Clinton and Obama in bitter row at Democrats debate
Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama accused each other of repeatedly and deliberately distorting the truth for political gain early today.
The insults flew in a bitter personal debate in Myrtle, South Carolina, that ranged from the war in Iraq to former President Bill Clinton’s role in the campaign.
Mr Obama told the former first lady he was helping unemployed workers on the streets of Chicago when “you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart”.
Moments later, Mrs Clinton said that she was fighting against misguided Republican policies “when you were practising law and representing your contributor ... in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago”.
Mr Obama seemed particularly irritated at Bill Clinton, whom the Illinois senator accused in absentia of uttering a series of distortions to help his wife’s presidential effort.
“I’m here. He’s not,” she snapped.
“Well, I can’t tell who I’m running against sometimes,” Mr Obama countered.
The two rivals, joined by former North Carolina senator John Edwards, debated at close quarters five days before the South Carolina primary – and 15 days before the equivalent of the nationwide “Super Tuesday” primary across 22 states that will go a long way towards settling the battle for the party’s nomination.
Mrs Clinton was the national front-runner for months in the race, but Mr Obama won the kick-off Iowa caucuses three weeks ago. She recovered quickly, winning the New Hampshire primary in an upset, and on Saturday, won the popular vote in the Nevada caucuses while Mr Obama won one more nominating convention delegate than she.
The Democratic electorate in South Carolina is expected to be roughly 50% black, an evident advantage for Mr Obama in a historic race that matches a black man against a woman.
Even in the superheated atmosphere of the primary, the statements and exchanges were unusually acrimonious. The debate came as the two campaigns continued to complain about dirty politics and disenfranchisement of voters in last Saturday’s Nevada caucuses.
Mr Obama suggested the Clintons were practising the kind of political tactics that had alienated voters.
“There was a set of assertions made by Senator Clinton as well as her husband that are not factually accurate,” Mr Obama said.
“I think that part of what people are looking for right now is someone who is going to solve problems and not resort to the same typical politics that we’ve seen in Washington.”
Mrs Clinton countered: “I believe your record and what you say should matter.”
Mr Edwards, who badly trails his two rivals, tried to stay above the fray while pleading for equal time.
Hillary Clinton, who was close to the Walton family, served on the Wal-Mart board from 1986 to 1992. In 2006, her Senate campaign returned £2,500 to the company’s political action committee while citing differences with company policies.
A blind trust held by Mrs Clinton and her husband, the former president, included stock holdings in Wal-Mart. They liquidated the contents of the blind trust in 2007 because of investments that could pose conflicts of interest or prove embarrassing as she ran for president.
Chicago property developer and fast food magnate Antoin “Tony” Rezko was a long-time fund raiser for Mr Obama. Prosecutors have charged him with fraud, attempted extortion and money laundering in what they allege was a scheme to get campaign money and payoffs from firms seeking to do business before two state boards.
Mr Obama’s campaign said on Saturday it was giving more than £20,000 to charities from donors linked to Rezko. In 2006, when charges against Rezko were made public, Mr Obama gave £5,750 in Rezko contributions to charities.
Often speaking over each other, Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton bitterly complained about each other’s legislative records. Mr Obama questioned why the New York senator had voted for a bankruptcy bill that she later said she was glad had not passed, and Mrs Clinton criticised Mr Obama for voting “present” on dozens of occasions while a member of the Illinois legislature.
“Present” votes are common in the Illinois legislature, and they have the same impact as a “no” vote. Politicians use them for a variety of reasons, from registering doubts about a measure’s legality to avoiding a firm position.
“Senator Obama, it’s hard to have a straight up debate with you because you never take responsibility for any vote,” Mrs Clinton said to loud boos. “On issue after issue, you voted present ... Whenever someone raises that, there’s always some sort of explanation.”
Mr Obama accused Mrs Clinton of playing loose with the facts and saying anything to get elected, while Mr Edwards joined Mrs Clinton in criticising Obama for the “present” votes.
Mr Obama said most of his present votes did not have political consequences but were because of technical or legal concerns.
The two-hour debate was sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Institute and CNN.
