By Lindsay Hamilton

Nov 17, 2007 2:16pm

Obama & Clinton Spar Over Novak Claims of “Dirt”

ABC News’ David Wright reports: A provocative item today from columnist Robert Novak has the Obama campaign stirred up.

Novak writes that "agents of Sen. Hillary Clinton are spreading the word" that they have some sort of scandalous dirt on Obama, but Clinton’s campaign has decided "not to use it." 

Novak’s blind item prompted an angry response from Obama saying he’ll not be deterred by "the old Swift Boat politics."

"If the purpose of this shameless item was to daunt or discourage me or supporters of our campaign from challenging and changing the politics of Washington, it will fail," an Obama campaign statement said.

The statement also called on Clinton to respond, saying, "Senator Clinton should either make public any and all information referred to in the item, or concede the truth: that there is none."

The Clinton campaign responded by saying, "Once again Obama is echoing Republican talking points."

True or false, the scurrilous little item from Novak succeeded in getting both campaigns to sling the mud.

Clinton’s statement sniped at Obama’s supposed inexperience, saying, "Voters should be concerned about the readiness of any Democrat inexperienced enough to fall for this."

That prompted a taunt from Obama’s campaign on Clinton’s supposed evasions.  A further statement from campaign manager David Ploufe answered the Clinton statement as follows: "The ‘experience’ America’s looking for today is not the practiced Washington art of evasion and deflection. Once again, the Clinton campaign refuses to answer two simple, direct questions: Are ‘agents’ of their campaign spreading these rumors? And do they have ‘scandalous’ information that they are not releasing? Yes or no?"

User Comments

If this is the type of tactics that America wants from a female president, ye deserve what ye are going to get. More of the same as Bush.
Hilliary get off the fence, stop the bull and spin and get a grip and cop-on.

Posted by: Jeff Rudd | November 17, 2007, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm

If anyone would know about dirt, it would be the Clintons.

Posted by: dajetigabe | November 17, 2007, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm

Hillary, we are so done with you and your planting questions, stacking debates, and now rumor campaign tactics. WE ARE SO DONE WITH YOU AND READY FOR CHANGE!
All you are doing is firing us up, we are ready to go!
Go Obama!

Posted by: Matt Sutton | November 17, 2007, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm

I bet there is a ton of dirt on HILLERY.
Then let’s see her get out of this. Can’t
wait.

Posted by: Sylvia | November 17, 2007, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm

Its ironic – when the Clintons at this VERY time are trying to deny the public access to documents through the courts (that indicate their financial suspicious actives) for two forth coming years. Enough time in their eyes just to get into the White House and bury more of their activities.

Posted by: Jeff Rudd | November 17, 2007, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

That is a bluff by Mrs. Hillary Clinton. Cheap shot.
The demographic winter is here.
Aging workforce in the US.
Have a nice day.
Sincerely,
Solange

Posted by: Solange Miller | November 17, 2007, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm

Oh Boy! This is very dirty. Democrats are like kids who get easily trapped by scumbags like Novak. Why does not Obama get the truth from Novak directly and disclose what the story is, all by himself, before others swift-boat on this. Thus he can burry this dirt once far all. Of course he will do that if so principled more than others. This is rotten, and Obama is loosing his mind. Wake up Obama, you are smart, get the facts right and then attack.

Posted by: amir | November 17, 2007, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm

I am no fan of dirty politics, and still have nearly a year to research and select the candidate that will receive my vote. What I’d love to know though…what the hell does Hillary being female have to do with this? To quote one poster, “If this is the type of tactics that America wants from a female president, ye deserve what ye are going to get. More of the same as Bush.” Why the female spin? Get back in your cave, Rudd – male or female, it’s dirty politics. We all know that this may be the single most important election in decades and will have huge effects on economy, defense, etc. I don’t give a damn if the next president is male or female, I’m more concerned with integrity. Shame on anyone that sees boobs before brains. Idiots.

Posted by: luckyduck | November 17, 2007, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm

How absurd. ROBERT NOVAK writes an unsourced, baseless article accusing Sen. Clinton of “holding dirt” on Sen. Obama, and Senator Clinton has to respond? And I suppose she also owes the ASPCA an apology for killing Katherine Willey’s cats? The silliness of this.

Posted by: dawn | November 17, 2007, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm

I do hope Hillary will favor us the most rare and precious commodity she can offer – a yes or no answer.

Posted by: jacknyc | November 17, 2007, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm

We would all go broke buying enough soap to clean-up Hillary’s dirt! The rest to the world looks at us today and wonders how our nation every became so great! 2008 appears to be the beginning of the fall of the empire!

Posted by: 312 Capri | November 17, 2007, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm

She can’t give a YES or NO answer till she does some polling and is able to see what position to take on her answer! And as for being a “female” president, lord knows that can get a lot more deceptive, dirtier and nasty than Bill could ever do!

Posted by: Jeff Rudd | November 17, 2007, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm

i’m really fascinated at how Clinton constantly refers to Obama’s use of the ‘republican’ play book, when in fact SHE tends to vote with THEM on a lot of critical issues.
as a democrat i’m repulsed by the fact that our leading candidate looks like Bush-lite and the media outlets say nothing about it.

Posted by: mpinnocky | November 17, 2007, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm

Wow, O-Bomb-A is really stupid!
He would be a DISASTER on the national ticket.

Posted by: Los Angeles Democrat | November 17, 2007, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm

CORRECTION: She can’t give a YES or NO answer till she does some polling and is able to see what position to take on her answer! And as for being a “female” president, lord knows that SHE can get a lot more deceptive, dirtier and nasty than Bill could ever do!

Posted by: Jeff Rudd | November 17, 2007, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm

All i know is in politics when you are attcked you respond very quickly so as not to lose credibility, the obama campaign responded well, the american people will see hillary for wht she really is callous and miscalculating and grossly inexperienced, America is all about change and the American people will choose change in obama,its time for honest change that is all about the American people, that hillary cannot provide, she is corrupt and defends a corrupt system that doesnt work for middle class America,she attended a meeting on nafta and said in the debates all she could remember were a bunch of charts??? i dont think the American people want a president that doesnt pay attention when American jobs get lost to questionable trade agreements… hillary go home and be a good wife to bill before he does something stupid again, the more i think of bill, the less and less i like him…..obama 08!!!

Posted by: jacobs | November 17, 2007, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm

312 Capri – Sadly, “the fall of the empire” began when Bush senior sold out to the Arabs for their oil… and look where that has got America now. Ye reap as ye shall sow. Go a head, elect another corrupt official, see where it gets you further!

Posted by: Jeff Rudd | November 17, 2007, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm

The American people are gonna get what they deserve in hillary, more of the republican style, from someone who wants to be commander in chief this is really low, if you think you have some thing the public should know by all means expose it, if you dont shut up and dont try to ruin our political process, folks a vote for clinton is a vote for divisive politics and further polarization of our country, she cant hope to re-unite this country by playing this type of games!!!

Posted by: jacobs | November 17, 2007, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm

I hope Hillary does win the nomination so she can lose.
Democrats are nothing but low life cowards and that includes obama.

Posted by: Travis | November 17, 2007, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

The more I read about the “situations” Hillary finds herself in and her “responses” the more I am convinced that she walks a VERY THIN LINE between her and the GOP.

Posted by: RW | November 17, 2007, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm

The campaign platform of double-talking Conniving Calculating Cackling Clinton is pathetic. It consists of: Show-Me-The-Money, Say-Whatever-They-Want-To-Hear, Continue-The-Neocon-Wars, Sell-The-Lincoln-Bedroom, and I-Want-A-New-Pair-Of-Hsu’s. There are no depths of depravity to which this moneywhor’e won’t go, including staging questions at public events.
America needs to do better than Conniving. She is nothing more than Bush-Lite on the neocon wars and many other critical issues. As an advocate for the most un-American piece of legislation ever enacted, the so-called “Patriot” Act, Conniving shows clearly that she will be as lawless, secretive and anti Bill of Rights as DickNBush.
The women that vote for Conniving will, eventually, deeply regret it – after four more years of their children being killed and maimed in the wars that Conniving will continue. In fact, any Dem that supports Conniving will eventually suffer deep “buyer’s remorse”, once reality sets in.
Wake up Dems – take the party back from the Loser Faction and nominate somebody who is NOT hated by 50% of the voters, who is NOT a puppet of lobbyists, one that has ethics, honesty, and a commitment to ending the endless NEOCON wars. There are many good choices, but Conniving isn’t one of them.

Posted by: ALEX H. | November 17, 2007, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

Why does Obama have to demand a YES/NO answer from HC about his dirt? He should be able to tell whether anyone could have anything on him.

Posted by: Ed Vida | November 17, 2007, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm

Obama is setting himself up … does he really think any of Clinton’s supporters, supporters of both Clintons that is, would ever vote for him? He is trying to do to Hillary what the GOP will do to any democrat. Novak is a criminal … he should have been jailed for the Valerie Plame story … so why does the Obama camp take Novak’s words as truth??? Because he wants to!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jackson | November 17, 2007, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm

novak specifically said “clinton agents” if this is not a planted story by the clinton team, let them deny it vehemently, refute it and go after novak to stop incriminating them, the clinton team have to come clean as this will surely backfire!!!

Posted by: jacobs | November 17, 2007, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm

Hillery is bluffing! Vote RON PAUL, all other candidates are for 1984!

Posted by: Bill Hicks | November 17, 2007, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm

Dirty right wing nut Novak of the disgraceful Plame affair starts a rumor & Obama falls for it.
Seriously consider the source. Clinton should not have even responded to this.
Just remember that neither one of them could possibly be as bad as Bush. What a total disaster Bush has been.

Posted by: Zac2 | November 17, 2007, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm

What does this have to do with the Republicans? Didn’t Hillary accuse the Republicans of “creating a right wing conspiracy” over the Lewinsky affair? We all know how that ended up. What comes out of that woman’s mouth these days should wake people up to what a b**** she really is, and we don’t need that kind of leadership. Vote integrity and honesty for Mike Huckabee.

Posted by: cbeargal65 | November 17, 2007, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm

Apparently Novak has a source within the Clinton campaign, just like he had a source in the White House.
Good for Obama for taking this head on right up front before the whisper campaign got started. He just showed us that his rapid response team is light years ahead of what John Kerry could come up with in response to the swiftboating.
This guy has what it takes to win.
If the Clinton campaign denies this, they lose because no one believes them anymore. If they remain silent, they lose.

Posted by: Matt Sutton | November 17, 2007, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

You think after the Iraq War people would scrutinize sources of information more carefully. Why would you trust Bob Novak?

Posted by: BenMurphy | November 17, 2007, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

Obama using the Republican playbook? Give me a break. The elites, the Bush’s, and the Clinton’s are in collusion. They have a pact to get Hillary elected. Richard Cook spent his entire career working in government, including the past 21 years working for the U.S. Treasury Dept. Read his article, “Crisis in the U.S. Plan B.”

Posted by: Mary | November 17, 2007, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm

This is just what you would expect from a Clinton. People really want to vote for this fake? God help us all.

Posted by: paul wilson | November 17, 2007, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm

Not only did Barack stand up fast and tall showing that he has nothing to fear, but his masterful word-smithing actually illicited a response that couldn’t be more advantageous to his campaign.
Camp Clinton should be called to the mat to explain that last line of Wolfson’s response, “There is only one campaign in this race that has actually engaged in the very practice that Senator Obama is decrying, and it’s his.”
I know I’m curious what “mud” he slung. I think I would remember with the whoppers he would have to pick from.
Was a rapid hard-hitting response to a national TIME newstory showing inexperience, or strength? Was not letting it simmer, as Wolfson obviously hinted should be his course of action, proof of being distracted, or tuned in? Did “I am prepared to stand up to that kind of politics, whether it’s deployed by candidates in our party, in the other party or by any third party.”, sound like pointing fingers or, in Wolfon’s words again, show Obama’s “focus on what this election is really about?” Shouldn’t this election be about truth?
There was one coherent statement from Wolfson though, “Experienced Democrats see this for what it is”, a great day for Obama’s campaign and America.

Posted by: Aris-D | November 17, 2007, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

Geez…you people actually believe anything in Robert Novak’s column? Good Lord, grow up!

Posted by: John | November 17, 2007, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm

How dumb can these bloggers be!!! Novak wtites a ‘non-detailed accusation’ and then says Clinton is not going to use it and Obama falls for this crap requiring a Clinton denial???? What??And then all the Hilary haters and Obama worshipers rush to this website with their expert analyses. Give me a break you idiots…wit for some real verifiable details and then blog, blog, blog…….

Posted by: Michael | November 17, 2007, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm

I’m a Republican and you knbow, Novak is a respected amture old school journilist. Just because you don’t like that he happens to one of the few conservative journalists out there is no reason to question everything he raises. As it is, I actauyl really hope that Cill/billy doesn’t have anything on Obama. I like the guy adn it would be sad to see him go down and ending up just being the same as the rest of them. I actually think a lot fo us conservatives aare willing to put aside some of our most valued policy ojectives to see seomone in teh Whitehouse who can unite more than divide ths country. We don’t need any more Bushes or Clintons. I would never trust Hillary. She is a chip of the ol’ block of slick Will–corrupt through and through. And yeah, I’d live to see a woman president, someone more like Thatcher was, but not this ol’ gal.

Posted by: deng | November 17, 2007, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm

Its time for a change, Vote Obama. Voting for Clinton is like voting for Bush.

Posted by: Listen up | November 17, 2007, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm

I hope this is the first nail to be hammered into the lid of Hillary Clinton’s presidential aspirations. Knowing the dirty game that Clinton plays, there will be more scandals like this one, each one another nail.
Hillary was so obnoxious and pompous at the latest debate.
I predict She woun’t be in a week or so, when She sees her polls crash thru the floor after this latest cheap trick at the expense of Obama.
C’mon Obama, knock Hillary out of the race!!

Posted by: Shoshiru Honda | November 17, 2007, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

Jason, however non-detailed the accusation, it did appear in the national news and therefor it requires action by both parties accused of any wrong doing, or it perpetuates a myth.
Plato once said that opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance. Your need to ridicule other bloggers only shows that you are sharply leaning towards ignorance. As an Obama supporter, I blog because I believe that “I must do something” always solves more problems than “Something must be done.”

Posted by: Aris-D | November 17, 2007, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm

Sorry, that was for Michael

Posted by: Aris-D | November 17, 2007, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm

hillary when asked diamonds or pearls what do you prefer? both she answered i thought that was very greedy of her, most diamonds are blood diamonds, a vast majority of americans cannot afford to pay their bills talk less of owning diamonds or pearls, worth less question by CNN, hillary will lose the nomination, americans dont want a leader who plants questions and allows the booing of other candidates when she is simply being asked to clarify her stand…hillary is the classic picture of a politian america doesnt need and cant afford!!!

Posted by: jacobs | November 17, 2007, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm

Americans will vote no to hillary no, no to divisive politics, no to lies, the office of president will not be given to someone who doesnt want to be questioned on what their stand is regarding issues,(asking hillary to clarify her positions is not attacking her) she doesnt want to be attacked but she has called obama “naive and inexperienced” what a hypocrite she is!!!

Posted by: jacobs | November 17, 2007, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm

Listen up ….WHAT??? They are all the same, the only one who can stand away from the entire pack and hold his head up high is Ron Paul.

Posted by: Truth hurts, doesn't it !?! | November 17, 2007, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm

Hell breaks loose again. I dont support any of these cnadidates but i must say that I have seen the clinton people do this on many occasions. They circulated emails alleging Mr Obama was a Muslim plant.They also circulated emails with pictures of Mr Obama’s hands done claiming it was during singing of the anthem.
On another issue news reaching us and confirmed by WP says CNN planted a question for Mrs Clinton at Las Vegas debate. Its horrible how they want to force their candidate down the throat of americans. Im afraid this will backfire.

Posted by: Anonymous | November 17, 2007, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm

Clinton is like a kid trying to suck up to the teacher, and just saying what he wants to hear. No integrity whatsoever

Posted by: jameson | November 17, 2007, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm

Just proves most people are dumber then a box of rocks. Who the heck pays any attention to Novak? Obama’s getting his panties in a bunch for nothing. Surely Obama is too smart to fall for Novak’s B.S.

Posted by: Clint | November 17, 2007, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm

I don’t want Bill Clinton back in the White House preying on the young interns!! Hilary knew what he was doing to those young girls and she turned a blind eye just to be in a position of power. Do we need someone like that running this country? We need a fresh new face! Someone that is not a part of the old guard and the old way of thinking.

Posted by: Tiny | November 17, 2007, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm

I can not believe how many morons have fallen for Novak’s bait. Whether you like Clinton or not, you have already found her guilty of something we don’t know. What is going on with all of you? Are you going to fall for same all swift boat tactics? Can we question the source? We all know that it would be in Mr. Novak’s best interest to derail the Dems, most on this forum are jumping the gun and are falling like a bunch of Morons..

Posted by: Alex | November 17, 2007, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm

There she is folks, your frontrunner, the woman who complained about ‘mudslinging’. How ironic. Isn’t she the same one who ‘planted’ questions, ‘stiffed’ a hardworking waitress, refuses to release her HillaryCare papers and her 2006 tax returns, and secretly ‘wiretapped ‘ one of Bill’s ‘girlfriends’?
Are we that desparate to put a Democrat in the White House that we will stoop so low as to nominate this woman? Isn’t she supposed to represent our values and ideals as Democrats? If this is the ‘best’ we can do, then I, and many Democrats, will support the Unity ’08 Party. Trust me, the ‘swiftboaters’ will have a good time with all of Hillary’s ‘baggage’.
Any sizable amount of Dems NOT supporting Hillary, will ‘doom’ her in the General Elections. Just like her husband Bill, who only got elected because Ross Perot took votes away from Bush ’41. It would be better to have a republican for the next four years, than have Hillary for the next eight.

Posted by: WashingtonPete | November 17, 2007, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm

Silly Hillary up to no good again just like her husband Billy.

Posted by: Larry Thompson | November 17, 2007, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm

Obama should know whether or not there is scandalous information from his background. Why does he need to ask Senator Clinton whether or not she has any? That’s just silly. Either he denies the story because he knows there is no such scandalous information and goes on about his campaign or he ignores the story if there is such information and waits to see if Clinton uses it. Then he deals with it from there.

Posted by: Delah | November 17, 2007, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

Why doesn’t Obama demand that Novak show him proof? But then, that wouldn’t get him as much political mileage. Obama is a smuck.

Posted by: Joe | November 17, 2007, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm

Swift boat or Clintonist that is the question? The answer is Clintonist deceit! deceit! and more Deceit.The truth destory her policial esteem.

Posted by: William Ellison | November 17, 2007, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

This puts both the leading Democratic candidates in a spot. Obama can’t let this pass very easily and let the idea that there is some dirt on him settle. Clinton can’t then deny she has some dirt on Obama if she has anything at all. Novak could then put on some scurrilous little story out and claim Clinton is lying and hit a little at Obama at the same time. In truth probably both candidates should have declined to comment, but thats not an easy thing to do. But it has made nothing into a story.

Posted by: saintlymark | November 17, 2007, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

Is Hillary power walking up to Obama. What a bully she is.

Posted by: Larry Thompson | November 17, 2007, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm

Tell that to John McCain after South Carolina in 1999.
Tell that to John Kerry after the swiftboating in 2004.
Obama did the right thing here and knocking this out quickly. It shows he’s got guts, and a clean conscience.
As for Hillary’s campaign, shame on you! People are tired of this and you will pay dearly in votes and in contributions.

Posted by: Matt Sutton | November 17, 2007, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm

Its ironic – Because the Clintons at this VERY time are trying to deny the public and investigators, access to documents (that contain just some of their dirt) through the courts (that indicate their financial suspicious actives) for two forth coming years. Enough time in their eyes just to get into the White House and bury more of their activities.
If your unsure who to go with – at LEAST go with the one person that is clearly the most honest and forthright. That person might not be the ideal solution to be president but that person surely will be better than the gang of crooks currently trying to run under the Clinton banner.

Posted by: Jazz_jeff | November 17, 2007, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

Obama, shouldn’t be worried. All the mud that Hillary has on him is probably locked up with hers in the Clinton library. When it is released in 2012 he would have been President already. Then he will have to worry about his re-election chances. May be not. He could hire the Clinton people then to spin the truth.

Posted by: Luvofcountry | November 17, 2007, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm

Clinton, I am sick of the
Washington puke you are
spewing. I see total dishonesty
when I look at your face. Complete
and total dishonesty.

Posted by: Kurt | November 17, 2007, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm

If one were to use the slime and mud that the Clintons have in their baggage were to be used Hillary would not see the light of day. But then, the Clintons and their apparachiks are so focused on winning they will do anything to get elected. Well, Hillary without having held any elected office got to be a Senator (using a well timed scandal of her husband) and now she is running to be president. This is quite a leap. And then, she claims she is the most experienced–does being married to a powerful man make her experienced? She used the gender card to dodge questions, is her experience equivalent to what women face. I say, she had very easy–married to an ambitious man, became a first lady, and used the dispicable behavior of her husband to garner sympathy and pave her way towards her own ambition. Now, she had a surrogate campaigner in her husband. Is this her brialliance?! The press is letting her claim everything and is cowered from asking probing questions. Actually, she is getting away with murder. If democrats are so desperate to embrace this woman they deserve to loose–although it will be heartbreaking after 8 years of an absolute disasterous republican administration. She is will be bush no. 2 with higher IQ.

Posted by: AS | November 17, 2007, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm

This is crazy. If Hillary wins the nomination, I no longer think Obama and her could be a good team. I was very impressed with Dodd and Biden this last debate!

Posted by: Joshua | November 17, 2007, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm

Oh well you got something to hide obama , maybe you shoud take the step and tell the american people what you are hiding .
You talk of change in washington, how can you change things if you are participating in them to ?
Also I question youre readiness to be our next commander in chief

Posted by: MIke | November 17, 2007, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm

Obama has a lot of money to campaign on but he is about to feel the wrath of The Clinton War Machine. He better duck his tail and run on home.

Posted by: Bill | November 17, 2007, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm

Oh, come on! How naive can you be, people? Novak is no fan of Hillary Clinton. He’s playing Ate, throwing the apple of discord into the Democratic camp. And you are all falling for it.

Posted by: eleonora27 | November 17, 2007, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm

More of the same from our friends the democrats. People need to wake up to the fact that the Clintons are dirty, liars, and power hungry. Giuliani has my vote.

Posted by: Carlos B | November 17, 2007, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm

clinton is being coronated and forced down our throats this is a democracy and that will not work in america!!!

Posted by: jacobs | November 17, 2007, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm

What if she’s really just a smoke screen to get Rudy elected into Office?

Posted by: JA | November 17, 2007, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm

Robert Novak? This guy is OLD news. His only way to get attention is falsely attack. Republicans/conservatives love it. He knows it. His followers lay around in waiting, eyes open for dirt.

Posted by: zabra29B | November 17, 2007, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm

Obama has been consistent about any and all smear attacks. He responds quickly and directly. By calling Clinton out she is forced to put up or forever hold onto whatever they think they have. If someone else has information they have to reveal who they are directly in order to use the information. Furthermore, you can bet the next news cycle will be about swiftboating and smear tactics and not the sound bites from the debate. Smart!

Posted by: RealB.G. | November 17, 2007, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm

Maybe the “B word” also stands for “baggage” – how about Vince Foster or Whitewater? If the best defense is an offense; in Hillary’s case – it’s TOTALLY OFFENSIVE! She has way too much baggage for Airforce One!!!

Posted by: White Mountain | November 17, 2007, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm

This is just further proof that we need to get out of this rut. We’ve gone from a Bush to a Clinton to a Bush to possibly another Clinton?! Our country deserves better than these two families in the White House.

Posted by: iowaygirl86 | November 17, 2007, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm

The failure of Slick W-i-l-l-a-r-y to answer “NO” = yes we do have information on you……… ,

Posted by: FidoNY | November 17, 2007, 9:02 pm 9:02 pm

It is Hil shooting one shot across the bow of Obama. Consider it a warning shot and that if he continues his effort to hinder her trek to power, he will feel her wrath. This is a candidate that people are considering??? This is not a candidate who believes in democracy and freedom. It’s about her belief that she is inevitable for this country and that attitude is no different from that of any tinhorn dictator. Be afraid, be very afraid…

Posted by: Getalife | November 17, 2007, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm

The Slick -W-i-l-l-a-r-y- team probably fed it to Bob Novak so they could try to blame it on the Repubs………it may not even be true…. Of course the “truth” – - – that’s not part of Slick -W-i-l-l-r-a-y-s vocabulary… Slick -W-i-l-l-y- taught her well

Posted by: FidoNY | November 17, 2007, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm

I still contend that Clinton is not electable. Try other candidates Democrats.

Posted by: marc | November 17, 2007, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm

The wicked witch of the north will get you my pretty and your puppy dog tooooooo….. hehehehehhehehehehehehehe

Posted by: FidoNY | November 17, 2007, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm

If there is any dirt, it will be found in Hillary and Bill’s closets. I bet there is a lot of it.

Posted by: Patriot2007 | November 17, 2007, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm

It DEPENDS on the meaning of “scandalous dirt” hehehhehehehheheheh

Posted by: FidoNY | November 17, 2007, 9:19 pm 9:19 pm

Usual Clinton Haters.

Posted by: Colin742 | November 17, 2007, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm

Obama again, moaning & graning…Obviously he can’t take it. Have his campaign people never heard of oposition research. How does he allow the Prince of Darkness to get his goat? He is not running for a local school board office. QUIT WHINING!!!!

Posted by: Augie | November 17, 2007, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm

Hillary with dirt on someone? Man, I could be less surprised. The Clinton machine is brutal beyond the pale. The machine is slick enough to handle anything thrown at them from sexual abuse to fantastic defensive cover up, offensive destruction and corruption cover. Even the fact that Hillary used warrant-less wiretaps to monitor Bill’s girls and her supposed stance against it would be hypocritical if she weren’t a democrat. Still, Clintons are gods to democrats. She won’t let any other democrat take the nomination from her alive and I think they all know it. The also ran are now just vying to see who’s going to be on pelt procurement duty again if she wins the election, because if she wins, she’ll be so busy, Bill will be able to start dating again.

Posted by: TexBork | November 17, 2007, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm

The Clintons have always TALKED about “The Politics of Personal Destruction”, now they are ENGAGED in it.

Posted by: WashingtonPete | November 17, 2007, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm

The Clintons have always TALKED about “The Politics of Personal Destruction”, now they are ENGAGED in it.

Posted by: WashingtonPete | November 17, 2007, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm

The isnt the first mudsliding she is engagin in. She accused edwards while doing same,
Her camapaign sent emails to people claiming senator obama was muslim plant. they also circulated pictures questioning Obama patriotism. This is not news to americans. she was said when your opponents attacks you deck him. thats what they are doing now
they have felf the heat coming from obama and instead of responding with policies they resort to mudslidging
this is good. americans now see the person they are dealing with. ready to destroy anyone who stands her way. power hungry.personal destruction.
this will backfire bigtime.

Posted by: TTITBERG | November 17, 2007, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm

Boy, the Repubs sure are aiming for Hillary (along with the far right dems). Obama doesn’t have a chance, and they know it. If they can somehow keep slinging mud at the woman, then they might have a shot at keeping our government in a fascist state. Otherwise, they might just have to put up with a world that doesn’t rob from the poor to turn the rich into the super rich. I would advise for all the greedy, selfish, hateful, and ignorant people who voted for Bush to hoard everything they have and start building their gated communities. Hillary is intelligent, tough, fair, and a good person who wants what is right for everyone. Planted questions…you have to be kidding me. Bush planted so many weeds, and went so far as to not even allow any questions that weren’t pre approved. He didn’t even let democrats attend his speeches, and anyone with a different thought was arrested. And if Hillary does have something on Obama, why attack the woman for not disclosing it for crying out loud??? Isn’t that the fairest thing to do? Man, with some of these comments, no wonder America is going to go down. Too many simple minded sheeple.

Posted by: Phoenix | November 17, 2007, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm

Just leave the Clintons out of the
whitehouse. Hillery is a creepy person. Creepy….bad person.

Posted by: a2 | November 17, 2007, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm

Obama is a dirty player, and uses his people to plant fake dirt on others by way of letters to newspapers, garbage on the Internet about other candidates that is not true, and on, and on.
Obama is a jerk, and he will do anything to win.
That is the kind of person he is.
Obama has no chance, and the more he falls, the more dirt his people bring.
None of it will work.
Americans are getting sick of him.
I am,
George

Posted by: George Vreeland Hill | November 17, 2007, 10:31 pm 10:31 pm

Are you people serious with this crap??? NOVAK HATES HILLARY CLINTON AND WOULD CERTAINLY DO HER NO FAVORS – Good lord you sound like raging hens in a barnyard. To the poster who is blaming the Muslim accusation on Hillary you are either ignorant or intentionally lying – EVERYONE WITH HALF A BRAIN KNOWS THE MUSLIM ACCUSATION AGAINS OBAMA CAME FROM FOX NEWS. PATHETIC!! ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC. GROW UP.

Posted by: Don | November 17, 2007, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm

90% of you are exactly whats wrong w/ the demacratic party. Novak makes up a bunch of crap with nothing more in mind then to stir things up and get his name in the papers and allmost all of you fall head over heals for it? how is this clinton’s doing at all? If she had dirt dont you think we would of heard it the other night in the debate.Speaking of the debates in general, Clintons taken quite a personal attack from Obama lately. His personal attack politics are a page right out of the book that lost the republicans the house and the senant not to long ago. He’s beat and he knows it to the point where he’ll climb on something as ugly as Novak’s lies. Go Hillary.

Posted by: jasonthegreat | November 17, 2007, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm

Hillary Clinton, I am disappointed in you.

Posted by: Just Bummed | November 17, 2007, 11:23 pm 11:23 pm

I have no intention of voting for Hillary (even though I am a woman). She cannot win. GOP voters will come out in droves to oppose her – no one mobilizes the GOP like the Clintons. In fact, morons like you should be THRILLED she is running because it will ensure a win for the GOP! Oh, and btw, before you insult women and say females are the ones that sling mud during elections – take a look at the history books.

Posted by: moderate | November 17, 2007, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm

Use your brains people. With the hatred Novak has for the Clintons don’t you think for one second if Hillary’s people approached him with this HE WOULD NOT HESITATE TO REPORT IT??? Get real -NO this story came from somewhere else AND I AM BEGINNING TO THINK OBAMA IS THE DIRTY PLAYER HERE – MORE SO THAN YOU OBAMA WORSHIPPERS ARE GIVING HIM CREDIT FOR.

Posted by: Don | November 17, 2007, 11:31 pm 11:31 pm

I don’t know why Hillary is required to respond to Obama. If Obama has any question to ask, he should direct his questions to Novak, who started this rumor. Obama is stupid to make a fuss about this.

Posted by: tom | November 17, 2007, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm

ok clinton worshipers take a deep breath and think instead of allowing your blind support for hillary to cloud your judgement, novak mentioned “hillary agents” specifically, hillary can either completely wash her hands off this scandal, and take on novak for spreading a lie, or she can admit that she and her agents planted the story with novak, either obama did the right thing by responding its a campaign for president and its important that kerrys mistake not be repeated….

Posted by: jacobs | November 17, 2007, 11:38 pm 11:38 pm

This is the same NOVAK who outed Valerie Plame, as CIA covert agent, at the request of GOP operatives. NOVAK does whatever GOP cultists suggest. It is best to stick to issues, not personalities. GOP cultists want to divert attention from the real issues, it is their only hope for grasping some power shift in the next election. As we used to say in the military, shift flows down hill. The little guy gets the shaft. Beware of Bob Novak a shafty fellow.

Posted by: richard | November 17, 2007, 11:45 pm 11:45 pm

Give HILLARY a piece of cake,she wants the whole cake!!!. Now in life there two things either having-enough-out-of-something or not-having-enough-out-of-something.BILL and HILLARY NEED COUNSELLING AS POWER HAS GONE TO THEIR TO THEIR HEADS.

Posted by: nason | November 17, 2007, 11:49 pm 11:49 pm

only 5 or so pro-hillary posts in there… I hereby declare Obama the winner! Hooray. Now hurry up and sort it out so the rest of the world don’t have to see see a US Leader that they hate every time they read the news.
My favourite moments in the campaign so far; lightening striking Giuliani’s speech and the US flag falling over behind Clinton.

Posted by: Icarus | November 18, 2007, 12:05 am 12:05 am

All those comments about Hillary won’t get you anywhere. Hillary Clinton is going to win the nomination and possibly the presidency and Obama will be no more. We won’t have to put up with him and his run of the mouth wife. I can’t imagine him as president of the United States, what a nightmare that would be. Hillary is the frontrunner to stay whether you like it or not. Obama and Edwards are hardluck campaigner’s amd don’t have a chance of becoming president even if one of them win in Iowa or NH. What about the other 48 states? Clinton can lose in Iowa and NH and win the rest of the states. Hillary is the best of the Democrats and Republicans and Obama and Edwards can’t catch her. Obama talked abut Hillary and her immigration answer but he didn’t want to answer it himself. The only candidate I’m voting for is Hillary Clinton who has the ability and experience to be president of the United States and with Bill Clinton campaigning with her in the primaries she can’t lose.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | November 18, 2007, 12:07 am 12:07 am

Our foreign policy is a mess. Our spending is way beyond our revenues. Constitutional rights are a distant memory. Our childrens are not learning. The world is getting warmer and warmer–at an alarming rate.
I care about a Bob Novak column because….?

Posted by: Brian | November 18, 2007, 12:32 am 12:32 am

U know what?? The republicans are very afraid of another Clinton in the White House..
All i can remember was that the economy was steered in the right direction and was doing great..
We could quit our jobs,then go out and get another one..
Clinton lied but no one died with the M.L.scandal..
And he was a hell of a better president than either of the Bush’s..
That being said,i would love to get her in the white house,because that means that Bill will be back!!!
Bill and Hill in ’08!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Mike | November 18, 2007, 12:37 am 12:37 am

Obama is honest,and his wife is the type of woman who don’t take s— from no one..She is a smart,career woman,a loving mother,and is the kind of woman that most women in this country are afraid of..A woman who will not only kick another womans a–,but one who will also kick a mans a– too!!!!!
She is a sista from the hood who has made something of herself..Her husband is not one who will be swayed by special interest and do favors for their rich friends..
He would make a wonderful president and will be a lot better than the one we have in the white house for whom i bet you voted for!!
Get a life..Get a job..
Im supporting Hillary only on the fact that Bill will be back in the White House,and that the neo-cons and the devilish right wingers don’t want them in their..
That would make my day to get the Clintons back in,and get this country moving in the right direction..But on the side of the left!!
Obama would make another scene of the Camelot series,first starring JFK,now it be continued with Obama..
No disaster,just a government for the people!!

Posted by: Mike | November 18, 2007, 12:46 am 12:46 am

a dirt slinging sissy is the last thing we need to run the white House.
We don’t need anybody in there that is power hungry. Hillary would be a nobody, if it wasn’t for Billy Boy.

Posted by: ncfoothills | November 18, 2007, 12:47 am 12:47 am

Lord help us all if Hillary makes it back into the White House…hasn’t our nation seen enough of politicians who lie and manipulate situations in their favor, instead of doing what the American people want? We don’t need to keep asking her the immigration question; she’s going to continue to evade it, and anyone who has followed her blathering for a while knows that she wants all illegals given amnesty and availablility to all social services while American citizens continue to lose rights and services and our nation’s infastructure is collapsing.

Posted by: L OBryan | November 18, 2007, 1:10 am 1:10 am

Maybe it would be best for every one to wait and see how this shakes out during the next couple of days. It does not make any sense that Robert Novak would invent the story. It does not make any sense for Clinton agents to make up the story. What else could Obama do but deny it swiftly ?

Posted by: Arnold | November 18, 2007, 1:13 am 1:13 am

…this comment is not related to this story…Does anyone else find the ascending order of comments to be annoying? I want to see the most recent comments first. If you agree, please go to the “contact us” link below and let ABC know.

Posted by: L OB | November 18, 2007, 1:25 am 1:25 am

No! i donot think that Hillary should use it. Not because I am for Obama,It’s not good because it’s not the right thing to do. If she would use it, it would make her look low. Now having said that, just saying that they have something is bad enough. It makes people wonder. I hope that someone does’nt leak it anyway. greg

Posted by: gregory boone | November 18, 2007, 2:06 am 2:06 am

The more comments I read on these blogs, the more I become discouraged with our nation and its “political process.” There’s so much manipulation, anger, hatred and disrespect on all sides… What happened to America?

Posted by: Travis | November 18, 2007, 2:18 am 2:18 am

I would think that before Obama reacts the way he is that he should at least try to figure out what Novak has and if it’s true or not. It sounds to me like Obama was hoping that Hillary was interested enough in him to attack him, but she isn’t. I think Obama has an inflated sense of self importance.

Posted by: Marc Perkel | November 18, 2007, 2:35 am 2:35 am

Enough with two families rule for decade the time is now arrive for a change of family in the White House.This time Americans and America deserve a family that makes the people of this country proud and give America a better image and a better name.A real moral living family that is an example for the childrens of this nation and a beacon to the world.A family that is faithful and puts God first and foremost in their lives through their words and their works.A family that will not be a regular joke for the comedian every night and painting a bad and sad picture of the White House the peoples respected place and honor by all Americans.

Posted by: kmjjp | November 18, 2007, 3:27 am 3:27 am

Robert Novak should be in jail for leaking a CIA operatives name. He has no honor and will say anything to get a rise out of people, most untruthful! He is a dreg of our society and represents everything that is bad about “journalist”, if you wish to call him one!!

Posted by: concordcan | November 18, 2007, 6:17 am 6:17 am

Well its no surprise that the Clintons could fabricate what doesnt exist.
She will do anything , anytime,anywhere to get to the whitehouse. Mr Obama better watches his back.
I guess americans wont take this

Posted by: EE | November 18, 2007, 6:35 am 6:35 am

Dirty Hillary? Listen, this woman is almost as pure as Mother Theresa!

Posted by: rockychance | November 18, 2007, 6:45 am 6:45 am

obama is of course a flawless human being – he has taken his education and from that has been able to intuit correctly with no actual experience what the job as president requires – I DON’T THINK SO – who in their right mind who was actually immaculate and all wise would want to be president – it is a nasty job dealing with a nasty world -

Posted by: skyz | November 18, 2007, 8:02 am 8:02 am

Its ironic – Because the Clintons at this VERY time are trying to deny the public and investigators, access to documents (that contain just some of their dirt) through the courts (that indicate their financial suspicious actives) for two forth coming years. Enough time in their eyes just to get into the White House and bury more of their activities.
If your unsure who to go with – at LEAST go with the one person that is clearly the most honest and forthright. That person might not be the ideal solution to be president but that person surely will be better than the gang of crooks currently trying to run under the Clinton banner.

Posted by: Jazz_jeff | November 18, 2007, 8:41 am 8:41 am

This underhanded and dirty approach is inevitable when dealing with Clintons. It’s mud-slinging of the highest order to plant stories in an unlikely places and blame Obama for challenging them. They just want to tarnish is image. They’ll do anything to win. Well, this is the problem of this ‘old’ and ‘tired’ dynastic candidates who feel entitled. The Clinton’s have enriched themselves and are best friends to hedge fund executives and millionaires. Why don’t they rest on their laurels and leave the political stage. The country need real leaders not these greedy, slick, power hungry individuals like Clintons. Ofcourse, Hillary will do anything to get elected–there are enough sychophants and ambitious politicians who are willing to kowtow to this unimpressive family dynasty. It was even evident among the candidates (i.e. Biden and Dodd) how they were pandering to Clinton at the Las Vegas Debate.

Posted by: AS | November 18, 2007, 10:10 am 10:10 am

politics always have and always will include mudslinging
it is part of the tribal instinct in humans to denegrade/vilify/destroy by any means the (real or percieved) enemy
and candidates will balance their mudslinging with denials of such (or pathetically apologize in an attempt to look more ethical than others)
and there will always be the candidate who sells themself as the “volvo” of the group – the non-mudslinger
it is a waist of time to focus on compaign tactics as the real color of any candidate (unless of course they are inept at it which bring into question their experience and intelligence) – those who do will only be disapointed and continue to scream about some “new” ethics on the horizon
that being said: who is the most likely to bring about the desired policies no matter how the candidate appears (clean or dirty, female or male, new or old)?
- it takes an optimally balanced equation of experience, political connections, popular support, intellegence, energy and articulation
if you can’t keep focused on that, you will continue to be subject to and manipulated by the tactics (whether Novak’s, Hillary’s or Obama’s)

Posted by: llihacsumaes | November 18, 2007, 10:18 am 10:18 am

Shame on Hillary for using blackmail in her campaign. I am losing respect for her more every time she’s on the news. I used to think I’d definitely vote for her, now I’m not so sure.

Posted by: my_own_person_too | November 18, 2007, 10:18 am 10:18 am

On second thought, I wonder if Obama’s campaign might have planted this story to give him the “injured underdog” edge?

Posted by: my_own_person_too | November 18, 2007, 10:22 am 10:22 am

The only source for this B.S. is a
scandalous Republican Mouth piece who
should be in a Federal Prison for treason against the US Intelligence community.
Robert Novak as any source means the
Republican liars are desperate to discredit and misinform for the upcoming
2008 election cycle.
The only Rag-of-Propaganda that published a follow up means it was created to be another dishonest desperate political hack.

Posted by: rumorSuc | November 18, 2007, 10:27 am 10:27 am

I’m for Obama and is great that he responded quickly, but shouldn’t have responded at Clinton.
And the only reason that people don’t like Hillary is because she has been attacked for so long, that people just have a negative view of her. However, I would definitely trade the last 6 years for another 8 years of economic prosperity, common sense foreign policy, and a smart President under the Clintons.
Although Obama would be much better President, I’m not sure he can win.

Posted by: EJ | November 18, 2007, 10:30 am 10:30 am

Hillary Cliton was fooled by G. Bush in 2002!
Dennis Kucinich voted against giving Bush authority to invade Iraq in 2002. He voted against NAFTA,and the Patriot Acts.
Dennis is for a living wage and not for profit national health care in America (like in Europe). Which i for one believe is way over due.
Kucinich has been marganilized by corporate media and corporate debates. Once again corporate and upper class interest are all that the American elections address.
Vote Dennis Kucinich in your state primary. Don’t let corporate American buy another election!

Posted by: forkucinich | November 18, 2007, 10:46 am 10:46 am

The fact that she even uttered a threat like this tells me what she is made of… the same stuff Rove and GW were made of… it disgusts me. In-fighting and jabs like this are so revealing of the make-up of a candidate and the depths they are willing to take to gain the power of the presidency… have we learned nothing?

Posted by: RW | November 18, 2007, 10:46 am 10:46 am

If the democratic party wants a woman for president, why don’t they provide someone who is electable and not so devisive? There are others who have the skills to govern not to mention a solid code of ethics. This woman is “off the hook!” Scares the s— out of me! Her camp says Obama is “echoing Republican talking points.” She is engaging in Democratic mud slinging! Furthermore, I don’t recall Wild Willie Clinton as having previous experience.Geez! He was only a governor! Even though she has served as a carpet bagging Senator from NY, what has she done in terms of authoring legislation? We need to get this country back on he right track!

Posted by: Hog-Wild | November 18, 2007, 10:59 am 10:59 am

Obama is playing right into Karl Rove’s hands. He is becoming a puppet of the evil Republican machine. Wake up Obama, and smell the manure you are being heaped with, by the Republicans, not Hillary!

Posted by: Dee White | November 18, 2007, 11:11 am 11:11 am

I’ve never seen the right extreme and the left extreme so eager to attack the same politician at the same point in time it means something important niether side can be trusted you figure it out

Posted by: David L. Sizemore | November 18, 2007, 11:11 am 11:11 am

Republicans are responsible for lowering the bar with how they treat the Clintons. Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld, and on and on. The Republicans and this current administration (evil military war regime), are the worst that this nation has ever seen. We’ve seen evil, now we need Hillary!

Posted by: Dina Wittmore | November 18, 2007, 11:15 am 11:15 am

Novak should just retire. He never contributes anything of substance to the political discourse.

Posted by: Josh Moser | November 18, 2007, 11:21 am 11:21 am

It is amazing how many posters do not realize what this controversial columnist Novak set out to do: simply create a rumor, write about it, see the two top Democrats getting into a fight, and help his conservative Republican camp.
In this case, Obama’s campaign took Novak’s bait so that Novak’s envisioned scenario began to unfold.

Posted by: Brigbrig | November 18, 2007, 11:33 am 11:33 am

novak’s history clealy indicates that he is an excellent journalist,and i suspect that someone from the clinton camp did in fact tell him this.why they chose to deny and retreat from it so quickly is anyone’s guess,but the fact is most everyone has a skeleton or two in the closet,including billary!

Posted by: Edd Morton | November 18, 2007, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

AS: You know what? I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. I think the term “political greed” comes to mind for those who have such a voracious appetitite to get to the WH at whatever cost, at whatever outcome. This is a take no prisoner approach and it frightens me. The promise to release Hildabeast’s papers in two years will be delayed for more years ahead – mark my words. If she gets in (may God forbid that), and it’s time for the papers to be disclosed, there will be some weaseling way out of it because she’s the command in chief. Those who demand its release are those who are engaging in an attack on a “poor, innocent, wind-driven snow” woman. It’s very predictable.

Posted by: Getalife | November 18, 2007, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm

get real why would anyone in the center or on the left deal with a right wing hack?

Posted by: D Sizemore | November 18, 2007, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm

you can write that robert novack is credible as many times as you want but it won’t make it true his words are exactly the same as all the other rightwing auto-matons

Posted by: D Sizemore | November 18, 2007, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm

Novak’s history clearly indicates that his motives are to do whatever he can to elect a Republican president. After the Valerie Plame CIA outing, one can see what a partisan journalist he is. He undermined Wilson and will do what ever it takes to get Democrats fighting among themselves. Karl Rove is the puppeteer pulling the strings woth the intent to build up hatred within the Democratic party. He is a genius at this. Plus, in my opinion many of the responders here are Republican minions and many of you are naive in believing the comments are coming from Democrats. Read the book “Bush’s Brain” and you will get insight into Rove’s tactics. Wake up Democrats!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Paula | November 18, 2007, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

Poor Mr. Novak. He should just accept he’s a washed up hack and retire.

Posted by: Larry White | November 18, 2007, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm

Oh Bambi!

Posted by: Michael Precht | November 18, 2007, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm

This smells like something Rove would do…get the Democratic rivals RILED up AT EACH OTHER and watch them tear each other apart. If that doesn’t work, they’ll do their own “swift-boating.” I don’t for a minute believe this is a Clinton campaign trick but I do believe there are those who want it to appear so. Don’t be mislead…stick to FACTS and Obama…don’t fall for this crap. It makes you look vulnerable and look what happened to John Kerry when they went after him in such a way. Hillary is STILL my girl…

Posted by: LucyInBuford | November 18, 2007, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm

I don’t think a lot of people really read the article or is just a bunch of people ready to jump on Hillary Clinton. She never said she had dirt on Obama, Novak did. And how convenient is this right after Rove wants to give Obama tips on how to win the Democrat nomination. We all know Rove has a lot of tricks up his sleeves and this is probably one of them. Obama should be smarter than this and stop listening to hearsay. My mother always told me believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. Obama needs to check the source and stop letting the Republicans when the war. I wish they say on the issues and not on hearsay and gossip.

Posted by: Kardasia_Prime | November 18, 2007, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm

Correction, I meant to write “Obama needs to check the source and stop letting the Republicans dictate the Democrated primarlies when the war and other issues are so important.

Posted by: Kardasia_Prime | November 18, 2007, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm

Sounds like Novak just trying to stir up problems within the Democratic party. Don’t you question his motives ??

Posted by: Bill Yamamoto | November 18, 2007, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm

What did you expect coming from a right-wing hack who helped out an undercover CIA agent, real news?

Posted by: incog-nito | November 18, 2007, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm

Osama Obama…. clinton does not need dirt. Any politican who would attempt to negotiate with terrorist, like Jimmy Carter did, has no chance of making it to the big office….

Posted by: MarinesCallmeDoc1 | November 18, 2007, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm

Hillary sorry but the heat is on in the kitchen and the board room. Your steam rolling over everything to get what you want is catching up with you. TODAYS WOMAN HAS TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN THE BOARD ROOM, BED ROOM AND KITCHEN!!! The song of stand by your man is not a political catch phase to use for personal gain but that of a loving wife which is not there. You cannot and will not outshine
your opponents–you show a large lack of knowledge, direction and sincerety. Plus a lack of self respect. Get out of the kitchen and get into the board room and learn.

Posted by: karen fodor | November 18, 2007, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm

There’s 150 million talented women in the USA, can’t we find ONE that’s not a Clinton? Bush 1 AND 2 was bad enough, and I’m a conservative! And as such, I would take Obama’s inexperience over Hillary’s total lack of ethics and morals any day of the week, at least Obama has a proper basis and foundation as a human being to be president.

Posted by: jim | November 18, 2007, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm

This whole Hillary bruhaha is very interesting to me. What I can’t understand is what seem to be a fair number of Women who support her simply because she is a woman. This is a poor reason for electing someone to the most powerful office in the free world. I could support a woman from either party…but Hillary is not the right person for the job. Look, after Bush, people are longing for a change. I understand that. But with Hillary we are going from the frying pan into the fire so to speak.

Posted by: Dave E | November 18, 2007, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm

Obama should say, “Unforgivably regarding that menu dirt, I acknowledge we served ham last year instead of turkey, now, back to politics.”

Posted by: jim | November 18, 2007, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

I am a woman who sees RIGHT through Hillary Clinton, as women do, they have a highly tuned bs meter and an intuition that allows them to see that she’s a power-mongrel ambition-driven ethic-less amoral egotist. In accepting campaign money from cocaine money launderers that Bill pardoned, for example, answer this Hillary: “How are you going to protect our children from drugs when you directly profit FROM drugs?” She can never defend the interests of this nation and she’s already shown she will sell them out.

Posted by: sqd | November 18, 2007, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm

The Clinton campaign responded by saying, “Once again Obama is echoing Republican talking points.”
Beautifully done, Hillary. In one short sentence you:
(A) Slander Obama;
(B) Slander Republicans;
(C) Duck the question.
Even Obama is sounding good to me at this point.

Posted by: Eric | November 18, 2007, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm

I’m sorry to say that America won’t be the America we want with the Clintons in Power. I have been saying that for a while Mrs. Clinton is not fit to be president. I am not sexist but hearing that lady in all these debates american people need to wake up and send a clear message that we don’t need this kind of politic. She’d better keep not saying any thing personal because all american people know what going on with the Clinton in the 1990′s. She’d better ” SHUT UP”

Posted by: will Conserve | November 18, 2007, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm

I am determined to not vote for Hillary. I believe she is the kind of president for our country right not. I am tired of losing to Republican and I believe she will lose in the general election.
Please stay away from her.
vote for a change we can believe in.
SHE CAN NOT BE TRUSTED PEOPLE.

Posted by: Will Conserve | November 18, 2007, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm

If it is true tell it. But it seems Politics is ALL lies. She is just one of many. Go Obama.

Posted by: Arthur J. Brumfield | November 18, 2007, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm

It seems the Clinton campaign calculated that associating anything, even Obama’s meek defensive inquiry into what-on-earth Hillary was talking about, associating anything with being “republican” is anathema to electability whatsoever. What they’re finding out as portrayed here, is that as stupid as the Clinton campaign assumes Americans to be, they cannot underestimate their wily street-smarts. And this KY-slick move, just backfired big-time. Add this in to last week’s “motor-voter” NY license bust, and looks like Hillary’s toast.

Posted by: sqd | November 18, 2007, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

The Clintons are hated (read feared) by conservatives for one thing and one thing only. They are electable articulate liberals…they are able to convince the neccessary majority of the populace of the benifits of balanced liberal policies in order get elected and inact liberal policies.
Thus conservatives will continue to stear the discusion away from policy issues and towards campaign ethics and personal failings etc.(And clearly there are the same amount of conservative politicians with similar ethic and personal tendencies as liberals so the focus is hypocritical even if could be considered a relevant issue.)
Bill Clinton’s impeachment is the paramount example of this tatic. What does sexual betrayal and embarassment have to do with national policies?
Bush Jr’s first elecetion win was the reaction to the image of leadership not the policy of leadership. Bush was to be the straight shooting, morally upstanding tough daddy. The hidden agenda cloaked behind this image is so horribly apparent now and with great current loss on many levels and much to pay for in many ways for years to come.
Don’t let the conservatives hijack the election again by giving time to the election circus of personal attacks and buying naively into the “ethics” bull.
All the democratic candidates show liberal progressive promise, but a Clinton election would be a resounding message of rejection of the now obvious conservatives “values”.

Posted by: llihacsumaes | November 18, 2007, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm

llihacsumaes, Bill LIED, that is a CHARACTER ISSUE. Do not stick your head in the sand and have a double standard. For inasmuch as I’m sure you Bash Bush, you must hold the same level of scrutiny for the Clintons. Bill pardoned 100 drug dealers, manufacturers and a dozen money launderers, and recently Hillary took money from some for her campaign. As a mother, how is she going to convince me she’s anti-drug? Hillary and Bill have gotten millions of dollars of illegal money from the Chinese government. She was just busted with Hsu’s, and if not she’d have kept it gladly, in fact I read she wanted to have the checks refunded to her through a new account and “repurposed”. It’s fiercely troubling to me as a mother of three to see some liberals EXCUSE behaviors they criticize in conservatives, just because it’s their pet-candidate. We cannot afford a crook who has proven she’ll sell america down the river in office. How am I going to explain her behavior to my kids? SElling out unions, selling out to China, selling out as a wife, selling out to drug interests, selling out to get illegals votes, selling out will destroy the US.

Posted by: sqd | November 18, 2007, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm

sqd:
- “character” is a red haring in politics
- don’t be stupid – everybody is anti-drug
- campaign financing will always push the envelope (until we enact draconian rules/controls)
- Bush’s behavior (and the Clintons for that matter) is not the issue – Bush is simply a dupe: the issue for me in this exchange is the buy-in to false issues by liberal voters. It feeds into the conservatives tactics. Ultimatly the real issue is the conservative policy agenda – it is clearly harmful for Americans.

Posted by: llihacsumaes | November 18, 2007, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm

Ian:
Huckabee feels good and is electable – but unfortunatly he is in the party that owes it’s fortunes to conservatives. How far can he bring good fortunes to the American public with that around his neck?
It will be interesting to see his policy responses when under attacks as he moves up to the top.

Posted by: llihacsumaes | November 18, 2007, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

What happened to the financial records that had refused to come out? What about sitting on the democratic side of the divide and politicking on the republican court? We have not forgotten about the speculation on lesbianism.Her response to this speculation was evasive.When a man falls into immorality, it is believed that the legitimate wife must have driven him beyond limits. Enough of these stage managed debate questions. Enough of these accolytes in the name of CNN political analysts and presenters who know no better but to distort virile process needed to salvage this great but sinking nation.

Posted by: charles | November 18, 2007, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm

STAY AWAY FROM THE CLINTONS. THEY CAN NOT BE TRUSTED.
WE DON’T NEED ALL THESE DRAMAS AGAIN.
WE DON’T WANT TO LOSE TO THE REPBULICAN WHO DON’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT AMERICAN PEOPLE.
VOTE OBAMA

Posted by: Will | November 18, 2007, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm

And when people ask me if I want to see a women in the White House – this is why I bristle. I have now begun to answer “YES!!! I absolutely want to see a woman as President! But, please God, don’t let it be Hillary!”
OBama, Edwards, Guiliani – anyone, BUT her!

Posted by: mokay | November 18, 2007, 10:48 pm 10:48 pm

Who gave Novak his dull pencil back? Thought you learned he couldn’t be trusted. He should be in jail, the Sultsn of Sleazzzze!

Posted by: tessa | November 18, 2007, 11:53 pm 11:53 pm

Novak is Republican-leaning and is trying to stir up a controversy for the democrats and how stupid of the Obama camp to fall for it. Or maybe Obama does have indeed something to hide? Let the skeletons in the closet out Mr. Obama, are you hiding something? You are lagging far behind Hillary and you’re just going to be no more but a second-rate nincompoop candidate. GO Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Swissdiver | November 19, 2007, 1:11 am 1:11 am

What’s the deal with these Obama supports? Is Obama going to ask Iran or North Korea if they are going to use nuclear weapons on us? And tell them its a simple yes or no question? At least she’s got the guts to give a straight answer, even if it’s the wrong answer!

Posted by: johnny | November 19, 2007, 2:33 am 2:33 am

Clinton giving drivers to illegal aliens is a good thing for the long run. Why? Nobody in this current administration knows how many illegals we have. There is a rough estimate, but that does not help any. This administration is doing nothing find them. It is only when they commit a crime that we deport them. Getting them into a system may be the best way to coral illegal immigrants and start shipping them out. Or have them go through the our legal system of immigration.

Posted by: johnny | November 19, 2007, 2:54 am 2:54 am

HILLary Clinton to use dirt? Why are we surprised? Their strategy is to use made up dirt on Obama before other rivals use REAL dirt on them! They have done this before. Nothing new. The Clinton mafia are beginning to realize that Obama will beat them. An Obama win means they are de-throwned from Bill’s title of the “first black president”.

Posted by: pedro | November 19, 2007, 9:23 am 9:23 am

I saw Novak on F&F this morning. He could not subtanciate (even under friendly questioning) what he wrote. People have to know that Novak is a shill for the GOP and that his writings is very well suited for the tabloids.
Obama has to learn what is important and what is not. Articles like this are not. The best judgment is that Hilliary’s camp had nothing to do with it whatsover. In fact, if they did and decided not to use it for whatever reason, that speaks very highly of Hilliary’s camp.

Posted by: Bob Ramos | November 19, 2007, 10:57 am 10:57 am

Hillary is at about 50% in the National polls. She is doing fine and has every reason not to rock the boat. Just keep working, meeting and talking to as many voters as she can.
The idea that Clinton staff contacted a Republican flack with this story, with some naive assumption that this contact would be kept confidential, is absurd. Reaching this conclusion using reason is not difficult. Obama acted emotionally and irrationally. A president should have the reasoning ability to figure out what an adversary is thinking, how he will react to our actions and so on. This is a MAJOR mistake.

Posted by: Colin742 | November 19, 2007, 11:32 am 11:32 am

So ABC News Senior National Correspondent Jake Tapper and ABC News’ David Wright find it impossible to ask Novak what “dirt” he is refering to and who told him about this “dirt” – and it seems Obama is unable to give Novak a call to find out what was in that “dirt” – and Tapper and Wright can not ask Obama why he did not call Novak. This appears to be an attempt to smear Hillary Clinton by Novak – with ABC via Tapper and Wright joining in. Do you really want to show your bais against Hillary at this time – since it will make it harder to hide your right wing bias later in the campaign? Granted treating a smear by Novak that doesn’t even have a detail that can be checked as “news” does give away your right wing bias a bit, in addition to showing that you are anti-Hillary in the primaries – but I thought you would retend to be “un-biased” news reporters for at least a few more months.

Posted by: William Chirolas | November 19, 2007, 11:39 am 11:39 am

Hillary clinton is a Liberal Socialist Democrat (LSD). They never play fair, always dirty.

Posted by: pedro | November 19, 2007, 11:51 am 11:51 am

CANADA’S LOOKING PRETTY GOOD RIGHT ABOUT NOW, HUH?!?!?!?!?! IT’S SAD HOW THE U.S. HAS TURNED OUT.

Posted by: Lauren | November 19, 2007, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

U.S. is still a great country by comparison to others. Does anyone know any other countries to move to? Iran (not recommended for homosexuals or women), Cuba (same), Venezuela (not for drinkers, smokers, or homeowners).

Posted by: PEDRO | November 19, 2007, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm

CLINTON MAFIA?? PLEASE EXPLAIN PEDRO

Posted by: LAUREN | November 19, 2007, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm

What qualifies either of these people to be the president of the USA? Nothing! Both have promised higher taxes and continuing our troop presence in Iraq. One says one thing other than her (HINT) voting record, and the other has been told by his racist followers that they will vote for him simply because he’s black. Give me a break and find me a Democrat who’s worthy of my vote and I will consider him. Right now, Gov. Huckabee stands heads and shoulders above them all.

Posted by: John | November 19, 2007, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm

Obama will never be able to beat the GOP attack machine. As much as you might dislike Hillary, the fact is, she’s tough and nails, and the most likely of the front runners to weather the republican attack storm which will play on ANY democratic nominee. Again, Obama shows his novice.. if I were in my 20′s, I’d be on board, but I gotta tell you… this ain’t the time for a novice. If it can’t be Joe Biden, it’s Hillary.

Posted by: atlantamom | November 19, 2007, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

i’m with atlantamom, 11/19/07, Senator Clinton is tough as nails and can take on the gop machine. she’s experienced, knows bipartisanship (las vegas debate 11/15/08), the economy, and is speaking for Americans.

Posted by: rar47 | November 19, 2007, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm

Novak has been a hack since I watched The McLaughlin Group in the 1980s. Amazing anyone gives credence to whatever he drools. Was he a journalist once? Yes, but that was long ago. Interesting to see the Hillary haters in full apoplectic fury / they will feed on scraps, whatever the source. Hillary? I’m not sure I’d be ‘for’ her, but give me the Clinton years over the Bush travesty anyday.

Posted by: sdr65 | November 19, 2007, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm

I’ve often said that getting involved in national politics was a lot like waking up one morning, finding out that you’re back in the 7th grade and then discovering that the ‘Mean Girls’ don’t like you. This story about the meanest of the mean girls launching an attack on Senator Obama just shows how close to the truth I got.

Posted by: Bubbler | November 19, 2007, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm

How stupid are you posters who “automatically” trust what they hear from Novak. From his article you would think that there’d be more than one Democrat in “those Democratic circles” who could verify this. To date, i have not heard of ONE Democrat who was told of this so-called “whisper campaign. The Obama camp needs to get out from under “Crook County (as Cook County is now known in Illinois)”playground politics.

Posted by: RANDY | November 19, 2007, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm

Obama rocks!

Posted by: Katy | November 19, 2007, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm

GO OBAMA!

Posted by: Jon | November 19, 2007, 9:52 pm 9:52 pm

Obama has the audacity of hope! Hil does not. That’s a total no brainer.

Posted by: Diane | November 19, 2007, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm

not one of the liberals running for c c is qualified for that position, and it is time for you liberal communist supporting them to free your self from the chains of liberal ignorance that bounds you.

Posted by: gene | December 3, 2007, 7:29 am 7:29 am

everyone knows that obama and his campaign is planting these dirty tricks to make it look like hillary and her campaign are doing this, he is very good at his game, like he is with his mouth, but eventually it will catch up to him, he will get caught sooner or later.

Posted by: ,monique | March 7, 2008, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm

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