Should Hillary fire Bill Shaheen, Co-Chair of her New Hampshire campaign?

[MadBadger]

Poll question: Should Hillary fire Bill Shaheen, Co-Chair of her New Hampshire campaign?

As many of you know, Shaheen was the one to sleazily bring up this Obama drug story. She has said she doesnt condone the actions, but should he be fired as well?

I edited this because I put resign in the question and fired in the message. I want it to be fired in both places.

[Occam Bandage]

1. "She doesn't condone the actions?" Sorry, Hill, but if you keep him on your staff,

you're condoning his actions.

[DemKR]

2. Absolutely not

Do you know how much it would hurt Jeanne Shaheen's Senate campaign? Obama is the one who chose to bring up the drug usage. I strongly disagree with using it against him, but it's not like he didn't know of the consequences it could potentially cause.

[jenmito]

3. So like Bush, she doesn't hold anyone accountable? It doesn't matter how much

it could hurt someone else. She has to hold the person accountable, take blame for it herself, or people will rightfully conclude that she did NOT really condemn his actions and/or she was in on it all along. We don't need another Bush admin.

[babylonsister]

16. The New Hampshire co-chair is Billy Shaheen; why would this hurt Jeanne? nt

[DemKR]

4. Behind the Spin: What Bill Shaheen really said

Earlier in the day New Hampshire Clinton chair Bill Shaheen told the Washington Post that Republicanswould have a field day asking Obama about his admitted previous drug use.

"It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" Shaheen told the Post. "There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome."

So, anyone in here want to stick up for the Republicans and say it's not going to happen? Not me.

[Occam Bandage]

5. They turned John Kerry, a war hero, into a lying coward who shot people in the back.

They called his decades of principled, nuanced service "flip flopping." If they can't find dirt, they'll make dirt up. If they find dirt, they'll make up filthier dirt.

My only problem with Obama is not that he has flaws in his past, but rather that I'm not sure he'd be able to fight back well enough. However, I think Clinton is starting to teach him a thing or two.

[DemKR]

6. He believed Bob Novak

when he drummed up an outrageous lie about Hillary Clinton. How inexperienced could you get? Not to mention desperate.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

9. Personally i saw that as a wise move

He basically forced Hillary to do one of two things
1: state she didn't have any such info
2: reveal what info she had

Both would put the story to rest while attacking Novak would leave the question hanging(if not give it more fuel)

[IndianaGreen]

25. It was Hillary who joined the GOP smear of John Kerry

after a flopped, but somewhat truthful, joke to a college audience. Hillary knew that Kerry had not meant to insult the intelligence of those joining the military, but Kerry was a potential rival then, so Hillary was quite happy to swiftboat him.

[jenmito]

13. YOU'RE the one spinning-just like them...

We KNOW Shaheen SAID that the REPUBS. would have a field day with (insert the negative message here). Duh-you don't see that as a slick way for SHAHEEN to put it out there? And how would the Repubs. have a field day with something that's already out there and has been for years? Not to mention that BUSH was an alcoholic 'til he was 40 AND refused to take a physical allegedly due to cocaine use. No way they'd touch this. But Hillary's camp did. If she condems what Shaheen said, like she claimed, she should fire him.

[aikoaiko]

7. Bill's a pretty connected guy. I say no.

I knew him as "The Judge"

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. This is unbelievable: Obama's past is not off limits.

Obama's past if fair game in politics.

Obama just brought it up in a speech last week. How is it sleazy?

You guys amaze me. Every nod, every sentence, every move of Clinton is dissected and attacked ad naseum on DU, and yet Obama's admitted violation of criminal laws is off limits?

What the hell?

[MadBadger]

11. If it wasnt sleazy, than why did Hillary put out a statement against it?

[Evergreen Emerald]

12. I don't know. And it bothers me that she did.

It should not be off limits.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

14. admitting to having used drugs and seeing it as a mistake is

one thing and i would have no problems if they had criticized him for that, but for somebody to indirectly imply that he might have sold drugs to others is a totally different ballpark(specially since he at the same time give ammo to the republican)

I can't recall Obama having ever stated he sold drugs thus he have not brought that up

[Evergreen Emerald]

15. There was no indirect implication

I read it. And here is the problem with the whole issue.

In his attempt to keep people from talking about it, it disclosed it in a book. And then suggests that any talk about it is "unwarranted attacks" and "off limits."

But, what do we know about the drug use? How far did it go? Where did it take place? Was it on school grounds? Did he give it or sell it to his friends? These are all questions that come from the original disclosure. Common sense questions that need to be addressed.

Instead of feigning outrage and appearing that he has something to hide, he should just talk about it.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

17. and what do you call having it in a book

and more recently speaking about it in a speech, hiding it?

and what should he say exactly, he has admitted to using it and he has admitted it was wrong of him(as he views it)

what exactly do you want him to say?

[Evergreen Emerald]

19. Well, he brought it up

And if people have questions about it--those questions are fair game. If he does not want to answer--that is his choice, and people can glean from that what they will.

Questions: how often / what / with whom / did he sell it? / did he give it to friends? / how did he get it? / did he do drugs at school? / what was the extent of the use?

Those are legitimate questions.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

27. Then Shaheen should ask about it up front and not phrase it

as something the republicans will do to him during the General election

Newsflash to Shaheen: you are bringing it up, not the republicans

so my view: Sure bring up those questions, but be up front about it and don't try to hide behind doing it as a favor to Obama since the republicans are sure to do it(atleast one rep running complimented Obama on his honesty, the rest sofar seems to have shrugged their shoulders)

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

10. All Clinton supporters should be imprisoned

[proudmoddemo]

18. Either Way It's No Good for Her

If she fires him, then it'll look like her campaign is totally incompetent. The Chair of the New Hampshire campaign doesn't just go off to the Washington Post on his own. That was clearly approved by the campaign, which knew about his message and approved it. If she doesn't, then she basically admits to the truth: her campaign not only condoned this, it wrote it. So she either way she has something in common with Bush on this. Not what you want in a Democratic Primary.

[Nailzberg]

20. Show him the door

Sheahan gave the media the impression of an undisciplined Clinton campaign. Pundits will question why are there loose cannons with loose lips on the "experienced" campaign?

The drug issue was bound to come up, as it should, but the way it was brought up, with the insinuations of drug dealing, etc, under the guise of "The GOP will make these attacks", plays to Obama's strength. He can respond to this as an attack rather than the valid question of drug use, and the compare and contrast between Honest Obama and Bill Sheahan the dirt flinger in the court of public opinion bolsters his image of "changing the tone".


Firing Sheahan is a band-aid on what is turning into a hemorrhage. Hillary has to make some changes, and Jeanne Sheahan's campaign cannot be HRC's concern. There have been a number of miscalculations on behalf of Hillary's campaigns and it is derailing her message. Reports of animosity between President Clinton and the Sr. Staff, recent instances of rogue operatives sending the Muslim infiltrator email, and now this. I think Hillary needs a change in direction now, if she waits longer the campaign looks like a sinking ship. Bill needs to take over the war room, cause Hill's people are failing her and her message.

[NewHampster]

21. Bill Shaheen was right on the money

I fear for Barack under the barrage he will experience if he is the nom. I just hope they leave enough of the Senator to stand up to President Huckabee.

[MadBadger]

22. Then did HRC make a mistake saying that she does not condone his actions in any way?

[NewHampster]

26. Yes, I think so. In context what he said made sense

Out of context he is wrong.

Quote:

The Republicans are not going to give up without a fight ... and one of the things they're certainly going to jump on is his drug use," said Shaheen, the husband of former N.H. governor Jeanne Shaheen, who is planning to run for the Senate next year. Billy Shaheen contrasted Obama's openness about his past drug use -- which Obama mentioned again at a recent campaign appearance in New Hampshire -- with the approach taken by George W. Bush in 1999 and 2000, when he ruled out questions about his behavior when he was "young and irresponsible."

Shaheen said Obama's candor on the subject would "open the door" to further questions. "It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" Shaheen said. "There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome."

[jefferson_dem]

23. So you disagree with Howard Wolfson?

...now that the cat is out of the bag and all...

Howard Wolfson, Clinton's communications director, said the campaign has not tried to make use of Obama's past cocaine use and that it would not attempt to do so in the future. "Candidates personal lives should not be a part of this campaign," Wolfson said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/11/as-iowa-nears-clinton-al_n_76235.html?load=1&page=2

[NewHampster]

28. Nope

"Candidates personal lives should not be a part of this campaign," Wolfson said.

He's right but Shaheen does not believe the Rethugs subscribe to the same values.

[jefferson_dem]

29. So you don't think Shaheen interjected personal lives into the campaign with his comments today?

Ok... That's nonsense.

Here it is again, in case you need a review --

The Republicans are not going to give up without a fight ... and one of the things they're certainly going to jump on is his drug use," said Shaheen, the husband of former N.H. governor Jeanne Shaheen, who is planning to run for the Senate next year. Billy Shaheen contrasted Obama's openness about his past drug use -- which Obama mentioned again at a recent campaign appearance in New Hampshire -- with the approach taken by George W. Bush in 1999 and 2000, when he ruled out questions about his behavior when he was "young and irresponsible."

Shaheen said Obama's candor on the subject would "open the door" to further questions. "It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" Shaheen said. "There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome."

[NewHampster]

32. Yep, I agree with Shaheen

and I'm glad someone is finally speaking to the seriousness of what Obama will face from the rethugs.

[jefferson_dem]

36. Don't look now but even Shaheen doesn't agree with Shaheen.

I'm sure he would appreciate your loyalty though.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3828846

[IndianaGreen]

24. Shaheen should not be fired! Let the Hillary campaign crash and burn!

No Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton dynasty!

[madrchsod]

30. as long as her guru has her under his spell

she`ll keep losing voters...hillary supporters still won`t admit that penn is the reason she`s failing..well of course that reflects on her judgments.

[MzShellG]

31. Ofcourse it is sleazy....

And it goes to show that Senator Obama was correct in believing what Bob Novak said. Apparently, his camp may have heard elsewhere that she was planning/planting dirty tricks. That's one thing that turned me away from Clinton. It's the underhanded way she/her camp operates w/out being acccountable for what they did. This was obviously planned and Novak must have caught wind of it somehow.

[NewHampster]

33. The dirty trick is taking Shaheen out of context

Read the entire quote.

[MadBadger]

35. He and Hillary have since apologized

Cuz obviously they did nothing wrong :sarcasm:

[NewHampster]

37. They followed the great rule

It is always easier to apologize than to ask permission.

[sandnsea]

34. Right after Linda Short and John Matthews n/t

[babylonsister]

39. Who are they?

:scared:

[sandnsea]

40. Hillary's SC State Chairs

Voted to put a gay marriage ban in the SC Constitution, and along with Darrell Jackson, spoke in support of the ban on the floor. By DU standards, homophobes for sure, except interestingly, nobody cares about them at all. So sure, let's fire all the scum from Hillary's campaign.

[babylonsister]

41. Whoa! This is the second time I've read about

Clinton and her homophobic ties. Yet Obama got beat over the campaign relentlessly for his ties. Very interesting.

[Joe the Revelator]

38. I'd be more impressed if she would take responsibility for her campaign.

She's unwilling to though, which is sad.

[ClarkUSA]

42. Nah, she should do the Bush-lite thing and keep him on... that'd move NH Dems/indies toward Obama

I love it. Hillary shows her true character at last and boy, is it fucking ugly.

[Beacool]

43. Nope, he only told the truth.

It's not dirt if the candidate himself keeps reminding people of his drug use. He brought it up recently at a school, nobody smeared him.

[Nexus7]

44. Has Obama fired his wife yet?

Michelle Obama asked how anyone could manage the country when they couldn't manage their own family, an obvious reference to the Monica affair. Considering Hillary is being asked to fire Shaheen for his relatively harmless and valid question, I supposed everyone asking for this has really strong opinions against Michelle?

Oh, no? Gee now, let's not be hypocritical, OK?

[babylonsister]

45. I'd love a link to what Mrs. Obama said; I hadn't read that.

If you can't provide one, pls. let me know where you heard that. Thanks.

And Shaheen isn't relatively harmless when he indicates someone is dealing drugs when he doesn't have a clue and wants to do no more than inspire hatred.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3827011&mesg_id=3827157

[Nexus7]

47. Link

http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/politics/archive/2007/08/23/michelle-obama-slams-hillary-clinto

[babylonsister]

48. Our apologies...The item you requested does not exist on this server or cannot be served.

That's what I found at that link. ?

[Nexus7]

52. C'mon

Is it really that hard to use Google? I remembered the incident, and did a search, and happened upon that particular link. And you can too! Try terms "michelle obama hillary speech". Trust me, this isn't a secret incident.

But I suspect a lot of people will intentionally play dumb. Whatever.

[MadBadger]

50. What are you rambling about.

[Nexus7]

53. I dunno, are you an idiot?

And have you stopped beating your wife?

What kind of nonsense question is that in your subject line?

What is the point of your content-free posting? Are you trying to get to 1000? Do you have a justification for Michelle Obama's comments? Who knows?

Perhaps all you feel in your head is a giant empty rage when something negative is said about Obama, which leaves you speechless (and wordless).

[MadBadger]

51. What are you rambling about.

[Maven]

46. Did Obama cancel McClurkin? nt

[Forkboy]

54. Does one excuse the other?

:shrug:

[Catherine Vincent]

49. It was fine that he said the republicans will bring up Obama's drug use

which I don't think they will (Bush used drugs also) but he should have shut up before actually giving examples of the questions the republicans would ask.