Clinton, Obama trade barbs in Dem debate
Wednesday's Democratic debate started with a flurry of sharply worded exchanges on some of the biggest gotcha moments of the last six weeks, before settling into a discussion on policy issues between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Clinton unleashed some of her harshest jabs at Obama for his controversial relationship with his former pastor, his comments that small town voters "cling to" religion and even his encounters with a former member of the Weather Underground. On the last charge, Obama countered that Clinton's husband had pardoned former members of the group and ABC's debate moderators pressed her on her tall tales about a trip to Bosnia.
The debate also saw both candidates asked about how they would view an attack by Iran on Israel. Obama said Israel's protection was a primary concern of US foreign policy and that he would make sure Iran knew that. Clinton was more direct:
"An attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation by the United States," Clinton said.
Clinton hammered Obama repeatedly on the controversies he's faced since the previous Democratic debate before the March 4 primaries. She invoked his former pastor's association with Louis Farrakhan and Hammas in stressing her view that Obama's relationship with the Rev. Wright would be an important issue if Obama emerged as the Democratic nominee.
On several occasions, Clinton invoked the 9/11 attacks in her home state of New York, as Clinton highlighted Wright's sermon after the attacks.
Obama also seemed to slip up, describing Wright as "somebody I've disowned" before correcting himself to say he'd just disowned Wright's comments.
Clinton said the Wright issue needed further examination.
"It wasn't only the specific remarks, but some of the relationship with Rev. Farrakhan and giving the church bulletin over to the leader of Hamas
to put a message in. These are problems, and they raise questions in people's mind. So this is a legitimate area, as everything is when we run for office."
ABC then asked Obama about his encounter with former members of the Weather Underground, a radical anti-Vietnam War group that was responsible for several bombings of government buildings. Obama seemed put-off that the question was asked and explained William Ayers, one of the groups members, was merely someone who lived in his neighborhood.
Obama said it was ridiculous to judge him based on the actions of such a casual acquaintance, whose crimes happened when the candidate was 8-years-old. Clinton saw an opportunity to pounce, though, accusing Obama of continuing to associate with Ayers after he had made offensive comments after Sept. 11.
"That relationship with Mr. Ayers ... continued after 9/11 and after his reported comments, which were deeply hurtful to people in New York, and I would hope to every American," Clinton said.
Obama shot back, saying Clinton wouldn't pass her own test because Bill Clinton pardoned members of the group toward the end of his presidency.
Obama's campaign slammed Clinton for taking every opportunity to go on the attack during Wednesday night's debate.
Continuing the theme of her campaign, Senator Clinton used every single opportunity she had to launch misleading attack after misleading attack against Barack Obama, which is why polls show that most Americans think she’s running the most negative campaign and don’t believe she’s trustworthy. Barack Obama spoke about the issues that actually matter in people’s lives, like how he plans to end the war in Iraq, cut middle-class taxes, help people stay in their homes, and provide a secure retirement for our seniors. That’s why more Americans are putting their trust in Barack Obama to bring about the change we need in Washington,” said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.
Both Obama and Clinton sidestepped when asked if they would place their rival on the ticket as vice presidential running mate in the fall.
"I think very highly of Senator Clinton's record, but I think it is premature at this point to talk about who the vice presidential candidates will be because we're still trying to determine who the nominee will be," Obama said.
Clinton was similarly noncommittal. "I'm going to do everything I possibly can to make sure that one of us takes the oath of office next January. I think that has to be the overriding goal," she said.
After primaries and caucuses in 42 of the 50 states, Obama leads his rival in convention delegates, popular votes and states won. She is struggling to stop his drive on the nomination by appealing to party leaders who will attend the convention as superdelegates that he will preside over an electoral defeat at a moment of great opportunity after eight years of Republican rule.
The former first lady has never denied published reports that she once told New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson that Obama couldn't win when he called to tell her he would be endorsing the Illinois senator.
Earlier in the evening, Clinton was pressed on whether she thought Barack Obama could win a general election, after her and her campaign has suggested he has not achieved "Commander in Chief" status.
Clinton initially tried to pivot and spent several minutes talking about the challenges John McCain presented, without giving a clear answer.
Moderator George Stephanopoulos pressed her: "Do you think Sen. Obama can do that. Can he win?"
"Yes, yes, yes," Clinton said. "Now, I think I can do a better job, obviously. That's why I'm here. I think I am better able and better prepared because of what I've been through."
Stephanopoulos put the same question to Obama, who quickly said he thought Clinton could win and went on to make the case that he would do a better job.
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This video is from CNN's Election Center, broadcast April 16, 2008.
Democratic Debate opening statement
Clinton mentions Farrakahn and Hammas
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