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Clintons Still Seething Over Racist Portrayal

Aides didn't defend Obama on McCain's 'race card' accusation

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 5, 2008 12:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Democratic primary battle ended months ago, but many in both Hillary and Bill Clinton’s circles still harbor a grudge over the way her campaign was painted as racist, Ben Smith writes in Politico. This ill will is coming back to haunt presumptive nominee Barack Obama as he grapples with the McCain campaign's suggestion he is now playing the race card.

"The Clintons or their supporters could have provided a powerful rebuttal," Smith writes of the comments last week made by John McCain's campaign manager. "Instead they were silent, and in private, some even quietly cheered." On Friday, McCain's chief strategist compared his candidate to Bill, and the Clintons "seemed to accept the analogy."

%u201CThe McCain campaign is doing the right thing by pushing back, and I feel slightly vindicated,%u201D a former Hillary Clinton aide says. %u201CBut at the end of the day, I hope it goes away pretty soon.%u201D
%u201CThe McCain campaign is doing the right thing by pushing back, and I feel slightly vindicated,%u201D a former Hillary Clinton aide says. %u201CBut at the end of the day, I hope it goes away pretty...   (AP Photo)
Former President Bill Clinton appeared, in a recent interview, still to be smarting over charges that he attacked Barack Obama on racial lines.
Former President Bill Clinton appeared, in a recent interview, still to be smarting over charges that he attacked Barack Obama on racial lines.   (AP Photo)
We were accused of being a racist campaign, and it was very painful personally and politically for a lot of people, a Clinton aide said of the battle with Barack Obama (left, with rapper Ludacris).
"We were accused of being a racist campaign, and it was very painful personally and politically for a lot of people," a Clinton aide said of the battle with Barack Obama (left, with rapper Ludacris).   (AP Photo)
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