Clinton blasts Obama’s campaign tactics

In perhaps her sharpest attack of the 2008 presidential campaign, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton accused her Democratic rival on Saturday of "using tactics that are right out of Karl Rove's playbook," declaring at one point, "Shame on you, Barack Obama."

Clinton's comments in Cincinnati represented a marked shift from just two days ago, when she and Obama engaged in a generally good-natured debate in Austin, Texas. The Illinois senator responded by noting "the sudden change in tone" and questioning Clinton's timing, ahead of Sunday newspaper deadlines and with another debate three days away.

"It makes me think there's something tactical about her getting so exercised this morning," he said in Columbus, Ohio.

Clinton took strong exception to Obama mailings that criticised her views on health care and trade. Both mailings have been sent before by the Obama campaign, and her aides had expressed frustration about them, but the senator from New York had not previously addressed them in such a pointed way.

"I have to express my deep disappointment that he is continuing to send false and discredited mailings," Clinton said, holding the fliers in her hand. "He says one thing in his speeches, and then he turns around and does this. It is not the new politics the speeches are about. It is not hopeful. It is destructive."

She added, "Enough with the speeches and the big rallies and then using tactics right out of Karl Rove's playbook. This is wrong, and every Democrat should be outraged. ... Shame on you, Barack Obama."

One mailing says that Clinton's health-care plan would force people to purchase insurance, even if they could not afford it. The other quotes a Newsday article that says Clinton regarded the North American Free Trade Agreement as a "boon" to the economy. The Long Island newspaper has acknowledged that was the word it chose to describe her view of the controversial agreement.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Train through Pakistan

Google Maps leads Chinese man abducted 23 yrs ago back home

Pak Army Chief Kayani meets Nawaz Sharif

US treasury dept knew of IRS inquiry in 2012: Official