[Disclaimer - this diarist supports Obama and Edwards]
Ad: Hillary Clinton does not respect our people - Ben Smith - Politico
The Clinton campaign held a conference call today to denounce a Spanish-language radio ad produced by an Obama-allied union. After the fold I'll explore the twisted Clinton Camp logic in this situation.
Here are the relevant data points as I understand them, in list form:
- Within days of the Culinary Workers union endorsement of Obama, the Clinton-allied teacher's union files a lawsuit in an attempt to prevent the operation of caucus sites along the LV strip.
- When questioned about this lawsuit, Camp Clinton responds that they have nothing to do with it. Indeed, Father Clinton himself says he didn't know about the lawsuit until he read about it in the papers (though he is also a vigorous defender of said lawsuit). Their position is that they bear no responsibility for the actions of unions who have endorsed them.
- The Obama-allied union UNITE-HERE puts up a radio ad denouncing Clinton and the lawsuit.
- Team Clinton holds a conference call to denounce the ad and demand that Obama also denounce it. Their position is that Obama's campaign bears direct responsibility for the actions of allied unions.
Notice anything contradictory yet? Here are my questions for the Clintonites:
-- Since you don't think you should be held responsible for the teacher's union lawsuit, would you accept the same response from Team Obama? When Obama says "I had nothing to do with that ad", will you say "Oh geez, our mistake! I guess our beef is with UNITE-HERE and not the candidate they've endorsed."
-- Since it appears it may be damaging your campaign, would you like an opportunity to denounce the teacher's union lawsuit now?
-- If not, how about trying to defend it in a more serious and substantive capacity than Mr. Clinton asserting absurdities like "it will make casino-worker votes 5 times more powerful than normal-people votes!"
Here is the content of the ad in question:
(Translation)
Hillary Clinton does not respect our people. Hillary Clinton supporters went to court to prevent working people to vote this Saturday — that is an embarrassment.
Hillary Clinton supporters want to prevent people from voting in their workplace on Saturday. This is unforgivable. Hillary Clinton is shameless. Hillary Clinton should not allow her friends to attack our people’s right to vote this Saturday. This is unforgivable; there’s no respect
Sen. Obama is defending our right to vote. Sen. Obama wants our votes. He respects our votes, our community, and our people.
Sen. Obama’s campaign slogan is "Si Se Puede" ("Yes We Can"). Vote for a president that respects us, and that respects our right to vote. Obama for president, "Si Se Puede" ("Yes We Can").