Clinton Amps Up Attacks on Obama

SPOKANE, Wash., Feb. 8, 2007 — -- As she made her way through rain and fog in this Pacific Northwest state, which will hold important caucuses Saturday, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has introduced new lines of attack against her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination.

While seldom mentioning Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., by name, from Seattle to Tacoma to Spokane Clinton suggested to cheering crowds that Obama is vague and inexperienced, and his rhetoric is empty and meaningless.

At the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Clinton tweaked Obama on health care by swiping his trademark "Yes, we can" line.

"When it comes to universal health care, my opponent is saying, 'No we can't,'" Clinton said. "Well I say, 'Yes, we can,' and 'Yes, we will,' if we make the right decision in this election."

At times, her criticisms of her Democratic opponent are so sharp they run together with her heated assaults on President Bush, and it can be difficult to distinguish between them.

In Spokane, Clinton told supporters that, "We have a lot of work to do," and, presumably unlike Obama, she has "been very specific in this campaign."

"I know that sometimes it's exciting to hear a speech, and it's really powerful, and it raises your sights," she said, an acknowledgment of Obama's oratorical skills. "But when the lights are down and the cameras are gone, you need to know what I'm going to do."

Clinton then said, "You need a president who will actually produce results for the American people." She made a reference to the country not needing "a president who doesn't care about the American people, and doesn't really solve the American people's problems, and puts our country at risk. So, that's why I've been so specific" about "the economy, and energy and everything else."

Was Clinton saying that Obama doesn't care about the American people, won't solve their problems, and will put the country at risk? Reporters were confused.

Her campaign said no — that, while she was criticizing Obama in the sentence before that one, and the sentence after it, that particular shot was aimed at Bush, and not Obama.