Clinton: Bill’s Nomination Not Secured Until June
EmailABC News’ Eloise Harper reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton has some new spin on the length of the fight for the Democratic nomination. She is arguing her husband’s bid was not wrapped up until the summer -– and that she is prepared to make the long march.
“I campaigned with my husband until he wrapped up the nomination in June," she said. "I thought it was fun we had a good time. I’m prepared to go the distance.”
Clinton dismissed suggestions that this might be harmful for the party. She added that she “feel(s) really good about the way this has shaped up, again. I have watched this for many more years than some of you have, and there is nothing out of the ordinary here. This is part of the excitement of the American political system. People go out and make their cases, and you go forward and were essentially tied. And we are going see how it all plays out.”
Clinton didn’t seem too upset by the possibility that Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., may choose to side with her opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, at the convention.
“We have been trading phone calls and we have made contact," she said. "I understand the pressure people are under. But I know that again the tradition is that superdelegates are part of a process.”
Clinton stressed her belief that the superdelegates are to act independently.
“They are supposed to exercise independent judgment; that is their role," she said. "Certainly, if you look at how delegates are selected, they are in the process for a purpose.”
Clinton repeatedly expressed frustration at Obama’s refusal to accept her challenge to an additional debate.
“I think the fact that he won’t debate me says a lot about his campaign,” Clinton said.
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Hillary and Obama have debated 18 times and will debate twice more. How could one possibly conclude he doesn’t want to debate her? It really insults the intelligence.
Posted by: Dem | February 16, 2008, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm
I am getting tired of hearing contorted excuses and justifications coming out of the Clinton camp. I am also tired of hearing Hillary say “Bill this”, “Bill that”… I started out as a neutral observer but find myself falling victim to the old Clinton fatigue. I would have to think long and hard about whether or not I would support her if she becomes the dem nominee. I say that with some sadness, because, as a woman, I would like to vote for the first woman president with some conviction and enthusiasm, not resignation.
Posted by: Dem | February 16, 2008, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
Hillary offers strategic talking points.
I prefer candid dialogue.
Posted by: SE Croft | February 16, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm
People know a lot about Barack Obama. He has been in the media spotlight for over a year. His policy positions are well known, as well as potential scandals (Rezco, Exelon). There can’t be any significant hidden secrets. If there were you can be sure the Clinton’s would have played that card already, they would do anything to keep this nomination from slipping away from them. Its a myth that Obama has not been “vetted”, that people do not know his record… kind of like the “right wing conspiracy”? Politics of fear.
Posted by: Ed | February 16, 2008, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm
A LACK of EXPERIENCE
I continue to wonder why the anti-Clinton crowd seem so inflammatory and hateful about the nominating process and the debating aspect. There are continual accusations about a so-called “machine”. At the end of the day this line of thinking is a bunch of made-up drivel. Perhaps its a product of the video game generation coming of age — By and large, though, I think it comes down to just a lack of experience.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | February 16, 2008, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm
Ok lets see Obama Has only debated Hillary once since Edwards dropped out..As to the the results of the debates um lost California, lost New Hampshire,both places that the debates were. Now why would he want to lose Wisconsin when its so close a race
Posted by: girlinvt | February 16, 2008, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
only 1 one on one debate that I remember and why the big hurry it always go until june or so.After all we need to get the best person for the job go Hillary
Posted by: bishop | February 16, 2008, 8:40 pm 8:40 pm
What nonsense. Check page 407 of Bill’s autobiography where he says that the nomination fight was “effectively over” by April 9.
Posted by: daz | February 16, 2008, 8:52 pm 8:52 pm
I don’t like the Clinton and Bush family trading the white house back and forth over the past 25 years. It’s a monarchy!
Posted by: BottleGuy | February 16, 2008, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
Under pressure, Hillary shows her true colors. Viscious, irrational, lies and distortions of the truth, without a conscience. This woman is totally distasteful, and I cannot imagine who would be so foolish as to buy the “He’s afraid to debate me” argument. Please.
She cares about one thing: getting elected. And she will do anything it takes to get what she wants. There is a reason Presidents were limited to two terms, and I for one do not want 8 more years of the Bill & Hillary Show.
How ’bout we try a new idea and look for someone who can bring people together, articulate a moral vision without being sectarian, inspire a nation, and catalize change.
Posted by: Dan | February 16, 2008, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
Dem , understand that all the other debates were with 9 other candidates. A one on one is needed to show points of diference. COMPRENDE
Posted by: Charles | February 16, 2008, 10:52 pm 10:52 pm
This evening I attended a friendly meeting of Americans working in France. Most of the talk was about the coming elections.
Most stunning thing: NOBODY wanted to see Hillary Clinton in the White House, in our company of 8 Democrats and 5 Republicans.
That gave me confidence. I happen to furiously dislike everything about her. And if she would become the nominee, she’ll be publicly crushed by the GOP in the months to come; they have SO many explosive files on her… It would the a serious disaster for America’s reputation here in Europe and around the world.
I find it hard to understand that common sense Democrats are still prepared to vote for her. She puts the party, the Democratic presidency and the US itself at risk.
Posted by: AmericanInParis | February 16, 2008, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
To Dem,
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama debated ONLY ONCE AGAINST EACH OTHER in a two-person debate. The other 18 “debates” weren’t really debates — they were Q&A’s :-)
These 2-person debates are what we need to see who’s got the beef. That’s why Obama tries to avoid them.
Posted by: Otillap | February 16, 2008, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm
Barack Obama really is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
He is charming: he can disarm, beguile, and fool a lot of people who listen to him speak.
These people become fools themselves, singing Hosannahs while lying prostrate at Obama’s feet.
But they will realize the folly of their ways, the folly of seeing a halo over his head, and will turn away from him disappointed and feeling empty.
Posted by: Otillap | February 16, 2008, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm
IF OBAMA BECOMES THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE, JOHN MCCAIN IS GOING TO PEEL HIM OFF INCH BY INCH. OBAMA IS LIKE A SACRIFICE LAMB TO JOHN MCCAIN. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
Posted by: SO Independent | February 17, 2008, 12:08 am 12:08 am
I did not any problem to see Obama to become president someday but not in 08. We already run into big problem due to Bush office. I’m pretty Obama will be good if he has more political experiences but right now, we cannot afford to have someone just being a poster boy to run the office. Whatever Bill Clinton to his family, that was his family business, we should not make Hilary pay for it. We need someone has a lot of political experiences and know how to handle any crisis. Hilary already demonstrated us that she will be the one to pick up whatever she needed to do for America. Of course, if Obama is willing to be vice president for Hilary, that will be dream team for us and it will make American in a good hand again. Unless, American people is willling to let Republican to run the office, then go for Obama or take a risk for going into recession! It is our call what position we want to be in. If we want to be in recession and let the world know that we will rest our lives on an inexperienced politician like Obama. chance
Posted by: voteforhilary | February 17, 2008, 2:03 am 2:03 am
She’s desperate now. She’s leaving Wisconsin early, running back to TX because she’s falling behind in the polls. She originally said she’s staying till Tuesday.
With the comments that the states won by Obama are irrelevant will hurt her. How can you say people that voted in the “red” states are irrelevant.
You hear about the ugly side of her. We are seeing it now.
Posted by: JerryZ | February 17, 2008, 2:07 am 2:07 am
Your choice between two talented candidates Senator Barack Hussein Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Good luck
Posted by: michael | February 17, 2008, 3:05 am 3:05 am
obama’s used to having john edwards help him gang up on Senator Clinton…..fact of the matter is Senator Clinton is better at debates than ANYONE and that probably includes her husband…..can you imagine what she would do to mccain? any debate between Senator Clinton and john mccain would result in at least a 4 point bounce in Senator Clinton’s favor…..yeah, she’s electable, and more important than that, she will be EFFECTIVE once she is in the White House for the great benefit of the American people
Posted by: chris | February 17, 2008, 3:29 am 3:29 am
HILLARY IS THE CANDIDATE WITHOUT EXPERIENCE.
Posted by: JD | February 17, 2008, 4:09 am 4:09 am
Hillary, can’t event get her own orginal slogan! She is ripping Obama’s slogan, wow! Talk about a cheat! and since it rhymes, she is on a retreat!
Posted by: RO | February 17, 2008, 7:20 am 7:20 am
Girlinvt–Thanks for pointing out that Clinton won California and New Hampshire, both states where Obama and Clinton have debated. You forgot to mention that they also debated in Iowa and South Carolina, two states which he won. In addition, the debates’ transcript and video recording can be found on CNN, Youtube, and dozens of other popular sites on the internet available to everyone, so the idea that debates only affect one state, like they’re the only people that saw it is rediculous. Maybe you should take up a career in politics, especially in the Clinton campiagn, where half-truths and mis-leading innudendo, trump anything else.
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 8:53 am 8:53 am
News flash: “Yes, We Can” did not originate with Obama but with Cesar Chavez. Let’s understand that mister originality can really take quotes and speeches from others. He may want to have his speech writer check his plagarism manual.
Posted by: Barry | February 17, 2008, 10:17 am 10:17 am
Clinton has a bit of a political tin ear, I think, because she’s still harping on this debate thing. I really think outside these blog message boards, most people who have any interest in debates have already seen enough to have a little debate fatigue.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 10:53 am 10:53 am
I’ve already watched 4 debates and I do not want to see another one. Why does she keep harping about that? Enough with the debates already. The information about where each candidate stands on the issues, how they hope to accomplish these things are already out there. They aren’t that far away from each other on most issues. She just wants to keep Obama away from the people. And I’m just curious but why would it matter if someone said “Yes we can” before. That’s an issue? That speaks of someones’ overall character? I’m more concerned that Bill Clinton will have a huge ax to grind when he gets into the whitehouse again.
Posted by: ld | February 17, 2008, 10:55 am 10:55 am
Thanks to ABC for all you informative articles. I am gaining insight into your election process.
Posted by: Peter Kotowych | February 17, 2008, 11:23 am 11:23 am
Excuse me, but I don’t know of any candidate named “black” and the Millenium Development goal regarding foreign aid was established by the U.N.
Both candidates have endorsed it. The purpose is to help end world poverty, hunger, and disease in developing nations. I wasn’t aware that China fell into that category.
Posted by: ld | February 17, 2008, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
Would everyone stop saying they’ve debated 18 times!? No they haven’t. THEY’VE debated once. It is now just the two of them and those are the debates America needs to see.
Posted by: Don | February 17, 2008, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
Did I not hear that debates have been agreed in Texas and Ohio – maybe I am wrong?
What right has EITHER candidate to insist on being debated when it happens to suit them?
I little humility here might help!
In any case I for one prefer to see the candidates working the patch on the ground where they seem to be attracting audiences in the thousands, rather than participating in artificially structured debated where both parties walk on eggshells and we learn little
Posted by: IanOchAye | February 17, 2008, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
Why do people say the Clinton campaign is racist when almost all the blacks are voting for Obama?
Posted by: mary from Europe | February 17, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
Debates have a way of having candidates be on record as to what they stand for and having to explain their position.
If you are interested in the truth, you cannot possibly be against debates. Besides, what has a Havard graduate have to fear if he is willing to stand by and defend his policies. Unless, there is something to hide bihind all the hot rhetoric.
Ducking debates is “POLITICS AS USUAL”.
Posted by: SAMMY | February 17, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
Why does Hillary keep comparing herself to her husband. Doesn’t she realise that they are two different people. That this is a completely different race. Can someone please nudge her on the shoulder and tell her this.
Posted by: Vixen | February 17, 2008, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
As usual, Obama fights back with words that are not his. He constantly tries to morph into MLK of JFK or the founding fathers. Nothing original. None of his thoughts. Empty suit. He borrows Hillary’s work and treats like he thought of it first. His health care plan leaves 15 million uninsured, immigration solution is give illegals drivers license, but that doesn’t begin to solve the real problem, social security, just work more years before you retire with less benefits, his foreign policy solution is bomb Pakistan. Either he doesn’t have anything original to say or well, we don’t know what he would say because he believes that everyone was tuned in to all the prior debates with 8 people and the single one on one with Hillary and his job is done as far as explaining his positions. We can just go to his web site for the Cliff Notes of what he hopes for…. I hope Hillary wins!
Posted by: AmazonTraveler | February 17, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
It’s pretty clear by this point that the Clintons are willing to tear the party apart in order to win the nomination. Just today, Hillary is slamming Obama using John McCain’s talking points about public financing in the general.
Hillary: We don’t need Democrats to help the Republicans do their dirty work, they do it well enough themselves.
If Hillary insists on campaigning like a Republican, then I see no reason to not vote for the real thing. If she gets the nomination after all she and Bill have done to Obama, I’ll vote McCain just to see that the Clinton’s aren’t rewarded for their behavior. I have a feeling I won’t be the only one.
Posted by: David | February 17, 2008, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
Maybe he’s afraid to debate her because she might cry, lol.
Sorry, but both of these candidates are “bad news” just as McCain and Huckabee are.
There is little difference between those 4… it’ll be SSDD. I suggest you write-in someone else… like Gravel or Kucinich those guys have awesome records in congress and they’re more honest than the others. I guess the for Republicans you’d have to write-in Ron Paul, for the same reasons.
OF course if people had done their homework they would know all of this already and they would know why the founders wanted limited government and what they meant by “general welfare”. Bill wasn’t as good as everybody seems to remember… some of his policies looked good on the surface but really weren’t that good.
Posted by: Constitutionalist#1 | February 17, 2008, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
Obama is the speech king. If he wins I will vote for him.Hillary is the smart substace queen. If she wins i will vote for her. I do not hate women. I am a gay latino man and I love Hillary. Latinos win Hillary.
Posted by: Texas lobo | February 17, 2008, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm
“‘I think the fact that he won’t debate me says a lot about his campaign,’ Clinton said.”
What is she talking about? Haven’t the Democrats already had something like 18 debates? It seems like I can’t turn on CNN or MSNBC without seeing yet another Democratic debate.
In fact, I checked, and they have another debate coming up this Thursday! Unbelievable.
Posted by: Andy | February 18, 2008, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
The candidates should be available for any and all debates a state wishes to host for the viewing public. It doesn’t matter how many they have done, they need to do as many as the voting public demands and saying no only shows weakness on the part of the candidate that refuses.
Posted by: Scott-NH | February 18, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
The reason Obama has agreed to debate in Ohio and Texas is because he is losing big in those states. By debating in those states he has everything to gain and nothing to lose. As for Hillary, she is already way ahead and by debating she has more to lose than gain, yet she has agreed. We have had only one head to head debate for the two candidates. I say have a debate for each state. Every state is different with different issues and concerns. Let the people in those states know where you stand so they can make an educated decision. What are you afraid of Obama?
Posted by: Firefighter | February 18, 2008, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
The flip-flop of Hillaries campaign would be amusing if it not were a chance that with helpof the superdelegates she could win the nomination and eventually the Presidenecy. If her skill to select her advisors is repeated then, this would be catastrophe,
These examples:
1) Saying she is not concerned that the divise campaign extends itself to June,
even if anybody knows that given that the GOP has already free hands to battle for the general elections, each day lost diminish the Dem’ chances
2) Issuing a release saying that she will try OBAMA’s elected delegates to switch allegaince, which would provoke
such a backlash that it would doom her even more
3) Openly admitting that she counts on
the super-delegates to win the nomination, which means she is discarding already to get the majority of primery votes and so killing the motivation of her supporters to vote in the remainng primaries.
All this seems to REINFORCE THE PERCEPTION that her adviser BILL HAS LOST HIS POLITICAL TOUCH, possibly after his heart trouble !
tom
Posted by: TOM WITTMANN | February 19, 2008, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
When I say aftermath you dreamy eyed people that voted for Obama are in for a big setback if he becomes president. He doesn’t have me fooled by his tactics. All he wants is to make history and this young white generation without brains can’t see beyong their beer. They need to wake up and smell the coffee before its too lake for tears.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | February 19, 2008, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
JerryZ: If you seen the ugly side of Hillary then you are not paying attention to the lying, cunning, fake side of Obama who puts on a smile to attract this young genation of fools like you. They don’t see the dark side of him but its there. He has a lot of people by his copied speeches but he doesn’t fool me. The only reason he wants to be president is to make history nothing else. I wouldn’t vote for him if he needed my one vote to win the nomination. This is not a racial issue because if Hillary was not running for the presidency I would vote for an American black if he was running. I was born and raised in this country and voting for someone that is only part American is not my cup of tea.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | February 19, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
to Dem: Don’t worry about your one vote because they can do without it. There will be thousands of votes casted and if you don’t like Hillary just don’t vote. Vote for Obama the slick mick that has this generation fooled and he knows it. 90% of the blacks are voting for him therefore I believe all whites should vote for Hillary. The blacks are making this a racial themselves even the suberdelegaters are doing it. I can’t understand the college students not seeing thru this candidate with his cunning copied speeches. He lacks the experience of Hillary and McCain and if he wins the nominstion McCain will walk all over him and them you will be sorry you didn’t vote for Hillary to keep the republicans from winning.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | February 19, 2008, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm