MyDD :: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie

Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie

by Cycloptichorn, Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:42:27 AM EST

Found this on the Orange Satan today.

This morning, on NPR, Senator Clinton admitted to breaking her pledge to the DNC. She stated:

"... we all had a choice as to whether or not to PARTICIPATE in what was going to be a primary. And most people took their names off the ballot, but I didn't. And I think that was a wise decision because Michigan is key to our electoral victory in the fall.

This is a direct and unequivocable violation of her pledge to the DNC and Democratic voters. She signed a pledge not to campaign OR PARTICIPATE. Here's the relevant section of the pledge:

http://www.fladems.com/page/-/documents/ THREE_pledge_versions.pdf

THEREFORE, I (Hillary Clinton), Democratic Candidate for President, in honor and in accordance with DNC rules, pledge to actively campaign in the pre-approved early states Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. I pledge I shall not campaign or PARTICIPATE in any election contest occurring in any state not already authorized by the DNC to take place in the DNC approved pre-window (any date prior to February 5, 2008).

By her own admission, she has broken her pledge.

As she stated, she had a choice to make - and she chose to break her word. She should have removed her name from the ballot just like the other competitors did, but she chose not to do so with specifically this case in mind: it was an out for her, in case she was getting her butt kicked later. Which is exactly what we see happening right now.

If you can't trust Hillary to play by the rules now, what makes you think you can when she's Prez? I'm sick of Presidents who flaunt the rules when they are inconvenient; we've had 8 years of that! Clinton should be honest and admit that she broke her word, and drop her silly quest for re-dos, which won't save her campaign anyways, but merely prolong the pain.

h/t Bobo2020 at the Orangish Fiendish Place of Doom

Tags: clinton, michigan, untruths (all tags)

Permalink :: 50 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (2.00 / 1)

When has the Clintons not gone back on their word?

by Spanky on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:51:26 AM EST

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (2.00 / 2)

So why didnt Obama take his name off the FL ballot?

This is ridiculous and has been spoken about before countless times.

pretty sad attempt

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:55:37 AM EST

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (2.00 / 0)

he tried to but the deadline for ballot removal was past.

by theninjagoddess on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:07:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

kinda like how he "tried to" have his "national" ads removed from FL???

by nikkid on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:01:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

BS (none / 0)

Please google for definition of "national ads".

His ads even ran in states where the primary/caucuses were already done.

-- be excellent to each other

by kindthoughts on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 12:05:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (2.00 / 1)

What is ridiculous is that Hillary is stating that the "fair" thing to do would be to seat the Michigan delegates. Fair? When her's was the only name on the ballot.

daninpa

by daninpa on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:07:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

Obama shouldn't have taken his name off. That's his problem.

Obama is nervous because he blew off Michigan voters, and he knows it. There was no reason for his name to come off the ballot.

Hillary won Michigan and Florida and she's the one open to a revote. Obama lost both and is demanding half of the delegates in violation of what people actually voted for. Again - he could agree to a revote. He knows he's going to lose Florida and may very well lose Michigan - and he doesn't want those two losses. So he is simply demanding delegates that he hasn't earned.

by Little Otter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:19:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

Obama was honoring a pledge not to participate. That was the agreement. Did you read the diary? Do you make a habit out of ignoring FACTS that aren't convenient to you? Or do you just prefer your politicians to not honor their committments?

Government derives its power from those that it governs.

by lockewasright on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:30:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

Quote where they agreed to take their names off the ballot. If you don't have her signature on agreeing to that, you got nothin'.

Obama pulled a fast manuever and it didn't work out as he hoped. And now he wants to find another way to cheat the situation.

by Little Otter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:36:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

Having your name on the ballot IS particicpating. Learn the language if you intend to use it.

Government derives its power from those that it governs.

by lockewasright on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:44:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

Yeah? Prove it was interpreted that way at the time. I certainly didn't hear anyone advance that point of view. I think this is just more Obama weaseling. He took his name off and now he wants delegates he didn't win. He doesn't want a revote because he's scared to death he'll lose. He just wants delegates because he's Obama. Talk about entitlement. I haven't heard Clinton asserting that she's entitled to delegates she didn't win.

Ya got nothin'. Obama chose to insult the voters of Michigan by pulling his name off the ballot hoping New Hampshire and Iowa voters would be pissed enough at Clinton to give him an overwhelming lead in those two states. It didn't work.

and this kind childish garbage isn't going to work either. Clinton agreed to not campaign. she didn't agree to take her name off the ballot because unlike Obama, she fundamentally respects democracy and the need for voters to be fairly represented.

by Little Otter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:10:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

It's what the word participate means!!!! Do you ever think at all about anything ever?!! PROVE that your cerebellum is engaged. Acknowledge that that word means what the word means!! Honestly, you are doing Hilary a disservice each time you open your mouth or touch your keyboard.

Even she is backing away from making this argument because it is so obviously and so utterly horseshit.

Argue for a re-vote or some other desperate Hilary hoax, this one has been given up on even by Hilary.

Government derives its power from those that it governs.

by lockewasright on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 04:01:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

One question (none / 0)

"unlike Obama, she fundamentally respects democracy and the need for voters to be fairly represented."

If Hillary were in the same position that Obama is currently in -- ahead in pledged delegates and the loser of 2 non-official primary elections -- can you say with 100% certainty that she would not try to stop the results from the tainted contests from counting. If you can't, then you should take back the above quote, because you can't be sure that her new-found stance in favor of seating the delegates is motivated by the highminded democratic ideals that you suggest rather than political considerations.

by DreamsOfABlueNation on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:02:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What you think the word participate means (none / 0)

please put my name on the ballot.

You need remedial English classes then.

-- be excellent to each other

by kindthoughts on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 12:06:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

What was left out was the comment that participation or campaigning didn't include fundraising and events related to fundraising.

YOU CAN NOT fundraise if you're not on the ballot.

oops...sorry...I didn't mean to spoil your party...keep on spinning, I'm enjoying the ride.

He that lives upon hope, will die fasting. -Ben Franklin

by TxDem08 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 05:18:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Fundraising (2.00 / 0)

You can certainly raise funds for other states even if you are not on the ballot of the state in which you are doing the fundraising.

by DreamsOfABlueNation on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:57:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you nailed that. (none / 0)

ever notice how people stop replying after one makes a valid argument. Cause saying "you are right" is too hard for some.

-- be excellent to each other

by kindthoughts on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 12:42:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

What the hell? "It's his problem" that he is playing by the rules?

If it was the republicans doing this to one of our own (Democrats) we would be raising hell.

But when Clinton does it, it's reasonable behavior?

If you are not voting Obama, please let me know so I can replace your sorry ass with another new voter.

by Darknesse on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:55:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

No one asked him to take his name off the ballot. He just did it. That's his problem. I have no problems with the uncommitted delegates being seated and voting as they choose. Barry will get some and Clinton will. she'll also get the delegates she won fairly.

by Little Otter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:12:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

The agreement to not participate is an agreement to not participate. That means participating was against the agreed upon conditions. Wow. You are astoundingly dishonest in making this argument. It is a disservice to your candidate for anyone to think that you represent her.

Government derives its power from those that it governs.

by lockewasright on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 04:03:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

lets put it simply (none / 0)

Lets take you for example my friend.

Lets say YOU said you won't participate in the election.

But you either put up or kept your name on the ballot.

Having your name on the ballot defines participation.

-- be excellent to each other

by kindthoughts on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 12:09:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

the 4 state pledge (2.00 / 2)

Is not a DNC pledge, btw. You should get your facts straight

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:56:20 AM EST

Re: Obama in Florida (none / 0)

Obama Vows To Do What's Right
By WILLIAM MARCH and ELAINE SILVESTRINI

The Tampa Tribune, Published: September 30, 2007

TAMPA -
...........
Obama also appeared to violate a pledge he and the other leading candidates took by holding a brief news conference outside the fundraiser. That was less than a day after the pledge took effect Saturday, and Obama is the first Democratic presidential candidate to visit Florida since then. Obama and others have pledged not to campaign in Florida until the Jan. 29 primary except for fundraising, which is what he was doing in Tampa.
................
The pledge covers anything referred to in Democratic National Committee rules as "campaigning," and those include "holding news conferences."
............
According to Sanchez and Tom Scarritt, Obama was asked during the event about making sure Floridians have a role in the nomination, despite the DNC sanctions and the pledge. Scarritt said Obama responded that he'll "do what's right by Florida voters."
.............................

This is an excerpt from the article. To read the full report, go to:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/sep/30/ obama-vows-do-whats-right/?news-breaking

by moevaughn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:06:05 PM EST

Re: Obama in Florida (none / 0)

What is your point? They were all in FL. They were not all left oon the ballot to position themselves as the "winner" in Michigan. Can you supporters reconcile her saying they should seat the Michigan delegation when she was the only one on the ballot?

daninpa

by daninpa on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:10:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama in Florida (none / 0)

Yes, Obama shouldn't have taken himself off the ballot. Her point is that removing names from the ballot is an insult to the voters of that state - and she's right. It is an insult. It was insult levied to curry favor with voters in New Hampshire and Iowa. Clinton lost Iowa and won New Hampshire.

Clinton did not campaign in Florida or in Michigan. She broke no rules of that agreement. Obama chose to take his anme off the ballot - that's his choice. It was stupid, I agree. But now he want delegates arbitrarily assigned to him from a state whose ballot he chose not to be on. Michigan should just assign some delegates to the uncommitted file and let it break as it does - it's the only thing that makes sense. Some of them will go for Obama and some for Clinton. It's actually fairer than a revote, but Clinton has generously agreed to a revote - Obama hasn't.

by Little Otter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:27:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama in Florida (2.00 / 1)

The pledge was to not participate. You cannot simultaneously assert that she won it and also that she didn't perticipate in it. The assertions are mutually exclusive. Your statements put the lie to your own statements.

Your candidate did not honor her word.

Government derives its power from those that it governs.

by lockewasright on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:41:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama in Florida (none / 0)

god - sometimes i wonder about you guys

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 11:40:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

You are so dense!!!! (none / 0)

Lets try it again.

There are only two ways to participate in an election if you want to be elected.

1. You get your name on the ballot and you keep it there.
2. Write in.

There is no other way. People can not bubble in, or press a level for a person who is not on the ballot, unless they write them in.

Being on the ballot is participating in the election.

Please, please, please consult an English teacher.

-- be excellent to each other

by kindthoughts on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 12:11:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

p.s. on O (2.00 / 2)

O also ran a TV ad in FL during primary season. (whoops. He didn't mean to! It was part of a national ad, and he couldn't help it if it appeared in Florida!)

by moevaughn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:08:52 PM EST

Re: p.s. on O (none / 0)

I was there in Florida around the time-- and had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I saw the Obama ad on MSNBC (or CNN? one of those).

As far as I can tell, Obama was campaigning on TV in the house I was in, in the city I was in, St. Petersburg, FL.. The minutiae about "national" vs. "local" ad buys is immaterial to the actual FACT that there was a campaign effort that reached Florida homes.

by Sieglinde on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:31:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: p.s. on O (none / 0)

exactly.

by moevaughn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:46:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

Anyone who supports this diary is an absolute hypocrite.

I wonder how such people live their life.

Based on your hypocritical logic, Obama broke his pledges in Florida 3 times:

a) By not removing his name (excuses dont count. A man of word makes sure he follows thru unless you have never been a man of word)
b) He held a press conf in Florida
c) He ran ads in Florida (excuses again do not count as Hillary and Edwards could run specific state ads without violating Florida pledge).

So does this prove anything? Yes, only one thing.

Never let your kids know that you are a hypocrite because they may come back and say "I agree"!

by Sandeep on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:18:24 PM EST

We're not right wing "democrats" (none / 0)

would be one good reason.

by ReillyDiefenbach on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:04:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We're not right wing "democrats" (none / 0)

WOW I think the creeps have fallen out of bed and landed on their tiny ad.

by bradydundee on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 04:45:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (2.00 / 2)

Here is what I want to know. Is it "bold-faced lie" or "bald-faced lie"?

On the merits, this diary is a silly word game. Quite aside from the "bold-faced lie" that Hillary made a pledge to the DNC (the pledge was made up by the early states, and the DNC had nothing to do with it), the pledge was never understood to require the candidates to take their names off the ballot, which is why the Obama campaign billed it as an "additional commitment" at the time.

The real reason Obama removed his name was reported by the Iowa Independent way back in October:

Five individuals connected to five different campaigns have confirmed -- but only under condition of anonymity -- that the situation that developed in connection with the Michigan ballot is not at all as it appears on the surface. The campaign for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, arguably fearing a poor showing in Michigan, reached out to the others with a desire of leaving New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as the only candidate on the ballot. The hope was that such a move would provide one more political obstacle for the Clinton campaign to overcome in Iowa.

Any fool can see that if removal of the names had been clearly mandated by the pledge, the campaigns wouldn't have waited to do it as a surprise, coordinated eleventh-hour move on the day that the Michigan ballot was finalized. This is all just a bunch of myth-making.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:36:37 PM EST

So glad you asked! (2.00 / 1)

It's actually "barefaced."The only one of these three choices recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary as meaning "shameless" is "barefaced."

Etymologies often refer to the prevalence of beards among Renaissance Englishmen, but beards were probably too common to be considered as deceptively concealing. It seems more likely that the term derived from the widespread custom at that time among the upper classes of wearing masks to social occasions where one would rather not be recognized.

by sam2300 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:54:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So glad you asked! (2.00 / 2)

See, you just made the entire diary worthwhile.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:58:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (none / 0)

I wouldn't have posted this diary until I checked the Florida ballot, which included Obama's name.

by zenful6219 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:38:48 PM EST

Time for a long, restful meditation (none / 0)

on the meaning of rules and the necessity for them in a civilized society.

by ReillyDiefenbach on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:06:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary caught in a bold-faced lie (2.00 / 0)

This isn't about Florida, or who was on the ballot there.

The wording of the two quotes is very clear:

1) Clinton is now saying that she had a choice whether to particpate in what would be primary in Michigan and she chose to do so.

2) Clinton signed a pledge saying she would not participate in any early contests.

ONE of those is a lie. I think it was the later one, based on another quote from October 07:

"It's clear: This election they're having is not going to count for anything. I personally did not think it made any difference whether or not my name was on the ballot," she said.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story .php?storyId=19188859

by daveholden on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:09:31 PM EST

Nice catch n/t (none / 0)

John McCain: Healthcare for Kids? In America? No way

by bosdcla14 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:20:14 PM EST

This diary is BS (none / 0)

There's no lie here. Whether or not Hillary was on the MI ballot was irrelevant since it had nothing to do with DNC rules.

Move along, nothing to see here.

by Nobama on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:36:55 PM EST

Move along now, ignore the direct quotes... (none / 0)

The diarist's first sentence is a red herring.

This was not a pledge to the DNC, was just an ordinary, signed, written pledge.