You know, Hillary said nothing wrong

[DemGa]

You don't believe that Senator Obama's a Muslim?" Kroft asked Sen. Clinton.

"Of course not. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that," she replied.

"You said you'd take Senator Obama at his word that he's not...a Muslim. You don't believe that he's...," Kroft said.

"No. No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know," she said.

[Drunken Irishman]

1. As far as I know, Clinton's never eaten babies.

[elixir]

41. "You're likeable enough, Hillary."

[pamplona]

47. Agree. That was rude n/t

[tekisui]

2. Just like when she says, "No one from my campaign sent those e-mails,

As far as I know."

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Gasoline-soaked rag--- meet fire.

How do you do?

[NastyRiffraff]

4. What else was she supposed to say?

She doesn't know his personal life well enough to make a statement other than what she said. Besides, what the hell is wrong with being a Muslim? She might have just said "that's a stupid question," (which it was) and get vilified for THAT.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. "Fuck you and the bullshit question you rode in on!"

That'd be my rejoinder.

[Zhade]

22. Good rejoinder!

NT!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

30. It works for every question!

:)

[LisaL]

50. Maybe you failed to notice, but there are billions of muslims

on Earth. If she was to act all outraged over the question, some people might get upset too.
I mean, are you, Obama supporters, saying there is something wrong with being a muslim? And it's outrageous for anyone to even suggest a mere possibility regarding Obama?

[housewolf]

59. She didsn't have to "act outraged"

She needs to BE outraged that people spread smears, lies, rumors and innuendo about her colleagues and she needs to take every opportunity to strongly stamp them out publicly, and to take a stand against that kind of behavior.

She knows for certain that Obama is not a muslim, has never been a muslim and took his oath of office on a Bible, not the Koran.

She used weasel words when she had an opportunity to stand up against that kind of behavior. The point isn't about Obama being or not being a muslim. The point is about the fact that she KNOWS it's a lie and she chose to weasel her way out of it instead of standing up strongly against such tactics.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

79. I'd probably be more inclined to vote for him if he were Muslim.

:shrug:

[berni_mccoy]

25. If you really have to ask that question, then I feel sorry for you.

[ORDem]

61. Indeed! It was a slimy answer. So Clintonesque. n/t

:kick:

[NanceGreggs]

5. Bad move, Hill ...

... bad, bad, move.

[MoonRiver]

6. The Obamaniacs have really gone over the deep end with this one.

I didn't see the show, but the transcript seems to indicate she said NO she doesn't think he's a Muslim, based on WHAT HE HAS SAID.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT???????????????????????

[sueragingroz]

10. apparently she has to definitively state that he's not a muslim

thereby implying that there is something wrong with being muslim.

It goes to the "Hillary is evil" meme.

All she can do is state what she believes based on the evidence and according to her, the evidence shows overwhelmingly that he is not a muslim.

Of course that begs the question: So what if he is a muslim? but that is another thread.

This smells of the freakout over the picture of Obama in headgear.

[DemGa]

14. Thank you for this clarity---nt

[MoonRiver]

17. The interesting question for me is why they are losing it like this.

I'm wondering if there is something really disturbing going on in the minds of these crazed followers.

[DemGa]

19. Good point -- the reaction is indeed telling of some disturbance

[MoonRiver]

27. The rational minority, e.g. we Hillary supporters, need to read or re-read

Eric Hoffer's True Believer. I think that book explains a lot about this "groupthink" mob mentality that we are seeing here.

[DemGa]

36. Thanks, I'll check that out! ----nt

[susankh4]

34. Paranoia is a symptom....

of Obamaphilia?

[housewolf]

62. It's not about whether he's a muslim or not

it's about the fact that she KNOWS for a FACT that the thing is a lie, and she weaseled her way out of it instead of standing up firmly against that kind of tactic, thereby letting the lie stand.

[OhioBlue]

24. stop the GD spin

you know exactly what is wrong with how she answered.

If it were any topic (other than a personal attack against Obama)she would set the record straight instead of leaving doubt.

And before you start with the bull shit - it isn't an attack to be called a Muslim. You know exactly what I'm talking about. The bull shit e-mail that is being fed by stuff like this.

She sucks.

[Nickster]

42. It's amazing how willfully blind some people choose to be. She's supposed to be so quick and

a great decision maker, but the best way she could respond was in that fashion? "Well, maybe he is, but I don't know....". You know and I know that she responded specifically that way because she wanted to keep that idea out there in the back of people's minds but can't come out and say it directly.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

63. They Totally Have, And There's Nothing Wrong With It.

I'm amazed here as I browse each day, how much further off the deep end some of them go, and how much more petty they need to be in their outrage of the day. It's almost like they're becoming a mockery unto themselves. Really kinda silly.

[Colobo]

7. As far as I know Bill has been a good husband.

[Mass]

8. What would Clinton supporters think if this dialogue had happened.

You don't believe that Senator Clinton 's a lesbian?

"Of course not. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take him on the basis of what she says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that,"

You said you'd take Senator Clinton at her word that she's not...a lesbian. You don't believe that hse's...,"

"No. No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know,"

(Now, how would Hillary's supporters find that - not that there is nothing wrong in any of the two situations, being Muslim or lesbian, but I am curious if they would be happy if Obama was answering this way.).

[sueragingroz]

11. I wish that she was a lesbian

With that, I'm off to go watch the L-Word.

Catch yas later!

[UALRBSofL]

45. sueragingroz, thanks for reminding me

I almost forgot the "L" word is on. I know, it's a girls show but it does have a good story line. :)

[sueragingroz]

54. yes it does

and there was some hot gay on trannie sex tonight!

(but I digress)...

[UALRBSofL]

77. I saw that and about hell on the floor

What was that about? I guess whatever but as you day, I digress.

[MoonRiver]

12. Now I KNOW you Obamaniacs are CRAZY!

:wow::wow::wow:

[Mass]

15. Because I changed the question from muslim to lesbian?

None of them is something wrong, but both are used as smears by the right against the two candidates. If Obama was asked by the media, how would you like if he answered the same way? Just asking.

[MoonRiver]

20. Because she didn't call him either a Muslim or a lesbian.

In fact, she DENIED he was a Muslim. I'm sure she would have denied that he was gay if asked.

You need to take a break.

[Mass]

26. I am not stating she is. I am asking whether an identical answer would satisfy you

if such a question was asked to Obama. And, apparently, asking the question makes you jump to the ceiling, so apparently there is a problem.

[housewolf]

65. No, she didn't deny it, she weaseled her way out of it

She could have taken a strong stand against that sort of tactic that has often been used against her too, and instead being strong and denouncing that tactic, she weaseled her way out of it.

[grantcart]

48. when that dialogue happens give me a call

[DemGa]

13. Face it: you're going to find evil intent if you hate Hillary

It's just sad really. Your "movement" is based on so much hate for one person.

[Mass]

18. NO, I do not believe he is, not that there is someting wrong with it.

This would have been a good answer.

[bowens43]

16. Hillary is as sleezy as they get.

HOw can anyone consider voting for her?

[Zhade]

21. I fully oppose Clinton. HOWEVER, you are correct.

We have to take people at their word on what they believe (which is why there are no false Christians - if they say they are, they are).

[TheWebHead]

23. alternate conversation

"You don't believe that Senator Clinton is a lesbian?" Kroft asked Sen. Obama.

"Of course not. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take her on the basis of what she says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that," he replied.

"You said you'd take Senator Clinton at her word that she and her close aide Huma Abedin are not... lesbian lovers. You don't believe that she's...," Kroft said.

"No. No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know," he said.

[Mass]

28. I asked the same question a couple posts ahead and was jumped over by a Clinton supporter,

so I wonder how they will react to yours.

[TheWebHead]

35. oh whoops

should've read down... I think the answer is that were the situations reversed, Obama would have graciously bowed out by now for the good of the party, rather than campaign essentially for John McCain and give Republicans cover for their attacks, since Hillary as a Democrat has essentially shielded Repblicans from any future criticism.

[housewolf]

29. Her reply is "media-whore enabling"

She could have taken the opportunity to actually tell the truth, correct the record and smack down the smearing rumor. She could have said "No, Steve, Barack Obama is a Christian. He is not a muslim. He did not swear in the Senate on a Koran, it was a Bible. This rumor is a right-wing smear attack against one of my colleagues and I hereby set the record straight".

Did she do anything like that? Hell no. She used weasel-words "I don't believe that's so, as far as I know" when she knows for darn sure that the whole thing is a lie.

Instead, she took an opportunity weasel out of it and enable the media to continue to discuss the issue. I dis-respect her for this soft, squishy answer even if it's technically true.

[LisaL]

43. His religion is his business. Not hers.

As far as she knows, he is not a muslim.
WTF would you expect her to say?

[housewolf]

58. WTF would I expect her to say?

Exactly what I said in my post above.

NO democrat should be involved in enabling rumors and innuendo to be perpetrated by their own weasel-words. He and she are contenders for a job - that does not make him her enemy. I expect ALL Democrats to strongly stand up for each other against smears, rumors and innuendo and take every opportunity to strongly stamp them out.

It has nothing to do with the specifics of the lie, it has to do with not standing up against that sort of tactic.

[NMMNG]

31. Of course if religion were kept out of campaigns and politics

This bullshit wouldn't be an issue in the first place (I've said that a brazillion times).

And why is the question of his religion such a problem? e.g. who gives a shit what he is? Our biggest mistake has been letting the RW frame this whole thing.

Finally, ultimately, all we ever have to go on WRT somebody's professed religion is their word. (Anybody who has spent time in R/T knows this)

[housewolf]

67. It has nothing to do with religion

It has to do with the fact that there is a campaign in action using "swift boat" tactics against a fellow Democrat, and she didn't stand up strongly against those tactics. She had an opportunity to stand up strong and denounce such tactics but instead, she weaseled her way out.

[NMMNG]

68. Face it

Nothing she said would have been good enough for the Obama supporters. That's the crux of the whole brouhaha. She was asked a question that was a death blow no matter how she answered.

[From The Left]

32. "As far as I know." Shame on You, Hillary Clinton

You're a weasel. A snake. A witch.

[zulchzulu]

33. Hillary's soul is as cold as a winter day in Rankin Inlet

For her to not just step up to the plate and openly say with equivocation that Obama is not a Muslim is yet another example of how she thinks on the spot... reckless and asinine.

How would she react at 3am in a crisis? Obviously like an asshat.

[Forkboy]

40. .....

I had to look it up to see for myself. I'm like that. :)

[Johnny__Motown]

37. She parsed

[From The Left]

38. We Have Seen Hillary's Soul and I'm Sorry to Say

It's everything the lunatic rightwing has been claiming about her for the past 20 years.

To think, I used to defend her? I voted for her in her 2006 senate race. Never again. I've seen the monster and it's wearing a Rayon pantsuit.

[BlackVelvet04]

39. Oh, the drama of the Obama supporter's outrage....

what a bunch of fucking drama queens.

[Zorro]

66. Amen

Sounded to me like she very emphatically stated that she didn't believe Obama's a Muslim.

The Obama true believers are trying to make mountains over molehills.

If this type of comment elicits such howls of outrage now, just wait until the Republicans tear into him if he does get the nomination.

[opiate69]

44. By answering like that, she legitimized a question which did not warrant it.

[WillyT]

46. She Fucked Up, She Made It Up, Or... She Knew Exactly What She Was Doing...

What part of "Ready On Day 1" do you not get???

:shrug:

[grantcart]

49. very presidential

[DearAbby]

51. Again

when was a religious test required to elect a President. And why is this question even asked....step further...Why did an elected official running for the same office give crediblity to the question by answering it...and take it even further... "As far as I know," she said. Why did she have to add the kicker?


edit for clearity

[Omega3]

52. Obamabots have got to be the most hyper-sensative little crybabies I've ever seen in 30 yrs

she completely denied he was a muslum, even cut off Kroft the second time he started asking this.

and why did he re-phrase and ask again? just looking for trouble.

I give it 5 pukes on the Puke-O-meter!!!!

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

53. here's the video....what in gods name is wrong with you people?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHFREDHB-nQ


.

[ruggerson]

60. Agreed. This one's way over the top

it's amazing what predisposition to hate Clinton will make one hear.

[bigtree]

55. Or course, she didn't.

. . . and they call her supporters 'desperate'

[paulk]

56. there has to be at least one faux outrage per day

to fire up the faithful.

[bigtree]

57. I know. OMG, Hillary doesn't believe Obama's a Muslim!

I don't get it.

[berni_mccoy]

64. Tonight was Clinton's Macaca Moment. She's done.

[Zorro]

69. Concerns about Obama being a closet Muslim doesn't bother me

I'm much more concerned about Obama being a closet Republican.

[DemGa]

71. LOL!!

[frogcycle]

70. fucking unbelievable

the parsing and hate mongering sinks to new lows!


Nobody should say they KNOW something when all they have to go on is what they've been TOLD. That is hearsay. It is not wrong to word a statement carefully and factually.

Bunch of whiney babies wouldn't know a factual statement if it hit you between the eyes. You want to make mountains out of every fucking molehill you can find, don't you?


Note: I don't support either candidate, and think most of those who do support either are obnoxious. So don't call me partisan.

[lastliberalintexas]

72. She could have responded better than she did

and discussed the idea that we do not have a religious test for elected office in this country, that Obama has specifically stated that he is a Christian, but that it would not matter if a candidate were a Muslim or an atheist or an agnostice or a Buddhist, since we are a secular nation. She is human and made a mistake, and could have answered better than she did.

At the same time, some of the Obama supporters need to step away from the political cesspool and go breathe some fresh air for a while. They are getting far too wound up over a relatively minor gaffe.

[Catherine Vincent]

73. Obamabots and their fake outrage.

:eyes:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

74. OMFG these people are deranged if they see something wrong with what Hillary said.

simply deranged

[NastyRiffraff]

75. I can't wait to see some of these people if Obama becomes the nominee..

...if they get out the smelling salts and droop gracefully onto fainting couches over....this?

Some people are going to need serious psychiatric help if they think this is an attack on Obama, when Hillary said "Of course not" The GOP is probably rubbing its collective hands right now in anticipation. I really hope Obama himself isn't this ultra-sensitive.

[Two Americas]

76. of course she didn't

The "controversy" about this is absurd to the point of insanity.

For one think, being a Muslim is not someone needs to be defended for.

For another, it is an absurd and unexpected trick question, that no one could anticipate. Defending Obama would imply that there were something wrong about being a Muslim, so it is absurd to expect that she would have done that. Also, someone else's religion is not something that a decent person would be dwelling on or have at the top of their mind, let alone investigate to discover objectively whether it were or it were not true. "As far as I know from what they say" is the only appropriate and respectful answer.

"There is nothing to base that on..." is also completely appropriate. In other words, "I have no idea why someone would misrepresent another person's religion and use that as though it were a smear or a personal attack on the person." Idiotic questions that have no good answer, but so unexpected that it would be the rare person who would be prepared to challenge the questioner, and it would also be difficult to tell what the reporter was after, and an intelligent ans sensitive person would not want to shoot from the hip when they answered.

I am no fan of Senator Clinton, but I am a fan of rationality and perspective and proportion and honesty. Attacking the Senator for this demonstrates a complete absence of those qualities.

[mmonk]

78. I'm not all up in arms over this.

I don't like the wording, 'I'll take his word on this' but people are making too much of this. While I have no doubt Clinton staffers will do nothing to extinguish this falsehood continuing, she didn't say anything wrong.