Clinton YouTubes Message to Troops
EmailABC News’ Kate Snow Reports: While Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is officially "down" today and tomorrow, spending the holidays with her family in Chappaqua, New York, the Democratic presidential candidate found a way to work a little politics into Christmas Eve.
Clinton posted a holiday message for the troops on YouTube, the popular video-sharing website.
With Christmasy piano music twinkling in the background, she says, "I want you to know that Americans of all political persuasions, from every corner of our country, are praying for you and wishing you a safe return."
Then Clinton says she hopes 2008, "will be the year that many of you finally get to come home."
She wishes the troops a "great turkey dinner" and a "few minutes off to count the blessings you help us secure."
Most of the candidates are taking time off the campaign trail on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to give early caucus and primary voters a slight reprieve from the campaign.
However Clinton, former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., and former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., sent emails to their supporters Monday, wishing them a Merry Christmas and thanking U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I know you share my gratitude to the members of our armed forces who are serving overseas, separated from their loved ones during the holidays," Clinton said in an email to supporters. "They and their families continue to make an enormous sacrifice for us all, and I wish them a safe and happy holiday."
"Today and tomorrow, as we celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with friends and family, let us bow our heads and also give thanks for the brave men and women serving overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq or wherever our soldiers stand watch protecting our freedom," read an email to Huckabee supporters.
"This Christmas I most importantly want to thank and pray for those members of the armed forces who are fighting overseas defending our freedom and protecting us from harm," Romney said in an email to supporters, "I would also like to recognize their families, who especially miss them at this time of year."
Most of the candidates will be back on the trail in full force on Wednesday for a campaign sprint to the Jan 3rd Iowa caucuses.
ABC News John Parkinson contributed to this report.
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I think Senator Clinton’s message was very wonderful, and especially with all the divisive politics in this country, it was great that she let the troops know that all of us … Democrats and Republicans alike … are very grateful for our troops and the sacrifices they are making. Whether we agree with this war or not … gratitude for our troops is something we can agree on.
Posted by: Jackson | December 24, 2007, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
Regardless of the political differences it was a nice message indeed.
Posted by: Maria | December 24, 2007, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
Well, maybe it might help her with the troops. From what I understand is that they don’t really care for her. Maybe this will change that?
Posted by: TexBork | December 24, 2007, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
Everything Hillary has done has been calculated. Do you honestly think this was done with the troops in mind? No, it wasn’t. Her first Christmas commercial was panned on cable news and she is trying to make up for another dud. Trying to make good press waves ala Mike Huckabee using subliminal Christian themes in his holiday commercial. Such advertising can only be effective if the candidate is sincere. And we know Hillary Clinton is not.
Posted by: Tommy Ates, Austin, TX | December 24, 2007, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
“Do you honestly think this was done with the troops in mind? No, it wasn’t.”
…. Tommy from TX … when you assume … you know what you do .. don’t you??
Posted by: Jackson | December 24, 2007, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
Bill Clinton was the master of the art of ‘doublespeak’ and eventually became the main driver in the 90s to make the whole country more cynical about politics in general.
Hillary is schooled in (but is not yet a master of) the same opportunistic campaign methods as her husband. Unfortunately for her, Obama has changed the whole dynamics in Iowa and Bill’s methods and Hillary’s protestations that she represents change will have no lasting effect either in Iowa or across the country.
I wish her luck when she drops out of after SC primary.
Posted by: Cantab94 | December 24, 2007, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
Isn’t this the same woman that called their general a liar in Congress. No wonder she has that phoney baloney smirk on her face.
Posted by: julianbook | December 24, 2007, 8:17 pm 8:17 pm
What a hoot. Hillbust and Billfailed who are against our troops by denying them funding sending them a message. Clod, calculating and ready to say anything to get elected. Hillbust and Billfailed are the root cause of our troops being in IRAQ and dying every day. When they had a chance of destroying Osama and AlQuaeda, they played ball with them.Boot them out.They are the entire cause for the current state on the war, the economy, the mortgage crisis and the declining moral standards.Make Hillbust and Billfailed history by voting Obama at Iowa and NH.Go Obama Go!
Posted by: Nathan | December 24, 2007, 8:25 pm 8:25 pm
She is looking like a great grandma already. Whats up Hill? Can’t take the heat. Its time to throw in the towel.There are very few in these forums to even defend or speak for you.I predict one percent in Iowa and NH and out you go.Obama, for leadership and a new change in direction for the party.Hillbust and Billfailed have let down the democratic party dismally.Obama and Oprah to the fore. They are the new face of the democratic party.Oprah has the gyts to call a spade a spade.Kudos to her.She knows how to spot a winner.
Posted by: Nathan | December 24, 2007, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
You Hillary haters why do you assume that the millatary does not like democrats.The millitary is above politics and they will take command from whoever wins this election next year. I can NOT WAIT TO SEE Hillary taking the oath on Jan/02. Migrate to Canada. Sorry.
Posted by: dan | December 24, 2007, 8:48 pm 8:48 pm
Hillery is going to be beaten by Obama. So who care what she thinks. Hillery’s only chance is to steel the convention and she isn’t above doing anything in politics.
Anway, when Hillery was in the White House she had the military honor guards working as waiter augementees. Yep, join the military and work for Ms. Rodham Clinton and give out little crumpets if your a soldier.
Ms. Rodham Clinton knows the polling and nearly every E-8 and above enlisted and E-4 and above officer will start putting in their retirement papers if this Vietnam protesting neo-communist wins the election.
You drooling leftists can defend this nation. Ha!
Posted by: Bill H | December 24, 2007, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm
To Bill H: Its too bad your hopes for Obama becoming the first black president are going down the drain or flushed down the toilet. He couldn’t win if he was gambling in Las Vegas. He’s a Muslim no matter what he states and we don’t’ need a Muslim in the white house. Let him campaign for president in Kenya where he came from. Kerrey let the cat out of the bag in time for voting. If you read correctly, Bill Clinton skipped Iowa, lost in New Hampshire and went on to become president twice. Who needs farmer states anyway. Obama is so desperate he’s begging college students to vote him in. Even the boozers and druggers will do for him. He fits right in anyway. He’s a sad sack and a joke. Hillary is going to win the nomination and go on to campaign for president and I know your probably twisting a gut right now. I just read the new polls and Hillary has maintained her lead over Obama and Edwards. By the way, Edwards is a better man than Obama will ever be.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | December 24, 2007, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm
Why didn’t she mention that she wants to keep them over there so more of them can die! She’s nothing but another ##### for big oil! She doesn’t care how many soldiers die as long as she keeps raking in the profits like her buddy Bush!
Posted by: steve | December 24, 2007, 11:34 pm 11:34 pm
Why do we credit Hillary with being part of the decision making process of the Clinton Administration and not also give her credit for being part of the decision to destroy our ability to fight a major conventional war (cutting 15 ammo plants out of Army industrial base) cutting 550,000 troops out of the military during the 1990′s, and not funding 58 billion of military equipment during the 1990′s?. Where is this information? Federal Executive Magazine articles and in a 11 page paper I wrote on History of Ammunition.
Posted by: George Nickolas | December 25, 2007, 12:44 am 12:44 am
Hillary is a pathetic dunce. Bill was elected promising universal health care. The Congress was democratic. The public was behind it. The economy could support it. Yet her program was 100% failure. She had another 6 years to try to revive it. Nothing happened. Can anybody actually be that incompetent? Now there’s an election, she wants to be entrusted with healthcare again – with an unworkable plan to force down people’s throats – a windfall to the insurance lobbies that fund her. She flunked healthcare. She flunked Iraq. She flunked Iran. She even flunked the Washington bar exam, and is a serial failure as a housewife. But wants to be your president.
Posted by: julianbook | December 25, 2007, 1:40 am 1:40 am
TEXBORK: “I wish to clear up one thing. Having served numerous years in a combat zone and being associated with some of the world’s most decorated soldiers, I want everyone to know, a lot of REAL SOLDIERS, are backing Hillary Clinton. General Wesley Clark, the brighest military man on the planet, is backing Hillary Clinton for president. Pesonally, I’m sick of having to beg for a little heath care. I’m sick of military retiree bashing by some of those wearing the uniform and I’m completely sick of military dental clinics being run by Colonels who don’t do deantl work on patients, practice veteran’s bashing and who are against providing dental care to veterans who served 20, or more years military service.”
Posted by: Pointman | December 25, 2007, 2:29 am 2:29 am
Hillary; Merry Christmas and wishing you and your family all the best! Take care President Hillary Clinton. Please
remember the American worker/voters.
Posted by: Sandra Lea | December 25, 2007, 3:42 am 3:42 am
re: “Well, maybe it might help her with the troops. From what I understand is that they don’t really care for her. Maybe this will change that?” Posted by: TexBork | Dec 24, 2007 5:21:22 PM
I work on an air force base. I’ll tell you who the troops REALLY don’t care for… their current Commander-in-Chief.
I thought this was a wonderful message — especially where she said that supporting the troops doesn’t create a political divide.
Yes, Bush Republicans, we ALL support the troops.
Posted by: Jan | December 25, 2007, 7:59 am 7:59 am
Hillary and Bill know nothing about serving. When I was in the Navy during Vietnam, they were busy paving their way in American politics. Bill was writing letters to get out of his obligations and Hillary was being Hillary. I wish these two would just go away!!!
Posted by: LongT | December 25, 2007, 8:01 am 8:01 am
first of all merry christmas. i don’t know exactly what is the history of each one of the candidates but i had the opportunitie to watch the debate by cnn, all of the candidates have good purposes, each one of them could have extraordinary skills to lead the country and is absolutely true that the expierence and knowledge about issues make the difference. obama or hilary 2 closer candidates to US president surely will develop the country in different topics, always to their own way, but giving the support and development to the country.
Posted by: frank | December 25, 2007, 8:01 am 8:01 am
Hillary suporters; You could kiss their shoes?
Posted by: LongT | December 25, 2007, 8:09 am 8:09 am
Sandra Lea; Merry Christmas Hillary!! Now that would make a good Christmas card!!!
Posted by: LongT | December 25, 2007, 8:18 am 8:18 am
I don’t think Hillary or Bill have any business addressing the troops at all!!!I remember when Bill was first elected in 1992 and he wore a leather flight jacket and pranced so proudly on the Enterprise carrier while worthy young pilots had to stand at attention. You could see the contempt in their eyes!!!
Posted by: LongT | December 25, 2007, 8:26 am 8:26 am
This is about as phony as it gets! When they moved into the White House in 1992, Clinton “aids” told military attaches’ who had served for 20-30 years that “their types were not welcome anymore!” Bill had to go out of his way to smooth things over so they would not quit and leave him in dire straights. These people have fooled many honest and good people!! God help us if they get in again.
Posted by: LongT | December 25, 2007, 8:34 am 8:34 am
While you celebrate X’Mas, spare a thought to the millions of people who are starving in the US and other countries because of the failed policies of HillBill.Its time for change all you smart thinking dems.Vote Obama for change and show Hillbust the door in Iowa and NH.All it takes is two primaries to get rid of her forever.Grab this golden opportunity with both hands.Vote for a smart,intelligent,religious,god fearing man who is so clean that even the republicans will not find any dirt on him.The republicans are running so scared and trying their best to prop up Hill who is ure to lose.Be smart and vote Obama.
Posted by: Nathan | December 25, 2007, 10:00 am 10:00 am
I am an independent and let me be clear here. Senator Clinton did a terrific thing by thinking of the troops while other presidentail candidates are thinking of their immediate families, but will “support the troops” when begging for votes in campaign trails.
The negative comments posted here are clearly from Republicans who are scared of Clinton in the general election. Do you think Fox News and other conservative talking points want senator Obama or Senator Edward for nothing. They want someone they can easily beat in a general election.
Posted by: Eugene A | December 25, 2007, 10:11 am 10:11 am
This isn’t NEWS this is a FREE -S-l-i-c-k- -W-i-l-l-a-r-y- Campaign DONATION from ABC ….. Giving her a positive HEADLINE article and unlimited FREE air time by linking to the You-Tube sight – - – - How much $$$$ is this worth to HER camaign – - – How Much Would ABC charge normally for this ??????????
Posted by: FidoNY | December 25, 2007, 10:53 am 10:53 am
The facts are that the Clintons have never been pro-military. So this is public relations politics pure and simple. I can’t imagine anything more phony than Hillary postering in this manner other then perhaps Jane Fonda sponsering a USO tour. Scared? You bet. Scared for the country.
Posted by: LongT | December 25, 2007, 11:06 am 11:06 am
Eugene A. You are very wrong!! I’m a lifelong Democrat and I’ll keep posting negative but truthful comments about Hillary. The truth is there is nothing positive about her. Do some research man, instead of listing to those 1 minute political commercials and reading those misleading media sponsered political headlines. You’ll soon find out, she’s nothing but a frontman for corporate lobbiests and the military-industrial-complex. Type in ‘The vices if Hillary Clinton’. Just keep digging, then research all of the candidates.
Posted by: steve | December 25, 2007, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
Go Hillary! Nice message. The haters will never defeat you!
Posted by: Scott H | December 25, 2007, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Eugene:
On the contrary we will love to have HillBill to batttle.The dirt and stories on her are so much that we will flood the airwaves, television, internet and the 527′s wiht so much of Hill stuff you dems will not know where to run.If you want to save your party stay away from HillBill.I would rank my favorite dems to contest in this order so that a win will be easy for us.Obama is the worst, but, Huckaboom or anyone else will beat him 51/49, but, still to be be fair by you guys, I would like you preserve some of your pride and preserve the american tradition of the two party system.Under Hillbust there will be no more paty.Get it.Now for the favorite republican list.
1)Hillbust and Billfailed
2)Biden.The guy is smart,dangerous,honest and truly experienced
3)Dodd
4)Edwards
5)Richardson
6)Kucinich.This guy is the true democrat and will get all the traditional dem and left votes.
7)Obama.He will in addition to 6 woo independents and several republicans,but, lose for sure
Posted by: Nathan | December 25, 2007, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
independents dont vote for hillary. only liars because they dont care if hillary is such a liar. so, eugene, just admit you are a liar and a democrat. then, we will belive that youre not believable. but at least you wont offend us by presuming that we are all stupid enough to think you are independent. if you would vote for hillary, there is no independence in you at all.
Posted by: shelly | December 25, 2007, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
This message is nice, but it isn’t intended for the troops. Having just returned from a deployment from the middle east, I can assure you that none of the troops can access youtube, facebook, or even some of the commercial email sites. Before Hillary gets all sentimental with the deployed troops, maybe she should do some research and know their conditions a little better.
Posted by: Kevin | December 25, 2007, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
i just cant wait to see if the blacks in this country can see how prejudiced the democrat party is. i think the republican party is ready for a black candidate, and if obama were the democrat nominee, it wouldnt be the democrats that would propel him to victory, it would be that the republicans wouldnt have someone to go to the polls to oppose so much as they would so desperately if there was a chance that we could be led by one of the most corrupt politicians in this country.
Posted by: blaire | December 25, 2007, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
I was an Obama supporter till I found out about Ron Paul. Im was in the military, and fortunately I didn’t have to risk my life defending a Sunni. Democracy for Iraq? What about the constitution for America? What are we fighting for? I’d rather bomb Saudi.
Posted by: Matthew | December 25, 2007, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm
Julian, to say that that it was Bill Clinton’s fault for Bush’s lies of WMD to attack Iraq is nothing short of bias denial. Julian… please put aside your this love for Obama, your hatred for the Clintons and think about America!
Americans know that Bush-Chenney made the decision to lie to Congress, America, the world, and invade Iraq. In 2006 Americans voted (I voted Democrat)to shift the balance of power on both houses to the Democrats, yet, the spineless Democrats as well as the repugnant neo-cons continue to fund the war. Many of us felt betrayed. It is no wonder that the American people rate Congress at just a whopping 14 percent approval rating, less than Bush’s approval rating of 30 percent. Clinton voted for the war and continues to fund the war. Obama was against the war,yet, he consitantly funds the war as Clinton and the rest of the possee.I only hope that Bush-Chenney will be impeached, charged with treason and crimes against humanity; Clinton-Obama,the other spineless Democrats(Pelosi are you reading?) and the Republican Neo-cons, who continued to fund the war having full knowledge, will eventually be voted out of Congress; and for RON PAUL to be sworn in as President. To find out about RON PAUL, just google RON PAUl.
Posted by: Maria | December 25, 2007, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
Merry Christmas to the next President of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton !!!!!!!!
Posted by: Troy | December 26, 2007, 12:53 am 12:53 am
who want a president name OBAMA
Posted by: magella | December 26, 2007, 8:42 am 8:42 am
We Love you and Support you, Hillary!!!! Keep up the good fight!!! :-)
Posted by: Tommy | December 26, 2007, 9:17 am 9:17 am
If Hillary, really knew anything about the troops and what we are doing in Iraq, then she wouldn’t have posted a message on YouTube, considering that YouTube is blocked from all government computers. No one in Iraq is watching YouTube to listen to her message anyway.
Posted by: Josh | December 26, 2007, 10:53 am 10:53 am
Sad that someone would prey on the desire of our troops to come home bt insinuating that “maybe next year” they can come home. The hidden message: Vote for me and I will get you home. And to top it off, do this at Christmas time when our troops hearts are missing their families the most.
Posted by: cuttingpoint | December 26, 2007, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm