The Clinton campaign has released this statement from NH co-chair Billy Shaheen:
“I deeply regret the comments I made today and they were not authorized by the campaign in any way."
« The Daily Five: Talk Radio Days In Iowa | Main | A Facebook Group For Billy Shaheen Not-Fans » Billy Shaheen Apologizes12 Dec 2007 08:32 pm Comments (30)
As a proud NH Democrat, member of its State Committte and a supporter of Sen. Obama, I found Billy Shaheen's comments to be unnecessary, uncalled-for and beneath the dignity of ANY NH Democrat. Its racist undertones absolutely appall me. Numerous blogs yesterday indicated that Clinton surrogates will start questioning Obama's past drug use - which he openly disclosed in "Dreams From My Father" - but I never imagined it would be someone who has done so much for our state and our state party. I chose not to believe the Clintons or Shaheens would engage in a smear campaign against a fellow Democrat. I was naively and sadly mistaken. I literally feel sick. Billy Shaheen make me feel ashamed to be a NH Democrat today. 
Oh this is so funny. How incompetent is the Clinton campaign? How stupid are these people? And these are the clowns that we're supposed to trust to face the GOP? I'm loving this whole thing. Some Obama supporters are outraged, but I find it hilarious. This is a DEBACLE.
Wow -- Obama even has the power to make the Clintons more ethical. This man really does deserve to be president.
Not good enough. Shaheen has to resign. This was a racist innuendo.
This was a set-up. You all do not get it. The Clinton Machine is N-times smarter than everyone. The Machine had several objectives: Lay the groundwork; if there is an outcry, then quickly apologize and move on to next attack; etc. This worked for kindergarten essay, etc. You all have not experienced the Machine. It is the best. In the end, you will VOTE for the Machine, whether you like it or not. That is the POWER of the Machine. The only way the Machine will lose is if the Obama and Edwards campaign form a partnership. The Obama/Edwards ticket will be a victory. They both have to individually work hard. If Obama wins in IA and Edwards comes in 2nd, then that is a start. Else, forget it. The Machine is all set to take over after NH. The Machine has Mrs. Clinton, her husband, NYT Krugman's, NPR, PBS, etc. The Machine is so strong that NO ONE can bring out issues like Vince Foster, TravelGate, Monica, Johnny Chung/Norman Hsu, Marc Rich, etc. The Power of the Machine is Victory at all costs. No can touch the Machine. Is there any one soul that has ever defeated the Machine? No. Never. It cannot be done. Zero probability.
eorse, I think that you are wrong. Hillary needs the AA community to win. Something is telling me that what happened tonight will have a huge impact on their vote.
Not one to defend the Clinton campaign usually, but I will say while we are free to infer racist innuendo here, but its not clear one was implied. In general, I've found the quickest way to give away an advantage handed you by an opposing campaign is to go over the top with reaction/indignation. Calling for Shaheen's resignation strikes me as over the top. It was a stupid thing to do on his part. And, sure, its hard to believe all these stupid things (the handful of Muslim e-mails before this one) were done by individuals who just happen to be coincidentally working for the Clinton campaign but shouldn't be associated with the campaign itself. To Manchester United (great name, by the way, but I'm more partial to Liverpool), I can understand your embarrassment. Seems like this candidate brings the worst out of a lot of folks.
So far she has had two members of the machine, however minor, resign for the Muslim e-mails and now we have an apology for the drug issue. She needs to get tough with her machine because at this point they are losing it. This is going to have an impact on how she can attack Obama during the debate. She will have to use velvet gloves or not attack at all because the pundits are going to tie it all together. This is a really great week for Obama. The ladies are helping him out. First Oprah and now Hillary.
To Paul,
this really hurts clinton's african-american vote, which is a vote she desperately needs. wow, just an absolute gift from shaheen to the obama campaign. not smart to imply that a black harvard law grad might have once been a drug dealer. pure idiocy. if i was a republican canididate i'd fire a massive volley at clinton right now. for example, mccain, could make a beautiful statement to republicans in nh by saying somehthing to the effect of, "senator obama is a collaegue of mine in the senate and is one of the most decent men i've met in washington. the remarks from billy shaheen today in new hampshire were absolutely uncalled for, and the clinton campaign should be ashamed of itself." mccain's gotta do something to get nh republicans to take notice of him. that would work. just a thought.
All Obama has to say in response is this; "What am I supposed to say Senator Clinton, that I didn't inhale? That one has been used before as I recall." Jim in Arizona
Obama should say something like this: "I see that Hillary Clinton agrees with Mitt Romney, who said that it is best to not talk about one's own youthful mistakes, to maintain that fiction of perfection, to avoid being attacked. Well, I don't know about Senator Clinton, but I'm honest enough to say that I'm not perfect, to admit that I've made mistakes. I not only talk about the importance of honesty, but I walk the walk. What does she want me to say, 'I didn't inhale.'? It's answers like that why people are so cynical about public service and politics. I'm not one to give those sorts of answers, sorry."
Amarone -- yeah, but how many African Americans will be voting in NH and IA? She's not doing this because of SC or Feb 5 more generally. She's doing it because she is in serious danger of losing both Iowa and New Hampshire. I believe Dems of all backgrounds will be offended by this ploy, but she clearly is not worrying about pissing off the AA community right now. If she loses in the first two states, it's much harder (though not impossible) for her to win the nomination.
Prediction: HRC/The Clinton Machine wins in IA, NH, and SC. I am supporting Obama. Yet, I fear the Machine/HRC, as it is, in fact, more powerful (n-times) than Bush. You all heard this now (Dec. 12). HRC wins IA, NH, and SC. HRC will be the next President. Be prepared to meet the stronger Bush :)
At least Clinton gets some good news in that the third poll of the day from NH has her firmly in the lead (Rasmussen and CNN had it at a complete toss-up this morning).
To EORSE: No fear tactic will prevail. You need to understand that the American people are more powerful than any machine. Our voices will be heard this primary and we will lift up Barack Obama because he has lifted up the best in all of us.
Donna and Jess: I have heard from many political reporters (on TV, as I really like political news - but in the evening the stupid cable shows do not talk about politics but issues about murder, court hearings, etc. - Yikes) that Democratic voters will in the end vote for HRC (with their hands on their noses). This is one thing that disturbs me. And, the way HRC is doing it is by sending her husband Mr. Clinton (Flowers, Marc Rich, Norman Hsu, Monica, etc.) talk about Hillary. No one can ask questions to him. The press loves him. His theme: My wife is experienced. Vote for her. You will then vote for her no matter what. Hence, HRC wins. It is really an algorithm that cannot fail. Thus, though my vote goes for Obama, I will end up on the wrong side.
Unforced error number ? for Clinton. I am curious to know what is going through the mind of a volunteer who gets wind on this, they have to think either 1. no big deal, 2. yeah he is a drug dealer, 3. shaheen is an idiot, chances are not going to be I am so proud to go out in the ice and snow and bust my rear for hillary based on this comment from her state chair. Obama supporters are probably not thinking right now, yeah he must be a drug dealer, or no way he can win now. And for that crucial swing dem voter, it reads like kindegarten, like no matter how clever they were being or what they meant, they look unhinged. I just do by that this was an albert einstein type of political move.
I can see now why HRC is qualified to be President. I can obviously see what a great job she is doing keeping her campaign workers in line. Question Plant. Question Plant two Obama emails Now the quote from this guy This woman sure is ignorant about what is going on her own campaign. Sounds presidentail to me.
My theory is that the question is not "should" Billy Shaheen resign, it's "when." Word that the Clinton campaign would start questioning Obama's past drug use leaked out into the blogosphere on Tuesday, so it was not a question of "when" the Clintonistas would start, it was "who" would start it. Clearly the decision was made at the national level that Shaheen would - to counteract the recent Oprah rally, the endorsement of Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (whose campaign Shaheen also chaired) and two polls released Wednesday indicating Clinton's once formidable lead in NH had deteriorated into a statistical tie. Unfortunately for the Clintonistas, Shaheen botched his orders, his comments taking a racist tone rather than a political one. As a result, a presidential nomination and a U.S. Senate seat now may be in jeopardy. If the Boston/NH media runs w/this fiasco on Thursday, then Hillary Clinton and Jeanne Shaheen will not be able to distance themselves politically from Billy and his vile words fast enough. What other choice will he have other than to take one for the Clinton/Shaheen team? The double whammy, of course, is that those same polls suggested Obama's NH supporters were softer in their support for him than were Hillary's. I guess if Billy's comments didn't make me sick to my stomach, I should be thanking him for strengthening the resolve of my fellow NH supporters of Sen. Obama. Vote Hope.
The only serious potentially death-dealing charge Sheehan insinuated was that Barry O was a drug dealer in school. But what if he had been forwarded an ounce of coke and split it up and sold some he didn't use, or dumped some surplus Hawaiian pot he had on a few people. No regular customers, just a fellow student at Columbia or his private schools saying Barry O sold off some of his extra in his stash? Now, I think that is entirely different than a regular pusher, but IF he ever sold - it is worse by far than being a user. Let's pray to God there isn't. It would be very disappointing to many people with no intent on voting for his liberal, inexperienced ass - but who admire him and root for him as a sign blacks are ready to move past Victimhood politics and 1963 Selma..
eorse: Give me a break. The "Clinton machine" lost us tons of seats, lost a presidential race in 2000, botched healthcare, got us into a war, etc, etc, etc. They've bumbled away this race. You need to get the tin foil off your head and realize that the machine is a joke.
Chris Ford: How naive are you? Ambinder put it best: Whenever the media asks these questions, Obama surrogates need only answer, "What, that HIllary Clinton smear?" Ironically, this will work in both the general election and the primary!!!
How naive are you? Ambinder put it best: Whenever the media asks these questions, Obama surrogates need only answer, "What, that HIllary Clinton smear?" It doesn't work that way, Cochise. Obama is not immunized from any further press scrutiny anymore than the press laid off Kerry, when Kerry cried "smear" after witness after witness from Vietnam called him a scumbag. Lets hope Obama did nothing. But just crying "smear" won't deter the wolfpack if there is some substantiation of the present rumors.
Chris - Yes, if Obama sold drugs, he's done. You're so smart! Also - if he did the following things, he's also finished: 1. Killing someone If you don't understand how negative attacks can backfire in a primary, then you've never followed a campaign. I wonder what black voters think about this charge?
Geez, strange comment from a Clinton supporter, since his candidate was into crack in college . . .
I found Billy Shaheen's comments to be unnecessary, uncalled-for and beneath the dignity of ANY NH Democrat. Its racist undertones absolutely appall me. Why is it racist? Obama admitted he used to do blow back in the day. Bill Clinton's cannabis use was certainly remarked up by the press in 1992. Does Obama get a free pass because mention of his drug use might play into stereotypes about blacks? Too fucking bad. This is the presidency we're talking about. Anyway, an Obama supporter shouldn't be "appalled" but rather elated that the Clinton campaign has made such a serious blunder -- IF it's a blunder. But we all know it's likely anything but a blunder. Because a day spent talking about Obama's coke habit is a day not spent on talking about whatever it is Obama's campaign wants to. The very fact that this little kerfuffle is being discussed helps to lay the groundwork for the narrative HRC wants to paint: "Experienced, hard-working, level headed, wise, older matriarch ready to lead vs. the young, brash, untested, volatile flash in the plan with a sketchy past." The Clintons don't play scrimmages, folks.
Meanwhile, a man who spent his entire adult life as a drunken coke-head (he's admitted to both) has been running the country for seven years. Has there ever been a single major news story done on Bush's chemical habits? On what they say about HIS moral character? On what illegal acts he committed because of them? Ah, the glories of being born among the aristocracy.
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Now all they have to do is get Mark Penn to issue the following statement:
"I deeply regret everything I've done on behalf of the Clinton campaign. My presence as Senator Clinton chief strategist was not authorized by the campaign in any way."
Posted by Petey | December 12, 2007 8:46 PM