Clinton Campaign Copying Nixon’s Tricks, Novak Says

November 19, 2007

Columnist Robert D. Novak says two Democrats have told him that supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton are spreading the word that she has "scandalous information" about Sen. Barack Obama — but has decided not to use it.

"The nature of the alleged scandal was not disclosed," Novak wrote in his column over the weekend.

"This word-of-mouth among Democrats makes Obama look vulnerable and Clinton look prudent," Novak wrote.

Appearing on Fox & Friends Monday morning, Novak said his primary source is a "well-known Democrat" who is so far "neutral" in the presidential race. A second neutral Democrat confirmed the information, Novak said.

Novak said the Clinton campaign is taking its cue from Richard Nixon, who once said he had damaging information about "the communists supporting George McGovern." Nixon, however, refused to divulge it because "it wouldn't be right — I'm just too good of a guy."

Novak said he doesn't know if the Clinton campaign actually has any dirt on Obama — but he said he's "confident" that his sources have heard information to that effect from the Clinton campaign.

Over the weekend, Obama — reacting to the information contained in Novak's column — suggested the Clinton campaign was engaging in "slime politics."

"In the interest of our party, and her own reputation, Senator Clinton should either make public any and all information referred to in the item, or concede the truth: that there is none," Obama wrote in an email to reporters.

He accused the Clinton campaign of trying to "Swift Boat" him, a reference to political attacks on John Kerry in the 2004 campaign.

The Clinton campaign accused Obama of falling for a Republican trick: Obama is "parroting Republican talking points from a columnist of questionable credibility," Clinton spokesman Jay Carson was quoted as saying. "If you don't have the experience not to fall into a Bob Novak trap, you have no business seeking the presidency."

Novak on Monday said he didn't talk to any Republicans — only to two Democrats — who gave him the information contained in his weekend column.

According to Novak, Obama is in a difficult position because he must win in Iowa — and his "only hope" is to portray Clinton as a manipulator — an almost Nixonian type of candidate who will do anything to win and can't be trusted."

On another topic, commenting on former Gov. Mike Huckabee's rise in the polls, Novak said Huckabee is more of a social conservative than a fiscal conservative.

Novak also said that political journalists who flocked to the McCain campaign in 2000 are now attracted to Mike Huckabee could be a factor in "If he could give an impression of having won the Iowa primary — even if he doesn't come in first - it could be a factor in New Hampshire," Novak said.

Source: CNSNews.com

Posted by Hillary · Filed Under Hillary Clinton, Top Story

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One Response to “Clinton Campaign Copying Nixon’s Tricks, Novak Says”

WonkoBlog » Blog Archive » Do conservative bloggers even care who’s running? on November 20th, 2007 7:31 am

[…] Clinton Campaign Copying Nixon’s Tricks, Novak Says Against Hillary (11/19) […]

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