‘That’s Not Change!’
NASHUA, N. H. — “That’s not change.”
Thus arrives Hillary Clinton’s new slogan, aimed no longer at underscoring her strengths but her opponents’ failings.
At Nashua North High School, Clinton said Obama can’t preach change for the following reasons: he said he would vote against the Patriot Act but voted for its renewal, he said he’s ended lobbyist-financed meals sitting down but the ethic law he touts allows lobbyist-financed meals “standing up,” and because he gave “a very good speech in 2002″ against the Iraq war but “in 2004 said he wasn’t sure how he would have voted.”
With each of these sharply pointed critiques, Clinton said: “That’s not change.”
By the end, her massive crowd began to chant the phrase back – thus giving voice to what the Clinton camp hopes will become a galvanizing cry against Obama. Clinton’s camp now portrays Obama as a false leader and empty prophet who mouths platitudes about change but has zero track record of delivering it.
In response, Obama’s team says the following:
Unlike Hillary, Obama never voted for the original Patriot Act that raised so many concerns among civil liberties but did vote for a revamped version that made improvements in limiting certain broad government powers. On the ethics bill Hillary now dismisses as meaningless, Obama aides say Hillary is now at war with her own party leadership and good government groups who have called the bill a significant, though imperfect, reform.
On the Iraq war, Obama aides say the record is clear that, in the words of Communications Director Robert Gibbs, “Barack Obama opposed the war in Iraq in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and if Hillary wants to debate who was right about that first, we welcome that debate.”
Overall, Obama senior adviser David Axelrod said Clinton’s negative tone will be seen as “defensive, incorrect and 11th-hour.”
They arise, he said, out of Clinton’s desire to regain ground in New Hampshire in light of Obama’s post-Iowa surge.
Axelrod says voters have seen Hillary’s argument that she’s an agent of change and rejected it in favor of Obama’s consistent appeal for a broader and less partisan coalition of Democrats, Independents and Republicans — a coalition Obama built in the largest numbers in Iowa caucus history and, Axelrod predicted, would replicate Tuesday in New Hampshire.
Tags: Axelrod, Caucus, Independents, Robert Gibbs
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It’s odd being in a state other than IA and NH and wondering what this movement towards Barry is all about because as a democrat I don’t see it nor do I know anyone in it. I never knew there was this silent majority of far left wing democrats, independents, and republicans just waiting for Obama to lead them.
Hillary Clinton’s experience is greatly overexaggerated. For twelve of those thirty-five years(that’s one third), she was the First Lady of Arkansas. That means she did next to nothing, and when she did do something, it’s all informal authority. Another eight years she spent as First Lady to the U.S. She had no security clearance, she did nothing about Clinton’s inaction during Rwanda, she wasn’t even talking to him when we tried firing missles in Afghanistan to hit Bin Laden..
Eight + Twelve = Twenty Years. Twenty of those Thirty-Five years that she cites was spent as the wife of someone. Give me a break. The other fifteen years? Take out seven of those for her time as a Senator, and that’s the only time she has in an elected office. The other eight years of her “thirty five years” of experience? She was on the board of directors of WAL-Mart.
Obama was a community organizer in Chicago on the south side. The most thankless job but vital to an area like that. He went to Harvard and became head of the prestigious Law Review. He left Harvard and went back to Chicago to be a Civil Rights’ lawyer. He then became a state senator and his time there was INCREDIBLE. Do some of your own research and stop simply reading HRC’s opposition research(also known as “dirt”). Then he became a U.S. Senator, which he has been for two years now. That’s ELEVEN YEARS as an elected official(State+National), that’s time working on campus, that’s time working on the local level with barely anything for pay, fighting for those who need to be defended, shall I go on?
Obama ‘08
Like I said, catchy phrase but can she support her retorts about Obama’s record. Give me the truth, please!
Right you are sir. She sounded like she was a waitress; “I’ve made change, I’ve made change!”
Oye, she needs a personality transplant. Now the issue has moved to change, and guess what, Hillary has morfed again! Now she’s the change candidate!
Why is this lady still in this thing?
people need to look at statistics about obama. he doesn’t seem to be honest in his speeches.i have read articles about him on several web sites.seems he is racist,lies about his religion and is definitely inexperienced.PEOPLE NEED TO GET THE FACTS RIGHT….
Barack has a cult following. He is a big mistake for this country. That being said. I am a republican. And have to admire Hillary for being severly scrutinized for being a woman. Maybe America is not ready for a woman president.
Why is this lady still in this thing, James?
Because, so far, she’s gotten more votes than John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Fred Thompson.
And she has more funds to go on than all of them combined.
Who’s asking McCain to leave the race (besides Mitt Romney)?
And is the FredDead leaving the race anytime soon?
As is scrubbed down to perform my first open heart surgery, the patient asked me what experience I had. I scornfully replied, “My wife has been a heart surgeon for 35 years!!”
You all need to do some research or listen to Hillary when she talks. This is the biggest decision we will probably make in the next 4-8 years. Don’t jump on the Obama bandwagon because Iowa did! They don’t care about the “issues” or his inexperience. If you listened to her she stated what she has done since her young years starting as an attorney and working her way up to today. She didn’t say she “moved the earth” or “walked on water” – she said she was responsible for some change. What has Obama done other than get married, have 2 kids and senate for 2 years. Hillary would be the first female president (change number 1), she wants health care for “everyone” (change 2), she wants to raise taxes for rich (change 3) she wants to raise minimum wage (change 3) I could go on. Obama hasn’t explained how he can make his changes; just that he represents change – sure change number one – (first black president )- change 2 (inexperience) face it guys, he’s got the talking part done!!
Why should we believe that Hillary knows how to tell the truth? What can we say shall we continue to believe a lie and vote for Her. I doubt there is any wisdom or real benefit unless we desire to allow the Clinton name to continue to destroy our nation?
Hillary Clinton telling someone else that they are not change? That is almost funny.
How on earth is Hillary Clinton change? We would probable even get Gore back if she was elected!
Major, my husband and I just saw you comment about Hills little break down on Martha’s show. You sent us both into crazy time. Come on!!! You know this woman will try anything. She will or has, sold her sole to the devil. Who in Gods name does she think she is, ” I have so much to offer the American People.” Yea! After the deal she made with Bill.
We love Fox and enjoy your reports. Like your visits with Laura too. Bet your family is crazy about you. Like Martha too.
noticed Hillary’s little emotional breakdown today and it came to mind that Geraldine Ferarro had a emotional moment on the stump that essentially ended her run. Real presidents don’t hit the ground running first day, CRYING.
Hillary thought her name would just automatically give her the nomination followed by the Presidency. We are not all kool-aid drinkers, Hillary, we expect truth from our leaders and not whatever the polls say at the moment. I am not sure if Obama fills the bill but in a choice of Hillary or Barack, he wins! She is determined and calculating and I hope people are beginning to see the real Hillary come out when things don’t go her way. Our country needs a strong leader who puts the people first, not themselves. Our country needs someone committed to keeping us safe. Our lives changed after 9/11. Our country will never be the same. People have to wake up and smell the coffee!
Who is right? Who is wrong? Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton ? Consistency is a principle a political leader must hold tight throughout his or her political career, because certain people have long memories and will replay what was said years ago!
It is the same with foreign policy. Consistency must be held . If a President pursues one policy, it will have vast implications in terms of cost , which may run into trillions of dollars and risk of lives of the armed, air and naval forces. The Iraq war is one example. Once you go in, you have to finish the job. On the other hand, if you think it is wrong to go in, then don’t go in. There is no second chance.
US went into Vietnam and fought a long and bloody war. Finally she had to withdraw from it!
A half-hearted war is a losing war. Go in and finish the job in the shortest possible time- frame. US should learn from the Israelis who fought a SIX-Day war in the Middle East ! That was the BEST war in history. And the Israelis did a great job! FINISH the job and get out !
So, my thinking is simple : ” STICK to one, and only one, PRINCIPLE ! Never waver, in spite of attacks from freinds or foes. ” But before doing that, THINK through the principle THOROUGHLY; there is no turning back once you have publicly stated your STAND.
Thank you.
Huang Siew Hock
This “lady” is still in this thing for.. WE, the People.., because our country is HER PASSION. She is not out to destroy us but to continue/complete the transition of change that we have already started since 9/11. I am just confused by peoples comments of 35 years experience. She has accomplished more than most of her contingints who have held so called ‘titles”. Experience comes from many directions. As far as being female. Wake up!! Every so called president was what??? BEEN – RAISED BY A WOMAN! NUTURED BY A WOMAN! mommamia
Just be fair to our country as a whole and listen, research, and vote honestly for who will really help us all get our country back on its foundation. Whether you like that person or not.
The democratic part is being misled by the media who Republican and who is praying for a Republican win in the 2008 elections. How could the media claim to be patriotic but yet they are not discussing the issue amount the different candidate instead they are concentrating on one candidate Hilary Clinton. I am turn off by the media and know wonder why the rest of the world is against the American media for not being balance and fair. Fox news is staging a war against Hilary they are not say any thing against Obama because they want the weakest Democratic candidates , by no stretch of the imagination Would Obama be the next President Of America. The time is know more than ever for the media to take the lead in making sure that America elect the best president one who would lead the world against Terrorism and restore pride, joy and economic propriety in the world .
Im sorry what is Obama’s record other than a big smile and slick talk? Thats my point. Hillary has done something and she is qualified and she is being beat by someone that is under qualified Why? Why is she disliked, is it based only on her record or is it that people are biased against Bill Clinton? He seems to be still well like among many or is it that she is a woman? Some people site change, they dont want another Clinton in office, what? I believe our country was in great shape when Bill was in office, am I missing something? I am not willing to put up on the Democratic nomination someone who is just likable. Obama doesnt have the experience period. I would hate to see a really horrible moral person (if thats your problem with Hillary) Gulianai win the election because we didnt send the best most qualified and most tested person to bat.
Im sorry what is Obama’s record other than a big smile and slick talk? Community organizing? Are you serious!!! Hillary has done 10 times the organizing, campaigning and helping the American poor and middle class. Hillary has done something and she is qualified and she is being beat by someone that is under qualified Why? Why is she disliked, is it based only on her record or is it that people are biased against Bill Clinton? He seems to be still well liked among many or is it that she is a woman? Some people site change, they dont want another Clinton in office, what? I believe our country was in great shape when Bill was in office, am I missing something? I am not willing to put up on the Democratic nomination someone who is just likable. Obama doesnt have the experience period. I would hate to see a really horrible moral person (if thats your problem with Hillary) Gulianai win the election because we didnt send the best most qualified and most tested person to bat.
Okay Adrian As is scrubbed down to perform my first open heart surgery, the patient asked me what experience I had. I scornfully replied, ” I dont have any butttt I promise I’ll change things for ya”
I’m supporting Edwards but with all the negativity coming from Hillary’s campaign If Hillary becomesthe nominee. I will look closely at John McCain.
Hillary is a joke and FINALLY the American people are seeing that. I would much rather have a president who tells the truth and has faith in the people of this country than one who will attempt to control every aspect of my like. She moved to NY to become senator so maybe now she’ll move to Canada. OBAMA in ‘08!
Hillary = Change??? Give me a break. We’ve had 20 years straight ping ponging back and forth between a Bush and a Clinton and look where we are now. How is making that 24 years straight a “change”? We need a true change of direction. I’m a die hard Republican, but I’m backing Obama in this one. He’s the only guy who can shake up the system and bring decency back into politics. All the other candidates, in both partieis, are screaming at each other like a bunch of school yard bullies. Meanwhile, Obama is inspiring all the young people to get involved in their nation and bring back a sense of pride. That’s the change this country needs.