Obama: I would have fired Mark Penn
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/04/11/art.obamapresser.ap.jpg caption="Obama said Friday he would have fired Mark Penn outright."]
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (CNN) - Barack Obama told reporters Friday that had top Clinton strategist Mark Penn been on his staff, he would have removed him for having met with the Colombian government to discuss passing a proposed free trade agreement with the nation.
"Let me put it this way," the Illinois senator said. "I'm not surprised that Sen. Clinton found herself in an uncomfortable position as a consequence, and I know that if staff of mine were putting me in that kind of position I would get rid of them."
On the campaign trail Clinton has emphasized her opposition to any trade deal with Colombia.
Obama also added, "I think it was surprising to me that a high ranking, if not the highest ranking, member of Sen. Clinton's team would be engaged in business activities and lobbying that was directly contrary to a position that Sen. Clinton had taken."
Penn resigned from his role as chief strategist, but he has continued to play a role in the campaign.
Responding to the comments Clinton campaign spokesman Jay Carson criticized Obama for not taking similar action against an economic adviser who reportedly told Canadian officials that the Illinois senator's opposition to NAFTA was not as ardent as he was letting on.
"When Sen. Obama's top economic advisor told the Canadian government not to take his anti-NAFTA rhetoric seriously, he first denied that the meeting ever occurred, and when that proved false he took absolutely no action. It's good to know he has a higher standard for our campaign than his own," Carson said.
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Obama is all hope we have. Why go for good when you have better. Obama knows this thing is over and it's only that Hillary is is dropping out and dealing with the reality .....
We don't need liars Hillary. Give me mr. Obama anytime!
Please Obama why are you not paying people in Penn. State. Shame on you Obama
He didn't fire his person that went to Canada and said something opposite of him though?????? hmmmm double standard
He's totally hypocritical!
Obama will take down America!! pure and simply. WHAT COUNTRY ARE YOU OBAMA SUPPORTERS FROM?????? You all sound a little foriegn to me.... MSM please stop this mess! We the people are scared, this just keeps getting worse....
What do Obama's spiritual advisors have to do with Hillary's lies aobut freet-rrade deals?
And that is why Obama is winnning. Go Barack, we have your back!
Sorry Clinton, you lost my vote.
Poor poor Billary.... anything to make the news and keep her name in the paper! I bet that now she will win that state with the sympathy vote, just like what occured in NH with those fake tears and its how she won the Senate seat the first time out...poor poor Billary...stuck with a lying cheating disgusting man.....lol
$800,000 earned in Columbia and $20 million earned in oil rich Dubai. What's really going on here?
I love the responses of Clinton supporters...
"Why didn't you fire Goolsbee?" ...um, the Canadian government contacted Goolsbee separately...and Goolsbee's an unpaid economic advisor to the Obama campaign.
"Why didn't you leave Rev. Wright?" ...here, we have a 20-year relationship with a pastor that doesn't concern questions of national trade or conflicts of interest in office (and a pastor that was certainly good enough for WJC to invite to the White House to pray for him during the Lewinsky scandal).
On the other hand, we have HRC's chief strategist and chief pollster being paid $300,000 by the Colombian government to lobby for a trade agreement that HRC publicly opposes. We also have HRC's ex-President husband being paid $800,000 by THE SAME COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT
I love how we think we are going to change nafta with canada, its actually pretty hilarious considering they are our primary source of oil and pretty much the oil country on this globe that we can trust any.
They also have the same work standards and enviromental standards as us yet people for some reason have this notion that jobs are going their?
I believe any country that america goes into free trade with should have a similar wage structure, safety standards and enviromental standards.
Colombia is not a good choice jobs will go their because labor will be dirt cheap. But before anyone screams look at canada and nafta they should think twice about our closest ally and primary trading partner.
Hannity bashed Michelle Obama last night for her "one remark"
about being proud of America. Bash. Bash. Bash. Bash. Michelle!
Ruthless, to say the least. Carl Rove must have been bashing Obama
somewhere else, like theAmerican Youth Foundation, Rove hardly
mentioned Hillary's name and the whole speech was against Obama.
Go fiqure.
Yes Barack, they underestimated you and now they are making you a better candidate each and everyday!
I'm becoming quite amused at the constant cries of "Rev. Wright!" from the McCain/Clinton camp. If that is really the only reason they can come up with to rationalize the unseemly rancor this campaign season has whipped up, then Mr. Obama might as well start measuring for curtains in the Oval Office.
Keep up the good work Obama.
You are a God send.
He didn't fire his person that went to Canada and said something opposite of him though?????? hmmmm double standard
Wright does not have anything to do with policies, and jobs being lost, and the economy failing
but trade agreements do, and so therefore, Penn should be fired!!!!!
OBAMA 08!!!!
LET THE HATES KEEP HATING, WE SUPPORT YOU 100%%%
And how long has your relationship with your friend Jeremiah Wright been?? 20+ years so far? Did he not marry you and your wife and baptize your children? Please shut up already and go away...
Oh Good grief!!
Can we get off of the Wright/Meeks preacher topic already!!??!!
BIHILIARY'S CHICKENS ARE COMING TO ROOST! THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. THEY KEEP DEFENDING LIES HILARY AND BILL, WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TOO SMART–BILL YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD OUTSMART US? NOT THIS TIME AROUND. YOU GOT YOUR CHANCE WITH MONICA AND WE FORGAVE YOU, THIS TIME YOUR PATTERN OF LYING HAS RESURRECTED AGAIN. NO MORE CLINTONIAN LIES!
Here is what I don't understand is why you people continue to bring up his former Minister? I mean if you idiots would go check out the entire sermon that day, you will see he was only speaking the truth!!! He may not have used the most eloquent words but it was the truth. So, for you idiots who keep harping on it, I would advise either hear the whole sermon or be quiet!!!
Oh and yes she needs to fire the guy!!! Because he basically made her look stupid!!
i hope u always talk about the truth what is going this election go obama-go red sox
SHUT UP EVERYONE.
Hillary didn't have anything to do with the Colombia meeting.
WE ALL DID.
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was wondering when he was going to say some thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!