Jan 12, 2008 7:30 am US/Eastern
Clinton Explains Meaning Of Obama's 'Fairy Tale'
Former President Calls In To Sharpton's Radio Show
By Dave Carlin, CBS 2 HD News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton wave during campaign stop in Milford, N.H., on Jan. 4, 2008.
AP
Former President Bill Clinton was on the phone and the radio Friday discussing what he meant during Monday's speech at Dartmouth College. While talking about Sen. Barack Obama he uttered the phrase "This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen."
It caused an uproar and Clinton asked to be on The Rev. Al Sharpton's radio show to clear the air. Clinton said his use of the term "fairy tale" did not refer to Obama's life, his campaign or his chances of winning. Clinton said he used it only to point out that he thinks Obama waffled on the Iraq war in 2004. Here is what Clinton said in the Dartmouth Speech:
"First, it is not factually true that everyone that supported the resolution supported Bush attacking Iraq before the UN inspectors. Chuck Hagel was one of the co-authors of the resolution, the only Republican senator that always opposed the war. Everyday from the get go. He authored a resolution to say that Bush could go to war only if he cooperated with the inspectors and he was insured personally from Condi Rice as many of the senators were.
"First the case is wrong that way. Second, the case that Sen. Obama got to go through 15 debates trumpeting his superior judgment and how he had been against the war every year numerating the years and never got asked one time, not once, well how could you say that when you said in 2004 you didn't know whether you voted on the resolution?
"In 2004 there was no difference between you and George Bush on the war and the speech you're running on off your Web site from 2004 and there is no difference on your voting record and Hillary's since. Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I have ever seen."
On the radio Friday Clinton said, "There was nothing fairy tale about the (Obama) campaign. It is real, it is strong and he might win."
Sharpton said Clinton came to him because, "I know better than anyone that for people of our descent it is no fairy tale to run for president."
Sharpton is meeting with candidates before announcing who he will endorse. He hopes to do that before the South Carolina Primary on Jan. 19. Before hanging up Clinton made his case that Sharpton and his listeners should go with Sen. Hillary Clinton. As for Sen. Obama, Bill Clinton said, "If he doesn't make it this time. He has other opportunities to run."
The night after the speech Obama responded to the "fairy tale" comment by calling it the act of a desperate campaign. Former President Clinton promised to join Sharpton in studio but did not set a date.
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