Rivalry Row Between Clinton and Obama
On Tuesday, Dreamworks studio hosted a celebrity fundraiser for Senator Obama which raised $1.3M for the presidential hopeful's campaign. Among the sponsors of the event was Dreamworks co-founders David Geffen and Steven Spielberg.
Mr. Geffen had backed Bill Clinton in his presidential run and even though he was a co-host Tuesday night, he isn't necessarily backing Senator Obama in 2008.
The rivalry erupted over remarks Mr. Geffen made about Hillary Clinton to the New York Times. In the Times article, Mr. Geffen said "I don't think that another incredibly polarizing figure, no matter how smart she is, and no matter how ambitious she is - and God knows, is there anybody more ambitious than Hillary Clinton? - can bring the country together." He went on to tell New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd that while "everyone in politics lies" the Clintons "do it with such ease, it's troubling."
Since the Hollywood fundraiser thrown by Mr. Geffen and friends for Ms. Clinton's rival, she has accused Senator Obama of nasty politics aimed at personal destruction.
The Clinton camp has demanded that Senator Obama denounce Mr. Geffen's comments made in the New York Times and return the studio executive's $2,300 contribution which was made to the Obama presidential campaign.
Mr. Obama and his campaign have refused the Clinton campaign's demands to denounce the remarks and give back the donation.
Senator Obama told the AP, "It's not clear to me why I'd be apologizing for someone else's remark."
A spokesman for the Obama campaign pointed out that the Clintons were happy to receive Mr. Geffen's donations in the past when Bill Clinton was running for president. Mr. Geffen raised millions of dollars for Mr. Clinton's presidential campaign and was a guest at the White House during the former president's term.
Mr. Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs also told the AP that "it is ironic that Senator Clinton lavished praise on Monday and is fully willing to accept today the support of South Carolina state Sen. Robert Ford, who said if Barack Obama were to win the nomination, he would drag down the rest of the Democratic Party because he's black."
Senator Ford has since apologized for his remarks, the Clinton campaign stated their disagreement with his remarks but has welcomed his support for Hillary Clinton.
The Clinton campaign was eager to continue its attack on Senator Obama.
Two press releases on Hillary Clinton's official website addressed the issue. Both statements were issued by Clinton Communications Director Howard Wolfson on February 21, the day after the Hollywood fundraiser.
The first titled "Clinton Camp to Obama: Cut Ties & Return Cash After Top Booster's Vicious Attacks" demanded that Barack Obama disavow the personal attacks that Mr. Geffen made against Senator Clinton.
The second press release called "Obama Embraces Slash & Burn Politics" claimed that by refusing to disavow the personal attacks from his biggest celebrity fundraiser against Senator Clinton and President Clinton, Senator Obama has called into serious question whether he really believes his own rhetoric."
At a forum in Nevada, Ms. Clinton told the AP "I want to run a very positive campaign."
Senator Obama's campaign has not issued any press releases on their website regarding Mr. Geffen's comments nor criticizing the Clinton campaign's approach to the matter.
Sources
"Clinton and Obama row over backer" BBC News, February 22, 2007 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6384821.stm
Nedra Pickler and Brendan Riley "Obama, Clinton rivalry flares over donor" AP February 22, 2007 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070222/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_obama;_ylt=As0OGHx.Hy_4JE0zsV_QuKmyFz4D
www.hillaryclinton.com
www.barackobama.com
Published by Anna Burroughs
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1 Comments
Post a CommentGood article. It's strange, why would he need to apologize for someone else's opinion? He could state that he doesn't agree with it or something, but it doesn't seem that he is responsible for an apology.