Clinton: "Maybe he'd prefer to give speeches than have to answer questions."

[sabra]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/13/clinton-goes-negative-in-new-ad/

(CNN) – Hillary Clinton is taking aim at Barack Obama in a new Wisconsin television ad for not agreeing to participate in a debate there.

"Both Democratic candidates have been invited to a televised Wisconsin debate," an announcer says in the new 30 second spot. "Hillary Clinton has said yes. Barack Obama hasn't. Maybe he'd prefer to give speeches than have to answer questions."

"Like why Hillary Clinton has the only health care plan that covers every American, and the only economic plan that freezes foreclosures," the announcer continues. "Wisconsin deserves to hear both candidates debate the issues that matter. And that's…not debatable."

The ad is Clinton's latest attempt to put Obama on the defensive over his refusal to debate the New York senator more than twice between Super Tuesday and the crucial March 4 primaries in Ohio and Texas. Clinton, who has been widely praised for her debate performances this campaign season, had proposed one debate a week after Super Tuesday.

[Drunken Irishman]

1. She's right! Screw campaigning, let's create an all-debate channel.

And the two can debate for 24 hours a day for the next week.

[Coexist]

2. after the first18, and the two upcoming, I don't think I have enough information

please. 12 more.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. 20 more!

[Coexist]

12. debate 'til it hurts... dig deep, candidates!

[adabfree]

14. LOL..she's a desperate fish...and there's no water around

[IndieLeft]

16. I want another debate. I want him to ask her why she didn't show up

and vote against the FISA bill. I mean, if you are going to criticize someone for taking the easy way, and then go on to say how you are going to fight for us, you damned well better show up and do your job.

[adabfree]

24. I want him to ask her what she intends to do about NAFTA

Especially, since she touts her husbands years in the white house as her experience.

What does she think of his legacy, NAFTA AND CAFTA!

Speak on it HIll

[anamandujano]

38. She already has an answer and spoke about it. Guess you weren't

listening.

[bvar22]

50. Hillary's answer on NAFTA:

Hillary said that, It didn't work quite as good as we were hoping, and, after I'm President, I will form a bi-fucking-partisan commission to study it!!!!!!
No Thanks, Hillary.

Actually, NAFTA worked as designed:

*CEOs and Fat Cat investors got extremely wealthy.

*Unions were busted across America,

*BIG Corpo has unlimited access to slave labor and NO environmental regulation.

NAFTA WORKED (and IS working) PERFECTLY as designed.

[anamandujano]

59. She gave a lengthy answer at the town hall. Part of it is making

sure other countries follow the rules that we have to follow, as far as safe working conditions and other stringent guidelines. Everything has to be renegotiated. It should be FAIR trade.

You can pretend she's happy with the way it's working but you'd be massaging the truth at best.

You all are afraid of a debate because poor Obama will come up dry on this subject as well as others.

He likes doing his speech in a crowd where he can keep muttering the same old same old without feedback.

[rodeodance]

67. Yes, I watched that. Good forum for her. Very articulate responses from Hillary

[WilyWondr]

80. "without feedback" ?

Have you seen the last 8 primaries?
Don't you think that has been some positive feedback for BHO?

What is the next primary that you believe HRC will win?

NAFTA and CAFTA were terrible concepts from the start that have been working as designed to eliminate the American worker.

[anamandujano]

91. Actually we were discussing people talking to each other, give and take,

not being talked at.

Voting is a different kind of feed back. I don't think the caucuses are even mildly representative of the voters in a state. I also say the Repukes are voting down our strongest candidate, Hillary, and will then go back to their party for the GE.

Primaries should be closed to the party. If someone wants to be independent, fine, have your independent primaries or caucuses. Don't mess with ours. That is exactly what they are doing, having a say when they don't deserve one. If they don't even know what their core values are and can't choose a party, let them wait for the general. I think the Repukes do it that way. Maybe someone else knows for sure.

I don't make predictions on winners; I let the chips fall where they may. I also don't ask someone to withdraw until it's certain that a winner has emerged. You all look pathetic doing that, like you're afraid of what will happen if the contests continue.

[bvar22]

90. Are you talking about the scripted "townhall" on Hallmark?

If so, then I missed it, like most Americans. It wasn't really a townhall where REAL people asked REAL questions.
It WAS an infomercial.

I am quoting from her answer to the NAFTA question at a nationa debate.....you know, one of the 18 National debates where Obama was afraid to debate Hillary.

[anamandujano]

99. The poster who started this sub thread thought Obama could scare Hillary

by asking about NAFTA. Those of us who watched the town hall know that she is not afraid of that question.

About the 18 debates, he had no choice or could have tried to play it like Guiliani and stay home until later. (Unfortunately for him, there was no later.) Plus, they were somewhat watered down with numerous candidates. It was easier to fudge one's way through. I didn't watch the early debates but my friend who supports him gave me advance notice that he did not exactly shine in them.

They have only had one debate between the two of them, a totally different experience both for the debaters and the audience.

[catgirl]

122. Oh he shined in them

that's why he's come from way behind to take the lead.

[jackson_dem]

35. Yeah! Because talking to 10,000 choir members is more important than 9 million viewers nationally!

[jefferson_dem]

3. Raw, unbridled desperation from the Hillary Camp.

This dog won't hunt.

[David Zephyr]

4. Or maybe he's preparing to govern and that's more important than helping her get free media.

No one will buy this.

[easy_b94]

5. She has lost it

[HeraldSquare212]

7. Maybe she'd rather sit in a TV studio than get out there with people.

She prefers one-way communication, I guess.

With 18 debates done and at least two more to go, I don't think this complaint is going to get her much traction.

[anamandujano]

54. She has rallies all the time but her main style is small meet and greets

where people get to ask her questions instead of being talked at.

Obama's speech must be getting thread bare by now.

[HeraldSquare212]

58. That's only been true since she started losing. nt

[anamandujano]

60. What's only been true since you all have started pretending that he has won?

She has been giving rallies the whole campaign. As a senator she travels the state widely to discuss issues with small groups.

[HeraldSquare212]

62. Ralles? yes. But she didn't take questions in Iowa, remember?

Just big speeches in large cities.

[anamandujano]

74. You said she only started taking questions after she started,

(in your badly informed opinion) losing. Bottom line, she is not afraid of questions--Obama is.

True the MSM and Obama supporters have been trying to get her to step down since the first little caucus.

I guess you're worried about taking the prize fair and square, letting it all play out.

[HeraldSquare212]

76. Yes - she lost in Iowa, right? Or am I badly informed about that?

You seem a bit overly senstive for some reason.

[thoughtcrime1984]

78. Ah yes, the ultimate human wringer, Iowa

Where the constituents get to see the candidates up close and personal for an extended period of time. Hillary finished 3rd.....Let's have 21 friggin debates, though. :eyes:

[anamandujano]

84. It can't be fun for you watching him stumble over his words, repeat

himself again and again, blatantly trying to run down the clock and from time to time really stepping in it. Now that there are only two candidates, there is plenty more to hash out. He is afraid.

Maybe we have a little sadistic streak, lol. We'll try to work on it.

[thoughtcrime1984]

87. Well you can defend your Senator all day

I'll defend the next President all night.

[anamandujano]

93. Nobody said you couldn't "Hope" /rofl

[thoughtcrime1984]

97. We'll see who is rofl on March 4

and March 5, when Hillary waves the white flag.

[anamandujano]

102. That we will.

[anamandujano]

81. Are you projecting again? Is it really that strange to have someone

challenge your one sentence barb? Are you having trouble keeping track of your argument?

Losing one caucus, yes Iowa, does not translate to "losing badly" or whatever your characterization was. She went on to win New Hampshire and some other small prizes like New York and California.

She has been rallying and taking questions the whole time. Her strategy has not changed in that regard.

She does her homework; she knows her stuff.

[catgirl]

123. With planted questions

Geeze

[Radical Activist]

112. Maybe she'd prefer staged pre-screened questions like her Hallmark moment.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. That's the same script McCain was using.

[WinkyDink]

124. If so, it worked.

[Unsane]

9. This'll give Obama a bit of a GE test.

Let's see how he responds to this light attack...

[AtomicKitten]

10. Hey Hilly, how about releasing those tax returns?

[IndieLeft]

20. Yeah, he can ask her that too... Be careful what you wish for... n/t

[BlackVelvet04]

11. Of course he would rather give speeches....

it makes him and his supporters all tingly and goosebumpy.

[goclark]

18. He sure does make us tingy

because he is talking like a leader for the 21st Century!

:bounce:

[alcibiades_mystery]

21. And wins states by 20-30%

:rofl:

That helps, too.

[BlackVelvet04]

26. Not too surprising given the American Idol mentality of this

country.

[alcibiades_mystery]

34. Except in California

:rofl:

[mckeown1128]

52. You Clinton folks have to get your talking points straight.

You act like Obama is some willy nilly fad...

and then complain about the Caucus system because "it favors Obama because his supporters will travel through the bad weather to spend two hours caucusing because they are party actvists who are too serious(almost cultlike) about their candidate"

[Big Blue Marble]

55. When you are deperate, you throw everything at board

and see what sticks. There is little reason and much rationalization in
their arguments.

[BlackVelvet04]

57. I haven't typed one word about caucuses....

you obama people need to keep your bullshit straight. I haven't even read a thread about the caucuses. So that makes you full of shit.

[mckeown1128]

104. Your candidate has been talking out against caucuses..

Hillary has said that caucuses aren't fair because their is a disproportionate amount of party activists that go to caucuses. You can read all over DU how "unfair" the caucuses are because Hillary is losi...I mean because less voters go to caucuses. Don't pretend that Hillary supporters haven't been screaming about the Caucuses.

[BlackVelvet04]

114. I"m not responsible for what other people say...

I haven't said one word about caucuses and that's what I addressed. Quit trying to put words in my mouth and attributing motives to what I say.

[Bluerthanblue]

25. to be honest, Hillary uses debates as a grandstand to make

mini speeches.

She tends to take the mic and refuse to stop- Which is ok- but not really much of a "question and answer" situation.

Most of the questions are dodged- or puff balls.

For both of them.


At least from those I've watched.

The only debate that had any value was the last one-

peace~

[Jennifer C]

33. And the NPR radio debate

That one was excellent.

[Metric System]

13. You tell it like it is Hillary!!! Save us from another empty suit! n/t

[IndieLeft]

22. Yes, I want an empty Pant Suit this time!

Cuz that will be so much better.

[earthside]

15. Sign of a Declining Campaign

Whenever a campaign starts in the whine about an opponent not wanting to debate, it is almost a law of politics that that campaign is in big trouble.

And in this case it is especially true considering that Clinton(s) just agreed to the NBC debates and that there have been scads of debates already.

[theboss]

72. I've said before, Hillary is now in a Textbook "Campaign Collapse"

1. Unexpected losses to an upstart? Check
2. Money problems? Check
3. Shakeup of the staff? Check
4. Going negative? Check
5. Accuse opponent of being afraid to debate? Check

All she needs now is some sort of complete message overhaul and subordinates saying that she is "on message" repeatedly to complete the list.

[jmg257]

17. Maybe HE prefers to run HIS campaign, and not take advice from...the #2 candidate.

(How many campaign managers has she been through now?)

Besides, he (wisely) already has his sights set on McCain.

[Cameron27]

19. She's right,

and I'm glad she's saying it.

[anamandujano]

40. How long before his stunned campaign people start whining?

They are pouring over the ad as we speak, desperately trying to find something to spin as racist.

[rodeodance]

45. ~YES SHE CAN, YES WE CAN~

[BobbyVan]

23. Cheap. Desperate. Pathetic. nt

[Mz Pip]

27. The people in WI don't have TVs???

THere is a debate that will be televised next week. I suggest she encourage the people in WI to watch it instead of creating some fake issue.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[GumboYaYa]

28. There were seven debates in the Lincoln/Douglas debates

and that was before television or radio. 18 seems excessive and certainly not necessary to inform voters of where candidates stand on the issues.

[Yael]

29. I'm sure that her going negative will work out quite well

for the Obama campaign

[anamandujano]

36. Terribly terribly negative to point out a few facts about his strutting

around the stage thinking he's a rock star, uttering complacency upon complacency.

In case you hadn't noticed he has been attacking her in every speech. It's okay for him though, double standard much?

[Lerkfish]

39. "strutting around the stage thinking he's a rock star"?

you, know the first rule of holes?: once you find yourself in one, stop digging.

[anamandujano]

44. I guess you're blinded to his arrogance.

He and his flock are always on the attack and you can't take one simple fact in refute. You just want everyone to stop talking and bow down.

Why are you all so afraid of anyone saying anything? Perhaps you're running short of glib comebacks.

[Yael]

51. Not afraid -- amused

she is self destructing by her own choice.

[Lerkfish]

56. well, your barbed attack would've worked better if I was an Obama supporter

:shrug:

but I'll give you points for getting all these clinton attack memes in one post:

I guess you're blinded to his arrogance. (oh, wait, wait, I get it! its like I'm a CULT!)
Posted by anamandujano

He and his flock (oh, wait, wait, I get it! its like they're in a CULT!) are always on the attack and you can't take one simple fact in refute. You just want everyone to stop talking and bow down.(oh, wait, wait, I get it! its like they're in a CULT!)

Why are you all so afraid of anyone saying anything? Perhaps you're running short of glib comebacks.

well, first of all, I'm objecting to HOW you're characterizing your observations, I tire of the slash and burn racist/dismissive personal attack politics of the clinton campaign. Second, I'm not really sure all my comebacks are that glib, but hey, thanks for the compliment! I'm glib!)

and, to let you know, its possible to object to Clinton and clinton supporter tactics without being an Obama supporter. My first two preferred candidates have left, so I'm looking at two that I wouldn't have chosen, but in doing so, I"m seeing a VAST difference in campaigning. The clinton campaign is by far the nastiest, ickiest democratic campaign I've ever seen run in my life, and I'm almost 50.

[anamandujano]

66. Good going putting the racist argument forward. You sound somewhat

disingenuous pretending to be on the fence--you interpreted my remarks as being critical of the cult as if you were part of it; then you attacked Hillary. Out of the two left you described Hillary's campaign just like the corporate media.

Maybe you're watching too much TV.

[Lerkfish]

107. believe as you will, you are obviously unfazed by facts or information.

I'm voting for Obama over Clinton, but I don't think policy-wise, there's much difference, unfortunately.

I would have preferred Kucinich over anyone, and Edwards over anyone minus kucinich.
Unfortunately, my primary is in March, so i can only choose between two.

I can keep telling you the truth but I cannot make you think.

[anamandujano]

113. So, you have yet to commit and your vote is still up for grabs! Good!

Your "fact" has just "fazed" me. At first I was fooled by what you were saying.

:eyes:

[Lerkfish]

115. welcome to my ignore list

there's no point in discussion when someone merely keeps telling you you said what they said you said but refuse to listen to what you actually said.

[rodeodance]

65. WI folk do not like to be dissed--which is the perception left by Obama for his

not debating when asked by a major University in WI.

[boricua79]

30. the baiting of a desperate, losing woman

Keep to the strategy Obama. Talk to your people, answer their questions, run your ads, run your campaigns, and defeat her as you have done in so many other states.

[rodeodance]

53. my guess is that many WI do not like being put off by Obama.

0. the baiting of a desperate, losing woman

Keep to the strategy Obama. Talk to your people, answer their questions, run your ads, run your campaigns, and defeat her as you have done in so many other states

[JackORoses]

68. did you know that Obama is actually spending time in WI right now? where is Hillary? oh yeah, Texas.

who is putting of the people of WI, again?

[rodeodance]

71. I was talking about the debate ad--stay on focus.

[JackORoses]

83. so actually spending time in the state is not as important as a debate?

sorry, the People of WI aren't buying it.

[rodeodance]

92. there you go again-missing the point!--btw--I am in WI. so don't tell me people are buying

or not.

Original Message
so actually spending time in the state is not as important as a debate?
Posted by JackORoses


sorry, the People of WI aren't buying it.

[JackORoses]

109. what is your point then? Obama is in WI, Hillary is not

She has shown the people of WI that if she is not guaranteed a win there, then they are not worth her time. You included.

What is the point of having a debate in WI if Hillary won't even campaign there?

Oh, I get it. She doesn't really care about WI, she just wants a National Audience to attack Obama in front of.

[thoughtcrime1984]

77. She flipped my state of Wisconsin the bird already

I guarantee you, I know about 50 people voting for Obama in my area, and 2 for Hillary. I have a feeling Wisconsin will be the next state that "doesn't count".

[rodeodance]

82. maybe get outside your little groupie?? --

[JackORoses]

85. that's good advice, you should take it.

Don't you realize that everyone outside your little groupie of Hillarites is being drawn to Obama?

[rodeodance]

89. ha ha. I am not the one making claims about a 50 group herd mentality. bye

[JackORoses]

108. are you referring to a 50 State Election Strategy?

Your confusion regarding it is evidenced by the candidate you support.
Her old political angles just don't work in this day and age.

[ProSense]

31. Hillary forgets the last debate:

Hillary on Iraq

And this, watch as Obama smacks down Clinton on Reagan and Iraq: http://tpmelectioncentral.com">Tensions Flare Between Obama and Clinton at SC Debate

CLINTON: You talked about admiring Ronald Reagan and you talked about the ideas...

OBAMA: Hillary, I'm sorry. You just...

BLITZER: Senator...

CLINTON: I didn't talk about Reagan.

OBAMA: Hillary, we just had the tape. You just said that I complimented the Republican ideas. That is not true.

What I said -- and I will provide you with a quote -- what I said was is that Ronald Reagan was a transformative political figure because he was able to get Democrats to vote against their economic interests to form a majority to push through their agenda, an agenda that I objected to. Because while I was working on those streets watching those folks see their jobs shift overseas, you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart.

<...>

OBAMA: Now, you can dispute that, but let me finish.

Hillary, you went on for two minutes. Let me finish.

The irony of this is that you provided much more fulsome praise of Ronald Reagan in a book by Tom Brokaw that's being published right now, as did -- as did Bill Clinton in the past. So these are the kinds of political games that we are accustomed to.

link

Obama can hold his own!

[stillcool]

32. Jeez...I thought they already agreed...

Ton the debate dates.

The Feb. 21 Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama debate at the University of Texas looks like the hottest ticket in town since Hannah Montana mania took over Austin last month.

For the Feb. 26 MSNBC Clinton-Obama debate in Cleveland, Ohio, the campaigns will distribute most of the tickets, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
Valentine Valentine

[Lerkfish]

37. wow! pure rovian: attack your opponent for your own weakness

geez, can't we have better campaign strategy than this?

[quantass]

41. Obama gave an Excellent reason for his lack of interest...

He wins when he campaigns and allow people to get to know him, while Clinton doesnt have to campaign as much since she is an established brand, people already know her and her name, and so the debates are for the most part meaningless for him at this stage of the game....it's all about meet and greets.....and 18+ debates already, enough already....

[anamandujano]

48. That being, he's lost too much weight already sweating buckets.

[rodeodance]

42. YOU GO GAL!! good one Hillary.

[robbedvoter]

43. No koolaid at debates.....resistinng thebates _ W/GOP way

[rodeodance]

49. Marquette univ invited both to debate Wisconsin issues. This may backfire on Obama

as Wisconsin voters don't like being taken for granted.

The perception already out there is that he dissed wisconsin voters.

[gmudem]

46. And maybe Clinton would rather campaign than stand up for the Constitution

And cave in to her telecom buddies. It sure looks like she'd rather campaign.

[rodeodance]

63. Take that up with Obama--as he was campaigning for Final vote passage.

[GarbagemanLB]

47. and if the tables were turned, she wouldn't grant him debates. That's politics.

Sorry Hillary supporters.

[philly_bob]

61. Go around and ask people what'd the difference between HC & BO platforms...

I think you'll find most people have only the sketchiest idea.

Oh race and gender, they got. But platforms, no.

More debates needed now that it is just down to two.

[Altec]

64. Why doesn't CNN ever report Obama's attacks?

They paint the picture that Obama is a Saint. Even when Obama sent out the Harry and Louise mailer they managed to make it all about Clinton saying something bad.

[rodeodance]

69. The media is afraid of being charged with racism--hense the kid glove approach.

[theboss]

70. Does anyone really need another debate at this point?

Weren't the first 156 enough?

I assume people in Wisconsin have CNN.

[susankh4]

103. I'd like to have one!

In which Obama would tell me what he is going to do... rather than how, while sitting in IL he knew the Iraq war was wrong in the first place.

And how he is going to cover the costs of healthcare for those who do not buy insurance.

And, oh yeah... why he is for the privatization of Social security.

And... finally.... what the heck he was doing touring the country with a band of homophobes.

Yep... I hope he gets some HARD questions thrown at him for a change!

[thoughtcrime1984]

73. Town......hall.....meetings

He's doing them today in Wisconsin. What's she doing in Wisconsin?? Skipping it for Texas.

[Johnny__Motown]

75. People always want more debates when they are losing badly. she wants one a week, she loses

[sniffa]

79. Maybe he could plant the questions

:D

[Seabiscuit]

86. Spot on - he can't think on his feet, and it shows in his poor perfomance in debates.

Since he doesn't like the heat, he knows his only chance is to stay out of the kitchen.

[rodeodance]

95. He has the SWOON factor in his ballpark. Unfortuately!

[moosen]

96. bingo

[stillcool]

88. Oh Bill....

somebody let Bill know...the debate dates.

The Feb. 21 Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama debate at the University of Texas looks like the hottest ticket in town since Hannah Montana mania took over Austin last month.

For the Feb. 26 MSNBC Clinton-Obama debate in Cleveland, Ohio, the campaigns will distribute most of the tickets, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
Valentine Valentine

[DemGa]

94. Get'em!!!...nt

[Araxen]

98. Hillobots: Your donations at work

On worthless ads that never work. Has the debate card ever worked? I know I would be pretty pissed if this is how Obama spent my donation money.

[susankh4]

105. Oh really?

Well, Obama is running ads like crazy here in Ohio. I saw FIVE of them in one hour... while I was treadmilling it at the healthclub today!

[Araxen]

111. Ads about not debating?

I think not..

[susankh4]

128. Worse.

He is running ads on healthcare!

It won't wash with the nurse activists here. We know who has the REAL healthcare plan.

Hillary's ads here are rather benighn... about helping people get back on their feet financially. Which is, incidentally, a much BIGGER concern in these parts.

Her poll numbers in Ohio are exceedingly strong. And, as long as Barack holds onto his frontrunner status... we can expect them to grow stronger. Take a look at Ohio electoral history and you will see what I mean. Ohio disdains frontrunners. We like to give them a lashing.

[MethuenProgressive]

100. K&R - Obama is terrified of debating Hillary. There's no "Present" button to hide behind.

[bling bling]

101. I have no problem with this ad at all. It's fair and legitimate and relevant.

Hillary may even gain my respect back if she stays above the gutter politics of distorting Obama's record on choice.

There's a difference between politics and Rovian politics. This is simply politics. Good for her for elevating her campaign.

[City Lights]

106. Another thread says he's conducting a town hall meeting in WI right now.

Guess he's not afraid of answering questions after all.

[Cha]

110. Maybe hilary would rather send her

swarmy attack dogs out on Obama than defend her record of supporting the War On Iraq for 5 Bloody, Deadly, Years and then voting for the vile kyl-lieman bill?

Just a wild guess.. Just when I think miss hilary's hilaryland-freakshow can't get anymore obnoxious.

[VotesForWomen]

116. i can see O giving fewer press conferences then W. scripted statements only. nt

[TheDonkey]

117. Hillary's foreclosure plan would make it harder for people like ME to AFFORD a home! Thanks Hill!

By artificially propping home price up in bubble ridden areas like So Cal

[Danger Mouse]

118. haha. nice try, hillary, but it won't work.

[cooolandrew]

119. Encore,encore another speech. =)

[Political Heretic]

120. If we hadn't had 234920359238059 debates....

...this tactic might be productive.

Yawn.

[Tatiana]

121. ***Sigh*** This is going to have the opposite reaction the Clinton camp was hoping for.

Do they never learn?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

125. Pretty Good Ad. I Commend Her.

[high density]

126. I love this crash and burn strategy

Does she want the support of any Obama supporters in November, should she get the nomination?

[susankh4]

130. Haha.

She wants ya'll just about as bad as he wants us.

And he is running a really slimy smear campaign right now.

Ces't la vie. That's politics.

[ellisonz]

127. So is this the Maggie Williams strategy?

[usregimechange]

129. He must be doing something right