Hillary's AFSCME backers attack Obama with fliers using unsuspected Edwards quotes

[Hope And Change]

EDWARDS CAMP ON THE AFSCME FLIER


Posted: Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:11 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, Clinton, Edwards, Obama
From NBC's Mark Murray and Chuck Todd

As mentioned last night and earlier today, NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann reported on a flier by the pro-Clinton labor union AFSCME that hits Obama on his health-care plan. The catch, however, is that the flier appears disguised as an Edwards attack -- since he is the only candidate mentioned in it criticizing Obama.

Now the Edwards campaign weighs in on the flier. Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, the Edwards campaign's Iowa state director, says in a statement: “There have been a lot of misleading tactics and tricks in the last few weeks, but we've just never seen anything like this before. Either they are trying to trick people, or they've realized that on health care, John Edwards is the candidate who speaks honestly about what it really costs and what will be required to have truly universal coverage. He has led the debate on health care with the strongest, boldest plan that covers everyone and is paid for by repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy."

She continues, "It's fine to have an honest debate about policy, but Iowans deserve better than planted questions and campaign fliers designed to fool them.”

Meanwhile, the Obama campaign sent First Read past congressional testimony from AFSCME head Gerry McEntee criticizing Massachusetts' health-care plan, which -- drum roll, please -- mandates health insurance.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/20/527795.aspx

[Nedsdag]

1. Well, that's how the Clintons go after their opponents.

Use the surrogates (AFSCME for example) to do it and blame another campaign.

[TeamJordan23]

3. Big surprise. nm

[marmar]

2. Pretty low brow......

.... and I wasn't leaning in HRC's direction anyway, but this is a real turnoff.

[asdjrocky]

4. Here's the latest statement form the Edwards campaign:

Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, the Edwards campaign's Iowa state director, says in a statement: "There have been a lot of misleading tactics and tricks in the last few weeks, but we've just never seen anything like this before. Either they are trying to trick people, or they've realized that on health care, John Edwards is the candidate who speaks honestly about what it really costs and what will be required to have truly universal coverage. He has led the debate on health care with the strongest, boldest plan that covers everyone and is paid for by repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy."

She continues, "It's fine to have an honest debate about policy, but Iowans deserve better than planted questions and campaign fliers designed to fool them."

These people do not keep their hands in their pockets. The call bullshit when they see it, and hit back fast. That's just one of the things I like about this campaign.

[Bitwit1234]

5. What a crock of bullshit

There is no attack. Dummies...the union supports Hillary. They sent mailers to ALL THEIR MEMBERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY....It just so happens Obama messed his drawers because they sent them to people in the state of Illinois, as well as members of AFSCME everywhere. But of course, since they support Hillary and sent out mailers Ooh ooh ooh ooh they are attacking Obams...every little piece of trash Obama American Idolers can find oh well. Distort....distort....distort...guess that's all the attack dogs themselves have left.

[asdjrocky]

7. And making it look like it came form the Edwards camp?

That was an accident?

[durrrty libby]

9. Ask the union since they sent it out

[asdjrocky]

12. Don't worry, as always, the good people at the Edwards campaign are on it-

Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, the Edwards campaign's Iowa state director, says in a statement: "There have been a lot of misleading tactics and tricks in the last few weeks, but we've just never seen anything like this before. Either they are trying to trick people, or they've realized that on health care, John Edwards is the candidate who speaks honestly about what it really costs and what will be required to have truly universal coverage. He has led the debate on health care with the strongest, boldest plan that covers everyone and is paid for by repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy."

She continues, "It's fine to have an honest debate about policy, but Iowans deserve better than planted questions and campaign fliers designed to fool them."

[dionysus]

10. do you even believe yourself or are you high or something?

[asdjrocky]

6. Sorry, didn't mean to "dupe" you on the statement-

I really have to learn to read more than the headline.:blush:

[BenDavid]

8. Illegal? No! obama's plan lacking? YES!

[dionysus]

11. rah rah sis-boom-ba!