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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She referenced that it's not unusal for primaries to run into June. Well, thank goodness June is only one week away.
Obama did not put the WORDS in Hillary's mouth. So do not blame Obama for her stupid comments. She could have said what she said wiith out using that word.
Give me a break. There is no news here. As Obama is fond of saying whenever anyone even tries to begin to look at any of his comments, "this is a mere distraction."
It's amazing to me how Obama has to be treated with kid gloves or his camp and the media pounce all over everyone, but yet they can make mountains out of molehills.
Obama is just not ready to be President.
And, by the way, one does not have to be a "white blue collar worker" to support HRC as one of the snide comments above have suggested. I, for one, believe that HRC is the stronger candidate, and I have a graduate level education and am doing q
I don't believe Hillary meant it the way it sounds. But it sounds really bad. A strong reason for her not to be President.
Hey KIDS! Newbies! Junior Voters!
All of you who are criticizing Hillary! Again! Have you nothing better to do? How about getting back to work! Or go get a second job, you will need it.
I was around when RFK was murdered in Los Angeles. Maybe we need to say MORE about it. Are our candidates being protected enough? I don't think so.
CNN, why not all go on vacation early today?
INVESTIGATE HER NOW!!!!
Drop out, Hillary – you are clearly IINSANE!!!
Senator Clinton has gone way too far. The Kennedy family has been nothing but good to this country and with Senator Ted Kennedy health crises – what more should this famly have to deal with at one time. Tired or whatever – go get some rest. If gut feeling about not voting for her didn't this last statement did.
THIS WOMAN IS MINDLESS& HEARTLESS.
SHE FULLY DESEARVS OUR CONTEMPT,
IF WE CALL OURSELVES DECENT PEOPLE.
I am so ashamed that I ever supported Hillary. Many things have changed since I cast my vote for her here in PA on April 22nd. I will be voting for the presumtive Democratic nominee Barack Obama on November 4th. I am so amazed and proud of how he always takes the high road despite negative comments. This 67 year old white woman will be voting for Obama guys. After all he could be my son, for those of you who have forgotten that he is of mixed ancestry. So people who are afriad to vote for him for racial reasons, remember that he is also half of you and a part of us all.
If Obama said this can you imagine the spin she'd put on it? Just like if Obama was behind and he was the one that wanted Florida and Michigan recounted. She would go off on him! It's time for this lady to exit. Put a fork in it . . . Leave was some dignity. I know she can't believe that she's lost, but she has. End of story . . .
No apologies Hillary... we know that u are out of ur mind.
The inference from Oboma is it suggeste to some unknown person might try to kill oboma . No one would have heard the comment unless the news paper board that was granted an interview didin't publicise it. Why should Clinton have to explain the comment and not the news orginization? The news paper is the guilty one.
I am an Obama supporter. I believe the comment was misspoken. Everyone makes awkwardly worded statements at times. Obama did it with the ‘bitter’ comment. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could actually focus on issues instead of every time someone puts words together in a clumsy manner?
Obama (on the issues) 08
She is sooooooooo desperate to win.... that now she is hoping that something bad happens to Obama so that she can become the nominee... I guess she is finally realizing that she has no other options. She's a disgrace.
Superdelegates have GOT to put this to an end to stop this psychotic behavior on the part of this wretched excuse for a human being. How can any parent make these kind of references regarding the father of 2 innocent little girls. I cannot believe she had my support. This makes me sick to my stomach!
At the very least the lady hasn't a shred of common-sense. Hopefully no nut case will take this as a 007 license to kill. But nut-cases exist as has been proved by recent events. Even if this most recent sample of misspeaking is innocent (which I suspect isn't) she should know better. At best it's a complete absence of judgement.
Every time I think I've seen her sink to a new low, she does it again. It's amazing!
It was most inappropriate and insensitive, My sense is she was comparing the Obama campaign and his supporters as a lynching party, Along the lines bunch of Sexist, who should get out of the Kitchen if they can't stand the heat, etc, This is but another right wing conspiracy against Clintons. Yeah Right!! on Hillary!!!!!!!
I guess she is hoping that if he gets shot she will then become the nominee. Its a sad day in America.
This is the 2nd Time she has said this!!!!
Step up the secrity for Obama!
I really couldn't believe she had said that in the first place. She's more than done now, and for all the speculators I'm starting to think that tere is absolutely no chance of a Hill Obama ticket. Shameful...
Hillary just lost my vote!! I'm an Independent,but Super Delegates PLEASE END this NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama! Watch your back! Hillary knows people in NYC who do "wet work".
I saw this coming!
Wow...a few of you need to take a chill pill (or maybe more than one). Either that, or you're a bunch of irrational fools.
God, you people are so stupid.