History Forum / General / British History / January 2008

Things are heating up on the campaign trail.

DSH
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January 25, 2008

Kerry blasts Bill Clinton for 'abusing truth'

WASHINGTON (CNN) — John Kerry, the Democratic Party's 2004 nominee for
president, took aim at Bill Clinton Friday, telling the National Journal the
former president does "not have a license to abuse the truth."

The Massachusetts senator, who endorsed Barack Obama's White House bid
earlier this month, said Clinton's criticisms of the Illinois senator have
been "over the top," and suggested the former president is getting
"frantic."

Targeting Clinton's recent spate of attacks on Obama, Kerry said, "I think
you had an abuse of the truth, is what happened. …I mean, being an
ex-president does not give you license to abuse the truth, and I think that
over the last days it's been over the top.

"I think it's very unfortunate, but I think the voters can see through
that," Kerry added. "When somebody's coming on strong and they are growing,
people get a little frantic, and I think people have seen this sort of
franticness in the air, if you will."

The former president has faced criticism for aggressively interjecting
himself into the race between his wife and Obama of late. On Monday, Obama
said he feels as if he is running against both Clintons, a charge the New
York senator’s campaign said was borne out of frustration. The former
president himself later dismissed Obama's comments, saying “I thought he was
running against me.”

Campaigning in South Carolina Friday, Obama said the Clinton campaign has
stepped up its attacks since his Iowa win, and joked that it's good practice
for him, so "when I take on those Republicans I'll be accustomed to it."

Kerry formally endorsed Obama on January 10, saying then that Obama "isn't
just going to break the mold….Together, we are going to shatter it into a
million pieces."

The endorsement was seen as a blow to both John Edwards — Kerry's running
mate in 2004 — and both Hillary and Bill Clinton, who had campaigned on
behalf of Kerry's presidential bid.