Obama Attorney Crashes Clinton Campaign Conference Call

On a Clinton campaign conference call to discuss reports of Obama-inspired voting irregularities in Texas, the second question belonged to Bob Bauer.

"Repeat that?" asked an incredulous -- and bemused -- Howard Wolfson, Clinton's communications director.

Bob Bauer, Barack Obama's chief counsel.

"How is this any different than the series of complaints registered against every caucus that you lose?"

Wolfson disputed that.

"I would ask you," he said to Bauer, "to join with us this evening to ensure that the serious problems that are ongoing this evening are addressed."

Bauer asked Wolfson, in turn, to "stop attacking the caucus process."

After some arguing about Nevada, Bauer ceded the floor to a reporter.

Comments

Bauer is my new hero. STFU Wolfson.

Posted by Ryan W. | March 4, 2008 9:07 PM

What a fucking douche. You spin on your own call not the other candidates. Which member of the press passed the number along to Bauer?

Posted by Bauer = asshat | March 4, 2008 9:09 PM

Yeah, this sounds like a desperation move by Obama's campaign. Why crash a conference call that up until now was going to be spun by the press as a typical back and forth that happens every caucus? Now it's all about Obama attacking Clinton on her turf. Bad move.

Posted by james | March 4, 2008 9:12 PM

Look who's ready for the republican attack machine. Don't mess with Texas, indeed.

Posted by David B. | March 4, 2008 9:16 PM

This sounds like Bob Bauer whipped out his dick and slapped Howard Wolfson silly with it.

Posted by Bobby Brown | March 4, 2008 9:21 PM

What are the specifics of their allegations? Any connection with reality (ie info from folks on the ground not the Clinton spin)? The rules in Texas are pretty arcane.

Posted by Ruth | March 4, 2008 9:38 PM

Audio of the exchange is available at 2008Central.net

[LINK]

Posted by 2008Central.net | March 4, 2008 9:38 PM

Ha! Wolfson is a sleazy snake, there is a paper trail of these allegations at each and every caucus Clinton has lost! Chilli whipped indeed!

Posted by eddie m | March 4, 2008 9:43 PM

LOL@ the Clinton douchebags on here. Vote for the old crone and her sexual predator of a husband. Hillary's done. Toast. Now go fuck off.

Posted by Ken | March 4, 2008 9:44 PM

LOL@ the Clinton douchebags on here. Vote for the old crone and her sexual predator of a husband. Hillary's done. Toast. Now go fuck off.

Posted by Ken | March 4, 2008 9:44 PM

i agree, looks like the clinton campaign got 'bitch slapped'. bet old howard was a bit surprised. behind the scenes obama knows how to play tough, fair but tough.

Posted by richard | March 4, 2008 9:45 PM

You bet he was surprised. I wish I could have heard that first hand. He's probably eating a puppy right now.

Posted by eddie m | March 4, 2008 9:48 PM

Ken

How do you manage to type with Obama's cock in your mouth?

Posted by Ken luvs Obama's magic dick | March 4, 2008 9:57 PM

LMAO...my comment just pissed you right off didn't it. Hilarious.

Oh yeah, before I forget...Hillary's done. Toast. So it's high time for you and your ilk to go fuck off. Heh.

Posted by Ken | March 4, 2008 10:01 PM

"What a fucking douche. You spin on your own call not the other candidates."

The only rule the Clinton campaign is following is do whatever it takes to win. So good for Bob Bauer and the Obama campaign for throwing a wrench into the Clinton spin machine. They should keep it up until the machine breaks.

Posted by Joseph | March 4, 2008 10:03 PM

"I wish I could have heard that first hand."

You can, right here:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Bauers_conference_call_ambush.html

Posted by Joseph | March 4, 2008 10:06 PM

Thanks Joe. Wolfson, you got served!

Posted by Eddie m | March 4, 2008 10:39 PM

These Obama commenters are not making me proud of my vote -- I agree with the Clintonistas, this is juvenille. Seal the deal Barrack and find time for an interview with Lynn Sweet already.

Posted by Rusty | March 4, 2008 10:50 PM

It looks like the Obama campaign is having a hissy fit.
What a rude bunch....!!!!!

Posted by Cherie | March 4, 2008 11:56 PM

In reading this whole list of comments, once again I am so surprised at the venom and in this case the amount of foul language used by Obama supporters. It is especially surprising in light of the Obama campaigns claims to being so above any nastiness. Is there any Obama supporter that can explain that. I may be for Clinton but I am not against Obama - he is part of my Democratic Party. It reminds me of the definition of schadenfreude - that you cannot be happy only to win but that the other hurts in the process. Obama lovers seem to find as much joy in Clinton to lose as Obama to win.

Posted by Pamela | March 5, 2008 1:35 AM

Mr. Bauer sounds desperate. Obama supporters on this or any other blog never respond to a telling argument without lashing out with anger, sarcasm, and bitterness. Tonight, Hillary took back the lead because Obama can not close the deal with voters. The longer the campaign goes on, the more people learn unpleasant things about him. Rezko and Obama's Canadian-NAFTA hypocrisy are but two examples. Also, Hillary was able to make a convincing argument that he is not ready to be commander in chief, as has McCain. That argument has begun to ring true with voters in both parties.

Posted by richard | March 5, 2008 1:44 AM

Pamela, a lot of hit has to do with the illegal calls to delegates to try to change their minds. Or perhaps the Clinton supporters grabbing people's caucus forms and circling her name despite the person's intentions. And that's just what happened here in the Nevada caucus and our county convention.

Never mind the race-baiting and the fearmongering.

Yeah, it IS juvenile and as Obama supporters we should not be sinking to her level. I'd advise all Obama supporters to channel your anger into something more productive. Going tit for tat with a "win at all costs" candidate and her angriest supporters is a) not a fight we can or even *want* to win, and b) not good for our candidate, our party, or out country.

I'd rather take the high road and see where it takes us. We already know where the other path goes and that's why we back a candidate who doesn't want to go there. Let's strive to take the same approach.

Posted by John, from Las Vegas, NV | March 5, 2008 2:28 AM

This just shows that despite all the high-minded speechifying and dignified bearing, Mr. Obama has an inner circle who knows how to street fight. CHANGE? It's still a dirty old game. Put on your Sunday clothes and face the cameras, shout YES WE CAN, while behind the scenes your crew pushes buttons, pulls strings, makes deals and intimidates. Sounds like Obama's going to be good at this.

Posted by Wigglesworth | March 5, 2008 7:20 AM

I agree with John from Las Vegas. Obama's message has served him well thusfar. He has talented people around him. Together they should play their game and let the Clinton machine implode. As for delegates, please see Jonathan Alter's comments on the math, and that it is unlikely for Hillary to end up ahead of Obama in delegate count.

Posted by jeff | March 5, 2008 8:43 AM

WHOA, hey Obama supporters many of you have really dirty mouths, with all the words in the English language is that all you can use.Again, With all of the words in the English language is this all you can offer or do you not have any ideas.

You appear to have a candidate of your own race but can not go about having a decent discussion without falling into Ghetto language. Pull it together group, you reflect your candidate and the media is starting to talk about the filth you say against our former First Lady.

Posted by Diane B | March 5, 2008 2:17 PM

Diane B, "Ghetto words"? Are you a racist of some sort? You act as though people from the high class areas don't curse as well. "SHAME ON YOU DIANE B"! You level of intelligence is obviously limited... just like the leader of your cult, Hillary. You are also a racist... just like the promiscuous husband of your leader Bill. You're a Billary bitch and THAT is not ghetto.

Posted by Obama Boy Bahamas | March 5, 2008 5:39 PM

This really needs to end now. The DNC and the superdelegates really need to settle this ASAP or the entire party risks any chance they have in the fall. The longer this infighting continues, the worse it is for all democrats. I just hope that the DNC acts before it's too late.

Posted by Pete | March 6, 2008 3:12 PM

They always say to get the truth on things..follow the money. I would like to know how Obama supporters can afford to come up with all these big bucks. I thought his supporters were young people and the African American community. I thought we were in a recession?
I think there are bundlers tossing money to Obama supporters. I would like to know who some of these bundlers are.

Posted by Phantom Joel | March 7, 2008 12:50 AM

I'm not surprised it's getting this ugly. I was considering Obama for president when he first announced his plans to run and his desire for change. What made me sick was how he missed a great opportunity to bring some real change and support a reformer to be board president in "Crook County" as we're known to so many in the country. He supported the same political machine and crooks in Chicago. That was so dissappointing. On the one hand he's giving speeches on changing the politics in Washington when his actions were completely the opposite in his home state. It was so obvious to everyone that these players were setting up their own agenda. Mayor Daley wanted to break his Dad's record, the board president wanted to keep a seat that so many felt had to be filled by a black person, no matter what the qualifications, and Barack wanted their support for the nomination. If he would have supported the candidate that stood for change and pretty much everything that Barack has been saying throughout his campaign, I think that he would have upset the Black voting majority. He is a politician that has finese and the amazing power of speech. Had I not lived here in Chicago and witnessed all the upsetting things, I too would be drinking the kool-aid. I'm not saying Hillary is by far the best choice, but at least she would be a million times better than Bush. Obama is not the squeaky clean candidate he and the media portray him to be. He is simply another politician.

Posted by Linda | March 7, 2008 1:59 AM