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Feb 25, 2008 7:35 pm US/Eastern
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Clinton Vague About Controversial Obama Photo
War Of Words Leads Into Tuesday Night's Debate In Ohio
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
A photo of Barack Obama has prompted a new war of words on the campaign trail. This while John McCain admits that to become president he has to convince voters America's Iraq policy is working.
It was a moment of candor; McCain admitting that if he can't convince the country the troop surge in Iraq is working he'll lose the presidential race.
Still, he promised to be tough on terrorism.
"I want to tell you if I have to follow him to the gates of Hell, I'll get Osama Bin Laden. I'll get him, I promise.
McCain can't seem to budge from the Bush approach that insists on using military force when diplomacy is needed.
Hillary Clinton tried to link McCain to President Bush's Iraq policy on Monday too.
"We need a president who knows how to employ both the olive branch and the arrows," Clinton said.
The problem is her attempt to get campaign traction was overshadowed by a photograph circulating the Internet.
The Drudge Report said the photo showing Sen. Obama is local dress during a trip to Africa was being circulated by Clinton staffers. The Obama campaign went ballistic, charging that the photo represented the kind of negative campaigning Americans are rejecting.
The Obama campaign went on to say it was fear mongering.
Clinton, who has worn native dress herself, like during a trip to Jordan in 1999, responded through a campaign manager Maggie Williams.
"If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing Somali dress is divisive, they should be ashamed," Williams said.
Team Clinton never actually admitted they had anything to do with the photo but …
"No, no … it's unlikely that it came up by accident," political expert David Birdsell said.
And it could end up backfiring on Hillary.
"It seems like the (Clinton) campaign is grasping at straws," Birdsell said.
Senators Clinton and Obama will face off again Tuesday night in a debate in Ohio. Pundits expect a lot of fireworks.
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