Clinton apologizes for Kennedy Assassination remark

Clinton apologizes for Bobby Kennedy remark; Read a transcript of the discussion

Clinton issued a statement about her comments.

“Earlier today I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the
course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and
Senator Kennedy waged in California in June 1992 and 1968 and I was
referencing those to make the point that we have had nomination primary
contests that go into June. That’s a historic fact. The Kennedys have been
much on my mind the last days because of Senator Kennedy and I regret that
if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation, and
particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly
had no intention of that, whatsoever. My view is that we have to look to the
past and to our leaders who have inspired us and give us a lot to live up
to, and I’m honored to hold Senator Kennedy’s seat in the United States
Senate from the state of New York and have the highest regard for the entire
Kennedy family.”

During an interview with the Argus Leader’s Editorial Board today, Sen.
Hillary Clinton mentioned the assassination of Sen. Bobby Kennedy. Her
remarks triggered a storm of attention nationwide.

Here is a transcript of the relevant portion of the interview:

This is the most important job in the world. It’s the toughest job in the world. You should be willing to campaign for every vote. You should be willing to debate anytime, anywhere. I think it’s an interesting juxtaposition where we find ourselves and you know, I have been willing to do all of that during the entire process and people have been trying to push me out of this ever since Iowa and I find it¬¬-

EB: Why? Why?

I don’t know I don’t know I find it curious because it is unprecedented in history. I don’t understand it and between my opponent and his camp and some in the media, there has been this urgency to end this and you know historically that makes no sense, so I find it a bit of a mystery.

EB: You don’t buy the party unity argument?

I don’t, because again, I’ve been around long enough. You know my husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere around the middle of June

EB: June

We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. Um you know I just I don’t understand it. There’s lots of speculation about why it is.

Source: argusleader.com via politisite

The Reaction

Clinton Remark on Kennedy’s Killing Stirs Uproar

Privately, aides to Mr. Obama were furious about the remark.

Concerns about Mr. Obama’s safety led the Secret Service to give him protection last May, before it was afforded to any other presidential candidate, although Mrs. Clinton had protection, too, in her capacity as a former first lady. Mr. Obama’s wife, Michelle, voiced concerns about his safety before he was elected to the Senate, and some black voters have even said such fears weighed on their decision of whether to vote for him.

It was against that backdrop that Mrs. Clinton’s mentioning the Kennedy assassination in the same breath as her own political fate struck some as going too far. Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, an uncommitted superdelegate, said through a spokeswoman that the comments were “beyond the pale.”

Source: nytimes.com via politisite

Did Gov Clinton really have a contender all the way through June of 1992? The answer No. His closest competetor dropped out of the race in March. Clinton had over 900 delegates and there was no one even close.

Why does Clinton say that his campaign didn’t end until June? Technically he didn’t have the delegates until June. Politifact, a Fact checking group in St Pete Florida, give Hillary’s statements a “Barley True”

The late March primaries left him with 942 delegates, a commanding lead with more than twice the number of his closest opponent, Tsongas, who suspended his campaign that week.

Hillary Clinton is technically right that it wasn’t until the June 2 primaries in Ohio, New Jersey, Alabama, California, Montana and New Mexico that Bill Clinton clinched the nomination. Before the night was out, he had surpassed the 2,145 delegates needed. But after March, there was little doubt that he would become the nominee.

Source: politifact.com via politisite

Its all political spin. Then Governor Clinton had a commanding lead in March of 1992 and could not be overcome. For all practical purposes the race was over in March not June of 1992. Unless, of course, someone shot him.

Clinton is trying to argue that past primary races have been competitive for as long as this one. But more recent elections have had clear early leaders. Sen. John Kerry secured the Democratic nomination by early March 2004. In 2000, both George W. Bush and Al Gore had wrapped up their parties’ nominations by mid March.

So while Clinton is right that her husband’s nomination process stretched until June, she doesn’t account for his insurmountable lead long before then and the vast difference in election schedules when she makes her comparison.

We rule her statement Barely True.

Source: politifact.com via politisite

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