Michelle Comes Out Swinging: Accuses Clintons of 'Smear Tactics,' Willful Distortions

Photo of Mark Finkelstein.
By Mark Finkelstein (Bio | Archive)
January 24, 2008 - 17:45 ET

Yesterday, the Obama campaign put out an email from John Kerry condemning the "Swiftboating" of Barack. Today it's Michelle Obama's turn, and the candidate's wife has come out swinging. Here's the text of an email from Michelle Obama just received from the Obama campaign [emphasis added]:

Mark --

In the past week or two, another candidate's spouse has been getting an awful lot of attention.

We knew getting into this race that Barack would be competing with Senator Clinton and President Clinton at the same time.

We expected that Bill Clinton would tout his record from the nineties and talk about Hillary's role in his past success. That's a fair approach and a challenge we are prepared to face.

What we didn't expect, at least not from our fellow Democrats, are the win-at-all-costs tactics we've seen recently. We didn't expect misleading accusations that willfully distort Barack's record.

Story Continues Below Ad ↓

Barack Obama isn't relying on a former President of the United States to campaign for him. He's relying on us -- you, me, and hundreds of thousands of people like us who are giving whatever they can afford to support this movement.

Please stand up in the face of these new attacks. Make your first online donation of $50 today and own a piece of this campaign.

Barack's unwavering opposition to the war in Iraq, his outspoken support of women's rights, and his call for leadership that will transform our party and our country have all been mischaracterized in the past two weeks.

We've seen disingenuous attacks and smear tactics turn people off from the political process for too long, and enough is enough.
It's time for a change. It's time for a new kind of leadership and a new kind of politics in our party and in our country.

And while Senator Clinton has a former president in her corner, I'll put my faith in a movement of a whole lot of people who are ready for change.

South Carolina votes in 48 hours, and more than 20 states will make their voices heard in less than two weeks on February 5th.

Now is the time for all of us to step up and take personal responsibility for making change happen.

Please make your first online donation of $50 now:
https://donate.barackobama.com/reliesonyou

Thank you,

Michelle

Talk about Dems forming a circular firing squad . . .

—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.


Comments Policy

All comments are owned by whoever posted them and are subject to our terms of use. They should not be assumed to represent the views of NewsBusters.

Viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

This is what a woman is supposed to be like leading

January 24, 2008 - 17:54 ET by Lame Cherry

When Liz Edwards does this stuff she and Hillary both sound like the B word. When this Obama babe does it she sounds like she is running on heavy heavy fuel to quote a Dire Straits song.

She appears more man than her husband in leadership qualities now that she is uncorked.

*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS

→ Lame

January 24, 2008 - 17:59 ET by Cool Arrow

Agree or disagree with the woman's politics, she does come across as a class act.

And she definitely comes

January 24, 2008 - 19:21 ET by motherbelt

And she definitely comes across as a MUCH more sympathetic figure than Mrs. Clinton's spouse!

She appears more man than

January 24, 2008 - 18:03 ET by bigtimer

She appears more man than her husband in leadership qualities now that she is uncorked.

I've been watching her campaign for quite a long time on C-SPAN now adn then...she has been slowly working her way to the boiling point and becoming uncorked.

Here is another ad the Clintons just pulled in SC...of course the damage they were attempting to inflict was done.

Michelle vs Bill...my money's on Michelle

January 24, 2008 - 17:58 ET by RJ

As a black woman, Bill and the Clinton machine won't be able to attack her as easily...and she ain't afraid of NOBODY. 

Plus, Bill has been ticking off the media, and as the fresh face in town they'll side with her storyline.

RJ...I would love to see

January 24, 2008 - 18:12 ET by bigtimer

RJ...I would love to see her debate Hillary...Hillary's sideway stares wouldn't work with her or anything else either..it would almost be worth a pay-for-view...hehehee

Btw...I think the BillnHill show is getting to be illegal with not running for a third time...if this was reversed in all ways we would not hear the end of it...

Of course conservatives have more sense and class.

bt -

January 24, 2008 - 18:21 ET by drillanwr

RJ...I would love to see her debate Hillary...Hillary's sideway stares wouldn't work with her or anything else either..it would almost be worth a pay-for-view...hehehee

You mean:

Michelle to Hillary:  Girrrrl! Don't you be lookin' at me with that evil Medusa glare ... ummm mmmmmm! ... Turn me to stone? ... I WILL come over there and bitch slap you! ... Thinkin' you all that.

drill... Thank you... I

January 24, 2008 - 18:23 ET by bigtimer

drill...

Thank you...

I had a longer post to JR (just ribbin' ya RJ...lol) and it included the likes of what you posted too....but I lost it somehow.

GMTA!

And I'm sure it's not lost

January 24, 2008 - 20:12 ET by motherbelt

And I'm sure it's not lost on anybody that you are talking about a Presidential candidate debating the spouse of another candidate. What does that say about people's opinion of Her Royal Clintoness?

Wouldn't she just....well, you know....to realize that?

Heck, BT

January 24, 2008 - 18:21 ET by RJ

I think she'd be happy to take on Bill. 

And, you're right.  I think a lot of people are beginning to suspect that this is a scam to get Bill back to running the country again.   Even if I were a Democrat, I wouldn't be convinced that Hillary has the knowledge, the strength or the leadership capabilities to run the country.   She'll be running to Bill for her decisions. 

When we compare her personality to that of a woman like Michelle, Hillary's leadership weaknesses stand right out.

RJ see what I replied above,

January 24, 2008 - 20:14 ET by motherbelt

RJ see what I replied above, re the comparison of HRC to Michelle Obama.

"We didn't expect

January 24, 2008 - 18:04 ET by kg

"We didn't expect misleading accusations that willfully distort Barack's record."

"This is the stuff reserved for our Republican opponents, damn it. Not us!!!"

osama's obama's record

January 25, 2008 - 00:53 ET by Judith

What the he** record are we talking about that belongs to Obama?? He has no record, he hasn't done anything except appeal to idiot kids and a majority of the minority. He is an empty suit and don't be fooled into thinking otherwise. Adolph Hitler was a great orator too!.

Ya gotta love it!

January 24, 2008 - 18:06 ET by goldenthroat

You have got to admit - watching these left-coast, bleeding-heart, 'do as I say, not as I do' liberals snipe at each other is nothing short of comical.

Could it be that their own camp is beginning to experience a slow but sure implosion? Like the saying goes: give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves!

Snipe on, libs!

"Yeah! That's the ticket!" - Tommy Flanagan

E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T The

January 24, 2008 - 18:22 ET by dscott

E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T

The perfect person to response to BJ Clinton.  My hat's off to you Obama. That's the second time you have done well in response.  High praise from the Right Wing, we look forward to a worthy opponent after the convention.

Remember level the playing field, surrogate to surragate, candidate to candidate.  And when the MSM allies for the Clintons ambush you, make sure to have your MSM allies ambush Hillary at least two times thereafter.  One thing about the Clinton's, they have a rapid reaction team, and that means anytime you counter their moves, they will promptly drop the tactic because it is usually more devestating on Clinton than you in a war of attrition so they will find another tactic. To equal the score, you have to respond twice as much in quantity to overcome anything they gain from starting a new tactic.

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.

Not paying attention

January 24, 2008 - 18:25 ET by c5then

"What we didn't expect, at least not from our fellow Democrats, are the win-at-all-costs tactics we've seen recently. We didn't expect misleading accusations that willfully distort Barack's record."

Well, Mrs. Obama, I would submit that you and your husband have not been paying attention then. This is in fact typical Clinton tactics. Or, did you mean that you didn't expect them to use these tried and true methods on fellow Democrats? You may want to look up and research Ron Brown.

The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.

c5

January 24, 2008 - 18:33 ET by bigtimer

You may want to look up and research Ron Brown.

Excellent c5...along with some others too....

True leaders

January 24, 2008 - 18:53 ET by docb

 It is refreshing to see a true female leader. No screeching- no histronics or fake tears--just the facts. The Obama's bring to the world stage a purity of vision, calm resolve, articulate discourse, reasoned options, and grand eloquence. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to see this in my lifetime.

 This is unity...this is CLASS.

class

January 25, 2008 - 00:57 ET by Judith

but they bring no experience and no record of accomplishments. This OK with you? Are you one of the idiot kids or a minority?

Idiot kids! judith- really!

January 25, 2008 - 10:22 ET by docb

 I am a 62 yr old white female democrat..with a lifetime of political activism at all levels. I happen to value true experience- not assumed, borrowed or stolen.  The truth is that Obama has been an elected official longer than ms. clinton- He has past more legislation and been a more effective leader in uniting people across the aisle than either of the candidiates running against him. He has not been deceitful, nor has he taken credit for anything other than his own accomplishments which are many.

 This is the experience that the clintons bring:  The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance - Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates* - Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation - Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify - Most number of witnesses to die suddenly - First president sued for sexual harassment. - First president accused of rape. - First first lady to come under criminal investigation - Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case - First president to establish a legal defense fund. - First president to be held in contempt of court - Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions - Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad - First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state co

 As to you statement about kids and minorities...you may not know this but the kids are the future and  the minority comment brands you as a bigot.

Nomination cleansing

January 24, 2008 - 19:17 ET by SouthernRoots

After the nomination is done, watch and see how all of the accusations either made against each other will disappear and that the nominee is now fully cleansed of all sin.......

 

I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. - J.B. Books (John Wayne)

Omarosa is looking haggard

January 24, 2008 - 19:31 ET by Roger the Shrubber

Omarosa is looking haggard these days...

Rog... LOL... I knew

January 24, 2008 - 19:34 ET by bigtimer

Rog...

LOL...

I knew she reminded me of someone, couldn't quite ever place it...

Thanks...

win-at-all-costs tactics

January 24, 2008 - 20:46 ET by Founding_Father

"win-at-all-costs tactics"

In the immortal words of Detective John McClain:

"Welcome to the party, pal!"

Serious question...

January 24, 2008 - 21:52 ET by m4ster chief

 She said, "...misleading accusations that distort Barack's record..."  Serious question here: what record?  It would have been nice if she had followed up with, "...Barack's record; for instance..." and actually given us a for instance.  I heard a talk radio host say a little while ago: "Can anybody call here and quote one line from anything Obama has written; give us the name of one bill he has sponsored."  (No callers answered.) 

Can anybody here enlighten me?  Are there any causes with which he has closely associated himself in past years?  Has he actually taken a stand on anything...submitted legislation to create anything or to remedy a bad situation?  I have heard that he abstains from a great percentage of votes; is that true?  (Yeah, I know, I could Google this.  But I don't want an info dump...just a couple of quick points.)   

Some of you Obama libs, give me answers.  I'm serious...I'd like to know.  

Thanks for the info.

 

record

January 25, 2008 - 00:59 ET by Judith

Ain't no record, only stood for being against the Iraq war.And he voted present 100 times or so I heard.

the record

January 25, 2008 - 11:46 ET by docb

http://www.ontheissu...
Might want to peruse this sight-- it covers all the votes and issues for all candidates...it will help you look less the fool.

mod... If you get the

January 25, 2008 - 01:05 ET by bigtimer

mod...

If you get the chance sak Leon...he is for Obama (I askwd him yesterday)...he will provide all the answers from the left side of the aisle that way, if you know what I mean...lol.

Btw...good to see ya...now that I have to get for a bit too...hope all is well with you.

here are just a few...

January 25, 2008 - 10:50 ET by docb

Obama Passed Law Requiring Clear Language be Included in Emergency Orders of Protection;Obama Passed Law Raising Standards Related to Domestic Violence. ;Obama Passed Law To Increase Penalties For Committing Battery In Or Near A Domestic Violence Shelter;Obama Passed A Law To Create The Victims Economic Security And Safety Act (VESSA), Which Helps Victims Of Abuse Seek Treatment Without Losing Their Job.;[109th, HR 3402 (S. 1197), Passed by Unanimous Consent, 12/16/05; PL 109-162, 1/5/06];109th, S. 792, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 7/28/05; Referred to House Subcommittee, 9/19/05; Aberdeen American News, 10/6/06]

Obama is the perfect Dem

January 25, 2008 - 10:53 ET by dscott

Obama is the perfect Dem candidate, he has done nothing to complain about.  What's the typical Repub tactic in dealing with Dems?  Trot out the record...  He will be a difficult candidate to beat, after all how can you say anything bad about a person who has literally done nothing wrong?  And who will believe your negativity without proof?  Isn't it his word against yours?  <sarcasm mixed with cynicism>

Have I ever made a promise I didn't keep?  Capt James Hook

Lie? Me?  Hahaha...  Never! The truth is far too much fun! Capt James Hook

http://groups.msn.com/NeverGrowUp/hookquotes.msnw 

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.

The Obama's

January 25, 2008 - 00:07 ET by R D Helm

Nice to see they are finally waking up to the fact that the Clinton Machine is out not just to beat them, but to utterly destroy them in the process.

Too bad neither of the Obama's were paying much, if any, real attention to the Clinton's MO back in the nineties.

It would have saved them a lot of headaches.

None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. -J.W. von Goethe

If you thought Hillary was

January 25, 2008 - 13:40 ET by stratman

If you thought Hillary was meddlesome as a First Lady, you ain't seen nothing yet if Michelle Obama is First Lady.

A vote for either Hillary or BO is a vote for a tag-team.  Either First "Lady" will be heavily involved with policy.  The training wheels will come of the failed First Lady "Hillary-care" putsch template and kick into high gear.

Killing them with kindness isn't working.  Time to get scrappy with the Donkeys.