Hillary's Dirty Tricks?

[alaskaguy]

I have reproduced a report by CNSNews:

Columnist Robert D. Novak says two Democrats have told him that supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton are spreading the word that she has "scandalous information" about Sen. Barack Obama -- but has decided not to use it.

"The nature of the alleged scandal was not disclosed," Novak wrote in his column over the weekend.

"This word-of-mouth among Democrats makes Obama look vulnerable and Clinton look prudent," Novak wrote.

Appearing on Fox & Friends Monday morning, Novak said his primary source is a "well-known Democrat" who is so far "neutral" in the presidential race. A second neutral Democrat confirmed the information, Novak said.

Novak said the Clinton campaign is taking its cue from Richard Nixon, who once said he had damaging information about "the communists supporting George McGovern." Nixon, however, refused to divulge it because "it wouldn't be right -- I'm just too good of a guy."

Novak said he doesn't know if the Clinton campaign actually has any dirt on Obama -- but he said he's "confident" that his sources have heard information to that effect from the Clinton campaign.

Over the weekend, Obama -- reacting to the information contained in Novak's column -- suggested the Clinton campaign was engaging in "slime politics."

"In the interest of our party, and her own reputation, Senator Clinton should either make public any and all information referred to in the item, or concede the truth: that there is none," Obama wrote in an email to reporters.

He accused the Clinton campaign of trying to "Swift Boat" him, a reference to political attacks on John Kerry in the 2004 campaign.

Link:
Clinton Campaign Copying Nixon's Tricks, Novak Says -- 11/19/2007

 

[bos]

Hillary is a dirty trick.

 

[bos]

God, Im tired of dirty politics. Is it possible to have a good person run and win? Are we afraid to elect someone who has common sense and gives of themselves?

 

[jbhtexas]

Is that Robert "Please use me to leak stories, I'm easy" Novak?

Maybe Obama's sources are leaking the rumor to make Hillary look bad...

 

[iceclone]

Interestingly, this is the second time an almost identical issue surfaces. In both cases, there are rumors about Obama, which right-wing media/commentators claim come from the Clinton campaign. The first one was the unfounded claim about Obama attending a radical Muslim school:

Insight
CNN debunks false report about Obama - CNN.com
Media Matters - Right-wing media figures claim Clinton behind Obama/Muslim smears

It seems either Clinton is trying to smear Obama or certain conservatives are trying to smear Clinton. I don’t know what to think.

 

[cmoneyr]

Isn't all of politics just one dirty trick after another? I fail to see how this is noteworthy.

 

[bawbie]

Please don't quote Robert Novak. He is scum of the earth, has no integrity (journalistic or otherwise) and should be roundly ignored by everybody.

 

[Stormin]

Robert Novak???? Credible Source??? I wouldn't use those two in the same sentence. Robert Novak would concoct the story to smear Both Obama and Clinton.

Can't believe anyone would believe anything he writes or says. Talk about media bias.

 

[Stormin]

Interestingly, this is the second time an almost identical issue surfaces. In both cases, there are rumors about Obama, which right-wing media/commentators claim come from the Clinton campaign. The first one was the unfounded claim about Obama attending a radical Muslim school:

Insight
CNN debunks false report about Obama - CNN.com
Media Matters - Right-wing media figures claim Clinton behind Obama/Muslim smears

It seems either Clinton is trying to smear Obama or certain conservatives are trying to smear Clinton. I don’t know what to think.

Why would Clinton smear Obama? Pretty risky move and I don't think she is that dumb. It smells more like a Swift Boat maneuver out of the Karl Rove Playbook. Smearing two candidates with one stone.

 

[alaskaguy]

Why would Clinton smear Obama? Pretty risky move and I don't think she is that dumb. It smells more like a Swift Boat maneuver out of the Karl Rove Playbook. Smearing two candidates with one stone.

I find it far more reaching to blame the Republicans on this one than the Democrats. Smearing your opponent is nothing new in politics so obviously there is a reason to suspect Hillary. None of the Republican candidates have a large enough lead to be positioning themselves for the general election.

Nevertheless, it could be the case that the story was fabricated by the columnist (Novak)?

 

[iceclone]

Why would Clinton smear Obama? Pretty risky move and I don't think she is that dumb. It smells more like a Swift Boat maneuver out of the Karl Rove Playbook. Smearing two candidates with one stone.

I agree that it would be very risky. And I should have more carefully said the Clinton campaign, not Clinton. Idealistic campaign staffers often do stupid things, with or without the knowledge of the candidate.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Anyone ever read Primary Colors? I guarantee that almost every candidate has some dirt diggers somewhere. Whether they choose to use the information depends on the perceived benefit and their personal sense of integrity. I wouldn't think Hillary is any more or less likely to do this than anyone else.

 

[Stormin]

I find it far more reaching to blame the Republicans on this one than the Democrats. Smearing your opponent is nothing new in politics so obviously there is a reason to suspect Hillary. None of the Republican candidates have a large enough lead to be positioning themselves for the general election.

Nevertheless, it could be the case that the story was fabricated by the columnist (Novak)?

Maybe Novak is taking a cue from Faux Noise like in the Madrassa story case.

 

[brianhos]

Ok, I just listened to a snippet of her speach today, and I actually caught myself yelling at the TV. Seriously how can anyone vote for this piece of trash? She was blaming bush for the housing crisis. I mean in what alternate universe does she live in that it is the presidents fault that people borrowed over their heads? No one can seriously support this candidate.

 

[ISUKyro]

I'm still happy Bush will be out - I'm still working on trying to figure out who I want in. No candidates really jump out as ones I like. I'm sure I'll be trying to pick the lesser of two evils once the election rolls around. :sorry8bj:

 

[Cyclonepride]

Ok, I just listened to a snippet of her speach today, and I actually caught myself yelling at the TV. Seriously how can anyone vote for this piece of trash? She was blaming bush for the housing crisis. I mean in what alternate universe does she live in that it is the presidents fault that people borrowed over their heads? No one can seriously support this candidate.

I find myself doing that too. I think they think we are stupid. That's my only explanation. Hillary's speeches go something like this........blame, blame, blame, I'll give you money, blame, I'll give you money, blame, blame.

 

[Stormin]

Ok, I just listened to a snippet of her speach today, and I actually caught myself yelling at the TV. Seriously how can anyone vote for this piece of trash? She was blaming bush for the housing crisis. I mean in what alternate universe does she live in that it is the presidents fault that people borrowed over their heads? No one can seriously support this candidate.

I get the same reaction initially when listening to GW Bush. But then after listening to him murder the English language with pained expression on his face, I begin to laugh. But then the memory that Bush is our President makes me want to cry. If Bush can win the White House twice, then I can see people voting for Hillary. But I still can not see them voting for Giuliani. Talk about creepy. Romney isn't any better. Romney makes John Kerrey look consistent and a non-flip-flopper.

 

[alaskaguy]

I get the same reaction initially when listening to GW Bush. But then after listening to him murder the English language with pained expression on his face, I begin to laugh. But then the memory that Bush is our President makes me want to cry. If Bush can win the White House twice, then I can see people voting for Hillary. But I still can not see them voting for Giuliani. Talk about creepy. Romney isn't any better. Romney makes John Kerrey look consistent and a non-flip-flopper.

I get the same reaction when I listen to any of the declared Republican or Democratic Presidential candidates.

 

[iceclone]

I get the same reaction when I listen to any of the declared Republican or Democratic Presidential candidates.

Well said. We need better candidates for all. It’s ridiculous that the choice is always between the better of two evils.

 

[Stormin]

I get the same reaction when I listen to any of the declared Republican or Democratic Presidential candidates.

Tell me what is wrong with Joe Biden? I think that he is one of the better or best candidates in both fields. I think the Dems have a much stronger field than the Repubs by far. The way the Repubs have been running, if you like GW Bush then vote for the GOP. I think that Bush has done an atrocious job. I think his Cabinet appointments have been terrible for the most part. Rumsfeld, Gonzales, Brown (head of FEMA), etc. I used to like McCain, but since he has caved in to pressure from the far right, I have lost respect for him. He makes John Kerry look resolute and firm in his positions. Same with Romney, and Giuliani. Giuliani is all hype. You would think the New York Firefighters and Police would support him......they don't. Sending thousands of workers to their impending deaths by declaring the 9/11 site to be safe from dangerous residues was irresponsible. Giuliani was washed up before 9/11 and he has ridden that tide for all it has been worth. It is time to pull back the curtain and reveal him for what he is.