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New Clinton Surrogate Raises Obama's Drug Use
The Clinton folks aren't letting anyone forget about Barack Obama's drug use. Just one month after New Hampshire campaign co-chair Billy Shaheen (now resigned) raised the possibility of Obama selling drugs as a teenager, Black Entertainment Television founder Bob Johnson said at a Hillary Clinton rally:
"And to me, as an African-American, I am frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues since Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood – and I won't say what he was doing, but he said it in the book – when they have been involved."
The probability of Johnson freelancing on this is incredibly low. The Clinton campaign has a track record of using surrogates to do its dirty work. A Hill staffer who is supporting Clinton but is unaffiliated with the campaign told me he loved the Clinton campaign's hardball tactics. "The Clintons are so gangster," he said. "I love it!"
I'll just say this. When I found out Obama admitted to using marijuana and cocaine in his early writings, I gave him credit. Most politicians would try to bury stuff like that. Obama put it on the table, even though he must have known it would eventually be used against him. I assumed it would be used against him by Republicans; perhaps that was naive. The Obama campaign has chosen not to bring up some of the nastier parts of the Clintons' past (he has gone only so far as to say that America doesn't need to refight the "fights of the '90s"), and that's obviously part of his take-the-high-road approach. But I'm growning skeptical of that plan's chances of success. Even if Obama is committed to hitting back hard when attacked, he will still be on the defensive for the entire campaign.
As I've said before, you don't win by playing nice. But if Obama plays nasty, he'll undercut his brand. It's tough out there for a positive campaigner.
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Imagine if someone *did* play nice. It'd be amazing to see some campaign commercials on TV that weren't 95% trashing the competition.
I guess it depends on what the word "issue" means?
I guess short-term memory loss is part and parcel of being in politics,(due to the drugs that weren't inhaled).I guess the judge's suppression of evidence connecting the Clintons to what went on at Mena during the Reed trial, plus Bill's denial meant it just didn't happen.
thats right bill never inhaled, and i saw both of them in pics when they were hippies...who ever wins they will have MAJOR problems . poor mr or mrs next president
not to change the subject, but u think Bill and Hill paid BETs Rob Johnson
BET Founder dis Obama
I find Obama's openness and his commitment to "the high road" (no pun intended) to be very refreshing. Unfortunately, this openness seems to only extend to superficial matters. I wish I could figure out what he stands for. It would be awesome if we could cross Kucinich's ideas and integrity with Obama's looks, charisma and speaking ability.
It really pisses me off how Kucinich is snubbed by the media. Hell, even Edwards is written off or ignored in media despite beating Clinton in IA. Why is Kucinich ignored(most people don't even know who he is)? Why is Edwards downplayed? Because the corporate media are threatened by them.
As for the drugs? I'm more worried about the candidate didn't "experiment."
It is written no where in the Rosetta Stone that politicians have to play dirty to win. The media [even this outlet] support this negativity in dozens of small ways. For instance... Outside of the people at the event where Johnson made the comments, I would not have heard of this had it not been gleefully posted here. Was it really news worthy except that it was negative? Was it information that would help me know to vote for Hillary? Not really. Any discerning person could have not just seen it for what it was, as Stein did, but they could have skipped reporting it. And don't even come back with the approach that 'it's news' and 'people deserve to know...' If you were smart enough to see it for what it was, you could have chosen not to feed the monster. If the media did not comment on these sly and nasty asides, their range would be limited, forcing the campaigns to either pay to put the comments into ads or to make it very much a part of their own candidate speeches, very central so that it's news worthiness were unassailable. Then the petty crowing of said candidate would come off as exactly what it is: desperate hollering into the wind. Instead, you guys in the media are always there with a broad shoulder. Nice reporting.
Paul,
I'm usually with you 100%, but here I have to disagree. In a Democratic race in which the two frontrunners (sorry, Edwards fans!) fundamentally agree on policy, we are having instead a meta-debate over how government ought to run and how politics ought to be played. The fact that the Clinton campaign will use a surrogate for negative attacks (and do so repeatedly) says something about the way Clinton plays politics, and presumably says something about a Clinton administration. The fact that Obama doesn't do these things (with a couple rare exceptions) does the same.
For some, like the Clinton supporter I quoted, Clinton's hardball tactics show her willingness to fight and demonstrate the do-anything-to-win attitude she will need to beat a Republican. For others, it is a turn-off. The point, though, is that it helps voters make a decision.
BET founder has made his billions on peddling sex, smut and violence to the youth and children of America. I would not want to be seen in his company, let alone his endorsement.
Although her determination to win should motivate the voters this approach resembles president Bushs' Campaign. How far will she go. I believe her tactics are tacky. As for Mr. Johnson, can you say house-n*****.
Thanks for responding, Jonathan. Your follow up post on Johnson added another dimension to this story, taking the focus away from whether it is a weakness on Obama's part to not be as slimy as the rest of the bunch, placing the lens on Clinton and her surrogate, where I think it belongs.
Did Hillary NOT inhale with Bill?
Back in those days, if you were in college, you did, or you were an oddball.
Given Hillary's desire to be liked, I'm betting she did.
People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. The truth will prevail.
Hi All,
I am very concerned about Obama's past. Especially that he studied in a muslim madrass in Indonesia. I am an immigrant, my children are American citizens as am I but only half. I feel that a president needs to have been totally engaged in America before we cast a vote their way.
A past has a way of molding the future. We certainly can't afford to take a chance on this guy. No matter how persuasive.
Bill VanLoo
Please red the Infidel and see how pervasive Muslims are in Europe and especially Holland.
The Kabbala predicted 9 11 01.
We are at a crossroads in America according to the Kabbalah. How better to destroy than from within?
I want to know more about Obama's real background. He may well be a sheep in wolf's clothing. Let's not take this chance.
Much is made of Mitt Romney's Mormon faith but none is made of Obama's past. Can we take a chance on him? Bill VanLoo
Please read the Infidel and see how pervasive Muslims are in Europe and especially Holland.
The Kabbala predicted 9 11 01.
We are at a crossroads in America according to the Kabbalah. How better to destroy than from within?
I want to know more about Obama's real background. He may well be a sheep in wolf's clothing. Let's not take this chance.
Much is made of Mitt Romney's Mormon faith but none is made of Obama's past. Can we take a chance on him? Bill VanLoo
Bill, as an immigrant you may not be aware that the Pilgrims came here to avoid religious persecution. Our constitution is secular. This is why many backgrounds and faiths can prosper here. Every day a new test for Obama is a new test for America. Can we still live our founding values? Either way, we will get the president we deserve.
are black people like you so stupid that you are trying to push a liar and a former president who was impeached back into office. are you serious. IMPEACHED!! Support your brother. if they killed him because he was getting too close, what would you write about then?
DeWayne, get over this fake brother stuff. Clinton was impeached for having an affair. An affair! How many men in this country, especially ethnically black men according to studies, would also be impeached under such circumstances? Mr. Obama has a voting record that mirrors Mrs. Clinton's. Where is the change in that? Mr. Obama has sent subordinates to reassure Canada and businesses that he doesn't mean what he says on the campaign. The fundraiser where he said disparaging remarks to Pennsylvanians was done in a mansion owned by a zealous Muslim Middle Eastern man. Hmmm. Think for yourself instead of thinking by your skin colour which is the seed sown by white slave owners long ago to subjugate slaves by making them aware of a difference and exploiting it to justify the terrible treatment. This whole black solidarity thing is laughable until the CULTURALLY "black" community begins taking care of one another in everyday matters. I will say it again: race does not exist but in the minds of the people as it was meant to subjugate - divide and conquer. The difference in humans comes not in the melanin content of your skin, the shape of your nose, size of your lips, or the texture of your hair but in the values of your heart, the aptitude of your mind and singleness of spirit.
"Clinton was impeached for having an affair. An affair! How many men in this country, especially ethnically black men according to studies, would also be impeached under such circumstances?
==========================
Mr Mark,
I think you have some of your history incorrect. slick willie clinton was Impeached for "Lying Under Oath"...!!! And since he was a certified lawyer, he knew exactly what he was doing.
He was IMPEACHED, only the second time in history, for crimes he commited while in office. He and his "stained" years in office will be remembered for many years to come...
As to other men, they would be convicted if they had lied under oath as well..!!!
I am glad you are not my kids teacher, you are what is bad in this country, you are trying to lie to the people..
BIll
Did Hillary NOT inhale with Bill?
I don't think Obama's drug
I don't think Obama's drug use is relevant here, this was a long time ago, let's not forget Bill Clinton himself had a more recent alcohol problem. I am annoyed every time when I see these tactics of decreasing Obama's popularity. By the way, his popularity wasn't built on it's drug use, he actually worked hard to reach here, he is a good diplomat and a good politician, he doesn't look as a drug addict to me.
Kall, addiction treatment counselor