Full Version: Bill Clinton words McCarthy-like?
It is no secret that I'm not an HRC fan, but I have to wonder about this comparison. Story here.
The Clinton camp calls the comparison 'absurd'.
More on McCarthyism here and Good Night and Good Luck's movie adaptation of the time here.
Watch the video of what Bill Clinton actually said here.
Questions for Debate:
Given the political expertise of the Clintons, was this statement simply an account of what Bill believes a Clinton/McCain campaign would look like?
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
Which statement is 'worse'?
I'll go first. I'm for Obama on the DNC side, but what are they thinking here? Bill Clinton makes some innane statement and they start throwing out McCarthy comparisons?! McCarthy flat out destroyed people's lives and careers during the 1950's. To me, that comparison is completely out of line and disappointing to see. John McCain and all of his talk about a respectful campaign are going to be in a world of hurt I'm afraid. I expect this sort of outlandish accusation from the Clintons but I had higher hopes if Obama made the general.
QUOTE(NYTimes/AP)
A retired Air Force general on Friday compared former President Bill Clinton to Joseph McCarthy, the 1950s Communist-hunting senator, after Mr. Clinton seemed to question Senator Barack Obama’s patriotism.The general, Merrill A. McPeak, a former chief of staff of the Air Force and currently a co-chairman of Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign, said he was disappointed by comments Mr. Clinton made while campaigning Friday in Charlotte, N.C., for his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.
“I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country,” Mr. Clinton said. “And people could actually ask themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics.”
General McPeak said of Mr. Clinton’s statement: “It sounds more like McCarthy. I grew up, I was going to college when Joe McCarthy was accusing good Americans of being traitors, so I’ve had enough of it.”
“I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country,” Mr. Clinton said. “And people could actually ask themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics.”
General McPeak said of Mr. Clinton’s statement: “It sounds more like McCarthy. I grew up, I was going to college when Joe McCarthy was accusing good Americans of being traitors, so I’ve had enough of it.”
The Clinton camp calls the comparison 'absurd'.
More on McCarthyism here and Good Night and Good Luck's movie adaptation of the time here.
QUOTE(wikipedia)
thousands of Americans were accused(by McCarthy) of being Communists or communist sympathizers and became the subject of aggressive investigations and questioning before government or private-industry panels, committees and agencies.
Watch the video of what Bill Clinton actually said here.
Questions for Debate:
Given the political expertise of the Clintons, was this statement simply an account of what Bill believes a Clinton/McCain campaign would look like?
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
Which statement is 'worse'?
I'll go first. I'm for Obama on the DNC side, but what are they thinking here? Bill Clinton makes some innane statement and they start throwing out McCarthy comparisons?! McCarthy flat out destroyed people's lives and careers during the 1950's. To me, that comparison is completely out of line and disappointing to see. John McCain and all of his talk about a respectful campaign are going to be in a world of hurt I'm afraid. I expect this sort of outlandish accusation from the Clintons but I had higher hopes if Obama made the general.
Given the political expertise of the Clintons, was this statement simply an account of what Bill believes a Clinton/McCain campaign would look like?
It's what he believes. I don't see what this had to do with Obama. If he was somehow implying that Obama did not love this country, I missed it. He wants his wife to win. He believes his wife loves the country, he believes McCain loves the country. There was no Obama slam there. He's said some other questionable things in this race, but this isn't one of them.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
I would say that it isn't fair.
Which statement is 'worse'?
I'd go with McPeak's statement.
Perhaps there's something I missed, but I think the McCarthy comparison goes too far.
It's what he believes. I don't see what this had to do with Obama. If he was somehow implying that Obama did not love this country, I missed it. He wants his wife to win. He believes his wife loves the country, he believes McCain loves the country. There was no Obama slam there. He's said some other questionable things in this race, but this isn't one of them.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
I would say that it isn't fair.
Which statement is 'worse'?
I'd go with McPeak's statement.
Perhaps there's something I missed, but I think the McCarthy comparison goes too far.
Given the political expertise of the Clintons, was this statement simply an account of what Bill believes a Clinton/McCain campaign would look like?
This statement is what it is, and it's not the first time I've heard Bill Clinton say something like this. He has said in the past, as has Hillary that John McCain is an honorable man who would run an honorable campaign based on issues. They both respect McCain and disagree with him on many issues. It's one of the few things I agree with the Clintons on. I think John McCain will run an issues-orientated campaign and can win on his stances.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
Neither, it's politics as usual. Some kind of "different candidate" Obama has turned out to be. Same old crap.
Which statement is 'worse'?
In my opinion, Obama's campaign's statement is just a cheap attack. Politics as usual from the "change guy".
Aquilla
This statement is what it is, and it's not the first time I've heard Bill Clinton say something like this. He has said in the past, as has Hillary that John McCain is an honorable man who would run an honorable campaign based on issues. They both respect McCain and disagree with him on many issues. It's one of the few things I agree with the Clintons on. I think John McCain will run an issues-orientated campaign and can win on his stances.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
Neither, it's politics as usual. Some kind of "different candidate" Obama has turned out to be. Same old crap.
Which statement is 'worse'?
In my opinion, Obama's campaign's statement is just a cheap attack. Politics as usual from the "change guy".
Aquilla
Given the political expertise of the Clintons, was this statement simply an account of what Bill believes a Clinton/McCain campaign would look like?
Based on the clip alone, yes it was.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
It wasn't even germaine to Clinton's comment if he wasn't referring to Obama but rather a McCain / Clinton competition, correct? Even if Clinton were suggesting something about Obama it would be highly insensitive and unprofessional but McCarthy-like? Gimme a break. I hope Obama corrects this over statement soon but ya' know, words are just words, right?
Which statement is 'worse'?
Apples and oranges.
I don't understand your statement. What exactly did McCain have to do with this & why is he going to be in a "world of hurt" as it relates to this OP?
Based on the clip alone, yes it was.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
It wasn't even germaine to Clinton's comment if he wasn't referring to Obama but rather a McCain / Clinton competition, correct? Even if Clinton were suggesting something about Obama it would be highly insensitive and unprofessional but McCarthy-like? Gimme a break. I hope Obama corrects this over statement soon but ya' know, words are just words, right?
Which statement is 'worse'?
Apples and oranges.
QUOTE
John McCain and all of his talk about a respectful campaign are going to be in a world of hurt I'm afraid.
I don't understand your statement. What exactly did McCain have to do with this & why is he going to be in a "world of hurt" as it relates to this OP?
QUOTE(vanguard @ Mar 23 2008, 11:50 PM) 
QUOTE
John McCain and all of his talk about a respectful campaign are going to be in a world of hurt I'm afraid.
I don't understand your statement. What exactly did McCain have to do with this & why is he going to be in a "world of hurt" as it relates to this OP?
I'm just saying that McCain may not be ready to play hardball here. He may want to talk issues, but if this is any indication...his character is going to be under assault no matter who the Democratic nominee is.
QUOTE(Just Leave me Alone! @ Mar 23 2008, 08:54 PM)
QUOTE(vanguard @ Mar 23 2008, 11:50 PM)
QUOTE
John McCain and all of his talk about a respectful campaign are going to be in a world of hurt I'm afraid.
I don't understand your statement. What exactly did McCain have to do with this & why is he going to be in a "world of hurt" as it relates to this OP?
I'm just saying that McCain may not be ready to play hardball here. He may want to talk issues, but if this is any indication...his character is going to be under assault no matter who the Democratic nominee is.
No doubt it will be, we've seen some of that here already from a troll or two. But, I do think McCain is above that sort of thing, he always has been and he's done pretty well in politics. People start attacking his character and it's going to backfire on them. I've always thought the hardest thing McCain would have to do to become the President was win the GOP nomination. Well, he's done that, so we'll see. And, if his opponent goes after him with attack ads, we'll see a different kind of "hardball" from McCain.
Aquilla
Given the political expertise of the Clintons, was this statement simply an account of what Bill believes a Clinton/McCain campaign would look like?B
Bill is a gifted speaker, and usually knows full well what he's saying. Are his words meant to be at the exclusion of Obama? Maybe, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in this case. I think it was a gross overreaction from McPeak.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
Slander might be a strong word when we're talking politics, but it certainly wasn't fair.
I happen to agree with his sentiment, though I wish he were doing so in the context of the two opponents in the Democratic primaries. Given that Hillary threw Obama under the bus when comparing her CINC credentials with McCain, I can certainly understand why someone might jump to that conclusion, even if I disagree with it.
Bill is a gifted speaker, and usually knows full well what he's saying. Are his words meant to be at the exclusion of Obama? Maybe, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in this case. I think it was a gross overreaction from McPeak.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
Slander might be a strong word when we're talking politics, but it certainly wasn't fair.
I happen to agree with his sentiment, though I wish he were doing so in the context of the two opponents in the Democratic primaries. Given that Hillary threw Obama under the bus when comparing her CINC credentials with McCain, I can certainly understand why someone might jump to that conclusion, even if I disagree with it.
QUOTE
Given the political expertise of the Clintons, was this statement simply an account of what Bill believes a Clinton/McCain campaign would look like?B
Bill is a gifted speaker, and usually knows full well what he's saying. Are his words meant to be at the exclusion of Obama? Maybe, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in this case. I think it was a gross overreaction from McPeak.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
Slander might be a strong word when we're talking politics, but it certainly wasn't fair.
I happen to agree with his sentiment, though I wish he were doing so in the context of the two opponents in the Democratic primaries. Given that Hillary threw Obama under the bus when comparing her CINC credentials with McCain, I can certainly understand why someone might jump to that conclusion, even if I disagree with it.
Bill is a gifted speaker, and usually knows full well what he's saying. Are his words meant to be at the exclusion of Obama? Maybe, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in this case. I think it was a gross overreaction from McPeak.
Is the McCarthy comparison fair or a slander by the Obama aid?
Slander might be a strong word when we're talking politics, but it certainly wasn't fair.
I happen to agree with his sentiment, though I wish he were doing so in the context of the two opponents in the Democratic primaries. Given that Hillary threw Obama under the bus when comparing her CINC credentials with McCain, I can certainly understand why someone might jump to that conclusion, even if I disagree with it.
Let me springboard a little off Doc on this issue. Bill Clinton is the man that just so happened to mention Jesse Jackson in relation to S.C. Of all the democrats who ran thereBill felt the need to point out how Jesse Jackson won south Carolina... but it had nothing to do with race.
Fast forward >>>> Obama is running a great campaign, but his pastor said "God Damn America for..... blah and blah"... and his wife says, "for the first time in my adult life i am really proud to be and american..." and he's in an african suit... and he has a muslim/african name.... and he didn't put his hand over his heart for the pledge that one time.... and he won't wear the flag lapel... and Bill just happens to say........
QUOTE
“I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country,” Mr. Clinton said. “And people could actually ask themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics.”
As oppossed to what Mr. Clinton?!?!? Has there been a previous election year where one of the candidates clearly didn't love the country and were not devoted to the interest of this country. Well, IMO, very few love this country, but the truly insane most of us love this or that aspect of what our country does... but that is neither here or there.
The general saw what Clinton was doing and saying, but if he is part of Obama's camp he needs to act more like Obama, and sidestep those land mines the Clintons throw out.
Of course this could have been some planned get back.. for the "Ken Starr" label the Clintons threw out.
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