From the Fact Check Desk: Despite Obama Claim, Clinton Never Called NAFTA a “Boon”
EmailTrying to peel away some of Hillary Clinton’s blue collar support, the Obama campaign has released a mailer hammering her for having supported NAFTA. "Hillary Clinton believed NAFTA was ‘a boon’ to our economy," the outside of the flier says. Inside the flier is more precise, saying: "A little more than a year ago, Hillary Clinton thought NAFTA was a ‘boon; to the economy. According to a Newsday issues rundown, ‘Clinton thinks NAFTA has been a boon to the economy." You can see the flier in full by clicking HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. Newsday has now written about the controversy. "Back in Sept. 2006, an abbreviated chart printed on Newsday’s Spin Cycle page compared Hillary with her Democratic US Senate primary challenger Jonathan Tasini on a variety of issues. The issues chart included this: "FREE TRADE "JONATHAN TASINI: Tasini favors scrapping the Bill Clinton-backed North American Free Trade Agreement, saying it drives down domestic wages. "HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Clinton thinks NAFTA has been a boon to the economy, but voted against the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, saying it would drive jobs offshore." So it wasn’t Clinton who used the word "boon," but Newsday, the newspaper says. But, writes the newspaper, it does "not have a direct quote indicating her campaign told us she thought it was good for the economy at that time. Also, for that matter, Clinton’s campaign did not contact us to question the item after it appeared in print. "Obama’s use of the citation in this way does strike us as misleading. The quote marks make it look as if Hillary said ‘boon,’ not us. It’s an example of the kind of slim reeds campaigns use to try to win an office. "That said, we should have been clearer." It seems pretty clear that Obama’s campaign have been misleading on the word "boon." Last month in the Myrtle Beach, SC, debate, Obama said, "I know that Hillary on occasion has said — just last year said this (NAFTA) was a boon to the economy." Last November, Obama’s chief strategist, David Axelrod told CNN, "on this issue of NAFTA, just a year ago Senator Clinton said it was a boon to our economy and one of the great achievements of the Clinton administration." On the other hand — bigger picture — opinion-writers who oppose NAFTA have argued that Clinton has clearly shifted on this issue from praising NAFTA to condemning it. – jpt
Mitt Romney's Full Speech at CPAC 2012 
Romney Makes His Case to Conservatives at CPAC
not misleading.LYING.
Posted by: geevill | February 15, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
Wasn’t NAFTA one of the main achievements of the Clinton administration? It seems to me that Hillary Clinton wants to have it both ways — getting credit for whatever her husband did that is still popular, while skating away from the many failures (not to mention the scandals) of his administration.
Enough of these people, already!
Posted by: Oregonian | February 15, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
BIG MEDIA is now trying to present itself as fair by going after Obama for a small turn. If you want to be as fair as you have in the past, why don’t you throw this one up as a bold headline, with a picture of Hillary in front of the masses, and with some headline that has nothing to do with the story below.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | February 15, 2008, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
You mean to tell me Barry Obama’s campaign is distorting a candidates record in order to mislead people into making a choice based on a lie?
Sounds like Barry Obama learned that from George W Bush. Sound familiar?
The more Obama speaks the more light he sheds in his true character.
On this same day, ABC quotes Barry Obama as saying, “this kind of gamesmanship is not what the American people are looking for.” Talk about double standards.
Posted by: Joe | February 15, 2008, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
Whether she used the word “boon” or not, she supported it!!!
Posted by: James | February 15, 2008, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
On the contrary:
On November 1, 1996, United Press International reported that on a trip to Brownsville, Texas, Clinton “touted the president’s support for the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying it would reap widespread benefits in the region.”
The Associated Press followed up the next day noting that Hillary Clinton touted the fact that “the president would continue to support economic growth in South Texas through initiatives such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.”
Now cry a little, as your choice of candidate does.. that may help.
Posted by: moeen | February 15, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
I wish Obama would go back to his pretty hope speeches. Saying Clinton is about “gamesmanship” and then mailing fliers that lie about Hillary makes him look silly. He needs to get back to not being specific when we truly loved him and not expose himself as just being another bait and switch politician. More pretty speeches please.
Posted by: Stacy | February 15, 2008, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
I don’t have anything against Obama, but I think 4 years experience is too little be presidential candidate
Obama its time for STOP your words with no actions
Obama its time for STOP your speeches with no solutions
Obama its time for STOP your talk with no actions
Obama its time for STOP your cheap speeches words
Obama its time for STOP biased media that’s in your favor
Obama words are not change and anti Clinton media might helped you but not all the way will STOP you. Truth will speak out
Yes – it’s Time to point out weaknesses! and STOP free rides from bised media like ABC & MSNBC.. They can not harm you any more – they already passed the border line on this. Truth wins at some point
Go Hillary!
Posted by: david | February 15, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
Which candidate set up a non profit called Hope Fund and then gave out cash to politicians trying to get favors?
Which candidate then gave 694,000.00 to superdelegates from his Hope Fund?
You got it. The no change guy. Obama
Posted by: Wes | February 15, 2008, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
Well as the newspaper noted Hillary never disputed their claim that NAFTA was a “boon”. How is Obama to judge that she was not been quoted on the article. If it is not true the onus rest on her to disclaim it.Obama is only relying on that report. Besides NAFTA was Bill Clintons achievement and seeing that she is running on her husbands record, then she most certainly supports it.
Posted by: Emo | February 15, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
Speech vs. action:
While a board member of walmart:
1. Hillary took no action when the company shipped tens of thousands of jobs overseas.
2. Hillary took no action when her boar-member colleague called labor unions “Blood Suckers”, yet she recently told teamsters union that shy will stand up for them…
Not only she cannot give a good speech but she is words without action and hollow promises.
Posted by: moeen | February 15, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
This cannot be true!
Obama told us he was not the same old politician playing the same Washington game. I cannot and will not believe that Obama would use a lie to distort the truth.
Obama does not lie!
Posted by: Mark | February 15, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Obama’s Actions
He gave a 5 million dollar earmark to the hospital his wife worked at and then her salty jumps to 327,000.00 a year. The same hospital which made a 100 million dollar profit. It appears they desperately needed that 5 million or his wife desperately needed an annual raise. Yeah.
How is that Change?
Posted by: Mark | February 15, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
We love America – It just needs some repair – Look at the task and the resume. Take away the media slant, the name, the race, the gender, and look at the qualifications and resume. Hillary Clinton is clearly the right choice for President. Lets get down to business – Hillary, thank you for taking on this task. You will have your hands full, but you can do it. You will reprsent Americans to the World as proud and kind and strong. WE are proud to be American and you know it. How soon can you start? Thank you for keeping the flag.
Posted by: Stars and Stripes - Hillary Clinton | February 15, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
NAFTA was not a bad plan it the next President just modify the plan and impromve it. Bush had 8 years to do just that and Hilary will amend it once she is elected.
Posted by: Julius | February 15, 2008, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm
John Lewis’ switch from the Clinton to Obama. It was to be expected, almost 80% of his base (black voters) voted for Obama. It would be political suicide for a leader like him to stay in the Clinton train, whether they win or lose. Thats reality.
Posted by: Latasha | February 15, 2008, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm
NAFTA was started with G.Bush the first, Clinton complited Nafta with the help of the Republican lead congress. Just like the cuts in the military, started by Bush, finished by Clinton and thr Republicans.
Posted by: Charles | February 15, 2008, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
I say its time Obama came out of the closet and admitted he’s gay. Obama is mistaken about Clinton on NAFTA. Perhaps he’s been on crack again.
Posted by: WIL | February 15, 2008, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Hillary Clinton has taken more money from federal lobbyists than any other candidate from either party. People don’t give money without expecting something in return. Up to this point, lobbyists give money and get results from those they have supported. And now we are expected to think something has changed? We need an intelligent, independent minded leader who will make good decisions for America, not a person who will return favors to contributors at our expense. Hillary strikes me as someone who would happily slip right into the current system of corporate ownership. We all complain that Washington doesn’t work. Too much greed, to little action. And to fix this some of my fellow Democrats want to put a Clinton in the White House!? She has such hiigh negatives that she could mever build a consensus. And on top of it all, she is the one thing that will energize the Republican base to vote in November. Against her.
Posted by: TSnow27604 | February 15, 2008, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
Yeah, right, TSnow. Like Obama winning republican states are gonna vote for him come November. Get over it. You know that’s not gonna happen. He lost all the large democratic states he needs come November and with his current attitude toward Florida and Michigan voters he’s not making any friends there either. And don’t think the republicans are not gonna use his own words against him in Florida and Michigan.
Posted by: Wil | February 15, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
Hillary voted for using force against Iraq, but now says we shouldn’t have used force. (but won’t admit her vote was a mistake–Huh???) Hillary supported NAFTA when passed during her hubby’s term, but now says NAFTA is not good and jobs have been shipped overseas. (DUH????) She may be ready on Day One, but I think she might want to rethink her choice on Day One so she doesn’t have to backpeddle so hard.
Posted by: needtoberightonday1 | February 15, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
I’ll preface this by saying I’m a Democrat and I liked Bill Clinton. But let’s face it….Hillary is running on Bill’s record. If she wasn’t married to a former President she would have never have gone this far in the presidential nomination process. There have been plenty of women in the House and the Senate over the years that have been as or more qualified to be President than her. If she wasn’t married to him she would be a two term Senator from NY and an un-remarkable one at that. But because she was married to one of the most popular Presidents in recent history she has got to this point. So if she’s going to run on Bill’s record she’s got to take the good with the bad. I remember her stumping for NAFTA 10 years ago because I was against it. So just because it didn’t work out she can’t come back and say she’s not for it 10 years later. Click the link at the bottom of the article for the real story.
Posted by: DPW | February 15, 2008, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
This is just another evidence that Obama and his campaign are good at distorting what Clintons said. Obama and his campaign team are very tricky and very good at playing the dirty political games. But Hillary’s team is too stupid to fight back effectively. They even didn’t notice it when Clintons’ words were distorted.
Posted by: Judy | February 15, 2008, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
Obama wants the votes not to be counted in Florida and Michigan for HIllary, and he doesn ‘t want the superdelegates deciding the winner at the end, if it goes to the conventionm. Yet he has spend over 650,000.00 in bribing the superdelegates to vote his way.
Obama, you can’t have it both ways. And for the new honest guy on the block why are you palying dirty politics,
Posted by: stevem | February 15, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
Why is Senator Obama accepting thousands of campaign dollars from trial lawyers representing clients suing telecommunications companies?
Change anyone?
Posted by: Ben Davis | February 15, 2008, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Well thank you AMERICA for WAKEING UP!
Everyone has notice the media (ABC,NBC,
MSNBC)tiptoe around OBAMA back ground,
why because he is a africa-america,
beside he is half white so how can he
be,
AFRICA- AMERICA. What about that SYRIAN
slum lord he known for 20 years? His
record:never pass any legislation and
voted PRESENT 100 times.
WAKE UP AMERICA,THINK!
Posted by: baccarattwo | February 15, 2008, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Economists have understood for 230 years, going back to Adam Smith and David Ricardo, that free trade benefits the people in all the nations involved.
Yes certain people will lose jobs to foreign competition, but the masses are better off. (The same thing happens when cars replace horse-drawn carriages, or when computers replace telephone operators using plug-boards to route calls).
I suggest all of you research the economic concept of “comparative advantage” (NOT “competitive advantage”), which is critical to understanding this issue.
Posted by: Pat | February 15, 2008, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
In looking over the below I see no racism from Hilary supporters, just the Obama supporters using the race card when someone questions Obama!!
Obama is worst then any politician I have ever seen!! He lies thru his teeth, he reminds me of a snake oil salesman!
Posted by: spock | February 15, 2008, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
I have seen a video with ALan Keys and Obama debating for the senate seat in Illinois. It was on youtube.
I was blown away by Mr. Keyes rhetoric. He was amazing. I know he is a republican, but if he were running for president, Repulican or not….he would be my choice. He puts Obama to shame. The man’s oratory was unstoppable.
What a great christian and such a good man.
If the Republican party was smart they should have him on the ticket as Vice-President. He would get tons of Catholic votes, black votes and christian votes.
Obama you are nothing like Mr. Keyes. And I really mean it.
If the democrates heard this man speak, talk about movement, they would be following him in droves.
Posted by: stevem | February 15, 2008, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
The people who are thinking about voting for Obama, or whom have already voted, need to know the real truth.
Eventhough this society has lost all it’s moral values and is just surviving on a shoe-string with any hope of redemption,our young adults (including our voting children) need to know that the person they are voting for is a man of honor. A man that us as parents hold in the highest regard to lead this country.
If our children and our young adults see that we have elected a person that does cocaine, approves of gay marriage, approves of abortion, approves of killing live-born babies…what than are we saying to the future generations of this country.
Please everyone choose the right candidate.
Get to know them more. Forget the Rhetoric. Look at his values and hhis morals.
Posted by: stevem | February 15, 2008, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
Please ABC, MSNBC, CNN, etc. Please get down to facts. We need to know more about Mr. Obama. Please let the truth come out. Something is not right. He is hiding something. We need to know.
Are thesevrumors ture. If he has been doing drugs up until 1999 and other things immoral, then his whole campaign is a lie! And his book, how much of that is fabricated. And his church, how can you belong to a church that hates white people, jews, etc…but yet he wants us to vote for him. What is wrong with this picture!
He is the Greatest Performer of All Times and he and his show is coming soon to a theatre in your town!!!!!
Posted by: stevem | February 15, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
I know that if Hillary belonged to a church that advocated a racial supremacy doctrine, suggested America got what it deserved on 9/11, and that Israel is the villain in the Middle East we would certainly all know about it and the media would be all over it. If Hillary referred to the pastor of such a church as their “spiritual mentor” I believe that would be thoroughly examined. Why does Obama get a free ride on this?
Posted by: Hopesprings52 | February 15, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
68,451 that is all the votes that Obama is leading HIllary by in the Polular vote.
He and his delegates and cronies keep talking about that the nomineee should be chosen by poular vote or by general delegates(not superdelegates); well he isn’tbthat far ahead. Hillary could easily win this race. If she wins, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc. she will push ahead of him in popular votes and delegates.
Posted by: stevem | February 15, 2008, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
If you count in Floridan and Michigan, Hillary is ahead of him already; in popular votes and delegates.
Posted by: stevem | February 15, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
The only thing I can see coming out of an Obama presidency is the fact that at least it’s the younger generation destroying their own future instead of us doing it to them. If they want to vote for Obama, let them learn from their mistakes. Except for an economic meltdown for his entire one term, most of his mistakes will come back to haunt the very generation that voted him in. Karma!
Posted by: DJ | February 15, 2008, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
I think Obama is good for the country. He let us all know that hope is still alive in the twilight of the Bush years. There’s nothing wrong with that. Nevertheless, I think Hillary is a far better choice for the hard choices this country faces at this time in history. While I like hope I want real action with real solutions. I will provide my own hope. What I need is someone to get to work and who knows how the system works. Hillary is that choice.
Posted by: Mike | February 15, 2008, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Liberals have no clue how economies work – certainly not global ones.
Posted by: Neo Politicus | February 15, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
I also like Alan Keyes. Too bad he is not running. I would vote for him also. I agree with you, Stevem, obama is nmo match for him at all.
Posted by: stella | February 15, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
WHERE ARE THE LOVE PEOPLE? SO MUCH HATE AND ANGER IN EVERYONES POSTS. I UNDERSTAND WE ALL WANT OUR CANIDATE TO WIN BUT LETS TRY KEEPING COOL HEADS AND CALM EMOTIONS. EVERYTHING IS GOING TO WORK OUT FOR THE GOOD OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY. THE MEDIA IS DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB SENSATIONALIZING THE STORY TO KEEP US ENTERTAINED. KEY WORD IS ENTERTAINED. IF OBAMA WOULD NOT BE IN THIS PRESIDENTAIL RACE IF HE WAS A DANGER TO AMERICA OR TH EAMERICAN POEPLE.
Posted by: k4change | February 15, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
For all you “Right to Life” people out there, we are not advocating abortions. God forbid my daughter or nieces feel that they absolutely cannot go through with child birth, I would want their abortion to be safe, legal and in a hospital setting. That’s all we want. It would be great if abortions were not needed, but many women feel that they have to and we cannot play around with the health of our young women!
Posted by: DJ | February 15, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
From the abc chaps who took Howard Deans scream in a raucous loud room and broadcast it to embarass him without the room noise. From the abc chaps who discredited Al Gore at the 2000 Democratic Convention by making up their own BIO instead of showing you the one at the Convention, and introduced by peter jennings. From the clinton campaign led by terry mcAuliffe who led the democrats charge to “kill the middleman” in every industry with the internet, along with the fabulous AL FROM. My oh My and the hits just keep on coming…
Posted by: daddyblue | February 15, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm
I don’t know what people see in Obama. He looks devious to me, and I wouldn’t vote for him no matter what. I have never voted Republican in my life, and don’t particularly care for McCain, but I would vote for him over Obama. I got that flyer, and was sickened by it. OBAMA LIES. He is no better than the rest of them, and maybe is worse. He sidesteps the hard questions. Don’t be swindled by this liar.
Posted by: Anita Baker | February 15, 2008, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
You all can mix words all you want, the fact remains is she WAS for it BEFORE she was against it.
It is IRONIC that Hillary and her supporters want to take credit for ALL of Bill’s successes, but NONE of the BLAME for his FAILURES.
Which way do you people want it? You CANNOT have it both ways. And while you are at it, WAKE-UP.
Do you really think ANYONE in their right mind, with the exception of her supporters will line up behind Hillary? Please. She is toxic and no one of reasonable intelligence, would have anything to do with her or any other member of her family – not anymore.
Posted by: Laura | February 15, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
OBAMA is a true politician…talks smart and fools the people into believing he actually knows alot..the media has been far from nuetral…Obama blew his nose…people are so unreal about the cult wagon they want to support…the Youth will ruin their own country ..but unfortuately it will take us down I have plenty of life and hoped to live it in a dominate strong country we have always been until recently….
Posted by: slee | February 15, 2008, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
In this primary, I feel like Hillary is our hero! Really wish more women will get involved in politics so she wont fight alone.
Go – Hillary!
Posted by: sue | February 15, 2008, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
This was the best bit of info that has come out of ABC News in a long while. They have participated in the Obama circus to the point that I have lost faith in them. If I hear about “Obamentum” – or however it might be spelled – one more time I think I’ll … well, you can get the picture. It’s close to a 50-50 tie right now. What gives the pros like those at ABC news the right to cast aside Hillary supporters? Charlie Gibson, I hope you might catch wind of it. We are tired of the nonsense. It’s not the role of the news media to sway votes.
Posted by: Karen | February 15, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
I’m so glad to see so many people actually waking up and realizing that this guy is not good for America right now. Maybe in a few years or so, but he comes across as an arrogant, slick talker. Hillary is going to eat him alive in the next debate. GO HILLARY! HILLARY 08!
Posted by: Justin | February 15, 2008, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
It seems to me the press is blaming Obama for something THEY SAID. Don’t print it if it isn’t factual. I would have read that quote and interpreted it the same way. Attributing an attitude or a belief to someone without them having actual expressed the idea would lead anyone to believe that it was factual. At the same time, the fact that Clinton did not have issue with it (and we all know that she doesn’t seem to have any problem lambasting the press with ‘vigor’) seems to indicate that she didn’t have a problem with the facts as presented. But to blame Obama for interpreting the article in the exact same way that I and others that use logic and reason would is also WRONG! Maybe she and her staff don’t read Newsday…
Posted by: Midwesterner | February 15, 2008, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm
All i have to say is compare Obama and Clintons plans. And do your homework folks. Do not listen to any media hype or be a sheep. Just look at the facts that is more important to you. PROMISES ARE WORTHLESS IF IT ISN’T KEPT
Posted by: SeanM | February 15, 2008, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
Plageriazing and unfactual. The truth will prevail, the truth always comes out. By the way hope is all ready inside each person, they have been blinded by bad times our country has been facing. The Buzz is a Hucka”bee” campaign word, headlines today it’s Obama’s, ie: Martin Luther King,and John F. Kennedy, etc… People really need to get to know and understand there candidate of choice, before the real deal gets the seal by a steal.
Posted by: callenfallen | February 15, 2008, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
PART II
The fact’s straight from the Senate Record. Now, I would post those of Obama’s, but the list is too substantive, so I’ll mainly categorize. During the first (8) eight months of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced 233 regarding healthcare reform, 125 on poverty and public assistance, 112 crime fighting bills, 97 economic bills, 60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills, 21 ethics reform bills, 15 gun control, 6 veterans affairs and many others. His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These included **the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (became law), **The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, (became law), **The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate, **The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, (became law), **The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, (In committee), and many more.
In all since he entered the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no legislative record. . . .
written by Paul 3 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Comment: + -
Good post, I agree. If HRC goes with the more experience angel…do you think that McCain will use the words against her in the general election?
Obama has as much experience and would bring new air to Washington.
Posted by: Che | February 15, 2008, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm
On Obamas nuclear bill heres what he had to say about it after Hillary called him out on it. On Friday Obama defended the nuclear bill, noting that Clinton supported the bill at the time, and said he could not move a stronger bill because the Republicans controlled the Senate at the time. ..if he cant get strong bills passed now hows he going to do it if he wins? The article on CNN is Obama knocks clinton for ties to lobbyists
Posted by: girlinvt | February 15, 2008, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm
RE: Obama having written 890 bills is simply not credible, unless there is a very broad definition of the term “bill”, and I don’t mean Clinton.
Co-sponsoring over 1000? I didn’t know the Senate had been that active. What exactly are these bills? Are we talking about National Hope Day kind of bills?
Let’s say he did write 890 bills in 8 months (hah!)…what happened to them? What happened to the ones he co-sponsored? And what did they involve? Details, details, and don’t make me go to the Senate record, it’s your claim, so back it up here!
Posted by: mkevinf | February 15, 2008, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
In 1998 Hillary Clinton traveled to Davos Switzerland to thank corporate executives at the World Economic Forum for their campaign help in ramming NAFTA through Congress. She said, “You have mounted a very effective business effort in the U.S. on behalf of NAFTA. On Nov. 1,1996 Hillary Clinton was quoted in the United Press International on a trip to Brownsville Texas. Hillary Clinton touted the President’s support for the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying, “it would reap widespread benefits in the region. The Associated Press followed the next day noting the fact that Hillary Clinton said, “the President will continue to support economic growth in South Texas through initiatives such as The North American Free Trade Agreement.” In her own memoir Clinton wrote, “Senator Dole was genuinely interested in health care reform, but wanted to run for President in 1996. He couldn’t hand incumbent Bill Clinton anymore legislative victories, particularly after Bill’s success on the budget, the Brady Bill, and NAFTA” Maybe she didn’t say it was a boon for the U.S, but she sure traveled all over the world to deliver the above messages about NAFTA.
Posted by: GC | February 15, 2008, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
It’s nice to see that even though the press won’t call Obama on his lies the people are starting to catch on. I guess he was right – it really is a movement! Keep the blogs going to expose this idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: jas | February 15, 2008, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm
I’m so amused by all the demcorats for Hillary and their contempt for the media that has obviously chosen Obama as their man. Now you know how Republicans feel ALL THE TIME. The media NEVER chooses our side. Welcome to our world. The liberal media bias is great most of the time, until they choose a different democrat than the one you’re rooting for. But then it can get annoying when they choose someone else to annoit. Again, welcome to our world – we have to put up with the liberal bias crap 24/7.
Posted by: Brian York | February 15, 2008, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm
Has anyone else thought that Obama is making a huge mistake by not working out a way to get Florida and Michigans delegetes to the convention.After all voters do not get to chose when they will vote thats usually decided by legislatures and party big wigs.The common men and women only get to go to the poles when they are open.And both states voters cast thier votes. I’m sure that if they had to do a revote in these states that hell would freeze over before I would vote for a man who claims to be for the common man,but steadfastly refuses to grant these people thier civil rights because they did not vote for him.I hope that he does not need the voters of these states because they will give him the same help he gave them.
Posted by: girlinvt | February 15, 2008, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
Midwestern you are kidding right please dont blame my candidate because the newspaper miss quoted.Obama used that in a campaign ad,AN AD THAT ENDS WITH I’M BARACK OBAMA AND I APPROVE THIS AD.WHICH EQUATES TOO I DON’T CARE THAT THIS IS WRONG AS LONG AS IT BENEFITS ME AND MY CAMPAIGH….WHAT???
Posted by: girlinvt | February 15, 2008, 11:56 pm 11:56 pm
Let’s take a closer look at who’s really qualified and or who’s really working for the good of all of us in the Senate. Obama or Clinton.
These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress http://www.thomas.loc.gov
Please pass this on
=============
Obama
=============
During the first – 8 – eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These inculded **the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 – became law, **The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, – became law, **The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate, **The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, – became law, **The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee, and many more.
In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096.
An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made public.
================
Clinton Records
================
Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term – 6yrs. – and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law – 20 – twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years.
These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress http://www.thomas.loc.gov, but to save you trouble, I’ll post them here for you.
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O’Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men’s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men’s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton’s bills are, more substantive. 16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11 18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.
There you have it, the fact’s straight from the Senate Record.
Posted by: Dave | February 16, 2008, 3:54 am 3:54 am
NYTIMES on Obama’s record in the Illinois Senate – some of the 800+ bills he sponsored.
Posted by: dave | February 16, 2008, 4:02 am 4:02 am
My Fellow Americans, Hillary’s 35 years of Experience, is what we dont need! Only takes common since, to know she hasnt done anything for us.If she has had 35 years then why is this country in the Shape its in now? She has been a Senator and could have gotton more stuff done!She represents Old Politics, and its time we move on.Obama Represents New Poltics, and dont have all that baggage to carry around like most Politicians do!To make a long story short, Time For change Is Now, and Obama is the only 1 who can bring it
Posted by: Demo Rules | February 16, 2008, 5:44 am 5:44 am
I’m an Obama supporter but my leader is and will always be TRUTH. It’s clear that H. Clinton has flipped-flopped on NAFTA with the political winds and that Obama is right to point this out. A person who will switch positions to win an election is not a person of high integrity and certainly not a prson I want running my country. However, if the Obama campaign [he probably doesn't even know about it] actually misquoted her or attributed a specific quote or word to her that she, in fact, did not say or use, he should straighten that out immediately.
Posted by: Marcus Watson | February 16, 2008, 5:48 am 5:48 am
I’m a registered Democrat, and as soon as I seen, and heard Obama talk I knew he was the 1 this Country needs for the next President.This Country has been heading down hill ever since the 2000′s rolled around,and Obama brings a Hope For Change to this Great Country! He is young and inspiring, and dont carry around all the baggage that Hillary does! I would like to urge all people in this Country who are tired of seeing the direction we have been heading, to get out there and vote, have Hope, and Vote for Change
Posted by: Demo Rules | February 16, 2008, 6:57 am 6:57 am
Please people. Don´t talk to me about how important experience is to be president. The fact is, no experience can prepare someone to be president even when that experience is having been president. This is clear from the disasterous second term (the first one was a disaster as well) of Mr. Bush. Being an effective president involves leadership, JUDGEMENT, and intelligence, an ability to think through complex issues and make decisions that make sense for the people of a nation, and even the world. If it isn´t clear to anyone out there that Obama has all of these qualities then you´re blind…color blind that is. If Obama was ALL white (remember his mother is white) he´d have had the nomination long ago. Please people, but your bigotry aside and let this gifted man lead the country in a new and innovative direction. Don´t be afraid…your current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.
Posted by: George | February 16, 2008, 8:36 am 8:36 am
The wife of an impeached president wants
to be president, and if she gets the job will she also get impeached for paying Bill back.How is that change.
Posted by: Jg5012 | February 16, 2008, 10:10 am 10:10 am
Obama’s supporters believe that any attack to Obama is a fabrication of Clinton.
How naive!
Posted by: Pat | February 16, 2008, 10:25 am 10:25 am
That’s an interesting lead. Sounds like an Obama oops! If Hillary’s campaign had made taken this step it would read: Hillary knowingly and intentionally issued a personal attack on Obama issuing clearly false and misleading statements about something he said about something he didn’t sign into law a long time ago!
But noooo the misogynist protective press taps O on the wrist with a maybe he did something a little bit wrong but he had a good reason to misstate what he repeatedly misstated and never apologized for or acknowledge that he misstated what was clearly an ever so slight oversight on the part of his campaign and not him personally. Ok?
Well, Change Man – change NAFTA will ya? Where is his stand on NAFTA, what’s he done about? Where is the the bill he proposes to introduce to stop it or change it? Why or why not? Speak up my good man. After those ever so inspiring hopeful sermons, it’s Monday morning and we’ll have to go to work. Are you ready? Or didn’t you have a chance to “copy” your “work” from Hillary! Copy her health plan, it’s a winner!
Posted by: AmazonTraveler | February 16, 2008, 10:36 am 10:36 am
Listen to all of you on this blog. What anger and nastiness. Who would want to run for office and face the barrage of negatives. Why would anyone want to face this? Barack will be the next President and just face it and lt’s move on to heal this country and correct the mistakes from the previous Clinton and Bush dynasties. Let’s get a fresh face in and not OLD McCain
Posted by: Lena | February 16, 2008, 10:48 am 10:48 am
MOMETUM? (SIC?) WHICH WAY OBAMA? IN REALITY BACKWARDS OR FORWARD? OBAMA WILL NOT DEBATE CLINTON BECAUSE HE CANNOT COME UP WITH ANSWERS BY HIMSELF. HE NEEDS A SPEECH WRITER AND THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED IN A DEBATE. YEAH, HE IS A FINE ORATOR. HE CAN DISH OUT WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR. BUT MAKE HIM TELL THE TRUTH AND STATE THE REAL FACTS AND HE STUTTERS, AND LOOKS LIKE A BUMBLING PERSON WHO HAS LOST HIS WAY. McCAIN WILL THRASH HIM IN NOVEMEBR. I AM A DEMOCRAT BUT WILL EITHER SIT IT OUT OR VOTE FOR McCAIN IN NOVEMBER.I WILL NOT BE A PART OF A WILDFIRE SPEAD OF FALSE HOPE AND WIND BAG. REMEMBER GEORGE BUSH THE IDIOT WAS A CHEERLEADER AT YALE. OBAMA ACTS LIKE A CHEER LEADER NOW. TO BAD THE NEWS MEDIA HAS CAUSED THIS CLOSE RACE AND ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WRONGS THEY HAVE CREATED. WE SUFFER? DEBATE HILLARY OBAMA. WHAT IS THE MATER WITH ONE ON ONE DEBATES? YOU PLAY THE PART OF SOMETHING GREAT , SO SHOW US YOUR GREATNESS.
Posted by: LARRY THORNTON | February 16, 2008, 11:07 am 11:07 am
Another example of hypocrisy from the man who claims “the same old politics just won’t do.” This guy points the finger at everyone else and then engages in a more egregious version of the behavior he decries. He is the worst–arrogant and cocky. I can’t imagine watching him for 4-8 years. He’s like a left wing George Bush. Same crap, different party. Yuck.
Posted by: njh | February 16, 2008, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
Boy, there certainly is a lot of hate on this board. Obama’s campaign was probably a bit overzelous on this one. This happens in the heat of an election. Hope they correct the flyer. He is already the leader so does not need to stoop to Hillary’s level. I admire the fact that so far he has been able to keep himself and his campaign above the fray. When we look to the positive side we can acheive a lot more.
Posted by: Vixen2oo8 | February 16, 2008, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
Good News on the Horizon? Al Gore will be the party’s Nominee with Hillary his running mate. Obama heads back to the Senate for 12 more years to gain the necessary experience and try to establish a record of accomplishment. Sweet justice for Big Al. With the 2000 election taken from him, Al Gore can fix the foreign and domestic mess created by this president. God Bless America and God Bless Al Gore for his continuing service to the Nation. Happy Days are Here Again.
Posted by: benvictor | February 16, 2008, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
I am pleased to see that Hillary fans finally have something to harp on. lol.
The article did not say that the quote was wrong. It says that it could be misleading. Obama’s campaign just needs to clarify further. It seems that you guys are really clutching at straws here, attempting to find fault in the Obama campaign. lol.
Posted by: Vixen2oo8 | February 16, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
I live in Florida and we don’t want the votes counted. There is a need for campaigning and that’s why candidates do it with “machines” & big budgets. Campaigning gets your message out and assists undecideds in deciding and galvanizes the strength of your supporters. It is not our fault that Florida votes don’t count but the only way to make it fair is to have a revote. Many many many people did not vote because it didn’t count, not many ppl are going to take time out of their work day, picking up their kids from daycare, etc etc if they have been told their vote won’t count. So really if they would make Florida’s votes count a lot of ppl would be pissed and hurt because they were told the vote didn’t matter when in fact it would.
As for Michigan, Barack wasn’t even on the ballot so why would that be fair?
Posted by: daytripper | February 16, 2008, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
While she might not have said the word ‘boon’ the facts are that Bill’s administration pushed NAFTA through Congress. It lost us a lot of good jobs here. Hillary didn’t speak out against it until recently. Those are the facts.
Obama spoke out against it publicly before it was signed, as he thought it was a bad deal for American workers and it would only benefit corporate profits. Obama was right.
Posted by: Lydia | February 16, 2008, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm
It is no wonder why most Asians voted for Clinton. The group of Asians that i know do not know how to speak English, so the press could not influence their vote.
Most middle-age Asians recognize the character of a person just by looking at them. Most Americans know, too, but they have to show a lot outside before they can recognize. They can not see the hidden one (for example,in movies, in the beginning, everybody can infer who the villain is going to be at the end.
So far, i score the last four Presidents as almost 95% right.
Here is how i rate the current top candidates and their spouses for caring and compassion: Out of the ten:
Obama=2. Spouse=-8.
McCain=4. Spouse=3.
Clinton=8 Spouse=6.
Posted by: rt | February 16, 2008, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
I WILL VOTE FOR MCCAIN ANY DAY BEFORE OBAMA. I AM PREPARED TO SWITCH PARTIES IN A HEARTBEAT, SHOULD OBAMA LAND THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION. IN ALL GOOD CONSCIENCE, I CAN’T LET SOMEONE AS INEXPERIENCED AND SHADEY AS OBAMA GET INTO THE WHITE HOUSE AND RUIN OUR COUNTRY. UH UH, NOT NOW, NOT EVER. AND THIS SENTIMENT IS PERMEATING AMONG HILLARY SUPPORTERS PERVASIVELY. IF OBAMA WINS THE NOMINATION, MCCAIN WINS IN NOVEMBER. REMEMBER THAT THE PRIMARIES ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE GENERAL ELCTION, SO ALL THOSE POLLS RIGHT NOW DON’T TELL YOU A SINGLE THING ABOUT THE REALITY IN NOVEMBER.
Posted by: MR | February 17, 2008, 1:50 am 1:50 am
All I can say from day one….. I knew Obama was a fake that know how to talk a sweet game, and the youth is falling for it…. The great Movement!!! The next MLK or JFK…GIve me a break….. Yes the election is a joke now, I guess it like the American Idol now… It all about who cute or got the best smile now!!!! If you do your research like me, you will see Obama don’t add up… His records that he never showup for? His religion for some odd reason had ties to racist group and ties to Muslim community…. He drugs habit and he divorce that never was talk about?
I be one of many DEMOCRATIC that be switching parties if Obama win…..
I might be a first time Republican in NOV….
Posted by: John | February 17, 2008, 2:19 am 2:19 am
Isn’t it amazing how the liberals flocking to Obama are so eager to disenfranchise all the Democrats who voted in Fl and MI? Understandably, Obama wasn’t on the ballot in MI so I’ll give him a pass there, but FL is a different story. The libs screamed bloody murder in 2000, but now they don’t want to count the voters in FL simply because their beloved Barack Hussein Obama (sounds like Osama) didn’t win. I’m sure if Obama had won they would be screaming from the mountain tops. What a bunch of GD hypocrites if I ever saw one…
Posted by: Jimbo | February 17, 2008, 2:27 am 2:27 am
Lydia,
I LOVE how you just spoke for the entire state of Florida. You must be very popular. The fact is, 1.7 million democrats were smart enough to get out and vote. 1.7 MILLION! If I lived in Florida, I certainly would have voted. I am smart enough to know that it was still the Florida primary and I am also smart enough to figure that the delegates may indeed be seated. A ‘re-do’ is costly and unfair to those who voted when they were supposed to. The only way I think it might be fair is if at least the same number of voters from the real primary joined those who would have to vote again as “new voters” Can you prove that at least 3.5 million democrats would vote in Florida the second time around? If not, stop complaining.
Posted by: Don | February 17, 2008, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
Can you spell “nit-pick”?
Posted by: Penny | February 18, 2008, 11:10 am 11:10 am
Seems like the Press is finally waking up this President’s day holiday. Barack stealing speeches from other people, Barack’s lie about Hillary using the “boon” word for NAFTA, show how FAKE this BO guy is. Please report more about his persona, before US is led in the wrong way of selecting an INEXPERIENCED person as its President.
Posted by: JKan | February 18, 2008, 11:32 am 11:32 am
here lately it seems that Obama wants to be President more than he wants to be honest and original. Please voters, don’t be fooled by this mirage of a change agent. He is the one who is demonstrating ‘politics as usual’, when Hillary is the one who really wants to change the country and lead it in the right direction.
Posted by: newsworthy | February 18, 2008, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
Looks like Obama made a mistake. If Sen. Rodham Clinton really thinks NAFTA was a good idea, and good for the economy, there should be plenty of direct quotations to support it.
On the other hand, as far as health care goes, for Sen. Rodham Clinton to argue that Obama is misleading on the penalty issue is a bit misleading since she has hammered away at the issue. She has consistently said the problem with Obama’s plan is that it doesn’t make everyone buy insurance. Well I dont have a PhD in rational choice theory, but it seems to me that if I don’t want to buy insurance, the only way to make me buy it is to penalize me if I don’t. So, Senator Rodham Clinton, will you please tell us how you plan to make people do something they don’t want to do without penalizing them?
Posted by: JRL | February 23, 2008, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
The guy lies all the time but the media doesn’t call him on it beacuse he has this appealing style. For example
Barack Obama said in his book that his parents met each other on the Selma March for Civil Rights with Martin Luther King on March 7, 1965 — tying the union of his parents to one of the greatest moments in African American history and marking him for destiny.
The only problem is Barack Obama was born 4 years before the March to Selma on August 4, 1961—-Oooops.
He can manipulate and spin just like any other politician—and this one was aimed right at the African American community to gain support.
Posted by: cartwroght | March 27, 2008, 4:47 am 4:47 am