The Clintons have made enemies over the years, and I think it's payback. They are rude, arrogant, and treated their staff in the White House like hired hands. STOP THE HILLARY PITTY PARTY!

Richard Marlia   January 13th, 2008 2:51 pm ET

I have noticed tha Barack Obama has thrown the name of Martin Luther King into his speeches and even imitates his style of speech.
I think that the Clintons are merely trying to point this out if it was not already obvous to most people..

I believe that it is disrespectful and that he is obviously trying to use it as a ploy to sway black voters.

Martin Luther King did not change course like Obama did on the war.
Mr. Obama is setting himself up for a "Senator you are no Martin Luther King" remark .

I hope that people will begin to analyze the opponents records and that they will be questioned bout the votes they have cast and decisions they have made.

Richard Van Barriger   January 13th, 2008 2:51 pm ET

Hilary is the one who's distorting the facts. The Civil Rights Act passed because of President Kennedy, whose friendship with MLK is well known. Lyndon Johnson was no champion of civil rights until he took up the cause after Kennedy's asassination, when public support for the bill had grown tremendously. Obama wins this one, are you kidding me.

Jared   January 13th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

I am a life long Democrat.

If these two win the primaries.

I will vote Republican.

No question about it.

Mark   January 13th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

The Obama campaign and the media has taken portions of the Clinton speeches and distorted them into a racial frenzy. This election does not need to be about race, gender, or religion, but about who will represent this country with experience. Hillary is the candidate ready for day one. There is no time in the presidential term for learning. The president must be experienced and ready on day one. Shame on the media and Obama campaign for distorting these speeches and making them something they are not.

Duane   January 13th, 2008 2:48 pm ET

Bill & Hillary both made mistakes in their choice of words. Their emotions got the best of them. Only when they can admit what they said was wrong, no amount of spin or finger pointing is going to make it better for either one of them.

Jose Card - Independent   January 13th, 2008 2:44 pm ET

At least, Hillary has learned not to let Bill explain anything for her before she is elected.

Sue, Michigan   January 13th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

The Clintons are right on this one. This is being use as a devisive issue to gain Obama black support. You have to be suspect whenever Jesse Jackson wants to add his two cents of commentary.
Let the people listen to the comments and decide. I don't think we need things reinterpreted for us constantly by Edwards and Obama, and even Clinton on some issues. We need to decide for ourselves, and when other voices start telling us what THEY think someone said, it just muddies the playing field.
Tell me what YOU will do, not what someone else WON'T do, please.

Charles   January 13th, 2008 2:41 pm ET

Sen. Clinton is so unoriginal; she changed her position on giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants when the polls were unfavorable of her position…what a PHONY! She portrayed herself as the best qualified and toughtest candidate to be president until she lost Iowa and the New Hampshire polls indicated the same outcome. Suddently, Hillary's not so tough…she can publicly get all teary eyed. Would she have done the same if the polls were in her favor? One answer…NOPE; what a PHONY! Last week she spat out that by Sen. Obama using analogies from Dr. King and JFK in his speeches to substantiate the power of hope, he was in some way attacking her and giving Americans false hopes. Now today…she's using the same analogies that she criticized Sen. Obama about in her rallies…WHAT A PHONY! She's running a campaign that will say or do whatever works, you just can't tell who she is! America, do not elect this fictitious clone of a leader!

Linda, Chandler AZ   January 13th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

Hillary Clinton put her foot in her mouth, big time and is trying to blame Obama for the backlash. Obama has said NOTHING about this, nor has any of his advisers. SHE did this to HERSELF. And it's not the first time she's said something she either later tried to blame on someone else or has had to apologize for. Could we please end this childish, school-yard ranting we call politics in this country and finally elect a leader, who will unite instead of divide us?

Obama '08

Laz   January 13th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

What truly is distorted is the fact that Bill, an immoral ex-president, who now takes the liberty to twist words and divising the black community.

Black Americans know that the Clintons are now trust worthy, power mongers and shame to race relations.

Black Americans are for Obama and we know affirm our support for Obama !!!!!!!!!

S Carey, Sacramento, CA   January 13th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

It surely seems that Hillary and Bill simply are incapable of thinking before they speak — and that is hardly a "good thing" in a Presidential family. Let's get real — Obama and Edwards have been, are and continue to be exceptionally credible and the VERY BEST THING that could come of all of this nonsense would be for the two of them to emerge as our ticket in the 2008 election. Hillary, I am sorry, babe — I wanted like the dickens to be able to support you — unfortunately, I just can't trust you, your instincts or or your judgment.

Joe   January 13th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

What distortion? MLK was merely a divisive leader that helped provoke militant activities among African Americans. The Great Socialist (probably Hillary's hero) signed the Civil Rights Act, along with creating many of the "Great Society" handouts that are still abused today.

Jayne   January 13th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

hillary going to shed A tear over this? No one can hurt this woman's feelings. Notice how she keeps bringing the subject up, will her plan is to keep it out in the media to make people think she is being picked and will get more sympathy. She and Bill are pathetic Not clever, just pathetic. There are no lengths or words she would go to to win the president position. She has bashed Bush for all of his term, now all of a sudden she wants to work with him on economic plan, another ploy to look like the fairy godmother. If she has cared about this country she would have extended the olive branch long before she wasn't looking for votes. Young voters need to look at this woman's past record, she will tell each group what they want to hear when she is with them then in turn do the opposite. Hillary will ruin this country.

Ken   January 13th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

In a sense, both Obama and Clinton are quite arrogant when trumpeting the respective icons of the civil rights movement that support their own campaigns. No one would deny the immense impact that both Martin Luther King Jr. and the Kennedy-Johnson administration had in the progression towards racial equality. Yet, without the rank and file – the countless, nameless people who stood up, fought, and were repressed for this – there would have been no "movement". Change doesn't come from one person alone, though one person may have a significant impact. Change comes from all of the choices that people at any given moment make to act, or not, on what they believe is right.

Anthony   January 13th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

Obama doesn't look so pretty and hopeful when he plays the usual political game.

DemDivide   January 13th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

Brilliant strategy, Hillary. First alienate African Americans, and then alienate Obama supporters. That will be a sure fire way to win the White House. Everything you have done to get the Dem nod will be forgotten, and those alienated by your camp will surely get temporary amnesia and vote for YOU in the general election. Sounds perfectly logical doesn't it. Hmmm…always wondered why she didn't run in '04, now I am beginning to understand. She is a closeted republican sent to divide the democratic party. Well, give credit well credit is due, she is now successful at this if nothing else.

Sick of all this   January 13th, 2008 2:32 pm ET

I was a Hillary supporter until I started counting the number of times she has blamed others for her mistakes. This is a typical Clinton campaign machine tactic from Bill's first run.

Buried in her stilted verbage, she had a minor point, but not only did she blow it by bringing up MLK, she was also insulting Mr. Obama's track record of involvement in the causes he has fought for, by insinuating he was only giving speeches about change instead of taking action.

Quit pointing fingers and just admit you could have phrased it better, and move on. Maybe have a cry about it.

I'm also fed up with the claim of "35 years of experience." What experience? Being an attorney? Being married to a politician with dubious character and judgment?

My vote has long since left Ms. Clinton.

stan pitts pa   January 13th, 2008 2:32 pm ET

folks once again our country is not a monarchy, its a democracy, im tired of the bush-clinton-bush dynasty, the white house does not belong to the clintons or the bushes, lets send them a message, its our white house not theirs!

mike d   January 13th, 2008 2:32 pm ET

insert foot in mouth now Hillary

charlotte   January 13th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

This is exactly what I've been saying. It takes a president to get the job done. The law must be signed by the President. A president who will listen to the people, is the key to equal rights for all people. When I heard Oprah mention, MARTIN LUTHER KING, while speaking for OBAMA, I knew the race card was played. He, Obama, is the one with a race issue. His church, Trinity United Church of Christ, has the outline of Africa as a logo. Check it out, I had heard things so I checked it out for myself, it will open your EYES. I check rumors out for myself before I pass judgement. People are quick to react with little or no research on the issue. We need a President who knows the law, better still how it becomes LAW.

ANYONE BUY A CLINTON   January 13th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

HILLARY AND BILL ARE TRYING TO DO DAMAGE CONTROL. IF THEY FEEL THAT THEIR COMMENTS WERE NOT OFFENSIVE, WHY WASTE TIME GOING ON BLACK RADIO SHOWS TO DEFEND THEIR COMMENTS.

I HAVE BEEN A DEMOCRAT FOREVER, BUT IF WE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH ANOTHER CLINTON, I WILL VOTE REPUBLICAN.

BY THE WAY, HILLARY AND BILL ACCUSE OBAMA OF GETTING A FREE RIDE FROM THE PRESS, WHAT ABOUT HILLARY ASSUMING SHE WOULD GET A FREE RIDE BECAUSE SHE WAS THE FORMER FIRST LADY. TAKE AWAY THE PILLOW TALK, AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE??? DEFINITELY NOT 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

BILL SAID, "GIVE ME A BREAK. THIS WHOLE THING IS A FAIRYTALE." IF HE WAS ONLY SPEAKING OF THE WAR, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SPECIFIC. I AM NOT BUYING IT, BUT I NEVER HAVE BOUGHT IINTO THE WHOLE "CLINTON COUNTRY/CLINTON DYANSTY-EGO" ERA.

J, Ca   January 13th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

This angry man Edwards never seems to learn his lessons.
I wonder when he's going to realize that he is a loser.
Only man enthusiastically standing behind him now is that plumber from desperate housewives.
Just go home Edwards, and take care of your wife.

Mark, Chicago, IL   January 13th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Any intelligent person understands what Hillary meant… The fact that Obama would use this against her when ALL Democrats have stood for civil rights for the past 5 decades shows that he doesn't understand how the political process works… it takes many people as Hillary suggested. Dr King was a leader as was President Johnson. One person could not have accomplished that which collectively was accomplished… THAT'S WHAT SHE MEANT… THIS IS THE POLITICAL PROCESS. Obama's self-righteousness (and yes, fairy land thinking – yes, I said it!) is really starting to annoy me. He clearly does not have my vote.

Jimenez   January 13th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Why isn't Obama speaking out about this? Because he is banking on it. He doesn't have alot of african american support. So he is now once again playing dirty. Go ahead Obama say something.

Brent   January 13th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

It is amazing how Hillary turns her own racially charged gaffe into more fodder for her political mudslinging. Instead of owning up to the true marginalizing nature of her MLK comment, she tries to shift blame elsewhere.

The Great Unwashed Masses   January 13th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

Hillary crying like a little girl is what tipped the scales in her direction in NH. Nothing else. She saw her huge investment and career going down in flames and started crying because of that. Don't be fooled, she is part of the elitist contigent that runs the country and if elected nothing will change. She will say anything that will keep in the her news and in office. Her promise is the promise of MORE OF THE SAME FROM THE SAME RICH ELITE. She only cares about number one, and number one ain't you. You arn't even number two. Her win in NH has been described as a landslide victory but last time I checked a 2% win is hardly a landslide. Demand term limits, demand campaign finace reform, DEMAND A PAPER TRAIL AT THE POLLS, DEMAND BETTER REPRESENTATION, DEMAND THE ELIMINATION OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

len   January 13th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

I don't think it is a distortion to say that Clinton's campaign machinery should not be trying to stop casino workers, many minority and female, from voting in the caucus. Her supporters are suing to stop casino caucuses. Clinton should denounce this, but she won't. She will let the courts decide, she says, because if she stops them from voting it will help her win. The Cullinary Union endorsed Obama and then suddenly yesterday, there is a lawsuit. How transparent. There is no excuse for Clinton allowing this suit to go forward if she really cares about Hispanics and African Americans.

pam Eugene OR   January 13th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

Why on earth would she blame Obama for remarks she made? Typical Clinton tactic.
CNN
This is my 4th comment that is not pro Hillary and you have deleted ALLthe others. I can only guess it is because they are anti Clinton as my spelling and grammar were correct. I also did not use foul language. What's up? Is it pro Hillary day?

jojo   January 13th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

Sheer Clintonian Genius!!! Make statements that piss off the black community leaders, then attack the black candidate becuz the black community is upset!! Did the drunk consultant advise them on this?

LOL   January 13th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

Liar hillary, you're a liar.

C.Lo   January 13th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

To both Clintons, after dividing the country, now your are on a good start to divide the Democratic Party. You do not have to be President to help your country.

Obama 08!

stan pitts pa   January 13th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

the only distortions i read off come directly from hrc campaign.

Walker   January 13th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

Hillary clearly indicates that she has more "political power" than Obama and therefor will get more done. Correct on the first part, irrevelent on the second, when it comes to the results the people are looking for. What has she gotten done in her short term as junior senator? Most campaigns generously flaunt the achievements of the candidates. All we hear from the Clinton camp are weak efforts to tie her to the acheivements of others and blame slinging. Based on efforts to improve the lives of the less-fortunate, Obama comes out ahead in experience. Consider his willingness to change the way congress does business with corporations and her openly defending it. Consider the desparity of the outcome in N.H. between the hand counted versus machine counted vote. Consider the major recession that looms at our door and enormous tax increases necessary to finance her agenda. It seems clear to me that she is the polar opposite of what we so desperately need. Bush & the Republicans have done a horrible job representing the people; for America's sake let's not elect worse. If your basing your vote on emotion or gender-preference, then you have no idea how serious & important this election is. We are running out of time as nation. We screw this up and there may be no hope left for our children's future. Find the time to do some research of the facts for yourself and don't just follow others advise. No, the next four years will not be enough time to fix our country no matter who gets elected. But electing one more defender of the problems may just doom us for good.

Dan   January 13th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

I just heard the CNN reporter, a woman, embedded with the Clinton campaign talk about this issue. She was so thoroughly ill-informed, ignorant and mischaracterizing that she should immediately be pulled from her position. She clearly doesn't know anything about the issue with her reference to JFK Jr. And suggesting that Clinton was defending MLK against Obama's suggestion that King was not important in the Civil Rights vote. Inept and incompetent. Get her off the air.

Once again   January 13th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

When the media is categorically against bush its OK. When the media is categoriclly against the Clintons something is wrong?

Alex   January 13th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

"it took a president to get it done…"

EE   January 13th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

Its luducrios for Sen Clinton to really try drag Obama into race arguments. She was criticized by some black leaders. How come turns around and play politics by suggesting Sen Obama was pushing that storyline.

I see this as a delibrate attempt to drag Obama into a race argument. Divide and conquer.

Americans are too smart to fall for this Mrs Clinton. Here is Obama's message. ONE NATION ONE PEOPLE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

darrell   January 13th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

Yes, America is beyond your time.

roll the dice, dream, MLK

Why say it?

Is winning that important?

Yes, define the yes as Bill has done in the 90's.

The comments were not needed by a former President our own party.

when you Judge, you are held to the same standard.

Obama and you are in the same party.
You attacked and what he represents.

Take a higher view of all, then maybe then you will be that change agent.

Not now!

Change will not be by You because you and Bill are (Old School politics)

ANew   January 13th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

Never have I witnessed such foolishness in a presidential campaign. The candidates need to present their plans for addressing the pressing issues which threaten us as a nation. We the people, will then decide who will get the opportunity to enact their plan!

FACTS   January 13th, 2008 2:18 pm ET

OBAMA GOES DIRTY NOW…..

Christian, Tampa FL   January 13th, 2008 2:15 pm ET

Hillary can really get into an argumentative hole with this. King was undeniably the driving force of the civil rights movement, and yes it is true that various Presidents had to implement the actual legislation.

We have in Barack Obama a skilled politician who can be both the driving force and the executive force for a new era in American politics. If we follow the historical correlations being made, we might say that Obama can bring the community organization of King AND the executive power of Johnson in one leader. And that is very compelling.

Annie   January 13th, 2008 2:14 pm ET

One of the most important things that we can teach our children is to take responsibility for the own actions or words. Hillary needs to take responsibility for the fact that she indeed tried to deminish the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. in the debate. It not only offended the African American citizens of this nation, but also offended many of the rest of us that lived through those times as well.

I think it would be apporpriate to place on CNN.com and the Political Ticker the comments that Senator Durbin made yesterday about this issue that is posted on Politco.com and CNN often relies on as a source. There are many caucasian Democrats both in Washington and around this nation that feel the way Senator Durbin feels.

Pope   January 13th, 2008 2:14 pm ET

Billary Clinton will say and do anything to get back in power, I'm not surprised, it just scares the crap out of me.

and to blame her gaffes on Obama's campaign, is out right disingenous

Dan   January 13th, 2008 2:14 pm ET

The Clinton spin machine at it's best or maybe worse! Typically trying to make the other guy look bad and pay for their mistakes.

kenneth   January 13th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

I am black and i did not see anything racist in those comments. To suggest that the Clintons who have been there so much for the black community are racist for that comment is luducris. This is a ploy by both the Obama and Edwards campaign to produce punch lines against the clintons. But the American public is not stupid. We are in a time of war and economic recession. Obama and Edwards maybe good candidates but Hillary is the best candidate at this time in our countrie's history. Let us all be realistic about what is going on and stop buying into this media rhetoric and slogans. Imagine Obama or Edwards sitting in the white house as Iran builds nuclear weapons, china gets more military power and ready to go to war with the US, North Korea decides to go to war with the south, Russia gets more vocal and starts challenging the US, Iraq gets out of hand and the Economy starts to tumble. Who do you think have what it takes between these 3 to stand for America, defend america and put the worlds biggest economy back as the first. If you think it is Obama or Edwards, then you are completely withdrawn from the reality at hand. Maybe before there tenor finishes, china will be the worlds supper power and biggest economy followed by Russia and then the US.
Let us make the wisest decision in this election before we as Americans regret our actions forever!

TexanforHillary   January 13th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

Hi Mods.
Can you tell me why I cannot post on Cnn blogs? If I were to post pro Obama would that work for you?
Just asking…
Thanks
Si Se Puede

mike   January 13th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

how does that feel senator clinton. that news agencies pick up on what you said, and play it over and over again. you can not take back what you said, there are specific racial undertones of several statements made by you and your staff… obama is not going deny you said those either it is your fault for you, your husband and your staff trying to paint him as a stereotypical black man. if you apollogized then it would be seen as a mistake and you could put it behind you. until then this might be your achilles heel. BIG MISTAKE

Georgie   January 13th, 2008 2:12 pm ET

Hillarys Record speaks for hard work & change that benifits everyday Americans. I understood the fairy tale comment the second it was made, as it was in the context of Bill commenting on Obamas record with the Iraq war starting in 2002 to the present. People need to stop trying to turn everything into racism, it's a Presendital Election, in perilous times for Americans, we need to use good common sense & look at every aspect with the future of everyone of us at stake & this Country. It's not a popularity contest for the prettiest one to win. The mess Bush is Leaving behind is no cake walk, & takes more than pretty talk & it takes serious understanding & work to get this country back to working for it's people. Let's rally behind Hillary & get out & vote! Her work record over her lifetime is no lie. She doesn't have to twist any truth. Her work record speaks for itself.

j.r.   January 13th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

The race card is being played by the Media, and CNN is right in the middle of the whole mess…I'm just sitting here watching "Ballot Bowl" and the newscaster again said "President Clinton called Obama a fairy tale." He most certainly did not, he was refering to his VOTE ON THE WAR…get over it. CNN, MSNBC, and FOX are the one deliberately distorting the facts. Even on Tim Russert only played 1/2 of the clip on his program this morning…The Media is deliberately trying to keep this race card going to try and swing the vote…Why not do your jobs and report the whole truth, other than you can't stand to see her win. what's in it for you? The people of America deserve better than this..and the Media can do better…Get over your love affair, and do your jobs..your whole jobs….Please get over the love affair and start talking about the issues…and running the M.L.K. story just before the Nevada vote…wonder how many people can see though that one….Another way to try and swing the vote???

simone dubois   January 13th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

I wondered when Obama would place the RACE card — and here it is.

MLK was all about RACE not making a difference.

Clearly the Obama camp will jump on any little thing. He must – because he can't campaign on his record — he doesn't have one. If he has to resort to this type of political play instead of figuring how a better health care plan or looking at the economy just shows he's scrambling.

Michelle   January 13th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

Blaming Senator Obama and his camp for her poor judgement and willingness to do anything to win, no matter how smarmy, just shreds any bit of respect I had left for Senator Clinton. Please. I think most of us call 'em like we see 'em, and thus know full well what Clinton is getting at, particularly when you look at her racially motivated comments in totality. Were ALL of them taken out of context and manipulated?

An expected pattern of ugly has emerged, Senator Clinton. The people I talk to–regular folks, neighbors, co-workers–don't like it. In fact, I don't know one person who is supporting your candidacy.

mike johnson   January 13th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

mrs.clinton,is right and for obama to use dr.kings words is a afront to me as a black person,i have never saw,heard of him standing in any black neighborhood fighting for us,let him come down to the hood where the real problems are,the clintons did,lets put the truth out there,my vote is too important for me to vote for anyone that has not been on the front lines in this battle.while i admire obama's spirit,i am apalled at his lack of real committment,i don't trust any one that comes out for the black vote and yet has never dealt with the issues of black america,people need to wake up,if it walks like a duck,quack like a duck,it is a duck,and obama has not proved hisself to me and whole lot of us in the black community

Nick. S.   January 13th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

It's my fear that if Obama is elected President then every time someone disagrees with him then Al Sharpton an that ilk are going to cry racism. I will not sit through four years of that. If Obama wants to be President then he needs to control those crybabies.

Cathy   January 13th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

Give me a break! You said it Hillary and Bill, so now own it. Don't go blaming someone else for the words that came out of your mouth! You are hoping that memories are short and people will forget if you try to twist things around and make it look like Obama did something negative, when it is/was you all along. I don't think I can stand 4-8 more years of the Clintons twisting things around to suit them.

kris   January 13th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

how come the clintons never want to take responsibility for what they say???

Joe Ossai, Bedford, NH   January 13th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

Two slick for your own good, you have been busted.

You heard it here first, Hillary will not be the nominee for the Democratic party. America is sick of these two jokers.

BR-New York City   January 13th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

"Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It took a president to get it done."

Hillary, Hillary, Hillary…the more you and your husband speak. The more obvious it become of just how arrogant, combative never did answer Tim Russert direct questions, because you are so consume with destroying Obama's character and yet you say you admire MLK. I wonder if you will still feel this way once the South Carolina primary is over and you no longer have use for blacks until November?

Mcain - WAR MONGER   January 13th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Hillary has that stupid Green Scarf on again, a sure sign the youth will vote against her.

Kids never here scientists complain about global warming, just politicians that want to get elected.

KIds are smart.

M Lowe   January 13th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

How can you say you didn't say something and that in fact you did.
Both Clintons are putting a spin on their comments and trying to back peddle.
Then blaming the other candidates for distorting the facts.

Wake up America. We don't need more years of the Clinton's in the White House.

Obama 08

MG   January 13th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

This is ridiculous. When there are so many more important things to discuss, Obama is distorting the truth, yet again, and raising the desperate race card. Why does it always have to be about race??? I have watched both interviews with Hillary and Bill, I am sensitive to race issues, and I saw NOTHING that would raise any eyebrows. The comments were completely taken out of context, and it is disgusting.

Obama is making a desperate attempt to raise lies about Hillary, his biggest opponent, because he sees clearly that his candidacy is threatened, now that he realizes that people are shying away from the hoopla of his speeches, and seeing the truth about his lack of experience, lack of leadership, lack of accomplishing ANYTHING of significance in his political career.

Obama POLARIZES, he pits race against race, class against class, he will drive this country apart. I dont know how anyone can see him as a "uniter". Why do you think so, just because he says so? Are you that gullible, to believe what he says, and he goes and does something as desperate as this?

He will destroy this country. We have made so many accomplishments, so many inroads toward civil rights, and to see Obama come in and raise all these painful issues and feelings all over again, he will destroy this country.

MLK was one of the greatest Americans ever. Obama is using the things that MLK fought for to his political advantage. It is cheap, disgusting, and low. Hillary is the one with the right experience, she is the one with the leadership, she is the one who will bring change, she is the one who will UNITE. I hope and pray that American will wake up and see that Obama has done NOTHING to merit all this attention, and will vote accordingly.

Alan   January 13th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Mrs. Clinton has missed the point! The heart a movement, the soul of a movement is in the leadership of a spirited leader. MLK was that much needed voice. Lyndon Johnson must have acted because the "people" spoke through MLK . President Johnson heard the voice of the people through MLK. I am afraid Mrs.Clinton has stepped on a lot of toes! And lost respect from the Black community…it doesn't have to be a racial fight, but she took it there.

Wendy   January 13th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

I am absolutely appalled that Hillary would suggest this controversy emanated from the Obama campaign? Is she serious? It came from her mouth and is subject to personal interpretation. Most blacks in America can think for themselves and don't need anyone to tell them how remarks should be perceived. Classic Clinton tactics. Can't wait till their saga in American politics is OVER! OBAMA08

concerned citizen, Mesa, Arizona   January 13th, 2008 1:57 pm ET

I totally agree with Hillary. Obama's campaign is fueling this racial divide. He is distorting what she said. I understood what she was saying. I do not need him to interupt for me.

veronica   January 13th, 2008 1:57 pm ET

I agree that her remarks are being distorted. She did a good job in clearing it up for those who are willing to listen.
It makes logical sense–that MLK's vision would need someone important in the political world (in this case, LBJ) to help put his dreams into reality. MLK was a smart man who most assuredly knew and understood that full well. The two go hand in hand, and that's what HRC was saying.

Debbie Miller   January 13th, 2008 1:57 pm ET

The remarks by Obama and Edwards are ridiculous. Had so hoped that this campaign would not go the way of all the others w/mudslinging. Obviously,
I was delusional. I don't believe that the Clinton's meant anything racial. Maybe
this shows how desperate Obama and Edwards really are. Do we want four more years of having the "race card" played by those two? Please think America.

Wayne   January 13th, 2008 1:56 pm ET

It's really sad to see this new campaign that Obama has morphed into now that he has partnered up with Jesse Jackson Jr. Accussing the Clintons of being racist is ridiculous. The Clintons have been long time advocates for the African American community (When Bill Clinton left the White House he built his offices in Harlem for God's sake). This is the most disgusting play of the race card that I have ever witnessed in politics. Obama may succeed in enflaming racial tensions in South Carolina enough to win that states primary, but I think he will lose the nomination in the end. Disgraceful.

chris reyes md   January 13th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

obama and edwards are pathetic characters. They are the worst breed of politicians . obama is full of air but has no substance. edward's is full of self sertving remarks so he can stay in the race and act as attack dog for obama

Califa   January 13th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

People find Obama inspiring and the Clintons turn this into a negative saying we don't need inspiration we need experience.
People say Obama reminds them of MLK and the Clintons denigrate Obama by saying he is no MLK.
It's no wonder many find the Clintons divisive. Hilary Clinton needs to take the characteristics people admire in Obama and emulate them herself instead of denigrate them. Inspiration and experience has a better chance of winning than the scorched earth campaign she is perceived to be running. She spends more time doing damage control as a consequence. I find it ironic that Clinton ballyhoos 35 years of political experience but now says it time for change. Hilary, you are no Bill Clinton; be your own person and you will get the respect you deserve.

Bob Witmer   January 13th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

How true?

Clinton herself is living in a fairy tale. She is not the right person for this job. She is terribly ill-informed (hence the comment that the Pakistani elections were about Musharraf, which is completely untrue), completely polarizing, and represents the status quo. Personally, I thought it was a nightmare when she won New Hampshire, and made this race into a tight race once again.

Now this. How many mistakes does it take for her supporters to realize that she is not presidential material?? She basically said that LBJ, not MLK, brought about the real change. That's ludicrous. I hope this really begins to make her campaign unravel.

Obama/Edwards 08!

JC , OHIO   January 13th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Obama is getting dirty and desparate…things he promised not to do. REMEMBER this America…he will do or say anyting to be elected.

Mark, Springfield, MO   January 13th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

What is amazing is how people are discounting the fact that NOTHING would have happened with the 1964 Civil Rights Act unless there were politicians that would have stood up and passed the legislation.

Dr. King was the impetus that got the ball rolling but it could have gone NOWHERE if there weren't sympathetic people in congress and the office of the President.

Read what she actually said and then UNDERSTAND the context…

"Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It took a president to get it done."

Dr. King's dream NEVER would have been realised, at-least, in that decade without President Johnson passing the Act. It was a great thing but it never could have been accomplished without HELP.

It seems racist to me that many African-American leaders think it diminishes Dr. King's accomplishments that he had to have help from a white President for his dream to be realised.

Ed   January 13th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

This is soooo STUPID! Obama LOVES the race card!!! He's used every since he started running…Black Man, Black Man, Black Man…OK! your black…What else ya got? The Clintons have PROVEN themselves to be for ALL people! Obama needs to STOP acting like Dr. King would be backing him (cause we don't know that) Just beacuse he's A BLACK MAN! Don't distort her statement to try and make her look bad you IDIOT! You are mucking up the waters! Stick to the issues put on your big boy panties, and tell us why YOU should be President!

Ginny Ca   January 13th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

Sorry, hit the wrong key. Obviously it should read 1964, not 1064.

MR, Baltimore, MD   January 13th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

The Clinton campaign is putting out a consistent line that Obama is nothing more than a "shuking and jiving" coke-dealing basketball player who is too "lazy" to do anything more that just "talk." Oh yeah, that and he's somehow an "Islamic manchurian candidate." That the Clintons, no less, would be involved in such naked race-baiting is categorically disgusting. The Clintons just aren't offering the kind of "change" that I'm looking for . . .

Steven Stevens, Lincoln Park, michigan   January 13th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

does any one remember mcgovern…a falsh in the pan that depended on the young votewhen only to his great surprise on election day they did not show up at the polls…conditions were in some ways like to day..war protesters wantiing and end to the war and then not doing much more than protesting, they forgot about the voting part

Mikel   January 13th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

Obama's response:

What we saw this morning is why the American people are tired of Washington politicians and the games they play. But Sen. Clinton made an unfortunate remark, an ill advised remark, about King and Lyndon Johnson. I didn’t make the statement. I haven’t remarked on it, and she I think offended some folks who felt that somehow diminished King’s role in bringing about the Civil Rights Act. She is free to explain that, but the notion that somehow this is our doing is ludicrous.

I have to point out that instead of telling the American people about her positive vision for America, Sen. Clinton spent an hour talking about me and my record in a way that was flat-out wrong. She suggested that I didn’t clearly and unambiguously oppose the war in Iraq when it is absolutely clear and anyone who has followed this knows that I did. I stood up against the war when she was voting for it, at a time when she didn’t read the intelligence reports or give diplomacy a chance. She belittled the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate despite the fact that she stood on the sidelines during that negotiations on that bill.

I have to say that she started this campaign saying that she wanted to make history and lately she has been spending a lot of time rewriting it. I know that in Washington it is acceptable to say or do anything it takes to get elected, but I really don’t think that is the kind of politics that is good for our party, and I don’t think it is good for our country, and I think that the American people will reject it in this election.
What I want to do is spend talking about how we are going to make sure that people who are losing their jobs get work. How are we going to make sure that our young people are going to afford college? How are we going to make sure that the subprime lending crisis does not lead to an all-out recession? How are we going to create the kind of foreign policy that allows us to bring our troops home and makes us safer and goes after a genuine terrorist threat? Those are the issues that we are going to spend time talking about in this campaign and if Sen. Clinton wants to be distracted by the sorts of political point scoring that was evident today then that is going to be her prerogative.

Bill   January 13th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

No Hillary, he did not distort your words. They came directly from you and your husband, not anyone else. Believe me when I say that we all hear you and Bill loud and clear, and what we hear is not good. Like always, you both continue to think you can blame everyone else for what comes directly out of your mouths.

Russ   January 13th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

Will Obama EVER answer a question directly or does he wish to continue with slogan after slogan. We ALL voted for change in 06, the Clintons have always championed the black persons needs in this country, far more than any other politician, and I include Jesse Jackson,Al Sharpton among the latter. Once Jesse and the Rainbow got their blackmail money from the Toyoto empire, he has been very quiet, and meanwhile Al Sharpton does nothing but try to create division among the races. Let not go back to the sixties with the black panthers showing up at each incident involving a black criminal. What comes to mind is the White incident on Long Island N.Y. The man was found guilty of Manslaughter, not first degree murder. Be thankful for that Mr Sharpton. Mr White took a youths life and has to pay for that. Walking out of you home with a gun says you intend to use it. He had no right to use deadly force on that errant youth.

Ginny Ca   January 13th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Edwards is wrong: when a members of Congress and presidents work together, they can take the real dreams of people such as Martin Luther King and make them a reality as Lyndon Johnson did when he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1064. Thank God for MLK and his dream. He made the world much better for everyone. King dreamed it, started the movement, and Lyndon Johnson was in a position as president to turn it into a reality. Now Edwards and Obama are both jumping on Hillary's comments, knowingly distorting her meaning, and trying to use it to their advantage. Pure bare-faced desperation on their parts.

Sara   January 13th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Please, Americans are speaking out about her comments not Obama. Now if she was talking about Al or Jesse then she would have a point.

Mauri   January 13th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

The total untruth that John Edwards is spreading about Hillary Clinton should be grounds for striking this man's name from every future ballot. It's one thing to point out the differences, but to totally invent meanings to her words, is unforgiveable.

Of course, I'm talking about Edwards' starting the spin that Hillary Clinton said that it was President Lyndon Johnson, NOT Martin Luther King, who is responsible for the Civil Rights movement. SHE SAID NO SUCH THING!

Those of us who remember that period and were involved in every facet of King's and Johnson's working in tandem to further the Civil Rights program — KNOW the truth about this. Talking heads and members of the present Democratic campaigns should be ashamed of themselves for mounting this as an anti-Clinton action. Dr. King, many, many times — praised President Johnson for honoring his own campaign promise to further the Civil Rights intents — and no act was more overwhelming and honorable than Johnson's granting African Americans the right to vote!

Come on, people. When absurd statements like the above are repeated by opposing candidates — do yourselves and the public a great big favor and look it up. Truths, and more important lies — can be confirmed with a little work on our part.

This 79-year-old believes that Hillary Clinton is the person who can do the most for our country at this dire time. And while Barak Obama may be the best orator since John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King — just remember what Lloyd Bentsen said to Dan Quayle during a presidential race when Quale compared himself to Kennedy:

"Senator, I knew John Kennedy, I served with John Kennedy, John Kennedy was a friend of mine; Senator, you're no John Kennedy."

Lynn, Reno, NV   January 13th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Obama is the one who was out in the Chicago communities organizing for change. Hillary wasn't. So how does she claim the mantle of change? And with her supporters in Nevada trying to stop women and minorities from voting in casinos, through a lawsuit, something that her campaign agreed to last spring, I don't see how she can say she is for civil rights. This is a Republican tactic to disenfranchise the poor. She doesn't want cooks and bellhops and waitresses to be able to vote because their union endorsed Obama. It is shameful and I hope the country sees through her rhetoric, which is truly empty. She doesn't back it up with action at all. In fact she goes against her own rhetoric.

K   January 13th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

How arrogant of the Clintons? Do they believe that Black folks (or anyone else for that matter) don't have a mind of their own, can't interpret statements on their own, and can't come to a conclusion of their own? Do they believe that they need someone running a presidential campaign to tell them how to think? That very arrogance is what will cause Clinton to lose the nomination. She is talking AT the American people, not to them. This campaign of hers is about the Clintons, not the millions of people who want a better America for their families. The unmitigated gall!!

Steven Stevens, Lincoln Park, michigan   January 13th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

probalem with all the cllinton detracter is that they only hear what they want to hear and then shut their minds off where thye should be llistening..never llistening to the whole paragraph or sentence….then run with what they wanted to hear instead of what has been said…

lyndon johnson did in many ways lead the way for mlk…to integrate our schools and society in general….now give hillary a chance to get to the other areas in our society that is in need of repair

Bassam Gergi   January 13th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

Senator Obama is the very summation of Dr. King's dream. A man of mixed race, who fought his whole life to overcome the boundaries set upon him by society, and now running on a message of hope and leadership for the "united" states. Obama worked on the streets of Chicago and fought for the disenfranchised and lessaffluent members of society, while only earning $12,000 a year. If anyone can speak about King with authority it is Obama, and Senator Clinton, it is not merely enough to respect King, embrace him, he is the best any of us can hope to be.

Obama 08!

"We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bakrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation" -Dr. King

John ny, ny   January 13th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

Obama needs to be little careful in here. If he continues to make it into Black and White then there might be another surprise for him. Just the way women spoke up in NH there might lot of people speak up against this nationwide. Clintons are not racist and they have long history of working for blacks. Now what specifically has Obama done for his own community to date. Answer is Nothing. He just wants votes and once he gets it then you will never see him again.

J. Daniel, Ohio   January 13th, 2008 1:44 pm ET

I do not know what Clintons to be. They accused Obama in every corners and Hillary herself denied the Dream Dr king's Calling it Johnson act. What a shame to Clintons!!!!! in others hand Bill has calling everything from Obama "fare tale" C'mon Clintons!!!!!

*08ama*   January 13th, 2008 1:44 pm ET

08ama has barely touched this subject, basically shrugged it off…so to say Barack is "distorting" her remarks is once again a blatant lie. The public, internet blogs, and the media are the ones asking the ?'s. This is looking all too familiar…another politician completely out of touch with reality…I hope we learned our lessons from the previous 2 elections!

swede   January 13th, 2008 1:43 pm ET

GIVE ME A BREAK! THIS NOT UNITING THE COUNTRY. TO pick on every word said is division and this is only the begining….sad

Adam   January 13th, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Clinton beware: I think we are seeing the seeds of an Obama\Edwards ticket being announced BEFORE February 5.

YouthVoter, CA   January 13th, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Man, John Edwards cant stoop lower than this. I hope South Carolina sees thru his "kissing the backside" acts. He keeps doing the personal character assasinations so that he can kiss up to Obama for VP.

That is low. Hope South Carolina gives Edwards less than 5% vote to show how low his acts are.

r k martin, New York, NY   January 13th, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Hey Bill,

I guess you'd know distorting a remark when you see it – you and your shadow certainly have mastered the art

please go away now – and retire with some shred of grace, if that's possible for a philandering liar

Hillarylover in Texas   January 13th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

I found this in yahoo blogs:

Interesting. I don't agree with what they said about wanting Clinton to lose or the depising part but other than that this individual probably wrote what alot of Americans are thinking and not just the 80% white.

Open QuestionShow me another »
Clinton comments racist?
I really REALLY want her to lose…but not at the hands of Sharpton or any other racist activist like him.
As much as I dispise Clinton, I would vote for her right now just because Obama's campaign is obviously leaking this crap out into the media.
My message to Obama: I will not vote for you…not because I am racist…but because you are allowing racists like Sharpton control you…which is the VERY concern of 80% of white America.
You should just be you…not the black candidate…NOT Sharptons candidate….NOT Oprahs…NOT Kerrys.
3 strikes…you're out!

Dr   January 13th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

Didn't take long for Obama to play the race card.. and this will backfire

Gobama   January 13th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

The Clintons are about PERSONAL AMBITIONS. How do we know this?

The self-destructive Clintons built up a huge White House legacy and then selfishly proceeded to destroy their own legacy and marriage, undermine the Presidency and encourage bungling bush to continue the destruction of the US Presidency.

If the Clintons can't care about THEIR OWN White House legacy, how less will the Clintons care about America! A lot less!

STATUS QUO MUST GO!

Obama 08

virginia nielsen   January 13th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

The problem with the Clintons is that they are desperate with the Obama surge and people are wondering about who is going to run this Country, Bill or Hillary !!! Senator Obama is making this nation breathing again !!! Go Obama 08 !!!

pam Eugene OR   January 13th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

Clearly the Clinton's are distorting this, as they do with most words that come out of their mouths.
The fairy tale is Princess Clinton believing the WH is her castle and she deserves to live there. That one is a whopper!
THEY can't keep THEIR campaign clean for 10 minutes without trashing someone. I am sick of their lies and negativity. How do they expect to unite a nation when theu create so much havoc within their own party.
Please note: They, Their, Clinton's. Don't believe for one minute this is Hillary's run. She would still be sitting in a diner in Arkansas without running on her husband coat tails. She is nothing on her own so please do not give us 4-8 years just like the last 20.

Julia Medin   January 13th, 2008 1:39 pm ET

Only the media can clear this up……………..if it wants to. Lyndon Johnson was an important element in civil rights. What's wrong with that? Obama was NOT in the Senate at the time of the vote on Iraq and only gave a speech earlier and he has not been consistent in his view of the war until now. Why won't he admit that? The media has a responsibility to set all of this right.
I was impartial but I'm beginning to lean away from Obama if this is the kind of campaign he is running.
But I really need to know the truth. Only you, the media, can bring it to the American public

Pinga   January 13th, 2008 1:39 pm ET

How convienient for her, to use these desparate lame political innuendos to discredit MLK's achievements in favor LBJ's , accuse Mr. Obama of fooling the american people with "false hopes" , playing the gender card from the "… hurt my feelings" comment in the debate, all the way to her crying for the women vote while visciously attacking rivals saying their are not ready … win the NH primaries BECAUSE of these tricks , and now simply repudiate everything she did as unfair interpratations, dissmissing them as an Obama strategy to "twist" her and her husband's comments to play the racecard. Ooh, I'm sorry , so its Obama who's 'playing the race card' … she's nauseating, really ! That women MAKE ME SICK IN MY STOMACH … AND I VOTED FOR HER HUSBAND TWICE !!

kate   January 13th, 2008 1:39 pm ET

Diminishing the legacy of Dr. King and comparing yourself with LBJ, one of the great war criminals in American history (until Bush, Jr.) is probably not the best campaign strategy for Sen. Clinton. She brought this upon herself.

Craig H, Mpls, MN   January 13th, 2008 1:39 pm ET

So the Clintons are upset because someone has misinterpreted their statements in an unflattering way as they themselves were offering unflattering misinterpretations of Obama's history by trying to paint him as all talk and no action? Can you say "poetic justice?" What sort of a crazy universe do we live in where people tend to treat you as you have treated them. What comes around goes around. The Clintons are just going to have to take what they have dished out. They might find that if they dish out fewer distortions themselves, people will tend to offer kinder interpretations of their own words.

Poor   January 13th, 2008 1:37 pm ET

"Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It took a president to get it done."

You said it yourself, what is there to distort?

bbln   January 13th, 2008 1:36 pm ET

AND NOW – CNN is printing the truncated quote. What has happened to journalism? Are the media so interested in swaying how people think, how people vote, that they would NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES? Print her entire quote, and stop the bias.

This is trash journalism – please Howard Kurtz save us from CNN's own distortions.

Jimmy   January 13th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

While Obama is kissing the back side of the Republican's, Senator Clinton is working to bring about true change. She has introduced a stimulus package for congressional consideration, while Obama is out promising unity with words, but no Action. He still has alot to learn. One being multi-tasking. Not only is he running for President, but he is still a Senator, does he not have to earn his money. We are still paying him and since running for President he has not introduced nothing. Not even showing up for important votes.

He will say what you want to hear, but has proven NOT the ABILITY to deleiver. Clinton still has several more fellow Senator endorsments then Obama. That is the ability to unite. When you do it within the area you work and with the people you work with. Obama has failed at this too. Also an area that Kerry showed weakness in, getting his fellow Senator's behind him.

SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!
"THE ONE THAT CAN GET IT DONE"

California   January 13th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

Sorry Hillary – you want to win so bad, you are not thinking about the things you are saying. The Obama camp did not need to do anything to spin this, you did this on your own. Now you are and Bill are trying to clean up your remarks after catching backlash.

I was going back and forth between you and Obama. I have viewed both of your records and lately, which are suprisingly more alike than disalike. Unfortunately, I do not like the things that have been coming out of your camp and I am not the only voting person who feels this way.

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois   January 13th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

Given the politicalization of the Bush Justice Department, it behooves the Democrats to find out if Obama will be given a clean bill of health by the Bush Justice Department about Obama's dealings with Tony Rezko and with Tony Rezko's upcomming corruption trial.
And if the Bush Justice Department can not give those assurrances then has any information been leaked to the GOP.
It would be disastrous for the Democrats if Obama is the nominee and linked to an on going corruption trail.

Jack, Greenville, SC   January 13th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

Please give Obama's full response to Clinton's statements. The conference in which McCaskill endorsed Obama provides a clear response to several accusations that Clinton has made.

It should also be noted that she keeps stating that she "clearly" knows that these things came from Obama but provides no evidence whatsoever.
She misspoke. She needs to just say so, understand that some people might have been offended, and stop trying to blame someone else for what she did.

Kim, Los Angeles, CA   January 13th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Shame on the Obama campaign. Both Hillary and Bill Clinton have been life time supporters of the The Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King. Both Hillary and Obama cleary support the rights of African Americans. And it is very wrong of Obama to try and make this a campaign issue. This is one area on which Hillary and Obama agree. Obama, debate the real differences between you and Hillary. The American Public can smell when you are trying to "create" and issue that does not exist. We know and can read about Hillary's record on Civil Rights and her efforts on behalf of African Americans. This trumped up accusation looks like the very "old school" politics that the Obama campaign says it will fight. This is a smear campaign, and the American Public will turn against you, Obama, if you persist.

Lukyoh   January 13th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

To you hillary supporters, don't you ever wonder why she attacks obama on her 'fact hub'? Shouldn't she be defender her OWN position instead of attacking A FELLOW DEMOCRAT? Why does she have so many ellipses (…) on Obama's remarks? Could it be that she's omitting key facts to distort Obama's position?

Case and point: from hillary's 'fact hub'

In a meeting with Chicago Tribune reporters at the Democratic National Convention, Obama said, “On Iraq, on paper, there's not as much difference, I think, between the Bush administration and a Kerry administration as there would have been a year ago. […] There's not much of a difference between my position and George Bush's position at this stage.” [Chicago Tribune, 07/27/04]

They are cutting out very specific references that explain his positions. Namely, when he said his stance wasn't very different from Pres. Bush's on Iraq, he was very specifically answering a question about the idea that "as the Iraqi people stand up, America will stand down." No one argues with this point. The Clintons have just utterly altered reality and truth.

I suggest you all read the original chicago tribune article

Eyzwidopn   January 13th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

There's coincidence and then there's an unmistakable pattern that the black community obviously would be more sensitive to than the white community.

1) Emails forwarded by HRC staffers suggesting Obama is a Muslim
2) Shaheen raising Obama's teen drug use and suggesting Obama may be accused of being a drug dealer
3) Mark Penn using "cocaine" on national TV as he referred to Obama's drug use following Shaheens's comments
4) Kerrey's repeated use of Obama's middle name and "madrassa" on national TV
5) HRC stating that it took LBJ, a white President, to fulfill MLK's and the Civil Right's Movements' dream
6) a HRC staffer suggesting people want Obama as an "imaginary hip black friend" as reported in The Guardian
7) Cuomo's "shuck and jive" line
8) Bill referring to Obama, a grown 46-year-old man, as "kid" which associates too closely to black men being called "boy"
9) Bill referencing Obama's campaign for POTUS as unqualified, too risky, a roll of the dice, etc.
10) HRC charging that Obama was giving people "false hope" and that Obama, with an accomplished resume, is not ready to lead.

I think separately these issues can be considered harmless but there have been too many of them and too many have been presented in a negative context.

It would be nice if Obama and HRC made public statements denouncing the use of "racism" and "sexism" in this campaign and in general. Also, that they've instructed their surrogates to stop fueling the fires with politically motivated rhetoric.

PSbro   January 13th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Yes, she is absolutely RIGHT!!! Obama's campaign is being allowed to play the race card to the highest & as usual being allowed to get away with it by the ABC media.
No one in their right mind with both Clinton's record on civil can legimately make this claim.
It is a historical fact that it was a team effort between Dr. King & LBJ that gave us the Great Society & started turning around this country.
The Black leaders especially those who lived thru it & remember it should speak up.Clinton should force Obama put up his record against hers on civil rights.
He would be shown for the pretender he is

Janel, St. Paul, MN   January 13th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

I'm so tired of all this baiting by the Clintons. Let's move ahead!

sarah   January 13th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Recently Hillary Clinton revealed an inability to understand complexities, her tendency to oversimply glibly. In a debate with Obama, she dichotomized "words" and actions, saying something like what counts are not words, but actions. Obama is big with words.I pause here because any thinking person knows that words can certainly be potent action in themselves, that words and actions must not be put in two separate piles. Our society recently focuses way too much on physical results, physical properties, physical wealth and refuses to look at wth respect the intangible, the invisible, the stuff that often guides people to their choices, to their own battlelines. "Words" simply cannot be put on one side of a trench as opposed to 'actions." There are as we all know it empty words and worldchanging words, just as there are petty, destructive actions and courageous, life giving actions. Hillary's vast oversimplification here is a harbinger of the kind of shortsighted approach she often brings to important conceptual matters. Hers is the kind of polarizing reaction I would hate to see at a delicate negotiation.

S.K.M. Boston Mass   January 13th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

This is outrageous! Barack Obama and his campaign did not comment on any of those remarks until AFTER the outrage arose! Jesse Jackson Jr. brought them up AFTER the outrage first began, that memo came out days afterwards, AFTER the outrage began! She basically got up there and said Obama's playing the race card! If I were Clyburn or Brazile or any of the people who took issue with the words of the Clintons, I would be LIVID at the assertion that it's Barack Obama or his campaign who are responsible for their criticism. Is she playing the part of the victim? Was she race-baiting? What the heck is with this distortion?

Maria, Houston   January 13th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

End justify means? Clintons are arogant narcissistic politicians willing to say anything to distort facts. How embarassing. Next time you're whining about "boys ganging up" on you, Hillary, remember, you and your husband are throwing the mud around…Gee, I wonder why people don't like you….

Farrell, Houston, Tx   January 13th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

Why would Black Americans want to vote for Hillary. The Clintons obviously believe they own the right to make your voting decisions. They don't think we're intelligent enough to make the right choice, listen to them carefully. I'm a democrat and did vote for Bill Clinton who didn't do anything for Black Americans. I won't be fooled this time because I now see the Clintons' for who they aren't. Don't be fooled, listen to them carefully.

Tony, Enterprise, Alabama   January 13th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

I saw both Senator Clinton's and former President Clinton's remarks.

Both remarks are being distorted by the press and media, and by Senator Obama's campaign.

I also saw Senator Clinton's appearance on Meet the Press (new name should be Meet Tim Russert). He is so blatantly supporting Senator Obama that it shames him and NBC to call this a non-partisan news program. Senator Clinton was right to correct the way he characterized former President Clinton's remarks. Russert was handpicking bits and pieces and blatantly taking things out of context.

I surfed through the rest of the Sunday programs and they were only marginally better. Wolf Blitzer seems to be angling for Press Secretary in an Obama administration.

And, the Obama campaign has already thrown down the race card (when there is no basis for it), and tried to front load the caucuses in Nevada. Their attempt to allow caucuses to be held at work ir wrong. Work and politics don't mix, employees feel obligated to support their boss or supervisor's position for fear of losing their jobs. Obama supports this? Is this Democracy?

Where is the duty the press used to have to report "the facts" to the American people, instead of pushing their personal agenda's?

shirley   January 13th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

I sure hope people begin to see the light. Obama understands english I hope, he needs to come out in public and tell Bill Clinton that I was not makinf a Fairy Tale racist remark. Shoud he not then why would we want a president who allows his camp to go around and spread untrue remarks. Obama is sure not ready to be prsident of the United States I think, don't you we need a president who understands english. I wonder why so many blacks do not understank english.

Rob   January 13th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

It seems apparent to me that Obama is using MLKJ, mirroring his style & approach, as a "tool" to harness the support of the African-American people. Senator Obama, you're NO Martin Luther King, Jr.! I, for one, haven't heard anything more then his hot air blowing kisses in the wind. Talk is cheap and won't change anything in a country that is at a crucial crossroads in its history. How about offering the American people some details on his supposed plans for "change"?

Senator Obama, and even Senator Edwards, continue to misconstrue Senator Clinton's comments, taking them out of context and ultimately misrepresenting the messages Senator Clinton is relaying to the American people, all in an effort to discredit Hillary Clinton, the candidate who has offered the most details of her plans for change, the most qualified, the real leader who has been nothing but up front and honest, the one who has offered realistic plans, not just "fluffy words", like Senator Obama. Senator Obama, as well as Sen. Edwards should be ashamed of themselves for going out of their way to distort words and facts.

Karen, NYC   January 13th, 2008 1:26 pm ET

How pitiful this woman has become?

I just heard from 4 of my cousins in South Carolina and they just made up their minds… they will NOT be voting for Hillary.

Truethis   January 13th, 2008 1:26 pm ET

Obama didn't start this argument it was CNN's strategist Donna Britzel who brought this issue the surfaces. She supported Gore and the Clintons' in the past I asked people to take a hard look at the facts and watch MSNBC Meet the Press (it comes on twice tonight) and make your decision. Or go back and listen to Donna Britzel remarks, not once Obama people said anything. CNN trying to twist this thing around.

I have watch both campaign carefully. Obama would be a fool to make this a race or gender issue. The Clintons tried to make an issue of Obama vote on the war if you watch Meet the Press it clear up who was for the war and who was still unwilling to apologize to the American people.

Divide and Conquer is what CNN is trying to do. I advise all watched the debate on Tuesday on MSNBC. Fact will come out in the debate. If you support Obama please make donation so that he can make his $100,000 mark. I am because I want TRUE CHANGE.

Brian Price   January 13th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Their denials would be absolutely unfathomable, were they not so consistant.

When will we have a politician that does not twist the truth around to their benefit? When will we have someone who tries to raise the bar of behavior for public officials? This type of behavior is unacceptable in every other walk of life. When will people send a message that it is unacceptable in politics?

BP

tina ny, ny   January 13th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

I don't think Obama is ready to be president. It will be too difficult to critize him because he is riding on racism. I don't want to see this four next 4 years. It is going to divide the country based on racism which he seems to be actively promoting.

stanz   January 13th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

I'm a Caucasian male.The Clintons have made this a nasty campaign from the start. Back in July 07 Hillary Clinton said that it was "naive" for Obama to want to talk to foreign leaders we disagree with. But Obama stood by his claim. The Clinton campaign fired two people and has apologized on numerous occasions for inappropriate statements.
They are attempting to lure Obama into a race debate in order to try alienate Caucasian voters who make up the largest part of voters. No one forced Mrs. Clinton to make these remarks.

“The income gap actually grew more during the Democratic Clinton administration than it has during the Bush administration. According to U.S. Census data, the share of income for the wealthiest 5 percent rose from 18.6 percent in 1992 to 22.1 percent in 2000. That’s a jump of almost 19 percent.”

Furthermore, capital gains tax was only 20 percent during the Clinton Presidency. That means the super rich only pay 20 percent on their income from the stock market. Actual wage earners would pay up to 38 percent.

Vicki82   January 13th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

So far, the only candidate I hear talking about issues exculsively is Sen. Edwards. It is unfortunate the media gives so much attention and time to those talking about candidates rather than issues and ignoring Sen. Edwards message. He has my support and I urge you to give him more attention.

Ayyub, Richmond, Va   January 13th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

Hillary, you and the media are sick, you're the only ones fueling this. Obama's not paying that much attention to you and you're desperate to get the black vote. I hope you loose SC because you don't deserve it for letting this go on. You accuse him for saying less that you have on this issue, which isn't a issue, you make me sick ms clinton, if there was even a chance of you getting my vote it's dead gone now. STOP FUELING SOMETHING THAT ISN'T AN ISSUE, NO ONE BUT YOU AND THE MEDIA ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS, LET IT GO. By the way IF it matters to you Hillary I'm black and found nothing wrong with you and your husbands comments but they were a bit insecitive to the civil rights movement, you made your point, let it go.

Another Steve   January 13th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

Sounds like the Clintons are putting the spin on this one. Was pretty clear the other day what was said. Perhaps us American voters just don't understand issues like the Clintons do. Right.

Danny G. Boca Raton, FL   January 13th, 2008 1:21 pm ET

Somehow now is wrong to point back at that era? what moral right do these candidates believe they have, so Sen. obama can claim to be the person for change, that his MLK inspired speeches (probably form his days as community organizer) give me the right to say to the American People he is the person fo rhte job and not be challenged. Let the media distort Sen. Clinton's comments. Shame on you. if you believe Sen. Obama is the second coming then vote for him, but I do believe is silly for us to get caught up on this. Sen. Clinto is correct and those are the facts, she is making the case that she has the experience, but Sen. obama made it possible when he still seems to believe that America hasn't evolved enought to continue the rethoric from 50 years ago.

AnnAloha, PA Independent Thinker   January 13th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

Reliable Sources got it right!!!!

Tim Russett tries to jump ahead of the story without clarification from the person or persons giving the talks.
Shameful

Big D   January 13th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

Do we really want to go backwards to another Clinton administration? All the scandal? All the corruption? No thanks!

John   January 13th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

Hillary you are being extra slimey this week. We all know what you meant.

Braddock   January 13th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

Earlier Senator Clinton said "I hope none you know I don't think either Sen. Obama or myself want to see the injection of race or gender into this campaign?"

If Senator Clinton didn't want race or gender injected into the campaigns then why during the New Hampshire debate did she state "I think that having a first woman president is a huge change." Doesn't that inject the issue of gender into the race?

If one looks at the who first brought race into the campaign, they would find that it was Senator Clinton who made the comparison between Martin Luther King Jr. and President Kennedy. So again she is the one who is injecting race into the campaign as well.

Rosa   January 13th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

Obama, dreams and ideas might start with you, but Hillary can make those dreams and ideas come true for all of us. You are wonderful enough. Don't fight with a fellow Democrat.. Good luck to both you and Hillary.

D.Jacka   January 13th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

Yes Hillary!! its payback time. After you fake them tears and rigged the election in New
Hampshire. Obama decided to open fire and attack.

Mati   January 13th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

1. Hillary pointed very clearly a sequence of historical events when talking about MLK "He understood that he had to move the political process and bring in those who were in political power. And he campaigned for political leaders including Lyndon Johnson because he wanted somebody in the White House who would act on what he had devoted his life to achieving." Anything untrue here? Logic, clear, articulated.

2. When it comes to the Iraq war and Bill Clinton's comments on the 'fairy tale' aspects of Obama's position, elsewhere Obama said: “So I said, `Well, I don’t know what _ you know, I wasn’t in the Senate. I can’t say for certain what I would have done if I was there. I know that from where I stood the case was not made.’” If we leave out any question about the lack of fluency in this statement, Obama himself agrees that its not 100% sure he would have been against ‘if he was there’. Did Bill Clinton say anything different? The sequence of events was: speech against war before being in the Senate, not sure what he would vote if there, voting for funding the war since then –> Not 100% consistent, that's all, so Mr. Obama don't take credit for more than you did, which was a speech.

3. My concern in this election is that anything people say against Obama is interpreted as racist no matter if opinions come form other candidates or from the public. This is one reason why nobody is asking tough questions to Obama.. I think the show should be over now and the shiny speeches replaced with some serious discussions on issues.

seam, philly   January 13th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

Shut up Hillary. I'm sick of hearing you.

Go sit in the corner and cry.

Curtis   January 13th, 2008 1:16 pm ET

what the crap is hillary talking about?

Sarge in Florida