CAMPAIGN WIRE: Clinton Courts the Irish, Defends Role in Peace Process
Hillary Clinton greets supporters as she marches in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Pittsburgh, Pa., Saturday. (AP Photo)
(5:15 p.m. ET)
Hillary Clinton showed her Irish pride Saturday, marching in two St. Patrick’s Day parades in Pennsylvania as she continued to affirm her role in the Northern Ireland peace process amid charges from the Barack Obama camp that she’s exaggerating her record.
Clinton on Saturday repeated her assertion that she had helped bring peace to the region, adding she was just recently called to meet with the country’s secretary of state.
“I don’t know how many times Senator Obama has met with the secretary of state for Northern Ireland,” she quipped.
She also said she went to Belfast about a half-dozen times before her Senate career took off, claiming, “I actually went to Belfast more than Bill did as part of what I was doing to help the process.”
Hitting back, Obama’s campaign re-circulated a memo from Tuesday in which former State Department official Greg Craig said: “It is a gross overstatement of the facts for (Clinton) to claim even partial credit for bringing peace to Northern Ireland. … She did travel to Northern Ireland. First ladies often travel to places that are a focus of U.S. foreign policy. But at no time did she play any role in the critical negotiations that ultimately produced the peace.”
As first lady, Clinton traveled to more than 80 countries, to promote U.S. policy and the cause of woman and children. The extent of her influence overseas is a matter of debate.
Meanwhile, Clinton spent the weekend going green.
In Pittsburgh, she walked the mile-long parade route alongside the Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Gov. Ed Rendell and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. Dozens of supporters waving “Hillary 08″ shamrocks and green “Clinton Country” signs led the crowd in rousing cheers.
“Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Pittsburgh. This is a great parade,” Clinton shouted into a microphone near the end of the parade. “Let the luck of the Irish be with us all.”
Pennsylvania holds its primary April 22.
– FOX News’ Aaron Bruns and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
McCain Holding London Fundraiser, But Says Trip Overseas Not About the Campaign
(12:30 p.m. ET)
John McCain is embarking with two of his biggest campaign backers this weekend to the Middle East and Europe, a taxpayer-funded trip sure to be seen through the political lens.
McCain has said he will not discuss the campaign on this seven-day overseas trip, but he will hold a fundraiser in London Thursday, the costs of which a spokeswoman says will be picked up by his campaign. The New York Times reports the event will be a $1,000-a-plate lunch.
Plus McCain is traveling with supporters, Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Joe Lieberman. And as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, world leaders will want to see how his national security policies would differ from President Bush’s. McCain said just last month that if he can’t convince voters that the United States is winning in Iraq: “Then I lose.”
As ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain has justified the taxpayer-funded journey.
“I think it’s very important that, as the ranking member, that I understand and keep up to date particularly where young Americans may be in harm’s way. And I’m proud to serve,” he said. “And I regret that more of my colleagues don’t spend more time in foreign travel.”
A year ago, the last time McCain was in Baghdad, he set off controversy by saying Baghdad is so safe in some parts that Gen. David Petraeus drives around in an unarmored Humvee. The comments led to mocking from some media critics, though since then conditions in Baghdad have improved by some measurements.
His trip will fall on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion. Saturday also marks the 35th anniversary of McCain’s release as a POW from Vietnam.
– FOX News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.
Dear Senator Clinton
You were so Proud to be with Him in Texas. You said, you know, I am so Proud, does not matter who becomes the Nominee, I just want you to know, you know, I am so Proud to be sitting here with you tonight, you know.
Are you still proud of Him? If so, or for that matter, you know, if you have changed your mind since Texas, you know, tell the Nation over the air and put your very best smile on, you know. The Right Wrong Jeremiah would like to see that smile too. I even bet, he will be Proud of You too.
Senator Clinton Please: We are not stupid: You are a fraud; and a fake!
In the beginning you obviously thought you could string young Obama along and ride on his back as well; it never occurred to you that he might actually be serious.
Poor you, now you must court the Irish vote. Go home Sweetie, go learn to bake some cookies. When you master that, learn to keep your mouth shut too. Good honest decent American people will find their own way to cope. THEY DON’T NEED YOU! You won’t even get to DAY ONE, and what a good thing for you because if you do get there the whole nation will know you have fluff in the head. Go before you finally make a complete ass of yourself
They will also cope with young Obama [what a loving twosome you make?] and will send him packing as well. Meantime, just go. To quote the young pup [got to acknowledge he delivers a good speech – he should join Toastmasters] well, to quote him: “Your time has come …. Your time has come …. Just GO.”
Call Hillary in a crisis? You must be joking
If I have a crisis at any time, the White House would not be the place I would call, particularly if I know Hillbilly is there, what if Bill has taken the darn phone of the hook while he is busy doing … you know what. At 03:00 in the morning? Call that woman? You must think I am nuts?
No thank you, sweetie. I rather hope we have someone in the White House to run the country in such a manner that I will be able to rely on the local Sheriff’s Office to help me if I have a crisis.
AND your Video Ad STINKS! You should be ashamed of yourself!
Dear Senator Clinton
While we await reaction to my first Comment and others that you will see, please work with us on all the “negative perceptions” that voters have of you. Hundreds of them appear in these columns every day. Here is one more to work on:
So, now the march is on to Penn.
How will the happy twins approach this now; one being out? Is the platform national security, or maybe health care, or who approved the War [one eligible indeed to do so, or not approve it, as she was there at the time] [the other one who wasn’t there but says he did not approve it] …. let me just figure this out for a while …. nope I can’t figure it, so what else is on the platform …. I mean, they can’t just throw mud at each other all the time; Penn is an old State, very proud, they won’t make time for no mud.
Oh ya, almost forgot. Both agree on at least one thing: they will bring all the soldiers back from Iraq by end March. What a lovely thought: Iranians and all terrorists from all over the world will start to love America, peace in the world, no hunger, no strife, no wars ever again anywhere, just love and love …. more love …. as soon as President Bush leaves Office. That is all, the only thing causing all the ill’s in the World. They will soon fix that, on that point they agree.
Why don’t the Dem Leadership just censor both, take them off the Party Roll and let them see how far each can get by their real selves.
Would be interesting? Better than two peas same pod both exploiting, and riding on the back of, the Party. Bet them Rep’s wouldn’t have allowed such a mess, kicked them both out long time ago?.”
Let us meet soon as possible in these columns and discuss your side of things. If I was wrong previously I shall apologize on the spot and we can put the matter behind us.
In this way we shall be able to move voters’ reactions to calmer waters to work together for the America we love.
Dear Senator Obama
I have read your book Dreams from my Father [I actually bought the book so I can refer back when I need to; it’s on my desk right now] and I have now studied your anguished plea in these columns.
But I have also read all Comments previously addressed to you in these columns. I am pleased that you at last answered the questions about your Faith, but again, none of the many other questions posed to you over the last weeks.
Like, for instance, is the Kenyan Rebel Leader Odinga your cousin or is he not. I could answer any question like that about my cousins or brothers or any family with a simple Yes or No. Just tell us in this manner: Is that man your Cousin or is he not: just Yes or No will suffice Senator.
Regret to say though, you are lying to the Nation once more in your plea about Rev Wright. Why Senator, why don’t you come out with the truth?
A President must not be a Liar, Senator. You should know that!