February 25, 2008
About That Photo
Howard Wolfson, in a call with reporters a few minutes ago, denied Hillary Clinton's team had anything to do with the photo up today on Drudge of Barack Obama dressed in the traditional garb of a Somali elder.
“I have not previously seen this photograph," Wolfson said. "I’m not aware that anyone in this campaign circulated it. I don’t imagine that you have any independent reporting to suggest that we did.”
Drudge's piece is headlined: "CLINTON STAFFERS CIRCULATE 'DRESSED' OBAMA."
More: "'Wouldn't we be seeing this on the cover of every magazine if it were HRC?' questioned one campaign staffer, in an email obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT."
Obama campaign manager David Plouffe earlier slammed Clinton's campaign for pushing the photo.
“On the very day that Senator Clinton is giving a speech about restoring respect for America in the world, her campaign has engaged in the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we’ve seen from either party in this election," he said in a statement. "This is part of a disturbing pattern that led her county chairs to resign in Iowa, her campaign chairman to resign in New Hampshire, and it’s exactly the kind of divisive politics that turns away Americans of all parties and diminishes respect for America in the world."
And Clinton campaign chief Maggie Williams subsequently lobbed the matter back in Obama's court, suggesting that his campaign is using the episode to "distract from the serious issues confronting our country today."
"Enough," she said in a statement. "If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed. Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely. This is nothing more than an obvious and transparent attempt to distract from the serious issues confronting our country today and to attempt to create the very divisions they claim to decry. We will not be distracted.”
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 03:33 PM
Comments
Well, if Howard Wolfson denied it, that's good enough for me. When has a Clinton official ever lied to the American people?
just another dem | 02.25.08 04:13 PM
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Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton replaced her Latino campaign manager, Ms. Patti Solis Doyle, with longtime aide Ms. Maggie Williams, her current African American campaign manager. It seems as if Ms. Clinton's campaign courts which ever ethnic group can provide the campaign with votes that it needs at critical junctures in the campaign to win. Hence, out with Ms. Doyle and in with Ms. Williams. In addition, fronting Ms. Williams as the "talking head" for the campaign on such issues as approving the circulation of pictures of Senator Obama in African attire is designed to mute any perception voters may develop regarding insensitive campaign tactics that have now taken on a more divisive, angry, mean spirited tone reflective of sore losers who may attempt to inflict as much political damage as possible on the front runner while contemplating the odds of withdrawing from the race. In the infamous words of President Clinton to the reporters in South Carolina and Senator Clinton to Senator Obama, SHAME ON YOU TWO...too!
MRose | 02.25.08 05:14 PM
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Drudge's piece is headlined: "CLINTON STAFFERS CIRCULATE 'DRESSED' OBAMA."
Ok, so I guess that by repeating this rumor you've found some independent evidence to corroborate Drudge's claim? Bring it on.
Obama campaign manager David Plouffe earlier slammed Clinton's campaign for pushing the photo.
What a wuss. Again, he doesn't offer any solid evidence to prove the Clinton campaign pushed the photo but everyone has to take his word for it? This is amateur hour. Why is the Obama campaign so afraid of a photo?
corinne | 02.25.08 08:22 PM
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Williams' response is pathetic and naive. I don't get emails about or run into people on the street who insist that Hillary is a Muslim. I don't blame the Clinton campaign for the photo circulating--I have no evidence to do so and Drudge has his own track record--but to suggest this photo is no different than those of Clinton in similar situations is foolish.
This side of politics is sad, pathetic, and makes me sick.
Andy | 02.25.08 08:44 PM
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This picture was straight out of the Obama Camp! He is scared to death SHE is going to WIN Ohio and All of his negative LIES that he has been spreading will have been for nothing! It is just a shame that the MORONS that are believing in this HOPE/CHANGE garbage haven't figured it out yet that all of those who followed JIM JONES and the COOL AID had hope too...but it was behind a nut that had no clue...just like HUSSEIN OBAMA! He is even saying that HE is upset because McCain's people have called him by his OWN name. well if he hates it that bad he should have just HOPED it would change before this campaign. I realize that this is a black pride thing...but remember ONE thing here...HE is NO Colin Powell or any OTHER black intelligent person worthy of handling the issues WE are facing. Let's see when we are issued a terriorist alert...what is he going to do call Hillary and ask her WHAT to do...like he HAS BEEN doing since he got into the Senate..or I guess maybe he will just act like he never got the call like he does when he votes Present in the Senate. His whole campaign has been dirty politics....Making Bill Clintons statements on Obama war flip flop RACIAL...That was all the Obama "Spinners" and it just says how stupid the American people can be to be taken like this!!!
Cheryl | 02.26.08 03:31 PM
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