Obama: Who Am I Running Against -- Bill Or Hillary?

Comments (62)

Kefa wrote on January 21, 2008 8:36 PM:

Your slum landlord business in Chicago.....you go girl.

TheraP wrote on January 21, 2008 8:36 PM:

The voters are confused as well! It's a two-fer on the clinton side!

john mccutchen wrote on January 21, 2008 8:43 PM:

Billary eh Greg...

Mrs. Bill becomes a footnote

Angry Mouse wrote on January 21, 2008 8:49 PM:

Watching Obama get schooled by both Clinton and Edwards on his "present" votes really makes me worry about how he would handle himself in debates in the general election. He doesn't seem to debate very well, and he doesn't handle confrontation very well.

Wanting credit for initially being against the war is not going to get him very far in a debate against any of the Republicans.

john mccutchen wrote on January 21, 2008 8:50 PM:

Lest we forget Greg. If Americans have 15 minute attention spans, bloggers have 15 seconds

Once it was about Hillary, but now, of course, it’s about Bill. If voting for Obama is a roll of the dice, as Bill suggests, voting for Billary is a sure bet: an endless soap opera. MoDo

Kefa wrote on January 21, 2008 8:53 PM:

Finally issues.....I smell Obama toast.

rg wrote on January 21, 2008 8:53 PM:

Wow - she is really nasty tonight! I never understood Hillary hatred but I am starting to get it.

EH wrote on January 21, 2008 8:56 PM:

I still say Edwards is the hardest candidate for Republicans to beat. Hillary has an arsenal waiting for her and Obama has too many weak spots.

Jake wrote on January 21, 2008 8:58 PM:

Given Bill Hillary's prominence in the campaign as attack dog and strategist is not a fair question to ask wehther Hillary Clinton will in fact be as mcuh America's Fist Woman President as Bill Clinton was America's Frist Black President? Cry for me, America!?

Anonymous wrote on January 21, 2008 8:59 PM:

"Wow - she is really nasty tonight! I never understood Hillary hatred but I am starting to get it."

I'm at work and can't watch it live. Is her voice getting the edgy twang and her mouth pursing into a semi-sneer as she attacks Obama? Or is she going with the pop-eyed sarcastic cackle when he talks?

Lis wrote on January 21, 2008 9:03 PM:

@ Anonymous at 8:59

It's the edgy twang and mouth pursing into a semi-sneer tonight....so far.

Matt wrote on January 21, 2008 9:04 PM:

Obama can't handle criticism. For the longest time, he had no rapid response, and now it seems the response of the Obama campaign (and the response of Obama supporters) to legitimate attacks has been to argue that he shouldn't be criticized so harshly. And so we get the phony race scandal and the Bill controversy.

Crying "It's not fair!" is not a viable strategy. If he wins the nomination, Republicans won't treat him with kid gloves. Will Obama fight back or will he just complain that he's being swiftboated? Because the latter hasn't worked well.

Ebuka wrote on January 21, 2008 9:05 PM:

You are running against the Jewish establishment and their interest in the Middle East.
McCain and Clinton are their candidate. They voted for Kyle/Leiberman IRAN Resolution. You did not. That was the vote that counts and translated in your loss in both New Hampshire and Nevada where a significant jewish vote went Clinton's way.
It's JEWISH VOTE STUPID?

Anonymous wrote on January 21, 2008 9:05 PM:

man she's a trainwreck. her therapist must have a marinas worth of boats on her dime. "you go girl" indeed. go. somewhere. else. please. just go.

brad wrote on January 21, 2008 9:07 PM:

I think he is handling critisism just fine thanks.

rg wrote on January 21, 2008 9:07 PM:

She's kind of screaming at him. Any yes - the sneer is there.

TheraP wrote on January 21, 2008 9:08 PM:

don't send her my way!

one wrote on January 21, 2008 9:18 PM:

Yes! Yes! Yes!
The real deal has begun! Stay Tuned!

one wrote on January 21, 2008 9:24 PM:

Yes! Yes! Yes!
The real deal has begun! Stay Tuned!

Was that? wrote on January 21, 2008 9:25 PM:

Was that Dave Chappelle?

Anonymous wrote on January 21, 2008 9:28 PM:

Why this man stutters so much? is he not supposed to be the best orator since MLK?

bleh wrote on January 21, 2008 9:30 PM:

"Why this man stutters so much?"

Substantive!

"is he not supposed to be the best orator since MLK?"

I'm not claiming that, but if you don't realize that he's a hell of an orator, you haven't seen him orate. Check out his recent speech at MLK's church - it's available on cspan.com.

The idea that he is a poor orator is flatly absurd.

Anonymous wrote on January 21, 2008 9:34 PM:

bleh wrote on January 21, 2008 9:30 PM:
"Why this man stutters so much?"

;;; Yes, he is a good one when he is repeating what has been written for him.

TexModDem wrote on January 21, 2008 9:36 PM:

What a whiner Obama is - puhleeeese: "I can't tell who I'm running against"

Maybe he should just give up, then, if it's too hard for him.

He knew Bill was going to be a big part of Hillary's campaign from the beginning.

This is just more childish whining from Obama and his supporters.

well okay then wrote on January 21, 2008 9:36 PM:

ah ha.

TexModDem wrote on January 21, 2008 9:39 PM:

This is Obama supporters . . .

One sign near the front of the march read "no Clinton dynasty".

Anti-Hillary, not pro-Obama.

And . . .

Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., had been scheduled to march as well but, much to the delight of Obama staffers, her flight was delayed. She missed the march.

So, it's not really about Hillary's substance or what she wants or what she would do, but sheer misogynistic hatred for her that drives Obama supporters.

Obama doesn't really care about anything but portraying Clinton as racist by capitalizing on anything to falsely make that claim.

ugh wrote on January 21, 2008 9:44 PM:

Let me get this straight.

In a post which you accuse all Obama supporters of misogyny, you further go on to claim that Obama is trying to capitalize on accusing Clinton of racism?

TexModDem wrote on January 21, 2008 9:45 PM:

Yep, I'm really looking forward to eight years of Obama staffers and administration officials who repeat the tactics of the current Bush administration in combating opponents, both real and imaginary, portraying everyone not a zealot for their political orthodoxy as part of an "axis of evil," just as they've done with the Clintons.

rgo wrote on January 21, 2008 9:48 PM:

who's winning this thing - in a 2:30 post i cast doubts on Obama's ability to articulate clearly on his feet - any input?

ugh wrote on January 21, 2008 9:48 PM:

OK. I just wanted to make sure that I actually correctly understood that you were simultaneously making a blanket accusation of misogyny AND an accusation of accusations of racism.

TexModDem wrote on January 21, 2008 9:49 PM:

ugh: "In a post which you accuse all Obama supporters of misogyny, you further go on to claim that Obama is trying to capitalize on accusing Clinton of racism?"

Gee, reading comprehension on the first try.

Good job!

ugh wrote on January 21, 2008 9:50 PM:

Uh huh.

Why, exactly, are you being confrontational with me?

TexModDem wrote on January 21, 2008 9:55 PM:

ugh: "Let me get this straight."

Says the commenter who immediately posts an unsolicited confrontational response.

You're kidding, right?

ugh wrote on January 21, 2008 9:56 PM:

Sure, I'm kidding.

Anonymous wrote on January 21, 2008 10:06 PM:

I just find it interesting. Neither Edwards or Hillary stutters as much as Obama. What's going on here?

OQM wrote on January 21, 2008 10:12 PM:

I used to like Bill back in the 90s, but he's really turned into a bully--very unbecoming for a former president.

blackstar wrote on January 21, 2008 10:15 PM:

TexModDem,

you're a troll, and you add nothing of substance to these comment areas. please be productive or leave.

Mark F wrote on January 21, 2008 10:34 PM:

Dear God, Greg Sargent--you actually found the truth for once. I'm amazed, astounded and mightily impressed. I apologize for some of the shit I've laid on you for being a partisan hack. Not all of it, but some of it. Congratulations for discovering the virtues of reporting, as opposed to advocating.

facta non verba wrote on January 21, 2008 10:36 PM:

Perhaps Obama's appeal to independents may succeeded but at the price of alienating himself to Democratic base. If Edwards doesn't win the nomination, then I might consider Clinton but Obama will not get my support. I'll hope for Bloomberg or Nader and yes I don't care if that throws the race to the Republicans because honestly I fail to see the difference between Obama and Romney or McCain. The true test for Obama's viability is the closed primaries where only Democratic party members can vote.

If Senator Obama thinks he is feeling the heat from the Clintons, wait until the general election. It will only get worse.

I know Mrs. Clinton's skeletons but Obama's remain largely unknown. People's minds on Clinton are largely already made up but the verdict is likely still out on Senator Obama.

Mark F wrote on January 21, 2008 10:45 PM:

facta non verba:

Republican.

the neighbor wrote on January 21, 2008 10:50 PM:

TexDemMod said "So, it's not really about Hillary's substance or what she wants or what she would do, but sheer misogynistic hatred for her that drives Obama supporters.

Um, no. It's her voting record.

Now calm down.

dsr wrote on January 21, 2008 10:59 PM:

It is not whining when Obama confronts unfair attacks.

army193 wrote on January 21, 2008 11:02 PM:

Obama kick a** the republican dont want to run against him.....they would love to have Hillary and Bill two for the price of one...

Mike timmons wrote on January 21, 2008 11:02 PM:

It is so Clintonian that someone who has spent 1/3rd of their life as a Republican should attack someone for saying something good about a Republican.

TexModDem wrote on January 21, 2008 11:11 PM:

Mike Timmons: "It is so Clintonian that someone who has spent 1/3rd of their life as a Republican should attack someone for saying something good about a Republican."

Hillary was a Republican when she was born, when she was 2 years old, and 4 years old, and 8 years old?

Who knew!?

Hey, with calculation like that, I bet you think Obama has the nomination all sewn up!

mary wrote on January 21, 2008 11:16 PM:

You know, Obama is in a tough spot. On the one hand, he always wants to run an ethical campaign. He want to move beyond dirty politcs. He tries to ignore it, but too many people believe Bill and Hillary's lies. His supporters out out there screaming at him to defend himself, set the record straight. But like he said, he doesn't want to spend all of the campaign defending himself against bogus attacks. Bill and Hill know that they don't have much to throw at him, so they have to obfuscate, blurr the lines and drag him into these kind of tit for tat things. They are trying to make his biggest strength - to change the bickering backstabbing way of washington - and suck him down. Then say "see he is not the agent of change, he bitches just like the rest of us"

How do you come out swinging and still be above it all?

He is the most ethical man in Washington. I hope more people can see beyond all of the bullsh**t and vote for him.

64club wrote on January 21, 2008 11:38 PM:

Bill and Hillary are the dynamic duo. Must be why some bloggers refer to the couple as 'Billary.'

sfam wrote on January 22, 2008 12:04 AM:

Hillary and Bill's continual distortions and mischaracterizations (Ok, lies) of Obama's record has finally worked in getting Obama to drop down in the mud with her. And really, he's had no choice.

It really is a shame that the Clinton campaign has decided to campaign like that, but I guess they've already made the "Rovian" calculation that they can eak out 51% of the vote. If successful, the best we get is another 4-8 years of a further divided country - but at least the govt will be more competent.

Too bad she's ensuring that we as a country can't try to set our sights higher than a 51-49 split. Great campaign tactics, Hillary.

But if you're successful, I and probably many other left-leaning independents are going to go for McCain. Character and integrity do count at some point. I just can't wait to see how the faux "35 years of experience" pitch goes against him, ey?

Mike timmons wrote on January 22, 2008 1:11 AM:

Hey Obama,

Not only are you running against Hillary and Bill, but Josh Marshall and greg Sargent too.

What a crappy blog this has become.

Mike timmons wrote on January 22, 2008 1:14 AM:

I guess only Obama's kindergarten homework is fair game, not the fact that Hillary was a Goldwater Girl, and a Republican as a freshman in college.

I guess this blog is comfortable with that.

I remember when this blog begged for money, and I gave them $100. I blown money on worse, I guess.

Bodhi wrote on January 22, 2008 1:42 AM:

To those curious about Obama's 'stuttering', that is mostly because he stops to think about the best way to answer a question rather then shoot out pre-arranged soundbites

Paulie wrote on January 22, 2008 1:45 AM:

"He is the most ethical man in Washington."

What flavor is the Kool-Aid today?

yesterday gone wrote on January 22, 2008 6:00 AM:

paulie, try not to bother the adults.

rbrooks wrote on January 22, 2008 7:22 AM:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/22/277/50113/463/440933

Kos has a post by Shipjack this morning on Obama's dance with the bankers.
Hillary's skirts are far dirtier than Obama's; don't look for her to bring up this sort of thing herself. But it's something everyone who loves Obama's speeches had better read. I hate this. I enjoy Obama's speeches too.
I'm sticking with Edwards. He's the only one on that stage that might even come close to trying to reclaim our government from the thieves and murderers who control it now.

Anonymous wrote on January 22, 2008 7:23 AM:

community organizer on the streets of Chicago versus corporate lawyer on the board of WalMart

Obama gets the best line of the night if not of the whole campaign. And Hillary was furious. How dare this upstart challenge her entitlment and bring up her TRUE experience.

Hillary really loses it when she is challenged directly on specifics. Her angry and mean side shows, and she GOT BOOED for it. I'm sure the Republicans are learning a lot about how to push the buttons so the real Hillary's "voice" is heard. Doesn't sound anything like that fake contrived, tears my coffee NH moment.

random wrote on January 22, 2008 7:27 AM:

Greg Sargent,

In fairness, would you please post the clip of Hillary getting booed. It was loud, sustained, and sounded nearly unanimous. It is a unique and telling moment among all the debates.

denis wrote on January 22, 2008 9:01 AM:

I was glad to hear Senator Obama mention Senator Clinton's time on the Wal-Mart board. I was disappointed he did not carry it a bit further - what did she do to improve the life of Wal-Mart workers when she was on the Wal-Mart board? Did she push for health insurance for the Wal-Mart workers? Did she push for the ability to unionize? After all this is part of her 35years experience she is always talking about. As to the thirty-five years experience (stating at age 25) what actually does this consist of? No one seems to explore that claim for experience. Are we talking about her time on the Watergate investigative team? That certainly did not make Fred Thompson a stronger candidate and is not particularly relevant to Senator Clinton's resume either. When she was in the private sector serving on corporate boards what did she do to help the worker in the companies she was serving? The only thing I can find in my research (I am sure many of you are better researchers than I and you can enlighten me) is she did fight for gender equity. Will some please respond to the question of HER achievements in private as well as HER elected official achievements? Thank you.

denisem wrote on January 22, 2008 9:49 AM:

One of the best lines from the entire debate. It is hard to tell, especially when Obama tries to call Hillary on her husband's lies, and she says "oh, but that wasn't me!"

ShutupNvote wrote on January 22, 2008 10:09 AM:

Boo Hoo, Senator Obama seems to have difficulty accepting this election is not just about him. The Senator as Clinton victim card is pitiful whats does he think the Republicans will do to him. And Senator Clinton is entitled to support form her husband and Senator Obama

tek wrote on January 22, 2008 10:39 AM:

Yah, about that. If he can't figure out who he's running against, he better hang it up.

That is just a HUGE admission that he can't take the heat (so get out already)!

Can't we move on from having crack-head, whining presidents who crumble at the first sign of criticism?

tek wrote on January 22, 2008 10:45 AM:

To all the Clinton smearers: these people are the most investigated couple in the history of the world. No illegal activity could ever be proven against them, even though all the top lawyers in this country worked on it constantly for 9 years.

Obama started the smearing and he has consistently started the attacks. That's his whole strategy, he and his supporters: ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK. Then say the other guys are attacking you.

teknine wrote on January 22, 2008 11:54 AM:

All of the Clinton partisans are beginning to turn my stomach. Tek, you are completely delusional, without a doubt. When you lie, cheat and steal as much as those two seem too, it is amazing that the only illegal activity even proven (and impeached, and disbarred) against them is Bill's perjury. Furthermore, they should be thankful that gereral run of the mill lying isn't against the law, lately the two of them have been at it pretty hard ( you only need to have watched the last two debates to catch two of HRC's). Your " Obama started the smearing and he has consistently started the attacks. That's his whole strategy, he and his supporters: ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK. Then say the other guys are attacking you." is not only completely offbase in regards to Obama, but it's also completely correct in regards to the Clintons. In fact, the "vast right wing conspiricy" was born by the initial accusations of WJC's perjuring himself. They invented that tactic.

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