Clinton Strategy: A lie told often enough eventually becomes the truth.

Ok, I have been waiting for this transcript to be posted and it came up this morning. Lisa Caputo, former press secretary to Hillary Clinton during Bill's first term in the White House, being interviewed by Wolf Blitzer on The Situation Room this past Tuesday night. Follow me over the fold!

He asks her what should happen with the voters in Florida and Michigan who were stripped of their delegates because their primaries were moved.  

CAPUTO: Well, I look -- Hillary Clinton has been very clear about that. I mean, she went to Florida and thanked them for their votes.

BLITZER: She didn't campaign there and he didn't campaign there. And his name was not even on the ballot in Michigan.

CAPUTO: Right, because of the Democratic National Committee situation there. But I think that, look, we just have to wait and see.

BLITZER: Do you want them to have caucuses now, those two states? Because it's unlikely they could organize a primary, given the expense.

CAPUTO: No, I think they have spoken... those states have spoken.

Blitzer looks dumbstruck and says well basicly they haven't really because Obabma's name wasn't actually on the Ballot in Michigan and as for Forida no one actually campaigned there. Her answer?

CAPUTO: But she won those states.

BLITZER: I know, but that's not exactly fair, considering his name wasn't even on the ballot or that they couldn't -- none of them could even campaign there.

CAPUTO: That's a Democratic National Committee process issue.

BLITZER: But you can't say she won those states.

CAPUTO: But she did win the states.

BLITZER: With all of his hands tied behind his back?

CAPUTO: Well, you could make the same argument in caucuses, where Hillary Clinton perhaps didn't invest any money.

She didn't invest money in some caucuses is equal to her "winning" a contest that wasn't even happening WTF? WE need to head off these sort of lies before they become the conventional wisdom. If we can't stomp down these sort of things in the primaries we don't deserve to get to the general.

Here is a link if you wish to read it for yourself.
(halfway down the transcript)

EDIT: Thanks for recommeding this! I just want folks to see this and have an actual transcript to quote from. I think it is important that we shine some light on this awful behavior.

•  Tips and Flames

  Cuz I know I'll get both!

  by Seattlite on Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 11:34:15 PM PDT

  •  funny how senator clinton

    says she didnt campaign in florida but seemed to spend alot of time there at private fund raisers, how is that not compaigning

    by TAPayne on Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 11:44:08 PM PDT

    •  Obama raised almost a million dollars in FL

      Guess he campaigned too, right?

      by skohayes on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 04:38:23 AM PDT

•  Is she with the campaign?

  Or is she just another talking head?

  by LaEscapee on Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 11:45:55 PM PDT

  •  paid lackey

    by TAPayne on Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 11:54:19 PM PDT

    •  The other night she said she isn't paid.

      It's not like she needs the cash.

      by clonecone on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:29:49 AM PDT

•  she is a surrogate.

  Not "officially" affiliated with the campaign, but a long time friend, supporter, and apologist. She was Hillary's Press Secretary during Bills first term

  by Seattlite on Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 11:56:22 PM PDT

  •  For all the condemnation of the "Obama Cult"

    It seems to me that the Cult of Clinton is vastly more troubling and real. Obama "cultism" is more akin to rock band groupies--people who may sometimes be a bit out there but who are only doing it because they really believe in who they're following. Whereas with the Clintons, it's almost like a mafia thing--creepy, dark and all about power.

    by kovie on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:39:22 AM PDT

•  First time in my life

  that I've heard a losing candidate say numerous times through surrogates that caucuses don't count. Has this ever happened before in any presidential primary?

  Do they even realize how they're pissing off voters? They've also put out the meme that certain states are insignificant. Another way to piss off voters. How in the hell does this help them?

  by Libertaria on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:01:08 AM PDT

  •  welll...if Hillary really believes

    caucuses don't count she should give her Nevada delegates to Obama.

    by eltee on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 04:15:52 AM PDT

  •  He wins states that

    he won't win in the GE. That doesn't piss me off (I live in Kansas), because it's true.

    by skohayes on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 04:40:42 AM PDT

•  Lisa Logic hurts my brain

  Make it stop. It hurtzzzz...

  ARRGH!

  by imported beer on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:03:09 AM PDT

•  this shit

  is destroying my already less-than-totally-100%-solid-faith in the Demrcatic party, the Clintons in particular.

  it's got to stop.

  three, four weeks ago, i could have gone either way...Clinton, Obama, whatever.

  now?

  they are making me feel like an idiot for EVER having supported them for ALL THOSE YEARS! should i have written in Jessie? or voted for Ross Perot after all? ack! no! make it stop! i can't handle this! (head spins, turns red, explodes...)

  by Librarian on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:07:14 AM PDT

  •  typo

    cause with exploded head, it is hard to type right.

    by Librarian on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:08:25 AM PDT

  •  I know what you mean

    I actually have had a stomach ache for days over all this. They seem to enjoy the "game" so much and are so entrenched as insiders, they don't seem to realize that their game has actual repercussions.

    by Seattlite on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:10:18 AM PDT

  •  I agree 100%

    I was considering switching my independent status to democrat before November based on how the primaries were shaping up, but if Hillary wins, not a chance. This is the kind of shit that has always caused me to despise the parties. I may still go through with it with Obama, and I'll support individual candidates, but the party can rot in hell if they let this continue.

    by johnsonwax on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:12:55 AM PDT

    •  you know

      i have flirted off and on with Green, with whatever, but always in the end left my registration Dem, and bloody well shown up cause i thought well, we have to try for what we can maybe get (not always sent money, not always pushed, but at least shown up at the polls.)

      but...but...i was born in 1968, so basically i grew up with "politicians are all crooks like Nixon--assuming they don't just turn the national guard loose on your ass" and then Saint Reagan 2X plus Bush senior and by then i figured hell maybe a nuclear war with the USSR might actually be a GOOD thing...

      and then, yeah, i voted for Jackson in the primary as my "virgin" vote, but in the end Bill sold me enough, and i thought...yeah, maybe? health care? that i like...

      WHY does he have to DO this to me? i've said swear words at my momma for you, Bill! damn! you're making me cry!

      i refuse to give up all hope. i'm sending more money to Obama first thing in the morning. don't make me get all "woman scorned" on your ass, Bubba. do. not.

      by Librarian on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:26:34 AM PDT

      •  We're twins

        I was born in '68 as well.

        Always been independent for the 'politicians are all crooks' mindset as well. Almost always vote Dem, but I vote for individuals, not parties. I don't trust the power corruption and the bullshit - something I had hoped Dean had exercised out of the party, but it looks like he's got to kneecap another pair before we can give it another test.

        I was okay with Bill as well. Not perfect, but between Reagan and Bushes, even shit can look like a diamond, I guess. Now I just see shit and it hurts. If Obama ever does this to me, I'll give up. He's the last shot to restore my faith that this country can be great again. My kids deserve that...

        by johnsonwax on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:59:49 AM PDT

        •  twin!

          my fear just now is that Obama won't even get the chance to disappoint us. we're going into the general with Hillary, come hell or high water, apparently.

          and then Welcome President Crazy Pants McCain! ("woops! please don't touch that red button! no, really! that's the--")

          if somehow, Jesus & Buddha & Mohammad & Silent Bob and those kids from the Dogma movie show up and intervene, and Obama gets in, yeah, he will certainly not be able to live up to all we ask or expect, but, well, all i want from him is that he makes that effort. is that so much?

          erg. wallet...credit card...come here!

          by Librarian on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 01:10:40 AM PDT

  •  Goebbels would be proud (n/t)

    by shigeru on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 01:54:11 AM PDT

•  Shades of Baghdad Bob and Scott McClellan...

  ... this is beyond lame.

  Well, at least they're not beating about the bush, we know what is really up.

  And we can prepare for it.

  by highacidity on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:16:24 AM PDT

•  How can we popularize it?

  With Joe (and Jennifer) Average Voter, so that they hold the Clintons accountable and humiliate them for attempting to cheat?

  The Clintons need to be sent out of politics now.

  We don't to hear from them again, same with the Bushes.

  by Judgment at Nuremberg on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:28:37 AM PDT

•  Lisa Caputo is the Chief Marketing Officer

  for CitiGroup.  She was raking in a big salary while her company was foreclosing on sub-prime mortgages and raising interest rates on credit cards.

  by clonecone on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:28:46 AM PDT

  •  oh jebus

    really?

    is there something i can be sick in? a bucket? paper bag?

    by Librarian on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 01:15:17 AM PDT

•  I hate it when people lie

  Not little white lies that you tell to get through the day ("traffic was horrible", "that IS a nice shirt!"), but the sorts of lies that do so much damage, that have to do with issues of great importance, and that are so insulting. This "winning at all costs" thing that so many people buy into really disgusts me. Yes, when you're fighting an evil force (e.g. GOP), sure, you do what have to do to win. But against your own side, to satisfy your life's narcissistic desire because you believe that it's owed to you, or that you simply MUST win no matter what? That's just disgusting. As is anyone who helps you lie. No other way to look at it.

  All of these people lying so blatantly, cynically and unremorsefully for what--power? Says everything that I need to know about them, and that I want nothing to do with them.

  by kovie on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:36:09 AM PDT

•  Reminiscent of Colin Powell

  being trotted out to defend a war he CLEARLY didn't believe in.

  by EvilAsh on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:50:02 AM PDT

•  When Obi-Wan does this

  it's called the "Jedi Mind Trick."

  by Subterranean on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 02:15:40 AM PDT

•  I made this comment yesterday but

  it's appropriate here

  "...are part of a "plan" in the Clinton camp to justify the potential use of superdelegates and/or the Florida & Michigan delegations to give Hillary the nomination if necessary.

  It started a couple of weeks ago by just subtly mentioning Florida & Michigan as states Hillary won.  More & more of her folks brought it up & now it's to the point of no longer being challenged in media interviews.  They've planted the idea.

  Now it's that the caucus states & small states don't really matter.  They keep spreading that idea around through different outlets.

  And combine that with Obama is no substance, all words no action.  It's a cult & we don't know what we're doing.

  Therefore the superdelates must step in & save the country.  After all, Obama is just an empty suit, his followers are just under his spell.  And gee, he won those small insignificant states or caucuses (except Illinois of course) with those darned upper income voters & they don't really matter.

  So if Obama wins more pledged delegates, the Clinton campaign is beginning to lay the ground work to take the nomination with superdelegates.  Keep your ears open & listen."

  by Fineena on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 05:13:56 AM PDT

•  Softening?

  Is Rove and Goebells  all over again if you repeat a lie enough times becomes true (Death Tax anyone?). And it is all over the place, "the caucus are undemocratic", "my supporters work", "small/red/purple states are not significant", "they re disenfranchising FL and MI", "rich people  don't need presidents", "caucuses  don't count popular vote" . My opinion trial balloons, it get them the following benefits:

  - By giving their followers a leg to stand up after several routs, it solidify their base and help regurgitate the message far and wide. - Gives their Superdelegates a rationale to do something very bad and undemocratic, toss the election their way when their are behind the delegate counts and the popular vote. - Give the talking heads something to parrot to change the narrative and softening the electorate for a potential undemocratic elected candidate.

  Is so evident that you are already witnessing the backslash.

  - AA SDs that supported HRC are jumping ship, they didn't mind supporting HRC against BHO in a fair fight win or lose  but being characterized as uncle tom's that stabbed BHO in the back will destroy their political future. - Donna Brazil a DNC member spoke for others by saying that she will quit the Democratic Party is the SD toss the election to anyone without popular support. - The paucity of new SD announcements for HRC they knows what is afoot and want no part of it.

  by IamTheJudge on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 05:30:20 AM PDT