Sen. Hillary Clinton campaigning in Raleigh, N.C., today. Photo by Jason Arthurs / Raleigh News & Observer / McClatchy Tribune)
By Jim Tankersley, updated
RALEIGH, N.C. – Presumably, the scene would play out something like this:
A darkened bedroom. A ringing phone. A groggy hello. An operator's voice.
"Madam President, the Treasury Secretary is on the line. The Nikkei is in free-fall. The world needs you, now."
That's the new version of the now-famous "3 a.m. phone call" that Sen. Hillary Clinton raised today in North Carolina, diverting from a jobs-themed speech to take a swipe at the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's command of economic issues.
“It’s time for a president who is ready on day one to be the Commander-in-Chief of our economy," Clinton said, riffing on a line she usually wields against Democratic opponent Barack Obama. "Sometimes the phone rings at 3 a.m. in the White House and it’s an economic crisis. And we need a president who is ready and willing and able to answer that call.
"I read the speech that Senator (John) McCain gave the other day which set forth his plan which does virtually nothing to ease the credit crisis or the housing crisis," Clinton continued. "It seems like if the phone were ringing, he would just let it ring and ring and ring."
Clinton and Obama both slammed McCain today for his comments on the economy and the housing crisis, which reflect a more conservative view that government should not overly interfere with markets.
Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant countered with a statement calling Obama and Clinton's economic plans “what you expect from two senators who think that big government is the solution for just about every problem. Obama and Clinton’s plans for more taxes, spending and regulations will lead to fewer homeowners and jobs," he said.
After detailing her own housing plan earlier this week – which includes a $30 billion "housing stimulus package" and other steps to help homeowners avoid foreclosure - Clinton focused almost exclusively on job creation today.
At Wake Technical Community College, Clinton proposed a $2.5 billion annual workforce training program, which would expand help for dislocated workers and new "pre-emptive on-the-job training."
"You shouldn't have to produce a pink slip to get help training for a higher-paying job," Clinton said.
Clinton reiterated several of her core economic proposals in language – harsh on drug and oil companies and heavy on praise for the middle class - that often sounded a lot like native son John Edwards, the populist former senator who quit the Democratic primary race before Super Tuesday and remains uncommitted to either Clinton or Obama. She also invoked the Wright Brothers' famous flight in Kitty Hawk, N.C., and, in true Carolina spirit, tossed in a couple of "March Madness" allusions.
Obama delivered his own economic policy speech this morning in New York, but Clinton didn't mention him. She left that to her campaign.
“Presidents have to do more than announce principles," Clinton policy director Neera Tanden said in a statement. "They have to solve problems. At a time of crisis in our financial markets, Senator Obama announced a series of broad, vague principles, while offering no new concrete solutions to provide Americans with greater confidence in the market or keep them in their homes. "
Nearly 1,000 supporters, many of them students, packed into a third-floor, windowless room where the temperature rose steadily throughout the morning. They cheered loudly when Clinton took the stage, an hour behind schedule, after apparently leaving late from Washington this morning.
Perhaps she was up late on a phone call.





Comments
The interesting thing is that, just hours after Hillary told of her economic plan, National Public Radio interviewed Edward Luce/Luca (not sure of name/sp.), the Washington Bureau Chief for Financial Times, who told the interviewer that hillary's plan mirrored what was already on the Senate floor (he mentioned Sen. Dodd) and was nothing new. He said the only kew thing was hillary's call for a foreclosure committee.
Posted by: tony.s | March 27, 2008 2:25 PM
Even the little girl who starred in Hillary's 3AM fear ad doesn't plan on voting for Hillary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXmYVRIpu2w
Posted by: Minica | March 27, 2008 2:42 PM
"SECRETARY PAULSON SPEAKS"
I'M NOT ANSWERING IT, I'M GOING TO CHINA!
BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON SAID HE WASN'T GOING TO ANSWER IT, HE SPENT HIS 124 MILLION DOLLARS DICK CHENEY GAVE HIM. IT'S NOT MY PHONE CALL.
"JUDICIAL WATCH" SAID THEY WOULDN'T ANSWER IT EITHER, THEY TOO WERE TOLD THE IRAQ OIL LIBERATION EFFORTS WOULD BE DONE IN 18 DAYS.
RICK RE NZI, RE NZI SAID HE ISN'T GOING TO ANSWER IT, HE ALREADY SPENT HIS 29 MILLION DOLLARS, HE'S JUST GETTING GOP DONATIONS FOR HIS "DEFENSE FUNDS"
DO YOU THINK WE CAN GET SOMEONE FROM THE "K STREET PROJECT" TO HANG OUT A LITTLE BIT LONGER IN THE WHITE HOUSE MAYBE ONE OF THOSE "LOG CABIN BOYS" CAN ANSWER IT.
HOW ABOUT DUSTY FOGGO, HE WAS USUALLY UP LATE?
DO YOU THINK ANYONE FROM DICK CHENEY'S BIG OIL MEETINGS PRIOR TO THE ELECTION COULD COME DOWN TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND ANSWER THE PHONE?
HOW ABOUT ONE OF THEM "BLACKWATER" EMPLOYEES THAT LOST THAT 9 BILLION DOLLARS, IN IRAQ COME DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE AND ANSWER GEORGE BUSH, AND HIS GOVERNMENT, HECK CONDI WILL WORK IF YOU CAN FIND HER!
Posted by: roger morris | March 27, 2008 2:54 PM
Oh Dang!!!!
I guess that 3:00 AM call is not going to get answered until 4:30 AM when she finishes putting on makeup.
Oh.. I'm sorry Hillary "sniper-fire" Clinton. Your 3:00 AM call cannot wait that long.
No liars for president.
No crooks for president.
No more pity votes.
No more sympathy votes.
Release your tax return.
Let us see your land dealings.
Let us see your sources of income.
Let us see whom you paid to murder Vince Forster.
Posted by: David | March 27, 2008 3:05 PM
Just when I thought, her campaign cannot get more ridiculous..here it is!!!!
Posted by: sandy | March 27, 2008 3:07 PM
So what would Clinton do for unemployed Americans who DON'T need more training to be immediately employable - who have great degrees and are "just" being excluded by employers who aren't qualified to do that???
Posted by: Jean SmilingCoyote | March 27, 2008 3:07 PM
Someone needs to tell HRC (and Obama) that we have a free-market economy. This isn't the USSR and the President, despite what the Congress-critter candidates would like us to think, does not run the economy. The job is to oversee monetary policy so that it is managed in the best interests of the country. The President, and for that matter Congress, cannot mandate that a company create jobs, defer jobs, stay in business, or run there busienss so as the benefit the greater good. The more politicians mandate the more harm they will do and have done. SOX is a great example - lots of time and money invested in compliance yet it did nothing to prevent the current crisis.
Posted by: Nick | March 27, 2008 3:08 PM
Haven't you seen the interview of college students where Hillary held her initial campaign speeches and qa sessions?
Students told news reporters that Hillary's campaign staff gave pre-printed questions to ask Hillary during the q/a session, and the unsuspecting students fell for it. I am not making this up.
She is now mocking Obama for discussing what is important to the people in America. She has no clue, no foresight, no class, no decency, and now most Americans and even people in other countries trust even a word that comes out of her mouth.
Release your tax return.
Let us see your land dealings.
Let us see your sources of income.
Let us see whom you paid to murder Vince Forster.
Posted by: Dave | March 27, 2008 3:10 PM
Hillary is ready to lie on day one. I love Mr. Obama, but at this point in the race. George Bush looks good as president and so does McCain. I am disgusted by this woman. She thinks rules don't apply to her. She stinks!!!!!!
Posted by: parkay | March 27, 2008 3:29 PM
McCain does not need an economic plan, since he intends to keep the Bush bus running -- you know, the bus that is currently driving our economy over a cliff. The Bush plan has the advantage of simplicity, so it will not require McCain to know too much. Under the Bush plan the government's job is to transfer as much wealth, as fast as possible, to wealthy Republicans. While you are doing this you distract voters with Red Meat issues, or minor tax breaks. This is all simple enough for McCain, who will delegate the economy to holdovers from the Bush administration.
Posted by: David H. | March 27, 2008 3:46 PM
The Economy is "the issue" of our time.
Listen People, we better get this one right or 2010 will look like 1931.
Can you hear me now?
Posted by: Randy | March 27, 2008 3:50 PM
Hillary has been telling the country about the economy crisis for a long time, but the media has not given it any time. The media is still swooning over Obama and is continuing to give him a free past. Latest evidence: mainstream all carried Clinton's mistake with mispeaking about Bonia, vs. only Fox carried the Wright scandal. When the media was shamed into having to cover it, then they declared 'a historic speech' when it was obvious that Obama threw out this race discussion to distract everyone since he can't answer these questions:
1. why do you stay for 20 years?
2. why do you still appoint Wright your adviser even though you remove him from the big event of announcing your candidacy?
3. why do you still let your children go to the church to hear Wright's anti-white and anti-american preaching?
4. why do you not wear an American flag pin any more more?
5. why do you pick a new pastor who also believes in Wright teaching?
6. why do you do throw your grandma under the bus with a 'typical white person'
7. why do you incite the Blacks and throw them under the bus by making it sound like all Blacks believe in Wright teaching?
Between these two incidents, I would think that Obama's belief in Wright's anti-white and anti-american would be a more serious issue.
Posted by: vote4thebest | March 27, 2008 4:10 PM
The US should accelerate the development of non-gasoline engine to remove completely dependence of foreign oil. Electric car, hydrogen fuel cell, combination of electric and gasoline that will increase mileage by 200 miles per gallon. That will also solve long term energy problem. Hillary, please hear me on this one. Accelerate the development and production of non-gasoline engines and give necessary tax credits to all parties to make it happen quickly.
Posted by: Rom | March 27, 2008 4:44 PM
[quote]
Haven't you seen the interview of college students where Hillary held her initial campaign speeches and qa sessions?
Students told news reporters that Hillary's campaign staff gave pre-printed questions to ask Hillary during the q/a session, and the unsuspecting students fell for it. I am not making this up.
Posted by: Dave | March 27, 2008 3:10 PM
[/quote]
If you're not making this up, then it should be really easy for you to post links to this story from reputable news sites.
Please post them ASAP.
Posted by: BC | March 27, 2008 5:02 PM
WHO WANT'S A LIER WHO MISSPOKE ,CHANGE THE RULES,RAN FORM SNIPER FIRE THAT NEVER HAPPEN. GIVE IN AND UP HILLARY YOU CAN'T WIN WITH THE LIES YOU ALWAY'S TELL THEY WANT SALE.YOU DON'T HAVE A PASTOR. REV.WRIGHT AS WELL AS JESUS WILL FORGIVE A LIER LIKE YOU. YOU ARE A SICKO LIER WHO LIVE IN A ANOTHER WORLD.NEVER WILL YOU GET MY VOTE!
Posted by: netta | March 27, 2008 5:09 PM
DON'T BE DUPED !!!
Large numbers of Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on. Because they feel he would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. And because they feel that a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket would be unbeatable. And also because with a Clinton and Obama ticket you are almost 100% certain to get quality, affordable universal health care very soon.
But first, all of you have to make certain that Hillary Clinton takes the democratic nomination and then the Whitehouse. NOW! is the time. THIS! is the moment you have all been working, and waiting for. You can do this America. "Carpe diem" (harvest the day).
I think Hillary Clinton see's a beautiful world of plenty for all. She is a woman, and a mother. And it's time America. Do this for your-selves, and your children's future. You will have to work together on this and be aggressive, relentless, and creative. Americans face an even worse catastrophe ahead than the one you are living through now.
You see, the medical and insurance industry mostly support the republicans with the money they ripped off from you. And they don't want you to have quality, affordable universal health care. They want to be able to continue to rip you off, and kill you and your children by continuing to deny you life saving medical care that you have already paid for. So they can continue to make more immoral profits for them-selves.
Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama's. She also leads in the electoral college numbers that you must win to become President in the November national election. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!
As much as 30% of Obama's primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help.
Hillary Clinton has been out manned, out gunned, and out spent 2 and 3 to 1. Yet Obama has only been able to manage a very tenuous, and questionable tie with Hillary Clinton.
If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. Because the Republican vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. All of this vote fraud and republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is. YOUNG PEOPLE. DON'T BE DUPED! Think about it. You have the most to lose.
The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. I suggest a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket. Everyone needs to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton NOW! So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.
I think Barack Obama has a once in a life time chance to make the ultimate historic gesture for unity, and change in America by accepting Hillary Clinton's offer as running mate. Such an act now would for ever seal Barack Obama's place at the top of the list of Americas all time great leaders, and unifiers for all of history.
The democratic party, and the super-delegates have a decision to make. Are the democrats, and the democratic party going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee to fight for the American people. Or are the republicans going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee through vote fraud, and gaming the DEMOCRATIC party primaries, and caucuses.
Fortunately the Clinton's have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic comebacks of Hillary Clinton's. Only the Clinton's are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen.
"This is not a game" (Hillary Clinton)
Sincerely
jacksmith...
Posted by: jacksmith | March 27, 2008 5:35 PM
Hey BC This might not be the perfect link you're looking for, but you'll get the idea. She planted questions among college students.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/13/clinton.planted/index.html
Posted by: Dennis | March 27, 2008 5:35 PM
Hey BC This might not be the perfect link you're looking for, but you'll get the idea. She planted questions among college students.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/13/clinton.planted/index.html
Posted by: Dennis | March 27, 2008 5:36 PM
Hillary's death march continues. This woman is VILE!!!
Posted by: Hillary's Death March | March 27, 2008 7:10 PM
"NETTA SPEAKS"
SHE MISPOKE.
SHE MISPOKE.
SHE MISPOKE.
GOD WILL NOT FORGIVE HER.
NOT MY GOD, MY GOD IS NOT A FORGIVING GOD.
I'VE MISPOKE.
I'VE MISPOKE.
GOD DID NOT FORGIVE ME NOT MY GOD, MY GOD IS A NOT A FORGIVING GOD.
SO WHO'S GOD IS MY GOD, JUST NOT YOUR GOD. NOT REV WRIGHT, BECAUSE HIS GOD APPEARED TO BE NOT A FORGIVING GOD. NOT LIKE MY GOD, MY GOD IS A FORGIVING GOD. I MEAN, NOT A FORGIVING GOD. I MEAN MY GOD IS A FORGIVING GOD, NOT LIKE REV. WRIGHTS GOD, BECAUSE HIS GOD IS NOT MY GOD, AND MY GOD IS NOT GOING TO FORGIVE HER, OR HIM, BECAUSE MY GOD IS A FORGIVING GOD AND I WON'T ALLOW HIM TO FORGIVE HER OR HIM!
BECAUSE MY GOD IS A FORGIVING GOD.
MINE TOO!
Posted by: Roger Morris | March 27, 2008 7:57 PM
We've been having an economic crisis in New York for many years...
Hillary has been AWOL nearly the whole time.
Posted by: wolf | March 27, 2008 11:30 PM
Typical Obama supporter comment. What is the basis that he is the best candidate? Is it because he is best speaker? He is like GW Bush who first came as a Uniter and empowering the voters. Where is Bush unity and as far as empowering goes Bush arrogance has taken the control. Well he is the President and is in the driving seat - so what else can you now expect.
At the same time Obama has not made an attempt to hide his arrogance. He is willing to undercut his own white mother who fed him, educated him and who might have made comments just to protect him.
I have bad experience with the blacks. I have been mugged, and beaten by blacks and to this day, if at night I am walking alone and I see a black coming towards me, I simply cross the road and go on the opposite side. But during day I do not mind mingling with blacks and in fact some my friends and colleagues are black. Does this make me racial or even closer to comparison of what Rev. Wright preaches?
Obama is so confident that he is the nominee that he has (like GW Bush) arrogantly refused to disown his preacher.
But as regards the qualities and arrogance of Obama, I do not blame him, it runs in his family. After all he is a distant relative of G W Bush as well as Chenney.
Posted by: RH | March 28, 2008 6:10 AM
vote4thebest - are you a repub in sheep's clothing? Is religion guiding your political decisions? it sure sounds that way. You must be a pro-lifer as well. No separation of Church/State for you?
The media didn't play the Wright story for the entire week? Where were you? Bosnia? Ducking sniper fire and unable to get a signal? I don't see any swooning over Obama anymore, but when you drink the kool-aid, you're bound to see what you want to.
Chelsea Clinton in 2016 for you? Why not? Vetted, tested, lived in the White House, and apparently ducked sniper fire in Bosnia. How about Jenna Bush in 2024 if the Clintons mess up. Two families for the US. Nice.
Posted by: karl | March 28, 2008 12:40 PM
Obama is the least experienced man to run for President in modern times. Hillary spent 8 years in the Senate, and has the resources and experience to lead the USA back to Peace and Prosperity.
Hillary may not be a Rock Star, but she's down-to-earth and offers solid solutions to get the economy on track.
Obama is ALL SPEECH NO SOLUTIONS about anything. He says he wants to talk about the issues but hardly ever does. He's always saying the opposite of who he really is and what he does, and it's trickery.
Read this article, it sums it up for me. I'm a peace activist and Obama votes like a Hwak, so I started not trusting him. Many progressives have realized the same conclusions, by reading a lot independently.
The Obama Craze: Count Me Out
by Matt Gonzalez‚ Feb. 27‚ 2008
Part of me shares the enthusiasm for Barack Obama. After all, how could someone calling themself a progressive not sense the importance of what it means to have an African-American so close to the presidency? But as his campaign has unfolded, and I heard that we are not red states or blue states for the 6th or 7th time, I realized I knew virtually nothing about him.
Like most, I know he gave a stirring speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. I know he defeated Alan Keyes in the Illinois Senate race; although it wasn’t much of a contest (Keyes was living in Maryland when he announced). Recently, I started looking into Obama’s voting record, and I’m afraid to say I’m not just uninspired: I’m downright fearful. Here's why:
This is a candidate who says he’s going to usher in change; that he is a different kind of politician who has the skills to get things done. He reminds us again and again that he had the foresight to oppose the war in Iraq. And he seems to have a genuine interest in lifting up the poor.
But his record suggests that he is incapable of ushering in any kind of change I’d like to see. It is one of accommodation and concession to the very political powers that we need to rein in and oppose if we are to make truly lasting advances.
THE WAR IN IRAQ
Let’s start with his signature position against the Iraq war. Obama has sent mixed messages at best.
First, he opposed the war in Iraq while in the Illinois state legislature. Once he was running for US Senate though, when public opinion and support for the war was at its highest, he was quoted in the July 27, 2004 Chicago Tribune as saying, “There’s not that much difference between my position and George Bush’s position at this stage. The difference, in my mind, is who’s in a position to execute.” The Tribune went on to say that Obama, “now believes US forces must remain to stabilize the war-ravaged nation – a policy not dissimilar to the current approach of the Bush administration
Here's the Complete Article:
http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/The_Obama_Craze_Count_Me_Out_5413.html
Posted by: Cass | March 28, 2008 12:49 PM
It is insightful to see that as President of the US Sen. Clinton would perceive herself as the "commander in chief of the economy". I find that frightful and think that the newsmedia should address this misstatement.
Posted by: lost in the woods | March 28, 2008 3:09 PM