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Records show her experience, Clinton argues

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor March 19, 2008 11:10 AM

Trying to frame the discussion over the release this morning of more than 11,000 pages of her schedules as first lady, Hillary Clinton said that they prove the value of her White House experience.

"These documents are outlines of the First Lady's activities and illustrate the array of substantive issues she worked on -- including healthcare, child care, adoption, education, veterans, microenterprise and international development, women's rights, and democracy," the Clinton campaign said in a statement. "Her daily schedules also list some of the meetings and travel she conducted to more than 80 countries in pursuit of the administration's domestic and foreign policy goals. They are a guide, and of course cannot reflect all of Senator Clinton's activities as First Lady.

"The schedules do help illustrate Hillary Clinton's extensive and exhaustive work as a public servant and her role as an influential advocate at home and around the world on behalf of our country," the statement continued. "As such, they are a valuable addition to the substantive and vast public record already made available by President Clinton."

While Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group, sued to speed the release of the records, the Clinton campaign said that the documents showed former President Clinton's commitment to public access.

Her campaign also issued a challenge to Democratic presidential rival Barack Obama to release similar records from his years as a state senator in Illinois.

7 comments so far...
  1. Hillary Clinton believed her husband's denials of his extramarital affairs. This is even after all the new stories. How smart is she really? If she becomes president, will she believe the B.S. from the dictators and the terrorists?

    Posted by Lt. Bookman (retired) March 19, 08 02:49 PM
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  1. We have no idea what went on in Hillary's mind during her life with Bill, any more than we know the lives of her critics. But her intelligence has not been doubted since she was the first undergraduate anywhere to give her college commencement speech, and I have never seen a negative assessment of her awareness. She was in a large majority in the Senate who approved Bush's war powers which led to Iraq, when many a hopeful person assumed Bush would do nothing so brash as an unprovoked attack. I find unreasoning hostility to her alarming if it is typical of the voting public. She may or may not become president, at which time, considering our problems, confidence in the president's judgements will be crucial.

    Posted by Paul R. Cooper March 19, 08 03:16 PM
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  1. Bill had his priorities and apparently they were not his wife or the "affairs of state." If he had not been such a slut puppy, none of his meetings with Monica would have been mentioned in reference to Hillary's White House schedule. Blame Bill and not the media for noticing that Hillary was in the White House on the day of the stained dress incident. And many want to bring the Billary circus back to the White House.

    Posted by Jeff in Orlando March 19, 08 04:19 PM
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  1. I really want to see Obama's state records before Penn.

    This is utter nonsense. We are electing a president we know little about. Over a year into the campaign with most primaries over we learn of Pastor Wright. Nice job biased media

    Posted by Ann Ohio March 19, 08 09:51 PM
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  1. Why does #1 poster equate Hillary believing Bill's story about the affair with how smart she would be in believing terrorists and dictators. We are talking here about the love a woman has for her husband, which she would not have for terrorists and dictators. The situation here is clearly different. Of course she could have dumped Bill Clinton, but she made a personal decision to weather the storm of her marriage. Now that is far different when contrasted with the judgment Obama made when he chose to stay in his relationship with Jeremiah Wright. It wasn't like newspapers were carrying the Wright sermons every week, it was Obama who sat in the pews and digested all the vitriol that Wright was hurling at white people and the America.

    Posted by Charly March 20, 08 12:38 AM
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  1. I am the daughter of a Baptist preacher and hold 3 graduate degrees. Therefore, having grown up in the once divided south, I feel more than capable of knowing and deciding what is hatred. My dad preached many fiery sermons based on bibical reference as do most fundamental pastors. This is and always has been a means to illustrate the pathways to heaven & hell. After listening to the full text of Rev. Wright';s sermons, his intent is focused on the need for our country to turn from the sins that surround us. Unfortunately the media has failed to understand this bibical truth. As a conservative American, it is my hope that the 3 individuals who have demonstrated the ability to lead our country be allowed to stand or fall on their own merits. For the media to spin twisted views for $$$$ gain does harm to our country by drowning the voices of the people.

    Posted by Eddie Gordon March 20, 08 02:01 PM
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  1. I agree with one of the commentators. Why do not we see Obama's records? Why each time one person questions his experience or his judgement, we hear the race game from his collaborators? When is the time to see the substance? I believe that he is a easy bate for McCain in November. Let's hope democrats are smart enough to choose Clinton.

    Posted by Meg March 20, 08 10:32 PM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com

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