News Sources Agree: Clinton Has Been Misrepresenting Obama's Comments on Republicans

ABC: Clinton Isn't Backing Down On Her Claim Obama Said Republican Had All The Good Ideas Even Though It's "Pretty Clearly Not What He Said." ABC wrote, "And Sen. Clinton isn't backing down -- keeping up on this claim (a real stretch) that Obama claims Republicans had all the good ideas. Pretty clearly not what he said -- and now I really want to see how Obama reacts -- he looks like he's steaming." [ABC News, 1/21/08]

Talking Points Memo: Hillary Intentionally Misrepresenting What Obama Said About Reagan. "Man, this can degenerate pretty quickly, can't it? Each side got in a couple really low blows there. I still think Hillary is just intentionally misrepresenting what Obama said about Reagan. It makes me cringe. As much I like her, it makes me cringe." [http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/]

Ben Smith: Obama Didn't Say Republican Ideas Are Good Ideas. Ben Smith wrote that Obama "didn't say Republican ideas are good ideas." [Politico, 1/21/08]

Stephanopoulos: Bill Clinton Took Obama's Words Beyond What Obama Said. George Stephanopoulos said, "Now, clearly there, he did take Obama's words beyond what Obama said, they're going to have to be very careful about that," in discussing Bill Clinton's mischaracterization of Obama's remark about Republican's having challenged conventional wisdom over the past 10-15 years. [Good Morning America, 1/21/08]

MSNBC ROUNDTABLE

Dan Abrams: It is simply not true that Barack Obama has been suggesting that the Republicans had great ideas out there. On this one Barack Obama, to me, is absolutely right. I think it is a cheap shot by the Clintons.

Peter Beinart: Yeah. I agree with you on that. What Barack Obama was saying, I don't have the exact words in front of me, but basically that Ronald Reagan was a transformational president in a way Richard Nixon was not and in a way that Bill Clinton was not. I think that's true, I think Bill Clinton was a far better president than Ronald Reagan, but Bill Clinton was president at a fairly conservative time it was harder to be transformational whereas Ronald Reagan was the most conservative president America had elected since Calvin Coolidge. It was a tremendous break historically when America elected someone that conservative, not a good one in my opinion but a real momentous break.

Dan Abrams: Kelly, there is no question that Obama was bashing republicans when he was saying this. They have been transformative, they haven't been now. But it is dangerous once you cite the republicans for anything good
in a democratic primary?

Kelly Goth: Its kind of funny, because when you look at the statement you are 100% right. I don't see how anyone could read this any other way. I think the lesson to be learned however is what you say that is perhaps factually accurate is not always the most tactically smart thing to do.

Julie Reginski: We all agree. It is ridiculous.

Dan Abrams: On this one Barack Obama wins in our fact check. It seems we are getting full agreement on this one. I don't think thats going to happen on all of them. This is important stuff because they are blasting about it tonight. And it seems everyone agrees Barack Obama is being unfairly chastised for his comments about Republicans. [MSNBC Roundtable, 1/21/08]