Key Barack Obama advisor calls Hillary Clinton a 'monster'

Samantha Power, a Barack Obama foreign policy advisor and Harvard professor who helped focus the world's attention on genocide, apparently has a little trouble with personal diplomacy. In an interview with the Scotsman published today, Power described Hillary Clinton as a "monster" and used an expletive to describe the Obama campaign's losing effort in Ohio -- comments for which she is already apologizing.

The money quote: "You just look at her and think, 'Ergh.' But if you are poor and she is telling you some story about how Obama is going to take your job away, maybe it will be more effective. The amount of deceit she has put forward is really unattractive."

And: "In Ohio, they are obsessed and Hillary is going to town on it, because she knows Ohio's the only place they can win. She is a monster, too -– that is off the record -– she is stooping to anything."

Imagine the meeting this morning among the Obama communications advisors. Power, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, already has drawn lightning over her views on the Mideast, though she has picked up some defenders too.

And there will probably be some chatter this morning about Power's saying that the "monster" comment was off the record. But Power should know better. Off-the-record status is something agreed to between interviewer and interviewee, not something decreed by the person being interviewed because he or she uttered something problematic.

And in this case, Power's "frankness" might not rise to the level of Obama's "problem from hell," but it's not exactly the kind of distraction the campaign needs at this point.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Mary Cobb]

Obama's advisors help voters decide who to vote for and this woman clearly makes me understand that I will be voting for Hillary Clinton.

[Ron]

Samantha Power, you would think that you would be talking about issues instead of crazed personal attacks. And what is this about Ohio? I' m from Ohio and very proud of that, We have had more presidents than any other state. If it wasn't for Ohioans, you'd be walking on your trip, instead of flying. Ohio is one of the nicest states in the U.S. , and has some of the nicest people in the country. We are not led like sheep, as some other people are. we have our own minds, and make our own decisions.

[Sharpie]

The words are definitely abrasive and maybe uncouth, but she's unflappably right on the mark in every quote! Some fire in that one!

[Dominic]

So? She is. She's a lying, disingenuous monster. If she wants to have a negative campaign she can deal with the consequences.

[Kevin Morris]

how is it that when a source says this is off the record it ends up in the quote?? I think this is so indicative of the media today in that the established rules of jornalism have flown out the window.... sad!

[Dominic]

Finally, the truth. Hillary Clinton is a monster. Everyone knows it. She is a liar. She is pure evil. She will destroy the entire party to get the nom. She is a selfish windbag. She started the negative campaigning now she can live with it.

[lhummer Littleton, CO]

You can’t deny that Hillary Clinton is a fighter – a dirty fighter!

[lewis]

I'm still waiting on what exactly Obama is gonna change??
He has liitle experience. The youngsters like the change word..GO HILLARY!

[nT]

When one sees a determined opponent who fights back hard, you think he or she is a monster. Who do you think you are, Mr Obama? A black knight on the white horse?

[Ron]

Samantha Power you would think that you would be talking about issues instead of crazed personal attacks. And what is this about Ohio? I' m from Ohio and very proud of that, We have had more presidents than any other state. If it wasn't for Ohioans, you'd be walking on your trip, instead of flying. Ohio is one of the nicest states in the U.S. , and has some of the nicest people in the country. We are not led like sheep, as some other people are. we have our own minds, and make our own decisions.

[DaveH]

I find some of the reactions to be quite humorous. All this proves is that one of Obama's aides got carried away in the heat of a tight battle. It is hardly a huge negative thrust, nor necessarily any reflection at all of Obama's views.

Yet another media frenzy over what amounts to nearly nothing, and people responding as if it mattered.

[Pennie]

I thought this was a joke, espeically when I heard who said it. They really do hate women and think the poor and working class are stupid.

[rebecca]

Naomi, just HOW has she proven herself in "...crises situation such as 9/11 where she is the Senator from New York, Bosnia, Kosovo negotiations, the Ireland peace proposals, and in China ..." I really believe this is taking away credit from those who actually did the work night and day to make these accomplishments. secondly, you sound like you're from the far right with your bellicose use of the word "patriotic"- so you are probably not going to be voting for hillary anyway.

[John]

Voting for Hillary is voting for a continuation of the Bush nightmare.

If you vote for Hillary, you're voting to further destroy America. Hillary is a closet neo-con.

[Larkin]

Samantha Power: Dems answer to Ann Coulter. Disgraceful.

[John]

Voting for Hillary is voting for a continuation of the Bush nightmare.

If you vote for Hillary, you're voting to further destroy America. Hillary is a closet neo-con.

[Wayne W]

She called her a "monster." ... and what's the problem? (or what's the inaccuracy here? I'm baffled)

[GoreFan]

Time to draft Al Gore. A Gore/Obama ticket would combine experience with judgement.

[kdfrsocal]

But she is a monster! She's a desperate, lying harridan, Bush-lite, and not all that lite. She has negative coattails and if elected may just finish the job Cheney started of dragging this country down the drain.

[John]

Voting for Hillary is voting for a continuation of the Bush nightmare.

If you vote for Hillary, you're voting to further destroy America. Hillary is a closet neo-con.

[Chile]

Why on earth would you take what was said by a campaign member as something condoned by Obama. He didn't make these remarks! In fact, Power has already resigned. There is only substance to what Obama says...not everyone associated to his campaign. Can you control what you spouse says. Would you want to be held accountable for what you spouse says? I haven't decided who I will vote for, but I think its unfair to even consider remarks such as these as Obama's voice! Here everything before you choose!

[jane]

It's ironic that in trying to make Hillary look like a "monster" Samantha Power came off as the desperate aid. The Obama campaign now has to face the reality of politics and all the "change" rhetoric will not be able to cover up that Obama and his team are just like all the other politicians (I mean you don't get to run for president if you haven't been playing the game). Hillary is not being "dirty" in her campaign, she is exposing his weaknesses. That's politics, and his team is doing the same to her, which is fine. That's how we end up knowing who is who and can make an informed decision. Obama has great qualities, don't be fooled into thinking he's not part of the Washington establishment.

[BobGil]

KEY: ned the bush disater.
Hillary would make a fine president, but she cannot be elected. Let's say her "unfavorable rating" is 40% (the lowest number I've heard). That means she would have to take 5/6 of the remaining 60% of voters.
How likely is that?
Let's get real - the most important thing is to end the Bush disaster, which McCain basically pledges to continue.
Obama is your only choice if you want to end the Bush disaster.
Time to wake up!

[Anthony]

One of the key differentiating factors for being a civilized human being and being non-civilized, aminalistic one is the ability to know what is right and what is wrong. When one loses this ability, you know what he/she becomes!
So if we think that there's a need for us to belong to a civilized society, act like its civilized members.
If we don't see there is such a need, then there's no limit, heaven or hellist hell.

[incredulous]

it should not have been said, but the fact remains, she is ripping the party apart -- she is less likely to defeat McCain -- she is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory -- in my book, that does make her a monster.

I can't believe after 2000 and 2004 the Dems are going to do it again, 48% of the public hates Hillary. She is the only person that can unify Republican opposition. It's unbelievable.