Headline of the Week Weak
Filed under: Personally Perez > Celebrity Feuds > Barack Obama > Hillary Clinton
"Top Barack Aide Calls Hillary A 'Monster'"
The gloves are off! CLICK HERE to read the article accompanying this headline.
[Image via WENN.]
Inside US poll battle as fight turns dirty for Democrats
HILLARY Clinton has been branded a "monster" by one of Barack Obama's top advisers, as the gloves come off in the race to win the Democrat nomination.
In an unguarded moment during an interview with The Scotsman, Samantha Power, his key foreign policy aide, let slip the camp's true feelings about the former First Lady.
Her comments came as Mr Obama, whose defeats in Texas and Ohio on Tuesday were largely put down to a series of negative attacks on him, vowed to turn up the heat on Mrs Clinton over her claims to be the more experienced candidate.
The fragile truce was blown apart as the pressure for the nomination intensified, with Mrs Clinton winning in Texas and Ohio.
Ms Power told The Scotsman Mrs Clinton was stopping at nothing to try to seize the lead from Mr Obama.
"We f***** up in Ohio," she admitted. "In Ohio, they are obsessed and Hillary is going to town on it, because she knows Ohio's the only place they can win.
"She is a monster, too – that is off the record – she is stooping to anything," Ms Power said, hastily trying to withdraw her remark.
"Interestingly, the people in her innermost circle seem to not mind her; I think they really love her."
But she added: "There is this middle circle – they are really on the warpath. But the truth is she has proved herself really willing to stoop."
In recent TV appearances Mrs Clinton had looked desperate and on the back foot.
Ms Power agreed, and said: "Here, it looks like desperation. I hope it looks like desperation there too.
"You just look at her and think: ergh. But if you are poor and she is telling you some story about how Obama is going to take your job away, maybe it will be more effective. The amount of deceit she has put forward is really unattractive."
Ms Power's comments reveal how the inexperienced Obama campaign is coming under increasing pressure from a battle-hardened Clinton camp that saw Ohio as its last chance to save its candidate.
Earlier in the week, the press and the Clinton camp seized on remarks by Austan Goolsbee, Ms Power's colleague, on the North America Free Trade Agreement (Nafta). His comments are widely believed to have cost the Mr Obama the Ohio Democratic presidential primary.
Mr Goolsbee, Mr Obama's top economic policy adviser, had told Canadian officials that a public pledge to force a renegotiation of Nafta with tougher labour and environmental rules was "more about political positioning".
But the Clinton camp said Mr Obama could tell the public one thing and then tell a foreign government something else behind closed doors.
Ms Power knew the consequences of the gaffe made by her friend. She said: "Now Hillary is using it to say that Obama's not serious about Nafta. Oh God, it's so sad."
Mr Obama yesterday blamed fierce attacks by Mrs Clinton for his defeats in this week's big primaries, and quickly made good on a promise to sharpen his criticism of her in what promises to become an all-out brawl in the race for the White House.
The Illinois senator took the offensive against Mrs Clinton, targeting her claims that she is more experienced in handling foreign policy. "Was she negotiating treaties? Was she handling crises? The answer is no," he said. "She made a series of arguments on why she should be a superior candidate. I think it's important to examine that argument."
In recent days, the former First Lady has argued Mr Obama was getting a free ride with the media, questioned his sincerity in opposing Nafta and darkly hinted he was not ready to be commander in chief in a crisis.
Mrs Clinton, asked about her national security qualifications, ticked off a series of events in which she had played a role, including peace talks in Northern Ireland, the Kosovo refugee crisis and standing up for women's rights in China. She also cited her work on the Senate armed services committee.
Obama aides took the offensive yesterday, holding a conference call to ask why Clinton had not released her tax returns. Her campaign responded with a statement e-mailed to reporters while they were on the Obama call that said the Clintons' returns since they left the White House would be made public around 15 April.
"There's no doubt that Senator Clinton went very negative over the last week," Mr Obama said. He said the Clinton campaign's multiple attacks "had some impact" on the election results, "particularly in the context where many of you in the press corps had been persuaded that you had been too hard on her and too soft on me".
Ms Power insisted Mr Obama was well equipped to deal with foreign policy. She said his perceived willingness to befriend dictators and rogue leaders was him simply trying a different approach, as the current foreign policy has not worked.
She said: "Hillary Clinton always portrays his position on meeting with dictators as naive. She is almost implying what he is saying is he wants to meet with dictators without preparations. It is not like he would sit down with Ahmadinejad and say, 'Hey Ahmadinejad, I have been meaning to talk to you. How ’bout those New York Giants?'
"If we have had the same policy for decades and it is not working, why are we sticking to the same policy?
"Can we at least try to re-jig the equation here? Principles should not be checked at the door when one is meeting with dictators. But seeking to at least have dialogue would give the United States more kudos in the non-western world, allowing others to see that perhaps it was not all America's fault.
"There is something tougher about being in the room with Ahmadinejad and making your position known rather than lobbing your verbal grenades from 5,000 miles away, which is what the Bush administration has done."
She added: "It is important that negotiations don't become an end in itself. It is the Chamberlain problem."
Ms Power was in the UK to promote her book on Sergio Vieira de Mello, the extraordinary UN representative who was blown up in Baghdad.
PUBLISH AND BE DAMNED
WHEN is off the record actually off the record? When the rules are established in advance.
Journalists are always looking for knowledge and want the information they receive to be available for publication.
But occasionally an interviewer will accept an exchange is "off the record" and that the conversation is not attributable. Remarks can be used as background to inform a journalist's article.
If a conversation is to be off the record, that agreement is usually thrashed out before the interview begins. Sometimes, public figures say something and then attempt to retract it by insisting it was "off the record" after the event.
But by then it is too late, particularly if it is in the public interest that the story be published.
In this instance, Samantha Power was promoting her book and it was established in advance that the interview was on the record.
A WOMAN OF POWER
SAMANTHA Power is the embodiment of the American immigrant dream.
Born in Dublin in 1970, she moved to the United States with her mother aged nine.
After being educated in state schools in Pittsburgh and Georgia, she gained entry to the prestigious Yale University, where she studied history. The self-depre
cating Ms Power said this changed her life and opened many doors.
She worked as freelance journalist in Bosnia, after teaching herself the language in Croatia. Her only other journalism experience prior to that was covering the Yale women's volleyball team.
After graduating from Harvard Law School, she became an executive director and founder of the Carr Centre for Human Rights Policy at Harvard.
The 37-year-old already has one Pulitzer Prize behind her, for her book A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide and she is in the UK and Ireland to plug her new book, Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World.
Ms Power was head-hunted by Barack Obama to become his foreign-policy adviser in 2005 and combines this role with her job as a Time magazine columnist and professor of practice of global leadership and public policy at Harvard.
Re: helloTOstoopid –
It's ok to remain silent and allow people to think you are stupid rather than open your mouth and prove it true.
Ever heard of that STINKARELLA? Follow it.
You don't even know what you are talking about. KATRINA? Come say that over here as I know some Katrina survivors that will hang your ass with your birka around your neck. Katrina was devastating, but it is 1 city in a COUNTRY stupid. How do you figure it hurt the US overall? Many of our people were hurt, but it has nothing to do with our security or ability to defend ourselves. You people talk amongst yourselves about hating the USA and it's only because you are jealous and scared. And you should be. Talk all you want cuz WE'LL PUT A BOOT IN YOUR ASS - IT'S THE AMERICAN WAY. AND DON'T FORGET IT BITCH.
hey everyone
I'm a canadian teen who's been closely watching the race for the democratic nomination. To be honest, after reading everything I have here, I cannot believe how ignorant some people can be. On these comments alone I've probably read at least 60 racist comments toward muslims, hispanics, and even white people. This nomination is about bringing something better than pettiness into politics. Grow up. I myself, although I have no say am a supporter for Obama. You have to look at what's better for the party. Hillary Clinton is definitely prepared to be president, because she saw her husband do it first hand, yet she's been tainted by Washington. She thinks she's sure about what works and what doesn't, and that's not really what North America needs right now. We need hope. I believe that Barack is the only presidential candidate that approaches the presidency with hope. He may not have been in Washington for as long as many would like, but that doesn't mean he lacks wisdom or experience. Look at the funding for his campaign, completely grassroots.
He's started a movement that we can believe in. I'm not trying to take anything away from Hillary but she has taken a lot of money from lobbyists, she already owes quite a few favors when she gets into the white house. Americans need someone who understands the needs of the common citizen and fights to make it happen. That to me is Barack. Still, whoever wins, democrats in the USA should be supportive of whoever the nominee is. Do we really want another Republican in charge? Barack or Hillary will make sure that things get back on track, and that regular Americans are taken care of. Do not give your vote up to Nader or McCain. It's half assed votes like those the get the wrong people into positions they shouldn't be in, and then no one is happy. All I'm saying is Americans should transcend colour, sex, whatever and simply look at the message. Who is trying to lead America in a new direction, one in which the citizens of America are taken care of. Please pick the right person, because this election does not just affect Americans, it affects all of North America. =)
PS. In response to the one person who called out Latinos. How about you look passed your fucken little bubble and realize that not all people have a perfect little life handed to them on a platter. People actually have to stuggle to be able to have the basic necessities in order for their children, and their children's children to have better opportunities. One day the work ethic those people is gonna get them somewhere, and you'll have nothing to say. Bitch. Please get a life.
Re: cf –
HE'S A MUSLIM BITCH — GET IT STRAIGHT WE ARE NOT VOTING FOR HIM. THIS IS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, NOT ONE NATION UNDER ALLAH.
u wasted your time. Vote for him if you want, it will be a cold day in hell before America let's him run our country. The great numbers that you are seeing are Repulicans voting for him because they want him to win the nomination since they know there is no way in hell America will elect him over McCain. The states Obama has won are insignificant when it comes to the bottom line in the national election. He has not pulled 1 of the large states that really count. YOU ALL ARE BEING PLAYED BY REPUBLICANS. BUT KEEP ON DREAMING.
Re: cf –
Well maybe they wouldn't have to struggle so much IF THEY'D KEEP THEIR FUCKING LEGS CLOSED AND QUIT HAVING MORE KIDS. I'm sick of listening to sad stories of single moms with tons of kids.
BIRTH CONTROL — THE ANSWER TO END WORLD POVERTY AND WORLD HUNGER. Even while starving in 3rd world countries they still are fucking and making more. Instead of sending food we need to give them birth control as in depo shots.
Re: cf –
OK CANADIAN- YOU DON'T VOTE SO SHUT THE FUCK UP.
Go back to killing baby seals which is what you all do best. And by the way, please take some of our Muslims. your country is run over with their stinky ass too.
Re: thomas B. –
of course I can read …. but It has to be structured reasonnement===> that's called communication skills …. and obviously you don't have any!!!
and of course I heard I would be pleased to fuck you back…. but obviously I don't have to while you're getting fucked big time in Iraq and … well just by economics… so I can only pity you. which I do.
Greetings from Europe.
Re: Courtney –
since when courtney is a European name?
Well for sure we are not as racists in Europe!!! I m pretty shocked by all the comments above!!!!
you people should travel a bit more…
Re: MarciM –
I tought the american way is more stuffing your mouth all day and trying as hard as possible to compete the elephant size….way more realistic!!!
well and since I went many times to your country, I noticed that you can't even afford making comments on "stinking" while all these fat sweating , stinks badly…
Oh and about Katrina I didn't say that It hurts overall the US I said that it's shame that people in a developped country live like that and not being help in time!! that's the real shame!!
oh and about jealousy, you made me laugh for many minutes that was a good one, since when I come in your country I can compare… and afford anything I want!!!absolutely anything!! and you have to land in reality sweetheart it's not jealousy.. it's more pity, since the european way of life, level of living, healthcare system, education system are way way better…. you are a good place for cheap shopping that's all!!
oh but if that comforts you yeaah sure it's jealousy…"sigh"
Re: helloTOstoopid –
LOL.elephant size!
let it go mate. they can't understand other cultures.
so true about the cheap shopping!
and so not true about the muslim hate around here!!!
Re: helloTOstoopid –
WE IN AMERICA ARE GLAD THAT YOU BELIEVE IN ALL THAT — THAT WAY YOU WILL KEEP YOUR NASTY MUSLIM STINKY ASS IN EUROPE….
(as if you were in Europe bitch — you know you're in a trailer somewhere going to the public library to use the computer).
BY THE WAY, EVERYWHERE EXCEPT IN YOUR OWN SMELLY COUNTRY (not Europe) YOU ARE A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN. NOBODY CARES WHAT YOU STINKY BASTARDS THINKS AND WE ALL CRINGE WHEN WE SEE YOU. MAY NOT WANT TO ADMIT TO YOURSELF BUT THAT'S THE TRUTH. We hate you to live next to us, we hate to work with you, and most of all we hate that SMELL OF ASS CRACK that each of your permeates the air with.
BY THE WAY BITCH WHAT DO YOU SHOP FOR? You all wear the same shit constantly. One size fits all tents with tablecloth head rags. GIVE ME A BREAK.
Re: helloTOstoopid –
Elephant size? If you want to see elephant size visit your home country bitch. You bitches don't fit through the doors. All dolled up with make-up (which they wear like war paint) and ONE SIZE FITS ALL TENTS. Apparently you have not been to your stinky homeland in a while.
Re: carla –
Carla,
I have traveled to Europe many times. Muslims are not liked by many, in fact the majority. Many travelers have chosen to travel elsewhere as they are taking over. So continue being for them — they will take over your country and they we working on Canada. Why the fuck they can't keep their stinky asses in their own country is beyond me. But hopefully people like you will be cordial enough to keep them in your country. We've pretty much banned their nasty a*ss from coming over here. Thanks to Allah.
Does everyone in Europe have to have what is considered a European name? You are stooopid too. I guess my teeth messed up like most europeans too eh? Get a grip.
Re: UK –
What the freak do you all shop for? Seasonal birka's?
Hey mate — chances are you fuck Muslims and good for you. Understanding culture is fine, allowing them to take over our country NOT. But thankfully due to people like you, they can take over yours. Our country has wised up and they are having to crash other countries. Enjoy their culture MATE, but please keep them to yourselves to enjoy.
I did not speak for all muslims you trash bait. I however know what my co-workers, friends, family and others. And by the way, I live in an upscale trendy area. So, we are not talking about uneducated people who feel this way as you seem to imply. My family gave me the name Courtney for which I am proud of. What is your muslim name — CAMELASS? For someone who wants to be considered as "educated" you sure are dumb.
We and I speak for my group of people, do not like Muslims and the cloud they bring. I realize not all are terrorists but anytime one walks near it runs through your mind and there is a momentary panic. It is our country and we should not have to feel that way. They have their own country and should remain with their own.
Not apologizing for my opinion or feelings.
Courtney S.
GET OVER IT, WE DON'T LIKE STINKY MUSLIMS…YOU GOT IT…MOST US CITIZENS, DO NOT LIKE MUSLIMS…We don't care what other countries think. If you all like them so much, please take the ones we have.
HEY MUSLIM LOVERS –
No more fighting — come back in 6 months and let's see if a Muslim is our Presidential Democratic nomination.
This war of words is just that. Let's see who wins and that will prove whether or not America is ready for a Black Muslim.
Re: urbeyond STOOPID –
and STINKY STINKY THAT IS U
the last thing my parents bought in your tanking country is a condo in new york , maybe your mom is the woman that cleans up?
as I am a native YES NATIVE european ( as my ancesters) you are just scum for me , as your ancesters were the trash of Europe: hookers, thiefs, pimps that boarded some boats to create their doomed nation!!
oh and YOU are the most hated trash on the world ( just try to travel pretending you are Canadian you'll be surprised that people would be different… well nice to you..I mean if you can afford a plane ticket of course..)!!
AND FOR ALL THE OTHER IGNORANT commenters, being muslim is different than being arab and different than being from middle east.. as there is 200 millions of arabs ( middle east ) and 1 billion of muslims!!! do the maths!!!
so all the nasty cliché that you are serving just prove your ignorance as 800 millions are muslims but not from middle east nor arab!
and you are the most OBESE people on the planet!!! just face it!! ELEPHANT SIZE that's you !!no others can compete with you on this ground hands down.
so if middle eastern women have to use tents, you then should use circus tents are regular clothes!! maybe it's to tight for you…
This is for all of you Euro-dickheads. If you think America is so terrible and Europe is so ”superior”, then why is it that people from all over the world want to move to the U.S. for a better life. Some of them wait years for a VISA to come here. If our education system is so bad why are our Universities filled with foriegn exchange students? How many foriegn doctors go to Med.school in the U.S.? shall i continue? I dont see many people waiting in line to move to Europe.
Re: thomas B. –
"I dont see many people waiting in line to move to Europe."==> BECAUSE YOU NEVER PUT A FOOT IN EUROPE!!!
people from all around the world are applying to have the chance to live in the UE…. maybe you should read the UN reports or OECD reports!!
oh and…Italy had last year 4000 illegal immigrants from America, France had 5000, UK 8000… ( just for americans!)
Well as you apparently don't know, people are actually waiting in line to move for Europe….. but they go to US because it's easier!!! ( our immigration laws are stricter!). First choice is UE if they can't they choose US…
the scheme you had presented was accurate in the 80's!!
for the foreign exchange studies… you maybe talk about student from other areas… as we do studies exchange only within Europe!
and we do have a bunch of foreigners students …. and many many americans indeed!as our education system is based on excellence and not money!
did you ever heard of the most famous universities in the world….we have them!
so stop lying to yourself and go to work your country is facing a big recession .. maybe it's time to stop bragging on the internet and try to be efficient for a change…
Re: thomas B. –
and you know why people choose Europe: Healthcare system ( nobody dies from stupid thing like diabetis, because they can't afford the treatment!!) education system ( why your celebrities choose british or french school even in your own country?), opportunities, way of life ( many weeks of vacation per year, greenest way of life), multiculturalism ( racism is not common), and better money ( as 1 €= 1.5 dollar and the average earning throughout europe is 2200 €)
just for information the dollar is that low that even in India they refuse to get paid in dollars because they loose too much money throughout exchange!! ( just read the press!)
It's really time to face reality!!
re=1717114]Re: Courtney[/re]
"Does everyone in Europe have to have what is considered a European name?"
==> YES. A BIG YES!! we don't have to have to … but we are 25 different countries and very attached to our different cultures!
As Carla is an Italian name, Clothilde a French name, Jana a German name, Carmen a spanish name… Courtney is an american name!!
If you indeed visited Europe you already knew that.
By the way are you European or did you visit Europe? it's a little confusing and as you pretended both, it is clear that the answer is none.
The racism you described above is absolutely not true as the muslims to whom you refer in a very insulting way are as European as me, just regular citizens, as they were born here as their parents and offently their grand parents.so they are at home!and you are the foreigner!
Plus racism in Europe is crime ( you can be sued and injailed for racial slur), so I hardly believe that your entourage ( in the very hypothetical case that indeed you has visited Europe or more doubtfuly that you are European) brag around about being racist. and I live in very trendy upscale area too, where my neighboors are ..muslims!
Re: Courtney –
part1
there is very few racism around here and the little percentage of racist freaks hate everybody not just muslims.
You should know if you actually came here because this little hateful percentage hate americans way rather more than any other people!
and you would remember these freaks because they are openly rude to americans, shocking that you are out of memories..
To finish, Europe is used to multiculturalism and we learn through it that you can't choose your backgrounds ( religion, color, social backgrounds) you can only choose to be a good human being or a bad one.
Obviously you are a terrible one!
Then again you should travel a bit more and open up!
Carla .D
PS: while you said that you are well educated and with a high background, you are not really well-spoken and jump easily on being vulgar. you can totally express yourself without falling into vulgarity and using insults.
PS2: an advice for you, while European express themself ( when they use English) in British English… you obviously don't!