March 2, 2008
Posted: 12:15 PM ET
Sen. Clinton recently released an ad trumpeting her ability to handle a 3 a.m. phone call if elected to the Oval Office.
Sen. Clinton recently released an ad trumpeting her ability to handle a 3 a.m. phone call if elected to the Oval Office.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (CNN) — In a high school gym just north of Columbus on Sunday, Hillary Clinton elaborated on just what kind of phone call she is prepared to take at three in the morning.

In tandem with a new campaign ad, Clinton has warned over the last three days that a president needs the right kind of experience to deal with such a phone call, and to make a split-second decision without advisers at her side.

“When those calls come in at 3 a.m. it might be a national security crisis,” she said in a hushed voice. “You know, it could be an economic crisis. The economy is facing some really troubled waters.”

Clinton linked a hypothetical middle-of-the-night economic crisis to terrorism or political upheaval abroad.

“Think about what could happen if there were unrest in Nigeria, or a terrorist act in Saudi Arabia,” she continued. “Oil would shoot to 150 dollars a barrel.”

The crowd applauded as she then criticized the Bush administration for wanting to “hold hands with the Saudis” rather than stand up to them.

In recent days, Clinton has demurred when asked to name a crucial 3 a.m. decision from her own experience.

Related: Dems battle in Texas

– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Filed under: Hillary Clinton • Ohio • Political ads • Texas


sally Worthington of El Paso, TX   March 2nd, 2008 2:27 pm ET

Hillary has the same haircut as the poolboy that cleans our pool. Everytime I see her on TV, I think of our little poolboy.

Maira Juarez-Ramirez   March 2nd, 2008 2:26 pm ET

She's too old. She should quit.

von Stein, the seasonal archaeologist   March 2nd, 2008 2:25 pm ET

I want to vote for hillary to help her out. Even though she doesn't have what it takes, I feel sorry for her. When I saw her on TV I noticed the heavy bags under her eyes. It's as if she hasn't slept in a while. Hopefully, she can sleep well after March 4th when she returns to her job in New York.

michael   March 2nd, 2008 2:24 pm ET

no comment ………………………………………………………………..

Zia   March 2nd, 2008 2:24 pm ET

She couldnt even run a campaign against Obama and she accuses him of not being ready. Mrs. Bill Clinton, when you have squandered our nations wealth, will you loan us $5million as well. 35 years of experience and still nothing to show for it….
I voted against the war before I voted for it.
I praised Nafta before I condemned it
I was running on Experience, before I started running for change
I was proud of Obama before I became ashamed of him.

Boy she is a real hypocrite.

Raine   March 2nd, 2008 2:23 pm ET

I thought about this ad last night as I was falling asleep….effective ad…I just really felt better thinking that Hillary would answer the phone instead of Obama. I pictured Obama answering it, and then turning to Michelle to decide what to do. I think it's natural in an emergency to turn to your spouse. I guess I thought that Hillary would know what to do herself and what decision to make, and that even if she had to turn to Bill I would trust him to help her decide. I just didn't feel like Obama could make a decision and that if Michelle were there to talk to him at 3am she wouldn't know what to do either. It made me feel uneasy, because we know there will be issues to face in the long 4 years of the next Presidency!
HILLARY SHOULD BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT!!!!
GO HILLARY

MIwatch   March 2nd, 2008 2:23 pm ET

I hope she can win all the Tuesday primaries. May God bless America.

jc   March 2nd, 2008 2:23 pm ET

"no one who hasn’t been president has ever [made a crucial 3 a.m. decision]"

How naive are you, Hillary? Parents get woken up at 3am all the time to face decisions about children who are in the hospital either because of a car accident or some serious illness and they need to make potentially life-saving decisions about their child's care. Or how about getting woken up by the police at 3am because your spouse or child is in jail? Do you bail them out? Leave them there? Or what about the millions of people who go home at 3am after working an 8-10 hour shift and may have to make some critical decision while exhausted.

This proves to me that she ISN'T ready to take that call. She has put this idea forward as a metaphor for her presidency, but she has never had to do it herself, so how does she even know? Did she even wake up when the phone rang during Bill's presidency?

Join Senator Rockefeller on March 4th   March 2nd, 2008 2:22 pm ET

SNL is for comedy, a great place for the comical Hillary campaign. What a joke.

Hal Lee-Toeshus   March 2nd, 2008 2:20 pm ET

Please stop the insanity. Concede now before you lose 13 in a row Billary. You're already the Guiliani of the Democratic party. Don't make things worse by making your legacy a mockery. Bow out gracefully and call it a day. You still have a job in New York.

Mr. Toeshus
Columbus, OH

peter   March 2nd, 2008 2:20 pm ET

Since when any woman answers the phone at 3 am in the morning with lipsticks and nice dress? Hillary is so fake…

I am not sure what qualifies her to answer the national security crisis call. If you vote for her after seeing this ad, you are lower than G.Bush in the intellectual scale.

mili vanili   March 2nd, 2008 2:19 pm ET

At 3am I think she would be goggy headed, with no mental clarity to make any sound judgement. I think she would have a shoot first ask questions later mentality just to prove she is a commander & cheif.

How does' she know what she would do, untill that moment arrives.
I feel she would make the wrong decision once again.

beckstone   March 2nd, 2008 2:19 pm ET

And you've done what again? Ah yes, first lady tour to over 80 countries. An ever so important mission in foreign policy that fully prepared you for the tough challenges in congress like giving GWB the authority to go to war in Iraq and voting again, years after you should have learned your lesson, to allow him to take us to Iran if he so desires.
Hillary '08
The experience to lead. The judgement to follow.

alg   March 2nd, 2008 2:18 pm ET

The best man for this job (President of the United States) is a woMAN!

Christopher   March 2nd, 2008 2:15 pm ET

Clinton your time is over, sorry.
Obama 2008

justobserve   March 2nd, 2008 2:15 pm ET

Hillary said: "The question is, what have you done over the course of a lifetime to equip you for that moment?”
The answer is: John McCain!
A first lady doesn't have that kind of experience anyway. Bill's experience was not Hillary's unless she now admit that Bill will be an unelected co-president.

Gary Mitchell   March 2nd, 2008 2:15 pm ET

Yes you can make a case for Hillary:

It's 3:00 am and the phone in the White House rings.

Hello, this is the President.

Yes Madam President. This is the DC Police calling.

Yes. How may I help you?

Well, we hate to bother you, but weve got Bill down here again.

I'll send someone right over.

MikeinOhio   March 2nd, 2008 2:14 pm ET

I'll bet that phone call was from one of the perverts conquests.

marge   March 2nd, 2008 2:13 pm ET

I'm glad "somebody" asked her What that was about!!!!!

Thea   March 2nd, 2008 2:10 pm ET

Who's Rovian now?

James   March 2nd, 2008 2:08 pm ET

Pleas Ohio, Texas, Vermont, and Rhode Island Reject the Politics of Fear. Reject Hillary Clinton's use of Rovian tactics against another Democrat.

As for the phone call, Hillary was asked by reporters when she ever answered such a phone call, guess what silence followed by nothing.

As for the thirty five years of experience, Hillary graduated from school at 25 and is now 60, so she must be counting all her time as a corporate lawyer for Walmart. Yeah, another Clinton lying/stretching the truth.

Please send this individual packing.

Zia   March 2nd, 2008 2:08 pm ET

“Now, one of Clinton’s laws of politics is this. If one candidate is trying to scare you and the other one is try get you to think, if one candidate is appealing to your fears and the other one is appealing to your hopes, you better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope.”
-Bill Clinton, 2004

Reality check   March 2nd, 2008 2:08 pm ET

I have noticed that although you are putting some Hillary articles on the ticker, you are very, very slow to post the replys. Did you fire all the moderators or is this a tactic of yours?

Mary   March 2nd, 2008 2:06 pm ET

I have watced all of the debates for the past year. Hillary Clinton is solid on what she would need to do. If Obama answered the phone at 3 am, he would have to call Hillary so that he could say, "I agree with Hillary".

Debbie Delegate   March 2nd, 2008 2:05 pm ET

Her concession speech should include an endorsement of Senator Obama.

Grif   March 2nd, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Once again. Hillary's Home! Not, sponsored to be manipulated by

anybody… They said Mr Blair, was George Bush's. Puppet..

But with all the, so called Sponsors backing Obama lately.

He's going to have to learn to really dance.

Yes Hillary's home once again, answering the phone. Nevertheless, it's for you..

The call is really about!!! Your' own Security at Home!!!

Joanne   March 2nd, 2008 2:01 pm ET

— “You know, no one who hasn’t been president has ever done that,” she told reporters on her campaign plane on Saturday. —

Wait a minute! Wait.just.one.minute! Does she have the experience she claims to have, or doesn't she?

hmiya   March 2nd, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Some networks must have retrained their anchors because they've come under fire for being so “yes we can.” But the mindless wave the press fanned is now out of control. How do you talk about issues and national security when people are in a feel-good stupor? Bush was the nice guy who would bring people together, remember? We never expected a 9/11 or Katrina. Were those mere fear cards? If these real issues don’t wake us up, we deserve exactly what we get!

LogicVs.Rhetoric   March 2nd, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Hillary has the calm resolve to take on tough decisions and is unflappable under pressure. Would you really want to trust Obama to keep us safe and make tough decisions on the economy? It's easy to use rhetoric like 'lets bring everyone together," "Yes, we can"; Now what has Obama accomplished in the senate? Are we so dumb in the Democratic party to roll the dice on this guy? If we are, we deserve what we get.

E A Bodnar   March 2nd, 2008 1:58 pm ET

NAFTA was originally brought to the public by the Republicans in office pre-Bill Clinton era. Remember???? During the campaign Bill Clinton spoke of being opposed to it and said it would be bad for US business and labor. Later he not only endorsed it; he embraced it. Why doesn't any one remember this and bring this to light?

Elaine Bodnar, California

Fundamental Question   March 2nd, 2008 1:57 pm ET

"Change" Question: What has Obama done while in Senate to bring the Democrats and Republicans together?

Tim in Arkansas   March 2nd, 2008 1:56 pm ET

Hillary's phone rings at 3am. A voice on the phone says: "Hillary, do you know where your husband is? Hillary things quickly, but once again she has no idea where Bill is!!! The voice then says: "I know what Bill did Last Summer!" Hillary suddenly realizes: "Oh no another sex scandal!" Hillary acts quickly to try to cover it up, but once again too late for Hillary.

Moral of this story, The Clintons have No Morals! Plus lock up your daughters after 3am, when a Clinton is around!!!

Tim

andrea benini   March 2nd, 2008 1:56 pm ET

I love the ad. Go Hillary !!

cnn is slipping like hillary   March 2nd, 2008 1:53 pm ET

LATE NIGHT CRISIS AT 3 A.M. = BILL OUT CHEATING AGAIN

Carol   March 2nd, 2008 1:52 pm ET

It's funny how the political strategists had JUST said that HRC should focus on the economy in this commercial…and voila! it appears.

Mel   March 2nd, 2008 1:50 pm ET

Experience is not enough, because some folks show that they do not gain wisdom even with much experience. We can tell that it is so when they continue the same unwise behavior. Wisdom to respond to the call is to be preferred over experience alone. We need the wisdom which Senator Obama has shown to bring us together so that all of us can live without dreading that our phones will ring at 3 a.m. That is the wisdom that will deal with the 3 a.m. call in the best interest of all concerned.

Emily   March 2nd, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Hillary,
You did answer…….with a YES! YES to Bush! Stop with all the experience garbage! You CAN'T count 8 years as the First Lady (I mean 2nd lady) and First Lady of AK (who knows). You made NO decisions! Release your taxes and your papers as First, Second, Third lady…….

Mike   March 2nd, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Hillary will be able to handle any call anytime.

Ring, Ring, Ring… "Hello, Madame President Here…"

Hillary 08!!!

bp   March 2nd, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Pump that fear into the American Public Hillary! That's what we need in America…More fear. You claim to have a ton of experience, but yet you can't answer a simple question on the subject of when you ever had to answer the red phone at 3:00 in the morning.

Karl Rove tactics = playing on the fear of the American public.

What kind of change agent are you?

ORK   March 2nd, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Ya, in a "red call" senario she would be pick up the white phone! Incompetence abound! And just like bush she is using fear for votes! Shame on you Hillary, shame on you!

Cami   March 2nd, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Sorry, Hillary. You can't scare me into voting for you.

doug   March 2nd, 2008 1:47 pm ET

Oh my, the phones ringing in the white house today and it looks like $200 a barrel oil next week. Hope Mr. Bush does'nt mess this one up. At this time we cannot afford another war and definitely ca'nt afford $9 a gallon gasoline. Somethings got to give. Give peace a chance.

Tyler in Raleigh   March 2nd, 2008 1:45 pm ET

Its true… she did mop up for her husband's scandals as well as her own. That does show she is equiped to sweep issues under the rug as President.

Thank you again for Karl Rove fear-mongering. Scare people into voting for you…. or make them pity you.

Ronald, American living abroad   March 2nd, 2008 1:45 pm ET

HRC's ties through her husband to middle east money will more than equip her for any crisis. The call will not be from and Administration official, but from her stock brokers . . . "do you want us to back date a buy order for you?"

Wow, CNN, you are really upping the HRC Category county today! Well over 125 more than Obama. You would think she is the front runner.

I bet you don't have the ovum to post this, do you?

Shirley in California   March 2nd, 2008 1:45 pm ET

Is there an unfairness in media? Just count how many articles and photos does CNN online have on each candidates! Quit whinning, Hillary. If the public does not respond to your messages, that is your own problem. You are the cause, not the press!

Deb IL   March 2nd, 2008 1:43 pm ET

If that moment ever happens, I want someone like Hillary Clinton to be there to know how to kick into immediate action. We don't need another George W. Bush who continues reading a children's book instead of knowing how to initiate action based on knowledge and background of a potential situation. This is a very legitimate concern, whether people want to acknowledge it or not. I know from experience it doesn't matter if odds are against something bad happening if the one time it does happen, it happens to you.

Jeremy   March 2nd, 2008 1:42 pm ET

I am surprised CNN has not yet posted an article about the Rezko-Obama scandal.

And also, how bad has this country gotten into that a mere mention of the word "change" from a political upstart could send a rousing Pavlovian response that is enough to cast the more important issues aside and follow blindly into empty calls for a change? Wake up people– Obama is not your savior. Your eloquent candidate has had a chance to make some changes in the White House for 7 years– and if you are not careful of choosing who will suceed him, you've got only yourselves to blame some years from now.

Florida voter   March 2nd, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Why doesnt Obama want to debate about National Security? If he doesnt want to debate with Hillary, then how is he going to debate with McCain about this, which is his strongest arguement? Only Hillary can defeat John McCain. VOTE HILLARY 08!

Taruna   March 2nd, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Mr. Wolf , you seem to have been offered some job with the Clintons for sure,
You sure have made CNN a joke..its just Clinton, Clinton…

YOU GUYS REALLY HAVE SOME ABILITY TO MAKE A LOSER LOOK LIKE A WINNER.

remember Wolf, what goes around comes around.

Hulkamania   March 2nd, 2008 1:41 pm ET

"If one candidate’s appealing to your fears, and the other one’s appealing to your hopes, you better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope."
- Bill Clinton, 2004

2004 Bill Clinton is endorsing Obama.

Carole Graff   March 2nd, 2008 1:41 pm ET

If she complains about getting first question, how can she handle being President, also she hasn't run a very good campaign, doesn't that say how she will run being President, Also Hillary has not showen her tax information, as I know the others have,does she have somthing to hide? I have had no answer to this question. Thanks

Independent for Obama   March 2nd, 2008 1:40 pm ET

When the Clinton Camp was asked in a conference call, "What foreign policy moment can Hillary Clinton point to that tested her in a crisis situation?"…………….

……………………….

the line went dead silent…………………………..

flat-lined………………

Then some grunts and groans…..

NOW, of course, she is trying to SPIN and CHANGE it, AGAIN.

Hillary Clinton, you do not have the judgment OR THE EXPERIENCE to hold this nation together in a crisis. Your multiple personalities in this campaign prove that!

gene   March 2nd, 2008 1:39 pm ET

There is no question as to who should answer the phone. Obama has no experience with any kind of crisis that would require instant judgement. Just watch him and think about in the debates, where he had to go first on a tough question, he strutters, pauses, seaching his mind for some kind of right answers and then reverts to his stump speech answer. There was a very important endorsement yesterday, but not one single mention in the media. General Sheldon,former member of the General Chiefs of staff, endorsed Hillary as the most qualified and experienced to be President.

Kirk   March 2nd, 2008 1:37 pm ET

This is a no brainer question . We all know the correct answer to this on . Hillary Clinton

Kristin   March 2nd, 2008 1:33 pm ET

I think it is a fair question to ask what 3AM calls has Clinton handled on her own. I am sure McCain will ask in November.

I like both candidates for different reasons, but this add concerns me because I want to see the Democrats win in November and she can't beat McCain with ads like this. I truly hope we get a nominee soon so both sides can stop feeding the Republicans ammunition like this.

Dustin   March 2nd, 2008 1:33 pm ET

“Think about what could happen if there were unrest in Nigeria, or a terrorist act in Saudi Arabia,” she continued. “Oil would shoot to 150 dollars a barrel.”…SO, who is sounding more Republican everyday? Why must we resort to scare tactics?I feel that the American people are smart enough to make an informed decision without being "scared" into voting, as the republicans have been doing for years…..Terrorism and loss of oil in one sentence does not sound like the Democratic ideals I hear so many talking about…

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   March 2nd, 2008 1:32 pm ET

"Clinton has demurred when asked to name a crucial 3 a.m. decision from her own experience." Such as deciding whether to shoot first or ask if it's just Bill slinking in after a night of "campaigning"?

sultan   March 2nd, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Hillay clinton is well qualified and experienced enough to handle the job.be it 3 am in the morning or 12 pm in the afternoon.

Realist   March 2nd, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Obama should run a counter-ad as following:

"It is 3:00 a.m. — Do you know where Bill is?"

Tom Wittmann   March 2nd, 2008 1:31 pm ET

UNFORTUNATELY, SHE HAS NO ACHIEVEMENTs OF HER OWN, at least not on a nation wide level, except to be married to an EX-PRESIDENT and having participated togethe with other senators voting resolutions, IGNORING THE ONES WHICH TODAY SEEM NOT
COVIENT TO CITE.
The only one which could have been such, was not BECAUSE IT FAILED (the Health reform of the 90's)

TOM

HH   March 2nd, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Shouldn't she be in bed by 3:00am? How did she dress up so quickly on the seventh ring?

Michelle   March 2nd, 2008 1:27 pm ET

Since Obama agrees with everything Hillary says after she says it, then I pick the person who says it first.

HILLARY 2008 YOU GO GIRLFRIEND!!!!

B. Smart   March 2nd, 2008 1:26 pm ET

If Hillary is more experienced and ready to take the call(NO ONE USES PRINCESS PHONES ANYMORE), Then why did Colin Powell, Jay Rockefeller, the chairman of the senate INTELLIGENCE committee , and other top military
personnel endorse Senator Obama?

YES WE CAN. OBAMA 08.

dude from germany   March 2nd, 2008 1:26 pm ET

Was it you have taking the calls before or was it mr. bill ,pls give me a brake lady.

GO OBAMA

Pat M PEI Canada   March 2nd, 2008 1:24 pm ET

I know it's the week-end and things are slow but c'mon is this the best you can do for News?

There are some of us who enjoy surfing for news on the week-end but very often are disappointed.

Tim   March 2nd, 2008 1:24 pm ET

"A straw! Please…God…someone give me another straw to grasp!"
I'm desperate here!

Blackjack   March 2nd, 2008 1:22 pm ET

“Think about what could happen if there were unrest in Nigeria, or a terrorist act in Saudi Arabia,” she continued. “Oil would shoot to 150 dollars a barrel.”

The crowd applauded as she then criticized the Bush administration for wanting to “hold hands with the Saudis” rather than stand up to them.

Like she could do something to stop the rise in the price of oil?
STAND UP TO THEM?? STAND UP TO THEM?? Who ? OPEC?
Fear mongering and horse puckey of the worst kind. Clinton should get a real life!

deebo   March 2nd, 2008 1:22 pm ET

A last minute late night crisis - sounds like a personal issue.

JC, OHIO   March 2nd, 2008 1:22 pm ET

The key words here are "…without advisers". Obama has said over and over that he will be 'RIGHT from day one', but then says in the next breath, that he 'won't always be right'…so he needs good advisers. Make up your mind…seems he is always contradicting imself or copying Hillary at every step…

con in PA   March 2nd, 2008 1:22 pm ET

The "ticker" should be changed to the "picklary". (ie: pick hillary!)
This page has nothing to do with fair coverage of primary elections!
I'm a democrat…and I do have a mind of my own.
I read many news pages and articles.
I have watched all the debates.
I will make an informed decision when it comes time to MY vote in Pennsylvania.
I really hope their is a democratic backlash against all cable news networks who have not given fair and equal covereage of BOTH DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES during this whole election.
This is so un-American!…and why the American people are screaming desperately FOR CHANGE!!!!!!!!

Ross   March 2nd, 2008 1:20 pm ET

How Hillary would handle just such a call is shown in her grave error by getting us into Iraq–and trying to get us into Iran.

Alex   March 2nd, 2008 1:19 pm ET

President should sleep at 3 a.m. to have her judgement right the next day. Unless, of course, she needs to watch what's her First Lad doing

Outside of the box   March 2nd, 2008 1:18 pm ET

And then again, it could just be a misdirected call to the VP, coming in for President Obama… from his drug dealer.

Corey, Maryland   March 2nd, 2008 1:16 pm ET

Hillary, you might be able to pick up a phone at 3 a.m. but that is something most of us regular folk have to do a lot of the time as well. You aren't anything special, and once you answer the phone you would have no clue what to talk about because you have no judgement. Obama is the one that can pick up the phone at even 2 a.m. ( oh yeah i said 2 a.m. start getting impressed everyone) and has the judgement to make the right call.

Obama Richardson 08!!!

jd   March 2nd, 2008 1:15 pm ET

So what would Hillary do when she answers the phone at 3.00am? Call Bill? 'Honey, some bad men are doing bad things! Please help me.'. Like she's been doing all this campaign season. Imagine her without the 'Clinton' name. She'd be a multi-millionaire WalMart legal representative nobody today.

DSF   March 2nd, 2008 1:14 pm ET

Why does the headline on the facepage read 'Nicholson backs WH hopeful', and not 'Nicholson backs Hillary Clinton'? Why avoid using her name? Obama has never been called a vague 'WH hopeful', like someone who just entered the race…why demean Clinton this way? I love reading CNN online but sometimes you guys are just plain stupid, really…

independent voter   March 2nd, 2008 1:12 pm ET

Come on, Hillary. Where's that experience you speak of? And, where are your tax returns and your First Lady papers?

Hillary Please Stop   March 2nd, 2008 1:09 pm ET

Maybe she didn't wan't to answer the quesitons first! I guess at 3 am she'll ask the question; did you call and ask Senator Obama before you called me!

Closely Watching   March 2nd, 2008 1:08 pm ET

SORRY-The initials are IPA, not IAP. My bad.

Hillary Please Stop   March 2nd, 2008 1:08 pm ET

But she demurred when asked to name a crucial 3 a.m. decision from her own experience. LOL!

Maybe she didn't wan't to answer the quesitons first! I guess at 3 am she'll ask the question; did you call and ask Senator Obama before you called me!

Grant   March 2nd, 2008 1:07 pm ET

She will pick up the phone and say "one moment please" and hand it over to Bill……..

Closely Watching   March 2nd, 2008 1:06 pm ET

CNN-PLEASE POST THIS IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE RESEARCH THIS STORY…PERHAPS YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO IT.

I would encourage EVERYONE, but especially women who are supporting Senator Clinton, to get on your search engine of choice and enter 'Clinton IAP campaign contributions' and read the story from msnbc. This is VERY ALARMING and should shed light on the true character of Senator Clinton.

AGAIN, PLEASE DO THIS ASAP.

Sociallly taxed   March 2nd, 2008 1:04 pm ET

FEAR-

Great candidates we have ourselves. If the Gov't actually did its job, defending the Nation on 911, we would have nothing to fear but fear itself.

AMERICA- Land of the Sheep, Home of the Afraid.

John, Las Vegas, NV   March 2nd, 2008 1:02 pm ET

So, as I understand it, by Clinton refusing to name any 3 a.m. (oh heck, let's help her out, how about any call between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to give her more of a window to come up with an answer) call where she had to answer that was critical, is she saying that she will be ready on Day One, but she won't be ready on Day Two at 3 a.m. because she has no experience with that kind of call? I figure Day One is pretty much limited to inaugural balls and dances, so I guess she'll be ready on Day One to party, but not on Day Two to perform.

Taj   March 2nd, 2008 1:02 pm ET

"She demurred when asked to name a crucial 3 a.m. decision from her own experience."

Hillary's not trying to say that she has handled a crisis before, but that she is best prepared to do so as President. She has met world leaders and visited more than 80 foreign countries — Obama has little to no experience in this area, and the White House should not be his training wheels.

june   March 2nd, 2008 1:02 pm ET

Yes if I had to place a call I would rather it was with Hillary in the White House not Obama.! YES YOU CAN ! YES YOU CAN ! HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT !

kalliope   March 2nd, 2008 1:01 pm ET

I think an advertisement like this will ultimately help McCain in a run against Obama. It was always my belief that the politics of fear-mongering belonged to the Republicans, but again Hillary disappoints with her tactics and her ever-changing platform. I'm sorry to say that more damage is being done to the Democrats with everyday she remains in the race. She gave it a good try, her message is convoluted, her run is over.

TC   March 2nd, 2008 1:00 pm ET

She needs to get back on her meds. She is the worst kind of delusional if she actually believes people will buy her solving a crisis at 3am on her own…during that crisis and every other she will be rolling over and asking Bill, "what would you do?" …and then and only then will the sky open up and all be well with the world….LOL

John, Las Vegas, NV   March 2nd, 2008 12:59 pm ET

Clinton definition of National Security 3 a.m. call

"Honey, this is Bill, we have Osama Bin Laden in our sights. Do you think we should shoot at him or send him a note saying "Shame on you, Osama Bin Laden"?

mark   March 2nd, 2008 12:57 pm ET

Hillary, you are bringing shame on you. That is the most ridiculoous ad I could imagine from a democratic candidate. You're trying to scare up people to vote for. If people vote on the basis of that, McCain will be everybody's choice. I hope Bill and you are not suffering from any old age ailments.

Totally for Hillary   March 2nd, 2008 12:57 pm ET

I think it was a brilliant to do that ad. And she has plenty of military experts backing her.

John, Las Vegas, NV   March 2nd, 2008 12:57 pm ET

Clinton definition of CRITICAL 3 a.m. call

"Honey, this is Bill, do you know where my cigars are stashed in the Oval Office?"

Manuel TX   March 2nd, 2008 12:56 pm ET

"Hi, this is Barack Obama, I'm not in right now but if you leave a message, someone will call back and answer 'Present'…"

Thanks BO for the excellent job that you're doing chairing the Senate subcommittee on Europe/NATO dealing with Afghanistan. You've called no meetings in 14 months.

Words, just words…. :)

Natalie NJ   March 2nd, 2008 12:56 pm ET

I don't think this ad will help her, most people I know all made the same comments we immediately thought of John McCain. Obama's response ad is more effective using the judgment argument.
I think Hillary should comeout with a powerful econic ad that would have been in tune with the concerns of the people.
The 3 am ad is an ad that Mc Cain will most likely use and will serve him better than it did Hillary.

Hillary needs to find one key strenght and stick with it. STOP switching all over the place, it shows weakness and a little desperation.

OBAMA 08   March 2nd, 2008 12:55 pm ET

CNN: Is Obama still in this race??

Lost in Moderation in Vermont   March 2nd, 2008 12:55 pm ET

So she is ready to answer the phone at 3AM, but she admits that she never has. How is this different from Obama?
This ad was nothing more than an atempt to strike fear into the hearts of Americans. BTW I would hope that if the phone rang at 3AM, it was answered a lot quicker than in the ad. I don't think it ever was answered, it just kept ringing…
CNN Please don't leave me in moderation.

John, Las Vegas, NV   March 2nd, 2008 12:54 pm ET

Clinton definition of crucial 3 a.m. call.

"Honey, this is Bill, could you tell me where the laundry detergent is? I need to get a stain out of some clothes."

Independent Voter in Texas   March 2nd, 2008 12:51 pm ET

So now she wants to REVISE THE MESSAGE after the message has gone out. And look who is giving her all the free press she could possibly gobbleup.

Give the voters credit for a little common sense.

Don't think so ....   March 2nd, 2008 12:50 pm ET

Fear mongering … there she goes from 'funny' Hillary to scary Hillary in less than 12 hours. The many faces of Billary …

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