November 5th, 2007
04:50 PM ET
15 years ago

Clinton: I’m attacked for winning, not for being a woman

Sen. Clinton took questions from reporters Sunday along the Mississippi River in Clinton, Iowa.

CLINTON, Iowa (CNN) – Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, told reporters Sunday that her Democratic rivals are attacking her simply because, as she said, she’s “winning.”

Clinton was asked about an essay written by Kate Michelman, a senior adviser to the campaign of former Sen. John Edwards, that criticized the New York senator for what she called “disingenuously playing the victim card” by bringing up gender in recent stops and emails.

“I don’t think they piled on me the other night because I’m a woman,” Clinton said. “I think they piled on because I’m winning. And that’s what happens.”

Clinton has been using the phrase “piling on” ever since Tuesday night’s Democratic debate where her opponents took various opportunities to draw contrast with her over issues like her vote to authorize the war in Iraq, her vote in support of labeling the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization, and whether or not she’s stated clearly enough her position on New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer’s plan to give illegal immigrants driver’s licenses.

-CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch


Filed under: Iowa
soundoff (119 Responses)
  1. Randy Boll, Dayton, Ohio

    I think it is important to be realistic that Hilary Clinton is a very experienced and qualified candidate. Even as a republican I respect what she has accomplished as a politician and the trailblazing movement she has made for women in politics. Although I do not agree with many of Senator Clinton's ideolgies, I do agree that all the other democratic nominees will continue to gang up on her for the next 4 months or so, until, in my opinion, she is ultimatlely nominated as the democratic presidential candidate.

    November 6, 2007 02:15 pm at 2:15 pm |
  2. AJ, Chicago IL

    More flip-flopping by Hillary. All these Hillary supporters must have short-term memory loss because Hillary's campaign has played the "gender card" for nearly two months. No Hillary's campaign is trying to move away from the gender issue focus because they realize it will hurt her in a general election.

    November 6, 2007 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |
  3. demwit

    Ummmmmm....., or maybe it has something to do with you wanting to give immunity to illegals..

    November 6, 2007 03:03 pm at 3:03 pm |
  4. FINISHED

    IT'S OVER. I'M NOT COMING BACK.

    November 6, 2007 03:31 pm at 3:31 pm |
  5. JD, Evansville, IN

    I clicked the link to the RON PAUL article about him rakin' in over 4 MILLION in 24 hours and I am linked to this article about Clinton!

    FIX THE LINK!

    RON PAUL 2008!

    November 6, 2007 03:31 pm at 3:31 pm |
  6. Columbus, Olivette, MO

    I will not vote for Hillary because I don't want to create a situation where only two families in a population of 300 million rule. The founding fathers never envisioned dynastic rule. I would hate to see our great Republic embrace dynastic rule as if only two families are endowed with inalienable rights of lording it over 300 million for a generation.

    November 6, 2007 03:32 pm at 3:32 pm |
  7. Franky, NY NY

    Go Hillary. She's the only candidate out there us what we've been asking for – NON PARTISAN POLITICS. I wish naive America would realize THEY (WE) are the ones flip-flopping and not our soon-to-be Madame President – Can't wait to hear that!!

    November 6, 2007 03:32 pm at 3:32 pm |
  8. Nicholas, Kapolei, HI

    Hillary is as arrogant as the day is long. Anyone, man or woman doesn't get a pass to become President because of their gender. Its a card Hillary feels entitled to play. Its not a winning hand.

    November 6, 2007 03:33 pm at 3:33 pm |
  9. James, Louisville KY

    Join Hillary's "winning team"? I think not. A Hillary presidency will continue the downfall of this country, the downfall that has been happening for a while now. You can be sure we will continue the quagmire in Iraq with Hillary in the White House, because she supports special interests and corporations. Elect someone that represents you- Ron Paul 2008. He voted AGAINST the war. He voted AGAINST the Patriot Act. He votes AGAINST more spending for the war. Hillary supports these three things. Ron Paul 2008- FOR the people.

    November 6, 2007 03:35 pm at 3:35 pm |
  10. Barbara Doyle Cape Coral FL

    FACE IT, GUYS! yOU'RE SCARED s---You are all threatened by smart, intelligent,articulate, ambitious women.You suspect that they just may be as smart as you or GOD FORBID, maybe even smarter. GROW UP. Women are here to stay.

    November 6, 2007 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  11. OBAMA 2008

    Well if she's tired of being the wone picked on than dot eh whole world a favor and drop out while you still can. If she win's the election my family has done made up it's mind we are moving to canada where there is a stable leader and someone who belong's in the leader. She Flip Flop's on issue's because she doesn't have a clue what to think about the issue's she been asked about in that small brain. I hope she follow's the same path her no good rotten husband did and i hope she get's impeached assuming she win's which she won't. Because america is smart and won't pick a leader that will cause america to collpase. Were barley hanging on now if she win's were all going down. HOLD ON TIGHT AND BUCKLE YOU SEAT BELT'S WERE ALL GOING DOWN!!

    November 6, 2007 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  12. Sara, Rochester,NY

    She is Worse than Bush.

    November 6, 2007 03:40 pm at 3:40 pm |
  13. Chloe, Austin, Tx

    Kayla,
    For the record, not every minority, woman, university graduate got a free education...I am all three and worked a full time job while attending school....and I graduated with honors. Perhaps the reason you are so discouraged is because you are so focused on blaming others for your plight, you have taken your eye off the prize. You know that almost sounds like the twisted logic most racists like you use when your own life sucks...

    November 6, 2007 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |
  14. Greg, Waverly, NY

    Hillary you are being attacked because you are a threat to this country. You are a liberal pig that wants to raise taxes and give driver licenses to illegal aliens. Don't vote for Hillary!

    November 6, 2007 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |
  15. Steven, Denver, CO

    Or perhaps she's attacked because she committed a felony in the 2000 election by helping in the organization of a concert which included Cher and other celebrities to raise money for her Senate campaign. This crime is well-documented and even on camera! Should we be electing a felon for president?

    November 6, 2007 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |
  16. Anonymous, VA

    I have Clinton fatique.

    November 6, 2007 11:13 pm at 11:13 pm |
  17. Brian Reynolds, Muscatine, Iowa

    How can a person who's life has once been shadowed by scandal, expect to be allowed to run a nation? Of course, we are talking about a nation where some council decides WHO does and doesn't run for president so it may be ok...........Where are we taking this nation?

    November 7, 2007 10:22 am at 10:22 am |
  18. Jerry,worcester,ma

    Double talk,tripple talk and whatever you are doing we just don't understand!!! Winning not because you are a woman, being piled on, Hit because you are a woman....Are you looking for Housekeeper job or the Job of next President of UNITED STATES? I am getting confused!!

    November 7, 2007 10:52 am at 10:52 am |
  19. Robin, VT

    Hillary always seems to put the spin on things when other candidates go up against her...like because she is winning or she is a women (certainly there's more). Yes, Hillary, her people and ads have implied or stated she was attacked at the last debate because of her gender – Bill thought she was being swiftboated. I have no sympathy for Hillary Clinton – she knows this is politics. Plus, I believe during the last debate the moderator brought up a lot of the subjects she was being judged on. Polls right now do not mean a whole lot, however, understanding if all the candidates are vying for the Democractic nominee position we will see each of them comparing themselves to each other – as are the Republicans. Personally, I think the Republicans want to go against Hillary to beat out the Clintons – It's not because she is winning.

    November 8, 2007 07:05 am at 7:05 am |
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