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April 17, 2008
Posted: 04:58 PM ET

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Click the Play Button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say. (PHOTO CREDIT: AP)

FROM CNN’s Jack Cafferty:

It looks like Hillary Clinton and John McCain have found a common enemy in Barack Obama.

As the Financial Times puts it: “The 2008 presidential race has boiled down to a fight of two against one”… meaning McCain and Clinton versus Obama.

Perhaps this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise being that Obama is now the Democratic front-runner. Clinton needs to knock him out and win big in Pennsylvania on Tuesday in order to have a shot at the nomination. And McCain – unlike the Democratic candidates – already has the luxury of focusing on the general election.

Aides to the presumptive Republican nominee say they’d prefer Clinton as an opponent because of her high negative ratings. Yesterday in the Cafferty File we told you about a poll that shows 58% of Americans say Clinton is not honest and trustworthy.

So what we’re seeing now is both Clinton and McCain going after Obama with almost identical criticisms. For example, both have portrayed Obama as an “elitist” during the fallout of his “bitter” remarks. Clinton often targets McCain in her attacks. But for his part, McCain sticks almost entirely to criticizing Obama, sometimes even as a response to a shot he’s taken from Clinton.

The Republican National Committee also overwhelmingly targets Obama instead of Clinton in its attacks. When Clinton was in the lead last year, she was all the RNC could talk about.

Former Democratic presidential candidate and Obama backer Gary Hart says Clinton has broken “an unwritten rule of politics” by handing the Republicans ammunition to be used against Obama later on.

Meanwhile, another Democratic adviser, who’s not backing either candidate yet, says that Clinton might be hurting herself among Democratic voters by her willingness to team up with McCain. He says, “One plus one equals zero if your ally is a Republican.”

Here’s my question to you: Why do both Hillary Clinton and John McCain target Barack Obama with virtually the same criticisms?

Interested to know which ones made it on air?

Dan from New York writes:
Dear Jack, Both Hillary and John are backed by the same power elite, the one that has been running this country since mid-20th century, the one that allows America the illusion it has a choice in its leaders when in point of fact it is this group of elites that decides who will be presented to the voters. The job of the candidates is to make it look good. But then, along comes Barack! What will these people do if someone who is not in their pocket gets a nomination?

Nick from Illinois writes:
Every time Obama gets asked a question that’s controversial or not on his agenda he calls that question “the way of old Washington politics,” or “not what this election should be about”. This is what bothers independents and people trying to understand some of the controversy surrounding him. Obama discards and makes trivial what he doesn’t see as important. That attitude is what led him to make the elitist gaffe.

Louise from Virginia writes:
The McHillary team put their heads together because neither one of them can handle Obama alone. It’s obvious from the polls that they can’t even handle him together. By the way, that debate last night exposed a sorry excuse for journalism. My neighbors are losing their children in Iraq, their houses, and can’t afford gas. We’re not interested in gossip-mongering, and he-said, she-said.

Jim writes:
Jack, It is very easy to understand why they are both going after Obama - he is challenging the status quo, and if he should win the presidency, then both Senators McCain and Clinton stand to lose. By my way of thinking, if the powers that be are against Obama, I’m that much more for him!

Dee from Michigan writes:
Because of the “enemy-of-my-enemy-is-now-my-friend” philosophy. Stay tuned for the McCain-Clinton GOP ticket!

Filed under: 2008 Election • Hillary Clinton • John McCain


Terry from California   April 17th, 2008 2:12 pm ET

Because they are desperate and will stop at nothing to undermine the next President.

Ruth in SC   April 17th, 2008 2:12 pm ET

Clinton’s Republican roots are showing. Also she will try anything to sabotage Obama. If McCain wants someone who thinks like him he needs to invite Hillary to be his VP nominee. As far as I’m concerned she is not a Democrat any more (if ever.)

Raul from kentucky   April 17th, 2008 2:12 pm ET

Because McCain does not want to run against Obama’s ideas and moneymaking skills

Terry / Austin, Tx   April 17th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

Clinton and McCain are Bitter that they will not be a shoe in for the office of President.

Terry from North Carolina   April 17th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

Jack
Both John McCain and Hillary Clinton are desperate and realize that Barack Obama is the real deal and the American people are tired of the same old game in Washington and are looking for a change, McCain and Clinton will not force a change Obama will.

Grandma Moses in Ft Worth Tx.   April 17th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

Duh! Because they aren’t paying attention to what 50% of the people are saying? Same old, same old…..politics as usual.

If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears, does it make a sound? If you give a party and no one shows up, is it still a party? If you stop covering the garbage, will we finally hear some substance?

Give the voters a break and stop the madness.

Peggy   April 17th, 2008 2:18 pm ET

Jack

They both target the same Republician attack topics, because that is the only thing they have on Obama. As an American, I was ashamed of last nights so-called debate on ABC. Fifty minutes spent asking about tabloid topics, when the American people are hurting economically and our brave young men and women are being killed every day and our own government has admitted to torture? Since when does ABC take its talking points from Sean Hannity at Fox? ABC/Disney/ESPN have lost my respect. The real losers of last nights debate were the American people. We wanted a debate on issues, not the latest reality TV episode of “So You Want to Be Presdient?

Peggy, Chicago, IL

Jon from Austin, TX   April 17th, 2008 2:19 pm ET

The Billary camp and the McBush camp are both focusing on what they believe are Obama’s major flaws in electability. Plus, I think that Hillary is truely the Jedi master at going negative and McCain is just following her lead on many of her criticisms.

Mark, Berwyn, PA   April 17th, 2008 2:19 pm ET

It’s obvious; they both know, as do their advisors, that the Presidency is Obama’s to lose. Call him the frontrunner or whatever, he singlehandedly has raised the bar of American politics this year and is “the one to beat”. So he has a big, fat bullseye on his back.

Nuwan Sam   April 17th, 2008 2:19 pm ET

I think that McCain just follow the Clinton using the same criticism to become news worthy I guess. McCain is kind of out of site because of the heated democratic primaries. So he seems to be using the same ammunition that Clinton uses to attack Obama. If you can get the same results its easier to walk the path that someone else clears out for you than finding your own.

Nuwan from Houston, TX

Esther Cuyahoga Falls Ohio   April 17th, 2008 2:19 pm ET

she and mccain come from the same cloth. she came to politics under goldwater. she is a goldwater republician which could be a democrate in wolves clothing. she is not a democrate if she was you would feel it and i feel she is evil. she is like a stepford wife a zombia but for politics. omg art is copying life.

Bob from Traverse city Michigan   April 17th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

It’s obvious Jack: Hillary Clinton and John McCain are both part of the old guard Washington establishment that Barack Obama has been talking about since he began his campaign. They are both financed by the well heeled, well connected people and lobbyists that have been corrupting our government since the Nixon administration .Both Clinton and McCain are wary of an opponent who has been able to raise campaign money by connecting with the common man as Senator Obama has.

JT from TN   April 17th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

They basically don’t have a whole lot that he has done wrong . Every time they mention something he explains that situation and then people look at hilary and Mccain like idiots, not that it takes O’bama to know they’re both just that.

MK, sc   April 17th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

McCain doesn’t want to give away his good arguments against Obama till Hillary is weeded out. For right now, it’s safer for him to wade in the shallow Clinton waters while he’s trying to build approval.

Terry in Virginia   April 17th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

They target that which they fear most — a bright, young, charismatic man with fresh ideas and an enormous grass roots following. Obama may or may not be the solution to our current problems, but clearly neither are Clinton or McCain, who come off as tired, unoriginal, and jealous.

Rex in Portland, Ore.   April 17th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

Not to worry, Jack. When Obama is named the Democratic nominee Hillary will campaign her little butt off for him, praising his skills, his background, his race; and then she will turn her natural inclination for negativity to McSame and denounce all that she once held holy. Have faith.

ron black   April 17th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

mccain and clinton are old mill politicians who mostly critcize others who seem to inspire people. they, themselves can inspire no one, and their jealous reaction is to denegrate. years of misguided legislation on mccain’s part and congenital lying on hillary’s part leave both inspiring nothing but contempt.

James S. Lenon - TN   April 17th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

Senators Clinton and McCain have both been in the practice of lying to voters while listening to lobbyists long enough to largely acquire the same outterwear that suffices when talking to all but the respective fringe elements.

Senator Obama has yet to change the mask of “community developer” for that of national power broker and therefore offers chinks in his campaign armor that both Clinton and mcCain can target with ease. They know where those personal and professional flaws are, having had to overcome or disguise them in their own suits of campaign armor.

Joy Marcus - San Mateo, CA   April 17th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

Clinton and McCain hit Obama with virtually the same criticisms because they are both in knee-jerk mode. They appear to believe that initiating personal attacks on opponents is the way to get elected. Another example of business-as-usual-old-politics.

Yuck!

Jim from BC   April 17th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

Quite simply, Jack, they are affraid of him. The basic human instinct is to join together to fight the strongest, before attacking each other.

Also, they are both demonstrating traditional fighting tactics rather than being creative, forward looking and positive like Obama.

Hillary and John are copying the wrong leaders…. each other.

Joan   April 17th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

I guess they realize that Obama really will change things and they are both clinging on to the status quo. They never thought that a politician really means what he says when he is campaigning, for them that is just rhetoric to fool the voters into electing them. Of course if they win they go ahead and do what they are best at -screwing the voters.

Gretchen Gad Fournier   April 17th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

I was incensed about the flag pin question to Obama last night. That whole “issue” doesn’t make any sense to me. Caring about national pride and love of country can only REALLY be expressed (proven?) with a lapel pin?—–which, by the way, was likely made in China.

Richard   April 17th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

As evidenced from last night’s disgrace on ABC, the bulk of the questions were derived from the Clinton/Republican book of Rove. The questions diverted attention from more substantive matters..The Iraq War, the economy, institutionalized torture, terrorism. As Obama correctly described them..they are distractions. The so called “Debate” last night featured a Bill Clinton lackey and a pompous Charlies Gibson teaming up with Hillary (win at any cost) to triple team Obama. It took 50 minutes to get to any substantive issues. For a while I thought I was watching Limbaugh, Hannity and O’Reilly.

Richard in Charles Town, WV

Taj   April 17th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

Jack, it is politics as usual. Hillary & McCain are both afraid that they cannot beat Obama. So, they are like Alligators, pull the victim to the dirty water, thrash him & try to consume. Barrack has several finest qualities of a human being & will be a great president. Hillary & McCain are not dirty people but the politics to win is dirty. It is that simple.
CA

NickNas   April 17th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

Jack

This one is too easy! Both McCain and Hillary are from the old school of political dealings. They deeply fear the two things that Obama stands for Transparency of Government and Accountability. Obama and the People are going to change the way it works. They may hate each other but they are essentially the same and don’t want to lose their cash cow.

Did I win?

Nick San Diego

Ron   April 17th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

Hi Jack:

This is the issue. What they say about each other on TV has no bearing on my selection. The American people are not dumb. Most of us can see all three are full of themselves.

Out of the three who is likely to give us his or in one case her best. All three seem more focused on each others faults than telling us in a positive way. Exactly what they plan to do to make things in this country better. The truth is neither of the three know how to do it.

Ron K. San Diego

Heather in PA   April 17th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

Because they are both using Karl Rove’s playbook. Hillary Clinton has to look no further than hershelf to see why she is lossing. The American public are sick of Bush/Rove/Clinton’s tactic of treating the people like they are stupid and are going to vote for somebody because they wear a flag pin and can take a shot of whiskey! Talking about this stupid stuff shows how little they care of the people who are lossing their homes and can’t afford to take their kids to the doctor.
I am so mad about this stupid flag pin question! For goodsakes, McCain does not wear a flag pin. Look at his website! Oh, and ABC, could you please never run another debate? Your people could not even take the time to think of their own questions!

don from ontario canada   April 17th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

Jack, its simple its because they are two shoes stuck in the mud. After the things Hillary has said in the last few days reagarding Obama hse has proven that the place she should be is on McCain’s ticket for his running mate.

Richard Heriot Bay, B.C. Canada   April 17th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

Hillary Clinton is becoming Leiberman out of desperation that Obama will edge her out of the democratic loop by winning Pennsylvania and North Carolina so she’s siding with the opposition because it’s too late for her to switch to Independent for a second chance at the Presidency. She figures she has a better chance against McCain later on if she can only knock Obama out of the race now. No wonder she’s considered untrustworthy by Democrats who want change. If elected Hillary will preside over the same staus quo as John McCain and voters looking for real change will get short changed once again.

David,San Bernardino,CA.   April 17th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

Because obama so far has been the teflon candidate. Obama takes in unheard of amounts of money,but won’t tell us where it is coming from,he has intimate relations with a crooked developer in Chicago,but denies knowing him,he accuses small-town whites of being racist and ,during the debates last night,he didn’t like the questions he was asked and gave non-answers or no answers at all There is still too much unknown about obama and we all want to know what the real truth about him is and not just have vague promises of change and trust me..

Tariq Khan   April 17th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

Simply because in both cases Obama worries them the most. Clearly in Billary’s case she is fighting him for the nomination. But in McCain’s case he knows he would rather face Billary because he will win…

Marc   April 17th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

Because Hillary will do anything to win. Even make a pact with the devil. Jack, nobody bugged Hillary about her eight years on the board with Wallmart and a board member saying “Union Members are the lowest of human species.” I wonder what would she say if somebody asked her that question.

Ray,Dunedin,Florida   April 17th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

It’s simple Jack!
Obama is in the way of either of them getting into the whitehouse!
Clinton Knows if Obama becomes President her ambitions for that office are over. So she is holding nothing back!
McCain is following her lead so he can have more amunition for the general. He can say don’t look at me (in the general) Sen. Clinton said the same thing in the primary!
It’s sad to say, she may get away with it. I hope the people in Pa and beyond think long and hard before they vote.

Ray,Florida

Terri, Dallas Texas   April 17th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

BECAUSE THEY ARE ONE IN THE SAME!!!!!!! They are afraid that he will actually win the presidency, as he should. To take a word that she seems to be throwing around, they are both elitist, out of touch and not worthy to be president.

kb from Iowa   April 17th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

Didn’t you know Jack? There is only one democrat still left in the race. Clinton and McCain have joined forces to topple Obama. If anyone still believes she is running for the democratic party they are nuts. Her only loyalty is to the Hillary Clinton Party.

James in Cape Coral, FL   April 17th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

Jack,
Great question! I’ve been saying the same thing for months. I understand McCain’s constant attack’s on Obama since he’s the Republican but Hillary is tearing at the unity of her own party by seemingly teaming up with McCain. I get it that the GOP would rather face off against Clinton, she’s been in public life far longer giving the republicans more fodder and therefore a better chance at winning the election. But if Hillary really cared about the democrats regaining the White House, as she say’s, she would run a clean and less abrasive campaign, much like Obama. Or it could just be that the same special intrest groups funding the Clinton campaign are backing McCain as well and have already devised a strategy and started calling in favors. But that’s just my opinion.

Dooley   April 17th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

Jack, because Obama has so many shady friends it is not hard to find one to criticize.

Ken Johnson in Pinon Hills, California   April 17th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

Jack,
I don’t know, but same is contagious, like just about every man on TV, and now the women, wearing those striped suits we used to call “gangster suits”.
Don’t you go there Jack, you look just fine in your white shirt.

Back to Obama, they both figure he is the man to beat.

IFEANYI AZUBIKE HOUSTON   April 17th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

Simply because both McCain and Hillary share the same perspectives and mannerisms. They are unsure if they are republicans, democrats or independents. Add that to the fact that they are a chip of the old block, then you understand why we need change and why they are bent on resisting change. Jack, habits are hard to change and if a young, unknown “upstart” seeks to alter politics the way Washington and Lincoln played it, it only reasonable to expect concerted resistance. So, Hillary and McCain are jointly fulfilling the natural tendency to resist change, and the politics of more of the same and the past has one language: ATTACK.

Kathy from Union City, CA   April 17th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

Because he is THE change agent for the masses; those who no longer believe we have a voice in the direction of government. Barack Obama represents the voice for the little guy; those of us who are angry, and yes, maybe even”bitter”.

Barack Obama represents a threat against the politics as usual, old guard.

Esther Cuyahoga Falls Ohio   April 17th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

can you tell I really want to start a revolution in this country again. I wish we could get a tranport back to the days when this country was actually designed by those men with the brains cause we surely have lost our thinking when it comes to making this nation great. we are settling for nothing short of slavery for the mass. even though i get a paycheck i am not in charge of my life like our founding fathers wanted me to be. get me a gun and if you tread on me it will be your bad

Byron Butters   April 17th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Because Obama is getting a free ride from most of the media people like you and Wolf. They have to battle this unfairness somehow before everybody believes the media BS.

Shyla from So. Lake Tahoe, CA   April 17th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Because the Clinton campaign knows that if Obama wins the general election in Nov., Hillary won’t have another oppurtunity to run for president. And that means making sure, no matter if she has to dodge more “sniper fire” or cackle at vetting questions about Columbia, of destroying the Democratic nominee; if it isn’t her of course. If the latter is the case, then the job of ruining candidate’s chances will go back to Bill.

Jed from Chico, CA   April 17th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

Hillary has been acting like a populist Republican since day one. Look at any of her photo ops from the last few weeks. Put any moderate republican of your choosing in her place: drinking beer, talking about her dad teaching her to shoot, talking about her deep spirituality. Except for the beer drinkin’, that could have been Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney talking and we wouldn’t have blinked. Frankly, she’s starting to look like Benedict Joe Lieberman more and more each day.

Dan, Chantilly Va   April 17th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

Maybe because they both want to be president? Is this really that hard of a concept to understand? If your opponent has faults, then you’ll want to expose them. If you don’t think he can do the job as well as you can, then you explain why. Are we all supposed to hold hands, sing songs, and talk about how everyone in the country is equally qualified to be president? Did I miss a memo? And you ask this question as if Obama and McCain have never shared criticisms of Clinton. No, not Obama, the patron saint of politics, he would never do that.

Joesph   April 17th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

Perhaps it’s because Senator Obama threatens both Clinton & McCain’s idea of how Washington should be run, Jack.

You know: Of The lobbyists, for the lobbyists, and by the lobbyists. Just a thought?

They might as well change the name of “K” street in Washington DC (where the lobbyists hang out) to Pennsylvania Ave., since the lobbyists really run our country. If more Americans only knew…

Chuck in MO   April 17th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

Birdbrains of a feather flock together.

Michael   April 17th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

Jack,

The reason Clinton and McCain use the same tactics is because they practice the same old politics. They don’t want change in our government. Obama is a new breed with new ideas.

Michael
El Segundo Ca

Beverley, Fredricksburg Va   April 17th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

…… Because Hillary has no scruples and Mccain is a Bush Republican!

Scott   April 17th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

Because it brings up questions about Senator Obama’s character. He attended a church that honored Anti-Semetic Louis Farrakhan and it the reason Barak met with Jewish leaders is because it brings into question whether he will support our ally Isreal.

He says he is a Christian but doesn’t feel that Evolution and Creation discredit each other and they are NO similarities between the two.

Others see these as trivial issues, I see them as deeper issues with Barak’s candidacy and it unveils the types of choices he will make as President.

Brian from Fort Mill, S.C.   April 17th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

It’s becoming more and more obvious every day. Hillary knows she can’t win this year, so she’s teaming up with McCain so that he can win instead of Obama.

This way, she can run again in 2012, and Obama would be damaged goods.

But I think it’s going to backfire on her, just like the rest of her campaign. Obama will actually win the presidency, without help from the Clintons, and both of them will be history.

There is a dirtly little secret about Americans. In this country, racism is not as overt as sexism. In other words, we’d rather vote for a black man than a white woman.

Dmurphy   April 17th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

That’s easy, it’s because they both know Barack Obama will be the next president and they figure teamwork is the only way to slow him down. The only problem is that Hillary is a Democrat, although she seems to forget this at times, and McCain knows at his age, he just needs all the help he can get!

Dana
NY, NY

Ally - New Hampshire   April 17th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

Maybe because they both hired Karl Rove as a Political strategist! After witnessing the gutter tactics the Clintons have stooped to; I am beginning to believe anything is possible Jack.

Frances Cappelletti   April 17th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

This is nothing compared to what Obama will experience if he wins the nomination. The Republicans will pound him on his history. His twenty year relationship with his mentor, Reverend Wright, who trashes America with his anti-American rhetoric. His wife who wasn’t really proud of America until Obama became a hit. Obama’s past drug use. We have a President, li’l Bush, who used drugs and alcohol and that has not worked out well. They won’t ignore all of Obama’s misstatements and exaggerations. There is a lot of Clinton bashing by the media, especially on Count down and Hardball, programs that I used to really like, not to mention Fox noise. So it’s no wonder that Clinton isn’t moving up in the poles. For she is surely the most experienced, tested and qualified person to be President. Frances, Escondido, CA

Jamaal Kansas   April 17th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

Because Hilary and Her campaign has said everything they possibly can about Barack as Democrats But when she see it isn’t working she has to resort to the Republican Tactics to win. This just goes to show you that she Doesn’t care about Democrats she care about the Nomination.

Dave from Mission Viejo,California   April 17th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

McCain and Clinton are exactly alike - that’s why they use the same attacks against Obama. If Americans want everything to stay the same forever (and it is so great now) they can hope for the non-choice in November - Hillary vs. Grandpa.

Pat   April 17th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

Believe me Jack, it’s just because they both are hypocrit and bitter

Calgary, Canada

Rich Smyrnios   April 17th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

Jack,
It’s what I call the 3 Stooges syndrome. When one Stooge is in the lead to get out of the door; the other 2 pull him back. Around and around it goes.
Rich
Kalamazoo, Mi.

Scott, Montana   April 17th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

They are both two peas in the same pod.

Rosalynd Florida   April 17th, 2008 2:36 pm ET

Hillary is still working on that joint ticket thing (McCain/Hillary–McHillary) I guess. Hillary for GOP VP 08!

Brian, Buffalo, NY   April 17th, 2008 2:36 pm ET

Neither of them can find ‘real’ causes to fault Obama. His opinions on the most important issues that are concerning the majority of Americans are sound and indicate why so many people are supporting this decent man. The only openings for attacking Obama are small, once attacking his poor choice of words in California and re-visiting the now weak argument about his church. Where did the defamatory slur about patriotism and the Flag come from? Maybe we should make it a law that every person who assumes government office should wear a flag pin at all times. It still won’t prove their patriotism, though.
The world is sitting back, jeering at the pathetic attempts, by Clinton especially, to find the slightest trait that will make her opponent unelectable. Thank goodness Barack Obama does not lie repeatedly, so that the Democrats will have at least one candidate with an honest chance against the honorable John McCain.

Fran DeSantis   April 17th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

Simple, he is the one to beat. They’re hoping something will stick. But, Mr Obama wants to stay with the issues, he knows we (the people) are not interested in this tabloid crap. And trying to get us to judge him based on who he knows is nuts. I have a friend of over 30 years and because of this campaign I just found out she is one of the biggest racist I’ve ever met. Will I disassociate myself, no. Will everyone I know think therefore I am a racist, no, they’re too smart for that. Clinton and McCain realize the magnetism of this man and all they can do is join forces for now and hope to knock him down a few notches. Let’s just say he’s AWESOME!!

Erin in Kalamazoo   April 17th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

Hillary is just down to the bottom of her bag o’ tricks. She criticizes because that’s all she has left.

And McCain, well frankly that’s the only way he can get any attention.

But the appearance of a Clinton- McCain love connection is amusing, is it not? And to think it was Obama who brought them together…ah…

Jan Davis, Knoxville, TN   April 17th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

Because Hillary has forgotten she’s a Democrat and McCain can’t think of anything else to say. How these two can call Obama an elitist is beyond me. Both are multimillionaires. Anyone such as Obama who went through several years of paying back college student loans should never be considered an elitist. He knows what is like for average people!

Patricia   April 17th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

Well, when you think about it, they’re really not that different. Hillary >newsflash< has been doing this for 35 years–almost as long as McCain. They both voted for the war, they both are realigning their positions to match those of their parties just in time for the election.

No one knows how to attack Obama the Leader. Dredging up details from his past or appearances of mistakes in the present are all they have to go on. So, whether the press brings it up some dirt, Hillary brings it first or McCain brings it up first–they both jump on board to the same “issue”. Then, we have a situation Obama described last night regarding the repeated hammering on the same issue. They’re on the same side–the anti-Obama side.

Pennsylvania just might be a shocker for Obama–a rejection of the Clinton/McCain attacks. Let’s get on with the emergence of our new president, President Obama.

Daniel, loganville Ga   April 17th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

Congrats to Sen. Clinton on winning the debate on ABC. I now know I do not want the same old politics…..OBAMA ‘08

YES WE CAN!!

A Kraft   April 17th, 2008 2:38 pm ET

they dont have any substantive issues to stand on…corporate and businesses are all against Obama…Bushie and his neocons are nervous Obama may investigate their war crimes if he is elected…. and what did u think of that excuse for a debate last night…we turned on to hockey…yawn…love you and your honesty…

Nuwan Sam   April 17th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

At this stage it is better for McCain to do so instead of using his own ammunition to attack Obama. He is getting a free ride and becoming news worthy at the same time.

Nuwan from Houston, TX

Nicki   April 17th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

Both Clinton and McCain offer “experience” as a basis of their candidacies, so naturally they use some of the same arguments against Obama. Privately, McCain and Clinton probably also respect each other for the service each has given the country.

Michael Lorton, Virginia   April 17th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

It is an indirect form of self-boasting each other; they are cut-throat bandits in the paths of fame; they both knows the way, but can’t drive the car; and finally it is the radical failure of their sensibility. Annd let’s not forget that Obama is the “new kid” on the road to the Presidency.

Peter Pan Fairview, Texas   April 17th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

They both see that he might win so naturally he is enemy number one.
Neither points out their own flaws only those of an opponent. Obama is an easy target and both Clinton and McCain are taking Aim for their political lives. They are not shooting their mouths off to wound. They are shooting their mouths off to kill and eliminate the real threat which is Obama. The last one standing will be the next president.

Scott   April 17th, 2008 2:41 pm ET

Hillary is getting desperate and has nothing to lose by throwing the kitchen sink at Obama, Republican style. She is behind in pledged delegates, behind in the popular viote, has a shrinking lead in PA, and is losing her superdelegate lead.

And if she loses the nomination, any damage she can do now will reduce Obama’s chances of beating McCain in November. This will give her another chance in 2012. She obviously cares more about her political career than her party.

And for all those Clintonistas who claim that the media is soft on Obama, give me a break.

Leevaughn Brown   April 17th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

Hey Jack
As I watched the debate last night I realized that Obama was running against Bill Clinton. Pundits say that Hilliary was the better of the two, but I just didn,t see it.
McCain has no new ideas and is out of touch.
the only thing I can figure is, this is their way to stay relevant. I hate to say it,but if it was just Clinton and McCain the only people that would be interested is seniors citizens and women.
Obama brings something new to the table, change and we so despairly need. I am a African American and I am not voting for him because his is also. I liked Ron Paul’s message, but I would never vote Republican. He’ is on a roll and they can only is cheap tricks to bring him down. It shows their character, they’re petty, that’s the long and short of it
Cinti, Oh Indite Rumsfield!

Nora. South Texas   April 17th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

McCain just waits to see what Hillary is throwing out and he just jumps all over it. Someone said he should go on vacation cause Hillary is taking care of all his dirty work for him. She is giving him all kinds of help for his fight with Obama in November, the very least he can do is make her his VP, oh wait! but what will he do when she turns on him??Maybe he is not too old to figure it out.

roger dowdle lockhart, tx   April 17th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

McCain is terrified of running against Obama, because not only will the “hard core” democrats vote for the dem. nominee, but the independants will go for Obama, while if Clinton takes the nomination the Indy’s will probably go rep.-to say nothing of disgusted blacks. All this is amusing, since when she gets tired she admits to misspeaking and poor judgement (which she admitted to last night) when Bosnia came up. Bill also said as much when defending her lies about snipers. She says Obma is unelectable in phone calls, e-mails, etc., but when confronted, she states he is electable. And wonders why people don’t trust her!

Jennifer, IL   April 17th, 2008 2:43 pm ET

i don’t consider hillary clinton a democrat. I consider her desperate.

Carol c.   April 17th, 2008 2:43 pm ET

I think the answer on this is pretty obvious! McCain and Clinton are “old Washington-same politics”. They owe favors from past alliances as all of them do if they stay in Washington long enough. That is why Obama is so fresh–he hasn’t been around long enough to be beholden to special interest groups.

If we were smart, there would be term limits not only on president but also senators and congresspeople. Perhaps if they were only in office a minimum of 3 terms they would try to do the best they could to work for the people who hired them!

Carol
Knoxville, TN

Larry from Georgetown, Tx   April 17th, 2008 2:44 pm ET

It’s called Self-Centered FEAR; The fear of losing what we have or fear of not getting what we WANT. In their case they don’t suffer from the first fear because they don’t have it or anything positive to offer so it is the last one, the fear of not getting their way. It is kind of like the so called debate held last night, it was pathetic the way the questions were skewed against Obama and so obvious by GS and CG. That was a terrible display of lack of professional journalism, go CNN.

Bob   April 17th, 2008 2:45 pm ET

Jack:

I believe HRC is fixated on winning at any cost. This is a do-or-die mentality that sacrifices the party and the people in exchange for her opportunity to run again in 2012. She believes the public has a short memory and she’ll try again should McCain win the general. The only way to put a stop to this is for all the Superdelegates leaning toward Obama to jump now and proclaim their support for Obama. I’m disappointed in the party for staying on the sidelines so long. Everyone knows she can’t win the pledged delegate totals, the popular vote and the number of states, so what are these superdelegate wimps waiting for?

borntospeak   April 17th, 2008 2:46 pm ET

Hillary is trying extremely hard to damage the candidate of the Democratic party because she won’t be the candidate! She wants to be able to run for President in 2012 and with Barack in office she won’t win, but with McCain in office she feels she can take over in 2012.

Sally   April 17th, 2008 2:47 pm ET

Truthfully- McCain and Hillary are both so seasoned in government sauce- that they both fear the new guy…. no telling what he’ll do……. “How can we keep getting away with all our sideways horsesh*t if the new guy gets in there and changes the rules?”

And Rich’s comment above is pretty darn accurate, damn stooges :)

Sally, Jensen Beach FL

Shabazz, Houston   April 17th, 2008 2:48 pm ET

It’s pretty simple. Barack is the man to beat. Hillary is desperate to win the primary. McCain doesn’t want to lose the general election. Two can beat up on him better than one, or so they have been poorly advised.

Jamaal Kansas   April 17th, 2008 2:48 pm ET

Because they are apart of the Poltics as usual that Barack Obama and his Grassroots Organization is trying to stop and they see how close Barack is to Becoming the next President and they will do anything to stop this Young Guy from taking the Job that the other canidates fell they were groomed to do because of all the politcal alliance they have ensured through these years. Good thing is Jack the American People see Right through these canidates And there divisive campaigns. Barack is like Fresh air on a stuffy night !

Patricia from Pine Plains, NY   April 17th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

It’s simple Jack. They are one and the same person. No difference. And that so called “Debate” last night on ABC was shameful. I had to turn it off. How dare they bring up subjects from 40 years ago. My God, Barack was only a kid then.

Hillary’s unfavorables are high, as they should be. McCain is an angry man who cannot remember who the enemy is in Iraq without Liberman’s help. He’s Bush all over again. Give me a break. They both know that Obama is a shoe-in for this election and they are going to get him one way or the other. Let’s hope that the people of this country will not fall for it this time.

Scott L. - Wichita, Kansas   April 17th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

Simple: He’s too young to have experienced enough, which means he has few wrong choices to criticize, Jack.

April in texas   April 17th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

Jack, You are just now noticing this?? I knew this long ago, just do some internet searching as they have been best buds for a while now.. I really think Hillary could be a closet kept republican but cant prove it YET. I do understand why Hillary is so negative though wouldnt you be if you were married to Bill Clinton.

Obama 08
April in Austin Texas

tim from Ravenna, OH   April 17th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

Of course the Republicans say and do what they think will get Obama the nomination. They are well aware that Clinton will clean there clocks in Nov. and their best bet is to get a matchup with Obama. If you want a fight you can win you don’t pick it with the biggest brute on the block, you pick the little whiney guy and hope he doesn’t fight back. DUH!!!

Gary of El Centro, Ca   April 17th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

They both fear his ability to bring new people and new money into the political process. Since they are both “old news” politicians, their only chance to win is to run against each other. So it is in both of their best interests to knock him out now if they possibly can. I think they are already too late though, as their underhanded tactics seem to be ineffective this time around.

sara   April 17th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

Their arguments, however unfair, have more impact with two people behind the words.

I hope they team up, and HRC can drag McBush Jr. down with her. Then they can both say, “Screw ‘Em” (to quote Mrs. Clinton) to all the voters!

carlo, baker louisiana   April 17th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

The reason why any group of people who are diametrically opposed to each other join together against something or someone is because there is a bond that exist within the group that is stronger than any of their individual self-interests. Hillary and McCain, and the Washington insiders, are afraid of something, and its not just Obama winning. Perhaps its because it would forever change the face of politics, and perhaps the real “elitists” are afraid of losing their place.

When truth speaks to power, power reacts.

Ben, MD   April 17th, 2008 2:51 pm ET

Simply because should Sen. Obama becomes president, her long-held dream of presidency is over.

Although, I have a felling that Hillary has thrown whatever that could possibly be thrown at Obama in almost the worst way, and Obama has survived them all. Republicans will have a hard time to find something to hurt Obama over what Hillary has already done.

TJ   April 17th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Jack, it’s because Clinton and McCain are two of a kind, the republican kind. It’s evident that both Hillary and John have joined forces in an effort to bring-down Obama. McCain would prefer to run against Hillary (easier target), and Hillary of course will do anything and say anything in an effort to run against McCain. Hillary has transformed into a republican.

NickSanDiego   April 17th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Jack its simple

Obama wants the people to speak up get involved and be heard.

The other two want us to Shut up, pay our taxes and look the other way.

That is all.

Nick, San Diego CA

Gary in High Point   April 17th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

Their peas in the same Washington Pod and don’t want the new kid on the block messing with their sandbox. The new kid might find out that there is a lot more that cat’s box then sand. McBush and Billary like their little ols sand box and don’t want anyone to cleaned up their hard worked mess of “I do it for you, not me. You citizens be good now and leave it to us “insiders” to handle things properly.

Jack, McCain and Clinton are the same old stuff, just a different day. If they are the ones on the ballot in November, I am going to vote for Alfred E. Newman, it would be the same as votoing for one of them.

Sascha   April 17th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

It’s pretty good for Obama, because Sen Clinton is doing the Republicans job right now. So it will be pretty easy for Obama to win the general election in the fall…

juice-Canyon Lake   April 17th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

Hilliary has been running her campaign from the republican play book to a T! She will do and say any thing to win and that means trashing Obama and possibly doing irrepairable harm to the democratic party. Oh by the way, last nights debate was terrible from so-called professional journalist.

JoAnn in Iowa   April 17th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

McCain and Clinton use the same criticisms of Obama because he’s a good guy and there isn’t much they can find to attack. They fear a fresh approach by an energetic politician who brings lots of new voters to the process. Old style, negative politics turns away voters—less people to have to deal with. Old style polticians prefer that. Obama takes McCain and Clinton out of their comfort zone by reaching out to the people. He treats us like adults and encourages us to be involved. The only question now is—can Clinton and McCain break our spirits before Obama gains the White House.

J.D. - New Hampshire   April 17th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

McCain and Clinton are like 2 peas in a pod. Their common goal is to oust the strongest candidate in November. Sadly, the Clintons haven’t figured out the Republican strategy yet. The reason they’re not shredding Hillary to bits is because the smear campaign is already set and ready to go against her. It has been for years. Obama is a fly in the ointment and Republicans see him for the threat he is to them in the November election. I’d love to know if it was the Clinton campaign or the McCain campaign that arranged the ABC ambush last night.

James - Miami, Florida   April 17th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

For HRC - it is not about Democrats or Republicans - it is about here and her ambitions. has nothing to do with voters (we are dispensible at the convention) - it is about her ego and having her peers hand her the nomination via the credentials committee.
It will be McCain versus Clinton. Another 4 years of Republican rule.

Clayton Ivey   April 17th, 2008 2:54 pm ET

Jack:

It’s simple. Both McCain and Hilliary represent the politics of old. Therefore, Obama’s success as a candidate means the electoral end for many politician who have not delivered on their past promises.

Americans have mobilized for change! Deliver or be replaced with new political leadership.

Clayton I.
Atlanta, GA

Grif   April 17th, 2008 2:54 pm ET

No! All she has to do, is jump Ship!! The Dem’s don’t want her.. When you’re not wanted, why stay??? Her Dad was a Republican… Her Husband, William is the Democrat, and he’s not running; she is…

Sandy   April 17th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

Loved the picture…it is a McSame/McClinton ticket…they look great together…even wearing their pins…that is important. We want you to look the ‘part’ you are playing.

John, you need to focus on distancing yourself from Hillary. Try to at least reword what she tells you to say.

Shirley   April 17th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

Come on now Jack, you know why. Hilliary wants to be the democratic nominee and McCain do not want to run against Obama. Barack Obama is a very intelligent young man and so in touch with Americans and that changes that need to be made that frightens Clinton and McCain that this man could actually change America for the better.

Shirley, Ohio

lindsay in az   April 17th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

that’s easy, jack. hillary is a republican in democrat’s clothing. her tactics, if she was left unchecked by booing from her audience and spiking negative ratings, would make karl rove blush with envy. she’s trying to take obama down so she can run again in 4 years against an even older mccain. and of course mccain is very happy to let her and help her.

Noel Hot Springs, AR   April 17th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

Jack,

The Bill Clinton beat the Republicans at their own game in the 1990’s so of course Hillary’s attacks are going to be similair to the Republicans. Who is better at this than the Clintons, maybe Karl Rove?

Jamaal Kansas   April 17th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

Because they Know that his grass roots movement is spectacular and his fund raising is Incrediable and he is actually telling the truth to people when they don’t want to hear no more Lies. They Know the only way they can win is trying to scar up votes and Hilary Knows the best people at is the Republicans so she asked Carl Rove could she use some of the tactics they are going to hit Barck with in the fall and of course he said yes which leads to this Question!

Arnold,WV   April 17th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

Well Jack it’s fairly clear to me .McCain has focused on Obama because as most of us realize he will be the candidate running against McCain in Nov,and to waste any time or money on Clinton would be useless.Hillary on the other hand hangs on to these delusions of grandeur that she will be the candidate and therefore she tries anything to bring down Obama.She folded her only hand last night though with the yes,yes,yes,remark that he is electable.

Nesa   April 17th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

Jack: They represent the same old politics of yesteryears. Hillary is always out to fight. Every speech she makes always have the word ‘fight’. This woman is a divider and not a uniter. McCain who is so out of touch with this new age generation, reverts to the same old politics of yesteryear too. They both believe in tearing down the opponent without actually allowing for a good debate on issues that are facing this wonderful country. As Senator Obama says, the people will decide who will run this great nation.

Nesa from Guyana, South America

Brandon from WI   April 17th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

Hillary knows it is virtually impossible for her to get the nomination. However, if Hillary can “muddy the water” for Barack enough for him to lose, she can run in 4 years. She can then play the victim (again) and say, “I wanted a democrat to get elected, if people would have voted for me it would have happened”.

What she doesn’t realize is that she is not the democratic party. Real democrats will ensure that John “lost brain” McCain will not become president.

sabrina edgerson   April 17th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

Jack,

Hillary is a closet Republican. They are reading from the same play book.

dennis north carolina   April 17th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

may be we will see a Mccain/ clinton. they belong to gether

gary stene   April 17th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

HI Jack; I’m a canadian who knows more about American Politics than Canadian. Yours are bloody and ruthless and far more entertaining than our bland offerings. My intense interest is for one deadly reason. As America goes, so goes the free world! You folks have got to get it right this time. McCain and Clinton go after Obama because he appears to be the Mesiah walking out of the carnage to lead the people back to the promise land. I know so many Americans who are good and honest folks, how can they be duped by an old war monger like McCain, and the tag team match of crazy Bill, and his desperate wife? Obama just may be the best option Americans have had in the last 40 years to chose a President that has the ability to glue everything back together, especially after ‘Howdy” somehow put in 8 pathetic years propped up by Dick Halliburton and the other cast members that were hired to make him look legitimate (didn’t fool anybody). Come on Folks, vote for the change the free world needs. Gary

Alfonzo Gregory   April 17th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

Jack, there will probably be many more issues about Obama coming in the future for Hillary and McCain to choose from. The Larry Sinclair story will be one of them.

Karen - Branson MO   April 17th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

Hillary already said what a friend John McCain was. Then they did do shots game on the airplane to Bosnia. Guess if they were drunk they wouldn’t notice if there was sniper fire or not.

Hillary knows she’s not winning so she’s just smearing Obama for her friend McCain. Shame on McCain for not denouncing that kind of politics like he did to Mitt Romney. I notice when McCain was the butt end of Romney’s attacks, Johnny Mac cried foul all the time!

Jeff Brewer, SF Bay Area   April 17th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

Jack, both the Clinton and McCain campaigns have obivously seen the recent shift in momentum that has helped to boost Senator Obama’s campaign and national approval ratings. They are using eachother in a way to help get votes and media time, this kind of politics is exactly the kind that Obama has repeatedly said distracted the people in Washington and American Politics.

Alicia, CT   April 17th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Birds of a feather always stick together.

Hillary and McCain are not bigger than God, and Barack will win.

Hillary, I expected this from McCain, but as a Democrat, I’m ashamed of you. That green-eyed monster is something else.

Obama 08

Karl in CA   April 17th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Its two Washington inbreds against the possibility that their little kingdoms will be coming to an end next January. They know the show is over, but they have to make every last ditch effort that they can think of, no matter how much it embarrasses themselves at this point. Obama doesn’t need a free pass from the media, John and Hillary create their own ammunition to shoot themselves in the foot, over and over. With McCain and Clinton, familiarity is beginning to breed contempt.

Alex in TX   April 17th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

It’s time for the Democratic party to unite and end the bickering. Either candidate is a far cry better than McCain.

Lets put the democratic ideals first before any personal prejudices.

Lily, Virginia   April 17th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Jack,

It is simple, both Clinton and McCain use the same old politics of negative attacks and spin instead of focusing on actual issues that people care about. To their surprise and underestimation, Barack Obama has been greatly successful in his message of change, change from those old tactics not based on the issues to the real meaningful/truthful way of addressing and confronting the real issues head on.

In short, to their surprise, “Yes, Yes, Yes” he can :-)

Lily

Disappointed   April 17th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

For all of us first time participants in the political process this has been a shameful display of nonsense. The people have paid dearly through this and if the country ends up in a worse position than it already is in now (which is hard to believe possible) because of all of this then shame on them…. Also shame on us for letting it happen.

Alex from IL   April 17th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Because both Hillary and McCain really have nothing better to offer America than Obama does, so the only thing that works is non-issues like what Obama’s neighbor’s dog did once and negative attacks using old Republican frames.

GCG - Austin, TX   April 17th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Jack,

The answer to that question should really be obvious: they both want the same thing: Hillary Clinton as a candidate in November.

Why? Simple: she is the easiest one for Republicans to beat.

Obama said it right last night, there’s a whole lot of negative potential stored up for Clinton that will come out if she’s the nominee, and because of that it makes people question her electability.

She has shown that “politics as usual” means ancillary attacks on meaningless things, and stupid “guilt by association” attacks, and in that situation she is highly vulnerable. Obama showed her that last night with the whole Ayers talk when she said it was “important” that America know Obama was on the same board of directors for a charity that Ayers was also on. (If that is somehow important, then wouldn’t it also be even MORE important to know why her husband, certainly a much closer relationship than someone serving on the same board, PARDONED/COMMUTED the sentences of two women from the same anti-American organization?)

If she is the nominee, the Republicans will win the white house again, and you can take that to the bank.

Amy OFlaherty (Reno, NV)   April 17th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

I believe that Hillary targets Obama with criticisms that can potentially damage the Democratic party for one reason: she does not want a Democrat in the office if it can’t be her. Her tactics are so transparent and embarrassing. It’s a very self-serving effort and I’m hoping that her nonsense will not be overlooked.

John McCain’s attacks are more predictable. He’s targeting the frontrunner to set the stage for November. However, the pounding of Obama here is, in my opinion, the Republican party’s last ditch effort to make Clinton the nominee. The Republicans are so anxious to run against her!! They know that they’ll demolish her, but they’re not so sure about their chances against Obama.

Bob   April 17th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Its Hillary’s inner republican coming to forefront, its coming out party.

Mike S., New Orleans, Louisiana   April 17th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Clinton and McCain are using the same old search and destroy tactics that Americans are tired of. That’s exactly why Obama is so popular, because so far he has managed to play a different political game. Even the debate moderators seemed more interested in picking through his trashcans from twenty years ago instead of asking about issues facing Americans. Clinton and McCain belong
in the Smithsonian, not the White House.

Independent from Ga   April 17th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

By attacking together makes them both look foolish. America is simply ready for a changein the way we are dealt with. We demand dignity and respect. They have no idea how to challenge the fact that Obama touches us in our hearts. They are unable to do so becuase they come befor their country. Hillary was once a Republican, and again is showing her true colors by biting her own party. By the time we get to the election, they will nothing more to say. Barack Obama is a dignified gracious man, and I for one would be proud to have him as my President

Cornell, MA   April 17th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Hillary does not have a heart to put her hand over, that’s another lie.

Obama 08

Emily   April 17th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Clinton and McCain are desperate, mean, and negative its over for them, they need to go home and enjoy there millionsl Obama will be our next president

jim   April 17th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Jack,
It is very easy to understand why they are both going after Obama - he is challenging the status quo, and if he should win the presidency, then both Senators McCain and Clinton stand to lose.
By my way of thinking, if the powers that be are against Obama, I’m that much more for him!

Norm, MN   April 17th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

She would support McSame anyday over Barack. She really is a Republican.

Mac, Tampa, FL   April 17th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Because they are telling the people to look deeper and they are telling the truth - the guy is not what this country needs and he is not electable.

Hillary is doing it because if it is an Obama McCain match up the Republican’s win. She’s committed to the party - and will support Obama if she’s not the nominee, but she knows her supporters won’t. It’s a problem.

McCain is doing it because Obama is an easy target, so why not?

Real people for real man.   April 17th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

She want to spoil democrats chances to take back the White House.

She has thrown everything as you all know at him ,but he has always get away with them. The fact that he still respect Hillary eventhough Hillary would have destroyed him if the pain was on her shoes.

None of us know that they still contect each other and they are on senate together.

Yes many people want Hillary to claim her husband credits ,but she shouldn’t be responsible for Bill actions. You can’t have it both ways either you are for it or against it.
She surely has more luggage that people can exploit against her, but she failed to acknowledge her wrong doing and attacked Obama.
If Obama starts to attack Hillary as the Republican will do, Hillary will have no where to turn to.
Lots of wrong doing on the Clintons hands, every thing good , bad and the ugly are in the Clintons arms.

Dennis in Spokane   April 17th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Jack, it’s for the same reasons ABC used republican talking points in last nights debate. Obama represents change and those who feed off the corporate status quo have their marching orders.

MR in NC   April 17th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Because they are feeding off of each other, Jack. One says something negative about Obama and the other latches on to it to try and make it a lasting fact. Hillary and McCain are embedded in the political culture that many of us are sick and tired of - and that is one of the reasons why we support Obama.

Forget Condi “The NIE didn’t give us the exact date and location they were going to attack us” Rice! McCain should choose Hillary to be his running mate. She has managed to help him more these last months than Condi ever could.

Warren   April 17th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

You got it wrong, Jack. It’s Obama and McCain vs. Clinton. McCain defines and treats Obama as the presumptive nominee because he hopes that it’ll prove to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Republicans would love nothing more than bringing all those anti-American skeletons out of the Obama closet and smashing them one by one on their way to a landslide victory. Hillary’s smashing victory in Pennsylvania will prevent that disaster for America.

Warren in Edinboro, PA

Jenn in St Louis   April 17th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

It seems to me that McCain has been able to essentially ride the coat tails of Hillary’s negativity. Why should he go out of his way to come up with unique criticism when she does it so well that he can just follow her lead? She is handing him every bit of ammunition he could ask for, and it is downright shameful.

Kimberly   April 17th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

I’m Canadian and feel I should mind my own business, but your question made me think of something my mom use to say ….

Even though their exits are in different places, peepee and kaka still always go down the same road … grinzzzz

Kimberly

Rita B   April 17th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have been hibernating and have woken up to find that Americans are moving on from petty, shallow politics and have found in Barack Obama the politics that uplifts, excites, and inclusive.

They cannot help themselves. Hillary especially has lost my respect. She who has been at the receiving end of the politics of personal destruction is now an expert of the art - spewing her venom at a young man who (an upstart) who has the audacity to threaten Bill’s third term and her birthright.

Can’t wait to see them depart the scene.

Louise   April 17th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

The McHillary team put their heads together because neither one of them can handle Obama alone. It’s obvious from the polls that they can’t even handle him together.

BTW, that debate last night exposed a sorry excuse for journalism. My neighbors are losing their children in Iraq, their houses, and can’t afford gas. We’re not interested in gossip-mongering, and he-said, she-said.

Louise from VA

Mike   April 17th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Maybe she is angling for the VP…

… on the McCain ticket.

Ryan, Woodbridge, Va   April 17th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Jack,
This election process has become all about winning for McCain and Clinton and no longer has anything to do with what is truly best for the American people. The American people have overwhelmingly said they really want to talk about getting this country back on course, yet we spend the first 45 minutes of a Presidential debate discussing tabloid issues.

Osa   April 17th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

What do you think Jack? Bill Clinton himself once said, McCain and Hillary are the only to patriots running for president. As for Obama, he needs to keep doing what his doing, cos he’s winning and the American people are on his side. How do I know? his won the most states, the most delegates, the most popular vote, and raised the most money.

Ryan P.   April 17th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Let’s make a law that everyone must wear lapel pin at all time to show they are not enemies. Also everyone has to sing the national anthem repeatedly to show each one’s patriotism.
Let’s make a law that if your pastor is quoting some insensitive remarks, then crucify and burn him or her.
Let’s make a law that if telling the truth offends people, then prison him or her for offending feeble minds.
Let’s make a law that if one has any connection with anybody who had slightest wrong-doing in their life, then we persecute him or her to get the admission of guilt.

Ross in MD   April 17th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

McCain and Clinton don’t have any real criticism of Obama, so they come up with the same nonsense about flag lapel pins and the adjective ‘bitter’.

I personally love Clinton and McCain vs. Obama. Talk about old vs. new, the politicians vs. the people, etc.

Besides, a one-on-one fight with Obama wouldn’t be fair. A two-on-one does more credit to Obama’s talent.

William N. Clarke/ Florence, SC   April 17th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Clinton and McClain’s comments are almost the same targeting Obama is because, simply put, it is the most positive way they can insure a predidential race between them with Obama out. It is an elitist attitude displayed by the two who are reminding the undecided voters that they are “white” and Obama is “black”. With the help of some fine journalists, such as Lou Dobbs, among others, this subtle form of racism is most effective.

Charles in Florida   April 17th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Jack, it kind of reminds you of the Duke Brothers in the movie “Trading Places”. Hillary and John, the Duke Brothers, try to ruin Obama, Billy Ray Valentine, to dramatically improve their election chances, only to find out that Obama is a quick study and may win in the end.

Dave from Arlington, MA   April 17th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

They both want to win. John McCain is doing what any republican would do — he’s focusing on the perceived nominee of the opposing party. Hillary Clinton understands that at this juncture she can only win by making Obama lose. She must rip him down by the ankles before he reaches the finish line.

Robert, Columbia, MO   April 17th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

Jack,
Hilary is down to one and only one argument now for her nomination: Obama will be unable to win against the republican attack machine. So she’s using republican attack machine tactics now to make that argument. That is what is so significant about her having said last night “yes, yes, yes” to the debate question, Can Obama win? By admitting that, she destroyed the only argument and strategy she had left to pursue.

j from NH   April 17th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

To your claim that Hillary is giving the Rep. party ammo -Give me a break! Did Hillary make Obama insult small town Americans? Did she make Obama choose Rev. Wright as a mentor? Do you really think the Rep. party needs Hillary to point out Obama’s foibles? This is just another way for you and the drive-by media to yet again villanize Senetor Clinton.

Mary M. Mansour, Fairhope AL   April 17th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

John McCain has an excuse to go after Obama. He’s the obvious Republican nominee. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is a dirty politician who will stop at nothing to see Obama either lose the nomination or lose to McCain in the general election. I laughed out loud last night when she, with this supercilious smirk on her face, declared that she would support the Democratic nominee whoever that might be. This woman wants to win willy nilly. She will scorch the ground around her as she goes. In the end, McCain will fight a far less dirty battle against Obama than Hillary. I’m sure Obama looks forward to his battle with old John as something of a cake walk compared to the dirty pool of the Clinton crowd.

Shelley, California   April 17th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

They are both Old Washington—a culture of political privelege and corporate rule. They see themselves as elite vendors and we, the people, as customers. Buy their sales pitch and they will “take care of everything for you,” just like snake oil salesmen.

That arrangement, financed by big business and lobbyists, is threatened by Obama’s campaign of small money” over “big money,” and the many over the few. Both members of Congress and the Administration will have to answer to their true employer, the people, whom the “100 million dollar” class so disdain between elections.

Bruce St Paul MN   April 17th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

McCain and Clinton are both from the same school of campaigning. The tried and true tactics of tearing down your opponent in ridiculous ways and appealing to the basest of our fears and prejudices. it demeans the process and insults the electorate. It also works. Although most years, by the time the actual election gets here, I am wondering how I could possibly vote for any of these terrible people.

Rebecca   April 17th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Jack,

It’s simple. Neither one of them stand a chance against Obama. McCain knows he will win if Clinton is nominated because her baggage is endless. Its really a no brainer. As far as Clinton goes…this is just a typical Clinton behavior. There is always a path of destruction left in her wake.

Carol, IN   April 17th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

Jack, Senator Clinton has no political recourse other than to focus on silly seasonal minutia and Senator McCain effortlessly falls right in line behind her. I’m waiting for them to resurrect the lapel pin incident from last night’s debate. And, by the way, Obama needed to have said, “Hey, Charlie, I see that you’re not wearing a flag pin, nor are you,George. And, H