An Unpleasant, Uneasy Comparison.

I try to stay from the horse-race stuff, but when I heard about Senator Clinton on the Today show, I felt as if I had heard the same words before, almost verbatim.

Here’s President Bush responding to questions about his dealings with Jack Abramoff:

"I've had my picture taken with a lot of people. Having my picture taken with someone doesn't mean that I'm a friend with him or know him very well."

///

"I frankly don't even remember having my picture taken with the guy. I don't know him."

[AP, 1/26/06]
Link to quote.

Now here’s Senator Hillary Clinton responding to questions about Tony Rezko:

"You know, I probably have taken hundreds of thousands of pictures."

///

"No, I don't know the man. I wouldn't know him if he walked in the door."

[NBC Today Show, 1/25/08]
Link to quote

As I wrote above, I try to stay away from the campaign diary food-fights, and I’ve already voted, but I really am struck by the similarities of the spin here.  I just don’t think I would be ready for another four years of it.

This doesn’t bode well for someone campaigning for "change."

•  You miss the point, not surprisingly

  Bush's comment was repulsive because it was a lie: he did know Abramoff and he and his senior staff dealt with him extensively.  If Clinton is found to have lied about Rezko, then count me into the public stoning.

  And this doesn't even get into Obama's somewhat more-than-a-photo connections to Rezko.

  by Rich in PA on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 09:12:01 AM PDT

•  Yawn. Just yawn.

  Tired, tired, weak-ass shit.

  by Jim J on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 09:20:37 AM PDT

•  And one was on

  January 25th and the other was only one day later on January 26th.

  It must be a conspiracy!!!

  by converse on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 09:28:39 AM PDT

  •  I don't think that was the suggestion

    It's about parsing language.Pretty funny, actually.

    by subtropolis on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 09:54:19 AM PDT

    •  Gosh, Really?

      I like mine better.

      by converse on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 10:00:56 AM PDT

•  heh heh

  Recommended because it was the same damned thought i just had, moments ago, when first checking out the other diary. Not really worth the rec list, mind, but i couldn't resist giving you props.

  I do, however, agree with those who are saying that the Clinton-Rezko relationship is a far cry from that between Bussh and Abramoff. Funny, nonetheless.

  by subtropolis on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 09:53:20 AM PDT