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Bill Accuses Obama of 'Hit Job'

Confronts CNN reporter on race claims

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2008 7:20 AM CST
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(Newser) – The bitter rivalry between the Clintons and Barack Obama took a toxic new turn yesterday as Bill Clinton, defending himself against accusations of injecting race into the campaign in South Carolina, accused Obama of "putting out a hit job" on him. During questioning by a CNN reporter, the former president accused the media of abetting an Obama strategy to inject race into the political battlefield to hurt him and Hillary.

"They are feeding you this because they know this is what you want to cover," he scolded. "They spin you up and you happily go along. Shame on you." The former president also said his wife might lose in South Carolina, where at least half of the voters are black, on the basis of race. “They are getting votes, to be sure, because of their race or gender, and that’s why people tell me that Hillary doesn’t have a chance to win here.”

A Barack Obama aide described the Clinton campaign in South Carolina as reprehensible.
A Barack Obama aide described the Clinton campaign in South Carolina as "reprehensible."   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks to supporters at a campaign rally in Hackensack, N.J. Wednesday. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks to supporters at a campaign rally in Hackensack, N.J. Wednesday. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)   (Associated Press)
Former President Bill Clinton greets supporters in Charleston, S.C. Sniping between the Clinton and Obama campaigns has reached a new intensity with the former president accusing Obama of a hit job. (AP Photos/Alice Keeney)
Former President Bill Clinton greets supporters in Charleston, S.C. Sniping between the Clinton and Obama campaigns has reached a new intensity with the former president accusing Obama of a "hit job."...   (Associated Press)
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Race Card

Clinton gets upset with CNN reporter
CNN

Obama accused of 'hit job'
AFP

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • race • South Carolina • Bill Clinton • CNN • Democratic nomination • hit job

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