Hillary Clinton tells ABC NEWS: racial accusations "baseless and divisive"

[Herman Munster]

Obama supporters really screwed the pooch on this one. Hillary will not take being called a racist lying down.

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/

In turn, the Clinton campaign has accused the Obama campaign of artificially ginning up the controversy. Clinton aides seized on reports that an Obama press aide, in response to a research query from a prominent activist, included remarks by the Clintons in a compilation of racially insensitive remarks. Hillary Clinton said the accusations about her comments were "baseless and divisive," ABC News reported tonight.


Edited to add Hillary comments

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=4122927&page=1

"Well, I think its regrettable because both of these accusations are baseless and divisive and any fair reading of what both of us said would be clear and I think it's regrettable that these are being in a way used to try to divide people in our country during this election and I'm not going to have any part of it," Clinton told ABC News. "I personally find it offensive."

"You know," she continued, "I was inspired by Dr. King when I was a young girl. I considered him one of my heroes, a global symbol, an icon of everything that is the best about America and he worked his entire life to make the changes that we enjoy today so I hope that this kind of unfortunate political activity really just ceases because I don't think this is what we want this election to be about."

Clinton made her comments to ABC's Eloise Harper while campaigning in East Los Angeles, Calif. She was asked if comments she made about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and remarks her husband made about Obama receiving "fairy-tale" treatment from the press might hurt her standing with African Americans.

[babylonsister]

1. Do you think she'd admit it to them? nt

[papau]

44. Obama campaign aide said that campaign does not believe that the Clintons themselves were attempting

to sow racial discord"

[jasmine621]

65. I think the press should leave the Clintons alone. They are at their best

when under attack. Without the attacks and distortions there would be nothing for her or Bill to reapond to. Every response shows more and more poise.

[niceypoo]

112. Admit what?

[Joe the Revelator]

2. If the racist label sticks, which i think it might, her campaign is dead where it stands

[loveangelc]

5. then I hope it sticks : )

[Evergreen Emerald]

10. so, even if it is a lie, you hope it sticks? It is ok to place the race

card?

How ugly is this getting.

[loveangelc]

23. people have to play the cards they're dealt.

[Evergreen Emerald]

29. You are suggesting that because he is black he should lie and suggest that

his opponent is a racist to win?

[loveangelc]

45. No. You said they are playing the "race card." Im saying people play the cards they are given.

Meaning, if Hillary Clinton would not have said the racially insensitive comments, it would not be an issue. So they are playing the "race card" because its the cards they were dealt in this campaign, as Hillary is apparently not above using race as an issue. And it's going to come back to bite her in the ass in SC!

[Evergreen Emerald]

70. No. They are twisting and distorting statements and accusing them

of being racist. "Fairy tale" had nothing to do with race. What a bunch of bullshit.

[niceypoo]

116. Prepare to see Al Sharpton news conferences everytime Obama is criticized...

...or slighted in any small way. The whole thing is manufactured outrage.

[cali]

72. Has he done that? NO.

Why are you suggesting that he has? That doesn't reflect well on you anymore than suggesting that the Clintons are racist reflects well on Obama supporters.

[Evergreen Emerald]

74. ummm...cali, read it again.

I was responding to a post

[indimuse]

31. they play the race card...

then turn around and call you racist! twisted. :smoke:

[durrrty libby]

32. And I hope Jesse Jackson Jr is the new 24/7 face for the Obama campaign.

That would rock dude!:headbang:

[indimuse]

47. How come we haven't heard an apology out of obama ?

Where is his judgement on this contemptible and most inflammatory assault on HIllary? The Obama campaign is still analyzing her tears???!" Are you kidding me? Then to make a racist statement about Katrina...knowing it would travel and knowing it is monumentally WRONG!? It was intentional in meant to sting the black population emotions...Implying Hillary is a racist! This is not what this country needs at all. This is the most irresponsible statement of the campaign!!!!!!!!!!!

[durrrty libby]

49. I'm sure the worm will turn. It's just a matter of time

[rodeodance]

83. What he said was over the line for stupidity

[Herman Munster]

6. maybe among the black community but whites and latinos

will revolt against obama. It'll be an ugly vote across racial lines but Hillary will win handily.

[Joe the Revelator]

11. Do you think WHITE democrats are going to vote for someone using racist innuendo?

Which democratic party are you familiar with?

[Herman Munster]

19. let me know how jesse jackson or al sharpton did in their

presidential campaigns when the obama kool-aide you drank wears off.

[Joe the Revelator]

21. Obama is far from becoming Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton

You didn't answer my question. Do you even know any real democrats?

[Herman Munster]

30. most of my friends and family vote democratic

that's as real as you can get.

[Joe the Revelator]

38. And they would vote for candidates that would use race as an attack?

Thats shocking.

[loveangelc]

36. this isn't about al sharpton or jesse jackson. all of whom are probably on the team clinton payroll.

Democrats do not want to vote for someone seen as making racially charged comments. Republicans yes, but not most Democrats. And I'm sure latino voters are not too happy about a campaign thats willing to use race as a wedge issue.

thank GOD SC is the last state before Super tuesday :)!!

[indimuse]

51. this is exactly why obama is will lose.

jjj!

[loveangelc]

53. except, not.

[indimuse]

56. cute dog...he's huge!

:smoke:

[sufrommich]

78. Do you think that white democrats

who look into the racist innuendo charge and see none coming from the Clinton campaign might not resent being played for fools?

[jackson_dem]

103. Enter the one candidate not playing the race game: John Edwards

[City Lights]

25. Speak for yourself, Herman. eom

[Catherine Vincent]

62. Keep hope alive, Wolsh.

:eyes:

[Cha]

3. hillary is baseless and

divisive.

[jefferson_dem]

8. Beat me to it.

Projection much, Hillary?

Pfft.

[DJ13]

4. or ooops

........we cant use that campaign tactic any longer.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Barack_America]

20. Hillary is not a racist, but is more than willing to use race to win.

And that is exactly what she's doing here.

[Jai4WKC08]

92. Where is the evidence?

If you go back to the original quotes, neither Bill nor Hillary have said anything racist. IN EVERY CASE you have Obama supporters (don't know if it's being orchestrated by the campaign -- I'd like to think not) misquoting, paraphrasing or taking out of context what was said. And all the people who want to believe the absolute worst about the Clintons fall for it, and then blame the Clintons bringing racism into the debate.

[Evergreen Emerald]

9. They are playing the race card.

I cannot believe this is acceptable to anyone, including Obama supporters--is it win at any cost?

[Joe the Revelator]

14. Maybe if Hillary and her supporters stop making the comments that they're making

we wouldn't have to have this conversation.

[Evergreen Emerald]

26. Right. more distortions and twisting from "politics of hope"

And how interesting the timing of it...as they head to SC where there is a high percentage of black voters.

And this is just a coincidence? I have a bridge for sale in Alaska for you, Wolsh.

[Joe the Revelator]

43. So you don't believe that Obama doesn't like being called a drug dealer madrassa loving muslim...

because its all campaign strategy, but the "emotional moment" was all spontaneous.

You wanna talk about bridges? I'll trade you.

[Evergreen Emerald]

76. there you go again--distoring. No one called him a drug dealer

AND HE ADMITTED TO USING COCAINE. That is not off limits.

[Barack_America]

37. This is EXACTLY correct!

The pattern has been established. We know what they're up to. For our part, let's just try to catalogue these instances and not react. Unfortunately, we can't control what the media does with them.

[alcibiades_mystery]

12. Unfortunately, Mr. Obama has taken being called a homophobe lying down

Though it is equally false, equally dishonest, and equally divisive.

Many glass houses in the HillaryDU. Luckily, Senator Clinton herself is far more decent than many of her supporters.

[ruggerson]

42. red herring

most here have specifically said he's NOT a homophobe, but that he exploited bigotry and prejudice in a cynical political ploy to play to a constituency he needed.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[951-Riverside]

15. Ooooh the saltines are not going to take this lightly

"Race card!" they'll wail.
"Crybabies!" they'll scream.

[redqueen]

115. "Saltines"

That's just lovely.

:eyes:

[Barack_America]

16. Obama is not responsible for the Clinton campaign or the media.

And those are the responsible parties.

[vee]

17. I didn't think that her comments regarding MLK were racist,

I thought they were absurd. Absurd to the point of being just as bad.

[HeraldSquare212]

18. Did she comment on Cuomo's remarks?

I'd love to hear her repudiate it.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sandnsea]

39. Didn't she have some other racist comments?

Something about Ghandi at a gas station. I think there were a couple of others over the years.

[Barack_America]

28. Or, more importantly, the "imaginary hip black friend", remark made by

someone in her campaign, reportedly an advisor, regarding Obama.

[sandnsea]

33. And the imaginary hip black friend

It just goes on and on.

[Deja Q]

22. In other words, Obama got a suntan before he stepped out in public?

:eyes:

"Is America ready for a black president?" Let me time travel back to 2004, say it myself, and see how y'all react. I believe I would be treated far, far differently than Ms. Clinton.

Maybe it was a slip of her tongue on her part. But it's one hell of a context to justify, if nothing else...

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sandnsea]

27. well the white lady has spoken

so that settles it then. :eyes:

[Evergreen Emerald]

77. what a racist statement

[goldcanyonaz]

34. Good for her. Bravo! k&r

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[goldcanyonaz]

46. This black woman proudly supports Hillary Rodham Clinton for President. You're on the wrong forum

with that shit, and it is SHIT!

[Marrah_G]

48. He is just cornerned- like the many concerned ones that came before him

:eyes:

[Cameron27]

50. I saw Mr. Anderson's shit on another thread.

I wonder where he comes from?

[goldcanyonaz]

55. Thanks for the heads up, he's a meanie weenie! nm

[indimuse]

54. wow...

this is so nasty!:wtf: who are these people...NOT Dems!!

[Name removed]

41. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Occam Bandage]

52. Ahahahahaha. Brilliant.

Clinton campaign throws a barrage of maybe-offensive shit out there (really, was it just a coincidence that all these remarks occurred within a week?). Obama campaign remains silent. A few Obama backers bristle. Clinton leaps on Obama for playing the race card. She gets to bring up his race, and center his campaign around his race, she gets to marginalize him as a black activist--and she can blame him for the whole affair, despite his not saying a word in reply.

Ahahahaha. Man. They are good.

[FrenchieCat]

57. Just like Bush.....

more of the same.

Change means nothing coming from them.

They are desperate, and it shows.

[burythehatchet]

58. its a technique that Rove perfected. wish I could remember the phrase

that was coined

[jefferson_dem]

59. Bill might have been able to pull this off. Hillary...not so much.

Her Sunday visit with Timbo on MTP should be fun. :popcorn:

[Barack_America]

63. Lol. We think alike.

What with the popcorn and all. And MTP will be MOST entertaining! Thanks for the reminder.

[Barack_America]

61. In the end, it won't work.

Clinton needs the support of Democrats in office to win and they all see right through this ruse.

Someone will put a stop to it. In the meantime, enjoy the popcorn. :popcorn:

[dailykoff]

64. It doesn't have to work.

If this presidential election is stolen like the last two were, it just has to look like it worked.

[killbotfactory]

73. Pretty awesome

Obama must have put all those black folks who were offended up to this.

[Occam Bandage]

91. But that's the thing. Obama doesn't have to do anything!

Hillary has a bunch of her people say vaguely-offensive-but-not-really things, a few black people who support Obama can cry foul (as black activists tend to do), and then Hillary can blame Obama for being racially divisive.

[spooky3]

60. If only we were as smart as Rethuglicans

and just limited our nominations to white males, we wouldn't have any of these controversies.

Perhaps ABC will be exploring this issue in a future broadcast.

:sarcasm:

[BeyondGeography]

66. Perception is reality, Hilly

and you're up to your ears in bad feeling.

[Mutineer]

67. The comment about how LBJ was more responsible

for civil rights changes than MLK was? that was the last straw for me where she was concerned.

[BeyondGeography]

69. That was monstrously offensive

They're coming from a bad place on this. She and Bill, when you get right down to it, just don't have much respect for Obama.

[rodeodance]

82. She did not say LBJ was more responsible--just that it will take a President who

believes in the issue to make it so.

Look at the anti war people and Congress critters. They can put forth all the resolutions they want to get out of iraq--but unless you have a Pres that also wants/believes that--it is futile.

[anitar1]

68. After reading many threads though the past few weeks, I am

amazed by the amount of hatred that has been displayed. I have to say that the Obama supporters seem to have the edge at present. Why does this man stir up such hatred? It puzzles me. But, I am not voting for either Obama or Clinton and never will.The racist innuendo by Jesse Jackson reminds me of a poster who continually accuses people of being anti-semitic if one dares to say a word about Israel. I predict that soon those who dare to say a word about Obama will be accused of being racist.I have no idea what Clinton supporters will say.Have fun.

[Beacool]

71. I'll repeat this for the rest of the year if I have to:

Stop it with the race baiting!!!!!!!!!!

You're starting to tick off white people and they may chose to not vote or vote Republican if Obama gets the nomination. Do not make this election about race.

[rodeodance]

84. BINGO. and thanks

[martymar64]

87. Hillary also needs to stop playing the Gender card.

Everytime someone criticizes her policies, everybody here starts shrieking "SEXISM!!! MISOGYNY!!!"

That door swings both ways.

As an Edwards supporter, both Hillary and Obama suck. They are both rich corporate lackeys aka limousine liberals. They can talk about issues all day long, but they really don't give a shit about working people except as a photo op backdrop.

[ellacott]

99. Yes, we don't want to tick off the white people n/t

[vee]

75. Why does Hillary continue to dwell on this race issue. getting tired fast.

[Evergreen Emerald]

79. I think that playing the race card is a bad move--Obama will get hurt

Because it is obvious that the statements made by the Clintons were not racist. So, it is evident that Obama instructed his crew to attack with the race card asap while in SC (many black voters).

I think, even if he wins in the short term with the black voters--it will bite him in the long run.

[ellacott]

101. You guys keep using the word racist

Which is wrong. People aren't saying that the Clintons are racist.

[bigdarryl]

80. stop it stop it HILLARY its the PRESS!!!! starting and constantly talking this BULLSHIT not the

obama campaign

[rodeodance]

81. Bravo Sen. Clinton!--Hit em hard--

[MethuenProgressive]

85. The best response to Obama's pathetic Swiftboating is to counter attack.

Obama should be ashamed of his surrogates and call off his henchmen.

[sufrommich]

86. I have a hard time believing

either Obama or Clinton personally injected race into the campaign as it does equal damage to both.What does seem to be happening is that both camps are being asked to take responsibility for the actions of individuals and that is beyond their control.
Is anyone really surprised that the media is running with it? It's all about "the show" people.

[fightindonkey]

88. Anyone Who Thinks Anything She Said Was Rascist, Should Pack Up And Leave

This is why Middle America will not support him because of his dumbass supporters who are now pulling the race card.

[calteacherguy]

89. She's just saying this to keep it in the news, they are playing the race card. nt

[Cameron27]

90. Good, I'm glad she's fighting back.

[Avalux]

110. Fighting back for what?? Obama did not accuse her of being racist. She needs to SHUT UP.

Hillary knows that by keeping this emotionally charged issue alive, it takes the spotlight off her. She is intentionally dividing the Democratic party and hedging her bets she will come out smelling like a rose. :banghead:

[cd3dem]

93. if Obama is running on change and to end divisiveness

then why does he not speak up when a fellow democrat is attached? does he believe Hillary and Bill are racists? Hillary said she thought Barack Obama was likable and Obama responded that Hillary was "likable enough"

please help me understand how this is a message of hope and moves this country away from political divisiveness?

[vee]

94. Hillary didn't attack fellow democrats. She attacked the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement

Either you believe that MLK was a major driving force
behind the civil rights movement or, (like Hillary) you don't.

“Dr King’s dream began to be realized
when President Lyndon Johnson passed
the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
It took a president to get it done.”

"It took a president to get it done" This is a slap in the face of anyone (White/Black/Yellow/Brown) that has ever held a protest sign.

Do you think she believes the thousands that protested the Vietnam War couldn't get it done without the help of Nixon?

[cd3dem]

95. and I suppose "It Takes A Village To Raise A Child" criticizes mothers

... you hate Hillary so you read into her words your interpretation... she also wrote a book "It Takes A Village To Raise A Child" so now are we to believe that she meant to say that a mothers are worthless?

[vee]

97. I don't hate Hillary, far from it. I hate slimy politics. The MLK thing was slimy

[cd3dem]

107. it is the slimy press that makes us believe it was....

you can make the public believe anything if you edit out or in the words you want people to hear... Hillary very much respects what MLK did... she was speaking to the collective good that the movement did... who gains from this divisiveness? no one but the republicans... and Obama is the only one to put an end to it... silence ends nothing...

[sufrommich]

98. When did Clinton say MLK was not a major driving force?

This shit is getting ridiculous.
How would the dreams of Dr.King come to fruition without laws to back them up?Massive protests and disgust with unequal treatment of minorities compelled the government to act.Without legal changes to our governing laws,change does not happen. That's what she meant. I'm convinced that posters who keep trying to turn this into an insult are perfectly aware of what she meant and simply trying to stir this shit.

Did the anti-war protesters physically stop the war? Of course they didn't,our representatives in the government did.That takes absolutely nothing away from people who opposed the war.

[vee]

100. It took a president to get it done.

“Dr King’s dream began to be realized
when President Lyndon Johnson passed
the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
It took a president to get it done.”

"It took a president to get it done", this statement implies that the president "Got It Done".
I happen to believe that the President wouldn't have had much to do if not for the sacrafices that MLK
and others made.

[sufrommich]

102. What's your point?

Did not Dr.Kings dreams begin to be realized with the Voting Rights Act? Where does she diminish Dr.King's sacrifices?

[vee]

106. Selma to Montgomery marches

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma_to_Montgomery_marches

I'm not going to argue with you and Hillary's revisionist notions.

[JAbuchan08]

96. rather than empathizing with people's concerns Hillary dismisses them

as always.

[NastyRiffraff]

104. This is getting monumentally stupid

Both Obama and Clinton should have a good, hard talk with some of their campaign people (Yes, I'm talking to you, too, Obama, re Jessie Jackson Jr.). Hillary is neiher a racist nor a race-baiter. Obama isn't personally "playing the race card."

The MLK/LBJ comment has been blow way out of proportion. I instantly recognized what Hillary was saying...that MLK pushed the dream, but it took LBJ to make it reality...that is, through legislation. In no way was she downplaying MLK's achievements. Unfortunately, neither legislation nor activism can't change people's hearts and minds...witness what we're going through even today with all this crap.

The Hillary hatred on these boards is getting absurd. And no, she is not my candidate.

[itsrobert]

105. It's getting nasty between Hillary and Obama (they are imploding)

Edwards will be there to save the Democratic Party.

[SaveElmer]

108. Good...call em out!!!...nt

[Avalux]

109. I've had enough; SHE is perpetuating the issue by making such statements.

Pick a fight, then blame the other guy for starting it; claim innocence. :mad:

If I didn't know better, I'd say Rove is in her War Room. Maybe I don't know better....

[Zynx]

111. The idea that the MLK Jr. statement was ment to divide is such garbage.

She was making a point. You need pragmatic political leadership to bring big ideas to fruition.

[IndianaGreen]

113. Hillary is sounding like those perps on COPS. They deny they did it, even when caught red handed.

The Hillary campaign is the one that started this shit, and has continued to fan the flames.

[Zynx]

114. How are the "fairy tale" and "MLK" statements race baiting?

I'm really not seeing it at all.