Samantha Power Resigns as Barack Obama Campaign Advisor After Hillary Clinton Monster Comment
I think this is a good move. He can take this and turn it into a moment to shine and show a different style of managing his campaign than Hillary Clinton. Plus, Samantha Power will be alright. She’s got a book tour to keep her busy and in the public eye.
The New York Times reports:
A senior foreign policy adviser and close friend of Senator Barack Obama said today that she was resigning from the campaign, after she apologized for referring to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as “a monster.”
Samantha Power, a professor of public policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, made the comment during an interview in London with The Scotsman, a Scottish newspaper. She derided Mrs. Clinton as a desperate candidate who is “stooping to anything,” according to the newspaper’s account.
“With deep regret, I am resigning from my role as an adviser the Obama campaign effective today,” Ms. Power said in a statement released by the campaign. “Last Monday, I made inexcusable remarks that are at marked variance from my oft-stated admiration for Senator Clinton and from the spirit, tenor, and purpose of the Obama campaign. And I extend my deepest apologies to Senator Clinton, Senator Obama, and the remarkable team I have worked with over these long 14 months.”
Ms. Power was an unpaid adviser to the campaign, but a member of Mr. Obama’s close inner-circle of academic advisers. She worked for a year as a fellow in his Senate office, advising him on Africa and other foreign policy subject areas.
UPDATE: MSNBC reports:
On the conference call in which the Clinton campaign — through their congressional supporters — called for Obama to dismiss Samantha Power from his campaign, a reporter asked this question: What about how the Clinton campaign handled Bob Johnson’s controversial remarks about Obama?
…
On the conference call today, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson said there was a difference between Johnson and Power. “Bob Johnson is a supporter of ours,” he said, “but he is not someone who advises [the campaign] on a daily basis.” Wolfson added, “There is a difference.”
March 7, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Hopefully she’ll be back soon, maybe after the nomination. She makes the Obama campaign look good.
March 7, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I find it disgusting how one talks of how Obama will turn it around, making this rude comment into a good thing for Obama, rather that talk about what was actually said. When Obama is asked anything that the public would like to learn, it’s always turned around that Obama’s credibility is being attacked, or turns it back onto the person asking the question and all of the sudden the person asking the question is the one having to defend themselves for asking.
As an example, when was the last time Obama used drugs? He wasn’t just a kid, and how long did he use cocaine? Where did he get it? One of the interviews when asked he only referred to marijuana joking about how he did inhale, ‘isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?’ The audience ate it up laughing and seemed to love his answer, but he never talked about his cocaine use. I don’t want Obama as my president. This is only one small issue, there are many others. NAFTA, cutting back on military, plagarism, no experience, his questionable financial dealings, his downplaying of his muslim roots, his ties to the trinity church with the over the edge credo, his anti Israeli pro Palestinian comments and looking at some of his other advisors, just to name a few off the top of my head. I don’t trust this man.
Knowing that Powers was part of his inner circle, she spoke eloquently for the apology, no questioning that, she’s a pro at public speaking, but deep down her real feelings were overheard.
If Obama becomes President, which is a horrifying thought to me, I hope she doesn’t get any position, which could certainly still happen.
March 7, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Janet - You talk about how rude it was for Samantha Power to say that Hillary Clinton is a monster and then in the next breath you say things 10 times worse about Obama. There is a word for that type of behavior - h-y-p-o-c-r-i-s-y.
March 7, 2008 at 1:17 pm
What did I tell ya? There you go attacking me instead of the actual comment that was said supposidly off the record, yeah right. Go ahead and defend her comment, I feel there are alot more embedded thoughts that go along with that comment. I’m sure that’s not the only word she has for Clinton. To see her true colors, just the kind of woman I want representing me NOT.
I’m not an advisor, I’m not a public speaker.
I don’t like Hillary either.
I feel Hillary will win with her Clinton croney connections, just intuition. I’m actually hoping that those unhappy with Hillary winning will vote for McCain.
March 7, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I agree that her resignation is the best move, but I don’t agree that it will be good for the Obama campaign. One thing that has distinguished the campaigns was that Obama’s campaign never had people resign over “unprofessional” behavior - now we can no longer make that distinction. This event won’t go away easily, unfortunately - Obama has put it upon himself to run a positive campaign, and this is the price for that decision.
But, to then speak in Ms. Power’s defense, I can only say that most of us have said FAR WORSE comments regarding Senator Clinton and her campaign, so her comments neither surprise nor insult me. I am one of many who have really become disgusted with the Clinton campaign, and I would trade vital organs to end the primary right now with Obama as the winner. Ever since Clinton’s “irresponsible and naive” comments last Summer, and her reneging on her Michigan/Florida promises, I have grown to identify her campaign with what is WRONG in America. Party be damned - I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR HILLARY CLINTON!!!
March 7, 2008 at 1:25 pm
hey there,
im asking voters to read the following articles:
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/06/738264.aspx
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/06/clinton-campaign-denies-canadian-report-on-nafta-comments/
please forward them to whoever you can!
March 7, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Janet…are you a Republican…do you really know anything about this man…and are you serious with the Muslim thing????? How many times is this poor man suppose to varify his Christianity…it’s amazing to me how people take what they hear from others and claim it as facts. I’m not condoning what Ms. Power said but come on, Hillary and many Republicans on their right wing radio stations have said worse. I just want to tell people….GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!
March 7, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Dr Greg,
You stated-”I am one of many who have really become disgusted with the Clinton campaign, and I would trade vital organs to end the primary right now with Obama as the winner”. -
Priceless!
Thanks
March 7, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Oh no, Obama used drugs as a teenager and then went on to get two degrees from Ivy League schools. Clearly, his judgment and intelligence have been shaken forever.
NAFTA: Do you watch the news? I’m guessing no, because it was, in fact, Hillary Clinton’s camp that told Canada not to worry about her new stance on NAFTA.
cutting back on military: You mean by withdrawing from Iraq? God forbid.
plagarism: Good one; even Hillary let that one die.
no experience: Great straw man. Really. At least he doesn’t pretend to have more experience than he does, like certain candidates.
his questionable financial dealings: Oh god, trust me, Hillary does NOT want to go there.
his downplaying of his muslim roots: That’s it, you are an idiot.
his ties to the trinity church with the over the edge credo: Name one thing about the CHURCH that is over the edge.
his anti Israeli pro Palestinian comments: Again, I’m assuming you don’t watch the news.
and looking at some of his other advisors: Like who?
I think it’s safe to say that you, just like Hillary Clinton, will take the softest whisper- no matter how untrue- and spin it into an issue. Lie to get support. Great work.
March 7, 2008 at 1:55 pm
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/03/the-clinton-rul.html
Link to one of Andrew’s best posts EVER.
PS: Janet — I didn’t know all that horrible, awful, scary stuff about Obama — now I am really, really, really upset!!!!!! And I am so impressed that someone who claims to not even to like Hillary knows all her talking points. Wow.
And yes indeed, Samantha’s big mistake was speaking the truth.
March 7, 2008 at 3:26 pm
whoa where to start;
yes alot of folks say alot of worse things about Hillary, mostly all well deserved, no arguement, but we aren’t public speakers representing a potential Presidential candidate. I would like to expect a bit more professionalism.
Going to the link of the Trinity church regarding my comment on ‘credo’:
“We are an African people, and remain “true to our native land,” the mother continent, the cradle of civilization.”
I interpret this mother continent to mean Africa, how do you interpret it? Shouldn’t Obama be true to America first and foremost?
To be involved with such a church as Trinity does make one raise more than an eyebrow.
http://www.tucc.org/about.htm
Regarding the “Muslim thing”; I find it interesting that he feels he has to distance himself instead of own up to his past and go with it.
http://www.newsmax.com/insider_report/Was_Obama_Muslim/2008/01/13/64043.html
“…Obama’s “rhetoric” on NAFTA “should be viewed as more about political positioning than a clear articulation of policy plans.”
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/310350
Yeah let’s see where this gets swept under the carpet too.
Regarding the military;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs
what ever happened to the best offense is a good defense.
He’s also flip flopped on the issue of Iraq;
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/sneak-peek-of-t.html
No experience; All you do is compare him to Hillary? Pretty lame.
His anti Israeli pro Palestinian stance;
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/02/019915.php
Donna, if you don’t know all that horrible awful blah blah blah, then better educate yourself. I read everything I can, and don’t just read from one sided sources.
Tony, I just would like to know exactly what all his involvement was regarding his drug use. It’s not enough to just know that he used, I would like to know for how long, where he got these drugs (more interested in the cocaine use) and how old he was when he did use these drugs.
I wonder if he could be blackmailed into doing something to keep someone quiet about more drug use than is admitted. To get into some branches of our military, as in the Navy SEAL’s you can’t have ever used drugs, why are they held to a higher standard than the President of the United States?
I’m done here, I do realize this is an Obama site, I just thought I could have a healthy exchange of thoughts, but I can see you mostly are hard core no matter what he does you defend him and his actions. You seem to attack me instead of addressing the facts. You’re blinding yourself and it’s very sad for America. The folks following Obama do seem to be cultish, I didn’t agree with that initially but certainly do now.
I’ve been a Democrat all of my life, but can’t stand any of our choices. I just feel that McCain will be the least worst. Pretty awful for such a wonderful country as America that we don’t have better choices.
March 7, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Cheer up! Here is a great comment on Ambinder’s blog:
“Look for Samantha to show up on all the talk shows this weekend and Charlie Rose tonight. Then look for her to nail the Clintons on Rwana, Osama, Iraq.
She is now free to talk about them non-stop and suddenly people will want to listen- Why? Because viewers will be tuning in to see who this fuss was all about - hoping for a cat fight - getting a very sober education about the Clinton foreign policy legacy. Whoops!
Maybe they shouldn’t have asked for her head - it looks like she’s going to give them a piece of her mind.”
Posted by C.B. Todd | March 7, 2008 12:40 PM
March 7, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Just an additional comment while my earlier comment is waiting for “moderation”.
Well deserved mud slinging in both camps.
March 7, 2008 at 4:30 pm
You thought you could get a “A healthy exchange of thoughts”? Hmmm. Seems you came out smearing on your first post. BTW, I know you are not a democrat — you are linking to far-right wing-nut sites — that’s apparently how you derive your”fair and balanced” view of the world. Bye.
March 7, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I am a Democrat, doesn’t matter what you think.
As I’ve visited this site, I do visit many sites for a difference of opinion. I enjoy reading perspectives of many folks from different articles presented. Sometimes a comment does sway my thinking and gets me thinking about other possibilities. I do enjoy a healthy debate as I said earlier.
Along with ABC news and you tube, just because they aren’t all in your court of your way of thinking get a grip. You can read all kinds of similar views if you only stick to one type of news source.
Yes my link to the Trinity church among others is a right wing nut site.
Smearing if that’s what you want to call it, I prefer to call it factual, on my first post was against Obama’s advisor being so unprofessional. She has pretty extreme views that are pretty scary.
So again, you attack my credibility instead of debating the issues.
Boring.
March 7, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I thought you’d said your farewell already. I guess we haven’t finished boring you yet.
Janet — you don’t want a discussion of ideas — you’re a troll who lives to annoy. You have no credibility.
March 7, 2008 at 6:24 pm
He is not a Muslim - but who cares even if he is? I am tired of this bigotry of low cogitation.
March 7, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Exactly who cares if he’s a Muslim, I just would like him to be truthful about his past. When he’s not it makes one suspicious if there are other issues. It’s not bigotry, he just keeps denying any involvement with it. When I inquire about it I’m attacked for asking, instead of discussing his history of what his beliefs were/are.
No one has presented any good arguement against, just attacked my comments.
Yeah Donna call me a troll, your name calling really validates you.
I thought you said bye already as well. What a mean spirited thing to say, shows the kind of integrity you don’t have. Anyone who doesn’t agree with you, call them a troll. The fact that you can’t substantiate your comments are very telling. Although the last several all you’ve done is attack me not have any opinions expressed regarding the topic what so ever. But with everyone having the same opinion don’t worry, you won’t have to. Just keep hoping for “change”.
I’ll quit visiting this site as with the likes of you commenting the quality is dismal to say the least. So just have all the folks that agree with each other talking about Obama, don’t have any discussions from other view points, yeah that sounds like a very stimulating (not) and sad discussion group.
Enjoy your Kum Bai Yah moment.
March 8, 2008 at 12:57 am
She was only telling the truth.
March 8, 2008 at 10:44 am
@ Janet,
I’m not sure if you’re really coming back or not. But realize what you are saying about “attacking the comments” rather than presenting a counter arguement. That is the very same thing anti-Obama folks are doing. Don’t you find it ironic that most of the talk about Obama being “all rhetoric and no substance” is the very essence of anti Obama “Rhetoric” in itself. Instead of mimicing the nay sayers, read up on what Obama plans to do, and show why it can’t be done. Saying he has no plan is a cop out, and Hillary found that out during the debates when she couldn’t bury him directly on the issues of healthcare, economy, or national defense.. She couldn’t let go of the rhetorical lie that Obama plagarerised his speech and she got rightfully booed for it. People falsely criticize Obama for not laying out plans (I suppose people ignored the last debate, and failed to read the details on his official website). The idea that Obama has no experience when he indeed has 4 more years of publicly elected experience than Hillary Clinton, that is meaningless anti Obama “rhetoric”. Obama spent 8 years in state legislature in addition to his 4 years in Senate. If believing Obama is the candidate of hope and change for what he says he will do, then Hillary and McCain are the candidates of instilling fear for what they claim Obama won’t do. Fear vs. Hope. Whats the difference if there is no evidence? If people are going to criticize Obama, I can’t say it enough, do it truthfully and without speculation.
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