Bill Clinton mocks the locals in Oregon

Bill Clinton is a real class act.  He rolls into Oregon, runs 2 hours late on schedule, and then when he does speak, he chooses to slam a local Democrat and Reed College professor to try to score some cheap political points:.

Earlier in the day, Clinton played up to his audience, derisively reading a quote from a Reed College professor suggesting that it was "old politics" for the Clinton campaign to send the former president through a series of small towns.

"When Hillary's campaign announced that I was going to come here and to other small communities, some of the political pundits in Portland said we were wasting our time," Clinton told the crowd in Junction City. "It really matters what happens in rural America."

That Reed College professor is a local Democratic activist! and a BlueOregon contributor!  Smooth move, Bill.  Very smooth.

Do you know how Republicans run in Oregon?  They slam the "liberal elites" in Portland in order to pander to the more rural parts of the state.  

Do you know how Gordon Smith runs in Oregon?  He slams the "liberal elites" in Portland in order to pander to the more rural parts of the state.

Do you know how Karen Minnis ran in Oregon?  She slammed the "liberal elites" in Portland in order to pander to the more rural parts of the state.

Do you know how Hillary Clinton runs in Oregon?  She slams the "liberal elites" in Portland in order to pander to the more rural parts of the state.  

Typical Clinton campaign MO - twisting and distorting someone else's words and dishonestly using that to bludgeon a completely innocent party in order to benefit Hillary politcally - and harming the party and its individual members in the process.  Despicable.

Ted Kulongoski - shame on you for being a part of this.  Darlene Hooley - shame on you for being a part of this.  Josh Kardon - shame on you for being a part of this.  Hillary is running a campaign just like Gordon Smith and Karen Minnis and you are facilitating it!

It's insulting.  Hillary assumes Oregonians are too stupid to see through this lazy, dishonest, transparent tripe. NOT THIS TIME, Hillary.  NOT THIS TIME.  

STOP trying to divide and distract us and turn us against our own neighbors because you are too scared, too weak, too lazy or too cynical to run a better campaign.  Tell us why we should vote FOR you and stop bashing other Democrats who have done a hell of a lot for the party.

I have checked the record of Hillary's past speeches, and guess what?  It's a bit thin on Oregon issues.  Bill comes barnstorming in here like Hillary is Oregon's only hope!  Has she ever been to Oregon before about 3 weeks ago?  Trying to bully Obama into debates because Hillary feels so deeply about Oregon issues.  Yeah right.  That must be why Hillary called for debates on Pacific northwest issues prior to the Idaho and Washington primaries.  Oh that's right - she didn't.

I also didn't hear Bill or Hillary disavowing Gordon Smith.  Ron Wyden has stated that he will not campaign against Gordon Smith.  Josh Kardon is Wyden's chief of staff.  Kardon is also the head of Hillary's Oregon steering comittee. Plus, we all know that both Hillary and Bill have no problem singing John McCain's praises, and Smith is a close supporter of McCain.  And then there is this from BlueOregon:

Hillary Clinton Praises Gordon Smith
in the news 2007

In an interview with Newsweek, Hillary Clinton described Senator Gordon Smith as one of several Republican colleagues whose opinion she seeks out:

Everyone says how they're going to do a better job than Bush of reaching out to the opposition and the Congress. Who are some of the Republicans you can pick up the phone and talk to?

It would depend on the issue. If I were concerned about defense or foreign policy, I would talk to Republicans [such as] John Warner and John McCain and Lindsey Graham and Susan Collins. I don't always agree with their perspective, but I find it very important to hear and try to factor in my thinking. On health and human-services kinds of issues, Mike Enzi's been a partner. Again, we don't always agree, but I believe he's trying to do what he thinks is right. If it's on environmental issues, it could be as unusual [a] pairing as Jim Inhofe [or] George Voinovich, whom I've worked with trying to cut diesel emissions. Obviously, I have a great deal of respect for Dick Lugar and Gordon Smith. I am more than willing [to work with them].

Read the rest.

Why would Clinton entangle herself in what will be one of the closest Senate races in the country? Isn't this just giving ammunition to Smith's re-election campaign when a leading democratic presidential candidate declares her respect for him?

Discuss.

September 10, 2007

The Reed College professor, Paul Gronke, responded and defended himself here in this post at BlueOregon.  He then graciously and sincerely invited Bill Clinton to Reed College.

Does Bill Clinton have the guts or integrity to respond or apologize?  Don't hold your breath.

And shame on you, Ron Wyden, for not having the moral courage to do the right thing and put a stop to this.

Bill and Hillary - you have burned your bridges but good with a lot of Oregon democrats.

IS THIS HOW WE WANT A DEMOCRATIC WHITE HOUSE TO BE RUN?  LIKE THE BUSH WHITE HOUSE?