Clinton: Voters Should Question Obama
EmailABC News’ Eloise Harper and Kate Snow Report: Senator Hillary Clinton says New Hampshire voters need to take a hard look at Senator Barack Obama, suggesting that they shouldn’t just buy into his message of "hope" without analyzing his policies.
The New York senator said she wasn’t suggesting anything in particular about Obama, but simply "drawing contrasts."
"I’m running on my record… I’m running on my plans," Clinton said. "I think everybody needs to be vetted and tested. That’s the way elections are supposed to operate. The last thing the Democrats need is to just move quickly through this process."
Clinton said voters need to ask Obama more questions about his healthcare plan to find out "where he stands."
She also played off of Obama’s call offering America "hope."
"We need a President who will actually deliver change," she said. "It is critical that we build confidence in our country. We can’t have false hopes. We’ve got to have a person who can walk into the oval office on day one and start doing the hard work that it takes to deliver change. And I believe I’m that person."
"I’m not doing this as an exercise," Clinton added.
When asked what she meant when she told an earlier crowd in Nashua, N.H. that all of the vetting and investigations of her record had found her "most innocent", Clinton simply said: "I think I come into this race tested and proven and ready to take on the republicans no matter what they send my way."
As for losing Iowa, the Senator discounted the impact.
"Iowa doesn’t have the best track record in determining who the party nominates," Clinton said.
She offered several explanations for the loss.
"I was never a frontrunner of any significance in Iowa. I knew it had a lot of difficulties that were there in terms of my candidacy," she argued, perhaps referring to being the only female candidate in the race. "I knew it was always gonna be hard for me."
She admitted that her campaign lost support among younger Iowans.
"I think there was a huge turnout," Clinton said. "I did very very well with people over 45, and I didn’t do as well with people under 30 and I take responsibility for that."
Clinton also faulted the caucus system for some of her troubles. She said that New Hampshire’s primary vote would be more favorable for her since working voters don’t have to arrive at a specific time.
"You’re not disenfranchised if you work at night. You’re not disenfranchised if you’re not in the state," Clinton said. “This is a new day. This is a new state."
She pledged that over the next five days she would do as much as she could to meet New Hampshire voters and talk about her record.
"I am going to hear what New Hampshire voters have on their minds and I’m going to answer as many questions as possible before we close the polls on Tuesday ."
After a long night and her first event back on the ground in the Granite State, the brief stop at the Gala Café in Manchester, N.H. was a welcome respite.
"We’re gonna probably stock up on some caffeine here," she told the gathered crowd.
Clinton ordered a tea. Her daughter Chelsea had an espresso.
Before leaving, Clinton warned reporters traveling with her that they wouldn’t have time to catch up on sleep over the next few days as she will be busy criss-crossing the state.
Santorum: Money Will Not Defeat Obama, Ideas Will 
Rick Santorum's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
Hillary seems to consistantly bring up health care as her first priority if she is elected. She has talked about her first failure to make changes after Bill was elected but why hasn’t she spent any of her considerable political clout in the Senate to bring health care reform legislation forward? She has had plenty of time to do just that in her time as a Senator. Has she been waiting until she is elected President before helping people???
Posted by: John Babcock | January 4, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
Please, please, please, please, please, if anyone preparing questions for this debate tomorrow happens to read this, please ask clinton about the basis of her experience. Not fluff and conclusions, please press her to state her basis. When she says she worked for change, please press her for what she has done. Please, she keeps saying these glowing things without any support and people in the press keep buying it. Her experience is not majorly different from the other candidates, so she shouldn’t be able to get away with this nonsense.
Posted by: Michael | January 4, 2008, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
Edwards has outlined his plans for change in very specific terms.
So far, Obama has been successful at deflecting questions and not answering them directly.
We Americans want to be fully informed, but without the media appropriately and thouroughly exposing the candidates on the issues, we will not have the complete picture of what our choices are.
Do not let any candidate get by with some vague concept of change.
Posted by: tessablue | January 4, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
Mrs. Clinton is misstating the facts.
“I was never a frontrunner of any significance in Iowa”. – That is simply untrue. She was in the lead for quite some time in Iowa by all polls (look ‘em up), and lost her lead in the last week. The reason she lost is because her message failed and people saw through her planted questions.
“You’re not disenfranchised if you work at night. You’re not disenfranchised if you’re not in the state.” – That didn’t hurt Obama, apparently. And her voters were supposed to be older, female voters. Do 65 year old women have a hard time getting home from a long day at the factory to make it to the caucus by 7:00 pm? Give me a break.
“Iowa doesn’t have the best track record in determining who the party nominates.” – Well-spun by a 3rd place finishing candidate who never had a bad word to say about Iowa while she was here. She saved her true colors for when she landed on NH soil. Hopefully NH voters will see through her B.S. like we did here in Iowa.
Posted by: brian | January 4, 2008, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
After hearing the speeches following the caucuses last night, I was particularly impressed with John Edwards.
Please give his campaign more exposure. I liked what he had to say.
Posted by: montegoteam | January 4, 2008, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Hillary is still the best choice. Obama only offers the idea of hope and change. He has done nothing- yet. Let’s see his career unfold and build a record in the Senate and consider his nomination in 2016. It is really sentiment over substance with Obama in 2008.
Posted by: Chris C. | January 4, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
Hillary keeps referring to her record??? What has she done? I’ll take Obama’s track record over hers any day!
Posted by: Adam | January 4, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
Why has Hillary Clinton not released her records during her time as the First Lady of Arkansas and the United States?
Not untill she releases this information, she is not credible.
Posted by: Sam Lobey | January 4, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
Hillary.. Bill, who ever im talkin to… I’m just not buying it(.)
Posted by: John | January 4, 2008, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Hillary is right, but doesn’t go far enough. It is not enough for Obama to say he wants change. All the candidates say that — even George Bush said that and look at the change we got. The question is what changes specifically and how would he get there? How would he get his programs through Congress and, by the way what would those programs be? And what makes us think Obama’s judgement would not be as flawed as Bush’s has been? He is totally unknown and untested?
Why do people suggest Hillary has not accomplished anything? She has served with distinction and great accomplish-ment in the Senate and accomplished far more than Obama has. Her judgement has been tested and she knows what she is doing. She is the right person at the right time. And, with a solid Democratic Congress she would be able to finally unwind some of the destructive and damaging policies put in place by George Bush and his Republican friends — though it will take years.
Posted by: Ken Becker | January 4, 2008, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
What blather, Ken! I notice you, like Hillary, only mention she has great accomplish-ment, but do not give any evidence of it! As someone said earlier, “I’m not buying it.” By the way, supposedly there is a “solid”demo congress behind her now, and I ask, what is she unwinding? She had had eight years before Pres Bush to unwind!
Posted by: Martha M | January 4, 2008, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
I would like to know exactly how Clinton, Obama, Edwards will Change the No Child Left Behind this country has a major education crisis and when I ask teachers to challenge my children they say they will try but I don’t ever get results. The candidates should really look at going back to the old days where teachers taught and if a student needs help he/she gets the help. If a student is bright they were challenged. If student is not ready to move to the next grade then he/she stays back and repeats that year again. We keep coding kids when they really are smart and are just acting out because they are bored and know how the system works. My 6th Grade Daughter came home the 3rd week after school had started and asked if she could quit because she was so bored and when I spoke with the school teachers they said that will all change after the Testing was completed in October. Well she is still bored and it is now January. I can’t afford private school!! I really would like to see something in writing from these candidates on how they will change the No Child Left Behind. (Also They should get rid of “Every Day Math” kids are learn lattice in grades 1-4 but wont be using it in higher grades and all this method does is confuse kids).
Posted by: Vicki | January 4, 2008, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
New Hampshire is one of only two states which don’t have mandatory auto insurance or surety bond laws. When they say ‘live free or die’ in New Hampshire, they mean it. They don’t like mandates. Someone–maybe at the debate–should ask Hillary about her plan to force millions of Americans to buy health insurance. So far, she has defended the mandatory aspect of her health plan, because it allows her to claim universal ‘coverage’. She has refused to be specific about what penalties she envisions for those who don’t want health insurance, or cannot afford her mandates. She has bristled when asked about the benefits that her mandatory insurance plan will give to big insurance corporations. New Hampshire voters have had the guts to turn down mandatory auto insurance. How are they going to feel about Hillary’s mandatory health insurance?? Someone should ask Hillary about that at the debate in New Hampshire–that is, unless the Clinton people have warned the moderators not to ask tough questions, as they did at the last CNN debate, or they’ve planted questioners with puff-balls, as they got caught doing in Iowa. Someone should toss a tough question at Obama, according to Mrs. Clinton??? I’m still waiting for her to answer some herself….like how she can defend her insurance mandates in New Hampshire.
Posted by: SteveW | January 5, 2008, 12:17 am 12:17 am
I did not know that NH did not have mandated auto insurance, but it sure makes sense. They sure as hell aren’t going to like mandated healthcare. I am also interested in how Clinton intends to enforce the mandate because someone like me, who will not participate, will get stuck with some Hillary-fine (which is just another tax).
Posted by: PabloZed | January 5, 2008, 2:04 am 2:04 am
Hillary has some nerve asking voters to question Obama. What did she do when voters in Iowa tried to question her? Ignore them. She thinks she’s above being questioned by ordinary, unpicked voters. She’s so afraid of making a mistake she’ll only speak on her terms. Who needs her?
Posted by: mike | January 5, 2008, 2:05 am 2:05 am
Change….everybody wants it! All the candidates are jumping on the Change Bandwagon.
Do I expect those in power, the power heir apparent to change anything? Hardly! What reason will they embrace change? Only when it appears they will be knocked off of their perches (sp).
I , as , a voter wants someone who can inspire the nation to be all it can be. To gain its respect back and re-assume positive leadership of the world.
There is only one that has captured America’s imagination and passion to change.
Condider:
1. Use tax as the only tax in america. I everybody pays it equally and fairly.
2. Promise to be an American President
3. I am not so sure the US Government old me an insurance policy. I tink it should facilitate an environment for that. It should not be free. After all it is my health.
4. I am so tired of Minimum Wage. Would you work for Minimum Wage? How can you make a living on Minimum Wage? I am for livable wage. The government should provide guidance here.
5. There is only one candidate that would transcend party partisanship.
6. Foreign policy – Protect our citizens and interest abroad. Us a big stick when needed.
7. I just do not like illegal immigration. I have no problem with people wanting to improve their lots butt it is illegal and cheating to do this as it is being done.
8. Lobbying our government officials must become illegal. If a special interest wants to effect law, they shoul dappeal to the citizen and not the representative.
OBAMA IS THE ONE!!
Posted by: j7 | January 5, 2008, 4:59 am 4:59 am
Here we go again. Does anyone remember how George Bush got elected? Words like “Nice guy”, “Would like to have a beer with him”. And you want to do it again? What the heck has Obama done or accomplished?. He is a first term Senator that has spent his entire term compaigning. If you really want to know something about the man then you should look up his record of votes in Illinios. It certainly does not appear that the talking heads care. The best qualified was Joe Biden and no one wanted to listen. What a waste of time.
Posted by: Tired of stupid people | January 5, 2008, 7:37 am 7:37 am
We have a unifier in the White House right now. How’s that working for ya? Taking a chance on a promising candidate is one thing when things are going reasonably well. In my opinion it is foolhardy when we are at war and at the brink of recession. Please don’t fall for hype that is Barak Obama. He is the product of a $12 million dollar marketing campaign in Iowa. I was there Thursday night caucusing for Biden and when people realized there were others out there who were actually not buying the hype, they moved away from Obama. If any of you have a chance,let people know you strongly disagree with putting this neophyte in the White House. They just might listen. Thanks.
Posted by: LS Allard | January 5, 2008, 8:10 am 8:10 am
Obama is the new John Kerry.
The media thinks they got a winner but they don’t. The media is covering up Obama’s record and only talking about trivial things like his message of hope. Hope doesn’t pay the bills. Hope doesn’t get us out of Iraq. Hope doesn’t stop climate change. When the country finds out how liberal Obama is the hope will be gone just like it was with John Kerry.
Democrats can’t afford to invest in another pipe dream.
Vote for Hillary. She is tested. She is ready. She will win.
Posted by: Jonathan | January 5, 2008, 8:55 am 8:55 am
Hillary is tested? How?
She’s ready? Why? One term in the Senate? Obama has a decade in elected office.
She will win? How? Half the country hates her guts to their very core.
Hillary is a liar. Every time she opens her mouth, she tells us that up is down, right is left, and wrong is right.
She’s desperate because she feels entitled to be the first female president. Sorry to rain on your parade, Ms. Clinton- Obama is taking the nomination. If you cannot see that clearly enough, try taking off the rose-colored glasses you put on circa 1969.
The ’60s are over, boomers. You ruined our economy with deficits, spending, debts, and loans. Then you elected fools like Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Thanks a lot. Feel free to shut up and let the under 35 generation vote in our next leader. We’d like a say in who is going to try and fix the country’s problems that we inherited from you baby boomers.
Posted by: Soldier | January 5, 2008, 10:07 am 10:07 am
How has she been “tested”, Jonathan? I’m from Iowa and so tired of her saying that without saying what “tests” she has been through. And vetted? Just because you were able to make your way through you and your husbands scandals without being found guilty does not make you vetted. OJ Simpson was not found guilty of his crimes, either.
Ken – Name ONE Bill she has introduced and had passed, just one. “I’ve been working for change for 35 years..”
Now in NH she is asking people two questions:
1) “Who is ready to start on Day 1?” – Ridiculous. Anyone could argue that Edwards, Obama, or Richardson has a plan to start on Day 1 and wouldn’t do any less than her just because she knows where the White House tea set is.
2) “Who can win in November?” – She should be more careful with that question,and the media should call her on it. She has hit the top of the polls as the person people would most likely vote AGAINST!
I went door to door in Iowa (where she came in 3rd, missing her annointment as Queen) and many while she certainly has her supporters, many Dems said they simply would not vote for her in November. They would rather stay home and let the Republicans come out in droves to vote against her. In short – she is UNELECTABLE.
Posted by: brad | January 5, 2008, 10:09 am 10:09 am
He is a rare gem a star of our time, an all rounder.
What questions is Hilary talking about, are there any question that has not been asked.( including Kindergarten essays)
There is no amount of off the issue politics or dirty political tricks that can ever subdue the peoples voice.
Americans have spoken Obama is what we need now
Posted by: ken | January 5, 2008, 10:10 am 10:10 am
Obama is for gun control and open borders.
Americans are overwhelmingly against gun control and open borders. The Republicans will destroy him on those two issues. He can’t avoid the questions in the general election.
Hillary is at 48% in the national polls. Well above anyone else. She can win.
Posted by: Zeke | January 5, 2008, 11:36 am 11:36 am
Hillary… ha! the same Hillary who now changes her message, hopping on the “change” bandwagon, like the other phonies.. (edwards, clinton, romney..etc.)!?? all she got is the Clinton name. i laugh at how she throws around the whole experience thing, when really, she is throwing around her being a Clinton, and as if people should realize that it is her right to win just like bush jr. did years after his father… the first lady, thats is all she is really brining to the table, yeah she traveled to all these countries but never did she have security clearance into these conferences where they discussed serious matters/issues… in her speech in New Hampshire she mentioned that as soon as day one she would get all the necessary people together to figure out how they would solve this problem in Iraq… hmmm…!!! not that theres anything wrong in that but the way she tries to set herself apart from the others using experience helping on day one, makes me laugh.. doesnt sound like it takes much experience to do that at all.. wake up people..
Posted by: john | January 5, 2008, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Hillary Clinton is running on “her record”! What record!
Hillary Clinton’s record is like the
Seinfeld show, it’s about Nothing!
Posted by: reaganfan | January 5, 2008, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
If these quotes of HRC are accurate, I am simply floored by her disrespect for the Iowan voters. A potential President has to represent all 50 states, all puralities; statements like these imply, “Well I’ll take care of my friends, and the rest of you can sink.” That’s politics as usual, folks. That’s not acting as an “Agent for Change.”
Posted by: Bruce Hermann | January 5, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
We’ve had enough of all the male bravado, it’s time
to have ahighly qualified woman in the White House.
Hope is wonderful but have you ever noticed how
we’re always hoping something will change and it
doesn’t. I say let’s have a strong woman who will
give us a different point of view and be willing to get out on the field and play ball. Change is about choosing change not just dreaming about it.
Posted by: laurenmarks | January 5, 2008, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
At long last, she has no shame! I hope tonight Hillary will be asked one of the following questions:
1) How can she claim experience of 30 years when she only held elected office since being a NY senator?
2) How is she vetted and tested? Do her personal travails and her husband’s reprehensable activities in the White House count for her ability to withstand criticism from Republicans.
3) How about the high percentage points of the electorate who are not willing to vote for her?
4) How could she discount and demean Iowa voters just because she did not win? What does it say about her character and her values?
5) What does she mean when she says, she is ‘ready’ on day one. Isn’t it a bit silly to promote such a mandane idea. If she is saying that the other candidates will not be ready because of their ‘lack of experience’, what kind o f unique experience does she possess except having domeciled in the White House once before with her husband.
6) How could she counteract the clear message that voters want change and perhaps a new generation of leaders?
7) Does she believe that she is owed this position because she married a politically ambitious man who brought her close to highest political achieving power?
This is all perhaps rambilling, but I wish the press could ask more probing questions that to take for granted what the Clinton machine has put out.
Posted by: AS | January 5, 2008, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
I think Hilary Clinton needs to think before she speaks. She will have a hard time getting in the White House after the Republicans eat her alive about what she said about Iowa and its voters. She is disrespectful and privileged. I say we as voters take the privilege away from her and let her add DISAPPOINTMENT and DEFEAT to her so called record.
No Obama does not have that much experience, but we put one of the most unintelligent men in the White House. At least Obama has intelligence and sincerity on his side. Everyone wants to know what change he will bring, any change is better than what we have now and I can’t wait for it… GO OBAMA…..
Posted by: LaDonna | January 5, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
I’m really sorry that we in Iowa couldn’t get Joe Biden in the race. he’s definately more qualified. Sure hope the next president will find a place for him. As far as Hillary, I’m embarrased that she got the vote she did.Just because people liked Bill or want a woman president, those are poor excuses to chose a candidate.
Posted by: Diane | January 5, 2008, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
Obama is for gun control and open borders.
Posted by: voterX | January 5, 2008, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm
At long last, has she no shame! I hope Hillary will be asked tonightg one of the following questions:
1) How can she claim experience of 30+ years when she has only held elected office since becoming a NY senator?
2) How is she vetted and tested? Do her personal travails and her husband’s reprehensable activities in the White House count for her ability to withstand criticism from Republicans.
3) How about the high percentage points of the electorate who are not willing to vote for her?
4) How could she discount and demean Iow voters just because she did not win? What does it say about her character and her values?
5) What does she mean when she says, she is ‘ready on day one’. Isn’t it a bit silly to promote such a mandane idea? If she is saying that other candidates will not be ready because of their ‘lack of experience’, what kind o f unique experience does she possess except having domeciled in the White House once before with her husband.
6) How could she counteract the clear message that voters want change and perhaps a new generation of leaders?
7) Does she believe that she is owed this position because she married a politically ambitious man who brought her close to achieving the highest political power position?
These are all rambllings perhaps but I wish the press could ask more probing questions than to take for granted what the Clinton machine has put out.
Posted by: AS | January 5, 2008, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
hillary is the only one who can gain back respect from our citizens and other countries wake up and smell the roses
Posted by: johnnie | January 5, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
The Presidency is bigger than one person. We elect one person. But the truth is, we need a President who will surround themselves with people who will guide their vision and draw-out their strong points and utalize their posts to bind the White House together. Weeed someone who will listen to their Cabinet and consider all thoughts and weigh them equally. WE the people;listen to the people/Congress. I believe Hillary is that canidate.
Posted by: LJD | January 5, 2008, 7:48 pm 7:48 pm
I think that Hillary is the smartest and the one that makes the most sense and that she is electable. She is for change also and can bring it on if you give her a chance.
Posted by: Deborah | January 5, 2008, 9:03 pm 9:03 pm
We need real change. Change the gender in the white house.
Posted by: anu | January 8, 2008, 8:50 am 8:50 am