Ruh, Roh !!! - Report: NAFTA-Gate Leaker Said Hillary's People Were Reassuring Canada, Too - TPM

[WillyT]

Report: NAFTA-Gate Leaker Said Hillary's People Were Reassuring Canada, Too
By Eric Kleefeld - March 5, 2008, 11:33PM

<snip>

The NAFTA-Gate controversy has taken another turn, one that could potentially boomerang back on Hillary Clinton after initially damaging Barack Obama.

The Canadian Press — Canada's domestic equivalent of the AP — is reporting that the original source of the leak was Ian Brodie, chief of staff to Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. And as it turns out, Brodie's original conversation with reporters focused much more on Hillary as the candidate whose people were reassuring Canada that the anti-trade rhetoric was all just campaign talk.

"He said someone from Clinton's campaign is telling the Embassy to take it with a grain of salt," said one participant in the conversation. The source added, "someone called us and told us not to worry."

Hillary's people were able to use NAFTA-Gate very effectively in questioning Obama's honesty in the Ohio and Texas campaigns, ultimately pulling off some decent wins. But if this thing doesn't die down, and the focus turns from Obama over to Hillary, they could very well see the story come back to bite them.

<snip>

Link: http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/report_naftagate_leaker_said_h.php

From: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080305.wharpleak0305/BNStory/National/home

Curiouser and curiouser, no ???

:shrug:

I wonder how this will play in PA?

[blogslut]

1. I read that earlier

Interesting, isn't it?

[KittyWampus]

5. this was part of the story from day one, the mediawhores totally ignored it.

[TwilightGardener]

21. That's true. Somebody turned it magically into a bogus Obama scandal, instead

of the Hillary scandal it actually should have been. The question is who? How? Why?

[Hoof Hearted]

44. So how many times did Hillary stand in front of a camera and say it didn't happen?

Or was it the junior senator that made that mistake? That's the question.

[TwilightGardener]

48. Nobody asked her a damn thing on camera. They didn't pursue

it. They went after the guy who ended up telling the truth.

[WillyT]

54. Oh... The Junior Senator From New York Has Made Plenty Of Mistakes...

I'm hoping this one costs her dearly.

:mad:

[catgirl]

105. No, but she swiftboated Obama on it!

That's disgusting.

[nvme]

145. to hell w/ blaming clinton dummies

WE SHOULD BE SCREAMING WHY IS CANADA INTERFERING WITH OUR ELECTION AND WHY ARE HEADS NOT ROLLING YET. I AM AN OBAMA SUPPORTER. EVEN IF CLINTON IS BEHIND CANADA IS PUTTING THEIR NOSE WHERE IT DONT BELONGS. KEEP IT OUT OF OUR COUNTRY.

[City Lights]

23. They let Hillary define the story.

And they ran with it.

Fark them.

[ClassWarrior]

73. .

[rcsl1998]

150. So Was The Part Where Clinton Authorized The Canadians To Release The Name Of Any Clinton Contact

The silence has been deafening...

[LulaMay]

58. I'M TICKED THAT PEOPLE ARE ACCEPTING THE CAN GOV TELLING US WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO KNOW

OR THAT OUR PRESS HAS NO RIGHT TO INVESTIGATE AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION. THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS OR FREEDOM OF SPEECH, TELL US WHAT IS 'UNFAIR' OR 'EVEN ILLEGAL'. WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW IN THIS COUNTRY. WHO ARE THEY TO TELL US OTHERWISE?

THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE NO AMERICAN SHOULD REGURGITATE TO BENEFIT THEIR CANDIDATE, AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

RELEASING SUCH A STATEMENT OF 'UNFAIRNESS' IS INTERFERING IN OUR ELECTIONS, NOT THE AP OR MEDIA REPORTING ON THE MEMO. WHO ARE THEY TO TELL US WHAT JOURNALISM IS ACCEPTABLE, SUPPOSE TO CURB OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OUR RIGHT TO KNOW?


AARRGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

[WillyT]

Um... Apparently You Caps Lock Is Stuck...

:wtf:

[AlertLurker]

124. Get off the Kool-Aid. The original CTV Report mentioned BOTH of them.

I heard the original report on CTV. It specifically mentioned both of them. It was only after watching CNN/MSNBC/ETC that it was "All About Obama."

And hey - just while, as a Canadian, I'm interfering...



go nader.

:sarcasm:

[MadBadger]

2. I hope this is all over the news tomorrow.

[WillyT]

4. Think We Should Help It Along ???

:evilgrin::shrug::evilgrin:

[JanusAscending]

33. HELL YEAH !!

n/t

[Lord Helmet]

3. she is a feckin hypocrite

[ClassWarrior]

6. Rovian.

NGU.

[dkf]

7. Hillary punked Ohio.

[WillyT]

8. Yep... Do And Say ANYTHING...

:puke:

[City Lights]

20. How long til buyer's remorse sets in? eom

[bellasgrams]

31. It looks like some BO supportser have had Buyers remorse.

[Zachstar]

30. You know I now have to feel sorry for Ohio.

From the small amount of research I have done it seems that they are suffering greatly. Clinton AKA in my view "The great Divider" may have taken advantage of that with this swiftboat style lie and they may have been in a position to buy it.

I mean what are they supposed to think when they are told at the last min that Obama may not get rid of a deal that is costing them big time? The voting based on race is still horridly sad but I think I feel sad now for them.

Ohio you were played by them before... Now they used you again.

I hope we make Clinton politically pay for what she pulled in Ohio if this mess is the case.

This anything to win bullshit is bringing us ever closer to another 8 years of republican rule. It is time for Obama to expose Clinton and take the gloves off fully.

No fucking Clinton as VP dream ticket either!

[dkf]

37. Does anyone think that Hillary is going to undo one of Bill's few legacies?

I highly doubt it.

[Zachstar]

41. But they did. Along with those who wanted the race to turn into a fight.

We allowed ourselves to get soft and nice when we were staring down at a machine ready to eat. Thankfully tho we will likely not get into such a position again.

[WillyT]

52. Agreed, And Agreed, And Agreed !!!

Especially that last one.

:mad:

[mod mom]

146. HILLARY PUNKED THE WORKING PEOPLE!

[moobu2]

9. Obama lied about it though. this isnt the same thing

[WillyT]

10. Riiiiiiiight...

:rofl:

[TwilightGardener]

11. Nope. He didn't. Total myth. He denied that he sent an advisor

to reassure the Canadians about NAFTA--and that has been confirmed.

[Hoof Hearted]

46. One piece of bubblegum to the moon. Keep trying.

[TwilightGardener]

51. Yer gal's guilty of what she accused Obama of. Hee!

[Hoof Hearted]

80. Still avoiding the subject. You're just - well - hopeless.

Archetypal.

[Political Heretic]

76. umm... I have a copy of the memo.

:shrug:

[Hepburn]

15. WTF!?!?!?

You're kidding, right?

[grantcart]

17. the Canadian govt already admitted that somebody

on their side lied about it and they are opening up an investigation - with possible criminal charges

Do you not read anything

[AlertLurker]

125. this is NOT what has happened.

[Zhade]

60. Nope. YOU ARE LYING. The Canadian government confirmed IT DID NOT HAPPEN.

Fucking pro-Clinton liars.

[fascisthunter]

129. you said it.... I can't stand liars

[TwilightGardener]

12. I want to know who decided to follow Obama on this, instead of Hillary--and why.

[Kool Kitty]

72. Because they want McCain to run against Hillary.

Just my opinion.

[krkaufman]

82. That *is* what's most interesting (to me)

How did "someone from Clinton's campaign is telling the Embassy to take it with a grain of salt ... someone called us and told us not to worry" become a story about Obama's campaign?

[Adelante]

100. The CTV report apparently took a sudden change in direction

It seems something happened on the way from Ottawa to Washington DC and back again.

“Quite a few people heard it,” said one source in the room.

“He said someone from (Hillary) Clinton’s campaign is telling the embassy to take it with a grain of salt. . . That someone called us and told us not to worry.”

Government officials did not deny the conversation took place.

They said that Mr. Brodie sought to allay concerns about the impact of Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton’s assertion that they would re-negotiate NAFTA if elected. But they did say that Mr. Brodie had no recollection of discussing any specific candidate — either Ms. Clinton or Mr. Obama.

CTV News President Robert Hurst said he would not discuss his journalists’ sources.

But others said the content of Mr. Brodie’s remarks was passed on to CTV’s Washington bureau and their White House correspondent set out the next day to pursue the story on Ms. Clinton’s apparent hypocrisy on the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Although CTV correspondent Tom Clark mentioned Ms. Clinton in passing, the focus of his story was on assurances from the Obama camp.

He went to air on Feb. 27 with a report that the Democratic front-runner had given advance notice to Canadian diplomats that he was about to engage in some anti-NAFTA rhetoric, but not to take it too seriously.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080305.wharpleak0305/BNStory/National/home

[krkaufman]

128. Exactly. That's what I'd love to know more about. n/t

[mmonk]

13. Makes since. That's why the oppositon in Parliament

was telling Harper to bug out of the US elections.

[kentuck]

14. This really smells...

to high heaven.

[FrenchieCat]

16. Hey Ohio!

You've been hosed!

[johnnydrama]

18. maybe

we should let Ohio revote too.

[WillyT]

24. Makes Ya Wonder What The People Of Michigan Would Do With Their Re-Votes Now !!!

If they were to get them.

And PA ain't gonna like this one bit either!

:shrug:

[Indiana_Dem]

28. Well if both of our candidates have done this then

why wouldn't the people in these states vote for McCain then?

[TwilightGardener]

50. Obama didn't send an advisor to tell the Canadians to take him with a "grain of salt".

This is not a "pox on both houses"--Obama has been cleared.

[Zhade]

64. OBAMA. DID. NOT. DO. THIS. The Canadian government confirmed he did not.

Man, it really annoys me that I have to keep sounding like an Obama supporter just to correct Clinton supporters' LIES. Or maybe it's just straight up dumbfuckery?

[LeftCoast]

86. Are you talking about that non-denial denial?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

136. Actually, There Is Absolutely Still A Chance He Did. The Memo Is Pretty Powerful Against Him.

It's not fact, but it was fairly damning.

The canadian government's non denial denial doesn't confirm a damn thing, really.

[IsItJustMe]

116. Do you know McCains position on NAFTA? With a question like that, I think not.

[Ichingcarpenter]

32. The vetting is just beginning with the Clintons

Now, about those tax returns Hillary?

When you demanded them of your opponent in 2000 and sent Wolfson
to hound your opponent to release them.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4917978&mesg_id=4917978

[krkaufman]

83. Assuming (1) the truth is ever really revealed, and ...

(2) it ever makes it beyond a few blogs.

[Indiana_Dem]

19. Maybe they're both trying to reassure Canada

I hear this a RW-leaning cabinet up in Canada. I believe I've also heard/read that somehow members could possibly contribute to the Repub party/candidate if this issue was a threat to them and if the Dem party candidate threatens to change it.

#1 Maybe they were both saying these things to the Embassy in order to keep them "at bay" until they win the presidency--then they could do some bargaining once in the presdiential position.

#2 If this is a threat to Canada (which it evidently is)--Canada's people that don't want the changes will more than likely throw some money to the Republican candidate in favor of their interests.

Sorry if that's not clear, I am not completely sure of what I'm talking about--just thinking out loud for motives. This is politics, 'ya know!

Everything isn't always as bad as the MSM portrays it to be. Ordinary people wouldn't quite understand what probably really goes on in the political world that runs our country. I don't think the average person can see any deeper than what the MSM reports. Well, some could but most don't take the time to think it out.

[mmonk]

92. Obviously, people in parliament differ.

[AlertLurker]

126. If NAFTA is ever renegotiated, the USA will be TOAST.

This is why it will never happen.

Oil and Gas Proportionality, Treaty Enforcement, Subsudies, Slave Labour, Softwood Lumber, Fishing Quotas, Water Rights, Aboriginal Disputes, Environmental Degradation...

Any idea what this would cost the USA?

[democrattotheend]

22. Is the MSM reporting on this?

If not, let's go to their websites and demand that they report on it.

[Colobo]

25. The Obama Camp needs to push this story HARD.

[mmonk]

34. Well this gives me something I could do if I so choose

I have contacts at McClatchy's DC desk. They ignore the Sibel case no matter how much I rattle their cage though. Who knows, maybe this might interest them? I guess I'll show restraint.

[Zachstar]

38. Agreed.

I am going to bookmark it and try to keep this story on the front lines as we continue this path towards April.

People I strongly suggest you pick 2 major aspects you feel needs to be exposed about Clinton and use 2 of your 3 topics per day to post update topics on the situation if it is warranted. If it is lite news on it I suggest you bring back the previous update topic with a news reply.

We are going to win this people. But now we must fight back with exposing her so bad that Obama will have NO thoughts of her as a VP or anywhere in his administration... Some party leaders may try to make a deal for that to happen but we must keep these stories up so they are discussed in the news and Obama can say hell no to any talk of her as a VP.

It is go time folks! The political gloves are off!

[City Lights]

102. Yup. The corporate media will ignore this unless Obama calls them out.

I've emailed all the MSNBC and CNN shows, but I'd be *shocked* if this gets any play without a push from Obama's campaign.

[IsItJustMe]

117. I wonder if Obama or his people even know about this. Is there any way that you know of to let his

people know about this?


On Edit: This seems very big to me.

[City Lights]

120. I just got off the phone with them.

The person I spoke to was in front of a computer so I gave her the link. She said she'd pass it along to their research department. She also said if it's being discussed in the blog community the Obama campaign is most likely already aware of it. She also seemed to think that if it's in the blogs it will eventually make its way to the corporate media. We shall see...

[IsItJustMe]

122. Well then, if the msm won't cover it, then most certainly Obama can bring it up. Thanks

[krkaufman]

131. That attitude doesn't inspire much hope.

The "if it's in the blogs it'll eventually make it to the corporate media" response doesn't seem overly savvy. But I like the fact that they referred to is as "the corporate media."

[City Lights]

132. I know. Lots of things get discussed in the blogs that never make it

to the teevee. In fairness to her, she was a volunteer rather than a paid staffer, and at least she promised to pass it along to his research dept.

[mmonk]

26. pffffft

:spray:

:popcorn:

[better tomorrow]

68. I justt sent the link to them....

Countdown, Abrams, Hardball, Meet the Press, Newsweek, etc. We'll see....

I always threaten them with the link is going to CNN next......works like a charm.

[better tomorrow]

70. and maybe I can do a YouTube video next.....

got a lot of hits on the ones done already.

[City Lights]

121. I've done the same. I also sent the info to all of CNN's shows. eom

[UALRBSofL]

27. As I said before, here is the problem with the Brodie story

He met with one of Obama's members of his campaign, however, he said someone called from the Hillary camp. Well, I wanted you to know it was me. I didn't give Brodie my name or phone number but I identified myself as a member of the Hillary campaign and told him to take the NAFTA talk with a grain of salt. I should of confessed several days ago but I waited until after the elections yesterday.

[anigbrowl]

53. Sure you did. Go on, post the phone number.

Like they would put someone anonymous straight through to the Canadian PM's chief of staff from a switchboard.

[boston bean]

91. As I recall Hillary did say that it was not true as far as she was aware and if it was she would

fire or offer up on the stake who ever did.

[alcibiades_mystery]

29. Doesn't matter: Ohio's over...this was a hit and run attack

It's over.

[mmonk]

35. Everything matters when the people are deceived.

At least that's how I operate.

[WillyT]

40. Yep... And One Has To Wonder...

Who in the Hillary Campaign made the call? And did they inform the candidate? Would they let the candidate go out and speak on the matter, not knowing that her campaign had done the very same thing? Or was this all at Hill's direction?

Deceived voters want to know.

:shrug:

[mmonk]

90. And how will it play in Pennsylvania

or other places trade policy matters?

[UALRBSofL]

45. But since I called and I didn't identify myself other then saying I was a member of the Hillary camp

Don't tell anyone it was me. Because it was suppose to be a secret. Now, does anyone remember the guy's name in the Obama camp that actually met with the canadian?

[TwilightGardener]

55. The initial story was fucked up. Obama never sent an advisor to meet with Canadians.

One of his advisors, in a SEPARATE incident, was contacted by the Canadians, and they discussed NAFTA, but he was not sent on a mission to tell them to take Obama's campaign rhetoric "with a grain of salt".

[krkaufman]

85. Ghoulsbee. n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

98. Ah, an idealist

That's sweet!

[mmonk]

107. One with no ideals gives us nothing worth having.

It's not naivete. No human is perfect. But I have a right to complain to obvious deceit. If you don't care how much you're lied to, check out the republican party.

[FrenchieCat]

36. Odd, they were still talking about it today on the Clinton News Network......

Candy Crowley had her little report as to why Obama lost Ohio, and it was played over and over again.

It ain't finish till she sings....and right now, she's just talking a whole lot about nothing.

[Oilwellian]

71. Tweety mentioned it as well

Still catapulting that proganda.

[JanusAscending]

39. No it's not over.

Ohio may be over, but THIS is not over by a long shot!

[krkaufman]

84. Yes, Ohio is in the books.

But the story may become "Ohio was punked" and possibly make PAians -- and the media -- more wary. Also, if the Clinton campaign *did* make such a contact, the facts are then the reverse of what was originally reported, and may have an effect on PA voting -- plus MI voting, if that goes forward.

[Cronus Protagonist]

42. "...someone called us and told us not to worry"

Someone? This is based on "someone"? Flimsy stuff.

[TwilightGardener]

56. That's all they had with Obama, initially. They had to dig around

to come up with Goolsbee's name in Chicago. They never dug around for Clinton's advisor.

[Cronus Protagonist]

62. I see

Maybe there's more to come, but right now, I'm not going to react based on 'someone', and said report also coming from a conservative too? Pish tosh.

[dkf]

43. I just want to know the truth from both sides.

From what I read now, it seems that the Canadians initiated the contact with Obama's team and wrote up a memo that was distorted, whereas Hillary's team initiated the call to Canada telling them not to worry about the "Rhetoric" on NAFTA.

I would like the truth please. If either of the teams are up to shenanigans I want to know.

[UALRBSofL]

47. dkf, I told you it was me that called the canadian

But, I never gave my name. I just identified myself as a Clinton campaign member.

[dkf]

74. So you caused this international incident then?

Shame shame on you!

[krkaufman]

87. That doesn't seem like too much to ask.

(Though it's more than I expect to ever receive.)

[LulaMay]

49. Her campaign didn't have a 'private' meeting and deny it. She didn't allude to having

a watered down policy and just politicking.

They were worried about his position on NAFTA, not hers.

[WillyT]

57. Reading Comprehension A Problem For Ya, Huh ???

Sorry.

She lies.

[rodeodance]

103. too bad BO was wishy-washy. He could have cleared it up but he let it go on and on.

[krkaufman]

88. chuckle! Yeah, the Canadians *aren't* worried about Hillary's position on NAFTA ...

... 'cause they know she aint' gonna touch it!

:rofl:

[Zhade]

59. Oh, look, Clintonites were played. Again. And were wrong. AGAIN.

Clue phone's for you, guys!

[blocker]

61. This is big news in Canada, not good for harpers party!

first page of the globe and mail website, it's canada's largest newspaer

[WillyT]

67. Yep...

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

:shrug:

[hey560]

63. Absolutely Huge. Harper is gonna get nailed for this. Kick.

[Zhade]

65. Cool! I really don't want to move up there just to live under that dick.

NT!

[blocker]

66. Well he's actually a pretty good prime minister

it's just sad that he's a bush puppet, this is well known!

[Iceburg]

101. What are you smoking ...

Offering bribes to secure votes and/or cabinet positions
Day 1 - David Emerson Bait and Switch (who later went on to lose $1 billion on the Can-US lumber dispute)
...Then there was Wajid Khan job
...And more recently the $1000,000,000 insurance offer to a dying MP Chuck Cadman
Re-opening the gay marriage debate at the tax payers expense and not showing up to vote?

Shutting down discussion on Afghanistan after 5 hrs of debate

Losing a billion dollars on the lumber dispute

Making a formerly non-partisan office (Commisioner of Elections) into a partisan one?

Breaking international treaties (Kyoto)

Interfering in US elections

Interfering in municipal elections (Ottawa via Baird)

Cutting off funding to the Court Challenges Program and the Law Commission

Stacking the Assisted Human Reproduction Agency with fundies (an no feritilty experts)

Again I ask what are you smoking?
--------------------
60 Reasons to dump Harper
http://www.xtra.ca/public/viewstory.aspx?AFF_TYPE=1&STORY_ID=3079&PUB_TEMPLATE_ID=2

[JBoy]

115. Incorrect

Harper is a total piece of shit. If he was my neighbour I wouldn't trust him to water my plants.

[AlertLurker]

127. ECH. Just fuggin' ECH.

[fascisthunter]

130. uhuh......

[Oilwellian]

69. I say...

we fucking waterboard Brodie to get to the truth! :rofl: This is the best news I've had all day. I can't wait to hear who they spoke to in the Clinton campaign.

[mmonk]

94. Yeah, I'm thinking rendition.

[David Zephyr]

75. K&R.

Kick.

[LeftCoast]

77. So are you all now admitting the truth of the Obama side of the story?

This thread confuses me a bit.

[Oilwellian]

78. No, apparently there was some confusion in the original story

It was the Hillary campaign that told Canadian officials to take what they said about NAFTA "with a grain of salt."

[LeftCoast]

79. But the OP says Clinton did it too (paraphrasing)

Ok, now I'm even more confused.

[aquart]

81. "All the other kids are doing it, Ma!"

That's a tried and true excuse. And the good mother/supporter responds: "I don't care what the other kids are doing. I care about what YOU are doing."

Obama camp got caught lying.

[LeftCoast]

89. Then they have the nerve to try and pin the same story on Clinton w/out realizing

that they actually just admitted that Obama did it 'too'.

This is what happens when all you care about is throwing shit. You get covered in it too.

[mmonk]

95. Let's twist again.....

[TwilightGardener]

112. Obama never sent an advisor to tell Canadians to ignore NAFTA rhetoric. That was Hillary

who did it. LOL! Obama has been cleared, Hillary is the big fat liar to the American people.

[TwilightGardener]

109. No--he got caught telling the truth. It was Hillary's camp that lied.

[WillyT]

93. Morning Kick !!!

:kick:

[flpoljunkie]

96. This was briefly reported in the press last week, and then dropped, for whatever reason.

[Medusa]

97. Okay so where the hell is the media in reporting this?

It's the least they can do after all.

[jeffrey_X]

106. The Media won't care. They NEEDED a Hillary win to keep the race close. It's good for business.

F'n corporations.

[NorthCarolina]

155. The MSN NEEDED a Hillary win because she's BEATABLE by the Repugs

This whole election is being SO PLAYED by the MSM as if it were a scripted affair...which it probably is. The MSM and their Republican masters are scared shitless of a Obama win because he is also likely to have huge coattails. With a Hillary candidacy, they can fudge the election for a McCain win and then the media can immediately quell any questions amongst the outraged electorate by blaming it on her HIGH negatives. Remember, the MSM already set us up for that very excuse a few months back when the talking heads spent a week or so enlightening us on Hillary's negatives being as high as her popularity rating. Make no mistake...this entire primary is a ruse...and the GE will be even more so. Look for a Hillary candidacy and a McCain presidency under questionable voting irregularities....I have little doubt it's already in the bank...so to speak.

[redqueen]

111. Good question. (nt)

[debatepro]

99. We need the NAME!! !!!! !!!!!! !!!! !!!!!

Of the person in the Clinton campaign that "is telling the Embassy to take it with a grain of salt."

Hopefully the Canadian press will do what ours will not... bombard Ian Brodie for the name of the person from the Clinton campaign until they give it up.

[npincus]

104. KICK

[nell2323]

108. kick

[redqueen]

110. Too bad for all those Ohioans who took her at her word. (nt)

[redqueen]

113. Oh, and K&R.

:)

[ProgressIn2008]

114. And then, there are those for whom a HRC slam doesn't make Obama look any better

It doesn't surprise me that they're both pulling this pandering, hypocritical, power-hungry sleight of hand, but Hillary Does It Too isn't a defense of Obama. If Obama wants to put himself forward as presidential material, he needs to stop (or his followers need to stop) blaming Hillary. That's hardly leadership.

[stillcool]

118. I think one would want to know..

what the Canadian Government is up to in tinkering with our elections. I don't know how Hillary's meetings tie into all of this. I wonder if the Canadian Government's investigations are on a par with our own. Hopefully the Canadian Press will provide the American people with the information about how all of this transpired.

[krkaufman]

133. The story isn't about "slamming Hillary"

It's about knowing whether the Clinton campaign *did* actively initiate a communication to Canadian officials, telling them to take Hillary Clinton's NAFTA reform rhetoric with a "grain of salt." This is fairly relevant to future contests.

And the story is also important as it may involve Canadian government interference in our election. (Aside from the fact that I'm just damn curious about how a story that appears to have been about the Clinton campaign morphed into a piece smearing Obama.)

[stillcool]

141. I didn't say it was...

perhaps my post was unclear to you?

[krkaufman]

142. errrr.... or maybe I replied ...

... to the to the wrong post?

oopsy. sorry 'bout that.

[stillcool]

157. is okay...I know how it is...

:hi:

[IsItJustMe]

119. Great scoup WillyT!!! The whole reason I come here to DU is because of people like you. Thanks

for the heads up on this.

[AlertLurker]

123. This is what I remember hearing from CTV.

Then I started watching CNN/MSNBC/ETC and it was all Obama, Obama, Obama...

Amazing how something so ridiculous can be so easily spun...

...as if either of them will do a THING about NAFTA, anyway. Pfffft.

[krkaufman]

134. Do you know whether the original CTV report is available online? n/t

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

135. Is There A Memo That Documents It? Oh, There Isn't? How Sad For Obama.

Wait, did she flat out deny it and challenge them to release the names of ANYONE communicating in such a way? She did? Wow. How sad for Obama.

He said she said bullshit is irrelevant. What we have, and ALL we have, is a memo of a meeting that interprets that someone in Obama's campaign was guilty of such. That's it. And it's a hell of a lot more damning to Obama, than it is for someone to say "hey, Hillary called too!". Memo vs no memo. HUGE difference there. :hi:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

137. Harpers covering his Bush loving ass and that of his Chief of Staff who leaked the memo

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/03/04/harper-obama.html?ref=rss

[WyldRogue]

138. Funny thing is...

...that the big hoopla is the fact that SOMEONE leaked the memo about Obama yet we have people spinning excuse after excuse trying to point the fault at the other candidate. The gumption of some of the people here on DU is not condemning the leaker of the memo but to try to hide the CONTEXT of the memo. If there was no memo, then how could it be leaked?? Makes no sense how some of you prattle on, back and forth saying it was denounced and fake but all the sources I have said that the memo does indeed exist and the problem is: WHO LEAKED THE MEMO TO THE PRESS.

And just like the *shies, it's deny, point the finger over here and over there to hide the fact that a candidate may have been trying to get away with a deception. And NONE of these conversations would be going on IF someone had not leaked out the memo so I too am a little taken aback at the faux outrage of some people.

If the memo was a fake, then why isn't it all over the press and being denounced by all parties concerned?? The problem is that the memo exists and was leaked, hence the problem for said candidate caught up in the storm. Some of you need to look a bit deeper instead of staying in the shallow waters of ambiguity. If Obama did not do it then he needs to have the memo released to the public so we can see the context contained while he gives us reason for why the memo even existed. Same can be said for the Clinton camp. Why and how? Who and what?

You people are looking foolish day by day and I'm beginning to question the integrity of both candidates by the fervent actions of their volatile supporters. You guys are so enamored by your candidates, you are ostracizing each other and everyone else by all this childish in-fighting.

Which leads me to this disgusting point being made all over this blog forum that is now a cesspool of hatred:

If Candidate A gets the Nom, Candidates B's supporters will not cast their vote for party and country out of loyalty to Candidate B.

If Candidate B gets the Nom, Candidates A's supporters will not cast their vote for party and country out of loyalty to Candidate A.

Do you see that cycle of idiocy? BOTH sides are willing to jeopardize MY right to have a DEM president sit in the WH all because you guys can't take the emotional aspect of electioneering politics. Too many DRAMA QUEENS and DRAMA KINGS proliferate in this election cycle and myself and quite a few other Independents are being disgusted by such divisive partisanship within a party.

So while you 'kids' do the 'my dad is better than your dad' argument, the Repugs are rallying and unifying behind McCain and getting ready to make a solid run at winning the WH while they watch you 'kids' tear your own party asunder. It's either you guys UNITE or the WH stays in Repug hands (maybe that is the idea all along right?)

My vote is ready for either Obama or Clinton, maybe it's time for everyone else to grow up and do what is needed for this country: to put the Repugs out to pasture and re-instate the Constitution and reclaim our country.

Until then, I'll can only sit on the sidelines watching all of you make fools of yourselves and your candidates while providing fodder for the Repugs to use against the Dem Nom in the upcoming GE.

Until then, I hope and pray the Dem party UNITES as one voice, one nation. God bless the Dem Nom whoever it may be.

[OhioChick]

139. Interesting........ n/t

[Tarc]

140. A shame that this is actually not true

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4927540

It is cute watching the O-Bots scurry though. First denial, then deflection, now fabrication. The three stages of a flailing presidential campaign.

[Spazito]

143. LOL, did you read the whole thread?

Your link actually proves the opposite of what you are espousing, interesting.

[Tarc]

144. English isn't your first language, eh?

[Spazito]

148. Original, wow, very original response

no surprise though.

[AzDar]

153. How, as a Democrat, can you continue to support her?

:shrug:

[BREMPRO]

147. HRC and McCain gangin up on the people's candidate.

They want to run against each other and the "behind the curtain" corporate powers and conflict hungry media are pushing it. Obama is more the risk to corporate power and influence. I'm so disgusted with HRC for taking the low road, spinning lies, and going to the Rove playbook. She can't technically win the nomination, so why is she going negative? Obama can't lose the delegate count, even with florida and michigan counted. SO why is HRC beating up on our nominee with LIES, and sleazy Rovian SPIN? IT appears she's made a choice, if she can't be the nominee, she would rather have McCain (her friend) than Obama in the White House. She's finally found her voice... and it's more right than left. more corporate than progressive. more hawk than dove. more lobbyist than citizen. This is War. Bama better learn to box, cause McCain will make the same arguments.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

149. I hope it bites Cinton's campaign back hard!

Obama is gaining ground in the PA polls.

[amborin]

151. it's an OBAMA scandal, b/c Obama lied...he denied any meeting had ever taken place

then got caught red handed and fessed up with a weak excuse

[dana_b]

152. not according to msnbc now. we'll see!! n/t

[smubossirossi]

154. this is so believable...

she is full of shit and today again at a press conference she chose john mccain over barack obama... reactionary republican v. progressive democrat...she is a DLCer, war loving, pro business, NAFTA loving tyrant!! I cannot stand it she is turning into joe LIEberman..what the hell is wrong with her..she is killing her own party...so if we dont chose her as our D nominee, she would rather have mccain is she trying to ensure that mccain becomes president...im steaming right now:mad: :grr: :banghead: :rant: see all those emoticons they dont even begin to tell you how infuriated I am right now!!


rant over..

needed to get this off my chest

[mcollier]

156. Team Obama Alive

Alright team,

Obama Cleared... Clinton the Culpit...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080305.wharpleak0305/BNStory/National/home

Send, post, share the Hillary Clinton NAFTA hipocracy to as many news organazations, blogs, co-workers, family, friends, My Space, Face Book, YouTube, Email Contacts you can, C-SPAN, Radio Shows, your senators and congress persons as well... Forget about the rethugs and clintonites attempts here trying to defend her on this.... We need to stick to message: The era of old politics or something we deserve is our choice, this is the change we can believe in.

Clinton cannot be trusted, she isn't even president and she is already defaming America in the eyes of the world with this shameful action.

Vote for someone you can trust, vote for Barack Obama.