Hillary And Albright, Ready To Strike on Obama (UPDATED with call)

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

HILLARY CLINTON

How much does Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign want to capitalize on Obama's comment that he would personally meet with leaders of Iran, Syria, North Korea, etc., during his first year as president? They're holding a conference call with Madeline Albright "to discuss Hillary Clinton's understanding of national security issues."

Interesting choice, since Albright actually did meet with Kim Jong-Il. Gave him the basketball signed by Michael Jordan, if I recall correctly.

I'll be on the conference call, because apparently it's Conference Call Tuesday here at Campaign Spot...

UPDATE: Here's how it went.

Madeline Albright: I thought last night's debate was very interesting. Lots of good questions. It showed Hillary knows being president is about protecting the country. The question about meeting with foreign leaders I felt she gave a very sophisticated answer. Demonstrated her knowledge of the whole process.

Important to have lower-level make the first contact. Cites Kim Jong-Il experience with Clinton administration, not sending president, but secretary of state. That process is absolutely essential. She understands the process, the value of presidency, and importance of avoiding being used in propaganda.

Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun Times: Obama camp says Clinton contradicted herself.

Albright: I would never have gotten out of the debate last night that there was any change in position. She has made clear for many months now important to meet with people you disagree with. It's very consistent.

Rick Klein, ABC: How would you characterize Obama's response?

Albright: It's up to other people to comment on that.

Tom, AP: Possible Obama was misunderstood?

Albright says she has no idea. "Hillary Clinton understands how the presidency works. President Bush does events, but he doesn't do detailed diplomacy."

Q: Secretary Albright, do you believe that Senator Clinton should meet with these leaders at some point?

“Some of them, maybe, after all the work has been done. We don’t know where things will be in January.” Wow, that really clears things up, Secretary, thanks for taking that bold and concrete stand. “I thought she gave a really good answer,” she says, for what seems like the fiftieth time.

Because the Clinton campaign did not have any discernable format for letting listeners know who was prompted to ask a question, I didn’t get a chance to ask my question: “Secretary Albright, do you see any irony in the Clinton campaign sending out a person who met with Kim Jong Il to criticize Barack Obama for saying he would go meet with Kim Jong Il?”

07/24 11:05 AM Share