Clinton apologizes for RFK assassination comment
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/05/23/art.hrcfrown0523.ap.jpg caption="Sen. Clinton listens during a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday."]
BRANDON, South Dakota (CNN) - Sen. Hillary Clinton said Friday that she regretted comments that evoked the June 1968 assassination of Robert Kennedy as part of her explanation for why she was staying in the presidential race late into the primary season.
Earlier Friday afternoon, she told the editorial board of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader that "My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it," she said.
Clinton complained that "people have been trying to push me out of this ever since Iowa" and said that position "historically ... makes no sense."
Later at an event in Brandon, South Dakota, she said, "earlier today, I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Sen. Kennedy waged in California in June in 1992 and 1968, and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nominating primary contests that go into June. That's an historic fact.
Update: During an interview with Radio Isla Puerto Rico on Saturday, Barack Obama reacted to the Clinton RFK comment.
According to a quote released by the campaign, he said, “I have learned that when you are campaigning for as many months as Senator Clinton and I have been campaigning, sometimes you get careless in terms of the statements that you make and I think that is what happened here. Senator Clinton says that she did not intend any offense by it and I will take her at her word on that.”
Related video: Watch Sen. Clinton's comments to a SD newspaper's editorial board
Related video: Watch Brian Todd's report on Sen. Clinton's remarks Friday.
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Another example of how she uses any person or circumstance to try to make her point. There is something in her psyche that is really disturbing.
Quit NOW!!!! There is NO MORE spin!!!!
Even if you ignore allusion to RFK, her point is still flawed. THe '68 and '92 campaigns went all the way to June BECAUSE California held its primary in June. This year, CA held its primary in February, and there is basically nothing left for Clinton. This just further provse that she is ADMITEDLY waiting in the weeds for something bad to happen. HOW PRESIDENTIAL.
This just gets worse by the day. Please lets end this primary immediately. There are so many reasons why that comment was inappropriate. Hillary you can't win, and you are ruining your legacy everyday so please bow out.
Absolutely disgusting...sick, sick, sick!!!!
Time to call it quits and go the hell home!!
No matter who one supports this went over the line.
I think the media is driving sensitivity where there doesn't need to be any. I saw nothing wrong with her comment and new exactly what she was talking about. If the media would stop making the news and instead just do their job and report it, we wouldn't be in this mess with this election. I think the press needs to get the heck out of the way and let things just happen the way the will.
Too little, too late...
Obama & Co. has been playing this dirty game very cleverly. When Bill Clinton says something, it's "insulting" and "racist" even though the Clintons have done tremendeously good for the black population. When Mrs. Obama says somthing, it's "blame everybody else but her". What a shame....
I am appalled once again by the tactics of Senator Obama and his campaign. It is clear to anyone that was listening to the Argus-Leader interview that Senator Clinton's remarks were a historical reference and nothing more.
For one who claims to be a unifying force, Senator Obama once again fails to do so. Instead, he and his campaign continue to manipulate innocent remarks in an attempt to belittle Senator Clinton and as a result further drive a wedge in the democratic party.
Right, she doesn't regret if her remark was at all traumatic for the Obama family. I am sure Michelle worries every day and night for her husband's safety. Seriously.
Let me put it this way....
Hillary or McCain!!!
Dude...
I feel sorry for her. I think we should all give her a group-hug and a kiss - then send her on her way.
The remark is absolutely apalling and is a reflection of how low Clinton will stoop to win this campaign... as if she already hasn't thrown the kitchen sink at Obama!
Oh boy....I want to believe Hill on this one. But here are some obvious concerns:
1). The math does not support Hill continuing.
2). Many pundits have said "the Clinton campaign is waiting for another Rev. Wright moment" to give Hillary a boost going into the convention.
3) And in the back of many minds is......
But no way the Clintons would ever have any part in such. Ok...I say its time we get this over with
Lighten up Obama camp. "Has no place in this campaign" what exactly has no place? What did she say that was so bad?
If she can't understand the significance of her comments, she has completely lost all sense of propriety and reality. This statement is absolutely outrageous.
Just mindboggling.
She needs to quit now!
If this really doesn't help people see through her, then God help our country.
Former Obama Supporter
The Obama camp and his supporters are going to look for any reason not to pick Hillary as the VP, even if that means making her comment on Kennedy an issue. Do they actually think we don't see this?
UHHHHH DUHHH, she has done such a great job of eliminating herself from the running already, this is just the icing on the cake.
THIS IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN
PULLING ANY CARD TO ATTACK CLINTON....
WE ALL KNOW SHE WAS ONLY SPEAKING ABOUT HISTORY...
JUST AS WHEN SHE MENTION LYNDON JOHNSON AND SIGNING
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT....SOON OBAMA CAMPAIGN THREW THE RACE
CARD
COME ON SHE WAS ONLY REFERRING TO HISTORY WHEN SHE
MENTION BILL AND ROBERT KENNEDY
I THINK OBAMA CAMPAIGN ARE THE ONES PLAYING DIRTY HERE
SHE WAS ONLY REFERRING TO HISTORY
Well as always she mispoke. Somebody PLEASE admit her to the nearest mental institution.
i think this whole thing was a joke to American people – please stick to the subject that people really interested in "economy" – don't think how American would vote for Obama when they know nothing about this person – talk about at stake – that's why we need experience – we can change the way system works but we can't change America politics and that's what Obama try to do – just will not work – i will not vote for Obama if he is the nomination – i will have to vote for John Mc
Apologies aren't asked. They are avoided instead.
"Oh Hillary, you're a monster who only thinks about herself and that would do wonders in HELL"
*2 hours later*
"I apologize for my remark....and I reject it"
Her mind is gone.last year she thought she had the nomination all wrapped up.Now her campaign is broke & in debt & Obama is going to be the candidate to represent the democratic party,Its time to go back in the kitchen & bake some cookies.
if her comment was not newsworthy according to cnn (unlike every other responsible news source), then why was her apology for that comment. cnn's bias is showing again. wait to put the best positive spin on a horrible statement from networks's fave.