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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TOAST
They should check HER medical records!
Susan
I Google Vince Foster and I was shock on the things I read. Now I'm really concern about her statement. Below was the headline.
Vince Foster found dead 14 years ago today
It was particularly distasteful for her campaign to fight back at the Obama campaign's charge that those kinds of comments have no place in this campaign by trying to spin it as an attack on her.
This is way out of bounds.
I used to love the Clintons but I lose more and more respect day by day.
It is truly sad to see the Clinton name being dragged thru the mud by Hillary. They have done so much good and I will not forget that but this needs to end NOW.
Not misspeak Clintonspeak
I'll love to see the MSM spin this for Hillary to attempt to make us feel sorry for her. Sorry Hillary, you should just exit now. No apology is going to make this one better, except maybe with your hardcore supporters. You've just lost all credibility with me.
I think its sickening and a disgraceful that you are allowing these nasty comments from these losers CNN
No wonder she wants to be on the ticket as VP........She knows how to make the presidency hers.
The Obama campaign has sunk to the bottom of the stink pit by opening their mouth period. Unify? my behind....
Quit blaming Obama, even if you believe the comments were taken out of context. All she has to do is quit saying such comments and she won't be criticized for comments like this.
Everything is Obama's fault to some Hillary supporters, and I wish we could just come together behind our common issues.
Democrats (Whoever it is!) 2008!
Hillary/Billary ....another Senior Moment????
Anyone who understands English can figure out that she was focusing on JUNE...period. This discussion is particularly silly.
Look at the people who support her, and then listen to what she said.... This women is EVIL..... this is WHY the republicans HATE her so much.
Obama/Hagel ( I want Chuck Hagel to be VP)
there was a time when I admired her....a few months ago, and now she acting like a selfish person; its not about the country anymore, its all about her. she has lost it.
You Obama weirdo's need to get a life.If he is on the ballot in November without Hillary Clinton I will vote for McCain.PERIOD.
Obama's pandering to Cubans and Jews is sicking.He won't win the Cuban vote.For whatever reason Cuibans vote for republicans who have done nothing for them and never will.If American Cubans would return to Cuba and lead a revolution against Raul Castro,they could free Cuba.However,their lack of action in the last 50 years proves the do not care about Cuba but like "talking" about a free Cuba.
Leave her alone, or I'll vote for McCain in protest. Show her the same respect that Ted Kennedy got when he took it to the convention. If y'all keep picking on her, I'll give my vote to McCain, and y'all are gonna get a right wing Supreme Court. I personally don't give a hoot about Roe vs Wade, I'm too old to have an abortion now. So keep on picking on the girl, and you left-wing maniacs are gonna mess it up for Obama.
Toni May 23rd, 2008 5:10 pm ET
Just a preview of what would happen if she was Obama's running mate … I'm sorry … I didn't have enuf sleep … everybody's against me … it's because I'm a woman … And then, of course, there would be Bill … pissing everybody off but nor apologizing for anything. Lovely.
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Can't wait to see mr. no precondition obama when he gets his head handed to him (if he were elected- by some fluke) He'll be like a deer in the headlights with these terrorists, and he'll resort to his uselessness in the Senate and try to vote...PRESENT.
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Hillary "Hit Man" Clinton.
Here we go again, Hillary at her lowest! Get Out You Idiot!
For the record, I'm definitely not a Clinton supporter, but this is completely ridiculous to make somthing out of this statement that wasn't there. I certainly hope that the ones of you blasting her or any other candidate has never said something that didn't exactly come out like you intended.
Wow. Now she doesn't have to worry about an exit stategy...stick a fork in her campaign, she is done.
~Rebecca
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks...
This is so ridiculous that this comment is being made such a big issue. Why is the media taking everything out of context? We have such serious problems in the world like me struggling working 2 jobs to feed my family and to keep up with my mortgage payments. Please stop this nonsense and get back to the real issues like the war and the state of the economy.
So much for a graceful exit.